Holland America or Princess for Alaskan cruise???

[sonnyjane]

I wanted to say, PLEASE splurge and get a cabin with a balcony. It will make your trip 100000% better, especially in Glacier Bay. It was soooo worth it for Alaska. I saw humpbacks and orcas from my balcony. When I got cold I could just hop inside my room for a few minutes rather than have to go up and down from the ship's main deck. Sooooo worth the balcony.

 

[tvguy]

, but Holland America definitely attracts an older crowd. I was 58 at the time and I felt YOUNG! .

You know, I cruised with them in June of 2002 and June of 2012 with my kids and there were more kids on HAL than on my NCL, RCL, NCL America and Paquet* cruises. Only Disney had more kids.
Okay, my kids were young adults last year, but still, the ship still was running with kids. Not sure where HAL gets that rep.

Paquet was different because is was marketed as an adult cruise, there were 2 passengers on board under the age of 18. I was 23 myself, and probably the next youngest person on board.

 

[sonnyjane]

You know, I cruised with them in June of 2002 and June of 2012 with my kids and there were more kids on HAL than on my NCL, RCL, NCL America and Paquet* cruises. Only Disney had more kids.
Okay, my kids were young adults last year, but still, the ship still was running with kids. Not sure where HAL gets that rep.

Paquet was different because is was marketed as an adult cruise, there were 2 passengers on board under the age of 18. I was 23 myself, and probably the next youngest person on board.

Maybe because it was June?

In late September with kids all in school, I think I counted three children on our HAL cruise.

 

[antmaril]

Maybe because it was June?

In late September with kids all in school, I think I counted three children on our HAL cruise.

I cruised in very late August into early September, so we didn't see too many kids either. When we were disembarking, I realized that there were more kids on board than I thought. I think they must have done a pretty good job of keeping them busy.

What I liked about the Zaandam was that it was a mid-sized ship and never felt crowded. Also, there were lots of places to sit, relax and enjoy the view.

I know many people will say that you should splurge for a balcony when cruising to Alaska, but I want to encourage anyone who can only manage it by choosing an inside cabin, to go for it. I was in an inside cabin the first time because I was alone in the cabin and had to pay almost double. The second time (on the Golden Princess) I was traveling with my cousin, who was recently divorced, and on a budget. So, we chose an inside and had a fabulous time.

 

[tvguy]

Maybe because it was June?

In late September with kids all in school, I think I counted three children on our HAL cruise.

Yes, I certainly think it being June was a factor, at least on HAL. Now on Disney, I think there are a lot of more parents who are willing to take their kids out of school for a vacation.

 

[gymjen]

went to alaska with HAL on the zaandam and then into denali for three days and a road trip down turnagin arm to seward. amazing trip. the cruise ship was perfect size. it was myself (33) boyfriend (33) and DD (7). kids club was great, enjoyed the casino and swimming pool with the glass cover. the spa services and gym were more than adaquate as was the food. we selected it for the itierary (loved vancouver, and glacier bay was a must) and ports. we did no HAL provided excursions, but rather planned our own with independent companies and all were outstanding. it was an outstanding vacation and i wouldn't hesistate to recommend HAL to anyone wanting to do alaska

 

[Wishing on a star]

One word.... CRUISECRITIC!!!

And, totally agree that, if at all possible, a one-way North or South bound is the much better option for seeing the best of ALASKA.
It would take one of these two itineraries on Princess to get me back on a Princess ship.
But, to cruise ALASKA, yep, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Really take a close look at the itineraries. That is what might really determine which cruise to choose. Assuming you are cruising to actually SEE ALASKA. What will you see. What hours are offered each port. etc...

Of the two, I have only cruised Princess.
LOVED the ship.
Had a wonderful cruise, but our personal experience was that food and food service in the dining room (rude) was sub-par.

BOTH ships will have a very much older demographic.
More and more people are vacationing and cruising with kids. So, since these two line are the best in ALASKA, I imagine that there would be families in that June time-frame.

But, when we were on Princess, I could count the kids that we saw on one hand... We could not even find a souvineer onboard to bring home for DS.

HAL has larger (and probably better) staterooms.
Princess has other aspects that might be better.

The pizza and the international cafe on Princess are good.

Really look into which ship you would be on, and which one really speaks to you.