Honeymoon Cruises - Panama Canal Princess vs. Hawaii Norwegian

[partybarbie]

Great insight! I like your style...being the party starter is always the way to go.

 

We've gone on a Southern caribbean cruise together, and i've been on a western caribbean cruise with family. I've pretty much been to EVERY caribbean island with the exception of Aruba, St. Martin and St. Kitts. While i always enjoy the caribbean, i'm looking for something memorable and different. I'm sure all of the seasoned travelers can relate that it's almost difficult to choose where to go as you get older because you've already experienced so much that your biggest decision factor is that it's unique.

 

Then I would highly recommend doing the Canal cruise. I think you will have a great time.:)

[wegoingsizzler]

Not a seasoned cruisers like most that have responded, but I can't help and chime in. I have done both NCL and Princess. As far as just comparing the two line (not about itinerary, or the demographics) I have to say Princess is a far better line. The food, service and overall experience was much better than NCL. Out of the 3 cruise lines that I have done (RCCL, Princess, NCL), NCL is by far on the bottom of the list.

 

From your post, cost is a somewhat of a concern. I believe that you will probably get more for your money doing the Panama trip. Been to Hawaii like you and I remembered everything to be pretty expensive and I am from NY like you.

 

As far a demographics, I am 37 now and I actually enjoy cruising with the "older" folks. Most of them have less "drama" than the younger crowd. So much knowledge, and so much insight. I find them just more pleasant to be around. :eek::eek::eek:

[WWCJR]

We have done both and loved them both. We had been warned off NCL here on the Princess boards, but we found the crew to be young, fun, and extremely friendly. We went with the NCL cruise to Hawaii because we didn't want to spend all the days at sea from LA. We rented a car on each Island and snorkeled at some great spots. The night cruise by of the active volcano and the cruise along the Napali Coast were spectacular. This was our only cruise with NCL, but I think that the Pride of America is unique to NCL because it is a US based ship and has all US crew.

 

We also thoroughly enjoyed the Panama Canal cruise. We did the full transit and would recommend that for the full canal experience. That cruise was much more laid back than the Hawaii cruise. Also an older crowd, but we cruise more for the destination, not necessarily the shipboard experience.

 

Hawaii is the more romantic option.

 

We have not yet done the Panama Canal, maybe next year but it will be on Princess when we do it.

 

We have done Hawaii on NCL Pride of America and it is a wonderful cruise and hands down NCL has the lock on doing Hawaii since they can spend all of the cruise just doing Hawaii without all of the days at sea.

 

We found the experience on POA to be very similar to our cruises on Princess and at times we forgot we were not on a Princess cruise. We found the food to be about teh same as Princess and other than the buffet area and the painting of the hull the rest was comparible to Princess. The staff was not as had been painted by others that had badmouth NCL and their Hawaii cruise since they were mostly Americans. We found the staff to be very friendly and helpful, just as the staff is on Princess. I would agree that this cruise is not your usual cruise but the ship is more of a hotel. You do spend two days on three of the islands.

 

We also rented a car on each Island and explored on our own. We also thought the night cruise by of the active volcano and the cruise along the Napali Coast were spectacular.

 

Carnival was the Cruiseline we went on the frist two times we cruised but once we switched to Princess we have been repeat Princess customers. We are open to trying other cruise lines such as our NCL Hawaii cruise and our RCCL W Caribbean cruise. Based on our NCL Hawaii cruise I would give NCL another try if the cruise was one we wanted to do. (FYI, in my view I would rank RCCL at the very bottom below Carnival.)

 

There is a lot of air time to get to and from Hawaii but if that is your choice I do not think your will go wrong going on NCL for that cruise. The choice is yours.

[wegoingsizzler]

We have not yet done the Panama Canal, maybe next year but it will be on Princess when we do it.

 

We have done Hawaii on NCL Pride of America and it is a wonderful cruise and hands down NCL has the lock on doing Hawaii since they can spend all of the cruise just doing Hawaii without all of the days at sea.

 

We found the experience on POA to be very similar to our cruises on Princess and at times we forgot we were not on a Princess cruise. We found the food to be about teh same as Princess and other than the buffet area and the painting of the hull the rest was comparible to Princess. The staff was not as had been painted by others that had badmouth NCL and their Hawaii cruise since they were mostly Americans. We found the staff to be very friendly and helpful, just as the staff is on Princess. I would agree that this cruise is not your usual cruise but the ship is more of a hotel. You do spend two days on three of the islands.

