Nola26

Usually those meetups are for solo cruisers, not the same as a singles meetup. Yes some are single but many are just solo for the cruise. I was traveling sans partner, so not single but solo. I've made friends via the NCL solo meetups, arranged group dinners, happy hours, etc. I've also connected with other solos on excursions and met one of my buddies in the terminal security line!

The Bliss is missing a basketball/sports court, fix that.

I am just off the Celebrity Summit and have 10+ cruises on NCL. I would rate NCL as a better cruise experience, but would sail either again. NCL crushes on entertainment. Shows are much better, quality of bands and roaming entertainment is better. NCL Crew is friendlier and seem happier, creating a better cruise environment. I think the best crew + officers I've experienced was actually on the HAL Eurodam earlier this year. NCL has more complimentary options so MDR isn't your only "free" meal option. I prefer breakfast at The Local rather than buffet, Celebrity didn't have that option. Asian restaurant is a nice option for dinner or even a lighter meal. Celebrity has a better range and accessibility for complimentary beverages. NCL is solely in buffet, Celebrity had them in the pool areas (outdoor and Solarium) NCL MDR menus and food quality is better. I also like having several MDRs to choose from, they have different ambiance/feels so seems like dining in different places. We were big fans of the Manhattan room and the nightly entertainment that was often presented there, the dance floor would actually be used by cute kids and ballroom dancing couples alike. Not sure NCL still brings in the entertainment for that venue. Casino offers - I sail as a casino guest. NCL's is the only line I've seen charge an Admin Fee, making their cruises more expensive (others are just tax and port fees). Celebrity also offers me a better level room (Oceanview/Verandah), NCL Inside. Celebrity casinos are nonsmoking, big win vs. NCL. Celebrity buffet may have an edge, but theme nights on NCL keeps it close. Cabins are more luxurious and fresher on Celebrity. Summitt compares best to Dawn and Jewel class ships. NCL has not done a complete teardown and redo of those cabins so the old wooden built ins are still there giving a traditional or dated look. ESPN and ESPN on live TV for sports fans, don't recall having those inside the cabin on NCL. Solarium on Celebrity crushes NCL H20 adult area which may have hot tubs but no pool but may have a water feature. NCL also doesn't offer an indoor pool area (except Haven). I've been on the Summit and Dawn at holiday time, NCL again crushed it with holiday decor and theming. Shopping Summitt was thin on items/inventory. NCL never seems to be short on options to take even more money out of your pocket via shopping, sales, etc. NCL maintenance and cleaning. Overall I think NCL has a better handle on exterior maintenance and interior cleaning. I am not suggesting that Celebrity ships are dirty, but I've seen rust on those ships more readily than I've noticed on NCL. On Celebrity things like the elevators show wear, scratches, etc. on the Summitt and I've seen less of that on similar NCL ships. Free at Sea - most people focus on the drink package which we never take. We would not consume enough beverages to cover the taxes/tips on that program. We always take the Specialty dining, Shore Excursions and Internet. We tend to book excursions via the cruise line so this is real savings. Please note the $50 is a max per port for the 1st traveler on the reservation. You don't get $50 twice buy doing two excursions in a port. We've sailed enough with NCL that sprinkling in specialty dining is a nice way to change things up for a couple of nights. Internet package isn't something I typically purchase so the small onboard package is a nice treat. I use my phone when we are in port via a flat rate from my service provider so once I'm back on ship I'm not too stressed about having internet service. Airfare - we've taken this Free at Sea perk several times as now we're sailing NCL in Europe. Had nonstop on United to Barcelona and one connection to Athens. Third time coming later this year. Booked my own airfare for Celebrity cruise, found good rate/timing vs what Celebrity quoted online. Seapass - for NCL I recall getting the card via a stop in the terminal. On Celebrity it is waiting for you on your cabin door, easy and speeds embarkation.

