HAL/NCL Comparison to other lines

And to further confuse it, you have the larger rooms, etc.

Basically, what I do to compare the cost is - If I would use it during a lesser cruise (ie drinks package, shore excursions, etc) then I deduct what I would pay on the lesser cruise from the price of the luxury cruise. If it is not something I would normally use on a cruise (such as internet, butler, etc) then the cost is not adjusted, even if I do plan to use the service. I do not take the expanded room size (suite on the luxury cruise, balcony on the lesser cruise) into account. I then compare the difference in price to see if the larger room (and additional services) are worth it to me.

Playing around, I have only found one cruise (Viking 8 day West Coast Europe, $1999 pp) to be comparable using this methodology. Once I get my retirement budget straight, I will start seriously looking, though. The added perks seem nice.

With any luck, I will be sailing in luxury in 2020. (Although I am still seriously looking at the NCL Haven for winter of 2019 )

One thing to keep in mind with comparison, I have noticed that some of the "upscale" cruise lines include flight, excursions and drinks as a part of the fee so in those cases trying to gauge the overall cost is not an easy comparison.

Do not question my sanity - I have so little of it left!!

Wouldn't we all! Let me know if you find that bargain, please!

That is true, but I would rather be charged a Carnival fare for a Regent cruise rather than pay a Regent fare for a Carnival cruise!

My original question was research to see if the fare matched the experience.

Interesting that we can debate the intricacies of various cruise lines but if it comes down to the short strokes I think very few on here would turn down a trip on most hotels that float and serve drinks and palatable food while teleporting us to a variety of interesting or not destinations.

Cheers,

I've come to love Princess, but then again I've never been on RC before

Thanks! I wonder how that is determined. I would definitely put RCI ahead of Princess.

Simon - thanks for the reminder. Sometimes we forget.

Jbenham -

By my definition, a mainstream line is more on the budget side - You get the cruise, but it is not really fancy. Plenty of nickle-and-diming available. Some examples include Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

A premium line is a bit more expensive, service is arguably better, not as much nickle-and diming available with a bit more included in the fare. Some examples include Princess and Celebrity.

A luxury line is quite a bit more expensive, with "white glove" service and little to no nickle and diming, as most of the items are included with the fare. Some examples include Seabourn and Regent.

I recently submitted a HAL review if you are interested. Not sure what you mean by premium vs mainstream.