Which Ship for us? Please help us select

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Hello all,

 

We're in our late 30s, we LOVE GOOD FOOD, could care less if we see onboard productions shows but might stop in to see a comedian, and we love a good casino! We live in California but, we're in NYC often to visit my family. We are relatively well traveled. We have cruised on Carnival (Triumph, Destiny, Pride and most recently Carnival Liberty (by far our favorite Carnival ship); we have also cruised Crystal once - loved every minute of it; we have cruised Princess - the Grand twice, the Golden, and the Dawn - loved all three ships; we have cruised Celebrity and like it, and, we have cruised Royal Caribbean twice (Nordic Empress (hated it) and Voyager of the Seas (mixed feelings).

 

Now please don't take offense but, we've relucant to try HAL because it does seem to attract an older crowd. However, we want to take both sets of parents (ages from 68 - 78) on a cruise this winter and, HAL seems to be a good fit for both price and scheduling.

 

Which ship and Caribbean itinerary would you select and why? Remember FOOD, CASINO and INTERESTING PORTS OF CALL are our top priorities. All members in our party, including the parents have cruised. We will be booking balcony cabins...suites if the price is right.

 

Oh one last important fact - we like newer, larger ships but, always welcome recommendations regarding ships over 5 years old.

 

Your help is appreciated!!

[seadrifter]

Hi SanFranBayCruiser - If you like newer, larger ships - the brand new Noordam launches in February 2006. It will have Caribbean itineraries. We have been on sister ship the Westerdam in the Baltic last summer and will be on the Oosterdam in January on a Mexican Riviera cruise. We really enjoyed the Westerdam. Hopes this helps you decide. I am sure that other long-time HAL cruisers will have other points of view. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your cruise - whatever you decide. -g.

[RevNeal]

I would suggest the soon-to-be-launched Noordam, which will be departing on 10 day Caribbean Cruises out of New York City in February 2006. If not the Noordam, the Westerdam is a lovely ship. Both are larger, very new, and have many of the kinds of on-board features which would appeal to you. Among the slightly older ships, the Rotterdam, the Volendam, and the Zaandam would be good choices. The Volendam was launched in November of 1999, and the Zaandam in 2000. The Rotterdam is a touch older (1997) but she's one of the twin flagships of the fleet ... a sparkling gem. For Caribbean itineraries, however, the Volendam and the Zaandam both have excellent, interesting schedules ... 10 day cruises to the Souther Caribbean, which are more interesting than the well-traveled East and West Caribbean. Also, the Zaandam will be doing Panama Canal cruises, which are excellent voyages in particular.

 

As for age concerns ... I think you'll find that the age mix on the newer ships -- the Noordam, Westerdam, and Oosterdam, in particular -- are about the same range as many of those you've sailed in the past. The longer the cruise, however, the older the average age ... so keep that in mind if that's a concern for you.

 

For myself, I prefer the longer cruises; while I'm only 48 years old, I enjoy cruising with a group that tends a little older (makes me feel more young!!)

[Tatka]

Whatever ship you choose you will have much less people on the ship, which was a huge problem for us on Liberty.

 

We were 32,32 and 12 yo when we sailed on Zuiderdam last August and we loved it.. We weren't bored and have probably the same amount of activities as on Liberty (yes there wasn't Hairy Chest contest, but Burping contest wasn't much better ;) )

 

Ships have many similar features as they were built by the same company (name always escapes me :o )

 

Buffets on Vista class also have different stations including Oriental (although they don't have Fish and Chips which we loved)

 

That being said at least during our cruise on Zuiderdam we felt it was greatly understaffed!!! Service was alot slower in both DR and by cabin steward.

 

Food in DR was slightly better on HAL, although some dishes were better om Liberty.. And on Carnival we didn't have to wait 2 hours!

 

I felt production shows on HAL were little bit more interesting than on Carnival.