New to HAL: Which ship?

[Gypsea]

Though I am an agent I have yet to cruise HAL. I am considering taking a family group next Feb. Which ship would you experienced HAL sailors suggest? The Zuiderdam, Oosterdam or Westerdam all appeal to me for size and amenities.

 

What about the flagships? They sound intriguing too though I doubt we can sail some of those far away itineraries.

 

Many in our group are concerned the crowd will be older since some are as young as 30's and love to dance late into the night. Will that be impossible? Is there a disco/dj on most ships?

[Ziggy7]

I think whichever one you choose you will like, they are (Vista class) pretty much the same. As far as the ages when we were on the Zuiderdam they had all ages but mostly elderly aged who were very active at that! Yes there is a disco although we never went there but hopefully those who have will respond :) Have a great times whatever you choose!

[dougnewmanatsea]

ZUIDERDAM, OOSTERDAM, and WESTERDAM are all basically identical except for changes in color schemes, artwork, etc. (The decor of ZUIDERDAM is considerably "louder" than the other two.)

[dakrewser]

On balance, the Oosterdam has been getting better reviews lately.

[Pereiras]

Dear Gypsea,

 

Please see my thread regarding the food on the Zuiderdam. It was awful in the main dining room. Terrible one night. You may want to take my opinion, and check with others to see if you really would want to travel on that HAL ship. Folks that have posted here are generally part of the HAL faithful, and make sure you get a cross section of opinions before you decide.

 

 

Though I am an agent I have yet to cruise HAL. I am considering taking a family group next Feb. Which ship would you experienced HAL sailors suggest? The Zuiderdam, Oosterdam or Westerdam all appeal to me for size and amenities.

 

What about the flagships? They sound intriguing too though I doubt we can sail some of those far away itineraries.

 

Many in our group are concerned the crowd will be older since some are as young as 30's and love to dance late into the night. Will that be impossible? Is there a disco/dj on most ships?

[Ziggy7]

We cruised on the Zuiderdam for 2 weeks and the food was great ! To each their own, I hope you try one out and see for yourself :)

[Gypsea]

Just as the board shows there are the faithful and the not very happy. The reviews are mixed as with any line.

 

Naturally, on a 14 day sailing the older folks will outnumber middle ages. Every line has some cruises that are filled with predominately senior sailors. I don't mind that. I prefer that to drunk people in the hallway at 4 am. Generally, when you see or hear an older person in the hall at 4 or 5 a.m. they are early risers. It's not that they haven't been to bed yet. Also, they are very considerate of other sleeping passengers.

 

I am wondering about the offerings by the entertainment staff in regard to daily and nightly activities. In Princess brochures, for example, there seems very little scheduled for on-board fun. Personally, I enjoy the classes, trivia, crazy games and contests. What say you about all that!?

 

Thanks for your replies so far.

[dakrewser]

In January on the O'dam, the first "at sea" day schedule was:

 

8:00 AM Aerobics Class in the Greenhouse Spa

9:00 AM Catholic Mass

9:00 AM Cycling Class (extra charge)

9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sports equipment available

9:30 AM Men's shuffleboard tournament

9:30 AM Ladies' Ping Pong Tournament

10:00 AM Scattergories, Ocean Bar

10:00 AM Gaming lessons and dice school, Casino

10:00 AM- 11:00 AM Make your own Bloody Mary, Lido bar

10:15 AM Pinnacle Grill Open House & Kitchen tour

10:30 AM Snowball Jackpot Bingo

10:45 AM Shore Excursion talk

11:00 AM Ladies' Shuffleboard Tournament

11:00 AM Slots clinic, Casino

11:00 AM Men's Ping Pong tournament

11:00 AM Spa Seminar: Detox for weight loss

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Wine Desk open at Lido pool

11:30 AM Spa Seminar: Arthritis

11:45 AM Port & Shopping talk

12:00 NN Single & Solo's Lunch

12:00 NN Signup for Ship Building

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM Slot tournament qualifying round

12:45 PM Line Dance Class

1:00 PM Martini blending class (fee)

1:00 PM Art auction preview

1:30 PM Catchphrase

1:30 PM Wine Navigator event

1:45 PM Service Club meeting

2:00 PM Wine tasting (fee)

2:00 PM Trivia games

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Card players (non-hosted)

2:15 PM Spa seminar: Time for skin

2:15 PM Ladies' Golf chipping

2:30 PM Diamond & gemstone seminar

3:15 PM Men's golf chipping

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM Royal Dutch Tea

3:30 PM Snowball jackpot bingo

3:45 PM Slot tournament final

4:00 PM Volleyball

4:00 PM Pilates class (fee)

5:00 PM Friends of Bill W

5:00 PM Sculpt class (spa)

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM Captain's welcome reception, early seating

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Cocktails & dancing, Ocean bar & crow's nest

7:15 PM - 8:00 PM Captain's welcome reception, late seating

7:15 PM - 8:30 PM Cocktails & dancing all bars & lounges

8:30 PM Showtime, early seating

9:30 PM Designer watches seminar

9:30 PM - 11:15 PM Karaoke & superstar signup

9:30 PM - ?? Northern Lights Disco

9:45 PM 50's & 60's tribute, Piano bar

10:00 PM Team trivia

10:30 PM Showtime, late seating

11:15 PM - ?? 50's & 60's Prom Night

 

There's certainly enough to keep anyone busy!

