Norwegian vs. Holland America

[newmexicoNita]

I am not sure but I think I have read that the Ocean Blu??? on the Breakaway is 50. per person, perhaps that is what they meant by that.

 

That very well could be. I thought about that after I posted. I haven't been on the Epic or the Breakaway. I would also think, at that price the food would be better and atmosphere would be better than a main DR on any ship. I do know the food in Le Bistro and Cagney's is much better than the food in the MDR on Holland America. The dining room service on HAL was very good but nothing like Le Bistro. Last time we were on HAL the specialty dining room was either $30 or $35.00.

 

I think many people base their opinion on, experiences they had years ago or even a couple years ago. I am guilty of this as well. We can say things like "we got this or that on our last XYZ cruise" not realizing these things change daily. If you haven't cruised on a given line in the past 6 months or so your statements can be very misleading.

Edited November 23, 2013 by newmexicoNita

[newmexicoNita]

Teak decks (ncl) make it upscale, compared to the hard rubber decks (NCL). Just like a linolium floor in my kitchen, but a marble floor in a rich guys house. Upscale is more expensive fittings and decks and what not. It is all the small ,sometime not noticed, details.

 

Can even order that full breakfast the day you debark the ship, and can stay in your cabin till your luggage color tag for leaving the ship is called.

 

 

I really liked HAL, but I will say their MDR food seemed more bland to me, I added more salt and pepper. Their MDR do not at all compare with NCLs specialty resturants IMO.

 

Jon

 

We felt the quality of meats etc on HAL were better than NCL but yes, like you, the food was a little bland. Maybe that has to do with the older clientele.

[pxn748]

Thank y'all so much for all the information. We appreciate everyone's opinion. This has helped me get better idea of what to expect. There will be 8 or 10 of us going together and this is the only week we could all go. Like I said we all like the itinerary. We have only been on a few cruises, but I don't see how there could be a bad one and we are more half full than half empty people. But we do like getting dressed up. I guess this time we will bring just suites instead of tuxes and suites!

[newmexicoNita]

Thank y'all so much for all the information. We appreciate everyone's opinion. This has helped me get better idea of what to expect. There will be 8 or 10 of us going together and this is the only week we could all go. Like I said we all like the itinerary. We have only been on a few cruises, but I don't see how there could be a bad one and we are more half full than half empty people. But we do like getting dressed up. I guess this time we will bring just suites instead of tuxes and suites!

 

Yes, leave the tux at home. You can also feel comfortable dressing up, at least somewhat in Le Bistro for starters, if you plan on eating at a specialty dining room.

[emcelh]

Can even order that full breakfast the day you debark the ship, and can stay in your cabin till your luggage color tag for leaving the ship is called.

 

 

 

 

Jon

You can only order a full hot breakfast from room service if you are in a suite. Otherwise, it's fruit, pastries, cereal, etc. that is available for breakfast. They've also requested passengers be out of their cabins by 9am on our last couple of cruises.

[hypercafe]

On my last HAL trip on the Ziuderdam, I found the ship to be rundown. The AC and toilet only worked half of the time. I was turned off by the whole trip. I would not go back on them again.

[RJ2002]

Thank y'all so much for all the information. We appreciate everyone's opinion. This has helped me get better idea of what to expect. There will be 8 or 10 of us going together and this is the only week we could all go. Like I said we all like the itinerary. We have only been on a few cruises, but I don't see how there could be a bad one and we are more half full than half empty people. But we do like getting dressed up. I guess this time we will bring just suites instead of tuxes and suites!

 

From my experience on our two NCL cruises, you can probably leave the suits at home as well. There is a scattering of people that dress on NCL. I just wouldn't go to the trouble of taking formal clothing on an NCL cruise.

 

I agree with some of the other postings. From a MDR food perspective, HAL is much better than NCL IMO. However, the specialty restaurants on NCL are very good. Entertainment on NCL is much better than HAL.

 

We would sail on NCL again for the right itinerary. Our last NCL cruise we were in a suite, and we enjoyed the experience very much. Would definitely book a suite again.

[NH Cruisers]

You can only order a full hot breakfast from room service if you are in a suite. Otherwise, it's fruit, pastries, cereal, etc. that is available for breakfast. They've also requested passengers be out of their cabins by 9am on our last couple of cruises.

