Western Carribean cruise HA Oosterdam $1,500 vs RC Symphony Seas $4,500

from my search here there are five possible Nov 17 7-day departures. Probably no-go on SotS due to price. Any of the others stand out ? Thank you again !

Norwegian Epic

Royal Princess

Independence of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas

Oosterdam

 

 

I recommend that you look up YouTube videos of the cabin bathrooms aboard the Norwegian Epic. It may completely turn you off from sailing on that specific ship.

 

From the others you list. I think that the Royal Princess may be a fantastic choice. Large, modern and fairly new ship, absolutely beautiful, and a step up from Royal Caribbean in terms of quality, ambiance, and attention to detail. It may provide the perfect balance between what Royal Caribbean and Holland America have to offer. We chose Princess for a wedding anniversary and it was the absolute perfect decision for us. And the demographics skew a bit younger than Holland (you’ll probably find more 50-somethings on Princess while you’ll find more 60-80 somethings on Holland.)

 

Independence of the Seas will also be a great choice, although I’d place it just one notch below Royal Princess.

 

 

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I recommend that you look up YouTube videos of the cabin bathrooms aboard the Norwegian Epic. It may completely turn you off from sailing on that specific ship.

 

From the others you list. I think that the Royal Princess may be a fantastic choice. Large, modern and fairly new ship, absolutely beautiful, and a step up from Royal Caribbean in terms of quality, ambiance, and attention to detail. It may provide the perfect balance between what Royal Caribbean and Holland America have to offer. We chose Princess for a wedding anniversary and it was the absolute perfect decision for us. And the demographics skew a bit younger than Holland (you’ll probably find more 50-somethings on Princess while you’ll find more 60-80 somethings on Holland.)

 

Independence of the Seas will also be a great choice, although I’d place it just one notch below Royal Princess.

 

 

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If OP is looking for a balcony to spend time on, Royal Princess is certainly not a good choice. The balconies are simply too small.

:)We *don't* want a ship overrun with kids but that possibility seems low since it's a mid-november cruise.

One would think.

 

We certainly thought that on our October Carnival cruise.

 

For your first cruise, I think a balcony cabin on Oosterdam will fill your stated needs. You may decide later to try a little more glitz but you'll have saved thousands on this cruise so you'll be able to book the next one sooner.

 

My only comment on Holland America is that they seem to dedicate one sea day (the last sea day, in my experience) to schmoozing their senior frequent cruisers (Mariners Club) with special meals and cocktail parties, and first or even second timers may find themselves without much on offer as far as organized activities (the shops and bars will be open, just no cooking demonstrations or lectures).

If OP is looking for a balcony to spend time on, Royal Princess is certainly not a good choice. The balconies are simply too small.

 

 

The balconies on the Royal Princess are indeed smaller (10sf smaller according to what I read). But how inconvenient the smaller balcony will be is subject to personal opinion.

 

I’d gladly take a smaller balcony and get a bigger, newer ship on Princess than a larger balcony on a smaller, older Holland America ship. But that’s my opinion since I normally go out on the balcony for a few minutes, look at the passing scenery, and go back inside. I don’t need a balcony to lounge in for hours.

 

But for someone booking a cruise for the sole purpose of spending most of their time sitting out there, and who would appreciate the ability to stretch, maybe it would be a bigger inconvenience.

 

The OP can always book one of the larger balconies on Princess if the smaller standard ones would be a deal breaker.

 

 

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We cruised Oasis of the Seas last month; prior to that we were on HAL Veendam in April. Both were 7-day Eastern Caribbean. Oasis OTS is the same class as Symphony OTS but 9 years older; Veendam is an even smaller and older ship than Oosterdam.

 

Royal Caribbean is better known for their onboard activities and entertainment. They want to give you a WOW experience every minute - everything is so upfront and they want to impress you with the biggest show, biggest ships, and best entertainments. On the extreme opposite, Holland America is better known for their traditional ambience, itineraries (usually longer), and services. Onboard experience is low profile and tranquil, and among the mass market lines, I feel that I am getting a more refined experience on HAL. Onboard activities / entertainment is certainly not HAL's strength ... although I still enjoy the variety of live music onboard, but certainly you can't find flowrider, zipline, ice skating, rock climbing, iFly, bumper car ... which are all activities you can find on Royal Caribbean Oasis/Quantum classes, and are the type of activities my teenage children love.

 

For a typical 7-day Caribbean cruise, HAL is not as competitive as Royal Caribbean (I know this is a general statement). Based on basic demand and supply, RC can charge more than HAL. Symphony is the newest RC ship so you will be pay a premium on top of that.

 

In terms of demographics, you will see more families and younger people on Symphony than Oosterdam. However, you will still see people of all ages on a HAL ship in a 7-day Caribbean cruise. On the other hand, HAL has more 10+ days itineraries going to exotic places and very often price can stay pretty strong for those cruises. Guess what is the demographic of the people who can spend 2 weeks or 3 weeks or more on a cruise? Definitely not families nor people who have a day job.