 

We also rented a car on each Island and explored on our own. We also thought the night cruise by of the active volcano and the cruise along the Napali Coast were spectacular.

 

Carnival was the Cruiseline we went on the frist two times we cruised but once we switched to Princess we have been repeat Princess customers. We are open to trying other cruise lines such as our NCL Hawaii cruise and our RCCL W Caribbean cruise. Based on our NCL Hawaii cruise I would give NCL another try if the cruise was one we wanted to do. (FYI, in my view I would rank RCCL at the very bottom below Carnival.)

 

There is a lot of air time to get to and from Hawaii but if that is your choice I do not think your will go wrong going on NCL for that cruise. The choice is yours.

 

I see from your signature that you were on the same repo trip with us on the Caribbean Princess. That was one of the best cruise we had. Not sure what happened to you on the RCCL cruise, but we had great times on RCCL cruises.

[WWCJR]

I see from your signature that you were on the same repo trip with us on the Caribbean Princess. That was one of the best cruise we had. Not sure what happened to you on the RCCL cruise, but we had great times on RCCL cruises.

 

Yes that Repo cruise on the Caribbean Princess was one of our best cruises. I don't want to hi-jack this thread but surfice it to say that due to issues with the staff and a few other thigns we probably will not be doing any future cruises on RCCL unless it is all that we can do.

[tikipeople]

I'm interested to know why you think hawaii is the more romantic option because, to me, a cruise is a cruise...the onboard experience is pretty similar regardless of the destination...is it because of the choice of excursions? Obviously hawaii seems more "honeymoon" than the panama canal but in my opinion, everything is what you make it and we fully intend to make this a romantic vacation wherever we go. quote]

 

 

I have to pipe up as I agreed to HI being more romantic and I'm not sure if I can put my finger on the exact why but I feel like I should try.

 

My husband and I have travelled most everywhere over the past 17 years and we put effort into making each trip as romantic as possible, but there was something different about Hawaii. It might have just been that being east coasters, it was such a different atmosphere than the caribbean (which living in Florida, we have done to death). I think it might have been the swimming in the water fall filled with hibiscus flowers, just the two of us, that moved it to the top of the romantic scale. :D

 

However, in thinking about your pre/post Disney stay, I would definately recommend the panana canal cruise. The flight to HI is brutal if you are on a time constraint and the ease of departing out of FLL will make your trip that much more relaxed. Having a great bottle of champagne with your surf and turf balcony dinner while at sea under a panama moon sure sounds pretty romantic.

[bun38]

I cruised with NCL In Hawaii for our honeymoon. You have to think of it as a floating hotel not a cruise. We flew to Hawaii and spent some time in Oahu then boarded the ship. It was a great way to see all the islands without having to waste time packing and dealing with flights. I have also cruised the PC with Princess and it was what a cruise is all about. So I guess it's what you are looking for. A floating hotel or a cruise?

[gcjstri]

Hi There,

 

Not sure why so many people are down on NCL. My husband and i met on an NCL cruise 1987. We have been on many NCL cruises since than and have never had a problem with them. We usualy book a Suite because it is well worth the extra money. You get a Butler and a consierge and a huge cabin. We have cruised Carnival and did not like it at all. We have cruised RCCL a couple of times and liked it but NCL has always been our favorite. I also like the dinning options that they have on NCL, they all have a main dinning room plus apx. 10 other restaurants to choose from.

We be taking our first Princess cruise in Sept 2013 (going to Alaska). The only reason we chose this cruise is because it departs and returns out of San Francisco, we live 20 miles away from there. If NCL was doing this cruise we would have deffinatly booked it with NCL. We love the food/staff /service & suites that they have on NCL

 

Just my more than 2 cents.

take care

cindi :):)

[sunshine nana]

Out of our 9 cruises, NCL in Hawaii comes in 5th and 10 day Island Princess comes in 9th. All were great, but Hawaii was very romantic and fun. The Island Princess was almost all people in their 50's thru 70's.

Here my BEST ADVICE: if you choose NCL, get the Romance suite on the aft (10th deck-huge balcony). You can eat breakfast and lunch in Cagneys, a small special restaurant for free. You will have a butler who can bring you meals in your cabin (not just limited room service). You will be invited to one or two specail cocktail parties. Also, the entertainment is more geared to a younger crowd.

Also, fly to the west coast and stay overnight before going on the Hawaii.

The food and service on the Island was wonderful, we had a mini-suite. To get a suite on Princess is way more extra money than a suite on NCL.

You will have a great time whichever you choose.

