Westerdam or Norwegian Jewel?

[Tapi]

Hi!

 

We are currently booked on the Norwegian Jewel to Alaska departing June 2013. Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 small children) plus 2 grandparents.

 

At the time we booked, the difference in price between the NCL Jewel and HAL Westerdam was much larger, but right now it's just $300 (total, not per person) for the same category and sailing date.

 

Jewel visits Skagway and Tracy Arm

Westerdam visits Sitka and Glacier Bay

 

Is the Westerdam (and the itinerary) worth $300 more? I have the cursor on the "book" button...:o

 

(P.S. Yes, I'm posting this on the NCL board)

[sapete]

Glacier Bay is worth the $300!

[jaguarstyper]

Its funny, I am currently booked on the Westerdam and have been looking real hard at the Norwegian Pearl and Jewel. So, I'm in the exact opposite situation.

 

The Pearl's itinerary includes Glacier Bay and Skagway. I've been to Glacier Bay and Sitka. I've never been to Tracy Arm or Skagway.

 

The thing is, I have noticed another opposite to your situation. In May, the Pearl cruise is $2281.22 more than HAL and the Jewel cruise is $1061.32 more than HAL for comparable cabins. I am booked in an SC category on HAL and looking the SF category on NCL. SC is an Aft Deluxe Veranda Suite on HAL and SF is an Aft Penthouse with Large Balcony on NCL. As far as I can tell, these are the most comparable cabin offerings between the two. I'm having a difficult time with the difference in price, though.

[mamaofami]

I agree. Go with Westerdam.

[emcelh]

Its funny, I am currently booked on the Westerdam and have been looking real hard at the Norwegian Pearl and Jewel. So, I'm in the exact opposite situation.

 

The Pearl's itinerary includes Glacier Bay and Skagway. I've been to Glacier Bay and Sitka. I've never been to Tracy Arm or Skagway.

 

The thing is, I have noticed another opposite to your situation. In May, the Pearl cruise is $2281.22 more than HAL and the Jewel cruise is $1061.32 more than HAL for comparable cabins. I am booked in an SC category on HAL and looking the SF category on NCL. SC is an Aft Deluxe Veranda Suite on HAL and SF is an Aft Penthouse with Large Balcony on NCL. As far as I can tell, these are the most comparable cabin offerings between the two. I'm having a difficult time with the difference in price, though.

How do the suite perks compare?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I am a fan of both cruise lines but would highly recommend the Westerdam and YES it is worth $300 more to go to Glacier Bay ;)

I personally think HAL for the Westerdam has the Best itinerary and pricing for Alaska. In most cases NCL is going to cost you far more on the Pearl to go to Glacier Bay plus while I am a fan of NCL but their cabins are much smaller, and they have limited viewing areas when going to the glaciers and the biggie if this is important they do not have an enclosed Pool, it is outside and open to the elimates, unless you pay for it in the spa. (Although the Pearl's Spa trumps the Green House Spa ;) )

Also remember their daily gratuities are more than HAL's.

[jaguarstyper]

How do the suite perks compare?

As far as I can recall, they are very similar. There is no suite lounge like the Neptune Lounge. You have a butler instead of a concierge. But, on my last NCL cruise, I think our butler fell overboard on the first night. He came in to the suite when we first got there to greet us and tell us he was very busy and would not be able to assist with unpacking until much later that evening. We told him we would do it ourselves and that was the last we saw him or spoke to him for the next 8 days.

[Assateague Island Princes]

Westerdam for sure! Not only is Glacier Bay just stunning, but Sitka is one of my very favorite Alaskan ports - so pure and unspoiled. Sailing into Sitka with the island studded harbor and Mt. Edgecomb in the background, it is just lovely and a real jewel on any Alaskan itinerary. Definitely worth that extra $300 in my opinion.

 

Of course, I am partial to HAL for Alaska - have sailed with them there four times - two 7 day sailings and two of the wonderful 14 day itineraries that have (sadly:() been discontinued.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

As far as I can recall, they are very similar. There is no suite lounge like the Neptune Lounge. You have a butler instead of a concierge. But, on my last NCL cruise, I think our butler fell overboard on the first night. He came in to the suite when we first got there to greet us and tell us he was very busy and would not be able to assist with unpacking until much later that evening. We told him we would do it ourselves and that was the last we saw him or spoke to him for the next 8 days.

