dogo88

Sandra,

Totally agree with your comments. Tough time of the year to be away from family & friends. Kudos to HAL employees on the ships.

Not to hijack the thread but I found it very amusing and sad that this thread got over 100 looks but no comments. Yet the one labeled "Jeans In Specialty Restaurants " got hit over 2200 times with the usual raft of CC comments including fake outrage, indignation, pompous retorts and the like. Just a shame that they would rather bicker among themselves over some nonsense.

But I digress. Again Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all the HAL employees working this holiday.

Dan

And another fine thread on the Cruise Critic Forums with just the right mix of indignation, shock, arrogance, snobbery and embarrassment. :cool:

We just got off our first Celebrity cruise in October on the Equinox and had a fabulous time. We've been exclusive HAL cruisers for years but as other here can attest jumping ship gives to something to compare and a different flavor to experience.

While we've never been on the Veendam we have done the Maasdam and Ryndam. Our next trip is on the Zaandam. So HAL continues to offer a product that interests us. The smaller ships clearly offer up some advantages to the mega ships but it's not all wonderful. If you like the variety for different restaurants and activities, then smaller ships tend to offer way less. Many of the HAL fleet is older and there are mixed reports on conditions you may encounter. But as in all forums the cheerleaders will overlooks a lot, while the more objective will point out the problems.

But as you said, you need to find you way and coming on the Veendam will give you an opportunity to compare to Celebrity. I'd be interested in what your opinion is after the trip.

Dan

We were on in March and no complaints. Loved the larger flat panel TVs in the rooms on the wall instead of taking up a large spot on the desk. But the ship was clean. Food was great and service as per HAL standards. Entertainment is typical HAL. Not the best but reasonable.

Dan

So the poll at the beginning indicates more "No's" posted votes and comments than "Yes's". So going strictly by the poll the OP should not get the package. I would ask the OP to return to the forum after the cruise and let folks know what the final decision was and was it the correct one for him? Since only the OP knows what he will consume. Hopefully after he factors in the cruise effects and family dynamics.

Dan

We have a lot of nights (and metals—that we don’t wear) on Royal, quite a few on Celebrity (and Royal metals carry the same status on Celebrity quite a way up the metal chain), and a fair number of nights on HAL.

For us, the ship is a big determiner of the experience. We went on the Allure just to say we’d done it, knew it would be too crowded, etc.—and lived it: because it’s so big, it’s actually far less crowded than a smaller ship. People space themselves out to different venues and it just doesn’t seem crowded. We’ve since done 3 more on that class ship. Premium restaurants have been fantastic on all Royal ships—except one. On HAL, premium restaurants have all been excellent—except one, the one we’re on now. Moral? Both lines, for us, have been great—except once. Celebrity is “quieter in tone,” more like HAL—but it has FAR better entertainment. HAL has happy hour reduced drinks if you scurry down and get an order in before 5:00. On the other hand, if you have enough metals on Royal/Celebrity, drinks are free from 5:00-8:00 and there is a nice buffet with hot and cold nibbles.

Depends on what you are looking for and any of the lines or ships can mess up.

Can’t say that, for us, there is anything to look down our noses at on any of the three lines when comparing them—except if you are comparing an old small ship like the Majesty of the Seas with newer ships within its line or other lines.

Seems like since it’s your money, you should buy what makes you happy, regardless of the opinions of others.

That was our experience on the Allure too. Bigger doesn't always mean crowded. They did a far better job of getting people on and off the ship than any HAL cruise we've been on. And the regular MDR was hands better in food and service than HAL. Only downer for those mega ships is the ports they can hit. Limits the variety.

Dan

I hate to see posts where someone compares a very old ship based in a particular port because it still fits under a bridge in a small home port city and the bigger, newer, more modern ships of another line. Not everyone can drive or fly to Ft Lauderdale or Miami to catch a HAL or Princess ship. (Yes, I know both do sail from a very few other ports ) We've had excellent service on all the ships/lines we have sailed -HAL, RCCL, CCL, and Cunard.

 

We decide where we want to go then look for a ship that does the trick for us. We look first at itinerary, then prices for balconies. If we feel more laid back we go CCL for relaxed dress code, HAL for quieter conservativness, RCCL when DH was more up for using amenities.

