Just booked a HAL cruise

[Constance331]

After 15 years and 30 X cruises I decided to jump ship.

 

I've always enjoyed a casino for gambling, cocktails & smoking. So I booked a Signature suite (at a solo rate) with HAL, and they threw in a beverage package. Now I get to sail on a line that's up-front with suite amenities and offers less-prohibitive smoking policies.

 

No more wondering about what X's next take-away might be in previously booked CSs, whose value as far as I'm concerned is no longer cost-effective. And as HAL is under Carnival's umbrella and not a RCCL subsidiary as Celebrity is, this makes me especially happy.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Constance331

[MicCanberra]

After 15 years and 30 X cruises I decided to jump ship.

 

I've always enjoyed a casino for gambling, cocktails & smoking. So I booked a Signature suite (at a solo rate) with HAL, and they threw in a beverage package. Now I get to sail on a line that's up-front with suite amenities and offers less-prohibitive smoking policies.

 

No more wondering about what X's next take-away might be in previously booked CSs, whose value as far as I'm concerned is no longer cost-effective. And as HAL is under Carnival's umbrella and not a RCCL subsidiary as Celebrity is, this makes me especially happy.

 

If you have found what you seek I wish you happy cruising.:D

[Jade13]

We booked a HAL cruise for next year too. It included a drinks package, a discounted price from our travel agent and OBC. We don't have to worry about HAL changing policies on a monthly basis because they take a conservative approach before making random changes.

[blueboro]

We too just recently booked the HAL Eurodam for a February cruise. This was after 4 straight X cruises. No dissatisfaction with X, it is just that my brother won a "free" cruise on HAL back in 2011 when we were on the Nieuw Amsterdam and we needed to use that. We got the Explore 4 with HAL that includes the drink package and Pinnacle Grill but the Silhouette with the Go Big was still cheaper than HAL. Oh, the sacrifice we do for a family member.

[greeneg]

Andy, very sorry to hear about your Mom, but glad to hear that she is expected to make a full recovery. That's at least good news.

 

Interesting that you sailed on Princess, I begin to wonder if X management is perhaps getting to complacent about itineraries and pricing.

 

Ed

[MicCanberra]

I am sure they are monitoring passengers' intentions, attitudes and wishes and also noticing that some itineraries may be becoming less popular. Introducing more overnight stays in some ports is one aspect.:D

[RickT]

In monitoring Celebrity's itinerarys, some have repeated basically unchanged for years (10 day carribbean, baltic, etc) while others have had some minor changes (Med/UK). Given a limited number of ships and the popularity of certain routes it's must be a balancing act between continuing to offer popular cruises vs. changing the routes so that the "regulars" don't get bored.

 

I don't begrudge Celebrity for continuing to offer popular routes, I was fortunate enough to be able to sail these itineraries, it's just now that I've done them once, no need to repeat the same thing. Same with pricing, why not charge a premium price if people are willing to pay it.

 

I suspect I'll enjoy my HAL cruise (I enjoyed the prior one). It will be different than X (which isn't a bad thing) and will take me to new ports. The money I save will more than offset the wine I need to buy and will have a lot left over which may even cover my flights :)

 

The one unfortunate thing, I've been wanting to sail in an Aft Cabin on Celebrity for a while now, I'm finally getting an Aft Cabin, but on HAL.

[TomTN]

I hope this is not to far off the thread.

 

We are X fans all the way and love all the perks, however had to make a choice on a Trans Pacific in the spring. Sydney to Seattle on RCL or Sydney to Honolulu on X.

 

RCL was offering 24 nights / vs X is 18 nights ending in Honolulu at about the same price. I hated to give up on all those CC points and perks with X we were used to but Each line has their selling points.

 

We have not traveled on Hal since Alaska over 5 years ago and had a great time.

 

My thinking now is to go for the most bang for the $$$ and if I really want to make certain on perks Ill book a suite.

 

RCL=Royal???

 

You do know you can join their "club" and they will give you credit for your X cc class.

I.e. X Elite will be RCL Diamond. You will get the Diamond perks.

[Lisah101]

We had an aft Cabin on HAL and it was amazing. See the photos in my trip report in my signature. Enjoy your trip, we loved ours!

[MicCanberra]

RCL=Royal???

 

You do know you can join their "club" and they will give you credit for your X cc class.

I.e. X Elite will be RCL Diamond. You will get the Diamond perks.

 

Yes, yes, yes, cruised on voyager of the seas, very first RCI cruise and get priority boarding and straight into the diamond club. Fantastic.:D