Price Comparisons between HAL and Seabourn

[vicd1969]

I tested out comparing just Signature Suites vs a Seabourn veranda suite and even there, Seabourn was cheaper for 2 out of my 4 sample int'l itineraries when including Have it All with the HAL package. I only did itineraries that are feasible for someone still in the workforce.

 

All fares were based on the same "Cruise" website and non-refundable. Since itineraries didn't match exactly, these prices don't include port and gov't fees. For me personally, I'm more of an inside/oceanview kind of guy but it was interesting to do the price comparison exercise. 

 

	HAL Signature SS	SS w/ Have it All	Seabourn V4
Mediterranean 11-Day Oct 2023	3388	4854	3729
Asia 14-Day Dec 2023 Xmas	3236	4334	4752
Iceland / Greenland 14-Day July 2024	6864	7604	6754
Aus/NZ 14/15 Day Jan 2024	3003	4144	5294

Edited July 7, 2023 by vicd1969

[Mike07]

21 hours ago, PACD_JG said:

To add merit to your position, if I had a nickel for every time I read that given an option, folks would always prefer the smaller ship...but blasphemy if it's with a different cruise line!

 

 

If you're always going on the same line, there is always going to be some level of predictability in the service. With trying out different companies, it is sort of like going on a first cruise again and again.

[Hlitner]

17 minutes ago, vicd1969 said:

I tested out comparing just Signature Suites vs a Seabourn veranda suite and even there, Seabourn was cheaper for 2 out of my 4 sample int'l itineraries when including Have it All with the HAL package. I only did itineraries that are feasible for someone still in the workforce.

 

All fares were based on the same "Cruise" website and non-refundable. Since itineraries didn't match exactly, these prices don't include port and gov't fees. For me personally, I'm more of an inside/oceanview kind of guy but it was interesting to do the price comparison exercise. 

 

	HAL Signature SS	SS w/ Have it All	Seabourn V4
Mediterranean 11-Day Oct 2023	3388	4854	3729
Asia 14-Day Dec 2023 Xmas	3236	4334	4752
Iceland / Greenland 14-Day July 2024	6864	7604	6754
Aus/NZ 14/15 Day Jan 2024	3003	4144	5294

Interesting and you also need to consider that those Seabourn fares are truly all-inclusive (except for shore excursions).  The inclusions on SB far exceed what you get on HAL...even with their HIA package.  I should also add that a comparison could have been done with the lower cost Seabourn V1 category since all the veranda suites (V1-V4) are identical except for location.  

 

Hank

[vicd1969]

7 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Interesting and you also need to consider that those Seabourn fares are truly all-inclusive (except for shore excursions).  The inclusions on SB far exceed what you get on HAL...even with their HIA package.  I should also add that a comparison could have been done with the lower cost Seabourn V1 category since all the veranda suites (V1-V4) are identical except for location.  

 

Hank

Yes, I did consider using V1 but the price differences for the cruises I used weren't much, and I figured most people would want to be closer to the center of the ship. I think HAL is currently running HIA with gratuities. But I agree with your overall message - if you are looking to get a suite, it pays to shop around comparing the lux cruise lines with HAL.

Edited July 7, 2023 by vicd1969

[Ride-The-Waves]

20 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

We've done a Neptune Suite a couple of times (after Viking) mainly because of access to the concierge, but are moving to Oceania, because we consider it an upgrade at a similar price. 

Last 7 months we have sailed Oceania Marina and HAL Zaandam.  Similar sized ships.  We found HAL's offering superior to Oceania: better food, friendlier crew, and more amenities.  Marina's specialty restaurants were terrible, too crowded, far too noisy, poor service and so-so food.  Not what we expected when we booked Oceania.  For us, sailing Oceania is a suite was not an upgrade.

[Hlitner]

2 minutes ago, vicd1969 said:

Yes, I did consider using V1 but the price differences for the cruises I used weren't much, and I figured most people would want to be closer to the center of the ship. I think HAL is currently running HIA with gratuities. But I agree with your overall message - if you are looking to get a suite, it pays to shop around comparing the lux cruise lines with HAL.

