Carnival vs HAL

[take us away]

Have found that the DJ or the band in the Crow's Nest will try to accommodate whatever you ask for - so give it a try if you want specific music. The Ocean Bar plays dance music (ballroom that is) before both fixed dinner times which can be interesting to watch for so many reasons,..,...

 

BTW, Trivia is usually at least 2x a day, a late morning regular Trivia if at sea or late afternoon if in port and an evening trivia that is usually themed - food is a common theme - which are usually held in one of the bars. Sometimes there is just too much to do and one has to make a choice.

[Banditswife]

Blackbear77- we are booked on our 1st HAL cruise too. We've been faithful Carnival cruisers in the past & haven't been disappointed in CCL. Thanks for your thread, it has given me an idea of what to expect. As for me, I'm looking forward to the more sedate crowd & a quieter poolside experience. We booked this HAL cruise for it's fantastic itinerary. I hope you enjoy your 1st HAL cruise, I know I will enjoy ours.

[BlackBEAR77]

BanditsWife- You're welcome!I too had no idea what I would see as a difference between the 2 lines. I had an idea but the unknown is always out there. I am looking forward to a little less party crowd and a little more relaxed vacation. The pools will hopefully be somewhat sedated and the food should be dynamite. We don't usually look for the night club so the HAL experience will be nice if it is more laid back. We will trade in the Punchliner Comedy Club for the BB King Blues. From what I read the piano bar is better than CCL. A casino is a casino so no worries there. I hope you enjoy your 1st HAL experience as well.

[Banditswife]

BanditsWife- You're welcome!I too had no idea what I would see as a difference between the 2 lines. I had an idea but the unknown is always out there. I am looking forward to a little less party crowd and a little more relaxed vacation. The pools will hopefully be somewhat sedated and the food should be dynamite. We don't usually look for the night club so the HAL experience will be nice if it is more laid back. We will trade in the Punchliner Comedy Club for the BB King Blues. From what I read the piano bar is better than CCL. A casino is a casino so no worries there. I hope you enjoy your 1st HAL experience as well.

 

Thank you. We've gotten a bit older, so I think we'll enjoy being able to relax more. I won't feel like I need to be occupied with things to do 24/7. Again, I hope you have a wonderful experience.

[scamper]

I cruise to relax. The "older," the quieter...thus more relaxing.

[iancal]

We have had good cruises on both cruise lines.

 

The trick is to understand what you are buying and match it to your current requirements.

 

Our experience is that there are large variations between ships within both fleets. As usual, timing, itinerary, and length of cruise can make a significant difference.

[lmccray]

Two of the reasons why I'm considering HAL over RCI is the itinerary and price.

 

We have had good cruises on both cruise lines.

 

The trick is to understand what you are buying and match it to your current requirements.

 

Our experience is that there are large variations between ships within both fleets. As usual, timing, itinerary, and length of cruise can make a significant difference.

[r3d3]

Carnival....party boat, tons of kids, average age ( IQ wise...14). HAL, a real ship with an older crowd, MUCH quieter, few, if any, kids, better service, better food.

[iancal]

Neither of our two Carnival cruises were remotely close to being a "party boat".

 

In fact on one of them, the demographic was closer to HAL.

[Mar56]

Neither of our two Carnival cruises were remotely close to being a "party boat".

 

In fact on one of them, the demographic was closer to HAL.

 

Thats what we experienced as well on Carnival. We enjoyed our two cruises on Carnival immensely and are looking to book again in 2018.

[iancal]

Referring to Carnival as a 'party boat' or as the "Walmart" of cruising is as silly as referring to HAL as a 'retirement home' at sea.

[Alberta Quilter]

I'm looking into Eurodam for Christmas but only been on Royal 5 times. I'm somewhat nervous but my male partner doesn't want to be around obnixous cruisers (drunks, etc.) so I'm opting for this line; however, I'm 47 and he's 51. I read they have Motown and Blues entertainment so I can do without the belly flops and alot of kids.

 

Certain ships offer BB King's Blues Club in the Queen's Lounge. These are the larger ships, including the Eurodam:

 

B.B. King's Blues Club/Queen's Lounge: Direct from Beale Street, the B.B. King's All-Stars Band brings the best of Memphis music to sea. From funky and fast to soulful and smooth, this eight-piece band performs nightly in the newly reimagined Queen's Lounge while guests enjoy specialty cocktails like Lucille and Rock Me Baby.

