Princess loyalists try HAL

[Susie51]

Thank you for your comparative review. You made some excellent points.

[whogo]

Thanks for the comparison, Ron. We are considering our first Princess cruise and I find this particularly helpful. I look at the indoor muster drill as a big plus for Princess, but taking life jackets a minus. If it comes to the point of needing a life jacket, there will be bigger problems than most cruisers can cope with anyway.

 

I also think that Holland America handles the 48 hour Norovirus prevention poorly, particularly concerning beverages in the Lido. Princess would be a nice change.

 

As for demographics, I remember what I consider to be a reliable report that HAL's average age was 58, Princess's 59. The itinerary we are considering will have much older passengers.

 

I will miss the $7/day unlimited laundry package that HAL offers and the wrap around promenade decks, but I can see I will be happy on Princess.

[erewhon]

It means if you consider the positives and negatives of each it comes out basically being a tie; there is no winner.

 

Thank you, something else I have learned from Cruise Critic:D

[wander]

Wonderful review - great comparisons and clear explanations for your "votes" and reasons behind them. Very fair and evenly presented. One of the clearest and objective comparisons I have read on CC. Thank you.

 

I did chuckle over your comment on the Life Jackets though. While I could argue for each approach (wear them, do not wear them) HAL always required wearing your lifejacket to the Muster Drill, UNTIL a 1 year or so ago. So, for at least 40 years, HAL was in the "21st Century" as you term it. A move backward or a move to the 22nd century? I am NOT arguing with your point, just clearing up a bit of HAL history.

Edited June 17, 2014 by wander

[Viesczy]

Great comparison.

 

Both lines have their strengths and weaknesses and you've done a great job listing them!

 

Derek

[George C]

I found Princess ships a little too crowded so we switched to Hal about 5 years ago, then recently went back to RCCL. I am sure we will sail them all again sooner or later

[PetNanny]

Thanks for a great review.

[Topsham]

HAL room service is far superior to Princess.

 

New Sabatini's? Well..... that alone is a good reason to take a Princess cruise!

 

Tamarind on the Nw Amsterdam? Way to go!!!!!

[Montanagirlalways]

Didn't know about Le Cirque. We will be on the westerdam in a couple weeks. Will have to look at that. Great informative review about the ship.

[Topsham]

Didn't know about Le Cirque. We will be on the westerdam in a couple weeks. Will have to look at that. Great informative review about the ship.

 

 

Le Cirque is simply one special menu used for one evening in the Pinnacle Grill.

 

Le Circule is well worth the it... and try an extra night in Pinnacle as well!

 

 

Stephen

Edited June 18, 2014 by Topsham

[Montanagirlalways]

Le Cirque is simply one special menu used for one evening in the Pinnacle Grill.

 

Le Circule is well worth the it... and try an extra night in Pinnacle as well!

 

 

Stephen

 

 

Thank you Stephen, that is even more helpful!

[BJzink]

We did a cruise on the Ruby Princess 2 years ago, had most of the same opinions comparing the 2 lines, except the room service breakfast. This is a major enjoyment for us on HAL, so relaxing to just wear a robe and have a luxurious private breakfast either in the cabin, or if warm enough, out on the veranda. Unfortunately on the Princess ships, the only hot (warm) item is a sort of McMuffin. Everything else resembles a cheap motel breakfast. I will give Princess more points for the one time we had pizza for lunch - HAL's was pretty bad. But, we don't eat pizza every day, either.

[Topsham]

We did a cruise on the Ruby Princess 2 years ago, had most of the same opinions comparing the 2 lines, except the room service breakfast. This is a major enjoyment for us on HAL, so relaxing to just wear a robe and have a luxurious private breakfast either in the cabin, or if warm enough, out on the veranda. Unfortunately on the Princess ships, the only hot (warm) item is a sort of McMuffin. Everything else resembles a cheap motel breakfast. I will give Princess more points for the one time we had pizza for lunch - HAL's was pretty bad. But, we don't eat pizza every day, either.

 

 

On Princess they want to charge something like $3.00 charge for room service... even a cup of coffee!!! Trying it on, but like everything get catches on sooner or later.

[CowPrincess]

Thanks so much for the review and comparison, much appreciated.

[sppunk]

On Princess they want to charge something like $3.00 charge for room service... even a cup of coffee!!! Trying it on, but like everything get catches on sooner or later.

 

Princess immediately stopped charging for room service after a one-week trial on Regal.

[Topsham]

Princess immediately stopped charging for room service after a one-week trial on Regal.

 

 

 

Correct. But will come back it until there has been some warning to passengers first.

[cruise47]

Thanks for sharing your observation of the two cruise lines.

[windsor26]

Thank you for your informative and fair comparison Very helpful to me (an Elite Princess cruiser) who is taking the first HAL cruise in December

I just wonder what the take on wine rules for HAL are and I do hope that you are correct in the entertainment being better

Princess for the last 6 cruises for me has had extremely under average entertainment They seem to get 'entertainers' well past their sell by date which is a shame.

Also on HAL is the casino always a smoking venue? Princess have a no smoking night when it is formal night

[windsor26]

I just wonder what the take on wine rules for HAL are and I do hope that you are correct in the entertainment being better

Princess for the last 6 cruises for me has had extremely under average entertainment They seem to get 'entertainers' well past their sell by date which is a shame.

Also on HAL is the casino always a smoking venue? Princess have a no smoking night when it is formal night[

[65 Gator]

I just wonder what the take on wine rules for HAL are and I do hope that you are correct in the entertainment being better

Princess for the last 6 cruises for me has had extremely under average entertainment They seem to get 'entertainers' well past their sell by date which is a shame.

Also on HAL is the casino always a smoking venue? Princess have a no smoking night when it is formal night[

 

Each passenger can take a 750 ml bottle of wine aboard at embarkation without corkage charge.

 

Unfortunately, no non-smoking nights in Casino.

 

Smoking is a real problem on HAL but we continue to cruise with her...

[sunsetbeachgal]

I just wonder what the take on wine rules for HAL are and I do hope that you are correct in the entertainment being better

Princess for the last 6 cruises for me has had extremely under average entertainment They seem to get 'entertainers' well past their sell by date which is a shame.

Also on HAL is the casino always a smoking venue? Princess have a no smoking night when it is formal night[

 

I found the entertainment in HAL to be below what we have experienced on Princess. The only exception was the BB King Blues Club, but I am not sure if they continue to offer that.