canadianbear

It’s very disrespectful to be playing loud music on a balcony-so inconsiderate to others. Isn’t that why they make ear buds? Do they not realize or just don’t care how far that noise travels. Ugh.

I hope you love it! Please let us know after your cruise.

I totally agree, that’s what we said. We only started cruising in 2008 and in a Neptune suite. I’m sure if our first cruise was Celebrity we would have stayed with them.

It’s funny because we felt like royalty (compared to Neptune suite guests) when escorted onto the ship into Michael’s Club where we could have any beverage while waiting for Luminae to open for lunch. Then we were escorted there and enjoyed a peaceful lunch. It certainly beats HAL for a first impression.

Thanks for your review. We also miss the live music that used to be in the Ocean bar and watching the guests dance. I’m very sensitive to loud music and do not like music at the pool unless as background and very low. But what they think is background music isn’t to me-or hasn’t been in our experience.

That sucks. They usually try to avoid that.

Does it indicate a Carnival ship will be there when you are-it’s very unusual for that to happen. Some times there’s another HAL ship but it’s very strange no other excursions are showing up. If nothing shows up before you leave regarding excursions, I’d check when on the ship at the excursion desk. Otherwise, when you arrive at HMC on shore there’s staff there (as far as I remember, it’s been a few years) that you can book if anything available.

Unfortunately we had to cancel the 50 day South Pacific cruise which was leaving from Vancouver or San Diego.

We will also be looking at alternate cruise lines or even all inclusive resorts to go to with our kids & grandkids in the future. It’s sad as I have been hooked on cruising since 2008 when we went on our first cruise in a Neptune suite on the Ryndam. Loved the small ship and in “those days” it was a great experience.

We are 4* on HAL sailing mainly with them but have found the entertainment really lacking (except BB Kings). We found the one Celebrity cruise we did the entertainment was fantastic. Currently we have a long cruise booked for 2024 on the Koningsdam but that is refundable deposit. So, decisions, decisions! It’s why I enjoy reading everyone’s blogs or posts until we cruise again. I see you’re hooked on Celebrity suites now, awesome!! I do agree they beat HAL.

Are you allowed to eat in Blu if not in aqua class but in a suite? If so, we didn’t know bud like you, Luminae was so good we didn’t ask.

Yes, that’s it-she always raves about Blu! She didn’t make it sound appetizing to us but maybe we will try that one day. We are up to trying!

My friend raves about aqua class on Celebrity I guess because it’s cheaper than even the entry level suites-she seems to like their food offering in aqua class. I must admit we never tried the dining room, always ate at Luminae and felt very spoiled. Absolutely excellent service.

I didn’t know, thanks for the info. Just thought it was in that restaurant. On HAL it was only one night of the whole cruise on their special night so we were very happy on Celebrity!

@WriterOnDeck Fantastic photos-what a great day you & your sisters had. Great timing on your balcony even in pj’s, lol! Been following your blog. Thanks for doing that plus posting here every once in awhile too.

So glad I found this and will be following along here and on the Celebrity board. We have mostly sailed in Neptune suites and have only tried one Celebrity cruise. We were SO impressed on Celebrity (I think we were in a Sky suite) and how many better perks included compared to Neptune suite. We enjoyed Michael’s Club visiting others and the liquor was included. We were escorted onto the ship too. Can’t say enough about the suite private dining room Luminai (sp?) where we could have escargot every night, yum! Another perk we really liked was the reserved area for the suite guest evening shows (which were fantastic)-meant we didn’t have to get there 40 minutes early to get seats. My husband did tell our butler we didn’t need him (lol) so he kept a low profile. But…we had a celebrity excursion one day and were a bit late getting back. Our butler had place a cheese plate/crackers etc in our room saying welcome back. That was appreciated. Have a wonderful time!

Will also be following along on your cruise on here as we haven’t cruised since December 2019! We are regular HAL cruises and have done one Celebrity cruise in a Sky Suite (I think that’s what it was called). The Celebrity suite perks put the HAL Neptune suites to shame. I loved Michael’s Club and the private dining for suite guests. Also having reserved seating for suite guests at their shows was a great perk. Have a great time and enjoy your birthday on board. Thanks for taking us along!

I reported it asking for moderator to join the 2 threads.

Make sure you get a price from HAL and if it includes transportation. Then check with the hotel directly to compare the price. Taxis are readily available at the airport. Just compare before you book anything. The taxi fare would be approximately $50 with tip.

Great detailed review. Appreciate the time you took to do that. We are 4* but have not sailed since the pandemic. I’ve read a lot of reviews and just not ready to spend the money to get a mediocre cruise. HAL has been great in the past but not up to the old standards from other threads I’ve read and not sure when/if it ever will be.

You can check under “see posts about”..and pick the ship. I’ll try to attach photos of how to do it…that might help.

@NiceAunt I hope your husband got to see a dentist in PV and all went well.

It’s good to hear your opinion. We haven’t cruised since our 2 weeks on the Oosterdam in December 2019 in a Neptune suite. I’ve been reading so many threads that we aren’t quite sure if we will cruise anytime soon. We are booked (refundable) for a long cruise in 2024 but don’t have to decide for quite awhile. I have missed cruising but hubby doesn’t care-he can take it or leave it. He has his boat to keep him happy especially when the salmon are biting, lol. I love the Dutch Cafe and hubby did too. I especially got hooked on their lattes. Their food is delicious too. It’s a shame about rude passengers but it’s everywhere it seems. What we don’t tolerate is if they are rude to staff though-I especially will say something. I understand about saving thousands too. We have usually been in Neptune suites but now have decided not to any longer unless it’s a good upsell.

Yes, it was years ago so I don’t remember who I saw. But my insurance company was excellent to deal with and also in providing a translator. The X-ray they used was very “old school” but they were very nice to deal with. Luckily I was at an all inclusive resort and was scheduled to fly home in 2 days. I was allowed to fly (the dental fellow said just to contact my dentist and advise them the tooth would have to be pulled). I hope your husband has a good experience. Mine was cracked so not sure if your husband will have same outcome. Wishing him well.

Looking forward to reading more & photos!