Is HAL changing their demographics?

Item: Nieuw Statendam
Rating: 2.8
Author: railroad98

Nieuw Statendam Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

railroad98

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 4

Helpful Votes: 130

Overall rating:

2.8 out of 5

Verified Review

14 Night Eastern & Tropical Caribbean Holiday (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 29, 2019

Ship: Nieuw Statendam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 4187

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

We've been crying for 20+ years and are 3 star Mariners with HAL. Overall we were disappointed with the quality of the food, staff and large number of families with small children. OK, I get it, it was a holiday cruise but HAL has always catered to an older clientele . Yes, they were well behaved. Did we book another cruise, yes. We will give HAL one more chance.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

OK until we found leftover fecal matter in stateroom toilet

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Seems they are trying to discourage as you wish dining. Wait staff was inexperienced, slow and inattentive.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Overall good.

Children's Programs

Did not expect the large number of small children and families on board. This has not been our experience with HAL

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

less than desirable

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

a 1 year old ship should not have dirty toilets, run out of towels in public restrooms

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

leftover fecal matter in toilet upon checking in..disgraceful

Ship tip

wait until the crew has more experience

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic

3 out of 5

Been there, done that. Nothing exciting to see or do.

Thumbs Up 1

San Juan, Puerto Rico

4 out of 5

Took a private taxi tour. Much cheaper than their excursions

Thumbs Up 0

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

4 out of 5

Again, took much cheaper and better private taxi tour.

Thumbs Up 0

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

2 out of 5

Great if you like a beach, otherwise nothing to do but shop for over priced souvenirs

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

standard except for a 90 minute wait to pay for the privilege of parking in garage

10 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

Thumbs Up 0

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SEARAY1 4 years ago

Hey Railroad 98, You were a little too harsh in your review. We just finished a back to back on this ship, 2/23/2020 to 3/8/2020 and found the ship to be exceptionally clean throughout. I do agree with you regarding the kids. There were not that many on our cruise, (they are supposed to be in school), but they did break a lot of the rules in the Lido Deck enclosed pool. Diving, running & excessive splashing. The most annoying thing was that the staff/security did absolutely nothing about it. We found the food & service very good everywhere. The ship is a good size , easy to navigate. I would give the ship a 4.5 star except for the extremely poor choice of a band that played in the the Rolling Stone area. Hard Rock, Rap Crap & even Heavy Metal so called music & much TOO LOUD. Hardly appropriate for seasoned mature cruisers. The Billboard area had very good classic rock type music by such artists as Tom Jones, Elton John, Glenn Campbell, Neal Diamond & yes even Dolly Parton, etc..

Thumbs Up 1

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DrueNSandy 4 years ago

If you find a cruise line or a cruise ship without any kids, old people, drunks, chair hogs, stupid millennials, or rowdy 20 somethings, let all of us know! We live in an imperfect world with flawed humans. Get used to it.

Thumbs Up 0

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tlcruise 4 years ago

Maybe it’s time to try Viking lines, who cater to quiet piped in classical music lovers, have lectures and no casinos or fun activities! I think it’s great that Holland is adding fun new things.

Thumbs Up 0

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4Goodtimes 4 years ago

Do you ever go on a cruise where you don't find something to complain about!!! What's the point of mentioning you are a 3 Star Mariner?

Thumbs Up 0

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cruisereckoning 4 years ago

If you don’t want to cruise with a lot of children you don’t book a cruise during school holidays.

Thumbs Up 1

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Cruiserike0322 4 years ago

I see why you were crying

Thumbs Up 1

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Shh813 4 years ago

MT1962, I think the post was supposed to say cruising, not crying. Lol

Thumbs Up 2

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CruzeFan 4 years ago

Why have you been crying for 20 years? As far as families and children on board, why would that come as a surprise during the holidays and one of the busiest times of the year? If you prefer less families and children, try Crystal, Seabourn, Symphony, Regent Seven Seas or Viking. As far as changing demographics, based on our 2 previous cruises with HAL, they better change them or they won’t be in business long. Most of the passengers we saw on HAL won’t be cruising on any line in the next 10-12 years.

Thumbs Up 2

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GospelCruiser 4 years ago

And it's their fault you didn't like ports? Why did you book it then or maybe you didnt since its not on your cruise list.

Thumbs Up 0

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Other reviews of this sailing

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