DancingCats

I have an October 2022 cruise booked and I have the same question. When should I buy?

I have really appreciated the information in the first post of this thread. I have only done one HAL cruise in the past, but thoroughly enjoyed it. I now have two more HAL cruises in the near future, so I updated the basic schedule for myself to keep the ships straight. I have to refer back to it regularly, since the names are easily confused, at least by me. Perhaps after I have cruised on each one, I won't have that problem anymore. :D I thought that others new to HAL might appreciate seeing my schedule. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for the summary!

I too am a solo, single traveler. Will be on HA Konigsdam on March 28-April 11, 2018. Anyone else going to be on that with me?:ship: :ship::ship::ship:

:halo::ship:

Anyone going on HA Transatlantic FLL to Rom Mar 28-Apr11?

If so, anyone like to play cards or board games?

One of the most common questions we get on these boards, particularly from new members, is about the different "classes" of HAL ships - the Vista-class, S-class, and so on. Naturally, everyone wants to know which ships are in each class, and what the differences are.

 

With that in mind, I decided to post this "sticky" post explaining the different "classes". I hope this clarifies the situation.

 

Now, let's meet the different HAL ships, starting with the smallest and oldest:

PRINSENDAM

 

PRINSENDAM - Built 1988 - 37,983 Gross Tons - 793 passengers

 

The smallest and oldest HAL ship, she is in a class by herself. She generally does the longest and most expensive cruises. She is the only HAL ship not built for the line, she was built in 1988 as the ROYAL VIKING SUN, became SEABOURN SUN in 2000 and then PRINSENDAM in 2002. Among things that separate her from the rest of the HAL ships - she does not have a two-deck dining room or main lounge, an indoor/outdoor pool, or dedicated children's facilities. Her smaller, more intimate size and off-the-beaten path itineraries are appreciated by her increasingly loyal following.

 

S-class

 

STATENDAM - 1993 - 55,810 GT - 1,251 pax

MAASDAM - 1993 - 55,451 GT - 1,251 pax

RYNDAM - 1994 - 55,819 GT - 1,251 pax

VEENDAM - 1996 - 55,451 GT - 1,251 pax

 

These four ships are the "backbone" of the HAL fleet. They are virtually identical except for color schemes and artwork. They were the first new HAL cruise ships to have features like the atrium, the two-deck high dining room and main lounge, and the indoor/outdoor Lido pool. These very versatile ships have done everything from 7-day Caribbean and Alaska cruises to full World Cruises. Recently they have been upgraded with features like the Pinnacle Grill alternative restaurant and the Neptune Lounge concierge lounge (for suite passengers).

 

R-class

 

ROTTERDAM - 1997 - 59,652 GT - 1,316 pax

VOLENDAM - 1998 - 60,906 GT - 1,440 pax

ZAANDAM - 1999 - 61,396 GT - 1,440 pax

AMSTERDAM - 2000 - 61,484 GT - 1,380 pax

 

The R-class ships are very similar to the S-class, but a bit longer and wider. Unlike the S-class, they are not all identical. The first of the four was ROTTERDAM. Specially designed for longer cruises, she is the fastest ship in the fleet. She also introduced new features like an alternative restaurant, concierge lounge, and Internet Cafe (all since retrofitted to the older ships as well). VOLENDAM and ZAANDAM followed; they are similar to ROTTERDAM but slower (the same speed as the S-class ships) and are a bit larger because the aft pool was moved up one deck, creating more indoor space on the deck below. Unlike ROTTERDAM, they were designed for yeoman duty in the Caribbean and Alaska though they also are suitable for longer cruises. Like the S-class ships, only decor separates these twins. The final R-class ship, like AMSTERDAM, like a hybrid of ROTTERDAM and VOLENDAM/ZAANDAM. She is faster than VOLENDAM or ZAANDAM but not as fast as ROTTERDAM. Like ROTTERDAM, she was built specially for longer voyages. ROTTERDAM and AMSTERDAM, together, are considered HAL's "flagships" and along with PRINSENDAM they usually do the longest and most prestigious cruises - the World Cruise along with the various Grand Voyages.

 

Vista-class

 

ZUIDERDAM - 2002 - 81,769 GT - 1,848 pax

OOSTERDAM - 2003 - 81,769 GT - 1,848 pax

WESTERDAM - 2004 - 81,811 GT - 1,848 pax

NOORDAM - 2006 - 82,318 GT - 1,918 pax

 

These are the biggest and newest HAL ships currently in service. They were designed mainly for shorter (less than two weeks) cruises in the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. Like the S-class, they represented a departure from previous HAL ships in size and design. While bigger than HAL's other ships, they are still much smaller than some competitors' ships which are now sometimes bigger than 150,000 GT and can carry over 3,500 passengers (Royal Caribbean have now ordered a ship that will be 220,000 GT and carry over 5,000 passengers). These ships are notable because of the exceptionally high number of private balconies - over two-thirds of cabins have them. They are called the Vista-class because they are named after the points of the compass in Dutch - Zuid (South), Oost (East), West, and Noord (North). The first three are identical; NOORDAM incorporates a few design changes which make her larger and have a slightly higher passenger capacity.

 

Signature-class

 

This will be two (or more) ships which will be larger, improved versions of the Vista-class, much as the R-class can be considered improved versions of the S-class. Right now there are few details but they will probably be about 90,000 GT with a passenger capacity of about 2,000.

Would love to have this post updated to include the Konigsdam and any other new ships.

I'm looking to celebrate my birthday next year with an Australian circumnavigation cruise. I see that both Holland America - Maasdam and Princess - Sun Princess are both offering about 30 days in October 2016.

I'm trying to figure out which trip would be better.

Can you help me compare to evaluation what would be better for my needs?

I love ballroom dancing, educational programs, & seeing the unique natural offering (animals, Great Barrier Reef, etc). I live in Hawaii, so looking for different natural beauty.

My travel partner is a winemaker, so wants tours, tastings, anything to do with wine, onboard and excursion. He also plays tennis & does yoga, as well as a lot of walking/hiking. He is from LA, CA.

What I've figured out so far, reading reviews:

Both ships are older, but have been re-furbished (Maasdam in 2011, Sun in 2013 I think). Sun has about twice as many passengers, and has long lines for most/all things. Sun is a larger ship. Food has mixed reviews for both.

Some questions:

It is a long cruise, so I assume both will have minimal family appeal, but what about age in general? I am a young almost-65-er and single.

Does either ship have dance escorts, as I enjoy ballroom/Latin dancing? Does either ship offer this?

What about the ports - they differ, so what would give the most wine tasting & Great Barrier Reef (our two priorities)? Bali port or Papua New Guinea? More days in Tasmania or less? Help!

What about clientele? Sun mostly Aussie I have heard? Maasdam is what?

Prices on board on Sun in AUD, Maasendam in USD - does one give US citizens more value?

Looking at balcony cabin, so comparison of amenities or size or layout?

Inclusive features? At this point, there aren't any "deals", but as we move forward will either line offer internet, alcoholic beverage, tipping, or other attractive discounts? What should I "hold out" for? Can I book, then qualify for the deals, or only on new bookings?

When would be best to start looking to book? How do I get a "deal"?

What haven't I asked that would help me decide on the cruise company? I have taken 1 Alaska cruise previously with each. 2006-Princess (very disappointed in the quality especially the food) 2010-Holland Am (loved it! but no ballroom/Latin dancing - too short a cruise for dance escorts).

Oh, btw, my birthday will happen in Melbourne (with Holland) and arrival day (with Princess) - will either line do anything to help me celebrate? (I turn 65).

Thanks for any and all help you can give me!