QM2 or Noordam?

[Circusboy354]

Hi

 

We are looking at two different cruises both around the same price point. Either 10 nights on the QM2 or 20 nights on HAL's Noordam.

 

We will be travelling with our baby, who will be two and a half in November (this will be his third cruise), will either have a Q5 on QM2 or SA, SB or SC on Noordam, we are cabin rats and with James we need the extra space.

 

This will be our fourth cruise, three on Celebrity one on Princess. We enjoy traditional dining and formal nights, the main reason we left Celebrity was the formal nights were not really being enforced.

 

If we go with QM2 there are nannies to look after James at times, if we go with Noordam it says on the HAL website they can organise a babysitter, does anyone have any experience of this?

 

I would love some tips from people who have sailed both QM2 and HAL.

 

Thanks

 

 

Mark.

[fann1sh]

Formal dress will be enforced on QM2, especially in Queen's Grill. Like Celebrity, HAL is no longer enforcing the code. I've found compliance still good, although dropping.

 

The babysitting in cabin for HAL is courtesy of the lovely "front desk" female employees. They do this voluntarily, after regular desk hours - HAL doesn't force them to do this. If you choose HAL, have the Neptune Lounge concierge ask about babysitting as soon as you board. It may make you uneasy to book, not knowing exactly the amount of babysitting time available, but those who've used this service have reported (on the HAL board here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=171) it working well.

 

You will find the cabin size of the Q5 and the SC/SB/SA very similar, as well as amenities. Noordam won't have butler packing/unpacking. It will offer priority disembarkation and tender, as well as in cabin DVD, which you won't get in Q5.