Thinking of trying HAL, I have questions

[Sandi149]

Seems reasonable to me. I was just curious as to why, did you have a particular reason or just knew what line you wanted to try next. It is a great idea to try every mass market line. It amazes me when people judge lines they haven't been on. The exception might be a travel agent who has information as close to first hand as can be gotten without an actually experience.

 

Nita

 

Just because the HAL ships look so beautiful and elegant and I heard very good things about them. :D Maybe after HAL, I will try RCCL and then NCL. Who knows. I think it will be fun trying them all.

[Taxguy7]

Sandie 149

Sometime after a few cruises, try a cruise on a sailship. Not for dancing, but if you want to be a fully informed cruiser, you should try one.

 

You are celebrating your 50th Bday, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on a ship last year! (Yes-we have been on a 5-masted Clipper for 10 days and loved it)

[ILoveScotland]

Sandi, DH and I just returned from our first, but not last, HAL cruise. We were on the Westerdam's 7 night Southern Caribbean cruise returning yesterday. While on board we booked a 10 night cruise on the Zuiderdam next January

 

DH is 85 (I'm 67) and in a wheelchair, and had a VB Verandah cabin that was handicap accessible. The room was comfortable, and we liked the balcony which was at an angle allowing us to see to the side as well as toward the back.

 

We were looking for a week of relaxation so after a couple of nights in the Vista dining room we opted for the Lido at night including both formal nights. We were not alone as quite a few people ate in the Lido each night where we received excellent service and actually got to know the staff better than in the dining room. We're looking forward to the open seating next winter.

 

Because of DH's health and our interests we don't go to the shows or participate in many activities. So I can't say much about that part of the cruise. I did give a little money to the casino and lots of money to the spa.

 

Between us we've cruised on Cunard, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, NCL, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and now HAL. Aside from Windjammer which was a totally different experience we think we've found a home at HAL because of the ship, the service and the itineraries.

[Sandi149]

Sandi, DH and I just returned from our first, but not last, HAL cruise. We were on the Westerdam's 7 night Southern Caribbean cruise returning yesterday. While on board we booked a 10 night cruise on the Zuiderdam next January

 

DH is 85 (I'm 67) and in a wheelchair, and had a VB Verandah cabin that was handicap accessible. The room was comfortable, and we liked the balcony which was at an angle allowing us to see to the side as well as toward the back.

 

We were looking for a week of relaxation so after a couple of nights in the Vista dining room we opted for the Lido at night including both formal nights. We were not alone as quite a few people ate in the Lido each night where we received excellent service and actually got to know the staff better than in the dining room. We're looking forward to the open seating next winter.

 

Because of DH's health and our interests we don't go to the shows or participate in many activities. So I can't say much about that part of the cruise. I did give a little money to the casino and lots of money to the spa.

 

Between us we've cruised on Cunard, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, NCL, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and now HAL. Aside from Windjammer which was a totally different experience we think we've found a home at HAL because of the ship, the service and the itineraries.

 

HAL sounds like a great cruiseline and I'm definitely looking into them for the next cruise that I take.

 

Thanks. :)

[savannahgirl1]

Hi. I just wanted to say that there is a varied age on HAL ships. My husband and I took our first 10 years ago. He was 23 I was 25 and it was our honeymoon. Our TA tried very hard to persuade us to different line because of our age. The "older" age group that sails on HAL is precisely why we chose them in the first place. We are not into children. We wanted an older crowd. We loved it. We sailed the Veendam and had the best time. As a matter a fact the "older" passengers were up partying later than we were. Now 10 years later we are booked on the Volendam's Panama Canal Cruise on March 22. Its our anniversary cruise and we never considered another cruise line, straight to HAL. There are cooking demostrations and such, though we never took them. We always take a cruise to sit back, and do nothing. We did find ourselves in the piano bar many nights after dinner. We really enjoyed that. There were people who were dancing and singing along. Also, I highly suggest booking a veranda suite. We ate all of our breakfast there and many mid night room service snacks. We strive to one day book the PS. Maybe on our 20th anniversary. :D We really enjoyed the formal nights. My husband wore a dark suit and I wore a floor length gown. This time, I'm just taking cocktail dresses. Again my husband has bought a new dark suit. Dressing up for dinner is actually very fun. It makes you feel special to get all gussied up and your husband, looking fine, escort you to dinner. I apologize at the length of this, but I get excited and can't shut up. :o