R class ships, like Volendam

[DaveOKC]

Pros and cons to R class vs the larger HAL ships.  

 

Pros - easier to get around, especially with the midship elevators.  With fewer passengers, you seem to see and meet the same people more.  The cabins are larger (for the most part).  Easier to get Pinnacle reservations.  Ports access easier - less crowded.

 

Cons - not all have been updated to the latest TVs.  More air conditioning and plumbing issues it seems.  Pinnacle Grill lacks outside view.  No Tamarind dining option.  

 

I am sure there are other things I forgot about it.

[Homosassa]

My husband and I prefer smaller ships.

 

As HAL seems to be trending toward large ships whose passengers seem to be tourists and not travelers , we are moving on to another cruise line that that is specifically designed for the seasoned traveler that understand that "ship" can happen on a cruise.

[tommui987]

Mis-spoke - sorry about that but I have been on the Volendam on two  cruises so far and it did remind me of cruises on the Azamara Quest - small ship, great crew!

[thinfool]

And often there are fewer tender ports as the smaller ships can find berths in ports that larger ships need tendering.

Happened to us on the South America itinerary a couple of years ago.

[Tampa Girl]

On 3/26/2019 at 4:47 PM, thinfool said:

And often there are fewer tender ports as the smaller ships can find berths in ports that larger ships need tendering.

Happened to us on the South America itinerary a couple of years ago.

 

I think that is a big reason for liking the S and R class ships.  They are able to get into ports that larger ships cannot.  And I will second the poster who preferred these classes because they still have their libraries and the Crows Nest.  I, for one, will transfer my allegiance to another line when those amenities disappear from HAL ships.