Holland America vs. Princess

[sunviking90]

Princess also has single supplement “sales”. My PVP posts them on her social media page. Those who are interested in that could contact a Princess Vacation Planner and ask to be sent the solo specials. They don’t seem to be noted on the website. Princess also has one dining room dedicated to fixed dining as of this September. 
I’m not a Princess cheerleader, just info for those who may be interested.

 

[Roz]

@FlaMariner, what's wrong with liking ketchup? I put it on food whether I'm on a 7-day cruise or a 30-day. 

 

I grew up in Pittsburgh,  and we believe in one, holy, and apostolic ketchup. 🤣

[BermudaBound2014]

4 hours ago, TRLD said:

 is there any line not doing a 100% single supplement?

 

2 hours ago, TRLD said:

Celebrity has also has a 150 solo supplement as their base recently.

 

Didn't you just answer your own question? 😄 

[TRLD]

17 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

 

Didn't you just answer your own question? 😄 

No because the 150% supplement that was their norm for a while is higher than the 100% that the other mass market lines charges. I was asking about any mass market doing lower supplements than 100%.

Edited July 27 by TRLD

[luv2kroooz]

On 7/27/2024 at 12:01 PM, sambamama said:

  HAL has made enormous cutbacks in the past 5 years, and as the single supplements are 80% or higher now, I won't be sailing on HAL until they drop them as the product isn't worth that.

Just a soft suggestion to not read too much into the percentage. The base price is really what matters. We've seen 80% supplements pre-final payment change to 60% supplement after final payment. But... they increased the base fare after final payment which actually made the 60% supplement more expensive than the 80% supplement. 

[kluv2cruz]

On 7/23/2024 at 6:22 PM, Bimmer09 said:

sounds like a man who will not accept 2nd best, which is what bottled  is. It lacks the nitrogen capsule that gives a canned Guinness the creamy head, the stuff of dreams...

It’s also higher in alcohol. Not at all the same experience. Ugh. 

[Foggy Bay]

I've been taking small groups to Alaska on Princess, my husband and I take trips on HAL, and I'm switching to HAL for the group travel.  Reasons:  HAL has the forward observation lounge, which is a must in my view, especially for first-timers.  HAL has a promenade deck for nice walks at sea.  I like the smaller feel of the ships--Princess ships are HUGE and the waits at the elevators are enough to send me finally scampering to HAL.  I also love the views from the thermal spa beds better than the center-of-ship spa on Princess.

 

I think it just depends on your style.  Princess seems to have things going on all the time and being more sedate cruisers, we like HAL's vibe a little more. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either.

[MSMcDuffy]

Great thread!  With the exception of one Celebrity Cruise (the old Millennium), I've sailed three times with HAL (their older ships) and seven times with Princess.

 

We were on the Enchanted Princess last year after taking a 5 yrs break from cruising.  I did not like their new Medallion app.  I'd rather have the old key card.   It was a little tricky to work since I'm technologically challenged.  Even the most tech savvy amongst the four of us had some problems with it, though we did like being able to see each others locations when we went our separate ways on the ship.  I also didn't like that our doors unlocked before we were near the door (we tested it).  But more technology is where our world is headed fast.

 

As far as HAL, I do like the more classic feel of their ships, wrap around promenade deck, and the viewing lounge on the top, front of the ship.  With itineraries being equal, that alone would cause me to want to cruise with HAL more than Princess on a scenic cruise.  I also found their staff a bit more friendly, especially in the buffet.  I actually ran into some grumpy servers on Princess a few times.

 

Can someone who has been on the Rotterdam let me know if it has any food venue that would compare to Princess's International Cafe? - a free option to the Buffet.  I always looked forward to that place on my Princess cruises. 

 

 

[*Miss G*]

2 hours ago, MSMcDuffy said:

Can someone who has been on the Rotterdam let me know if it has any food venue that would compare to Princess's International Cafe? - a free option to the Buffet.  I always looked forward to that place on my Princess cruises. 

 

That would be the Grand Dutch Cafe. It opens at 6:30am. The attached menu (courtesy of @Crew News) doesn’t list the breakfast items but it does list some of the items you can get later in the day. I head there for my morning coffee and a small baguette with ham, but there is also a selection of pastries, yogourt parfait, breakfast plate, etc.

 

GRAND DUTCH CAFE MENU

 

[ghstudio]

For those looking for lower solo cruise supplements, I think searching for cruiseplum would be helpful

[MSMcDuffy]

21 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

That would be the Grand Dutch Cafe. It opens at 6:30am. The attached menu (courtesy of @Crew News) doesn’t list the breakfast items but it does list some of the items you can get later in the day. I head there for my morning coffee and a small baguette with ham, but there is also a selection of pastries, yogourt parfait, breakfast plate, etc.

 

GRAND DUTCH CAFE MENU

 

 

Thank you so much!  

[sambamama]

I am not taking any chances with gambling on if HAL will drop a price on a single supplement.  When I booked my previous cruises on HAL, many times I would get a casino rate, or book at a 25% single supplement.  It would be foolish to book a cruise and hope the rate comes down especially since there are bargains in travel for land tours or just do-it-yourself travel-something I've done many, many times. Booking cruises for $2000 for a week is crazy money for me, and that's without flights to get there. (I won't do one week Caribbean cruises any more-been there, done that!)

[CNSJ]

On 7/25/2024 at 9:33 AM, BermudaBound2014 said:

It does seem like HAL is offering two different products. One for longer cruises and one for the 7 day 'bus runs'. 

So true, we have taken many "bus runs" in the Caribbean from 7 days to 12 days and the "feel" of the cruise is different when compared to longer trips of 14 days, and even more so on long voyages.  Perhaps it is because we get to know the Captain and his/her team on the longer runs, and the crew gets to know us better as well.  

 

Our longest trip with HAL was a 42 day transpacific (post covid) where we were able to experience the best of HAL.  Note:  I recognize that a Grand Voyage is the true best, but we are not able to cruise that long - at least not yet!