HAL vs Carnival

[Sprint]

Hello,

 

I am contemplating a last minute cruise on Nov. 22 with HAL. I have heard wonderful things about this cruise line and would like to try at some time.

 

I have previously sailed 11 times on Carnival and 2 times on RC.

 

Absolutely love Carnival, but looking for a change. More relaxed, a bit older crowd, different options.

 

My biggest concern is that we do enjoy our time in the Casino. Can anyone tell me if the casino would be similar on HAL?

 

Also, if you have cruised both Carnival and HAL, I would love to hear about the pro's and con's.

 

Thank you so much!

[Fairsky]

I have cruised on both....casino on HAL is smaller than on Carnival....HAL more for older people am in 60's and do prefer HAL to Carnival...that being said would cruise either...one thing you won't get on HAL is craziness or people running down hallways at all hours also not as many kids so if you like a more laid back trip HAL is better...I love Casinos and can make do with the casino on Hal Ships

[YubaSutter]

Carnival= suntan lotion.

HAL= Ben Gay rub.

 

Carnival= party til 3 am.

HAL= ghost ship at 11 pm.

[take us away]

HAL ships are smaller and thus the casinos are also smaller. The larger HAL ships have crap tables and more poker options. I find the slot machines are dated but useable.

 

Have seen a comparison as:

Carnival is like a fast food restaurant

HAL is like a sit-down restaurant

[catl331]

More people up early on HAL to watch the sun rise; on Carnival people are up because they haven't been to bed yet!

 

Now I do believe that certain cruises have less of a wild crowd but I just can't get my one experience on Carnival out of my mind. I love HAL's crew!

[crusinpsychRN]

How does MDR food and Lido food compare? Carnival USED to be best at sea, no more.

[DaveOKC]

How does MDR food and Lido food compare? Carnival USED to be best at sea, no more.

 

I found the food on HAL to be better than what we had on Carnival. Room service options much better on HAL (hot foods for breakfast, can write-in items on door tag, can order off of the main dining room menu for dinner).

 

Both lines are fine, but each caters to a different group. Much like Chevy vs Buick - both GM products, but different. As you know, Carnival and HAL are owned by Carnival Corp.

[sherilyn70]

How does MDR food and Lido food compare? Carnival USED to be best at sea, no more.

I would say it rates above. If you are a foodie or have a more sophisticated palate I think you'll enjoy the choices and quality that hal has to offer. I'm not typically a buffet person, but for breakfast I headed straight there instead of using the pinnacle grill (I was in a suite) or MDR. I'm addicted to the eggs benedict, they offer 8 different styles. I would often even combine two of the types (mushroom and then crab meat) or odd get the smoked salmon version. The service in the lido was also exceptional, there was always someone offering to help me carry things and get me drinks. We also find the quality of the food in the MDR to be higher, especially on gala nights.

Oh, and can't forget that fresh squeezed orange juice!

Edited November 11, 2015 by sherilyn70

[Himself]

HAL is a much classier line than Carnival.

[avian777]

Although HAL and Carnival are both owned by the same company, there are many differences between CCL and HAL as noted above. However, IMO HAL has the edge over CCL because of one very significant difference between them - only HAL has a Roman Catholic priest (who celebrates daily Mass) on board every one of its cruises. So if spiritual renewal is an important component of your vacation experience, HAL is the hands-down choice. Whichever you choose, I hope you enjoy the cruise!

Edited November 11, 2015 by avian777

[take us away]

Sherilyn - you just HAD to show the eggs benedict from the Lido with the fantastic French toast lurking in the background - sigh.....

 

Agree that HAL has much better food, more 'elegance' in their menus and more variety in their selections and TOTALLY better service!

 

Had not heard that Carnival ever won best food but do know Celebrity and HAL have won this several times.

[sherilyn70]

Sherilyn - you just HAD to show the eggs benedict from the Lido with the fantastic French toast lurking in the background - sigh.....

 

Agree that HAL has much better food, more 'elegance' in their menus and more variety in their selections and TOTALLY better service!