Thanks again for each and every reply. Very helpful information. My main takeaway - HAL is not *horrible* - you laugh maybe, but that's my biggest fear. Oosterdam sounds like a good fit for us - first time, low-key, good gym, art + classical & jazz music.

 

But the truth is, I'm so overwhelmed with all the info to consider I've reached the point where I'm thinking "eff it, I'm booking something... fingers crossed." :)

 

I'm using a local travel agent that was recommended on nextdoor.com. He doesn't charge anything and he is offering the same price as I found myself online...kind of tempted to book it myself via ebates/expedia...but I'm thinking this guy will offer some good insight on taking a cruise - he's been at it a long time.

 

So, looks like we're gonna book 7-day Oosterdam Signature Suite 8055, midship, Navigation deck, $2,028 includes $200 OBC.

 

Thanks again for all the help!

Thanks again for each and every reply. Very helpful information. My main takeaway - HAL is not *horrible* - you laugh maybe, but that's my biggest fear. Oosterdam sounds like a good fit for us - first time, low-key, good gym, art + classical & jazz music.

 

But the truth is, I'm so overwhelmed with all the info to consider I've reached the point where I'm thinking "eff it, I'm booking something... fingers crossed." :)

 

I'm using a local travel agent that was recommended on nextdoor.com. He doesn't charge anything and he is offering the same price as I found myself online...kind of tempted to book it myself via ebates/expedia...but I'm thinking this guy will offer some good insight on taking a cruise - he's been at it a long time.

 

So, looks like we're gonna book 7-day Oosterdam Signature Suite 8055, midship, Navigation deck, $2,028 includes $200 OBC.

 

Thanks again for all the help!

Good for you. Don't forget to come back and let us know how that worked out.

Here's another suggestion. While on the cruise, ask your fellow passengers how they book their cruises. Do they use an agent? Which one? That's one of the best ways to find a good agent who will discount the cruise fare.

Signature suite has no perks but really nice cabin, I think this is a great choice for a first cruise.

Thanks for additional helpful reponses.

- checked Harmony, Oasis, Allure - no 7-days departing Nov 17. We can only do 7 days, and it has to be Nov 17 due to wife's job

- checked Celebrity - same story :(

- checked youtube - great suggestion, thanks.

 

kind of leaning toward HAL, I actually like quiet / older altho to be honest Nebr.cruiser's opinion sort of concerns. Our wants are simple (and maybe novice-level): I want a cool cabin with balcony, a good gym with bikes, good food. My wife wants a casino (ok me too). Not even that interested in excursions...I envision working out, reading, eating, and time on deck. So if I stop there, HAL works. But good entertainment would be a bonus - classical music, jazz, maybe some broadway if it's not too cheesy. Disco ? no thank you :)

 

We *don't* want a ship overrun with kids but that possibility seems low since it's a mid-november cruise.

 

from my search here there are five possible Nov 17 7-day departures. Probably no-go on SotS due to price. Any of the others stand out ? Thank you again !

Norwegian Epic

Royal Princess

Independence of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas

Oosterdam

 

How lovely to see the Royal Princess on that list. That would be my choice - definitely enjoyed my cruise on her!

Sounds like a good choice and a great deal. Enjoy! The Oosterdam is a very nice ship. !

 

I can get really bogged down trying to find just the right ship, itinerary, price, perks, etc. too., comparing and comparing until I drive myself nuts! Sometimes you just have to choose and don't look back. You will have a great time.

SotS sounds pretty fab, but not +$3k fab. We're looking for a) nice cabin with balcony b) fitness center c) good food d) casino for wife e) absence of zillions of screaming kids :) So Oosterdam is starting to sound pretty good.

You should definitely consider Princess instead. Royal Princess sails on Nov 17, and Regal princess sails on Nov 18. Royal has a better itinerary, but otherwise the ships are identical. Both ships are beautiful and almost new (as opposed to Oosterdam), and have great music.

 

Food is so much better on Princess (Regal and Royal) as opposed to Royal Caribbean.

 

Since you chose to sail during the Thanksgiving school break, children will be present on all mainstream cruise lines.

Sounds like a good choice and a great deal. Enjoy! The Oosterdam is a very nice ship. !

 

I can get really bogged down trying to find just the right ship, itinerary, price, perks, etc. too., comparing and comparing until I drive myself nuts! Sometimes you just have to choose and don't look back. You will have a great time.

 

You got that right!! It's like one of those really big Mexican Restaurant menu with a hundred permutations of enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, and tamales. Eventually I get a headache and say "just get me the enchilada plate.". Maybe that's a weird analogy but if you live in Texas you know what I mean. :D

 

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. It helps this anxious cruiser. Next step, figure out what packages to book. The HAL website sure does try to sell you a lot of stuff... That said, the Suite Amenities Package - 2 robes, 2 bottles wine, 2 bottles liquor, comp. laundry, flowers, $419 - is tempting. We'll probably skip a drink package - we're not really drinkers. But I do wonder if some who are not drinkers ordinarily, get on a ship and go nuts with the cocktails. I mean that in a good way - might be fun to drink more than you otherwise would, at sea.

