I prefer a cruise with older people, civilized atmosphere, history, culture. European flavor, no screaming kids, no drunk 20 somethings having a party in the hall. You get the idea.
Just because someone is on a particular cruise line that caters to families, doesn’t mean you will always have screaming kids and drunk people. I’ve been on 12 cruises and haven’t experienced that. Granted, I avoid spring break cruises and attempt to avoid the summer. I’m early sixties but I don’t feel old so I enjoy fun activities. But fortunately there are cruise lines for everyone.
My husband and I are in our early 30's, we much prefer to cruise with the older crowd. We find them to be more sophisticated, refined and I love their stories! We went on the Panama Cruise in 2019 for 3 weeks and we were the youngest guests onboard but I can say that was one of the best cruise ever!
Would you say this is good for a honeymoon? We want to go and saw that HAL goes to some of the ports we are most interested in. You think it would be good? We are in our late 20s
@@Nurse.Rachel I would say it depends on what you are looking for. We enjoy the quieter and more sophisticated atmosphere on HAL, but if you are looking for more lively parties, etc. then another line would probably be a better match.
Glad to hear that Sunny! It’s got to feel good to be the youngest couple in an older crowd. Everyone else is saying, “How about those young whippersnappers!”
We just got back from an 11 day Caribbean cruise on Holland. Six of us ranged between 55-62 with 2 additional in their 70s. I was skeptical due to not wanting huge crowds of drunken travelers. Pleasantly surprised - this was a relaxing vacation with adults that know how to conduct themselves around others. Maybe I'm just an old soul. Had such a good time we booked a Mediterranean cruise for later this year.
HA really impressed us for their generosity. We had 30days Asian Cruise with HA starting on 1/16/2020 at Singapore. The Pandemic started before our second 15 days of journal, our ship was rejected by all the countries to port all at their harbour. Our ship was moving half way to each country before we were rejected by the country. We had to change our flight back home from Shanghai to Tokyo, from Tokyo to Thailand. Finally, HA took over the return flights for over 1500 passengers. They didn't just arrange our flights, they paid for us. In the meantime when we still enjoyed the great food and entertainment on the ship, they announced that we would get full refund of the second half of the cruise, they gave each of us an equal amount of future cruise credit on top of the refund. We were also exempted from paying the daily tips for the second 15 days. We have never seen such generosity by any cruise line. Our ship finally was accepted to disembark by Cambodia government. Their prime minister came to the port to welcome us. Even today, we appreciate the kindness of Cambodia and the generosity of Holland America. We will take their cruise as much as we can once the pandemic is over. Holland America is very reliable and trustful in the difficult time to their passengers!!
ST - totally agree. We had an Alaska land/cruise planned for July 2022- hubby's 75 birthday. It was cancelled - not only did they give us back all we paid but gave us 200% of the cruise/tour amount in FCC. HAL is the only cruise line for us
Wow thank you for sharing that story. We have never cruised before but really want to!! I am doing my research so we can soon book something. This just made me even more impressed with HAL.
Thank you for sharing your great experience with HA. We did about 7 cruise trips with HA and really love them. Bravo HA for all you did for your customers!
I cannot believe any of these complaints. I'm getting ready for my 3rd HA cruise & can't wait. The age of people (mainly 50+) is the main attraction - no screaming snotty kids, mature conversations & friendships. Food is wonderful, every taste catered for, & service is A+. I'll always be loyal to them.
Your previous experience used to be the norm for HAL. But, directly after the Pandemic, it was a true nightmare. I think people were so happy to finally be out of quarentine that they were not following any rules and smoking in their cabins and in the corrridors (cigarettes & pot) and getting really drunk and out-of-hand. HAL management couldn't control them and it was truly a horrible experience that I had endured for five (5) back-to-backs. I hope that things have calmed down and people are back to their senses now and the partiers go back to the Carnival cruises.
I have been on 7 Holland America cruises in 23 years. Six from Seattle, my hometown, and one from Vancouver BC. My wife and I chose Holland because of their tradition, decorum, and destinations, which is exactly what you describe. Holland caters to thise of us who want a more conservative laid back experience. Travel minded adults. I hope Holland America reads this and understands that we don't want you to change a thing. We love you just the way you are.
@@RobertaHanscom I think he thought he was replying on another comment. But then again... With the way some people behave on the internet these days, You never know.
Seems that many people who voice disapproval or "complaints" about the line are actually just not looking for the type of experience that HAL offers. We enjoy that there aren't many kids on board and that the entertainment is geared more towards specific interests than loud activities or sales pitches (or hairy chest and belly flop contests). On a recent HAL cruise to Alaska we were very impressed with the Cruise Director's professional and well researched presentations. We talked with her afterwards and she mentioned that they are trying to be the "NPR of the cruising world" which reflects high quality and interesting subject matter. We enjoyed the food and the professional service we received. For those looking for more of a party atmosphere then Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian might be better choices.
I really loved the excursion talks, BBC Earth, and the history of the cruise line! The enrichment and education makes it much more engaging of a cruise for me.
I am on the Koningsdam in two weeks for the Alaska cruise from Vancouver. Can't wait. If you don't mind me asking, how was your trip? Is there anything that you would say is a "do not miss" thing to do?
Gotten where I only cruise HAL. Not old but am destination driven and couldn’t care less about race tracks and water slides that you wait forever in line for. I scuba dive and have always found I can scuba dive when in the Caribbean. Less children ( yay) and no drunks everywhere on board. Like a quiet, restful cruise and great ports , and smaller ships! Went on a Norwegian with 5,000 people on board, never again. Love, love HAL.
Thank you Gary for affirming that there is a large enough group of us who prefer Holland America Lines just the way they are. We took a 14-day Alaska cruise on HAL more than 10 years ago. We have not considered another cruise line since. We find that HAL gives us the kind of cruise experience we prefer. Relaxed atmosphere, elegant, less frenetic, quieter. We were able to take frequent leisurely walks on the promenade, had no difficulty finding a quiet and cozy nook to read, and enjoyed many interesting conversations with like-minded people. On that first HAL cruise, we were ecstatic to find no climbing walls, water slides, go-kart rides, ziplines, roller coasters and nonstop loud parties. If we wanted these activities, then we would have gone to an all-inclusive land resort instead (or traveled with another cruise line). How can anyone be bored? The itinerary included port stops practically everyday. By the time we returned to the ship in late-afternoon or the early evening, we were too pooped to do anything else but have a nice dinner and drinks at night. The food has been consistently excellent, the service topnotch, the entertainment is very much to our liking (shout out to the Lincoln Center Stage) and the ship size is just right. We have not been on a HAL ship with more than 2600 passengers. COVID has certainly put a kibosh on our cruise travels but we're raring to go very soon and yes, we will be on a HAL ship. We hope Holland America sticks to the current cruise format forever.
I went on an Alaskan cruise on HA with my husband, we're both in our twenties so we were definitely one of the youngest couples. We weren't looking for "entertainment" on the ship, we were interested in a comfortable way to tour Alaska. We had a great time - we even got upgraded to a balcony room at the back of the ship. That being said, we were never bored while on board!
kids everywhere, long lines, horrible service in ding room and elsewhere, bars pouring premixed $12 drinks, Disco music in BB King Blues club. Will never return.
As a 4 star HAL mariner, my husband and I are so sorry you had a difficult impression of the cruise line. We just arrived home from the Sea of Cortez trip on Dec 17. We ranked it a 10.5 out of 10. I think the problem might be you! Not in a bad way, just not a fit! Move on.
I will sum everything up in as few words as possible. HAL is catered towards a mature and sophisticated crowd. For the Walmart and college crowds, please check out Royal or Carnival.
Agree completely with all your points. We are dedicated HAL travellers who love the Music Walk, destinations, enrichment activities and food. Our go to cruise line!
Reassured me about why I like HAL. The two thumbs down images on the cover drew me in to watch what it was all about, but I was happy to learn it wasn’t negative at all. HAL just fits the way we like to cruise. Now once things are back to normal we will look forward to returning to cruising on HAL. We don’t want any port restrictions and want full liberty to explore on our own. If we are to pay good money for a cruise holiday, we want a stress free experience.
I concur. Those are three positives in my book, and we take a HAL cruise almost every year. We eat in the main dining room as much as possible, including breakfast on sea days. It's just civilized and relaxing. And I'm not tempted to eat too much from the endless trough in the Lido.
I just finished a 7-day Caribbean cruise on MS Rotterdam. HAL did not disappoint. The ship was spotless. The food was excellent. The entertainment was fun. The artwork was interesting. I can't wait to go again. I highly recommend it.
Just returned from an Holland America cruise on the Rotterdam 2 weeks ago in the Carribean. There were a number of families with children on the ship. Most crusiers were older like my husband, me, and the couple that joined us. We are in our 60's. We had a great time on the ship, ports, and excursions. The staff and crew were wonderful as well as the food. We dined one night at Pinnacle Grill. We were not disappointed. The entertainment on the ship was a nice suprise. We used the Navigation app with no problem. We also enjoyed the Half Moon Bar and the cocktails they offered. It was, in our opinion, the best addition to the cruise.
I have never been disappointed on a HAL cruise. The food is always great, and the music is wonderful from Classical to Jazz. On my last cruise, I thought the stage shows had declined in quality (fewer singers and dancers). Never miss high tea, and they go to really interesting destinations. Plus, the staff is the friendliest and most attentive I've found. Truely classy.
We just did a cruise three weeks ago on the Rotterdam. HAL is our favorite cruise line. My wife and I are younger than the normal crowd on Holland America. That is one reason why we like it. Those on the ship are not partiers or loud. Also the design of the ships to me is better than other cruise lines(we like the classic style) that we have been on in the past decade. The one thing I did not like is the Promenade deck 3. They shrunk it and made it much more narrower. There are no deck chairs on this deck. When I brought it up with one of the officers he said there was a design change due to the Costa Concordia sinking. The life boats now sit on the deck instead of being above it and he stated you will not see the old style promenades anymore. Next year we may book on one of the older ships to enjoy it while they are still around.
Excellent review, Greg, and I think you did a very fair treatment of HAL. My wife and I have sailed with RC, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Cunard, and HA is still our favorite. It is NOT boring, especially if you love music, which we do, and while it does skew older, for us that's a plus (we're in our mid-60s). We preferred the food on Celebrity, but it sounds like HAL has improved, and we look forward to testing it when we go with them to Japan in October.
