Why I Should Pay More to Cruise on Holland America vs Princess

[wdrl]

We have a dear friend that only cruises on Holland America's World Cruises or one's that are over 30 days in length. Years ago she switched to Holland when Royal and Royal Viking went caput because of the male "hosts" that HAL furnished as she loves to dance to big band music. Yes, she's elderly, but so what. She's still fun to be around. We met her on our first cruise which we thought would be our one and only cruise of a lifetime! We have since found that cruising can be affordable and the way to vacation.

 

However, whenever we consider booking with HAL to join her on a segment we find the cost is double what a fairly similar itinerary would be on Princess. We're past passengers on both lines. So our question is why should we pay more? What is it about HAL that's worth so much? It would mean cruising only every few years versus every 18 months.

[Stevesan]

However, whenever we consider booking with HAL to join her on a segment we find the cost is double what a fairly similar itinerary would be on Princess. We're past passengers on both lines. So our question is why should we pay more? What is it about HAL that's worth so much? It would mean cruising only every few years versus every 18 months.

 

There are subtle differences between HAL and Princess - none worth $2X$!!:eek:

[Tricia724]

If you can find a similar itinerary on Princess, and you have enjoyed your cruises with them, by all means take advantage of the savings.

 

You're a Mariner.....so you know what HAL is all about. I understand your dilemma since you'd like to join your friend, but if you spend a lot more money to sail HAL.....to the extent that it will impact your vacations for the next couple of years.....I don't think there would be anything HAL could do to justify the extra expense in your eyes.

 

We paid a premium price to join some friends and family on another cruiseline last year, and every time something came up that annoyed us, we grumbled about it. It was only a one-week cruise, and the difference was only a couple of hundred dollars per person, but it was the mindset we had about making a concession that we wouldn't ordinarily have made.

 

If the added expense is a hardship, I don't really think you would enjoy the cruise.

[agabbymama]

I have found just the opposite. I compared HAL and Princess and Celebrity for my New England/Canada cruise and Princess was more than Holland, Holland more than Celebrity. SO I selected Celebrity. It wasn't by much, like $200 each, but Princess was still the most expensive.

 

Then I started looking at cruisetours to Alaska next year, and Princess was almost double HAL. The Princess tour was 3 days longer, and you cruise a full seven days versus only 3 days cruise on HAL, but the overall sticker price was $2700 for HAL for an 11 day cruisetour and $4500 for Princess for a 14 day cruisetour. If you do totals Princess comes in at $321 per person, per day. HAL at $245 per person per day. Same category balcony cabin. I opted for HAL not only because of cost, but because they do the Yukon more extensively than Princess. Princess land tour went to Dawson City, but then turned back to Anchorage, whereas HAL we debark in Skagway and take the old Gold Route up to Whitehorse, Dawson City then over to Fairbanks, Denali and Anchorage. The old Yukon gold route was a more appealing itinerary to me. Combining the Yukon and Alaska was just what I was looking for.

 

You have to look at the overall cruise/cruisetour. Make a list of what you want to see and do, check with cruiselines that do most of what you want to do, compare prices (if that's an issue for you, as it is for me) then make your choice accordingly. I'm not tied to any particular cruiseline. I've sailed most of the mass market lines, and don't really have a favorite (although the chimes to announce dinner reminds me of old cruise liners) and the little deck guys in their uniforms and the wooden deck loungers. The ambiance on HAL is very reminiscent of a bygone era, at least to me.

Really makes me feel special/privileged to be traveling in such elegance.

 

Only you can decide if it's right for you. If Princess fits with more of what you want to do/look for in a cruiseline, then that's where you should spend your money.:p

[Tinknock50]

I don't think I would pay a lot more for one or the other. There are things to like about Princess and other things that are better on HAL.

 

Price is always a big consideration with me as far as choices. My personal experience when checking prices on Alaska this year was balcony cabins have been lowest on Princess.....outright bargains really.

 

Be sure to check a lot of different agents......sometimes you will see a big difference in prices between them.

[tjcox9]

HAL has much better coffee than Princess and still has specialty coffees free with dinner. I understand that to get even brewed coffee on Princess now rather than the syrup stuff, one pays extra.

