NCL Princess or HAL for Alaska?

[CraftyMomster2112]

I'm looking for something similar for my dad, my son, and me, so I'm getting lots of great information from you here.  Some of you are truly informed and well traveled, and I'm in awe of your expertise--thank you for your insight (especially you, Heidi!). 
 

I've found a really useful website that maps ships' positions and routes: cruisemapper dot com.  It's a great resource for actual ship routes as well as port schedules (all the better for seeing if the Monstrosity of the Seas will be in port with her seven sister ships the day your modest tug arrives for a four-hour visit, lol!). Good to know which ports will be inundated with cruisers.  

[Panhandle Couple]

11 hours ago, HelCat said:

@Panhandle Couple How did you like Discovery Princess?  Would you recommend it?  
 

And thanks for the info and the port schedule!

Overall, I give it a C+, maybe B-.

Two years between when we sailed and your trip will mean a crew turnover of 2 or 3 times, so I won't focus on crew issues.

And since we have been sailing NCL, I can only compare with them.

The ship was 4 months old, so had the new ship feeling.  Nicely decorated. 

 

We had a std balcony cabin, which was smaller than comparable NCL.  The bathroom was very small, the shower especially.  The balcony is the narrowest we have seen.  The rest of our group had the larger balcony rooms (but same size balcony), which we would choose in the future.  However, they did open the partitions between the balcony's, giving us freedom to walk in our private area.  If you get 2 rooms beside each other, ask for that.

 

As I have said in other threads, the seating area for the buffet is too small (when the ship is 100% full) and crammed up into the walkway that leads to the aft elevators.  On port days everyone wants a quick breakfast bite at the buffet, so it will be crowded.

 

The pool deck area is very nice, with 2 bars, but, it was overcast, foggy drizzly on 4 of our days, making it only marginal for use.  The snack bar there was popular (because the buffet gets too full?) and the pizza was good.  In nicer weather this would be comparable to the Bliss or Encore.

 

The aft deck bar is nice, with an infinity pool, but the pool is small (and unused in Aug in Alaska) and takes up the deck area that could be for seating.

 

There are 10 hot tubs scattered around, which are useful in colder weather, but like most cruise tubs, they are not especially hot. 

 

The jogging deck is the widest we have used, but too windy on several days for most people.  I did get a mile in with 50 mph winds one day.

 

The forward private deck area that you can rent by day was unusable in Aug, but might be a good option when cruising Glacier Bay.  It might be OK in June with longer sunshine.

 

The spa (which we don't use) is buried on deck 5, seemingly w/o any views of the water.

 

The ship has a dual lounge setup, where trivia, games, etc take place freeing up the atrium for other events.  But both are in the center of the ship, so no windows outside to let you know you are on a cruise.

 

There is a jazz club that was nice, but featured a style of jazz (Dave Brubeck) that isn't mass appealing.  Hopefully that has changed.

 

The atrium is nice and roomy, and not as loud as NCL's.  I recall it has a bar on each of the 3 levels.  We really liked the lower one where they do special drink presentations, and drinking the unusual drinks they make.

 

Our cruise did Tracy Arm, and the crew brought warm drinks (w/booze) and snacks topside in the mist and light rain, which was a nice touch.  Despite the weather, they also said that was the closest and best view of the glacier they had seen that year. (2022 wasn't a great weather year for Alaska cruising).

 

We skipped the gym due to sailing with a large party crowd.

We skipped the casino because we don't gamble.

Onboard shopping seemed about the same.  We rarely buy anything onboard.

 

Overall we though the MDR food quality was not as good as NCL, including the 2 specialty restaurants.   The buffet food was comparable.  We prefer NCL dine as you go MDR vs assigned times and tables.  We never got a window seat for dining (which we really enjoy) outside the buffet.  

 

There are few public areas (in the atrium area, decks 6-7-8) where you look out at the world going by, it is focused on looking inside the ship. 

 

Getting on-off the ship was typical, no real issues other than the occasional pushy co-passengers.  The north dock they use in Seattle is less hectic than the NCL dock downtown. 

 

There are many reviews on U-tUBe that you can watch to compare any 2 ships.  Most will be very positive, and many are recorded by travel agents.

