HAL: Is it really that bad?

[peterf]

Hello friends,

 

A couple of years ago my wife and I decided that we had had it with Caribbean cruising and the same old islands, and we set out to try something different to get away from the cold January days, such as a Sandals resort.

 

Well, time has passed by and now I've started to think of cruising again. We're both experienced cruisers and usually sailed on Celebrity, which is a good product even if it isn't as good as it used to be. It's just that when we look at an approximately ten day Caribbean cruise with Celebrity at a reasonable price we realize that we've done it all.

 

But we have taken an interest in the Netherland Antilles, first seeking some Cruise Critic advice on a Grand Princess cruise that includes those islands. The response was very candid, very helpful, and made us realize that Princess, when compared with Celebrity, probably wasn't for us.

 

So now I need help from all you HAL folks. I have my eye on something like the Southern Seafarer cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We cruised on HAL around 15 years ago, (the old Westerdam, Volendam and Rotterdam), before switching to Celebrity. The Nieuw Amsterdam seems to be a nice size, and HAL has those wonderful walk around promenades. I should mention that we're both in our late 60's, but except for the fact that my hair has turned white - make that a sexy silver - we both look younger and are in good shape.

 

We're looking for a nice quiet ship with good food and service, but would prefer not to feel like we've entered a morgue. We're even willing to overlook the more permissive smoking regulations. After all, while cruising on the QM2 when Cunard still permitted smoking on balconies, we never had a problem, while on the Celebrity Equinox with its tougher regulations, we did have a problem with a balcony cigar smoker next door.

 

After becoming very enthusiastic I checked the Cruise Critic reviews, and to my consternation discovered that the Nieuw Amsterdam has a FAR lower satisfaction rating than a comparable Celebrity ship. While there was little griping about the tiresome smoking issue, there were strong complaints about poor food and overworked and undertrained dining room staff.

 

So finally coming to my question - has HAL fallen that far? Is it really that bad?

 

Please help.

 

Peter

[DaveOKC]

Hello friends,

 

A couple of years ago my wife and I decided that we had had it with Caribbean cruising and the same old islands, and we set out to try something different to get away from the cold January days, such as a Sandals resort.

 

Well, time has passed by and now I've started to think of cruising again. We're both experienced cruisers and usually sailed on Celebrity, which is a good product even if it isn't as good as it used to be. It's just that when we look at an approximately ten day Caribbean cruise with Celebrity at a reasonable price we realize that we've done it all.

 

But we have taken an interest in the Netherland Antilles, first seeking some Cruise Critic advice on a Grand Princess cruise that includes those islands. The response was very candid, very helpful, and made us realize that Princess, when compared with Celebrity, probably wasn't for us.

 

So now I need help from all you HAL folks. I have my eye on something like the Southern Seafarer cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We cruised on HAL around 15 years ago, (the old Westerdam, Volendam and Rotterdam), before switching to Celebrity. The Nieuw Amsterdam seems to be a nice size, and HAL has those wonderful walk around promenades. I should mention that we're both in our late 60's, but except for the fact that my hair has turned white - make that a sexy silver - we both look younger and are in good shape.

 

We're looking for a nice quiet ship with good food and service, but would prefer not to feel like we've entered a morgue. We're even willing to overlook the more permissive smoking regulations. After all, while cruising on the QM2 when Cunard still permitted smoking on balconies, we never had a problem, while on the Celebrity Equinox with its tougher regulations, we did have a problem with a balcony cigar smoker next door.

 

After becoming very enthusiastic I checked the Cruise Critic reviews, and to my consternation discovered that the Nieuw Amsterdam has a FAR lower satisfaction rating than a comparable Celebrity ship. While there was little griping about the tiresome smoking issue, there were strong complaints about poor food and overworked and undertrained dining room staff.

 

So finally coming to my question - has HAL fallen that far? Is it really that bad?

Peter

 

We have about 15 HAL cruises under our belt, most within the past 5 years. We are in are mid to late 60s.

