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On the other hand, I'm a big fan of HAL, even though I'm on the young end of their age demographics. Ships are nicely designed, more elegant, more laid back, which is what I usually prefer on a cruise. Good food and service. Plus the cruise you're looking at is longer and has some islands which are new to you; that may be a bonus for your vacation.
Rich
I think that the onboard expenditures on the NOORDAM would be a fraction of the cost if this is a concern?
Like Rich said it would also depend on the time of year. Hitting OASIS during peak vacation or holiday times may mean a large number of kids/teens would may not find on HAL.
I cruised on the Oosterdam a few years ago out of San Diego. Did not like the ship. Maybe I expected more from HAL due to what I had read on the cruise boards but the entertainment was lacking and even though I found the dining room food somewhat better than other mass market lines it was not as good as I expected. On the other hand, their lido dining was the best ever. The bedding was also the most comfortable bed that I have ever slept in on a ship.
If the ports are more important then I would go with HAL. If you are looking for a ship that will give you more on board entertainment then there is none better than Oasis IMHO.
quote:Originally posted by Frosty 4:Looks like HAL. Longer cruise and cheaper than OOTS. Will miss a few of the perks(Diamond) on RCL however.-especially check in at the pier.Frosty 4
Congrats on your 1st of many Holland America cruises! With a few of these under your belt you'll be taking in some of their Past Guest perks as well, maybe become a regular over RCCL? Try the Volendam and Rotterdam-class ships if the opportunity arises. They are wonderful ships!
Oasis is still a bit overpriced being 'new'.
quote:Originally posted by Tim Agg:I've not sailed on Noordam, but have done 20+ HAL cruises ovet the last 16 years (from pre-middle age to able-to-claim-senior-discounts). Food is better than average, entertainment middling but plenty to amuse, decor better than the photos suggest. On longer cruises, and as a non-American, I would describe the US pax as generally moderate Dems and moderate Reps and literate about the world beyond the US borders - good traveling companions!
Just to agree with this, though I have seen service go down a touch in the last couple of years, but that is due to management cutting staffing numbers, the front line crew themselves are some of the best afloat and one of the main reasons we keep going back to HAL.
quote:Originally posted by Frosty 4: Never been on HAL which seems upscale as compared to Celebrity.
I will be interested to read your comments after your cruise, but based upon my experience HAL is not upscale when compared to Celebrity. In fact I find Celebrity more upscale. Celebrity's decor is richer and more expensive looking, and the overall feel of the ships is more sophisticated. HAL's decor can be downright bizarre and "Carnivalesque" in places. Lot's of red, orange, yellow, and purple. The ships feel quite dark, especially the Vista Class and much more closed in than the Celebrity fleet. Celebrity has beautiful Solariums that almost feel like a spa, where as on HAL the center covered pools feel more like a YMCA. I have found HAL's food and service to be on par with other mass-market lines and quite good, but nothing truly memorable. The entertainment for the most part is a joke compared to other lines (very amateurish) and there is no night life to speak of. Of course this will be fine if you like to go to bed at 10 or 11pm.
Overall HAL is a solid line, but just not for me. I don't find anything that really stands out as exceptional compared to other lines. The decor, ship design, food, service, cabins, entertainment, etc. is all fine, but nothing is outstanding. I do agree with Gordon that the beds and linens are fantastic. In fact I like the bed so much I am considering ordering an HAL mattress as a replacement for my current bed. Unfortunately the bed alone is not reason enough for me to choose a cruise line.
Anyway, HAL has a strong following and many people love the line, just like people love Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Princess, Royal Caribbean, etc. Not sure anyone really loves NCL! LOL. Anyway, I do hope you have a fantastic time and of course formulate your own opinions of the line.
Ernie
[ 06-07-2010: Message edited by: eroller ]
quote:Originally posted by Frosty 4:Funny you mention those three cruise lines as those are the one we go on. Only other cruise-first one was on American Hawaii, long time ago.Frosty 4
Me too, and a few others. Everytime I cruised I would go onboard looking at things with a 'childlike innocence' as if it were the first time, instead of through the eyes of a cruise critic and health inspector. I expected no less in food and service quality but didnt hold their feet to the fire if things went a little wrong. My last cruise on Holland-America (Rotterdam VI) was superb, a near perfect 10, but its not to say that someone on that same exact cruise had a miserable experience. Take the little bumps that come on a cruise with a grain of salt, as well as with this new experience on a new cruise line. Like I said, leave your expectations at the door and focus on having a wonderful time, not what this ship does and doesnt have compared to your last cruise.
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1: Like I said, leave your expectations at the door and focus on having a wonderful time, not what this ship does and doesnt have compared to your last cruise.
Like I said, leave your expectations at the door and focus on having a wonderful time, not what this ship does and doesnt have compared to your last cruise.
Excellent advise! The intent of my post was not to turn Frosty off to HAL, but just to share my experiences with the line. Frosty mentioned they felt HAL would be more upscale compared to Celebrity, and I think this is setting the wrong expectation going in. It might set the trip up for failure based on my experience. Much better to go in with no expectations and formulate your own opinions based on the merits of the overall experience.
As I mentioned, HAL is an excellent line and many adore everything about the line. I'm just not one of them but that doesn't mean Frosty wont be. The great thing about the cruise industry today is that there is something appealing for everyone. I like trying all the different lines for new experiences, but most people find the line that suits them best and they become loyal to it.
Enjoy the NOORDAM!
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