HAL Veendam or Star Princess?

[cruisetina]

Want to go from RIO to Valparaiso (or Valparaiso to RIO) and not sure which line to choose. Normally we like bigger ships, because you dont feel the movinbg so much. But it seems HAL visit small channels while Princess is on the coastline. Is the correct? We want to see as much scenery as possible.

[Seacucumber]

We are also looking these 2 ships and ultimatly we may decide to go with Veendam. We want to go in Nov 2011 and HAL Veendam has a cruise Nov-6- Nov 22 from Val-Rio. Being a smaller ship, it also can go closer to the Glaciers around Galcier alley. CC also has a better review on this ship cruise.

[Hucklebee]

We've chosen this cruise for various reasons. Have you decided yet?

[royal65]

We just completed a Valparaiso to Rio cruise on the Star. We've cruised on the Veendam twice, but both were over 10 years ago. Neither ship is new -- I think the Veendam launched about 1996 and the Star 2002. But both are beautiful ships. HAL and Princess are very similair, cruised on the former 6 times and the latter 7. Used to prefer HAL, but now give Princess the edge, with the bigget difference, in my opinion, being the production shows better on Princess. Food on both has slipped from years past, perhaps the result of holding down fares.

 

We really enjoyed our recently completed Star cruise, including the itinerary. We took more ship shore excursions than usual (usually pre-hire a local guide or self-guide) and they were better than most. Whichever you choose, hope you enjoy.