LOVE CRUISING Posted March 12, 2005 #1 Share Posted March 12, 2005 We have never sailed Holland American Cruise Lines, and we are thinking of booking the Volendam. What should we expect from Holland America Lines? Will I enjoy HAL? Please share. :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaguarstyper Posted March 12, 2005 #2 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Will I enjoy HAL? Please share. :) :) :) Yes :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwinfl91 Posted March 12, 2005 #3 Share Posted March 12, 2005 I see from your signature that you have taken many cruises with other cruise lines. My own opinion is HAL, Princess and Celebrity have a lot in common and if you like one of them you will like the other two. We have been on 7 HAL cruises, 2 Princess cruises and 1 Celebrity cruise. We are scheduled for another RCI cruise in the spring and a Celebrity one in the Fall. The new improvements that HAL has made in the mattresses and bedding made our last cruise on the Maasdam last spring a real pleasure. Generally we have always liked the way the HAL cruise employees treated us. The staff usually consists of Dutch officers, Indonesian crewmen, some Indonesian waiters (used to be all of them were), Philipino bar tenders and waitresses and a variety of other nationalities in other postions. We have always found HAL ships well run, clean and enjoyed their layout especially the full outside promenade. We like the variety and quality of food that they serve in the dining room although the buffet could use a little help (but I would say that about Princess and Celebrity also). We were not very happy with the shore excursion staff on our last HAL cruise but that may have been because it was a cruise they only do once a year. Generally we have felt that the HAL captains seem to be more concerned with safety and make sure that things like the lifeboat drill means something. Hopefully we will never have to use them but it was a good feeling that the crew seemed to really know what they were doing on all our HAL cruises. Try one and see if you like it. If you don't go back to one of the other cruise lines you do like. Have a great next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhannah Posted March 12, 2005 #4 Share Posted March 12, 2005 What can you expect from Holland America? Beautiful ships tastefully decorated and filled with fine artwork and fresh flowers. A staff anxious to please. A more "laid back" ambiance compared with other lines. (But don't think this means "dead." There will be much or little to do depending on your cruising style.) We simply find HAL a notch above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Water Logger Posted March 12, 2005 #5 Share Posted March 12, 2005 We sailed on the Amsterdam last August and were fortunate enough to have the Penthouse Suite. The ship is really beautiful, no neon or bright lights. Everyone could not have been nicer or more accomidating. We felt the food in the Pinnacle is definetly worth the extra $20. We also had spa services that we were very happy with. I didn't notice alot of children on board. This was a cruise to Alaska so I was surprised that there were not more families. It was only my second cruise, but I was very impressed! Our next cruise will a repositioning cruise in May on the Norwegian Sun. has anyone cruised with NCL? I know it's not in the same class, but any info would great. Ally :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOVE CRUISING Posted March 12, 2005 Author #6 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Thank you wwinfl91, jhannah, and waterlogger for the very useful information about HAL. Wwinfl91 your glowing report of HAL is making me anxious to book. :) I know a cruise is what you make it, but you always want to know something about a new experience. Thank you all so very much. Anything else you think of, please let me know. Waterlogger, about NCL, we cruised a repositioning on the Dream out of New Orleans. The ship was one of the older ships, but in excellent condition. The staff was wonderful, all eager to please. We enjoyed the Freestyle Dinning. It afforded you the opportunity to eat in either dinning room, and when you wanted to eat. However, I missed having regular table mates, and the friendships that are cultivated over the dinner table. We had the same waiter only twice. So the wait staff does not get to know your like and dislikes. The dinning room menus included Lobster, Prime Rib, Rack of Lamb, etc. The food was excellent. LeBristo, the specialty restaurant was well worth the $25.00 cover charge. We purchased the Anniversary package, which included a bottle of champagne, and chocolate covered strawberries upon your arrival. Canapés one night, the cover charge for two in Le Bristo with a bottle of house wine, a reception with cake and champagne, a photo and souvenir glasses. Well worth the price also. Hand sanitizers are placed outside each eating venue. Very, very nice. There is an Internet café. The charge is 75cents per minute. Or, you