I should have been more specific. Holland America has the full breakfast menu avail for room service and can stay in your cabin till called on debarkation day. No matter the cabin catagory. Unless changed in the last couple years.

 

Jon

[Cruise_More_Often]

You can enjoy the full suite experience on a Norwegian ship for what a balcony costs on HAL. :eek: Granted, this will not be on all ships nor all itineraries, but do your shopping.

 

We are returning to HAL next year for a Canada/New England trip from Boston to Montreal. It's a great itinerary, and we're looking forward to seeing the difference between the two lines. Our first cruise was on a HAL ship -- the old Nieuw Amsterdam -- in 1992, and I know our next cruise won't be anything like that was.

 

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this thread.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Cruise_More_Often

[bjlaac]

Your statements are inaccurate. There is (or was) a worldwide shortage of escargot and most of the lines discontinued it or limited it because they simply could not get it.

 

Lobster and shrimp was served in the MDR on my last NCL cruise as well as my last Princess cruise.

 

If you are trying to influence the decisions of others, you can select many isolated items to bolster your case, but that doesn't present the whole truth or the entire picture.

 

I'm not trying to sway the conversation either way only state what I experienced. On my last HAL cruise We had Maine Lobster, Escargo and shrimp cocktails in the MDR. I did not look for Osso Boco but 6 months earlier it was on the HAL MDR.

 

On NCL in January of 2013 No Shrimp coctail, no Osso Boco and a rock lobster that they limited to one. On my scheduled NCL cruise in January 2014 I read no lobster at all on the Breakaway in the MDR.

 

As far as cost , the last 2 1/2 years we have taken a 12 day cruise on HAL, RCCL, and NCL in comparable balcony staterooms. NCL was the smallest and the price was the SAME!.

 

Seems like you are trying to sway the conversation.

 

OP go on NCL you will have a great vacation, just don't expect it to be the same as HAL you will be disappointed. Go with an open mind.

[NH Cruisers]

You can enjoy the full suite experience on a Norwegian ship for what a balcony costs on HAL. :eek: Granted, this will not be on all ships nor all itineraries, but do your shopping.

 

We are returning to HAL next year for a Canada/New England trip from Boston to Montreal. It's a great itinerary, and we're looking forward to seeing the difference between the two lines. Our first cruise was on a HAL ship -- the old Nieuw Amsterdam -- in 1992, and I know our next cruise won't be anything like that was.

 

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this thread.

2 years ago. 10 days Panama Canal cruise in a balcony stateroom. $899 P/P. Can't get a full suite for that on NCL. Even for 7 days.

 

 

 

Jon

[Cruise_More_Often]

2 years ago. 10 days Panama Canal cruise in a balcony stateroom. $899 P/P. Can't get a full suite for that on NCL. Even for 7 days.

 

 

 

Jon

That's why I said "Granted, this will not be on all ships nor all itineraries, but do your shopping."

 

Take a look at Norwegian's SJ Suites. Even though you don't get a balcony with an SJ Suite, a 7-night Canada/New England cruise (Boston to Quebec City, September 2014) in one of those would cost $1,899, and you get full-suite amenities. If you spring for an SF aft-facing Penthouse Suite with a balcony on the same cruise, you'd pay $2,439. On HAL, a balcony cabin on a 7-night cruise Boston to Quebec City (also in September 2014) would cost $2,499 (a VQ or a BB cabin).

 

I used a major travel agency site to find the pricing for both lines; I didn't use past-passenger or over-55 rates, and port fees and taxes aren't included.

 

All I know is that we are paying a lot more for our HAL cruise in a CA Lanai cabin (no balcony) than we were for the mini-suite we had earlier booked on the Dawn. It's worth it to us, because the itinerary is terrific.

[newmexicoNita]

I'm not trying to sway the conversation either way only state what I experienced. On my last HAL cruise We had Maine Lobster, Escargo and shrimp cocktails in the MDR. I did not look for Osso Boco but 6 months earlier it was on the HAL MDR.

 

On NCL in January of 2013 No Shrimp coctail, no Osso Boco and a rock lobster that they limited to one. On my scheduled NCL cruise in January 2014 I read no lobster at all on the Breakaway in the MDR.

 

As far as cost , the last 2 1/2 years we have taken a 12 day cruise on HAL, RCCL, and NCL in comparable balcony staterooms. NCL was the smallest and the price was the SAME!.

 

Seems like you are trying to sway the conversation.

