Compare NCL to HAL

[syesmar]

I have always sailed HAL. I have been completely satisfied and really am not seeking more. However, I want to visit the British Isles, but the HAL options are limited for my dates. I am considering a NCL cruise.

 

I would like for those who have cruised both lines to compare the Pros & Cons of switching to a NCL cruise. What are some of the stark differences between the 2?

 

THANKS!

[newmexicoNita]

I have always sailed HAL. I have been completely satisfied and really am not seeking more. However, I want to visit the British Isles, but the HAL options are limited for my dates. I am considering a NCL cruise.

 

I would like for those who have cruised both lines to compare the Pros & Cons of switching to a NCL cruise. What are some of the stark differences between the 2?

 

THANKS!

 

My two favorite lines for totally different reasons:

 

HAL: larger cabins

better food

beautiful ships

better overall service

cheaper bar set up, but they are going up on HAL as well.

can bring your own wine to drink in your cabin.

 

 

NCL:

 

better entertainment

more dining choices

livelier crowd with more energy, everything about the ships, from the colors, to the crew to the passengers..

bigger cultural diversity

better itineraries we think

better casinos

 

just be prepared for a totally different cruising experience. Not, worse, not better, just very different.

 

Nita

[sottovoce]

Based on my one HAL experience better food (in the main dining room; HAL's buffet serves the main dining room menu which is nice) and better service (also main dining room) are not a plus for HAL.

 

Biggest difference for me is HAL's outdated dress code which is overkill for the product they offer. But if that matters to you, stick with HAL.

[papadave]

We have 28 days on HAL, 7 days on NCL under our belts. I can't say the differences are really that big. Pick your cruise based on itinerary and price. You don't need to dress up on NCL and there are some times you need to wear a suit or a jacket and tie on HAL. NCL offers a greater variety of restaurants on board, but choice doesn't always translate into quality. On some NCL ships (the Blue Lagoon restaurant on the Gem, for example) food is available 24 hours a day. On HAL only room service is available at all hours.

 

If you are comparing one ship to another the differences may be easier to spot. A larger HAL vessel has a lot in common with a larger NCL vessel. HAL's smaller ships (we were on the Volendam for 14 days and loved it) are different from their larger ships (we have been on the Westerdam and the Noordam). Smaller ships have smaller crews, less money devoted to entertainment, and a greater chance to meet a high percentage of you fellow passengers.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[olechka]

What we loved on HAL (Zuiderdam) was the food and formal dinners and the service. I think NCL is pretty much the opposite of that; not bad opposite, but not the same. The food in general is in different class than HAL unless you go to specialty restaurants, the dinners are not formal and service is not the same. The shows on NCL we thought were better than HAL.

 

Saything that, we chose NCL price/itinerary over other cruiselines understanding our expectations are different on NCL than HAL.

[newmexicoNita]

What we loved on HAL (Zuiderdam) was the food and formal dinners and the service. I think NCL is pretty much the opposite of that; not bad opposite, but not the same. The food in general is in different class than HAL unless you go to specialty restaurants, the dinners are not formal and service is not the same. The shows on NCL we thought were better than HAL.

 

Saything that, we chose NCL price/itinerary over other cruiselines understanding our expectations are different on NCL than HAL.

 

perfect comparison in my view, not that it makes much difference..LOL

[taxmantoo]

Based on my one HAL experience better food (in the main dining room; HAL's buffet serves the main dining room menu which is nice) and better service (also main dining room) are not a plus for HAL.

 

Are you saying that worse food and worse service WOULD BE a plus for you?

[dtiger]

I've been on 2 HAL cruises which were wonderful with great food, many juices to choose from in the morning and wonderful service.

 

I've been on many NCL cruises which are very affordable.

[Dolphins]

We sailed over 100 days on HAL (Copper Medallion), were very pleased and actually looked down on NCL. When we got tired of flying to Florida for a cruise and NCL started sailing year round out of New York, we reluctantly gave them a try. We were very pleasantly surprised and now the Norwegian Dawn is our favorite of all the ships we have sailed on. We really liked freestyle dining and the option of many dining venues at the time and with the people of our choice. We enjoyed ballroom dancing much more in the large Spinakker Lounge than in the small Ocean Bar on HAL ships. We also felt there was not a big difference in the food, entertainment and service between HAL & NCL. The one area where NCL really excels over HAL is taking care of their Gold and Platinum passengers.

