Another recent Celebrity Experience by veteran HAL cruisers

[Bill S]

DW and I are experienced cruisers with 1 river cruise and 13 HAL cruises behind us. We chose Celebrity for an E. Med. cruise due to the itinerary and very reasonable fare. The cruise originated in Barcelona and ended in Venice. The cruise dates were Nov 4-18, 2007. We had a Category C verandah cabin, 6071.

Embarkation: we arrived at about 2:45 and there were no lines! However, we had to wait at least 5 minutes for the reception person to go somewhere out of view to obtain our room cards. I don’t know if this is typical of Celebrity or just unique to Barcelona. The reception in the main atrium was very nice.

The Millennium: we were impressed with the spaciousness and open feel of the public areas, especially the main atrium, the shopping arcade and the Cosmos Lounge. Even most of the stair landings were spacious, but the artwork left us cold-really odd-ball collection. Overall though, the Millennium is a very nice and comfortable ship.

Crew & Staff: the crew and staff were congenial and provided a high level of service. We were particularly impressed with the CD, Lisa and most of her staff, especially Leean and Adele. Our cabin steward was very friendly but was inconsistent in some areas, for example, he forgot we ordered room service one morning and inspite of asking him twice for new room service order cards, he forgot to provide them. When he realized his oversight, he apologized and said we could have called a number. My unexpressed thought that under the circumstances, I should not had to call anyone. Also, one evening early in the cruise, we went to our cabin after the show and the steward had retrieved DW’s nightgown from the bathroom door and arranged it out on the bed!!!! What the heck is that about?? DW was not amused and put it in the laundry bag and hid her nightgowns for the rest of the cruise. Rather bizarre! Our table steward, Yalchin, and his assistant Anna, were great. The Assistant maitre’ d, Jobel, was outstanding. He provided our table with extra "goodies and treats" on several nights and he was very attentive to our needs and requests.

Entertainment & Excursions: We thought the cast was high caliber, very talented overall, especially the singers. The guest entertainers were also very good, but the cast was a notch better than what we have seen on HAL. We took no ship’s excursions, using private tours at Livorno, Naples, Athens and Istanbul.

Food: very, very good–once again, a notch better than HAL’s but we did miss HAL’s famous bread pudding. Except for one evening, I really enjoyed the cold/chilled soups.

Disembarkation: smooth and easy, except for having to report to the show lounge at an appointed time, and then wait for our group to be called.

What we liked about Celebrity/the Millenium not addressed above:

The spacious feel to the Millennium.

The tie rack in the closet, the wall hooks and the good storage space in the cabin.

The lotion and shampoo dispensers in the bathroom & the storage space in the bathroom.

The phone call alerting us that our room service order was on the way–nice touch! We would like to see HAL invoke this nice service.

The adequate dance venues (we enjoy ballroom dancing).

The nice variety of activities each day, eg, team trivia and other events.

No bingo announcements.

The covered exterior area outside and aft of the buffet restaurant.

ATM onboard.

The tv channel featuring tv shows from the 50s & 60s.

The things we didn’t like about the Celebrity/the Millenium:

The muster drill was a joke-very disorganized, crew members joking around, the announcements for the most part sounded like a recording, conducted indoors and then marched to a lifeboat station, no involvement by the Captain whatsoever. Very confusing and most passengers did not pay attention.

Smoking was allowed in some of the public lounges-we could smell smoke even on the non-smoking side.

There was no retractable roof over the pool area-some activities scheduled for pool-side had to be moved inside due to cool weather.

The daily news summary was not delivered to our cabin each day–we had to go down to the guest relations desk area to get one.

In our face tip requests: We did not opt-in to the automatic tip program as we considered Celebrity’s deduction to be a bit too high. We were still going to provide tips commensurate with the level of service we encountered and I tipped the steward each morning for room service, as well. The last sea day we found 5 envelopes in our cabin requesting tips with the envelopes labeled for the positions solicited. We have never encountered such boldness relating to tips and did not appreciate it. We gave generous tips to our dining room staff and a tip commensurate for uneven service rendered by our cabin attendant.