[estj]

I'd select the Oosterdam...great captain (sailed with him three times!)...and he sets the tone for everything! Last fall my best friend and her daughter and I sailed on the Oosterdam and we all had a great time (two mid 50's ladies and a 27 year old). The younger of our group enjoyed the nightclub each night...made friends with a lot of cruisers her age (she must have had fun...came back to the cabin at very interesting hours!). I liked the Oosterdam better than the Zuiderdam. Ship seemed more "relaxed"...crew were nicer...and overall...just a better experience. Size of ship wasn't a problem...and we loved the spa! (skip the hydro and go for the thermal spa!). Food was OK...but nothing special. Liked the coupon tickets for the bar option...won't tell you how many we purchased! DH liked the Veendam over the Zuiderdam...I think because the Veendam was smaller...and he got to know more people. You will like HAL. Are you sailing out of Fort Lauderdale?

 

With all of that said...have decided to try another cruise line for our next cruise. Nothing awful about HAL...just wasn't the same as previous cruises.

[Gardendog]

We went on the Westerdam. I would select the ship based on destination.

[doone]

Just got back from the Zuiderdam and had a great time. There were alot of young people on my cruise, along with some older guests. There was a night club onboard for the younger people who want to dance away the night.

 

We found the food to be excellent.

[stanford's girl]

Dave,

 

Thanks for posting the "sea days" schedule on the "O". It was interesting to see the types of things to do. Since we will be sailing on her in Oct and are new to HAL, this info was appreciated.:cool:

[bepsf]

In January on the O'dam, the first "at sea" day schedule was:

 

8:00 AM Aerobics Class in the Greenhouse Spa

9:00 AM Catholic Mass

9:00 AM Cycling Class (extra charge)

9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sports equipment available

9:30 AM Men's shuffleboard tournament

9:30 AM Ladies' Ping Pong Tournament

10:00 AM Scattergories, Ocean Bar

10:00 AM Gaming lessons and dice school, Casino

10:00 AM- 11:00 AM Make your own Bloody Mary, Lido bar

10:15 AM Pinnacle Grill Open House & Kitchen tour

10:30 AM Snowball Jackpot Bingo

10:45 AM Shore Excursion talk

11:00 AM Ladies' Shuffleboard Tournament

11:00 AM Slots clinic, Casino

11:00 AM Men's Ping Pong tournament

11:00 AM Spa Seminar: Detox for weight loss

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Wine Desk open at Lido pool

11:30 AM Spa Seminar: Arthritis

11:45 AM Port & Shopping talk

12:00 NN Single & Solo's Lunch

12:00 NN Signup for Ship Building

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM Slot tournament qualifying round

12:45 PM Line Dance Class

1:00 PM Martini blending class (fee)

1:00 PM Art auction preview

1:30 PM Catchphrase

1:30 PM Wine Navigator event

1:45 PM Service Club meeting

2:00 PM Wine tasting (fee)

2:00 PM Trivia games

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Card players (non-hosted)

2:15 PM Spa seminar: Time for skin

2:15 PM Ladies' Golf chipping

2:30 PM Diamond & gemstone seminar

3:15 PM Men's golf chipping

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM Royal Dutch Tea

3:30 PM Snowball jackpot bingo

3:45 PM Slot tournament final

4:00 PM Volleyball

4:00 PM Pilates class (fee)

5:00 PM Friends of Bill W

5:00 PM Sculpt class (spa)

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM Captain's welcome reception, early seating

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Cocktails & dancing, Ocean bar & crow's nest

7:15 PM - 8:00 PM Captain's welcome reception, late seating

7:15 PM - 8:30 PM Cocktails & dancing all bars & lounges

8:30 PM Showtime, early seating

9:30 PM Designer watches seminar

9:30 PM - 11:15 PM Karaoke & superstar signup

9:30 PM - ?? Northern Lights Disco

9:45 PM 50's & 60's tribute, Piano bar

10:00 PM Team trivia

10:30 PM Showtime, late seating

11:15 PM - ?? 50's & 60's Prom Night

 

There's certainly enough to keep anyone busy!

 

(Yawn)

I'm bored.

There's nothing to do on this stupid ship...:rolleyes:

[Gypsea]

That does seem like alot to do. I always come back exhauseted as I try to fit alot in. I think 5 of my last six cruises were NCL and they do quite alot of entertaining. I just wanted to have lots to choose from.

 

I am guilty of seeing a ship I want to sail and not worrying too much about destination. I love the ships. I live in the northeast and hope to sail from NYC if possible. If I have to I fly I will but first I see what's available up here.

 

I figured it was a mixed demographic and wasn't too concerned about that but younger people in our family are.

 

Thanks everyone.

[Himself]

As far as I am concerned any "DAM" ship is fine