Hal vs O

[fred 15]

Some of us have been critical of the O "Cheerleaders." Just returned front 2 weeks on Macadam, and I really learned something. HAL definitely aims at a different market, and it is not for me. Compared to O the food, service, attention to detail is lacking. Lounge entertainment on Hal is superior. There was a lecturer onboard that we had on Regatta, Larry. He too, was fine..... had a full house every day. Think I will stay with O. Who knows, maybe I will become a cheerleader.

[fred 15]

Sorry...................Maasdam

[Mura]

Fred ...

 

You don't have to be a "cheerleader" to prefer one over the other. For me, as long as you can see that not absolutely everything is perfect -- you are no cheerleader, you just know what you prefer.

 

(And "absolutely everything" was a stretch as well.)

 

I've traveled on several other lines, O remains my favorite. I choose to think that does not make me a cheerleader. No doubt others will differ ...

 

Mura

[Paulchili]

Fred,

You'll get no argument from me re: these 2 cruise lines. HAL is in our past but not in our future.

Did you post your opinion on HAL boards as well? :D

Edited March 21, 2016 by Paulchili

[Bowie MeMe]

We are trying HAL this summer and I will let you know what I think. Since I find a wide spectrum of cruise lines good to great I think that I will probably find enough in 18 days to be happy. I have to mention though that if you did similar cruises (itinerary and #days) on a larger ship like HAL or Princess vs. the smaller ships (Azamara/Oceania/Seaborne etc) the smaller ships are more expensive. I love O but sometimes it is another line that has the right combination of ports, #days, timing, and where I want to explore pre and post cruise AND PRICE. Nice to have so many choices. One thing O always wins on though is their wonderful Bulgaria soap! Just love it first thing in morning and last thing at night. With 18 days coming in April 2017, I may just squirrel away a lifetime supply;)

[KirkNC]

I would not expect HAL to be at the same level, you pay more to cruise on O.

[fred 15]

Mura,

I agree with you 100%.

Yes I did post on HAL site

Yes, you pay more on O, but the help is so much better trained. I understand the food quality on a lower cost line, but disembarkation does not cost more to be well organized, nor does improved communication skills. Many people like the mass market lines, I just did not realize the difference. We are all different.

[fred 15]

We are trying HAL this summer and I will let you know what I think. Since I find a wide spectrum of cruise lines good to great I think that I will probably find enough in 18 days to be happy. I have to mention though that if you did similar cruises (itinerary and #days) on a larger ship like HAL or Princess vs. the smaller ships (Azamara/Oceania/Seaborne etc) the smaller ships are more expensive. I love O but sometimes it is another line that has the right combination of ports, #days, timing, and where I want to explore pre and post cruise AND PRICE. Nice to have so many choices. One thing O always wins on though is their wonderful Bulgaria soap! Just love it first thing in morning and last thing at night. With 18 days coming in April 2017, I may just squirrel away a lifetime supply;)

 

What ship in April?

[LHT28]

I do not understand why when people prefer one cruise line over another they are a "cheerleader"

We all have different preferences in things we like/dislike

 

The one thing I did like on our HAL cruise is you could stay in your cabin until your colour tag was called & if you like breakfast in you cabin you could get it on the last morning

 

I am just not into larger ships anymore

[Cruise Junky]

How did you find the smoking on HAL?

[Travelcat2]

Some of us have been critical of the O "Cheerleaders." Just returned front 2 weeks on Macadam, and I really learned something. HAL definitely aims at a different market, and it is not for me. Compared to O the food, service, attention to detail is lacking. Lounge entertainment on Hal is superior. There was a lecturer onboard that we had on Regatta, Larry. He too, was fine..... had a full house every day. Think I will stay with O. Who knows, maybe I will become a cheerleader.

 

Completely agree that HAL "aims at a different market". I also do not think that the word "cheerleader" should be considered a negative term. I am a Regent cheerleader but really enjoy the Oceania experience. This does not mean that I do not see any negatives with my cruise line of choice -- but I appreciate what it has to offer and there is room in our lives for other cruise lines.

[LHT28]

How did you find the smoking on HAL?

I found it not too bad I knew there were more smoking areas than on Oceania

They allowed smoking in part of the casino & if the doors were open to the show lounge the smoke drifted in there as well ..cough cough:eek:

They have a fairly large area on the aft pool deck for smokers

 

we did not use the balcony much so not sure if the neighbours smoked or not

This was on the Eurodam

[Floridiana]

HAL has excellent itineraries and when we compared the same itinerary on Oceania and HAL, there was a significant price difference. When I severely reduced my expectation of excellent food, I was fine on HAL. I really enjoyed the wrap around deck for evening walks and went to Tai Chi. But Tai Chi was discontinued after our last HAL cruise.

