How does NCL compare with HAL?

[sillysailor 1955]

I have cruised with HAL twice (Rotterdam 25+ years ago and on the Noordam 2 years ago).

Have cruised three times on NCL (Dawn, Spirit and most recently in Dec. 2008 on the Jade).

Both lines are different - each with their own good and bad points.

HAL is a more relaxed (okay maybe a little boring) experience, although I really enjoyed it, and found it really relaxing and refreshing. Their new dining as you wish was somewhat similar to NCL Freestyle (in that you didn't have to eat with the same people - usually strangers every night). After we ate breakfast in the MDR we made reservations for that evening for the same table and the same waiters and it was never a problem.

NCL Freestyle dining was for us dinner in one of the MDRs. Okay now this is where the NCL Fan Club will go crazy.:eek: The alternative dining rooms (We personally ate in Cagney's on the Dawn and the Jade... honestly the food was really not worth the additional charge. We also ate in LeBistro on the Dawn) We will never again pay extra for mediocre food.

The food on HAL was slightly better (although nothing fantastic).

I found service/staff on both lines very good (although the edge goes to HAL)

The decor on the ships were both nice. Although I do feel HAL had more "comfortable" common areas - the chairs were comfortable (the Crow's Nest is the BEST!) also you weren't hounded every couple of hours with BINGO like on NCL.

To sum up NCL has it over all the rest as far and price and itinerary... but HAL is a little more "traditional" and more laid back.

+

[cmamd]

Just an opinion, but my husband and I would rather stay home than travel on NCL. it starts with the top, mgmt decision to create profit with as little expense as possible. Again, only our experince and some of our friends, the treatment of pax is same relationship a teacher has with preschool children, instead of consumer with product choice.

[rubytue]

also you weren't hounded every couple of hours with BINGO like on NCL.

Funny you say that. Now notice our cruises are3 years apart, but one thing my husband and I commented on was how on the Jewel, there was only one annoucement around noon talking about Bingo and the art auction, whereas on the Maasdam, we remembered those coming every couple of hours. Its all about the cruise director in this case.

 

On our NCL cruise, we paid a lot of attention to little things, not b/c they bothered us, but because we were picking a line for a family summer trip. You will see in my signature we chose HAL. Thats mostly because the younger generation (our siblings and their kids) all backed out, so its just us and the folks. If the siblings had come, we would have gone NCL - partially b/c my 30-month-old neice would have been elligible for the kids club.

[sillysailor 1955]

Funny you say that. Now notice our cruises are3 years apart, but one thing my husband and I commented on was how on the Jewel, there was only one annoucement around noon talking about Bingo and the art auction, whereas on the Maasdam, we remembered those coming every couple of hours. Its all about the cruise director in this case.

 

On our NCL cruise, we paid a lot of attention to little things, not b/c they bothered us, but because we were picking a line for a family summer trip. You will see in my signature we chose HAL. Thats mostly because the younger generation (our siblings and their kids) all backed out, so its just us and the folks. If the siblings had come, we would have gone NCL - partially b/c my 30-month-old neice would have been elligible for the kids club.

 

I agree NCL is definitely a better cruiseline for the 30 and under crowd

[swedish weave]

We have recently sailed on the NCL Star and HAL Ryndam.

 

The NCL Star was a better experience for us because of the food, maintenance, and handling of disabled cruisers.

 

Fresh fruit on Ryndam was much inferior to that of the Star

 

Elevators on Ryndam were in need of maintenance. A problem we did not encounter on the Star

 

Ryndam did not have the facilities to get wheelchair bound passengers onto the tenders. This was not a problem on the Star

 

Formal nights restricted the options of some passengers who opted to stay within the airlines baggage limits and did not pack formal clothes. This problem does not exist on the Star.

 

None of the above would prevent me from sailing with HAL again, but given the same itenerary and price, I would choose NCL

[fann1sh]

Thank you for your comments, and the benefit of your experience. You make several interesting comparisons.

 

However, anyone who regards baggage limits as a reason for not bringing formal clothing isn't even trying to find a way to pack them. My formal clothes weigh less and pack better than my khakis.

