HAL or CELEBRITY?

[Mollie'sMom]

This is the HAL policy versus the NEW Celebrity Policy. Will either one influence who you cruise with?

 

HAL:

Catholic Mass is held daily.

Interdenominational service is conducted each Sunday and on appropriate religious holidays.

For Jewish guests a Sabbath Eve is held each week. Anyone wishing to volunteer to lead this service should contact the Cruise Director. A Rabbi is onboard for High Holiday services.

Each stateroom has the King James Version of the Bible in the nightstand.

Please feel free to contact us if we may be of additional assistance. Holland America Line is confident our Signature of Excellence will surpass your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the near future.

OR

 

Celebrity's New Policy as of January 2010:

 

Out of respect for our guests of all religious faiths, Celebrity has chosen to align the religious services provided for Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Interdenominational faiths effective January 4, 2010. Roman Catholic Priests, Protestant Ministers and Jewish Rabbis or Cantors will be provided and official services will be conducted for the major High Holy Holidays of each respective faith (additional information regarding major holidays will be made available shortly). Daily and weekly scheduling of any religious services will no longer be offered on an official basis (with the exception of the High Holy Holidays). Guests interested in organizing or volunteering their services are welcome to inquire with the Guest Services Desk and/or the Groups Bulletin Board onboard and the Celebrity shipboard team will do their best to accommodate them.

 

At least three threads have been closed regarding Celebrities NEW POLICY. Hopefully, they will permit opinions on this issue.:confused:

[cruzeluver]

Will not influence mu decision at all, but I do respect why it may impact others.

[Eurobikefan]

It would probably be helpful to read Celebrity's complete response that outlines all the services it will be providing. From Celebrity's website---here is detail of new policy:

 

Does Celebrity Cruises offer religious services onboard?

Subject: Onboard Services

 

Yes. Celebrity ships provide formal religious services for Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Interdenominational faiths during major religious holidays (see below). Catholic Mass is also performed on a daily basis during our Holy Land voyages and as available on ships while in port on Saturdays or Sundays. Guests of all faiths are encouraged to host their own spiritual fellowship or group gathering by inquiring with our Guest Services Desk onboard.

 

 

Event Availability

Holiday Catholic Mass

A Roman Catholic Priest will conduct services daily during Lent and on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

In-Port Catholic Mass

Where available, the ship will make arrangements with a local parish to provide a priest for Saturday or Sunday Catholic Mass (applicable only to ships while in port). Please check with the Guest Relations Desk or the Groups Bulletin Board onboard for more information.

Holy Land Voyage Catholic Mass

A Roman Catholic Priest will conduct Catholic and Interdenominational services daily during each Holy Land voyage.

Jewish Services

A Jewish Rabbi or Cantor will conduct services during Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah.

Holiday Protestant Services

A Protestant Minister will conduct daily services during Lent and on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

Holiday Interdenominational Services

A Protestant Minister will conduct daily services during Lent and on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

[Mollie'sMom]

So from Easter to Christmas (about 8 months) they will not be having Daily/Sunday Mass on board...............

 

However, HAL will have a Priest on board for Daily Mass.