Celebrity vs Holland America

[Diane Rose]

[quote name='takemewithyou']4 Star Mariner vs Elite on X:
Takes FOREVER to get any perks from HAL!!!
2 Star has nothing and 3 Star...not much more!
Fairly easy to get to Elite versus how many days to be 4 Star Mariner?
Something like 250??????[/QUOTE]

This is a very good point. Our 6th cruise with Celebrity/Azamara will make us Elite.

However, when we cruise we try to keep our cabin price around the same. That being said, we've cruised 3 times on HAL in a deluxe suite. We've never been able to do that on Celebrity.

Diane

[takemewithyou]

[quote name='cruisetrail'][B]Celebrity:[/B]
[IMG]http://i48.tinypic.com/w20s21.jpg[/IMG]


[B]Holland America:[/B]
[IMG]http://i47.tinypic.com/wumky9.jpg[/IMG]



Wow! Do I get instant 10* Mariner on HAL?
So do others.[/quote]
HUH?
And the point is?

[cruisetrail]

[quote name='takemewithyou']HUH?
And the point is?[/quote]

Perks are nothing.
The ship is everything.

Afternoon tea for everyone on Eurodam may be better than a special party for "Brilliant members" somewhere else.

[Bridge Maven]

[quote name='cruisetrail']Perks are nothing.
The ship is everything.

Afternoon tea for everyone on Eurodam may be better than a special party for "Brilliant members" somewhere else.[/QUOTE]

cruisetrail - I agree with you. We are elite on Celebrity and diamond on Royal Caribbean, so if perks were that important to us we would take all of our cruises on these two cruise lines. However, we sail on many other cruise lines, even though we don't get perks on them. We are more concerned with the ship itself, amenities available to all cruisers on them, and itinerary.

[cruisetrail]

[quote name='Bridge Maven']cruisetrail - I agree with you. We are elite on Celebrity and diamond on Royal Caribbean, so if perks were that important to us we would take all of our cruises on these two cruise lines. However, we sail on many other cruise lines, even though we don't get perks on them. We are more concerned with the ship itself, amenities available to all cruisers on them, and itinerary.[/quote]

Bravo!

[A Sixth?]

[quote name='takemewithyou']HUH?
And the point is?[/QUOTE]

HAL :eek:

[IMG]http://a4.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/103/60fa83d579614009ad787ea25600a6ba/l.jpg[/IMG]

Celebrity :p

[IMG]http://www.firstcoastprotravel.com/Libraries/Specials/CEL_CS_Balcony_8412.sflb.ashx[/IMG]

[Christine Frances]

crusetrail
We get it! You don't like Celebrity. I do:D I would never use the promenade, go to afternoon tea, (early seating - too close to dinner), don't sit around the pool (go to the Lawn Club), we use the casino but not when it is a smoking den, warm and cozy on HAL relates to me as dark and cramped not open and airy. Really glad we have options for ships that we like.
My BIL sails exclusively on HAL and Cunard and he has warned us away from both lines as he knows what we like. He is looking elsewhere now as he started with HAL because he was a smoker. Since he quit there are a lot more options open to him now. To each his own.

[kendon]

Just as important as comparing cruise lines is to compare individual ships. Each ship within a fleet has it's own "flavor" and "feel" and it is often unfair to judge an entire cruise line based on the experience of one ship...however I have been guilty of that myself. :)

[maz48]

[quote name='TomBeckCruise']Maze These lines are very similar. The promenade deck on HAL sets them apart.
I don't know how much tobacco smoke you Herve to endure in the UK. Here, Tennessee, US we do not allow smoking indoors in public buildings except for a few bars/pubs, Very few. Once you become accustomed to that it is difficult to cruise on a ship that allows smoking indoors. It is depressing to play blackjack or just pass through the casino and smell like smoke the rest of the night. Something we don't tolerate.
We have sailed 5 times with HAL, and all were excellent cruises. The ships, at least the older ones, are beautiful. HAL is very much like X.[/QUOTE]

Thank you, it is good to get various thoughts so we can make our own minds up. I have hated cigarette smoke since I was very little and used to get told off by my mother for glaring at smokers!!!:rolleyes: I did try 2 and half cigarettes when i was 11 but that was it.:D

Smoking policies in the UK have become much stricter over the years and no indoor smoking in public spaces is now not permitted but it is free anywhere outside as yet. I do not like stale smokers smell at all so would not like it to be hanging around onboard. Some people can cope with that I know. We have also been bothered by smoke from neighbouring balconies on DCL and butt ends landing on our verandah from a verandah above when we were out there. It didn't thrill me one bit but at least no indoor smoking was permitted.

