holland vs carnival

[baby]

trying to make a decision

 

ok - here goes

 

we are in our early 60's but act like we are 30 -----ish ish

 

we love good night entertainment with good music and dancing

 

we love good food

 

we love a nice pool

 

so so so which do we chose ----------------holland or carnival

 

have never ever been on either - only on royal, princess, and norwegian

 

any honest thoughts would be appreciated

 

thanks carol

[Essiesmom]

I am in my 60's and have sailed both. I think the food and service are equal, as are the towel animals...CAbins may be a bit larger on Carnival. What you do not get on Carnival is enrichment lectures, port talks that do not talk only about tours and shopping; jigsaw puzzles, daily newspaper with crossword. Splendor did have puzzles going on in the library, though. No complimentary fruit basket in the cabin. If you take cruises 7 days and longer, the average age on Carnival will be older than most believe. I cruise Carnival for the convenience and the price, because I travel solo more often than not, and there are three ports that I can drive to. Other than the short Carnival cruises, my voyages are dictated by itinerary, and I will take any ship that will get me there. EM

[baby]

essiesmom

 

thanks for the info

 

so if you are same ago group - then we should be good to go

 

I was afraid holland would be too old, lol

[Cuizer2]

trying to make a decision

 

ok - here goes

 

we are in our early 60's but act like we are 30 -----ish ish

 

we love good night entertainment with good music and dancing

 

we love good food

 

we love a nice pool

 

so so so which do we chose ----------------holland or carnival

 

have never ever been on either - only on royal, princess, and norwegian

 

any honest thoughts would be appreciated

 

thanks carol

 

If you like an active nightlife, then you should choose Carnival. Carnival is a lot more like Royal Caribbean and NCL than HAL is.

[iriemon]

trying to make a decision

 

ok - here goes

 

we are in our early 60's but act like we are 30 -----ish ish

 

we love good night entertainment with good music and dancing

 

we love good food

 

we love a nice pool

 

so so so which do we chose ----------------holland or carnival

 

have never ever been on either - only on royal, princess, and norwegian

 

any honest thoughts would be appreciated

 

thanks carol

 

We are in our 60's also and have done Carnival and HAL (and Celebrity, NCL, Princess, RCCL, etc). We enjoy HAL if for no other reason you don't have the constant announcements about bingo or something else going on and there is not always someone in your face trying to sell you something. We enjoy activities but we also enjoy "relaxation time" which we don't seem to get on Carnival. We would vote for the rooms on HAL (just had SS on Eurodam).

[GCurry]

Carnival did have surprisingly good food and the 8 day we were on was an older crowd. Carnival out of here (Galveston) is a much younger group, a lot of party till you puke people.

The dancing is much better on HAL along with the superior service and the over all quality of the cruise. I'm in my 60s, wife somewhat younger.

Don't get me started on NCL and my one RCCL cruise reminded me a lot of Carnival although their newer ships are floating theme parks for families IMHO.

 

HAL's itineraries are another thing that keep us coming back, ten days on the Noordam coming up next week.:)

[1aCruise4wks]

My wife and I are 60-ish. We've never sailed on Carnival but we have sailed many times on Princess and Holland America. You will find that the passengers on HAL are slightly older than on Princess, even on a 7-day cruise. The entertainment on HAL is comparable to Princess but the late-night disco action on HAL is somewhat less than Princess. But, the quality of service on HAL is better than any other cruise line I've been on.

[jjb415]

If you like an active nightlife, then you should choose Carnival. Carnival is a lot more like Royal Caribbean and NCL than HAL is.

 

I agree, if nightlife is a priority.

[twinkletoes4445]

trying to make a decision

 

ok - here goes

 

we are in our early 60's but act like we are 30 -----ish ish

 

we love good night entertainment with good music and dancing

 

we love good food

 

we love a nice pool

 

so so so which do we chose ----------------holland or carnival

 

have never ever been on either - only on royal, princess, and norwegian

 

any honest thoughts would be appreciated

 

thanks carol

 

We've done both and here's my opinion...

 

Carnival food - 6

Holland - 9

 

Carnival entertainment - 10

Holland - 5

 

Carnival pools - nice, but overrun with kids

Holland - nice pools - no kids (or very few)

 

IMO, Carnival and Holland are two totally different products. If you want to dance the night away, and see good shows, I'd pick Carnival.

 

What we found superior on HAL compared to Carnival...

 

The beds. They are awesome.

 

The buffet. It's really nice with an assortment of really good food.

 

We loved the fact that we could skip formal night and eat in the Lido. The Lido served pretty much the same meal that was being offered in the dining room.

 

The staff on HAL is amazing. It's all about service and they've got it down pat.

 

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time on your cruise (no matter what line you choose!).

 

Happy cruising!

[AmberTeka]

We have cruised quite a few times on Carnival and a few times on HAL. We have also cruised on Celebrity and NCL. We enjoyed them all. But we seem to always come back to Carnival or HAL. The prices on the Carnival ships we enjoy..usually the bigger, newer ones are not that much, in any, less than HAL. So that is not the main factor.

