HAL vs NCL- The Battle of New York

[Dolphins]

HAL has decided to emulate NCL by offering 10 and 11 day winter cruises round trip out of New York to the Caribbean beginning in 2006 on the new Noordam. Critics scoffed when NCL introduced this unique winter service 2 years ago but it has been so successful that Norwegian Spirit will now join the popular Norwegian Dawn next winter. With Noordam offering traditional dining and an enclosed swimming pool vs NCL's many freestyle dining options, it will provide the millions of potential New York area cruisers with more choices and hopefully, lower prices. Don't be surprised if other cruise liners come on board. Not having to fly anywhere is the crusing wave of the future.

[tomc]

I think the success of the "tryouts" with ships homeporting in various spots around the east coast has worked well over the past two years in that regard. I saw an ad once that said, "Go to the Caribbean on a tank of gas." Probably very effective, IMO.

HAL tried Philly and Baltimore one or two years ago with trips to the Caribbean, but is not offering them this summer. I could get to either port (plus my nearest, NYC) on a bus with little problem. I've come to hate flying because of the cr*p we have to put up with in the space between entering the terminal and boarding the plane; it's also not much of an option where I live.

[Tvisitor]

I like the idea of a New York departure. However, for winter sailings, the Atlantic is usually the bumpy part of the ride. Sailing gets better once into the Caribbean. I am not sure I would opt to leave from New York unless I lived close enough to drive to the pier.

[Dolphins]

Tvisitor- We sailed the Norwegian Dawn last February and had smooth sailing on all four sea days. We just returned from the Dawn on 12/9 and had smooth sailing 3 of the 4 days with only slight movement on the 4th day. The ship rides very well and is suited for N. Atlantic winters. Hope Noordam does the same as they are of similar size. You can get rough seas anywhere even in the Caribbean so it's all pot luck.

[Dolphins]

Any comments on how popular the new Noordam will be sailing round-trip out of New York to the Caribbean beginning late next year?

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are also going to wait and see how popular the HAL Noordam does out of New York before we book any cruises.

[RuthC]

I'm hoping the itinerary is popular enough that HAL keeps it going, but not quite so popular that there won't be a few deals once in a while. ;)

I'm not fond of the Caribbean, and haven't wanted to try the Vista-class ships, but I sure do like having NYC as an embarkation port regularly.

I'm game to try it once in a while. :)