Jump to content

Holland vs. Norwegian?


doxielover47
 Share

Recommended Posts

Need more information...

 

Whats your age?

 

Traveling with kids?

 

Can you entertain yourself or do you like to be entertained? (Rephrase that... Do you LIKE to entertain yourself or do you LIKE shipboard entertainment?)

 

Do you like large ships or small(er)

 

How many ports does each line have on your itinerary? (Is THAT important to you?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are planning a cruise around Cape Horn and are trying to decide between a Holland America or Norwegian Cruise. Any advice?

 

In my opinion, there's a big difference between HAL and NCL. You'll have to explain more what you're looking for in a cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would choose Holland America Line for its traditional cruise character, great food and beautiful lounges.

 

We have not cruised on NCL and based on things I've read they don't appeal to me. Give us some details about your age and likes and we can better assist you.

 

Jonathan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are planning a cruise around Cape Horn and are trying to decide between a Holland America or Norwegian Cruise. Any advice?

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

 

We have cruised on both HAL and NCL. Without knowing something about you and your likes it's hard to tell you which is better.

 

Which are the two ships you are choosing between? That also might make a difference. What are the port differences?

 

HAL has a choice between traditional dining and anytime dining. NCL has just the anytime, freestyle, dining.

 

HAL has gala night with expectation of passengers dressing up. NCL does not.

The Norwegians Night Out dress up or not night is purely optional for dressing up. NCL is more casual.

 

IMO the entertainment is better on NCL.

HAL will have lecturers aboard for that cruise. I'm not sure NCL will. Maybe.

 

NCL has more Specialty restaurants from which to choose if you don't always eat in MDR.

Food is subjective. Since it varies according to chefs it is hard to say which might be better.

 

Although HAL has more older passengers than younger it is liable to be the same on NCL for a cruise that long.

 

What kind of cabin are you thinking about? If a suite, NCL suites have a butler as well as access to concierge.

HAl has Neptune suites, no butler but access to special snack lounge with concierge.

Edited by NMLady
Link to comment
Share on other sites

NCL is better for suites, thermal suite in the spa, and the vibe is eating at a different restaurant every night - but not with other cruisers, only your own party unless you meet others onboard and want to share a table.

 

HAL caters to people over 70 - since we were so much younger, we spent most of our time onboard in our suite as we felt somewhat out of place in the common areas where there were people napping in the various lounges. NCL has more of a mixed bag of ages but will probably skew older on a longer cruise like this. HAL ships are elegant but the suites on NCL are generally nicer with a lot more amenities, butler and concierge service.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have ten cruises with HAL and four with NCL. We just sailed the Westerdam last month and NCL's Jade last March. Here is my take on this:

 

Food -- HAL used to be great, but it's pretty basic these days. Only a few alternatives, but the Pinnacle Grill is better than ever! When we cruise NCL we have the UDP (Ultimate Dining Package) and eat all evening meals in one of their great alternative restaurants; Breakfast/Lunch in the MDR or included alternative venues; we avoid the buffet completely. Bottom line -- NCL is better in the food department. (:eek:Hard to believe, but true)

 

Service -- HAL still has a warm Asian feel to it and their service people are great. NCL workers seem understaffed and over-worked. Bottom Line -- HAL is better.

 

Ship Environment -- HAL has more room, but their ship design is old, dark and traditional. Cabins are basic, but have great beds and beddings. Bathrooms are almost as bad as Princess. NCL is bright and modern, although a bit crowded. Cabins are small but well designed, with great bathrooms. Bottom line -- NCL wins here.

 

Entertainment -- HAL is ten years behind everyone else in the cruise business. NCL is one of the better lines for entertainment. Bottom line -- NCL strong point.

 

Cost -- by the time you add all the extras needed on NCL, they are about the same.

 

Itineraries -- both lines are pretty good in this department. NCL is better in the Caribbean, but HAL's worldwide footprint is a strong point. About equal here.

