Personalities of Holland Cruisers?

[tikibeach]

Hi, not a first time cruiser, but maybe a first time Holland Cruiser.

 

I am looking for a cruise for 4 ladies, ages 24-46 and we all like to have fun. Holland has a great itinerary, but I just don't know that much about the line. We all enjoy having a good time, light drinking and 2 of us do smoke.

 

I love the atmosphere of RC if that helps at all (besides all the public announcements on deck anyway!)

 

So, do most venues close up super early? Will I be tossed off the ship for smoking on the balcony or other designated areas?

 

Some of the "don't be snarky" threads and warnings on the Holland forum concern me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[cb at sea]

The cruiselines are more alike than different...if it's the price and itinerary you want...go for it!

[OCruisers]

Hi, not a first time cruiser, but maybe a first time Holland Cruiser.

 

I am looking for a cruise for 4 ladies, ages 24-46 and we all like to have fun. Holland has a great itinerary, but I just don't know that much about the line. We all enjoy having a good time, light drinking and 2 of us do smoke.

 

I love the atmosphere of RC if that helps at all (besides all the public announcements on deck anyway!)

 

So, do most venues close up super early? Will I be tossed off the ship for smoking on the balcony or other designated areas?

 

Some of the "don't be snarky" threads and warnings on the Holland forum concern me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Most of the passengers with whom you'll be cruising have never even heard of CC so take that into consideration when reading the Holland America board here.

 

Yes, lots of venues do either close up or have very few attending even before midnight. We love to take HAL cruises that have port intensive itineraries because we are ready to go to bed early and aren't temped to stay up too late. :D

 

Smoking is still allowed on HAL balconies and other designated area so that shouldn't be a problem for you.

 

You'll find RCCL has much more of a FUN activity level than HAL. Keep that in mind before you book.

 

HAL is a very nice cruise line. You'll never really know until you give it a try for yourself!

[tikibeach]

Thanks so much for the replies.

 

The Eastern and Southern itineraries are so tempting!:)

[cruiseaholic777]

Try Princess cruise line ;)

[CruiserBruce]

You can find this and so much more info on the Holland board, or on the board of any other cruise line you might be considering.

[indigosails]

It is true that the demographics on HAL tend to be older, and yes it's kind of quiet late at night...but there are bars, and there will be people in them. We cruised HAL when we were in our 40s, and we had a real good time. We like HAL a lot. You find your fun where you make it.

[Rudyard]

When we were on our RCCL cruise we had breakfast one morning with a very nice couple who were HAL vets. They told us they had always exclusively cruised HAL but were on RCCL for the itinerary this trip. They were some of the nicest people we met on the cruise and were more than willing to share cruise tips with a couple of newbies.

[Keith1010]

It will be different on HAL than RCI. Much quieter at night.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

Choose one of the Vista class or Signature class ships and you will that they are more lively.

The Northern Lights Disco stays open late.

Smoking is permitted on all balconies and verandahs.

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

 

 

Our smoking policy reflects our commitment to the comfort of all of our guests. Presently, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking with the exception of:

• Casino
  
• Northern Lights Disco (ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam only)
  
• Seaview Bar (except that smoking is not permitted in the Seaview Bar on the ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam or ms Statendam)
  
• Sports Bar
  
• Crow's Nest (except that smoking is not permitted in the Crow’s Nest on the ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam or ms Zuiderdam)
  

 

 

 

While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed.

[Northshorecruisers]

We started sailing HAL when I was in my mid 40's. I love the evenings on HAL because you can be as active as you like. Want to dance - go to the disco. Want a late night cocktail and relax - head for the piano bar.

 

We tend to be early to bed (11-midnight) so we can be up and ready to go in the morning. Have never met a falling down sloppy drunk on HAL.

 

We cruised Princess once because we thought my 16 y/o son would enjoy it more. He didn't. He enjoys the excellent service on HAL as well. However, on Princess, we did meet the late night sloppy drunks and the people who seemed to think the world owed them a free cruise. Maybe it was just the cruise we were on but the crew didn't seem to mind discussing how unhappy they were and I just found that to be in very poor taste.

[tikibeach]

Thanks so much! I'm thinking now that the 3 of us who are older will be just fine on HAL. This will be my daughter in laws first cruise and I'm sure even she will find enough to do, especially with the 4 port itinerary I am looking at.

 

We shared a shuttle once from a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale to the various drop off points for each cruise line. There were passengers on the shuttle being dropped off with another line (not HAL). I cannot imagine a worse time than being stuck on a ship for a week with thousands of people with such a condescending attitude before they ever hit the dock. Maybe just a fluke?? Don't know, but I will NEVER take that line just in case, haha!

[Northshorecruisers]

Your daughter-in-law will love HAL for a first cruise. The exceptional service will blow her away and spoil her.

 

I love first time cruisers. They are so in awe of everything - it's just great to watch their face. Brings back fond memories of my first cruise.