 

We enjoy HAL, mostly for the great service but also the quieter, more refined surroundings than on some of the other lines. We always fine something to do however, but of course this varies by person.

 

As to the food, we consider it to be "good', but certainly not "great". There always seems to be enough variety to select from to suit us.

 

Nightlife is fairly limited, especially after the late show is over and most people head for their cabins.

 

Like most things in life, the experience is much of what you make it to be.

[geoherb]

The three lines you mention are more alike than they are different. Each has strengths and weaknesses. I would prefer to go with Princess over Celebrity. Our last cruise on Celebrity was less than spectacular. HAL is our second favorite. Cruising isn't what it used to be 25 years ago. In some ways, it's better. In others, not as good. We still enjoy taking them.

[navybankerteacher]

On recent cruises, I have found that HAL has comparable food and accommodations with Celebrity, and noticably better service. They have less varied entertainment and tend to be quieter than other lines, but still good music - and, perhaps also significantly, your fellow passengers are likely to be more mature - I do not mean aged, just grown up: with better chances of intelligent conversation. I believe you will find that most of the "morgue" blather you read on these posts is from people who heard from their brother in law that a friend of his saw a lot of scooters, rather than speaking from experience.

 

If you meant it when you said you wanted a "nice quiet ship with good food and service" , I believe you are more likely to find it with HAL than on most alternatives - Celebrity included. Yes, service and food have slipped some from a dozen or so years ago -- but no further than on other lines.

[OlsSalt]

Odd way to start out your thread title, that will now be endlessly repeated by even yours truly. Just saying. I am sure you will find plenty to not like about HAL. Move on to another cruise line is probably the best thing to do right now. I doubt if HAL would be a good choice.

Edited July 5, 2016 by OlsSalt

[thinfool]

Some of these things seem to be 'ship specific' rather than across HAL in general.

 

Our last HAL cruise made me remember that the dining experience on a ship can be exciting, exquisite and rewarding, both in the quality of our meals (xlnt!) and the new people that we met.

 

And, as another poster already mentioned, the cruise lines are more alike than they are different.

 

It's hard to beat HAL's bread pudding and fresh orange juice. :):D:)

[take us away]

Have over 30 cruises under my belt and have lately stayed with HAL due to their service and great itineraries. The food is not quite as good as it used to be but still very good, the entertainment has gotten better, the service is still wonderful, The Nieuw Amsterdam (NA) is one of the bigger ships so if you want more intimacy, suggest you see about a different, smaller ship. The NA does have more dining options most of which are excellent like Tamarind. The Caribbean cruises are not 'morgue like' -- I am in my mid-60's so can speak from experience. The rule of thumb is the longer the cruise, the older the passengers but this is due to who has the ability for say, 21 days for a vacation. Yes, there will be older people but this is far outweighed by NO hairy chest or belly flop contests.

 

You should have a great time. The ABC islands are some of my favorites, especially Curacao and Bonaire.

Edited July 5, 2016 by take us away

[iancal]

HAL is a great cruise line. We don't, however, see much difference between HAL, Celebrity, and Princess when it comes to service and friendliness of staff.

 

HAL is inconsistent so it is hard to judge the line. Same can be said for the other mass market lines. You may get fabulous food, service, entertainment, cabin, etc on one voyage and have the opposite on another.

 

I think that consistency has been the biggest loss on all of these cruise lines.

[catl331]

It is what YOU make of it. You might find things that you really like on other lines are not included here and vice versa. It just depends on your attitude. We don't think it is BAD or else we wouldn't keep returning. It fills our needs and the prices, cruises and convenience of sailings are great for us. I can't recommend a cruise line for someone I don't know at all.

 

Many of us on this CC page return over and over again and probably like some features and think some others need improving. It is a business with stockholders and they need to keep their investors happy. try Celebrity

[kevingastreich]

Hello friends,

 

Has HAL fallen that far? Is it really that bad?

