Help me decide CLL or HOL?

[BOATCAT66]

We have been on several cruises over the years but none on Holland America. DH and Myself are in our early 60's but we don't act it. We are still young acting.(We don't care for Big Band Era Music) Same itinerary and about same price. Is Holland America too old for us?

[eggypann]

Well, I'm not speaking from my own experience as I haven't cruised with HAL but most of the postings I've read here on CC lead me to believe their cruises are a bit more formal and a lot more sedate. Might not be right for a more active couple.

[firefly333]

Trying to figure out what CCL is?? Carnival? Crystal?? dont know that abbreviation.

 

My friend loved Holland, but Im kinda partial to RCL. Carnival the service lacks, if thats the other cruiseline. Im not quite as old as you'all are, but maybe look at in between, like Princess or RCL?

[patseacruiser]

I'm going to say the poster might have meant Carnival Cruise Line?

[patseacruiser]

I would say, what is the itinerary, departure port, price? I am 53 and I would have to go to HAL over Carnival (if that is what you meant). I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer and can't figure out most of these abbreviations.

[jerseygirl3]

We love HAL over Carnival, and while it's not more "formal", it is more sedate. If you're looking for nightlife, it's limited on HAL (of course, depending on date of sailing as certain times will be more lively). But we love HAL's ships, service, etc. Give it a try, it's the only way you'll know for sure.

[Kudos2Fly]

I have never cruise HOL either, but my parents are in their mid 60's and very active people.. They have been on Carnival and have no complaints. My parents are not big band people either, more like disco area. My mother at the time was on diaylsis. She was going to skip a night on the diaylsis machine so she could go dancing... Now she doesn't have to worry about that since she has a new kidney. She will be cruising again with my dad in April 2010 but this time on Royal Caribbean.

 

I have herd HOL is more sedate though. My father in laws wife we were talking about a cruise we were planning in 07. I mention HOL and she said to me "Kim, I'm not that old.." :eek: She is in her 80's.

[luv2cruise450]

We are in our 50's and love the HAL ships and the HAL cruise environment. Their ships are beautiful and are filled with art, antiques and lots of fresh flowers everywhere. They are not mega sized so that you have to walk 2 or 3 football fields to go from one end of the ship to the other. IMO their crews are among the best at sea...they all have a ready smile and greet you when they see you. Depending on the length of the sailing and the itinerary...it is possible that there might be more 'older' pax sailing. But I've also seen that on the Caribbean sailings...you will find a range of ages from babies to seniors. Often the longer the cruise...the more pax there will be that are a little older since they are the ones with the time & money (perhaps) to be able to do so. I say 'give them a try'. We have over a hundred days of sailing with HAL. Other lines that we have cruised with include Celebrity, Oceania, Regent, Disney, Carnival, and NCL. Between HAL and these other cruise lines we have close to 250 days of sailing. All the cruises have been enjoyable tho we liked some more than others. I truly feel that HAL offers a very good value for the money.

Happy sailing!

[caribsun]

Trying to figure out what CCL is?? Carnival? Crystal?? dont know that abbreviation.

 

My friend loved Holland, but Im kinda partial to RCL. Carnival the service lacks, if thats the other cruiseline. Im not quite as old as you'all are, but maybe look at in between, like Princess or RCL?

 

CCL is the official symbol used on the New York Stock Exchange and RCL for Royal Caribbean.

[momofmeg]

The HAL 7 day caribbean cruises have plenty going on-but the Alaska itinerary does seem to attract a more sedate crowd. I am not sure, but my guess is also, that a HAL caribbean cruise longer than 7 days would also be more sedate.

 

HAL is definitely more elegant than Carnival. I like HAL well. I used to like Carnival okay, but as I have aged, I have found Carnival not to my tastes. I just like the nice little touches that the more "elegant" lines give you-not that I feel Carnival has that much of a "party" atmosphere.

 

I am not an "all nighter"- I enjoy watching the sunrise from my balcony too much. But I do like things going on until at least midnight-1am. I don't want things closing down at 10 pm.

 

If you feel HAL would be too subdued-perhaps you should try Princess-Princess is the "in between" line of Carnival and HAL. Also, I found Celebrity, though more subdued-still had things going on till midnight. for a longer than 7 day, I think Celebrity would have more "going on" than HAL.

[momofmeg]

Trying to figure out what CCL is?? Carnival? Crystal?? dont know that abbreviation.

 

My friend loved Holland, but Im kinda partial to RCL. Carnival the service lacks, if thats the other cruiseline. Im not quite as old as you'all are, but maybe look at in between, like Princess or RCL?

 

I not sure about that-most 60 year olds (even "hopping" ones) are not going to be rock climbing and ice skating. I am in my mid fifties, and my problem is I don't like huge crowds, and since I don't ice skate or rock climb, and I have no teens to consider what they would prefer; the huge RCL ships are not for me. HOWEVER, the radiance class ships may would probably be a good choice.

[operafan]

The HAL 7 day caribbean cruises have plenty going on-but the Alaska itinerary does seem to attract a more sedate crowd. I am not sure, but my guess is also, that a HAL caribbean cruise longer than 7 days would also be more sedate.