The lack of PA announcements for disembarkation information at ports made it confusing for where to go to get off the ship. We would read the daily program and also listen to the CD’s videotaped update each morning and many times the information did not mesh.

Celebrity charges a fee to watch later run movies on their tv system-$10 a whack!

Early/Traditional seating was still too late for us: 6:15. We were never done before 8:15. We prefer the earlier seating on HAL, starting at 5:30.

We also missed the teak lower promenade deck along with not being able to do a complete walk around on a covered deck.

We prefer HAL’s method of disembarkation, specifically, being allowed to remain in the cabin until our number is called.

Admittedly, with the possible exception of the nightgown incident, none of the dislikes were enough to turn us away from Celebrity. HAL and Celebrity both offer a solid product. We like the traditional seating and formal nights offered by both lines. Overall this was one of our best cruises for a lot of reasons: excellent itinerary, outstanding weather and sea conditions for November, wonderful sights and tours, and outstanding table mates. Even though our hearts belong to HAL, the bottom line is that we would consider cruising with Celebrity again, if they offered an itinerary we wanted that HAL didn’t offer.

 

 

 

 

[arzz]

I appreciate your review. Thanks for taking the time to share. I agree with many of the things that you mentioned from our Celebrity experience.

 

I particularly agree about Celebrity's muster drills -- on the Galaxy (Dec 8-22) we were gathered in the Cinema, the emergency stairwells were not available for our use to get there as they are on HAL, there was no attendance taken and no check to make sure that everyone had donned their life jackets in the proper way. I can only imagine the chaos if a real emergency were to occur.

 

But both lines have, as you said, a solid product and we had a great cruise.

[Sundagger]

Thanks for the very informative comparative review. It corroborates what I've gleaned from other reasoned reviews. I'm perfectly satisfied with HAL, but if, as in your case, there were an itinerary that X had that HAL didn't, I wouldn't hesitate to book with them. The only thing that's been holding me back so far is their punitive pricing for solo cruisers.

[HokiePoq]

Thanks for your great review. We are planning a Med cruise and I prefer HAL. I wonder why HAL does not offer Venice, Rome and Athens in one cruise...not even sure the back to back would hit those three "must sees" for me. Although I'd probably love it, I'd rather go to those than the Turkish ports. HAL does not seem to go into Venice as much as some other lines. Right now I'm only seeing the Prisendam Black Sea cruises when I search for Venice. Did you use cruise air or plan your own? HAL's 09 itineraries are not up yet. I wonder if theirs will be the same as this year. Otherwise it's Princess or Celebrity.

[happy cruzer]

Thanks for posting your comparision.

 

I've had the nightgown thing happen on Princess before. I believe in the past is was very common on many lines; in the same category as the towel animals. I can understand being surprised but mentioning it as a reason to maybe not cruise Celebrity is a bit strong. After all the steward touchs alot of things like all your sheets and towels. Just my opinion.

 

Also HAL did the phone call before room service on our last HAL cruise. It is nice. But I imagine each crew decides whether to do the call or not.

 

Very glad to see your report on the ballroom dancing. We love to dance too and we have been looking at another Celebrity cruise.

 

Thank you.

[vcdarty]

Draping nightwear on the bed used to be part of the standard "turndown" service for luxury hotels (especially on the continent and in South America) and cruises. Like suitcase unpacking and repacking, if desired, by chambermaids and stewards, it has largely gone by the wayside. You really shouldn't be disturbed by the practice; it's a reminder of the bygone days of grande-luxe travel.

[Jade13]

.

Celebrity charges a fee to watch later run movies on their tv system-$10 a whack!

 

 

 

 

That is so tacky to charge $10.00 for movies.

[flashdog_1]

and HAL does not. The Aqua Spa cafe on Millenium ships (Summit, Constellation, Millenium and Infinity) is rather unique, too. Robes for everyone, glass of champagne upon boarding for all passengers, plus a steward taking you and your hand baggage if desired, to your cabin, & refusing a tip.

 

I liked the very few announcements on Celebrity, but you are right, it made disembarkation more difficult, especially in light of the conflict you read in the daily bulletin.

 

I found HAL's front desk personnel to be much more gracious and friendly than those on any Celebrity ship I've sailed.

