sail2day Posted July 21 #1 Share Posted July 21 I am looking at going on a Norwegian Fjords cruise in May 2025. The ships I am considering are the Sky Princess or the Rotterdam. I have not gone on either cruise line in 12 years. I have been cruising Celebrity for the past 10-11 years. Thoughts and or suggestions would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted July 21 #2 Share Posted July 21 Itinerary would be important, as is time in ports. In very general terms, Celebrity probably compares better with HAL than Princess. Have you read any of the reviews? 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REOVA Posted July 21 #3 Share Posted July 21 If all ports are equal, between the two I would select Rotterdam being slightly newer but also smaller with less passengers. Actually would choose another ship that was smaller as I don't like ships with more than 2800 passengers (Rotterdam wins in that regard). But make sure you read about what is going on with the ports there as there is push back on larger ships visiting and if there is a specific port you want to visit, check if there has been issues on other trips by these ships (or others). If ports are not an issue, I would again suggest Rotterdam, of the those two. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail2day Posted July 21 Author #4 Share Posted July 21 15 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said: Itinerary would be important, as is time in ports. In very general terms, Celebrity probably compares better with HAL than Princess. Have you read any of the reviews? Yes, I have read the reviews. I initially was leaning towards Celebrity but wanted to change it up on my next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted July 21 #5 Share Posted July 21 I am going to try and be very honest. Over the years, we have been on many cruises with both HAL (we are 5 Star Mariners) and Princess (long time Elite). The two lines are somewhat different, but also have a lot in common. During the decades, we have found that each line went through changes and our favorite (between the two) also varied. Currently, we have been very unhappy with HAL, but still find lots of enjoyment on Princess. Perhaps this attitude will change over the next few years as the two lines make changes. We have not cruised on the new Rotterdam but have been on the Sky Princess. We were very disappointed that Princess did not see fit to put a "Crooners" (the piano bar) on this ship. We have also heard, that since our cruise, that "Take 5" which we found a delightful Jazz Bar, has been changed to a non-smoking casino (folks might want to check this out to see if it is true). If true, I doubt if DW and I would want to return to the Sky Princess. We are currently considering a cruise on the Enchanted Princess (a Royal Class ship) which does have a Crooners. As to HAL, we have no plans to book any future cruises on this line until we have some indication that they are moving away from their budget cruise line tendencies back to one of the better mass market lines. We have seen some positive posts, here on CC, since our last voyage (Westerdam March-May 2023). Perhaps they are starting to head in the right direction. Hank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Btimmer Posted July 21 #6 Share Posted July 21 We're 5 star cruisers on HAL and have recently been sailing on Princess and finding that we like the ships especially on sea days as there's an abundance of activity. Itinerary would be first on my list for deciding which to take. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare *Miss G* Posted July 21 #7 Share Posted July 21 I have been on both the Sky Princess and the Rotterdam VII (in April). Both ships are lovely, BUT… you are doing the Norwegian Fjords, which means it’s all about the scenery. The Sky Princess is pretty terrible for outside areas as well as inside viewing areas. The Sky is very inward-focused while the Rotterdam is outward-focused. Hands down, I would choose the Rotterdam over the Sky. Here are a couple of comparisons I had formerly posted in other threads in case you need something more detailed: 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lady Arwen Posted July 21 #8 Share Posted July 21 We’re doing our last Princess cruise next month. Just booked 2 HAL for 2025. Princess is leaning towards the Carnival, NCL, RCI experience. Not for us anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ghstudio Posted July 21 #9 Share Posted July 21 Do NOT book the sky princess (or her sister ships) for any scenic cruises. They have no public lounge/bar areas that look forward and give you a panoramic view while sitting inside. The Rotterdam would be perfect. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kad56 Posted July 21 #10 Share Posted July 21 I love the Rotterdam!!! It's absolutely my favorite ship. I think the food is way better on HAL. HAL I think is also a lot quieter, which I like, and it has skewed a bit olderon my sailings. I'm in my mid 40s, and I've found more people my age on my princess sailings, and also more kids. Princess does seem to have more activities and "fun" activities on board during sea days. It's kinda cute to walk past a mega jenga competition in the plaza on princess, but that's not something I need to participate in, so HAL all the way. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helby Posted July 21 #11 Share Posted July 21 Having cruised on Koningsdam, sister to Rotterdam and Majestic Princess , sister to Sky, last year I agree with other posters that Rotterdam would be best for a scenic voyage. The indoor and outdoor viewing areas are very limited on that Princess class with more passengers on a larger ship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlaMariner Posted July 21 #12 Share Posted July 21 We have cruised on the Rotterdam and the Sky Princess. Without knowing/considering the itinerary and price, we would choose Rotterdam. Why? Fixed Dining. We like same time, same waiter, same table. On Sky, we had to beg every evening for a table for two with the waiter team we enjoyed. Horrible lines, asking permission every night, avoiding the tables for two that are in a line and not private. We love the fixed dining experience on Rotterdam. And the food...more on that later. Cabins. We were in balcony cabins for both. Sky has an open closet (like motel 6), no chair, less storage and we think the balcony was smaller (could be based on the cabin) Ambience. Sky was like being at the shopping mall. Especially the atrium which was like the food court. Loud lido with some sort of bingo gambling going on. Spa/hydro suite on Sky was not as good and was hidden in the dark center of the ship...We enjoyed the Rotterdam hydro suite....Rotterdam is more our traditional, calm selves. Retractable ceiling. The Sky lido pool area does not have a retractable wall meaning the area is useless during inclement weather. Makes ship very crowded elsewhere when the weather is bad and all the lido pool folks have to seek shelter. Rotterdam (and all HAL ships) have the retractable wall. Food. For us (I realize different folks have different opinions on food) HAL food is excellent. Dutch Cafe, NY Pizza, Dive in, MDR, Lido all beat what we experienced on Sky. Lido on Sky was , for us, very frustrating...salad bar was a cluster to maneuver and it was hidden, juice cups were shot glass size, more like a cafeteria than HAL's lido market. Breakfast in MDR for Sky was a very small menu w/only one "special of the day"...HAL's was extensive every day. Entertainment. Not into production shows and that seemed to be big on Sky. Nothing similar to the EXC talks (informative educational talks) that HAL has and we enjoy. The jazz club had what we call "brunch jazz" which is not our thing. Sky had nothing like the Music Walk experience on Rotterdam (Billboard, classical, rock, blues, etc.) Technology. We liked the navigator app on Rotterdam to order burgers, etc. to pick up later....Sky relied on this quarter size "medallion" (lost on day 2) that they promised would make cruising so much easier but it rarely worked or had nothing of value for us. They seemed to obsess over it but it did nothing for us. Size matters. Rotterdam 2668 vs Sky 3660 passengers. Sky often felt crowded....We never experienced lines or crowding on Rotterdam Staff. Both were great....But the Rotterdam staff (especially cabin stewards and waiters) do a great job of quietly getting things done and getting to know your likes/dislikes. Hard to quantify that one but the staff on HAL seems to be a notch above. There is probably more but I'm tired of typing. Realize we are HAL loyalists (based on the experience and value we get) but we were open to trying other cruise lines but this Sky Princess experience on Princess helped us realize we were "one and done" with them for now..... I wish you a great journey on whatever you choose.....And we choose the Rotterdam any day over the Sky Princess. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kad56 Posted July 21 #13 Share Posted July 21 15 hours ago, CruiserBruce said: In very general terms, Celebrity probably compares better with HAL than Princess. Do you think Celebrity is more similar to HAL? I've sailed HAL and Princess, and I think HAL is a step above Princess, thought I enjoy both. My friends love Celebrity, so I'm considering Celebrity and I'm curious how it compares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted July 21 #14 Share Posted July 21 43 minutes ago, kad56 said: Do you think Celebrity is more similar to HAL? I've sailed HAL and Princess, and I think HAL is a step above Princess, thought I enjoy both. My friends love Celebrity, so I'm considering Celebrity and I'm curious how it compares. IMHO, your statement about HAL being a step above Princess is accurate. We like HAL's service motto, their food, their smaller size ship concepts. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman48 Posted July 21 #15 Share Posted July 21 Having just finished 28 days on the Rotterdam going through the Norwegian Fjords I would lean towards HAL. That being said the fjords are spectacular and either line will give you a great experience. Let the itinerary be the deciding factor. The main reason I chose HAL was ship size. The Rotterdam was able to go all the way up both the Sognefjord & Eiedfjord. Any ships larger would not be able to get under a bridge on one of the fjords (don't remember which fjord). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sunviking90 Posted July 21 #16 Share Posted July 21 (edited) I would choose the Rotterdam, solely based on ship design and ambience. However, we do consistently find Princess food in the MDR and buffet areas to be superior to HAL and Celebrity. Princess has also just started dedicating one dining room to traditional fixed dining, similar to HAL if that’s a preference. We have also found the enrichment lectures on Princess (surprisingly) better and more varied. I also personally like the design of the open closets on Princess. You can’t see it from the cabin area, and it’s so much easier than the HAL way of jamming the closets into the hallway. To correct another poster the deluxe balcony cabins on the Royal Class ships DO have a sofa, and are usually very little more in $$. Just so you have a balanced comparison. Still Rotterdam it would be for a much quieter ambience, more outside viewing areas and fewer passengers (especially a plus if you’re tendering anywhere). Edited July 21 by sunviking90 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffElizabeth Posted July 21 #17 Share Posted July 21 Always interesting when people disagree on food between the two lines. I prefer the Holland America buffet to Princess. And usually choose the smaller ship, hate being crowded. We do like that Princess has real suites still. Neptune Suites really aren't. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted July 21 #18 Share Posted July 21 @JeffElizabeth, what is a "real" suite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea42 Posted July 21 #19 Share Posted July 21 15 minutes ago, Roz said: @JeffElizabeth, what is a "real" suite? To me, it means an actual separate bedroom. Not just a larger room. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted July 21 #20 Share Posted July 21 7 hours ago, Lady Arwen said: We’re doing our last Princess cruise next month. Just booked 2 HAL for 2025. Princess is leaning towards the Carnival, NCL, RCI experience. Not for us anymore. Agreed and Holland staff is totally different. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted July 21 #21 Share Posted July 21 7 hours ago, Lady Arwen said: We’re doing our last Princess cruise next month. Just booked 2 HAL for 2025. Princess is leaning towards the Carnival, NCL, RCI experience. Not for us anymore. Your stepping up , We did the same. And would never go back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lady Arwen Posted July 21 #22 Share Posted July 21 1 minute ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said: Your stepping up , We did the same. And would never go back. 1 minute ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said: Your stepping up , We did the same. And would never go back. We’re actually two star Mariners, but moved over to Princess and Celebrity a couple of years ago. Celebrity is still great, but not so much Princess. So, back to HAL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted July 21 #23 Share Posted July 21 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said: We’re actually two star Mariners, but moved over to Princess and Celebrity a couple of years ago. Celebrity is still great, but not so much Princess. So, back to HAL. Soon to be 3 Stars 🙂 try one of the Pinnacle class ships. Edited July 21 by Gail & Marty sailing away 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lady Arwen Posted July 21 #24 Share Posted July 21 27 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said: Soon to be 3 Stars 🙂 try one of the Pinnacle class ships. We sailed twice on Koningsdam to the Med in 2017 and 2018 and next up is Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam for 2025. Love Pinnacle class ships. Also, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam are great ships. We liked Westerdam and Zaandam, but not as much. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted July 21 #25 Share Posted July 21 55 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said: We sailed twice on Koningsdam to the Med in 2017 and 2018 and next up is Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam for 2025. Love Pinnacle class ships. Also, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam are great ships. We liked Westerdam and Zaandam, but not as much. We will be on the Rotterdam in the fall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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