Carnival..Better CD's. Better Activities that we enjoy..Trivia, Sports Trivia, Tri-bon, Scattergories. Casinos are bigger. We like the food better on Carnival..we usually eat in the MDR and think their breakfasts there cannot be beat. Ditto lunch. We like the atmosphere...People are excited to be on the ship, many for their first cruise, everything is new..and their enjoyment is contagious.

HAL..while we don't use the pool (live in Fl), they are nice, uncrowded, few children, those there seem supervised. We find Few, if any lines, on the Lido deck Restaurants and grills. There is never a crowd. At times, it is almost like you and your DH are on the ship with just the crew. A huge yacht. Food is good. The Casinos we have seen..small, old slots, very tight...crowding causes sharp words sometimes. Not much but still...Few veteran cruisers who seem to resent anyone who has not cruised 100 times with HAL even being on the ship.

SAME--service is excellent on both, both ships are clean, both ships have, I thought, very good song and dance productions

We are sailing next on the Dream..because we really had fun with the Activities staff on the Freedom..Hello, James and we understand they are on the Dream. Sports Trivia Daily..please James. His lovely wife was the lead singer..and we both think she should be on American IdoL. Carnival is like that....easy, staff is accessible, fun...But I must say the CD on the HAL Westerdam..was good too. We would enjoy sailing with an activities staff under him again too..But that Crew with James...Just delightful.

I am being very honest. I like the lady who said take the top..take the low..throw them out..the truth is in the middle. Well Said.

[fann1sh]

A lot depends on which ship(s) you're considering, which itineraries, and which times of year.

 

I would always choose Holland America over Carnival for Alaska. HAL has better itineraries (Glacier Bay for example) and preferential pier locations in port (though this may have to do with ship size).

 

Carnival sails the Caribbean all year long. HAL ships leave early in spring, and don't return until fall.

 

Carnival's maintenance on older ships is (IMO) poor compared to HAL. I'd avoid all Fantasy class ships.

[Cuizer2]

A lot depends on which ship(s) you're considering, which itineraries, and which times of year.

 

I would always choose Holland America over Carnival for Alaska. HAL has better itineraries (Glacier Bay for example) and preferential pier locations in port (though this may have to do with ship size).

 

Carnival sails the Caribbean all year long. HAL ships leave early in spring, and don't return until fall.

 

Carnival's maintenance on older ships is (IMO) poor compared to HAL. I'd avoid all Fantasy class ships.

 

All of the Fantasy ships are going through major upgrades, called Evolutions of Fun, to the tune of over $30,000,000 each.

 

http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/27458-Carnival-fantasy-returns-to-service-from-New-Orleans-following-extensive-%22Evolutions-of-Fun%22-upgrades

[fann1sh]

Cuizer2, thanks for the link.

 

I was aware of the drydocks, but not sure of the schedules/progress.

 

I don't mean to sound like a sourpuss, but I still have concerns about things that aren't cosmetic on Fantasy ships: plumbing and air conditioning.

 

Of course, the same could be said of HAL, as when things do go wrong, it's usually one of those two things.

[WishIwasOutThereNOW]

someone please compare the "dress codes" for carnival vs HAL. i'm an informal type guy, but not a slob. i dont show up looking like larry the cable guy. nice slacks and button shirts when on board ( at night ). i'm looking at a couple 10 - 14 day HAL cruises for next year and having to wear a jacket / suit to dinner will definetly be a deal breaker for me. any opinions?

[fann1sh]

Sounds like Carnival is your answer:

 

Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.

 

 

HAL requires minimum jacket and tie on formal nights. Dress code has been changed recently - previously, suit was the minimum.

 

I'm always delighted when someone posts and asks questions like this *before* booking. So much more adult than booking/being unhappy or booking/defying dress code.

[WishIwasOutThereNOW]

Sounds like Carnival is your answer:

 

Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.

 

 

HAL requires minimum jacket and tie on formal nights. Dress code has been changed recently - previously, suit was the minimum.

 

I'm always delighted when someone posts and asks questions like this *before* booking. So much more adult than booking/being unhappy or booking/defying dress code.

 

thanks patricia. suggesting a sports coat isnt the same as required is it? i can handle all the other things. skipping elegant night is an option also. i like the trips i've been looking at and will probably book soon.

[bob c]

Twinkletoes, I agree with you about the beds on HAL. I recently returned from a Hal cruise and went right out and bought a new mattress after sleeping on the great beds on Hal. Great Buffet also!:)

[fann1sh]

thanks patricia. suggesting a sports coat isnt the same as required is it? i can handle all the other things. skipping elegant night is an option also. i like the trips i've been looking at and will probably book soon.

 

Suggesting is definitely not the same as requiring.

 

I always think it's a shame to miss formal nights, because that's when the best menu items are served (ie., lobster). However, if you do decide to cruise HAL, room service is an option. Place your order within half an hour of the dining room opening, request it delivered any time the dining room is open.

 

On formal nights, the Lido on HAL is another option, but I understand they substitute shrimp for lobster tail.