 

Please help.

 

Peter

 

I think you should try an Alaskan cruise on HAL. If you don't like it you still had a great trip. Go for it!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

I think age is in the eye of the beholder. I am in my mid-fifties and have been cruising on HAL since my mid-forties, alternatively either by myself, or with my husband, sister, mother, and children. (Well, I did my first HAL cruise in 1960 with my parents when I was a baby, but I don't count that).

 

To my youngest 18-year-old daughter I am as "old as dirt" in my mid-fifties, which makes the OP, who is mid-sixties, even " older than dirt" from my daughter's perspective. If you cruise during school break times (summer, Christmas/New Year's holidays) and take a 7- 14 day cruise, the average age is much younger than on a longer cruise such as a trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific, for example.

 

I must like the HAL product or I wouldn't keep coming back. To the OP: Your mileage may vary, and since I don't know you, I can't speak to your particular point of view. I have cruised on Celebrity, although only two cruises, one on Mercury and one on Solstice. I actually find HAL and Celebrity more similar than different.

 

Here is a link to a personal website that has very comprehensive information on the Nieuw Amsterdam. I have not yet cruised on that particular ship, so I can't give first-hand information.

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/photo-reviews/ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-board-images/

 

If you are willing to do further internet research, there is another website which gives" HAL cruiser information", or "HAL facts" with particulars about each HAL ship.

 

Bonne Chance et Bon Voyage!

Edited July 5, 2016 by middle-aged mom

[RMLincoln]

We pick the itinerary first. We've enjoyed the benefits of each of HAL, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and NCL, worked past the down sides of each. For example: I don't like that on most Princess ships you don't get a couch until you get up to a jr. suite; the Celebrity MDR seems too squeezed in; the shows on HAL are lacking the wow-factor found elsewhere. And a 48 night cruise on carnival (repositioning around South America) had the same aged passengers as a long itinerary HAL.

But if you want a "nice quite ship with good food and service" HAL will be a good fit. We enjoyed Nieuw Amsterdam but it was more the itinerary than the ship, to us they are all quite nice, although it was especially nice for me to have a couch in our room without spending the price for a suite. DH says he can't tell the difference between the main cruise lines except for the pizza! I hope you find a good fit. m--

Edited July 5, 2016 by RMLincoln

[kazu]

Just a thought PeterF, but you might want to ask the mods to change the title of your thread.

 

Asking people who go back to HAL over and over "is it really that bad" gives the one the impression that we don't spend our money wisely.

 

If it helps you, we have sailed on a couple of extinct lines along with NCL, Princess, Celebrity & Oceania. HAL is our cruise line of choice currently.

 

We wouldn't be planning on spending another 30 days on board if it was "bad".

 

Actually I found the food much improved on the last cruise. Great variety and very tasty. Of course this varies ship by ship and itinerary by itinerary. We've lucked out on our longer cruises and have been impressed.

 

Your mileage may vary of course.

[Karennella]

Everything in life is relative. Take the food. We were happy with the food on our recent cruise. Having said that, it is fairly standard western food. We did not get to the speciality restaurants this time but have tried them on other cruises. We live in a city with an enormous range of food, being one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and have a range of food as you do in London, New York and Vancouver. Also my husband is originally Italian and we have spent quite a bit of time there.

Thus we did find the Asian food bland and westernised, (did not get to Tamarind) the Italian food Anglocised. But we enjoyed what we ate and did not have our expectations too high.

[Jason82]

My wife and I sailed to Alaska with HAL on the Amsterdam and we enjoyed it. We were some of the younger ones there being in our 30's. I chose HAL for Alaska for price and I didn't want a booze party cruise. I found the trip very relaxing.

 

The food was good and there was always enough variety that it didn't get old. The service was great and our cabin was quite comfortable.

 

Despite being a mid-sized ship, it felt spacious and never felt crowded.

