NCL vs HAL

[Jdaniels679]

Hello cruise experts!

 

I wanted to get your valued opinions. I'm comparing Alaskan cruises, and I wanted to find one that covers Glacier Bay National Park. So far, it looks as though HAL and NCL are the best options. I wanted to get your feedback. Which would you choose if given the option of the Nieuw Amsterdam and the NCL Pearl?

 

A little about what I like on a cruise:

 

-fitness center

-on-board activities (trivia, casino, lounge with music, games with family/friends)

-decent food but I'm not really a foodie

-good/funny company :)

-a decent book

 

As you can see, I'm a real party animal. Haha. Thanks for all of your helpful tips and feedback! I appreciate you guys. :cool:

Edited July 18, 2016 by Jdaniels679

[gpb11]

First and foremost, choose whichever has the better itinerary for your desires. Only then get down to line/ship differences.

 

I've been on the NCL Star out of Tampa and on the HAL Noordam to Alaska.

 

I don't particularly recall any substantive differences in fitness facilities except that Noordam has no outdoor running track. Only option is indoors on a treadmill (which I abhor). That may be different for different ships though, so check.

 

I don't recall any substantive food differences, I enjoyed both ships fare. Similarly I don't recall any substantive differences in terms of onboard activities. I can't speak to casinos, and I bring my own books via Kindle.

 

Where you'll find a significant difference is that NCL no longer allows bringing your own sodas or bottle water aboard. HAL does. Also, HAL has relatively reasonable prices for ordering a bottle of liquor for your cabin. I think I paid $37 for a liter of Seagrams VO via HAL's website before the cruise and it was in our room at boarding; it paired perfectly with the twelve-pack of cokes we carring aboard. Is that difference enough to choose one over the other? Probably not, but it is a notable difference that's not readily apparent from the marketing slicks.

Edited July 18, 2016 by gpb11

[Jdaniels679]

Thanks for your input!

[Budget Queen]

Please post the itineraries, as I will comment on the differences.

 

But= it sounds like the ship is important to you, and your priority is to have ship activities? See if you can get schedules of each line's Alaska cruise.

[jvalentine]

I'll help!

 

For the NCL Pearl:

Sun Seattle, Washington (EMBARK)

Mon At Sea

Tue Juneau, Alaska (2:00-10:00 pm)

Wed Skagway, Alaska (7:00am-8:15 pm)

Thu Cruise Glacier Bay

Fri Ketchikan, Alaska(6:00 am-1:30 pm)

Sat Victoria, British Columbia(6:00 pm-11:59 pm)

Sun Seattle, Washington (DISEMBARK)

 

HAL's Nieuw Amsterdam:

Sat Vancouver, B.C., CA

Sun Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage

Mon Juneau (1-10pm)

Tues Skagway(7am-9pm)

Wed Glacier Bay(7am-4pm)

Thur Ketchikan, Alaska, US (10am-6pm)

Fri Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage

Sat Vancouver, B.C., CA

Edited July 18, 2016 by jvalentine

[poolreader]

I like the longer, later day in Ketchikan, on Hal. There are many things to do in that port,

[Jdaniels679]

Budget Queen, JValentine was right on the money. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Poolreader, I will definitely keep that thought in mind!

 

 

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[nw gardener]

Would prefer HAL because you are RT from Vancouver and you have a more scenic route that way. Have done HAL to AK for the last 2 summers, and the Pearl several times before that, but have not been on Nieuw Amsterdam yet. LOVE the Pearl but would give a slight edge to HAL, only because of some of the recent policy changes on NCL. That said I booked my cruise next summer on NCL lol, out of Vancouver. I don't think you will go wrong with either, but slight favor to HAL with more time in Ketchikan and the inside passage.

[CruiserBruce]

I don't particularly recall any substantive differences in fitness facilities except that Noordam has no outdoor running track. Only option is indoors on a treadmill (which I abhor). That may be different for different ships though, so check.

 

 

Not true. All HAL ships allow running on the top deck. Just not on the Promenade Deck.

[xlxo]

Another vote for HAL.... bonus points for including Vancouver as a port!

