Celebrity vs Holland America

[ClairetoCruise]

We enjoyed the top front lounge, wide promenade and balcony cabin with bath tub on HAL.

 

But, the smoke and heavy dark decor on two ships were the reasons for "never again".

 

Claire

[gwilli]

Thanks so much for all the comments! Can't wait until July to go on my first X cruise!

Smooth Sailing..........

Cheers!

[kelmac]

Thanks so much for all the comments! Can't wait until July to go on my first X cruise!

Smooth Sailing..........

Cheers!

 

gwilli,

 

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time! Which ship are you going on?

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[gwilli]

Kel, we'll be on the Constellation. We were booked with HAL again, but when looking for next year, we found this cruise which had a great deal, so "jumped ship" and will be going to the Baltic! We are in our mid 50's and find that we are young for HAL, but enjoy the food, service and ambiance. We are excited to try Celebrity.

Cheers!

[Traffic Dude]

We when on HAL just one time, never again. Could not enjoy the balcony. Someone always smoking forward of our balcony. Hallway from our room to the main stairwell-elevator area fill with cigerette smoke. Dropped a piece of paper on the floor, it stayed there for seven days. Ran out of shampoo first day, had to buy our own in town the forth day. Shore excursions canceled. Never Again !!!! :mad:

 

Celebrity total oposite, best ever. :D

[kelmac]

Kel, we'll be on the Constellation. We were booked with HAL again, but when looking for next year, we found this cruise which had a great deal, so "jumped ship" and will be going to the Baltic! We are in our mid 50's and find that we are young for HAL, but enjoy the food, service and ambiance. We are excited to try Celebrity.

Cheers!

 

Excellent!

 

We did the Baltic on the Constellation when it was just a few months old. Great ship! I'm sure you will have a wonderful cruise.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[bellarosa]

Same here. Been on Holland America and also have our first Celebrity booked in March. We are super excited. Holland was wonderful and I am sure Celebrity will be the same. Have a great cruise.

 

 

Hey there so what did you think of Holland vs Celebrity?

[x lindsay x]

I really like both lines. I have done 7 HAL cruises and only 1 Celebrity cruise. Kelmac did a great job of outlining the pros and cons and basically its up to each cruiser to decide what is important to them. Is it the smoking policy, size and storage in the stateroom, the itinerary, sailing the newest ship in the fleet, comfort of the beds, so on...

 

I think whichever you choose you will have a good experience. As a person that has sailed with 4 different cruiselines you do notice the differences between the lines but I can't say that I have ever had a bad cruise vacation.

[iancal]

I think that there are much larger differnces beween different classes of ships within the HAL fleet than there are between ships of the apporoximate same size between HAL and Celebrity.

 

Fortunately HAL no longer allows smoking in cabins. That alone will lead us to consider more HAL ships on our 'shortlists'.

Edited July 25, 2012 by iancal

[maz48]

I haven't cruised on either but HAL was going to be my first choice until I did some research and then the smoking policy on Celebrity won me over and we booked with them. However it is good to know HAL can be as good so once they get the smoking sorted we can try them too.

[innlady1]

We've mostly sailed on HAL but booked the Summit to Bermuda for next May - our 45th wedding anniversary! Did the Veendam to Bermuda in May, but HAL is ending that run, so I felt Celebrity would be the best option for us.

My last three cruises have been insides and an outside because I hated spending the money on a balcony only to not be able to use it because of smoke! So am happy that we will be able to book a balcony again!

How are the beds on X? HAL's are so comfy...I'm hoping X are the same.

[takemewithyou]

We've mostly sailed on HAL but booked the Summit to Bermuda for next May - our 45th wedding anniversary! Did the Veendam to Bermuda in May, but HAL is ending that run, so I felt Celebrity would be the best option for us.

 

My last three cruises have been insides and an outside because I hated spending the money on a balcony only to not be able to use it because of smoke! So am happy that we will be able to book a balcony again!

 

How are the beds on X? HAL's are so comfy...I'm hoping X are the same.

 

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. :)

[rln44]

We have sailed several times on both lines. Our main issue with hal is that the difference in price between outside and balcony staterooms is frequently much greater than other lines. Unfortunately on our last cruise (on the Ryndam) our outside stateroom did not have a fridge. Don't know if this is true of other hal ships but is a major issue for us as my wife is an insulin dependent diabetic and storing it in an ice bucket is messy.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

If Holland is sailing somewhere that Celebrity is not- then I would go Holland. I think they offer great itineraries.

