Help me decide between Summit or Eurodam

[pxy cda]

We have it down to two cruises On Nov 12:

 

Summit out of PR - 7 day cruise to southern carribean (one day at sea)

 

or

 

HA Eurodam our of FLL - 7 day cruise souther carribean2 days at sea

 

Itineries for us are a tie - we are good with either. Departure ports are even too as we have sailed out of both without any issue.

 

So it comes down to the ships - we are mid forties and are typically in bed before midnight or at the casino if late so late night disco no issue for us - we like an adult atmosphere and wanted to give these a chance (we are RCCL cruisers typically but thought wed like to try something new)

 

Would love feedback from folks who have travelled on these ships. How bad is summit (coming up for refurbish). How does HA compare in service, cabin, food?

 

I will be happy with either but would love some feedback - will post this on HA board too!

 

Thanks fellow CCs I know I'll get good feedback here.

[YOW]

We cruised on Summit in May and would not hesitate to recommend her.

 

Haven't sailed HAL yet, but we are looking at Nieuw Amsterdam for the holidays.

 

Came across this thread, maybe it will be of help:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1437862

[texancruzer]

We cruised Eurodam out of FLL .... while any cruise is a good cruise, we didnt really care for HAL.

 

We are mid 50's, active but don't stay up too late either. But they rolled up the sidewalks on this cruise by 10pm. Seems like even if you wanted to "kick it up" - it just wasnt there. It seems there were a higher number of older folks (65-80'ish) on our cruise.

 

While we mainly cruise for the ports, the onboard experience is also important to us. We decided to try other lines (HAL) in order to visit some new Caribbean ports. We are both scuba divers and dove the wall on Grand Turk. IT was amazing.

 

We have done one Celebrity cruise with another on the books for Nov.

 

If you have cruise Royal and like it, you will love Celebrity ! We did.

 

Havent done Summit, so can only compare one line to the other.

 

We enjoy the "glad you are here" feeling from Royal or Celebrity. We did not get it on HAL. Just our experience.

[Denny01]

we are confirmed Celebrity cruisers and focus on that Line when on a cruise that is ship-oriented. One major difference, for us, is HAL allows smoking in their SR's and balconies, and many of their common areas. In Jan 12, smoking will not be allowed in SRs but will be on your cruise in Nov. We aren't ardent non-smokers, but on our last cruise on a Line which allowed SR smoking, we had to have our SR cleaned twice. So that can be a big issue for many. We didn't enjoy the casino except for the few non-smoking nights.

 

Den

[Anthony327]

I have reviewed the Zuiderdam vs. Celebrity cruises I have taken (including Summit). Check it out and it may help.

[debsea]

If I were booking a suite, I would go on the Summit. If I were booking a verandah cabin or below, I would choose the Eurodam.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I have cruised on both of these ships fairly recently: Celebrity Summit 7-day Southern Caribbean in November 2011 and Eurodam 7-day Eastern Caribbean in December 2008. I honestly enjoyed both ships and would not hesitate recommending either one. This is a tough decision. The Eurodam is newer and has an additional sea day. The Celebrity Summit has more ports and (in my opinion) a more contemporary atmosphere. Even though the Celebrity Summit is scheduled for a major refurbishment, the ship was in fairly good shape last November. I think the food, service and cabins are fairly comparable on both ships.

 

I am in my mid 40's and particularly enjoy the food and entertainment on cruises (not really a late night or party person). I would probably choose the Celebrity Summit, but this is a close call. Both ships are very nice.

 

Chuck

[brockmom]

Hal has only one negative- the entertainment. Doesn't sound like that is terribly important to you. I did one Hal and several Celebrity- but was on Summit last November as well. When I was on the Noordam the hotel director spoke very very highly of the Eurodam. In this case- if entertainment isn't high up there- pick the Hal- you will not be disappointed. I have never had a bad cruise- just some are much better- enjoy!!! Brockmom

[ptiprof]

We sailed on the Eurodam in 2010 (Canada/New England), and although we have not sailed on the Summit, we have been on the Infinity twice (Alaska), and I assume the two ships are similar.