I will probably keep away from HAL till they change their policy but then know I will be able to enjoy the differences from what I have learnt on here as there sounds much I would really like and enjoy, including the promenade deck as we usually make use of that.

[bellarosa]

[quote name='takemewithyou']I used to sail on HAL - did 5 or so cruises with them...switched due to smoking on HAL, etc.
The beds on HAL were good. The beds on X...not so good and DH has back issues. We have to ask for an egg crate. We have our TA order it. It is usually NOT on the bed when we arrive - I always check. We ask the cabin steward to put one on and then the bed is fine.

I have heard that the mattresses were updated when the M class ships were Solsticised. We will see how they are when we go on our next cruise on Millie which received new mattresses in June. We'll see if we need the egg crate.

I hope you will enjoy your cruise - I have never returned to HAL since trying X. I really think X is one of the best cruising values available! I love the smoke-free environment, among other things. :)[/quote]


We Beg ,to differ on this, we really miss Hal while cruise on x this last janurary. Food on x was run of the mill... just bland. We were really spoiled with the dessert extranvagaza on hal, celebrity had a joke for a dessert buffet... it was bland and nothing there at all. Beds on x... very unconfortable, hal amazing beds. Service friendlier on hal vs x. Nightlife better on x... hal is very quite for night lift ( i really hope if we go in july next time it will be younger) food in main dining on hal.. amazing on x bland....- very warm feel with the crew on board with hal, on x crew was alright. Food in buffet better on X vs hal, however the free water and leonade everytime i would drink it would make me very ill.... micorbe or norovirus in the water or something...not sure. Cant wait to go back on HOlland america! Edited July 30, 2012 by bellarosa

[rebeccalouiseagain]

If both cruise lines were doing the same itinerary- I'd definitely go with Celebrity but if there is a great itinerary- go with Holland.

Holland ships tend to be a bit smaller, they aren't crowded and you will have a good cruise. If you want any nightlife- do Celebrity.

We did a port intensive cruise to Greece and Turkey and were in bed early each night-so nightlife didn't matter to me. However, we did a New England cruise and I was on the ship more than off and it was sooooo boring on the ship in terms of activities. The passengers thought it was a library and I got glared at if I talked at all during the string quartet. My mother had the same experience on her South American cruise on Holland. My mother sailed Celebrity Infinity for two weeks and then did 19 days on Holland America and she preferred Celebrity but didn't hate Holland. Edited July 30, 2012 by rebeccalouiseagain

[bellarosa]

[quote name='rebeccalouiseagain']Celebrity is better in almost every catagory but size. I do think there is something to be said for the smaller vessels.[/quote]


X better... no way, celebrity needs to test their drinking water/ lemonade, as there is a microbe or norovirus in their water.... as per my doctor this has been proven. Food on board ( unless you pay ALLOT for eating in blu) is very run of the mill whereas hal is gourment and made fresh for all guest!!

Hal it is!;)

[Bridge Maven]

[quote name='bellarosa']X better... no way, celebrity needs to test their drinking water/ lemonade, as there is a microbe or norovirus in their water.... as per my doctor this has been proven. Food on board ( unless you pay ALLOT for eating in blu) is very run of the mill whereas hal is gourment and made fresh for all guest!!

Hal it is!;)[/QUOTE]

bellarosa- if a microbe in their drinking water exists, wouldn't the CDC make it mandatory for Celebrity to do something about it? Edited July 31, 2012 by Bridge Maven

[Denny01]

[quote name='bellarosa']X better... no way, celebrity needs to test their drinking water/ lemonade, as there is a microbe or norovirus in their water.... as per my doctor this has been proven. Food on board ( unless you pay ALLOT for eating in blu) is very run of the mill whereas hal is gourment and made fresh for all guest!!

Hal it is!;)[/QUOTE]

Microbes in the water because your Dr 'knows'? Wow, I assume your Dr has some secret into that says Celebrity has them and HAL doesn't.

I'm afraid that statement makes no sense at all. Knowing that 'microbes' are everywhere, heck you have more 'microbes' on and in you then you have cells, so a legit Dr would never make such as statement. I suggest that instead of worrying about cruise lines you rethink your Dr.

