Live. Celebrity lover on Holland

[seapointer]

Let me start by saying we have several cruises on both HAL and X. While we prefer X overall, I would not rule out a future cruise on HAL under the right circumstances (itinerary and price). We had one of our best cruises on Noordam, and our worst on Veendam (old and outdated). Noordam was certainly the equivalent physically to X's M class ships. Cabins were larger and crew was first rate. Overall, X has better food, better excursions, better facilities, better suite amenities. Entertainment is so variable ship to ship that its hard to say which is better but we always enjoyed the piano bar and string quartets on HAL. X could use more small venue entertainment, but the big productions are better than HAL's.

[G&G]

We have cruised many cruise lines; from Carnival to Regent, but most on Holland America; 38 cruises over +30 years. I am not a HAL cheerleader.

 

What we have found with HAL is that their fleet is aging and HAL has not timely restored their fleet. It is common to have plumbing and A/C issues on HAL.

 

We just sailed Celebrity Equinox. It was excellent. A/C was constant throughout ship, no plumbing issues and great food. The only thing we sacrifice is sailing on much larger ships with Celebrity. We do like the smaller ships.

[lais]

The HAL passenger demographics was definitely older (and we are in our early 60s!) and went to bed very early. Very quiet ship at night.

I am very surprised at the amount of little kids on this ship and younger 20's age group. it may be why the lido is impossible at lunch time. I hear Hal is doing a great job in the kids club and they are all in bed very early. The ship is empty at night except for the casino area. We have late dining and go to bed shortly after so we don't care that nothing is going on. we are in our 60's also.

[lais]

We have cruised many cruise lines; from Carnival to Regent, but most on Holland America; 38 cruises over +30 years. I am not a HAL cheerleader.

 

What we have found with HAL is that their fleet is aging and HAL has not timely restored their fleet. It is common to have plumbing and A/C issues on HAL.

 

We just sailed Celebrity Equinox. It was excellent. A/C was constant throughout ship, no plumbing issues and great food. The only thing we sacrifice is sailing on much larger ships with Celebrity. We do like the smaller ships.

 

The Westerdam is aged and rusty. They have been banging away on sea days (should of been doing it on port days) replacing the railings. They should also replace the carpet and furnishings. The lamps in the sitting areas are the same we had in our living room in the 50's, and the furniture too. Lol.

I know I'm making fun of this ship but we have had a good cruise.

[footer6]

What we have found is that there is no comparison between the Oceanview Cafe on the S class Celebrity ships vs. the Lido on HAL. Celebrity's is so open with various stations and few lines (other than cooked to order stations) unlike the more cafeteria approach on HAL. You must get in line and wait even if you just want one thing. While food is similar on both lines we far prefer the layout on Celebrity.

 

I agree with the poster, and I probably shouldn't stir this pot, but I just returned from an Azamara cruise, and the buffet on Azamara was pretty sad in comparison to an S-class Celebrity ship. You had to wait in line to ask for a microscopic piece of pizza, I won't dignify it by calling it a "slice." Despite the "luxury" label, don't pay Azamara prices for the food in the buffet.

[Tatka]

Azamara is not luxury, it is premium.

Size of cabins is small for luxury.

 

Luxury cruises are RSSC, Silver Seas, Seabourne, Chrystal.

 

Azamara as I understand is similar to Oceania.

[tangerinebunny]

We have cruised many cruise lines; from Carnival to Regent, but most on Holland America; 38 cruises over +30 years. I am not a HAL cheerleader.

 

What we have found with HAL is that their fleet is aging and HAL has not timely restored their fleet. It is common to have plumbing and A/C issues on HAL.

 

We just sailed Celebrity Equinox. It was excellent. A/C was constant throughout ship, no plumbing issues and great food. The only thing we sacrifice is sailing on much larger ships with Celebrity. We do like the smaller ships.

 

We too have had wonderful HAL cruises, but it's sad to watch the neglect of their mid-sized and smaller ships.

[Assateague Island Princes]

Question for the OP - Just curious - If Celebrity is your line of choice, why pick HAL and 'waste' your $$$$ on a ship and experience you obviously dislike so greatly?

[Cruise Junky]

Question for the OP - Just curious - If Celebrity is your line of choice, why pick HAL and 'waste' your $$$$ on a ship and experience you obviously dislike so greatly?

 

It was their first cruise on HAL. How were they supposed to know they would dislike it so much? They probably picked HAL for the reason that a lot of people do in Alaska...Itinerary. It's just a shame that their ships don't live up to the same billing.

[wallie5446]

Question for the OP - Just curious - If Celebrity is your line of choice, why pick HAL and 'waste' your $$$$ on a ship and experience you obviously dislike so greatly?

 

It was their first cruise on HAL. How were they supposed to know they would dislike it so much? They probably picked HAL for the reason that a lot of people do in Alaska...Itinerary. It's just a shame that their ships don't live up to the same billing.

