Xcelsior

The Onward struggled to get its sea legs, but was up to snuff last summer when I sailed her again after a rocky start during her first year.  I still prefer the other ships over her though. She  just seemed rushed with little details missed and obvious cheap outs (blamed on pandemic supply chain issues)  when she was refurbed that have not  been addressed since.  Regardless, the crew is stellar and the size of the ship and itineraries are great.  Entertainment sucks, but nobody sails this line expecting good entertainment. I remain concerned that this line is clinging to life by its fingernails, but I am booked to sail on Onward again regardless.  

10 hours ago, uktog said:

I think the onboard bidding was a temporary work around to continue to generate revenue on excess capacity whilst the pre boarding process was in abeyance due to the IT meltdown. It was a lot of work for guest relations during their busy early days of the cruise and didn’t give any recognition for loyalty which was always a stated focus of the upgrade process. It was much more a first come first served action once the ship was sure of its inventory (a slight (!) issue during the IT meltdown). 

 

Looks like they’ve now reverted to a version previously used with the significant added benefit of the guest having the final say on accepting the upgrade or not. 

I know originally you were supposed to get priority for bids based on status, but do we know if they are still doing that?  

11 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

Oh wow, that’s new. Not heard of it before. Thanks for posting.

Yes there absolutely was bidding onboard last year.  Did it twice. 

42 minutes ago, uktog said:

As the ship was almost full no upgrades were accepted (though offers were sought) on the 3/4 cruise. Wisely they kept back what wasn’t sold as “contingency” I suspect these days letters to bid are automatically issued - it gives Azamara useful data if nothing else. 

But these were bids you made onboard the ship at guest relations, yes?

I thought the other thread was just about booking online and not on board.  Didn’t see current reference to the onboard booking. Perhaps I missed. 

41 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

It's restarted and in my case a couple of months ago it worked very satisfactorily. Like the old days I was able to speak to someone and choose cabin number (although in reality there was no choice because it was the only one available). 

 

Phil 

So did you actually bid Phil, or did they give you a price to upgrade?  I have done both ways in the past, but last time I upgraded form a Cat 12 inside to a CC N1 for a very cheap price through the bidding onboard o the first day and I was thrilled. 

Agree that they are great!  I’m terms of peace and quiet on the pool deck, you’re just in the wrong place if that is what you are seeking.  You can hear the blender going from the bar on the other side of the deck constantly all day long.  The sun deck is a quiet albeit uncomfortable alternative  if you don’t need shade, so since others on here like that area it’s the best of both worlds. 

11 minutes ago, Xcelsior said:

I have thought the same thing for a long time.  They could make that space much more inviting up there and that would free up even more space around the pool.  I'd rent a cabana up there if they had them available, but I also always purchase the pass for the Spa Deck which is my favourite place to get away from the main pool area.  Also love the Atlas Bar and really hope they put it on the other ships as well. 

20 hours ago, Toronto Guy said:

Does anybody else think the Sun Deck would be really great if they just added some more comfortable outdoor furniture up there and made it more welcoming?  It seems to be such a wasted space.  Would be nice to have an outdoor place away from the pool area that is more of a sanctuary type area like the Princess ships have - nothing that elaborate is needed, but it could easily be done.  Heck throw some cabanas up there even and they could get more revenue to pay for it.

Providing an update on my situation.  I was on Standby for Dec 27th sailing.  I was told by the agent when I put down my deposit that I would be advised by email 7 days prior to sailing as to whether or not there was a cabin available. There was much confusion between the date I made the payment and today as to whether or not I was waitlisted for a Category N stateroom, or truly on the Standby program. The email confirmation they sent me said Waitlisted for Category N, no amount of money paid showing - just that a deposit was PAID and zero dollars were owing.  Yesterday (7 days prior to sailing date) I was told that I would get an email most likely in the morning.  Nothing came by end of day.  Last night I called and I had a very rude agent tell me that I would be advised "within" 7 days of sailing -- with no deadline as to when one would actually know.  Anything up to the day before sailing!  The HAL website clearly states "approximately 7 days" prior....yet nobody could give me a clear definition of what "approximate" was.  This morning I called again and got an even ruder resolution agent when I requested to speak to a supervisor.  She literally shouted at me for 15 minutes --- telling me the agent should never have booked me for this, that it was again "within" 7 days...and when asked why their website stated something completely different she told me that she was "not the website developer" and "what exactly would I like her to do?".  All I was seeking was clarification of a deadline that I would be notified as their actions were not in keeping with the spirit of what I was sold or the terms stated on their own website.  I demanded it be cancelled and refunded if they could not keep their word as promised.  She relented surprsingly.  This entire ordeal has left a very bad impression of HAL - a line I haven't sailed on in over 20 years, but used to enjoy very much.  Needless to say, I will never even consider sailing with HAL in the future.  I will stick with Celebrity and Azamara.  They're not perfect, but at least my dollars won't be going towards the salaries of the rudest customer service agents I have ever dealt with at any cruise line.  In short --- AVOID THIS PROGRAM.  At least for now.  It's a total scam.  I was never seeking a bargain when I paid this deposit - I called to make a reservation at the advertised rate --- but my luck the last cabin sold out same day I called.  I didn't even know about the program - the agent recommended it to me.  Never again!  I hope this info helps others avoid the frustrations I encountered.   The ill-trained and sarcastic resolution agent was literally blaming me for signing up when their agent talked me into it.  Totally bizarre.

