HAL vs Princess to Alaska?

[gskimmel]

We have done both Hal and Princess to Alaska. I like them both but I have to give the edge to Holland for Alaska. Whatever you decided, have a great cruise, Alaska is a beautiful cruise to do.

 

I am curious why you give the edge to Holland America. I was booked on Celebrity but then switched it for Holland America because of Glacier Bay.

[Steve_Red_Dog]

Thank you everyone for your input. I now feel confident that HAL is the best choice for our first cruise. I am already very excited and I haven't even booked our cruise yet! :)

 

Great decision. We cruised Alaska on Princess and were disappointed with the on board experience. :(

 

We are planning our return trip to Alaska on HAL. :)

[califgary]

Both lines are great - we go with the cruise portion itinerary - Princess does Hubbard Glacier AND Glacier Bay in one 7 day sailing which to us is awesome.

[Se4deb]

I thought I was set on a Golden Princess cruise to Alaska. But then I picked up a HAL book at my TA's office last week and I have been reading the HAL reviews here. Now I am thinking HAL may be more our style even though the TA said HAL tends to draw older cruisers.

 

This will be our first cruise. I am 50 something years young and enjoy being active. I would likely be taking this cruise with my 27 year old daughter.

 

We don't like casinos' date=' nightclubs, lounges or drinking. We would enjoy shows, classes and other active type activities. Daughter has dietary restrictions and will need a gluten-free/dairy-free diet. Is either line more accommodating in this rregard? (I just found some HAL menus online and they looked great!)

 

Has anyone cruised both Princess and HAL and can give me some comparisons? The smaller size of the Westerdam appeals to us. I doubt we can go wrong with either one but I just don't know since this is our first cruise.

 

Thanks![/quote']

 

 

My rather large family (usually in the 20 person range) have traveled to Alaska on HAL and Princess. We were told that Princess was better with children - not so much at least with my family. My husband and I are in our early -REAL EARLY - 60's and at the time of our last Alaskan cruise, our youngest grandchild was just a few days short of 2 years. One thing that I don''t think has been mentioned in this thread is the fact that during the summer months and cruises to Alaska in general, the number of children increases quite a bit. Alaska is much more casual than any other cruise destination I have been to in my limited travel history. Others may disagree and surely they will. For my family the HAL ships are better. Better educational programs, better children's programs, and better tolerace for the youngesters. I have seen packs of kids on Princess without an adult in sight. Not saying it doesn't happen on HAL, but I have never seen one. My advise, do one this year and the other for your next trip. I am reasonably confident that there will be another trip to Alaska for you and your family. Too much to see and not enough time to do it all. Visit the Raptor center on Mt. ROberts in Juneau with the kids. Rarely does a parent have the opportunity to share the experience of seeing a 4 foot tall bird with their kids. Looking into the eyes of a bald eagle - nuf said

[emailingann]

:rolleyes: Hmmm I do not remember NCL being mentioned in the Title of this thread, I thought this discussion was about HAL and Princess

HAL vs Princess to Alaska?

 

That was rather rude and uncalled for.

 

Ann

[califgary]

You can see by our signature which line we choose. The reason we choose it, is because they cruise Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay. HAL did not cruise both. That was our deal breaker.

 

Exactly why we are going with Princess in 2013!