haikou

Some Criteria important to me but realize not all will be available on a given cruise: affordable single supplement fees, ease of meeting new people and feeling comfortable(ie not feeling like one is on Noah's Ark),shore excursions where singles are welcomed and not made to feel like the odd person out in the group, dining where one can be with the same people every night, fixed dining ,paddle tennis where offered, social activities for solos, etc

What happened on your Celebrity cruise? I've looked at them as well as a Plan B cruise line.

Things happened from day 1.First, the bathroom(shower only) smelled very mildew so I made them reclean it. Then the steward brought me a stained second blanket(looked like dried milk/baby spit up - and folded it in a square next to the next day's ship newspaper ,as if I was supposed to accept that as clean-I thinketh not. Many degmagnetization issues with my room card, and of course the front desk accused me of having it too close to my ipad(I did not always have my ipad with me and when I did it had ia thick leather cover on it. At dinner, upon entrance, one of the greeters spoke to passengers like a child::She told me"washy, washy" .That did not go over with me well .Plus the fact she did not stop a man in front of me but made me come back to get the sanitizer. So I gave them the what for about what appeared to be a sexist action as well as to knock off the baby talk... I could go on but this went on for a good week if not more of a 15 day cruise and I was not amused.

My cruis eline of choice is Crystal but can't always afford it, so I tried Celebrity last fall, and though I encountered enough issues to never cruise with Celebrity again, after I was home for a few months, and had tim eto "chill", have decided lightning is not likely to strike twice (or hope not) with the things I encountered, and so am going to go on Millennium again in the near future. With all the changes at Crystal, including raising the fares painfully high, I know I need a Plan B cruise line... At the moment it is Celebrity, but am likely to try HAL as well.

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Thank you, all of you recent posters for balancing this thread with your positive posts. How lovely to be able to decide mid cruise that you want to stay on for the next one and that there was room too. We were on for 45 days this spring and yes, they had to pry me off the ship too. I love cruising.:)

Cruise CRITIC means just that. I don't read cruise critic to read posts/reviews from members who are cheerleaders for a particular line. You know the people who basically say love it or leave it Those reviews are not at all helpful to any of us when we are about to try a cruise line for the first time. .And even when guests did not have a good experience on my favored cruise line, there is no need to take it so personally as to try and invalidate another guest's experiences.

I recently strayed from Crystal to Celebrity for affordability and itinerary reasons, and found their internet service to be far superior to what I experienced the last time I sailed with Crystal(Dec 2015).Fast with little to no lag, and most importantly, I could watch what I wanted to watch because websites were not blocked due to bandwidth issues. Are you saying we can now stream video from websites such as you tube, watch/stream tennis or other sports online without any noticeable lag? If so, when did the changes occur? it certainly wasn't made public if any upgrades to the hardware/architecture etc on board were made

The poor internet service is a major reason I am going on other cruise lines this year...

my income bracket does not allow me to sail with Crystal exclusively, so I decided to try Celebrity in September, and went on the Bering Sea/Japan crossing from Vancouver to Tokyo...Major problems through much of the cruise(check the thread on that crossing if you want details), but trying to convince myself lightning won't strike twice on one cruise, I am booked on the reverse itinerary (more or less) from Tokyo to Vancouver in May.

As I really wish to spend more time in Japan and the price for an interior, even with he punitive 200% on mass market/premium lines, was a fraction of what I was going to pay on Crystal Serenity in April. So , for me, in this case, the fare was the deciding factor. I figure now that I know what to expect on Millennium, anything better than last time will be acceptable

P.S.FWIW, no amount of money could get me on one of the cities at sea size ships, whether Celebrity,Princess, NCL,RCCL(Celebrity light) or any other 2500 plus passenger vessel. It is all I can do to deal with ~2200 passengers on the Millennium class ships...

Also I am a non drinker

And has a Koningsdam sister under construction, for a 2018 launch.