I must say that waiting to find out if I'm sailing on the 27th is starting to drive me a little bit nuts.

21 hours ago, iceman93 said:

I'm not discounting your opinion at all, but I just want to point out mine which is different.  After trying the production shows on our first few cruises we realized they weren't for us and stopped bothering.  We still like the contracted magicians, comedians, etc. but the big stage shows don't do anything for us.

 

So HAL dropping them was actually a huge benefit from our perspective, because we much more enjoy the musical entertainment they have now.  And the quality of drinks, food, and particularly service levels are perhaps the most important things to us.  For my family, HAL continues to deliver what we care about and enjoy.

Completely agree.  I have seen about 100 production shows too many.  I have zero interest in them.  Would rather have guest performers and good singers on board in the bars/lounges.  Alternatively, give me a good playlist that doesn't not have overplayed wedding songs (Kool & the Gang, the Village people and Abba) on constant repeat.  Just give me current  TOP 40 songs and I'll be happy.

8 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I think HAL now has been listing cruises as sold out a few weeks prior to sailing.  I know with certainty my upcoming cruise is not sold out yet it shows as sold out.  Perhaps this new system is a new method to handle late bookings. 

 

Interesting.  I thought it was odd that two categories of staterooms sold out in a matter of a few hours.  But I thought maybe so with it being the NYE cruise and they had really dropped prices on it yesterday.

7 minutes ago, rj59 said:

I do this with Southwest, but book with miles, and get them back if I cancel the flight and can rebook for free with a price drop. I live between Seattle and Vancouver, so any Alaska cruise would be an option, especially since their single supplement makes going solo too expensive for me now. I presume a solo is going to have to pay double. 

5 minutes ago, rj59 said:

I do this with Southwest, but book with miles, and get them back if I cancel the flight and can rebook for free with a price drop. I live between Seattle and Vancouver, so any Alaska cruise would be an option, especially since their single supplement makes going solo too expensive for me now. I presume a solo is going to have to pay double. 

Not from what they told me today.  I am also going solo and they only made me pay the same $49pppd plus the port taxes.  It came to $754 for the 11 night cruise and they emailed me confirmation also stating solo occupancy.

Trying this program out for the Dec 27th sailing on Nieuw Statendam. I was considering booking it today as there were cabins avaialble last night - but as of this morning ship is sold out so it's my only option. I have flights booked on points that are refundable, so it makes sense for me.  Will see how this goes...have not sailed on HAL since December 2000!

13 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

I am just off Nieuw Statendam and with the HIA I was able to enjoy a variety of cocktails including dirty martinis, a delicious cucumber mojito, a grapefruit cosmo, lemon drop, and even HAL’s special holiday cocktails - all with no additional charge. There are also a couple of handfuls of wines by the glass under the $11 charge.

 

I have sailed Celebrity (2x), HAL (2x), Azamara and Oceania this year. While it is still more quiet during the day and lacks glitzy production shows (or classical music), the NA is a lovely ship. In the Music Walk at night you get some of the same buzz as in the Martini Bar on X.

 

Disclaimer: I haven’t been on any of the Edge class ships. 

I was on the Edge at Easter - there were things I liked about it and things I didn't like about it.  It was a beautiful ship, but I honestly prefer the Millennium class over all others when sailing Celebrity.  The Martini bar on the Edge was not as good as the other classes IMHO.  I also could never get a seat.  it felt like it was sunken down into a basement at the bottom of the atrium as well.  The Music Walk sounds great - think I will enjoy that.

1 minute ago, crystalspin said:

I also cannot compare to X (or Azamara), but I was just reading another post on this board this morning, that opined that the Pinnacle class ships (Koningsdam, N.Statendam, Rotterdam VII) seemed designed to compete with the X ships at the time of K'dam launch. The Nieuw Statendam was scheduled for drydock for Nov 5 to 26, 2023 -- it will have StarLink and a fresh face!