Funny thing about Seabourn Suite categories.  Until a year ago, they used to have categories ranging from V1 - V8.  The only difference was location.  They decided to collapse the categories to V1-V4 to make life easier.  We have always just booked Vi guarantees (we could care less about location on their small ships) and have always been upgraded at least 2 categories (have no clue as to why).  But, Seabourn ships are kind of strange in that all the cabins are located in the front half of the ship while all the public rooms are in the rear half.  So cabins are never under or over a public room.  Seabourn also is somewhat "European" in that they do not even open their MDR until 7pm (7-9) which would not work for the many HAL folks who want to eat dinner at 5 and be in bed by 8.   In fact, this is pretty common with the luxury lines who still think of 5 pm as a time to have tea (or cocktails) and not a time for dinner.

 

Hank

[*Miss G*]

11 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I do not want to get back into criticizing HAL (and there is much to criticize) as I started this thread to simply draw some comparisons between HAL suites and small luxury lines (which are generally all suites).  I do think that HAL does some things that are simply low class!  An "honor bar" in the Neptune Lounges, which is reserved for those in the most expensive suites, is just small time cheap.  At the very least, the drinks should be complementary, and ideally there should be a bar tender making free drinks for most of the day. 

 

Have to agree with you on the honour bar.  I’d even add morning mimosas to that.  You can get them delivered to the room — or have them with breakfast — so why can’t they just put out a tray of them in the lounge?  Seems odd to me.  I think a dedicated bartender would be pushing costs to new levels so I wouldn’t be in favour of that.

 

 

11 hours ago, Hlitner said:

 

One other poster mentioned how much they like MSCs Yacht Club  Consider that in MSC's Yacht Club, their dedicated expansive lounge is open about 18 hours a day, has rotating small buffets all day long, a well staffed bar (with just about everything provided at no extra cost, and plenty of additional staff (including waiters and butlers).  And those Yacht Club Suites are generally sold for less than $400 per passenger day which includes 2 dedicated private dining venues, a huge lounge (with everything included), lots of butlers, unlimited Internet, top shelf booze (ship wide), reserved seating for the production shows, etc. etc.  My goodness, when you are in the Yacht Club your YC Card even gets you priority elevator service!

 

MSC Yacht Club Ships

Fantasia:  4k passenger capacity

Maraviglia:  5.6k passenger capacity

Seaside-class:  5.6k passenger capacity

 

Besides their rotating embarkation/disembarkation schedules and lack of interesting itineraries, passenger capacity is why MSC gets a pass from me.  I have no wish to pay $800 per day to get trapped in an enclave due to overcrowding, let alone jostling for space in port.  No thanks.

 

Priority elevator service?  I guess with those capacities you’re going to need it.  Do you just muscle your way through the crowds yelling “Priority!  Priority!” — whilst waving your YC Card — or does the Butler do that for you?  I am really curious about this.  

 

 

11 hours ago, Hlitner said:

 

As to picking and choosing, we have cruised on Seabourn (in regular suites) for prices ranging from $330 per person day (on an Alaskan cruise) to about $600 per person day (Greek Islands).  Those prices include a regular suite and just about everything else (drinks, internet, upscale dining, caviar, etc, etc.  So NO, I am not just cherry picking from a few examples.  And I chose the HAL VOV since I was comparing it to a Seabourn cruise that also is somewhat of a VOV cruise and includes Iceland, Greenland, parts of Canada, just like the VOV.

 

As to the $30,000 you cite...that would not even get you a Signature Suite on the VOV cruise...which is far from a world cruise!

 

Hank

 

I am not the target market for a Signature Suite.  They can be obtained in other ways for less than advertised.   On HAL, I book Verandahs and purchase NS upgrades when the price is right. 

 

I tried an OV, once, to see what I thought.  I survived.  A VoV or a World Cruise is a dream for the future due to work and family commitments.  I wouldn’t book a Signature, though, and especially not at those prices.

 

Your continued highlighting of the inclusions on YC and Seabourn are items I would rarely purchase — if at all — so, essentially, I’d be paying for something I wouldn’t use.  It’s what @Mary229 refers to in an earlier post: inclusions and add-ons are subjective.  It is the basic cruise cost which is important, and then the layers.  I just don’t see a huge market of all-inclusive Seabourn passengers available for recruitment from the HAL Board.  I feel they are more discerning than that.