I've only taken two short cruises on Celebrity Summitt. However, I've taken 10+ on NCL and have Platinum. I do not consider Celebrity to be an upgrade over NCL except that the cabins are nicer/newer decor and potentially a bit bigger. I would give NCL the nod on food quality and variety especially with multiple complimentary dining options (MDR, Buffet, Asian and The Local) compared to Celebrity. The NCL buffet also does theme nights so if you're up for a Seafood, Mexican, etc. night you can plan to eat at the buffet vs MDR. NCL does not have set dining times and has 2-3 MDRs onboard (same menus). Those rooms can feel like dining in a different place from night to night. Celebrity seats you upstairs or downstairs based on your dining reservation selection, NCL wins on entertainment, both shows and on deck performers. They have actual comedy club spaces, so not all shows are in the theater, feels a bit more authentic. Holland America seems to be scaling back their offerings but based on my experience I would rate them higher than Celebrity. The production shows on Celebrity leave a lot to be desired. I think this is more a function on the leadership rather than the performers. Some of the performance decisions were baffling and that goes to your directors or perhaps producers if they're based on budget. Crew NCL crew/officers are much friendlier and actually appear happier. I have never sailed in a suite on NCL so my experience is from an Inside or Balcony cabin perspective. Celebrity's strategy is more about Classes of customers, Aqua, Concierge, etc. Rather than if they are loyal customers. Keep in mind I'm just Classic on Celebrity, so not exposed to perks just yet. We had a surprisingly awesome experience on HAL Eurodam to Alaska in May. Food was excellent and as non meat-eaters found their vegan, vegetarian and seafood options to be the best of the three lines. Fresh sushi on the buffet, vegan bratwurst and veggie burgers at the grill. Vegan sausage links available in the MDR breakfast and high-quality seafood on the MDR menu. They boast about their culinary council, and it shows. The buffet service is generally served rather than self-service, including staff to bring beverages to your table. Other than to clean a table I never saw a Celebrity staffer help a guest. On both NCL and HAL staff has carried the tray of an elderly guest to their table for them by an offer of assistance. I've even saw HAL officers to this for guests. I definitely felt HAL to be more upscale than Celebrity. In all three cases my cruise has been supported by a casino offer either from a land based casino or the cruise line (comp or discounted) in a non-suite cabin (Inside, Oceanview, Balcony). Bottom line my cruise line ranking for the lines I've experienced are: NCL, HAL, Celebrity. I would sail any of them again but would lean in based on that order. As always the offer, itinerary and schedule will ultimately dictate my selection.

Thanks for sharing and taking care of the Summit. Looking forward to boarding her on the 26th! Santa visit looked adorable, we'll just look forward to seeing the ship dolled up for the holidays.

I was on the Summit last December, first time on Celebrity, like you I've primarily sailed on NCL. The ship needed paint in some of the outdoor areas, rust in the floor of the basketball court, etc. Are you finding the same or have they been able to touch up a bit? I'll be back on her this December and hoping some of these things have been addressed. The solarium is and nearby sauna are big reasons I'll be returning for another relaxing short cruise. Thanks for sharing your journey, but don't do so much that you forget to enjoy your cruise!

Double check whether Christmas Day is a Sea Day or a Port Day. I found that if it's a port day many things may be closed and the excursion options limited. You cannot change those, but at least you know what to expect and can plan accordingly. This year I'm sailing on December 26th for a short cruise, but I also looked at a cruise that included Christmas Day. I was happy to see that it was a sea day as I think the ship and crew are ready to give us a special day every day of the cruise.

I didn't even tour the space so I cannot offer my first-hand experience or comments. My mother had the week long pass on our May 20th Alaska cruise. Bottom line she wouldn't reserve it again. Seems showers and locker rooms are great, but heat of the loungers were inconsistent and the pool wasn't a standard whirlpool where she could get a jet to hit a target area. She might try it on another ship but not on the Eurodam. Perhaps others will offer additional comments.

I sure hope no one was hurt by the awning! The rust on the balcony is going to happen. They just need a maintenance program to keep up with it. I was disappointed with the basketball court last time. Clear rust spot on the court floor, torn net and woeful ball. Not a great Day 1 on Celebrity experience. However, to your point most other areas are just fine. I've booked an Oceanview cabin time, so no balcony worries for me, lol.

Thanks for sharing, I really appreciate seeing the Daily. I'll be on a short holiday cruise on the Summit in December. Did the same last year and thought the ship itself wasn't in the best shape. I too sail with NCL and seems those ships are better cared for than the Summit. Any comments on the ship condition? This ship and these cruises are my only Celebrity experiences. It's a short cruise and I have a casino deal and I liked the experience in general so happy to return.

