How would you compare HAL vs Royal Caribbean?

[Cruzaholic41]

We have only been on Radiance, Legend, and Serenade.

 

On the plus side, the Diamond Lounge w/ benefits was an excellent bonus. We could never see ourselves paying for a Neptune experience after enjoying the gratis Diamond lounge which is based on RCI Corp. cruise history rather than cabin selection.

 

I’m just curious. With only 3 RCI cruises, how did you gain access to the Diamond Lounge?

[Aquahound]

I’m just curious. With only 3 RCI cruises, how did you gain access to the Diamond Lounge?

 

Iancal didn't say how many times they've been on those 3 ships. ;) Either that or they're just confusing the Diamond Lounge with the Concierge Lounge.

 

To the OP, this raises a good point. RCI is one of the best lines for loyalty and suites perks. Frankly, this is another area where they blow HAL away. They have 2 lounges....1 for high status and 1 for suites...that serve free alcohol, free specialty coffees, and have their own dedicated concierge. On most ships, these lounges are perched high up and have panoramic views out to sea.

 

Also, loyalty status is recognized across all RCCL cruise lines (RCI, Celebrity, Azamara...and possibly Silversea). Once you gain high status on 1, you are awarded the equal status on the other lines.

Edited July 4, 2018 by Aquahound

[iancal]

Our Diamond status on Celebrity is honored on RCI.

 

RCI's big newest biggest ships do not seem to have the same appeal to us but no doubt we will 'give them a go' at some point.

[George C]

Another thing is if you are booking a suite, perks are way better on rccl suite lounge with free drinks, reserved seats, on newer ship suite restaurant for all meals

[OlsSalt]

Another thing is if you are booking a suite, perks are way better on rccl suite lounge with free drinks, reserved seats, on newer ship suite restaurant for all meals

 

 

...a ship within a ship ........ is that too the HAL "wave of the future"? Or is it a way these humungous ships regain the sense of onboard intimacy they lost, when they supersized themselves well beyond the HAL smaller ship scale of cruising.

[sambamama]

I have sailed on multiple cruise lines multiple times, including RCCL and Hal. I found the food on Royal almost inedible, and the dining room service terrible. The cabins are small, and the ships are huge. It is almost impossible to get a chair by the pool. I felt like the cruise line was looking for ways to squeeze every last dime out of you. The entertainment was much better, but the crew was not nearly as friendly as Hal. I have no desire to sail on Royal ever again.

[Aquahound]

I have sailed on multiple cruise lines multiple times, including RCCL and Hal. I found the food on Royal almost inedible, and the dining room service terrible. The cabins are small, and the ships are huge. It is almost impossible to get a chair by the pool. I felt like the cruise line was looking for ways to squeeze every last dime out of you. The entertainment was much better, but the crew was not nearly as friendly as Hal. I have no desire to sail on Royal ever again.

 

Are there cruises missing from your signature? :confused:

[BSinPNS]

We cruised twice on Liberty out of Galveston over Thanksgiving. Great, but different product. Entertainment is RCCLs forte. We found the food in the MDR to be very good. Not as good as Celebrity or HAL, but very good. RCCL and Celebrity crews are truly international, not just from the Philippines and Indonesia. They are equally friendly and helpful. Of course we have found duds on all cruise lines. With the convenience of the drive to location, I would welcome the opportunity.

[danacline]

As one who has been there, done that, a couple of things. We're booked on the Eurodam in August, and Liberty for next year's Halloween. We sailed on HAL early on, and RCL only once so far. I think I like RCL better, especially since the recent changes to HAL ships. Being in KC, we can easily drive to Galveston, but Florida is a bit of a stretch (done it twice so far).

 

Carnival also sails from Galveston. Princess and HAL used to but I don't think either does any more.

 

If you have decided that cruising is your preferred vacation method, consider buying stock. If you get 100 shares, of either Carnival or RCL, you get cabin credit on every cruise (that includes HAL, Princess, and Carnival for Carnival, RCL and Celebrity for RCL). Plus, prices are down now to the lowest in the last few years.

