Experienced Cruiser’s First Time on HAL; My Impressions

[GreytRacer]

OP here!  A couple of clarifications:

 

We LOVED our cruise, the older smaller ship, the crew and especially the itinerary. This was written specifically for friends who wondered what HAL was like compared to other lines we have all cruised. I decided to share it here in case it was helpful to others.  Not complaining; just comparing our personal experiences.  
 

We didn’t pay $100 for this cruise; we paid approx $350 per person. The black and white photos they were selling cost $450 for three photos, $100 more than our cruise fare. 

We didn’t book this cruise for shopping onboard or for the lobster.  I was simply pointing out some differences we noticed from other lines: the size of the shops and  the fact that lobster is generally on the menu one night, but was not on HAL. 

 

Shrimp cocktail was available as an appetizer.  I was speaking to the entrees when I said no seafood.  I can’t eat beef and I get tired of chicken and pork, so I enjoy seafood when we cruise.  That’s why I noticed the lack.  
 

The first morning we waited at the omelet station for eggs to order.Just wanted to clarify they weren’t there, so no one else made the same mistake.  
 

This cruise was indeed booked for the itinerary, plus the experience of a new-to-us cruise line. 😊

 

[Mary229]

@GreytRacer  sorry we hi jacked your thread.  

Edited June 19, 2022 by Mary229

[MTAK]

On 6/19/2022 at 7:45 AM, Djptcp said:

The OP needs to sail on a newer ship than the older Zandam. We have sailed on the new Rotterdam 3 times and there were sail away parties with canapes, there were music trivia contests on the Lido Deck by the Sea View Bar where we sang along, the food was fantastic in the Canelletto, the Tamarind, the Pinnacle Grill and in the Lido Buffet. We are 4 Star Mariners and have sailed on many of the HAL ships and loved them all, including the older Veendam.

I couldn't have said it better. After sailing on the Rotterdam in April, the Pinnacle class ships are our new favorite.

[Cruisoholic]

If you had done your research you would know that the Zaandam is a no frill older ship. This was only the 3rd time since covid that this ship was doing this intinerary. I have been on over 67 cruises and liked this one alot. The ports are great and the staff and crew were amazing.We liked the entertainment too.

[Hlitner]

We finally got around to reading the OP's review and thank them for posting.  Unlike the OP we are 5* Mariners but we could have written the same review based on many HAL cruises.  And yes, I know some will say "go on the newer ships" or some other excuse but we do think the OP did capture the HAL we know.   The comment about the food being "meh" has long been our opinion.  HAL food is just Ok...not the best we get when compared to other lines (we cruise many lines) and certainly not the worst.  The HAL add-ons (in the MDR and Pinnacle) are truly shameful and make HAL akin to a budget cruise line.  Back in December we cruised for 20 days on the new Enchanted Princess and never saw add-ons in the MDR, we had the usual lobster night (I do not even waste my taste buds with that warm water lobster tail) and shrimp cocktail was available every night (with never an add-on charge).

 

As for those that keep telling us to cruise on the newer larger HAL vessels I can't help but think that what we have always loved about HAL are the smaller more intimate ships.  If we are going to cruise on a larger ship I would prefer a line like Princess or Celebrity where there are Production Shows, lots of live entertianment, and no movies in the main show room!  I can watch BBC documentaries at home (and we do) but sure do not need to spend money on a cruise to see a film.

 

Our next cruise is on MSC (Oh the Horror).  We will be in the YC which actually is less expensive than many smaller HAL suites.  On MSC we will have our choice of 4 or 5 live musical acts every night, Production Shows every night, etc.  If we want a quiet classical duo we can enjoy it in the peaceful private lounge that is part of their Yacht Club.   If we are going to go on a larger ship (as has been suggested) it is hard to beat the value of MSCs Yacht Club.  We have our private YC pool deck, buffet, restaurant, big expansive lounge with a bow view, and even elevators that are prioritized for our use.  And in the MSC YC there are no add-ons in their private restaurant!  

