Similar to Celebrity ?

[Thechamp555]

We did 3 cruises total and always went with Celebrity. We would like to try something different for our next cruise next year. One of the perks that we liked a lot with Celebrity was the inclusion of the drink package.

 

Wich other compagny would recommend that would have the same overall quality as Celebrity and inclusions like the drink packages ?

 

Thanks

THECHAMP555

[CruiserBruce]

Probably the closest relative would be Holland America.

[JimAOk1945]

You might want to post your question on the Holland America board since there may be people who have done both cruise lines and can answer your questions.

 

We just got off our first Holland America cruise. We were very impressed with the service and overall experience. We were in a full suite and enjoyed the perks that went came with it.

 

We haven't cruised on Celebrity but are going to give it a try since it has equivalent recognition with Royal Caribbean where we have Diamond status.

 

Happy cruising!

Edited September 6, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[Krazy Kruizers]

Holland America is offering the Explore4 program right now on some of their cruises -- not all cruises. And it does have the Signature Beverage Package.

I don't know when HAL will stop that offer. Last time HAL had the Explore4 package, it ran from August to the end of October.

[Sequim88]

I think the HAL beverage package is available for purchase on non-Explore4 sailings but the added cost on the Explore4 ones is less than the regular SBP price. To expand on the SBP a bit allows 15 drinks per day (alcohol or specialty coffee drinks) that are $8 or less. About 85% of the drinks menu qualifies. So figure $140 a day X 7 = $980. If the SBP or Explore4 difference is less it might make sense. Estimating actual consumption level might find an actual break even point.

[Thechamp555]

Thanks !!! I checked with HAL and it looks really similar to Celebrity with the actual promotion including the drink package.

 

A 10 day is available in Feb 2018 on the new Koningsdam for Southern Carib.

[Aquahound]

I'm going to dissent a little on this thread. I don't think HAL and Celebrity are similar at all. Most of all is the smoking policy. HAL still allows it on balconies and in the casino, so the atmosphere is nowhere near as clean and fresh as Celebrity. Plus, HAL's entertainment is the worst on the high seas.

 

I would rate Princess closer to Celebrity than HAL.

 

But all that said, Koningsdam is probably the one HAL ship that might be in the same ballpark as Celebrity.