HAL in the summer suitable for young couples? A few questions...

[Velvetwater]

Hi!

 

Read the HAL stickies on this forum but just a query.

 

We are a young couple in our late twenties with no kids and have sailed before on 2 longer length 10+ Carnival cruises (Baltic and Panama Canal) so did not experience short cruise party boats but enjoyed how relaxed and friendly everyone was and people seemed to all get on....we made friends with people the same age that we still talk to today...we think the atmosphere of fun and liveliness really made it great.Both cruises were summer (we have to sail in the summer due to our jobs)

 

At first we had heard HAL was a mature cruise line but people have said this changes on summer sailings, is this true?We do like a drink, are quite foodie and quite European if I do say so myself. On the Carnival ships we enjoyed the Serenity deck, the trivia, the club and dancing, the wine tasting and food demos the comedy nights and generally chilling out and dressing up for dinner.

 

 

So after all that a few questions.

 

1) Are there ships/itineraries that are better for a young couple? We looked at the MS Nieu Amsterdam Med romance, Land of the Midnight sun and the Fjord 7 day in the summer....not sure of the ships for those last 2.

 

2) Is it true that HAL ships empty and everyone goes to bed at 10? We like to stay up at the comedy/shows or go and hit the dance club?

 

3)Are there lots of families on board in the summer? Even though we are teachers we enjoy the family atmosphere.

 

4) Whats the nationality ratio like? We prefer a mix of different nationalities.

 

5) Are there spots in the shade by the pool decks? I dont want to fork out for a Cabana

 

6) It seems some layouts and features are Carnival like (I guess they are both CCL) is this true?

 

Please dont tell me to go somewhere like RCI or NCL..we would love to do those but HAL has the best prices/dates for what we want at the moment.

 

Thanks :)

Edited January 10, 2015 by Velvetwater

[gertiesmom]

My husband & I cruised HAL for the first time to alaska this last summer. I'm in my 30s, he's in his 40s. I expected a sleepy boring cruise. It wasn't a wild party by any means, but we socialized with people of all ages and had a great time. Got home and booked another for this June.

I think that we will stick with carnival for Caribbean cruises, but start using HAL for everything else.

[Mary Ellen]

I was in my mid-20s when we started cruising on HAL. In the summer months, particularly in Europe, you will most likely have a good mix of nationalities and ages. Our Baltic cruise had quite a few multigenerational family groups on board. Actually, we've been to all seven continents on HAL and there have always been families with children on board.

 

On port intensive cruises, such as in the Med, it will probably be fairly quiet after 10. Usually people take those for the ports, not the partying. The dance club is where you'll usually find people after 10.

 

HAL offers trivia, wine tasting, food demos, and cooking classes. There is a reasonable fee for the actual classes.

 

We prefer to sit in the shade and haven't had a problem - so far.

[Copper10-8]

......................................

 

 

So after all that a few questions.

 

1) Are there ships/itineraries that are better for a young couple? We looked at the MS Nieu Amsterdam Med romance, Land of the Midnight sun and the Fjord 7 day in the summer....not sure of the ships for those last 2.

 

2) Is it true that HAL ships empty and everyone goes to bed at 10? We like to stay up at the comedy/shows or go and hit the dance club?

 

3)Are there lots of families on board in the summer? Even though we are teachers we enjoy the family atmosphere.

 

4) Whats the nationality ratio like? We prefer a mix of different nationalities.

 

5) Are there spots in the shade by the pool decks? I dont want to fork out for a Cabana

 

6) It seems some layouts and features are Carnival like (I guess they are both CCL) is this true?

 

Please dont tell me to go somewhere like RCI or NCL..we would love to do those but HAL has the best prices/dates for what we want at the moment.

 

Thanks :)

 

1. I spent last year spring on Noordam in the Med. A good mix, incl. young couples, on that itinerary

 

2. The late show starts at 10 pm so not everyone goes to bed at that time. On the bigger ships (Vista & Signature-class) the Northern Lights night club can be active, especially on formal nights

 

3. Plenty of families onboard in summer

 

4. A good mix of nationalities, especially on the European itineraries

[sppunk]

We are both 32 and started sailing HAL when we were 26, so I can help a bit.

 

We have sailed on HAL to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada/NE, Norway fjords, and two basic Caribbean cruises.

 

1) The larger the HAL ship, the more they offer. We love the size of the R class ships but NA and Eurodam fit us better as they offer more at night in more comfortable places.

 

2) It depends on the itinerary. In Alaska, yes. In Canada, ship was dead by x9:30 pm (average age was 70 ... ) but in Norway in September and the three warm-weather cruises there were lots up late.