 

The free ice cream on HAL is another item which HAL has that Princess does not.

 

Now, these are insignificant to many, but quite important to others.

 

Cabin size is also generally larger on HAL I believe. I've only been on one Princess cruise (one booked now also) and found the storage and cabin size on comparable cabin to be less.

 

Just my observations for what they're worth.

[happycat Bainbridge Is]

I agree that if you feel you've overpaid or stretched beyond what's comfortable for you, it will likely spoil your vacation. I'd rather be able to get a frou-frou drink, drop a few bucks into the slots and buy trinkets in port without worrying about the money - and I'd hate to have to feel like I couldn't afford this or that because I paid so much for the base fare.

 

That having been said - I just got a wickedly good deal on a 10 day HAL sailing by calling an online travel agency that specializes in cruises. It was $500 to over $1000 cheaper for the two of us than the best rates I saw posted elsewhere, and it included trip insurance and a couple of perks like wine and a comp at the specialty restaurant. Email me if you want details.

 

So maybe you can find a rate that feels like a good deal to you (HAL is wrapping up a 3 day sale today). I was a little leary of calling, thinking I'd get a push or the price would be for the "brig" :D but they couldn't have been nicer and I got a great cabin.

 

I personally like Princess a lot, and I think they deliver a great value, so if you can't get a good deal with HAL, maybe your friend would like to try being a "princess" for one trip?

 

Bottom line though, don't strain to pay more than you feel you can comfortably afford and then spend your whole vacation feeling stressed about money - that's no way to relax!

 

Good luck!

[Bramcruiser]

It all depends on what you are looking for out of a cruise experience. There's nothing wrong with Princess but given a choice I'd likely save up the money and take fewer cruises on HAL. Then again, I'm not likely to do long cruises due to still being in the workforce but I'd probably keep HAL at the top of my list when looking at a cruise as the classy experience on a HAL ship speaks volumes to me.

[Bramcruiser]

IBottom line though, don't strain to pay more than you feel you can comfortably afford and then spend your whole vacation feeling stressed about money - that's no way to relax!

 

Good luck!

 

Very good point! As much as I stressed I'd save up the funds for HAL I don't believe in having funding a vacation being a reason for grief. Its important to have fun within your limits and not try to impress others.

 

I certainly would forgo HAL if the price differential on similar cruises is just too large to ignore. I'd be willing to pay more for HAL but there is a point where the difference crosses over to the crazy side.

[hammybee]

I am thinking that the difference may be attributed to it being a segment of a HAL world cruise versus a similar, but not world cruise, Princess intinerary. World cruise segments seem to be priced at a premium to other cruises and they seem to sell out, regardless. Given that HAL will be operating, I think, two world cruises in 2007, demonstrates demand for the product and without doubt, they will both probably sell out.

 

The other factor associated with pricing might be that you are comparing a smaller HAL ship to a massive Princess ship and the economies of scale enable Princess to provide a better price but not necessary value, dependeding upon what you want from a cruise.

 

Other than the World Cruise thing, I think most HAL and Princess sailings are quite competitive, when comparing apples to apples.

 

I hope some posters with World Cruise and/ or segment experience will share their perceptions.

[newmexicoNita]

Being a lowly retired person on a fixed or rather broken income and a part time TA I look for value. I really am not convinced any of the mass marketed lines or even the primium lines like Celebrity and HAL are worth the difference if you are talking big bucks. With us, first is itinerary and second price. Even some itineraries are out of the price we are comfortable paying. We dicide where we want to go, usually have 2 ideas in mind and I start the work. We did choose HAL over Princess for our upcoming cruise. They both did the canal, Princess was a little less expensive but didn't offer even one alternative dining option and getting to the embarkation city was going to be a bit pain in the #SS. The price difference really was only about $100 per person. NMNita

[wdrl]

IOther than the World Cruise thing, I think most HAL and Princess sailings are quite competitive, when comparing apples to apples.

 

I hope some posters with World Cruise and/ or segment experience will share their perceptions.

 

Thanks for the great posts. I too would really like to hear from a poster with World Cruise experience. Maybe that type of cruise really makes the difference. I do remember that the staff were really thoughtful and nice. Nothing artificial in how they treated you but not intrusive either.