[gemjunky]

First let me discuss the dress code. We just got off the Oosterdam and here is what we found. On most nights, dress in the dining room was for men, a collared shirt and something other than jeans, say Dockers. My DH worn a polo shirt and Dockers. Yes, on formal night, you do have to sport minimally a jacket and tie, but you still see men in tuxs and woman in long, formal dresses. I personally like dressing up on those few occasions. BUT, you can do the Lido on any night so you don't have to dress up. I did see people on the formal night in the public areas in shorts/jeans who apparently didn't dine in the dining room.

 

Now for my comparison between Carnival and HAL: If you want to be a little classier, go HAL which is a more "traditional" cruise line i.e. dressing for dinner, tea in the afternoon, string quartet playing classical music, etc. Carnival is more of a party ship. We found the food to be much better quality on HAL than on Carnival. Carnival ships are much larger and therefore prices are cheaper. Entertainment in the show rooms is about equal, but Carnival has more places to "shake your booty" than HAL. HAL is more conservative and quieter in their guests and their activities. Carnival is more the party/have lots of fun cruise. Personally, we won't be back on Carnival since the party till you drop is not for us and the food and service is better on HAL.

[LHC]

Even though they are both owned by the same Corporation, I chose HAL.

I have done a Carnival Cruise, but I found the other passengers, more rowdy and the ship was not in the best of shape. That said, my last ship was the Prinsendam, which was scheduled for a much needed drydock the next week, and it was in sad shape with plumbing and air conditioning issues. Even still, the staff, with the exception of the Front Office, are a delight and go over and above everyone in trying to assist you with anything they can. Also, the ambience of the HAL ships are just more old World charming, but they have lots of wonderful upgrades on most ships, the thermal suites, the shops, the culinary arts programs, and food is first class. I am 56 and think it offers enough to do, but also nice time to read, reflect, and pray, for me that is everything.

LHC

[twinkletoes4445]

someone please compare the "dress codes" for carnival vs HAL. i'm an informal type guy, but not a slob. i dont show up looking like larry the cable guy. nice slacks and button shirts when on board ( at night ). i'm looking at a couple 10 - 14 day HAL cruises for next year and having to wear a jacket / suit to dinner will definetly be a deal breaker for me. any opinions?

 

We don't do formal on our cruises. We dine in the Lido (we loved doing this) or we do dinner in our cabin. Hubby did not want to bring a jacket or a suit. There were lots of other cruisers who did the same thing. HAL has nice options when it comes to dining and dress. :)

[twinkletoes4445]

Twinkletoes, I agree with you about the beds on HAL. I recently returned from a Hal cruise and went right out and bought a new mattress after sleeping on the great beds on Hal. Great Buffet also!:)

 

We talked about buying one of the mattresses. They were really awesome! We found the buffet to be great ... lol ... a little too great at times. :)

 

One time we were cutting through the Lido and I grabbed a dessert. By then, all the servers knew our names. One asked if we'd like a table, and I told him, "No, this is my appetizer and we're going to our cabin." The following evening we had drinks with us, so we put the drinks, with a dessert on our table (we wanted to make sure that they knew we were coming back), and when we returned, the same server said, "I see you have your appetizer!" We all laughed. We sure had a lot of fun on our cruises. I am so looking forward to returning to the Noordam. I hope some of the crew that was on our last cruise is still there ... they are truly amazing. :)

[hammybee]

We've done both and here's my opinion...

 

IMO, Carnival and Holland are two totally different products. If you want to dance the night away, and see good shows, I'd pick Carnival.

 

 

I like the way you framed this, Twink.

 

May I add, that the number of kids onboard any cruise line is a factor of time of year, more than anything else.

 

If the OP chooses Carnival, please consider a newer and larger ship for the best experience.

[twinkletoes4445]

I like the way you framed this, Twink.

 

May I add, that the number of kids onboard any cruise line is a factor of time of year, more than anything else.

 

If the OP chooses Carnival, please consider a newer and larger ship for the best experience.

 

Thanks, HB! How are you doing? :)

 

You're right about the time of year concerning the number of kids. I should have mentioned this in my post as certain sailings will attract more kids than other sailings. I also agree with you about the newer Carnival ships. Our cruise was on one of the older ships (although it wasn't too old when we sailed), and from what I've read, it does make a difference if you sail on one of the newer ships. Our cabin bedding was so tired, we felt like it should be taking naps. lol And the mattress ... it was sad. We're spoiled with HAL's mattresses!

 

We certainly had a good time on our Carnival cruise ... but we've found our home on HAL. It's nice we have so many options. :)

[WishIwasOutThereNOW]

the thing i'm liking best about HAL is they go to the far southern caribbean ports w/o flying to san juan. also a lot of ports that carnival doesnt visit any more. i've exhausted all the eastern ports that carnival visits. st thomas is great, but so is peach ice cream. i dont want either every time tho. i cruise for the ports and really love the eastern & southern ports and dont particularly care for the mexico / central american ports. i can make the necessary on board adjustments to fit in and get along. if you see me, i hope you like me.