 

I think the OP did a fantastic job capturing the real HAL.  For many folks, it is what makes them comfortable.  These folks have no complaints with HAL dessert crisps that have not changed in decades, HAL Meatloaf, etc!  They go to the Pinnacle and are happy with their very ordinary steak.  Speaking of the Pinnacle we think the menu is old and tired (perhaps like many customers).  Even on MSC, in the Yacht Club the Maite'd will usually be making different fresh pastas (in a large chaffing dish) most evenings!  And this is the normal restaurant for those in the YC...not a place that charges a price and then has add-ons to the add-ons.  ARGH.

 

We agree with the OP's final few comments.  For us, despite having spent hundreds of happy days on HAL, we now see it as a line we will only book for a great itinerary.  Otherwise, there are more than a half dozen other cruise lines which would be above HAL in our pecking list.   I do want to see HAL return to its glory days of among the best of the mass market lines (some might even say a premium line) but it is not going to happen until management brings the line into a competitive positon.

 

Hank

 

Hank

[petepie]

I’ve been on Celebrity and Disney to the Caribbean, HAL to Alaska and am booked for HAL again to Greece this summer. I think the OP review sounds like our experience n HAL. We were on Westerdam in Alaska. Really like the ship, it was upgraded and I like this size better than the larger ships. However, as the OP mentioned, entertainment at night was lacking. No venue that played current top 40 or dance music. Pianos were good but they were focused more on the oldies from the 60s, 70s, 80s. Shows not as good as celebrity or Disney, Activities during sea day were sedate. HAL’s strength is the itinerary, and a great place to come back to after a day of touring off the ship.  

[terrydtx]

11 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We finally got around to reading the OP's review and thank them for posting.  Unlike the OP we are 5* Mariners but we could have written the same review based on many HAL cruises.  And yes, I know some will say "go on the newer ships" or some other excuse but we do think the OP did capture the HAL we know.   The comment about the food being "meh" has long been our opinion.  HAL food is just Ok...not the best we get when compared to other lines (we cruise many lines) and certainly not the worst.  The HAL add-ons (in the MDR and Pinnacle) are truly shameful and make HAL akin to a budget cruise line.  Back in December we cruised for 20 days on the new Enchanted Princess and never saw add-ons in the MDR, we had the usual lobster night (I do not even waste my taste buds with that warm water lobster tail) and shrimp cocktail was available every night (with never an add-on charge).

 

As for those that keep telling us to cruise on the newer larger HAL vessels I can't help but think that what we have always loved about HAL are the smaller more intimate ships.  If we are going to cruise on a larger ship I would prefer a line like Princess or Celebrity where there are Production Shows, lots of live entertianment, and no movies in the main show room!  I can watch BBC documentaries at home (and we do) but sure do not need to spend money on a cruise to see a film.

 

Our next cruise is on MSC (Oh the Horror).  We will be in the YC which actually is less expensive than many smaller HAL suites.  On MSC we will have our choice of 4 or 5 live musical acts every night, Production Shows every night, etc.  If we want a quiet classical duo we can enjoy it in the peaceful private lounge that is part of their Yacht Club.   If we are going to go on a larger ship (as has been suggested) it is hard to beat the value of MSCs Yacht Club.  We have our private YC pool deck, buffet, restaurant, big expansive lounge with a bow view, and even elevators that are prioritized for our use.  And in the MSC YC there are no add-ons in their private restaurant!  

 

I think the OP did a fantastic job capturing the real HAL.  For many folks, it is what makes them comfortable.  These folks have no complaints with HAL dessert crisps that have not changed in decades, HAL Meatloaf, etc!  They go to the Pinnacle and are happy with their very ordinary steak.  Speaking of the Pinnacle we think the menu is old and tired (perhaps like many customers).  Even on MSC, in the Yacht Club the Maite'd will usually be making different fresh pastas (in a large chaffing dish) most evenings!  And this is the normal restaurant for those in the YC...not a place that charges a price and then has add-ons to the add-ons.  ARGH.

