Considering trying HAL again - advice please

[Lisa63]

Thanks, Melodie. And, I do need to apologize. I assumed the OP did not want to go on HAL, when in fact s/he was asking for advice on ways to make it as close as possible to what they've grown accustomed to on NCL.

 

I'd agree with others who suggested the Penthouse Suite along with open seating dining.

 

Sorry for jumping the gun. I wanted to point out the view from the other side.

[POA1]

I just looked at the NCL website and one category of suites -- 3 BR Haven Villa (or something like that) -- is listed as close to 5,000 square feet on some ships and 7,000 square feet on another. That might include the private outdoor area for that cabin only. I checked one out on debarkation day a few years ago and, while the suite is huge, there is also a great deal of outdoor space.

 

Our 2 BR Family Suite is roughly 575 square feet, and comes with the amenities described in other posts -- butler, concierge, separate DR for breakfast and lunch, reserved show lounge seating, priority tenders, in-cabin meals.

 

The older ships (Dawn/Star) do not have the Haven, while the Haven on the newer ships is kind of a ship-within-a-ship experience with a pool and sunning deck for Haven pax only, as well as key-card access to the decks on which the suites and Haven are located.

 

FWIW (which is probably not much), our family of three lives in a home that has 1,300 square feet of living space.

 

The 2BR seems very small at 575 sf. That's not much bigger than a Neptune Suite. The 3BR, on the other hand, is enormous. It's enough for the three bedrooms, at least 3.5 baths, kitchen, formal dining room formal living room, and large family room. I'm interested to see the floor plan. It almost has enough room for a garage.

 

My DSIL & DBIL really liked the Haven suites and said that HAL doesn't compare favorably. However, the Haven Suites were quite a bit more. They described the overall experience as being more private, secluded and exclusive.

Edited July 13, 2014 by POA1

[toyotaford]

Thanks for all the comments. I will definitely check out the penthouse and see if it is available. My friend has never been on cruise and she and her husband and doing New England with us on NCL in September. I am a little, actually a lot, disappointed to see we will still need to pack dress clothes for vacation but its only a week and with a really great friend. I am interested to see how prices compare on comparable suites on HAL and NCL. Both times we took HAL in the past it was because they were the least expensive of all the major lines doing Alaska. (Even Carnival) Again, thanks for all the great comments.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I just looked at the NCL website and one category of suites -- 3 BR Haven Villa (or something like that) -- is listed as close to 5,000 square feet on some ships and 7,000 square feet on another. That might include the private outdoor area for that cabin only. I checked one out on debarkation day a few years ago and, while the suite is huge, there is also a great deal of outdoor space.

 

Our 2 BR Family Suite is roughly 575 square feet, and comes with the amenities described in other posts -- butler, concierge, separate DR for breakfast and lunch, reserved show lounge seating, priority tenders, in-cabin meals.

 

The older ships (Dawn/Star) do not have the Haven, while the Haven on the newer ships is kind of a ship-within-a-ship experience with a pool and sunning deck for Haven pax only, as well as key-card access to the decks on which the suites and Haven are located.

 

FWIW (which is probably not much), our family of three lives in a home that has 1,300 square feet of living space.

 

 

I, like you, also went and checked out NCL since it has been years since we sailed on them.

I looked at the Jewel and saw that almost 5000 square foot cabin. We don't need a cabin with 3 bedrooms and a grand piano in the living room area. That type of cabin would be great for a large family.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for all the comments. I will definitely check out the penthouse and see if it is available. My friend has never been on cruise and she and her husband and doing New England with us on NCL in September. I am a little, actually a lot, disappointed to see we will still need to pack dress clothes for vacation but its only a week and with a really great friend. I am interested to see how prices compare on comparable suites on HAL and NCL. Both times we took HAL in the past it was because they were the least expensive of all the major lines doing Alaska. (Even Carnival) Again, thanks for all the great comments.

 

Do come back and let us know what you decide.

[Toad]

Not all wanting to bash HAL, just trying to convince myself to join this cruise.

 

I would never have to "Convince myself to go on a cruise", so if you really feel that way, and could only be happy with the amenities you have on NCL, it is probably not worth it to you.

[toyotaford]

Do come back and let us know what you decide.

Thanks, I definitely will. We are out of the country right now. She just sent me an email about the HAL cruise yesterday so we will discuss more when we get home. And she is such an awesome friend we would have fun on a row boat.

[toyotaford]

I, like you, also went and checked out NCL since it has been years since we sailed on them.