Oh My you have not done a Suite on NCL recently have you? HAL and NCL Suite Life is nothing alike, I just got off the NCL Dawn from being in a Suite and I have done my fair share of Suites with HAL.

While there is no Neptune Lounge there really is no need to have one. Each Suite has their own Espresso / gourmet coffee maker, you have a Butler and a Concierge. Your Concierge is available from early morning till late at night by just calling him or her. Your Butler does things you do not even expect, you get treats bought to your cabin every day at 4pm and if you prefer something like Chocolate Covered Strawberries then you get extra of them. Then you have special reserved seating in the Show Lounge, Cagney's Steak House is open for just Suite Guests for Breakfast and lunch. Both of the menus make Pinnacle look like Mc Donald's, Tom loved his Filet and Eggs for Breakfast, I usually went for the Buffet spread for breakfast with Duck Pate'. Lunch has some huge shrimp cocktails and also amazing selection. Then there is the French Pressed Coffee that is served which is probably one of the best coffees I have had.

Your Concierge will give you Special escort on and off the ship in ports as well as the check in process is not at all like HAL's your Butler escorts you personally to your Suite and shows you all the amenities.

Prior to sailing you have a shore side Concierge that you can call at about 55 days prior to have things set up in your cabin, such as your pillow selection, we wanted 6 feather pillows, then we selected what beverages we wanted available in our fridge in the room, you can also order what extra liquors you may want. They ask if you eant extra towels to be delivered. You can also arrange your dining at that time even in the non pay restaurants they will make your reservations ahead of time. We had everything totally planned out before we stepped foot on the ship. It made the week very easy, we did nothing.

OK that was just a sampling of what NCL Suites offer :D

[PathfinderEss]

Hi!

 

We are currently booked on the Norwegian Jewel to Alaska departing June 2013. Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 small children) plus 2 grandparents.

 

At the time we booked, the difference in price between the NCL Jewel and HAL Westerdam was much larger, but right now it's just $300 (total, not per person) for the same category and sailing date.

 

Jewel visits Skagway and Tracy Arm

Westerdam visits Sitka and Glacier Bay

 

Is the Westerdam (and the itinerary) worth $300 more? I have the cursor on the "book" button...:o

 

(P.S. Yes, I'm posting this on the NCL board)

Westerdam would be my choice and yes Sitka/Glacier Bay is worth the $300. difference.

[RuthC]

On itinerary alone, it would be a tough choice for me. I would take Glacier Bay over Tracy Arm, but much prefer Skagway to Sitka.

Plan on another trip next year?

[lvz2cruz]

I see you have not sailed NCL. I think you could be in for a huge shock (disappointment) after the many other lines you have been on.

HAL is worth much more than an NCL cruise.

We have had experiences like the above poster who said his attendant fell overboard--service on both our NCL sailings was so bad we joked the crew had freestyle in that they could choose when the wanted to work.

The food was on par with my mom's nursing home. I had 2 kids in college and the food onboard was worse than what they got on campus. They have never felt this on HAL or Celebrity.

It never ceases to amaze me that NCL charges more for their awful experience than other lines, but I have noticed this often.

I would definitely choose the Westerdam.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I see you have not sailed NCL. I think you could be in for a huge shock (disappointment) after the many other lines you have been on.

HAL is worth much more than an NCL cruise.

We have had experiences like the above poster who said his attendant fell overboard--service on both our NCL sailings was so bad we joked the crew had freestyle in that they could choose when the wanted to work.

The food was on par with my mom's nursing home. I had 2 kids in college and the food onboard was worse than what they got on campus. They have never felt this on HAL or Celebrity.

It never ceases to amaze me that NCL charges more for their awful experience than other lines, but I have noticed this often.

I would definitely choose the Westerdam.