 

I had a great experience on Holland Zuiderdam to Greece and Turkey. There many families and young people on this sailing and the itinerary was wonderful. I loved the Library/ Coffee bar and spent much time there.

 

I didn't think much of the interior spaces on Zuiderdam and there was a pungent odor throughout the area where the shops were that never went away for the whole sailing. Smelled like dog poop.

 

The Pinnacle Grill was fantastic and the buffet served good food. I didn't like the main diningroom- the low ceiling, the decor and the furniture was too bulky. I was hot and uncomfortable. The food was the same food you can get in the buffet and my dessert was frozen and slid off my plate.

 

I loved the pool area and we spent evenings dining there or on our balcony.

 

Loved the dessert buffet by the pool with the fondue fountains and great desserts- nice touch.

 

Our second cruise on Maasdam was also a fab itinerary but the passengers were much older, again interior spaces were dark and boring and the vibe onboard was retirement home at sea.

 

Celebrity has always been consistently great but I disagree about the Solstice Class ships. I don't care for them as much at the "M" class- they are my favorite.

[cruisetrail]

I haven't cruised on either but HAL was going to be my first choice until I did some research and then the smoking policy on Celebrity won me over and we booked with them. However it is good to know HAL can be as good so once they get the smoking sorted we can try them too.

 

I don't smoke. Never smoked. No smokers in our family.

We have never had problems with smoking on the leading lines (Cunard, Princess, HAL).

The only issue I remember was on Celebrity ship this year when I god a cigarette sparkle in my eye.

BTB on Eurodam+Eclipse.

Eurodam: more space on upper decks, beautiful promenade, cozy and warm inside, better food, better shows, a true classic cruise ship.

Eclipse: nice glassy floating hotel - ideal for the elderly by design, spectacular soaring atrium, cheesy shows, cramped pool deck, no promenade, no proper afternoon tea, food in the buffet not as good.

[Bridge Maven]

Holland America has a reputation for having an older demographic than Celebrity, but that wasn't the case on our Holland America cruise.

[maz48]

[quote name='cruisetrail']I don't smoke. Never smoked. No smokers in our family.
We have never had problems with smoking on the leading lines (Cunard, Princess, HAL).
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The [B]only[/B] issue I remember was on [B]Celebrity[/B] ship this year when I god a cigarette sparkle in my eye.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]BTB on Eurodam+Eclipse.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Eurodam: more space on upper decks, beautiful promenade, cozy and warm inside, better food, better shows, a true classic cruise ship.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Eclipse: nice glassy floating hotel - ideal for the elderly by design, spectacular soaring atrium, cheesy shows, cramped pool deck, no promenade, no proper afternoon tea, food in the buffet not as good.[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Thank you, that is encouraging to know.

[TomTN]

[quote name='cruisetrail']I don't smoke. Never smoked. No smokers in our family.
We have never had problems with smoking on the leading lines (Cunard, Princess, HAL).
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The [B]only[/B] issue I remember was on [B]Celebrity[/B] ship this year when I god a cigarette sparkle in my eye.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]BTB on Eurodam+Eclipse.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Eurodam: more space on upper decks, beautiful promenade, cozy and warm inside, better food, better shows, a true classic cruise ship.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Eclipse: nice glassy floating hotel - ideal for the elderly by design, spectacular soaring atrium, cheesy shows, cramped pool deck, no promenade, no proper afternoon tea, food in the buffet not as good.[/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]

[quote name='maz48']Thank you, that is encouraging to know.[/quote]
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.

[blueboro]

[quote name='cruisetrail']I don't smoke. Never smoked. No smokers in our family.
We have never had problems with smoking on the leading lines (Cunard, Princess, HAL).
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The [B]only[/B] issue I remember was on [B]Celebrity[/B] ship this year when I god a cigarette sparkle in my eye.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]BTB on Eurodam+Eclipse.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Eurodam: more space on upper decks, beautiful promenade, cozy and warm inside, better food, better shows, a true classic cruise ship.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Eclipse: nice glassy floating hotel - ideal for the elderly by design, spectacular soaring atrium, cheesy shows, cramped pool deck, no promenade, no proper afternoon tea, food in the buffet not as good.[/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]


You mention the cramped pool deck on Eclipse. Maybe you did not notice the pool deck on Eurodam, but they have the lido cabanas on the pool deck which make it hard to even walk around one side of the pool. Talk about cramped. However, HAL does have aft pools which are great and the wraparound promenade. We slightly prefer Celebrity due to the open feel of the ships but they are more similar than not.

