cruzercruiser

We are much less experienced cruisers than many of the others replying but here is our experience. We had done 3 NCL cruises and enjoyed them all. Did a HAL cruise in December because we wanted a West Coast itinerary. We liked it but will be going back to NCL for our next cruise. We found the buffet, which we really enjoy, to be far less appealing on HAL. MDR food about the same. But the entertainment on HAL was really lacking for us. I have heard NCL is also cutting back in that area but HAL just didn’t have shows or music we enjoyed. The other big draw for us is the Thermal Suite and NCL is far better and more relaxing than HAL. You’ll enjoy your HAL cruise ’m sure, we did. But for us, it’s back on board NCL.

I also am normally a very careful consumer and would not have easily missed this. I take full responsibility as I always do in these situations when I mess up but it is clearly not made obvious if a number of people missed it. In the end the price difference is only about $30 per person so lesson learned without too big a price and we know better for next time.

Just had a call to HAL about this and was told that even though the price has dropped for our itinerary and final payment is still a week away, we cannot participate in the lower fare. The reasoning was that we had booked (without noticing) a fare with a non refundable deposit. The price match would only apply to a new fare which was similarly non refundable. The new lower fare had a refundable deposit and so we did not qualify. I was disappointed but I am a firm believer in read and understand the terms of your reservation and I didn't do that in this case so it's on me and a not very expensive lesson for next time we cruise with HAL. With Norwegian, the line we have cruised with previously, we have always tracked the prices as they have dropped and always ended up paying the lowest fare at the time of the final payment. After final payment, and I assume this is true with HAL too, you cannot expect to get a price match, although it never hurts to ask.

Any idea how you would book if you were wanting it for the whole cruise? I haven't ever found it online to know pricing etc.

This was a great tip, thanks. We did the courtesy hold and found all the details we wanted once we had a booking number. Once we got it all figured out we paid the deposit and confirmed the booking.

We are used to Norwegian cruises but considering a Mexican Riviera cruise on Koningsdam in December. Our strategy has been to get the cheapest possible inside cabin and then pay for the thermal suite pass. We are fine with the main dining room and buffet for meals and we don't drink enough to even cover the service fee/gratuity on the NCL drinks package. Not sure how the drinks package works on HAL. Don't need wifi. Any tips as we make the transition from NCL to HAL? How much is the thermal suite pass for 2 people?

The TA sailing on Epic in Dec 2022 is 9 days with only 2 single day port stops. Great price, for obvious reasons, and we generally enjoy the sea days. But that is a lot of time on board, especially in December with added risk of the Ponta Delgada stop being cancelled because of weather. Just wondering how others have found these itineraries? I didn't look to closely at the schedule when we booked because we are still in the cancellation window and only just realized that the Bermuda stop is only one day. We are used to the 2-3 day Bermuda stays on the NY-Bermuda cruises. Any tips or thoughts appreciated.