 

I totally agree with those who said your expectations have a great deal to do with how you perceive a new cruise line. If you're paying $50 a night you can't expect a cabin on a caliber of a Neptune Suite :D and if you go CCL there IS going to be a Hairy Chest Contest (but you aren't required to attend :D )

Spot on comments.

Dan

As others have posted, variety is the way to go. We jumped ship, so to speak, from HAL after cruising with them exclusively for over 20 years. Like you we were a bit apprehensive to jump ship, but the HAL experience had grown stale and we wanted something different.

We've never tried Princess. Yet. ;)

We decided to go big or go home and went on the Allure. We had an excellent time. There were differences, both positive and negative compared to HAL but nothing that would prevent us from wanting to go back.It was a refreshing change making us want to do other lines.

So now we split our cruises between HAL and others. Just got off Celebrity Equinox and HAL has a way to go to catch up. But we still like HAL and even have Alaska set for next year on the Zaandam. But the fall will be on the Anthem cruising up into New England area. 2019 is still unbooked but Galapagos Islands look promising.

So I can recommend you go for it and enjoy Princess.

Dan

If you consume more than 4-5 drinks daily, this includes bottled water, speciality coffees, and alcoholic beverages you'll do better with the package. Plus there will not be any bills or receipts to check over at the end of the cruise. It's a lot less of a hassle. We always either get the Explorer 4 package which includes the SBP or purchase it.

Dan

Dress the way YOU want to dress and stop worrying about what others choose to wear.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

agreed

Hello:

 

We have sailed on Norwegian a few times as a family - my husband and I, and our five children, 12 and under. We booked the Haven, and appreciated the service, and the privacy, and the pool where people weren't deciding to get nekkid and loaded.

 

We are looking at a 4 day Bahamas cruise on Holland. Children are well-behaved. They liked the kids' club on NCL, though, and enjoy splashing and playing in areas where appropriate. We can't get a suite; they're sold out. Only two connecting veranda rooms will work (and they connect only via balcony - yikes!).

 

Any thoughts or advice for me?

Deck plans will show connecting verandah rooms via inside door.

Dan

Could you please share what you did in Guatemala? Info on this port is very limited.

In 2015 we had decided based upon info from a friend, and recommendations here in CC, that the Tikal ruins tour was a "Bucket List" item. So we took it. Not cheap but worth every penny spent. You need to Google Tikal to get an appreciation for it's size and what is there. You could literally spend a week exploring it. It was an adventure from the moment we left the ship to our return (the last ones to get on the ship). No other Mayan ruins we have ever visited came close in comparison. And we plan on doing that tour again.

In 2017 we took the ECO tour up the river to visit a school and colony. Great boat ride through the country. The village tour to a couple of hours and included a lunch, local food. Then the return stopped at another local town on the river for some visiting and shopping. All rustic and very little commercialization.

If you have any other questions, just ask.

We have done this itinerary twice. In 2015 on the Ryndam and again in 2017 on the Oosterdam. Had a great trip on both. Seems this time frame was before the rainy season, as per the locals, so tours were absolutely awesome. Way more vareity, interesting and involved than the usual Caribbean or Mexico tours can be.

We look forward to doing this cruise again.

Dan

Beer, it's not just for breakfast anymore!

The question was pretty straightforward, but I think the answer is, call HAL for the precise number of gala nights on a specific cruise. Bring dressier attire (tie, sport coat) if you can, but don't worry, if you're really not into it. Just go by the published guidelines.

Why the obfuscation? The guidelines are pretty straight forward. No reason to call HAL. If you want to get dressed up, fine, that's your prerogative. Others may not want to and that's acceptable too.

Dan

We are sailing next spring to Alaska. So excited! But we will not be dressing formal for any nites. Too much to pack and limited space when flying makes packing suits and formal wear, extra shoes etc just not feasible. We have no problem wearing dress pants and "nice" shirts and possibly even a tie, but no suits so hope this will be acceptable

It is.

