Reg Dunlop

I realize that being over Thanksgiving, we should expect more kids running about. With that in mind, my preference would have been to go a week earlier, but Thanksgiving week is also the week that we will have my parents available to watch our toddler. I figure HAL will mean fewer kids that week than we would find on most other lines. We struck RCI, NCL, etc. from our list instantly for that reason. I guess HAL's reputation of being the line for older cruisers may help us out here. Having once been a child on a HAL cruise, I can say the ships are kid friendly, but I don't think word has gotten out on that one.

Which itineraries????

That can make a difference.

 

We are looking at the Nieuw Statandam, in late September, for both the itinerary and the newest ship!

Both seem to be hitting the same ports of call (but in different orders)

Leaving from Fort Lauderdale and going to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and Key West before returning to Fort Lauderdale.

So long story short, my wife and I are approaching our 5 year anniversary. We never did a real honeymoon as well life was busy for us. We are finally in a position where we can sit back and relax. We are looking at taking a cruise in November 2019. I've done a search and narrowed it down to 2 possible options, Nov 23 on Nieuw Amsterdam or Nov 24th on Nieuw Statendam. This is where I need your help, suggestions, and input.

I have been on one cruise in my life, it was aboard the Volendam in 2000 (Alaska Inside Passage) when I was only 12. It was truly the time of my life. At that age, I was too old for Club Hal and too young for The Loft so I participated in neither and just enjoyed my time sipping orange juice in the Crow's Nest, watching the evening entertainment in the theater, and lounging about the ship while gorging myself on fantastic food.

My wife on the other hand has never been on a cruise, but I am certain that after one week onboard she will be hooked and we'll make this an annual tradition. Her first idea for a honeymoon was an all-inclusive resort, but those places tend to be lacking in entertainment and after 2 days of lounging on the beach you want more. As it is her first cruise, I did explore other options such as Celebrity, but I can't help but feel a large ship like the Solstice class will just be too much and will lack the intimate feel you can get on a HAL ship. I'm going with HAL not only because of my past positive experience, but my knowledge that you can still get away from crowds on a HAL ship and enjoy a quiet moment or two.

With that in mind, which ship would present the better option for a honeymoon? We're going to be booking balcony staterooms and the price is the same. I know these ships are larger than the Volendam that 12 year old me fondly remembers, but I figure they make up for that with the added music venues and specialty restaurants.

I apologize in advance if I'm a bit long winded here, but I eagerly await your comments.