CathyGonz

I'd love to get opinions on Holland America Lines. We are considering booking a cruise with a group of friends (40's-60's, no children, and a real fun group) for next July leaving from NYC to Bermuda. We've never cruised before and I'm seeing a significant amount of negative reviews of HAL... would love to hear what you've experienced. I looked for a trip report on HAL, but didn't find one.

Thanks!
Cathy

Eschew

"significant amount of negative reviews of HAL"? Wow, I persoanlly has not seen it.

My own observation is that in general, the service and quality has gone down in the past few years. This applies to almost all the cruise lines. The price, however, has not gone up, so they have to cut somewhere.

If you have never crusied before, I would say Princess and Celebrity are better starting point. HAL caters to a slightly more mature crowd.

boom_boom

I last cruised with HAL 10 years ago, but am going to Alaska on HAL next month. I booked on price and destinations. HAL was my first cruise experience and they got me hooked, although I really prefer small ships. I compare HAL of today with that of 10 years ago and post that when we return.

traveller69

On my last cruise with HAL I received my 300 day medallion. I guess that tells you how I feel about cruising with them!

Bon_Bon

My review of HAL is mixed. Why, because I am 38 my wife 40 and we have a little daughter 8. We are not partiers, but we are not sit around and relax people either. We like to have fun and joke and gt loud sometimes.

Holland America is not for the young. The cruise I went on All I got was dirty looks in the dining room for making jokes and having the table laugh. And HAL treats kids like second class citizens. I think that my daughter should get as many privileges and I and have just as much fun.

So put that aside.

And I have to tell you, that the Small Ships of HAL (and they are small, most being 1/2 the size of other ships) do not feel like small ships. They have much of what the bigger ships do and actually feel like they have more room.

Next, the food on HAL is second to none. I have never had better food on a cruise ship and I have been on every major line.

Also HAL being smaller ships get to go to those little out of the way ports that other ships cannot go to.

Bottom line, HAL is like the cruise ships of old. Fancy, relaxed, luxurious, delicious. Do not go if your the Carnival Cruise line, or Royal Caribbean type.

maryanne1

I enjoyed my first trip on Holland America to the Mexican Riviera after sailing on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess. I pick my cruise on the route of places rather than the ship. I have found the food good on all of them I did like Holland America as the ship was not as large. There was good entertainment every night in the main theater as well as the smaller venues. I especially enjoyed the cooking classes on Holland America that I had never experience on the other ships. I don't think you will be displeased to sail Holland America.

Rhea58

In this economy all the lines have made some cuts.
However, HAL is still a good bang for your buck.
You also have the added bonus of your own group which will
enhance your experience.

The Veendam is a nice ship. I wouldn't book the first
cruise on April 25 but one of the later ones just to ensure
any flaws are worked out.

jacketwatch

I am surprised you saw so many neg. reviews. Generally HAL gets pretty good marks for a mass market line. That being said I think Bon_Bon said it very well. What HAl does they do very well so if its that style you like then you will be fine. If not look into other lines that suit your needs. Larry

CathyGonz

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, I really appreciate the help! I was glad to see that none of you had real horror stories... so I believe we'll be booking this trip after all.

Bon_Bon, thanks for your insight... we are in our mid 40s so we're probably similar to you and your wife. The group we will be travelling with, although some are older than we are, is a real fun group... so I'm guessing we'll be getting some looks as well, but that's OK because we'll be having a great time!

Thanks again, I appreciate you taking the time to offer your thoughts!

Viajero2

I cruised with HAL once and hated it. The norovirus went rampant troughout the ship for 6 out of 7 days. I came back to research this and found out the cruise trip prior to us was also very ill (which clearly contradicted the cruise personnel who stated "a passenger in our cruise tour had brought in the virus". I also found out the HAL had the highest stats among cruise ships on norovirus infestation during 2008. The company has been advised they need to do massive overhaul of their piping system to assuage the rapid infestation at their ships, but it is not even scheduled for the Veendam, their most notorious sick ship.

MY EXPERIENCE: Within 24 hours of departure all public areas were closed down due to the norovirus. On a seven day cruise we were never allowed to use the pools, touch the food (handed to us) including beverages, library was closed out, casino was closed out, stores were closed out. I witnessed so many passengers complaining and wanting to be dropped off, it was almost comical. After two letters to the company, we got a discount voucher for another HAL cruise. Not a chance.

There were some good points; their shows were great, the food was good, but it is a modified version of buffet style. Their library was very good; it would had been better if it had stayed opened.

I also saw something I have NEVER seen in any other cruise line. In 2-3 ocassions the best dining areas were closed to passengers so that the crew could have some kind of company dining. I am not kidding; I saw this with my own eyes. Attempts by passengers to jump the cord were intercepted by crew keeping passengers away. No joke.

Overall, with so many fine choices for cruising there is no reasons for me to ever considered HAL. Too bad because we cruise every year and are fortunate to have the finances to support this.