 

[Heidi13]

14 hours ago, dave_k58 said:

Is the Crown too big for the Inside Passage?

 

 

The Crown Princess is a Grand Class ship, which transit Seymour Narrows, so use Johnstone Strait to the east of Vancouver Island.

[Heidi13]

11 hours ago, CraftyMomster2112 said:

I'm looking for something similar for my dad, my son, and me, so I'm getting lots of great information from you here.  Some of you are truly informed and well traveled, and I'm in awe of your expertise--thank you for your insight (especially you, Heidi!). 
 

I've found a really useful website that maps ships' positions and routes: cruisemapper dot com.  It's a great resource for actual ship routes as well as port schedules (all the better for seeing if the Monstrosity of the Seas will be in port with her seven sister ships the day your modest tug arrives for a four-hour visit, lol!). Good to know which ports will be inundated with cruisers.  

 

If you are interested in tracking the ships, most of us retired mariners use Marinetraffic.com Personally, I only use the free version, but the paid version includes tracking the AIS signals by satellite, whereas the free version only tracks with Ground Earth Stations.

[CraftyMomster2112]

Heidi13, I will definitely have to use that!  I have the Vessel Finder app, but that's a bit more confusing for me.  
 

I like stalking flights as well as voyages.  I have both FlightRadar and FlightAware, because it always wondered where that one random plane in the sky was heading.  Now I know!  

[HelCat]

9 hours ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Overall, I give it a C+, maybe B-.

Two years between when we sailed and your trip will mean a crew turnover of 2 or 3 times, so I won't focus on crew issues.

And since we have been sailing NCL, I can only compare with them.

The ship was 4 months old, so had the new ship feeling.  Nicely decorated. 

 

We had a std balcony cabin, which was smaller than comparable NCL.  The bathroom was very small, the shower especially.  The balcony is the narrowest we have seen.  The rest of our group had the larger balcony rooms (but same size balcony), which we would choose in the future.  However, they did open the partitions between the balcony's, giving us freedom to walk in our private area.  If you get 2 rooms beside each other, ask for that.

 

As I have said in other threads, the seating area for the buffet is too small (when the ship is 100% full) and crammed up into the walkway that leads to the aft elevators.  On port days everyone wants a quick breakfast bite at the buffet, so it will be crowded.

 

The pool deck area is very nice, with 2 bars, but, it was overcast, foggy drizzly on 4 of our days, making it only marginal for use.  The snack bar there was popular (because the buffet gets too full?) and the pizza was good.  In nicer weather this would be comparable to the Bliss or Encore.

 

The aft deck bar is nice, with an infinity pool, but the pool is small (and unused in Aug in Alaska) and takes up the deck area that could be for seating.

 

There are 10 hot tubs scattered around, which are useful in colder weather, but like most cruise tubs, they are not especially hot. 

 

The jogging deck is the widest we have used, but too windy on several days for most people.  I did get a mile in with 50 mph winds one day.

 

The forward private deck area that you can rent by day was unusable in Aug, but might be a good option when cruising Glacier Bay.  It might be OK in June with longer sunshine.

 

The spa (which we don't use) is buried on deck 5, seemingly w/o any views of the water.

 

The ship has a dual lounge setup, where trivia, games, etc take place freeing up the atrium for other events.  But both are in the center of the ship, so no windows outside to let you know you are on a cruise.

 

There is a jazz club that was nice, but featured a style of jazz (Dave Brubeck) that isn't mass appealing.  Hopefully that has changed.

 

The atrium is nice and roomy, and not as loud as NCL's.  I recall it has a bar on each of the 3 levels.  We really liked the lower one where they do special drink presentations, and drinking the unusual drinks they make.

 

Our cruise did Tracy Arm, and the crew brought warm drinks (w/booze) and snacks topside in the mist and light rain, which was a nice touch.  Despite the weather, they also said that was the closest and best view of the glacier they had seen that year. (2022 wasn't a great weather year for Alaska cruising).

 

We skipped the gym due to sailing with a large party crowd.

We skipped the casino because we don't gamble.

Onboard shopping seemed about the same.  We rarely buy anything onboard.

 

Overall we though the MDR food quality was not as good as NCL, including the 2 specialty restaurants.   The buffet food was comparable.  We prefer NCL dine as you go MDR vs assigned times and tables.  We never got a window seat for dining (which we really enjoy) outside the buffet.  

