I'm trying to make a decision

[WandaKruze]

I'm totally new to cruising and am trying to decide which cruise line to book our cruise with. I don't want the TA BS ... I want the straight info from someone who's been there. We may never take another cruise, so I don't mind paying. I don't like a lot of the fru fru formal stuff. Is this the best line for me?

[signman]

Wanda, see my reply to you on the Celebrity and Cunard boards.

[noblepa]

The various cruise lines do have different personalities. To some extent, the choice depends on you and what you find to be fun. It might help if you told us a little more about yourself; your age, are you married, interests, etc.

 

HAL passengers probably skew toward middle age and up. Younger passengers and families are present, but not as much as on some other lines.

 

HAL ships tend not to be all-night party ships. This is probably because of the age of the passengers.

 

HAL does still have early and late seatings in an elegant dining room. On, for example, a seven night cruise, there will be two "formal" nights when at least a suit is required for men. A Tux is recommended, but not required. When we were on Veendam last April, there were men in the dining room on formal nights who were not wearing suits. OTOH, I've heard stories on this board about passengers being asked to return to their cabin and put on a suit. I think it may depend on the maitre'd. Is this the "fru-fru" you referred to? THere are dining alternatives, if you don't wish to dress up.

 

HAL does have onboard entertainment, just like the other lines.

 

HAL does have bars and discos onboard, just like the other lines.

 

HAL does have casinos, just like most other lines. The size of the casino will vary with the size of the ship.

 

HAL does have activities for kids.

 

HAL does have onboard internet access.

 

HAL goes to many of the same ports as other cruise lines and has the full compliment of shore excursions.

 

HAL is, IMHO, one of the last of the traditional lines, with more than a touch of elegance to their ships and service. Shorts and flip-flops are never allowed in the dining room.

 

Are you travelling alone, with a spouse, a SO? Do you like to party, or relax?

 

Those of us here have travelled with HAL before and find that it matches OUR tastes. It may not match yours. YMMV.

 

Paul Noble

[RuthC]

I don't like a lot of the fru fru formal stuff. Is this the best line for me?

Probably not.

HAL is a traditional line with traditional pasengers. The atmosphere is one of elegance, refinement, quiet times and quiet places to enjoy them. If by "fru fru formal" you are indicating that you don't want to dress for the evening (and on HAL it's "evening", not just dinner) then you might want a more casual line.

Why don't you want to discuss your plans with a TA? That's their job. You would sit down with someone who will learn what it is you are looking for in a cruise, and what is the style you are comfortable with. Then the TA would recommend the line(s) that are the best match for you.

[desertrose]

In my humble opinion, HAL is the best cruise line hands down. I'll be taking my 10th cruise next week. If you don't want to dress for dinner, and I do understand, just have it delivered to your cabin. We booked a room with a balcony, it's very romantic. Also, on HAL, you can eat in the Lido which is informal and skip the dining room. There are formal nights, usually 2 on a seven day cruise. So, if you don't want to dress, order it delivered. They have the best food.

[Arubalisa]

I am sure you will receive many replies to guide you in your decision. As others will tell you there are some cruise lines which are much more formal than others. Unfortunately in your research I believe you will find that in the cruise industry for most of the lines, the better the quality the more "fru fru formal stuff".

[bdmarine]

You said you don't mind paying and you don't like formal. Seabourn is the line for you.

[CruiseQueen13]

Formal wear is formal wear. I would say overall an average of those that get all decked out compared to those that wear something nice - used to be 75% got decked. But, over the past few years I must say it's about half & half now.

 

We've been on many cruises - hubby not crazy about a tux. he always wears a dark suit - I am not a gown person - a nice dress, beaded something or dressy pant set is fine. We always fit right in!

[Esme]

You said you don't mind paying and you don't like formal. Seabourn is the line for you.

 

 

I would think Seabourn is more formal than HAL, Celebrity, and some of the other lines. Am I mistaken?? :confused:

[RuthC]

O.K., call me suspicious.

Hi, Suspicious, how are you today?

Does anyone else find it strange that Wanda registered, made this same post on six boards, and hasn't been back to re-post on any of them?

[Deb C.]

Is that statement true made by NoblePA? "Shorts and flip-flops are never allowed in the dining room."

 

Do you think he was referring to dinner? Sometimes I find it convenient to wear shorts to breakfast/lunch. :D

 

Thanks for your opinions. Deb C.

[Oceanwench]

I would think Seabourn is more formal than HAL, Celebrity, and some of the other lines. Am I mistaken?? :confused:

 

I was recently reading about one of the more expensive lines that has no formal nights. Maybe it was Windstar?

[RuthC]

Deb, I'll venture that Paul was referring to dinner time, not breakfast/lunch.

However, I would also be careful how I look in the dining room at any meal. I wouldn't wear too-short shorts, or a top that was too revealing (even if I looked nice in them) in such an elegant room.