 

Did you notice that you could access your account via the TV and thereby catch any "errors" on the day they occurred, rather than waiting until the end of the cruise to receive a statement?

 

I also enjoyed having access to the dining room menus for lunch and dinner for room service on Celebrity. Just tell your steward and he/she will get you the menus. I also requested copies of the menus to take home to my son who was in culinary school and that was done, as well.

 

Celebrity has two stewards for each cabin, and the "high" tip requested is split between them. I think the professionalism of the Celebrity crew was a bit higher (no leering at my voluptuous 30 year old daughter, which did happen on HAL, so much so that she would not go alone anywhere on the ship for fear she'd run into a difficult situation).

 

I enjoyed both lines equally, but there were differences. You just adjust as you go. I'd have felt the same regarding a nightgown on the bed, however!

[Ine]

Great review Bill.

We have sailed HAL and Celebrity a few times and I always feel they are more or less the same, with a few detail differences.

On all our X-cruises my nightgown (which I left in the bed) was indeed always draped on the bed, which really didnot bother me.

Indeed the muster-drill seems kind of funny, maybe that is still the "Greek" site of X? Although I have been told cabins are checked to see nobody is still in there.

We love the "no-announcements", but one has to read (or carry) the daily programm more often.

 

Like I have mentioned in the past, we love to sail HAL as well as Celebrity, we are looking forward to our short Eurodam cruise this summer.

[sarplum]

Great revue - it is a pleasure to read such an objective revue.

We also have sailed both lines an loved the even handed comments.

Of course, I can't let the opportunity to vent on X's corkage fee of

$ 25.00. For the first time in our cruising history, we actually brought

a bottle back with us.

[jhannah]

Great recap, Bill. Appreciate your taking the time to compare/contrast. Sounds like a marvelous itinerary.

[hammybee]

Thank you for taking the time to share your perceptions with us. I think X and RCL are probably moving towards auto tipping to be able to guarantee a baseline income to their crew.

 

Last time I sailed with X, the recommended tips were only 25 cents more than on HAL. Has something changed?

 

Given the declining value of the USD, I will not be surprised to see all cruise lines increase the minimum, else the crew is working for less and less for passengers who want more and more- a disconnect if there ever was one.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Bill, I have been waiting for your comparison review, thanks I am glad that you two had such agreat time. But I have to admit that bit about the night gown is getting a bit personal but I guess in some cultures and category of cabins he was probably trying to do Butler service and maybe would have drawn you bath if requested:D For me I would just rather they not touch my personal things.

I thank you forgiving us lots of detail and I know you and Virgina are a lot like Tom and I so I value your opinion. Who knows someday we may have to try Celebrity:)

 

Again Thanks Bill.

 

 

Celebrity has Qtips and cotton balls, the free Adult only indoor Thalossotherapy pool and HAL does not. The Aqua Spa cafe on Millenium ships (Summit, Constellation, Millenium and Infinity) is rather unique, too. Robes for everyone, glass of champagne upon boarding for all passengers, plus a steward taking you and your hand baggage if desired, to your cabin, & refusing a tip.

 

 

 

flashdog actually so does HAL but I suppose it depends on the category. In all the Deluxe Verandah Suite there is a nice clear container that holds both Qtips and cotton balls, of course everyone has robes on HAL. As well as once cabins are available HAL does still offer white gloved escort service to your cabin. As for the glass of champagne, depending on the taste and quality and if it is already room temp. I am not sure I would consider that a perk.:o Now from what I have read the Aqua Spa does sound very nice but my concern is how crowded it is since it is free to many.

[mmp13]

I think some one may have already mentioned this but 30 years ago when i first started cruising your night clothes were always laid out for you on your turned down bed! usually nightgowns were fan folded or shaped with a waist etc.

[Bill S]

HokiePoq: we booked our own air and used Delta both ways and we were pleased with Delta's service and meals.

We noted the thalassotherapy pool and it looked very nice, but as we are not "pool people", I did not mention it in my review. One of our travel companions did use it regularly and loved it, so that is definite plus for folks who like to use a pool.

 

We are going to see our new tablemate friends in two days down in So. Cal. and go whale watching with them and have lunch, too! They are so much fun! I guess that is one of the best benefits of cruising regardless of the cruise line! :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write your comparison between HAL and Celebrity. Very informative.