 

For us, we certainly enjoyed both, but I think everyone enjoyed RCL more. More to do. HAL is more elegant, however.

 

I think any cruise is better than no cruise. Our best cruise was on the oldest, smallest NCL ship still sailing, 4 of us in a tiny inside cabin, and the worst food of any cruise. What made it best? Itinerary...14 days Barcelona to Venice. And the sangria - they did that right.

[avian777]

... we are considering a Royal Caribbean cruise over Thanksgiving 2018.

 

How do they compare to HAL? What is the same? What is different? Things we enjoyed about HAL included the excellent crew, the overall quiet nature of the ship and the delicious food in the MDR.

 

There are many differences between HAL and Royal Caribbean but IMHO there is only one significant difference - only HAL has a Roman Catholic priest (who celebrates daily Mass) on board every one of its cruises. Because spiritual renewal is an important component of our vacation experience, HAL is our hands-down choice. YMMV

[Donny-Joe]

We’ve been on four RCL and five HAL cruises, and overall they’ve all been enjoyable. HAL is a bit more our style, but they have their pluses and minuses.

 

MDR food is much better on HAL. By a big margin. The up charge restaurants on RCL are better than the MDR, and typical RCL ships have more of them than most HAL ships. I think if we take another RCL cruise we’ll budget to eat every night in one of the premium restaurants. Though on longer cruises that gets old, because the upcharge restaurants’ menus never change.

 

Entertainment is generally a bit better on RCL, especially if you are on a ship showing a big Broadway show and it’s one you like. Though HAL has some good things like the B.B. King blues bands. Disney really has the best overall entertainment (if you like Disney).

 

Service is better on HAL. It’s not bad on RCL, just less refined, less polished.

 

HAL itineraries are better. They have better port selections, mostly, longer stays, and in the Caribbean their private island is significantly better than RCLs, in our opinion.

 

RCL ships are livelier. More activity, more energy.

 

Certainly we’ve enjoyed all our cruises, so honestly I wouldn’t try to dissuade you from taking RCL. Try them all! See what you like! Have fun! Let us know what you thought! :)

[KroozNut]

HAL focuses on the passengers and the cruising experience, while RCI is all about the ship, and all the glitz and glamour that goes with that. Personally, I prefer HAL!

[iancal]

I am really not certain why one would try to compare these two cruise lines.

 

They are fundamentally different. They are not trying to be the same. Each has a different target market.

 

This is really about one's personal preferences. I would not expect HAL enthusiasts to be enamored with RCI nor would I expect RCI enthusiasts to be that excited about HAL.

Edited July 6, 2018 by iancal

[navybankerteacher]

I am really not certain why one would try to compare these two cruise lines.

 

They are fundamentally different. They are not trying to be the same. Each has a different target market.

 

This is really about one's personal preferences. I would not expect HAL enthusiasts to be enamored with RCI nor would I expect RCI enthusiasts to be that excited about HAL.

 

I don't understand why anyone would bother comparing them.

 

 

The sad fact is that HAL is giving up what made them special: superior food, good music, excellent service , small ships, and admittedly so-so entertainment. They are obviously trying to cut costs as evidenced by deteriorating food quality and service, vanishing music and building larger ships.

 

They are approaching Royal Caribbean in many respects - without significantly improving entertainment. They are, in fact, becoming more like Royal Caribbean - in that they are competing for a cruise market whose primary interest seems to be low price.

[OlsSalt]

The sad fact is that HAL is giving up what made them special: superior food, good music, excellent service , small ships, and admittedly so-so entertainment. They are obviously trying to cut costs as evidenced by deteriorating food quality and service, vanishing music and building larger ships.

 

They are approaching Royal Caribbean in many respects - without significantly improving entertainment. They are, in fact, becoming more like Royal Caribbean - in that they are competing for a cruise market whose primary interest seems to be low price.