[aliaschief]

We just booked a Seabourn 14 day repositioning from Montreal to Miami. We had no plans to cruise until January on our Azamara World Cruise. Our TA notified us on this and the offer was so good we booked. 
Though still booked on some Hal cruises we have really enjoyed some different experiences on other lines. With so many days on Hal it was getting a little repetitious. The experience on some of these smaller ships has even exceeded our beloved Prisendam cruises.

So we have really enjoyed our new cruising experiences. Wish we had done it earlier.

[YourWorldWithBill]

3 hours ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Last 7 months we have sailed Oceania Marina and HAL Zaandam.  Similar sized ships.  We found HAL's offering superior to Oceania: better food, friendlier crew, and more amenities.  Marina's specialty restaurants were terrible, too crowded, far too noisy, poor service and so-so food.  Not what we expected when we booked Oceania.  For us, sailing Oceania is a suite was not an upgrade.

This is pretty interesting, and we'll find out if we feel the same after our cruise on Riviera in November. I was tempted mostly by the reputation of the food on O, but I saw many posts on the O message boards complaining about service. The food on Viking was superior to what we got on HAL, even on the Rotterdam (which was pretty good), so I was hoping for similar on O. We'll see.

[JeffElizabeth]

4 hours ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Last 7 months we have sailed Oceania Marina and HAL Zaandam.  Similar sized ships.  We found HAL's offering superior to Oceania: better food, friendlier crew, and more amenities.  Marina's specialty restaurants were terrible, too crowded, far too noisy, poor service and so-so food.  Not what we expected when we booked Oceania.  For us, sailing Oceania is a suite was not an upgrade.

Interesting.  We like Oceania more than Holland,  but we are giving them one more chance with our upcoming Voyage of the Vikings trip. My fingers are crossed they will win us back. 

[kazu]

5 hours ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Last 7 months we have sailed Oceania Marina and HAL Zaandam.  Similar sized ships.  We found HAL's offering superior to Oceania: better food, friendlier crew, and more amenities.  Marina's specialty restaurants were terrible, too crowded, far too noisy, poor service and so-so food.  Not what we expected when we booked Oceania.  For us, sailing Oceania is a suite was not an upgrade.

 

I’m sorry to hear this and will add you are not alone.  I tried O once - a decent price and we thought we would “move up”.  There was a Prinsendam cruise within one day of this one and by the time it was time to get off (and boy were we glad to get off - a first) we regretted that we didn’t sail on the Elegant Explorer.  Service was poor many times, snooty, specialty restaurants other than Jacques were abysmal.  Amuse Bouche in the restaurant everyone waved about was a green bean.  I kid you not.  WTH?

I’m glad others have had good experiences but ours was not.  I want to try other lines but O won’t be on my list.  Once bitten…..

 

 

[*Miss G*]

17 minutes ago, kazu said:

Amuse Bouche in the restaurant everyone waved about was a green bean.  I kid you not.  WTH?

 

🤣

[Mary229]

30 minutes ago, kazu said:

I’m glad others have had good experiences but ours was not.  I want to try other lines but O won’t be on my list.  Once bitten

My experience was the same yet went even further. I asked in the gym if anyone had found an iPad as I could not recall if I had left it. I simply was asking about a lost and found when they told me to stay put and called security who then escorted me to my room and tossed it!  I wasn’t even claiming a theft, I was simply asking about lost and found.  Never, ever again. I felt like a criminal.  Horrible people. 

[RuthC]

I found that not only was the service on Oceania poor (except for my cabin steward, who happened to be Indonesian), but any level of basic humanity was lacking. 

Just as I was reboarding the ship I managed to tear the skin on my arm, and was bleeding like a stuck pig. 
As it happened, I reboarded fairly close to the Front Desk, so headed directly there to get a bandage. The only thing they would do for me was tell me to go to the infirmary! Not nearby, not even on the same deck, and I can't walk easily. Not to mention I am about to drip blood all over their beautiful carpeting! 
I insisted they help me, so the 'service' representative went into a back room and brought me a bandage, and dismissed me. Didn't even offer to help apply it. 