 

We already use a fabulous cruise specialist who's discounted fares are phenomenal so we're comparing his prices with various lines. We've also used a couple of other cruise discounters and always go back to our favorite TA.

[herb]

I suppose I'm one of the lucky ones. Our upcoming HAL cruise is the cheapest cruise we've ever booked to date. :D

[FLACRUISER99]

I have sailed on all 3 Lines Princess, HAL and Celebrity and have had great deals on all of them I would go for the best price itinerary Combo.

[Atomica]

It all depends on where your going and when you book.

 

My Oosterdam cruise to Mexico this year was cheaper than - get ready - Carnival. Now, that was only by about $50, but still. I managed to book when HAL was having a sale, and it paid off.

 

I've noticed that if a sailing is very unique (as most longer voyages are), they can command a higher price because no other line offers something similar. But if it's say, a cruise to Mexico, and every ship from each line stops at the same three ports, then you have to ask yourself wether the extra cost is worth it to you.

[boards]

Hal inside cabins are bigger than Princess, NCL and RCCL.

[kryos]

However, whenever we consider booking with HAL to join her on a segment we find the cost is double what a fairly similar itinerary would be on Princess. We're past passengers on both lines. So our question is why should we pay more? What is it about HAL that's worth so much? It would mean cruising only every few years versus every 18 months.

Perhaps you shouldn't pay more. If the difference in price is that great, personally, I would opt to do the itinerary on Princess. They're not a bad cruise line ... just not quite up to HAL's standards. But, are you willing to pay double for the HAL touches. To be honest ... as much as I love HAL, I don't think I would be willing to pay that much more for the same itinerary just to sail HAL.

 

Just do a cost comparison ... then do a benefits analysis. Is it worth it to you to pay the increased cost to sail HAL or not? Use the numbers as your guide.

 

For what it's worth, there are some great advantages to Princess. I've sailed them twice and had a great time on both cruises. It's just that given a similar price, I feel more comfortable on HAL. I like the onboard ambience and the quality of food in the dining room better ... as well as the Pinnacle Grill. I also don't care for Princess' Horizon Court Buffet. They can't hold a candle to HAL's Lido, in my opinion.

 

But if the price was really much higher for the same itinerary on HAL, I would probably opt for Princess myself. You just have to decide how much more you are willing to pay for the better quality of some food items. Personally, double would be a bit over the top for me.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Aussie Gal]

We sail on both HAL and Princess. We are about to do a 34 day cruise on HAL but after that we have two more cruise which are booked on Princess.

 

There are some subtle differences between the two lines and I think that perhaps HAL does provide a slightly more upscale experience but not enough to warrant a huge price difference between the same itineraries.

 

We book for the itinerary and if one comes up that we like, we go ahead and do it.

 

Jennie

[KAYEF]

We were shocked when we entered our cabin on Princess after our HAL cruise..............and NCL was only 142 sq. ft.

There's a BIG difference in cabin size.............and bathroom size and amenities.

[Aussie Gal]

We were shocked when we entered our cabin on Princess after our HAL cruise..............and NCL was only 142 sq. ft.

There's a BIG difference in cabin size.............and bathroom size and amenities.

 

brought up a good point. HAL does have the larger cabins of most of its immediate competitors. If we sail on another line, we always make sure that the cabin we book is at least the same size or bigger than a HAL cabin. If we are booking Princess, we usually get a mini suite so that do get some extra perks as well as a good size cabin. :)

 

Jennie

[kborth]

I am sailing on Princess for the first time this September , have had alot of issues with their customer service and mistakes in invoicing this cruise and am considering HAL for an Alaskan cruise because the smaller ships can get closer to the glaciers and into ports easier. Is this true?

[gooselace]

Hal inside cabins are bigger than Princess, NCL and RCCL.

 

Yes, and that can make a big difference on a long cruise. I'm about to leave on a Princess cruise and to get space and amenities comparable to what I had on the Westerdam, I'm paying $800 more for a mini-suite. OTOH, the extra-cost restaurants on Princess don't sound as appealing as the Pinnacle, so I won't be spending there.