 

There are few public areas (in the atrium area, decks 6-7-8) where you look out at the world going by, it is focused on looking inside the ship. 

 

Getting on-off the ship was typical, no real issues other than the occasional pushy co-passengers.  The north dock they use in Seattle is less hectic than the NCL dock downtown. 

 

There are many reviews on U-tUBe that you can watch to compare any 2 ships.  Most will be very positive, and many are recorded by travel agents.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such an informative response!!!

[MississippiMom]

On 7/12/2023 at 8:28 PM, Aquahound said:

I have cruised Ruby, Koningsdam, and a sister ship to Encore.  By far, Encore will be the liveliest ship with a ton of activities and great entertainment.  The other 2 ships do not compare in that regard.

 

I recommend avoiding Ruby.  The ship looks and feels dated and has small standard cabins.  You have to book a mini suite in order to get a couch in your room.  I'll never book that ship again.  

 

Koningsdam is a really nice ship and they do have some lively entertainment options.  I think the stateroom showers are the nicest in the business.  

 

If the ship and activities are your priority, Encore is your ship.  If Alaska is your priority, I'd lean more toward K'dam.  

THIS response is the kind of information that I find useful.  We need the ton of activities and the great entertainment.  But . . . Due to my husband’s height & weight, stateroom shower size is SUPER important.  (Time to go search for photos or videos of Koningsdam and sister ships.)

[Crew News]

11 hours ago, MississippiMom said:

THIS response is the kind of information that I find useful.  We need the ton of activities and the great entertainment.  But . . . Due to my husband’s height & weight, stateroom shower size is SUPER important.  (Time to go search for photos or videos of Koningsdam and sister ships.)

I will be aboard the Koningsdam again next April in Alaska and look forward to the surround screen theater, under-the-stars movies by the indoor pool (retractable roof for nice days) with a pizza by my side, the Sports Deck running track, numerous dining /snacking opportunities, 24/7 room service, free afternoon tea time with little sandwiches, and the free Dutch Cafe delights, four baristas aboard, and the customer-service commitment.

 

The lower right corner of my signature has links to current dining menus and prices for all venues.

 

Here is a link to my Koningsdam photo review, including staterooms."

 

Koningsdam On Board Photos

 

 

[sambamama]

HAL for sure or Princess. Book a cruise leaving from Vancouver, it is prettier and more chance of seeing whales. Make sure you book a cruise going to Glacier Bay!

[a.madruga]

On 7/9/2023 at 8:56 AM, Coral said:

I pick itineraries with long port days and with glacier days (2 is preferred, if 1, I try to pick Glacier Bay). The draw to Alaska is Alaska and not the ship. With long port days - I am not worried with what the ship offers. I do like naturalists on the ship and do attend their talks.

 

I personally would never book a NCL cruise due to their times in port, where they dock in Ketchikan, etc....

 

The only time I have ever been bored on a ship in Alaska is when we had fog all day, all week and it was difficult to look at scenery. And it was my first cruise to Alaska and we had crappy port times. Now, I look much closer when I book a cruise.

 

I am not a fan of Seattle departures as their times in port are awful. Most don't realize it until closer to sailing when they are scheduling excursions when they are trying to make something work.

 

I would definitely switch. That is me.

agree on NCL not for ALASKA!!!!!!

[a.madruga]

On 7/10/2023 at 9:39 PM, Heidi13 said:

With 2 full seasons working Alaska cruises and numerous R/T as a pax, any cruise line still sailing to Alaska in October, clearly doesn't know Alaska. I have many reasons that we would never sail NCL, but that is the primary reason for Alaska.

 

Another consideration, since NCL are one of the new cruise lines in Alaska, I note it was one of their ships that impacted a bergy bit in Alaska last year. More experienced cruise lines have been sailing in bergy bit waters without incident for well over 50 years.

 

As @Coral posted, I would also never consider a R/T from Seattle, which spends way too much time in the Pacific Ocean. Seattle is an extra 100 miles each way, plus they must spend time in Victoria. Most of this time is reduced time in port. 

 

HAL and Princess know Alaska, so for a mega ship, I would select either of them.

It pays to read and learn !!!!!