 

We agree with the OP's final few comments.  For us, despite having spent hundreds of happy days on HAL, we now see it as a line we will only book for a great itinerary.  Otherwise, there are more than a half dozen other cruise lines which would be above HAL in our pecking list.   I do want to see HAL return to its glory days of among the best of the mass market lines (some might even say a premium line) but it is not going to happen until management brings the line into a competitive positon.

 

Hank

 

Hank

Hank, our experience with HAL is very similar. Our first HAL cruise was in 2007 on the Volendam to the Panama Canal. Previous cruises had been on Carnival and RCL, so the Volendam was a much better experience. We stayed with HAL until 2019 on the Noordam to Alaska. We moved up to a Signature Suite for that cruise and were we disappointed, no extra benefits other than a nice larger cabin and balcony. We found the MDR food quality to be the worse of any previous HAL cruise and the MDR add on costs seemed ridiculous.

 

We booked on that cruise a 2020 Westerdam cruise of Greece, because of the itinerary which Covid did in for us. We then tried a 2021 Westerdam Greek cruise which was also Covid canceled, so took a partial FCC and booked the Oosterdam 14 night Greek cruise for next month again in a Signature Suite. We booked this cruise for the itinerary and to use our FCC. Back in April HAL butchered this itinerary by dropping two ports, Sauda, Crete and Santorini and substituting a second stop in Mykonos and a third sea day. The itinerary we booked is now nothing like what we are getting, very disappointed. I really believe this will be our last HAL cruise unless we find some super good itinerary that we can't do with any other line.

 

Last Year after the HAL Greek cruise we planned for our 50th anniversary on the Westerdam was canceled we decided to give Celebrity another try and booked a 9-night Caribbean cruise on the Equinox in a Sky Suite in their Retreat product. We were absolutely blown away with the ship and being in a suite with almost everything included and even a butler for our cabin. We found the Suites only restaurant, Luminae, to be the best food of any previous cruise on any line. We spent a lot of time in the Retreat private suites only lounge and the smaller ship in a large ship retreat experience. We are now booked in Sky Suites on 5 future Celebrity cruises, the first being next month before our HAL Greek cruise. We had considered booking a Neptune Suite with HAL but after comparing a Sky Suite to a Neptune suite on similar itineraries, we get so much more in valve in the Sky Suite for less cost than a HAL Neptune suite. In a regular Verandah cabin on Celebrity vs the same on HAL I do not see much difference and they both have similar products. But when you want more and step up to a suite, the comparison ends, IMO Celebrity is miles ahead. 

 

After reading what you said about MSC YC, if we find an itinerary we like we could give them a try in the future. We had some friends who did a Mediteranean MSC YC cruise in 2019 and they said it was not as great as Celebrity in the Retreat.

[Hlitner]

Terry,  I do want to be careful about suggesting MSC to you and many others.  It is a completely different kind of cruise experience than any other line.  Celebrity is a decent line (despite some cut-backs during the last few years).  We have always considered Celebrity among the better of the mass market lines although one could argue about the value on their newer ships given the high price.  MSC, on the other hand, is more in line with a Carnival or RCI product with the exception of their Yacht Club which is a true "ship within a ship" Experience.  Unlike the Retreat concept of Celebrity (which offers various amenities scattered throughout the ship), the Yacht Club is centered on a dedicated 3-4 deck area (up in the bow area) that is operated like a separate ship.  You even need a key card to just enter that section of the ship (secured by Electronic doors).  When you are within that YC section, all the other folks are also YC passengers.  But once you leave that enclave it is like being on a Carnival or RCI party ship.  In many ways it is similar to what NCL has tried to create with their Haven Suites.  But what makes the YC so unique is that you do not need to book a huge/expensive suite to get that experience.  In fact, some of their newest ships have a few YC inside cabins that have a reasonable price.  The regular YC Suites are like a deluxe balcony cabin (about 250 sq feet) but are currently priced about $400 per person/day which is all-inclusive with the exception of tips (which can usually be covered by OBCs given by decent cruise agencies).    Another thing about MSC is that it is truly an international cruise line that attracts many Europeans many of whom are not English speaking  Accordingly, all the entertainment is very international and based on music/dance, etc.  They cannot normally have comedians because there would be a big language problem.  The other issue about MSC is that they really need to improve their cuisine (even in the YC''s restaurant).  On our cruises the food has been hit/miss although we do think it is more interesting than the cuisine on HAL.    But when we consider that we are paying less than $400 per passenger/day for our upcoming MSC Yacht Club cruise it is one of the best bargains in the cruise world.  

