Thread: Cosidering HAL

We are considering a caribbean cruise on HAL in January of 09. We are taking out grown children and their families. The children will range in age from 12 to 2. Our primary concerns on a cruise are a fun atmosphere, good food and good service. For those of you who have cruised with HAL, do you think they will be a good fit for us? Our favorite cruiseline so far is Celebrity and the two sound similiar.

Gayla-
You don't say which ship you are considering. I have just returned from Celebrity and agree that the two lines are comparable.
I think HAL is a great fit for a multi-generational family cruise, we cruised last Christmas and there were many extended families cruising. My boys (19 and 15) love HAL and have cruised with us 3 times.

I think you'll have a fine time. Club HAL will be excellent for the kids, and there will be plenty for the adults to do.

We have always enjoyed HAL's crew. They are friendly and always so willing to make certain you have a great cruise experience. The ships are lovely, and the staterooms are slightly larger than industry standard.

Enjoy planning this cruise. That's half the fun!

Have sailed on the R, S and Vista class ships. I believe that your families will be very happy selecting a cruise on one of the Vista class ships as they attrack more children and from reviews that I have read, their Children's program is much better.

gayla, I agree with KK I think for the kids they will have a bit more to do on a Vista Class ship just due to the fact that there will more likely be more kids their ages. I have not sailed Celebrity but from everything I have read they are definitely simliar

I appreciate all the quick responses. We are considering Zuiderdam or Westerdam, but know what ships they will have sailing out of FL in 09. I have just been gauging our info on 08 itineraries and prices. If similiar cruises are available for 09 that are here for 08 I think HAL will be our choice. If you have any other advice about HAL please share.

You said you wanted service??

Well, in my mind HAL and Service are synonymous

Having sailed both Celebrity and Holand America several times, I can tell you that personally we prefer Holland America. In my opinion, it is the best. In fact, we're doing a 2 week Alaskan cruisetour with them in two weeks. Can't wait!

The food is exquisite, the service is impeccable, and the ships are wonderful. And best of all, I think their beds are the most comfortable in the industry - they have the new European pillow-top mattresses that are great!

And I agree with what the others have said about the Vista-class. They are great for families. You will thoroughly enjoy either the Zuiderdam or the Westerdam. Although I would normally not recommend the smaller ships of HAL for kids, the Vista-class are great for kids and they will have plenty to do on either of these ships you are considering.

It's really tough to beat the new Freedom-class ships of the Royal Caribbean fleet when it comes to amenities and being outstanding for families, they don't match the quality of Holland America.

Pete

We really like good food and service, so HAL is sounding like a great fit. We have a 10 y/o who will be 12 by the time we take this cruise and the grandchildren wil be 4, 3, and 2, so they can play together either with us or in the kids club, except the 2 y/o of course. The nice mattreses will be good.

We have cruisesd with RCCL before and the Freedom class ships do have all the bells and whistles, but we don't find that we use that many of them. The kids are a bit shy, and find the huge program overwhelming. I think we are opting for the superior service and creature comforts of HAL.

Thanks again for all the suggestions, it always helps to go to a new venue prepared.

Originally Posted by gayla

We really like good food and service, so HAL is sounding like a great fit. We have a 10 y/o who will be 12 by the time we take this cruise and the grandchildren wil be 4, 3, and 2, so they can play together either with us or in the kids club, except the 2 y/o of course. The nice mattreses will be good.

We have cruisesd with RCCL before and the Freedom class ships do have all the bells and whistles, but we don't find that we use that many of them. The kids are a bit shy, and find the huge program overwhelming. I think we are opting for the superior service and creature comforts of HAL.

Thanks again for all the suggestions, it always helps to go to a new venue prepared.

My kids have always enjoyed HAL. We did a family cruise with a 12 y/o, a 13 y/o, a 14 y/o and a 16 yo and all they loved it!!