 

HAL people don't like to hear about how old their clientele is, but off season long cruises the average age could be pressing 70. NCL does have more families and kids. So this an apples to oranges comparison. We feel comfortable in both situations. Smoking can be a problem on both lines, however, HAL is moving into the 21st century and eliminating smoking on their balconies (starting this month).

 

Still prefer Celebrity to these two lines, but NCL is on an upswing and we have four cruises booked with them. Looking forward to trying out two of their mega-ships!

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have ten cruises with HAL and four with NCL. We just sailed the Westerdam last month and NCL's Jade last March. Here is my take on this:

 

Food -- HAL used to be great, but it's pretty basic these days. Only a few alternatives, but the Pinnacle Grill is better than ever! When we cruise NCL we have the UDP (Ultimate Dining Package) and eat all evening meals in one of their great alternative restaurants; Breakfast/Lunch in the MDR or included alternative venues; we avoid the buffet completely. Bottom line -- NCL is better in the food department. (:eek:Hard to believe, but true)

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

OK, but note that your judgement about the food being better is based on upgrading to the "Ultimate Dining Package" on NCL. If you compare like to like, HAL food in the MDR is much better than NCL...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, but note that your judgement about the food being better is based on upgrading to the "Ultimate Dining Package" on NCL. If you compare like to like, HAL food in the MDR is much better than NCL...

 

True, but we never eat dinner in the MDR. That's the point -- don't cruise NCL without the UDP if great food is important to you. HAL has better food in the Lido, but we don't eat any meals in the buffet area of NCL. Our up coming NCL cruise we will eat in Le Bistro twice; Ocean Blue once; Cagney's twice; Moderno once; and La Cucina once. Excellent experience!

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now another question:

 

If you are paying all that money (and spending all that time) to go around the horn... Why NOT pick an itinerary that may add a couple days in and add Antarctica to the trip?

 

Face facts here, you will most probably NEVER go back that way, its one of the top "unique" destinations in the world, and frankly makes Alaska look like a swimming pool.... (And both HAL and NCL do Antarctica ) As well, if you do add that, both also throw in the Falklands. (THE absolute best place on earth to get up close and personal with the penguins!)

 

Just my humble opinion......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I second the previous poster.

 

When we began planning a cruise from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires, a CC poster urged us to include Antarctica. I am glad I followed that advise. Our 2016 Christmas/NYE cruise on the HAL Zaandam was one for the memory books. We had one of two unique cabins (7083), an OV overlooking the wake with a terrace and loungers with stairs leading up to Lido! The sights IMO were as good as any on the ship because we had a sweeping 180 degree panorama view.

 

Why was the Zaandam cruise so special? Antarctica. Dramatic. If we had not included it, we would have been disappointed because the Chilean/Argentine sights, as nice as they are, are no different from what we have encountered on two Arctic TAs that included Iceland and Greenland (one on HAL, the other on Carnival; both splendid cruises).

 

In three months we'll return to Valparaiso to take a cruise to San Francisco on the Norwegian Sun, where we'll have an aft balcony.

 

We have done nearly 40 cruises and never had a bad one. Your cruise is what you make it to be. Be happy.

Edited by barante
Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, but note that your judgement about the food being better is based on upgrading to the "Ultimate Dining Package" on NCL. If you compare like to like, HAL food in the MDR is much better than NCL...

