I'm trying to arrange an Alaska cruise for my husband and I for next year and have either HAL or NCL to choose from. The question is this....which would you choose if you could afford a balcony on NCL but only an oceanview on HAL, with the itineraries exactly the same.

By way of background, we're active, mid 40's and have travelled extensively.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Can't compare the 2 cruises, but some thing to consider. (We went on Princess last month). It is my understanding that HAL has an older crowd - and I can say that on Princess, I felt young - and we are in our 50s.

We had a balcony - really nice, but we could certainly have skipped it to save some money. It was rarely warm enough to sit and sun ourselves, upper decks provided a more panoramic view of whatever. We enjoyed the view thru the balcony door (which would be similar to that of a oceanview).

Make sure you budget enough for excursions - they are very expensive but worth it. Without them (or booking similar on your own) it would have seriously diminshed the trip.

We just returned from Alaska with an oceanview on HAL. It was great. We spent a lot of time on the promonade deck-which I think we would have done even with a balcony. I like to take lots of pictures. We are the same age range as you and found really all ages on HAL. DH and I enjoyed every minute!

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I read up a bit on the 2 lines and was a bit leery of NCL's Freestyle dining and the additional cost to eat at the "good" restaurants. I just needed to know that an OV will not diminish our enjoyment (i.e., comfort) of our cruise and it sounds like that is not a concern.

Gail, we just got back from a Southern Caribbean itinerary where EVERY day was a port day. We travelled with our 3 children and scuba dived, took daysails, etc. Even though the excursions weren't as expensive as those in Alaska, they sure added up when you multiplied the cost times five...so, the excursion prices on the Alaska cruise will seem tame in comparison (which will be my selling point to my DH!).

Definitely go with HAL!!!

I went to Alaska on NCL and it was great. I just got back from a New England/Canadian Cruise on HAL and I was not impressed.

First off I am 37, my wife is 40 and we have a daughter 7. We like a lot of things to do. We are always on the move. And HAL is not that kind of cruise. Plus they threat kids like they are second class.

The food is Great on HAL, the ships are older and smaller, but you do not feel it. Plus there is more room everywhere. And the beds are great.

My advice is if your not into the older crowd (going to bed by 10, strict meal times, everything on ship closes early) then go with NCL. If you do not mind being forced to relax then go with HAL. Also look at the ports of call, one might go somewhere the other doesn't. Plus look at the shore excursions, HAL will not have the exciting types of excursions like sea kyacking, etc.

I love cruising Alaska, and have sent tons of clients there. But my personal preference is not to go on HAL. Not till I am older.

Oooopsy! HAL offers both freestyle and traditional dining, so no strict meal time worries there. We are sailing Alaska on HAL in August and have an OV. This is our second Alaskan cruise - the first time (Royal Caribbean)we went with a balcony, but found that we spent more time on deck, moving from vantage point to vantage point - something not possible on a balcony - so we opted for an OV this time. Just be certain that you reserve an UNOBSTRUCTED outside cabin, or you will be staring at the hull of a lifeboat!!

Being first time cruisers, the unobstructed view info was good to know.
Anyone done the new england to new york or boston cruise? we would prefer a smaller cruise line (not thousands). suggestions?

Are the port times the same??? I would go with the longer port times, if a difference.

I have sailed both lines to Alaska, very different type of experience. I give an edge to HAL with their excellent cpts who go all out for the passenger with their routings. Also HAL has an excellent ship naturalist aboard the full week.

NCL's freestyle works excellent in Alaska and their casual style goes great with Alaska.

I sailed to Alaska on HAL and it was wonderful - I've sailed on them 2x and they are pure class, food is amazing. They are my favorite out of the 5 cruiselines I've been with. I sailed NCL to New England and it was wonderful, but food wasn't quite as incredible. Had I never been on HAL, I would not have noticed.

I prefer a balcony but I'd go with the cruiseline that has the best times in port. That is #1 for me. Also, Alaska can be quite cool - I don't know if you will get much use out of it.

As far as the age of the crowd, I think the time you are sailing makes a big difference. But HAL does tend to have an older population. My mate and I are not big partiers, so it never bothered us.

The main point is seeing Alaska - see which one has the best times and best excursions. Let that be your decision maker. Have fun!

Dasies, I'm trying to reply to you. I just did the New England cruise last October (1st wk) on NCL and it was incredible. left new york, sailed to boston, bar harbor, Halifax and Martha's Vineyard. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Would love to do it again. And, NCL was wonderful - several other ships could not tender into Bar Harbor in the fog because they had not planned ahead, but NCL did, and we were tendered in through the fog while the other ships could only sit there and watch.

You might want to check out cruisereviews.com. I did one NCL cruise and didn`t like the food. (I`m not picky). It was to Hawaii so maybe that makes a difference. I`d pick HA.

First choice: Princess (education)
Second Choice: HAL
Third Choice: Celebrity (food)
Others: Carnival, etc.
Least Favorite: NCL (poor service & food)