 

If you have a particular ship in mind, a Google ship will get the launch date.

 

If "the age" of the ship really means doesn't have ice skating rinks or water slides, that is a false comparison, as HAL is not into those things.

I am looking for alternatives to Crystal as I don't believe when their new build comes out in 2022, that I will be able to afford even the lower end category staterooms that I sail in right now:(

Actually she is "only" 28, commissioned(is that the right word?) in 1988, quite a bit younger than her sister ships or at least the RV Star, which I sailed on with my family of origin to Alaska in the summer of 1974, and to the Mexican Riviera in December of 1979! :)

,,,

I have not sailed on HAL but know Prinsendam is a refurbished Royal Viking ship, making her close to 40 years old. It is really an issue for some guests on the cruise line I usually travel on, about ships that are 16-21 years old currently(1995 and 2000 put into service),and I guess I don't see what all the hoopla is about, as long as they are kept up mechanically both at sea and in dry dock, and keep rust to a minimum .

Does anyone know the age of the HAL fleet? I am considering a HAL trip in 2017, but honestly hesitate only because of the slow internet speeds on all the cruise lines I have been on except my first Celebrity cruise in September. As much as I did not like a lot about my experience on Millennium, I would sail on Celebrity again PRIMARILY due to their far superior internet service than even my beloved Crystal offers! I have events that I want to watch which I cant watch in the USA when matches are held in the USA(geoblocked by the rights holders of various tennis tournaments) and would love to be at sea again as I was in September, and be able to strea Davis Cup matches on board. No other line offers internet with as little lag, and speed comparable to tha of what I have at home!

Not talking about the Konigsdam btw as it is brand new, but more about the older ships like Prinsendam...

Thanks for posting this, I've never cruised Celebrity. How is it traveling solo and meeting people? I'm really just looking for something affordable for Feb/March next year that will give me a nice tan and refreshing beverages.

And at the Meet and Mingle , it was not well organized .Too many people sitting down, so I saw little mingling I am shy and between no nametags and not feeling like the area was conducive to introductions, it was tough too. The one singles event CC put on was poorly attended. Only 10 -15 people at most. I think I only saw one of those people again on a 17 day cruise :( I don't know what the answer is to your question. I usually cruise on Crystal and have no problem meeting people on the Symphony and Serenity, but they are half the size, have a low crew turnover, and I play team trivia and paddle tennis-and I always meet people during those activities

I found so many activities were gambling oriented, and many in lounges and bars where I do not feel comfortable as a non drinker. My conclusion is Celebrity is not a good fit for me

PS Crystals single supplements start at 30% more than double occupancy(used to be 25% until almost 2 years ago), and is all inclusive so by the time you add in drink packages(alcohol or non alcohol alike) internet cost(1 hr free per day on Crystal) etc it is not really much more to sail on Crystal.

so I don't totally buy they additional revenue loss from the potential second passenger in a room. Plus solo rooms are capacity controlled for this and other possible reasons.

My beef is with what appears to be MORE than 200% single/solo supplement fares on future cruises. I looked to see if it was just because some categories of inside cabins were sold out/unavailable on the cruises I was considering, but it still looks like more than 200% to me.

I did receive a reply from Celebrity today and they still claim the standard solo rate is 200% that of a double occupancy stateroom.

Between the time I booked and took my first Celebrity cruise in September and now, they are now charging over 200% for singles .I usually sail on Crystal so the fare isnt the issue so much as it is the principle of the thing. I do not use more than 1 persons worth of space and am darned if I pay over 200% on any cruise with any cruise line. What a slap in the face for those of us who either do not have anyone to travel with or choose to travel alone!

I am now in Yokohama with a typhoon due tonight.I am glad I don't leave until late Thursday afternoon.I had to wait for my group but I believe some folks didn't.Sorry but I only paid attention to my group number and not to whether others walked straight off

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IT may be different for people traveling together but for meit is hard to meet others here without a lot of discomfort for those of us who are not naturally outgoing.Other than at trivia and meal time, I spend a lot of time by myself.I have approached new people pretty much every day but it isn't easy.

