Any HAL cruisers defected to NCL?

Our last 4 cruises have been on HAL, but the last one on the Noordam wasn't great.

The food & service in the MDR were terrible, and the entertainment wasn't very good.

We are considering trying a large balcony cabin on the Epic, with the Ultimate Dining Package.

We know there aren't any formal nights on NCL, and that doesn't bother us. The inside of the cabin seems a bit smaller, but I think we can live with that.

Having never tried such a a large ship as the Epic, I think it might be interesting to have all the different dining venues, and more shows on offer. (we did sail NCL once before, but it was 10 years ago, on a smaller ship)

If anyone has tried both lines, I would love to hear your views. Thanks

We've also given up on HAL, and for the same reasons. On our last HAL cruise, the lunch buffet was pretty much the same each day and we had problems finding something we wanted to eat. We've spent a week on Epic, and enjoyed it very much. We just booked a January cruise on Getaway.

You'll encounter a substantially younger demographic, but not as young as CCL or RCL. The vibe will be livelier than HAL, but more subdued than CCL or RCL. I can't speak to the Epic, but have sailed the Dawn, Sun, Pearl and Breakaway. I find there is a whimsical flair on NCL that is unique to the brand. HAL seems steeped in tradition whereas NCL seems to defy it. I have no issue enjoying either.

We enjoy both lines, but have come to expect different things from each. From HAL we have fantastic and interesting itineraries with elegant ships and fairly large staterooms. From NCL we enjoy (love) their suite life. We are going on an NCL cruise in two weeks just to have a relaxing and fun vacation. We travel more on HAL when we explore the world.

We have lovely service aboard both ships, but the treatment of the suite passengers by NCL is outstanding!

You'll encounter a substantially younger demographic' date=' but not as young as CCL or RCL. The vibe will be livelier than HAL, but more subdued than CCL or RCL. I can't speak to the Epic, but have sailed the Dawn, Sun, Pearl and Breakaway. I find there is a whimsical flair on NCL that is unique to the brand. HAL seems steeped in tradition whereas NCL seems to defy it. I have no issue enjoying either.[/quote']

 

OP, don't be misled about the "vibe" on NCL. It is definitely livelier than both Hal and RCL, and definitely more classy than CCL. NCL has the best entertainment out there. Multiple things going on all over the ships up into the wee hours if you want. It will be difficult to fit it all in a week. There is definitely a whimsical flair, as the above poster said. NCL does not take themselves too seriously as some lines like HAL do.

 

Large Balcony cabin is a good choice. Be forewarned about the bath layout. It is unique to Epic, but it did not bother us much. Biggest and best SPA Thermal Suites area in the fleet. Might be worth buying a pass for if interested. NCL also has probably the biggest selection of specialty restaurants and they are all quite good, so be sure to take full advantage of the UDP.

You'll encounter a substantially younger demographic' date=' but not as young as CCL or RCL. The vibe will be livelier than HAL, but more subdued than CCL or RCL. I can't speak to the Epic, but have sailed the Dawn, Sun, Pearl and Breakaway. I find there is a whimsical flair on NCL that is unique to the brand. HAL seems steeped in tradition whereas NCL seems to defy it. I have no issue enjoying either.[/quote']

 

"Whimsical flair" - I'm going to use that if you don't mind - I love it!

We were on HAL Zuiderdam last April for the Panama Canal, in May will be on NCL Jade.

I was not impressed with the entertainment or food on HAL.

We are looking forward to the more casual experience on NCL, I know the mini suite room and balcony will be smaller, but we can live with that :)

CT

Instead of getting an inside book connecting studios. I loved the studios on the epic...this will give you more room and two bathrooms plus double the storage space. I got this idea from another poster on CC and after seeing my cabin I knew I'd do that with my dh if we didn't do a suite. The bed is a double. I would also get the dining package and not bother with the mdr. I was on a girlfriends cruise and that's what we did....studio and UDP and the other girls got the UBP. The studio lounge is very nice. I loved the vending machines in the lounge.