 

New Coke. What more needs be said.

[pugmadkate]

I am really not certain why one would try to compare these two cruise lines...

 

I was on Holland America’s Eurodam last week and loved it. It was my very first cruise and I found the information I got on this board pre-cruise very helpful. So I thought it would be helpful to find out how another cruise line is different and similar.

 

And it has been helpful. Thanks to everyone!

[KroozNut]

The sad fact is that HAL is giving up what made them special: superior food, good music, excellent service , small ships, and admittedly so-so entertainment.

 

Since this is a mostly subjective statement, it invites other opinions, and I am one to disagree. I don't believe that HAL 'is giving up' at all on offering superior food, good music, or excellent service. And this is, in large part, what keeps us coming back to HAL.

 

 

They are obviously trying to cut costs as evidenced by deteriorating food quality and service, vanishing music and building larger ships.

 

All lines are cutting costs, but again, disagree that HAL's food quality and service is deteriorating, or that music 'is vanishing'. Yes, they are building 'larger' ships, but nothing close to the behemoths of RCI and the other lines. HAL's newest vessel (Nieuw Statendam) carries about 2,700 pax and weighs in at a mere 100K tons, while RCI's Symphony of the Seas weighs in at a whopping 230K tons and carries nearly 7K pax!

 

 

They are approaching Royal Caribbean in many respects - without significantly improving entertainment. They are, in fact, becoming more like Royal Caribbean - in that they are competing for a cruise market whose primary interest seems to be low price.

 

Not entirely sure what you mean by saying that 'HAL is approaching Royal Caribbean in many respects, and are in fact, becoming more like Royal Caribbean'. To me they are so far apart in terms of onboard experience, it becomes almost ludicrous to try and compare them.

[bUU]

I am really not certain why one would try to compare these two cruise lines. They are fundamentally different. They are not trying to be the same. Each has a different target market.

I agree. Royal Caribbean is comparable to Carnival; Holland America is comparable to Celebrity.

 

This is really about one's personal preferences. I would not expect HAL enthusiasts to be enamored with RCI nor would I expect RCI enthusiasts to be that excited about HAL.

Of course, many “HAL enthusiasts” are not excited about Holland America, since they are enamored with a rose-colored recollection of the past and hate how things are changing to appeal to a new generation. That begs the question as to whether Celebrity enthusiasts would be attracted to Holland America the way it is changing to appeal to passengers like us. I think the answer is both yes and no... Celebrity did not get mired in the past the way Holland America did. Celebrity's fans are mostly happy where they are and see no reason to change. By the same token, many new cruisers who would otherwise have chosen Celebrity may give Holland America their business.

 

This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

 

Not entirely sure what you mean by saying that 'HAL is approaching Royal Caribbean in many respects, and are in fact, becoming more like Royal Caribbean'. To me they are so far apart in terms of onboard experience, it becomes almost ludicrous to try and compare them.

 

Having just sailed HAL last month, I can assure you that it is a completely different product, demographic, and future focus.

 

We were sick and tired of the repatative food on RCCL 4.5 years ago, and from the sounds of, things have only declined. Royal Caribbean is focusing on a younger crowd, adrenaline, and giant Vegas-like ships that are a destination of their own. HAL appears to be trying to shift towards Younger Boomers / Older Gen X, with a focus on destinations and cultural experience (same as Celebrity, which will do well when they shift towards millennials). HAL offers new ports for seasoned cruisers, RCCL is just has happy to go after first timers and families.

 

These commercials are hardly grasping for the same customers:

 

What they have in common is great customer service. Our Cabin on Navigator of the Seas was very comfy, but I'm not sure if that is normal, or because we were on the first cruise after dry dock.

Edited July 7, 2018 by Stateroom_Sailor

[iancal]

Our last two RCI cruises were definitely focused on a younger crowd. Food was fine.