[Hawaiidan]

I think to say that HAL costs less than Oceania is not being objective,

 

If your on HAL and trying to achieve the level of VALUE as you would on Oceania then you will be paying a lot more in trying to get the that level .

 

To me cost and value are one in the same... I pay a price to get value for my money You could get a top suite on HAL costing more than cabins on Oceaina and still not get the value of a regular cabin on Marina. Thats, not even factoring in being on a 2000-3000 plus mega ship, with pay extra for everything.

 

In fact I would venture to say that a passenger in an inside cabin on Oceania derives more real value than a Suite passenger on HAL !!!

 

In one recent case I compared a HAL ship the Princendam, 800+ pax sailing from Hong Kong 34 days to LA to The Marina, sailing Sydney to LA, 34 days, both about the same miles and number of stops.

 

Considering the extras in tips, airfare, onboard dining, etc that O included which were Not included in in the HAL sailing, Comparing the cheapest veranda cabins thye HAL Princendam came in $3850PP more expensive than the Marina !!!

( The Princendam is HALS faux luxury ship that they hacked up from a wonderful Royal Viking line ship that now bears no resemblance to its former luxury..... Hal made a sows ear out of a silk purse)

 

So. many times trying to save may in the long run cost more and real dollars regardless of quality on an inferior product .... and ALWAYS cost more in comparing value one gets per dollar..

[cruisemom42]

The problem with a value comparison is that everyone's calculation of "value" will differ.

 

For someone who cruises more for itinerary than for anything else, that's where the "value" of cruising is at. If HAL and Oceania offer the same (or very similar) itineraries, and the HAL cruise is significantly less expensive, I would certainly consider it strongly.

 

Some things have little "value" for me -- I really don't care much about my cabin (size, location or category) or any special perks. I also don't care much about entertainment. I don't gamble, don't drink a lot, and don't tend to take ship excursions.

 

I do care about good food -- one reason why I am interested in Oceania. And I am absolutely passionate about having good educational lectures onboard on the ports visited -- one reason why I've tended to gravitate toward some of the smaller lines, like Voyages to Antiquity, which provide this reliably.

 

Of course, the bottom line for some people is cost. If someone cannot afford the Oceania cruise, it makes all talk about "value" fairly meaningless.

[Flatbush Flyer]

I think to say that HAL costs less than Oceania is not being objective,

 

 

 

If your on HAL and trying to achieve the level of VALUE as you would on Oceania then you will be paying a lot more in trying to get the that level .

 

 

 

To me cost and value are one in the same... I pay a price to get value for my money You could get a top suite on HAL costing more than cabins on Oceaina and still not get the value of a regular cabin on Marina. Thats, not even factoring in being on a 2000-3000 plus mega ship, with pay extra for everything.

 

 

 

In fact I would venture to say that a passenger in an inside cabin on Oceania derives more real value than a Suite passenger on HAL !!!

 

 

 

In one recent case I compared a HAL ship the Princendam, 800+ pax sailing from Hong Kong 34 days to LA to The Marina, sailing Sydney to LA, 34 days, both about the same miles and number of stops.

 

 

 

Considering the extras in tips, airfare, onboard dining, etc that O included which were Not included in in the HAL sailing, Comparing the cheapest veranda cabins thye HAL Princendam came in $3850PP more expensive than the Marina !!!

 

( The Princendam is HALS faux luxury ship that they hacked up from a wonderful Royal Viking line ship that now bears no resemblance to its former luxury..... Hal made a sows ear out of a silk purse)

 

 

 

So. many times trying to save may in the long run cost more and real dollars regardless of quality on an inferior product .... and ALWAYS cost more in comparing value one gets per dollar..

 

 

Plus 1

 

I did a similar "net daily rate" comparison of O and HAL et al. for Alaska a few years ago. Bottom line was basically the same though O provided better food, service, etc.

 

Interestingly, the TA we used for that trip had been a HAL cruise director in years past. Her words: "no way can HAL compare to O."

[Hawaiidan]

Value....that is the value the worth of something is intrinsic to the specific product. Being able to afford something has nothing to do with its value

 

A rolex or a Porsche has an intrinsic value whether a person can afford to acquire one or not. is economics and has nothing to do with the value of something. In the items listed, you can say even though you ride a horse, dont care about what time it is that in no way diminishes the VALUE of those items

 

As Flatbush said.... in essence, nothing on HAL can notbe considered to even remotely be compared to O.....other than they have ships. they float in the ocean, and are made of steel. Those are the only things in common

[Cruise Junky]

Plus 1

 

I did a similar "net daily rate" comparison of O and HAL et al. for Alaska a few years ago. Bottom line was basically the same though O provided better food, service, etc.

