My husband and I are looking to take a 7 day cruise to the Western Caribbean in Dec. 07. I am torn between which cruise line to take for the itinerary we want. We have a choice of either NCL or HAL. HAL is more expensive, but I'm wondering if it is really worth the $$ to take this cruise instead of NCL?

Question:
Should we take NCL or HAL for a 12/07 Western Caribbean cruise?

Choices:
Yes
No

 

WinterCruising:

What NCL ship(s) are you considering and what ports of call interest you?

Western Caribbean will mostly take in Belize, Costa Maya Mexico, Jamacia, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Progresso Mexico, Playa De Carmen-(Cancun).

We are avid cruisers on NCL and may be able to answer a few questions as we have sailed the caribbean on NCL Jewel, NCL Dream, NCL Pearl. Also Grand Princess and Carnival.

Advise.

Hello WinterCruisin', and welcome to cruise-chat;
I'm sure we all have our favorites as far as lines, ships, itineraries, but it's hard to make a recommendation to somebody else without knowing anything about them; if you are mid-twenties and very active Holland America would not be a good match; if you are mid-seventies you might hate NCL.
It would help to know a little about you; or better yet, get together with a good travel agent that knows cruises and work through it with them.
Whatever you decide, have a wonderful cruise.

I am in my early 50's and my wife in her 40's and we have a 10 year old. We have only been on one NCL Cruise (Dawn) and for our money they should not be mentioned in the same post as HAL (7 cruises). I have never seen a cruise line have a rep for an older croud than HAL does. If you go off season (kids in school) all cruise lines will have an older crowd. When school is out, the HAL ships, especially the Vista class ships, are as vibrant and energized as any other cruise ship.

quote:

Originally posted by WinterCruisin':
My husband and I are looking to take a 7 day cruise to the Western Caribbean in Dec. 07. I am torn between which cruise line to take for the itinerary we want. We have a choice of either NCL or HAL. HAL is more expensive, but I'm wondering if it is really worth the $$ to take this cruise instead of NCL?

Hate to nit-pick but, "Should we take NCL or HAL ...?" is not a question that can be answered "yes" or "no"; although we know what you are getting at. And even more insteresting is that two people voted.

Well, after reconsidering, I can see where you could answer yes or no; you could say, yes, you should take NCL or HAl; or no, you should not take NCL or HAL; but I don't think that is what you are asking.

In the words of Emily Litella, "Never mind!"

Bagel or Muffin hmm. In the words of Edith Ann, (of laugh in) "and that's the truth, phrffggf!"

BTW FM don't look now but your tickers are showing.

I will vote for HAL. Simply because I prefer that line over NCL.Just my preferance of the two.

Chef Ken, the ticker problems seem to have been solved, so it was time to put 'em back up.

By the way, somebody asked about what time zone the tickers are set to--I believe it is GMT; I subtracted 8 hours from GMT to get PST and it worked out perfectly.

Yes sir, we are negative six GMT which makes perfect sense. CST soon to change to CDT, what's up with that so early?

I am excited for you about your Hawaii cruise as I see here you have just a few short weeks. Don't forget the Bermuda shorts, socks etc.

Back to the topic: NCL is more casual, and in fact no longer has assigned dining times & tables - they have pioneered Freestyle cruising, meaning you eat anytime you want, during dining hours. You can opt to share a table, or can ask for one just for yourselves. In either case, you end up waiting; you can make reservations, as you would at an onshore restaurant. They have a lot of alternate restaurants, some for an extra fee and others not.

HAL is more traditional, with assigned dining. Formal night is observed twice on a 7-night cruise. Decor and service are more unobtrusive, and the artwork tends toward antiques. (NCL does have formal nights, but you are totally free to participate or not.)

Perhaps that will help a little. If you have lots of questions, and really want to know which cruise line suits you best, you may want to work with a cruise-oriented travel agent on this. There are a lot of other subtle (and not so subtle) differences between cruise lines that they could help you with.

Thanks Karen, some of us find a groove and just go off in another direction. The well meaing individual who posted the question didn't ask for all the extras.

On the topic, I have cruised NCL and will not likely return. But I do see myself taking a HAL cruise one day even though I have not yet sailed her. My decisions are based on what I have read here on cruise chat.

Chef Ken,
I'm debating whether to storm the castle and take the thread back or just let it be.


(just kidding, Karen--we had that coming)

You might need Andre the giant and a wheelbarrow but "have fun storming the castle!" (Princess Bride)

HAL is more traditional, with assigned dining. Formal night is observed twice on a 7-night cruise. Decor and service are more unobtrusive, and the artwork tends toward antiques. (NCL does have formal nights, but you are totally free to participate or not.)



This is my opinion but:

I have been on 7 HAL cruises 4 on the Vista class ships and have not once dressed formally. No one blocks the door if you choose to go to the dining room. HAL ships receive too much unfair press about being an older formal type of cruise. For all cruises, it depends on what time of year you go. On the kids off from school or not? When school is out, HAL ships are as much fun and dynamic as any ship I have been on. When one goes off season, ages on all ships will rise.
I have only been on one NCL ship (Dawn) and it will be my last. The service was downright terrible. I don't like free style dining. I believe you get better service if you get the same waiters knowing what you like each evening. They are working hard knowing their tips at the end of the week will depend on how well they served you.

Ark ;I agree very well said....Tom