We cruised the Ryndam last fall and loved it. We loved the main dining room and disliked the one specialty restaurant...we were in a suite so perhaps our experience was different than yours.

Wanted to add that I also bought a spa pass for the sea days...was wonderful to sit in a lounger and watch the waves. The pool area on the epic was chaotic so I headed to the spa. I read about the passes here on cc...so many good ideas here. Read about the studio lounge...only those staying in studios can access it!

You caught us. We did enjoy HAL, particularly our NYE cruise. On HAL we were young and fun but time went on and the experience didn't keep pace. Our last HAL cruise we booked a suite and it was great, but I've had a lot more fun on NCL. There is so much to do, I can't get to it all. And my DH can relax while I hit the ropes course or the plunge slide. Everybody is happy.

We've booked our last four cruises on NCL and will probably book a 5th later this year.

Give it a try. You never know.

Misread your post...thought you we're booking an inside. The balconies on the Epic are really funky so go with connecting studios....you'll give up the balcony for the studio lounge.

Thanks for all the information, so far I haven't read anything that puts me off. I'm around 40, so the younger demographic is fine by me.

Granny DI - Thanks for the info on the studio, they do look great, but we plan to spend some time sitting on the large balcony :)

How is the embarkation/ disembarkation on such a large ship, will we have to wait for hours?

Also how is the Garden Café for lunch, crazy busy?

My first 4 cruises were HAL, they were awesome, after that that I've been team NCL all the way (7x)

Only because Im too young for HAL (41)

I'm making my first NCL trip at Christmas. I really like HAL but two things have become pet peeves. The first is no escargot! Crazy but I love my snails when cruising. I hope Norwegian serves them.

Second and most important is that I am unhappy that HAL has really seemed to cut down time in port. Leaving ports at three is just way to early, especially just to save fuel!

I also wanted to go to Tortola again and HAL does the Saint Maartin stop instead. I am looking forward to trying NCL and hope they take care of these minor, yet important to me, issues.

Thanks for all the information, so far I haven't read anything that puts me off. I'm around 40, so the younger demographic is fine by me.

 

Granny DI - Thanks for the info on the studio, they do look great, but we plan to spend some time sitting on the large balcony :)

 

How is the embarkation/ disembarkation on such a large ship, will we have to wait for hours?

 

Also how is the Garden Café for lunch, crazy busy?

When we were on Epic (early January), Garden Cafe was insanely busy at peak times. More often than not, we would have lunch at O'Sheehan's or MDR. Breakfast wasn't such an issue, since we are early risers, and we managed to beat the crowd.

Vicocala: For escargot on NCL you will have to go to the specialty resto

Le Bistro. $20 upcharge. Not served in the 2 main dining rooms.

The Gem does go to Tortola - but it is a short time and the dock

is still being built so you will have to tender in right now. Most folks really enjoyed the excursion to Virgin Gorda and the Baths.

I, too used to be a HAL regular but don't want to fly south & since I live near

NYC just hop on board the last 5 cruises. Plus, as previously stated,

their entertainment is fabulous & alot going on both day and night

along with a very friendly crew.

Vicocala: For escargot on NCL you will have to go to the specialty resto

Le Bistro. $20 upcharge. Not served in the 2 main dining rooms.

 

The Gem does go to Tortola - but it is a short time and the dock

is still being built so you will have to tender in right now. Most folks really enjoyed the excursion to Virgin Gorda and the Baths.

 

I, too used to be a HAL regular but don't want to fly south & since I live near

NYC just hop on board the last 5 cruises. Plus, as previously stated,

their entertainment is fabulous & alot going on both day and night

along with a very friendly crew.

Thanks for your reply. Neither HAL or RCI have had escargot the last three trips. I may end up going to Le Bistro.

I have been to The Baths once and enjoyed it which is why I would like to go back. Thanks again for your info!

We have just taken the plunge and booked the Epic from Barcelona in November.

It's a short flight for us, and it was a great deal including the UDP. It's a good opportunity for us to try something totally different, and see how it goes!

