HAL Compared to Other Cruise Lines

[hikerk]

Having been on almost 20 cruises (including most of the major cruise lines) the best way to describe this cruise line is average The ship I was on was the Statendam on the 6/17/07 sailing from Vancouver to Seward. If I were to rate it on a scale of 1- 5 compared to other cruise lines I have been on it would be as follows:

Service Food Activities Staterooms

Holland America 3 3 1 5

Norwegian 2 1 4 3

Carnival 3 3 5 5

Royal Caribbean 3 3 5 4

Princess 5 5 3 3

Celebrity 5 5 3 3

Regal 1 2 1 1

This is based on always getting a low priced inside quad cabin. The higher rated ships had larger cabins, the cabin stewards were very good and the room was cleaned well.

The food was good but average for a cruise. The buffet was good but did not have as much selection as on other ships and the lines were longer then necessary because some items were cooked for you as you waited on the buffet line - as a result the lines would backup and items were not always immediately available since you had to wait for it to be cooked. Since this was a smaller ship (then I am used to) there was only 1 dining room with 2 floors There was an early seating (5:30PM for the 2nd floor and 6:00PM for the main floor) and a late seating (7:45PM for the 2nd floor and 8:15PM for the main floor). There were 4 of us traveling and I had requested an early seating on a large table (to speak with strangers at dinner). We were given the 5:30 seating on a table for 4. I tried to make a change but was unsuccessful at first. The waiter service was really bad at our 5:30 table and I complained which did get us a change to the 6:00 seating but still on a table for 4 – there was no room to accommodate the change to a larger table. However, the waiter service was much better after the change.

There were various musical stage shows that I would rate average and was the usual type of show you see on all cruises. There was also the usual comedian and juggler/skit shows that all ships have. Some of them were very funny. There was a band in the lounge but not that much dancing and there was not much in the way of dance classes compared to other ships. There was some audience participation shows but much less then what I have seen on other ships. The captain’s ball only served wine or champagne - not any drink you liked as on other ships. Most exercise classes had additional charges. There was no water related activities planned. The teenager programmer had an area where teenagers could meet each other but not much in the way of planned activities.
Overall I would say the average age on the cruise was in the 50’s (higher than most cruises I have been on). I would recommend this cruise for someone that is just looking for a very low key vacation without much excitement.

[middle-aged mom]

Gosh, and, how was Alaska? Did you enjoy the scenery? What excursions did you go on? What wildlife did you see? Did you also find Alaska to be as average as the ship? :confused: Do you have a ratings system for your cruising destinations, and where does Alaska fit in?

[bicker]

Thanks for your input. I take this as good news, for me. I care about staterooms most of all, and it is great to know that we'll be enjoying those among the best in the industry.

[eh2zed]

Having been on almost 20 cruises (including most of the major cruise lines) the best way to describe this cruise line is average The ship I was on was the Statendam on the 6/17/07 sailing from Vancouver to Seward. If I were to rate it on a scale of 1- 5 compared to other cruise lines I have been on it would be as follows:

Service Food Activities Staterooms

Holland America 3 3 1 5

Norwegian 2 1 4 3

Carnival 3 3 5 5

Royal Caribbean 3 3 5 4

Princess 5 5 3 3

Celebrity 5 5 3 3

Regal 1 2 1 1

This is based on always getting a low priced inside quad cabin. The higher rated ships had larger cabins, the cabin stewards were very good and the room was cleaned well.

The food was good but average for a cruise. The buffet was good but did not have as much selection as on other ships and the lines were longer then necessary because some items were cooked for you as you waited on the buffet line - as a result the lines would backup and items were not always immediately available since you had to wait for it to be cooked. Since this was a smaller ship (then I am used to) there was only 1 dining room with 2 floors There was an early seating (5:30PM for the 2nd floor and 6:00PM for the main floor) and a late seating (7:45PM for the 2nd floor and 8:15PM for the main floor). There were 4 of us traveling and I had requested an early seating on a large table (to speak with strangers at dinner). We were given the 5:30 seating on a table for 4. I tried to make a change but was unsuccessful at first. The waiter service was really bad at our 5:30 table and I complained which did get us a change to the 6:00 seating but still on a table for 4 – there was no room to accommodate the change to a larger table. However, the waiter service was much better after the change.

There were various musical stage shows that I would rate average and was the usual type of show you see on all cruises. There was also the usual comedian and juggler/skit shows that all ships have. Some of them were very funny. There was a band in the lounge but not that much dancing and there was not much in the way of dance classes compared to other ships. There was some audience participation shows but much less then what I have seen on other ships. The captain’s ball only served wine or champagne - not any drink you liked as on other ships. Most exercise classes had additional charges. There was no water related activities planned. The teenager programmer had an area where teenagers could meet each other but not much in the way of planned activities.
Overall I would say the average age on the cruise was in the 50’s (higher than most cruises I have been on). I would recommend this cruise for someone that is just looking for a very low key vacation without much excitement.