 

3) Usually, the shorter the itinerary generally the more families. HAL has far fewer children than RCCL or Carnival though. Princess too in our experience.

 

4) Pretty good. Our Norway cruise left from Rotterdam though and there were 119 English speakers onboard. It was 95 percent Dutch. It was a different ruse, for sure. Not bad, just different. I've also never felt so short! This is a Rotterdam-specific thing, any ship leaving from there will be mostly Dutch. Dutch TAs will be onboard with tables set up everywhere. It's definitely different.

 

5) Yes

 

6) The Vista/Signature ships are built off Carnival hulls, but the interior design is quite different. They both offer piano bars, casinos, etc but so do most all mass market lines.

[ijsprinses]

we are in our mid-30's, dutch speaking and we'll be sailing with HAL for the first time. we're doing the 'Adriatic Dream' in july, mostly because of the itinerary, I didn't know much about HAL. I've chosen late dining at 20pm and after dinner I hope to see a show or listen to some live music, so we won't be in our cabin at 10pm I guess. But the cruise is port intensive, so I won't be dancing until dawn either! :) I don't mind kids, but I do not like it when the ship is crowded with families, so you don't find a seat near the pool. (this was the case when we sailed with MSC ten years ago). but on our roll call some people said there is a 'adult only pool', that would be nice.

[Velvetwater]

Thanks for everyones replies! They were very helpful.

 

We are wondering whether to book now and take advantage of the upgrade offer.

 

I need to go and search the drinks prices and menus now :)

[bahrain_not_dubai!]

I think HAL should fit what you want to do quite well. It is more of a sedate ship but on my recent cruise we stayed up well into the wee hours, it was always the same group of individuals, but you begin to meet other couples your age and enjoy your voyage in a far more intimate setting. I love the piano bar (our piano man was fantastic, really made the voyage) and while the DJ in the Crow's Nest was abysmal we often brought our own music and just played whatever we wanted to our heart's content. I imagine the shorter Summer cruises would attract more of that demographic.

 

HAL ships are just the right size and offer you a more intimate atmosphere in which to partake in the activities you enjoy.

[Crew News]

Thanks for everyones replies! They were very helpful.

 

We are wondering whether to book now and take advantage of the upgrade offer.

 

I need to go and search the drinks prices and menus now :)

 

Here is a link to all of the drink prices as well as menus:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/?page_id=908

[sppunk]

Thanks for everyones replies! They were very helpful.

 

We are wondering whether to book now and take advantage of the upgrade offer.

 

I need to go and search the drinks prices and menus now :)

 

Menus, hoots, programs and more are available at http://www.halfacts.com. Each ship class has it's own page, plus a general info page. It should help you!

[NOSaints1]

Do they have any Dutch food on any of the ships as my DW is Dutch/ Fresian and loves drupes

[kazu]

Do they have any Dutch food on any of the ships as my DW is Dutch/ Fresian and loves drupes

 

The Rotterdam has a specialty dinner featuring Dutch food on most of it's European sailings (especially those that involve Rotterdam).

[OlsSalt]

I think there are better cruise lines more in tune with your age group and choice of interests. HAL is fine and certainly is similar to Carnival in many superficial aspects (cabins-food-service) but it does cater to an older crowd and the lights do go out fairly early.

 

Your request for a "foodie" ship is an interesting challenge since those most known for more personalized cuisine are the more upscale and pricey cruise lines like Crystal and Oceania. Have you looked into those? Some EU based lines get good reviews for being more "European" and a bit younger. Costa particularly, the tragic incident not withstanding. They seemed like very lively and younger ships with some excellent itineraries.

 

NB: drupes --- stone fruit?

Edited September 10, 2015 by OlsSalt

[OCruisers]

For a Port Intensive cruise you would be fine with HAL. Probably not if there were lots of Sea Days. ;)

[OlsSalt]

The Rotterdam has a specialty dinner featuring Dutch food on most of it's European sailings (especially those that involve Rotterdam).

 

This was the Liberjie dinner and it was available only a few times at a premium price, but was it was not really "Dutch" - just followed a menu connected with a well-known hyper-foodie restaurant that is located in Holland.

 

But there is the Royal Dutch Tea that offers some loosely Dutch-based specialities. When menus and provisions get sent out of Seattle, Washington USA, one has to be a big forgiving about finding authentic international cuisine on HAL ships. They try and they have been a lot more creative of late, but this does remain a mainstream US-friendly cruise line.

 

Though the clientele is noticeably changing to be a lot more diverse from around the globe, than primarily just North America - Canadians too. One assumes the variety to food will change over time as well. And certainly the dining room hosts try to accommodate these differing tastes and meal traditions as well. As a bit of irony, one of the best meals we had on a Japanese owned Crystal ship was their "American buffet" which was remotely recognizable as "American" and the crew was all in teeshirts and baseball caps, but their rendition of American "picnic food" was a delightful surprise.

