HAL cruiser thinking about trying NCL... your thoughts/comments please!

[watchdiva]

Nordstrom's to Sears?

 

Take it from one who shops both - each has something to offer me. We've cruised both HAL and NCL and enjoyed both - but after 2 HAL cruises (both times in an SA Suite), we returned "home" to NCL. Nothing beats freestyle dining! DH and I often skipped dinner in the main dining room on HAL because we didn't want to have to rush back from the ports and then "dress up". Being assigned a set dining time just doesn't work for us - if we want dinner at 5 or if we want dinner at 9, I love being able to have that option.

 

The concierge service on NCL is far superior (in our experience) than on HAL - the previous poster was right on the money with their comment that "no" is not a part of their vocabulary! HAL doesn't have butler service and NCL does - another reason we're back on NCL.

 

The demographics (age) on HAL on our two cruises were noticeably older (DH and I are in late '50s) and there were next to no activities after 9 PM unless you count the Piano Bar.

 

Overall, we prefer NCL for all of the reasons above - and for sentimental reasons as well since our first cruise 20+ years ago was on the SS Norway!

[Salt air hair]

Been on NCL 5+ cruises Hal (Noordam) first and only time this past March. Usually take inside cabins, Hal's cabin size beats out NCL - no contest. NCL has more dining choices than HAl, however we did find the Pinnicle Grill on Hal (at $30 pp) far better in taste and selection than Cagneys ($20 -$25 pp) which we ate at 3x's to give it a fair chance we still weren't impressed. The Tapenyaki (sp?) gets my vote on NCL for best dining venue. Shows....NCL takes the trophy here. They are excellent. only other that we've seen that comes close is Celebrity. Someone mentioned Elemis products, robes,etc..all also offered on inside cabins on HAL (however I did not see a coffee maker). Also delivered each day a very shorten version of the NY Times (don't read it myself but I suppose it makes some folks happy). None of the NCL ships I've been on have had enclosed pools. HAL Noordam did and I've been told that most of them do. A very nice thing to have when it's not so nice out. The wait/bar staff also bring ice tea and lemonade to those sitting poolside during the course of the day. Also not as nearly as much "hawking of wares" and "photo snappers" on Hal as NCL. At times I have found NCL Photogs a bit pushy to get pictures while you're trying to get off the ship. I usually do try to stop and let them snap (it dosen't cost me anything) but when I can't and I get chastised for it .....makes me a bit cranky. As far as the rest of the differences IMO it comes down to what are you looking for. Our TA really tried to sway us out of HAL only because she knew what we've traveled in the past and what type of nightlife we enjoy, so we prepared ourselves for the HAL expierence. We knew it would be bit more formal from what we've enjoyed in the past and they were times we joked about looking like (and I really do not mean to offend anyone here) "Trailor Trash" on formal nights while everyone else was dressed and bedecked in jewels and gems and we ate at the Buffet and wore shorts and tees!!!! (BTW each night in the buffet pretty much the same items were served that were being served in the dining rooms that evening without all the fuss and finery) Hope something here helps in your descision, but above all enjoy your cruise whichever ship you take.

[CruisnGram]

I've never traveled in a suite or above and I've never felt like I was steerage. Every crew person I've deal with has been friendly and helpful. I've never had an issue making reservations-never had to get up at 8 am to do so. You can bring your own water. What 'nickle and dining' ?

 

For some people, paying more for a cruise that has an indoor pool, movie theater and in cabin movies are worth it. I don't care about any of these things. If these things matter to you, then I can see how you could be disappointed.

 

That poster still can't get past the fact that they charged for an arcade game (fooze ball). I suspect she'll be posting about it for years to come. :D

[CruisnGram]

Wine cards by the glass and free appetizers is something I would love to try, NCL does have a wine bottle program, and a free beer deal. .

 

Isn't free appetizers what is offered in the Tappas bars? Maybe I'm mistaken.

[Rowan813]

We will be able to give you a comparison soon enough. We are on the Star in 2 weeks. Our last cruise was on the Zuiderdam in a deluxe veranda suite. We loved everything except the dining arrangements. If you get stuck at a table with incompatible people it can be more than uncomfortable. We could have asked to move, but didn't-our fault. I would absolutely go on HAL again.

 

We are booked in a penthouse suite on NCL. We expect everything to be about the same. We are looking forward to trying different restaurants and having flexible dining times.We are also glad to avoid the formal nights. We prefer not packing formal clothes. After reading the boards I think the entertainment may be better on NCL.

