Princess v. Holland America Activities

[owl520]

My wife and I are debating between a Princess vs. Holland America Panama Canal Cruise for Christmas.  We are (for the most part) non-drinkers, but go to clubs on ships for entertainment.  We are early 50's and lean closer to early 40's in activities.  Can anyone recommend one cruise over the other so we don't end up with activities slated to the older the crowds?  We do a Christmas cruise every year and have done RCL and Carnival.  We took the RCL Grandeur out of Baltimore for the past 3 years, and last year it really changed in terms of the focus of the entertainment.  

 

Thanks in Advance.    

[dogs4fun]

10 minutes ago, owl520 said:

We are (for the most part) non-drinkers, but go to clubs on ships for entertainment.  We are early 50's and lean closer to early 40's in activities.  Can anyone recommend one cruise over the other so we don't end up with activities slated to the older the crowds? 

We have not cruised the Panama Canal with HAL but have cruised with them in Europe. We have found that Princess tends to cater to a slightly younger demographic than HAL (not sure if this will hold true for Panama Canal).

Good luck - hope you find a cruise that suits you.

[George C]

We have done both lines several times but not in last 7 years, did Holland Panama Canal cruise. We prefer Holland, princess ships seem too crowded, we’re not able to get seats for most shows. Princess is a younger crowd. 

[cruisemom42]

What are the specific ships involved?

 

HAL has some interesting entertainment venues, especially if you like music (e.g., B.B. King's Blues Review, Billboard piano bar, Lincoln Center Stage for classical music) BUT not all of them are on all ships, specifically not on the smaller, older ships. HAL seems to be moving away from production shows.

 

Princess has more entertainment options during the day and also has more passenger-centric entertainment (lots of 'game show' parodies, trivia and the like) and has more music around the ship during the day -- such as by the pool or in the atrium. They still do production shows as well as guest performers.

 

But knowing which ships you're looking at would make it much easier to give accurate info.

[Cruzaholic41]

I won’t candy coat it. Princess’ activities blow HAL away. It isn’t even close. HAL has almost totally eliminated game shows and they have no lido deck parties or real theme night parties. HAL has a “orange party” but it’s only the same band playing in the same lounge. 
 

Princess still has a band playing in the atrium, has a band playing poolside, does game shows, has theme parties, etc. 

 

Not even close. 

Edited October 21, 2019 by Cruzaholic41

[Aquahound]

10 hours ago, owl520 said:

Can anyone recommend one cruise over the other so we don't end up with activities slated to the older the crowds? 

 

Based on this question, HAL is the last line I would recommend.  Go Princess.  Princess and RCI are very similar regarding activities.