 

I'm comparing dollar for dollar. For example, I would never cruise in the Haven on NCL because the price is out of whack for what you get. Why pay $2.500 pp for a week on NCL, when I can cruise Oceania for less than that? Same with the suites on Celebrity -- not worth it. I am going to try the Yacht Club on MSC because their new ships will have cheap inside cabins that are part of the Yacht Club. When you cruise three to five times a year, budget is everything.:D

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm comparing dollar for dollar. For example, I would never cruise in the Haven on NCL because the price is out of whack for what you get. Why pay $2.500 pp for a week on NCL, when I can cruise Oceania for less than that? Same with the suites on Celebrity -- not worth it. I am going to try the Yacht Club on MSC because their new ships will have cheap inside cabins that are part of the Yacht Club. When you cruise three to five times a year, budget is everything.:D

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

I get it; I was just pointing out for clarity. Some people may not understand that the MDR on NCL is not great, and some people (like me), don't really like having to dine in an extra-charge restaurant every night, even if dollar for dollar the end price is the same... :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I'm new to writing here so this is a learning process for us...

- We are "older" by age (68 and 70) but not in spirit

- We are relatively new to cruising life - we've cruised with Princess in Alaska, the Caribbean, and most recently in the Baltic in a mini-suite and have felt that generally we arrive as guests and leave as cargo although our experience on the Regal Princess in 2016 was much better - and we are booked on Oceania for a Mediterranean cruise in May

- We are interested in trying a smaller ship to experience the differences as we believe that smaller ships are likely to get closer in than larger ships like Princess has

- The itineraries of HAL and NCL are mostly the same with the differences being that HAL includes an extra day in Buenos Aires, Cockburn Channel, Glacier Alley, and Canal Sarmiento whereas NCL includes Puerto Madryn, Moraleda Channel, an extra sea day, and Puerto Chacabuco - both have the same other ports including the Falklands (weather permitting of course).

- Our travel agent has found a forward facing penthouse suite on the Norwegian Sun and a Neptune Suite on Holland’s Zaandam.

- We are interested in seeing penguins and whales and other wildlife if possible.

- Comfortable beds are a must

- We like good service, but doesn't have to be stuffy

- We want good views from our cabin

- Good food is important; we are very infrequent buffet diners.

- Cape Horn is a bucket list cruise for my husband

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I get it; I was just pointing out for clarity. Some people may not understand that the MDR on NCL is not great, and some people (like me), don't really like having to dine in an extra-charge restaurant every night, even if dollar for dollar the end price is the same... :)

 

Good point! If I could only eat in the MDR, HAL is better than NCL. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now another question:

 

If you are paying all that money (and spending all that time) to go around the horn... Why NOT pick an itinerary that may add a couple days in and add Antarctica to the trip?

 

Face facts here, you will most probably NEVER go back that way, its one of the top "unique" destinations in the world, and frankly makes Alaska look like a swimming pool.... (And both HAL and NCL do Antarctica ) As well, if you do add that, both also throw in the Falklands. (THE absolute best place on earth to get up close and personal with the penguins!)

 

Just my humble opinion......

 

Which NCL cruise includes Antarctica?

 

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Neither. Home obligations keep us from extending to include Antarctica. Both do include the Falklands though.

 

That's what I thought, at least about NCL.

 

But FredT had written

 

"(And both HAL and NCL do Antarctica )"

 

so I thought there might be an itinerary we had missed, or something new.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I'm new to writing here so this is a learning process for us...

- We are "older" by age (68 and 70) but not in spirit

- We are relatively new to cruising life - we've cruised with Princess in Alaska, the Caribbean, and most recently in the Baltic in a mini-suite and have felt that generally we arrive as guests and leave as cargo although our experience on the Regal Princess in 2016 was much better - and we are booked on Oceania for a Mediterranean cruise in May

- We are interested in trying a smaller ship to experience the differences as we believe that smaller ships are likely to get closer in than larger ships like Princess has

- The itineraries of HAL and NCL are mostly the same with the differences being that HAL includes an extra day in Buenos Aires, Cockburn Channel, Glacier Alley, and Canal Sarmiento whereas NCL includes Puerto Madryn, Moraleda Channel, an extra sea day, and Puerto Chacabuco - both have the same other ports including the Falklands (weather permitting of course).

