Holland America Cruise...

[Toulou]

Does anyone have any experience on Holland America cruises? I am contemplating going on the 42-day Volendam, the ultimate mediterranean & atlantic passage. It sounds exceptional BUT...excursions are not available on many, is it because it is too soon?? What is it like? Me, always take DCL except in 2011...caution to the wind lol. This is different...any advise, suggestions, would you do this?? Thanks!

 

[soniam]

Wow! So jealous. Don’t know anything about HAL, but have an amazing cruise!

 

[hrhdhd]

I am a 3-Star Mariner on HAL (see cruises in signature). It was my first cruise line, but I haven't cruised HAL in 10 years. Being slightly bored and underwhelmed with Celebrity, my recent cruise crush, I've booked a HAL cruise on the Nieuw Statendam for December.

People will be along in a while to tell you that only old people cruise HAL. I'd argue that generally only older people can take a 42-day cruise, so that's to be expected. I was in my 30's when I took my first HAL cruise, and the age of the passengers didn't bother me. There are happy and rude passengers of all ages.

Anyway, if it's a cruise that works for you, I wouldn't hesitate to take it. The Volendam is an older ship, but small and easily navigated. As far as excursions, they will populate as the cruise approaches. You could also join the Roll Call on Cruise Critic, where I imagine your fellow passengers will be arranging private tours you could join.

 

[lklgoodman]

I haven't been on HAL, so don't know what they are like. We have done 8 DCL cruises and and did a NCL cruise earlier this summer. Before going on the NCL cruise I had planned on booking 2 more NCL cruises. I'm glad I didn't book them because we didn't care for NCL. 42 days is a long time, it'd be horrible if you didn't like the ship/cruise. I would try to book another cruise on the same ship beforehand to see if I liked it. You don't say when the cruise is. If it's over a year away then it's probably too early to see excursions.

 

[tvguy]

We've done two HAL cruises, both to Alaska. Our kids were 11 and 15 on the first one and at least on the Alaskan cruises, both of which were in June, the ship was packed with kids.
I suspect a 42 cruise on any line is going to have few school aged children. HAL is a great cruise line with service and food similar to Disney, maybe a notch higher.
You don't say when this cruise is, so can't say if it's too early to book excursions.

 

[Ryah'sBobba]

Does anyone have any experience on Holland America cruises? I am contemplating going on the 42-day Volendam, the ultimate mediterranean & atlantic passage. It sounds exceptional BUT...excursions are not available on many, is it because it is too soon?? What is it like? Me, always take DCL except in 2011...caution to the wind lol. This is different...any advise, suggestions, would you do this?? Thanks!

I sailed the Volendam to Alaska in 2012. NEVER AGAIN! Had to walk through casinos, heavy cigarette smoke, and pushy jewelry salespeople standing outside the entrances to their shops in order to get anywhere around the ship. Ship was in poor condition - lots of rust around the window porthole in our stateroom. One and only cruise I did other than Disney and I thoroughly regretted doing so! Only redeeming factor was the fantastic scenery...

 

[tvguy]

I sailed the Volendam to Alaska in 2012. NEVER AGAIN! Had to walk through casinos, heavy cigarette smoke, and pushy jewelry salespeople standing outside the entrances to their shops in order to get anywhere around the ship. Ship was in poor condition - lots of rust around the window porthole in our stateroom. One and only cruise I did other than Disney and I thoroughly regretted doing so! Only redeeming factor was the fantastic scenery...

Yup, Disney basically stands alone in not having a casino, and smoking is allowed in most cruise ship casinos. We were able to avoid the casinos on our non-Disney cruise.

 

[hrhdhd]

Here is the page with HAL's smoking policy.

https://hollandamerica.cruiselines.com/smoking_policies.cfm

 

[Toulou]

Sorry, the cruise will depart in Nov 2024. The legnth of the cruise is certainly a concern. It will be quite a decision for us. Thanks for your opinions.

 

[Toulou]

Here is the page with HAL's smoking policy.

https://hollandamerica.cruiselines.com/smoking_policies.cfm

Thanks. I don't smoke but it seems like they have it under control...the casinos are not for me.