 

I am disappointed that I can't carry on wine without a fee like I did on HAL, but I plan to carry on soda that HAL does not allow.

 

I don't know if NCL will be our favorite, but we will keep trying until we find our favorite line. Until then we get to go on some great trips and have fun. :D

[CowPrincess]

Thank you ALL for your input, thoughts and impressions. DH has never cruised before, so our upcoming HAL to Alaska will be his first time. I've decided to hold off booking ANY other cruise till he has experienced one -- then he'll be able to say what worked and didn't for him. (He was quite shocked to find out -- though I told him SEVERAL times -- that we have "sea days!!)

 

I've read some of the NCL reviews -- good and bad. Everyone has different wants and expectations.

 

The in-cabin coffee and "better" Eggs Benedict are, for me, HUGE :)

 

If you get stuck at a table with incompatible people it can be more than uncomfortable.

 

Oh yeah, my friend and I were at a table with "socially inept" people for ONE dinner and insisted on being moved. We really "traded up" and got the nicest imaginable tablemates for the rest of our cruise. I look forward to your comparison.

 

Again, thank you ALL!!!

[newmexicoNita]

With NCL, I pretty much feel that if you book a suite, you'll enjoy it. Otherwise, you are in steerage - makes it difficult to get reservations at the restaurants and so forth. I've been on 2 Celebrity and 2 NCL cruises. The service and food on Celebrity was way superior. I was disappointed in the GEM - a ship that sails year round from NY without an indoor pool, no movie theater, no movies in the cabin unless you pay 12.95 for a rental, constant nickel and diming. They didn't even have water available on their private island unless you were willing to pay for a bottle. They charged the kids to play foosball and air hockey (the tables were in the kids play area, not the arcade), and they were understaffed at many of their activities. (they had only one person at the rock climbing wall - by the time he got the releases signed and the first 4 kids helmeted and harnessed, it was 45 minutes before the first kid got to climb the wall)

It sounds like you had reasons for not being happy with NCL, it also sounds like your cruised during high season, maybe spring break. I say this, because one complaint you rarely, almost never hear, about NCL is the kids program. I base this on reviews, my cleints feedback and the reviews by professionals. As for the Gem, I don't know, when it was built if the idea was to postition her in NY year around, if so, you would think the pool would be covered, if not they are very few itineraries where a covered pool is necessary. I haven't cruised the GEm, but have cruised several other NCL ships and always had plenty of movie selections, just like most other lines. Have they been the latest releases? No, but certainly somewhat recent.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

I have to agree with most of what Nita says -- after 12 cruises on NCL we tried HAL (Noordam) in October -- and again in March, for no other reason than there weren't any comparable sailings on NCL out of NYC for the price we got. Entertainment is FAR superior on NCL. Service was comparable, as was the food (in our opinion). We missed the different dining venues. Thought the buffet was actually comparable to NCL in variety and quality. With 2.0, NCL will have a better room service menu (LOVE HAL's!). Didn't notice that the drink prices were less on HAL. Veranda cabin a little larger than on the newer NCL ships (but we had an aft for both our Noordam sailings, which is far superior to any side balcony on any ship, as far as we're concerned!). There were some quirky things on HAL that had me puzzled, most notably crew members (mostly entertainment staff) sitting at the bars drinking (one night the whole HALCats band was at the Queen's Grill bar -- do you think they'd get up and let a paying passenger sit down??:mad: ). Another time I SWEAR the bartender was totally blitzed -- on duty :eek: .

 

We would sail HAL again if the itinerary and price were right, but we can't WAIT to get back on an NCL ship -- we miss our perks as well as the more relaxed atmosphere and better mix of people!

We choose HAL for the same reasons you did and like you, would not hesitate to cruise with them again if they offered what we wanted, for the right price, but NCL is more our style. We didn't have the experience with the crew you did, if we had of, I would really be Pi##eD.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

I like both HA and NCL.

 

I like HA for the little things.

 

Great mattress and bedding

Robes

Daily news article booklet

Bigger servings at dinner and better selection.

Full breakfast room service menu

Yum Yum man

Free appetizerrs with your before dinner drink

Wine cards by the glass

I had forgetten the newspaper bulletin, yes, that was a great feature and have never had it on any other line. The free appitizers were very hit or miss on our HAL sailing, but nice when they offered them. We didn't know about the wine cards as we brought all our own wine on board and paid the corkage fee.

