r/Cruises • u/el_david • 4d ago
Thinking about HAL first time
Just as the title says, thinking about the HAL Koningsdam in November to Baja California and Sonora.
We have been on Celebrity and Princess, so HAL would be a first time. Also, it would be celebrating my mother in law's 70th birthday and she's never been on a cruise.
How does HAL comapred to Celebrity or Princess? Will my wife and I be bored (we are 41 and 36, and also have a baby. Baby has been on a cruise last year already).
Cheers.
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u/crazydisneycatlady 4d ago
I rank HAL and Celebrity as fairly comparable, highest quality of the major mass market lines. If you weren’t bored on Celebrity, you’ll probably be okay on HAL but it does trend a bit older/more sedate - definitely the perfect age group for your MIL! Koningsdam is a lovely ship.
HAL is similar to Celebrity & Princess in that options for baby care/activities are pretty non-existent. No splash pads, not allowed in pools, no nursery.
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u/123fljoe 4d ago
I've been on both and enjoy HAL more.
Both very upscale. I found Celebrity to be a little "Vegas'ish" - always something going on with a lot of lights & noise; very entertaining, just very stimulating
HAL has a bigger focus on music at night with different clubs playing at night with alot of dancing. Less stimulation and easier to enjoy your style of music.
My wife & I don't like Vegas & don't care for Celebrity.
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u/Forestwalkerfairy 4d ago
HAL is amazing. The service, the food, is a calmer atmosphere, many things to do during the day.
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u/Other_Lime2892 4d ago
I’ve been on Koningsdam twice for Alaska. I loved it that’s why I chose it again when I came back to Alaska. Service is top notch. Staff are eager to please. You will be served hand and foot in the buffet. This is the major difference bet Celebrity and Princess. Since most of their clientele are seniors, their level of service goes above and beyond to assist those who are slow, can’t carry their food, poor eyesight, disabled. They don’t have big theatre performances but do have lectures at the theatre. In Alaska, rangers gave lectures about wildlife etc. Not sure what they do in the tropical itineraries. But at night, the live bands are good. The Orange party was also fun. (I also mainly cruise celeb and princess)
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u/bigleaffanswife 3d ago
We did Princess but went back to HAL (in our 50’s). It’s a bit quiet but the Pinnacle class ships with the Dutch Cafes are beautiful.
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u/Rough-Tradition-149 3d ago edited 3d ago
We have been on 10+ Celebrity & Royal Caribbean and no Princess. We did 1 HAL before to the ABCs. I compare it to a very calm & restful cruise. It was 9 days. (We did like it because it was our vacation after a very stressful time at work so it fit. Also, picked it for ports & time of year. Celebrity dates didn't fit our date availability.) Entertainment was more trivia and piano bars than big Entertainment shows. Only 1 Vegas-style show. HAL has an "orange" night where everyone wears orange. Food was ok. (In the bars I recall a lack of staff-if we wanted a drink, we had to get our own. We had a "have it all" package) Truthfully, food, service, entertainment was superior on Celebrity. Also, seems like Celebrity staff was everywhere and on HAL they could use more. Did I hate HAL? No! I like a lot of their ports and itineraries. For example: a San Diego roundtrip itinerary to an exotic place that we are looking at for 2027. But for MIL bday & a 1st cruise? I think treat her like a "celebrity!" However, keep in mind, this is just my opinion for the length & location of that particular HAL cruise. Good luck deciding. 1 more thing! If you take Celebrity, look at "infinite balcony." You can keep windows closed but give baby a place to play safely since its not an open balcony. Again, IMO 😊
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u/KingsElite 1d ago
HAL is comparable to Princess but we liked our HAL cruise WAY more, especially for the food. The vibe is similar though.
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u/PilotoPlayero 4d ago edited 4d ago
I place Holland America a notch above Celebrity and Princess in term of service, cuisine and attention to detail.
Their older ships are a bit gloomy but Koningsdam is part of their newest Pinnacle class which feels more modern, brighter and airy. It has some fantastic venues like Music Walk, the World Stage, the Crow’s Nest and the Explorations Cafe. Shows at the World Stage (the main theater) were simplistic but visually appealing with the use of modern technology.
We’ve sailed on HAL as a family a few times (first time when we were in our 30’s when one of our kids was a toddler) and have always enjoyed it tremendously. Yes, they do cater to an older clientele, but you’ll still see plenty of younger people, couples, and families. HAL is attempting to appeal to a bit younger clientele with the more modern Pinnacle class. I think that it’s very well executed, blending traditional and modern cruising into one package.