 

They also usually perform one night in the main show lounge.

 

BTW, I was 42 when I started cruising with HAL. I feel HAL's a good fit for me; we've done 14 cruises so far.

[denatravels]

IMHO there is one significant difference between Carnival and HAL - only HAL has a Roman Catholic priest (who celebrates daily Mass) on board every one of its cruises. Since spiritual renewal is an important component of our vacation experience, HAL is the hands-down choice for us.

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy your HAL cruise and return for more in the future.

 

 

I'm glad that option is available for you. Does it tend to be more heavily religious atmosphere if I am not Catholic?

[sppunk]

Carnival....party boat, tons of kids, average age ( IQ wise...14). HAL, a real ship with an older crowd, MUCH quieter, few, if any, kids, better service, better food.

 

It's no longer 1998, this mantra doesn't apply.

[MOcruiserman]

I'm glad that option is available for you. Does it tend to be more heavily religious atmosphere if I am not Catholic?

Not at all. They meet in one of the conference rooms and, when the door is closed, you wouldn't know they are there.

 

One thing that really impressed me about HAL is the general feeling of elegance throughout the ship.

[crusinpsychRN]

I've been on 25 Carnival cruises. At the end of November I'm going over to Holland and hope to experience something that might remind me of what cruising used to be like with elegance and good food, things lacking on Carnival.

 

I'm traveling solo and have a balcony cabin. Hoping no orange in the cabin!

[lmccray]

Thank you for providing more information. I've been to BB Kings in Nashville and the band is great. This will be my male partner first cruise. He's worried about this line because he feels we will be out of place if that makes any sense. I love the itinerary and cost.

 

 

QUOTE=Alberta Quilter;47968697]Certain ships offer BB King's Blues Club in the Queen's Lounge. These are the larger ships, including the Eurodam:

 

B.B. King's Blues Club/Queen's Lounge: Direct from Beale Street, the B.B. King's All-Stars Band brings the best of Memphis music to sea. From funky and fast to soulful and smooth, this eight-piece band performs nightly in the newly reimagined Queen's Lounge while guests enjoy specialty cocktails like Lucille and Rock Me Baby.

 

They also usually perform one night in the main show lounge.

 

BTW, I was 42 when I started cruising with HAL. I feel HAL's a good fit for me; we've done 14 cruises so far.

[dlanesman]

We, the wife and I, completed a HAL cruise on the Westerdam. Here are my perceived differences between Carnival and HAL.

Superior staff

wider balconies

better room service

slower pace

more sophisticated fellow cruisers - fewer "loud" people (drunks)

The smaller size of the ship leads to a more intimate experience between the crew and the cruisers.

oh, yes, an older crowd. (which is good if you don't like crowds late at night.)

and by all means, enjoy the view from the crows nest lounge!

Edited October 10, 2015 by dlanesman

[rguy123]

Loved the BB King music

[JimAOk1945]

This thread is great! It makes me even more excited about our first HAL cruise next Summer!

[Retiring cajun]

How does HAL compare to Princess? prices, size of rooms, etc? Thx! Need info before deciding:)

[kazu]

How does HAL compare to Princess? prices, size of rooms, etc? Thx! Need info before deciding:)

 

this thread might help you - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2119030&highlight=princess+versus+hal

[DaveOKC]

How does HAL compare to Princess? prices, size of rooms, etc? Thx! Need info before deciding:)

 

I would start a new topic on this if you really want the best responses. Too hidden a question in this topic.

[denatravels]

How does HAL compare to Princess? prices, size of rooms, etc? Thx! Need info before deciding:)

 

 

I haven't done either, yet. But you can do what I did-- create your own B2B and book both!!

[Banditswife]

Carnival....party boat, tons of kids, average age ( IQ wise...14). HAL, a real ship with an older crowd, MUCH quieter, few, if any, kids, better service, better food.

IMHO- I would disagree with this statement. Yes there can be partiers on CCL or any line, but they, by no means, have ever taken over the ship to the point I could not find any peace & quiet. The Carnival cruises we've been on must have been the longer & more relaxed season or something, I never saw anyone really out of line.