[songanddance]

So many variables based primarily on the tastes of the individual and how capable they are at ignoring that which may offend or not please on any line.

 

NCL has nice ships, the staff makes every effort to please and I never went hungry. Now that they are making an effort to upgrade all the service areas including the food, I would think it to be acceptable without having to pay extra. Freestyle dining works for all but the solo passenger on short cruises. fine for those over 10 days.

 

Not having sailed HAL but having done both Cunard and NCL, You couldn't give me a free cruise on NCL because of the general atmosphere created by the passenger consist. Nothing wrong with the people as they are the salt of the earth but just not my crowd. If you sail because of the overall ambiance of a HAL ship which includes the passengers, then maybe NCL will not be for you. If on the other hand you can make the rest of the passengers dissapear from your consciousness while having them around you, give it another thought.

 

Then again, everyone needs at least one experience outside their confort zone. so why not.

[BarbCT605]

Not having sailed HAL but having done both Cunard and NCL, You couldn't give me a free cruise on NCL because of the general atmosphere created by the passenger consist. Nothing wrong with the people as they are the salt of the earth but just not my crowd. If you sail because of the overall ambiance of a HAL ship which includes the passengers, then maybe NCL will not be for you. If on the other hand you can make the rest of the passengers dissapear from your consciousness while having them around you, give it another thought.

OMG, I hope this is a joke!!:eek:

[curiouscat]

Ok, and you called me a "cruise snob". This is hysterical.....:D

 

 

CuriousCat

[songanddance]

OMG, I hope this is a joke!!:eek:

 

Nope no joke, the passenger consist is the only thing I really do not like about NCL. I realize it is my problem but I know I am not alone in this thought so I feel it is a ligitimate area to consider.

 

I am sure you make similar judgements when choosing your immediate friends. So why would it not make sense to do the same when spending very good money on possibly a once in a life time vacation?

[BarbCT605]

Nope no joke, the passenger consist is the only thing I really do not like about NCL. I realize it is my problem but I know I am not alone in this thought so I feel it is a ligitimate area to consider.

 

I am sure you make similar judgements when choosing your immediate friends. So why would it not make sense to do the same when spending very good money on possibly a once in a life time vacation?

Well, I did not read beyond your second sentence because I'm a spelling snob.

[songanddance]

Well, I did not read beyond your second sentence because I'm a spelling snob.

 

 

Too bad you did not take the time to read the entire post as I thought it explained everything rather well. I prefer thinking that picking my friends and cruising mates as to be decerning rather than being a snob. You simply can't tell me that you just open your front door and all that wander in are your best friends. Even Mother Theresa was more decerning than that.

[rhelms]

I wrote the following after having completed a HAL cruise back in 2003. Vacation should be a fun and exciting experience. I just didn't find that with HAL.

 

HAL Experience

Returned from a Hal cruise a couple of weeks ago. We were on the Maasdam. I knew before going that the croud would be more mature than my experience on previous RCI cruises. I intended for my frame of mind to be adjusted accordingly. Shouldn't be that hard since I am in my late forties. But I just couldn't. There was just no excitement on the ship. I guess dull is the word I am looking for. This was even true for the ship staff. Boring cruise director, boring bingo, boring casino, etc.

 

I thought the trade off would be enhanced food and service. Not true in either case. Serving staff lacked personality and IMHO the food wasn't anything exceptional. I thought the deserts were particularly weak.

 

I am not saying that I didn't enjoy the cruise. I guess there is no such thing as a bad cruise. I just need a little more excitement. I will add that the ship was gorgeous. Although hot, the piano bar was one of the prettiest rooms I have ever seen on a ship. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[packercruising]

I am not going to read all these posts. Seems to be some dissing of NCL going on. Both HAL and NCL are very good. To say that HAL is in a different league in terms of the quality of food and service is just not true, IMO.