 

Hank

[LadyBerard]

My husband and I cruised on Rotterdam this past March on a 7 night cruise out of FLL, we were 58/60 years old.  It had been many years since cruising on HAL, and the only other HAL cruise we cruised on was the Noordam back around 2008 out of NY.  

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the buffet and our Pinnacle dinner.  We actually only ate in the main dining room once as we were enjoying the company of our many new friends and hanging out at the aft pool area and really just hated to leave.

 

Service was outstanding, and we found the food delicious.  One evening, we also got room service for dinner as my husband had a 24 hour stomach bug.  I ordered the lobster tail from the Pinnacle and he got chicken soup.    The food we received on the numerous occasions we had ordered it arrived within 1/2 hour and was very good.

 

We always absolutely loved the live bands playing in the evening (our kind of music), and enjoyed the music trivia held by the aft pool immensely.

 

We did not spend any time in the casino.  Nor did we go to any shows.

 

We had such a relaxing and enjoyable time on the ship, that when we planned our winter 2023 cruise, we chose Holland Nieuw Statendam for Jan. 2023.

 

We have cruised many times on numerous ships on RCL (we're diamond members), NCL (we're Platinum members), Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and I've even cruised on Regal and Disney.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 16, 2022 by LadyBerard
Typo

[terrydtx]

39 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Terry,  I do want to be careful about suggesting MSC to you and many others.  It is a completely different kind of cruise experience than any other line.  Celebrity is a decent line (despite some cut-backs during the last few years).  We have always considered Celebrity among the better of the mass market lines although one could argue about the value on their newer ships given the high price.  MSC, on the other hand, is more in line with a Carnival or RCI product with the exception of their Yacht Club which is a true "ship within a ship" Experience.  Unlike the Retreat concept of Celebrity (which offers various amenities scattered throughout the ship), the Yacht Club is centered on a dedicated 3-4 deck area (up in the bow area) that is operated like a separate ship.  You even need a key card to just enter that section of the ship (secured by Electronic doors).  When you are within that YC section, all the other folks are also YC passengers.  But once you leave that enclave it is like being on a Carnival or RCI party ship.  In many ways it is similar to what NCL has tried to create with their Haven Suites.  But what makes the YC so unique is that you do not need to book a huge/expensive suite to get that experience.  In fact, some of their newest ships have a few YC inside cabins that have a reasonable price.  The regular YC Suites are like a deluxe balcony cabin (about 250 sq feet) but are currently priced about $400 per person/day which is all-inclusive with the exception of tips (which can usually be covered by OBCs given by decent cruise agencies).    Another thing about MSC is that it is truly an international cruise line that attracts many Europeans many of whom are not English speaking  Accordingly, all the entertainment is very international and based on music/dance, etc.  They cannot normally have comedians because there would be a big language problem.  The other issue about MSC is that they really need to improve their cuisine (even in the YC''s restaurant).  On our cruises the food has been hit/miss although we do think it is more interesting than the cuisine on HAL.    But when we consider that we are paying less than $400 per passenger/day for our upcoming MSC Yacht Club cruise it is one of the best bargains in the cruise world.  