Not an endearing episode. 

[whogo]

I compared the price of Africa circumnavigations. I'd love to take either of these, am unlikely to.

 

I do not know how the prices have changed or will change. The base price as currently listed on company websites:

 

Zuiderdam Neptune cabin, October 2023, 73 day r/t Fort Lauderdale: $45,999.

Seabourn Sojourn veranda cabin, November 2024, 90 days, r/t Barcelona: $46,999.

 

I think this backs up Hank's HAL vs luxury cost argument.

 

Per day cost with $17.50 crew appreciation added to the HAL cruise:

Zuiderdam Neptune cabin: $648.

Seabourn Sojourn veranda cabin: $523.

 

Me? I'd book an oceanview on Zuiderdam, $13,699 on their website, $8,199 from a travel agent ($129/day), maybe splurge on a balcony, $17,999 on their website, $13,999 from a travel agent ($208/day). Hmm, book directly or through a travel agent? Who in the world would pay $4,000 so they could speak directly with a cruise line customer service rep?

 

 

[Florida_gal_50]

12 minutes ago, whogo said:

I compared the price of Africa circumnavigations. I'd love to take either of these, am unlikely to.

 

I do not know how the prices have changed or will change. The base price as currently listed on company websites:

 

Zuiderdam Neptune cabin, October 2023, 73 day r/t Fort Lauderdale: $45,999.

Seabourn Sojourn veranda cabin, November 2024, 90 days, r/t Barcelona: $46,999.

 

I think this backs up Hank's HAL vs luxury cost argument.

 

Per day cost with $17.50 crew appreciation added to the HAL cruise:

Zuiderdam Neptune cabin: $648.

Seabourn Sojourn veranda cabin: $523.

 

Me? I'd book an oceanview on Zuiderdam, $13,699 on their website, $8,199 from a travel agent ($129/day), maybe splurge on a balcony, $17,999 on their website, $13,999 from a travel agent ($208/day). Hmm, book directly or through a travel agent? Who in the world would pay $4,000 so they could speak directly with a cruise line customer service rep?

 

 

🙄 that is not what you book through the cruise line for, so you can talk to someone.  When I’ve used ta’s I’ve gotten zero for a price reduction and very little obc.  I’ve tried the old “compete for your business” situation and and any decent discount was on non refundable fares.  I’ve gotten next to nothing for obc.  Even had one ta trying to charge me more than hal and told me I had to book my air through her immediately because hal doesn’t do that anymore.  What a prize.  Book with a ta, no thanks.

[HappyInVan]

On 7/7/2023 at 5:20 AM, vicd1969 said:

	HAL Signature SS	SS w/ Have it All	Seabourn V4
Mediterranean 11-Day Oct 2023	3388	4854	3729
Asia 14-Day Dec 2023 Xmas	3236	4334	4752
Iceland / Greenland 14-Day July 2024	6864	7604	6754
Aus/NZ 14/15 Day Jan 2024	3003	4144	5294

 

Thanks for the diligent work. I agree that HAL suites just don't make sense. I suppose that's why there are usually upgrades and upsells. Gives hope to those in the lower cabins.

[BermudaBound2014]

Disclosure: I'm not a suite girl. I've been in them plenty enough times to know it's just not a good value for me. I don't begrudge those of you who enjoy the suite experience, but I elect to spend my travel budget elsewhere. Different strokes :).

 

With that said, I am in the market for a world cruise. These are VERY basic cruise only figures off a very well known cruise website. I'm certain I can get 10-15% off the Zuiderdam, not sure if Seabourn offers those same discounts thru TA's. 

 

128 Day World Cruise Zuiderdam. Jan 3, 2024.  ~ Neptune SB $87,399

 

145 Night Seabourn World Cruise. Jan 11,, 2024 ~Suite $74,299

 

On the surface, Seabourn is a no-brainer. It is $13,199 cheaper for a longer cruise that includes way more amenities  (you can not purchase HIA of a world voyage with Holland so that price is without HIA). 