 

HAL has formal nights. NCL doesn't. People know that when they book.

 

Those who detest formal nights should book NCL....or Carnival, or RCI, or...etc.

 

Formal nights restricted the options of some passengers who opted to stay within the airlines baggage limits and did not pack formal clothes. This problem does not exist on the Star.

 

[swedish weave]

Thank you for your comments, and the benefit of your experience. You make several interesting comparisons.

 

However, anyone who regards baggage limits as a reason for not bringing formal clothing isn't even trying to find a way to pack them. My formal clothes weigh less and pack better than my khakis.

 

HAL has formal nights. NCL doesn't. People know that when they book.

 

Those who detest formal nights should book NCL....or Carnival, or RCI, or...etc.

 

I don't think it was a matter of detesting formal nights. It was their decision to bring snorkel equipment and beach shoes plus clothing for 10 days and stay within the weight limits. We took formal wear and were barely under the Amtrak weight limit of 50 lbs each. I used all of my clothes, and DW had a couple of things she didn't use. As the airlines get more strict, it may cause HAL to make a business decision to relax the dress codes. It may be happening now because it did not seem to be strictly enforced on our trip. Bill

[fann1sh]

As the airlines get more strict, it may cause HAL to make a business decision to relax the dress codes.

 

I hope not. I like diversity and choice.

 

As for your friends...while I'm still sceptical that I couldn't have packed better....in their position I'd either rent the snorkel gear...or else, rent the formal clothing.

 

I wouldn't dream of going on an NCL cruise, then complaining that few people dressing formally for "dress up or not" night ruined the elegance of the evening. So, why should someone who doesn't pack formal wear for HAL complain that limits their choices those nights?

 

I'm going to unsubscribe to this thread. I think I've learned all I can from it. From my perspective/reading, it seems NCL does better for entertainment, activites, nightlife. HAL does better for small ships, elegance, bring aboard wine.

[swedish weave]

I hope not. I like diversity and choice.

 

As for your friends...while I'm still sceptical that I couldn't have packed better....in their position I'd either rent the snorkel gear...or else, rent the formal clothing.

 

I wouldn't dream of going on an NCL cruise, then complaining that few people dressing formally for "dress up or not" night ruined the elegance of the evening. So, why should someone who doesn't pack formal wear for HAL complain that limits their choices those nights?

 

I'm going to unsubscribe to this thread. I think I've learned all I can from it. From my perspective/reading, it seems NCL does better for entertainment, activites, nightlife. HAL does better for small ships, elegance, bring aboard wine.

 

I believe you are reading things into my post that I didn't say. I was making comparisons, and did not say anyone was complaining.

 

Also, an issue that I didn't post is the lack of refrigerators in Ryndam cabins. The Star has them in all cabins.

 

Your comments about renting snorkel gear or formal wear are invalid. The object of their packing decisions was to avoid unnecessary expenses.

 

Now to the serious issue which you didn't comment on, but I will. The handling of passengers with disabilities. They were told they couldn't be placed on the tenders unless they could navigate the stairway. This causes me some great concern because the same tenders are used in case of emergency, and if disabled guests cannot be placed on the tenders, what do they do with them in an emergency. Again ----This question or problem does not exist on the NCL Star.

[Protseq]

The wife and I did a NCL Hawaii cruise 2 years ago on NCL Wind (2 cruises before she was transfered to the Star line to become a casino ship). We enjoyed the ports and the sea days, but I was not particularly fond of the food quality. My benchmark is the coffee quality, and HAL (Zuiderdam) was much better even in the buffet. Wife keeps looking at NCL, but since we don't cruise often, I prefer staying with HAL. We lucked out and found two couples on that cruise and scheduled our dining times with them. We prefer the traditional dining experience.

[RuthC]

Your comments about renting snorkel gear or formal wear are invalid. The object of their packing decisions was to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Actually, it's the argument that having clothes which meet the code on formal night is an expense is the invalid argument.

One still needs something to wear at night---whether or not it meets the code. For women, a long, dressy outfit need weigh no more than a less dressy outfit. For a man, it's even easier---he can rent a tux, and thereby have even less weight in his suitcase.

