Some reason why X is no longer my cruise line of choice

[Germancruiser]

Originally Posted by Germancruiser

Hello all HAL cruises

I just returned from a SC - Cruise on board Eclipse, after 12 years of cruising with them it is time for a change since many things about Celebrity are not longer acceptable for me!

Is there on board HAL Ships constant background music througout the whole ship? No

Is smoking allowed on balconies? Yes

Do they have beverage packages?

Do they proived one with bath robes? Yes, all cabins get robes.

Is the sound level extremly high? Only at times in some places - avoid the HAL Cats if you don't like loud music. We run from them.

What dresscode´s do they have? Elegantly casual all but two formal nights per week. Formal defined by HAL is jacket and tie for gentlemen and ladies usually wear pants and sparkly top or cocktail dress.... very few long gowns these days. If you don't want to dress formal, you can eat in Lido where most of the MDR menu is served.

( Formal , semi Formal, causal...)

I know many questions so thank you in advance!

Greetings

Michael

 

Just posted these questions at the HAL board, very interesting, all the more reason to try HAL next time.

Some others to cruise HAL:

Wrap around prommenade

Teak Deck

NO loud music , no backgroundmusic

I know one get´s in the soup - and deep that is- if one does not speak well about X. Anyway- they negativ summed up this time!

Service - good, no longer excellent

Food- good, no longer excellent

Bonus Programm- buy something- THEN you get something ( exept. Internet minutes and laundry coupon - elite- anyway no ironing and of course the Elite Happy Hour and the Debarkation Lounge)

Beverage package- second rated service at some bars except Al Baccio!

( I was told at the last breakfast " no organge juice today" - all gone- the bottle was full to the brim- I did not argue...)

Cabin not exactly clean at the day of embarkation

Service in Muranos medicore at best!

On the other hand outstanding in Tuscan Grill

Some desing flaws on Solstice Class- to less elevators, not a single silent corner evenings ( exept ones balcony or outside deck with the wonderful view of nice orange life boats)

 

All in all- X is more and more driffting in the " Fun Ship direction"!

Michael

[royalcruz]

I hope you enjoy HAL. We went on Westerdam once and it definitely wasn't a fun ship. If it hadn't have been for the fun people we met I would have enjoyed jumping ship.

[Germancruiser]

I will see- if I like them. I can´t wait to find out! However the next cruise is not until the end of the years though. LOL!

Michael

[ariawoman]

If you enjoy not being able to use your verandah if you're sensitive to smoke and you're stuck amongst smokers, go for it :-) Personally, that's why I had to leave HAL - until they change that policy, it's X all the way.

 

I don't think X is going by way of the "fun ships" at all. I've never experienced anything on X that I didn't experience on my HAL cruise to be honest....

 

Have fun on HAL. I'm sure Celebrity will manage to sell cabins despite your change of heart. I loved HAL, but that was prior to the smoking change. I intend to wait until they restrict it from verandahs before booking another.

[Germancruiser]

LOL- of that I am sure- their ships are booked up to the last cabin. That smoke problem doesn´t bother me- never has. What really is the main reason for the " change of sceene" is the background music all around the clock and the noise level! Oviously 95% seemed to enjoy themselves- so I expect not changes there! Which Hal ships did you sail airwoman?? You seem a experienced HAL- Cruiser! ? Thx.

Michael

[dz9yvr]

I hope you enjoy HAL. We went on Westerdam once and it definitely wasn't a fun ship. If it hadn't have been for the fun people we met I would have enjoyed jumping ship.

 

Why did you go on the Westerdam? HAL has some interetsing itineraries in Europe and the prices seem very reasonable. Would you go on the Westerdam or one of the sister ships agin for a port intensive European cruise?

[pete_coach]

Thanks for the report.

It is bit of a shame that Celebrity has let you down. We are going on our 3rd Celebrity cruise in a few days and are looking forward to checking out all the complaints (?) that have cropped up lately. The volume of the speakers for one and the seemingly drop in service. Food is something I can never complain about because it is such a personal opinion.

