Can anyone compare DCL Magic to HAL Veendam or Maasdam?

[disneymath]

Considering A HAL Eastern Canada (and possible btb Bermuda) itinerary for summer 2017. Ship would be either the Veendam or Maasdam.

The kids (who would be 10 and 8) have only sailed on the Disney Magic once (Iceland 2015). They spent about an hour a day in the club/lab, a bit longer on sea days. They enjoyed the nighttime shows/entertainment.

HAL offers a kids club and activities, but seems to have a reputation for an older crowd, so looking for input from those with kids who may have experienced both lines.

FWIW, the intinerary is very port intensive (with lots of kid friendly excursion options we could book on our own). Just hesitating a bit about what the onboard experience would be like, but HAL seems to be the only option for Eastern Canada cruises that fit the school calendar.

 

[ilovebassets]

We went on he Veendam years ago before having kids and it was a lovely ship. Beautiful dining rooms and a gorgeous library/coffee shop area and a lovely wooden promenade. I think younger kids would definitely be better off on the Magic, but a port intensive cruise with an 8 and 10 year old on the Veendam would probably be just fine.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Considering A HAL Eastern Canada (and possible btb Bermuda) itinerary for summer 2017. Ship would be either the Veendam or Maasdam.

The kids (who would be 10 and 8) have only sailed on the Disney Magic once (Iceland 2015). They spent about an hour a day in the club/lab, a bit longer on sea days. They enjoyed the nighttime shows/entertainment.

HAL offers a kids club and activities, but seems to have a reputation for an older crowd, so looking for input from those with kids who may have experienced both lines.

FWIW, the intinerary is very port intensive (with lots of kid friendly excursion options we could book on our own). Just hesitating a bit about what the onboard experience would be like, but HAL seems to be the only option for Eastern Canada cruises that fit the school calendar.

I agree the Veendam is a fine ship. The one thing that bugged me, however, was there are no midship elevators. Only forward and aft. I didn't notice this when I booked our midship room, so we had more walking then if I'd picked a room closer to either forward or aft.

The shows onboard are not Disney (obviously) and can be hit or miss as to how good they are. When we cruised the Veendam they had an absolutely stupendous show called Encore!, but I don't think it's onboard any longer. The shows are basically more Vegas review-style shows. Very little storyline, but with songs that tend to be related to the same subject matter.

Decor is more sedate (dark woods, etc) than the DCL ships.

I wouldn't hesitate to book the Veendam again. Haven't been on the Maasdam, yet, so can't address that ship.

Multi-deck atrium:


Lido Pool


Showroom

 

[Ofinn]

If its a summer cruise Im sure there wiil be kids and families onboard. I probably woulnt book Hal offseason because its more likely to be an older crowd. Its sounds like a better itenerary than disney and it likely will cost less. Id do it.

 

[disneymath]

If its a summer cruise Im sure there wiil be kids and families onboard. I probably woulnt book Hal offseason because its more likely to be an older crowd. Its sounds like a better itenerary than disney and it likely will cost less. Id do it.

I'm a teacher, so offseason isn't an option, and there really aren't many summer options.

 

[Donna M]

I went on the Maasdam to Eastern Canada a few years ago with my sister and thought the ship was perfect for sightseeing. The best part is the section inside, in the front of the ship where there were comfortable seats to watch the ship heading through the narrow section, I wish I could remember where that was. We didn't bring any kids, so I can't comment there.