Volendam vs Harmony

[robntawn]

Greetings,

I am hoping to get an honest assessment of a pretty good predicament that I find myself in. My wife and I are booked on the Volendam Alaska cruise on 8/10/05 in a guaranteed A cabin. Our total cost is $3600. We live in Sacramento so we must also factor in RT air/train, which I figure to be $700 for both of us.

We both have our CLIA cards, and have recently come across a deal with Crystal Cruises on the Harmony for a 12-day San Francisco RT , which visits the same ports. Our total cost for that cruise is $3600 outside guarantee (not a verandah).

My questions are:
1. Is Harmony a better ship than Volendam?
2. Will the weather be too cold in mid-September?

We are new to cruising, and have never been to Alaska. Our ages are 36 and 41. Thanks.

[TedC]

As much as we love HAL, I would grab the Harmony. Never been on that ship or line, but it is well known that the line is a notch or three higher than HAL.

We have found HAL to generally be a very good value. But Crystal is usually much more expensive and , reportedly, is much better.

Check the Crystal board for reactions there.

[bepsf]

Will the weather be too cold in mid-September?



I did my first trip to Alaska last year in mid-September - it wasn't hot like September in San Francisco usually is, but wasn't nearly as cold or rainy as I was told that it could be either. The cooler weather might be a nice respite from the heat of Sacramento!

[dot73]

I also love HAL (5 cruises) but having enjoyed one cruise on the Harmony (Panama Canal), it wins hands down. The service on the Harmony is amazing, as is the food, entertainment, etc. The Italian and Japanese optional restaurants serve fabulous food. The staterooms are about the same size as HAL's with smallish bathrooms but lots of closet space. The beds are very comfortable with duvets. Crystal Cruises also serves an excellent afternoon tea. I would book the Harmony right away before it sells out. You will not regret it.

[garydm]

Agree with dot73 completely. We sail with HAL alot and will be leaving for Hawaii on Statendam next month. We too live in Sacramento and did the Harmony RT San Francisco trip last year-it was fantastic. We have already booked Crystal for New England/Canada and looking at a Mexico trip.

We took the train from Sacramento to Emeryville, where you board an Amtrak bus that drops you within 200 feet of the pier. It was great and I think the cost was $77 for both of us RT.

We were recently on Silversea and like many things about Crystal better.
Pleased to answer any questions.

Gary

[robntawn]

I appreciate the prompt replies from everyone! I realize that this is the HAL board, but I've noticed that everyone here loves cruising and are very good about helping others. Again, thank you!

[robntawn]

garydm,

I tried to email you with questions regarding the Harmony, but was unable to. I would appreciate your insight but do not want to take up bandwidth on the HAL site. If you can help, please email me at robntawn@pacbell.net

[thulewx]

I've done one Crystal on Harmony and it is much above HAL but usually prohibitive in price. The only downside is the lack of balcony...