Vista Class vs Other HAL ships

[Hal]

We recently returned from a Holiday Cruise on the Zaandam, which is a beautiful ship. However, even for us, the activities on board were a bit sedentary. We travel with our two teenage sons and they got a bit bored during the sea days and even during some evenings. The boys are not looking for teen age parties or even large groups of teens, but just a bit more to do.

We are not looking for non-stop drinking and partying, but is there a bit more to do on the larger HAL Vista ships?

Thanks,
Hal

????? - Christmas 2004
Zaandam - Christmas 2003
Norwegian Sea - Christmas 2002
Monarch of the Sea - Christmas 2001
Color Festivale - Summer 2001

 

[ANSAlberg]

On the Vista Class ships there is a VERY nice "Disco" right off the Casino. Several pools & Hottubs on the Lido - two that can be used in almost ANY sort of weather. An Internet center [ but it is expensive] a library.......and many lounge areas to chat with friends that offer a bit of privacy......

 

[stevesan]

With the disco exception on Vista class, the activities are pretty similar across HAL's fleet. The major difference in activities will depend on the region, Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, etc. Also, some cruise directors are more proactive than others, but that's true anywhere.

 

[Hal]

Perhaps "tevesan"has hit the real issue on the head: the cruise director. On the last Zaandam cruise we took, the ship was wonderful, the cabins spacious and comfortable, the food very good, etc. The main difference between that cruise and others was the cruise director, Steve. He was all but absent except at evening shows. He also seemed very paternal and degrading to the Indonesian crew, treating them like children. He seemed to set the tone of the entire cruise staff. Other than Martin, who was visible and wonderful throughout, the others were very low key and very private. On other cruises we have taken the cruise directors and staff were more in the public view and more proactive. Other posts on this site indicate that other HAL cruise directors may be simply better. That, taken with the larger ship and facilities, we will seriously consider a Vista class ship for our next family holiday cruise.

 

[CruisinTex]

Hal, I think the CD does play a major part in the overall cruise experience. We were on the Zaandam Jan. 24th and there is a new CD. Scott Rideout started on the Zaandam on our cruise. He and his staff were wonderful and very visible. We ran into him, Connie and "Bingo" Martin several times a day, every day, and in Crow's Nest and Ocean Bar at night.

 

[peaches]

I think people should remember, also, that every cruiseline has an ambience and it is up to the passenger to select a cruise ship that meets their needs. HAL's smaller ships have been providing exactly what their pax have wanted for many years- more refined traditional cruising- rest and relaxation in a quieter atmosphere.

Now on the Vista ships HAL is trying to appeal to a younger market which enjoys a larger ship and more activities. That does not mean that HAL is going to turn these ships into a Carnival experience. But it may suit some people better than the older HAL ships.

Select a cruise that gives you what YOU want; don't expect HAL to change all their ships to suit you. As more and more new-to-HAL cruisers take their first Vista cruise I can see the demands starting to change the older ships and I hope HAL resists. There is something for everybody in cruising and its your responsibility to find a ship that is for you.

 

[ANSAlberg]

Peaches; Very nicely put! An additional comment along the same vein. It always amazes me to read the nit-picking that goes on in a cruise review -"I waited 5 minutes for my drink to come; " "The waiter wasn't all that friendly" "The glass of wine I ordered was late" -I always wonder what kind of a LIFE these people have at HOME....I know -I"M the one that changes the sheets, makes the bed and pick's up at home -not only do I cook the meal- I'm the one who plans the menu and does the grocery shopping to get the groceries. And my DH doesn't have a choice of 5 dinner suggestions, a vegetarian selection and several appetizers plus 2 salad -He had two choices; eat it or don't! And since I love to bake- there IS usually dessert -but not a choice of 5 - and guess who loads the dishwasher [ and UNLOADS it; my LEAST favorite job!]
When I go on a cruise -and we've been on 17 - I luxuriate in having all that we have in the diningroom, a "free" library, a Casino- movies - places to curl up and visit- all the while we are sailing to our next port of call. When I cruise I ALWAYS FEEL "special" even if the cruise itself is NOT up to the complainers standards. Our last cruise I got an upper respiratory thing; So I CHOSE to stay in the room until my cough went away and I wasn't sneezing any more -so I wouldn't spread it around [ these were "at Sea" days on an Atlantic crossing] I had a book and a husband to fetch lunch etc - and I stayed out of the dining room at night. My room steward would NOT stay away - he kept bringing me things he thought I might need and asking me if I was OK or if I "Needed" anything - I kept saying "PLEASE- GO AWAY -I don't want you to get SICK" -I woke up one evening to find he had switched towels in the bathroom because he "KNEW we needed clean ones" - I felt SO COSSETED!!!!!!!!!
"Above and beyond" -that's the WAY we are systematically treated by the crew on HAL ships. WE've been treated JUST as well -on Carnival, on Celebrity and on Princess. Guess what....We're kind to these dear people in return. We don't DEMAND to be treated this well -we have been THANKFUL when we are. "Please" and "Thank You" are in our vocabulary. I DON'T have to be in the FIRST Tender; I don't expect to be number ONE in line; If our room is cleaned by 9 -fine -if it isn't until noon because we're last THAT day - its no HUGE deal; because I"M NOT CLEANING THE ROOM -our dear room steward is!
At night we usually wander into the main lounge for a Broadway-type show; WOW - The costumes are brightly colored- the kids dance their hearts out- the singers are FUN, and the comedians funny........OK; its NOT Billy Joel -But I didn't pay $75 a ticket either!
When you cruise and you've FOUND that niche "Peaches" talks about - cut you servers some slack. They are working hard, so YOU don't have to......and say" thank you " just like your MOTHER taught you to!
Anneusa:CO