[Chivalrygirl]

We went on holiday to Spain and stayed down in Malaga, or near there, in an average hotel, but every night my nightie was laid out on the bed, with a little skinny waist etc. That was way back in 1966, I would have thought laying out the nightie for oldies these days is a bit old hat. By golly the size of my nightie has changed considerably, but it did happen to us on Princess in September. Does not particulary worry me, I actually felt a bit sorry for the steward :eek:

[alonzo14]

Lisa,

On our recent Westerdam cruise we had a Deluxe Verandah and did not have cotton balls or Q tips. We did have a shower cap. But this is no big deal to us anyway. I hope you enjoy your cruise on Princess and should be an interesting comparison.

 

We once had a steward on an older NCL ship fashion my nightgown on the bed one time. This was in 1999. I never had that happen since.

[frankie-toronto]

HI

WE HAVE sailed with Celebrity on the Century/Mercury/Constellation/Millenium also did that same cruise on the Med a couple of years ago it was amazing. We have only been on HAL once to Hawaii and going on HAL again next week on the World cruise - we were not that impressed with HAL in many ways - we have been on MSC - it is terrible and RCCL which we also liked very much - and Princess a very nice line. There will always be little things we dont agree with or like and every line has their rules etc. etc. overall most cruises are simply wonderful and we should all be so lucky to be able to afford to go on them. We have been on 10 now and will keep on as long as we can do it. I would take Celebrity over HAL anytime but they dont do a world cruise.

enjoy cruising

Happy Holidays from Canada

[dakrewser]

Thanks Bill, that certainly seems to match up with our impression of the Infinity...

[bellebaby]

Bill

 

Thanks for the review. I hoped you would post comments regarding the experience. Glad you had a great time.

 

B

[gooselace]

I think some one may have already mentioned this but 30 years ago when i first started cruising your night clothes were always laid out for you on your turned down bed! usually nightgowns were fan folded or shaped with a waist etc.

 

Had forgotten that from my cruises in that era. Certainly glad it doesn't happen now on either HAL or Princess as I now sleep in shorts and tee shirt - makes it much easier to answer the door for room service or to evacuate the cabin in any sort of emergency.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Bill, thanks so much for your review ... I always value your opinion. I've said so many times that HAL and Celebrity both offer a really fine product and they run either can win by a nose. For us always, Celebrity gets the edge, but I also completely understand that for some it can lean the other way.

 

In the early 80's on Cunard, I also had the "nightgown incident" and was mortified!!! When we returned to the cabin and saw my nightgown laid out as Mmp13 describes, I can't quite put my reaction into words.

 

It's never happened on any ship since so this isn't a regular Celebrity thing! On the other hand, what can you do with a t-shirt???;)

 

Thanks so much for sharing your review ... hope you posted it on the Celebrity board!:)

[sailaway5]

Bill - Thanks for the great comparisons and opinions of HAL and Celebrity. We've sailed on Celebrity twice and HAL once and had good experiences on both. I did not have the "nightgown" incident on either of the Celebrity ships (Infinity and Mercury) and at the time, they did not charge for first-run movies. Sounds like they are taking away a few of the "freebies".

 

Thanks again for sharing your views. I always enjoy reading your reviews.

 

Carol

[Marianne]

A few years ago my niece sailed on Carnival and she told me about their room steward laying out her slip on the bed. who apparently couldn't locate her sleepwear. She thought it quite irregular and wasn't amused at all. She wondered what the steward was doing going thru her things.

 

We too sailed on Celebrity and find it pretty much equal to HAL. The food is quite good and especially enjoy the swan puffs, maybe it is a tad better than HAL. Our table mates were lots of fun and occasionally we still hear from some of them. I feel they X was quite aggressive about tipping with daily reminders one way or the other. Entertainment was very good, and we too like to dance, the music was good in all the areas. The one thing I really take a second look at is their lack of specials for airline travel offered to west coast folks. Maybe once in awhile in LA, but HAL offers this across the nation. It's not enough however to keep me from sailing again with X. Thanks Bill for the comparison.