 

Hank

Thanks Hank, with the new Edge class ships I think we enjoy the Retreat and its venues even more. The Edge and Apex have Luminae on deck 12 with the Retreat Lounge and sun deck just 2 decks above. We have the Apex booked next year in a Sky Suite and the Edge B2B in 2024 in a Sky Suite. The two newest E Class ships, the Beyond and Ascent have the Luminae (Suites restaurant), the Retreat lounge and the Sundeck on the 3 top forward decks with spectacular forward views from Luminae. Celebrity has done so many improvements on the E Class to make the Retreat a smaller ship in larger ship experience. What you said about MSC YC is pretty much what our friends experienced whenever the left the confines of the YC to the lower decks, they said it was too much like a Carnival cruise.

[SilvertoGold]

OP:   Thanks for this review. Enjoyed your comments.  Personally we like the lack of energy on some HAL ships.  For example: in 7 weeks on the Koningsdam we tired of the high energy of newbies and kids; of loud and somewhat unruly crowds in areas.  Everyone has their preferences. Ours is for elegance and comfortable surroundings.   I would suggest the Pinnacle class 7 day cruises for those who want more energy, more events and modern surroundings.

[tupper10]

Interesting to me - we gave up on Celebrity after cruising with them for many years. The issue for us is we don't book suites and if you don't have a suite the experience is 'meh'.  I also don't like being treated like a 2nd class person when I am paying a substantial amount for a cruise. Like the other poster here, we don't cruise to see big production shows or to have loud music blasting wherever we go.   On Celebrity I could not find one public space without non stop loud ;music.   We tried Holland America for the first time - we loved the Lincoln Center stage vs the big production shows and the quieter atmosphere on board.  This is why there are multiple cruise lines- they serve people who have different priorities.  

[RedneckBob]

17 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We finally got around to reading the OP's review and thank them for posting.  Unlike the OP we are 5* Mariners but we could have written the same review based on many HAL cruises.  And yes, I know some will say "go on the newer ships" or some other excuse but we do think the OP did capture the HAL we know.   The comment about the food being "meh" has long been our opinion.  HAL food is just Ok...not 

 

As for those that keep telling us to cruise on the newer larger HAL vessels I can't help but think that what we have always loved about HAL are the smaller more intimate ships.  

 

I think the OP did a fantastic job capturing the real HAL. 

 

We agree with the OP's final few comments.  For us, despite having spent hundreds of happy days on HAL, we now see it as a line we will only book for a great itinerary.  Otherwise, there are more than a half dozen other cruise lines which would be above HAL in our pecking list.   I do want to see HAL return to its glory days of among the best of the mass market lines (some might even say a premium line) but it is not going to happen until management brings the line into a competitive positon.

 

Hank

 

Hank

Ditto. Having sailed on HAL for over forty years, our last cruise on HAL will be in December. We are not leaving HAL, HAL left us. I could write a detailed, lengthy report as to why but do not wish to bore some of you folks 😀

[PACD_JG]

11 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

Ditto. Having sailed on HAL for over forty years, our last cruise on HAL will be in December. We are not leaving HAL, HAL left us. I could write a detailed, lengthy report as to why but do not wish to bore some of you folks 😀

 

Just wondering...has your current cruise on the Eurodam led you to this decision?  Was thinking of Alaska again in 2023, and I've only been on the Koningsdam (which I enjoyed).  After watching numerous YouTube videos on the Eurodam...I'm not sure how I'd feel about the older ship.

[jjfarns]

We just got off the Eurodam after a 7 day Alaska cruise. It’s our first cruise since January 2020 on Viking Ocean. First time on HAL. We found the ship to be in good shape and comfortable. Great staff and the programming and entertainment were adequate. Food was good but not great. They seemed to be short staffed in the bars. We felt a bit rushed in the MDR. Overall we would sail HAL again. I feel HAL is a good value. 

[RedneckBob]

1 hour ago, PACD_JG said:

 

Just wondering...has your current cruise on the Eurodam led you to this decision?  Was thinking of Alaska again in 2023, and I've only been on the Koningsdam (which I enjoyed).  After watching numerous YouTube videos on the Eurodam...I'm not sure how I'd feel about the older ship.