My first HAL cruise was to Alaska (back in the 80's). I was in my late 20s and yes the clientele was mostly in their 50s and 60s but I absolutely loved it. It made me love cruising. I'm sure it's changed over the years but I look forward to cruising with them again.
As a former Princess cruiser, I have switched to HAL for all the reasons you mention. I'm old. I'm a traditional cruiser. I like to eat in a dining room every night with other old people. When Princess started ditching their smaller ships for mega party ships, I decided that was it for me. Their food has declined, too, as they chase Carnival for the partiers who care more for the bars than the restaurants. As long as HAL caters to traditional cruisers like me, I'll stay there. I think they have recognized that old people have money to spend, too.
Princess and Holland America are owned by Carnival Corporation. Carnival Ships are the least expensive of the major cruise lines and of all the cruise lines owned by Carnival Corporation.
@@kays749 No they don't We did all of the cruise line ,,65 curses total,, but Holland AMERIKAN curses are the nices and quiet We start in 2000 and still going Maybe Cunard like QM2 or QV AND QE they most CLASSY ships We did 3 of them carnival ,,done5 no more to much noisy and drinking people celebrity so good to We don't go 7 days any more Go for 14 or 21 or a month or 2 or 3 love it 🤗🤗🤗🌺
We recently returned from our first cruise in late Feb in the Caribbean on the Nieuw Amsterdam ~ we're a couple in our mid 20s and everyone told us to choose a different line. After a ton of research (including your vids), I still booked HAL because of: The price, itinerary, great food and the experience we wanted. We were looking for a balance of R&R and fun, preferably all inclusive and on a budget. the "Have it all" offered the best value/$ after weeks of research, which is what sold me in the end. We are big fans of Classical music, and the Planet Earth II BBC concert had us so excited (although it was a bit dissappointing in reality). Since we don't have a lot of vacation opportunities, it was a plus to visit ports I had never been to, where we chose more adventurous excursions, so we created a good balance. We were definitely among the youngest on board ~ majority were the older crowd we expected, but we still found socializing opportunities that we enjoyed. They were running at 50% capacity, we were told there were < 30 children on board. We had some thoughts about entertainment, we expected it to be more sophisticated than it was~ there was a noticable bias to certain music styles we didn't really enjoy, and we felt the cooking demos and main stage talks left something to be desired. Wifi was atrocious, but disconnecting from everything was A-ok with me. Some service hiccups, but no deal breakers. All in all, we had an unforgettable time, worth the $ we worked hard to save. This time we wanted beaches, but I'd love to try Alaska or Panama Canal, and I'd definitely keep HAL in mind if I get the chance!
Back in 1994 for our honeymoon we took our very first cruise to Alaska on the very old Rotterdam. It was built in 1959. They finally retired the Rotterdam in 1997. It's now a hotel ship sitting in the Netherlands. Great for nostalgia. It was nice but very small, sitting at only 38,000 tons. A small ship by today's standards are around 80,000 tons with most ships sitting around 120,000 tons and very large Oasis class ships at around 225,000 tons. Smaller ships mean more motion when hitting the waves. We met lots of older people who only cruised the old Rotterdam. One older lady said it was like a time capsule for her and would never cruise on anything else. It was so old that tug boats were used to pull the ship away from the dock. The ship was like a ghost town after 9:00 pm and most of the bars were closed. You're right about being among the youngest on the ship. Everyone was either bald or grey. lol. It was on our 3rd day we found a bar at the top of the ship that was full of about a dozen other young partiers around the same age. We were 28. We had a great time. We've never cruised with HAL since our honeymoon back in 1994. We wanted more of a party ship so ended up taking several Carnival cruises in our younger years. Now that we're a bit older we have slowed down, but not enough that we go to bed at 9:00 pm. So it's been pretty much Celebrity for our last few cruises. I find Celebrity is a great mix. Not too many kids and everything doesn't close down after 9:00 or 10:00 pm. We are looking at another cruise for September and after seeing this video we might reconsider cruising with HAL again but it would need to be with one of their newest ships. BTW, No worries with Celebrity's very strong WIFI. We also took a 12 day Caribbean cruise this past December that sailed at 60% capacity. The extra elbow room was great.
This was our (my mom’s and I) experience on Regent. We were some of the youngest but we had an unforgettable time. My mom found the weakest point was ports that were accessible to people with limited mobility. My thought on weakest point was not enough time at certain ports or not enough selection at certain restaurants. (I could eat at the steakhouse and lido 7 days a week. I really couldn’t eat much at the French restaurant, Italian restaurant, and nothing at the Asian fusion.)
@@Redneckboy991 you might also take a look at Royal Caribbean, the Oasis class is what we really enjoy. We are in our 60’s but I still like to zip line and do escape rooms and laser tag, my hubby prefers sitting by the pool with a drink. RC has lots of restaurants and bars, really good theater like productions and lots of things to do on the ship while also having areas that very good for relaxing. They are a bit more expensive than Carnival but we prefer them. It’s not all old people there are plenty of younger families and kids. They provide lots for the kids to do also so they aren’t just hanging around bored. Whichever you choose have a great cruise the next time you go!!
@@danasandoval624 That's awesome getting on the zip-line. Not many people even in their 50's would do that. What a great idea for a cruise ship. We've done a few escape rooms in our own city. My wife loves that kind of thing. Yesterday we booked a 10 day cruise to Alaska on the Majestic Princess for September. We were looking at other cruise lines, but this one came up at such a steal we decided to go for a suite. My only fear is that my wife will not want to go back to a typical balcony cabin 😉. We have cruised all lines except Princess. So after watching a couple of videos on the Majestic, we're quite excited about this ship. Our last cruise with RC was in 2011 on Majesty of the Seas. It was only a 4 day cruise because we had an Orlando trip planned to hit Disney and Universal Studios. I guess the ship has been sold and is no longer part of the RC fleet. It was a bit small, but we loved it. Our kids really enjoyed the rock climbing wall. We've always wanted to go back to Coco Cay in the Caribbean so another RC is definitely in our future. Although I like some cruise lines over others, I'm a cheap guy and my wallet wins out every time, lol. We'll take a more expensive cruise if it includes an onboard credit that can be used towards excursions. We're not quite retired yet and still manage 1-2 cruises a year and of course a yearly Vegas trip. We're hoping to do at least 3 cruises a year once we retire in 3 or 4 years.
@@Redneckboy991 It’s funny when I was younger I loved just going to the beach or pool and hanging out all day, now I still like to do that maybe for one day but the other days I like to zip line or parasail or hang glide, snorkel, etc something more adventurous. My husband thinks I am a bit goofy since I seem to be going in reverse as far as wanting to do more active things. I always tell him he can just watch and take photos but there he is right along beside me complaining and laughing and having a great time! Whenever there is a senior citizen discount I will take advantage of it but don’t tell my mind we are getting older because it would argue with you! Your upcoming cruise sounds great. Our next one is in May on Symphony of the Sea for 7 days, I’m having cruise withdrawal and zip line cravings!!😄
I went on my first cruise at 40 and chose Holland America. I went with a friend who has gone on many cruises on different lines and was in his 60s at the time. I told him that I wanted a quiet cruise with as few kids as possible and that’s what I got. You are very spot on about the destinations being the highlight. We’ve gone on a cruise every year up until 2019 and it’s been with Holland America. I have never been bored because I bring my own music in case I don’t care for what they have. I like the pools and hot tubs and always find an excursion that I enjoy. Their pricing is reasonable imo, but we usually put the tips down to $5 per day and tip the room stewards significantly higher since they take very good care of us. I know cruise ships are known for quality service and I don’t have any other to compare it to, but the staff on Holland American is outstanding. I do wish that they would bring back a solo guitarist that sang differs music in the Crow’s Nest. Thank you for what you do. I am enjoying you videos and will be going on a Viking Rhine River cruise in November.
I sailed HAL 5 times in the 90s. Once we had kids, we switched to more family-friendly cruise lines. Now that I'm in my 50s, I will go back to HAL. When I want a sunny, quiet, relaxing vacation, I love the sophisticated elegance of HAL.
I absolutely love Hal. I am 41 now and started cruising on Hal ships by myself much of the time when I was 29. What can I say, Hal is my vibe. I love a classic and elegant style cruise ship, excellent food, entertaining but not over the top.
We are the same! I started cruising HAL in my 30s, now approaching my 50's and I love love love the quiet elegance of the ships. I'll be loyal to HAL forever! The line attracts an intelligent, well-behaved crowd.
We just returned last Sunday from the Koningsdam Mexican Riviera cruise. It was our third cruise with HAL, and also our third cruise on the Koningsdam. It was a nice, laid back cruise for us. The passenger count was way down, I’m sure due to continued fear of the pandemic and the restrictions and hoops one has to jump through caused by it. That said, as “seasoned” Koningsdam cruisers, we thoroughly enjoyed the different atmosphere resulting from the uncrowned public areas and extra attention and pampering provided by the staff. We plan to cruise with HAL again,
Very well-presented and fair. I was fortunate to work aboard their ships as entertainer, and Asst Cruise Director, from 1985 through 1989. It was a wonderful time to serve on those ships. Now an old guy, I'm hesitant to criticize the newer generation. But in recent cruises on HAL (and most cruise lines) it is very apparent that today's cruise staff would have a hard time measuring up to those I worked with in the 80s. I would imagine part of it was that there were less ships and so the companys could be more selective in who was brought aboard. It was very competitive. And we were all expected to entertain, dance, socialize, in addition to running activitys. In addition, cruises were still (relatively) more expensive and we did not draw passengers from as wide and diverse groups as today. Finally, while the main restaurant dinners are still quite good, the buffets then were near-unbelievable. The spreads were huge and sumptuous. Even in the Caribbean, the Wednesday night Chocolate Buffet was like walking into a large Fanny Mae store! The Dutch Know their chocolate and it was amazing!
I'm going out on the Konigsdam next week. Was on Nieuw Amsterdam in December. I booked because of the music row. I haven't yet gotten to the showroom on my last 3 Holland America cruises because I don't want to miss anything on music row.
