2 Weeks 2 New Ships

[TMLAalum]

Novel & New vs. Tried & True

 

On December 16 we boarded the Celebrity Edge. One week later it was HAL's Nieuw Statendam. Here is a comparison of our 2 cruises- hope it's not too detailed! If there is any questions you may have regarding either ship, ask away!

 

Boarding:

Using the new app developed by Celebrity, boarding on December 16 was a breeze. We arrived at Port Everglades @11:30 and were on the ship in a flash and welcomed aboard with a flute of bubbly, mimosa or kir. Our cabin was available immediately.

 

On the 23d we walked with our luggage to pier 26 where the Nieuw Statendam was docked. We waited outside until @11 when the doors to the terminal opened. After going thru security and having our passcards issued, we waited enmasse until our boarding group # was called. Unfortunately for us, we didn't realize we needed a numbered card for that and eneded up with #16 so didn't board the N.S. until close to noon. Cabin was available immediately.

Cabin/Veranda

#7140 on Edge had bed by the bath with an infinite veranda. On first impression the cabin seemed small as the clear glass french doors that separated the cabin from the small veranda were open and the 2 chairs & small table there seemed to be part of the cabin. The décor was calming, and storage was plentiful. We felt there were drawbacks to this type of cabin: when the sun shone in, the cabin was like a greenhouse since there was no way to ameliorate the heat except by putting down the room darkening shade which defeated the purpose of having a veranda! Also the veranda was tunnel-like with no view fore or aft. The infinite veranda might be better suited to a cold weather cruise than Med or Caribbean.

 

#4009 on the N.S. was booked via a GTY and we lucked out with a huge veranda. The rail was solid but did not bother us and the chairs had backs that were able to be partially reclined plus had footstools! Carpet was dark blue and brown, sheer ecru underdrapes and dark blue over drapes. Throw pillows,were charcoal grey, around the ceiling was a silvery crown molding and a goldish trim around the mirror. The wod tone used for the closets and desk was a pale grey/blonde laminate and the coffee table dark brown.There was a little triangular bar area with an upper glass case holding wine & drink glasses ad the shelf below the ice bucket.

Bathrooms:

The Edge sink was about 24 by 12, with divided storage underneath. The shower was semi-circular, glass-enclosed with good water-pressure and an outward opening. .Shampoo, conditioner and body wash on wall. Leg-shaving bar. Lots of open shelving, good counter space. and a plug that allowed use of the hair dryer provided there. Subtle night lighting.

 

The shower on the N.S.was rectangular with an inward-opening door. Roomy with a shaving bar too. Sink about 12 by 10 and 3 open glass shelves and less counter space. Towels were much bigger and plusher! Hair dryer (and make-up mirror) in desk and usable only there. Shiny dark wood-tone laminate door and sink cabinet. No night light, although the switch outside the bathroom door glowed green so you could turn on the very bright, almost flouescent, bathroom light on easily in the dark.

Buffet:

The Oceanview is self-serve, accessible from both port and starboard, with more seating on the Edge than on S-class ships and several types of seating that flowed from one section to another.. 2 story windows made for great views. Good seating outside as well. Servers came around often with coffee and pastries. Prompt bar service. Waitstaff came by frequently offering coffee refills and danish.Varied offerings at breakfast & lunch- not so much at dinner.

 

The N.S. Lido had stations that were manned rather than self-serve, duplicated on both sides of the ship. The offerings for the stations were listed in the center of each. Sometimes there was a wait to be provided coffee, although there was an area where one could help ones self. No paper containers or lids for coffee. Ceiling was low so the area was quite noisy. Decor was lime green and yellow. Chairs were vinyl and chrome.

Main Dining:

The four restaurant concept on the Edge worked well for us. Each was decorated in coordination with the theme- e.g. Italian, French, etc..Quiet with nooks and crannies for tables rather than all together. We were select and prefer eating early which worked well especially since we were willing to share. Service was prompt, professional and efficient.

 

On the N.S. we also had open seating dining. At our orientation session, the cruise director strongly suggested reservations should be made, so I did and we were able to dine at our desired time sharing tables in different sections nightly. Service seemed pressured (except for the time we were seated upstairs in the set dining area) and only once did our waiter take orders from the ladies before the men. Decor was yellow and red with a high noise level.

 

Entertainment:

The shows on the Edge were not to our taste at all except for the Whitney Houston tribute by Ashlie Amber. The audio was unblanced with the orchestra overpowering the singers. We left early twice.The technology could be much better utilized- the roaring, speaking lion on the Jewelry Box show did not add to the limited plot. Entertainment throughout the ship, e.g. the Reckless Charms, was better. We did not experience the slithery creatures in Eden. In San Juan, local cultural entertainment was brought aboard-

a show in The Club and a dance party on the pool deck and there was local cuisine in the Oceanview and elsewhere

 

A variety of entertainment was offered on the N.S. The theater in the round was utilized perfectly for the dance show Humanity! High tech effects added to the energetic performance done to recorded current music. Shows repeated were dance show Steps, not up to the level of Humanity, and comedian & juggler. Live music is offered on The Music Walk- a series of large lounges with classical, rock, blues music- something for everyone!