Den

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I drink the water at the buffet several times a day on Celebrity and I have sailed them 8 times and have never had a sniffle or cold onboard. No stomach issues either. So I seriously doubt there is a problem with the water onboard.

Years ago- like 20 years ago- there was an outbreak of Legionaires disease on the Celebrity Horizon. That is the only issue I can think of that Bellarosa might be confused about. The Pinnacle Grill (surcharge) was very good though.

As to the food on Holland- it was good not gourmet. I don't remember ever having a bad meal on my sailings but nothing that stands out. The desserts were great though.

But now the desserts are wonderful on Celebrity- they used to look good but taste bland. Edited July 31, 2012 by rebeccalouiseagain

[mrpacker03]

[quote name='bellarosa']X better... no way, celebrity needs to test their drinking water/ lemonade, as there is a microbe or norovirus in their water.... as per my doctor this has been proven. Food on board ( unless you pay ALLOT for eating in blu) is very run of the mill whereas hal is gourment and made fresh for all guest!!

Hal it is!;)[/quote]
We've got 143 days sailing on Celebrity, sailing on the Mercury, Infinity, Millenium, Constellation, and the Solstice. We drank regular water all throughout the day and neither one of us gotten sick. I only remember the Noro virus only being mention once, and that was on the previous cruise, that's why it was brought up.
We USED to be a huge HAL fan. 7 of our first 9 cruises were on them. We did our LAST cruise on HAL this past November on the Ryndam. The service and the beds were the only thing on par with Celebrity. Due to cost cutbacks, it reminded us of Norwegian. We did our first Celebrity cruise about 9 years ago and our last one in May, of this year and can't recall anything that was not available versus 9 years ago.
Cruising is a personal preference thing and everybody's taste is different so overall there is no wrong choice, but to make a comment about the cleanliness of the water is low. I think I'd find a different doctor.

[swedish weave]

[quote name='mrpacker03']We've got 143 days sailing on Celebrity, sailing on the Mercury, Infinity, Millenium, Constellation, and the Solstice. We drank regular water all throughout the day and neither one of us gotten sick. I only remember the Noro virus only being mention once, and that was on the previous cruise, that's why it was brought up.
We USED to be a huge HAL fan. 7 of our first 9 cruises were on them. We did our LAST cruise on HAL this past November on the Ryndam. The service and the beds were the only thing on par with Celebrity. Due to cost cutbacks, it reminded us of Norwegian. We did our first Celebrity cruise about 9 years ago and our last one in May, of this year and can't recall anything that was not available versus 9 years ago.
Cruising is a personal preference thing and everybody's taste is different so overall there is no wrong choice, but to make a comment about the cleanliness of the water is low. I think I'd find a different doctor.[/quote]

Your comment about Norwegian brings up a question. What has Norwegian eliminated that causes you to make the comment ?

[mrpacker03]

Norwegian was bare bones to begin with. At the time Norwegian was the butt of jokes by comedians on the other lines. It was too plain for us then, and that appears to be the way HAL is going. A lot of little things have been cut in the name of cost cutting. The one big thing that was cut back, that we can't live with is the entertainment in the showroom. Guest entertainers were poor, the production shows were like poor high school productions, and having Kareoke, and Name That Tune as the main entertainment was the end of it. This was on the Ryndam last November.

[swedish weave]

[quote name='mrpacker03']Norwegian was bare bones to begin with. At the time Norwegian was the butt of jokes by comedians on the other lines. It was too plain for us then, and that appears to be the way HAL is going. A lot of little things have been cut in the name of cost cutting. The one big thing that was cut back, that we can't live with is the entertainment in the showroom. Guest entertainers were poor, the production shows were like poor high school productions, and having Kareoke, and Name That Tune as the main entertainment was the end of it. This was on the Ryndam last November.[/quote]

I disagree with the comment about NCL. I have made many cruises on NCL recently and find the food and entertainment very good. Better than I have experienced on HAL or Celebrity. Are you speaking from personal experience, or were you told this ?

I asked what NCL has eliminated recently. Edited July 31, 2012 by swedish weave

[blueboro]

[quote name='bellarosa']X better... no way, celebrity needs to test their drinking water/ lemonade, as there is a microbe or norovirus in their water.... as per my doctor this has been proven. Food on board ( unless you pay ALLOT for eating in blu) is very run of the mill whereas hal is gourment and made fresh for all guest!!