 

First, we thoroughly enjoyed both cruises. The cabins were very nice, and the cabin stewards took excellent care of us. I'd give Celebrity an edge in the food department--I was somewhat disappointed in some of the MDR offerings on the Eurodam, and we ended up eating several meals in the specialty restaurant. The passengers on the Eurodam were quite a bit older than the on the Infinity (we are in our late 50's-early 60's) and were among the "youngsters." The entertainment was geared to the older demographic and they did indeed "pull up the sidewalks" early. Our son and DIL (20's) were more comfortable with the music and entertainment on the Infinity. That being said, the Eurodam passengers were interesting and well-traveled, and we enjoyed the select dining-type option where we elected to sit at large tables and meet new people every night. If you are at all interested in entertainment or "more recent" music, then I would certainly suggest Celebrity. The Caribbean itinerary might attract a younger demographic, however, so you never know. The Eurodam does have one of my very favorite amenities on any ship--their "thermal suite." Like the Infinity's (and I assume Summit's) Persian Garden, there are heated tile loungers and various shower and steam options, but they have beautiful ocean views like Celebrity's "S" class ships. The hydrotherapy pool on the Eurodam (which I liked MUCH better than the one on Infinity) is also part of this thermal suite, and therefore, you have to pay for access (by day or entire cruise), but although I was a bit annoyed about that at first, I ended up loving the fact that it was extremely quiet and uncrowded--people who paid for access really wanted to use the area to relax, and there were absolutely no children at any time. During a port-intensive cruise, it was just wonderful.

Enjoy your cruise--you'll have a great time either way!

[bradpole]

We have it down to two cruises On Nov 12:

 

Summit out of PR - 7 day cruise to southern carribean (one day at sea)

 

or

 

HA Eurodam our of FLL - 7 day cruise souther carribean2 days at sea

 

Itineries for us are a tie - we are good with either. Departure ports are even too as we have sailed out of both without any issue.

 

So it comes down to the ships - we are mid forties and are typically in bed before midnight or at the casino if late so late night disco no issue for us - we like an adult atmosphere and wanted to give these a chance (we are RCCL cruisers typically but thought wed like to try something new)

 

Would love feedback from folks who have travelled on these ships. How bad is summit (coming up for refurbish). How does HA compare in service, cabin, food?

 

I will be happy with either but would love some feedback - will post this on HA board too!

 

Thanks fellow CCs I know I'll get good feedback here.

 

Both Ships are great and would have no hesitation to sail either again!

I loved HAL, and I really liked Celebrity. Both lines offer a premium product and hopefully you won’t be disappointed by either!

As for “how bad” is the Summit, in May she wasn’t “bad” at all. Sure if you were looking hard you could find evidence of her age, but I could say the same thing for the Nieuw Amsterdam that we were on in February and she was less than a year old! No matter how old, or how new, a ship is you will find wear and tear.

Personally If I had to make the same decision we’d probably choose the Eurodam just for her alternative restaurants. The Summit currently only has one pay restaurant the Normandie which is French. The menu looks interesting, and I’ve never heard anything bad about the Normandie but the menu didn’t interest us enough to actually dine there. On the reverse the Eurodam has two pay restaurants which are wonderful! The Pinnacle Grill (think fancy steak house) and Tamarind (Asian Fusion). We LOVE both, especially Tamarind! Also on the Eurodam there is another eatery (non fee) Canaletto which in the evenings they close off a portion of the Lido Buffet and serve Italian food, which is quite good.

Side note: Amazing how things have changed in the industry, when I first started cruising I never imagined myself paying for a meal on a ship, now we actually look at what is offered as an additional fee and look forward to it!

Overall food on both ships was quite good. One item that HAL offers for free compared to Celebrity is that at the breakfast buffet fresh squeezed orange juice is free, Celebrity offers it but it is an additional charge. I know that is trivial but is a nice touch on HAL. Dining room food on both ships I found to be of a very high standard, and didn’t walk away hungry from either!