 

Actually, we were on Westerdam in Alaska last month and the passengers ran the gamut from young families and newlyweds to those in their 70's. It was a good mix. The cruise wasn't sedate at all. It IS more formal and traditional, though. Food was very good, service was great, cabins large and comfortable. If the price and itinerary are right we wouldn't hesitate to take HAL again.

[Skywench]

My mother loves Carnival. She'll be 72 next month and will soon be on her 7th Carnival Cruise and won't even consider another cruise line now lol.

[grandmato4]

Personally I don't think its the "age" of the passenger that matters. What matters is the "attitude" and "personality" of the particular cruiser and what is the general (you will ALWAYS find exceptions) attitude of the majority of those that cruise a particular line and how you would fit into that mix. While not on HAL, we found ourselves at a very, shall we say, difficult but interesting diner table on our last Princess cruise. All between 55 and 70. 4 people were not finding their first Princess cruise to their liking as they very much preferred Carnival. One couple much preferred Celebrity to Princess and another perfered Princess and then us who prefer Princess but are fine on Carnival. We found it a very intersting observation that every single passenger at that table's personality and attitude (not necesarily age) fit the stereo typical image of whom would sail on those lines they best preferred.

 

Are you REALLY happy on Carnival? If so, you likely will not find HAL your favorite cruiseline but that doesn't mean you can't still have a good time. This might be a good time to try a different line so you will know for yourselves if you should look at HAl again in the future or ignor their sailings. It is a line we would like to try in the future just so we know for ourselves what we think.

[momofmeg]

The HAL 7 day caribbean cruises have plenty going on-but the Alaska itinerary does seem to attract a more sedate crowd. I am not sure, but my guess is also, that a HAL caribbean cruise longer than 7 days would also be more sedate.

 

Actually, we were on Westerdam in Alaska last month and the passengers ran the gamut from young families and newlyweds to those in their 70's. It was a good mix. The cruise wasn't sedate at all. It IS more formal and traditional, though. Food was very good, service was great, cabins large and comfortable. If the price and itinerary are right we wouldn't hesitate to take HAL again.

 

We were on the Statendam in 2001 for Alaska and it was VERY sedate. After 9 pm, only the casino and shows wee open. well, lounges were open, but no entertainment. They only had music and dancing in the lounges the hour before the first and second dinner seatings. My then 16 year old daughter hated it, and because she hated it, she made Mom and Dad miserable. Moody teenagers!

 

I have also read other posts on this board, that others had similar experiences.

 

However, last year, we were on the Westerdam in the Caribbean. That cruise had a very different feel, not Carnival for sure, but very nice!

[operafan]

Momofmeg, Maybe it's Westerdam that's livelier than other HAL ships? It's the only reference point I have for HAL....... (Not that it was rip-roaring or anything ;) )

[momofmeg]

Momofmeg, Maybe it's Westerdam that's livelier than other HAL ships? It's the only reference point I have for HAL....... (Not that it was rip-roaring or anything ;) )

 

I think it is more HAL has revolved and their image is changing-just like Carnival no longer deserves the party ship imagine. I have understood though that Alaska cruises tend to be more sedate on all lines, and HAL more so. I am sure thoguh tha tis not necssarily ture with every cruise.

 

I aid I would never do another HAL cruise again. Caviergal, who used to post here, convinced me to try HAL again. She was right.

 

We are in the process of planning a partial Panama canal transit and I think we will go with HAL. (Zuiderdam)This is a 10 day- so I expect it will be more sedate- I plan to bring some DVDs to watch in the evening/sea days-just in case we get a little bored.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Carnival ships are just too large for us. Also too many people and too many children.

We have sailed quite a bit on HAL and love the size of their ships.

[dandro]

We loved our cruise on Holland America Westerdam.

 

It wasn't sedate at all. DH and I are very active, mid 50's. There were many activities, lots of late night music/dancing (no big band stuff, mainly rock & roll and disco,some classical in one of the lounges). Our cruise was port intensive so everyone was up early and some retired by 11PM to get rested up for the next day's activities.

 

I would venture that most of the passengers were between the ages of 30 - 70. Some kids, too.

[jerseygirl3]

We loved our cruise on Holland America Westerdam.

 

It wasn't sedate at all. DH and I are very active, mid 50's. There were many activities, lots of late night music/dancing (no big band stuff, mainly rock & roll and disco,some classical in one of the lounges). Our cruise was port intensive so everyone was up early and some retired by 11PM to get rested up for the next day's activities.

 

I would venture that most of the passengers were between the ages of 30 - 70. Some kids, too.

\

 

Westerdam is our favorite HAL ship. This coming January will be our third time on her. It amazes me how the crew learn your name after meeting you only one time. We met a pool attendant on our first Westerdam Cruise. A year later, when we boarded Westerdam and were on the Lido Deck awaiting sailaway, we heard someone shout our names. We turned to see that same crew member waving to us. He remembered us from a year prior! We were amazed.

 

Unfortunately, with cutbacks, the large floral arrangements are no more (just a couple scattered around the ship here and there), but I still think Westerdam is such a classy, lovely ship.

 

Jo-Ann