Any positive comments re.sailing experience on HAL in the past couple of years??

[NC_Traveller]

I have been on several other cruise lines and my last 3 cruises have been on HAL. The service is outstanding and the itineraries are why I have selected this cruise line --- My First HAL cruise was to Alaska on the Zaandam, last summer I did the Viking Voyage on the Rotterdam and in July I will be going to Norway on the Koningsdam. I can say that the Rotterdam had outstanding entertainment last summer and the Dive In and Pizza place were outstanding -- especially if you wanted lunch on the ship or a quick snack upon returning from sight-seeing. The only negative is that the excursions on HAL are super expensive. I have also seen that a younger mix of people are starting to travel on HAL. Do not miss the BB King Blues Band!!!!! I really love the stateroom size and the beds are super comfortable!!!! I hope HAL continues to marker to all age travelers -- they are my new preferred cruise line.

[OlsSalt]

Hmmmmmm ..... every year I notice a lot more younger people too. Wonder why that is.

[rkacruiser]

I have been on several other cruise lines and my last 3 cruises have been on HAL. The service is outstanding and the itineraries are why I have selected this cruise line --- My First HAL cruise was to Alaska on the Zaandam, last summer I did the Viking Voyage on the Rotterdam and in July I will be going to Norway on the Koningsdam. I can say that the Rotterdam had outstanding entertainment last summer and the Dive In and Pizza place were outstanding -- especially if you wanted lunch on the ship or a quick snack upon returning from sight-seeing. The only negative is that the excursions on HAL are super expensive. I have also seen that a younger mix of people are starting to travel on HAL. Do not miss the BB King Blues Band!!!!! I really love the stateroom size and the beds are super comfortable!!!! I hope HAL continues to marker to all age travelers -- they are my new preferred cruise line.

 

As a fellow cruiser on the 2016 VOV, I 100% agree with your comments!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Hmmmmmm ..... every year I notice a lot more younger people too. Wonder why that is.

 

 

:DLOL. Me, too.

[iflyrc5]

We did 108 days on HAL in 2016, have 45 days completed/booked for 2017 and 32 days booked for 2018 - and have over 500 days total - Yes we love HAL. The crew is the best and the reason we keep coming back. We have also noticed an improvement in the entertainment since the new company has taken over. The dancers on the Rotterdam in Feb were outstanding.

[81Zoomie]

My favorite small details.... best French fries at sea and the most beautiful flowers throughout the ship!

[wander]

I agree with most of what rkacruiser wrote but do want to add one thing to his comment about the salad bowls. (Hi aka)

 

IMO - yes that are huge, but I like it because I can easily mix the ingredients up myself without having half (well, not half) the salad on the table. (Those dastardly garbanzo beans simply do not want to stay on the plate when salad is mixed.) Since things are added in layers they, and the dressing, need a good mixing for my eating enjoyment. On my 2 cruises with this new approach, if folks prefer a plate they are glad to provide one instead of the bowl. A certain percent did ask and got what they wanted - even choice of plate size. So, a change easily changed back.:p:p

[3rdGenCunarder]

I agree with most of what rkacruiser wrote but do want to add one thing to his comment about the salad bowls. (Hi aka)

 

IMO - yes that are huge, but I like it because I can easily mix the ingredients up myself without having half (well, not half) the salad on the table. (Those dastardly garbanzo beans simply do not want to stay on the plate when salad is mixed.) Since things are added in layers they, and the dressing, need a good mixing for my eating enjoyment. On my 2 cruises with this new approach, if folks prefer a plate they are glad to provide one instead of the bowl. A certain percent did ask and got what they wanted - even choice of plate size. So, a change easily changed back.:p:p

 

I agree about the large bowls. If you have the salad server toss the salad, they can do a good job without losing your salad. I didn't know they provided alternate dishes. I saw lots of the big salad bowls around the buffet--the new salad station is very popular. I love it. I get a basic salad, then go to the taco bar and add a little taco filling, a little guac... all the while convincing myself that a salad is a light lunch! ;p

[jhsocal]

As the cruise lines become more "mass market" to fill those larger ships, cruising will become available to a larger percentage of the population. Unfortunately, this often requires some cost cutting, and in tern, benefit cutting.

[sail7seas]

If you lurk much on other cruise lines' forums, you'll hear the same: "Cutbacks in quality, service, food, etc." As one CD said to us he had learned that for some people to be happy, they have to be complaining about things.

 

We've sailed the Z in January and actually liked it better than our cruise 10 days later on the Oosterdam that had been refurbished...yes, the refurbished cabins (SS) were wonderful, as was some of the rest of the ship...but we felt the food and service was better on the Z. Looking forward to 24 days on it this summer! No problems in my book with any HAL ships...always someone will complain about some cruise, but another poster will rave about it...you'd swear they were on different cruises! Enjoy it!