[swedish weave]

Actually, it's the argument that having clothes which meet the code on formal night is an expense is the invalid argument.

 

One still needs something to wear at night---whether or not it meets the code. For women, a long, dressy outfit need weigh no more than a less dressy outfit. For a man, it's even easier---he can rent a tux, and thereby have even less weight in his suitcase.

 

I fail to understand how renting a tux is not considered an expense.

[jtl513]

My DD and DSiL (mid 30's) recently sailed on the Pearl and overall enjoyed it as much as their one HAL experience on the Zuiderdam. There were some aspects of the Pearl that they liked better than the Z, but strongly disliked what they felt was constant selling pressure on the Pearl. They particularly resented having to pay extra to get decent dinner food by going the specialty restaurants.

 

OTOH, the initial cost of the cruise was considerably less than the Zuiderdam, so maybe it's like the old Fram oil filter ads: "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later!" :D

[RuthC]

I fail to understand how renting a tux is not considered an expense.

You were speaking of airline expenses. There is no risk of additional baggage charges if the man rents a tux.

But you're right, of course, that there would be rental expense. But! He can meet the formal code without renting, and without adding weight to his luggage. All he has to do is wear a sportcoat in transit, with his tie(s) neatly folded, and stashed in the pocket.

So, there still does not need to be any additonal weight to luggage when packing for formal nights. And no additional baggage charges.

[swedish weave]

You were speaking of airline expenses. There is no risk of additional baggage charges if the man rents a tux.

 

But you're right, of course, that there would be rental expense. But! He can meet the formal code without renting, and without adding weight to his luggage. All he has to do is wear a sportcoat in transit, with his tie(s) neatly folded, and stashed in the pocket.

 

So, there still does not need to be any additonal weight to luggage when packing for formal nights. And no additional baggage charges.

 

I agree -- They evidently didn't think of that approach, and I now know what to do on my next HAL cruise. Thanks for the tip.

[kryos]

The wife and I did a NCL Hawaii cruise 2 years ago on NCL Wind (2 cruises before she was transfered to the Star line to become a casino ship). We enjoyed the ports and the sea days, but I was not particularly fond of the food quality. My benchmark is the coffee quality, and HAL (Zuiderdam) was much better even in the buffet. Wife keeps looking at NCL, but since we don't cruise often, I prefer staying with HAL. We lucked out and found two couples on that cruise and scheduled our dining times with them. We prefer the traditional dining experience.

I've never sailed NCL, so I have to state that upfront. But, from what I understand, the reason there are so many complaints about the food quality is because people don't understand what freestyle cruising is all about. They get on the ship and then decide they are gonna eat in the included restaurants all the time because they don't want to pay the added surcharges for the pay ones (which are most of them). Well, therein lies the problem.

 

The included restaurants on NCL are simple ones. They don't offer a lot of variety, probably because they expect passengers to only eat in them maybe once or twice during the entire cruise. The buffet has the exact same thing every single day ... no variety at all ... because you aren't supposed to eat in the buffet every day ... especially for dinner.

 

What freestyle cruising is all about is sampling a different restaurant onboard each night ... go to the steakhouse tonight, the Japanese place tomorrow night, the grill the next night, and so on.

 

Everyone I talked to who has sailed NCL either loves them or hates them. Those who feel that all of the food should be included without need to pay an added surcharge ... and initially say they are just gonna eat in the included resturants ... have a lousy time ... UNTIL they break down and start paying the surcharges. The ones who from the get go start making their reservations in the added surcharge restaurants as soon as they get onboard come home raving about their freestyle cruise.

 

Personally, I think NCL should do themselves a favor and only open the "included" restaurants for breakfast and lunch ... close them down for dinner. Then let passengers know that the whole concept of freestyle is to experience different dining venues, and that yes ... the cost of an NCL cruise is generally below that of most other cruise lines ... but that's because your dinner is not included. You will pay a surcharge for dinner ... no matter which venue you decide to eat it in.