[Steve_Red_Dog]

We started cruising HAL when we turned 40. We cruised Alaska on Princess in '08 and regretted leaving HAL. We aren't the type to close down a venue, but we do not turn in with the chickens either. We find HAL to be more refined, more relaxed in a no need to hurry way, and more enjoyable than the Princess cruise we took to AK.

[tangerinebunny]

Northshorecruisers is right; if that first cruise is a success, suddenly there's a whole brochure full of Other Cruises you can enjoy!

 

Our first cruise was Holland America, and we met the most interesting people who were open and friendly and not critical.

 

That said, there are older people (even in scooters). They're the person I plan to be someday - still adventurous and fun. But if seeing older people will spoil your cruise, then don't go Holland. They have the largest percentage of return cruisers and in time, they get old.

 

You're right about the HAL board here; it's not a friendly, welcoming place some days. It's like any other board, sometimes the grumps are in ascent.

 

I choose HAL because it's a bit more sophisticated and less boisterous; and there is nothing I like better than the free room service and walking that wooden deck.

 

Happy sailing.

[GORDONCHICK]

Evidently I'm in the minority here. I'm 47 and DH is 56, and we cruised HAL for the 1st time a year ago - Alaska. We liked the itinerary and that it was RT out of Seattle. We enjoyed the layout of our inside cabin (we also have a DS who was 10 at the time) especially with the 3rd berth. The food was good (liked X better), and I agree that we didn't run into any stumbling drunks.

 

The biggest issue I had was with other passengers and their attitudes. They ran over peoples toes with their walkers & scooters without even an excuse me or kiss my butt. They also felt entitled to cut in the buffet lines (not a fan of buffets in general but we usually ate breakfast there). The thing that pissed me off the most was them cutting in front of my then 10yo for ice cream (his jaw dropped but he never uttered a word)!

 

Don't get me wrong - we did meet some very nice people, but we always have on every single cruise. I had just never encountered the rudeness/attitudes to this extent on any of the other 7 cruises.

[tangerinebunny]

I'm sure you're right. I've cruised HAL many times and never been invited to kiss anyone's butt - scooter or not.

[Travelcat2]

As with any cruise line, the time of year you cruise affects a lot of things. Shorter itineraries while school is in session tend to bring on the younger demographic. Summer and Christmas cruises have loads of kids and long cruises have the retired group. Some cruise lines that cater to the younger demographic tend to have a party atmosphere and can be very loud.

 

Have you checked out the HAL (Holland America) board? It can give you an idea of the type of people you will be sailing with:)

[offtoseethe world]

As with life, there are nice people and not so nice people and this is also true for cruises. Have been on > 30 cruises and used several cruise lines and each line seems to have its own personality. Also, the longer the cruise, the older the people. If you want a longer cruise but younger people, try 2 back-to-back cruises plus you can usually get the 2nd cruise at a VERY discounted price. The bigger the ship, the more 'dilution' of the not so nice people but also more wait time in lines. Now at 60, am a staunch Holland cruiser due to their service, on board lecturers / activities, the varied entertainment options (without each bar being 'wild and crazy' if we just want a quiet drink) and the smaller ships as we get to know more people in more depth - and also who the not so nice people are so we can avoid them plus have never been a fan of lines.

[Kilnwood]

As with life, there are nice people and not so nice people and this is also true for cruises. Have been on > 30 cruises and used several cruise lines and each line seems to have its own personality. Also, the longer the cruise, the older the people. If you want a longer cruise but younger people, try 2 back-to-back cruises plus you can usually get the 2nd cruise at a VERY discounted price. The bigger the ship, the more 'dilution' of the not so nice people but also more wait time in lines. Now at 60, am a staunch Holland cruiser due to their service, on board lecturers / activities, the varied entertainment options (without each bar being 'wild and crazy' if we just want a quiet drink) and the smaller ships as we get to know more people in more depth - and also who the not so nice people are so we can avoid them plus have never been a fan of lines.

 

BBM

 

I am not so particular about the company with whom I cruise as DH is, but after all is said and done, his favorite is HAL for all the reasons you've stated!

[panheads4ever]

I sure hope no one runs over my toes with a scooter...LOL To me it sounds like a floating nursing home surely not the truth. Never been on a HAL ship but will be soon. I'm not a spring chicken at 52 but I have learned a lot of cool stuff from those older than me.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Holland is 5 star all the way ...

[Northshorecruisers]

I do have to say that our first HAL cruise we booked because my dad had booked the cruise with his senior group from church. Great group of people! There was a group of 4 women sharing a cabin and they were just a hoot. They could party with the best of them!

 

I'll never forget the stories regarding the member of the group that was a photographer. Bill Wilson. When the first daily came out with a meeting for "Friends of Bill W" - well you can guess. All these people showing up to the meeting with cocktail in hand :eek:

[Assateague Island Princes]

Now THAT is funny:D:D:D:D!

[sarge98]

Try Princess cruise line ;)

 

Princess does not allow smoking on balconies she said tw of their group smoke. It might matter to them.