Hikerk, your ratings prove a point often discussed on CC. That is that personal preferences and experiences are what makes one line more preferable to another to each customer. I am not disputing your numbers but CCL who owns HAL, Princess and Carnival corporately rank these 3 lines in the opposite order you did. They consider HAL to be their premium cruise line followed by the other 2. Each one however is aimed at somewhat different markets. Thanks for your ratings:) :D :) :D

[Sea King]

and that's why there is a choice for everyone:eek:

HAL, IMO, is low key elegant and sophisticated .. their market is not aimed (hopefully) at the "mountain climbing, ice-skating on board, river rafting, hiking up Mt. Everest, wet t-shirt and make your own atomic bomb" crowd (although many cruises offer a variety of tours that include a wide range of activities);)

by the way, IMHO, there's nothing wrong with being 50:cool:

think you might enjoy Princess more

then again, there are those of us who have been on Princess and do not share your opinion

interesting observations though

[bicker]

HAL, IMO, is low key elegant and sophisticated .. their market is not aimed (hopefully) at the "mountain climbing, ice-skating on board, river rafting, hiking up Mt. Everest, wet t-shirt and make your own atomic bomb" crowd (although many cruises offer a variety of tours that include a wide range of activities);)Indeed, and I'm not sure I understand why you'd including climbing, rafting and hiking together with wet t-shirts and making your own atomic bomb. :confused: There are lots of folks who enjoy physical activity and still enjoy elegance and sophistication.

[DRCANDON]

Interesting ratings...did you copy them from Frommers? Not trying to dispute your ratings, personal choice and opinions are just that

That is why there are so many cruise lines and so many choices, even within the cruise line themselves.

There have been many posts about rating HAL from cruisers that have cruised many more times then 20 among many ships...

All I am trying to say without getting a war going is for any new reader of these posts to read ALL related posts on the subject, then look at what you want, then decide for yourself.

In my opinion ( again an opinion) if you want a 24hour a day booze fest party the go Carnival - if you want understated luxury then go a higher end line like HAL, X or Princess...but for all new visitors read read read..don't accept one critics view even if it is published and costs $30 at the book store - doesn't make it right....

[bicker]

All I am trying to say without getting a war going is for any new reader of these posts to read ALL related posts on the subject, then look at what you want, then decide for yourself.I think it goes deeper than that. The first step in evaluating reviews, and such, is to evaluate the reviewer. You really need to read into reviews to gauge the answer to the most important question, "Is this person like me?" A perfect, lucid, 100% accurate and honest review, written by someone who isn't anything like you, could be far less useful than a haphazard, rambling, somewhat erroneous review, written by someone who could be your best friend.

[gizmo]

Thanks for your review. I found your ratings interesting. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

One comment that surprised me was about the selection on the buffet. Most people rate Hal's buffet selection very high.
What did you find missing that other lines have ?

[Roz]

Was this your first Alaskan cruise? If so, that may have contributed to some of your disappointment. Overall, Alaska tends to attract an older crowd. Because of the weather, there's no emphasis on "water related activities". Extra charges for some exercise classes and wine and champagne are pretty typical of the drinks served at the Captain's party, unless you're on a premium line (Crystal, Seabourn, etc.).

Sounds like you're already found other lines that suit your needs and tastes better.

Roz

[Lynne Myrna]

We have been on many cruises, including Disney, Royal Caribbean, & Carnival. We have found everything almost perfect on the Noordam. The entertainment, the activities, ports of call, & the FOOD!!!!! all delicious, including the buffet, with everything anyone could want. This was our first cruise on HAL, we were not disappointed in the least, & we are going again....that's how happy we are. All I can say is "Different Strokes"....why don't you try going to the Caribbean on a Hal ship????? The excursions are awesome!!!!!

Lynne:)

[Copper10-8]

Hot tip: All reviews are subjective!:)

Thanks for taking the time effort to write a review, hikerk!

[twinkletoes4445]

Service Food Activities Staterooms

Holland America 3 3 1 5

4 3

Carnival 3 3 5 5




Thanks for taking the time to post this info. We've only been on two different cruise lines, Carnival and HAL.

This is just my opinion, but here's how I would rate the two.

Service-Food-Activites-Stateroom

Hal 5 5 4 5

Carnival 3+ 3+ 4 2

IMO, there's no comparison between HAL and Carnival. HAL totally beat Carnival hands-down on everything, as far as we're concerned. The service on HAL was just amazing.

We were on the Triumph for our Carnival cruise, and we had a wonderful time. Our cabin had a balcony, but it didn't hold a candle to the HAL cabin. I remember the bed on the Triumph was awful, but they may have changed this since this was several years ago. If we were on a newer ship, I probably wouldn't have rated it so low.