 

I think such an action would get people in the "freestyle" mindset ... which is where they need to be if they want to sail the NCL line.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

OTOH, the initial cost of the cruise was considerably less than the Zuiderdam, so maybe it's like the old Fram oil filter ads: "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later!" :D

Exactly. And that's what freestyle is all about.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[swedish weave]

I've never sailed NCL, so I have to state that upfront. But, from what I understand, the reason there are so many complaints about the food quality is because people don't understand what freestyle cruising is all about. They get on the ship and then decide they are gonna eat in the included restaurants all the time because they don't want to pay the added surcharges for the pay ones (which are most of them). Well, therein lies the problem.

 

The included restaurants on NCL are simple ones. They don't offer a lot of variety, probably because they expect passengers to only eat in them maybe once or twice during the entire cruise. The buffet has the exact same thing every single day ... no variety at all ... because you aren't supposed to eat in the buffet every day ... especially for dinner.

 

What freestyle cruising is all about is sampling a different restaurant onboard each night ... go to the steakhouse tonight, the Japanese place tomorrow night, the grill the next night, and so on.

 

Everyone I talked to who has sailed NCL either loves them or hates them. Those who feel that all of the food should be included without need to pay an added surcharge ... and initially say they are just gonna eat in the included resturants ... have a lousy time ... UNTIL they break down and start paying the surcharges. The ones who from the get go start making their reservations in the added surcharge restaurants as soon as they get onboard come home raving about their freestyle cruise.

 

Personally, I think NCL should do themselves a favor and only open the "included" restaurants for breakfast and lunch ... close them down for dinner. Then let passengers know that the whole concept of freestyle is to experience different dining venues, and that yes ... the cost of an NCL cruise is generally below that of most other cruise lines ... but that's because your dinner is not included. You will pay a surcharge for dinner ... no matter which venue you decide to eat it in.

 

I think such an action would get people in the "freestyle" mindset ... which is where they need to be if they want to sail the NCL line.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

Rita -- I must disagree with your comments about the food in the included restaurants on NCL. There are excellent choices every day, plus they have a list of "always available" items which includes steak, fish, and chicken on the dinner menu.

 

I have cruised both lines within the past two months and cannot see a marked difference in the food presentation or quality on both lines except the fresh fruit and berries are much better on NCL

 

The Lido on HAL has more variety than NCL for breakfast ( Eggs benedict) on most days. The lunch menus are pretty much the same on both. The grill by the pool has the same on both lines. Bill

[kryos]

Rita -- I must disagree with your comments about the food in the included restaurants on NCL. There are excellent choices every day, plus they have a list of "always available" items which includes steak, fish, and chicken on the dinner menu.

Well, I'm only going by the reviews I've read (quite a few) and what several people returning from NCL cruises have told me. I've also been told that if you want to eat in the included restaurants, often you will have to wait in long lines for the privilege, because naturally a lot of others don't want to pay a surcharge either. I've also been told that the portions are small ... and the quality so-so. Now, like I said, that's just what I've been told. But then this one friend, upon returning from his NCL cruise, also told me that as soon as he got sick of the lines at the regular restaurants (which happened probably on about the third night), he told his wife ... "heck with this." They went to one of the surcharge places, were able to get in without a reservation, and had a wonderful meal. He said that after that he and his wife decided to eat in the surcharge restaurants for the rest of the cruise, and they had a wonderful time ... not to mention lots of variety.

 

Like I said, IF I were gonna sail NCL, I would probably do the same. The whole point of freestyle would seem to me to involve sampling different dining venues, different activities, different whatever. If the cost of the cruise is lower, and the ship is going where you want to go, then why not use some of that cost saving from the basic fare of the cruise and spend it on surcharges for the dining venues ... if that's gonna give you a better cruise experience? Makes sense to me.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Flyingfish]

Just putting my 2 cents in: We've sailed HAL numerous times, and they remain our favorite line. However, as we live in NY and sailing NCL out of NYC is so convenient, we tried this line. And I must say, we were impressed. I have to say right at the start, we upscale on NCL, because we can due to the cost. It's a aft penthouse AE . Comes with many perks that make sailing NCL most favorable. For the $$$$ spent, I'd be in an inside or outside cabin on HAL, having fun, but without breakfast/lunch at Cagney's, butler service, etc. Right now we're booked NCL in September 09 and HAL in September 10.