The seas and wind have finally kicked in and I love the white caps,large swells etc.

What with all of the problems for close to the full first week,the majority of activities including drinking,gambling and or sales pitches, this is definitely not the right cruise line for me,I can't wait to get off the ship in Tokyo. I have no desire to ever cruise on any Celebrity cruise again and am not willing to risk another cruise with them on Royal Caribbean or Azamara. Like the poster who said one and done

with Crystal, I am one and done with Celebrity....Worst cruise ever in spite of better food and room size than on Carnival or NCL...

Warning to prospective Celebrity cruisers: Do not take this line if you are solo, do not drink, or gamble!!!!!! I hope others will not have to endure the issues I have had to on this cruise.I am not alone however with having had a moldy/mildew shower so someone somewhere has dropped the ball in keeping the bathrooms clean and sanitary. SIgning off for the rest of the cruise as I have made it very clear my dislike of this cruise and the cruiseline Caio.

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Sorry about all of the typos in previous posts.A nice day at sea with more movement than I have felt earlier in the cruise, but I like knowing we are at sea for a change. I'm in a better mood as no major incidents for 2 days nowYay! Just some yucky pizza from room service-obviously pre made frozen pizza not even as good as Mama Celeste so I had all of one bite and that was it.But overall the food has been very good,without paying for the premium restaurants. I do love the glass elevators.There have Ben a few more seminars of interest in the past day or so, and I continue to go to afternoon trivia...More later

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I have travelled solo on most of my Crystal cruises,but meeting people has never been a problem as so many solos travel on her due to favorable fares

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I have changed to the eat when you wish option for the rest of the cruise and think this will be the best option.When I called guest relations to ask about this, she talked to the Maitre'd and his first table of choice was right next where I had been and they don't speak English!What was he thinking? He wasn't, and that inattention to detail has been apparent throughout the cruise.The lady from France called me to tell me this and I said no that was not ok as the point is to be around others and it should have been assumed others who speak my same language-OIVAY! Pleasant company however.I Will see how things go from here on out with different people every night(I dreaded this type if dining arrangement pre cruise but I Really don't have any other option with so few solo travelers on board.The table is for those who wish to join others to,solos or couples, and that is fine by me at this point.The international date line party is going on and it looks like fun but I am tired.We set clocks back by 2 hrs tonight but jump ahead by a day so adios to September 9 and will be waking up on Sept 10[emoji3]

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Change of plans.The so called pizza was some frozen garbage ,the fruit was ok, but not enough for dinner so I am going to check with the Maitre'd and see if they can put me at a table with an odd number of guests at the same seating as before. 0 for2 in staying at the same table with the same group for the duration of the cruise. Later tonight we cross the intl date line and tomorrow will be Sep 10 .We will never see Sept 9, 2016 , onboard!!

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To the poster above I have done one Carnival, one NCL, 12 Crystal, and 2 Royal Viking. Plus this cruise. Bodogbodog all I have to say to you is horse hockey!

I have always worked in service oriented businesses from to retail and now driving.No one at any level should have to tolerate unhygienic,unsanitary conditions or bedding. There are laws covering minimal standards in the hospitality industry and cruiselines are not exempt from them. There were none of these issues on NCL or Carnival even.