We are in our early 50's and LOVE the sedate scene on HAL. The food is decent, the music is fabulous, and the lack of drunk 20 - 30 year olds and screaming children is just what we want from vacation. The private cabana area is our favorite and worth every penny!
We love lots of things about HAL, we are probably considered older 68 & 72. The party ships have never been what we enjoy and we don't need or want roller coasters or zip lines etc on a ship. We both love the music venues, eclectic and fabulous, the shows, educational talks and their Tamarind and Rudy's sel de mer specialty restaurants on their newer pinnacle ships have some of the best food at sea. Their destinations are another reason we love them. Some of our best cruises have been on this line.
I love tea time on Holland America and breakfast in the room. “At sea” days are my favourite. Strolling along the deck, watching changing weather patterns, and quietly reading are lovely
After cruising with Royal (twice), Cunard and Princess we just finished a cruise with Holland America. I have to say it is by far the best cruise line we have ever cruised with. The attention to their guests is unprecedented. The food was great, the ship was clean and their employees were some of the best I have ever encountered on vacation. I'm not sure I will ever cruise with anyone else again. Princess was very good, also But not at the level of Holland. Cunard was good but a little too high brow and snooty, but Royal is crap, the Kmart of cruises. Our last cruise with them was to the southern Caribbean. They pushed the alcohol packages and the party atmosphere so much there were people getting in fights in common areas. I would avoid that cruise line at all costs. We are early '60s and very active.
I’ve found Holland America and Celebrity comparable. But I think Celebrity has become too WOKE recently for my taste so I’m not going to sail with them anymore. I also prefer sailing on smaller ships so perhaps Oceania might be my next one to try.
My first ever cruise was Eurodam to Alaska and it was wonderful. Do make sure to try the Tamarind restaurant (and try to get embarkation night as nice discount). Loved it all so much we did a different Alaska itinerary on Oosterdam and scored a phenomenal upgrade deal into a Neptune Suite which spoiled us considerably.
HAL has been my favorite cruise line since my first cruise when I was 35 yrs old. They were generally the first cruise line into new ports - from at least Alaska through to Turkey and the Black Sea. For a series reason, I haven’t sailed HAL in about 10 yrs; so, maybe I missed the decline you mentioned. Glad to hear that they’ve returned to the quality experience it has always been.
My husband and I have been on four HAL cruises and have another booked for later this summer to Alaska. We're both in our early 60s, so we fall in the "mature" demographic that Holland America is known for. I love that it feels like the "classic" cruise experience. So many of the newer mega-ships seem like theme parks at sea. As for the food, we've never had a bad meal on HAL, from the buffet to the specialty restaurants (And I am in complete agreement with you about Tamarind - it's wonderful).
We love HAL, we are in our mid 60’s. Have been cruising for the last 15 years. We love the quality of food, the people, the entertainment. Both of us have food allergies, the crew takes great effort to accommodate us. We so appreciate this, we can eat in the dining room with confidence that we will not have a food reaction. This is a game changer for us.
I had such a fabulous time on my Holland American cruise to Alasaka. I traveled solo, but met so many lovely couples and singles that included me for meals. The land tours were great. I too enjoy a smaller ship and a slower pace. And the TEA was so special.
I just did a travel advisor appreciation cruise on the Rotterdam, and WOW, I was blown away. The ship, the entertainment, and the food were all phenomenal. They made a believer out of me, and I am sailing them again on a vacation in 2 weeks!
My wife and I are retired and we really enjoyed our cruises with Holland America. There were things to do or you could simply relax. The ports we visited were wonderful and we took advantage of the land tours every port that we went to. The food was great the people we met were interesting and the cruising is excellent. Holland America is our line of choice!
How can you relax when every public space in the ship has really bad elevator music coming through the loud speakers 24/7? The only place they’re not blaring crappy music is ironically in the elevators, in your room, or on the promenade.
I like the idea of a laid back cruise that isn't high energy and is good for introverts who may meet a few people they become friends with at most. This line sounds like it's perfect for that. I'd probably bring my laptop or my switch and play some games to pass the time, and go to the events that I find interesting.
I adore HAL. I’ve been cruising since 1978 and my Eurodam cruise to Alaska was the best cruise I’ve been on. The live music was amazing. The food was overall better than the other major lines. The only negative for me was the atrocious coffee in the Explorations lounge.
Thank you so much for your comments. We only cruise Holland America and Royal Caribbean AND you are spot on about the destination being the reason to choose HAL. We are going to the Baltics, European cities, Greece, Norway and Iceland this summer. Love HAL destinations.
Spot on. I am 53 and love cruising HAL. I cruised Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico last year and the food seems to be better and presentation improved from my last cruise on the Veendam in 2019. I appreciate the low key atmosphere and fewer kids allowed me to really enjoy the quiet Lido pool.
I've been on 5 HAL cruises and I love the sophisticated atmosphere. I love people dress in a lovely manner and uphold the dress codes. My father immigrated on the Nieuw Amersterdam 1 in 1921. There was a photo of the ship on display on my NA 5 cruise and I told the guest service desk. They sent me a special gift to honor that, how sweet! I was 55 then. I plan to go on my 75th .
Up hold the dress codes lol! I see many people turned away For shorts t shirts ect! I was one of the only people that new how to make a tie! Lot of people cleaning their teeth with their nails at the table. I was under the assumption that older people We're more refined we only book neptune suites now it isolates From the rowers!
My son is a Sommelier on the Nieuw Statendam and you missed something Gary. Each cruise the beverage team do unique themed wine tastings often related to where they are traveling. I’ll tell you that these are one of my sons favorite parts of the job as these are audience participation events! They are costed to be accessible (inexpensive) and to highlight premium wines. The team puts a lot of effort into each one. A great way to spend a sea day.
Great story! We cruised on the Zuiderdam in 2019 to Norway, Iceland and Scotland for 14 days in July. We recognized that, at our mid-60's we were on the younger side of the crowd but we attributed that to the itinerary rather than the cruise line. We had a wonderful time. Food was very good, service was great and they offered an unlimited laundry service for $100 a cabin which I found to be a GREAT service. I would not hesitate to travel on Holland America again. The fact that things have improved makes that even more certain! Thanks for the review.
I went on a cruise with my mom while I was in my late 20's... I had a blast!!! Granted most people were thinking I worked on the ship 😂... But I had so much fun!!!
The food in the Main Dining Room has always been superb in my opinion. We miss the smaller ships like the Statendam and Zaandam, but our next cruise is aboard the Rotterdam. The Verandah cabins have never disappointed us. We have not been to the B.B. King Lounge but Billboard On Board has always kept us entertained and is usually near the casino. We appreciate the mature crowd and especially the destination. The "Dam" ships never disappoint. The one downside, is the internet has always been slow. We use the internet on the final cruise day to check in for our flight home. Unfortunately the internet has always been lackluster. Otherwise we love the "Dam" ships. Rotterdam here we come!
When we were on the Rotterdam and they still had the classical quartet, we couldn’t enjoy it because they allowed smoking in the casino and it wafted down into the Lincoln center room. I used to smoke and I’m not bothered by a little cigarette smoke, but even I couldn’t bear it.
we just got home from our 5th cruise with HAL (Ft Lauderdale to Rome - 3 weeks). We're still finding things we love about it. Did several nights at the Trivia group & the Lincoln Center music. Even hubby liked it & he's not into music. What I like most are the international travelers we meet. 2016 South America cruise met 1 USA couple but a lot of Aussies & those from the UK. The stories they tell about their cruises are so entertaining.
We have cruised on ships all over the world and like HAL the best. We are in our early 50s and enjoy the sophistication HAL brings. The smaller ships, the food, entertainment, and the more exotic ports of call are what brings us to a 50 day HAL cruise this year and a 75 day cruise next year.
I cruised HAL at 40. I enjoyed it. It felt very "refined". I like kicking it with senior citizens. They know how to live. Tea time was my go to event. The late night music and dancing at B.B. Kings was amazing. I liked the computer classes and learned something despite being advanced with computers. I loved the cooking classes and the discussions about the ports. The shows were entertaining. The early evening orchestra was good and had special themes. I was not happy with the television options, but that just meant we stayed out of the room.
Was on the zuiderdam in feb 2020 just before everything closed down, went to Panama Canal, great ports. Shows fair, enjoyed Lincoln center and piano bars. Older crowd I was in late 60’s and still younger lol but I enjoyed it. I love celebrity so usually go between both lines depends on itinerary
My wife and I have cruised several times on HAL. We have always had a positive experience even when sailing on their older and smaller ships. We are a laid back couple but enjoy good service. If we take our kids and grandkids we sail Disney. If you want to party non stop pick Carnival the Walmart of cruising.
Have done 4 HA cruises and 3 Royal Caribbean cruises and 2 Princess Cruises...and one Carnival cruise. HA is by far my favorite. You stated it well--more refined and sophisticated with emphasis on learning and culture as opposed to drinking and raising hell.
Thank you for your videos! As a result of this video my wife,73 and I,77 have booked a cruise on HAL Eurodam Panama Canal cruise January 2023. You have answered many of my questions before I even asked for them. You are very knowledgeable and erudite.
I cruised with Holland America to Alaska 2 weeks ago. We had the best time. It was relaxing and educational and very service oriented cruise. We had fun doing some of the activities and it was just our style. We loved it!
We have been cruising for quite a while. The best production show I ever saw on a cruise ship was on a Holland America ship. Also HAL has fantastic service and food. The many and varied music venues around the ship were wonderful, including but not limited to the chamber music events.
Thank you for that. We’ve never cruised with Holland America but you have peaked my interest. We have fallen out of love with Royal Caribbean who seem to be going for giant floating theme parks now. We do like Princess and now I think we’d like to try Holland America. ❤️
I'm a destination-focussed cruiser and a dedicated Holland America traveller, so it's good to hear that they have used the last two years of downtime to up their game in the key areas you mention. BTW, I'm also a big fan of the Tamarind's Asian Fusion offerings!