[Ronni G]

With NCL, I pretty much feel that if you book a suite, you'll enjoy it. Otherwise, you are in steerage - makes it difficult to get reservations at the restaurants and so forth. I've been on 2 Celebrity and 2 NCL cruises. The service and food on Celebrity was way superior. I was disappointed in the GEM - a ship that sails year round from NY without an indoor pool, no movie theater, no movies in the cabin unless you pay 12.95 for a rental, constant nickel and diming. They didn't even have water available on their private island unless you were willing to pay for a bottle. They charged the kids to play foosball and air hockey (the tables were in the kids play area, not the arcade), and they were understaffed at many of their activities. (they had only one person at the rock climbing wall - by the time he got the releases signed and the first 4 kids helmeted and harnessed, it was 45 minutes before the first kid got to climb the wall)

 

 

We have been on three NCL cruises and have always booked an oceanview mid-ship cabin. Never a suite or balcony. Was never treated any differently than those in a suite except that they do get VIP tender tickets. Our service was excellent and we rarely had trouble getting a reservation in one of the specialty restaurants. Really enjoyed each and every cruise and will be cruising with NCL again in 9/08.:cool:

[CC Help Michell]

Hi, Cow Princess!

 

You've gotten a wide variety of takes here -- and I can't offer a direct comparison yet, because my first HAL cruise isn't until June. I think the big thing to keep in mind about NCL is that they are innovators, and experimenters. Note, I am aware (before others point it out!) that many of the things NCL has tried/implemented aren't original creations by NCL -- yes, the Titanic had a surcharge restaurant.

 

But in the mainstream world of cruising over the last 20 years or so, NCL is always testing boundaries and pushing envelopes in terms of the product. "What about surcharge dining? What about a bunch of different kinds of restaurants? What about relaxed disembarkation? What about no set dining times? What about no assigned dining seating? What about getting rid of mandatory formal nights? What about garden villas with their own private courtyards?" And so on to today -- "What about ship cabins that are totally different from anything at sea now?"

 

Cruising on NCL is, in many ways, unlike a traditional cruising experience, and folks who want everything to be the way it always has been are not likely to enjoy NCL. There's nothing wrong with that being your expectation -- heck, look at the threads on the HAL boards about AYW dining, and now on the RCCL boards as they are rolling out trials of MyTime Dining. MANY people really HATE that kind of experimenting with traditional dining, and if you do, then NCL almost certainly won't be for you.

 

For us, we book cruise travel based on itinerary and price, in that order. So we'll sail any line that meets those criteria. I'm always a bit happier when that turns out to be NCL, though -- I love Freestyle cruising. I happily trade hauling along formal wear for sometimes having to make reservations for dining. I detest being booted from my cabin at 7:00 AM on debarkation day to go wait in some overcrowded, noisy, hot, lounge -- on NCL I can go have breakfast, and wait in my cabin until it's time, and the only trade off is my cabin might not be ready as soon as I board the ship.

 

To the OP, I hope that if you do decide to try NCL you find it as enjoyable as we do. :)

[flashdog_1]

I have only one HAL and one NCL cruise under my belt. Both times were on similarly sized & aged ships, Veendam & Majesty.

 

If you are a library person, you will find people with similar likes hanging out in the library. No culture shock. If you like pub crawls whether on NCL or Celebrity which also has them, you will encounter people who have a different idea of relaxation and fun than those in the library. Do you see what I mean?

 

I found there were all ages on NCL and HAL, but perhaps more older people on HAL. I found the passengers to be approachable on both lines. There was no snobbism (is that a word?) there. I thought having someone in jeans next to someone in formal wear would bother me, but it did not!! Everyone was well behaved.

 

Rooms in general are much larger on HAL and their mattresses so far cannot be beat! I liked the many stewards & waiters on NCL whose first language was English (Jamaica). It was refreshing and made communication that much easier. There was not the obsequiousness I found in some waiters and stewards on HAL. Real people with dignity on NCL doing a hard job well. No need for cowtowing.

 

I was pleased to note that NCL did not have reminders every hour of what ways you might want to entertain yourselves. Passengers were treated as adults and behaved as adults. No different from HAL.

 

There were not as many ethnic dishes on NCL as HAL. The dining rooms themselves are equally lovely on both lines. The cuts of meat are probably a higher grade on HAL. But cooked properly even a less tender cut of meat can be made so with proper cooking. This was, unfortunately, not always the case, so I'd have to say HAL beats out in food in the "free" restaurants.

 

But the very fact that you do not have to eat with the same people night after night unless you want to do so is a real positive on NCL. You can be as social or as much of a hermit as you wish come meal time!

 

Both HAL and NCL have free capuccinos!

 

I love Celebrity and would always choose X if all things were equal (and C doesn't have free capuccinos), because I really love their food. But X doesn't currently have itineraries I want, so I venture onto other lines. As other people have said, each line has more in common with all the other lines than it has differences. At present I choose for itinerary, price and port of embarkation. I was pleasantly surprised by HAL and freestyle.

