So is there really a difference?

[CALMOM]

I was considering booking with HAL for my next cruise to Hawaii from San Diego. I have cruised with Carnival, RCL and Princess, Princess being my favorite, so far. What is the difference between HAL and Princess? Does HAL offer something I wouldn't get from Princess?

 

I enjoy seating on my balcony, eating the fine food, get a massage, play a little in the Casino, enjoy the evening shows, relax by the pool and tour around the ship.

 

The Hawaii cruise has a lot of Days At Sea and I wanted to know what they have available for me to do. Is the casino open in the Hawaii Itinerary? I have heard that some cruise lines do not have the casino open except during Day At Sea and not in between ports. If you have sailed on HAL for the Hawaii itinerary, how was it? What was the Pro and Con?

 

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[CtheW0rld]

princess and hal are very similar in ambiance, food and service. hal's cabins are a bit larger - even standard outside cabins have bathtubs. all cabins, except 'regular grade' have a small couch and seating area. with princess you need to book at least a minisuite to have those things.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our Hawaiian cruises -- even though we were in Code Red -- there were still lots of activities on the Sea days.

 

Once we got to the Hawaiian islands -- and we left one of the ports -- the casino and shops did open up.

[jhannah]

We have enjoyed our Princess cruises very much. I think you'll find HAL to be a bit of a step up. The larger staterooms are a plus, and the ambiance is a bit more elegant - yet not stuffy.

[happy cruzer]

Only major difference I can think of since you mentioned it as a thing you like - Princess usually have better and more pools. You might research the ships that do Hawaii to make sure you will be happy sitting by the pool.

 

It's a great trip on any ship.

[CALMOM]

princess and hal are very similar in ambiance, food and service. hal's cabins are a bit larger - even standard outside cabins have bathtubs. all cabins, except 'regular grade' have a small couch and seating area. with princess you need to book at least a minisuite to have those things.

 

I noticed your comment on your next cruise. Does this mean you canceled it because HAL has a restricted smoking policy? I smoke and want the ability to smoke on my balcony. This is why I don't consider Celebrity. I would definitely enjoy a larger cabin:D Thank you.

[E-500]

I noticed your comment on your next cruise. Does this mean you canceled it because HAL has a restricted smoking policy? I smoke and want the ability to smoke on my balcony. This is why I don't consider Celebrity. I would definitely enjoy a larger cabin:D Thank you.

 

You can smoke in your cabin, on your veranda, sports bar, casino, disco and open decks.

[CtheW0rld]

You can smoke in your cabin, on your veranda, sports bar, casino, disco and open decks.

 

this changes per ship. i was booked on the veendam, which no longer has a sports bar or disco. they were replaced with 'the mix' which is non-smoking. that left an area in the crow's nest and the casino as the indoor areas where smoking was permitted.

[fann1sh]

CalMom, don't know when you're planning on travelling, but the HAL ships out of San Diego cruising to Hawaii are Zaandam, Rotterdam (Christmas next year) and Oosterdam - replacing Zaandam on the Hawaii run later in 2011.

 

Oosterdam will have (or *should* have) cheaper balcony cabins, since she has more of them than Zaandam and Rotterdam. However, they are also slightly smaller cabins. Category VH - VA are 200 square feet cabin + 54 square feet balcony (6' x 9'). Zaandam/Rotterdam balcony category BC - AA balconies are 284 square feet total for cabin + balcony.

[TracieABD]

The lines are very similar.

I would give Princess the edge (very slight) in food and entertainment.

 

I would give HAL the edge (a much wider margin) in service, ambiance, cabins, amenities, and upcharges (we found very little "hawking" on HAL compared to Princess).

[CALMOM]

You can smoke in your cabin, on your veranda, sports bar, casino, disco and open decks.

 

Thank you. I only smoke on my balcony when my neighbors are not on theirs or where allowed on open deck. I don't smoke inside the ship otherwise. I try to be consider it of the non smokers.

[CALMOM]

You can smoke in your cabin, on your veranda, sports bar, casino, disco and open decks.

 

Thank you, I think that at some point the cruise lines won't allow smoking inside the ship other then your cabin or balcony. It seems to be the direction they're taking. I don't want this to turn into a smoking thread, I was just wondering regarding your comment. Thank you for your answer, I appreciate it.

[TracieABD]

Thank you. I only smoke on my balcony when my neighbors are not on theirs or where allowed on open deck. I don't smoke inside the ship otherwise. I try to be consider it of the non smokers.

That is very kind of you.

 

We had a smoker on our hallway in an inside room. You could smell the smoke a little bit, but in about 3 minutes it would go away. It was never overbearing.

[CALMOM]

CalMom, don't know when you're planning on travelling, but the HAL ships out of San Diego cruising to Hawaii are Zaandam, Rotterdam (Christmas next year) and Oosterdam - replacing Zaandam on the Hawaii run later in 2011.

 

Oosterdam will have (or *should* have) cheaper balcony cabins, since she has more of them than Zaandam and Rotterdam. However, they are also slightly smaller cabins. Category VH - VA are 200 square feet cabin + 54 square feet balcony (6' x 9'). Zaandam/Rotterdam balcony category BC - AA balconies are 284 square feet total for cabin + balcony.

 

Thank you this is very helpful. I didn't have a date but this will certainly help me choose one. Is there a better time to sail to Hawaii as far as weather? I know the seas can be a little rough depending on when you sail but I was wondering about the weather when I arrive in port.