I know there are a few HAL fans that have a lot of times in their hands to flame posters who dare say a bad word on HAL. To those I recommend they get busy reading on the new Health Care reform if they are going to continue cruising HAL....

jerryw

Well . . . I don't classify myself as a "world traveler" but have been to Europe 5 times, Egypt, S. America twice, Hawaii every winter, etc. all independently for weeks at a time--no tour group.

We just came back from our first cruise on the HAL Veendam (Alaskan cruise) and LOVED IT! Only met one couple who did not give it high marks and it was because they really really like "hairy chest" contests (they were not joking) and, unfortunately, that activity was not on the Veendam that week!

We had nothing to compare our cruise with but everything went smoothly, the quality was good and, if I chose to go on a cruise again, would consider HAL in a heartbeat.

jacketwatch

We are all entitled to our opinions. Based on other things V2 has said in the past about HAL I disagree with hers. Go to Cruisecritic and get a more well rounded view. Its true some cruise don't go well for some but get a broader perspective to establish a norm. JM2C.

Viajero2

I am so very grateful to be an intellligent and mature enough person to respect other people's views. If you had a great experience with HAL, you should use them again. Our experience, along with hundreds of others was dismal. Consequently, I doubt I would ever take the risk with sooooo many other better choices. Simple as that.

jacketwatch

Actually that wasn't the case on other threads V2. You were pretty bitter and sarcastic. I'm glad to see a new you. Cheers, Larry

therenaissanceman

Count me among those who believe HAL is the best of the mass market lines. All of our five cruises on HAL have been great. We especially like the string groups that play in the Explorer Lounge and the general relaxed atmosphere. Food and entertainment have both been more than satisfactory and the rooms seem bigger than other mass market lines. Haven't had as much success with Princess, Carnival, or NCL, but maybe that's just the luck of the draw. Experiences differ, but we won't go on those three lines again. We are now in the process of booking our sixth HAL cruise. Their cruises to Alaska are especially worthwhile, particularly if you add a land tour.

fullofsushi

I have been a crewmember on HAL as well as Princess and Royal Caribbean. Anything you want to know about it. Believe me I can tell you.

Aristotle

We have been on HAL twice and Celebrity twice - not exactly record breaking frequency, but we have been on other lines. The trips were one big (75-85,000) and one small (45-50,000) tonon each line. They were all good experiences. I do think that the Celebrity crews and ships were colder and the HAL had somewhat older clients, but not oppresively so. WHy would you take a kid on a line that favors adults. Several things, I think matter. The food is not gourmet on cruises. It is OK and edible - about like a good "family" restaurant. Also, consider alternate shore excursions from what the line offers. Of course, in Bermuda, you can do it all on your own. The buses are good, they're cheap and there really is no place to go that is not on the bus route. Also, a smaller ship to Bermuda is best, because it can get into the harbors in Hamilton and St George.

Viajero2

"Bitter and sarcastic...!" I LOVED that!! Prefer it to dull and boring...is that you there jacketwatch? sorry, almost miss you were saying something....

jacketwatch

Actually V2 you never fail to reply to what I say. I can count on you. Thanks for the attention.

route6a

We cruise a couple of times each year, and have sailed on many lines over the past ten years, including Holland America, which we consider one of the better mass market lines. We have limited our choices to the newer ships, which are large compared to luxury lines, such as Regent, which we also enjoy.

Service is always excellent, and the Holland ships are very well maintained. The atmosphere is quieter than other mass market lines, and the passenger demographic is older, especially on the longer cruises we prefer.

The food in the main dining rooms is rather like banquet food, with some dishes quite good, especially braised meats. We like to dine fairly often in the Pinnacle Grill, the alternative restaurant, where the food is prepared to order and the service is warm and attentive. The beef is excellent there as is the veal chop. It has a quieter atmosphere, too, which we enjoy.

The deluxe veranda suites, which we usually book, are lovely, bright spaces with very comfortable beds, excellent baths with two sinks, both a bathtub/shower and a separate shower stall. There is also a small dressing room adjacent to the bath, with a vanity. The veranda is large with comfortable furniture. Regular staterooms feature the same comfortable beds with pillow top mattresses.

The Vista ships have lovely public spaces, including a very good library, and a large forward observation lounge with recliners at the front for those who wish to sit or read comfortably. There are many other lovely public lounges here and there throughout the ship,with most clustered along the perimiter of the decks with windows which look out to sea. You will also find a teak promenade deck lined with padded, teak deck chairs. The pads are removed overnight to keep them dry. Just one attention to detail I very much appreciate.

I also enjoy being able to read the online NY Times on Holland America, gratis. It allows me to keep up on business news. Wireless connectivity is usually good in our stateroom, so I take my small laptop. I also enjoy being able to wait in our stateroom on debarkation morning until our group is called to disembark. Regular room service breakfast is also availabe on disembarkation morning. This is not the case on other mass market lines.

I cannot say enough about the wonderful crews on Holland America. We return again and again because of them. Wishing you a wonderful trip whichever cruise line you ultimately choose.