A Princess/HAL Cruiser’s Celebrity Experience

[Cruise Junky]

In fact, Princess needs to take a lesson in chilled facecloth presentation from Celebrity.

 

 

I think they already did. Princess has been doing this for over a year now when coming back onto the ship from port.

[PescadoAmarillo]

I think they already did. Princess has been doing this for over a year now when coming back onto the ship from port.

I wasn't clear. Princess does it, but the cloths are typically frozen hard on one side and dry on the other. Celebrity manages to make theirs cool and damp throughout.

[gertz]

Hi Pam good to see you again.

We have never been on any other line but Princess and with friends like you to check these others out we probably will never go on any other line. Princess has always met and exceeded our expectations and were getting to the age where people will start including us in their complaints about people with wheel chairs, walkers, etc., at least I am so we have to consider that.

Thanks again,

Jack

[dchip]

Thanks for the review, Pam. It was excellent and helped me decide to stick with Princess and HAL!!.......unless Celebrity has a cruise with an amazing price, itinerary and new ship :D

 

Cheers, Denise

[bugsy43]

Thanks for your review Pam - I always enjoy reading your posts.

 

We are also regular Princess cruisers and are in fact going on the Summit to Bermuda in July followed by the 9 Day Day Canada/New England Cruise on the Caribbean Princess (with a 2 day stay in NYC in between). I am looking forward to doing them back to back (almost) so I can do a comparison while they are both fresh in my mind.

 

I suspect that I will share many of your thoughts and hope to post my thoughts/comparison when I get back.

 

Look forward to seeing all your updates.

[sunsetbeachgal]

I thought that Celebrity was 100% non-smoking, but then I read some comments about smoking...what is their policy (we are non-smokers!)..

 

Thanks!

[Cruise Junky]

I thought that Celebrity was 100% non-smoking, but then I read some comments about smoking...what is their policy (we are non-smokers!)..

 

Thanks!

 

Celebrity doesn't allow smoking in cabins or balconies and "Most" public areas including the casino. There are still smoking areas around the ship. I don't think any line is completely non smoking.

[roe2ship]

Interesting comments, thanks for sharing. I must say I am very surprised that you were bothered by smoke, from I have read over the last year on the Celebrity boards, most are VERY satisfied with their restrictive smoking policies throughout the ship.

 

Also I believe the square footage on cabins is pretty equal on both lines, in fact as you climb up the balcony category on Celebrity M class ships, cabins do have extra square footage, where as on Princess you have to move up to a mini-suite to have extra space inside the cabin. From the pictures you posted, the second picture does look a bit wider and very similar to Princess’ cabins. Perhaps the layout makes it feel more cramped. The Aqua Spa Café consistently gets positive reviews for the food served there, they even have some items freshly cooked to order.

 

I am cruising on Celebrity for the first time next month, same ship, and I am looking forward to trying a different line.

[Pam in CA]

From the pictures you posted, the second picture does look a bit wider and very similar to Princess’ cabins. Perhaps the layout makes it feel more cramped.

The second photo was taken from my sister's cabin, several feet in, so it looks wider than it really is. It was so narrow that I couldn't even roll my small Kipling backpack that I use as a carry-on past the bed; I had to carry it over the bed. My suitcase wouldn't fit sideways; I had to roll it on top of the bed. I had a tape measure with me and the space measured 14", narrower than even an airline seat in Coach. The right arm of the chair was up against the wall, the other side was slightly over the nightstand. There literally wasn't a spare inch of space to the bathroom wall. It was in no way similar to any Princess cabin I've ever had, and I've been on most Princess ships in a variety of cabins.

[Admin]

Hi Pam! It was super meeting you and your sister. I didn't see you much during the week but I enjoyed the times I did see you! Maybe we'll run into each other again on another cruise. :)

[ready2travel54]

Why was there so many cruise critics on this cruise?? Was it a promotion or something.

 

Pam , Thanks for your insights.

[poncho1965]

Nice review Pam, thanks!

[Pam in CA]

Why was there so many cruise critics on this cruise?? Was it a promotion or something.

Cruise Critic puts together group cruises. You'll find them at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

[Pam in CA]

Hi Pam! It was super meeting you and your sister. I didn't see you much during the week but I enjoyed the times I did see you! Maybe we'll run into each other again on another cruise. :)

I really enjoyed meeting you, Laura, and the others, and look forward to cruising with you again some time in the future. I'm sorry we didn't have more time to chat but I knew you were busy. :)

[Pam in CA]

I promised to scan the Dining options, so here they are. Lunch is available in the dining room only on sea days. The last sea day, there was a fabulous brunch from 11am-1pm.

 

[gimletgal]

Interesting review. Have you considered posting it on the Celebrity board?

[Pam in CA]

Interesting review. Have you considered posting it on the Celebrity board?

