thinking of booking HOLLAND AMERICA , have some questions

[melika091900]

we are debating which cruise to take next year, looking at HAL Ryndam, from san diego going to mexico ,

can anyone tell me about the ship .. how is the casino? service? kids programs ? is your bill available on your TV?

anyone been to loreto? La paz?

any other thoughts ..about the ship or holland america in general, we have only sailed celebrity, ncl, carnival and princess.

thank you all in advance

melissa

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have sailed quite a few times on the Ryndam and have done the Sea of Cotez a few times. No you can not view your bill on the TV.

We don't have children -- so can't answer that.

The crew -- love them!! Service is excellent.

Casino -- we don't gamble.

I'll try to hunt up my reports on La Paz and Loreto -- both great ports.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Pichilingue (La Paz)

La Paz has really turned into a lovely port since we were here 4 years ago. Four years ago I said that I wouldn't want to go back to that place - boy - I would rather go there than to Loreto. Back then we had to pay $2 per person each way to get from the ship to town plus the tip the narrator. This time the shuttle service was free but we still tipped the narrator. Back then we rode on old buses that looked as though they might stop dead in the road. This time we rode beautiful new buses. And when we got to town - we didn't get dropped off at an ordinary bus stop - we went to the new bus terminal (it can hold 3 buses at the same time). You can also book tours from the bus terminal. The road has also been improved. Many places it is 2 lanes in both directions compared to the 1 and 1/2 lanes we had before. The main plaza is still there. But all along the water edge, the sidewalks have been completely bricked over and there are wrought iron benches placed about 20 feet apart so that you can watch the water. Four years ago most of the shops were watch or shoe shops - nothing to really talk about. Most of those have been torn down and replaced with a lot of boutiques selling purses, clothing, perfumes, modern shoes, just about anything you would want or need. La Paz is getting very trendy. There were quite a few more shops that had signs indicating that they would be opening soon.

 

The cruise terminal has been updated - new wicker chairs with padded seats. Although HAL didn't mention this, but in the cruise terminal you can get shuttles to take you to a beach only 15 minutes away.

 

The area has really grown - new oil refinery - 2 more piers ( now a total of 3) for ferries and freight traffic. New hotels being built.

This is from a a couple of years ago.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Loreto - we first visited this port 4 years ago and really loved it then. At that time a couple of cruise lines stopped there. HAL is the only cruise line that stops there now from what I have been told (maybe someone knows of another cruise line that stops there.) Even though the people went out of their way to welcome us, there are very few shops there now. There used to be quite a few shops before you got to the hotel, plaza & church area. Now there are only a couple of vendors with their wares displayed on the ground. You have to walk beyond the church where there are more vendors but still not as many as there were 4 years ago. There are many sections along the avenue that are now vacant lots and it appears that nothing is going to be built on them. As I said, the people went out of their way to welcome us. A marachi band played in the plaza for awhile. Then for about an hour many of the grade school and high school students performed dances from around the world (Hula's, Rumba's, Mexican Hat Dance, etc.). And they still take great pride in trimming their trees to form an arch over the main avenue.

Again from a couple of years ago.

This is a Tender Port.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We didn't do any tours in either of these ports.

 

I am sure others will be along to tell you what they did in the ports.

[melika091900]

thank you for the info !!! :D

[O2B@C]

You asked for general comments about HAL. If you enjoyed your past Celebrity cruises, you will probably like HAL just fine. If you found Celebrity too low-key and formal, and preferred Carnival, you may not be quite as happy on HAL. HAL has more of a quiet, elegant (though not stuffy) general feel, rather than a lot of glitz, noise, and boisterous activities.

 

HAL's advantages include GREAT beds; larger-than-average cabins, most with bathtubs; fresh fruit in all cabins, not just some classes; excellent service; and very good food. I don't have children, but have generally seen pretty good reviews of the HAL kids' program.

 

I have not been on this particular itinerary, but I have looked at it and it does look attractive. But everyone's tastes differ; you might want to read some of the reviews of it on CC before you decide.

