Anyone sailed NCL and HAL?

[Lilycat2010]

I'm a new cruiser (had one amazing Western Caribbean cruise on Epic. We loved it - check my out review on the review page.)

 

We're already planning our next one. There's a HAL cruise on their new ship the Nieuw Amsterdam that looks like a great itinerary and price. I know posting this on the NCL board will give me NCL's fans perspectives, but I'm worried I'm jaded by my initial great experience. We're in our 40's, not party-ers, but we still enjoy shows, casinos and some nightlife.

 

Anyone cruised both lines that could give me their two cents?

 

Thanks!

[GigCrusier]

I have done both lines. More experience with NCL vs. HAL, but based on your introduction and my current lack of respect for NCL - Choose HAL! I would also especially choose HAL if you don't stay in a suite.

[valleyvillage]

I have cruised both, enjoy both. My feeling about HAL is that it is more traditional, not as many dining choices, if that is important to you.

I prefer NCL in general, especially the suite perks.

I have had great experiences with the crew on both lines, very friendly and helpful.

HAL offers a better breakfast menu for room service.

HAL feels at least a bit more formal.

NCL really lives the Freestyle concept, and I really enjoy that.

I prefer the NCL spas and gyms.

I don't think you would be disappointed with a HAL cruise, especially if you have a great choice of price and itinerary!

Bon Voyage!

[texast518]

Sailed the Zuiderdam to Alaska in June, first HAL cruise, really liked ALL aspects. Sailed NCL dream in 2005, was ok, sailing Spirit over Christmas, will see how NCL is in this economy( BA balcony).

[newmexicoNita]

I'm a new cruiser (had one amazing Western Caribbean cruise on Epic. We loved it - check my out review on the review page.)

 

We're already planning our next one. There's a HAL cruise on their new ship the Nieuw Amsterdam that looks like a great itinerary and price. I know posting this on the NCL board will give me NCL's fans perspectives, but I'm worried I'm jaded by my initial great experience. We're in our 40's, not party-ers, but we still enjoy shows, casinos and some nightlife.

 

Anyone cruised both lines that could give me their two cents?

 

Thanks!

 

Lily, they happen to be our 2 favorite lines, but for totally different reasons. Of course if you ask this on the HAL thread you know what you are going to get and the responses might not be very objective. There are a few lines that have frequent cruisers that look down on any line other than the one they prefer. That being said:

 

NCL much better entertainment

better casinos

more dining choices

both crew and passengers have more energy

much younger group

more late night activities but certainly I don't consider NCL a party line

better organized "free style dining"

 

 

HAL

wonderful crew (more formal though)

better food (of course this is subjective)

larger cabins

traditional dining or flex, you can choose

great library

more subdued, older crowd

 

Hope this helps some.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Sailed the Zuiderdam to Alaska in June, first HAL cruise, really liked ALL aspects. Sailed NCL dream in 2005, was ok, sailing Spirit over Christmas, will see how NCL is in this economy( BA balcony).

 

Texas, just to put in my 2 cents worth, nothing against the Dream as many people loved her, but the Dream isn't anything like the newer NCL ships. Actually in some ways neither is the Spirit, but we like the Spirit.

 

Nita

[kim826]

I have one HAL under my belt and numerous NCL. Will be going on the Epic in March. While I loved HAL if you're looking for nightlife, this isn't the place. I was on the Eurodam. Absolutely loved the library, food, service, and pool area. My friend enjoyed the casino. We didn't bother with the shows. Much older crowd. I don't think anyone could be disappointed on HAL - just don't be looking for animal house!

[European_CruiseGirl]

Have sailed both (more HAL than NCL). I wouldn't sail NCL unless I was staying in a suite.

 

IMO HAL is better than NCL if you are staying in a regular cabin (non suite). The room service menu on HAL is very extensive regardless of your cabin class. You will get the same menu if you are in an inside cabin or a suite.

 

The HAL experience is like being on a ship. The NCL experience is more like being on a floating resort.