 

Interestingly, the TA we used for that trip had been a HAL cruise director in years past. Her words: "no way can HAL compare to O."

 

I can't comment personally as I haven't sailed on O but good friends of ours won't return to O and their next three are back on HAL. Value to them is the Neptune Suite, Neptune Lounge, larger Casino and nightly entertainment. They've done two or three on O in Owners Suites and now won't return. It's certainly not about a cost savings. Everyone's value is different. If you're cruising for the ports then the ship is secondary.

[cruisemom42]

Value....that is the value the worth of something is intrinsic to the specific product. Being able to afford something has nothing to do with its value

 

A rolex or a Porsche has an intrinsic value whether a person can afford to acquire one or not. is economics and has nothing to do with the value of something. In the items listed, you can say even though you ride a horse, dont care about what time it is that in no way diminishes the VALUE of those items

 

As Flatbush said.... in essence, nothing on HAL can notbe considered to even remotely be compared to O.....other than they have ships. they float in the ocean, and are made of steel. Those are the only things in common

 

 

Perhaps it would be clearer for me to say that while a Porsche may have intrinsic attributes, such as speed and performance, the value of those attributes for me would be quite low if I only need a car to drive the half mile from my house to the market (in a 30 mph zone) a couple of times a week.

 

A car that rates more highly in terms of safety, reliability, and cost to own, operate, and insure it would have a higher value for me.

 

Please understand that I'm not critical of Oceania. I am not brand loyal. I choose my cruise line and ship based on what I am looking for out of that particular experience. I am waiting for a good opportunity to try O. But their itineraries often leave me less than excited.

Edited March 21, 2016 by cruisemom42

[Floridiana]

I agree with cruisemom42. I have been on as many cruises on Oceania as on HAL and I definitely prefer Oceania. So far I have not been back on either one but on two different lines, one ocean, one river. We are booked on two more cruises, two different lines again. All our choices are driven by itinerary, timing, financial and family reasons - in that order. I am sure this situation is similar to many other cruisers' choices.

[zoncom]

Did Masdam 14N Caribbean once maybe 6 yrs. ago.Like comparing a Ford to Mercedes.Food was lousy, like nursing home food. Service clueless. Bunch of older ladies in 20 year old clothes running around bragging about how many times they cruised HAL.Those not running were driving scooters too fast. I was so glad to get off ship. But HAL does have excellent itins.

[sammiedawg]

Mainstream cruise lines have all cut back food, service and maintenance to keep prices low and fill too many empty cabins. Holland America has the oldest fleet and has fallen the hardest. Their fleet has lots of old ships and maintenance has been poor, routinely passengers have AC and plumbing problems that go on for days and days.

However they have some of the most loyal cruisers in the industry and in their eyes nothing else will measure up to HAL. It can be a great value as an inexpensive way to see the world.

 

I had to laugh at the two references to their "faux luxury ship" the Prinsendam, I sailed it once, against my better judgement, and didn't like the physical plant at all. Food was very middling but I heard more than a few people say to each other " the food on Prinsendam is supposed to be the best". The more they said it the more they seemed to believe it.

[Floridiana]

sammiedawg,

Have you experienced the plumbing/AC problems yourself or are you repeating what a few people posted on cc? For our ship, it was the same 3 people over and over again. We never had a problem on any ship, maybe just lucky. And yes, HAL food is as bland as the majority seems to prefer.

[potterhill]

One thing O always wins on though is their wonderful Bulgaria soap! Just love it first thing in morning and last thing at night. With 18 days coming in April 2017, I may just squirrel away a lifetime supply;)

 

 

And I really don't like the Bulgari soap. I think it stinks. The soap I loved love loved was the peach egg shaped one they had the first few cruises we did. Alas they changed it out for cheaper stuff.

 

Mo

[sammiedawg]

sammiedawg,

Have you experienced the plumbing/AC problems yourself or are you repeating what a few people posted on cc? For our ship, it was the same 3 people over and over again. We never had a problem on any ship, maybe just lucky. And yes, HAL food is as bland as the majority seems to prefer.

 

We've experienced AC problems ourselves, on our last cruise we had problems repeatedly over 14 days. On another HAL cruise we had AC in our mid ship cabin but everyone to our right had AC problems for 12 days.

We've been lucky with plumbing but have spoken to many passengers with big issues plumbing wise and we've seen more than a few buckets in hallways collecting leaky water dripping from ceilings.