Celebrity or HAL

[lightsleeper]

Looking at 2016 European cruise

Celebrity Reflection or HAL Oosterdam

Ports are very similar...have sailed on Celebrity but not on HAL

For those who have sailed both, would appreciate differences comments

[PNW Traveler]

We primarily sail with Celebrity. We have many friends who sail with Holland America. I won't sail with Holland America because of their liberal smoking policy. Too bad - Holland has some attractive itineraries.

[killsport]

I sailed on HAL a few times, from 2003 - 2007. Two 7 day and one 10 day. I've sailed on Reflection a few weeks ago. I have NOT sailed on the Oosterdam.

Also, my experience on both lines are for the US, not Europe. I state this explicitly because the Carnival cruise I went on in Europe had a (better) different clientele, food quality, and activities. Having said that (and the grains of salt that come with another person's values, priorities, etc)...

HAL is definitely an older crowd. We were in our 30's and most of the patrons were 70+. Celebrity has a younger crowd, meaning average in the 50's. The design of the Reflection (cabins, buffet, social rooms, etc) is outstanding and a difference-maker. HAL's alcohol is less expensive per glass/serving. HAL's service was better, with white gloved waiters helping older folks in the buffet. Both lines have seen cutbacks (from the minor - chocolates no longer on pillows every night - to the major - tips used to be included on HAL, fewer and fewer drinkable wines in the X classic beverage package, food quality in both declined) over the years.

Both are good lines, but for my dollar, Celebrity is a better overall value. But that is using my values (ship, activities, food, alcohol, service, clientele). You will undoubtedly have different views from others.

Either way, enjoy your cruise!

[kenevenpar]

Chocolates are back on =X=.

 

Oosterdam is an "older" ship, but definitely not old.

 

We like HAL and =X=; I give the nod to =X=, and Reflection is my favorite ship.

 

I like =X= food better (subjective), Reflection service is excellent. Murano is clearly a big step up over Pinnacle Grill on HAL. Hal is an older crowd on longer cruises, not so much on shorter cruises. If smoking is a factor, Reflection has 3 outdoor smoking locations, Hal allows smoking on balcony, as well as in casino (not an issue one way or the other for me).

[Klala]

For us Celebrity has a slight edge because the food is a tad better. Service on HAL has been better. HAL definitely has an older crowd. I'm early 40's DH is early 50's. We tend not to socialize too much with others so we are ok with that! I find lately that HAL has better priced cruises, we tend to book less than a year out. Sometimes even after final payment is due. Most of our cruises have been on X, but would never hesitate to cruise with HAL.

[marco]

We like both and if it were us, the decision would be based only on itinerary/dates/price.

[lb0103]

We have cruised on both lines, we prefer X as we get more perks as we have cruised more but we like the itineries on Hal better. But we are not smokers and that is important to us. When on Hal we do not get a balcony and spend a lot less in casino for those reasons. But we would not hesitate to go on HAL if we want to see something we haven't seen.

 

We are not foodies so we would not be a good judge on that, we have NEVER gone hungry on ANY cruise line.

 

If age is a factor then HAL is older but our concern is that the nighttime venues close up by 9 on HAL or are dead. On X the crowd is slightly younger, we are in our 60s, but the guests seem younger in their actions and interests.

 

We have been on Westerdam and Zuiderdam both sisters to OO but we have only been on Equinox in that class ship, but our favorite.

 

So I guess what I am saying is that it is what matters to YOU that you should base your decision on. You will enjoy either.

[TomTN]

We primarily sail with Celebrity. We have many friends who sail with Holland America. I won't sail with Holland America because of their liberal smoking policy. Too bad - Holland has some attractive itineraries.

 

We have sailed on HAL 5 times, and we enjoyed every cruise. Smoking indoors? Who allows that on land?

 

If the smoke is ok with you then you should enjoy either cruise line. The people on HAL seem very dedicated to them.

[doowopbob]

Had several excellent cruises on both HAL and Celebrity. We now only sail on Celebrity and Oceania due to their excellent smoking policy. The last time on HAL couldn't stay in the casino more than about 15 minutes. Since they have banned smoking in the cabins all the smokers are out on their decks. Can't see paying for a nice deck that we might not be able to use due to a chain smoker next to us.

[PNW Traveler]

We have sailed on HAL 5 times, and we enjoyed every cruise. Smoking indoors? Who allows that on land?

 

If the smoke is ok with you then you should enjoy either cruise line. The people on HAL seem very dedicated to them.

 

I do not want to turn this into a thread on smoking policies but perhaps further explanation for my post - I will not choose to sail on a ship that allows smoking on balconies - several cruises during our early cruising years were impacted by chain smoking neighbors. We almost always book a balcony of some type. We are boaters and like to be able to experience being outdoors close to the sea.

 

Celebrity and Holland America both have great itineraries and much to offer. We very much enjoy sailing Celebrity's Aqua Class and dining in Blu, their dedicated "healthy gourmet" boutique style restaurant. It's available for breakfast and dinner. We also sail Royal on their longer (12+ days) cruises because ambiance on those cruises is great and much like Celebrity. Primarily we book based on itinerary. You can see from my signature that I have eclectic cruise line tastes!