A Celebrity cruiser gives Holland America a whirl!

[islandgirlejfan]

1 minute ago, Shalandara said:

@islandgirlejfan On the non-pinnacle class ships there is no smoking in the casinos.  So consider that when looking at future possible bookings.

The sea view pool on all ships is the designated smoking section -- usually port side.  That is another thing to look at when weighing room choices for possible future bookings.

 

Much of this is brought up on other past topics ont his forum as well as the pinned posts.

We were port, so that does explain much.  I must admit, I haven't been frequenting CC as much as I have in the past.  I maybe should have read some before booking, however aft rooms are usually coveted, at least on Celebrity ships.  I also don't always go searching for everything because CC can be wonky.  I tried to find something out about additional tipping of our staff.  It didn't like the criteria, so I just went ahead and did what I was going to do in the first place.  I was just looking for the guidelines and didn't get a hit.  Admittedly it was on my phone on the ship and not my computer at home, but it was something I didn't give thought to until I was in the situation.  

This was the last room aft when we booked and I can't lie, I didn't give a lot of thought to smoking or reading up on anything.  That's my bad.  I got used to it being that easy on Celebrity and didn't think it would cause any issues.  It's an easy solution for us.  No aft on HAL unless maybe maybe it's sixth floor or lower .  It's that simple.  I know for the next time. 

[Sir PMP]

Good old Grand Turk:

[pirate cruiser]

When we were on Oosterdam last Sept. I happened to be standing on the rail behind seaview pool during a sailaway-I could see people on their afts on deck 8 and decided I would not want a room there even as much as we enjoyed our aft on deck 7 on NS. We were lucky as there was an aft available on deck 6 when we booked for this Dec. 

[cbr663]

Great review.  I agree that HAL has basically given up on entertainment.  Years ago we tried sailing on X and while we enjoyed Aqua Class, we found the ships terribly boring.  I never watched so much television before on a cruise ship as we did on that cruise.  Sadly, we now feel the same about HAL.  There is just very little to do on the ships that interest us any more.

 

When the music walk performers are great, it's great.  But, HAL can call it whatever it wants it is simply a bar with live music.  And like all bars, sometimes the performers are good, sometimes not so much.  

 

Perhaps things will change soon.  I can only hope.  A couple of days ago I did complete a survey from HAL asking my opinions on the entertainment options on its ships and what I would like to see.  Keeping my fingers crossed that something may come of it.

[cbr663]

2 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

Thanks for the review.  The problem now is the ships are completely full.  There were 389 people with contractors who stayed on for the following cruise. We are on the Eurodam and our 5:30 reservation in the PG resulted in us getting dinner at 6:40. 

 

Ships are indeed full.  If only HAL would crew them up to match.  

[RosieCanberra]

We too are Celebrity fans, what has drawn us to HAL is the fantastic itineraries. I have completed two HAL and have South America and Antarctica for later this month.

I agree with the MDR comments, and the in-room movies on HAL. Both superior to Celebrity and RCL. 

[leerathje]

During the last drydock, the Nieuw Statendam (sister to Rotterdam) had the stairway between Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone removed and that space closed up.  I'll bet that would make a huge difference for the smoke aroma for those sitting at those two bars in the evening.  I would imagine that during the next drydock, they will do the same to Rotterdam and Koningsdam.

 

L.

 

[Haljo1935]

Welcome to HAL! Thanks for sharing your observations; appreciate the post.

It's unfortunate ypu had the issue w/aft cabin - we love those (wake views are amazing IMO) - but are pleased to hear you'll be back.

[Blackduck59]

I think you will find the smoking pit on the Starboard side at the stern view pool. Unfortunately there is no dodger so the smoke drifts to all parts of that deck, rendering the entire space unusable to anyone with sensitivities to tobacco smoke. Also apparently they are making new "Non Smoking" casino areas, where they should be making enclosed "smoking" section casino areas.

I apologize in advance for talking about smoking outside of the smoking thread, but I had to let @islandgirlejfan know that the indoor smoking is also very disappointing to us. We never encountered it in our cabin but we definitely had to avoid several areas of the ship because of it.

@Shalandara I just wanted you to know that there are only a few ships in the HAL fleet that have no smoking in the casino. Unfortunately for us Westerdam isn't one of them.

[Laminator]

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

I think you will find the smoking pit on the Starboard side at the stern view pool. Unfortunately there is no dodger so the smoke drifts to all parts of that deck, rendering the entire space unusable to anyone with sensitivities to tobacco smoke. Also apparently they are making new "Non Smoking" casino areas, where they should be making enclosed "smoking" section casino areas.

I apologize in advance for talking about smoking outside of the smoking thread, but I had to let @islandgirlejfan know that the indoor smoking is also very disappointing to us. We never encountered it in our cabin but we definitely had to avoid several areas of the ship because of it.

@Shalandara I just wanted you to know that there are only a few ships in the HAL fleet that have no smoking in the casino. Unfortunately for us Westerdam isn't one of them.

There is no smoking in the casino on the Westerdam. Hasn't been for a few years!

[ski ww]

Thanks for your balanced review, I agree with you about the smoke issue, & since when is watching a movie in the main show room entertainment? HAL has got to up their game and get some decent main shows back. 

[islandgirlejfan]

6 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Welcome to HAL! Thanks for sharing your observations; appreciate the post.

It's unfortunate ypu had the issue w/aft cabin - we love those (wake views are amazing IMO) - but are pleased to hear you'll be back.

There are some very interesting itineraries on HAL and we mostly had a great time.  The aft is where it's at for us.  My pictures from there are stunning and we do love that the Rotterdam isn't like Celebrity S-Class and there is actually some protection from the sun.  It is a beautiful ship.

[alwaysfrantic]

Your notes on Cannelleto sum up my feelings exactly.  

[islandgirlejfan]

22 minutes ago, alwaysfrantic said:

Your notes on Cannelleto sum up my feelings exactly.  

It's just sort of meh, honestly.  I don't think the positioning of the restaurant is helpful either.  Beautiful views, but it's basically part of the buffet during the day, in a uber busy area between the buffet and the pool, and then it has to try to be an Italian restaurant in the evening.  No real ambiance and much of the food has no wow factor.  We wanted to try all the pay restaurants and as I had a lot of OBC, it allowed us to do that.  As much of an Italian foodie as I am, I can pass on this one.

[OlsSalt]

8 hours ago, islandgirlejfan said:

It's just sort of meh, honestly.  I don't think the positioning of the restaurant is helpful either.  Beautiful views, but it's basically part of the buffet during the day, in a uber busy area between the buffet and the pool, and then it has to try to be an Italian restaurant in the evening.  No real ambiance and much of the food has no wow factor.  We wanted to try all the pay restaurants and as I had a lot of OBC, it allowed us to do that.  As much of an Italian foodie as I am, I can pass on this one.

 

The lower cost for Canaletto is perhaps why this is not a full blown speciality restaurant - to open this option up for other passengers who don't want to pay the higher Pinnacle etc charges.

 

We personally have found it to be the most-improved restaurant among the HAL upcharge dining options, and enjoy going, regardless of its obvious limitations as you describe,