Has anyone gone on any Holland America Line cruises?

[SurrealCivic]

My girlfriend and I are planning go on the Western Carribean HAL cruise that goes to Half Moon Cay, Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman, and Costa Maya.

Has anyone been on any HAL cruises? Especailly ones on the Vista line ships? What are you thoughts?

Also, after looking at numerous sites that offer cruises. Cruise222.com is more than half cheaper than all of them, how is this possible?

[maggieofar]

I've been on two - I got it as a free perk for working for them back in the day. Haven't been on the Vista ones though. The Volendam and the Ryndam. Those dam boats.

First cruise I took was 97 and then 2000 - Carribean both times.
The first one we went one my now husband and I stuck out like sore thumbs as everyone but us on the ship was 55+, then I think the company must have changed their marketing strategy because the next one we went on had alot more younger people on it. No kids though.
The food presentation is amazing, the service from the the Philipino/Indonesian staff was bar none, we actually ended up hanging out with them more so than the guests. Rooms are decent - entertainment ok(I'm not a 'show' person)....
the movie selections on my second cruise included 'The Perfect Storm' - lovely.

It's not geared for the Carnival or Norwegian 'funship nightclub party til dawn'' type cruiser.....more mature and subdued but nonetheless - a boat ride is a boat ride and what a hoot.
When I price out cruises I divide the $ by the # of days, then subtract from the daily cost what I usually will spend on a hotel room while I'm on vacation. From the number that's left I determine if it's comparable (or less!!) to what I normally spend on food while on holiday. That's how I figure out if it's a great deal or not.

Bring your own booze if you still can, and don't even look at the overpriced bottles of water in your room. You can order the dining room menu from your room and get it as room service so that you don't have to bother with the whole dining room experience if you're not into that - although it can take a while. Don't bother with the ship's offered shore excursions, you can usually arrange exact same things for alot less $$ if you make your own arrangements.
HTH
Cheers,
Mags

[HighFlyer]

I was on a HAL cruise a couple years ago, and yes, it appeared that they were trying to cater to a more younger audience. But even then, it still attracted a more mature crowd. There was not much left to do after 10PM. The nightclub was full of staff every night, which, I guess to make it look lively. Most, if not all of the entertainment, was geared towards the 50's, 60's, 70's crowd. I agree with the previous poster about the great dining room service. Even the cabins were serviced quite well. But still, I don't see myself itching to go on another HAL cruise. Not because it's a bad cruiseline.... probably because I prefer the Princess cruising experience more.

[girlstar]

My friend is 20 and she's on a HAL cruise right now and she's a seasoned cruiser having been on like 20 cruises. Her and her family love HAL and have been on Princess (enjoy that too), RCI and Carnival.

She says there's nothing going on onboard after 8 as all the old people are sleeping lol. But she loves their food and service.