can purchase a package for $55.00 to $100.00. They will provide you with wireless cards for your laptop for a fee. I hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sage Posted March 12, 2005 #7 Share Posted March 12, 2005 I agree with the other posters concerning the ambiance and service on HAL. I too have cruised on the Dream, and I think you will find the passenger flow much better on HAL. We were in suite 1100 on the Dream, and if you are interested in a balcony, then you will find HAL's to be much larger than NCL's. The Volendam is my favorite ship. The decor, service and crew are outstanding. The alternative restaurant is also fabulous and IMHO is better than the Le Bistro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Water Logger Posted March 12, 2005 #8 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Thank you both for your input! I'm sure we'll have a great time. Best cruising to you all! Ally :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voyageur Posted March 12, 2005 #9 Share Posted March 12, 2005 The Volendam seems like it would be smaller than alot of the ships you've been on. It's a beautiful ship and the food and service is consistantly good as with all ships in HAL's fleet. You didn't mention your age, but I find the passengers a little older than on Carnival or Norwegian. I personally don't like Norwegian, maybe I just had a bad experience. I found the rooms small and the food not that great. And I still like to have assigned seating and times rather than personal choice on such a large boat... it's much more organized. I've cruised twice with HAL and would definitely go again. The Volendam is my parents favourite ship so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Water Logger Posted March 13, 2005 #10 Share Posted March 13, 2005 I'm 43 and my mother is a very young 75. I think there might be a few more activities onboard NCL. I found HAL very relaxing and liked the beauty of the ship. I'll let you know! Ally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOVE CRUISING Posted March 13, 2005 Author #11 Share Posted March 13, 2005 Thank you all for your input. You have been most helpful. Keep the information coming. Thank you again. :) :) :) Love Cruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candlemaker Posted March 13, 2005 #12 Share Posted March 13, 2005 We sailed on the Amsterdam last August and were fortunate enough to have the Penthouse Suite. The ship is really beautiful, no neon or bright lights. Everyone could not have been nicer or more accomidating. We felt the food in the Pinnacle is definetly worth the extra $20. We also had spa services that we were very happy with. I didn't notice alot of children on board. This was a cruise to Alaska so I was surprised that there were not more families. It was only my second cruise, but I was very impressed! Our next cruise will a repositioning cruise in May on the Norwegian Sun. has anyone cruised with NCL? I know it's not in the same class, but any info would great. Ally :) Just got back from the NCL Spirit. Have only ever been on NCL. I have always been extremely satisfied. I can't imagine a cruising experience being any better but I will find out in Oct. 8th when my wife and I go on the Oosterdam to the Mex. Riviera. I think you will love the Freestyle Dining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mycarona Posted March 14, 2005 #13 Share Posted March 14, 2005 This was a great post that found it's way to the top a few weeks ago. For anyone who has never experienced HAL, it's a great insight. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=50922 We have been on two NCL cruises. The Sea was okay but the Sun, being a newer ship that was designed for free-style cruising, was awesome. It was the first time DH went with us and he enjoyed it immensely. I'm not sure he would have enjoyed HAL as much with the assigned dinner time and strict dress code. He didn't even bring a jacket and refused to wear a tie on formal night. (All our formal pictures are with him with an open collar.) My favorite state: anticipating a cruise. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Water Logger Posted March 14, 2005 #14 Share Posted March 14, 2005 We are on the Sun in May. Everything I've read about it seems good. HAL was such a great experience I think I may be spoiled! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOVE CRUISING Posted March 15, 2005 Author #15 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Thank You Mycarona for sharing the "HAL Secrets" thread. the information was definitely useful. :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOVE CRUISING Posted March 16, 2005 Author #16 Share Posted March 16, 2005 We're Booked!!! :D :D Thanks to all of your for your most invaluable help!! We booked the Volendam today!!! We will on the Thanksgiving November 15th - 25th sailing. Thank you again. Anything else you think we should know please share. :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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