 

Ditto. Same reason we have sailed 7 diff lines over the years. I read many threads and comments that Celebrity is dropping at this, or has cut back on that, so you need to go try so-an-so line. Only to find after the experience that at the end of a cruise the product delivered by Celebrity still is a better value for our dollar.

[Cindy]

My husband and I have taken two HAL cruises. We enjoyed the first on the Noordam, so we booked the Westerdam when our Millennium cruise was cancelled. We really disliked the Westerdam...it will probably keep us from ever cruising on HAL again unless it's a spectacular itinerary that can't be found elsewhere.

 

 

Cindy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[true45]

Ditto. Same reason we have sailed 7 diff lines over the years. I read many threads and comments that Celebrity is dropping at this, or has cut back on that, so you need to go try so-an-so line. Only to find after the experience that at the end of a cruise the product delivered by Celebrity still is a better value for our dollar.

 

 

+1[emoji568]

[Tiffanymom]

Alaska. Juneau

Holland. Westerdam

 

I'm sitting on my cabin balcony as I see the Solstice coming into port. I immediately jump overboard and swim through the icy cold waters and I am rescued by the Celebrity tender boat. I am brought on board and tucked safely away for the remainder of my vacation.

 

Later: after my reverie.

I am sitting on my balcony cabin watching the Solstice leave port. I cry.

 

We felt the same way but we on the Solstice on May 22 for our 50th annvisary. WE wanted to get off the first night. The night started trying to get a drink at the martini bar. Could not get serve unless your seated at the bar. Then dinner. We ask for a table of 6. We were seated all the way in the back next to a wall at a table for 2. On either side 1 inch away were tables for 2. We were seated at 8:30, the waiter did not appear until 9. The guest on one side were nice but english was secound lauguage and she ask her husband to repeat everything in thier lauguage. The other couple were 2 young guys from Maimi. We have nothing in common them.

 

The table was so close to the wall the waiter had to serve over the other diners. Not the way to spend our annvisary. The service was very poor on the whole ship. The staff did their job but were not friendly. We had just done a Princess cruise (17days) a week before this one so the experience with good service and a friendly crew was fresh in our minds.

 

The ship was very noise not a quite bar anywhere. This was just a big party cruise.

We had booked this ship for b2b cruise next year for 33 dys. As soon as we got home we cancelled the cruises. This was our 4 cruise on X the others have been ob The Connie and Millie. We booked the Connie for b2b cruises next year. This was some where around our 35 cruise and I rate it at 35.

 

Each to their own. You like the Solstice we did not. Yhis is just another opinion.

[curtdesilets]

Unless this ship deteriorated substantially in just the past 10 months...

 

We were on Westerdam to Alaska last August-September and just got off Solstice last month. Both were good cruises, but not great. The OP is over the top in his criticism IMO. HAL has it's good and bad, as does Celebrity. note, Celebrity is our favorite line and we are Elite status, so I am not just cheerleading for the other guys.

 

Here is my CC review :

 

WESTERDAM

Sail Date: August 2014

Destination: Alaska

Embarkation: Seattle

 

We decided to return to Holland America after an absence of a few years. We booked early and got a good deal on an outside cabin, and then got it upgraded to a Veranda by special invitation. We flew Jet Blue out of Long Beach, arriving at 1pm and were on the boat by a little after 2pm. Embarkation was a breeze.

 

The ship and this design is one of my favorites. It is aesthetically pleasing, has a great deal of public space, and feels warm and inviting. We were on her sister ship the Oosterdam a couple of times. Love both of them. Get a day pass to the Thermal Suite and check out the Hydropool. That is a blast!

 

Food was just okay. Dining Room fair on most cruise lines used to be 5 star luxury. Now, it's pretty bland and not that exciting. All cruise lines these days seem to be cutting back on that department. The only exceptions are the luxury lines like Oceania and Crystal, where the food is INSANELY good in all areas. Maybe we were spoiled in the past and on our recent trips with those two lines. The Pinnacle LUNCH was great. I really enjoyed the Nathans hot dogs by the pool area. Poppy seed roll, sauerkraut and bacon. Hold the special sauce and put on some deli mustard instead. Note: Coffee in the buffet area is better on HAL than Celebrity, but the specialty coffees are better on Celebrity.

 

The Ship is immaculately clean. I mean SUPER CLEAN. I'm up early every morning and there is an army of vacuums and scrubbers going all over before most people wake up. One bummer however is that they were hosing off the outside decks practically every morning, which made walking out there a bit treacherous, to say the least. They really need to SQUEEGEE those puddles as a lot of us like to do laps around the Promenade Deck! But otherwise, the ship was clean, clean, clean.

 

Service was excellent, although I could tell some cost cutting was in place, so it would take a little longer to get served etc. Our room stewards could not have been lovelier, and did a fine job. I gave them a little extra for the outstanding work.