Dan

We used to be exclusively HAL cruisers but branched out and found all are good. We've done big ships like the Norway back in the early 80s and Allure a couple of years ago. And the smaller ships like the Maasdam and NCL Skyward, again in the 80s'. We first choose itinerary followed by ship size and layout. We're actually booked on the Zaandam for next May in Alaska.

For a lot of folks the large ships present too much real estate to navigate. Too many people? You can get boxed into a crowd on the small ships too. But we've always have been able to find that quiet spot to relax and enjoy ourselves regardless of the size of the ship.

Getting on and off ships is more dependent on local services and ship's protocol. It has evolved over the years and nowadays isn't as big an issue as in past years. One of the easiest and fastest boardings we have ever had was on the Anthem out of Bayonne. Exit the cab, walk over to the agents walking around with tablets, 2-3 minutes were done and walk onboard. I will say HAL is usually the longest wait to board.

So is smaller ship the reason we do HAL? No. The smaller the ship, the more stops we look for.

Dan

First hand knowledge does not mean "opinions." It means that you have seen, with your own eyes, in person, the fact that the Puerto Ricans are not helping each other. It does not mean what you have watched the news media and not seen what you don't really want to see.

 

Now . . . please enlighten us as to what constitutes your first hand, in person, on the ground in PR, post Maria observations?

Here ya go. First had report from International Engineering firm based in PR to the NY Post:

http://nypost.com/2017/09/30/inept-puerto-rican-government-riddled-with-corruption-ceo/

More help on the way to add to what's already there. Very good article just released:

https://news.usni.org/2017/09/29/navy-will-provide-puerto-rico-direly-needed-hospital-services-wake-hurricane-maria#more-28519

One small piece of the article:

"Meanwhile, Marines and sailors from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group are continuing to work with FEMA and other medical officials to assess the status of Puerto Rico’s hospitals. Marines and sailors are helping restore power to hospitals, and in some cases, even transporting civilian teams to assess facilities still hard to access because of debris blocking roads."

Ever hear of the US Government or Air Force?????

Or maybe even FEMA...

FEMA has been there since before the storm hit.

Care to tell us where these extra helicopters, flight and maintenance crews and equipment is lying around and available?

Of course it's easy to say just move them over to PR. The actual logistics takes time and staff. But sitting behind a computer it's easy to join the crying crowd.

And with all the uninformed Jones Act comments on this thread try going to other sites for a broader opinion instead of CNN or LA TIMES and their talking points.

Here is an industry website for an opposing point of view for removing the Jones Act for PR:

http://gcaptain.com/crowley-maritime-puerto-rico-jones-act-waiver-not-needed/

Unfortunately facts and reality don't get the clicks that crying politicians get.

Really ????? They can be made available.if needed...

Really? Care to tell where a few dozen are available for use along with flight and maintenance crews?

I would suspect so since we've never seen a children's menu in these venues.

Dan

As in every argument there are two sides. Here is the American Maritime position:

http://gcaptain.com/american-maritime-industry-fights-back-false-claims-regarding-jones-act-relief-efforts-puerto-rico/

Dan

While we do not have 50 cruises under our belt, yet, we have been cruising for almost 40 years. So with that being said, our experience has evolved over the years. Our first cruise was on HAL and after sampling other ships in the 80's had decided to stick exclusively with HAL for many years. But as we got older and cruised more we were continually feeling we were missing out on other experiences because we didn't try other lines. Now we have not cruised on them all, or even a majority of them, but what we have found is sampling the different ships based upon age of the ship, ports and interest they offer up a wide variety of experiences. So sticking to one ship for multiple cruises a year would get boring very quickly.

I know I will get a lot of comments on that last sentence but restricting yourselves to one "perfect" ship limits your opportunities and experiences. Now that you can do or are looking to do multiple cruises a year wouldn't you want to try different products and enjoy deciding for yourself?

Dan

Just curious as we are cruising the Western Carib in late Feb. If HMC is destroyed where would they route that stop too? I realize it's 6 months off but just curious.

HMC has been hit by hurricanes over the past few years and has bounced back pretty fast. I think you have a better chance of not being able to get off on HMC because of the tendering issues rather than a hurricane destroying it.

Dan