We are on the Rotterdam this week in the Caribbean. Food is good. Had a great Lunch yesterday at the Pinnacle Grill. Today we went on a morning Holland whale watching excursion. Saw 2 female humpback whales and their 2 baby whales. The whale expert tour guide made all the difference in getting a quality excursion experience. Also the Internet was operating well.even when not in ports.
thank you for this video as well as all your great advice. We are 40 and just got off our first cruise ever on Holland and we loved it. We are already trying to book our second cruse before next June. rank you again we love your channel
I love Holland America, I went on 2 Alaska cruises and 1 Mediterranean cruise. No plastic pool tables and places to sit by yourself without crowded walkways. My 18 year old granddaughter and her best friend loved it! They got loads of attention and special experiences planned by the cruise director for older teens. (They felt like movie stars!) Dance classes with the girls was loads of fun! The art is lovely! Get action off ship if you want that, especially on an Alaska Cruise. Walk, climb, go to a glacier!
You really gave a fair review of HAL. We enjoy this line, because we don't enjoy being on a "party ship. There are definitely cruse lines that cater to those wanting belly flop contests, etc. I agree with you on the Afternoon Tea. One of my favorite things about HAL.
My wife and I are in our late 50's and started cruising about 5 years ago after doing the resort thing for many years. We chose HA for all the reasons that many other senior/near seniors have stated. We are well past the staying up till 2AM drinking and partying and screaming kids is just not our thing during vacation. We find everything about HA cruising to be a little more sophisticated and thoroughly enjoy the sit down dining. We love the stage shows and never miss the duellng pianos. There are always lots of menu selections and the meal preparation and presentation are outstanding. Rooms are spacious and very tastefully decorated. Beds are very comfy and the room stewart takes care of every need. My parents and older sister have been cruising since the 80's and have cruised on pretty much every major cruise line. they joined us on our inaugural cruise 5 years ago and now only cruise on HA. This Fall we are celebrating our 40th anniversary and are taking a 50 day cruise of the South Pacific.
Just got off a HAL cruise up the Inner Channel of Alaska on the Koningsdam. I had nothing to complain about, and very much enjoyed my time aboard the ship. I ate good food, enjoyed the on-board programming, and a spa day. Definitely did notice that many of the passengers were older than I was (26), but that wasn’t a negative. Very much enjoyed the relaxed, calmer atmosphere. I was worried that we’d be in for the louder, wilder, party-going mood I’d seen on commercials for other liners. Interestingly, you brought up the music. My siblings and I are classically trained musicians (my younger siblings attend Juilliard and Manis in NYC), so we definitely didn’t find the chamber orchestra, ballets and dance boring! We actually hung out with the chamber musicians after their last performance of the day.
I just got off the kongingsdam two days ago as a working crew member and they way they treat their staff is horrible, I was starved, over worked and severely underpaid, they did not abide by my contract, super unorganized. I was lied to in my interview as to what the job would be like, not even close to what the lady said in my interview.
Im under 40 but really enjoyed Holland my last few cruises because of its more laid back atmosphere. I definitely felt like i was one of the younger crowd on board.
I have cruised with HAL since I was 29 years old, and I love it! I've since gone on Princess and Carnival too, but I'm now a diehard HAL cruiser, along with my extended family (my mom has over 350 days at sea with them!). I can't wait for our next one this Christmas - nine of us together for nine days 💗.
I just booked my first ever cruise on HA before I saw this video. And I'm glad that I'm going with HA. As a single "older" traveler, I feel extremely comfortable now that I chose the right line for myself and my interests. I'm very excited about my cruise. You've convinced me that I'll enjoy my time aboard.
I have been on 8 Holland America cruises. I tried a couple of other lines but went back to Holland America. I love them for cruising. When my children were young, I took them too. My next Holland America cruise is April 2023. Love being a Mariner and all the perks that come with it.
Thank you Gary! I went on my first every Carnival cruise last week and while it was okay, my preferred cruise lines are Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. But I just want a BIG change and told my travel agent that Holland America might be it. I am a single male in my late 60’s who loves to travel alone.
I’m 27 years old and I cruise exclusively with Holland America. I’m a 3 star mariner and have done most of the Caribbean cruises they offer. I have one complaint since the first cruise I took with HAL and that’s that the hot tubs close too early. I like to do the late dining so I have time after the port to rest and clean up before dinner, so I miss out on going to the hot tub. It would be really nice to be able to go out at night and enjoy the hot tub after dinner. Unfortunately since COVID I’ve had some more complaints. 1. The entertainment. The music walk is GREAT! But what happened to the world stage? They use to have such great shows like comedians, magicians, even ex olympians. Now it’s just a dance crew most nights dancing to the Beatles. I enjoy dancers once or twice a cruise, but it’s almost every night now. 2) while the food is excellent, they don’t offer lobster free of charge anymore on a gala night! I use to love dressing up and eating lobster, but now it’s an additional charge. Even on the pinnacle grill they have an additional up charge for king crab! Besides these complaints though I absolutely love Hal. I keep wanting to try some of the smaller ships, but hal is so much cheaper, has such good food, and I always have a good time I just end up always going back to hal.
My most favorite cruise line. I like the quiet, quality and peaceful trip. I don't need the crazy drunk party folks I have had to deal with on other lines.
Just back from Alaska on the Noordam. Only our second cruise, the first being to the Mediterranean on the Cunard Queen Victoria. Party of three 70 year olds. Had a great holiday. Wonderful service and large comfortable suite. Not everyone wants flumes and zip slides. To cater for a certain demographic is not a failing. It’s an advantage. I thought your review was very accurate and balanced. ☺️
Gary, a thank you for ALL of your videos(we are subscribers) but especially for your well-informed insights. Because of your content, we finally decided to take a step up, dollar-wise, from Princess for our TA back to the US after coming over on a TA in April with Princess. Your descriptions of the Music Walk, the explorations lounge and enrichment talks gave us the confidence to go slightly higher in price for the experience. And to not book Princess even though we just reached Elite. We leave on the Rotterdam In October and are very excited for the Holland experience.
We've always thoroughly enjoyed HAL because it's not a party ship filled with 20 and 30-somethings and their kids. It's a generally sedate experience geared toward people who want to relax in a comfortable, friendly floating hotel while hopping between interesting, cultural-focused destinations. The service is very good and, as you say, the food quality/experience has improved quite a lot, in my opinion.
My first cruise is HAL many year ago. The foods are very impressive. Those crews was very friendly, asking me many times to join "Dancing with The Stars". Finally, I joined, I got the 2nd place in the competition. I still telling friends my trip, I enjoyed that voyage very much. Going for Bermuda with HAL was a big benefit.
Thanks for the great piece about what has changed on Holland America. I was especially interested in the info on Rudi and his input with tne culinary panel, and how they have transformed the menu and quality across all venues. This makes me want to book with Holland America to see what they have to offer. We enjoyed our dining experience at Rudi's Sea Grill on Carnival Mardi Gras last August, so I'm excited to see what he has to offer on a Pinnacle class ship!
When we went on a carnival cruise 🚢 ,was not the best ,but the people we met and set with everyday made is very memorable. We had fun time because who we enjoyed their company,dinners were good too.. Whenever I think of that cruise , I only think of the beautiful families we met .
Great review! My wife and I went on the Zuiderdam probably 20 years ago and loved it. Since then, we have pretty much stuck to Carnival and Royal Caribbean. After seeing this, Im really wanting to travel HA again!
I love Holland America cruises!! I enjoy the wine tasting and bartending classes, also I love the games and the variety of music and shows. Canaletto is a great Italian restaurant with shared plates and a fun atmosphere. The sommeliers are always so helpful with my choices of wine with my meals, too!
Just returned from my second Holland Cruise within 4 months. Both were on The Koningsdam. My first cruise experiences were on Carnival. Its like the difference between a 5 star hotel vs Motel 6. The crew,the food,the spa, and the entertainment all all top notch.
Thank you Gary for the video. I am a Holland America loyalist, I enjoy destination cruising and longer sailings, longer than a week. If there is one area of concern for me, is that the ship life closes down early; with restaurants and bars closing before I am ready to call it a night. I frequently find myself mostly alone, or with the entertainers relaxing after their shows. Thank you again for reviewing this often overlooked line (as far as the internet is concerned).
I prefer a cruise with older people, civilized atmosphere, history, culture. European flavor, no screaming kids, no drunk 20 somethings having a party in the hall. You get the idea.
Just because someone is on a particular cruise line that caters to families, doesn’t mean you will always have screaming kids and drunk people. I’ve been on 12 cruises and haven’t experienced that. Granted, I avoid spring break cruises and attempt to avoid the summer. I’m early sixties but I don’t feel old so I enjoy fun activities. But fortunately there are cruise lines for everyone.
I give John 5 stars, because - what he said!
I agree too. When I spend that kind of money I want a great experience .. not one with a screaming kids. Disney is wonderful for kids!
Holland still has the screaming kids but not nearly as much.
SAME. Just got home from my 6th HA cruise & It was truly wonderful!
My husband and I are in our early 30's, we much prefer to cruise with the older crowd. We find them to be more sophisticated, refined and I love their stories! We went on the Panama Cruise in 2019 for 3 weeks and we were the youngest guests onboard but I can say that was one of the best cruise ever!
Would you say this is good for a honeymoon? We want to go and saw that HAL goes to some of the ports we are most interested in. You think it would be good? We are in our late 20s
@@Nurse.Rachel I would say it depends on what you are looking for. We enjoy the quieter and more sophisticated atmosphere on HAL, but if you are looking for more lively parties, etc. then another line would probably be a better match.
Good for you! If you know what to expect and you’re comfortable with it, all good.
Glad to hear that Sunny! It’s got to feel good to be the youngest couple in an older crowd. Everyone else is saying, “How about those young whippersnappers!”
We just got back from an 11 day Caribbean cruise on Holland. Six of us ranged between 55-62 with 2 additional in their 70s. I was skeptical due to not wanting huge crowds of drunken travelers. Pleasantly surprised - this was a relaxing vacation with adults that know how to conduct themselves around others. Maybe I'm just an old soul. Had such a good time we booked a Mediterranean cruise for later this year.