 

HIA is the best deal! It is actually cheaper than just the Signature Beverage Package, because SBP's $54.95 pppd is actually $64.84 after the service charge, while HIA is $55pppd full stop.

 

SBP covers more than "well drinks" -- you can specify your liquor up to $11/shot. Unfortunately the new bar menus @Crew News (Roger Jett) has posted do not list the full range of liquor available, so there will be a bit of "Is this under $11?" to establish your regulars! There are relatively few 'spirits' restricted to the $15 Elite Beverage Package -- mostly top shelf scotch/tequila/cognac. This is only a sample:

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Beverage-Package-Contents.pdf

 

With the SBP, if you do order a drink over $11, you pay only the difference plus 18%.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.  This is very helpful information.

Just now, Mary229 said:

I can’t compare but the N. Statendam is a clean, fresh newer ship and one of my favorites. The tips are included in the HIA package.  My understanding is the new program notifies you at least 7 days in advance and that is sufficient time to purchase the HiA package. 

Thank you.  Is the current pricing for HIA still $55 per day?  Sorry - another question...do you know the price of a spa pass for the entire cruise?

Have just booked Standby for Dec 27th sailing.  Has anyone used this new program yet, and could you please share your experience?  eg. when were you notified; what type of cabin did you end up getting, etc.  Thanks much.

I "may" be sailing on the Nieuw Statendam shortly on the NYE cruise, utilizing the new standby program.  I have not sailed on HAL in 23 years!  My preferred lines are Celebrity and Azamara.  How does HAL, specifically Nieuw Statendam compare to Celebrity these days?  I realize this is a forum for HAL fans, but would appreciate honest opinions on the comparison.  Also, I am not sure if the Have it All package will be available for me to purchase with the standby fare if I do get onboard, but....at $55 per day it seems almost too good to be true.  Do they charge 18% gratuity on top of this I assume?  Is the Signature drink package good enough if you like cocktails? eg. Whiskey Sours, martinis etc.

Absolutely not.  I don't think the line is going to make it much longer with current sales and all their IT problems.  It's such a shame as the onboard experience is excellent.  I will not be booking a future cruise onboard my cruise next month and I always book a future cruise onboard. This line is too big a risk right now.

I previously posted that my issues were resolved.  Now I find out they haven’t been at all.  Back to square one. It’s so frustrating.  

1 hour ago, Bimmer09 said:

I would have to agree based my recent Celebrity Apex cruise to Iceland. 

We ate in one of the 4 small MDRs each night and supplemented those with two visits to Eden where the food is beyond anything served on Azamara (for a $65 pp cover). The food tasted as good as it looks in these photos and the service was impeccable.

baked Brie en croute with walnut and poached pear

 

Coquilles St. Jacques

 

Salad

 

Boeuf en croute/Wellington

 

Mille Feuille

 

Sacher torte

 

Each serving team included a Sommelier who was quick to get us started with glasses of wine (not included in fare)

 

I'll pop back later with some pics from Eden, my best dining experience at sea to date...

Norris

Completely agree with you re: Eden - it was  phenomenal on the Edge in April.  

11 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Look at this itinerary, and tell me that X has ever had anything like it (2 overnights in Rouen, docked in Honfleur until 10 pm, docked in Cherbourg until 11 pm):

Azamara France 2025 Itinerary (Azamara) copy.pdf 28.6 MB · 11 downloads

Re: itineraries - if you re-read my post Host Jazzbleau,  I didn't say Azamara didn't have small ports on their itineraries, I said it wasn't all small ports and there are lots of ports with the big ships too (on many, many itineraries), including my sailing in January where there was a large ship in port with us every day for 12 nights.  I can post several here if I was interested in demonstrating same.  As host, I would hope you would be a little less confrontational/defensive in your replies please. Perhaps not intended, but it comes off that way.

On 7/19/2023 at 9:57 AM, lisiamc said:

We used to be Celebrity fans, but about ten years ago, we evolved out of their target demographic. We don’t like their two-tier system, and resent being forced into Aqua Class to get the minimum level of service/restaurant/food that we enjoy. 
 

We are much happier booking with Azamara. Their minimum product pleases us much more than any of the Celebrity offerings. The small showers have never really been an issue for us in 15 years, and everything else hits the spot for us. YMMV, of course.

You may want to give them a try again.  The food and service in the MDR on Celebrity is very good again.   They had a problem for a while, but I honestly think it's great.