Thanks for all the comments

HAL is my favorite cruise line, but I sail mainly with NCL because they sail out of Boston (I hate to fly with a passion!) That being said, HAL is now sailing to Bermuda out of Boston, so I am thinking about trying it out next month. I just love the elegantness of HAL and the general "classic cruising" feel of the line. That being said, NCL does the suite life better!

Friends of ours who are smokers decided to give HAL a try and booked a Verandah room. They are in their mid-40's and said that the ship was very pretty but absolutely nothing to do at night besides a few small musical players. Said they'd try again in 30 years.

Edit: My bad, I misread the title. Our friends went NCL to HAL.

Friends of ours who are smokers decided to give HAL a try and booked a Verandah room. They are in their mid-40's and said that the ship was very pretty but absolutely nothing to do at night besides a few small musical players. Said they'd try again in 30 years.

 

Edit: My bad, I misread the title. Our friends went NCL to HAL.

That's still really interesting to hear, either way :)

There may not be as much to do at night on HAL as NCL, but the good thing is it is all adults. NCL has lounge parties, but every one I have ever attended was crawling with little kids. I don't want to socialize at night with little kids!

It has been years since we cruised HAL, so my views are probably outdated in some ways. Both lines are among our favorites. HAL has much larger cabins which is a huge plus for many of us and I think, overall much better food in the MDR with better selection. We didn't think much of the specialty dining room, think Le Bistro and others on NCL are better.

Entertainment: NCL wins hands down unless you are 90 years old

Service; similar, but different. NCL is more personable and friendly, HAL is great and more professional.

Casino: if you are interested; NCL far superior in every way.

Library: much better on HAL, they even have daily newspapers, just be prepared to see 1/2 the people in the library sleeping. Well, not half. LOl

Demographics: NCL is a mixture. As for age breakdown, a lot has to do with the length or the cruise and the itinerary, but overall, NCL is a much younger and more energetic crowd.

As our friends, who have sailed with us many times say: NCL is full of energy, HAL is too subdued.

Another little thing but meant something to us: the trivia on HAL was so competitive and serious it wasn't fun. NCL is always fun even for those of us who don't always do well.

I think, if you go knowing there will be a difference in many ways and can accept the less formal experience, with even a slightly different class of cruisers you will love NCL.

Thanks for all the information, so far I haven't read anything that puts me off. I'm around 40, so the younger demographic is fine by me.

 

Granny DI - Thanks for the info on the studio, they do look great, but we plan to spend some time sitting on the large balcony :)

 

How is the embarkation/ disembarkation on such a large ship, will we have to wait for hours?

 

Also how is the Garden Café for lunch, crazy busy?

Boarding usually begins around 11:30 and goes by group numbers based on when you checked in. It goes very quickly. We usually try to arrive at the pier around 10 or 10:30, so the wait is not so bad. If you arrive later, you may just walk right on after check in.

For Disembark, you choose the time you want to leave the ship and corresponding colored luggage tags. Or you can do Easy Walk Off as long as you can carry all your own luggage and be first off. We are usually not in a hurry, so have a leisurely breakfast and then leave when we are ready.

As far as the Buffet...shhh.. I am going to tell you a secret worth it's weight in gold. The specialty restaurant La Cucina is located directly below the buffet and is accessed by a set of stairs within the buffet. It is open as an overflow area for the buffet, but most passengers are not aware of this. Prepare your plate, locate the stairs and walk down to a lovely, very uncrowded room wrapped by forward windows looking out to sea. We had evey breakfast and lunch here. SHHHH.

Hubby and I like HAL.

We cruised once before on NCL because of the itinerary, and also because son and DIL were going with us. I didn't think they would like being the only cruisers under age 30 if we had cruised HAL.

That prior NCL trip was on one of the older ships. The cabin and balcony were tiny and worn-looking. Our next trip is the Epic, which should be a bit more modern.

The suites on HAL are not so outrageously priced as the Epic. We have cruised in HAL suites twice. We liked the suite lounge a lot.

We chose the Epic trip based on itinerary, again. I was hoping to try Princess, but didn't find a trip that worked for us.

Just my own experience/opinion, take it or leave it.