HA really impressed us for their generosity. We had 30days Asian Cruise with HA starting on 1/16/2020 at Singapore. The Pandemic started before our second 15 days of journal, our ship was rejected by all the countries to port all at their harbour. Our ship was moving half way to each country before we were rejected by the country. We had to change our flight back home from Shanghai to Tokyo, from Tokyo to Thailand. Finally, HA took over the return flights for over 1500 passengers. They didn't just arrange our flights, they paid for us. In the meantime when we still enjoyed the great food and entertainment on the ship, they announced that we would get full refund of the second half of the cruise, they gave each of us an equal amount of future cruise credit on top of the refund. We were also exempted from paying the daily tips for the second 15 days. We have never seen such generosity by any cruise line. Our ship finally was accepted to disembark by Cambodia government. Their prime minister came to the port to welcome us. Even today, we appreciate the kindness of Cambodia and the generosity of Holland America. We will take their cruise as much as we can once the pandemic is over. Holland America is very reliable and trustful in the difficult time to their passengers!!
ST - totally agree. We had an Alaska land/cruise planned for July 2022- hubby's 75 birthday. It was cancelled - not only did they give us back all we paid but gave us 200% of the cruise/tour amount in FCC. HAL is the only cruise line for us
@@soonerjane8966 did the cancel the Westerdam?
Wow thank you for sharing that story. We have never cruised before but really want to!! I am doing my research so we can soon book something. This just made me even more impressed with HAL.
THats my kind of deal 🎉😂😊
Thank you for sharing your great experience with HA. We did about 7 cruise trips with HA and really love them. Bravo HA for all you did for your customers!
I cannot believe any of these complaints. I'm getting ready for my 3rd HA cruise & can't wait. The age of people (mainly 50+) is the main attraction - no screaming snotty kids, mature conversations & friendships. Food is wonderful, every taste catered for, & service is A+. I'll always be loyal to them.
Your previous experience used to be the norm for HAL. But, directly after the Pandemic, it was a true nightmare. I think people were so happy to finally be out of quarentine that they were not following any rules and smoking in their cabins and in the corrridors (cigarettes & pot) and getting really drunk and out-of-hand. HAL management couldn't control them and it was truly a horrible experience that I had endured for five (5) back-to-backs. I hope that things have calmed down and people are back to their senses now and the partiers go back to the Carnival cruises.
I have been on 7 Holland America cruises in 23 years.
Six from Seattle, my hometown, and one from Vancouver BC.
My wife and I chose Holland because of their tradition, decorum, and destinations, which is exactly what you describe.
Holland caters to thise of us who want a more conservative laid back experience.
Travel minded adults.
I hope Holland America reads this and understands that we don't want you to change a thing.
We love you just the way you are.
@@Thokko - WTH?! 😲 I have NEVER had an issue like that on any cruise. Hopefully you are mistaken!
Thokko - Placed in wrong space?
@@RobertaHanscom
I think he thought he was replying on another comment.
But then again...
With the way some people behave on the internet these days, You never know.
Seems that many people who voice disapproval or "complaints" about the line are actually just not looking for the type of experience that HAL offers. We enjoy that there aren't many kids on board and that the entertainment is geared more towards specific interests than loud activities or sales pitches (or hairy chest and belly flop contests).
On a recent HAL cruise to Alaska we were very impressed with the Cruise Director's professional and well researched presentations. We talked with her afterwards and she mentioned that they are trying to be the "NPR of the cruising world" which reflects high quality and interesting subject matter.
We enjoyed the food and the professional service we received.
For those looking for more of a party atmosphere then Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian might be better choices.
I really loved the excursion talks, BBC Earth, and the history of the cruise line! The enrichment and education makes it much more engaging of a cruise for me.
I am on the Koningsdam in two weeks for the Alaska cruise from Vancouver. Can't wait. If you don't mind me asking, how was your trip? Is there anything that you would say is a "do not miss" thing to do?
There's something for everyone out there. "NPR as a cruise" would make me want to jump overboard but I'm sure it would appeal to many.
@@elmodiddly If you have the money for excursions, definitely go dog sledding, and take a floatplane ride in the misty fjords :)
I wouldn’t hold fake news NPR as a good example to follow. Now I know I will never cruise on this POS line.
Gotten where I only cruise HAL. Not old but am destination driven and couldn’t care less about race tracks and water slides that you wait forever in line for. I scuba dive and have always found I can scuba dive when in the Caribbean. Less children ( yay) and no drunks everywhere on board. Like a quiet, restful cruise and great ports , and smaller ships! Went on a Norwegian with 5,000 people on board, never again. Love, love HAL.
Thank you Gary for affirming that there is a large enough group of us who prefer Holland America Lines just the way they are. We took a 14-day Alaska cruise on HAL more than 10 years ago. We have not considered another cruise line since. We find that HAL gives us the kind of cruise experience we prefer. Relaxed atmosphere, elegant, less frenetic, quieter. We were able to take frequent leisurely walks on the promenade, had no difficulty finding a quiet and cozy nook to read, and enjoyed many interesting conversations with like-minded people. On that first HAL cruise, we were ecstatic to find no climbing walls, water slides, go-kart rides, ziplines, roller coasters and nonstop loud parties. If we wanted these activities, then we would have gone to an all-inclusive land resort instead (or traveled with another cruise line). How can anyone be bored? The itinerary included port stops practically everyday. By the time we returned to the ship in late-afternoon or the early evening, we were too pooped to do anything else but have a nice dinner and drinks at night. The food has been consistently excellent, the service topnotch, the entertainment is very much to our liking (shout out to the Lincoln Center Stage) and the ship size is just right. We have not been on a HAL ship with more than 2600 passengers. COVID has certainly put a kibosh on our cruise travels but we're raring to go very soon and yes, we will be on a HAL ship. We hope Holland America sticks to the current cruise format forever.
I went on an Alaskan cruise on HA with my husband, we're both in our twenties so we were definitely one of the youngest couples. We weren't looking for "entertainment" on the ship, we were interested in a comfortable way to tour Alaska. We had a great time - we even got upgraded to a balcony room at the back of the ship. That being said, we were never bored while on board!
kids everywhere, long lines, horrible service in ding room and elsewhere, bars pouring premixed $12 drinks, Disco music in BB King Blues club. Will never return.
As a 4 star HAL mariner, my husband and I are so sorry you had a difficult impression of the cruise line. We just arrived home from the Sea of Cortez trip on Dec 17. We ranked it a 10.5 out of 10. I think the problem might be you! Not in a bad way, just not a fit! Move on.
I will sum everything up in as few words as possible. HAL is catered towards a mature and sophisticated crowd. For the Walmart and college crowds, please check out Royal or Carnival.
Agree completely with all your points. We are dedicated HAL travellers who love the Music Walk, destinations, enrichment activities and food. Our go to cruise line!
Reassured me about why I like HAL. The two thumbs down images on the cover drew me in to watch what it was all about, but I was happy to learn it wasn’t negative at all. HAL just fits the way we like to cruise. Now once things are back to normal we will look forward to returning to cruising on HAL. We don’t want any port restrictions and want full liberty to explore on our own. If we are to pay good money for a cruise holiday, we want a stress free experience.
After watching this review, we are more than excited about our August cruise to Iceland on that same ship.
Me too. I hope it’s soon.
I concur. Those are three positives in my book, and we take a HAL cruise almost every year. We eat in the main dining room as much as possible, including breakfast on sea days. It's just civilized and relaxing. And I'm not tempted to eat too much from the endless trough in the Lido.
I totally agree. I wonder if H.A.L. understands that. You hit the nail right on the head. Thank you. ***
I just finished a 7-day Caribbean cruise on MS Rotterdam. HAL did not disappoint. The ship was spotless. The food was excellent. The entertainment was fun. The artwork was interesting. I can't wait to go again. I highly recommend it.
Just returned from an Holland America cruise on the Rotterdam 2 weeks ago in the Carribean. There were a number of families with children on the ship. Most crusiers were older like my husband, me, and the couple that joined us. We are in our 60's. We had a great time on the ship, ports, and excursions. The staff and crew were wonderful as well as the food. We dined one night at Pinnacle Grill. We were not disappointed. The entertainment on the ship was a nice suprise. We used the Navigation app with no problem. We also enjoyed the Half Moon Bar and the cocktails they offered. It was, in our opinion, the best addition to the cruise.
Crew members still wearing masks?
I have never been disappointed on a HAL cruise. The food is always great, and the music is wonderful from Classical to Jazz. On my last cruise, I thought the stage shows had declined in quality (fewer singers and dancers). Never miss high tea, and they go to really interesting destinations. Plus, the staff is the friendliest and most attentive I've found. Truely classy.
No dogs , no cats , no noise , standard American food . Friendly people . Great Informative video . Cheers . ✨🚢🛟
We just did a cruise three weeks ago on the Rotterdam. HAL is our favorite cruise line. My wife and I are younger than the normal crowd on Holland America. That is one reason why we like it. Those on the ship are not partiers or loud. Also the design of the ships to me is better than other cruise lines(we like the classic style) that we have been on in the past decade. The one thing I did not like is the Promenade deck 3. They shrunk it and made it much more narrower. There are no deck chairs on this deck. When I brought it up with one of the officers he said there was a design change due to the Costa Concordia sinking. The life boats now sit on the deck instead of being above it and he stated you will not see the old style promenades anymore. Next year we may book on one of the older ships to enjoy it while they are still around.
Excellent review, Greg, and I think you did a very fair treatment of HAL. My wife and I have sailed with RC, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Cunard, and HA is still our favorite. It is NOT boring, especially if you love music, which we do, and while it does skew older, for us that's a plus (we're in our mid-60s). We preferred the food on Celebrity, but it sounds like HAL has improved, and we look forward to testing it when we go with them to Japan in October.
My first HAL cruise was to Alaska (back in the 80's). I was in my late 20s and yes the clientele was mostly in their 50s and 60s but I absolutely loved it. It made me love cruising. I'm sure it's changed over the years but I look forward to cruising with them again.
As a former Princess cruiser, I have switched to HAL for all the reasons you mention. I'm old. I'm a traditional cruiser. I like to eat in a dining room every night with other old people. When Princess started ditching their smaller ships for mega party ships, I decided that was it for me. Their food has declined, too, as they chase Carnival for the partiers who care more for the bars than the restaurants. As long as HAL caters to traditional cruisers like me, I'll stay there. I think they have recognized that old people have money to spend, too.
Princess and Holland America are owned by Carnival Corporation. Carnival Ships are the least expensive of the major cruise lines and of all the cruise lines owned by Carnival Corporation.