Finally, I would not hesitate to return to HAL if they brought the right itinerary to New York. I see the Veendam will be sailing 7 day cruises to Bermuda from New York on the same days as Norwegian Dawn. Currently however, the Veendam prices are much more expensive than a similar cabin on the Dawn.

[brovol]

HAL is a bit more refined in general, and probably attracts an older, more uppity cruiser. We really like HAL though.

 

However, I like casual cruising; and NCL rules in this department. If I change into shorts after dinner on HAL, I will get some dirty looks. Not on NCL. I wear a tie at work, and don't want to when I am on vacation.

 

NCL also has the best suite options and benefits. Nothing compares to a Courtyard Villa.

 

Having said all that, if you like the HAL style, be advised, NCL is very different. I prefer HAL Westerdam's buffet over any other ship I have been on. The service is possibly a step above NCL's. The ships are a little more classical.

 

The key when trying a new line is to avoid making comparisons to the things you like best about your favorite line. They all do things a little different. Give the new line a chance to impress you with the things it does best.

[cruzeluver]

The key when trying a new line is to avoid making comparisons to the things you like best about your favorite line. They all do things a little different. Give the new line a chance to impress you with the things it does best.

 

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. I am of the opinion that there is NO best cruise line for EVERYONE. Each does things differently, but all have their advantages and disadvantages. Been on NCL, RCCL, Carnival and about to embark on Celebrity. It IS possible to love 'em all!!!

[CC Help Michell]

I like both lines, for varying reasons. Of course, I have yet to take a cruise on ANY line which was a complete "bomb" -- I always find things I like, and I agree that doing your homework and having realistic expectations based on that research is essential. I wouldn't expect "hairy leg contests" on the Queen Victoria, and I wouldn't expect genteel dinner chimes and the "Yum Yum Man" on Carnival. Knowing the cruiseline's varying personalities is really important, I think.

 

Overall I prefer NCL for Freestyle cruising and the casual dress code, but when another line has an itinerary and price point better than NCL's (for my preferences) I sail them. That's how we wound up on HAL for 14 nights in Alaska last summer. I thought HAL did "As You Wish" dining very well (comparing favorably to NCL, where Freestyle dining is a big strength) and that the main dining room food was excellent (I thought the Pinnacle Grill surcharge venue food was okay, but not that much better than the MDR). I do think specialty restaurant food on NCL in my experience is somewhat better than HAL's main dining room food, but I also thought that NCL's main dining room food overall was inferior to HAL's, though still acceptable (at least to me). I didn't mind dressing appropriately (very formally) on HAL, because we knew it was the ship's custom, but I really DO prefer not to feel that I have to drag along my SO's tux and my sparkly formalwear for a cruise.

 

The difference I most noticed between HAL and NCL was service. The service we've received on NCL has ranged from adequate to superior (overall, a few bumps here and there where not so great things happened -- but overall nothing terrible). On HAL, though, we thought the service throughout the ship (EVERYONE we encountered) was just outstanding. The difference in "feel" was very noticeable to us, but it didn't make me think less of NCL. :) I'm pretty low maintenance, but I do appreciate excellence when I find it -- and HAL definitely furnished that in the service department.

 

I would sail either line again without hesitation, and as I age and find my needs change, I could well see myself developing a preference for HAL, just for the service "attitude." Nothing we requested ever seemed to be a bother or too much to ask, and everything any crew member did for us was followed by a smile and an inquiry if there was anything ELSE we needed.

 

I should add that so far we haven't sailed in a suite on NCL (16 days from now, though! Woo hoo!). It could well be that I'll notice that "extra" service quality on NCL when in a suite; if so I'll be sure to say so when I do my review!

[welove2cruise232]

I have to agree with Dolphins (hi Herb!) -- we've done MANY cruises on NCL (Platinum latitudes) and two on HAL (21 days, same ship). HAL's entertainment doesn't hold a candle to NCL. Entertainment throughout the ship is SO much better on NCL. I thought food and service were about equal -- multiple dining choices on NCL gives them the edge. Cabins on HAL were larger (but we had an aft VA so those cabins I believe are larger than a standard balcony). HAL Noordam was a beautiful ship, very elegant. NCL's ships are bright and exciting. Past passenger benefits on NCL are far superior to HAL.

 

We definitely prefer NCL's freestyle. We love the fact that we can cruise close to home, so don't have to fly to the port. Given two lines with similar itineraries and price, we would definitely choose NCL.