I also know that it is hard to be critical of Celebrity on this forum. The ravenous supporters quickly pounce on any opinion other than excellent reports. It is quite intimidating to be chastised for expressing your opinion.

Anyway, same as you, we will see if our continued support of Celebrity is warranted. My hard earned money should go to someone that works equally as hard to get it.

 

Thanks again.

[Lois R]

No critisizm from me....just a question....maybe I don't understand

some of the differences?...smoking is not allowed on your balcony

on Celebrity.....I love being able to sit outside without smelling

the waif of smoke. If one of your neighbors was smoking out there?

I would have reported them....but that is just me.

[4774Papa]

HAL's prices tend to be higher than NCL, Celebrity, Carnival, etc.

[kelmac]

For several years in a row my wife and I used to alternate between Holland America and Celebrity. We have 20 cruises on Celebrity and nine on Holland America -- we have found just the opposite; HAL has been on a gradual slide and Celebrity seems to be on a roll with their new Solstice Class ships, and revamping their Millennium Class ships.

The only thing I miss about HAL is their wonderful wrap around promenade decks.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[wvufan]

LOL- of that I am sure- their ships are booked up to the last cabin. That smoke problem doesn´t bother me- never has. What really is the main reason for the " change of sceene" is the background music all around the clock and the noise level! Oviously 95% seemed to enjoy themselves- so I expect not changes there! Which Hal ships did you sail airwoman?? You seem a experienced HAL- Cruiser! ? Thx.

Michael

 

I hope you addressed the noise levels on your comment card. We were on the Eclipse in December and it seemed to be a little better than what previous cruisers reported, but still a problem. It was so noisy in the QSine that I told them to either turn it down or we were leaving. They did so.

 

I talked with Jason (CD) who said that the noisiest venues such as the Martinini bar were the biggest revenue producers. Faulty logic, but that is probably why they keep blasting the music.

 

We are Celebrity loyalists and it will continue to be our favorite line-I would rather be assaulted by noise than smoke. ;)

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

[TKS]

We are new to Celebrity, sailing Solstice in May for our first cruise.

 

I'm concerned about the comments I'm receiveing here about loud music throughout the ship. We're used to Oceania where the music is mostly the onboard orchestra, quintet, etc., not loud piped in music. Just how pervasive and how loud is this aboard X? Can you hear other parties at your dinner table or around the grouping in the lounge. Is it even in the gangways and more private areas?

[PinotBlanc]

For several years in a row my wife and I used to alternate between Holland America and Celebrity. We have 20 cruises on Celebrity and nine on Holland America -- we have found just the opposite; HAL has been on a gradual slide and Celebrity seems to be on a roll with their new Solstice Class ships, and revamping their Millennium Class ships.

The only thing I miss about HAL is their wonderful wrap around promenade decks.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

 

100% agree HAL's wrap around promenade is the only plus.

[jackdiamond]

We have experienced only one HAL cruise; and, that was on the Z in a suite. That was our last HAL cruise.

[Ozzmund]

Best wishes on your move to HAL. As a cruising public we are fortunate to have the variety of options at our disposal. Every line has its advantages and disadvantages, here's hoping that you find HAL to your liking.

[sabookkeeper]

We are new to Celebrity, sailing Solstice in May for our first cruise.

 

I'm concerned about the comments I'm receiveing here about loud music throughout the ship. We're used to Oceania where the music is mostly the onboard orchestra, quintet, etc., not loud piped in music. Just how pervasive and how loud is this aboard X? Can you hear other parties at your dinner table or around the grouping in the lounge. Is it even in the gangways and more private areas?

I would also like to know this. We are on our first Celebrity cruise in February on the Silhouette. We prefer to find a lounger in the shade to relax and read. If the music is blaring everywhere, which it seems to be from reviews I have read, it could affect my decision to book Celebrity again.