Casinos:

On the Edge you put your $ in the slot machine and receive a cash-out voucher when you leave it- if you've any left. There is a larger bar area off to one side with table seating as well as bar stools, a great sports bar. No Smoking!!

 

Cannot cash out directly on the N.S. Slots. Instead any $ left is loaded onto your room card which you then can insert into a different machine. Since I had but a few cents left I didn't try to get real money. Smoking is permitted in the N.S. casino periodically. However, the smoke smell remains and wafts its way thoughout the public areas of the ship.

Public Areas:

The Edge has Eden, which sort of takes the place of the sky lounge, and the Grand Plaza as her two main indoor gathering areas. The solarium pool is large but gets humid on a hot day as the roof is permanent. The outdoor pool has lots of loungers and there are loungers available on upper decks. The Rooftop Garden is a nice idea but way too hot to use in the tropical sun. More shade is needed. The Sunset Bar is roomier than on S-class ships but lacks the same ambience. If there is a totally quiet indoor spot, I didn't find it, but Eden is a possible option especially on port days. The Club is a large two-level space that seemed basement-like to me. Artwork throughout the Edge including in the halls of all decks.

 

The N.S. Has a forward-facing lounge- the Crow's Nest, which provides a great quiet spot for reading and doing puzzles + has bar with beverage and coffee offerings. There is an aft pool and a midship pool under a retractable roof. In addition to loungers, there are lots of tables/chairs for easy eating. For bar service, hit a button on your table and a server will come to you for your drink order. During the day, when there is no entertainment along the Music Walk, those venues can be used for sitting, although very dark.

 

[LorraineP]

We are doing the reverse 3/31 Nieuw Statendam then 4/7 Edge. We were thinking of taking a cab from one pier to the other. Is it that close that it’s an easy walk with each of us with a large suitcase & one carryon piece? 

 

We also have an IV booked & not liking reviews. Will have to see for ourselves if we made wrong choice. It was just something different to try. 

 

When you got on each ship were they selling specialty restaurants at a discounted price?  We just have Le Petit with Friends booked so far on Holland. 

[4774Papa]

We always avoided HAL due to their smoking policy, which allowed smoking on balconies, which means you can't enjoy your own balcony.  That policy tended to attract smokers to HAL.  Now that policy is no longer, so perhaps HAL would be OK.  Still, since we have loyalty benefits on Celebrity, Royal and NCL, when I compare those with Princess and HAL, I never come up with Princess or HAL winning the best value.

 

Not sure we will ever do the Edge, unless prices come down.

 

Still, it was good to read your comparison.  Celebrity's entertainment is good, but not as good as on Royal or NCL.  Also, having done 10 Celebrity cruises since 2011, many of the shows are still being repeated.  After seeing the one on Burt Bacharach four times, no more!  Also, there is one about Disco.

[TMLAalum]

3 hours ago, LorraineP said:

We are doing the reverse 3/31 Nieuw Statendam then 4/7 Edge. We were thinking of taking a cab from one pier to the other. Is it that close that it’s an easy walk with each of us with a large suitcase & one carryon piece? 

 

We also have an IV booked & not liking reviews. Will have to see for ourselves if we made wrong choice. It was just something different to try. 

 

When you got on each ship were they selling specialty restaurants at a discounted price?  We just have Le Petit with Friends booked so far on Holland. 

 

Hi Lorraine-

 

I walked with a large suitcase, a duffel with beaucoup shoes and a small Xmas tree inside atop the suitcase, my husband's cpap case and my backpack filled to the gills including 2 bottles of wine! DH was similarly encumbered.

It wasn't too difficult, but to make it easier you could have one of you roll your suitcases to the Edge drop spot while the other waits on a shaded bench near the HAL terminal.

 

Don't fret too much about the Infinite Veranda on Edge. As you say it is something different to try and it's just for a week!

 

We ended up booking a package deal on the N.S. offered a couple of days into the itinerary. Tamarind and Canaletto for $33pp. Loved Tamarind but not Canaletto. No specialty restaurants on the Edge for us.

Edited January 2, 2019 by TMLAalum

[vtcruising]

Thanks for the great comparison! I liked hearing about the differences, including the decor (not usually included in a comparison - it helped me get a picture of everything). 🙂

[hcat]

Other than the smoking issue...this review may lead us to other cruise possibilities if Celeb does not improve its overall programming as time goes on..

