Fun Ships vs Signature of Excellence. What you are missing out:

[Tapi]

Ever wondered how Carnival compares to a more upscale cruise line like Holland America?

 

I recently returned from our first Holland America cruise (absolutely wonderful trip to Alaska aboard the Westerdam) and I have written a full review with pictures for anyone interested. (click here: Westerdam)

 

We chose Holland America for this cruise partly because we wanted a more upscale experience than what we've experienced on more budget minded cruise lines. Initially. I wasn't planning on comparing this cruise with our many Carnival cruises, but then I realized that it gave me a new and fresh appreciation for what Carnival offers. While there are many things that Holland America does better, there are many things that Carnival does just as well, many times at a fraction of the price. Here it goes:

 

For comparison purposes, the Westerdam is an 82,000 ton ship built in 2004 and is part of the Signature class (very similar to Carnival's Spirit Class).

 

Here's a key to the symbols used:

= Similar

C Carnival better

H Holland America better

• = Pre Cruise: Very similar. Go online, print E-docs and luggage tags just like on Carnival.
  
• = Check In and Embarkation Process: Identical
  
• = Boarding the Ship: Identical. I was actually expecting a bit more of a personal touch here but basically you board the ship right into an elevator bank, (not the more traditional atrium area) and find your way to your stateroom on your own. A bit anti-climatic.
  
• = Fellow Cruisers: I had read extensively that Holland America caters heavily to an older, more affluent and polished clientele. Although there were some passengers that did fit that description, there were many more that where younger, first time cruisers, families, singles, polished and not so polished. Basically a little bit of everything (just like Carnival).
  
• H (but not by much) Ship Decor: I must say that I was surprised since I was expecting Holland to beat Carnival to a pulp on this one. Holland America prides themselves on their elegant ships and multi million dollar art collections. Several parts of the ship do fit that expectation but there were also several areas that were plain and simple ugly (and a bit tacky). Orange elevators, gloomy night club with furniture straight out of the 70's, worn out carpet and wall coverings in many areas, dull hallways, etc.
  
• CHPublic Spaces: A toss-up. There are some areas on Carnival ships which I found superior, and at the same time there are areas on Holland America which I found superior. For example, the Crow's Nest (forward observation deck) on the Westerdam was superior to any lounge found on Carnival ships. At the same time, I found Carnival's atriums to be superior to the atrium on the Westerdam.
  
• H Stateroom: We had a standard balcony. Very similar in size to Carnival (although balcony did feel a bit bigger). The differences are in the details, like Elemis products, additional throw blankets, DVD player, wicker-style cushioned balcony furniture, extra storage space, extra drawers under the bed, etc
  
• = Cabin Stewards: identical level of service.
  
• H Room Service: Instead of hard plastic plates, they use real china with the Holland America logo. Nice touch. More diverse menu. You can enjoy a full hot breakfast including made to order omelets. You can also order off the MDR menu during dinner hours.
  
• H Laundry: Since we've grown used to the free Platinum laundry on Carnival, we paid for the unlimited laundry service on this cruise. $49 for the week. Main differences are that they provide actual canvas bags with the Holland America logo to send your laundry out (instead of the paper bags on Carnival that rip easily) and your laundry arrives nicely folded, wrapped in tissue paper with a gold HAL sticker and presented in a wicker basket. Shirts and pants are pressed and delivered in hangers.
  
• H Lido and MDR Cuisine: A notch above Carnival in terms of quality and selection.
  
• H (just because of the hours) Alternative Dining: I've always praised Carnival's Steakhouses and considered them to be better than what I've experienced on other cruise lines, but they may have met their match with Holland America's Pinnacle Grill. Absolutely phenomenal. Ambiance, service and cuisine are top notch. One thing that we liked over Carnival was that they open for lunch too, so you don't have to wait until night time to enjoy this venue.
  
• = Duty Free and Logo Shops: basically identical in terms of layout and selection.
  
• H Loudspeaker Announcements: Basically Non existent on HAL. No constant announcements telling you about bingo, art auctions. hairy chest contests, liquor tasting etc. If you want to know what's happening, check your daily program.
  
• C Television, Channel Lineup and Interactive Services: Channels about the same. NO interactive services (can't check account, or make reservations for shore excursions, etc).
  
• H Religious Services: Catholic mass every day (and well attended) as well as a non-denominational service on Sunday.
  
• C Entertainment: I thought Carnival's shows were bad, but Holland America's may have them beat. We fell asleep on one and walked away on another. The "highlight" of the week was an illusionist (you would've thought that David Copperfield would be performing the way they advertised this). Instead, we had a guy doing the same old tricks (girl in box cut in half, straight jacket escape, card guessing games, etc).
  
• H Debarkation Day. You are allowed to stay in your cabin until you are ready to debark. Silent debarkation was a breeze. You are pre assigned to a 15 minute window when to get off the ship, and it works like a charm. No crowds, no lines, no incessant announcements.
  

While Holland does seem to provide a more upscale experience when compared to Carnival, I feel as if they don't quite live up to the expectations set by their slogan "Signature of Excellence". Looking at my list, I did give more points to Holland America, but sometimes not by much. I would take another Holland America cruise in a hearbeat, but at the same time, I've learned to re-appreciate what Carnival has to offer. :)

[Keith1010]

Very nice layout.