 

 

For a CD to d say that to a guest says much more about him and his atttitiude about trying to please guests than it does about the

' someone' who complains. IMO That does not do HAL proud for a CD to say such things.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

We have been sailing with HAL since 2003, and have enjoyed each cruise. We have been in inside, ocean view and balcony staterooms, all very nice. Yes, a few cutbacks have been made, but none that would cause us to quit cruising with them. The one thing that seems to be a positive for us is that the value for the price still remains high. Our first cruise was a 7 day Caribbean in an inside cabin, I can still find similar itineraries with the same cabin selection for the same price that we paid in 2003...so naturally, something has to give. Going to continue to cruise with HAL.

[Tinknock50]

In the Signature Suites, the large screen TV on the wall behind the sofa is actually a plus in our book. Sure, you can't watch it from the sofa now but it frees up a lot of space on the counter top and where the DVD player used to fit, not to mention you now have two more power outlets available. On the minus side, we didn't get any personalized stationery this time. I don't know if it was just an oversight or a permanent cut-back.

I have seen pictures of our upcoming cabin and I love those changes too! The extra counter space will be good and a great place to charge up electronics.

[navybankerteacher]

All this being said -- I am disappointed in the change to Gala nights -- I love getting dressed up and will continue to do so.

 

The resistance to dressing for an occasion has overcome all aspects of life. Yes, what you wear does not REALLY affect the flavor of the food - but it does somehow impact the mood of the dinner - and its overall experience.

 

I know most people really no longer care - but I still think a woman looks better in a dress or skirt than in yoga pants (most women look a whole h##l of a lot better) and most men look a lot better in khaki (or dressier) trousers and a jacket than in jeans or cargo pants and a polo shirt.

Yes: an intangible difference, but real nonetheless. In any event, going out to dinner with my wife is enough of an event - even though "out" is just a few decks down - to warrant the effort.

 

The tendency of a greater number oh HAL cruisers than those on other lines to reflect a somewhat similar attitude is part of what keeps drawing me back.

[ellieanne]

I've been sailing HAL exclusively since 1998. And I have noticed changes. By and large the changes have been for the better in my opinion.

 

I love the Dive-In, though I wish they still had sweet potato fries. The new hot dog offerings are excellent. I love the smaller portions in the dining room and the Lido. I feel like I am wasting less food with the smaller dining room portions, because I can actually eat my entire meal, even an either meal of several courses instead of just of few bites of each course. And I prefer it now that passengers are served or the dishes are already plated. It makes things so much better. (I was actually in line behind a passenger who went through the fruit salad picking out all the strawberries and when I complained that other people like strawberries too, he put ONE back. The pre-plated salads ensure that everyone gets a couple of strawberries.)

 

With the weight limits on airline baggage, it is so nice to be able to have dinner in the main dining room on Gala Nights without having to dress up in formal wear and I cannot express enough how happy I am they have stopped dressing the chairs!!!

 

I have noticed the variety in both the dining room and the Lido has gotten better -- yes, it's still basically chicken & beef, but the variety of dishes is much greater than before. And I am really pleased with the increased vegetarian offerings, even on the daily menus.

 

I haven't noticed any differences in other areas of service with the exception of the internet position. I really wish they had kept the dedicated internet manager. Transferring those tasks to the Front Desk Staff was a really bad idea. I actually stood in line for over half an hour while the Front Desk clerks went over each and every icon on a passenger's phone showing him what he could use and sound not use with the ship's WiFi. And I was locked out of my cabin because my key card would not work! Having a dedicated internet position, even if it was ONE of the Front Desk Clerks would be so much better.

[avian777]

For a CD to d say that to a guest says much more about him and his atttitiude about trying to please guests than it does about the

' someone' who complains. IMO That does not do HAL proud for a CD to say such things.

 

I agree. What the CD (allegedly) said tells me that he/she is an honest, straight-talking person and not a politician. While her/his (alleged) comments may not "do HAL proud", I respect the person's candor and wish it were a more common commodity nowadays.

To get back on topic, we have cruised on HAL an average of 2 times a year for the past 15+ years and have had nothing but good experiences on all of them.

Smooth sailing :cool::cool::cool:

[Appalachian Mountain Mama]

Draft Heineken is available? Do you know on which ships?

 

 

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[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We think for the price point Holland American is the winner when it comes to Service, ships,

We have sailed on others.