 

Had not heard that Carnival ever won best food but do know Celebrity and HAL have won this several times.

Well here is a better picture of my husband's french toast for you then, hehe.

[iancal]

HAL is no longer a premium cruise line. Carnival is no longer a party ship.

 

I would base your decision on the ship and the time of year. There are some HAL ships that we would never consider booking. There are some Carnival ships and itineraries that we would not consider booking.

 

We have had good cruises on both. To imply that one is Nordstrom and the other Walmart is a great distance away from reality.

 

It comes down to personal preferences. HAL is not very classy if you end up in an older ship and have A/C and plumbing challenges in your cabin. Nor is very pleasant to be in a small, smoky casino.

Edited November 11, 2015 by iancal

[Sprint]

Thank you everyone! It was a hard decision, and although I want to try HAL someday, the carnival dates worked best for this vacation.

 

Appreciate all your kind responses.

[Mar56]

Thank you everyone! It was a hard decision, and although I want to try HAL someday, the carnival dates worked best for this vacation.

 

Appreciate all your kind responses.

 

From another southwestern Ontario person, while we have enjoyed our HAL cruises we really liked our two Carnival cruises and will be sailing with them again in a couple of years. Enjoy your cruise.

[lstrong]

Had a fabulous carnival cruise out of New Orleans this year! Food better than Recent HAL cruises. Carnival shows better as well. Depends on ship and preferences. I haven't found a cruise I didn't like yet. Please don't let the branding influence your decision. We look at price and itinerary. Booked the 14 day maasdam in Alaska for May

[SonnekeH]

Carnival is like Motel 6

HAL is like Marriott

[ithaca gal]

HAL's food is much better and the clientele is, well, different.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

Well here is a better picture of my husband's french toast for you then, hehe.

 

And here's Carnival's French toast from Last Week:

 

 

In all honestly the MDR dinners were excellent for the money, the French Toast and breakfast in general, not so much... There are more serious options I will do next time, like Steak and Eggs, or the omelet station in the buffet.

Edited November 14, 2015 by Stateroom_Sailor

[sherilyn70]

And here's Carnival's French toast from Last Week:

 

[ATTACH]368549[/ATTACH]

 

In all honestly the MDR dinners were excellent for the money, the French Toast and breakfast in general, not so much... There are more serious options I will do next time, like Steak and Eggs, or the omelet station in the buffet.

 

Yikes, that looks awful. Breakfast is important to me so I'm glad we stuck with Holland America if that is an example of what carnival is doing now.

[Tarpeian Rock]

And here's Carnival's French toast from Last Week:

 

[ATTACH]368549[/ATTACH]

 

In all honestly the MDR dinners were excellent for the money, the French Toast and breakfast in general, not so much... There are more serious options I will do next time, like Steak and Eggs, or the omelet station in the buffet.

 

 

 

In the name of all that's good and holy: is that French toast dipped in Cheerios? Oh, the humanity . . . .

[Stateroom_Sailor]

Yikes, that looks awful. Breakfast is important to me so I'm glad we stuck with Holland America if that is an example of what carnival is doing now.

 

That's the only French Toast listed in the MDR for Brunch, the other options were fruit loops and other sugar cereal coverings. Talk about dry and gross! I guess you can order it without, but they're not high quality either way.

[crusinpsychRN]

How are HAL's shows?

[SHayesShip]

FYI - On CCL's seaday brunch menu they do have the french toast offered covered in fruit loops BUT you can order it regular which is very good. I know because I just did it on a CCL cruise sailing of 10/31/15. The second seaday brunch I ordered their filet mignon and eggs and it was excellent. I sailed on both lines extensively and when I read that CCL is like Motel 6 all I can do is laugh. BTW, I am Platinum with CCL and 4 star with HAL.

[Banditswife]

We are new to HAL, but have sailed CCL several times. We never considered Carnival to be the Walmart of the seas nor like Motel 6. Food has always been good, shows have been good also. We've enjoyed the sea day brunches and the afternoon tea offered on CCL. We've also enjoyed some wins at the casino. It just irks me when I see comments about CCL's supposed inferiority.