Holland America Line Vs. Carnival Cruises?

Question

I admit it (as some have mailed me asking...) I work for Holland America Line (HAL) as a Deck Officer.

Although we are all part of the same organisation, Carnival Corp, I have to admit, those of us that work on HAL ships often 'look down' on our Carnival Cruises collegues as our...erm.. poorer cousins.

But the thing is, other than lending some much needed spare navigation equipment to a Carnival vessel one day, ive never actually been around their ships.

For those that have sailed with both Companies a question - we in HAL think we provide a more professional, initmate if not exclusive service than Carnival, but the thing is, do we have a right to think that? Are we any different/better?, or have we too been sucked into the mass market, cost saving, few frills cruising that has made Carnival so popular with the masses?

Answer 1

Carnival all the way.  I have cruised with them twice, and have had a great time every time.  The food was always great, the activites were well planned and enjoyable.  I don't care what anyone says, I will not go anywhere else.  And to be totally honest, I am really getting tired of reading everywhere that Carnival is not good by people who self-admittedly have never even been on a Carnival cruise.  They offer expert advice about something they have no knowledge about.  I have actually stopped reading cruise ship reviews at several sites because of this very reason.  I have never been on an RCCL cruise, so I don't tell people they are not good.  I truly believe it is the pinnacle of arrogancy for someone to down a company that they have never even dealt with based on second hand information.

Answer 2

I have been on a lot of Carnival cruises and also Holland America.  On the Carnival cruises, since they're typically less expensive, I have noticed tons more children.  That is OK if you like a lot of kids and teenagers running around everywhere and don't mind the noise.  On Holland America, we noticed that the average age is much older, (less children, even though, of course there are still children on board.)  The Holland America ships are not as large as some of the larger Carnival ships and this can be a "two-edged sword".  The amenities on the larger ships are more extensive and naturally the larger ships are usually the newer ships and it's always nice to be on a newer ship.  The food has improved dramatically on Carnival so I wouldn't rate either cruise line as better in regards to the food.  

What I would suggest is getting a book from both cruise lines and compare the ships and amenities offered, as well as the price.  For me, I like the Holland America cruises better when it comes to the fact that there are less children running and screaming but other than that, I prefer the Carnival ships for the amenities.  Either way, you'll have a wonderful time!

Answer 3

I have been on Carnival and Have heard all the stories as it being a party ship and full of children, the party ship days have been long gone from what I can tell seeing if you are 20 or under you need to be with someone 25 that is standard I know but dose discourage partier, as for the children that may be more timing we Cruise between Sept and Dec and there are only a few children and the only reason we see them is because 2 of them (one a teen) are ours. we home school so we make our on time to go and it is when the others are in school.

I have found that the service is very good, I can not go to my state room and come back and I know it has been clean again, as they tease that the room stewards live under the beds, with as quick as they are you do have to wonder.

and the dinning room is no less attentive it is not long before they can have what we want before we ask like cappuccino every night, or in the interacting with us to make the hole thing great, my sons still talk about our servers

So pick what you want but please don't judge by the past other wise no one would ever be going on Cunard, after all they owned the Titanic ;)

Answer 4

I have been on many cruises but never on either of these two.  Chances are I will do a Holland America cruise one day, when I find the right itinerary and price.  Chances are also I will NEVER do a Carnival cruise.  

The first cruise that I booked back in the late 1980's I was told by a travel agent that Carnival is the cruise line for young folks (20's), first timers and folks looking for a budget cruise.  Nothing has changed since then in information I have seen and heard that changes that.  

On the other hand I have heard that Holland America is a great line with great ships and service but it caters primarily to older folks (like those my age and older (63)).  Last year we went on a cruise out of Boston and some folks were on our shuttle to the pier who were going on HA and they were joking that they wanted/needed to know if anyone was a MD because they would probably need one before the cruise was over.

So in my mind HAL is a better ship for service and accommodations.  Whether that is true I will just have to wait and find out when I go on a HAL cruise.

Answer 5

if your still young and loveto party carnival is the way but a classier trip more spoiling ect. is holland i cruse as much as we can 2 times a year or more and they both hve there pluses food on holland a lil better not so much youd notice people are a lil stooty on holland. carnival is a floting party and is for the younger drinkers.