 

I looked at the Jewel and saw that almost 5000 square foot cabin. We don't need a cabin with 3 bedrooms and a grand piano in the living room area. That type of cabin would be great for a large family.

We don't need it either but sure do enjoy it. We once had 8 in it. 4 teenage girls, my parents and ourselves. Usually it has been 2 couples and on a few occasions it has just been my husband and myself. We work hard and cruising is the one place we choose to blow our money and blow it we do.

[cbr663]

The challenge that you face is that HAL does not specialize in offering a suite experience. The only true suites on a HAL ship are the Pinnacle Class suites. Every other suite, even though HAL would like you to believe that they are suites, are simply larger cabins or regular cabins with additional perks. It is nothing more than a marketing ploy.

 

Here are some of the perks offered in a Pinnacle Suite:

• Priority Boarding and Disembarkation,
  
• A private escort to your suite,
  
• Complimentary pressing, laundry and dry cleaning,
  
• Cold appetizers served before dinner, upon request,
  
• Breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill. This will be the same breakfast offered in the MDR, just a different location,
  
• Access to the Neptune Lounge, where your concierge is stationed,
  
• in suite high tea, upon request,
  
• check out more here: http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlansFull.action?ship=we_2&deck=rt&deep=0
  

 

Dining options will be very limited. The Pinnacle Grill is wonderful, but its menu is very limited and we personally find that dining for lunch and dinner once is great; any more than that and the experience losses it appeal. The Canaletto receives very mixed reviews.

 

You can have any item that is on the dinner menu in the MDR delivered to your suite via room service. It is my understanding that your dinner can be served, but I suggest that you verify this assumption.

 

I don't believe that HAL offers private escorts off the ship when in ports, but you can certainly inquire. There are only 2 Pinnacle Suites on the ship, so there shouldn't be a problem offering this service.

 

As stated earlier, coffee and pastries and a full hot breakfast can be ordered via room service for breakfast. HAL does do a wonderful hot breakfast through room service and it is one of the things that we always look forward to. We always book at least a balcony cabin just to have the room service breakfast on the balcony.

 

I don't think that in suite unlimited drinks and water are available. One of the perks notes that water is complimentary on embarkation only, but of course, you can purchase a beverage package for your cruise.

 

HAL doesn't offer reserved seating for any of its shows. Formal nights are still formal. The suite will be smaller than those that you have mentioned.

 

The only "private" area offered will be the Neptune Lounge, a drop in area for certain passengers that offers a buffet style beverages and snacks. It is hosted by your concierge. Some posters love it, and it can be convenient. There are tables and couches for you to stay and enjoy, televisions and various newspapers. We found the Neptune Lounge to be the most unwelcoming venue on the ship. The silence was deafening - there is more noise in a morgue. You will find even the concierge will simply whisper to you, a practice I found most unfortunate as a person with a significant hearing loss.

Edited July 13, 2014 by cbr663

[chrispb]

And she is such an awesome friend we would have fun on a row boat.

 

In that case, just book and go. In the years to come you'll remember the good times with your friend rather below average meals, staterooms, etc.

[Gwa123]

Not sure what advice you're after. You have been on both lines, as have I, so you know what they offer. It's a decision only you can make. Personally I would choose a friend rather than Butlers, etc etc. not really sure what the point is of shutting yourselves away in a villa with private dining rooms is, why not just rent a nice villa.

 

HAL is a great line with history and tradition, NCL is relaxed informal resort ship, very different.

 

 

 

 

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Edited July 14, 2014 by Gwa123
spelling

[toyotaford]

Well for those that ask that I come back and let you know what we decided - here it is - we're going. Seeing her excitement tonight when we booked it was worth way more that 5000 sq. feet and a butler. Thanks for all your comments.

[UPNYGuy]

For what it is worth, DW and I are 3 star mariners and will *never* set foot on a HAL ship again. We have been sailing NCL exclusively for the last year, and have been in The Haven. The perks have been well covered in this thread, and have no need for me to mention them again.

 

If The Haven is what you are used to, HAL will seem vastly inferior. The Haven is a secluded, gated off luxurious enclave whereas the HAL suites are spread throughout the ship. You have no guarantee of solitude.

 

We enjoyed our first Haven cruise to the point we ate $300 worth of penalties to cancel 3 HAL cruises

 

 

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Edited August 25, 2014 by UPNYGuy

[PathfinderEss]

Well for those that ask that I come back and let you know what we decided - here it is - we're going. Seeing her excitement tonight when we booked it was worth way more that 5000 sq. feet and a butler. Thanks for all your comments.