 

Onewas an 8 day Med in Oct to BCN, then doing a TA so many were on board for both segments. The second was a 21 day Oz/NZ. Average age on that was about the same as any Celebrity cruise that we have experienced. Mostly 55 plus.

 

We have found that demographics and cruise atmosphere can be very different on the same ship when it comes to different cruise lengths, different itineraries, different times in the year.

[KroozNut]

For the record...

The Symphony carries roughly 5,500 pax (double occupancy).

The Nieuw Statendam carries 2,650.

The Symphony internal passenger/space ratio is higher: 41.33 vs 37.55 GT/Passenger

1 GT = 100 cubic feet. This is internal volume, not weight.

The Symphony weight is about 100,000 tons.

The Nieuw Statendam can be estimated as about 50,000 tons (The Titanic was about 56,000 tons).

Happy sailing!

 

Not according to RCI's own site...

 

https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/fact-sheet/31/symphony-of-the-seas/

 

And if you're actually trying to make the argument that Nieuw Statendam compares in size to Symphony, there really is no comparison!

 

Happy sailing! ;)

[navybankerteacher]

 

...

 

All lines are cutting costs, but again, disagree that HAL's food quality and service is deteriorating, or that music 'is vanishing'. Yes, they are building 'larger' ships, but nothing close to the behemoths of RCI and the other lines. HAL's newest vessel (Nieuw Statendam) carries about 2,700 pax and weighs in at a mere 100K tons, while RCI's Symphony of the Seas weighs in at a whopping 230K tons and carries nearly 7K pax!

 

...

quote]

 

I agree that HAL’s new builds are nowhere as huge as RCI’s - but they are significantly larger than their R and S class ships.

 

Some specific changes: larger load for cabin stewards and reduced dining room staff impact service. Live dance music in two venues in the evenings is no more; live music during dinner is gone; fresh squeezed OJ in Lido every morning is gone; obviously cheaper cuts of meat in MDR - to name just a few.

 

I agree - their ships are not like the absurd behemoths on other lines —and their service remains superior - but to ignore changes is difficult.

[corkpopr]

:cool: HAL over RCCI in every respect. Now HAL v. Celebrity I think are similar with personal preference making the decision. Food definitely better on HAL and since I hate cruise line entertainment I never go to any shows. I'll be in the casino if you need me!

[SeaDog-46]

Ronbe65 -

 

Your passengers per Gross Tonne for the two ships are suprising & accurate.

Do not talk about WEIGHT - displacement tonnage - in regards to merchant ships. It is rarely available & varies with load & is irrelevant in regards to passenger capacity.

Gross Tonnage [metric] is a measurement of internal watertight VOLUME of all merchant ships & used to be 100 cu. feet per gross ton. It is only indicative as it does NOT include open deck space.

 

This is why Titanic was bigger than Olympic - they enclosed a deck to give protection from weather.

 

Nieuw Statendam is 99,500 GT compared to Symphony at 228,081 - hardly comparable.

 

Most of the older HAL ships have a better GT/pass. ratio than the two newer ones & the Oasis class.

I spent 29 cruise days on the old Legend of the Seas, but the ship was crowded [33.3 gt/p] compared to HAL & Princess cruises I had taken. Cabin amenities were near zero & they shut the buffet & removed passengers except for limited meal times - that never happened on HAL or Princess. It was such a bad 3 star experience I have never been back.

[Megamixer]

In my opinion, there's no doubt I'd sail on RCCL out of Galveston if that's a port you can drive too. I've found that there are "differences" between cruises that have more to do with the passengers and/or captain of the ship on that particular cruise than the cruise line you're sailing. Also as some noted the time you cruise but again it's never the same. I was on a "spring break" cruise where I had to weave past drunks at the pool to get to the buffet for breakfast. Another "spring break" cruise was nothing like that. Try RCCL - just being able to drive to the port and not having to worry about flights and how much you can pack is worth the try.