[cr8tiv1]

There is no question that NCL has the best itinerary around the Hawaiian Islands since they overnight on two islands. The sail by the volcano and Na Pali Coasts are outstanding (only cruise line to do both). Saying this, you must also factor in all of the excursions, rental car costs, and at least a night's hotel stay before the cruise in addition to the air fare. There are many, many, many things you will also be able to do in Hawaii that are very inexpensive, if you do your homework. The Pride of America does not have a casino on board nor bingo because of state restrictions.

 

I am not a big fan of NCL. I did a Caribbean cruise with them when I was much younger and only did the Hawaii cruise because of the itinerary. I won't go into details about my disappointments. If you are thinking this as your honeymoon cruise, there will be no sea days just to kick back and enjoy your times together.

 

On the other hand, I am a big Princess fan. I did the Panama Canal full transit twice (one 10 day and another 14 day). I am sure that the partial transit will probable have a younger crowd since it will start and end in Fort Lauderdale. Usually the older group does the 2 week cruise. You will have a few sea days to unwind and kick back. Excursions might be a little less if you plan them on your own. You won't need a car. I would definitely look into the jaguar sanctuary in Limon

 

http://www.puertoviejosatellite.com/detail.php?l=Jaguar+Rescue+Centre

 

As a few others have mentioned, take the initiative to have fun on your cruise. You can do as much or as little as you like. Night life may be a little more restricted on a Princess cruise. I just returned from a 2 week to Hawaii and didn't get to bed until almost midnight every night. Had to rest when I got home.

 

I was just wondering if you posted the same thread on the NCL group.

 

Renee (displaced local girl)

[Michellervt]

Early 30's couple here- getting married next weekend and then leaving the following day on the Princess partial transit PC cruise for our honeymoon!

 

We've only been on one cruise before (NCL), and we weren't terribly impressed but had a good enough time to give cruising another try. We've gotten into our Roll Call and it looks like the demographic is older than us but still very active. Personally I'd prefer that to the drunken party atmosphere that you get with the younger crowd. I'm going on this trip to RELAX!

 

I will try to remember to post when we get back and let you know how things went. Good luck with your planning!

[MilliesMom]

If you are talking about the 7 night around the islands cruise (start and end in Honolulu), then I would say NO. We have had two friends go with others (separate cruises) and all came back with NEVER AGAIN. Our travel agent at the time also said she wouldn't book clients on NCL unless they specifically asked her too (this is from an agency that does BOOK all cruise lines).

 

We have been on NCL once to Mexico. Cruise was OK, nothing we would recommend nor have we booked with them again. Carnival, Princess, RCCL all get a thumbs up from us. We choose because of itinerary, price, and cabin availability then of course the cost too.

 

Have you looked into the possibility of cruising from Vancouver to Hawaii and fly back from there? It would allow you the opportunity to spend extra time on the islands before flying home. Many of the cruiselines have that option after the Alaska season is over in September/October.

 

We have friends that have cruised roundtrip from Los Angeles/San Pedro and others from San Francisco (Carnival & Princess). They all loved the cruises and didn't mind the sea days at all.

 

Best wishes & much happiness. Know you will pick what is best for you.

[Cruise Junky]

I've done the 7 day Hawaii on NCL and the full Panama Transit, not the 10 day. For us it would be a no brainer to do Pride of America again. I certainly didn't feel any romance about Panama. If you want true reviews of Pride, head over to the Hawaii board rather than second or third hand. You may read some less than steller experiences from when there were three ships doing this but things have greatly improved over the past few years now that it's down to one. For a Honeymoon there's no way Panama would be on my list.

[sunshine nana]

Why was Hawaii more romantic for us than Panama? Part of it was the beautiful scenery. We went to the beach and walked around the lovely gardens in the towns. The people were happy and fun. On the Panama cruise, there is a lot of poverty in the towns. Of course I felt sorry for the people, but there is not much you can do for them on a vacation. Seeing the situation in Panama City where our Princess bus had an armed guard in a car in front and back was jarring.

Did my suggestion of the Romance Suite on NCL get lost in the shuffle? I think that also helped to make that cruise more special.

We have taken 9 cruises, some very romantic (Med, Alaska, Baltic) and others more history tours which we both like (UK,Panama).

I do have to say the plane trip to/from Hawaii was brutal. If we go again, it will be with a stop on the West coast.

[boilermom53]

Did the 10 day Panama Canal partial transit on the Coral this past October. Definitely an older crowd. There were very few couples in their 20's or 30's, maybe a handful. Didn't see many people out and about after 11:00PM. It was a great trip though.