I am new with HAL and have not done this. However, I did something with NCL. They have an air promotion, so I booked that through NCL. I booked the hotel on my own, but chose the NCL hotel at a lower rate. I felt comfortable that NCL had already done the leg work (Barcelona) for a safe and comfortable location. We couldn't take advantage of the NCL transfer to the port from the hotel, but a taxi was easily arranged at the hotel. We had trouble connecting with our privately arranged airport to hotel transfer; but he eventually found us. In Athens I booked my own hotel and transfer and again had trouble connecting with my airport transfer. Ended up getting a cancellation and refund electronically before leaving the airport (good customer responsiveness). NCL rep gave us great advice on using a city bus and taxi to our hotel. That worked well, but wouldn't be for everyone. Bottom line, life would have been much simpler booking it all through the cruise line. Fun fact: the hotel I selected in Athens(Hyatt) was actually being used by HAL too. For a trip outside of the US I think booking via the cruise line offers some simplicity. If I am simply flying to Florida for an overnight before a cruise I'd probably book it all myself, unless there was a promotion making the cruise line deal the better option. Not HAL, but I hope the perspective is helpful.

I can agree that May can be cooler than the summer months, but it is actually the driest month in Alaska: Weather in May May is usually the driest month across the state and Southeast Alaska experiences its lowest average monthly precipitation.

We also ate at Tamarind on the Eurodam (HIA). It was a good meal and very attentive service. I am not sure it was worth paying more or better than some MDR meals. Generally we were quite pleased with MDR meals: Breakfast or Dinner, we didn't have lunch there.

Eurodam May 20th had no classical music. There was a wonderful jazz trio that played in Ocean Bar, loved them and probably sat through 7 sets over the week. Dance floor was used by couples, several for ballroom dancing. Music ranged from standards to Stevie Wonder, etc. really good play list.

Just off the Eurodam. HAL has all the equipment you need to play, I wouldn't pack anything, just ask for how you can get access for free play time. It is played on the sports court and I think it was always set up for play; there was only one basketball hoop, not full court. Pickleball is also an activity on the schedule so maybe you can join those. Sometimes they're instructional but there were playing/tournaments too.

Yes, I saw both shows. I left the first one about half way through; I wanted to catch the trio playing on Ocean Bar on 3. They were doing some Pop music, not all of which I recognized. After I left they did a rendition of Purple Rain. The Friday show was early, 5pm and that one was better than the first show, different music, better costumes and songs suited voices well. Not the best Major Fourth group (staffer told me this) but still pretty good. I was on the May 20th sailing, just home today.

Not the OP but I'll be on the same sailing as you, we have completed online check-in and have our boarding passes that show time and group assignment. They are located under the Check-In option "Docs" tab. I also have our boarding passes via the app. Boarding Pass is shown as soon as I open the app, just tap to see them. Boarding Pass and group are shown at the top of the pass. In the app they may also be in your Wallet under the Account tab.

We are booked on a comp casino offer. I had the HIA offer pop in the app and online, did research but did not book. I went back and the offer wasn't there. I called later and was able to add it no problem. After adding it the online offer showed up again. My guess is it's a technical issue. Keep checking then ultimately call if needed. My comp has to be less than a casino rate so I wouldn't think that's the limiter.

We board on the 20th and now I can plan my afternoon and evening on my first HAL cruise, thanks! We will eat differently as we'll frequent the MDR, but great to have choices. So grateful for your posts, thank you for sharing.

We will be on the same sailing, just finalized our excursions tonight. Our first HAL and first Alaska trip, excited! Hopefully more things will appear open for our visit.

Thanks, that was my concern. There are other options, we'll switch things up but still go to the Glacier.

Empty as in not crowded? Did they comment on things to see there in May? We booked the Glacier and Gardens through HAL and had some concern that the Gardens may not be particularly spectacular due to the time of year.

The price is for $59.50 for a 7 Day Alaska cruise on the Eurodam. It might be worth it just to send Mom home with clean clothes. This cruise a Mother's day gift for her.

We will be sailing on the Eurodam next month. How quickly is the laundry returned? I am considering the Unlimited option. I didn't even know the fill the bag was an option. Does HAL run a special for the bag?

We are considering the soda package, but it's not clear how it works. I am expecting to be able to order a soft drink at dinner, at a bar or lounge even in the casino and get a beverage. However, the fine print indicates that: Guests will be issued one specialty cup to be used in connection with this promotion. The cup is not replaceable. Do I need to this cup to get a drink? I know it stipulates that it only includes fountain drinks, but is this a self-service program such that I need to have a cup on my hand whilst on the ship?