Holland America vs Carnival

[swingslowVA]

This is exactly what I was looking for! I'm looking into cruises for my mother this summer (she's 68) and was wondering what the atmosphere was like on HAL.

 

In my mind I imagined as some of the others have explained it, being a bit more stodgy than a Carnival cruise for example. Even though my mom's gettin up there in age, I know she's still into having a good time and partying it up a little.

 

I'm also wondering if people have noticed a difference in ship culture and attitude on the different cruises, for example an Alaskan cruise and a Caribbean cruise. Or have most of you found that the ship demographic stays the same, regardless.

 

Thanks in advance for all your helpful feedback :)

[mermaid72]

Carnival: Snooky & the her Jersey Beach crowd

 

Holland America: Jackie Kennedy & Martha's Vineyard

[mermaid72]

Carnival: Snooky & her Jersey Beach crowd

 

Holland America: Jackie Kennedy & Martha's Vineyard friends

[kazu]

This is exactly what I was looking for! I'm looking into cruises for my mother this summer (she's 68) and was wondering what the atmosphere was like on HAL.

 

In my mind I imagined as some of the others have explained it, being a bit more stodgy than a Carnival cruise for example. Even though my mom's gettin up there in age, I know she's still into having a good time and partying it up a little.

 

I'm also wondering if people have noticed a difference in ship culture and attitude on the different cruises, for example an Alaskan cruise and a Caribbean cruise. Or have most of you found that the ship demographic stays the same, regardless.

 

Thanks in advance for all your helpful feedback :)

 

Alaska cruises used to be primarily older folks, but that has really changed IMO. I see a big difference between Caribbean cruises and Med/Europe cruises, but I think that is partly due to the length of the cruises and as well, in Europe, there are more Europeans cruising. Caribbean is usually more casual with a younger crowd by my experience.

 

The demographics can vary so much depending upon the timing of the cruise (holidays, March break, etc.) and the length of the cruise.

[kazu]

Hmmmm - that's curious. OK Hal veterans - shorts or no shorts?

 

No shorts in the Main Dining Room in the evening. They are allowed for breakfast and lunch and in the Lido.

[ceejay3377]

Hmmmm - that's curious. OK Hal veterans - shorts or no shorts?

 

On our Volendam South Pacific Cruise in January (our 2nd HAL cruise) we found that there were a handful of people in jeans or shorts in the dining room. They were certainly in the minority and stood out to me as I am a stickler for following the rules. I understand that this is not in keeping with HAL's dress code, and I put it down to the high number of Aussies on board. If they are accustomed to cruising with P&O, then this would be considered appropriate attire in the MDR. (Please no flaming! Not everyone is as passionate about cruising and researching cruise lines to the extreme like us CC Addicts!).

 

We felt that it was appropriate to remain in our 'smart casual' or 'formal' attire if we wished to remain in any of the main bars/lounges after dinner. However, many nights we chose to get into our shorts/sneakers and walk off the 'damage' on the promenade deck and we were not the only ones. We would happily walk around the outer areas and Lido deck in this attire. So I suggest that if you are just going to be out on deck then wear what you like, but if you are looking to continue your night in one of the bars/lounges then keep the glad rags on.

 

By the way, I am 39 and my husband is 42 and we love HAL. Sometimes I am surprised at the SILENCE in some parts of the ship late into the night, especially after 3 P&O/Star Cruises where we couldn't find any space for ourselves outside our cabin. But if it's night life you are after, there is usually the Crows Nest for a bit of night life and disco after 11pm. We love HAL so much we are going to spend 30 nights on the Zaandam this Dec/Jan. We have found that while the average age can be higher than on some other lines, we always find kindred spirits of all ages to hang out with! Age is a number, not an attitude.

 

Cheers,

 

Carina

[fann1sh]

ColdSolderJoint: if you read a lot here, you'll know there are dress code flame wars.

 

I'm one of those people who thinks HAL doesn't want you to wear shorts at night when they say: "shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during evening hours."

Others insist "shorts are fine" because no large burly men will tackle you and escort you to the brig if you wear them in the evening.

 

Fact: No one will bar you entrance to the show lounge based on what you're wearing.

 

Likelihood, based on the odds: someone will wear shorts to the show lounge.

 

Likelihood, based on the odds: if they do, someone will give they the disdaining "hairy eyeball"

 

Fact: The majority of HAL cruisers find the show lounge too cold for shorts.

[AFMSGT]

"Dude" for Carnival and "Sir" if you want HAL. Thats the difference! Carnival is more of a "hey dude" atmosphere with a bit of sophistication. Its true to its name sake-- A fun-ship. The crowds tend to be out for some loud fun, but you'll get all kinds of folks on Carnival. Sailed on the Carnival Glory and had a great time. Service, food and entertainment was great. Alot of kids! HAL is more for the person looking to have more of a subdued time. Passengers tend to be in mid 40s on up and like having fun, just more on the sophisticated side of things. Less kids on HAL. Sailed on HAL's Eurodam and had a great time. Food & Service were great, but didn't experience the entertainment much. BLUF: Cruising is what you make it and its the ship and its crew that will make or break the trip. Timing also has alot to do with it. Holidays tend to be more crowded and more expensive on both. No matter what ship you go on you'll find people and situations not to your liking. Avoid the crap and focus on having a good time. Good luck. :cool:

[cruiseapril]

Apples and oranges. I just happen to like oranges better, but enjoy both. We enjoy HAL very much and have enjoyed Carnival. We prefer HAL because it is quite relaxing and the HAL ships we have been on are lovely. By comparison, we found Carnival busy with interesting ships.

