montythecat

It worked very well for us. Off the ship in Fort Lauderdale. Tour of The Everglades and got off the bus in Miami for our flight back to the UK. Not too expensive and it was a good way of using up the day.

Exhibition ship. What nonsense. Sorry, Expedition.

If you decide on not visiting Antarctica on an exhibition ship I reckon the choice is pretty simple. As previously said X go for a couple of days and others for four days. We will be on Holland America this winter for four days. It wasn’t a difficult decision which was aided by our preference for HAL over Celebrity.

Our cruising life has changed completely since our first HAL cruise a couple of years ago. We have now been with them four times with two more booked for this year. Staff are outstanding and food is so much better with more imaginative menus than other medium range cruise lines. The entertainment is another compelling reason for us seeing the world with Holland America. It may not suit everybody but on Nieuw Statendam you will get a rock band, pianists and a blues/soul band. Each of them will play three 45 minute sets every night six days a week. They each have a night off once a week. We rarely go to the theatre. I am not keen on the type of productions which Celebrity provide. HAL are the only company which provides a different approach with its musical offerings and we are very grateful for these innovations.

We are also Elite Plus but no X cruises currently booked because we have discovered the many advantages of Holland America. Four cruises in the last two years and two booked for 2024. I agree with Edinburghgirl1 about the quality of the food compared to Celebrity The theatre entertainment doesn’t interest us because we are very happy with The Rolling Stone Rock Room, the two pianos and BB Kings Blues Club which give us all the variety we could possibly wish for. Of the two ships under consideration on this thread Koningsdam is a much newer ship which is usually an advantage.

Cruisemom42 gives you a very helpful guide to the ports you will visit. The local transport at Katakolon to get you to Olympia is a very convenient train service. The station is a gentle 10/15 minute stroll from the ship. HAL’s Pinnacle Class ships are our favourites. They are of a size, design and quality which appeals to us. We also love the entertainment. We have enjoyed Nieuw Statendam twice post COVID and will be looking forward to being on the ship again in November.

Tricky one. So many criteria and opinions. All I can contribute is a very definite preference for HAL based on three Celebrity and four Holland America cruises in the last two and a bit years.

I couldn’t agree more with Chisoxfan. Holland America are most certainly unique in their approach to providing music on their ships. Our experience is limited to Pinnacle and Vista Class ships and we love their loud rock bands. No other cruise line even makes an attempt to provide any competition which is why we travel with HAL as often as possible.

You have got a very useful and comprehensive collection of comments. I tend to be with the perhaps not worth it crowd but there are certainly pros and cons.

Agree with The Pools . No more opinions ! As for talking during performances. I reckon that is just rather rude.

Yup !!!

Maybe. Each to his or her own but I prefer having two pianists interacting with their audience.

Well, what a sad picture that was. The one with a single piano on Rotterdam. I genuinely do hope HAL have a re-think. This isn’t just a musical issue but an entertainment one deriving from the interaction between the two pianists. I really can’t believe that HAL’s finances are such that this type of penny pinching is necessary.

Thank you very much to all of you for your contributions, they are much appreciated. “She who must be obeyed” at home got the casting vote so we have paid up. I was tempted to go with the VMax1700 last minute approach but at least we know exactly how much we are in for. It does seem a lot which means we will certainly make the most of the drinks component of the package.

Is it better (ie cheaper) to buy the “Have It All” package when booking the cruise or on board on the first day ? We have previously paid for it at the time of the initial booking but the recent significant increase in price is causing us to have second thoughts. Will the price come down between now and our departure in December ? I know it is all guesswork but any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

With music, as always, some you win and some you lose. We have, generally, thoroughly enjoyed the dual piano concept with Meghan and Gabe being the standout performers. Gosh, we loved them. We have only had one couple who were slightly below par. We will be very very miffed if HAL introduce solo performers. It won’t be the same, however good they may be. Why, oh why, has HAL put together a brilliant combination of music for us to enjoy every night (including a classical quartet ) and now seem to be intent on dismantling it ? I despair.

I really do hope the two pianos format isn’t removed from the other ships where it currently exists. The rapport between the two is usually part of the joy of the experience. Anybody who has seen the wonderful Meghan and Gabe will know what I mean. Surely HAL can afford to pay for two pianists ? Our evenings will not be the same if this happens.

Usually the rock band and pianos do three 45 minute sets per night six days per week. They are timed not to clash with each other.

Two years ago we gave HAL a go because of the variety of music that was on offer, namely a rock band, LCS and the two pianists. Our four experiences on NS and Oosterdam have been perfect for us although the loss of classical music on NS last November was disappointing. I gather just one pianist is now the order of the day on a couple of ships. I hope that may not be correct and that HAL maintain their unique approach to music which sets them apart from every other cruise line.

When you look at the itineraries HAL put forward for comments it seems to me that the absence of Japan is perhaps logical. It is a bit out of the way. Kind of not on the way to anywhere else. Pity, because it is a wonderful country. As for China I think it is a destination which is, for various reasons, perhaps not particularly popular.

One piano player ! Not sure about that but we are, of course, not on the ship. However, last year on our Chile to Argentina Oosterdam cruise (no Antarctic) we had Meghan and Gabe. We loved them (best on any HAL cruise). We would normally spend more time in The Rolling Stone Lounge but they were so good they became our evening priority, even though the rock band were very good indeed.

Do give Azamara a try. We have been with them five times and Pursuit was our favourite. Most of the contributors to this thread have lots of good things to say about Azamara which I would endorse although the bathroom is certainly on the small side.

Easy choice for us. Silly because of the views from the Sky Lounge which are particularly important on this itinerary.

We do like having the four MDRs on the Edge Class ships but there isn’t anything else which makes them a better option for us than Solstice Class or the two revolutionised Millennium vessels.

Thank you “ Miss G” for your comment and for understanding the comparison I was making. As for “3rdGenCunarder” I would just like to point out that Eurodam is a Signature class ship which did not form part of my comparison. The reason is that I have not have not been on this class of ship and cannot, therefore, comment on the entertainment it provides. As for rock bands, well they do tend to be loud but on NS last November The Rolling Stone Lounge was full every night. I do, however, enjoy a variety of music and am very disappointed that HAL now seem to be less committed to providing a classical quartet or quintet.