[Miss SeaBee]

Originally Posted by Germancruiser

Hello all HAL cruises

I just returned from a SC - Cruise on board Eclipse, after 12 years of cruising with them it is time for a change since many things about Celebrity are not longer acceptable for me!

Is there on board HAL Ships constant background music througout the whole ship? No

Is smoking allowed on balconies? Yes

Do they have beverage packages?

Do they proived one with bath robes? Yes, all cabins get robes.

Is the sound level extremly high? Only at times in some places - avoid the HAL Cats if you don't like loud music. We run from them.

What dresscode´s do they have? Elegantly casual all but two formal nights per week. Formal defined by HAL is jacket and tie for gentlemen and ladies usually wear pants and sparkly top or cocktail dress.... very few long gowns these days. If you don't want to dress formal, you can eat in Lido where most of the MDR menu is served.

( Formal , semi Formal, causal...)

I know many questions so thank you in advance!

Greetings

Michael

 

Just posted these questions at the HAL board, very interesting, all the more reason to try HAL next time.

Some others to cruise HAL:

Wrap around prommenade

Teak Deck

NO loud music , no backgroundmusic

I know one get´s in the soup - and deep that is- if one does not speak well about X. Anyway- they negativ summed up this time!

Service - good, no longer excellent

Food- good, no longer excellent

Bonus Programm- buy something- THEN you get something ( exept. Internet minutes and laundry coupon - elite- anyway no ironing and of course the Elite Happy Hour and the Debarkation Lounge)

Beverage package- second rated service at some bars except Al Baccio!

( I was told at the last breakfast " no organge juice today" - all gone- the bottle was full to the brim- I did not argue...)

Cabin not exactly clean at the day of embarkation

Service in Muranos medicore at best!

On the other hand outstanding in Tuscan Grill

Some desing flaws on Solstice Class- to less elevators, not a single silent corner evenings ( exept ones balcony or outside deck with the wonderful view of nice orange life boats)

 

All in all- X is more and more driffting in the " Fun Ship direction"!

Michael

 

Interesting. First of all, smoking allowed on balconies is a deal-breaker for me. End of any further interest in HAL. I have always had a premium non-alcoholic beverage package (I don't drink), and never had anything but wonderful service ordering any drinks I wanted. Also, I can't imagine service in Murano (not Muranos) being anything but perfect! I have been to Murano on 2 different ships, and I found the service almost overly attentive. At least 2 servers and a wine steward constantly at our service. On the other hand, my 80 year old smoker dad loves HAL, so maybe you will, too. :) Enjoy your cruise!

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I still love Celebrity but I really like the Millenium class ships better than the S-class. I feel that you get more individual attention on the smaller ships and I really hated the MDR on Equinox and have no intention of eating there on Solstice. We will do the buffet or the special restaurants (Bistro on Five, Murano, etc) instead.

 

One thing that all cruisers need to recognize is that cruising prices have dropped across the board in order to fill up ships and keep the cruise lines from going under in this bad economy. So unless you pay for upgrades likes Aqua class and suites- you are steerage. That's just the truth.

 

You have to be prepared to pay for specialty restaurants to have really good food onboard.

 

I sailed Holland twice in recent years and it is hit and miss. I think some of it depends on the itinerary. In Greece and Turkey the people were fun and sophisticated but on my Canadian cruise- they were old and mean. I am really easy to get along with and people turned their noses up at you. The people on that cruise acted like the ship was a floating library. I would have loved music! My son was like- never again!

[judatt]

I would also like to know this. We are on our first Celebrity cruise in February on the Silhouette. We prefer to find a lounger in the shade to relax and read. If the music is blaring everywhere, which it seems to be from reviews I have read, it could affect my decision to book Celebrity again.

I have said on numerous posts that Celebrity is the cruiseline of choice for my wife and I when it is just the two of us and Carnival is when we go with the family. Our kids and grandkids love Carnival and particularly Camp Carnival. I do find Carnival to be somewhat loud and particularly loud when it comes to the constant announcements. Celebrity tends to make only one announcement a day which I like.

