newbie to hal

[ivan427]

hello

mi wife and i are in our early 40s, are we to young to enjoy a cruise with hal. we been on rccl and princess. we would like to go next april, to the carribean or mexico. could some one tell us about the fooand cabins, usually take an outside cabin or a suite.

thanks

ivan and marianne

[doone]

I am in my late 40's and have been sailing HAL for around 20 years. For me, HAL is what I enjoy. Keep in mind that HAL a more traditional style of cruise line. Its totally different than RCCL, but possibly closer to Princess. If you like alot of nightlife, then perhaps HAL isn't for you, but if you want a nice, relaxing, traditional type of cruise, then you will enjoy HAL.

[MikeT718]

We are in our early 50's (me 50 and DW 50+) and we have been on one HAL cruise and will do our 2nd in less then 2 weeks and for me there is no other line I love HAL:D ..I will admit one thing we will have to get away form HAL for just one cruise:confused: because friends of ours would like to go to Bermuda and HAL does not go there for a week any more so for next year I have to go with some one else which might be NCL..But we are comming right back to HAL in 2008 for Alaska..:D

[ivan427]

doone

thanks for the info,we like a traditinal cruise. how r the cabins and the food.

thanks

ivan and marianne

[noblepa]

HAL is one of the last of the "traditional" cruise lines. By that, I mean that they still have formal nights, and expect people to dress up. HAL does not load its ships up with rock-climbing walls, putting greens and water slides.

 

Instead, they provide excellent food, service and amenities.

 

One of the things I particularly like about HAL, is that their ships are moderately sized. The largest ships in the HAL fleet are the Vista class (Nordaam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam), at about 80,000 tons and 2,000 passengers. I have been on the Carnival Glory (110,000 tons/3,000 passengers). It was just too big. RCCL already has 138,000 ton ships and has announced plans for a 220,000 ton/5,400 passenger ship. Some people like these big ships. I don't. If you do, I have no problem with that. I just prefer the smaller, more intimate feel of the HAL ships.

 

HAL generally doesn't do short cruises. Except for repositioning cruises, theirs are usually seven days or longer. No 3 and 4 day cruises from Miami to Nassau.

 

HAL ships are not completely devoid of nightlife, but that is not their forte. If you like to party all night, try Carnival. HAL ships do have casinos and Vegas-style shows.

 

HAL ships always have fresh flowers throughout the ship. They have some fabulous art collections hung all over the ship, as well.

 

There have been some threads recently, about how HAL food was mediocre. Based on my limitied experience, I can not agree. Perhaps I'm just not used to eating in gourmet restaurants, but I found the food to be superb and the dining room service to be excellent. The staff is always helpful and friendly.

 

I think that the rap against HAL as being just for old fogies is unwarranted. When we were on the Veendam last April, there were quite a few families. Not as many as we saw on Carnival, but especially on the Vista class ships (so I've heard), HAL is trying to encourage families. There are not as many familes as on, say Disney ships, but still a reasonable showing. Since HAL tends to be a little more expensive than some other lines, and since they primarily do longer cruises, I think that the age group naturally skews a little older than others. Their customer base is established, successful people, who have the money and time to take cruises of 14, 30 or more days.

 

Please don't take any of my comments about other cruise lines as disparaging of those lines. Its just that different lines, and even different ships, have different atmospheres. Some people like one style, others like something different. To each his own. If you like rock-climbing, sail on RCCL and have a great time.

 

We're scheduled to sail on the Oosterdam for seven days, on April 15. I can't wait!

 

Paul Noble

 

p.s. The beds on HAL are fantastic!

[doone]

I find the cabins to be very well appointed and comfortable, especially the beds. As far as the food goes, food is always so subjective, but I have never lost weight on a HAL cruise and have always been very happy with my choices.

 

I enjoy the friendly faces and superior service of the Indonesian and Philipino crew onboard HAL. I have always loved the fact that I am always treated as a guest onboard vs. a passenger as I have been on other cruise lines.

 

AND I totally agree with the above poster, well said Paul.

[SabreSailor]

We're about to take our 7th HAL cruise, and we describe it to others as "quiet elegance". Not too many other lines have a string quartet aboard. Food has always been very good, actually amazing quality considering the numbers of folks aboard. The rooms are consistently larger than most other lines.

 

If you're looking for skating rinks, lots of children, noisy discos, etc., HAL is not for you....

[mtnmommy]

My husband and I are in our 30s, and we adore HAL. We like the friendly service, the elegance, and the old-time glamour of more traditional cruising. We like Las Vegas, too, but that's not the experience we're looking for when we cruise. We also have met wonderful people, of all ages--love both the staff and the passengers on HAL. And when we travel to take a break from the kids, we appreciate a less frentic atmosphere. Generally, the seniors on board run circles around us!