@@dchenkin02 Yes, I know this. They are owned by the same corporation, but they do not operate in identical ways.
@@kays749
No they don't
We did all of the cruise line ,,65 curses total,, but Holland AMERIKAN curses are the nices and quiet
We start in 2000 and still going
Maybe Cunard like QM2 or QV AND QE they most CLASSY ships
We did 3 of them carnival ,,done5 no more to much noisy and drinking people celebrity so good to
We don't go 7 days any more
Go for 14 or 21 or a month or 2 or 3 love it 🤗🤗🤗🌺
We recently returned from our first cruise in late Feb in the Caribbean on the Nieuw Amsterdam ~ we're a couple in our mid 20s and everyone told us to choose a different line. After a ton of research (including your vids), I still booked HAL because of: The price, itinerary, great food and the experience we wanted. We were looking for a balance of R&R and fun, preferably all inclusive and on a budget. the "Have it all" offered the best value/$ after weeks of research, which is what sold me in the end. We are big fans of Classical music, and the Planet Earth II BBC concert had us so excited (although it was a bit dissappointing in reality). Since we don't have a lot of vacation opportunities, it was a plus to visit ports I had never been to, where we chose more adventurous excursions, so we created a good balance.
We were definitely among the youngest on board ~ majority were the older crowd we expected, but we still found socializing opportunities that we enjoyed. They were running at 50% capacity, we were told there were < 30 children on board. We had some thoughts about entertainment, we expected it to be more sophisticated than it was~ there was a noticable bias to certain music styles we didn't really enjoy, and we felt the cooking demos and main stage talks left something to be desired. Wifi was atrocious, but disconnecting from everything was A-ok with me. Some service hiccups, but no deal breakers.
All in all, we had an unforgettable time, worth the $ we worked hard to save. This time we wanted beaches, but I'd love to try Alaska or Panama Canal, and I'd definitely keep HAL in mind if I get the chance!
Back in 1994 for our honeymoon we took our very first cruise to Alaska on the very old Rotterdam. It was built in 1959. They finally retired the Rotterdam in 1997. It's now a hotel ship sitting in the Netherlands. Great for nostalgia. It was nice but very small, sitting at only 38,000 tons. A small ship by today's standards are around 80,000 tons with most ships sitting around 120,000 tons and very large Oasis class ships at around 225,000 tons. Smaller ships mean more motion when hitting the waves. We met lots of older people who only cruised the old Rotterdam. One older lady said it was like a time capsule for her and would never cruise on anything else. It was so old that tug boats were used to pull the ship away from the dock. The ship was like a ghost town after 9:00 pm and most of the bars were closed.
You're right about being among the youngest on the ship. Everyone was either bald or grey. lol. It was on our 3rd day we found a bar at the top of the ship that was full of about a dozen other young partiers around the same age. We were 28. We had a great time. We've never cruised with HAL since our honeymoon back in 1994. We wanted more of a party ship so ended up taking several Carnival cruises in our younger years. Now that we're a bit older we have slowed down, but not enough that we go to bed at 9:00 pm. So it's been pretty much Celebrity for our last few cruises.
I find Celebrity is a great mix. Not too many kids and everything doesn't close down after 9:00 or 10:00 pm. We are looking at another cruise for September and after seeing this video we might reconsider cruising with HAL again but it would need to be with one of their newest ships. BTW, No worries with Celebrity's very strong WIFI.
We also took a 12 day Caribbean cruise this past December that sailed at 60% capacity. The extra elbow room was great.
This was our (my mom’s and I) experience on Regent. We were some of the youngest but we had an unforgettable time. My mom found the weakest point was ports that were accessible to people with limited mobility. My thought on weakest point was not enough time at certain ports or not enough selection at certain restaurants. (I could eat at the steakhouse and lido 7 days a week. I really couldn’t eat much at the French restaurant, Italian restaurant, and nothing at the Asian fusion.)
@@Redneckboy991 you might also take a look at Royal Caribbean, the Oasis class is what we really enjoy. We are in our 60’s but I still like to zip line and do escape rooms and laser tag, my hubby prefers sitting by the pool with a drink. RC has lots of restaurants and bars, really good theater like productions and lots of things to do on the ship while also having areas that very good for relaxing. They are a bit more expensive than Carnival but we prefer them. It’s not all old people there are plenty of younger families and kids. They provide lots for the kids to do also so they aren’t just hanging around bored.
Whichever you choose have a great cruise the next time you go!!
@@danasandoval624 That's awesome getting on the zip-line. Not many people even in their 50's would do that. What a great idea for a cruise ship. We've done a few escape rooms in our own city. My wife loves that kind of thing.
Yesterday we booked a 10 day cruise to Alaska on the Majestic Princess for September. We were looking at other cruise lines, but this one came up at such a steal we decided to go for a suite. My only fear is that my wife will not want to go back to a typical balcony cabin 😉. We have cruised all lines except Princess. So after watching a couple of videos on the Majestic, we're quite excited about this ship.
Our last cruise with RC was in 2011 on Majesty of the Seas. It was only a 4 day cruise because we had an Orlando trip planned to hit Disney and Universal Studios. I guess the ship has been sold and is no longer part of the RC fleet. It was a bit small, but we loved it. Our kids really enjoyed the rock climbing wall. We've always wanted to go back to Coco Cay in the Caribbean so another RC is definitely in our future. Although I like some cruise lines over others, I'm a cheap guy and my wallet wins out every time, lol. We'll take a more expensive cruise if it includes an onboard credit that can be used towards excursions. We're not quite retired yet and still manage 1-2 cruises a year and of course a yearly Vegas trip. We're hoping to do at least 3 cruises a year once we retire in 3 or 4 years.
@@Redneckboy991 It’s funny when I was younger I loved just going to the beach or pool and hanging out all day, now I still like to do that maybe for one day but the other days I like to zip line or parasail or hang glide, snorkel, etc something more adventurous. My husband thinks I am a bit goofy since I seem to be going in reverse as far as wanting to do more active things. I always tell him he can just watch and take photos but there he is right along beside me complaining and laughing and having a great time!
Whenever there is a senior citizen discount I will take advantage of it but don’t tell my mind we are getting older because it would argue with you!
Your upcoming cruise sounds great. Our next one is in May on Symphony of the Sea for 7 days, I’m having cruise withdrawal and zip line cravings!!😄
I went on my first cruise at 40 and chose Holland America. I went with a friend who has gone on many cruises on different lines and was in his 60s at the time. I told him that I wanted a quiet cruise with as few kids as possible and that’s what I got. You are very spot on about the destinations being the highlight. We’ve gone on a cruise every year up until 2019 and it’s been with Holland America. I have never been bored because I bring my own music in case I don’t care for what they have. I like the pools and hot tubs and always find an excursion that I enjoy. Their pricing is reasonable imo, but we usually put the tips down to $5 per day and tip the room stewards significantly higher since they take very good care of us. I know cruise ships are known for quality service and I don’t have any other to compare it to, but the staff on Holland American is outstanding. I do wish that they would bring back a solo guitarist that sang differs music in the Crow’s Nest. Thank you for what you do. I am enjoying you videos and will be going on a Viking Rhine River cruise in November.
Holland America is consistently my favorite cruise experience.
I sailed HAL 5 times in the 90s. Once we had kids, we switched to more family-friendly cruise lines. Now that I'm in my 50s, I will go back to HAL. When I want a sunny, quiet, relaxing vacation, I love the sophisticated elegance of HAL.
I absolutely love Hal. I am 41 now and started cruising on Hal ships by myself much of the time when I was 29. What can I say, Hal is my vibe. I love a classic and elegant style cruise ship, excellent food, entertaining but not over the top.
We are the same! I started cruising HAL in my 30s, now approaching my 50's and I love love love the quiet elegance of the ships. I'll be loyal to HAL forever! The line attracts an intelligent, well-behaved crowd.
We just returned last Sunday from the Koningsdam Mexican Riviera cruise. It was our third cruise with HAL, and also our third cruise on the Koningsdam. It was a nice, laid back cruise for us. The passenger count was way down, I’m sure due to continued fear of the pandemic and the restrictions and hoops one has to jump through caused by it.
That said, as “seasoned” Koningsdam cruisers, we thoroughly enjoyed the different atmosphere resulting from the uncrowned public areas and extra attention and pampering provided by the staff.
We plan to cruise with HAL again,
Was on that trip. It was wonderful!
Very well-presented and fair. I was fortunate to work aboard their ships as entertainer, and Asst Cruise Director, from 1985 through 1989. It was a wonderful time to serve on those ships. Now an old guy, I'm hesitant to criticize the newer generation. But in recent cruises on HAL (and most cruise lines) it is very apparent that today's cruise staff would have a hard time measuring up to those I worked with in the 80s. I would imagine part of it was that there were less ships and so the companys could be more selective in who was brought aboard. It was very competitive. And we were all expected to entertain, dance, socialize, in addition to running activitys. In addition, cruises were still (relatively) more expensive and we did not draw passengers from as wide and diverse groups as today. Finally, while the main restaurant dinners are still quite good, the buffets then were near-unbelievable. The spreads were huge and sumptuous. Even in the Caribbean, the Wednesday night Chocolate Buffet was like walking into a large Fanny Mae store! The Dutch Know their chocolate and it was amazing!
I'm going out on the Konigsdam next week. Was on Nieuw Amsterdam in December. I booked because of the music row. I haven't yet gotten to the showroom on my last 3 Holland America cruises because I don't want to miss anything on music row.
We are in our early 50's and LOVE the sedate scene on HAL. The food is decent, the music is fabulous, and the lack of drunk 20 - 30 year olds and screaming children is just what we want from vacation. The private cabana area is our favorite and worth every penny!
We love lots of things about HAL, we are probably considered older 68 & 72. The party ships have never been what we enjoy and we don't need or want roller coasters or zip lines etc on a ship. We both love the music venues, eclectic and fabulous, the shows, educational talks and their Tamarind and Rudy's sel de mer specialty restaurants on their newer pinnacle ships have some of the best food at sea. Their destinations are another reason we love them. Some of our best cruises have been on this line.