No. Service plus staff were excellent. Accommodations excellent. Ports excellent.

Entertainment poor. No more live band, singers and dancers and professional entertainment excluding dance company in main showroom. No more piano bar, no more dance band in ocean bar, no more dance band in crows nest, etc, etc, etc

[St Pete Cruiser]

On 6/19/2022 at 8:12 AM, CruiserBruce said:

Lobster is extra charge on HAL now, it's not served on Gala nights any more. But escargot is.

Bruce, it is on some ships.  Holland America did not renew contracts for lobster during the covid shutdown and now have not been able to get adequate supplies at a reasonable cost to them.  I see where the Zaandam VoV cruise is featuring lobster on Gala nights and our friends had lobster on their T/A aboard the NSDM in April.  I hope it will be back on all the ships soon.

[Florida_gal_50]

2 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

Bruce, it is on some ships.  Holland America did not renew contracts for lobster during the covid shutdown and now have not been able to get adequate supplies at a reasonable cost to them.  I see where the Zaandam VoV cruise is featuring lobster on Gala nights and our friends had lobster on their T/A aboard the NSDM in April.  I hope it will be back on all the ships soon.

Contracts?  But they are able to sell it for a price.  For the price of the VoV they should have lobster and hand feed it to you.

[terrydtx]

3 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

Bruce, it is on some ships.  Holland America did not renew contracts for lobster during the covid shutdown and now have not been able to get adequate supplies at a reasonable cost to them.  I see where the Zaandam VoV cruise is featuring lobster on Gala nights and our friends had lobster on their T/A aboard the NSDM in April.  I hope it will be back on all the ships soon.

The HAL app for our upcoming Oosterdam cruise shows the 5oz lobster tail and filet, (Surf and Turf) as an extra $30 addon every night in the MDR. The same meu has an $8.50 charge for shrimp cocktail every night too. Both of these add on upcharges are just pure price gouging and ridiculous. Our Celebrity app for our Reflection cruise, that precedes the Oosterdam cruise has shrimp cocktails available as a standard every night and even through room service. The MDR menu on the second dressy night on our Celebrity cruise has lobster and steak as not being an upcharge. 

[oakridger]

Frankly, even Carnival is offering shrimp cocktail in the MDR and recently they have served the lobster tail and filet on Dressy/Gala night for no upcharge.  I haven't sailed on them, but this info is based on a couple current trip reports I read here on CC. 

[Florida_gal_50]

11 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

The HAL app for our upcoming Oosterdam cruise shows the 5oz lobster tail and filet, (Surf and Turf) as an extra $30 addon every night in the MDR. The same meu has an $8.50 charge for shrimp cocktail every night too. Both of these add on upcharges are just pure price gouging and ridiculous. Our Celebrity app for our Reflection cruise, that precedes the Oosterdam cruise has shrimp cocktails available as a standard every night and even through room service. The MDR menu on the second dressy night on our Celebrity cruise has lobster and steak as not being an upcharge. 

Every cruise line seems to have steak and lobster for no up charge.  Somehow they are able to bypass “contracts” and “supply chain issues”.  I’m not easily hoodwinked and I’m not buying it.  I’m more than willing to admit I’m wrong on those issues with proof and not just hearsay and excuses.

[LMaxwell]

11 hours ago, terrydtx said:

 What you said about MSC YC is pretty much what our friends experienced whenever the left the confines of the YC to the lower decks, they said it was too much like a Carnival cruise.

 

Having sailed on many MSC and Carnival cruises over the past 5 years there is almost zero comparison shipwide Carnival vs MSC; the demographics of guests are *significantly* different as is the look, feel, vibe of the ship. It's not even close, honestly. I'm a little shocked to find two seasoned cruisers make that comparison. I find the MSC ships to be spotless, gorgeous, and fresh in a way no Carnival ship has ever presented itself. I see little crossover between guest demographics either.  There's no doubt MSC is a budget line and not a premium line at standard fare pricing, but it's several steps above Carnival.