Our First HAL Cruise

[qsuzi]

Ship/Itinerary: Veendam, Mexican Riviera, March 7-14,2015

Us: Married couple average age 59, 35 prior cruises (Princess, RCL, Carnival - small, mid-sized, and large ships) Comparisons where made are to our last cruise on the Crown Princess.

Embarkation: Was underway when we arrived, took about 20 minutes for processing. No "priority desks" but desks for "Special Assist".

Cabin: HAL Vista Verandah Suite 225/63 vs Princess MiniSuite 277/46. HAL cabin was about $75 more per day, bathroom smaller with high lip tub, balcony deeper -lounger could be placed lengthwise vs sideways, furniture more comfortable 2 padded chairs, lounger, but table smaller. "slight sewer smell from vent just inside cabin door, beds comparable with Princess bed most comfortable, furniture comparable and comfortable. HAL had DVD player and over 100 DVD choices plus1 small TV vs Princess 2 larger TVs (bedroom/couch area), HAL minor wallpaper peeling around edges several places, balcony both fully covered but partitions go up higher on Princess and HAL small gap at door and at balcony lessening privacy.

Dining Room/Public Spaces More space and less crowding on HAL, furniture overall better especially the leather comfy loungers, Crows Nest and Princess Skywalkers both had great views with large windows, good entertainment but the vibe and overall comfort level was better in the Crows Nest.

Food/Food Service Food quality and choice good to very good on HAL -best any cruise we have been on vs good on Princess. MDR service comparable (good) on both lines, Lido service Princess excellent on getting you water/ tea, beverages vs only once on HAL. Greater number of Lido staff on Princess. Ice Cream/dessert choices better quality and choice on HAL, Grill on HAL much better food quality and choice on HAL.

Entertainment/Activities Good quality on both lines but increased number of choices and variety during daytime especially on Princess.

Computer Area On HAL many computers face ocean and larger space ratio plus furniture more comfortable. Unable to use computer afternoon midnight next to last day and morning of last day on HAL but not sure if this was a Veendam/computer issue. Have been able to use computer up to disembarkation on other cruise lines we have been on.

Staff Front Office staff somewhat more friendly on HAL, crew overall more friendly and remember your name on HAL but good crew overall on Princess.

Dress Code During the day most HAL cruisers were more casually dressed than myself/husband. Lido many casually dressed all nights, Smart casual nights on Princess seemed more cruisers were less casual than HAL. Elegant nights in MDR on both lines comparable but saw few tuxedos and dress on both lines over the years. Both lines seemed to enforce Dress Codes on Elegant nights.

Atrium Area More of the centerpiece/hub on Princess with entertainment, cafe, grandness.

Pinnacle vs Crown Grill Food quality and choice comparable with ambience better on HAL. Server was overwhelmed with too many passengers at once on Princess and poor service - HAL good to very good service.

Cocktails HAL $2 less per drink (e.g., margarita, martini, colada, mojito, etc.) but use cheapest ingredients and therefore not as tasty. For margaritas Princess uses Patron, 1800 tequila, includes grand marnier, cointreau, and better margarita mix as examples.

Edited March 15, 2015 by qsuzi

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for taking the time to post your comparisons.

 

[JimAOk1945]

Thanks for the comparison. We have cruised on Princess three times and plan to give HAL a try next summer.

 

You said "Both lines seemed to enforce Dress Codes on Elegant nights." Can you please give an example of how HAL enforced the Dress Code on Elegant Night?

 

Thanks

[Susie51]

I enjoyed your well-balance comparison.

[cruz chic]

Thx for your comparison. It could have been written by me. One thing though, I had a margarita on princess in the platinum elite lounge. It was terrible. Maybe it was bad because it was the $5 special. Welcome back to reality.

[qsuzi]

Thanks for the comparison. We have cruised on Princess three times and plan to give HAL a try next summer.