 

There was one episode reported (only one that I remember) when someone wearing shorts was turned away from the dining room at breakfast. That is not the usual and customary.

[noblepa]

Yes, I was thinking of dinner time. We seldom eat breakfast or lunch in the dining room, so it didn't occur to me.

 

I was really just trying to paint a general picture for the original poster. I think that HAL probably IS a little more "fru fru" than some other cruise lines. Some of us like that about HAL, but others might be put off by it.

 

She (?) was very vague about her question. Some people, like those of us on this board are very happy on HAL. Others would be miserable. I was trying to make the point that we couldn't really answer the question without more information about her likes/dislikes. We can only provide our own opinions and experiences.

 

I also think it is rude (and perhaps a little strange) that she has not responded to the replies that have been posted. This, plus the cross-posting of the same message to many boards is a clear violation of "netiquette". If you ask a question, it is only polite to stick around for the answer.

 

Paul Noble

[Deb C.]

Thanks NoblePa and Ruth! I personally enjoy the formality in the evenings.

 

I am used to Celebrity which seems to have more formality than other mass market lines.

 

I am trying HAL again after an absence of almost 14 years! Really looking forward to my 14 days on the Veendam next month.:D Was kinda surprised at only TWO formal nights on this two weeks cruise. I wonder why?:confused:

[peaches from georgia]

Because it is so port intensive and there are few sea days, all at the very beginning and end of the cruise.

[Deb C.]

Oh, okay! Thanks!:cool:

[peaches from georgia]

I should have made it clear that that is just my opinion, nothing I have been told. It just makes sense as cruiselines, and pax, don't like to have formal nights on busy port days. ;)

[kryos]

The various cruise lines do have different personalities. To some extent, the choice depends on you and what you find to be fun. It might help if you told us a little more about yourself; your age, are you married, interests, etc.

Exactly.

 

What makes a great cruise for me may turn out to be a living hell for you.

 

Some people love Carnival ... the glitzy ... always something going on ... party atmosphere. This would make me sick because I'm not really big into partying and constant activity.

 

Some people like HAL because it is quieter ... a bit more "refined," a totally relaxing vacation. Sure, they have activities going on all day, shows at night ... but these are more toned down than on a Carnival type ship.

 

You say you don't like formal ... and you don't mind spending money because this may be your only cruise. Maybe you should look at a line like Windstar ... smaller ships, more elegant, a "country club casual" dress code all the time ... water sports platform off the rear of the ship. It's a bit more pricier than a HAL cruise, but something I would enjoy doing one day.

 

I would recommend that you check out some of the cruise reviews on this site as well as on others and see what other people are saying about their cruises on various lines. Perhaps they will give you an idea of the cruise experience that would be best suited to you, and help you make up your mind.

 

After all, if you really think this might be your only cruise, might as well make the best of it. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

There was one episode reported (only one that I remember) when someone wearing shorts was turned away from the dining room at breakfast. That is not the usual and customary.

One of our CCers was turned away from the dining room on the Island Princess at breakfast because he was wearing a tank top. After that episode, we moved our breakfast get togethers on sea days up to the Horizon Court (Lido). That was ridiculous in my opinion ... it was daytime ... the shirt was not obscene in any way ... why should people have to get all dressed up for breakfast or lunch? Had he been turned away at dinner (say, on a casual night) with a tank top, I could have understood it. But breakfast?

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

I was recently reading about one of the more expensive lines that has no formal nights. Maybe it was Windstar?

Yep. Country club casual ... "leave your formalwear at home" is what it says in its brochure. Windjammer Barefoot cruises are even more casual ... Flip flops, bare feet, shorts, etc. ... it's all fine.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[glrounds]

O.K., call me suspicious.

Hi, Suspicious, how are you today?

 

Does anyone else find it strange that Wanda registered, made this same post on six boards, and hasn't been back to re-post on any of them?

 

What I find even more interesting (even amusing), is that signman follows her around like a lonely puppy from forum to forum asking her to go to Celebrity and Cunard forums. :)

[RuthC]

One of our CCers was turned away from the dining room on the Island Princess at breakfast because he was wearing a tank top. ...breakfast?

I would hope that the same thing would happen on HAL if anyone were to come to the dining room for breakfast dressed that way. A tank top (or, more accurately, what it reveals) is not a nice thing for anyone else to have to look at when eating. Even worse would be to have the caffeine kick in and see that.:eek:

[Candy]

One of our CCers was turned away from the dining room on the Island Princess at breakfast because he was wearing a tank top...

I don't see anything wrong with that. IMO, if you want sit-down service at a beautifully dressed table, you should dress to match. If you want to wear a shirt that looks like underwear, the buffet is the casual match for you... like this guy:

 

[RuthC]

Candy, sorry to disagree with you (in a way. O.K., no, I'm not.) That guy didn't even belong in the Lido buffet.

As a matter of fact, had he been my husband in our home he wouldn't belong sitting down to eat that way.