Trying another cruise line

[my3kids]

We're going on Holland America next trip. The route pretty much follows Disney's western route, so I'll likely see the Magic every day. I asked about western excursions on our own since the ports were the same. I'll research those here because no other boards offer the information everyone here provides. I'll do a side by side comparison upon return.

Any more advice on western tour operators or other things to arange on our own will be appreciated.

 

[wide awake]

We are thinking of trying Holland America next year because we want to do an Alaska Cruise. Will be very interested in your reports. Thanks !!!

 

[my3kids]

I'm really excited about this. The price is lower than we've found for Disney, although since this one is without the children, I don't think my husband even looked at Disney before he booked this.

Has anyone sailed HAL that would offer any tips or observations?

 

[GenieDana]

Did HAL to Alaska several years ago (Statendam).

The ship was elegant and excellent service (no tip policy too!).

Although I've never sailed HAL in the Caribbean or recently, the trip DH and I was very pleasant and romantic. HAL has that "reputation" for class, and perhaps they still live up to it.

 

[tvguy]

We went to Alaska on the Amsterdam in June 2002, and on the Magic on December 2003.
HAL is a class company, just like Disney. I have said before here that HAL is the closest to Disney of the lines I've been on. (NCL, RCCL & Paquet).
I can't comment on the kids programs on either ship, even though my kids went on both cruises. Both times they opted to stay with my wife and I and do "adult" things. Both were really family vacations, time for us to be our kids friends, not mom and dad for a week.
Wait staff was great, especially with the kids on HAL, as with Disney. There were fewer kids on HAL, but still a lot, so access to equipment the kids wanted to use was a bit easier on HAL.
There are two advantages HAL has over Disney.
1) As with most lines, the shows are always after dinner, even late seating, where as Disney has the Late Seating show BEFORE dinner so you have to hurry a bit.

2) And again, as with most lines, HAL uses a more traditional system for disembarking from the ship on the last day. You are asked to meet in a specific public room after breakfast. You get off the ship based on when your flight leaves. We were in the very last group because we had a 2 pm flight, and were off the ship by 8:45 am. On the Magic, with everyone trying to get off the ship at once, it took us until 9:15 to get off, and I heard at the airport that the last group didn't make it ashore until 10am.

 

[KathyTX]

We sailed the Western Caribbean on Holland America's Zuiderdam last June.

Which ship will you be on?

 

[my3kids]

Also the Zuiderdam Western Caribbean! How was it?

 

[nursegardener]

A friend of mine sailed the Zuiderdam a couple of months ago and was very disappointed. This was their 4th HAL cruise and they received a free upgrade, but, on HAL apparently an upgrade can mean just going up a few decks. They had originally booked specific cabins on deck 2, and found out at port they were upgraded to deck 6 (or 7, can't remember which) and the cabin was smaller than the one they originally booked. They were very unhappy. She wrote a long letter to HAL and has had NO response. We were thinking of trying HAL next cruise, but now I'm a little worried. May just stick with Disney.

Has anyone had a similar experience with the Zuiderdam??

 

[my3kids]

My husband also booked specific cabins and the person making the reservation asked him if he would accept an upgrade or if he wanted the room he selected. He opted to not allow an upgrade. The room we're in used to be called a mini suite, but they changed their naming system to letters. I'd equate it to a category 6 on Disney...the convertable bed, sitting area, floor to ceiling verandah doors and the verandah with the clear railing.

 

[KathyTX]

We had a great experience on the Zuiderdam. My DH likes the Zuiderdam much better than the DCL ships, but that may be because we sailed in an S suite for less money than we've ever gotten a DCL category 6 for!

I'll have to dig up my Zuiderdam stuff later... they gave us copies of all the menus. Dining was wonderful- the alternate (premium) dining room was a dream! Impeccable service and wonderful food.

As far as excursions- in Key West, I went up in a biplane. It was great fun, and I look forward to doing that again if I wind up in Key West.

In Grand Cayman, we swam with the Stingrays. Also something I would highly recommend.

I arranged both of these excursions through HAL.

In Cozumel, we just shopped on our own. (Been there, done that too many times.)

 

[bkline]

We also sailed on the Zuiderdam. The food was excellent. They have a terrific Lido buffet with various stations: Pizza an pasta, Oriental, standard buffet stuff, etc. Their alternative restaurant is also very good, but I have to say I like Palo's better. My DS was happy though, because children can go to this alternative restaurant. The children's program is good, but no where near the number of diverse activities or space that Disney offers. The hours are also much shorter than Disney. We are looking to cruise again in 2005 and are waiting to see what Disney will do with the Magic, but if we don't like the itinerary, we will go back on the Zuiderdam. They have an Eastern that visits Tortola and we have been wanting to get there.
Service and food are similar. Holland has more variety.
Disney gets edge on children's program.
Cost goes to Holland. You can get a much larger cabin for less on Holland. If you visit their website, you can see what you could get the cabins for from Holland. Obviously, a travel agent could save you more.
Magic: Hard to compare the Disney magic and characters.