 

So, just hang out where YOU like to hang out and you'll meet people you will like!

[peg013]

We will be able to give you a comparison soon enough. We are on the Star in 2 weeks. Our last cruise was on the Zuiderdam in a deluxe veranda suite. We loved everything except the dining arrangements. If you get stuck at a table with incompatible people it can be more than uncomfortable. We could have asked to move, but didn't-our fault. I would absolutely go on HAL again.

 

We are booked in a penthouse suite on NCL. We expect everything to be about the same. We are looking forward to trying different restaurants and having flexible dining times.We are also glad to avoid the formal nights. We prefer not packing formal clothes. After reading the boards I think the entertainment may be better on NCL.

 

I am disappointed that I can't carry on wine without a fee like I did on HAL, but I plan to carry on soda that HAL does not allow.

 

I don't know if NCL will be our favorite, but we will keep trying until we find our favorite line. Until then we get to go on some great trips and have fun. :D

 

We were on the Noordam January 2008 and you are allowed to take soda on board. We took 4 12 packs for a 11 night cruise. And we had "as you wish" open seating so we ate when we wanted to with no wait.

 

I personally think the entertainment on the Noordam was very poor but the food was great. Average age was around 68. Lots of skooters everywhere.

 

Our deluxe verandah on Noordam was only slightly smaller than a minisuite on the Dawn and Dawn's BA's are at least 35 sq feet smaller than Noordams. HAL also allows you to wait in your room while waiting to disembark. We were in ours until 10:15 when our color was called.

 

I'm looking forward to being on the Dawn again in October and will be able to pack so much less without needing formal wear. My DH wears size 13 shoes....just not having to take his dress shoes will free up half a suitcase, lol.

[bobnatt]

As a long time HAL cruiser, a one time Princess cruiser and now a converted Cunard cruiser and also a one time (and never again) NCL cruiser the difference between NCL and the other three lines is the diference between spending a weekend in the Poconos (without the heart shaped bath tub) or spending a weekend at the Ritz Carlton.

 

We have booked top suite accomodations on HAL and Princess and Queens Grill on the QM2 (and in June on the new Queen Victoria) and last year booked the Garden Villa suite on the Norwegian Dawn. We booked the NCL cruise because of the unique Garden Villa suite which, frankly, is unlike any cabin configuration on any cruise ship that I am aware of with its three bedrooms, dining room, living room and large outdoor deck space that included a hot tub and sauna. We needed the Garden Villa because we were bringing along our daughter and son-in-law and three small grandchldren. The suite itself was fine but the problem was leaving the suite to go to the rest of the hsip. The standard restaurants were terrible both in terms of food selection and service and even the specialty restaurants were worse than any other restaurant either standard or specialty that we have had on any other cruise ship. In addition to the terrible food service the huge crowd around the pool (we were on a Caribbean cruise), the lack of sufficient deck lounges which resulted in us observing three shoving and yelling fights between passengers laying claim to a lounge chair (just what you want your grandchildren to see on vacation) and the highlight of the week being the belly flop competition made me quickly realize we made a huge mistake.

 

If I were you I would stay with HAL or Princess or try Cunard as a great alternative. I cannot imagine that the NCL experience will be satisfactory for you.

[floridacruiser63]

I've cruised HAL and Princess, and am leaving on another HAL cruise quite soon. Was poking around today on the internet and saw an NCL cruise (Sun) that I'm interested in.

 

I found lots of similarities, and not many differences, between HAL and Princess, but am going with HAL because of their departure port for this next cruise.

 

NCL has a departure port that I want, and an itinerary I want. What would be the major "culture shock" issues for a HAL cruiser trying NCL? (DH would be thrilled with "formal or not" dinners :) )

 

I gather that some, but not all, of the restaurants have cover charges on NCL. Could we still eat "for free" at some of the restaurants?

 

I'd welcome any and all thoughts. Thanks in advance!

 

We have cruised both and will be be cruising with NCL again next year due to their itinerary. (Ship leaves out of Miami so we do not have to fly to get on board), this is just my personal opinion and each person is entitled to their own, there is no comparison between HAL and NCL. Holland America is by far superior to NCL, with this being said, NCL is not bad and we have enjoyed both cruises taken on NCL, their entertainment is excellent, their food is ok, their service is pretty good.

Good Luck, and remember this is my personal opinion, each person will look at the same thing and maybe see something different.:D