[Bouff]

We returned from the Eurodam trans Panama Canal cruise last week. Our last HAL cruise was in 2007. The service we received from the crew was fantastic, the food was the best we have enjoyed a cruise. We enjoyed the walk round promenade deck missing on most other lines. We thought the ship was in excellent condition and we saw lots of ongoing maintenance being undertaken. Yes there were some minor disappointments as there were clearly fewer activities staff but that is true of other lines as well.

[summersigh]

Zuiderdam hasn't had the TV upgrade yet.

 

We were on her in February and thought she was in good shape. We liked the food. I particularly liked the salad bar at lunch in the buffet, where they had lots of ingredients and made the salad for you. Good ice cream at the buffet, and that sinful bread pudding is still there. Nice pasta bar, too.

 

Room service is still free. Other lines have started charging, but HAL does not charge for most items. There are now some upsell items on the menu, but there's a lot you can get for free.

 

HAL's beds are very comfortable. And every ship we've been on is clean, clean, clean! On our cruise, one morning Maintenance was taking down the air duct covers in the hallway so the stewards could vacuum up there.

 

They are VERY proactive about noro, so there is limited self-service at the buffet now. It makes things a bit slower, but considering how little some people know about "buffet manners," the increased wait is a fair trade. And if even a tiny outbreak starts, they're on it. The bread basket and butter are replaced by waiter service; salt and pepper shakers disappear and you ask for little packets. They take away anything communal, wipe everything in sight with disinfectant, and that bangs down the outbreak.

 

And as others have said, the service is great. If you liked Zuiderdam 2 years ago, I think you'll still like her.

(y)(y) we felt the same. On our 14th cruise we were on the Zuiderdam for the partial transit Dec 2016 and felt it was one of the best cruises we've had yet.

We like the Vista class best because of the regular balcony rooms as opposed to the ships with Lanai cabins. We'd rather take more cruises than pay double for suites (we''re on a retirement budget:)) We want to be able to walk out onto our own balcony rather than a deck open to others.

[Cqis]

We were on the Eurodam in Oct. 2017 Venice to Barcelona . The food was absolutely terrific. This was not my first rodeo . The food keeps getting better, and the drinks. I don't know if it was the drinks are the people, but I had the most fun at all of the happy hours. Friendly staff while I was making my depositing at the casino. I may be naïve but I can't tell you anything about the décor, it was comfortable and clean.

 

We did a girls night out cruise in Sept 2017 on another cruise line, really enjoyed it . We agreed 100% that we should have cruised HAL. There was a difference.

[Snooksi]

I sailed HAL for the very first time last Christmas having already sailed Disney, RCCL and NCL. I was quite impressed to say the least, especially with the food compared to the other lines. (similar to Disney which also had great food).

 

I am 53 and sailed on the Nieuw Amsterdam with my 2 daughters, ages 22 and 16 and we had a fantastic and relaxing time and booked the cruise due to the price and the itinerary. We spent many nights at the piano bar and the BB King club and those were the only entertainment venues we utilized because we went every night. The crew was incredible, the ship was beautiful, service was impeccable and we really loved dining at the Pinnacle Grill one night for dinner. Spending our first Christmas at sea was an incredible experience and HAL made it extra special!!

 

If I want to have a crazy, jam packed vacation (and ultimately need a week's vacation to recuperate from the week's vacation) with my kids/grandson, I'll sail on RCCL and an Oasis class ship. If I want to enjoy my vacation and relax as much as possible on my balcony while looking forward to a great itinerary and great food, I'll sail on HAL (this coming December again...woo hoo!)

[Cruizer Bill]

In my experience, service remains excellent overall. Itineraries continue to be HAL's best selling point, and keep me coming back time and again.

It is true that food, especially dinner selections, are not nearly as good as they used to be. Cheaper cuts of meat, with the consequent "doctoring" them to make them edible, get tiresome on longer cruises. When it comes to entertainment, it is as if HAL wants to send us all to bed early so they can relax.

But especially the older ships are still lovely and gracious. They are comfortable, with decent size cabins. Service is warm and sincere, and oh! the places I can go!

 

+1 here. Great service, super itineraries and good prices bring us back. Sorry to see the food and entertainment go downhill.

[JimnKaren]

One of the good things about being retired is that I don't have to schedule my cruises several months in advance. That allows us to take advantage of the 'Cruise Deals' that are offered on the HAL site. For us, price is a consideration, but the itinerary is the thing for us. I can spend time on the computer looking at what is available and when it is going to happen.

 

We managed 76 days last year and will cruise for at least 60 this year (who knows what might happen later on). We are not breaking the children's inheritance bank.

 

Many people cruise for the ports of call, gotta get off and explore. I cruise for the fun of it. Many times, I just hang around on the ship and relax. Retirement is great that way.

 

Jim