 

IMO no-one can pamper suite guests like NCL so if you are able to book a suite I'd recommend NCL. The suite experience is really amazing. :)

 

I have enjoyed the food on both HAL and NCL. However I think HAL's main dining room meals are much better than NCL's main dining room meals. On the other hand you have much more choice on NCL which is definitely a plus.

 

I was actually amazed that I enjoyed NCL and HAL both very much. I was (and still am) a hard core HAL lover but now I'm also a hard core NCL Suite lover. Yes - the suite experience makes all the difference for me. I would not sail NCL without a suite. Then again I would not bother to book a suite on HAL as HAL's suite perks really aren't that big a deal.

[CPT Trips]

I'll just echo that the comparisons made here so far are what I would say to you also. Both provide a very very enjoyable experience and I would do either again in a heartbeat.

 

Just want to clarify that the comments about NCL having more meal choice is in terms of the multiple dining venues (most extra cost) - HAL has a much better MDR menu IMO.

[RuthlessBunny]

Our last cruise was HAL, and we're about to embark on our first NCL cruise. So we're looking at it backwards!

 

We're in our forties, so the HAL crowd was a bit older than we were. We did have a ball. Having kicked up our heels in our youth, a laid back, sedate cruise was perfect for us. We especially liked the Piano Bar sing alongs, trivia and meeting all sorts of lovely folks.

 

The pool area was also nice and quiet, no screaming kids, no rowdy young folks and many of the ladies, like me, were wearing nice, full coverage swim suits.

 

The gym was never crowded and I really enjoyed the tai chi class.

 

We found the food to be excellent and loved eating room service in our cabin in the morning. We had a balcony cabin and it was exactly the same dimensions as the cabins both on Rennaissance and Silversea!

 

Normally, I would have selected HAL for our next cruise, but we are going to a wedding in Key Largo and Port of Miami was just a hair more convenient for us, so we decided to try NCL.

[Lilycat2010]

Thanks to all of you for your quick and thorough responses. I think we'll go for it and give it a try!

[debnjoe1438]

I've cruised both and would cruise either again. DH sum's it up like this,

 

NCL - more fun

HAL- more pampered and spoiled. (we were in an inside)

 

IMO you can't go wrong with either

[Sea Going Fool]

I have cruised both NCL and HAL. Lately more with NCL because we like freestyle and it's a little cheaper than HAL. HAL is more formal and you will find more seniors aboard than you do on NCL. Excellent staff on both lines.

[tmknies]

We have cruised both. We too are in our 40's. I thought Hal was beautifully decorated, better food, more upscale. Loved the Yum-Yum man. That being said we found there was little to no nightlife. It was difficult to get a drink. Much older crowd. We are not party goers either but HAL was too subdued for us. Kids club was not good for our children.

[Cruise_More_Often]

We have cruised both. We too are in our 40's. I thought Hal was beautifully decorated, better food, more upscale. Loved the Yum-Yum man. That being said we found there was little to no nightlife. It was difficult to get a drink. Much older crowd. We are not party goers either but HAL was too subdued for us. Kids club was not good for our children.

What is a Yum-Yum man?

[debnjoe1438]

What is a Yum-Yum man?

 

 

I don't remember a Yum Yum man:confused:

[mafig]

Oh, the Yum Yum man. :D

 

Usually stationed outside the restaurant. On our two HAL cruises he was dressed like an old-fashioned elevator operator (think 1930s film) or like a bell boy. Actually, one of his other duties is to "announce" dinner by playing chimes.

 

He usually had a tray of goodies .... mints, dried fruit, ginger, etc. Very nice touch, I thought.

[hamrag]

I'm a new cruiser (had one amazing Western Caribbean cruise on Epic. We loved it - check my out review on the review page.)

 

We're already planning our next one. There's a HAL cruise on their new ship the Nieuw Amsterdam that looks like a great itinerary and price. I know posting this on the NCL board will give me NCL's fans perspectives, but I'm worried I'm jaded by my initial great experience. We're in our 40's, not party-ers, but we still enjoy shows, casinos and some nightlife.

 

Anyone cruised both lines that could give me their two cents?

 

Thanks!