I love tea time on Holland America and breakfast in the room. “At sea” days are my favourite. Strolling along the deck, watching changing weather patterns, and quietly reading are lovely
After cruising with Royal (twice), Cunard and Princess we just finished a cruise with Holland America. I have to say it is by far the best cruise line we have ever cruised with. The attention to their guests is unprecedented. The food was great, the ship was clean and their employees were some of the best I have ever encountered on vacation. I'm not sure I will ever cruise with anyone else again. Princess was very good, also But not at the level of Holland. Cunard was good but a little too high brow and snooty, but Royal is crap, the Kmart of cruises. Our last cruise with them was to the southern Caribbean. They pushed the alcohol packages and the party atmosphere so much there were people getting in fights in common areas. I would avoid that cruise line at all costs.
We are early '60s and very active.
He had a lot of trouble with Royal Caribbean's customer service. We never got refunds promised, & they denied sales that were on their own websites!
I’ve found Holland America and Celebrity comparable. But I think Celebrity has become too WOKE recently for my taste so I’m not going to sail with them anymore. I also prefer sailing on smaller ships so perhaps Oceania might be my next one to try.
Woke? What on earth does that mean? Silly@@alanmiller9681
Going on my first-ever cruise in June - on HAL's Eurodam to Alaska - based largely on advice from Gary's videos. Can't wait to try it out!
The first cruise is always the best. You have nothing else to compare it to. Have fun!!! You won't be disappointed.
You will love it, I’m pretty sure.
Have a wonderful time. My daughter and I are HAL cruisers but we have our first Alaska cruise booked for June also on the Eurodam. Can’t wait.
My first ever cruise was Eurodam to Alaska and it was wonderful. Do make sure to try the Tamarind restaurant (and try to get embarkation night as nice discount). Loved it all so much we did a different Alaska itinerary on Oosterdam and scored a phenomenal upgrade deal into a Neptune Suite which spoiled us considerably.
HAL has been my favorite cruise line since my first cruise when I was 35 yrs old. They were generally the first cruise line into new ports - from at least Alaska through to Turkey and the Black Sea.
For a series reason, I haven’t sailed HAL in about 10 yrs; so, maybe I missed the decline you mentioned. Glad to hear that they’ve returned to the quality experience it has always been.
My husband and I have been on four HAL cruises and have another booked for later this summer to Alaska. We're both in our early 60s, so we fall in the "mature" demographic that Holland America is known for. I love that it feels like the "classic" cruise experience. So many of the newer mega-ships seem like theme parks at sea. As for the food, we've never had a bad meal on HAL, from the buffet to the specialty restaurants (And I am in complete agreement with you about Tamarind - it's wonderful).
We love HAL, we are in our mid 60’s. Have been cruising for the last 15 years. We love the quality of food, the people, the entertainment. Both of us have food allergies, the crew takes great effort to accommodate us. We so appreciate this, we can eat in the dining room with confidence that we will not have a food reaction. This is a game changer for us.
I had such a fabulous time on my Holland American cruise to Alasaka. I traveled solo, but met so many lovely couples and singles that included me for meals. The land tours were great. I too enjoy a smaller ship and a slower pace. And the TEA was so special.
I just did a travel advisor appreciation cruise on the Rotterdam, and WOW, I was blown away. The ship, the entertainment, and the food were all phenomenal. They made a believer out of me, and I am sailing them again on a vacation in 2 weeks!
My wife and I are retired and we really enjoyed our cruises with Holland America. There were things to do or you could simply relax. The ports we visited were wonderful and we took advantage of the land tours every port that we went to. The food was great the people we met were interesting and the cruising is excellent. Holland America is our line of choice!
How can you relax when every public space in the ship has really bad elevator music coming through the loud speakers 24/7? The only place they’re not blaring crappy music is ironically in the elevators, in your room, or on the promenade.
I like the idea of a laid back cruise that isn't high energy and is good for introverts who may meet a few people they become friends with at most. This line sounds like it's perfect for that. I'd probably bring my laptop or my switch and play some games to pass the time, and go to the events that I find interesting.
I adore HAL. I’ve been cruising since 1978 and my Eurodam cruise to Alaska was the best cruise I’ve been on. The live music was amazing. The food was overall better than the other major lines. The only negative for me was the atrocious coffee in the Explorations lounge.
Thank you so much for your comments. We only cruise Holland America and Royal Caribbean AND you are spot on about the destination being the reason to choose HAL. We are going to the Baltics, European cities, Greece, Norway and Iceland this summer. Love HAL destinations.
Spot on. I am 53 and love cruising HAL. I cruised Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico last year and the food seems to be better and presentation improved from my last cruise on the Veendam in 2019. I appreciate the low key atmosphere and fewer kids allowed me to really enjoy the quiet Lido pool.
I've been on 5 HAL cruises and I love the sophisticated atmosphere. I love people dress in a lovely manner and uphold the dress codes. My father immigrated on the Nieuw Amersterdam 1 in 1921. There was a photo of the ship on display on my NA 5 cruise and I told the guest service desk. They sent me a special gift to honor that, how sweet! I was 55 then. I plan to go on my 75th .
I love this!
I LOVE the gallery of historic Holland America ships! Wow, that’s so fantastic you found the photo of the old Nieuw Amsterdam!!! Very cool.
@@jamoncure Yes the gallery of ships was cool. I was staring at NA 1 ship and imagining my father walking the deck.
Up hold the dress codes lol!
I see many people turned away
For shorts t shirts ect!
I was one of the only people that new how to make a tie!
Lot of people cleaning their teeth with their nails at the table. I was under the assumption that older people
We're more refined we only book neptune suites now it isolates
From the rowers!
My son is a Sommelier on the Nieuw Statendam and you missed something Gary. Each cruise the beverage team do unique themed wine tastings often related to where they are traveling. I’ll tell you that these are one of my sons favorite parts of the job as these are audience participation events! They are costed to be accessible (inexpensive) and to highlight premium wines. The team puts a lot of effort into each one. A great way to spend a sea day.
I am a traditionalist and also 62. I like music, food and a more laid back cruise. HAL is my go to Cruise Line.
One of the most content rich vlogs out there. Really appreciate the focused and detailed insights.
Great story! We cruised on the Zuiderdam in 2019 to Norway, Iceland and Scotland for 14 days in July. We recognized that, at our mid-60's we were on the younger side of the crowd but we attributed that to the itinerary rather than the cruise line. We had a wonderful time. Food was very good, service was great and they offered an unlimited laundry service for $100 a cabin which I found to be a GREAT service. I would not hesitate to travel on Holland America again. The fact that things have improved makes that even more certain! Thanks for the review.
I went on a cruise with my mom while I was in my late 20's... I had a blast!!! Granted most people were thinking I worked on the ship 😂... But I had so much fun!!!
The food in the Main Dining Room has always been superb in my opinion. We miss the smaller ships like the Statendam and Zaandam, but our next cruise is aboard the Rotterdam. The Verandah cabins have never disappointed us. We have not been to the B.B. King Lounge but Billboard On Board has always kept us entertained and is usually near the casino.
We appreciate the mature crowd and especially the destination. The "Dam" ships never disappoint.
The one downside, is the internet has always been slow. We use the internet on the final cruise day to check in for our flight home. Unfortunately the internet has always been lackluster. Otherwise we love the "Dam" ships. Rotterdam here we come!
When we were on the Rotterdam and they still had the classical quartet, we couldn’t enjoy it because they allowed smoking in the casino and it wafted down into the Lincoln center room. I used to smoke and I’m not bothered by a little cigarette smoke, but even I couldn’t bear it.
we just got home from our 5th cruise with HAL (Ft Lauderdale to Rome - 3 weeks). We're still finding things we love about it. Did several nights at the Trivia group & the Lincoln Center music. Even hubby liked it & he's not into music. What I like most are the international travelers we meet. 2016 South America cruise met 1 USA couple but a lot of Aussies & those from the UK. The stories they tell about their cruises are so entertaining.
We have cruised on ships all over the world and like HAL the best. We are in our early 50s and enjoy the sophistication HAL brings. The smaller ships, the food, entertainment, and the more exotic ports of call are what brings us to a 50 day HAL cruise this year and a 75 day cruise next year.
I cruised HAL at 40. I enjoyed it. It felt very "refined". I like kicking it with senior citizens. They know how to live.
Tea time was my go to event.
The late night music and dancing at B.B. Kings was amazing.
I liked the computer classes and learned something despite being advanced with computers.
I loved the cooking classes and the discussions about the ports.
The shows were entertaining.
The early evening orchestra was good and had special themes.
I was not happy with the television options, but that just meant we stayed out of the room.
Was on the zuiderdam in feb 2020 just before everything closed down, went to Panama Canal, great ports. Shows fair, enjoyed Lincoln center and piano bars. Older crowd I was in late 60’s and still younger lol but I enjoyed it. I love celebrity so usually go between both lines depends on itinerary
My wife and I have cruised several times on HAL. We have always had a positive experience even when sailing on their older and smaller ships. We are a laid back couple but enjoy good service. If we take our kids and grandkids we sail Disney. If you want to party non stop pick Carnival the Walmart of cruising.
I'm 44 and Holland America has been my favorite for the last 10 years. Its quiet, great live music, great food.
Have done 4 HA cruises and 3 Royal Caribbean cruises and 2 Princess Cruises...and one Carnival cruise. HA is by far my favorite. You stated it well--more refined and sophisticated with emphasis on learning and culture as opposed to drinking and raising hell.
Thank you for your videos! As a result of this video my wife,73 and I,77 have booked a cruise on HAL Eurodam Panama Canal cruise January 2023. You have answered many of my questions before I even asked for them. You are very knowledgeable and erudite.
I cruised with Holland America to Alaska 2 weeks ago. We had the best time. It was relaxing and educational and very service oriented cruise. We had fun doing some of the activities and it was just our style. We loved it!
We might have been on that same cruise! You are right, it was wonderful!
We have been cruising for quite a while. The best production show I ever saw on a cruise ship was on a Holland America ship. Also HAL has fantastic service and food. The many and varied music venues around the ship were wonderful, including but not limited to the chamber music events.
The chamber music has been canceled.
LOVE HAL… we’ve tried others and enjoy the classy no drunk college student atmosphere!! The food and staff are superb!!!
