Cruise Talk: Holland America vs. Princess

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Cunard’s newest ship Queen Anne set sail for her homeport of Southampton after officially joining the luxury cruise line’s iconic fleet. Cunard took ownership of their stunning 3,000-guest ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice on Friday (19 April). Crowds joined together at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard to wave an emotional goodbye...

Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line solidified its position as the leading cruise line in California on Wednesday as it christened its newest ship, Carnival Firenze, at its new home, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal. Hollywood actor Jonathan Bennett served as the ship's godfather, and he and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy celebrated all things Italian with the help...

Latest News...Royal Caribbean Group last week reported first quarter Earnings per Share ("EPS") of $1.35 and Adjusted EPS of $1.77. These results were better than the company's guidance due to stronger pricing on close-in demand, strength in onboard revenue and favorable timing of expenses. As a result of an exceptional WAVE season and continued strength in demand, Royal Caribbean Group said that it is...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Holland America vs. Princess - Alaska Cruise

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Holland America vs. Princess - Alaska Cruise

kbk
Just Boarded
Member # 641

posted 02-03-1999 10:52 PM

My parents are going on their first cruise - destination: Alaska. They are undecided on which cruise line - Princess or Holland America. It would be the Crown Princess or Sun Princess on the Princess line and the Statendam on Holland America. Any info on these ships or cruise lines which would help insure that their first cruise is fantastic would be greatly appreciated!

Posts: 2 | From: The Woodlands, Texas, USA | Registered: Feb 99

DCera
Just Boarded
Member # 106

posted 02-11-1999 05:05 PM

I didn't actually get to cruise with HAL or Princess to Alaska because the Princess ship we were scheduled to travel on hit a rock, was severely damaged, and our trip was cancelled. We ended up going to Anchorage on a wonderful, now retired, Cunard ship and then we went to Denali on our own and down the Kenai penninsula to the Princess lodge and stayed there for a few days. The Princess Lodge sits next to a river and has rustic looking yet almost new cabins surrounding it. Everything about our stay was top notch and made me want to travel with Princess again. (We did eventually do the Baltic on the Royal Princess - Great trip!)I don't really think you could lose with either of these lines as they are the ones that really specialize in Alaska.

Posts: 8 | From: Poolesville, MD, U.S. | Registered: Feb 99

Guylaine
Just Boarded
Member # 175

posted 03-16-1999 03:46 PM

Holland America. Absolutely the best in Alaska. I sailed on the Maasdam last summer with my parents for their 50th Anniversary. Can't find one thing wrong with this ship. The service is outstanding. For romantic evenings try the Explorer's lounge. If you can cruise only once in a lifetime make it Alaska. Princess ships have very little venues to watch the scenery unless you have a stateroom with balcony. Holland America ships have all around teak decks, and beautiful areas to stay indoors and see everything.(The Crows Nest.) For a romantic evening try the Explorers Lounge. The String quartet plays your request as you enter the room, the server knows you by name, brings you chocolate and strawberries with your favorite drink, and might prepare an origami surprise or other little attentions just for you. The Statendam is a sistership of the Maasdam and I am sure it's comparable. Have a good trip. Let us know what you picked.

the scenery unless you hastatefroom

Posts: 1 | From: Timmins, Ont. Canada | Registered: Mar 99

Jo Ann Mancuso
Just Boarded
Member # 220

posted 03-23-1999 09:43 PM

I would suggest you sail on the Crown Princess. We went to Alaska for 11 days last summer and did Fairbanks-Denali-Anchorage-Seward-7 day cruise. It was unbelieveable and very affordable. There was PLENTY of deck space for people to view the calving of a glacier in College Fjord, to watch as the captain re-positioned the ship for better views of humpback whales,etc. The balcony cabins were a great value and much cheaper than those of the H-A line. We never handled our own baggage for the entire time and we are going back in 2000 because despite traveling all over the world, we would go back to Alaska if we were allowed but one more trip!!! Good luck in your search. Jo Ann

Posts: 9 | From: Dunkirk, New York | Registered: Mar 99

Dusty
Just Boarded
Member # 138

posted 03-30-1999 08:47 PM

I would suggest HAL over Princess. I've been to Alaska on both,although I went on the New
Amsterdam back in 1988. I found the selection of food better,the entertainment better and a more posh atmosphere.My wife and I went on the Regal Princess last year and enjoyed ourselves although the layout of the ship I thought was strange. For one thing the casino
is located at the top of the ship at the front. That is the worst spot I feel because especially when in Alaska that part would be better for a Lounge to enjoy the scenery without the clanging and ringing of the slot machines.
HAL also caters to a more senior crowd although when I was on it most seniors were still young at heart.

Posts: 3 | From: Brampton,Ontario,Canada | Registered: Mar 99

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...