- Our travel agent has found a forward facing penthouse suite on the Norwegian Sun and a Neptune Suite on Holland’s Zaandam.

- We are interested in seeing penguins and whales and other wildlife if possible.

- Comfortable beds are a must

- We like good service, but doesn't have to be stuffy

- We want good views from our cabin

- Good food is important; we are very infrequent buffet diners.

- Cape Horn is a bucket list cruise for my husband

 

I think you would be fine on either line based on your ages.

 

The only concern with the forward Penthouse on the NCL ship is the possibility of high seas going around Cape Horn through the Drake Passage which is the most notorious area in the world for high seas. Even Charles Darwin got famously seasick in the Drake Passage. Notoriously this area can either be calm as glass or it will be as it is most of the time which is crazy rough. So, definitely go prepared. Do you use Trans Derm Scops already? If not, you might want to discuss getting these with your doctor. As far as the forward Penthouse, yes, that would be great, except on the day you are in the Drake Passage when it will be a challenge as the front of the ship typically feels more movement than even the back of the ship. Remember to keep your knees bent and only walk when the movement of the ship allows for it. Hang on with one hand in the shower and be extra careful getting dressed - in fact, if you can do it while seated or lying down, it will be safer than trying to get dressed standing up. I've had incidents where I got pitched head first into a closet while dressing during high seas. LOL! The most important thing is to hang on at all times - even when using the toilet. What we typically do is get dressed and then head midship for the day with our IPADs and just stay there all day long. It's not the most fun or comfortable day at sea, (many times I've wondered what the heck I was doing being on a ship in high seas) but once things calm down again (usually by the next day) it's like it never happened and you forget about it.

 

As far as NCL goes, the beds in suites are very comfortable and the service is excellent for suite guests - it's almost like being on a completely different cruise than the regular guests. The crew will really go out of their way to please you. Here is a video of the NCL Sun Forward facing penthouse:

 

 

Between the butler, cabin steward (NCL always assigns the best to the suites) and concierge you will receive a much higher level of service than on HAL. With your butler, you will NEVER need to go to the buffet. The suite guests dine in one of the specialty restaurants for breakfast and lunch and it is AWESOME or you can have your butler bring you anything you want as long as the venue is open. You can even order off-menu items. For breakfast, there is a huge cold buffet for suite guests and then you can also order hot items off the menu. They serve French press coffee as well. Typically suite guest will start out with fruit, cereal, yogurt, smoked salmon and then order an omelet, Belgian waffle, pancakes, or other hot breakfast items. There is an excellent menu for lunch as well. You will be well taken care of. Then your butler will automatically bring by snacks around 4:30 - 5pm. You can place a standing order - we tend to ask for tea sandwiches and a cheese plate and then have dinner later in one of the restaurants. But if you prefer, your butler can bring you dinner from any restaurant that is open in addition to the suite menu. You will have a DVD player in your suite, a pillow menu, fresh flowers, seashell bath salts, coffee maker, robes, slippers, welcome aboard sparkling wine and a large bottle of water, upgraded bathroom amenities, binoculars. Really NCL goes all out to make sure their suite guests are pampered. You get escorted embarkation and escorted debarkation. If you choose to self disembark, the concierge will take you off the ship.

 

Here's the Zaandam Neptune Suite, which is quite nice as well.

It comes with sparkling wine and bottled water and complimentary mimosas served with in-room breakfast. They have upgraded bathroom amenities and a new coffee espresso maker, complimentary corsage and boutinier, flower arrangement on embarkation and there is the Neptune Lounge where you can get snacks. You can also get express embarkation and debarkation. They will send a daily snack if you request it from the concierge. One other amenity is free laundry throughout your voyage which is very nice to have. There is concierge service but no butler service.