Becky while I am a huge HAL fan and recommended Westerdam but for the reason of Glacier Bay. I see your most recent NCL cruise was waaaay back in 2008, do you suppose things may have changed or could have changed just like there have been changes with HAL :rolleyes: I use to compare Celebrity to HAL but now that it has been since September 2010 since my Celebrity cruise I no longer comment because my experience is... well let's just say stale and no longer valid to compare. I disembarked from an NCL cruise 11 days ago that I think is fresh enough to compare to my May 2012 Zuiderdam cruise of which case I was also in a Suite.(I was also on the Westerdam March of this year) Prior to this last NCL cruise I was last on NCL in April 2010 and in just that time I saw a huge change in the quality of the food in the Main DIning Room especially the Venetian as well as the Garden Cafe (their Lido) it was a HUGE Improvement over our last NCL cruise where I did think the quality was a bit lower than HAL. This past cruise I found the quality to be on par with HAL. With the exception of Le Bistro and Moderno which were definitely a bit better than HAL's Pinnacle.

[lvz2cruz]

Becky while I am a huge HAL fan and recommended Westerdam but for the reason of Glacier Bay. I see your most recent NCL cruise was waaaay back in 2008, do you suppose things may have changed or could have changed just like there have been changes with HAL :rolleyes: I use to compare Celebrity to HAL but now that it has been since September 2010 since my Celebrity cruise I no longer comment because my experience is... well let's just say stale and no longer valid to compare. I disembarked from an NCL cruise 11 days ago that I think is fresh enough to compare to my May 2012 Zuiderdam cruise of which case I was also in a Suite.(I was also on the Westerdam March of this year) Prior to this last NCL cruise I was last on NCL in April 2010 and in just that time I saw a huge change in the quality of the food in the Main DIning Room especially the Venetian as well as the Garden Cafe (their Lido) it was a HUGE Improvement over our last NCL cruise where I did think the quality was a bit lower than HAL. This past cruise I found the quality to be on par with HAL. With the exception of Le Bistro and Moderno which were definitely a bit better than HAL's Pinnacle.

 

I have a handful of friends who are travel agents who ALL advise against NCL because they say they get more complaints from passengers returning from NCL than all other lines combined. The travel agency nearest my home keeps NCL books in back and has recommended other lines when I have asked for them. I have talked within the last year and nothing seems to have improved in their minds.

I would imagine with cutbacks every line is doing that food and service is worse now than what we experienced.

We have been at beaches in ports and had people notice our HAL towels and say how they wish they were on our ship; they are ALWAYS on NCL and have horror stories to share. Funny this has never happened with people on other lines. I cannot tell how many times that happened at Bermuda last year but has happened other places as well.

I think NCL has innovative itineraries and I loved having meals at the Great Outdoors so I have occasionally checked reviews. It seems to me people who have only sailed NCL love it yet those (like our family) who have sailed other lines find them to be a huge step down. I would love to hear and feel confident of a good experience there, but vacation time is too precious to suffer through the disappointments we and others have had.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I have a handful of friends who are travel agents who ALL advise against NCL because they say they get more complaints from passengers returning from NCL than all other lines combined. The travel agency nearest my home keeps NCL books in back and has recommended other lines when I have asked for them. I have talked within the last year and nothing seems to have improved in their minds.

I would imagine with cutbacks every line is doing that food and service is worse now than what we experienced.

We have been at beaches in ports and had people notice our HAL towels and say how they wish they were on our ship; they are ALWAYS on NCL and have horror stories to share. Funny this has never happened with people on other lines. I cannot tell how many times that happened at Bermuda last year but has happened other places as well.

I think NCL has innovative itineraries and I loved having meals at the Great Outdoors so I have occasionally checked reviews. It seems to me people who have only sailed NCL love it yet those (like our family) who have sailed other lines find them to be a huge step down. I would love to hear and feel confident of a good experience there, but vacation time is too precious to suffer through the disappointments we and others have had.

Sadly I know far too many Travel Agents that talk clients out of trying HAL and will not sell HAL, saying something is not good and not having solid proof yourself is not valid to me. Hear Say is just like rumors :D Trust me I talk to a LOT of people that have recently cruise on NCL and HAL, sadly I have had far more negative feedback about HAL than I have had for NCL. I have actually had a lot of praise about NCL recently. I am just saying that you may not be aware there are some good things about NCL just like there are good things on HAL :)

[Tapi]

Thanks for your responses, everyone! :)

 

Well, I booked the Westerdam last night. SY category. I still haven't cancelled the Norwegian Jewel because I'm not 100% convinced yet, but my gut feeling tells me to stick to the Westerdam because of:

 

• Glacier Bay (vast majority of opinions I read favor Glacier Bay over Tracy Arm).
  
