Comparison of Eclipse and HAL and Princess

[Been There, Planning That]

We have cruised more frequently on both HAL and Princess and this was only our second Celebrity cruise. We travel in modest cabins on each line, so have no special status other than that awarded frequent travellers.

 

The Eclipse: The ship decor seemed more modern, in contrast with the subdued old world charm of HAL or flashiness of Princess.

 

Service: All three lines offered us excellent cabin and table service.

 

Food: Celebrity’s Oceanview Cafe never seemed as crowded as buffets on other lines so that we could always find a noon time seat, even on sea days.

 

I suspect that food is ‘chef’ dependent, but we would equate each of the three lines, though we’d remembered better on Celebrity.

 

We had traditional early seating in the Sonata, and it was the most packed dining room we’ve ever been in on any ship. In fact it reminded me of an elegant school cafeteria. There were no logical aisles in the centre third, so that getting to our table involved solving a tight maze of tables. Had they added either hedges or corn stalks, it would have been a true adventure maze! Navigation was no easier for the staff.

 

Speciality Restaurants We only visited Murano on this cruise, but would equate it with those on Princess and HAL, but at almost TWICE the price. We usually treat ourselves to several speciality dinners, but felt Celebrity has out priced our budget for the same experience as on other lines.

 

Lectures: On the Eclipse, we most missed port lectures which offered general port information and suggestions for independent exploration as is the norm on both Princess and HAL. We attended general destination lectures but were disappointed that no practical information was offered for they were just a sales’ pitch for left over excursions. Port Excursions would be a more accurate title.

 

Port Information: The port printouts distributed in Eclipse cabins offered very little about local history and directions to anything but shopping opportunities. These are designed for shoppers but both HAL and Princess included some directions to historical sites which most interested us.

 

Excursions: On recent cruises we’ve taken ship excursions, and have found each line to be similar in pricing and excellence or lack thereof. Each line is dependent upon local operators and their buses/mini vans.

 

Age Demographics: Because we choose a minimum two week cruise, the age is generally older on all three lines. We were surprised to notice no exception to this generalization on Celebrity though there were fewer wheel chairs and scooters than on the usual HAL cruise.

 

Internet: We enjoyed the best ever internet connections on Celebrity, even as good as on European River cruises. And reception was even great in our 6th deck cabin.

 

Library We both enjoyed the honour system book selection. I'd equate it with HAL's and unlike the most recent ones on Princess, quite alive and well.

 

Observation from a non status cruiser On Celebrity we were more aware of missing privileges rightly awarded those in suites and above. I recognize they’ve paid for these privileges, but I wonder if modest travellers are therefore downgraded to keep overall costs from escalating.

 

Annoyances: The right hand side of the Celebrity room service breakfast menu lacked prices for the speciality items. NO restaurant has ever advertized that prices for menu items could be found on the TV! Receipts for purchases lacked prices, for example, it was only later that we discovered that a small bottle of water cost $3.75. Only once on our many morning visits to the 14th deck cafe did we get trolley served coffee while there was always someone peddling water and freshly squeezed orange juice.

 

Summary: We most certainly enjoyed the cruise and would happily cruise again with Celebrity, but other than the Eclipse being a newer ship than many on which we’ve sailed, we find HAL, Celebrity and Princess to be in the same league, with only minor differences among the three middle range lines.

 

Prices and itinerary will determine our future choices, not loyalty to one of these three similar brands.

 

Ruth

[reedprincess]

Which Princess ship and which HAL ship? Often ship to ship is a more accurate comparison, as some of the older Princess or HAL ships wouldn't compare as favorably. For instance, the buffet on the Royal class of Princess is significantly different than previous Princess ships with much larger selection, better layout, more fresh options, more cooked to order, etc than any previous Princess ship.

For what it's worth, we cruise Princess and Celebrity almost interchangeably as they are more alike than different in many ways (although as noted, specialty dining is much less expensive on Princes, along with drink prices, and beverage gratuity). It's much more about itinerary, which Princess often gets the nod for, and pricing, where they come in similar again.

I think this may be the first time I've ever read Princess decor described as "flashy" though!!

Thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed..

[Been There, Planning That]

Which Princess ship and which HAL ship? Often ship to ship is a more accurate comparison, as some of the older Princess or HAL ships wouldn't compare as favorably. .

 

You're correct of course, but I tried to focus on 'the brand'. Only upon rereading did I realize that some things were ship dependent.

 

We've sailed a few times on the Ryndam and Zuiderdam and once on the Maasdam.

 

On Princess we've done the Grand, Emerald, Ruby and Caribbean.

 

We'd never choose a ship over destination or price.

 

Ruth

[reedprincess]

You're correct of course, but I tried to focus on 'the brand'. Only upon rereading did I realize that some things were ship dependent.

 

We've sailed a few times on the Ryndam and Zuiderdam and once on the Maasdam.

 

On Princess we've done the Grand, Emerald, Ruby and Caribbean.

 

We'd never choose a ship over destination or price.

 

Ruth

OK, thanks. Since you were comparing Eclipse specifically, it would have been helpful - to me at least - to know which ships of the other two you were comparing it too. The brands overall are more alike than different in our opinion, it's the ships that have differences more so - even amongst the same cruise line.. Comparing Princess and Celebrity can be akin to comparing M class and S class within Celebrity line, or Grand class and Royal class within Princess, etc.

Either way, glad you enjoyed your sailings!!

Edited March 7, 2016 by reedprincess

[Fouremco]

Thanks for the interesting comparison. We alternate between HAL and Celebrity and I think your assessment of various elements pretty much coincides with ours. We've sailed on some of HAL's older, smaller ships, such as the Maasdam, but we've sailed too on her newest and biggest ships. I think that you'll find that the problem of crowding in HAL's buffet has been resolved with the larger ships.

 

We are booked on the Koningsdam for November, but will have to wait a couple of years before Celebrity's newest ship joins the fleet and allows for an ongoing comparison.

[timbom]

I agree with everything you say about the three cruise lines.

 

Major reason why I chose Celebrity or RCL is their loyalty program. Carnival owned lines do not come close to offering loyalty benefits like Celebrity.

 

Call me a snob if you want but one of the highlights of the cruise for me is several hours of free drinks and nibbles in a special lounge each evening.

 

On the other hand I gamble some and Carnival branded lines are much more lenient on casino discounts or free sailings.