 

OP go on NCL you will have a great vacation, just don't expect it to be the same as HAL you will be disappointed. Go with an open mind.

 

you may think you are just pointing out the differences, which is great and the OP does need to know these things, but first of all: I do not have any clue which NCL cruise you were on in the past 2 years but I do know the price for a 12 day cruise on HAL is pricier than NCL unless the itinerary had higher port charges or you are comparing one of the oldest HAL ships with one of the more upscale NCL ships. We are cruising on an 11 day cruise on NCL in 2 weeks, we have a balcony cabin for $1230 per person including an OBC. Our last NCL cruise which was this year Lobster certainly was served in the main dining room and it wasn't limited to one per person: the same with Osso Boco. This is not saying HAL doesn't have been food in the main dining, they do, but your examples are not quite accurate. Oh and on our last HAL cruise we did not get escargot in the main dining room. it may have been offered the night we choose to eat in the alternative dining room, I don't know. The cabins on HAL are, indeed larger, the cabins on RCCl are about the same, in some cases smaller.

 

I am certainly not blasting any other line and I think HAL is one of the best, but I also think you are putting NCL down. Just a comment about no Lobster on your next cruise: where did you get that idea?

Edited November 24, 2013 by newmexicoNita

[NH Cruisers]

That's why I said "Granted, this will not be on all ships nor all itineraries, but do your shopping."

 

Take a look at Norwegian's SJ Suites. Even though you don't get a balcony with an SJ Suite, a 7-night Canada/New England cruise (Boston to Quebec City, September 2014) in one of those would cost $1,899, and you get full-suite amenities. If you spring for an SF aft-facing Penthouse Suite with a balcony on the same cruise, you'd pay $2,439. On HAL, a balcony cabin on a 7-night cruise Boston to Quebec City (also in September 2014) would cost $2,499 (a VQ or a BB cabin).

 

I used a major travel agency site to find the pricing for both lines; I didn't use past-passenger or over-55 rates, and port fees and taxes aren't included.

 

All I know is that we are paying a lot more for our HAL cruise in a CA Lanai cabin (no balcony) than we were for the mini-suite we had earlier booked on the Dawn. It's worth it to us, because the itinerary is terrific.

I whole heartedly agree with you on the pricing about HAL being more expensive (but it seems only for Canada/New England, Alaska, Europe and the south Pacific itineraries). The fares for the caribbean are very cheap by and large on HAL. Their (HAL) older ships too seem to demand a higher price. Smaller ship, higher space ratio p/p, bit more luxury feeling.

 

I would love one of those Lanai staterooms. I wish more lines would have them. Basically your balcony is the promenade deck. It isn't private, but that would not matter to me.

 

I would end up (happily) cruising NCL on the Canada/New England itinerary due to the fact HAL is a lot more expensive and the 7 day is only one way. My bucket list cruise is 14 day (HAL) round trip Boston, Montreal, Boston with a port stop in Sacageny. Likely around $3500 p/p in a lanai.

 

 

Jon

[Cruise_More_Often]

. . . I would end up (happily) cruising NCL on the Canada/New England itinerary due to the fact HAL is a lot more expensive and the 7 day is only one way. My bucket list cruise is 14 day (HAL) round trip Boston, Montreal, Boston with a port stop in Sacageny. Likely around $3500 p/p in a lanai.

 

 

Jon

Jon, we originally booked the NCL 14-day cruise, but it is hard for us with pets and grandkid-sitting duties to be away from home for 16 days. We switched to the 7-day cruise with more Canadian ports, but then we saw the Maasdam cruise that went all the way to Montreal. We wanted to see Montreal after the cruise anyway, so the Maasdam cruise fit the bill for us. We love NCL, and if the Dawn's itinerary had worked better for us, we'd have kept it.

 

I'm glad to read that so many NCL cruisers also like HAL cruises.

[halos]

I'm not trying to sway the conversation either way only state what I experienced. On my last HAL cruise We had Maine Lobster, Escargo and shrimp cocktails in the MDR.

 

I lived in Maine up until last year...and last year there was big news in Maine. The lobstermen were all quite happy because TWO cruise lines bought HUGE amounts of that delicious crustacean for ther passengers.

Those lines were HAL and NCL.

 

So, guess what, you get ME lobster on NCL too ;)

 

You can get lobster all the time on NCL, as well as shrimp. Escargot seems to be hit and miss depending on availability...as someone mentioned all lines had short supply last year.