 

Keith

[Josher61]

This is a very nice post/comparison. I've never been on HAL. I appreciate your balanced candor and impressions. Thanks for taking the time to offer this.

[Lovefuninthesun]

Concise, well-organized and objective.

 

Thanks! We are ready to try another line for 2014, just beginning to get my feet wet in investigating. This was very helpful!

[Can'tWait2SetSail]

Thank you for that review and comparison.

[JaniceB]

Agree that the Pinnacle is fantastic and I love staying in your stateroom when debarking.

 

Great comparison.

[sjn911]

Nice comments Tapi..Thank you.

[Kfoot]

Appreciate your review. I've looked at HAL a couple times but get turn off by the constant remarks that its geared more towards 'older' crowd. Im in my early 40's. My dentist who luv to cruise like me told me don't do it. She was on one and everyone went to bed by 9. Her words.

I'm itching to try another line though for 2014. The last time I looked at their site, there was nothing available yet for summer 2014.

[spencercoop]

Thank you for posting your comparison. It is always nice to see the differences between lines.

[gapearl]

Very nice comparisons. I've considered booking a last minute Alaska cruise on Holland because they have some cheap last minute deals. I'm definitely going to read your full review. Thanks for posting.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic App

[kristinp36]

I had a similar experience on Hal in Alaska this past May. It was my first Alaska cruise & my first Hal cruise. Normal mix of passengers....I wonder if their non-Alaska cruises are an older crowd?

 

In my opinion.... Carnival beats the crap out of Hal in regards to desserts!

[Tapi]

She was on one and everyone went to bed by 9.

 

Night life is definitely not their strongest attribute. We went to the night club two nights and one time we were the only ones in attendance and the other time there were about 5 other people.

 

The only place that seemed to have a small crowd at night was one of the bars near the casino. The atmosphere was what you'd find at a hometown bar. People sitting at the bar or gathered around small tables, enjoying cocktails and conversing.

[FlaMilkman]

The two cruise lines are marketed at completely different demographics. The older, more upscale clients that HAL is aiming for would never book a cruise with a DJ at the pool or hairy chest contests while Carnival customers would generally find the nightlife on HAL to be boring.

 

As long as you know beforehand what you are paying for (in both cases) than you should be in for a very enjoyable vacation. For instance, last summer my DW and I booked a Costa cruise for our European vacation rather than Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Why? Because we wanted a more European feel to the cruise over an American ship located in the Med. People thought we were crazy booking a trip where the majority of people on-board were Italian and very little English is spoken. Quite the contrary, we enjoyed the different vibe but realize it wouldn't be for everybody.

[spacepotatoes]

Very nice. We've only done one cruise on each line so far (our second Carnival cruise is a month away!) and just from that limited experience, I agree with your comparisons in all but two places: boarding the ship was better on HAL because we didn't have to get in another line to take S&S photos in the atrium and because our cabins were ready for us right away. Also, the service all around was far better on HAL.

[shonuf]

Our first cruises were on HAL in Deluxe suites, loved them. Last few cruises on Carnival in an OV. Both lines have things that we love, and some that we find lacking. Best cruise experience of all was our B2B on the Imagination in Apr/May. Much more to do with people than with food, entertainment, decor or such.

[akwaaba]

Thanks Tapi.... Glad you took the time to write it.

 

Sheila

[jkrislc]

I just got of the Glory after three cruises on HAL. One thing that I did miss was the DVD players in the staterooms and the free DVD rentals. Otherwise, I'd say I agree with your assessment overall. It is nice, as you stated, to have better room service options. They'll even let you order off the dining room menu for dinner and accommodate written requests on the hang menu.

[Sh1035]

Nicely done tapi I was scared knowing your RCL to CCL reviews.

 

But found about the same thing on my attempt at celebrity. Yes the food was really great, ship was lovely, sliding balcony doors, concierge service was cool, but I was not ready for bed at 9!!' Was so funny always the same 7 of us in the casino after 9, 4 people in the club. etc. Not a party animal but give me something fun to do besides watch TV after dinner.

 

I don't cruise for food and decor.....maybe in 20 years?

[PROCRUISE]

Thanks for the very nice overview. The biggest difference we found with HAL was the excellent MDR service and the fresh flower arrangements found all over the HAL ships we've been on. This doesn't make or break a cruise, just very nice touches.

[Tapi]

Nicely done tapi I was scared knowing your RCL to CCL reviews.

 

Ah, don't be scared. ;)

 

Even though it may not seem like it some times, I try to be objective with my observations and reviews. One thing that I'm learning as I try different cruise lines is that there's not necessarily one cruise line that's absolutely better than another. Different, yes.

[lovetocruise2020]

Tapi,

Don't forget most obstructed OV and above have tubs, and sofas

 

Hot room service breakfast from MDR menu (ordered in advance, added to tag)

 

Hot room service dinner from MDR menu

 

Course by Course dining with fine china and linen on your balcony for free

 

Unlimited wine can be brought onboard

 

:)

 

Two newest HAL ships have cabanas that are to die for.

 

We like HAL and I am no where near 40.