HAL Holiday Cruising

[Creole Girl]

The replies have been intersting. I did not expect it to go in the direction about kids. I am an assistant principal, so when I vacation I know that kids will be around. I expect it, so it does not bother me.

 

I was simply asking about the atmosphere and if things are done differently at this time.

[LHC]

CG,

The ship is decked out in Holiday Finery...There is gentle Christmas music playing most of the time. The piano players do lots of Christmas Carol Sing alongs. The flower arrangements are even more elaborate with lots of greenery and wonderful smells.

The cookies are decorated for Christmas in the Lido.

There are Religious celebrations for several religions.

And at dinner most people are more decked out, lots of velvet, tuxes, brightly jeweled tunics, fancy shoes, cumberbunds, bowties, etc.

Hope this helps.

I guess the board mostly answers what about children and families on the holidays, so everyone assumed you were the same, so we took off in a different directions.

I decorated our stateroom last Christmas and have picked up a few new surprises for this year. We are adding NYE along with Christmas aboard.

Linda

[localady]

I for one love the Holidays, as I do think most people including families with Children, also love this time of the Year. As we were all wee ones once and most of us have had children, or nieces and nephews, and at my age grandchildren (just a granddog currently), I am very tolerate of children. Part of the pleasure is enjoying it through the eyes of a child.

If you cruise holidays or major vacation times (Thanksgiving, Easter, Spring Break) you should expect more families and children.

HAL is an elegant line and most of the passengers and their children are very mannerly and controlled. If you pay more, it does have some privledges. HAL is not the cheapest cruise line but I believe that is one of the reason many of us keep coming back. We are getting quality for our hard earned/saved/scrimped for bucks.

Merry Christmas

LHC

 

Well said Linda! We look forward to travelling during the holiday season and to greet another year with our friends on HAL....composed many religions and beliefs, all coming together for a celebration!!

The ships are always elegant and well decorated. We really look forward to the traditional choir and blending of customs and religions.

[Copper10-8]

I really have to take exception with your post not the whole thing just a good part of it.. We just got of the Easter Sailing of the Oosterdam. There were over 350 kids under the age of 18. and there were very few problems with them. They respected the adult only pool. I did not see ground up food in the passage ways. I think there was one night when there was a crying baby in the dinning room and that did not last long. And yes they were playing on the elevators but that did not deter us from using them IMHOP this was the best cruise we have ever taken. If you do not have kids you have a choice of when you cruise. If you have a problem then why not cruise when schools are open..

OK Let the Flaming begin..this is all I have to say on the subject:)

 

Consider yourself lucky! Hope you played the casino and/or bingo!;)

[Copper10-8]

Never have cruised during the Christmas holiday but have done seven New Year's cruises and have enjoyed them all. It's one of the best ways to ring in the New Year! HAL's ships still have the Christmas decorations displayed including the small wreaths on each door;) On New Year's Eve, the crew will start handing out party favors after the late dinner seating and every public lounge will have a party that night with lots of dancing by either a live band and/or a DJ (sorry, the pax will be dancing, not the band or DJ!). THere will be traditional Dutch "New Year's Eve food' called "olliebollen" and champagne will be brought out by the case around 2315. There will be an official countdown, sometimes led by the captain depending on his personality and wishes:rolleyes:. The parties will go on until the wee wee hours. Yes, we have seen some of the scenes that Mr. Muzz describes (especially with drunk teens) but we've never seen it out of control or to the point were we will stop celebrating New Year's aboard HAL's ships!