biggest differences between HAL and NCL for

[akacake]

We are booking an Alaskan cruise with another couple that are new to cruising. We have been on 12 cruises including NCL but never HAL. We loved the young energy on NCL, the relaxed dress code, the anytime dining etc etc...

 

We are all in our late 40s early 50's and are fairly casual dressers ( ie golf shirts with khakis, capris and a blouse...no ties or jackets or cocktail dresses) we are NOT wanting to participate in formal nights so will eat at the buffet or elsewhere those nights.

 

The dates are the same week, the itinerary is the same, the cabin types are the same but HAL is over $500 cheaper than NCL.

 

I know that NCL is rated a 3 star and HAL rated a 5 star but we are worried about the dress code being too strict on HAL and also it being too quiet with older passengers? We are not party animals but we do stay up until midnight and we like our cocktails :)

 

so should we spend more $ on NCL or less $ on HAL ??

[Keith1010]

Alaska is really different than some cruises and most of us who enjoy Alaska will recommend first putting the emphasis on the itinerary because that is what makes Alaska so very special. It is more about itinerary than anything else.

 

I would read review on both ships and specifically those from Alaska to get a feel for them.

 

In general HAL has an older clientele than on NCL and will be a quieter cruise in the evening.

 

Keith

[bob brown]

HAL and Princess really 'own' Alaska, with the most ship's, itineraries, visits to Glacier Bay, hotel's, glass-top luxury railcars, tour buses, and experience serving Alaska. If you are going there, I think that HAL, especially their smaller ships, are the best for a sightseeing or port intensive itinerary.

On the other hand, HAL does indeed have the oldest demographic in general, and the ship 'goes to bed' early, with very little nightlife. And HAL does usually have a couple of formal nights where at least a tie and jacket are required to dine in the MDR.

So if Freestyle, and partying are important, perhaps NCL would be a better fit for you....

Personally, I like both lines, as well as most other's for all each has to offer.....:)

[akacake]

all 4 of us are early drinkers...before dinner...then a few more drinks at dinner...then the show in the theatre and lights out by midnight at the latest.

 

We don't care about the nightlife, as long as we can sit and have a nightcap or two ...if we choose to... somewhere on the ship after 10 pm?

 

Sounds like HAL might fit our style...

[bob brown]

That you can do....

What I meant by nightlife, was the disco 'crowd' after 11 PM usually consisted of a handful of passenger's and mostly off-duty staff.

[akacake]

That you can do....

What I meant by nightlife, was the disco 'crowd' after 11 PM usually consisted of a handful of passenger's and mostly off-duty staff.

 

 

Thanks for your reply :)

 

As long as one place is open if we want a drink or 2 in the evening after 10-11 pm then we are all happy!! I think HAL is going to be perfect for us!

[CJ1010]

Go with HAL! My husband and I went on a HAL

[CJ1010]

Go with HAL! My husband and I are in our 40s and went on a HAL cruise to Alaska a couple years ago. We both loved it. There was a greater range of ages on the ship than I was expecting - families, couples in their 20s/30s, and older cruisers.

 

Dress code - most days on the ship I wore 'lounging' pants. Most passengers were dressed casual during the day. In the dining room I remember women in nice pants/tops and on formal night more skirts and dresses but you wouldn't be out of place or turned away if you wore nice dress pants with a 'fancy' top. There were a lot of men wearing suits on formal night but I also saw men without jacket and tie. Yes, I saw blue jeans in the dining room on many nights and wasn't bothered by it and neither was anyone else at our table.

 

Drinks - we're not 'disco people' but did enjoy the cocktails onboard. Especially my husband. FYI, the casino will comp you drinks - not sure how long you have to play first but my husband was comped a lot.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[puppycanducruise]

Go with HAL! My husband and I are in our 40s and went on a HAL cruise to Alaska a couple years ago. We both loved it. There was a greater range of ages on the ship than I was expecting - families, couples in their 20s/30s, and older cruisers.

 

Dress code - most days on the ship I wore 'lounging' pants. Most passengers were dressed casual during the day. In the dining room I remember women in nice pants/tops and on formal night more skirts and dresses but you wouldn't be out of place or turned away if you wore nice dress pants with a 'fancy' top. There were a lot of men wearing suits on formal night but I also saw men without jacket and tie. Yes, I saw blue jeans in the dining room on many nights and wasn't bothered by it and neither was anyone else at our table.

 

Drinks - we're not 'disco people' but did enjoy the cocktails onboard. Especially my husband. FYI, the casino will comp you drinks - not sure how long you have to play first but my husband was comped a lot.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

I could have posted almost the same response. Our cruise on HAL to Alaska got us hooked on cruising. We don't gamble much, so our drinks weren't comped in the casino. However, I do recall that in at least one of the bars, the bartender had some tests and you could win a free drink. Fun games.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Karysa]

We are booking an Alaskan cruise with another couple that are new to cruising. We have been on 12 cruises including NCL but never HAL. We loved the young energy on NCL, the relaxed dress code, the anytime dining etc etc...