Edited September 10, 2015 by OlsSalt

[bonvoyagebites]

It's hard to say for sure. My experience with HAL was pleasant, but I am 43.. wife is 33, and we had 3 teens with us. It was pretty laid back, but I also enjoyed the quiet a bit, and the lack of crowds.

 

I say go for it. You're young and why not try as much as you can? If you don't like it, you can try another one next time. :) Gives you an excuse to book more trips.

 

Our experience is laid out in the review below. Also, there is a link to "Food Porn" since you indicated you are a bit "foodie". Enjoy!

[NOSaints1]

Drupes are a Dutch candy, double salted black licorice

[OlsSalt]

Drupes are a Dutch candy, double salted black licorice

 

Thanks. They had salted licorice on our last Norway-White Sea cruise in the ship's store. (Another cruise line). Lots of it in fact. Also saw plenty of this in Iceland. Love licorice myself, but this salty version did not become an acquired taste for me but it was obviously well-loved in these more northern climes.

 

So no, don't think there are easily available drupes on board - but maybe the ship store carries them, and who knows maybe the officers keep a secret stash for themselves and can be talked into sharing a few. ;)

Edited September 10, 2015 by OlsSalt

[NOSaints1]

Thing I found cool with the Dutch is Klumpens, if that's how you spell it is the Dutch wooden shoes. What would be the best ship for a first time HAL ship, if your going to the Caribbean and your thoughts on Veendam, it seems kind of small.

[OlsSalt]

Thing I found cool with the Dutch is Klumpens, if that's how you spell it is the Dutch wooden shoes. What would be the best ship for a first time HAL ship, if your going to the Caribbean and your thoughts on Veendam, it seems kind of small.

 

Didn't Winken, Blinken and Nod sail off in a shoe - the Klompendam?

 

As the plumber ads say out here, clogs are for dancing not for your pipes. Can you imagine what the Walk for the Cure would sound like if everyone were wearing wooden shoes?

Edited September 11, 2015 by OlsSalt

[SetAnOpenCourse]

The questions of the OP were posted in January. I guess the thread was revived because of the Dutch food reference.

[CowPrincess]

Do they have any Dutch food on any of the ships as my DW is Dutch/ Fresian and loves drupes

 

We have been able to purchase stroopwafels at the Explorations Cafe. Good ones.

[Tante Amalie]

I would generally agree with most if the comments above, but would add a couple of observations. We are somewhat younger than most HAL passengers and have been able to enjoy our cruises, despite some consequences of having mostly "older" people on board.

 

For us, the biggest negative is the impact of the clintele on excursions. The HAL excursions are designed for people who are not very active or fit. Even the most strenuous ones are very limited if you are used to being very active. Everything happens very, very slowly and you can get quite frustrated with waiting around for other pax to get on and off the bus, make a bathroom stop, go shopping, etc. I don't necessarily blame HAL for this and it is true for all cruise lines to some extent. Weve learned to do private excursions and avoid HAL trips as much as possible. It's amazing how much more you can see if you put some effort into research and do things on your own.

 

You may also find that shows and music are targeted at an older age group. I enjoy music that is much more contemporary than found on HAL ships. Again, I don't blame them for playing old American standards or music from the fifties, but this material was popular before I was born and I never developed a taste for it.

 

You can have a great time on HAL shops as long as your expectations are realistic. Give it a try.

[OlsSalt]

HAL has added more active shore excursions - hiking, zip lining, scuba etc -- be sure to look at the activity symbols for each excursion to pick a faster or slower pace.

 

You would want the four level ones. HAL is also now offering smaller group excursions - no more than 20 I believe -- at a slight additional cost. We are also fairly active and take more of the four level excursions and don't find the slow pace problems. Best of all, when they include a meal we have uniformly had excellent offerings even though they might be buffet or pre-set banquet style.

 

In fact we find HAL passengers to know the ropes about shore excursion courtesies and are on time, polite and excellent company. And don't get in their way when they line up in the back of the show lounge to get the best seats on the bus. :cool: They know how to move!

 

More importantly HAL shore excursions do a good job avoiding those "shopping experience" detours unless noted in the itinerary. Or by majority of passenger requests. We have voted down some of them and occasionally get dragged to some against our own preference - Vietnam was the worst in this regard.

 

Stay firm and don't be afraid to shout out "no" if this shopping stop is offered by the guide -- against HAL guidelines by the way, if they do this on their own.

[NOSaints1]

Do they offer movies on the pool deck?