[beachbunny6]

Great review!  Thanks very much for posting all that great information!  I was on the NS 4-day which ended when you boarded on the 23rd and enjoyed it very much, except for the smoking in the casino issue, as you mentioned.  I will be on the Edge on January 20th, and hope that I enjoy it, too.  If not, I will be going back to S-Class and M-Class and continue to love them and the HAL experiences, too.

 

Bon Voyage to all!

~Barbara~

[davekathy]

Thanks for posting.

[Host Jazzbeau]

19 hours ago, TMLAalum said:

Smoking is permitted in the N.S. casino periodically. However, the smoke smell remains and wafts its way thoughout the public areas of the ship.

 

I had HAL on my 'don't even think about it' list because of their liberal smoking policy, but started following them again then that changed.  But reports from K'dam that smoke drifted from the casino throughout public areas was worrisome, and it's clear they didn't fix the problem with this second build.  So HAL goes back in the naughty room for me.  Looking at MSC instead, but will be carefully checking how their smoking policy plays out.

[LorraineP]

5 hours ago, TMLAalum said:

 

Hi Lorraine-

 

I walked with a large suitcase, a duffel with beaucoup shoes and a small Xmas tree inside atop the suitcase, my husband's cpap case and my backpack filled to the gills including 2 bottles of wine! DH was similarly encumbered.

It wasn't too difficult, but to make it easier you could have one of you roll your suitcases to the Edge drop spot while the other waits on a shaded bench near the HAL terminal.

 

Don't fret too much about the Infinite Veranda on Edge. As you say it is something different to try and it's just for a week!

 

We ended up booking a package deal on the N.S. offered a couple of days into the itinerary. Tamarind and Canaletto for $33pp. Loved Tamarind but not Canaletto. No specialty restaurants on the Edge for us.

Approximately how far is the walk & how long did it take you? My DH has a problem walking too far. Hoping N.S. has that specialty package? On the Edge were there any discounted packages or first night offers? 

[TMLAalum]

6 hours ago, vtcruising said:

Thanks for the great comparison! I liked hearing about the differences, including the decor (not usually included in a comparison - it helped me get a picture of everything). 🙂

 

I hoped to present a balanced review with pros & cons for each ship, but DH & I both felt the Edge definitely had the Edge over the HAL ship. In this month's AARP magazine there was an article about how a re-created 1950's town was helping those with dementia and DH joked that a cruise on the N.S. would serve the same purpose!

[TMLAalum]

1 hour ago, LorraineP said:

Approximately how far is the walk & how long did it take you? My DH has a problem walking too far. Hoping N.S. has that specialty package? On the Edge were there any discounted packages or first night offers? 

 

I'd say the walk was about 2 city blocks. Take your time and stop to rest. I'd say it took us @10 minutes with a stop to shift bags.  You are reversing our course so there could be a few differences from where you disembark the N.S. and can drop your bags with the Edge porters.

 

No discounts on Edge specialty dining, probably because it was the Maiden voyage and, from what I read on our roll call, those restaurants were booked solid.

[vtcruising]

10 minutes ago, TMLAalum said:

 

I hoped to present a balanced review with pros & cons for each ship, but DH & I both felt the Edge definitely had the Edge over the HAL ship. In this month's AARP magazine there was an article about how a re-created 1950's town was helping those with dementia and DH joked that a cruise on the N.S. would serve the same purpose!

It was great to see the strong points of each - it felt like the Edge had an edge from my perspective, but it is all about what people think is most important. I agree she has flaws,  but  has more of what I'm looking for in a ship than the M Class and I'll see on Jan 27th if I like her better than S Class (may be hard to beat). 🙂

[LorraineP]

34 minutes ago, TMLAalum said:

 

I'd say the walk was about 2 city blocks. Take your time and stop to rest. I'd say it took us @10 minutes with a stop to shift bags.  You are reversing our course so there could be a few differences from where you disembark the N.S. and can drop your bags with the Edge porters.

 

No discounts on Edge specialty dining, probably because it was the Maiden voyage and, from what I read on our roll call, those restaurants were booked solid.

Thank you for all your helpful info. Guess we will have to wait & see where we are docked. We have done B2B on different ships a few times taking a cab but the cab driver once he put our luggage in & we told him down the pier he was not very happy, we did tip him quite generously though. 

[K12Guy]

On 1/2/2019 at 1:12 PM, TMLAalum said:

 

I'd say the walk was about 2 city blocks.

Just curious which port you're talking about. I suppose it would be Ft. Lauderdale?

[cltnccruisers]

Right now the prices for Edge cruises seem a bit steep.  But beyond that, and maybe this is picky, neither my wife nor can quite get past the Magic Carpet sticking out the side of the ship.  For us it just makes things look out of balance.

[TMLAalum]

17 minutes ago, K12Guy said:

Just curious which port you're talking about. I suppose it would be Ft. Lauderdale?

 

Yes- from pier 25 for the Edge to pier 26 for the N.S.