Dare to Compare?

[niborHS]

We are looking into taking an HAL cruise next winter. We have been on 13 cruises to date. Our favorite is Celebrity, but we do not like their 7 day iteineraries any more, and do not have time for longer. This year we tried Princess, and it was not comparable in our mind. The level of service and attitude of the staff the main differences that bothered us. We have been on 4 NCL cruises, and they were good, but now that they are totally free-style my husband doesn't want to go again, and of course you miss something not knowing your waiter. We like late seating traditional dining, and book a suite. That is probably what gave us better service on NCL, because we have concierge. Princess does not offer anything like that, so other than a few suite perks, we did not get the same treatment.

I read someone remark about the Carnivalization of Princess, hoping it doesn't happen to HAL, and we hope so too.

[jhannah]

Lots of people tend to blame change on Carnival Corp. influence. It's been argued here quite a bit ... but I don't think that's the case. Each brand is distinct in its product offering.

 

That said, we have not sailed Celebrity yet. But many who have say X and HAL are comparable. Most will say they thought X got a slight nod for dining room food, but HAL won in the Lido buffet. Food is a very subjective thing, but I've never had a bad meal onboard any HAL ship.

 

I can't get the search function to work right now, but you might try searching for "HAL vs. Celebrity." There's a thread by that name somewhere on this board. It should help you.

[AAAAmerican]

Carnival now has many Children and GrandChildren. Princess is really a Step Child too.

 

Holland is an Older Child now... having survived a few years and being given now more identity as well upgrading the Hardware and SeaWare...

 

 

The New Noordam being the newest is now a mark of refference.

 

Improvement in service(s) quality of goods/services/food is now coming..

 

Yes we as well do enjoy the late dining in the Formal Dining Room with the same Wait Staff we may give tips to in person ... European Trained Waiters is nice or a similar method as you have been used to a quality of service that where Waiters are in a Profession now a job title..

 

Yes Celebrity we wanted to take our Waiter home with us a few times. They are excellent in the services and quality of there preperations..

 

Holland America Line is as well great.

 

We are booked on the New Noordam (IV) leaving NYC on 03/25/2006 AD we paid for our in laws this time as it is his 90th Birthday and they cruise quite a bit too.. they like an earlier dining time in the Formal Dining room so this is why we are Confirmed now with that time frame.

 

Why dont you try and get a suite on this timeframe ? They have a lower pricepoint right now . Ask your agent/agency. :D

[Druke I]

Once on Celebrity's Mercury, and three times on HAL, and I prefer HAL.

 

I think HAL's food and food service slightly better - I do think Celebrity's entertainment slightly better. Both opinions of course are very subjective.

 

I do think HAL has a better range of itineraries - they do have more ships.

 

We tried Oceania's Regatta this past August into the Baltic - and thought their food much better than either HAL or Celebrity. We've booked Oceania's Nautica Istanbul to Singapore, through the Suez, 11-06. We like their small ships (former Renaissance R class) very much, and found their "country club casual - no formal" dress code refreshing. Sure simplified the packing.

[niborHS]

Thanks Michael. My husband, who is the big complainer, doesn't go to the shows. He is picky about his dining room service though. From what everyone says, it sounds like he will get the kind of service he likes.

[mark1]

I've read a few of the comparision posts before I chose Celebrity last time and HAL this time.

 

First, I don't think that Celebrity has been as extensive in their upgrades of the older ships. In any case, I think there is a vast difference in quality between the older Mercury/Zenith, the Galaxy group (which we travelled) and the newer bigger, fancier ships.

 

I loved the Galaxy. Every dining room meal, and every part of every meal was outstanding. There were a list of non-menu items that were always available. Many had several appetizers or desserts and skipped a main dish (or didn't). Anyone who didn't love their waiter should have complained, and they were switched (and the waiter would have been re-trained). Service, shows, spas everything was truly outstanding. And the Cruise Director was the absolute BEST (she's now back at HAL).

 

I hope to experience the same at HAL :) I was tempted by many of 10-11 Celebrity itineraries, but that will wait a couple of years until retirement.

 

mark and gretchen

[infopaul]

Robinsilver

 

Although I make no endosements for any of the cruise lines, my wife and I have totaled 41 cruises. Our next cruise # 42 is with HAL on March 25, 2006. Almost 5 years ago she retired teaching with her doctorate ("We Are PENN STATE") and her major field of study was history and world cultures all along with being a personal travel specialist and agent, we have had some unique experiences. Needless to say, and I think you can see where i'm going with this in that we have formulated some opinions about cruise ships and cruising with the different lines.

 

As I was briefing over some of the threads left by other well traveled individuals, one thing came to mind. As simple as it sounds, cruising is about what you want. Believing that you have made up your mind about who you and your husband will cruise with I wanted to add something for your edification. Please keep in mind I (myself) am not the authority of travel or am I in the business, but I do know what I like and I am going to keep my comments limited to Holland America.

 

A couple of years ago, I met the CEO of Holland America (HAL), Stein Kruse. He was both a gentleman's-gentleman and a visionary seeing where he wanted to take HAL into the future. He's also very tall. As he spoke of the recent upgrading of existing ships with their Signature of Excellence, he was intent on learning what else could be done to improve on an existing and well respected leader in the industry of some 130 years. I'm sure they started in 1873. Not to sound like a plug for a comercial, he impressed upon me the reasons why I might have prefered this line.