[A Sixth?]

[quote name='Fblack']Celebrity will not let passengers smoke on their balcony. Or in the casino. I gave up on HAL a few years ago when our cruise was nearly ruined by our inability to enjoy a smoke-free environment on our balcony during a long b2b HAL cruise. While I liked HAL's staff, food, ships, activities etc, it's their smoking policy that turned me off to them.[/QUOTE]

That alone keeps us from trying HAL.

[Ray in NH]

[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=purple]To Original Poster,[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Very interesting thread -- Thank you for starting it.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]We have been fortunate to be able to experience over 85 cruises, on a number of various cruiselines. To date, we have completed 17 cruises (253 days) on HAL and 10 cruises (85 days) on Celebrity. Both lines have many aspects to draw us back again and again, and we enjoy both lines very much. Some aspects of each line we may enjoy more than a similar comparison with the other line. For example:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[LIST]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Smoking Policy -- we prefer Celebrity's, although we have never been terribly inconvenienced on our balcony by neighbor's smoking; maybe just lucky. Too bad we don't frequent the Casino, but we do walk-through on ocassion and like it being smoke-free on X.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Ship Size -- More choices with HAL. We prefer smaller ships and HAL has much more choice in this area.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Staterooms -- hands down more space on HAL (Verandah Suite vs Concierge Class/Aqua). Cabin storage space on X's "S" Class is pathetic, only three drawers (without climbing on bed to access cabinets). Although the "S" Class bathrooms are great.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Food -- This is so subjective, but here is our take. MDR pretty comperable; HAL has slight edge since they also offer some Indonesian entrees. HAL has better availability of two-tops in fixed seating than Celebrity. Buffet eating - Celebrity has better layout/flow, except on "S" Class (we find that too broken-up). Room Service breakfast - HAL always delivers at the stated time; Celebrity is more hit/miss. HAL even offers Breakfast Room Service on disembarkation day.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Specialty Dining -- Both lines usually very good, excellent service,with only occasional minor hiccups. Celebrity more variety (on "S" Class).[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]As has been mentioned, HAL has the wonderful (in our opinion) teak walking decks the completely circle the ship; Celebrity's promenades are somewhat to terribly ("S" Class) dis-jointed.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Service -- HAL has their own training facilities in Indonesia and the Philippines, and the consistecy shows. HAL's service staff always seems more friendly and warm.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Itineraries -- Another area where HAL far outshines Celebrity, both for variety and length.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Entertainment -- Not why we go on cruises. Having said that, Celebrity probably has the edge for Main Theatre variety and scale of productions (perhaps due in part to differing size of ships?). Individual performers, on both lines, are more hit and miss.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[*][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Loyalty Recognition (Elite vs 4-Star) -- Celebrity has Elite Cocktail Time (most evenings), more free internet time, some discounted laundry. HAL offers 50% discounts on wine packages and Specialty Dining, unlimited free laundry, priority tendering, discounts on logo-wear. Both offer complimentary wine tasting, Priority embarkation/disembarkation, Repeat Cruiser Parties, recognition gifts in cabin.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[/LIST][B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]As stated, both cruise-lines (and others) have many fine points that we keep returning to enjoy. When deciding we first look at itineraries that intrigue us, then timing and costs and preferred cabin availability (yes, we do spend time in out cabin). We hope to be able to continue making these kind of choices for many more cruises.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Sorry for the length of this post.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[B][I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#800080]Ray in NH[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B] Edited July 28, 2012 by Ray in NH

[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??????

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Celebrity is better in almost every catagory but size. I do think there is something to be said for the smaller vessels. Edited July 28, 2012 by rebeccalouiseagain

[cruisetrail]

[quote name='blueboro']You mention the cramped pool deck on Eclipse. Maybe you did not notice the pool deck on Eurodam, but they have the lido cabanas on the pool deck which make it hard to even walk around one side of the pool. Talk about cramped. However, HAL does have aft pools which are great and the wraparound promenade. We slightly prefer Celebrity due to the open feel of the ships but they are more similar than not.[/quote]

Yes, I remember those ugly cabanas.
However, Eurodam has plenty of space on open upper decks. The Elipse does not. I remember placing the lounger anywhere I wanted on Eurodam upper deck (to follow the sun or shade) and standing on the Eclipse with no place to sit.

[cruisetrail]

[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]


[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.