I travel exclusively with Holland America and have always been very comfortable on their ships. It's a good way to see the world.
Thank you for that. We’ve never cruised with Holland America but you have peaked my interest. We have fallen out of love with Royal Caribbean who seem to be going for giant floating theme parks now. We do like Princess and now I think we’d like to try Holland America. ❤️
I'm a destination-focussed cruiser and a dedicated Holland America traveller, so it's good to hear that they have used the last two years of downtime to up their game in the key areas you mention. BTW, I'm also a big fan of the Tamarind's Asian Fusion offerings!
We tried Numi Sushi in Tamarinds. It was excellent, so we had it twice. Very unique and fresh.
Thanx for the review Gary. I am cruising with HAL for the first time this September for Alaska. You have me very excited!
We are on the Rotterdam this week in the Caribbean. Food is good. Had a great Lunch yesterday at the Pinnacle Grill. Today we went on a morning Holland whale watching excursion. Saw 2 female humpback whales and their 2 baby whales. The whale expert tour guide made all the difference in getting a quality excursion experience. Also the Internet was operating well.even when not in ports.
All this just makes me all the more eager for my next Holland America cruise!
Last Holland America cruise was dec 11, 2021. Evening shows were all “techs” and hard to describe. Phenomenal.. a must see!
thank you for this video as well as all your great advice. We are 40 and just got off our first cruise ever on Holland and we loved it. We are already trying to book our second cruse before next June. rank you again we love your channel
We loved our Alaskan Cruise with HAL! I would definitely cruise with them again.
HA is my favorite cruise line , good service ,nice relaxed atmosphere and classy ...
I love Holland America, I went on 2 Alaska cruises and 1 Mediterranean cruise. No plastic pool tables and places to sit by yourself without crowded walkways.
My 18 year old granddaughter and her best friend loved it! They got loads of attention and special experiences planned by the cruise director for older teens. (They felt like movie stars!)
Dance classes with the girls was loads of fun!
The art is lovely!
Get action off ship if you want that, especially on an Alaska Cruise. Walk, climb, go to a glacier!
You really gave a fair review of HAL. We enjoy this line, because we don't enjoy being on a "party ship. There are definitely cruse lines that cater to those wanting belly flop contests, etc. I agree with you on the Afternoon Tea. One of my favorite things about HAL.
My wife and I are in our late 50's and started cruising about 5 years ago after doing the resort thing for many years. We chose HA for all the reasons that many other senior/near seniors have stated. We are well past the staying up till 2AM drinking and partying and screaming kids is just not our thing during vacation. We find everything about HA cruising to be a little more sophisticated and thoroughly enjoy the sit down dining. We love the stage shows and never miss the duellng pianos. There are always lots of menu selections and the meal preparation and presentation are outstanding. Rooms are spacious and very tastefully decorated. Beds are very comfy and the room stewart takes care of every need. My parents and older sister have been cruising since the 80's and have cruised on pretty much every major cruise line. they joined us on our inaugural cruise 5 years ago and now only cruise on HA. This Fall we are celebrating our 40th anniversary and are taking a 50 day cruise of the South Pacific.
Just got off a HAL cruise up the Inner Channel of Alaska on the Koningsdam. I had nothing to complain about, and very much enjoyed my time aboard the ship. I ate good food, enjoyed the on-board programming, and a spa day. Definitely did notice that many of the passengers were older than I was (26), but that wasn’t a negative. Very much enjoyed the relaxed, calmer atmosphere. I was worried that we’d be in for the louder, wilder, party-going mood I’d seen on commercials for other liners.
Interestingly, you brought up the music. My siblings and I are classically trained musicians (my younger siblings attend Juilliard and Manis in NYC), so we definitely didn’t find the chamber orchestra, ballets and dance boring! We actually hung out with the chamber musicians after their last performance of the day.
Fabulous! You were in the same ports then in a few days as I was!! I was on Majestic Princess !
I just got off the kongingsdam two days ago as a working crew member and they way they treat their staff is horrible, I was starved, over worked and severely underpaid, they did not abide by my contract, super unorganized. I was lied to in my interview as to what the job would be like, not even close to what the lady said in my interview.
Im under 40 but really enjoyed Holland my last few cruises because of its more laid back atmosphere. I definitely felt like i was one of the younger crowd on board.
Sometimes it’s nicer to have a slower paced cruise. We haven’t sailed with Holland yet but would like to sometime soon.
I have cruised with HAL since I was 29 years old, and I love it! I've since gone on Princess and Carnival too, but I'm now a diehard HAL cruiser, along with my extended family (my mom has over 350 days at sea with them!). I can't wait for our next one this Christmas - nine of us together for nine days 💗.
I just booked my first ever cruise on HA before I saw this video. And I'm glad that I'm going with HA. As a single "older" traveler, I feel extremely comfortable now that I chose the right line for myself and my interests. I'm very excited about my cruise. You've convinced me that I'll enjoy my time aboard.
Great to hear!! I am sure you will have a great time
I have been on 8 Holland America cruises. I tried a couple of other lines but went back to Holland America. I love them for cruising. When my children were young, I took them too. My next Holland America cruise is April 2023. Love being a Mariner and all the perks that come with it.
Everything you said in the video are the main reasons why I love Holland America. I see everything as a plus! I’m 39.
Thank you Gary! I went on my first every Carnival cruise last week and while it was okay, my preferred cruise lines are Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.
But I just want a BIG change and told my travel agent that Holland America might be it. I am a single male in my late 60’s who loves to travel alone.
I’m 27 years old and I cruise exclusively with Holland America. I’m a 3 star mariner and have done most of the Caribbean cruises they offer. I have one complaint since the first cruise I took with HAL and that’s that the hot tubs close too early. I like to do the late dining so I have time after the port to rest and clean up before dinner, so I miss out on going to the hot tub. It would be really nice to be able to go out at night and enjoy the hot tub after dinner. Unfortunately since COVID I’ve had some more complaints.
1. The entertainment. The music walk is GREAT! But what happened to the world stage? They use to have such great shows like comedians, magicians, even ex olympians. Now it’s just a dance crew most nights dancing to the Beatles. I enjoy dancers once or twice a cruise, but it’s almost every night now.
2) while the food is excellent, they don’t offer lobster free of charge anymore on a gala night! I use to love dressing up and eating lobster, but now it’s an additional charge. Even on the pinnacle grill they have an additional up charge for king crab!
Besides these complaints though I absolutely love Hal. I keep wanting to try some of the smaller ships, but hal is so much cheaper, has such good food, and I always have a good time I just end up always going back to hal.
My most favorite cruise line. I like the quiet, quality and peaceful trip. I don't need the crazy drunk party folks I have had to deal with on other lines.
Just back from Alaska on the Noordam. Only our second cruise, the first being to the Mediterranean on the Cunard Queen Victoria. Party of three 70 year olds. Had a great holiday. Wonderful service and large comfortable suite. Not everyone wants flumes and zip slides. To cater for a certain demographic is not a failing. It’s an advantage. I thought your review was very accurate and balanced. ☺️
SO sorry to hear that they are starting to cater more to families. I’m a grandma. Been there done that. Much prefer adult experience.
Gary, a thank you for ALL of your videos(we are subscribers) but especially for your well-informed insights. Because of your content, we finally decided to take a step up, dollar-wise, from Princess for our TA back to the US after coming over on a TA in April with Princess. Your descriptions of the Music Walk, the explorations lounge and enrichment talks gave us the confidence to go slightly higher in price for the experience. And to not book Princess even though we just reached Elite. We leave on the Rotterdam In October and are very excited for the Holland experience.
We've always thoroughly enjoyed HAL because it's not a party ship filled with 20 and 30-somethings and their kids. It's a generally sedate experience geared toward people who want to relax in a comfortable, friendly floating hotel while hopping between interesting, cultural-focused destinations. The service is very good and, as you say, the food quality/experience has improved quite a lot, in my opinion.
My first cruise is HAL many year ago. The foods are very impressive.
Those crews was very friendly, asking me many times to join "Dancing with The Stars".
Finally, I joined, I got the 2nd place in the competition.
I still telling friends my trip, I enjoyed that voyage very much.
Going for Bermuda with HAL was a big benefit.
Thanks for the great piece about what has changed on Holland America.
I was especially interested in the info on Rudi and his input with tne culinary panel, and how they have transformed the menu and quality across all venues.
This makes me want to book with Holland America to see what they have to offer.
We enjoyed our dining experience at Rudi's Sea Grill on Carnival Mardi Gras last August, so I'm excited to see what he has to offer on a Pinnacle class ship!
When we went on a carnival cruise 🚢 ,was not the best ,but the people we met and set with everyday made is very memorable. We had fun time because who we enjoyed their company,dinners were good too.. Whenever I think of that cruise , I only think of the beautiful families we met .
Great review! My wife and I went on the Zuiderdam probably 20 years ago and loved it. Since then, we have pretty much stuck to Carnival and Royal Caribbean. After seeing this, Im really wanting to travel HA again!
My favorite cruise line! I love that it is a more mature demographic, and the excursions are fabulous ❤
Now I'm even more excited about my upcoming cruise! Thank you for this!
I love Holland America cruises!! I enjoy the wine tasting and bartending classes, also I love the games and the variety of music and shows. Canaletto is a great Italian restaurant with shared plates and a fun atmosphere. The sommeliers are always so helpful with my choices of wine with my meals, too!
The Music Walk on the Nieuw Statendam was fantastic. It made my vacation.
Just returned from my second Holland Cruise within 4 months. Both were on The Koningsdam. My first cruise experiences were on Carnival. Its like the difference between a 5 star hotel vs Motel 6. The crew,the food,the spa, and the entertainment all all top notch.
Holland sounds like a nice cruise line that would suit my husband and I well. I’m learning so much about cruising on this channel, thank you!
Thank you Gary for the video. I am a Holland America loyalist, I enjoy destination cruising and longer sailings, longer than a week. If there is one area of concern for me, is that the ship life closes down early; with restaurants and bars closing before I am ready to call it a night. I frequently find myself mostly alone, or with the entertainers relaxing after their shows. Thank you again for reviewing this often overlooked line (as far as the internet is concerned).
THIS x10 I would LOVE a late night dining option even a like a Diner with comfort foods and Coffee/soft drinks.