[swedish weave]

Well, I'm only going by the reviews I've read (quite a few) and what several people returning from NCL cruises have told me. I've also been told that if you want to eat in the included restaurants, often you will have to wait in long lines for the privilege, because naturally a lot of others don't want to pay a surcharge either. I've also been told that the portions are small ... and the quality so-so. Now, like I said, that's just what I've been told. But then this one friend, upon returning from his NCL cruise, also told me that as soon as he got sick of the lines at the regular restaurants (which happened probably on about the third night), he told his wife ... "heck with this." They went to one of the surcharge places, were able to get in without a reservation, and had a wonderful meal. He said that after that he and his wife decided to eat in the surcharge restaurants for the rest of the cruise, and they had a wonderful time ... not to mention lots of variety.

 

Like I said, IF I were gonna sail NCL, I would probably do the same. The whole point of freestyle would seem to me to involve sampling different dining venues, different activities, different whatever. If the cost of the cruise is lower, and the ship is going where you want to go, then why not use some of that cost saving from the basic fare of the cruise and spend it on surcharges for the dining venues ... if that's gonna give you a better cruise experience? Makes sense to me.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

The waiting in line will occur on both lines if you opt to eat between the times the restaurants open and the first group finishes. We like to eat around 7pm and were unable to reserve a table on HAL at that time in the "as you wish" section. They offered 745pm, and we walked right in.

 

On NCL you can also reserve a table at your time choice, but they also have time slots that you can't get for the same reason.

 

If you walk in without a reservation, you take your chances on both lines of getting a table without waiting.

 

Even with the assigned seating on HAL, everyone can't get their first choice, so some opt for the "as you wish" in order to eat during the time of their choice.

 

It is not a problem with the cruise line, it is a space and time issue that both lines face.

 

By the way -- 7:45 worked for us. Not our first choice, but not a problem. Bill

[Dolphins]

Just putting my 2 cents in: We've sailed HAL numerous times, and they remain our favorite line. However, as we live in NY and sailing NCL out of NYC is so convenient, we tried this line. And I must say, we were impressed. I have to say right at the start, we upscale on NCL, because we can due to the cost. It's a aft penthouse AE . Comes with many perks that make sailing NCL most favorable. For the $$$$ spent, I'd be in an inside or outside cabin on HAL, having fun, but without breakfast/lunch at Cagney's, butler service, etc. Right now we're booked NCL in September 09 and HAL in September 10.

 

Our experience exactly. After over 100 days on HAL, we decided to try NCL because of the convenience of sailing out of New York and we were also very impressed. For a seven day Bermuda cruise, you can get an AE Penthouse suite on the Dawn for the same price as an outside cabin on the Veendam. We would not hesitate booking either HAL or NCL in the future if the intinerary and price is right. We thoroughly enjoyed them both.

[JaniceW]

I am booked on a HAL cruise but have not yet sailed on HAL. I have, however, sailed twice on NCL, the last time being Hawaii, July 2008. The rooms were on the smallish size and although I enjoyed the cruise, I grew annoyed at the free-style dining concept. On some nights there was a wait for a table during popular dining hours. There were many optional dining rooms but surcharges ran from $15 - $30 a head. This really ticked me off as I had paid a good amount of money for this cruise and felt that in order to experience an upscale dining experience I had to pay for it. Also, I think that when you have the same waiter for an entire week, he does his best to be especially accomodating as opposed to a waiter who sees you only once. This is probably because a waiter knows that if he serves you the entire cruise you may remember those little extras the waiter provided in the form of an extra tip. Food in NCL's main dining room ranged from fair to good as did service. That being said, if a certain itinerary was important to me and only NCL offered it, then I would sail NCL again. Truthfully, I have never taken a cruise I didn't like. Yes, some cruise lines are better than others but I have sailed on Celebrity, NCL, Carnival and RCCL and all have had a wonderful overall experience on all.