New to HAL...how much is there to do onboard?

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Hey there ---

 

My wife and I are considering a 7 night Mexican riviera cruise on the Oosterdam. We're twentysomethings and will be celebrating our first anniversary. We've done a 4 night on RCCL's Monarch of the Seas, and a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Disney Magic. Now when we were on the Monarch, we hardly saw our tiny stateroom because we were always eating, swimming, dancing, singing karaoke, or something. We appreciated that RCCL had big band/swing, salsa and other live music to dress up and dance to.

 

In contrast, on Disney, we were so bored out of our minds that we practically spent all our time in our balcony stateroom. Thankfully the room was nice because we were always in it...Disney's sparse collection of adult "activities" were of little interest to us (art auctions and bingo, plus the odd towel folding seminar).

 

We're looking to not spend a ton of money on the Oosterdam, so my question is would an obstructed view outside stateroom be okay? If there isn't much to do, the pools aren't nice and the activities are like Disney's (next to nothing) I need to get a balcony room because we'll be spending more time in it.

 

Any thoughts? We're not young club types, we like classy entertainment, dressing up, fine dining, ballroom dancing, high teas and other such nonsense. Is this a good choice, or should I look into Sapphire Princess instead? Thanks so much for reading through this long post.

[LolaWiz]

Well, first off, I think you will really enjoy this cruise. We (DH and I, both mid-20's) sailed this itenerary this past January.

 

We too are not into clubbing/partying. We cruise for a relaxing holiday. There are things to do during the day such as galley tours, wine tastings, martini mixing classes, cooking demos and hands-on classes.

Plus the typical basketball, a nice spa and wide range of workout equipement. The casino and nightclub as well as the piano bar are fun places to go after dinner. Oh, also, we have NEVER had any problems getting chairs by either pool at any time during sea days.

 

In response to the cabin, if it the two of you, try to do a verandah stateroom. Just my thoughts, but there is nothing more romantic than enjoying dinner or breakfast or a glass of wine together before dinner on the verandah... or enjoying each others company ;) under the stars!

 

I think you will be fine and have a wonderful anniversary.

[hylasgirl]

Hey there ---

 

My wife and I are considering a 7 night Mexican riviera cruise on the Oosterdam. We're twentysomethings and will be celebrating our first anniversary. We've done a 4 night on RCCL's Monarch of the Seas, and a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Disney Magic. Now when we were on the Monarch, we hardly saw our tiny stateroom because we were always eating, swimming, dancing, singing karaoke, or something. We appreciated that RCCL had big band/swing, salsa and other live music to dress up and dance to.

 

In contrast, on Disney, we were so bored out of our minds that we practically spent all our time in our balcony stateroom. Thankfully the room was nice because we were always in it...Disney's sparse collection of adult "activities" were of little interest to us (art auctions and bingo, plus the odd towel folding seminar).

 

We're looking to not spend a ton of money on the Oosterdam, so my question is would an obstructed view outside stateroom be okay? If there isn't much to do, the pools aren't nice and the activities are like Disney's (next to nothing) I need to get a balcony room because we'll be spending more time in it.

 

Any thoughts? We're not young club types, we like classy entertainment, dressing up, fine dining, ballroom dancing, high teas and other such nonsense. Is this a good choice, or should I look into Sapphire Princess instead? Thanks so much for reading through this long post.

 

Good question...

 

I LOVE Royal Caribbean and have sailed them more than any line. That said, I do like HAL also. Personally, I would not sail without a balcony on HAL, but that is just me. It is definitely more sedate than RCCL. If you really enjoyed the Monarch, I just don't see you loving HAL. Holland does not have the activities that Royal has. They do have better food. And WAY better food than the Monarch. I do like the Vista class with HAL. Much more so than the Monarch. I can't believe how many people they get in that little ship. Never again for me! I like that the Vista class has an Aft pool... and a main pool that can be covered in bad weather. But, if you put any HAL ship up against a Radiance class ship of Royal, with the same itinerary, I would only sail Royal. They have the best return customer benefits out there! I am in my 30's and I probably wouldn't sail HAL unless it was with a group (which I am sailing with next) or it was a great deal that I couldn't pass up (that is the case for the next cruise as well) With HAL's balcony rates, I wouldn't sail without one. But that's just me.

[Saintpat]

When any cruise line says "obstructed views," believe me, you can't see

anything. There are lifeboats, equipment -- something in front of you. In some cases, you can't even open the outside door!!! Get an oceanview, and you'll be jjust as happy. Best, get a verandah. You can't be happy with that obstructed view. On HAL, you'll find an older crowd than in your 20's. But there's plenty to do. My husband and I are 65, and enjoyed the company in our daily trivia games with a 20-something couple (Alaska) and on a long 2 week voyage to Hawaii, we enjoyed the company of a new college grad, 22.