But I do wonder if some who are not drinkers ordinarily, get on a ship and go nuts with the cocktails.

we don't. DH will have an occasional beer or a mixed drink, and we love BOGO$1 happy hours on Princess. But neither of us drinks more than a couple of drinks per day when we cruise, so a package of any kind is lost on us.

 

I still think you should have gone with Princess (Regal or Royal).

 

And no, I wouldn't spend $419 on these items.

Not us either--we drink like six glasses of wine a year, at holidays. I just don't care for most drinks and truly hate beer, so for us it is not worth a drink package. Don't even drink pop much.

 

If you would enjoy that amenity package, that's fine. It wouldn't be worth it to me, but everyone has their preferences. The free laundry would be nice, but it's only a 7 day cruise, right, so you shouldn't need much done.

 

The only perks we really use are, of course, OBC and the internet cafe. Sometimes we have comped specialty restaurants or have used our OBC for them, but really, we are fine with the MDR. The nice thing is that everyone can chose what perks or amenities they like.

 

Do be a little careful about just going for everything out of the excitement of your first cruise, especially anything in the spa area.:D We mostly spend money on tours on shore, and not cruise line tours.

I seldom drink wine throughout the year, but before our annual Christmas cruise I go wild with Wine Spectator and buy a few hundred dollars of wine that would cost at least twice as much onboard.

 

My only comment on Holland America is that they seem to dedicate one sea day (the last sea day, in my experience) to schmoozing their senior frequent cruisers (Mariners Club) with special meals and cocktail parties, and first or even second timers may find themselves without much on offer as far as organized activities (the shops and bars will be open, just no cooking demonstrations or lectures).

 

This is sort of true. First, we haven't noted any lack of activities on the days in question.

 

Second, EVERY Mariner (someone who has cruised at least once on HAL prior ) is invited to the luncheon. The only event the very senior Mariners are invited to is a cocktail party, which lasts about 45 minutes, just prior to the luncheon. I plead guilty...they have unfairly lured us in with pretty freely flowing free drinks. That is far from a huge bite out of the day.

 

In any event, it is one day out of however many days of your cruise. Not a huge issue.

Thx. Good info. We haven't booked a thing including excursions. Thinking about the $150/wk spa pass just for access to the thermal pool & heated chairs. Probably a la carte on the drinks + the $18/ day Quench (?) package for smoothies + mocktails.

 

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>> Good for you. Don't forget to come back and let us know how that worked out.

Apologies for not posting followup about our cruise !

Booked HAL Oosterdam.  We LOVED it !  As I tell everyone, we were excited in the weeks prior about our first cruise but the actual experience was many times better.  I understand that, to a certain extent, the cabin doesn't matter, but, the Signature Suite is a big reason we enjoyed it so much.  And the beds, oh my gosh.  I think I watched the first 30 minutes of 5 or 6 movies at night...cuz the beds were crazy comfortable I just fell asleep.

Highlight may have been, standing on the balcony before departure (Port Everglades), gazing at the waterway and beyond to the ocean and....the ship starts moving!  Hey we're moving !!!  It was so exciting.

We loved Pinnacle grill, Cannaletto not so much... ate most meals in Lido (service a little mediocre), couple meals in MDR which we wish we'd done more of.  Loved our cabin stewards, loved at-sea days as much as shore days.  

Yeah it was fantastic.  Currently booking 2nd cruise, in September, to Alaska, for wife's birthday.   $ignature $uite 2x as much!  Oh and we're making sure to go on Eurodam, see how that compares to Oosterdam.  I believe it's 5 years newer but otherwise will be very similar.  Can't wait for our next cruise!

 

On 4/1/2019 at 5:40 PM, ChillEDog said:

>> Good for you. Don't forget to come back and let us know how that worked out.

Apologies for not posting followup about our cruise !

Booked HAL Oosterdam.  We LOVED it !  As I tell everyone, we were excited in the weeks prior about our first cruise but the actual experience was many times better.  I understand that, to a certain extent, the cabin doesn't matter, but, the Signature Suite is a big reason we enjoyed it so much.  And the beds, oh my gosh.  I think I watched the first 30 minutes of 5 or 6 movies at night...cuz the beds were crazy comfortable I just fell asleep.

Highlight may have been, standing on the balcony before departure (Port Everglades), gazing at the waterway and beyond to the ocean and....the ship starts moving!  Hey we're moving !!!  It was so exciting.

We loved Pinnacle grill, Cannaletto not so much... ate most meals in Lido (service a little mediocre), couple meals in MDR which we wish we'd done more of.  Loved our cabin stewards, loved at-sea days as much as shore days.  

Yeah it was fantastic.  Currently booking 2nd cruise, in September, to Alaska, for wife's birthday.   $ignature $uite 2x as much!  Oh and we're making sure to go on Eurodam, see how that compares to Oosterdam.  I believe it's 5 years newer but otherwise will be very similar.  Can't wait for our next cruise!

 

Glad to hear you had an amazing first cruise - Hope Alaska is just as great!