 

Having cruised with and without the butler service in suites, I think we prefer the suites with the butler service as there is more personal interaction, service and really, the butlers on NCL are quite nice and engaging people who go out of their way to please their guests, but this is something you need to decide for yourselves. Our first suite ever was on the HAL Oosterdam in her maiden year and while the suite was nice, other than more space and a larger bathroom with a walk in shower and separate tub, it was just a larger room - nothing special about it. We found the cruise energy rather laconic and the dining room food was IMO quite bland. The service in the MDR was nice, though. The shows were OK, nothing really of interest. The next time we had a suite it was on the NCL Jade and I have to admit it was night and day different having the butler. Since then we have been in a suite on the RCCL Allure of the Seas and a few Carnival ships and also a Celebrity ship and none of these had butler service and I noticed the difference in feel for the cruise. NCL ships feel energetic and the staff is usually quite enthusiastic.

 

Think the information I've given you over and consider what you prefer. I don't really think you could go wrong with either ship. To me the big difference is really the butler service and specifically whether you think you would use it or not and also the suite guest breakfast and lunch (it is usually held in one of the specialty restaurants). The other difference is in how NCL operates. Whereas HAL has traditional cruise dining, NCL has the specialty restaurants and everyone makes reservations and does their own thing each night. Weigh it out and consider what suits you best. Look at the videos of the suites and consider what you prefer. I'm sure you will make the right decision for you! Have a wonderful cruise! This should be really very special no matter which ship you choose!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

True, but we never eat dinner in the MDR. That's the point -- don't cruise NCL without the UDP if great food is important to you. HAL has better food in the Lido, but we don't eat any meals in the buffet area of NCL. Our up coming NCL cruise we will eat in Le Bistro twice; Ocean Blue once; Cagney's twice; Moderno once; and La Cucina once. Excellent experience!

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

You noted that HAL's Pinnacle Grill was better than ever, then went on to say that NCL's EXTRA PAY restaurants are the only places you eat. The fact is: HAL's MDR beats NCL's hands down - as does their Lido.

 

It is possible to have an enjoyable cruise on HAL on basic fare, while if you want decent food and reasonable service, without putting up with the serious crowding on NCL, you have to buy the extras... while sailing with thousands of people who insist on referring to the drinks package they paid for as giving them "free drinks".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are you looking for a quiet, laid back cruise where they are not always in your face selling stuff? Are you prepared to spend money to eat in the specialty restaurants? You you want a fairly relaxed experience but with a reasonable number of activities on board?

 

Norwegian has more pay restaurants than the others and, from what I'm hearing, it can be difficult to get into the included restaurants when you want to eat. That's a big downer for me.

 

HA does cater to an older demographic and usually has good entertainment. They are not as pushy as some of the others when it comes to selling things. But they don;t have anything like as many organized activities for younger guests. However, they are also more relaxed about some things.

 

If you are looking for activities for the younger set, why not try Princess. We did this cruise a few years ago with them and were mostly very happy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You noted that HAL's Pinnacle Grill was better than ever, then went on to say that NCL's EXTRA PAY restaurants are the only places you eat. The fact is: HAL's MDR beats NCL's hands down - as does their Lido.

 

It is possible to have an enjoyable cruise on HAL on basic fare, while if you want decent food and reasonable service, without putting up with the serious crowding on NCL, you have to buy the extras... while sailing with thousands of people who insist on referring to the drinks package they paid for as giving them "free drinks".

 

Except the OP is planning on being in a suite and you get more for your money in a suite on NCL than on HAL and also, they are looking at the Sun which is a smaller NCL ship known for NOT being crowded as it only has 1936 passengers compared to the HAL Zaandam with 1440 passengers - so these ships are not all that different in size. The real difference to me is the way suites are handled by either line. Also the Sun was refurbished in 2016 and the Zaandam in 2010, so I'm sure the Zaandam is starting to need a bit of TLC by now. As to main dining room food, to me it's pretty much a wash. Both ships produce typical hotel banquet food for the MDR. The OP has stated they avoid the buffet, so that doesn't matter at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...