HAL vs NCL Alaska Cruise? (similar itineraries)

[Mobius]

Just the other night I booked the ms Westerdam (HAL) for mid-September. NCL was in the running as well, but both cost-wise and itinerary-wise, HAL won out (We wanted something that departed and returned to Seattle).

 

From what I have seen, HAL's biggest area of opportunity looks to be on the entertainment side of things (OK, but not the strongest either). But the food and service has been given rave reviews!

 

I am in my early 30's and traveling with my parents who are in their mid-to-late 60's as a part-delayed birthday gift/first family vacation in a long, long time. I don't think you need to worry about age of the people; seems like a good mix will be there.

 

We got a pretty good deal with ours - booked the signature suite and got $500 on board credit, $200 shore excursion credit, and 3 $50 dining credits that can be used at the signature restaurants (Pinnacle Grill here we come! :D)

 

Regardless, whichever one you choose, you will certainly have a blast!

Edited March 31, 2015 by Mobius

[Crew News]

Just the other night I booked the ms Westerdam (HAL) for mid-September. NCL was in the running as well, but both cost-wise and itinerary-wise, HAL won out (We wanted something that departed and returned to Seattle).

 

From what I have seen, HAL's biggest area of opportunity looks to be on the entertainment side of things (OK, but not the strongest either). But the food and service has been given rave reviews!

 

I am in my early 30's and traveling with my parents who are in their mid-to-late 60's as a part-delayed birthday gift/first family vacation in a long, long time. I don't think you need to worry about age of the people; seems like a good mix will be there.

 

We got a pretty good deal with ours - booked the signature suite and got $500 on board credit, $200 shore excursion credit, and 3 $50 dining credits that can be used at the signature restaurants (Pinnacle Grill here we come! :D)

 

Regardless, whichever one you choose, you will certainly have a blast!

 

Welcome to CC and HAL.

 

We were on the Westerdam last year to Alaska. Here are copies of our On Locations (daily activities) which should be similar to what you will experience this year:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/alaska-2014-westerdam-on-location-daily-activities/

 

To help in your planning, here are the current scanned Specialty Restaurant, Beverage, and Room Service (free 24/7) menus:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-regular-and-specialty-restaurants/

 

Here are the scanned menus we had last year in Alaska to give you an idea of what meals are being served:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-alaska-ms-westerdam-menus/

 

Hope I have given you a head start on your planning. Feel free to ask lots of questions.

[supatraveler]

Hi Mobius and Crew News,

 

I appreciate both of your responses!! I really appreciate the menus you've sent over.

 

I'm definitely leaning towards HAL. The only concern I have left is "Formal nights". What do we do on HAL if we don't want to dress formal, is our only option room service?

 

Mobius--If you don't mind me asking, who did you book through to get those deals? Was it HAL directly?

 

Crew New--your links are SO helpful. Was there any option on non formal nights? I'm sure i'll have some more questions once I continue my research.

 

Thank you both!

[Mobius]

Crew News - Thank you so much for the links! They are SUPER informative!

 

Supatraveler - I will send you a PM later tonight with that information and a couple of other things. We probably nearly drove ourselves crazy with researching, but are happy with the decision we made once we secured the room with the deposit. :)

[Budget Queen]

Hi Mobius and Crew News,

 

I appreciate both of your responses!! I really appreciate the menus you've sent over.

 

I'm definitely leaning towards HAL. The only concern I have left is "Formal nights". What do we do on HAL if we don't want to dress formal, is our only option room service?

 

Mobius--If you don't mind me asking, who did you book through to get those deals? Was it HAL directly?

 

Crew New--your links are SO helpful. Was there any option on non formal nights? I'm sure i'll have some more questions once I continue my research.

 

Thank you both!

 

There is a full buffet for dinner, every night.

[supatraveler]

Budget queen-->is that in response to the formal night question? Meaning you can go the buffet and not dress formally?

[Budget Queen]

Budget queen-->is that in response to the formal night question? Meaning you can go the buffet and not dress formally?