Hal it is!;)[/quote]

Gourmet food made FRESH for all guests??? Yea...right. What did you do...bring back a jar of X water??? Geez.

[Bridge Maven]

[quote name='gwilli']Anyone want to comment on the differences between the two cruise lines, Celebrity and Holland America? We have cruised many HAL cruises, now booked with Celebrity for our next cruise. What should we expect? Cheers![/QUOTE]

gwilli - I would suggest posting the same question on the Holland America board to counter the bias of posting it on the Celebrity board. Edited July 31, 2012 by Bridge Maven

[Orlandocruiser]

[quote name='mrpacker03']
We USED to be a huge HAL fan. 7 of our first 9 cruises were on them. We did our LAST cruise on HAL this past November on the Ryndam. [/QUOTE]

That is exactly our experience except that our LAST cruise on HAL was the Ryndam in Dec 2010.

[Denny01]

[quote name='Bridge Maven']gwilli - I would suggest posting the same question on the Holland America board to counter the bias of posting it on the Celebrity board.[/QUOTE]

Bias?????....Bias??? I can't believe you are accusing us Celebirty-loving posters of bias!?!

Fact: You have a 50% chance of catching Noro on any HAL cruise - the food is one step below McDonalds - the waitstaff Hate the passengers and make it clear every time they get a chance, including tripping all the passengers using canes and walkers, which is 95% of the passengers!!!

And I know all of this is true, although I've never actualy cruised on HAL....but I know because I read it right here!! And don't go over to that HAL forum....they lie all the time, unlike us Celebrity-lovers!

Den Edited July 31, 2012 by Denny01

[Denny01]

As to that post about 'microbes' in the Celebrity water and lemonade (I guess the Celebity 'microbes' dont like the OJ, applejuice, coffee, tea, etc - but that's why I drink Martinis....no water!!), I looked at the Noro outbreaks on Celebrity and HAL. Now realize Celebrity has 9 ships and HAL 15 that are tracked by the CDC:

In 2012, Celebrity had 2 outbreaks and HAL 0.
In 2011, Celebrity had 3 outbreaks and HAL 3.
In 2010, Celebrity had 4 outbreaks and HAL 3.
in 2009, Celebrity had 2 outbreaks, and HAL 7.
in 2008, Celebrity had 0 outbreaks, and HAL 6
In 2007, Celebrity had 1 outbreak, and HAL 5.

Statistically, about even I guess. Which means those 'microbes' get around to all the various ships and Cruise Lines, especially since it is us, the passengers who in most all cases bring it aboard.

Just nice to see some data.

Den Edited July 31, 2012 by Denny01

[Hlitner]

[quote name='bellarosa']X better... no way, celebrity needs to test their drinking water/ lemonade, as there is a microbe or norovirus in their water.... as per my doctor this has been proven. Food on board ( unless you pay ALLOT for eating in blu) is very run of the mill whereas hal is gourment and made fresh for all guest!!

Hal it is!;)[/QUOTE]

We know its bad to flame other posts but this cannot be left to wallow in the scum. We are Elite on Celebrity and 4 Star on HA so obvously enjoy both lines. Your comments about Celebrity are inappropriate, unproven and even liableess. As to Blu, we have eaten there on a 12 day cruise, it was nice, had a different menu then in the MDR and was good. But we sometimes decided to dine in the MDR (instead of Blu) because of the menu looked better that particular evening. As to HA, although we do enjoy HA cuisine (we recently did a 62 day HA cruise) it is anything but gourmet. Of course if you among those who think that HA Meatloaf is gourmet then you have interesting taste. There are some things that HA does better, and some things that are much better on Celebrity. As to paying "ALLOT" for eating in Blu this is not always true as we paid a total of $50 more on our 12 day cruise and on an upcoming 14 day cruise we were able to upgrade from a mere balcony guarantee to Aqua Class (Blu) for about $100.

Regarding your "microbe" comment you should be aware that all passenger ships which call at US ports (including all Celebrity and HA ships) must routinely pass strict CDC inspections. Instead of posting total falsehoods (and blaming your doctor) we suggest you simply go to the CDC website at [url]http://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionSearch.aspx[/url] where you can personally review the reports for any ship and draw your own conclusions based on facts....not baloney.

We should add that having cruises an awful lot of both lines DW and I have never had any kind of GI illness on any of those cruises.

Hank
P.S The lowest CDC score of all the ships of both lines was for the Rotterdam! Edited August 1, 2012 by Hlitner