[RVman]

We usually cruise Carnival but we are trying HAL next year on our second cruise to Alaska.

[Hobbsey]

Hello Everyone,

 

My fiancee and I are 25 and have cruised 4 times on various carnival ships from all over (NYC, Orlando, Miami, LA).. and have liked them all enough to keep going back.

 

Being that we've been to most of the destinations that are offered from these ports, we are sort of set on Bermuda. Carnival doesn't offer a Bermuda Trip during these months.

 

We where bouncing back and forth between RCI, NCL, and Celebrity. And I'm getting my mind in a twist reading all these reviews back and forth, and in my heart, I think any of those ships would be fine because a lot of the cruise is what you make of it.

 

But, I did another search and found an interesting cruise on the Veendam out of NYC to Bermuda, and you get two Bermuda Ports and more time in port for around the same money.

 

Sounds like a great deal, but then I question the overall atmosphere of the HAL product.

 

I wouldn't say my GF and I are BIG Time partiers, but I usually like to have a drink in my hand while walking around the ship, like to be a little loud at the roulette table, and we like going to the night clubs to dance on Carnival some times. And we like the late night buffet, and the pizza being open whenever you want it.

 

I don't have a problem with class, but I also don't want to be stuck in a floating retirement home if you know what I am saying.

 

I wouldn't say my mom is a young 25 year old chicken any more, but she is starting to do things like start eating out at restaurants regularly, getting her hair and nails done, and small things like that, she was never really able to do during the time she was raising us, or during the time she was taking care of my father. So I'm sure she wont have a problem having a couple drinks and going dancing.. but shes probably not going to be doing belly flops into the pool and doing keg stands on the lido either if you know what i mean.

 

So fellow Cruisers, please recommend to me what we should do?

 

 

Hey, I'm going to jump in here.

 

My wife and I are 54 but first cruised HAL in 1999 or 2000 and fell in love. Check out my signature, we've done most of the major lines (except Princess). Here are a few notes:

 

- The Age demographic is older on HAL, no doubt. However, at the time of year you are cruising and the destination you have chosen there will be a good mix of ages on board.

 

- I have cruised from NYC 5 times and I can tell you that the passenger type is very varied. There will be rich and poor, families and honeymooners, loud and pushy and quiet as a mouse.

 

- Bermuda is wonderful. The fact that HAL is the last cruise line to use the proper size equipment to do it right makes them not just the best choice, but in my mind the only choice. At best you'll want to spend part of a day at the Dock Yard, not the entire stay. St Georges is fantastic and Hamilton is centrally located.

 

- Formal Night is not nearly as oppressive as it might sound from some of these posts. I have seen just as many dressed up on Carnival as on HAL. I too normally have a drink in hand and while I don't play in the Casino I have been known to party it up at sail away on the aft deck.

 

- HAL wins over most other Cruiselines (in my book) in their ambiance, their continued connection to a sailing tradition, and in the sincerely friendly service staff who, if you treat them right, will adopt you as a family member or special friend before the week is out.

 

I would say, don't over think this decision. You guys will fit right in and have a wonderful cruise on a beautiful ship. Less passenger on board per sq ft will mean less lines, less waiting for a deck chair and much less stress getting on and off the ship in port. And best, you'll be on something more resembling a ship than a resort hotel.

 

ENJOY!!

[lettienets]

I cruise Hal and Carnival alot and like the different vibes. I like Carnival only for their longer or unusual for Carnival eg Europe, Panama Canal, Hawaii trans Pacific coming up etc) cruises not the 4-7 day party Caribbean type ones. The longer ones attract an older crowd and few kids. I like how they have lots of craft classes on long cruises and lots of entertainment choices especially late night comedy, more than one comedian on the ship at a time.

Hal is great too, long cruises, very refined, great movie theatre and uptodate movies, free videos in room too (pay on Carnival for most in-room movies). I am not a real movie fan but enjoy them on Hal because there is not much going on late (except a late movie at 10 or 1030, ha ha ha) I also like the spa area on Hal and pay for the mineral pool pass and the warm ceramic beds and steam rooms on ships that have this feature.

Both offer great food.

What I can't stand on either ship is cold airconditioning in the public areas, showrooms and theatre etc and loud music in the piano bars. So bring jackets, shawls, sweaters etc.

(PS I bring duct tape on Carnival if my stateroom temp won't go down I tape the vents. It usually goes down on Hal if you turn it down.)

[coldsolderjoint]

Thanks Everyone, I think I get the picture you guys are painting.

 

I want to try the Volendam to Bermuda, but the family decided for the Miracle to the Caribean this time around :-P

 

I'm going to have a good either way.

[lettienets]

Thanks Everyone, I think I get the picture you guys are painting.

I want to try the Volendam to Bermuda, but the family decided for the Miracle to the Caribean this time around :-P

I'm going to have a good either way.

I did 2 - 8 day b2b Miracle cruises in Jan and found them to be great fun with a wide variety of entertainment and activities as mentioned above. have fun. Great dining room.