Need help...sailed HAL in past then jumped on RCI...have the new ships improved?

[tiffnco]

Hi everyone!

Let me give you a quick background before I pose the big question...

my hubby and are are 31/41 in age and have sailed HAL several years ago...1st on the Maasdam and then on the Zaandam. We had a great time on both cruises. Then we went on an RCI trip (Brilliance of the Seas) and fell in love with the ship...so bright and airy...the food was great (a bit more flavor than HAL) and we really loved the food station layout of the buffet area.

So, now we're going to the Mexican Riviera for Thanksgiving and are debating between the new Princess ship and the Oosterdam. We've placed the deposit on Princess but have an aft verandah on hold with HAL.

Here's where I need some help...what types of improvements have been made on the "O"? Do they have the pillow-top mattresses I've been reading about? Has the food improved in the last two years...across the line? Are you finding that the newer ships are drawing in a younger crowd? And along the same line...would a Thanksgiving sailing draw a younger crowd? Are they really offering cooking classes in a demonstration kitchen as displayed on the website? Is the new spa THAT much better than the others?

Please don't read into this the wrong way...we had a great time on all our cruises, it's just that the last cruise was on a new ship and we LOVED the enhancements over the older HAL ships we sailed.

HAL has longer stays in the port...and the aft balconies look great...that's where the struggle comes into play. On the Brilliance, I loved the big atrium too...and I think that's the hardest part for me on deciding.

I'd appreciate any and all comments (well, no flaming please!).

Thanks for your help (links to photos appreciated too!)

Tiffany

[DFD1]

This may miss the mark, but if you didn't come home in love with the Zaandam and the Maasdam, I don't think the Oosterdam will steal your heart either. In my opinion, the Oosterdam is just "HAL light".

I don't think the Oosterdam will deliver what you found on Brilliance of the Seas.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a great time.

[777steve]

You do have a decision to make ..... can you do 'em back to back!?:)

Anyway, having not sailed Princess I can't give you any insight. Having sailed on Oosterdam/Westerdam and with RCI I can at least see some of your comparatives.....

1. Regarding the Aft balcony - in my own humble opinion, the Aft is great if you are doing the S suite corner wraparound. Frankly that is the # 1 reason we are rebooked for the Oosterdam out of San Diego in December.

2. Have you checked Princess stateroom sizes (and does it matter to you)? When I've done some snooping on stetroom sizes I was disappointed. But then, we do spend more time in cabin and on verandah.

3. The real estate value (comparing $ to interior space) of the S in comparison to similar accomodations (epsecially pricewise) on Princess leaves HAL a winner again.

4. Oosterdam has an atrium entry and it is NOT like an RCI atrium at all. In fact, you may be spoiled completely by having sailed on the Ship of Light - the Brilliance. Oosterdam does not have the same kind of wow factor and the space is actually very small - attractive but small. The Waterford Crystal Globe in the Atrium is lovely if you slow down and actually take it in.

5. Can't speak to the crowds. I've only sailed with HAL on Caribbean itineraries from FLorida so have no idea if the age groups will spike one way or the other on that sailing. Frankly on prior HAL trips the ages were all represented with folks my age (47) and higher being more in evidence.

6. I don't know about Princess but the oft touted elegant touches are still evident on the Oosterdam. I generally don't expect to find sueded aubergine velvet with well lit sculpture niches on a ship - but there they were. And they were stunning. Between things like that, the fresh flowers and that incredible aft cporner balcony (5186/5187 are tops!), then I will probably continue to choose HAL. Another company would have to offer something really interesting to make me move from my verandah and the convenience of the Neptune Lounge!

... by the way - how valuable is Personal Choice Dining to you? That seems to big a big draw for Princess. Anyway - it seems to me that you have two lovely ships to choose from. I suspect that Princess skews more towards RCI than to HAL in areas of design and ship flow. The pictures and reports would suggest that.

No doubt someone here will have sailed both and can provide you a better set of comparisons than I. Either way, I believe you will have a wonderful time!

Cheers!

[tiffnco]

777Steve,

Thanks for the comparisons. While we're not in an S, we do have A6154 on hold currently.

I agree with you on cabins...we too spend some time in there as we ALWAYS book a verandah. I've yet to experience an AFT so am pretty excited.

From what I can see through photos, the atrium on the O is like the atrium on the other dam ships...so I'm assuming it's the HAL signature.

And yes, each line has it's own atvantages. The Pinnacle Grill had the BEST dinner ever...MUCH better than RCI's alternative, Chops. And I do love the barbeque's on deck! However, you are correct in the fact that we've been spoiled by the Brilliance...she was an absolutely stunning ship. And that's the other thing I like about HAL (and RCI)...you can access the bow. Doesn't look like you can on Princess.

As for the dining. Looks like this is a sticky topic over on the Princess boards...and the negative comments have led us choose traditional dining.

But, I'm afraid my decision isn't any easier.

The good news is, my husband and I both agree...no cruise is a bad one. So what ever we choose, I know we'll have a good time.

Thanks