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Going from Radisson to HAL? #24407 09/28/05 08:16 AM
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Joanandjoe Offline OP
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Our vacation time in 2006 is very limited, and we couldn't find a Radisson cruise even with our onboard discount. We're booked for an "SY" mini-suite on Holland America's new Vista class ship, the Noordam, from NYC (10 miles from home) for November, 2006, but have real concerns as to whether we'll be happy with a mass market line after being on Radisson. (That's why we're considering Silversea, and have started a thread on that subject.)

Does anyone have any thoughts as to whether this will work? Should we try the Noordam, or cancel it and take a land vacation (or possibly Silversea)? We've been on HAL twice, but our last three cruises have been on Celebrity, Windstar, and the Navigator. We've never been on a ship with more than 1.300 PAX, and the Noordam has about 1,900.

Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24408 09/28/05 08:50 AM
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robert Offline
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Egad, that seems like a lot of people...


Robert

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.
-Thoreau
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24409 09/28/05 08:52 AM
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KarenS Offline
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I would try the Noordam. You already know going in that it will be a different experience than the Radisson or Silversea but from my experience on HA, I found it to be very pleasant.

I sailed on Holland America after being spoiled by Radisson and we still had a very good time. I say go for it!


Karen

Live long and prosper
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24410 09/28/05 11:37 AM
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ssclbc Offline
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I sailed on HAL after sailing RSSC. I did have a good time but I felt that if I hadn't upgraded to a full suite, I would have been disappointed. I was on a similar ship, the Oosterdam. The full suites (but not mini-suites) get some extra perks which make the experience similar to a RSSC cruise (welcome champagne, access to the Neptune lounge, better cabin ammenities, a private suite cocktail party and lunch). My biggest letdown from RSSC to HAL was the food/dining. I really don't like set dining times and I feel the food has dropped in quality and really doesn't compare with RSSC. However, the specialty restaurant was excellent but it does carry a surcharge ($20 I believe).

It's a different experience, and if you go into it with a positive attitude, I think you'll have a good time.


Lauri
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24411 09/28/05 03:00 PM
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cruisinsince75 Offline
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I have never been on HAL but have been on Celebrity and I couldn't go back. Besides, if you are sailing in a comparable suite and you add in all the extras that you have to pay for, it comes out to the same amount in many cases and sometimes even more. We did sail on Princess after our Silversea cruise in 2004 and absolutely hated it.


Don
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24412 09/28/05 03:27 PM
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jhp Offline
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Lauri, yes, a positve spirt will get you through most anything. I just don't want to have to try that hard!

Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24413 09/28/05 05:02 PM
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Paige and I have debated ad nauseum about mass market cruises with the boys. I do not think I could tolerate the masses again, but with the right attitiude, I am sure you could make it work.

Me, on the other hand, I would need way too much alcohol to be able to stand the crowd.

Anthony

Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24414 09/28/05 05:06 PM
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joannapv Offline
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Me, on the other hand, I would need way too much alcohol to be able to stand the crowd.


Do NOT do it....take the boys on land trip -


Joanna
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24415 09/28/05 05:30 PM
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KarenS Offline
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When I book a cruise, Mark asks, "Is Tony, Tom or John going?" On our cruise next month, he will get the pleasure of sailing with Tony and our next cruise, all three! He is also looking forward to seeing Kathy and Jack next year, who are friends of Tony and Joanna and just hysterical!! The four of them together is better than going to a comedy club :)


Karen

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Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24416 09/28/05 05:40 PM
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sedona Offline
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I agree with Lauri on the HAL experience. THe ship is lovely. THe mini-suites are similar in style to the Mariner's...they have a jacuzzi in each room.

I didn't like the lines. It was fine. The people (other cruisers) were lovely. The service and food were not as good. You get what you pay for. Just set your expectations for a HAL cruise and not a 6 star and you will have a very nice time.

Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24417 09/28/05 05:48 PM
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joannapv Offline
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Isn't it fun to connect??? Our friends, Kathy and Jack, are a riot....so all you Mushers look forward....we have total of 11 on Mush...many more outrageous than Kathy and Jack so get ready!!!!


Joanna
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24418 09/29/05 12:20 AM
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count Florida Offline
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We've only had one experience on HAL, on the Prinsendam when HAL first took it over three years ago. You can read all all about it on Cruise Critic under the ship - the review by me (count Florida) dated 08/02. But remember, that is only one person's opinion (in this case actually two - my lovely lady helped out). Read some of the other reviews, particularly about the Noordam, consider everything you've heard and read, and decide. Good luck!

Found on CruiseCritic and added here:

Quote
For years and years, Holland America Line distinguished itself with its "no tipping required" policy, the objective of which was to prove that the cheerful and accommodating staff worked for the love of serving their guests, not for tips. Unfortunately, many passengers took this to mean "tips are included," or "tipping not allowed," so as Holland America hopes to attract a more diverse clientele and more first-time cruisers, the tipping policy has been specifically addressed.

According to a statement from Holland America president Stein Kruse, the tipping policy -- fleetwide -- is as follows:

"For your convenience, a gratuity of $10 per guest per day, for dining and stateroom service, will be automatically posted to your shipboard account. We are confident you will find the service on board exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by visiting the Front Office. Also, a 15 percent service charge will be automatically added to your bar and beverage purchases."
When we were on board, the drinks were outrageously high, and that was three years ago! But at least tips were included. Note they say "service charge" re: the drinks, so you probably can't "make adjustments" to this part of your bill at the end of the cruise!


[size=8]Too Many To List - 416� days & counting on Radisson/Regent, and 150+� days on 8 other lines, with one cruise booked next month on the Mariner, Miami to Honolulu 22 days
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24419 10/10/05 12:37 PM
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Joanandjoe Offline OP
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Thanks for all the input. When all was said and done, we decided that a cruise on a large ship was better than no cruise at all (and we were unable to find a cruise in our time slots on any of the luxury lines). We upgraded from a mini-suite to a full suite, and plan on sailing on the Noordam.

Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24420 10/10/05 03:58 PM
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Joanandjoe,

i agree completely. With the right attitude, almost any cruise would be spectacular. I am sure you will ahve a wonderful time!

Anthony

Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24421 10/10/05 04:00 PM
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cindyr Offline
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You will have a fabulous time.........a full suite, how wonderful.


Cindy
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24422 10/11/05 04:00 AM
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ssclbc Offline
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The full suites are really wonderful. Enjoy the suite lounge, the cappucino machine is fantastic, needless to say I was well caffeinated during my cruise. The concierge there can help you with spa, specialty restaurant and shore excursion reservations as well.

Bon voyage!


Lauri
Re: Going from Radisson to HAL? #24423 10/11/05 04:04 AM
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Betty K Offline
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Joanandjoe,

I hope you will have a great cruise. We have cruised HAL, and they do some very nice things for their suite people. It's also true that the suite is beautiful. Have fun!

Betty
cheer


Betty

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