Rare Tapi Posted February 25, 2013 #1 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hi: We will be taking our first Holland America cruise in June. I have bounced between Carnival and Royal Caribbean during the last 10 years (Platinum on both), but I'm ready for a different experience. So in your opinion, what will be the first thing I'll notice about sailing on Holland America (that will be different from what I'm "used" to)? I know it's a bit subjective, but I will greatly appreciate any input. :) Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted February 25, 2013 #2 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Lack of neon..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRL_Joanie Posted February 25, 2013 #3 Share Posted February 25, 2013 1st will be the Blue Hull that you'll notice:) And then things like: The ambiance is more sedate than many other lines. There are no water slides or Rock Walls to climb. Fewer restaurants than on many f the larger ships. Room Service is free 24/7. Generally fewer children (unless it is during a school break) So many more but.......... Joanie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted February 25, 2013 #4 Share Posted February 25, 2013 The friendly crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mightycruisequeen Posted February 25, 2013 #5 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'll probably get flogged for saying this, but one of the first things you'll probably notice about HAL is that the average age of pax is much older than you usually see on Carnival or Royal Caribbean, and the longer the cruise, the even older the passengers. Note: I'm no spring chicken myself. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1160451 Posted February 25, 2013 #6 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hi: We will be taking our first Holland America cruise in June. I have bounced between Carnival and Royal Caribbean during the last 10 years (Platinum on both), but I'm ready for a different experience. So in your opinion, what will be the first thing I'll notice about sailing on Holland America (that will be different from what I'm "used" to)? I know it's a bit subjective, but I will greatly appreciate any input. :) Thanks. A deserted ship at 11 pm...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted February 25, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'll probably get flogged for saying this, but one of the first things you'll probably notice about HAL is that the average age of pax is much older than you usually see on Carnival or Royal Caribbean, and the longer the cruise, the even older the passengers.Note: I'm no spring chicken myself. :o Our group consists of passengers ranging from 17 months old to 74 years old (14 family members) so we have a little bit of everything. :D. Even on Carnival, we are back in our stateroom by 9-10pm (we barely make it to the shows most nights!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beyondthe7Seas Posted February 25, 2013 #8 Share Posted February 25, 2013 The fantastic crew! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaue Posted February 25, 2013 #9 Share Posted February 25, 2013 The Dutch no-nonsense attitude toward safety. It's reassuring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted February 25, 2013 #10 Share Posted February 25, 2013 The friendly crew. That's what popped in my mind as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seago2 Posted February 25, 2013 #11 Share Posted February 25, 2013 1. Flower arrangements 2. Wood paneling (TIE) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted February 25, 2013 #12 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Signature of Excellence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseWhere Posted February 25, 2013 #13 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Warm, friendly and welcoming smiles from all the staff & crew:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerinebunny Posted February 25, 2013 #14 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Blessed quiet - few announcements and no music blaring in the quiet nooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoloNoMo Posted February 25, 2013 #15 Share Posted February 25, 2013 First off, love your dog! Second, I'm new to cruising (my first, aboard the Volendam leaving Vancouver on June 26) and glad to hear the compliments! That's it for me! (There would be a picture of my rottenweiler, Rox, right here if I could figure out how to post it!) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted February 26, 2013 #16 Share Posted February 26, 2013 A deserted ship at 11 pm...... Funny - I never noticed that! But then again, I am back in the cabin no later than 10 PM! DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetocruise2020 Posted February 26, 2013 #17 Share Posted February 26, 2013 which ship are u on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ship's Wake Posted February 26, 2013 #18 Share Posted February 26, 2013 A wrap around promenade deck - such a rarity on ships these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 26, 2013 #19 Share Posted February 26, 2013 flowers in the Lido, flowers here and there, fabulous crew, greeting by your room steward, beautiful hand towels in the public washrooms, fresh squeezed oj in the morning room service - fabulous I could go on and on - suffice it to say - there is nothing like walking on a Holland America ship - once you have done one cruise - you will feel like you are home the second time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliaschief Posted February 26, 2013 #20 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Happy Mariners and crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseasnomad Posted February 26, 2013 #21 Share Posted February 26, 2013 A deserted ship at 11 pm...... Depends on the cruise. Some of the more recent cruises we've been on, the action in Northern Lights doesn't start until after midnight. Our cruise to the Panama Canal that venue didn't close until after 2 a.m. almost every night. And it was full of 20-40 somethings and us, DH & I. The "kids" dubbed us the chaperones. LOL. To OP: Among things you'll notice that are different---lovely art collection (take some time to roam through the ship and enjoy it), fresh flower arrangements, wonderful crew who now know us by name, beds to die for, very accommodating staff (they've worked very hard to accommodate our requests), understated ambiance, few public announcements, wrap around promenade deck, gracious fellow passengers. We keep coming back; this is our 7th HAL cruise in 4 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZNative2000 Posted February 26, 2013 #22 Share Posted February 26, 2013 1st will be the Blue Hull that you'll notice:)Joanie Joanie beat me to the beautiful Blue Hull. These ships look like ocean liners of old. It is so easy to spot a HAL liner in any port. Majestic is the word.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted February 26, 2013 #23 Share Posted February 26, 2013 The logo on the smoke stack, the wrap around deck and the friendly staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted February 26, 2013 Author #24 Share Posted February 26, 2013 which ship are u on? We will be on the Westerdam. Thanks everybody for all the replies so far. This thread is having the effect I was hoping for: to get a feel for what we will find when we board...:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filmsy57 Posted February 26, 2013 #25 Share Posted February 26, 2013 The amount of cruisers is relatively lower than most other cruises. The crew is second to none. The food is divine. no pretenses. We find the pax great on most parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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