 

You said "Both lines seemed to enforce Dress Codes on Elegant nights." Can you please give an example of how HAL enforced the Dress Code on Elegant Night?

 

Thanks

 

We were only in the MDR once on Elegant night and one man was refused entry because he did not wear a jacket. Don't know if they lent him one. All sitting around us met dress code. Sorry I can't be more helpful -we mostly ate in the Lido at night.

[qsuzi]

Thx for your comparison. It could have been written by me. One thing though, I had a margarita on princess in the platinum elite lounge. It was terrible. Maybe it was bad because it was the $5 special. Welcome back to reality.

 

We didn't attend the platinum/elite lounge events so don't know if they use different ingredients.

[ZSandy25]

Thank you for your review...that said we will be travelling on the Caribbean Princess in Oct. We did one Princess cruise Hawaii/Tahiti years ago and don't remember the ship...Dawn comes to mind but not sure. We were very disappointed in the ship.. .she was going into dry dock right after our cruise and the old girl really needed a makeover.

 

Had no complaints about staff, food, etc. We had a wonderful time. All of our other cruises have been with HAL so I'm sure there will be times I find myself doing the "comparison" . We are a positive couple and always enjoy the adventure.

 

Looks like we will have a grand time..:)

[qsuzi]

Thank you everyone for your comments and taking the time to read the review.

[JimAOk1945]

We were only in the MDR once on Elegant night and one man was refused entry because he did not wear a jacket. Don't know if they lent him one. All sitting around us met dress code. Sorry I can't be more helpful -we mostly ate in the Lido at night.

 

That's what I needed to know. I'll plan on packing my suit. Thanks!

Edited March 15, 2015 by JimAOk1945

[qsuzi]

Thank you for your review...that said we will be travelling on the Caribbean Princess in Oct. We did one Princess cruise Hawaii/Tahiti years ago and don't remember the ship...Dawn comes to mind but not sure. We were very disappointed in the ship.. .she was going into dry dock right after our cruise and the old girl really needed a makeover.

 

Had no complaints about staff, food, etc. We had a wonderful time. All of our other cruises have been with HAL so I'm sure there will be times I find myself doing the "comparison" . We are a positive couple and always enjoy the adventure.

 

Looks like we will have a grand time..:)

 

When were you on the Dawn? Think she was refurbished in 2012 and is now in Australia. We were on the Dawn in January 2008. We were in a full suite so life was great - lots of amenities, lots of marble and teak, a separate toilet/sink area, a separate bath/sink area, a separate bedroom with door, but normal size aft balcony.

[qsuzi]

That's what I needed to know. I'll plan on packing my suit. Thanks!

 

Happy I could help.

[cbr663]

Thanks for the wonderful review and the comparison between HAL and Princess. I have read other recent reviews of the Veendam that have also mentioned the sewer smell. Can you tell please was this a strong smell, was it persistent throughout the cruise and do you know if it was a problem throughout most of the ship or localized to one area?

[qsuzi]

Thanks for the wonderful review and the comparison between HAL and Princess. I have read other recent reviews of the Veendam that have also mentioned the sewer smell. Can you tell please was this a strong smell, was it persistent throughout the cruise and do you know if it was a problem throughout most of the ship or localized to one area?

 

Thank you cbr. It wafted more and less noticeable at times but the smell was there every day. It was only under the vent right after you enter the cabin (between the bathroom and clothes closet). The Front Office questioned me several times on what it smelled like (laughing). Does anyone know how they really can deal with an issue from a vent? We waited 3-4 days before reporting it because we honestly didn't think it could be corrected. We decided we should report it so the next cruiser didn't have the issue if it could be corrected.

Edited March 15, 2015 by qsuzi

[ZSandy25]

When were you on the Dawn? Think she was refurbished in 2012 and is now in Australia. We were on the Dawn in January 2008. We were in a full suite so life was great - lots of amenities, lots of marble and teak, a separate toilet/sink area, a separate bath/sink area, a separate bedroom with door, but normal size aft balcony.