[world~citizen]

If you like Celebrity you will like HAL.

 

Go for it! You know you want to. :D

[melika091900]

If you like Celebrity you will like HAL.

 

Go for it! You know you want to. :D

 

 

hee hee i know i do !!!! i have to twist hubbys arm tonight and see what he says.. hee hee

[SydneyD'Augstralia]

Hi Mel!

 

That little one is getting too gorgeous for words!;)

 

HAL is our new line of choice and we haven't found anything not to love!

 

We did Ryndam and Oosterdam this year and are leaving for Eurodam in a week....Oosterdam again for 32 days in the spring.

 

Kiss the Iceman for me. :D

[mikefang]

Melissa, Ryndam is one of the smaller HAL ships and easy to get around on. I think you will find their kids program a little less developed than on Princess. Fang and I were just on Princess, larger ship, and had a great time though we are long time HAL types. HAL service has always been a plus for us and we found it better than Princess but then you are comparing good to good. The casino we can't speak to but it seemed like most - you go in, you lose, you leave. I think you will enjoy HAL and I would look forward to your comments on those ports. By the way, just looking at your pictures tells me I am glad you are the one twisting that big guy's arm-I wouldn't want to try! Go and enjoy. Mike and Fang

[NHRedSoxFan]

You asked for general comments about HAL. If you enjoyed your past Celebrity cruises, you will probably like HAL just fine. If you found Celebrity too low-key and formal, and preferred Carnival, you may not be quite as happy on HAL. HAL has more of a quiet, elegant (though not stuffy) general feel, rather than a lot of glitz, noise, and boisterous activities.

 

HAL's advantages include GREAT beds; larger-than-average cabins, most with bathtubs; fresh fruit in all cabins, not just some classes; excellent service; and very good food. I don't have children, but have generally seen pretty good reviews of the HAL kids' program.

 

I have not been on this particular itinerary, but I have looked at it and it does look attractive. But everyone's tastes differ; you might want to read some of the reviews of it on CC before you decide.

 

I didn't post the question but I appreciate the posts here. This is what I wanted to hear. I've never been on HAL before, but booked a cruise for next year. I really liked Celebrity, too. I've been on several RCCL and decided I won't go again. Too many announcements to advertise bingo, art auctions, gift shop sales, etc. ... and the food quality has diminished over the years.

 

I hope I like the open seating I chose. This will be a first for us.

[melika091900]

Hi Mel!

 

That little one is getting too gorgeous for words!;)

 

HAL is our new line of choice and we haven't found anything not to love!

 

We did Ryndam and Oosterdam this year and are leaving for Eurodam in a week....Oosterdam again for 32 days in the spring.

 

Kiss the Iceman for me. :D

 

 

ahhh youre so sweet !!! i will !!!

[melika091900]

Melissa, Ryndam is one of the smaller HAL ships and easy to get around on. I think you will find their kids program a little less developed than on Princess. Fang and I were just on Princess, larger ship, and had a great time though we are long time HAL types. HAL service has always been a plus for us and we found it better than Princess but then you are comparing good to good. The casino we can't speak to but it seemed like most - you go in, you lose, you leave. I think you will enjoy HAL and I would look forward to your comments on those ports. By the way, just looking at your pictures tells me I am glad you are the one twisting that big guy's arm-I wouldn't want to try! Go and enjoy. Mike and Fang

 

 

hee heeee:D

 

yeah we are still debating .. its giving me a headache, maybe i better twist harder,, JK ...

[melika091900]

Hi Mel!

 

That little one is getting too gorgeous for words!;)

 

HAL is our new line of choice and we haven't found anything not to love!

 

We did Ryndam and Oosterdam this year and are leaving for Eurodam in a week....Oosterdam again for 32 days in the spring.

 

Kiss the Iceman for me. :D

 

OMG is this who i think it is ????? :D ;) :D

 

if it is, can you email me , weve missed you !!!!!