A first-time X cruiser's take on Celebrity vs HAL

[mickey89]

We last cruised the Caribbean on HAL in 2014 and changed to Celebrity due to smell of smoke everywhere, corridors, casino, balconies and quite a lot of outdoor areas. I know that they have stopped smoking on balconies but knowing HAL I bet balcony smoking goes unchallenged. Has it really changed?

[Arzeena]

Vicd1969,

I enjoyed reading your review and the analogy was excellent! :D

Thanks for posting.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

We last cruised the Caribbean on HAL in 2014 and changed to Celebrity due to smell of smoke everywhere, corridors, casino, balconies and quite a lot of outdoor areas. I know that they have stopped smoking on balconies but knowing HAL I bet balcony smoking goes unchallenged. Has it really changed?

 

Yeah, this doesn't sound like a plus. We paid for balcony in Alaska, only $300 total for the 3 days we're on the ship, but thought it would be worth it to see Tracy Arm Fjord. I don't think it will happen, but I'd be ticked if I couldn't enjoy it due to cigarette smoke.

 

Of course as you ban smoking on balconies, it's just going to increase the smoking in the casino, and other designated areas.

Edited May 6, 2018 by Stateroom_Sailor

[bEwAbG]

It appears that HAL is making their casinos non-smoking as they do updates. It's what encouraged me to pick them over Princess on an upcoming Alaska cruise.

[KKB]

Thanks for the comparison. We have always gotten into out Celebrity room by noon, so that can vary.

Funny, we find Celebrity too be a tad sleepy in the activities dept. Based on your review I would have jumped at Celebrity. But Princess has many many more activity choices for a similar sized ship than Celebrity. RCCL is ship dependent—loved The many choices on the Allure, but not so much on the Mariner.

Good to read a comparison tho...guessing HAL would be FAR too sleepy for us...

[Doug & Cindy Scrap Hunter]

Thanks for the comparison. We have always gotten into out Celebrity room by noon, so that can vary.

Funny, we find Celebrity too be a tad sleepy in the activities dept. Based on your review I would have jumped at Celebrity. But Princess has many many more activity choices for a similar sized ship than Celebrity. RCCL is ship dependent—loved The many choices on the Allure, but not so much on the Mariner.

Good to read a comparison tho...guessing HAL would be FAR too sleepy for us...

 

I saw this thread earlier and booked Ruby Princess because of what people have been saying. I'm sure Celebrity is nice in many ways and maybe we'll try it down the road, but Princess seems like more our speed now. Thanks for the comparison.