 

I mentioned I couldn't remember the ship or the year:confused: so I went in search of the old pictures...my does time fly by. The ship was the Crown Princess and it was March of 1999!!! Hawaii to Tahiti...and it was Easter. Is that ship still with the fleet.

 

Now about that suite life..I'm sure it was grand. We had a balcony cabin that was very small. The chairs were plastic and had to face each other. So I will have to say HAL has larger verandah's ;)

[cruz chic]

I mentioned I couldn't remember the ship or the year:confused: so I went in search of the old pictures...my does time fly by. The ship was the Crown Princess and it was March of 1999!!! Hawaii to Tahiti...and it was Easter. Is that ship still with the fleet.

 

Now about that suite life..I'm sure it was grand. We had a balcony cabin that was very small. The chairs were plastic and had to face each other. So I will have to say HAL has larger verandah's ;)

 

There is a crown princess but it came into service in 2006 so it must be a previous one. I've found the balconies to be about the same size on both lines but I heard the newest ships are smaller.

 

I did a cruise on the dawn princess in 2006 to mexico. That was my first princess cruise.

Edited March 15, 2015 by cruz chic

[qsuzi]

I mentioned I couldn't remember the ship or the year:confused: so I went in search of the old pictures...my does time fly by. The ship was the Crown Princess and it was March of 1999!!! Hawaii to Tahiti...and it was Easter. Is that ship still with the fleet.

 

Now about that suite life..I'm sure it was grand. We had a balcony cabin that was very small. The chairs were plastic and had to face each other. So I will have to say HAL has larger verandah's ;)

 

I bet I couldn't remember that far back either. I eventually had to start and now keep a list. I agree about the balcony cabins on Princess. You also have to knowledgable about decks, i.e., which balconies are covered, partially covered, and not covered.

Edited March 15, 2015 by qsuzi

[Essiesmom]

I mentioned I couldn't remember the ship or the year so I went in search of the old pictures...my does time fly by. The ship was the Crown Princess and it was March of 1999!!! Hawaii to Tahiti...and it was Easter. Is that ship still with the fleet.

 

That Crown Princess became Ocean Village 2, and then was transferred to P&O-Australia where se sails today. EM

[cruz chic]

I mentioned I couldn't remember the ship or the year so I went in search of the old pictures...my does time fly by. The ship was the Crown Princess and it was March of 1999!!! Hawaii to Tahiti...and it was Easter. Is that ship still with the fleet.

 

That Crown Princess became Ocean Village 2, and then was transferred to P&O-Australia where se sails today. EM

 

I love hearing stories about what ship went where. Thx for the info :).

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for your review and comparison. Hope you had a good cruise.

[qsuzi]

Thanks for your review and comparison. Hope you had a good cruise.

 

Thank you so much Melodie for all the helpful information you provided prior to this cruise. We did have a very good cruise and found so much about HAL to like.

Edited March 16, 2015 by qsuzi

[W5KAP]

Thank you for a very timely comparison. We have done 8 cruises on Princess (just back from New Zealand and Australia) nad several on Carnival (b=never again) but have never taken HAL. We are booked on the 26 day cruise on the Zuiderdam out of Athens in October with a couple of friends. To be honest we were all a bit apprehensive. We all all in out mid 60;s so I guess we fit the HAL demographics from what I have heard. We love Princess but they didn't have the itinerary we were looking for. Being open minded, it will be fun to try something new. We won't spend out time comparing the two lines but I am sure it will come up from time to time.

 

Counting the days

 

Cheers, Kenn

 

PS Sure miss the prior Military OBC that we get from Princess!!

[PhoenixCruiser]

Thanks for your review! Would you have been able to make a 12:30 flight yesterday?

 

###

[erewhon]

Thanks for reviewing your cruise, and comparing with Princess.