HAL vs Celebrity?

(Thought I asked this yesterday but can't find it)

We've done 3 celebrity cruises but can't find the itinerary we would like. Haven't been on HAL.

We like outside cabins, pref with a balcony. Looking into Europe or perhaps Canada/New England.

Anyone able to compare the 2 lines? eg, food, cabins, shows, decor?

Here's your original post - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1333435

We were on one Celebrity cruise around South America and have been on three with HAL, one of which was 30 days. Price and destinations determine our line.

Having said that, I must admit we preferred the food on Celebrity and the shows. Celebrity had more 'stars' imported for a couple of shows which were to our taste.

We do window cabins and the Celebrity cabin was smaller. We found the service to be equally good on both lines.

I'd suggest you try HAL once and then decide on your personal favourite.

We cruise both lines, and I prefer the new, large Celebrity S-Class ships, because they offer so many dining choices and feature activities that appeal to me, such as the Corning Museum Hot Glass Show and the enrichment lecture series. The decor is striking, too, and some of the entertainment is quite good, such as the "Equinox, the Show", which features outstanding aerial acts.

My husband prefers HAL, because he likes the quieter, slower pace and the opportunites to socialize in the often open main dining room and the Neptune Lounge, which is a perk for suite guests. Beds are better on Holland America, too, and their crews are outstanding, with many charming, sweet gentleman working as stewards.

The food has been less appealing on both lines since the economic downturn, probably due to cost cutting, so we eat fairly often in the alternative restaurants, which we think are better on Celebrity.

Our next booked cruise is on HAL, and we are also thinking of taking a short winter cruise on one of the Celebrity S-Class ships if we can find a good, last minute fare.

Although I believe Celebrity has an edge over HAL, I say consider itinerary first.

I woud rate the two lines equal. Food is equal on the two of them. Most of the HAL cabins are larger than X. I like the shows better on X. Decor is a matter of personal taste, I prefer HAL because of the wonderful library, wraparound teak deck and Dutch-oriented traditional art. I like the T-Pool on the Millenium class X ships.

Bill

We would give the edge in food to HA (we think X is overrated in the food category and living on their past reputation). HA tends to attract an older more sedate crowd which tends to make for a more quiet cruise. HA has one of the most liberal smoking policies which means if you do not like to breathe somebody elses smoke you would be better off on X. As to the ships it really depends on which ships you compare. For example, X does not have anything in the category of the Prinsendam.

Hank

Funny you should ask this question, as we're just back from our second HA cruise (Nieuw Amsterdam/Western Caribbean)--and as we left the ship my husband and I both said "Enough experimenting! Back to Celebrity!". We've sailed 4 times on Celebrity, once on NCL, once on Princess, and once on RCL in addition to the HAL cruises. There were 10 years between our HAL cruises, and we went back because we had such good memories of the outstanding service. Unfortunately we did not experience that on this latest HA outing. Worst cabin steward we've ever had (and in a Deluxe Verandah suite!), bored cruise staff who really seemed to hate their jobs (especially "DJ Brad" who seriously needs a career change), an indifferent dining room captain who became adept at avoiding us after we mentioned the first night that our food was cold. We did have great weather, and enjoyed all the ports. Food was spotty--sometimes great, sometimes lousy. Entertainment was good. We just think Celebrity delivers a more consistant, high-quality travel experience.

If you are a non-smoker, Celebrity has the best no smoking policy.

For example, X does not have anything in the category of the Prinsendam.

 

Hank

Sure they do. It's called Azamara, and they have past passenger reciprocal benefits.

In our opinion, they are so close that we decide based on itinerary and price.

Again, in our opinion:

Dining Room food, slight nod to HA

Specialty Rest - large nod to =x=. Nothing wrong with Pinnacle, just not as good food and experience, and too much difference ship to ship

Culinary program - Love HAL's hands-on program, but I am a food nut.

Service - both very good - slight nod to HAL

Cabins - HAL suites (deluxe and superior) are tremenbdous! =X= sky suites are glorified balcony cabins (slightly larger), but they do have Butler's (greatfeature, with wonderful staff, but honestly not needed). =X= other suites are really nice (we do not like the Celebrity suites on Millenium and older class (no balcony).

Either way, I do not think you can go wrong!

... if you do not like to breathe somebody elses smoke you would be better off on X.

Truly an exaggeration, as most public places on HAL ships are totally smoke free.

Truly an exaggeration, as most public places on HAL ships are totally smoke free.

Exaggeration ?? ... Here ??

:rolleyes: :D

Truly an exaggeration, as most public places on HAL ships are totally smoke free.

Having cruised both HAL & Celebrity, I know that you're subjected to a lot less smoke on Celebrity.

I don't think RuthC has been on Celebrity since they adopted their wonderful new smoking policy.

Having cruised both HAL & Celebrity, I know that you're subjected to a lot less smoke on Celebrity.

I don't think RuthC has been on Celebrity since they adopted their wonderful new smoking policy.

I know someone who has been on Celebrity after the new rules, and they said it's no different. :rolleyes:

I know someone who has been on Celebrity after the new rules, and they said it's no different. :rolleyes:

Supposedly, there's no smoking on balconies. If that's true, then that wouldn't hinder the enjoyment of it. I've heard more people complain on other lines about not being able to enjoy their balcony because of smokers on neighboring ones. I would think that would be much better - for the non-smokers of course.

It's no different?

On HAL, smoking is allowed in staterooms & on private balconies.

On Celebrity, smoking is prohibited in staterooms and private balconies.

If someone is smoking, you call guest services, and they deal with it, including fining the offenders, if they continue to ignore the rules.

I don't think RuthC has been on Celebrity since they adopted their wonderful new smoking policy.

RuthC hasn't sailed on Celebrity since they were Chandris.

However, she wasn't commenting on Celebrity's policy---she was commenting on the inaccurate discription re: HAL's policy.

See the difference?

RuthC hasn't sailed on Celebrity since they were Chandris.

 

However, she wasn't commenting on Celebrity's policy---she was commenting on the inaccurate discription re: HAL's policy.

See the difference?

Yes, I see the difference, and I really wonder why you'd even post on a thread that was discussing the differences between two lines, when you haven't even sailed on one of them?

...........

Yes, I see the difference, and I really wonder why you'd even post on a thread that was discussing the differences between two lines, when you haven't even sailed on one of them?

To correct the depiction of the one I have sailed on extensively. That way posters can make the choice that best for them based on accurate information.

Accurate information---that's what we're all here for.

To correct the depiction of the one I have sailed on extensively. That way posters can make the choice that best for them based on accurate information.

Accurate information---that's what we're all here for.

Yes, I couldn't agree more.

And your opinion in this matter would hold so much more weight if you had any experience with Celebrity Cruises.

And your opinion in this matter would hold so much more weight if you had any experience with Celebrity Cruises.

That makes no sense whatsoever. :rolleyes:

As much as we look at the wonderful HAL itineraries, we will not book!. We have had balconies on NCL (similar smoking policies) and have been unable to use them due to smokers. We can't use the casino's either so we will stick with X. We love Azamara's new policy which changed to only one outside area and NO inside smoking. One day we hope to cruise HAL

That makes no sense whatsoever. :rolleyes:

You would understand, if you had experienced the difference between HAL's & Celebrity's smoking policy.