 

We just got off the Summit in December after a great Southern Caribbean cruise. I didn't find the music intrusive at all. We are not ones to go to the drinking venues or even places where they have musical groups. We go to dinner, the show and back to our cabin. I simply didn't notice that there was any intrusive music anywhere. We had great conversation in the dining room with our table mates. We even went to a sitting area one evening for further conversation with another couple. Simply didn't notice any loud music.

 

We enjoy Celebrity and realize that many people have different ideas - that is what makes for an enjoyable world. We all have the ability to form our own opinions and make our own choices - particularly when it comes to which cruise line to use.

[bottomfeeder]

I'm mystified about the loud music complaints too. I was on the Solstice for 12 nights in 2011 and the Connie for 15 nights in 2012 and I don't remember hearing loud music anywhere, except in the theater or other venues during performances. Maybe it depends on the cruise director, or depends on the itinerary, whether they play loud music? I didn't hang out in the various bars so if they played loud music there I probably wouldn't have witnessed it.

[Kevnzworld]

I think they have lowered the volume of the hallway Muzak. I noticed it because they were still playing XMAS music the first week of January.

I like when the band is playing on the third level. It creates a great atmosphere throughout the atrium area on level four and five.

I couldn't sail on a ship that allowed smoking inside the ship ( casino ) or on balconies.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

To the OP: I hope you enjoy your cruise on HAL. It's nice that we all have choices. If smoke and indifferent service doesn't bother you, you should be fine. They do have comfortable beds.

 

By the way, Celebrity does provide robes to all guests, don't know why you didn't get them.

[kitty9]

I will see- if I like them. I can´t wait to find out! However the next cruise is not until the end of the years though. LOL!

Michael

 

I'm going to be very up front with you on this issue. We booked a HAL cruise after a not so great experience on our last Celebrity cruise. We were totally excited to try HAL after not cruising on that line for at least 20 years. Suffice it to say, it was a completely bad experience for many reasons. In all my 70 previous cruises, I never heard myself say "I can't wait to get off the ship", but during this cruise on Eurodam, I was saying that four days into the cruise.

 

What was so bad? The ship itself was very dark and crowded feeling. The hallways in the public areas are very narrow and very dark. Smoking is prevalent in a number of areas which makes everything you wear smell if you are in those smoking areas (casino, sports bar, etc). Very surly and unfriendly staff permeated the ship. The buffet was awful, with food you could not identify without a written card (it's a scary thought that you can't look at food and not be able to tell what it is) and an area so over crowded that you can only walk single file. The food in the MDR was not good, with what I saw as inferior cuts of meat and an unimaginative menu. As for their specialty restaurants, forget it. They can't hold a candle to the specialties on Celebrity and certainly not worth the upcharge, especially the upcharge for their Canaletto Italian restaurant. I mean, who pays extra for spaghetti and meatballs? It's insane !!!!!

 

Then there's a lack of entertainment staff. I love that X has a dedicated staff for their daily activities. Actually, HAL had a huge lack of activities probably because they don't have a dedicated staff. I really came to appreciate X's staff and their activities.

 

Finally, and I know this is personal, but for a new ship like Eurodam, it's a total shame how inaccessible it was for anyone with a physical disability. This ship is a total sham for anyone with mobility problems.

 

In all reality, if anyone is looking for a bluer ocean on another cruise line, I know I didn't find it on HAL. That line was a complete disappointment, especially for someone who was looking to love it.

[TeaBag]

I will see- if I like them. I can´t wait to find out! However the next cruise is not until the end of the years though. LOL!

Michael

Sorry you are not liking Celebrity any longer, Michael. Please let us know how you found HAL when you sail at the end of the year.

[Mulege]

HAL, older ships and older passengers equals boring cruise. They have nice itineraries.