 

Yes, I haven't done formal nights, at least for the last 10 years. I do sometimes get "looks" as I'm walking about the ship, in my junk clothes on formal nights. Just of no interest to me. Cruise ships are for everyone now. :)

[Crew News]

Hi Mobius and Crew News,

 

I appreciate both of your responses!! I really appreciate the menus you've sent over.

 

Crew New--your links are SO helpful. Was there any option on non formal nights? I'm sure i'll have some more questions once I continue my research.

 

Thank you both!

 

Formal night is enforced only in the Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurants (except Canaletto). After dinner, many race back to their rooms to change into comfortable clothing while some remain in their formal attire. Both categories of clothing can be seen in the bars, show room, Shops and casino. I have never seen a tuxedo in the movie theater on Formal Night on any of my cruises.

 

Formal Night sans jacket/tie options are:

 

1. Order the same meal being served in the Main Dining to be delivered to your room by Room Service. You will need to order during the regular meal hours in the MDR. FWIW I order two lobster tails and skip the filet mignon on the second Formal Night. DW gets three orders of escargot with her meal. Eat on your verandah. Dress in your pajamas.

 

2. Room Service menu. Have dinner on your verandah. Dress in your pajamas.

 

3. Lido Restaurant which serves a similar menu as the MDR (sans lobster). Dress is casual.

 

4. Canaletto Restaurant ($10) in the corner of the Lido Restaurant. Dress casual.

 

5. Dive In by the indoor pool before they close at 6:30 PM. Dress in your bathing suit.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Crew News

[Mobius]

Hmmm... looks like I don't have the ability to send a PM. I guess it is one of those things that turns on after I reach a certain posting quota? Or I am being a complete dummy and missing it!

[supatraveler]

Mobius--I don't see a way to private message you either, so we're either both newbies or both dummies haha!

[Crew News]

Mobius--I don't see a way to private message you either, so we're either both newbies or both dummies haha!

 

There is no PM on CC even if you have been here since the beginning.

[beckslash]

Reading with interest as I'm also deciding between HAL and NCL for an Alaskan cruise. This thread has made me lean toward HAL but I too found a deal with NCL that includes the beverage package and I haven't found that with HAL.

 

We've only taken one cruise for our honeymoon 10 years ago so I'm just getting back into doing all the research again. A lot has changed!

 

Mobius - I'd be interested in where you found those deals too. We're looking at late August or September sailing right now.

[cruisevers]

As far as being worried about age on HAL don't be. All cruises will be about the same age range in Alaska. Our first trip we went on Carnival. Supposedly the party ship however it was not. There were all ages on board and by 11 pm it was dead! With early port visits and long days everyone was tired and resting up for the next days adventures.

 

I think Alaska breaks the rule for the type of cruisers on all lines.

[quercus alba]

We'll be doing this itinerary on NCL Pearl. We cruised on Pearl in the Caribbean and loved the ship, staff and the casual attitudes on NCL. Guess it just fits our style the best.

 

YMMV.

[BamaLady#13]

If you are still giving NCL any consideration, you might want to visit the Norwegian forum. Lots of controversy concerning the new fees they are imposing. In particular the $7.95 for each room service order. Bad news for parents that travel with little children, or adults that treasure that first cup of morning coffee while still dressed in their PJ's, or folks that just enjoy eating on their balcony. I just made my final payment to NCL. Wish I had known a week ago about the new fees. Princess or Hal would have gotten my business.

[supatraveler]

Oh wow, BamaLady#13, thank you for that insight. I think that seals the deal for us. HAL it is, as I know we're frequent users of room service breakfast.

 

I think we'll be booking by this weekend.

 

Mobius--since there is no PM on this board, is it possible to tell me here who you booked HAL through? Or maybe you could email me? I can be reached at caligal86 at gmail dot com.

 

Thanks!

[Budget Queen]

If you are still giving NCL any consideration, you might want to visit the Norwegian forum. Lots of controversy concerning the new fees they are imposing. In particular the $7.95 for each room service order. Bad news for parents that travel with little children, or adults that treasure that first cup of morning coffee while still dressed in their PJ's, or folks that just enjoy eating on their balcony. I just made my final payment to NCL. Wish I had known a week ago about the new fees. Princess or Hal would have gotten my business.