We certainly enjoyed both cruises, but they were totally different experiences. :)

As Copper pointed out...these things are certainly very subjective.

[TomJones]

My family and i have cruised on several lines but i believe its down to your own personal experiences and what you like. Everyone is different and enjoy different things.. some people like to get out there and explore where as some people like to stay on the ship.. some people go for the ship alone which is great as its like a home from home where as others choose for itinery alone.

[Jade13]

Thanks for your review. I found your ratings interesting. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

One comment that surprised me was about the selection on the buffet. Most people rate Hal's buffet selection very high.
What did you find missing that other lines have ?

Gizmo, my Dh is a Chef and we would rate the buffet good, not great. We only went for 3 lunches, but after trying a few things went to get a hamburger. The Bread Pudding was very good and I tried it once after reading about it on CC.

[hikerk]

This is my 3rd time to Alaska and 2nd time to do it on a cruise.

The scenery was great but I stood away from most of the excursions because all excursions (except to the Mendenhall Glacier) are very expensive and when you multiply it by 4 people it just does not make sense to me.

Yes I agree the rating system is based on my own impressions. And I would definitely rate both Celebrity and Princess as more of a premium cruise then Holland America. It is possible that things changed over the years since I went on those cruise ships. And in addition ever since cruise lines started using automatic tipping the service has definitely gone down especially in the dining rooms.

I agree the service on Carnival was not anything special either but try going on a cruise such as Celebrity and you will definitely see the difference.

[MSammy]

I have to say that I'm surprised by Hi's ranking of Carnival and Hal's staterooms. Having cruised on both lines I can only say that, from my viewpoint, there is no comparison. Hal wins hands down. Actually, on almost all aspects, Hal wins. I agree with poster who said it better than me; gotta look at the reviewer.

[OceanFantasys]

HAL 5 5 3 5
Princess 4 4 5 3
Rccl 4 3 5 4
Carninal N/A

[camrosegirl]

Have been 1 time on Celebrity,3 times on Princess and 16 times on HAL. We all have things that are important to us--thought food and service good on Princess,but we could never find seats in the theater, some lounges like Piano Bar and sometimes at pool if you can believe it. Quality of towels and robes poor.None of these problems on HAL. I prefer the Phillipino,Indonesian servers over the Eastern Europeans of the other lines.
Celebrity was probably my favourite, but tends to cost more than HAL so HAL is my cruiseline of choice.

[HAL92]

Service Food Activities Staterooms

Holland America 3 3 1 5

Carnival 3 3 5 5



OK, I really can't see how you give Carnival the same rating as HAL on service, food, and staterooms. I agree that for the most part HAL is lacking in activities (which I don't really want to do on a cruise ship anyways....I go on a cruise for the ports of call and the ship, I don't really participate in arranged activities on board), but in those other categories I'm going to have to strongly disagree with you. I've been on many cruise lines including Carnival, and when comparing the two, HAL beats out Carnival in service, food, and staterooms. Carnival's staterooms would get a 2 from me.....and so would the food and service, while HAL would get 4's in both those categories. Also, the activities aren't a "1", but more like a 3. If you're looking to party with college students on spring break and get drunk, then you're right HAL has no activities. Also, you may have noticed more of a "dull crowd" or "older crowd" than average depending on what sailing you went on. I can tell you that the Statendam is less "exciting" with a higher average age than most other HAL ships.....also if you went on a route or sailing that caters more to older passengers, you may have judged the entire cruise line by one cruise and one ship.

It's your opinion though.....I would never give Carnival such high ratings or HAL such low ratings.....but it all depends on what you're looking for. If you want to party or have small children, then you're right HAL is not for you.

[cathy_kearns]

I love that review, and I love how the original poster explained his criteria. For instance, on comparing staterooms he was comparing inside quads on all the lines. I found it very helpful.

In that light, I'll give you my reviews on my paltry number of sailings, 3 on HAL, one on Disney, one on Carnival, one on Regent. I'm claustrophobic, and need large balcony suites. Though I'm in my 40s, I tend to be in bed by 11pm, so I'm not sure if there are wild parties going on late into the evening. I'm more interested in ports than I am in ship amenities, and I tend to pick itineraries with as few sea days as possible. That said:

Service Food Activities* Staterooms
HAL 4 4 4 5
Carnival 3 3 2 2
Regent 5 5 1 4
Disney 5 4 5 5

(Note: My activities rating is pretty much limited to shows. I don't dance in the lounges, or listen to trios in bars, or play bingo, or gamble, participate in or watch contests, so I'm not rating those types of things. I understand those things are extremely important to most cruisers. If they are important to you, totally disregard my activity ratings.)