HAL allows you to bring as much wine and champagne on as you’d like to consume in your cabin, compared to Celebrity they allow one bottle person (I belive).

Bottom line both ships are quite good, are they the same? Thankfully No! As for which is better, only you can decide.

Possibly one other deciding factor, how much additional is the airfare to SJU compared to FLL? I know for us flying out of Philadelphia the airfare has in the past been double if not triple to fly into SJU compared to FLL.

[fridaythe13th]

We have it down to two cruises On Nov 12:

 

Summit out of PR - 7 day cruise to southern carribean (one day at sea)

 

or

 

HA Eurodam our of FLL - 7 day cruise souther carribean2 days at sea

 

Itineries for us are a tie - we are good with either. Departure ports are even too as we have sailed out of both without any issue.

 

So it comes down to the ships - we are mid forties and are typically in bed before midnight or at the casino if late so late night disco no issue for us - we like an adult atmosphere and wanted to give these a chance (we are RCCL cruisers typically but thought wed like to try something new)

 

Would love feedback from folks who have travelled on these ships. How bad is summit (coming up for refurbish). How does HA compare in service, cabin, food?

 

I will be happy with either but would love some feedback - will post this on HA board too!

 

Thanks fellow CCs I know I'll get good feedback here.

 

Just an FYI... If you end up on the Summit (which we loved) and have sailed with RC, let Celebrity know and they will give you a Captain's Club number right away for the benefits. :D

[pxy cda]

Well both boards have given me a lot to think about. But the smoking factor is a real issue for us. We are also getting the loyalty benefit if we sail with X as we have 5 RCCL cruises under our belts.

 

So X it is!

 

Now I have to figure out how to get to the coach store without all my luggage in tow....! :cool:

[YOW]

Glad you've decided... think you'll like the Summit.

 

Just to set expectations reasonably, the benefits you'll get are okay, but not great. Sounds like the smoking policy is what tipped it, anyway.

 

Happy travels. :)

[cookiersmom]

We cruised on Summit in April 2009 and HAL a few years back (Zaandam thru Panama Canal). We also have been RCI cruisers and are in our mid 50's. At the time we were on Hal we were late 40's.

 

What we found is that HAL is just aimed at a market many years older than us! There were only a handful of couples (maybe 10 on the whole ship) under 60, and most passengers were over 70. The entertainment and shore excursions were targeted at that demographic. At our late dining table, all our tablemates were in their late 70's and 80's and most resented being at late dinner, too late for them! It may be slightly younger on a Caribbean short itinerary, but I would still aim for the Summit.

 

I also don't like HAL's staffing philosophy, where their dining staff is all one nationality and their bar staff another. I like the intenational flavor of the RCI and Celebrity staffs. I find them friendlier and easier to communicate with. We really did not like the service on our HAL cruise, but found it very good on the Summit.

[scareyness]

We have it down to two cruises On Nov 12:

 

Summit out of PR - 7 day cruise to southern carribean (one day at sea)

 

or

 

HA Eurodam our of FLL - 7 day cruise souther carribean2 days at sea

 

Itineries for us are a tie - we are good with either. Departure ports are even too as we have sailed out of both without any issue.

 

So it comes down to the ships - we are mid forties and are typically in bed before midnight or at the casino if late so late night disco no issue for us - we like an adult atmosphere and wanted to give these a chance (we are RCCL cruisers typically but thought wed like to try something new)

 

Would love feedback from folks who have travelled on these ships. How bad is summit (coming up for refurbish). How does HA compare in service, cabin, food?

 

I will be happy with either but would love some feedback - will post this on HA board too!

 

Thanks fellow CCs I know I'll get good feedback here.

 

 

Hi

 

We are to sail with Celebrity for the first time in less than 4 weeks :D so I am unable to comment as yet.

 

We sailed with HAL for first time in January and have NO hesitation in recommending them. The food and service was without question the best we have had on any cruise line. If Celebrity is as good I will be a very happy bunny! If it's better then things will be awesome!:)