 

Nice, good friends are hard to come by, I think you made the right decision. You can put up with Hal for a week and then back to NCL and the Haven.:)

[Vineyard View]

If they were my very good friends, I have to believe that we would accept a smaller suite - but then we all have to make the choices that work best for us - so that there are no regrets. IMO - ultimately you have to make the call.

Then again, I cannot even imagine a 5k sf suite that I would be comparing to!! :D

[Hlitner]

The only advice we can offer the OP, is that if you take the HAL cruise do it with much lowered expectations. Much of what you get on NCL will just be a memory on HAL. So if you cruise on HAL it will only be to please your friends.

Hank

[toyotaford]

[quote name='Hlitner']The only advice we can offer the OP, is that if you take the HAL cruise do it with much lowered expectations. Much of what you get on NCL will just be a memory on HAL. So if you cruise on HAL it will only be to please your friends.

Hank[/quote]
I am doing this entirely to spend time with a great friend and I think I am pretty resigned to the fact it will not be the service I am used to with NCL. She and her husband are going on an NCL cruise with us next month so she will be able to compare the two. I am not familiar with HAL rooms but we booked what appeared to be the room with most amenities. I am planning on having a great time with a great friend.

[UPNYGuy]

[quote name='Hlitner']The only advice we can offer the OP, is that if you take the HAL cruise do it with much lowered expectations. Much of what you get on NCL will just be a memory on HAL. So if you cruise on HAL it will only be to please your friends.



Hank[/QUOTE]


There are several of us here (probably more than a handful) that were fiercely loyal to HAL that now feel the same way about NCL. I would say those of you that like the vista class would probably like the jewel class IF you keep an open mind. DW and I can't for the life of us figure out why NCL was getting such complaints about dining room food. We think it is great. Plus, they treat suite guests as a pampered lap dog being pet for hours ;)

Many people here on the HAL forum talk Norwegian down because of things they have heard, or because Norwegian is a "mass market" line and HAL is holier than thou premium. I will straight up say that I have caught myself comparing Norwegian in the premium bracket more than once. Sure they have rock walls and ropes courses, but in the end it is the SERVICE that counts, and the ability of staff to assist. NCL is becoming the new premium IMHO. I'd rather pay for a good show and enjoy it than sit through a free hatchet job.


Sent from my iPad using Forums Edited August 28, 2014 by UPNYGuy

[Vineyard View]

Having never cruised on NCL, and reading all this positive feedback, I am curious if you have to be a suite customer to love the line? Would those staying in say a balcony room, not a suite, feel that NCL is still superior to HAL? And if so, why! I know it is subjective, but it sounds like a lot of you are now choosing NCL?
I am just curious.

[UPNYGuy]

Not at all. DW and I feel that the crew are more positive and upbeat. Plus, you can purchase a dining package (called the ultimate dining plan) to cover the cost of all specialty restaurant dining. NCL makes it easy to cruise in a laid back, fun environment.

When returning to the ship on the last port day, expect to see the senior crew INCLUDING the captain out on the pier dancing. It is little touches like this that add to the experience.


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[UPNYGuy]

We booked in a minisuite (large balcony stateroom with no suite perks) on NCL Gem for a cruise next year and can't wait. If we truly felt like we NEEDED the perks, we wouldn't have done that ;)


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[Lisa63]

That is a good question, Vineyard View. In my experience, NCL does a great job with its non-suite guests, as well. (We've had both.)

We were on Norwegian Star in 2013 in a balcony cabin and on Veendam last week in a standard oceanview. We also had a balcony cabin on Westerdam in 2012. As for suites -- Maasdam in 2011 and Ryndam a couple of years before that; Norwegian Jade (2BR suite) in 2010.

IMO, the differences were very minor. On NCL, we enjoyed the flexibility of the specialty dining rooms (some of which have no additional charge), yet also felt the service in the MDR was much better than on HAL. NCL is far superior to HAL in managing the anytime dining -- they've been doing it for more than 10 years and have it down pretty well. HAL is still catching up in that regard.

Also, the production shows on NCL are superb, IMO, although HAL's small-venue entertainment has always excelled.

We have been alternating HAL and NCL for the past few years and are satisfied customers on both.

[Vineyard View]

Thanks for your input! We have never really considered NCL - we tend to enjoy smaller ships, thus our upcoming Ryndam cruise and Viking Oceans cruise. It appears that NCL is a larger passenger fleet of ships however you may have peaked my interest!

[UPNYGuy]

If that is the case,you may REALLY enjoy the Sun ;)


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