 

At this time you are giving wrong information with your post. The $7.95 fee is on the Breakaway, only, there is a $4.95 fee on the Getaway, only. This is a trial at this time.

 

I would instead suggest, that this be verified and watched and see what they end up doing. It is not on the Pearl at this time.

[nw gardener]

Have done the Pearl to AK and was planning to do a last minute this year again at the end of May but the price for balconies [yes, balcony snob :)] just keeps going up! HAL took another price drop yesterday so we have decided to try HAL, will save us almost $900 at today's prices which we can put back into excursions instead. Love NCL but the budget says try HAL, and the Westerdam seems to be a wonderful ship from everything I have gleaned off this website. Once you go to AK, you will want to go back again so try a different line next time!

[quercus alba]

At this time you are giving wrong information with your post. The $7.95 fee is on the Breakaway, only, there is a $4.95 fee on the Getaway, only. This is a trial at this time.

 

I would instead suggest, that this be verified and watched and see what they end up doing. It is not on the Pearl at this time.

 

This was posted on NCL board:

Just pulled this from the NCL website:

 

Is Norwegian Cruise Line now charging for room service?

 

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced an enhanced room service menu that is debuting on board Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway. The new menu offers an expanded selection for breakfast, in addition to a wider variety of options available 24 hours. Individual items on the menu remain available on a complimentary basis and a convenience charge of up to $7.95 will be added to each order placed (Room Service orders placed by guests sailing in Suites and The Haven will not attract a charge)*. Room service is one of up to 29 dining options offered across the fleet, and guests continue to be able to enjoy a wide array of complimentary choices onboard 24 hours a day.

 

*Prices subject to change.

[supatraveler]

NW Gardner--What dates are you looking at where the prices for the balconies went down? Im looking at the end of june dates, and the balconies I was looking at just went up..boo! Still planning on booking soon, but a bummer that they went up.

 

Mobius--Any chance you can shoot me an email re: who you book HAL through?

 

Thanks!

[Budget Queen]

NW Gardner--What dates are you looking at where the prices for the balconies went down? Im looking at the end of june dates, and the balconies I was looking at just went up..boo! Still planning on booking soon, but a bummer that they went up.

 

Mobius--Any chance you can shoot me an email re: who you book HAL through?

 

Thanks!

 

You can try a general discount cruise booking search. But many times, rates are similar no matter who you book with, unless they have blocked space, which at this point, most agencies would have turned back unsold space.

 

IF you are flexible, the late booking fire sales could still be on their way, sometimes they can be very close to departure dates. I've got my feelers out since that is how I book.

 

There also is a competing site that could also be used, and there is a booking site on this web site.

[nw gardener]

NW Gardner--What dates are you looking at where the prices for the balconies went down? Im looking at the end of june dates, and the balconies I was looking at just went up..boo! Still planning on booking soon, but a bummer that they went up.

 

Mobius--Any chance you can shoot me an email re: who you book HAL through?

 

Thanks!

I booked the May 30th cruise on the Westerdam, too early for price cuts in June I think, sales are harder to come by for AK cruises once school lets out, say middle of June through Labor Day - May/Sept are your best bet for price drops.

[StayingAfloat]

NCL is good. Never done HAL but you are on a cruise to Alaska. Time to get spoiled and with majestic views of Alaska.

[familycruzinnewbie]

How does HAL work for booking and getting a deal. I was just poking around and for 4 people in an inside room for 2016 it can be $350 per person. HAL is showing $1200 per person. A few years ago, I must had see a fire sale for 1 way sailings on HAL and they went very low. But they only had 2 person cabins available and airfare would be super high that close to sailing.

[Budget Queen]

How does HAL work for booking and getting a deal. I was just poking around and for 4 people in an inside room for 2016 it can be $350 per person. HAL is showing $1200 per person. A few years ago, I must had see a fire sale for 1 way sailings on HAL and they went very low. But they only had 2 person cabins available and airfare would be super high that close to sailing.

 

It's going to be supply and demand. :) But, in the past, HAL, did have 3/4 person free promotion.