Again I am speaking from my own experience and others on the same cruise may have different experiences.But that does not invalidate mine. Obviously this line is not a good fit for me as I hate being one of only a dozen or so solo travelers on board.I never would have booked this had I known it was going to be a Noah's ark, with passengers mostly sticking to themselves, socializing difficult at best, and I am spending a lot of time by myself.Not my goal to be by myself so much when cruising, and never an issue on Crystal. I had no idea there would be so many gambling or drinking activities on board.Absolutely not my cup of tea. THe peel at my table have changed to early seating last night( I ate in my rom so I didn't know until I ran into them today.The other fellow at our table didn't show up 2 nights ago so I don't know if he will be back or not.Rather than risk eating by myself at dinner tonight, I have chosen to eat in my stateroom.For any of you who are outgoing,extroverted, you probably have no idea how difficult it is for me to meet people on my own, unless there is an organized activity such as trivia.I have started to go to trivia as of 2 Days ago and the team is pleasant enough.But like everything else we all go separate ways after it is over.This a very unpleasant cruise for me and those traveling with others on this cruise, lecturing me on what I should do won't help.Many non English speaking people on this cruise too. I honestly can't wait to get off this ship and that is sad.I came to relax and distress and all I am finding is doing exactly the opposite, from feeling socially isolated, to having no interest in many activities that I have no interest in and do not know how I could have found out about before booking this cruise.Even at the meet and mingle people were not meeting and mingling :(.

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Crystal is far from all suites only the top 2-3 decks have suites and not all are suites on deck 9 on Symphony or Serenity

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N/m

I am sailing solo and unfortunately this cruise feels like a Noah's ark with few solo and single passengers,not at all what I am used to with Crystal.Not fun to start with.Traveling with someone else probably insulates you from some of the many annoyances.I am speaking for myself not for others on the ship. if they are enjoying themselves great, but I bet bottom dollar they have not had the same poor service or interactions with some staff that I have. I am in the cheapest cabin on board,inside solo,fwiw. No one regardless of line should have to put up with moldy,mildew showers, visibly stained blankets that smelled and looked like baby spit up,poor attitude from the room steward(now changed to better female stewardess)constant problems with room cards(no longer carrying the iPad with me or near the card)problems with remote every day until this am, nor spam messages,solicitations via the phone.Sorry that should never be ok on any line. Then this am, at the Oceanview cafe a crew member named Elgie said washy washy to me like a child with hand sanitizer in a purse like container,and I started to walk by to use the ones by the door to the restaurant and she said in another tone of voice which I did not appreciate,"are you going into breakfast?"making me come back and get sprayed even though there were dispensers by the door to use.She let a couple go by with just a wave off by the guy, so why was I stopped? Another couple on the other side going into the restaurant she said nothing to at all.I told her no not talk to me like a child as I did not find it cute nor did I appreciate this not being uniformly enforced.She did not talk to couples this way or the men, and believe me I made it clear that I would not be spoken to this way.She was probably from a culture that gives more respect to men than women, but I Will not put up with that,luxury line or not.Honestly I can not go a full day without problems in service or something not working right, although later today it will be a full day without remote control issues yay!

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Ok I have had it!!!!!!!! I was trying to enjoy my dinner -actually had just finished, when I came back over to my bed and looked at the phone there was a message light flashing.The message was a frickin future sales solicitation invite to some cocktails something or other and I stopped listening it annoyed me so much.I do not drink so how dare they assume I do ,but more importantly how dare Celebrity not leave the guests alone in their own stateroom.That was the deal breaker for me.You could not get me to book another cruise With this company if life depended on it as it is all about getting passengers to spend money,make impulsive purchase and God forbid if you had a gambling problem!!!!!!HONESTLY!!!! OIVAY!!! I will spend more money and go less frequently to not have issues every day as I have had with Celebrity.The rooms may be smaller and the food selections and quality not quite as good but I would consider NCL before this line again-unless they do something magical to change my opinion of them between now and cruise's end,something I highly doubt they can or are willing to do

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I have finally successfully ordered room service tonight,and it just arrived I did have lunch in my room the other day.I have been at late seating every night until tonight fwiw.

I do love the glass elevators,and the ship overall is quite lovely. But I do see worn armchairs and chairs in a number of places around the ship, the fabric on the love seat in my room is very worn at the end of the arms. More later as I think of things to report.

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