 

 

With that;  nothing changes the fact that Zuiderdam also offers other categories for those of us uninterested in the suite life: 

~ Signature SS $54,499

~ Verandah VD $37,299

~ Oceanview F $28,499

~ Interior M $23,999

 

This little 15 minute experiment does appear to support the OP's tenet. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't shocked.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 8, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[CNSJ]

BermudaBound2014, When you pulled the "Suite Price" for the Seabourn ship, I think that would be an ocean view, as on Seabourn, the Balcony Suite is a step up.  There are about 25 suites without a balcony.  

 

Your analysis tells me I could take 2 world cruises in a VC-VD on HAL for the price of a one on Seabourn.  I am content with a Verandah on HAL.  I think HAL overprices the Neptunes by a long shot.  Guessing there are some that won't travel in less than a Neptune.

[bennybear]

As ever the devil is in the details whether for comparisons or TA.   So grateful for the extra credits we get through our TA,  but even more so when they have gone to bat for us on more than one occasion when HAL’s first answer was No. 
 

[whogo]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

128 Day World Cruise Zuiderdam. Jan 3, 2024.  ~ Neptune SB $87,399

 

145 Night Seabourn World Cruise. Jan 11,, 2024 ~Suite $74,299

My travel agent lists Seabourn at about $70,000 ocean view, $87,200 for a balcony.

I could never justify sailing in a Neptune cabin. Note that a Neptune is bigger than a Seabourn veranda cabin. Seabourn has a penthouse and owners suites. The Seabourn website lists prices as:

Ocean view: $79,399 (Book direct! Pay $9,400 more!)

Veranda: $96,399 (Book direct! Pay $9,200 more!)

Penthouse: $179,399

Owners: Sold out

[bennybear]

3 minutes ago, whogo said:

My travel agent lists Seabourn at about $70,000 ocean view, $87,200 for a balcony.

I could never justify sailing in a Neptune cabin. Note that a Neptune is bigger than a Seabourn veranda cabin. Seabourn has a penthouse and owners suites. The Seabourn website lists prices as:

Ocean view: $79,399 (Book direct! Pay $9,400 more!)

Veranda: $96,399 (Book direct! Pay $9,200 more!)

Penthouse: $179,399

Owners: Sold out

We never thought we would sail in a Neptune, until a magical Upsell.   It was incredible,  mainly for the huge wraparound balcony.   

[BermudaBound2014]

17 minutes ago, whogo said:

My travel agent lists Seabourn at about $70,000 ocean view, $87,200 for a balcony.

I could never justify sailing in a Neptune cabin. Note that a Neptune is bigger than a Seabourn veranda cabin. Seabourn has a penthouse and owners suites. The Seabourn website lists prices as:

Ocean view: $79,399 (Book direct! Pay $9,400 more!)

Veranda: $96,399 (Book direct! Pay $9,200 more!)

Penthouse: $179,399

Owners: Sold out

 

Ahh.. the site i looked at just listed Suite at $74,000, nothing else was available so the balconies might be sold out.  But even so, a balcony Seabourn and a Neptune are very closely priced with Seabourn including a bunch more than HAL and a longer trip. If I was a suite person, I think Seabourn would win my dollars.

 

Personally, I'm perfectly happy in a veranda and would not book the suite on either line. IMO the option to book non-suite cabins give HAL an edge. 

 

Edited July 8, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[Mary229]

Analyze away but it is hard for me to see any reason to buy the most expensive house in any neighborhood.  The cheapest house will be ok but may prove disappointing.  The middle ground is the sweet spot in any “real estate” analysis.  

[YourWorldWithBill]

7 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

🙄 that is not what you book through the cruise line for, so you can talk to someone.  When I’ve used ta’s I’ve gotten zero for a price reduction and very little obc.  I’ve tried the old “compete for your business” situation and and any decent discount was on non refundable fares.  I’ve gotten next to nothing for obc. 

I'm on my fourth TA in two years, and felt the same, and I always try the competition plan. At least now I got a little OBC, and they've been a little helpful. I still call the cruise lines sometimes, and found that even within the same agency it's hard to get the right person. After I called O to remove the booking from my current TA, the next day a "senior" agent called me, and he stays on top of things (so far, anyway... we'll see).

I never found a price reduction.