kcool

Thank you, Princeton

thank you. 

hello, can I book my own reservation and go golf without going through the cruise line? thank you

I will be on the Eclipse this July for my first Celebrity sailing coming over from RCI. looking so forward to it. sometimes an older ship shows character and class.

hello first time celebrity. any reviews on the eclipse?  thank you

I started when I was 48 now I am still going at 68 lol

I found that solo pricing is no bargain. only thing you get is double points when booking double occupancy cabin on celebrity and royal

Thank you 

Yes, you are right it is the smokehouse. I am wondering about the noise level in the interior cabins just below that on deck five

Hello just wondering if anyone has stayed in an inside cabin on deck five below the smokehouse? Were there any noise issues? Thank you.

Hello I will be a first time cruiser on Holland America looking for some reviews on this ship thank you

Thank you aloha

Thank you for your response and information

How is sailing on HAL? Is it a good mix of solo and couples?

Hello I am a 67 year old male veteran cruiser with several other lines and will be trying HAL for the first time this winter. Traveling solo will I be in other company similar to mine or will it be mostly couples on board thank you

thank you for posting all this great info. i will be sailing april 5

You can also wait for the NS as a walk on

Hi, how is sailing on HAL solo? Male 64 yrs. Going on Nieuw Statendam.

21 hours ago, ronbe65 said:

Hi Kcool,

It's a good thing to specify the ship you are asking about ("RCI vs HAL " wouldn't make much sense).

Based on the list of past cruises you have provided, imagine a mix of Radiance and Splendor both in size, amenities and capacity.

Imagine a slightly smaller (vs Splendor) cabins with light finish, and way more spacious shower stall in the bathroom.

Public rooms decor is more subdued, much classier, in tones that remind of traditional polished veneer of the past.

You'll see a forward observation lounge (think of the Viking Crown Lounge relocated forward).

The ship features a stylish two-deck high ball room, also a home of proper afternoon tea ceremony (much better vs Splendor), and the ship's second stage. It serves the same purpose as El Morocco lounge on the Splendor, but the whole experience is much classier.

The Atrium is much smaller on the Nieuw Satendam. It's rather a "grand lobby" concept than an open "piazza" (Radiance).

The theater has an unusual setup. It's a round show room with the stage moved towards the center of the space, with large LED screens in the background. 

Expect at least one show in the main theater to feature live orchestra.

The food quality both in the restaurants (MDR and a few specialty) and the buffet surpasses Radiance/Splendor with a good margin.

The spa features are comparable to the Splendor, including a hydropool (sadly not the best one).

Outdoors, you will miss a proper promenade deck with open views.

You'll miss glass elevators and openness to the sea (Radiance).

The central pool area is structurally similar to the Splendor, but smaller, less elegant and more hectic, with various kinds of junk food available pool side.

The aft pool is similar to Splendor. Same related to the sports court.

No water slides.

The ship is fully egalitarian, same as Radiance/Splendor, with no hint of class segregation.

The forward upper deck is similar to the Serenity deck on the Splendor.

A feature you won't find on Radiance/Splendor is a separate retreat cabanas area (can be reserved for extra $) that is located where the water slide is on the Splendor.

As you can see from this brief comparison, the Nieuw Statendam is a kind of mass market (or "carnivalized", or "solsticized") version of the HAL top product, that is still showing touches of high class at sea.

Happy cruising!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the detailed information. I am leaning towards trying  HAL and the Nieuw Statendam.

Ok Thank you

Ok i guess not. How about some music at all?

Hi. is there music playing on the lido deck either a band or DJ ?

Thank you Jammu2 for your review. You just made up my mind to try HAL

Hi everyone. I am thinking of trying Hal after sailing on all the other major lines. specifically the Nieuw Stantandam. what can i expect to be different? Thank You.

Hello, i really like royal, but thinking of sailing on the Nieuw Stantandam. will i be disappointed or pleasantly surprised? the music venues sound great. thanks