[Markanddonna]

I tried HAL because I

1. had the option in Alaska

2. wanted a different itinerary than I had done before

3. HAL seems to have more cheerleaders on their board

 

I discovered that

1. our sailing (June) had a LOT of people of all ages.

2. The Westerdam seemed dark and sort of gloomy in many places and maybe some folks interpret that as more elegant.

3. The food was just slightly better on HAL.

4. The MDR service was the worst I have ever experienced on any ship.

5. The staff was subpar in friendliness, but competence was just fine outside the MDR.

6. HAL's upsell was really a good deal, but you can't count on getting one. We were just lucky perhaps.

7. The overall experience on HAL was no better than RCL or NCL.

 

HAL is in third place of our cruise lines. They just didn't live up to the high standards some frequent HAL cruisers reported. I learned that one has to be careful of who you listen to. It isn't that HAL supporters are incorrect, but all the loyalty benefits some of them receive probably makes it a different experience.

[KateQ22003]

Hal is a much more upscale experience. The ships are elegant; nice touches all over the ship that include fresh flowers. The food is much better and the service is second to none. It is a quieter atmosphere; I would call it refined. We love HAL and would sail with them again in a heartbeat.

[HokiePoq]

I tried HAL because I

1. had the option in Alaska

2. wanted a different itinerary than I had done before

3. HAL seems to have more cheerleaders on their board

 

I discovered that

1. our sailing (June) had a LOT of people of all ages.

2. The Westerdam seemed dark and sort of gloomy in many places and maybe some folks interpret that as more elegant.

3. The food was just slightly better on HAL.

4. The MDR service was the worst I have ever experienced on any ship.

5. The staff was subpar in friendliness, but competence was just fine outside the MDR.

6. HAL's upsell was really a good deal, but you can't count on getting one. We were just lucky perhaps.

7. The overall experience on HAL was no better than RCL or NCL.

 

HAL is in third place of our cruise lines. They just didn't live up to the high standards some frequent HAL cruisers reported. I learned that one has to be careful of who you listen to. It isn't that HAL supporters are incorrect, but all the loyalty benefits some of them receive probably makes it a different experience.

 

Not so much the loyalty benefits on HAL. I'm a three star (75 days) and get the reception and the tile, period. (10% logo discounts, etc. don't count). NCL 75 day platinum benefits are fabulous; better than 200 day four star benefits IMO. I'd say the loyalty statement applies to RCCL where we had multiple people tell us onboard the worst ship we've ever sailed (Legend of the Seas) that the Diamond benefits (i.e. free booze reception daily) were the only reason they were Royal Loyals. There are loyals on all the boards I visit. You are right about listening to those who have a balanced view and see positives in every line and view the negatives objectively, too.

[newmexicoNita]

Hal is a much more upscale experience. The ships are elegant; nice touches all over the ship that include fresh flowers. The food is much better and the service is second to none. It is a quieter atmosphere; I would call it refined. We love HAL and would sail with them again in a heartbeat.

 

I think this is where the word "opinion" should come in. I don't know how long since you cruised HAL or how many times, nor what ship, but your comments, for the most part are just opinions. Many of us would disagree. I don't think anyone would question the word elegant when you talk about things like the fresh flowers, but food and service not everyone would agree. We did like the food in the MDR, but thought the specialty dining room was overpriced and nothing special. As for the service, there is where you might get some who might disagree. Personally, we had excellent room stewards both times we sailed but our friends were not as lucky. They though NCL had better service with smiles to top it off. The casino gal on our first HAL cruise was down right rude and the pursers desk wasn't much better. I do think the word refined fits the overall picture of HAL but this isn't always good. What other lines have you cruised recently?

Edited November 25, 2013 by newmexicoNita

[Cruise_More_Often]

Hal is a much more upscale experience. The ships are elegant; nice touches all over the ship that include fresh flowers. The food is much better and the service is second to none. It is a quieter atmosphere; I would call it refined. We love HAL and would sail with them again in a heartbeat.