• HAL vs NCL for my parents. They are in their 70's, well traveled, and appreciate the finer things. It seems as if the HAL experience may be more to their liking.
  
• SY category on the Westerdam vs MA category on the Jewel. As mentioned before, $300 difference (total), but it seems like it's a much nicer cabin, bigger balcony, with better ammenities and perks.
  

The reasons why Im not 100% convinced yet are because:

• We are traveling with small children as well, and it seems as if NCL's kids program may be better (with Nickelodeon, age categories, etc).
  
• Also, the entire freestyle concept sounds appealing because of its flexibility.
  

With that said, I believe the kids will be perfectly fine with Club HAL. We have also selected Open time dining (we love it, with or without kids), which should provide us with the flexibility we need.

 

Once again, thanks for all the responses! :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Tapi, I think you make a great decision, the SY cabins on HAL Westerdam are way larger and nicer in my opinion over the NCL Mini Suite. NCL Mini Suites are just ever so slightly larger than a regular HAL Balcony cabin. So that right there is well work the extra money let alone the going to Glacier Bay.

As for Kid's Club HAL really does have a great program.

I think both cruise lines are great but when comparing HAL's Superior Verandah to NCL Mini Suite HAL wins hands down, if comparing a HAL Deluxe Veranda to a Full Suite on NCL I give NCL the vote but throwing in the mix of itinerary, I think you have a win win :D

[jaguarstyper]

Oh My you have not done a Suite on NCL recently have you? HAL and NCL Suite Life is nothing alike, I just got off the NCL Dawn from being in a Suite and I have done my fair share of Suites with HAL.

Yeah, that is a very good point, my last of 2 cruises on NCL was in 2008. A couple of friends have cruised on NCL recently and were very happy with it. Both of them have cruised on HAL as well. I was very happy with both cruises on NCL, but will say its a different cruising experience than HAL. Not bad or worse, just different.

 

I will be on Westerdam in a couple weeks and this cruise will determine if I keep my reservation on her for Alaska or pony up the extra cash for a suite on NCL. This will be my first cruise on HAL since 2010 and I'm very wary or all the service deficiencies and cutbacks I have been reading about. It seems like while HAL is going down in service and amenities, NCL is going up.

[Markanddonna]

I wouldn't trust the travel agents. The ones around here won't advertise NCL or recommend them and I understand it is because their kickback is not as good. People who do online bookings don't have to deal with this prejudice.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I wouldn't trust the travel agents. The ones around here won't advertise NCL or recommend them and I understand it is because their kickback is not as good. People who do online bookings don't have to deal with this prejudice.

It is a viscious circle, first travel agents receive commission not kickbacks but each cruiseline sets goals for agencies if they do not meet those goals in a 12 month period then the cruiseline reduces their commission they earn when they sell a cruise, by not offering and selling the travel agencies do nothing but hurt themselves.

Many Many agencies are facing that with Carnival because of some of the changes made to Travel Agents that agencies will not even bother to sell Carnival and will tell clients to go elsewhere. HAL has done the same thing to many agencies just recently. If an agency did not sell much to begin with and that cruiseline reduced their commission then of course that agency is not going to push that cruiseline and NOT because it is a bad or declining cruiseline it is because they can make more money else where.

[lovetocruise2020]

NCL does suites VERY well. Unless it was a 3 night getaway I would not book less than a Haven suite. Now on HAL I will take any cabin.

[jaguarstyper]

NCL does suites VERY well. Unless it was a 3 night getaway I would not book less than a Haven suite. Now on HAL I will take any cabin.

What makes a Haven Suite worth $1200 per person more than a Penthouse Suite on NCL? I have been in the PH suite on 2 different NCL cruises and they are very nice. The PH I had on Spirit was nicer, but seemed smaller than the PH on Dawn.

 

From what I can tell, the Haven Suites are a little larger, have separate rooms, nicer bathrooms and access to a courtyard. What else makes them so special? Any other additional amenities?