My three cruises in the past year - HAL vs Carnival

[Djptcp]

DH and I have sailed 4 times on HAL and loved every single thing about those cruises. HAL is far superior to Carnival in food, cabins, elegance of the ships, and service. Also, a lot fewer kids. Carnival has superior casinos and nightlife. I would sail more on HAL except the Carnival ships are closer to where we live in North Florida (Jacksonville is 45 minutes, Port Canaveral and Tampa are 2.5 hours vs driving 5.5 hours to Ft. Lauderdale). HAL has one ship in Tampa, but it's older and the balcony cabins, called suites, are really regular-sized cabins with a balcony, not like the suites we have had on their newer ships. Also more expensive than they should be for the size.

 

We like Carnival or we wouldn't have sailed on her ships as much as we have. Our biggest issue with Carnival is all the kids, many of whom have received very little or no training in manners.

[chill6x6]

Really nothing better than getting off a ship and saying EUREKA to yourself! I had a very similar revelation coming off the NCL Spirit

last year.. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise!

 

I compare/contrast cruises all the time. I SERIOUSLY considered a HA Southern Caribbean itinerary... I just couldn't do it....at least not at this

time in my life. Doesn't seem like it would be for me either...

[idiebabe]

Really nothing better than getting off a ship and saying EUREKA to yourself! I had a very similar revelation coming off the NCL Spirit

last year.. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise!

 

I compare/contrast cruises all the time. I SERIOUSLY considered a HA Southern Caribbean itinerary... I just couldn't do it....at least not at this

time in my life. Doesn't seem like it would be for me either...

 

Every cruise line is not for everyone (and there's nothing wrong with that) but I don't think you will really know if it's for you unless you try it for yourself. Everyone's experience is different just as cruises on the same cruise line can be different.

 

We loved the Southern Carib cruise on HAL that did the partial transit into the Canal. We had a great group of passengers on that cruise and the Ship was not dead at all! The Piano Bar was standing room only every night except for the first night, they had a St. Paddy's Day Pub Crawl going on throughout the Ship, etc. :D The whole experience of the transit with the Panama Canal was very impressive with the way HAL and the Captain handled it! Great cruise!!!

 

Princess attracts an older crowd, too, so would love to see a review from you after your sailing!

[matondo]

My DH LOVES HAL and will not consider another cruisline. He goes on vacation to spend hours on the balcony and just relax. Sometimes he doesn't get off the ship when we are in a port.

 

I would love to try Carnival to compare. We were planning a sister's cruise (I have three). The oldest who cruises a lot said any cruise line but Carnival. Maybe I can convince my daughter to try Carnival with me.:rolleyes:

[idiebabe]

My DH LOVES HAL and will not consider another cruisline. He goes on vacation to spend hours on the balcony and just relax. Sometimes he doesn't get off the ship when we are in a port.

 

I would love to try Carnival to compare. We were planning a sister's cruise (I have three). The oldest who cruises a lot said any cruise line but Carnival. Maybe I can convince my daughter to try Carnival with me.:rolleyes:

 

Go for it! I see you are in Ohio. How about the Carnival Pride out of Baltimore! She's a very nice Ship with a great layout and would be on par with HAL's Vista Class in size. We were on her in June and going again in September. We really enjoyed this Ship and had very good service and a very, friendly Staff! :D

[Cruiser from MS]

I have to say we have enjoyed both Carnival and Holland. We cruised Holland because of their wheelchair accessible balcony cabins vs Carnival's not having good wheelchair accessible balconies . I did very much appreciate the very special care my husband received on our Holland cruise. There is a definate difference in the age group on Holland. Though we did not find it dead after 9 pm, at least on our cruise. I love both cruise lines for very different cruise experience.

[chill6x6]

Every cruise line is not for everyone (and there's nothing wrong with that) but I don't think you will really know if it's for you unless you try it for yourself. Everyone's experience is different just as cruises on the same cruise line can be different.

 

We loved the Southern Carib cruise on HAL that did the partial transit into the Canal. We had a great group of passengers on that cruise and the Ship was not dead at all! The Piano Bar was standing room only every night except for the first night, they had a St. Paddy's Day Pub Crawl going on throughout the Ship, etc. :D The whole experience of the transit with the Panama Canal was very impressive with the way HAL and the Captain handled it! Great cruise!!!

 

Princess attracts an older crowd, too, so would love to see a review from you after your sailing!

 

I agree with your post 100% and you're starting to scare me with the Princess talk!:)

 

Yeah I know Princess is known for an "older" crowd. I don't mind older at all really! In fact I'M older than many!:) All I've ever "heard" is HAL closes up at 9PM... Some say yes and some no. It depends on which side of the fence one is standing on I guess. Basically I wanted Eastern Caribbean but not Nassau...so Ruby Princess here we GO! Fingers are officially CROSSED!

 

I still have time to try HAL, Lord willing!:cool:

[swscruiser]

question for edmusic!

 

I still like Carnival, but am looking to branch out and try another line. Have been looking at HAL and seems to be ok to me. I cant travel now due to illness in the family, but hopefully next year I will get a chance to have a week or so away.

 

My question about HAL is; with regard to the ship being quite dead after 9pm; does that include the casino? I enjoy a bit of casino slots after dinner, but find Carnival's casino too crowded and smokey. Is it different on HAL? Is the casino also quiet or dead after 9pm?

 

Thanks

My wife got kicked out of the HALCasino at midnight because she was the only one in there.