Costa NeoRomantica or HAL Rotterdam?

[I_r_a]

Hi All,

 

My Lady Wife and I have a serious delimma. :)

 

For August 2015 there are two cruises visiting the Baltic (Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg...) with nearly identical itineraries and at almost the same price (+/- $200).

 

I have reserved an aft-facing cabin (7074) on the Rotterdam.

 

I shall have my choice of cabins on the NeoRomantica:

6077 – 6088, 7105 – 7110, 1007 – 1015, 1220 – 1223.

 

 

Am I correct that the 6000 series cabins on the nR are the same as the others in layout, furnishing, etc?

 

 

We are fairly active seniors (median age 75) who like good food and drink; prefer anytime dining, but can go along with fixed seating; enjoy a show; speak English very well - not so good with other languages; not particularly competitive. (Well, at least if I take my meds every day.)

 

 

It will be a major b'day for my LW.

 

 

Which ship would you recommend we take?

 

 

I'll be happy to give further information about our likes/dislikes if needed.

 

 

Thank you for your help.

 

 

 

Ira

I'll be posting this on the HAL board as well.

[louiskam]

August 2015 is 16 months away & many things may change.... itinerary, price, ship & even the cruise line. HAL is a safe bet & Costa is very European, particularly Italian, from passengers, entertainment, menu, excursion to overall services.

[Bill B]

Pros:

Rotterdam - better food.

neoRomantica - cheaper drinks (with AI).

[Pluto_fan]

I haven't yet sailed with either line, so I'm afraid I'm no help in answering your question. But where did you find the itinerary for the neoRomantica? I've been watching for summer 2015 Norway itineraries, and Costa is the only line on my list that I have not yet found itineraries published for. I just checked again and Costa's websites for the US, UK, and Germany are still not showing summer 2015 itineraries. :confused:

[Dancer Bob]

Costa is among the last cruise lines to publish an itinerary. 2015 is a bit far in advance for them.

Age is an attitude, not a number, but at 75 it sounds like you're old enough to fit in on HAL. Costa is much more family oriented.

If by good food you mean "this steak is wonderful, it's larger than the plate" before you pick up the fork (true story), HAL is the best choice.

neoRom does not have a theatre, they have concerts and cabaret style shows in Cabaret Vienna. Music and dancing in the Grand Bar is the main focus of entertainment. Costa entertainment goes til 01.30, HAL is pretty much shut down by 20.00.

English is the working language of the hotel department, but English-speaking passengers are usually about 10% of the total.

Cabins vary by category, also Costa offers Classic and Premium service levels.

Unless you've traveled in Europe and know what to expect, sounds like HAL is your best choice.

Edited April 20, 2014 by Dancer Bob

[I_r_a]

Hi PF,

 

You are correct the Costa itinerary is not out yet.

 

I used the 2014 plan.

.....................................................

Thank you all for your responses.

 

Ira

[G.M.T.]

The 2015 itineraries are out (at least on the Costa Italian web site).

 

The neoRomantica will not be cruising the Baltic in August 2015 (4 capitals) b ut will be crusing the Norwegian fjords:

 

http://www.costacrociere.it/it/lista_crociere/costa_neoromantica-201508.html

 

The Favolosa and Luminosa will be cruising the Baltic in August 2015:

 

http://www.costacrociere.it/it/lista_crociere/capitali_nord_europa-201508.html

 

Ron

[Pluto_fan]

Thanks, Ron! I'm off to check 2015 Norway itineraries on Costa's Italian website. :)