 

The new production shows were quite good and a little more innovative than the standard fare. They invested millions in a new light and visual display which you must check out. we did the backstage tour, just because I was interested in the technology behind the structure. Recycled Percussion, IMO, was the highlight of the entertainment. It is not for everybody, but if you like drums, this is your show. We also liked the Dancing with the Stars production and the House Band (HAL Cats) was EXCELLENT. They played some jazzy renditions of Steely Dan and other 70's groups, that was far better than almost any other house band we have seen on a ship. They also had a Ukrainian pair (Piano and violin) that played beautiful Classical music. The entertainment was very good to excellent overall.

 

Overall I would rank this cruise a 4.5 star. Not Quite 5 but better than a 4. Again, we have been spoiled in the past. Great value however.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=262519

[Lleeds]

+1[emoji568]

 

Same here!

[lais]

We felt the same way but we on the Solstice on May 22 for our 50th annvisary. WE wanted to get off the first night. The night started trying to get a drink at the martini bar. Could not get serve unless your seated at the bar. Then dinner. We ask for a table of 6. We were seated all the way in the back next to a wall at a table for 2. On either side 1 inch away were tables for 2. We were seated at 8:30' date=' the waiter did not appear until 9. The guest on one side were nice but english was secound lauguage and she ask her husband to repeat everything in thier lauguage. The other couple were 2 young guys from Maimi. We have nothing in common them.

 

The table was so close to the wall the waiter had to serve over the other diners. Not the way to spend our annvisary. The service was very poor on the whole ship. The staff did their job but were not friendly. We had just done a Princess cruise (17days) a week before this one so the experience with good service and a friendly crew was fresh in our minds.

 

The ship was very noise not a quite bar anywhere. This was just a big party cruise.

We had booked this ship for b2b cruise next year for 33 dys. As soon as we got home we cancelled the cruises. This was our 4 cruise on X the others have been ob The Connie and Millie. We booked the Connie for b2b cruises next year. This was some where around our 35 cruise and I rate it at 35.

 

Each to their own. You like the Solstice we did not. Yhis is just another opinion.[/quote']

 

If the seating situation ever happens to you again just do not accept it. On Westerdam we asked for a large table because we love to dine with others but we were seated at a table for 2 back in a corner. We said no. They then took us to a table with kids, we said no we want to converse with adults. They then took us to another table and it was perfect for us. Nice people to talk with. It's ok to do that.

I wonder how anyone gets a drink anymore with the drink packages offered especially with a 1 week cruise which to me smells like party. On Holland it was the first time we took a 1 week cruise in ages and it all seems so frantic (like everyday is embarkation day).

I am trying to learn to get past that 1st day feeding frenzy and the staff running around trying to get organized. The Westerdam had a NoroVirus the previous week so they were trying to disinfect all of the railings and they wouldn't even put salt and pepper on the tables until the 3rd day and you couldn't even serve yourself coffee which added to the already too long lines.

Edited June 21, 2015 by lais

[lais]

Unless this ship deteriorated substantially in just the past 10 months...

 

The OP is over the top in his criticism IMO.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=262519

 

Me! Over the top! lol. You may think so but you weren't there being awakened by them banging the railings for hours as they were replacing them and not controlling the kids around the pools which thankfully no one got hurt that I heard of. It was things like this where there is no regard for the passengers that riled me. I think the ship must have deteriorated since you were on last. The carpets are shredded in so many places which doesn't add to the appeal and the rust is just dripping everywhere outside. It doesn't seem like they can keep up with the maintenance to have an appealing ship. Then again, with the 1 week cruises, it's get em' on and get em' off and so what.

Edited June 21, 2015 by lais

[kitty9]

Question for the OP - Just curious - If Celebrity is your line of choice, why pick HAL and 'waste' your $$$$ on a ship and experience you obviously dislike so greatly?

 

I've cruised every line out there, even all the luxury lines. Just like I don't eat the same food every day, I don't care to sail the same lines.

 

And, how would a person know whether or not they're going to like a ship until they try it? If you've never gone on, say, MSC, do YOU know what your cruise will be like before you sail? If it turns out to be not your cuppa, then you don't go on that line again, period. But it's not a waste of money.

 

As for the spongy floors, Summit is the worst. I felt like I was skiing moggles in the Alps every time I scootered down deck 6.

[hypercafe]

We did sail Hal until the last one on the Zuiderdam. Panama canal with major AC problems and no toilets. Lido furniture and veranda stuff ready for the dumpster plus noro. Can not chance my money on that line again.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

[lais]

Question for the OP - Just curious - If Celebrity is your line of choice, why pick HAL and 'waste' your $$$$ on a ship and experience you obviously dislike so greatly?

I have friends that like Hal and I wanted to try them ( they haven't been on the Westerdam). Like the previous poster Kitty9 noted, how do you know if you are going to like or dislike a ship unless you try it?

Edited June 22, 2015 by lais

[lais]

 

As for the spongy floors, Summit is the worst. I felt like I was skiing moggles in the Alps every time I scootered down deck 6.

 

Lol.

[lais]

We did sail Hal until the last one on the Zuiderdam. Panama canal with major AC problems and no toilets. Lido furniture and veranda stuff ready for the dumpster plus noro. Can not chance my money on that line again.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

Now I know to stay away from that ship too!