 

My thoughts in particular about cruising with HAL is very positive. Paying attention to the details, I see why they have the largest amount of repeaters that cannot be compared to any of the other ships that we have cruised with. The crew is well trained, made up largely of Filipino and Indonesian, they are polite and curteous as well as very helpful. In general and in comparison to other service oriented nationals I tend to enjoy the sense of humor and friendships they are willling to extend. I have even been reacquainted with them during subsequent cruises, they remembering me from other past ships that i've sailed with on HAL.

 

Another point to mention is the size of the stateroom which is obviously larger than the other mid-priced cruise lines comparitivly. The veranda was larger than the other cruise ships of equal category. I also notice bathrooms that are small; are small on all cruise lines unless you have booked a room that included a full size bathroom or a bathroom with a half size tub. I like the half size tub on extended cruises of more than 7 days. I am an avid diver (you could read my threads on scuba and snorkle) and I utilize the tub for rinsing gear. I noticed that bathroom issues is usually not a decision factor unless there are handicap issues in which case HAL has staterooms prepared to accommodate passengers with disabilities. In any case, and on all ships, the toilets still make more noise than I care to mention. [so close the door if you don't want to wake up your partner/husband. As a mater of observation women/my wife seem(s) to go to the bathroom more in the middle of the night then men/me.]

 

Although you said your husband is not big on the entertainment, Hal is nipping right behind only one other in it's professionally run productions. Without intending to sound insulting, cruise ship entertainment appear's to perform similar in the way of cook book, cookie cutter type recipes. After seeing so many of them I started to pick up the nuances that made the difference between a well performed prduction and one that wasn't.

 

Now for the part your husband and I have similar feelings for. On cruise ships with Free Style and Alternative dining they have their market. TRADITIONAL DINING is an experience that is best enjoyed by sociable people that feel dining is an event and and an experience. I prefer to dress up as well my wife when we dine. The good sevice guarantees proper gratuities and those who have treated you well will receive it. You will find the wait staff excellent. Dining early or late seating, there are two times available for each seating allowing flexiblity. Food fair is very good as on all ships and cruises with the exception of high end luxury cruise lines that have fewer passengers. It is the industry standard. Subjective is presentation , style, taste but will satisfy even a discerning palate. Luxury cruise ships have a catered menu if you prefer. You won,t find Almas (Russian or gold) Beluga caviar on HAL. What you will find onboard is "The Pinnacle Grill", it will give you the standard that a superior boutique restaurant offers. Make a reservation, at least once, my reccommendation.

 

Finally the other things that make HAL my prefered choice. The iteneraries are above all others. Look at a brochure and judge for yourself. I also like a mature crowd which means fewer children. HAL is looking to reach into a younger market but I haven't really seen it materalize. Tidbit: if I want to avoid children I won't cruise during a holiday and or less than 10 day itinerary, big holidays 14 days. If it takes a village to raise a child, a cruise ship must be a babysitter. With other lines maybe. This cruise line is for adults.

 

It's all about what you want. The other cruise ships offer a lot, and I do cruise with them. I thought the grass was greener in the fancier ship. It's HAL's classic style and elegance that makes her a luxury ship. I just wished they had used the theme to "Over the Rainbow" (Celebrity)LOL...Paul:)

[niborHS]

Paul, thanks for the time that you spent in giving such an extensive review. We do not go on cruises for Broadway callibre entertainment or 5 star dining. We're from NY, so we can stay home for that. I think that you have summed up what we are looking for. We don't need the glitz that some like on other ships, nor are we looking to spend the money right now on Crystal or Raddison. We also no longer have to go during school vacation weeks. It seems like HAL would be perfect for us.

[eldercruser]

Robinsilver,

From your last post it sounds like you are looking for the best value for your cruise dollar. I have said many times that I think the Verandah mini-suite cabins (Cat A and B) on the non-Vista shps are best value on the high seas. These cabins are one of the main reasons we keep coming back to HAL again and again.

[infopaul]

I see what you mean "extensive", I didn't realize it turned into a novel. I'm glad you appreciated my effort. I only wanted you to feel comfortable with your decision. Broadway, 5 star dining, none of the cruiselines i've been on have left that N.Y. type of impression on me. I was from N.Y. It's about cruising warm, sunny, exotic destinations with comfort and some style. What eldercruser says about value makes me smile just that much more...Paul:)

[niborHS]

Thanks again Paul and eldercruiser. Now, when we are "eldercruisers" instead of an elderlawyer and a mortgage broker, we will hopefully be able to go with Crystal. However, I think we will stick with the suite. The suite perks on HAL especially sound like they are right up my husband's alley. The idea of having a concierge in the Neptune Lounge is something I am sure he will like. My remark about not expecting Broadway callibre shows and 5 star dining is to say that this is not what we cruise for, because we long ago came to the realization that it is not what we are going to get. Cruising is not for everyone, but we like it. I think we will probably try the Zuiderdam, the itinerary next winter sounds good, Turks and Caicos is someplace we haven't been, then there's the private island, which is like a non-port to my husband, but I'll get off and stay on the beach probably.