 

We are all in our late 40s early 50's and are fairly casual dressers ( ie golf shirts with khakis, capris and a blouse...no ties or jackets or cocktail dresses) we are NOT wanting to participate in formal nights so will eat at the buffet or elsewhere those nights.

 

The dates are the same week, the itinerary is the same, the cabin types are the same but HAL is over $500 cheaper than NCL.

 

I know that NCL is rated a 3 star and HAL rated a 5 star but we are worried about the dress code being too strict on HAL and also it being too quiet with older passengers? We are not party animals but we do stay up until midnight and we like our cocktails :)

 

so should we spend more $ on NCL or less $ on HAL ??

 

Why is this HAL cruise less than NCL? That seems different from my experience. What are the names of the ships? Perhaps the HAL ship is the oldest in the fleet or that sailing is just before a refurbishment.?? ...or maybe it's just a sale.:)

[Roz]

I was 48 when I took my first cruise, which was on a HAL ship to Alaska. There were people of all ages, but it definitely skewed to over 50. That said, after walking around ports all day in the cold rain and having early shorex, I wasn't up for much nightlife after 11 pm. I agree with the posters who said Alaska is more about the sights and itinerary than shipboard activities.

 

Enjoy your cruise and report back to us on your experience and how it compares to NCL.

 

Roz

[agabbymama]

Just to name a few differences. HAL will be a little more upscale than NCL. Fresh flowers instead of plastic/silk. Teak wood Promenade deck that encircles the ship without having to go up or down a deck. Real washclothes in the public restrooms, not paper. A covered pool for inclement weather on HAL. A little bigger staterooms on HAL. The best beds and crew at sea. Employees in the hallways always smile & say good morning or good evening, even if they aren't your room steward or waiters.

 

Along with that, goes a little more upscale dressing (usually). My husband doesn't care to dress in a suit & tie, so it's the Lido buffet for him on formal nights. I like to dress to the nines on formal night and have photos taken. I'm surprised by the other posters that have said HAL is more casual for Alaskan cruises. I didn't find that to be the case on my 2 Alaskan cruises with HAL. And HAL does ask that you honor the dress code on Formal night for the entire evening. Now that isn't to say there aren't some folks that don't, but the majority do.

 

I also have the same question as Karysa as to why this HAL cruise is cheaper than NCL??? I have always found HAL to be the more expensive of any cruise to anywhere I have cruised, unless you have hit on a really great sale.

 

Have fun whatever you decide to do. Alaska is the bonus on this cruise. Go for as long as you can and enjoy our last Wilderness.

[Tiggertastic]

So OP what have you decided?

 

we've sailed NCL many a time but never HAL and friends in their early 30s just did HAL and said they won't do NCL after that

[akacake]

The 2 ships to compare are the NCL Sun and The HAL Zaandam.

[Karysa]

The 2 ships to compare are the NCL Sun and The HAL Zaandam.

 

I love the SUN. I get why it would be $500 more.:). Thanks

[akacake]

I just booked our cabins on HAL ! I think that we will love it!!

 

There is no such thing as a bad holiday :) so no matter what happens at least we are not at work!!

[Karysa]

I just booked our cabins on HAL ! I think that we will love it!!

 

There is no such thing as a bad holiday :) so no matter what happens at least we are not at work!!

 

Congrats! Have a wonderful cruise!:)

[CowPrincess]

Why is this HAL cruise less than NCL? That seems different from my experience. What are the names of the ships? Perhaps the HAL ship is the oldest in the fleet or that sailing is just before a refurbishment.?? ...or maybe it's just a sale.:)

 

Right now, the Zaandam has some VERY good prices in comparison to some of the other HAL ships. We are considering Zaandam and Volendam, and there's a price difference between the two, for very similar offerings. The Zaandam, however, doesn't go to Glacier Bay as far as I can tell, so that may be affecting pricing.

 

OP, congrats on booking, I hope you have a great cruise!

[Karysa]

Right now, the Zaandam has some VERY good prices in comparison to some of the other HAL ships. We are considering Zaandam and Volendam, and there's a price difference between the two, for very similar offerings. The Zaandam, however, doesn't go to Glacier Bay as far as I can tell, so that may be affecting pricing.

 

OP, congrats on booking, I hope you have a great cruise!

 

That seems like a plausible reason.

[akacake]

wow! good thing I booked it when I did this afternoon! The same cabin (FF) is now $500 more on the same sailing, May 23rd. It was on sale for 24 hours, that is it? Oh, I am so happy I jumped when I did!! :)

[bob brown]

Congratulations on your decision. Now I would recommend you go over to the HAL boards and to your roll call in particular, and get lots of handy tips and information from the regular's.....;):)

[boulders]

wow! good thing I booked it when I did this afternoon! The same cabin (FF) is now $500 more on the same sailing, May 23rd. It was on sale for 24 hours, that is it? Oh, I am so happy I jumped when I did!! :)

 

Yes, prices go up and down, according to supply and demand. The price probably went up because they sold a couple of cabins in that category. ;)