I considered it and decided not to. While onboard the ship, it was made clear to other CC members that I cruise Princess (without mentioning that I also cruise on HAL) and several people assumed that I'd slam Celebrity and rip the cruise in a review. That was to my face; I'd rather not open myself up to comments on the Celebrity board. I tried to be an "observer" and comment only on what I experienced but I know some people won't/don't see it that way. When I mentioned the toilet issue, others said they were having the same problem and that they were being called every half hour with an update and apology with the implication that I must be not telling the whole story or just wanted to be negative about Celebrity.

 

One thing that I found interesting is that after negotiating the pass-through corridor to the mid-ship elevators past the parked scooter the entire cruise, the morning before disembarkation, I dropped my questionnaire and comments off at the Front Desk. Two hours later, the scooter was gone and didn't re-appear. Maybe I should have reported it but it was such an obvious obstacle and safety issue that I thought Celebrity staff would have/should have corrected it immediately.

[fredman]

I considered it and decided not to. While onboard the ship, it was made clear to other CC members that I cruise Princess (without mentioning that I also cruise on HAL) and several people assumed that I'd slam Celebrity and rip the cruise in a review. That was to my face; I'd rather not open myself up to comments on the Celebrity board. I tried to be an "observer" and comment only on what I experienced but I know some people won't/don't see it that way. When I mentioned the toilet issue, others said they were having the same problem and that they were being called every half hour with an update and apology with the implication that I must be not telling the whole story or just wanted to be negative about Celebrity.

 

People are funny that way. :mad: Anyways anyone spending enough time around here knows for a fact that you as many here are, very fair and thoughtful in your comments and observations. :)

[Coral]

Why was there so many cruise critics on this cruise?? Was it a promotion or something.

 

Pam , Thanks for your insights.

 

Cruise Critic puts together group cruises. You'll find them at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

 

I have read previously that every year or so, many of the hosts/moderators all decide to cruise together. I am guessing this is what happened here.

 

I have a friend who was on a cruise with a bunch of them a few years ago.

[Pam in CA]

I have read previously that every year or so, many of the hosts/moderators all decide to cruise together. I am guessing this is what happened here.

That is what happened. :) A good friend of mine with whom I worked for years and who is a moderator told me about the cruise. I hadn't seen her in six years and it was a delight to get together.

[Jasperdo]

I promised to scan the Dining options, so here they are. Lunch is available in the dining room only on sea days. The last sea day, there was a fabulous brunch from 11am-1pm.

Thanks for scanning the Dining options. The hours are definitely shorter then they are on Princess. It looks to me that the Waterfall Cafe would be similar to the Horizon Court, while the Waterfall Casual Dining Boulevard would be like Cafe Caribe.

[Admin]

I promised to scan the Dining options, so here they are. Lunch is available in the dining room only on sea days. The last sea day, there was a fabulous brunch from 11am-1pm.

 

That brunch was my favorite meal all week!

 

I have read previously that every year or so, many of the hosts/moderators all decide to cruise together. I am guessing this is what happened here.

 

I have a friend who was on a cruise with a bunch of them a few years ago.

We do it every 2 to 3 years and it's usually piggybacked onto an existing or a Cruise Critic group cruise that we establish. The scuttlebutt is Alaska in 2013 for the next one. I'm pushing for NCL. :)

 

I considered it and decided not to. While onboard the ship, it was made clear to other CC members that I cruise Princess (without mentioning that I also cruise on HAL) and several people assumed that I'd slam Celebrity and rip the cruise in a review. That was to my face; I'd rather not open myself up to comments on the Celebrity board. I tried to be an "observer" and comment only on what I experienced but I know some people won't/don't see it that way. When I mentioned the toilet issue, others said they were having the same problem and that they were being called every half hour with an update and apology with the implication that I must be not telling the whole story or just wanted to be negative about Celebrity.

You know Pam, I feel the same way. I'm not even doing a review because I sometimes get torn apart for my opinions. People think I'm supposed to be impartial! It's my vacation! LOL So I'm just following your review.

[stepmor99]

Great review Pam, as always!

 

I am surprised by your comment about all of the cig smoke on board in the public areas as I too thought that Celebrity was more restrictive than Princess. It will be interesting to see if the new Princess ban on smoking in the cabins and on balconies will result in the same problems that you encountered on Celebrity. I hope not but time will tell......

[Iamcruzin]

I considered it and decided not to. While onboard the ship, it was made clear to other CC members that I cruise Princess (without mentioning that I also cruise on HAL) and several people assumed that I'd slam Celebrity and rip the cruise in a review. That was to my face; I'd rather not open myself up to comments on the Celebrity board. I tried to be an "observer" and comment only on what I experienced but I know some people won't/don't see it that way.

 

I don't blame you. Some take any point of view that is different than theirs as a personal attack. Funny but I have been reading the Celebrity boards and sometimes I have to stop and check to see which board I am on because they have the same debates as we do here concerning dress code, smoking and tipping. I guess a Celebrity passenger is not much different than a Princess passenger.

[Coolmama_1]

Pam,

Thanks for the well balanced review. After 2 flight issues and a luggaga snafu, I thought what else could go wrong! We are fairly new cruisers and have just reached platinum. Started with Princess and think at this point that is where we will stay.:)