 

Yes, it did feel a bit dead at night, when most may have gone to bed. Though we always found msc or something going on in the Crows Nest lounge.

[OCruisers]

No way is HAL a bad cruise line!

Especially good for port intensive cruises when returning to a quiet ship is welcomed.

Their veranda cabins are quite roomy for two. :)

[AnnieBelle]

I was on The NA in March/April for a Caribbean cruise. After being on the Maasdam last summer, we loved the bigger ship and the private balcony. We enjoyed going to the late stage show and then heading to the BB King Lounge to take in the last set. It was usually pretty full. A lot of couples dancing and just enjoying the music. The casino was busy and the piano bar seemed full. Things were quieter after the BB King set was over.

[QueenGlassHalfFull]

If you are sailing in a non-suite cabin, you will find more similarities than differences between HAL and Celebrity. If you plan to sail in a Neptune or Pinnacle suite on HAL, you may not find the suite experience to be as upscale as on Celebrity. The addition of Luminae for suite guests on Celebrity is a game changer.

[ithaca gal]

We have sailed with HAL over a dozen times and keep coming back. Our favorite ships are the Nieuw Amsterdam and her sister ship, the Eurodam.

 

We love the Tamarind restaurant and most of the food served daily. (The hot dogs and burgers at the Dive In are great!)

 

We found the crew to be extremely friendly and helpful and have never encountered the "overworked" and less than great.

 

The night life is lacking -- but we don't cruise for the shows.

 

All in all, we are happy HAL cruisers.

 

As for the "morgue", there are many older passengers. But to us, it beats being run over in the halls or stairs by unsupervised kids. That's just us.

[Hlitner]

HAL food is pretty good (but fading fast). The entertainment is so-so...especially for anyone under 60 looking for more contemporary music. And as to being a morgue....yes, many (not all) HAL cruises do seem like morgues after 10pm. But few of the passengers even notice since they are in their cabins and often sound asleep.

 

Hank

[Bill S]

I will others do comparisons with other lines due to the fact we have done only one non-HAL cruise (on Celebrity).

 

Until this past February, we had sailed on most ships in the HAL fleet but not on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Finally, we did sail on her on 2 back-to-back Caribbean cruises.

 

Well, we found the Nieuw Amsterdam to be a very, very nice ship. She is big, for a HAL ship, but definitely not a mega-ship. We liked the décor (a subjective topic for sure) and found her to be very comfortable with what we thought were spacious interiors. We had an aft-facing verandah cabin. Those cabins provide a bit more space than the side-facing cabins within the same category. We definitely would enjoy sailing on her again. I hope this helps you bit.

[doone]

Remember one thing, there are no bad cruises, just some are better than others. I have tried other cruise lines and always had a good time, however, I always go back to HAL as I feel at home when I board a HAL ship.

 

I agree with others here, each cruise line has its strengths and weaknesses and cruising has changed over the years and certainly isn't what it was many years ago, but it's still a good value.

 

With that said, don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy whatever line you chose.

[ExpatBride]

Remember one thing, there are no bad cruises, just some are better than others.

 

I beg to differ. Norwegian Epic was 11 nights of hell. If we could'd flown from Rome to where our car was parked for a reasonable fare, we'd have gotten off in Naples and gone home early.

[doone]

ExpatBride, so agree, I should have been clearer as I was speaking in general terms in selecting a ship. Hey we all know stuff happens whether on a cruise or not....

[Lady Arwen]

We've been cruising for many years, primarily Celebrity, Princess and HAL. Some differences, but very similar. It also depends on the ship. The only line we will never sail with again is NCL. We were on Breakaway in May to Bermuda and what a disappointing cruise we had. Celebrity Summit was docked beside us and I cried everyday because I was not on that ship.

 

HAL has always been very consistent in what it offers. Never been disappointed. We're booked for 12 nights on Oosterdam in May to the Med and we know that HAL will deliver the best cruise possible. It reminds us of that TV ad "We'll leave the light on for you". Just like going home.