I'm not sure these 20-somethings were thrilled with all of us grey-heads, but

there was definitely plenty to do. If I were in my 20's, I'd probably go on Carnival. Royal Caribbean is a good choice too. Have a great time; it's great that you get to cruise in your 20's -- I was 45 before my first one!

[Lineaway]

I thought HAL has the best overall cruise for what you pay but it is geared toward the older crowd. We are in our early 40's and I enjoyed our HAL cruise but my wife was bored. The ship quiets down around 9-10. Casino also dies out early. I would say our NCL and RCCL cruises had alot more going on in the evenings. As for the cabin, you will get alot of opinions on that but I usually work the extra OT and get a balcony. They really aren't alot more.

 

Food and cabins on HAL are definitly a notch or two up over RCCL and HAL doesn't put the same number of passengers on a ship of similar size to RCCL. Kinda makes the HAL ships seem less crowded. I'd consider another HAL cruise after I try Celebrity and Princess (just to try as many as I can) but not sure if my wife would.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

You should definitely book a verandah cabin -- they are nice. We love to be out on the verandah when the ship is arriving and leaving a port.

 

There are lots of things to do on HAL ships.

 

Book it and enjoy!!

[cruiseapril]

On our Westerdam cruise this year we enjoyed the variety of activities:

wine tastings, afternoon tea, adults only pool, walking the promenade, the Internet area computers, the library, the shops, the casino, sing along piano bar, piano music in the Crow's Nest, karaoke talent shows, the wonderful dinners in the dining room, and quite a variety of good movies on the flat screen TV.

 

These are the things we didn't have time to do: the Culinary Arts events, the Greenhouse Spa activities (we were too busy sunning on deck), a Champagne Reception, Art Gallery activities, Ultimate Trivia, card players get-togethers, Name That Tune, Showtime (we went to piano bars instead), the daily big screen movie, the Kitchen Tour, and the port shopping shows.

 

The ship also offered: basketball, pool games, dance classes and many, many other activities.

[hylasgirl]

On our Westerdam cruise this year we enjoyed the variety of activities:

wine tastings, afternoon tea, adults only pool, walking the promenade, the Internet area computers, the library, the shops, the casino, sing along piano bar, piano music in the Crow's Nest, karaoke talent shows, the wonderful dinners in the dining room, and quite a variety of good movies on the flat screen TV.

 

These are the things we didn't have time to do: the Culinary Arts events, the Greenhouse Spa activities (we were too busy sunning on deck), a Champagne Reception, Art Gallery activities, Ultimate Trivia, card players get-togethers, Name That Tune, Showtime (we went to piano bars instead), the daily big screen movie, the Kitchen Tour, and the port shopping shows.

 

The ship also offered: basketball, pool games, dance classes and many, many other activities.

 

Just where is the adults only pool? I have sailed the Vista class a few times, and granted, the Westerdam is not one of them, but I wasn't aware they had an "adults only" pool??

[Roz]

I believe it's the aft outside pool.

 

Roz

[hylasgirl]

I have looked all through the HAL site and cannot find any mention of this pool being adults only. Can someone verify this?? I would love an all adult pool.

[Roz]

It's supposed to be adults only, but often is not enforced. Don't know where info on adult pool is located on the HAL website.

 

Roz

[cruiseapril]

The information is in the Daily Program- we saved them all from the Westerdam cruise.

 

Under the POOLS Deck 9 section it says: aft adult 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

The other pool is referred to as midship family.

[Ship's Wake]

Holland America has many advantages over other lines, but onboard entertainment is definitely not their strength. If you choose the Holland America cruise, be prepared to entertain yourself on your sea days.

 

Based on your post, if there is a Princess or Carnival option available, my recommendation is to go with either of them if you want more activities.

 

We've cruise HAL three times, Carnival six times, and Princess once, and found these other lines delivering more and better (of course this is my opinion) activities and entertainment options than HAL.

 

This being said, you'll have a great time whatever cruise you choose.

[kyriecat]

Sounds like I ought to bring a few books with me for the cruise.

 

My husband and I usually sail Royal Caribbean but we wanted a 10+ night Caribbean sailing. We've booked a Caribbean cruise 2 years in a row and after holding our deposit for a year, RC calls and says they are selling the ship so our cruise is cancelled. We found a 14 night sailing on HAL that offered most of the islands that we wanted so we're going to give it a try. Now I'm wondering if we're going to get bored in the evenings since we're used to the many night/evening activities that RC offers - shows, dancing, lounges, pools. We loved spending time together but also enjoying socializing with others.

 

What do people normally do in the evenings after dinner or in the afternoon after returning from a port? The activities page on the HAL website is extremely vague regarding the offerings. Is there anything not to miss on Maasdam?