 

[Toulou]

Here is the page with HAL's smoking policy.

https://hollandamerica.cruiselines.com/smoking_policies.cfm

If I may...can you tell me, what is their policy for booking excursions? Is it similar to disney, based on levels or if different, how do they offer excursions?

 

[hrhdhd]

If I may...can you tell me, what is their policy for booking excursions? Is it similar to disney, based on levels or if different, how do they offer excursions?

I pulled up my booking and clicked on "Shore Excursions." I am able to download a brochure, or I can page through each port day and look at the offerings. Here are a couple of excursions for San Juan, PR, just to give you a glimpse.

Keep an eye on the website--I booked my cruise with only a $25 deposit, and since they've offered a $1 deposit. That way, you could book in order to see excursions when they pop up, which should be before final payment. (My final payment is in Sept., the cruise is in Dec., and I can see excursions now.)

 

[cvjw]

My sister, brother in law and 13 year old niece just sailed HAL in Alaska. They have previously only sailed DCL. They loved HAL. Said there were only old people on the ship and the food was delicious. They were in a suite that they booked a few months out.

 

[KPeterso]

I have a friend that loves HAL. She looks down on every other cruise line. She thinks they are simply the best. She is all about the ship though and often never gets off it on a week cruise. She follows some passengers/bloggers who do the worldwide cruises and looks to do one of those when she retires I believe.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I am not sure about the Volendam, but we sailed on the Koningsdam and really, really enjoyed it. HAL is a bit more formal than other lines, one of our friends showed up to dinner in shorts and was asked to go change. Yes, crowd may skew older but of course with a 42 day cruise, that's bound to be the case... we were on Princess once on a 3 day repositioning from LA, and it was filled with older people, because they had just come from a 28 day cruise from Australia/transpacific.

There were lots of things I really liked about HAL. I loved the afternoon tea they have on sea days, felt very elegant. I really appreciated the retractable roof on the pool deck - I think this is on all their ships. There was a great cafe on Deck 3 or so that was perfect for a lazy afternoon snack. The buffet food is served by staff, which I love. I did not find the casino to be terribly smoky and you did not have to walk through it, though I don't know if the Volendam is different. The food was very good, but service in the MDR was quite slow. Overall, excellent experience, and I like that their ships are smaller, the K'dam was like the Magic/Wonder, and the Volendam may even be smaller than that.

I forgot to add, also really loved the crows nest/exploration lounge - it was great in Alaska when temps were chilly on deck.

 

[auntlynne]

(No experience on HAL, but have been looking into them.)

That looks so fun.

My initial take is ship’s shore excursions may not matter. But definitely it would for Morocco, Israel, Tunisia (my opinion). Safety. Unless they have not visited a specific port, I would expect them to have some good offerings available. And, yes, private bookings could fill in where ship’s excursions are slim. Viator and TripAdvisor are useful advice (same ownership).

(We visited Tunisia on a Disney cruise. Took a long drive to Dougga, a UNESCO archaeological site - would recommend if you enjoy this stuff. I have photos…)

My memory is that average age in HAL is only 6-7 years older than the industry average. But does it even matter - if you are not shopping for a life partner.

I expect most long, unique, sailings to be in older vessels. It comes down to what you think cruising is for you. Nightly entertainment? (My research on HAL is they are heavy into music as entertainment.). I can’t imagine 42 days on any cruise is going to offer a variety of food that wows me. Eventually you can fall into a pattern where you just eat reasonably without having to try everything.

I would definitely check out Cruise Critic for the ports.

Watch some videos to ”see” the ship.

If you are a big fan or Royal or Carnival, I would question this as a choice.

I have mostly sailed Disney. I would probably pick Princess as second choice. Tried Royal, NCL, Carnival, and MSC. Can’t say I regret any cruise I have taken. Been toying with idea of HAL or Celebrity. Can’t afford Viking, but would love to. Every cruise has some aspect that isn’t my favorite (smoke, loud music / party vibe, or food come to mind). But I have a lot of great memories.

My worst cruise memory is actually on Disney - uncomfortable bedding as 2nd guest in Concierge. Good thing it was just 3 nights!