I think the adjectives you mentioned are the real distinguishing features between HAL and NCL. Our our first cruise, which was on the now-retired Nieuw Amsterdam, what we saw was lots of dark reds and dark browns--dark, dark, dark everywhere. And it was definitely quiet, sort of reminded me of a library where everyone talks with muted voices. What we love about NCL ships is the low-key atmosphere, music everywhere around the ships (like Fire and Ice or Jose and Patty, NOT Tommy Dorsey band music), people laughing, dancing, the officers roaming the ship, stopping to talk with you, the light/bright/airy public spaces. We're approaching 70, and I'm still concerned that we may be too young-at-heart to feel at home on HAL.

[newmexicoNita]

I think the adjectives you mentioned are the real distinguishing features between HAL and NCL. Our our first cruise, which was on the now-retired Nieuw Amsterdam, what we saw was lots of dark reds and dark browns--dark, dark, dark everywhere. And it was definitely quiet, sort of reminded me of a library where everyone talks with muted voices. What we love about NCL ships is the low-key atmosphere, music everywhere around the ships (like Fire and Ice or Jose and Patty, NOT Tommy Dorsey band music), people laughing, dancing, the officers roaming the ship, stopping to talk with you, the light/bright/airy public spaces. We're approaching 70, and I'm still concerned that we may be too young-at-heart to feel at home on HAL.

 

I am smiling about the age thing: our first HAL cruise we were about 70, I am guessing. That is how we felt; we saw people sleeping in the library, walkers and canes everywhere, the ship was dead by 8pm, and in our friends words: NCL just has more energy. I usually use the word; subdued, but quiet and elegant are great words.

[punkincc]

I think the adjectives you mentioned are the real distinguishing features between HAL and NCL. Our our first cruise, which was on the now-retired Nieuw Amsterdam, what we saw was lots of dark reds and dark browns--dark, dark, dark everywhere. And it was definitely quiet, sort of reminded me of a library where everyone talks with muted voices. What we love about NCL ships is the low-key atmosphere, music everywhere around the ships (like Fire and Ice or Jose and Patty, NOT Tommy Dorsey band music), people laughing, dancing, the officers roaming the ship, stopping to talk with you, the light/bright/airy public spaces. We're approaching 70, and I'm still concerned that we may be too young-at-heart to feel at home on HAL.

 

Hi, Adele! Could not agree with you more!:D

[KateQ22003]

I think the adjectives you mentioned are the real distinguishing features between HAL and NCL. Our our first cruise, which was on the now-retired Nieuw Amsterdam, what we saw was lots of dark reds and dark browns--dark, dark, dark everywhere. And it was definitely quiet, sort of reminded me of a library where everyone talks with muted voices. What we love about NCL ships is the low-key atmosphere, music everywhere around the ships (like Fire and Ice or Jose and Patty, NOT Tommy Dorsey band music), people laughing, dancing, the officers roaming the ship, stopping to talk with you, the light/bright/airy public spaces. We're approaching 70, and I'm still concerned that we may be too young-at-heart to feel at home on HAL.

 

Well, I was actually in my 40's when I cruised HAL, and we loved it. We were in a suite and my husband and I were spoiled to the hilt! We would go back again in a heartbeat. We didn't find it quiet in the way you describe (like a library); just more refined. The food was outstanding; we loved the Pinnacle. No hairy legs contests, no screaming kids in the pool (HAL has an adult only pool at the back of the ship). For me, it was so relaxing. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. When I cruise with my husband I choose HAL; if I'm looking to be more rowdy with my girlfriends we choose NCL.

Edited November 25, 2013 by KateQ22003

[KateQ22003]

I think this is where the word "opinion" should come in. I don't know how long since you cruised HAL or how many times, nor what ship, but your comments, for the most part are just opinions. Many of us would disagree. I don't think anyone would question the word elegant when you talk about things like the fresh flowers, but food and service not everyone would agree. We did like the food in the MDR, but thought the specialty dining room was overpriced and nothing special. As for the service, there is where you might get some who might disagree. Personally, we had excellent room stewards both times we sailed but our friends were not as lucky. They though NCL had better service with smiles to top it off. The casino gal on our first HAL cruise was down right rude and the pursers desk wasn't much better. I do think the word refined fits the overall picture of HAL but this isn't always good. What other lines have you cruised recently?

 

Of course my comments are opinions; isn't this question really about opinions? You can agree or disagree just as I can. We found the food to be superior on HAL, as well as the service in the dining room and buffet. Of the 3 lines we have sailed (Royal, NCL, HAL) we found HAL to be the best experience, followed by NCL. I can't speak to the casino, as we didn't gamble, but really it just depends on the experience you are looking for.