Norweigan Cruise Line versus Holland America?

Question

My fiance and I are looking at doing a 7 day Alaska cruise for our honeymoon. We cruised Carnival (Elation) last August on the 5 day Baja Mexico trip, but were looking for something different this time around.

The two ships we're looking at are the Norwegian Pearl and Holland America's Westerdam. Has anyone cruised either of these lines? What was your experience? Where were there additional (and generally unmentioned) costs? Which would you cruise again, and why?

We had a great time with Carnival (we went with the kids on that one), but are looking for something a bit more "upscale" than the Elation was.

Answer 1

My wife and I did the NCL "the dream" a few years agfo. We went to Estonia-Russia-Finland and a few other countries. The cruise was great. I like the freedom of eating meals whenever we wanted and wherever. The only thing I found annoying were the upscale people. We are both middle class hard working people. There were a few snobs on the ship. We avoided them and even laughed at them most of the time. I have never cruised carnaval but I heard it was very "kid friendly" so if you enjoy children running around bothering you during dinner then go for it.

Answer 2

I prefer Norwegian. Layout of the ships, crew etc. All the costs were included in fare. Of course your shopping, casino and anything bought on board and drinks are extra. I would always go with Norwegian for everything mentioned and they take you to the same places for less. Both lines do their best to make sure everyone is happy I just prefer to wear jeans. Which ever you choose Alaska is amazing. In Ketchikan go to Salmon Mall at end of pier-many shops & great prices.

Best Wishes on your Marriage.

Enjoy BOTH.

Answer 3

I'm doing the NCL Star to Alaska in June.   I like the freestyle concept for Alaska, though my only other cruise experience was Carnival.

Sign up at Cruisecritic.com and ask your question on the Alaska board & you will get all kinds of info on the 2 choices.

Answer 4

The Westerdam is more upscale than the Pearl which is on a par with the Elation.

I personally liked the Freestyle dining concept on NCL when you could eat whenever you wanted, the Westerdam has set meal times. The general age of the passengers on the Westerdam will be older and there will be less of a party all the time atmosphere.

The extra costs are about the same, alcohol, trips, spa and beauty treatments and speciality restaurants.

As it's your honeymoon and you are looking for something a bit upscale I would recommend the Westerdam.

Answer 5

Norwegian is similar to Carnival.  The Pearl is a newer ship than the Elation, but the atmosphere and the passengers on the Pearl will be similar to the atmosphere and the passengers on the Elation.  The big difference is the Pearl has no set dinner time.  Norwegian calls it Freestyle Dining.

Holland America is more upscale.  You will find the passengers older and less active than the passengers on the Elation.  If you wanted to rate the lines, Carnival and Norwegian would be three star lines while Holland American is a four star line.

Answer 6

Sailed the Westy in 2006.

Although the Pearl and Westy have the same length and beam, the Westy carries fewer pax. I believe the balcony cabins on the Westy have tubs in the bathrooms, a nice touch. Food was as good as I've had on any line and staff was exceptionally attentive.

The pax on HAL are generally older with fewer kids running around. Lots less merchandising than you'll find on other lines. Cheaper drinks but fewer drunks. Less of a party atmosphere than many lines. Lousy odds in the casino; several staff referred to it as the "donation center".  You will probably see several tuxes on formal nights. No dancing waiters. Cappuccinos in the dining room at dinner are complementary although you pay in the coffee shop. An extra charge in the specialty restaurant like most lines but the food is worth it. Scooped ice cream is served most afternoons in waffle cones at no extra charge but there is no free-flowing soft-serve.

Downside to HAL (if there is one) is "there's too many old folks on those dam ships".

FWIW, many ships (even Carnival's newer ones) are going to be more upscale than the Elation. Princess and Royal have younger pax and are noticeably more upscale but you are marketed ad nauseum and there are nuiscance charges for things that ought to be complementary.

Answer 7

HAL is definitely more upscale than both Carnival and NCL - several steps up.

Several people have praised NCL's freestyle dining and for some people, it has real advantages.  What hasn't been mentioned is the fact that HAL now offers BOTH traditional dining (early or late seating with assigned tables)  and open seating dining - the best of both worlds.

If you want to do something SPECIAL for a honeymoon - choose Holland America and enjoy exceptional service, more spacious ships, and gourmet dining.  HAL also has extraordinary land tours of Alaska that allow you to see more than just the coast.  If you are going to go that far, see what Alaska is all about.

Answer 8

HAL is definitely more upscale than NCL.  

FWIW, HAL is instituting "As You Wish" dining on all its ships now and is slated to be fleet-wide by the end of the summer.

Answer 9

It depends on what you are looking for.  The Pearl is a newer ship versus the Westerdam.  The service on the Pearl while not bad will not compare to the service on the Westersdam.  By the time you sail both ships will have the anytime dining.

The other major difference between the two lines is their target audience. The average passenger on HAL ships is probably a baby boomer to retired person.  So their activities are probably more tailored to that type of a crowd.  If that is not you and you want a bit more of an active cruise, I would pick the Pearl.

Answer 10

Go Holland, Norwegian is horrible.