[trophy_23]

Have not been on the NA, but was on the very similar Eurodam as well as the Pearl and I don't think you could go wrong either way. I would give the edge to HAL on the food quality/taste, but to NCL on variety of restaurant/dining options. I would give the edge to Vancouver as a departure/arrival port also, with the more scenic trip up the East side of Vancouver Island.

[gpb11]

Not true. All HAL ships allow running on the top deck. Just not on the Promenade Deck.

 

Well, all I know is that eight weeks ago when I was aboard the Noordam and looking to run there was an emergency/auxiliary generator installed on the port side of the Observation deck, just aft of Club Hal, and thus that portion of the deck is blocked with do-not-enter signage preventing any sort of "loop".

 

Even had the way been clear for a loop, it would have been irresponsibly dangerous to run among the people out on deck due to the lack of any markings or signage delineating a track, as well as the various choke points / wind blocks.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/noordam-deck-plans/dp/?shipID=362&deck=10

Edited July 19, 2016 by gpb11

[tsg]

We have done NCL out of Seattle before, but have decided on HAL for our trip this year for several reasons. The primary reason is because the NA itinerary gives both a service call for the excursion to Tracy Arm and a day in Glacier Bay. We've done both on different cruises and enjoyed them equally so we wanted our family members who are going with us this time to be able to experience both. Second, because it is leaving from Vancouver. I've read this is more scenic and tends to have better sailing (I suffer from motion sickness sometimes and if I do it is generally on the first sea day so the smoother the better.) We also felt the HAL NA itinerary had better and longer port times. I'll try to remember to come back and give a comparison of ship and services between HAL and NCL after our cruise.

[Jdaniels679]

Thanks for much for the feedback everyone! I'm enjoying all the points everyone has brought forward. Keep them coming! :)

 

 

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[jvalentine]

I've done both a Seattle and Vancouver sailing...much prefer Vancouver for the smoother seas and better scenery. The Seattle itinerary isn't bad at all, but I think HAL's would be my preference!

 

Happy sailing!

[Budget Queen]

It isn't a simple plus/minus, selection. :) BOTH trips will get rave reviews. I have done both and certainly, equally enjoyed them. Every trip will offer you something.

 

There is 7 days- time is allotted differently with these itineraries. That necessary- service stop of Victoria with round trip Seattle, takes up=- Time. HAL, requires you to add on a ship contracted tour- IF you wish to see Tracy Arm, comes as a negative financial surprise, for some.

 

I always suggest- look more at how you wish to spend your port time. That, frankly is better going into the planning before locking into a cruise selection.

 

The scenery is more on a round trip Vancouver sailing- BUT, I been on plenty of ships- where it did NOT matter at all to some people. Especially- on the southbound- when MOST of the people aren't looking at anything- instead- in dining rooms when sailing the highlight of northern Vancouver Island, as example. So the route may be less important.

 

I also do have to say- my roughest sailing trips have been out of Vancouver- NOT Seattle A large number of first hand experiences for comparison, over 50, with at least 20 Seattle cruises. Round trip Seattle does have more potential. But don't get led down the false assumption that a Vancouver sailing can't be rough.

[Lisichka]

I'll help!

 

For the NCL Pearl:

Sun Seattle, Washington (EMBARK)

Mon At Sea

Tue Juneau, Alaska (2:00-10:00 pm)

Wed Skagway, Alaska (7:00am-8:15 pm)

Thu Cruise Glacier Bay

Fri Ketchikan, Alaska(6:00 am-1:30 pm)

Sat Victoria, British Columbia(6:00 pm-11:59 pm)

Sun Seattle, Washington (DISEMBARK)

 

HAL's Nieuw Amsterdam:

Sat Vancouver, B.C., CA

Sun Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage

Mon Juneau (1-10pm)

Tues Skagway(7am-9pm)

Wed Glacier Bay(7am-4pm)

Thur Ketchikan, Alaska, US (10am-6pm)

Fri Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage

Sat Vancouver, B.C., CA

 

HAL has a way better itinerary IMHO.