[Sunshinecrew]

Hey there ---

 

My wife and I are considering a 7 night Mexican riviera cruise on the Oosterdam. We're twentysomethings and will be celebrating our first anniversary. We've done a 4 night on RCCL's Monarch of the Seas, and a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Disney Magic. Now when we were on the Monarch, we hardly saw our tiny stateroom because we were always eating, swimming, dancing, singing karaoke, or something. We appreciated that RCCL had big band/swing, salsa and other live music to dress up and dance to.

 

In contrast, on Disney, we were so bored out of our minds that we practically spent all our time in our balcony stateroom. Thankfully the room was nice because we were always in it...Disney's sparse collection of adult "activities" were of little interest to us (art auctions and bingo, plus the odd towel folding seminar).

 

We're looking to not spend a ton of money on the Oosterdam, so my question is would an obstructed view outside stateroom be okay? If there isn't much to do, the pools aren't nice and the activities are like Disney's (next to nothing) I need to get a balcony room because we'll be spending more time in it.

 

Any thoughts? We're not young club types, we like classy entertainment, dressing up, fine dining, ballroom dancing, high teas and other such nonsense. Is this a good choice, or should I look into Sapphire Princess instead? Thanks so much for reading through this long post.

 

Truthfully, we're 60 and we felt our recent Holland America 12 day Med cruise wasn't quite age appropriate for us. We felt the average age was more like 70. While we really enjoyed our cruise, I think we'll got back to Princess or RC next time.

[fann1sh]

I have no online URL to which to post a photo, and if I reduced the size of a scan to board limitations, it would be illegible. So, I'm going to type in a program to give people an idea of what activities are available.

 

This cruise was December 2007. There have been evening show schedule changes since then, and other changes which I'm sure others will elaborate on.

 

"Dam Dollar" = DD activities are sports for which you get coupons, good for redemption for merchandise at the end of your cruise.

 

The first sea day (a Sunday) featured:

 

7:00 a.m. - Walk-a-Mile, not hosted

7:30 a.m. - Fitness Class - Stretch and Relax

8:00 a.m. - Sunday Mass

9:00 a.m. - Interdenominational service

9:30 a.m. - Inch of Gold Collection Unveiling

9:30 a.m. - Shore Excursions overview

9:30 a.m. - Baseball free throw shootout (DD)

10:00 a.m. - Cooking Demonstration

10:00 a.m. - Spa Product Demonstration - Flatter Stomach

10:00 a.m. - Make your Own Bloody Mary (fee)

10:30 a.m. - Ship's shops seminar - Tanzanite

10:30 a.m. - Ring toss (DD)

10:45 a.m. - St. Thomas Shopping talk

11:00 a.m. - Bingo

11:00 a.m. - Free Gaming lessons in Casino

11:00 a.m. - Tanzanite and Champagne unveiling (after seminar)

11:00 a.m. - Spa Product Demonstration - Flawless Skin

12 noon - Single and Solos meet for lunch

12:30 p.m. - Free casino Texas Hold 'Em lessons

1:00 p.m. - Mixology class ($15)

1:00 p.m. - $500 Slot Tournament qualify round

1:15 p.m. - Champagne Art Auction

1:30 p.m. - Spa Secrets - Update Your Hairstyle

1:30 p.m. - Texas Hold 'Em Table open

2:00 p.m. - Latin Ballroom dancing class

2:00 p.m. - Wine Tasting ($15)

2:00 p.m. - Diamond and Gemstone seminar

2:00 p.m. - Bridge players meet (not hosted)

2:15 p.m. - Meet Your Fellow Veterans

3:00 p.m. - Bingo

3:00 p.m. - "Rosemarie's Big Adventure" - '50's/'60's Name that Tune

3:00 p.m. - Royal Dutch Tea

3:30 p.m. - How to Choose Your Future Cruise

3:30 p.m. - Friends of Bill W meet

3:45 p.m. - $500 Slot Tournament final

4:30 p.m. - Team Trivia

8:00 p.m. - Captain's Welcome Toast for early diners

8:30 p.m. - Showtime for early diners

9:00 p.m. - Texas Hold 'Em Table open

9:30 p.m. - Piano Bar Sing Along

9:30 p.m. - Karaoke and Superstar sing up

10:00 pm - Captain's Welcome Toast for late diners

10:30 pm - Showtime for late diners

11:00 pm - '70's Disco Inferno

 

Also: Film shown at noon and 7:00 p.m. Piano bar 9:30 to close.

[kalliekae]

Truthfully, we're 60 and we felt our recent Holland America 12 day Med cruise wasn't quite age appropriate for us. We felt the average age was more like 70. While we really enjoyed our cruise, I think we'll got back to Princess or RC next time.

 

Interesting observation. As a contrast, we are in our early 50's and we met lots of people in our age group on our western Med cruise. There was a group of 20 retired teachers (mostly in their 50's and 60's) and we enjoyed mingling with them. So perhaps it depends upon the cruise.