 

Some of the HAL itineries are more unusual than NCL....little imagination with itineries. If price is good, there is only one decision to make....HAL, where the MDR food is streets ahead. If you want same food experience with NCL you need to pay for the speciality restaurants. HAL much more refined, and headline entertainment shows are more professional.

[indimini]

Add us to the list of mid-40's couples who've sailed both and enjoyed each in their own way. We've only done suites on NCL, but have had regular cabins on HAL and found the service on HAL to be exceptional w/o paying a premium.

 

We also did the anytime dining on HAL and never had a problem being seated immediately. We always had dinner table mates, but it was fun getting to know different folks each night. The other advantage of the flexible dining imho is that we never felt bad if we wanted to skip dinner, do room service or just hit the buffet as nobody was waiting for us at the table.

[newmexicoNita]

Have sailed both (more HAL than NCL). I wouldn't sail NCL unless I was staying in a suite.

 

IMO HAL is better than NCL if you are staying in a regular cabin (non suite). The room service menu on HAL is very extensive regardless of your cabin class. You will get the same menu if you are in an inside cabin or a suite.

 

The HAL experience is like being on a ship. The NCL experience is more like being on a floating resort.

 

IMO no-one can pamper suite guests like NCL so if you are able to book a suite I'd recommend NCL. The suite experience is really amazing. :)

 

I have enjoyed the food on both HAL and NCL. However I think HAL's main dining room meals are much better than NCL's main dining room meals. On the other hand you have much more choice on NCL which is definitely a plus.

 

I was actually amazed that I enjoyed NCL and HAL both very much. I was (and still am) a hard core HAL lover but now I'm also a hard core NCL Suite lover. Yes - the suite experience makes all the difference for me. I would not sail NCL without a suite. Then again I would not bother to book a suite on HAL as HAL's suite perks really aren't that big a deal.

 

I forgot about the room service menu; you are right, it is the best at sea.

[newmexicoNita]

I'll just echo that the comparisons made here so far are what I would say to you also. Both provide a very very enjoyable experience and I would do either again in a heartbeat.

 

Just want to clarify that the comments about NCL having more meal choice is in terms of the multiple dining venues (most extra cost) - HAL has a much better MDR menu IMO.

 

Yes, that is why I made the comment under comparisons: HAL has better food. NCL does have more choices even when it comes to Free options.

[Cruise_More_Often]

. . . We also did the anytime dining on HAL and never had a problem being seated immediately. We always had dinner table mates, but it was fun getting to know different folks each night. . .

That's the deal killer for me. If I want to eat only with my husband, I can do that on NCL, at any time and in any dining room. Guess I'll have to put up with it for our 1-night HAL cruise next year (knowing that the next five nights we'll be on the Pearl). :D

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

I've done 2 NCL and 2 HAL cruises...

 

I do like HAL a little better as far as food and decorations...plus they do High Tea (I love teas in the afternoon...)

 

but I do miss the Margarita tastings... and sail away party (They do have night life, in the Caribbean, not on Alaska sailings... just not as party hearty and a martini clinic that was a blast... there was kerokee and stuff I did)

 

So...this coming up cruise... it went down to where it went really...NCL offered a port we haven't been too and a little better price.

[mafig]

That's the deal killer for me. If I want to eat only with my husband, I can do that on NCL, at any time and in any dining room. Guess I'll have to put up with it for our 1-night HAL cruise next year (knowing that the next five nights we'll be on the Pearl). :D

 

 

On both of our HAL cruises we requested and received a table for two in the traditional dining room.

[mike2000]

I'm a new cruiser (had one amazing Western Caribbean cruise on Epic. We loved it - check my out review on the review page.)

 

We're already planning our next one. There's a HAL cruise on their new ship the Nieuw Amsterdam that looks like a great itinerary and price. I know posting this on the NCL board will give me NCL's fans perspectives, but I'm worried I'm jaded by my initial great experience. We're in our 40's, not party-ers, but we still enjoy shows, casinos and some nightlife.

 

Anyone cruised both lines that could give me their two cents?

 

Thanks!

 

I will take my first ncl cruise in nov. but I have cruised HAL, when I compare them to the other lines I have gone on they are more layed back. Not as many thing going on as on RCL or Carnival.