First Time on Holland America Line: Pros, Cons & Advice from a Millennial Aged Cruiser
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ค. 2024
- If you're researching cruise lines looking for reviews or advice on which to book, the only thing you may vaguely know about Holland America is that it has a reputation for being a cruise line for old people - but is this fair, or even accurate?
This was my 6th cruise overall and my very first on Holland America - so this video will be about what stood out, both the good and bad, during my first cruise experience with this different brand. My partner and I were a little nervous going into it - as a couple in our late 30s & early 40s, we weren’t sure if this was going to be the best cruise line for where we are in life - but after doing some research, gathering advice from others, and finding an awesome itinerary, we decided to give it a shot to see if it was a good fit for us as elder millennials. I’ll start off the review with what we liked and who we think Holland America is a good fit for, before finishing up with the dislikes and who might want to avoid this line.
The video is divided into chapters, in case you want to skip around:
00:00 - Introduction
00:59 - Likes | Traditional Cruise Experience
02:13 - Likes | Ship Sizes
03:18 - Likes | Long Itineraries
03:55 - Likes | Food
05:08 - Likes | Drinks
06:25 - Likes | Service
07:01 - Likes | Entertainment
11:12 - Likes | Kids
12:23 - Likes | Logistics
15:12 - Dislikes | Demographic of Fellow Passengers
15:55 - Dislikes | Itinerary Structure
17:21 - Dislikes | Food
18:13 - Dislikes | Drinks
19:46 - Dislikes | Entertainment
20:49 - Dislikes | School Holiday Sailings
21:50 - Dislikes | Gym
22:21 - Final Thoughts | Who is Holland America for?
My full ship tour of the Rotterdam video:
• Holland America Line R...
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Seemed a very fair and even-handed review. Very informative. First HAL cruise in two weeks. Very young 67yo's. Hope they listened to your music concerns.
I hope you have a great time! The music really is very enjoyable, just wished for the variety, but I also understand they are going to cater to their primary demographic. Happy cruising and thanks for watching the video!
We're loyal Holland America cruisers. My husband and I are GenXers. This seems to be the demographic they are trying to entice right now because the boomers are getting older. I've noticed more people in our generation love HAL. We're not partiers and want a quiet vacation. We also came of age in the 80s so music is important to us. We're taking our millennial daughter on soon, so we'll see if she likes it.
Also, you can update the beverage package to the elite package and it covers more if you want the more expensive beverages. Beverages that are fully covered don't show up on your bill.
Yes, it makes sense that they would start trying to appeal to the Gen X demographic. We did consider upgrading the beverage package, just to eliminate the annoyance of all the tiny charges, but in the end it wasn’t anywhere near worth it for us, as we don’t order enough drinks per day to make up the cost difference. It is good to note that this is an option though! Curious how your millennial aged daughter will enjoy the experience - I hope your family has a lovely vacation!
You nailed the today HAL experience. Back in the 90's they called it comfortable elegance, and for me the current HAL experience is a calm, comfortable and pleasant experience.
Calm, comfortable and pleasant. That’s exactly it. That’s why I liked it. I want to have fun on vacation of course, but I do like my fun a bit more calmer these days. 😊
Great video! 🤩 One thing I will say about the music, though, is that my friend and I are young Gen Xers who sailed on board Holland America’s Koningsdam this past November, and the musicians at B.B. King’s Blues Club performed both Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” (1995) and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” (2013) (with “radio edit” lyrics, LOL). So, we definitely heard some more recent hit songs than it seems you did during your experience. 🎶🛳️🎶
Nice review, but let's be honest -- you are far more intelligent, and sophisticated than the typical ("me, me, me") Millennial. Well done. Honest, and very perceptive.
Well thanks for the compliments! Glad to hear I came off as reasonably intelligent sounding in this one 🙂
Enjoyed this! I cruised with HAL recently (as a 32 year old) and was really impressed. I was also onboard Rotterdam, and found her to be absolutely beautiful!
The average age was MUCH higher than the cruises I'm used to, but I also genuinely believe that age is just a number - it really didn't bother me in the slightest!
Glad you enjoyed the video and had a great experience with the Rotterdam too! She is a beautiful ship, and I really do appreciate all the history that HAL has behind it. And agreed, age is indeed just a number 😊. HAL is for specific type of cruiser, but I do believe that if you like what the line offers than go for it regardless of your age!
Thank you for the review! very informative! :)
Glad it was helpful!
Truly enjoy HAL ships. Been on 5 so far and we found all great except 1. We did not care for the Zaandam. Did 14 days on her in Feb 2023. The ship is old, the mid ship organ did not work, very few,shops (singular), food was so-so, and entertainment was horrible. The only thing we did enjoy was the crew. Pinnacle Grill, Neptune Lounge and our room stewards were awesome. We did a midship Neptune Suite. Not enough USB and outlets. Tv stopped working every 4 days and had to have the system reset. Thanks for sharing and safe sailings
Oh that sounds frustrating. Unfortunately longer sailings tend to be on the older ships, which of course come with more problems. Surprised to hear the entertainment and food was subpar, would have thought that was something they’d keep consistent across the line. Glad to hear you’ve had mostly positive experiences though!
We took our first HAL cruise when we were in our 30’s/40’s with our 16/17 yr olds. Had an absolute blast and have continued to sail with them since.
That’s awesome! It’s so nice finding a cruise line that works for you. Like having an old friend always waiting on standby whenever you’re ready for some fun time at sea.
Great video. Thanks.
The footage of the docks at Cozumel seemed too familiar. Then I realized we were there the same day sailing on Sky Princess. While looking at the Rotterdam we both agreed what a pretty ship she is.
Small world! I too very much like the aesthetic of the Holland America ships…feels a bit like a step back in time. I haven’t tried Princess yet, they do sail out of my home port so hoping to give them a try at some point soon! Thanks for watching the video and glad you enjoyed!
Thanks for the information! Cruising 1st time on HA in 2025. We are in our 50s, but I know I would like some generational music variety as you mentioned.
exciting! I hope you have a great first sailing - what ship are you on? I think you’ll enjoy the music regardless, it may not skew much into the more recent decades but the musicians truly are top notch.
We have sailed on a couple of HAL cruises and do like the line as a matter fact we’re going to be on the Rotterdam in September. I was born in the 1960s and even I think that the typical passenger skews much older than me. I do wish they would play some music genres not from so far in the past, that being said we really do like, HAL
The Rotterdam is lovely, you’ll have a nice experience. Yeah I’m curious to experience the line outside of school holiday time. I didn’t feel out of place on our sailing, but I’m curious of my opinion would change we had sailed at a different time of year.
The best thing is they don't have six to 7,000 people on the ship biggest ship has only around 2800 to 3,000
Yes, their ships are in that sweet spot - not too big too be overwhelming but large enough to have lots going on.
i first cruised hal with 37, now going again with 38
The staff served you in the buffet even before Covid, most other lines are fully self serve for the food in the buffet.
Yes, I learned that recently - good to know! I made an incorrect assumption on their strategy.
When you not looking at camera while speaking, it maybe better to show pictures/videos of ship. Thanks!
It was my first time attempting something like this - I’m aware it wasn’t perfect 🙃. Always room to improve 😃. Thanks for the comment!
You did great!@@daradventures
@@claudiaapplin3698 thank you! I’m happy with the video for a first attempt, but can definitely improve going forward 😃