I miss HAL's Rotterdam, SOLSTICE is a huge Disappointment

[SunNFunCruzer]

25 minutes ago, retird said:

One suggestion for any future cruise critiques you may choose to do.   Always post on the cruise line forum you have something positive to say about and not on the forum you are being negative toward.    And BTW, I’ve cruised on both Celebrity and HAL and while both have their plusses and minuses, I’ve never encountered what you say you experienced on Celebrity.    I wish you happy cruising in the future

 

Lol. That would help no one but the cruise line and the travel agents and others who benefit from bookings. I'd been on Celebrity pre-Covid and the Celebrity Solstice, at least, is Not the same Celebrity product.  There seem currently to be 2 posters on the Solstice -- I've been on the ship once, the other has been on the ship 8 times. We have differences of opinion and experience.

 

It seems that on Saturday, a few more posters will board. I'll be curious to learn if they have the same experience we're having, or if they are less high maintenance. Although I'm fairly confident that if you put a dozen couples in a line at the end of a typical cruise and ask the crew to put us in order of most to least "demanding", we'd be on the lower end of that spectrum -- from the crew's perspective.  When I give a corporation thousands of dollars, and my time, for an advertised product or service, I expect that product or service.  Other than the hiccups at Lincoln Center Live, HAL delivered. Celebrity has not.

[Denny01]

A ‘critique’ that describes why a poster likes the HAL Rotterdam more than the Celebrity Solstice is of little use to those on the Celebrity forum. 
 

and it kind of lost it when complaining about the limited outside smoking areas on Solstice and loving a ship that not only has the same, but also allows smoking in the casino. A reason many here don’t cruise HAL, no matter how much ‘better’ the Rotterdam is. 

 

Den
 

 

[NMTraveller]

1 hour ago, Denny01 said:

A ‘critique’ that describes why a poster likes the HAL Rotterdam more than the Celebrity Solstice is of little use to those on the Celebrity forum. 
 

and it kind of lost it when complaining about the limited outside smoking areas on Solstice and loving a ship that not only has the same, but also allows smoking in the casino. A reason many here don’t cruise HAL, no matter how much ‘better’ the Rotterdam is. 

 

Den
 

 

I would disagree.

 

I am not all that familiar with the new HAL ships and the new Princess ships.  I am familiar with the E-class.

 

The smoking in the HAL casino is just a minor point if you don't gamble.  On my last Celebrity cruise there were not many people in the casino.  I don't see the downside of a smoking casino for the few that do gamble.

 

I would have liked to see a comparison of Celebrity E-class vs HAL Rotterdam.  New ship to new ship.  I suspect that the Rotterdam may be a better ship if it has forward facing views and not the Infinite Verandas.  Perhaps HAL is building better new ships than Celebrity for non suite guests...  Given that Celebrity is shortening itineraries and making them less ideal HAL wins the itinerary competition.

 

 

[pickle11]

9 hours ago, jaapie said:

We will also be on the Solstice this Saturday. Just looked up the temps for our ports next week - in the 80s. That will be wonderful for us, we live in southeast Texas where the heat and humidity has been in the 90s and 100s since May, so the 80s will seem cool to us (we will be putting sweaters in our suitcases when we pack tomorrow). Perhaps the OP lives in a cold climate and struggles with the 80s.

I spent four years in Austin and have taken the Mexican Riviera itinerary over 10 times.  We know the difference between warm and hot.  Apparently, those in the northwest have a different interpretation when it comes to humidity.   

[TMLAalum]

4 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

I would disagree.

 

I am not all that familiar with the new HAL ships and the new Princess ships.  I am familiar with the E-class.

 

The smoking in the HAL casino is just a minor point if you don't gamble.  On my last Celebrity cruise there were not many people in the casino.  I don't see the downside of a smoking casino for the few that do gamble.

 

I would have liked to see a comparison of Celebrity E-class vs HAL Rotterdam.  New ship to new ship.  I suspect that the Rotterdam may be a better ship if it has forward facing views and not the Infinite Verandas.  Perhaps HAL is building better new ships than Celebrity for non suite guests...  Given that Celebrity is shortening itineraries and making them less ideal HAL wins the itinerary competition.

 

 

We sailed the Nieuw Statendam immediately after the Edge eastern Caribbean inaugural. Both new ships.

While there were several aspects of the Edge we did not care for, there were many more dislikes for us on the NS. The downside of the alternative smoking times in the HAL casino meant that the odor permeated the area at all times. Decor was disjointed on the NS from cabin to the buffet to the Italian specialty restaurant to the point of garishness. The Crow's Nest was enjoyable and the Asian restaurant was excellent. Elevator carpets with the day of the week were a tad condescending. Shows had canned music although the Music Walk offerings were excellent.

I felt like we'd stepped back into the 50s on the NS!

[NMTraveller]

38 minutes ago, TMLAalum said:

We sailed the Nieuw Statendam immediately after the Edge eastern Caribbean inaugural. Both new ships.

While there were several aspects of the Edge we did not care for, there were many more dislikes for us on the NS. The downside of the alternative smoking times in the HAL casino meant that the odor permeated the area at all times. Decor was disjointed on the NS from cabin to the buffet to the Italian specialty restaurant to the point of garishness. The Crow's Nest was enjoyable and the Asian restaurant was excellent. Elevator carpets with the day of the week were a tad condescending. Shows had canned music although the Music Walk offerings were excellent.

I felt like we'd stepped back into the 50s on the NS!

The fact that HAL still has the Crows Nest and the Edge does not make it a better ship IMHO.  The same for the IVs.  Time to try a new HAL ship.

Edited September 29, 2022 by NMTraveller

[C4HCG]

15 hours ago, SunNFunCruzer said:

 

Thank you for this. We are enjoying the cruise, but there are disappointing aspects. We've asked fellow cruisers questions that only people onboard can answer, so this is our way to pay that back. I'm sorry if my observations are so disturbing to some; maybe they will provide incentive for Celebrity to make changes to improve the deficiencies. For example, there is no reason for all the pools to have ~85-90 degree water in an area where the real feel temps are over 100 degrees and there is an internal solarium pool and a second shallow outdoor pool. That's the perfect opportunity to keep one or two pools cool, and one heated, or two heated and one cool. And the air conditioning is struggling And the cold water shower tap in our cabin often runs warm to lukewarm not cold, cool or refreshing, so how would y'all recommend someone on the Solstice get some relief from the heat?! That's not a high maintenance request.

Maybe some of us like things as you describe them? I don’t find your comments disturbing and really doubt anyone else here would. They are merely your opinion to which you are perfectly entitled, and we in turn are equally entitled to disagree.

[C4HCG]

2 hours ago, pickle11 said:

Hey Den.  Then why are you and all of the other loyalists following this thread.  And why do you all feel like you have to defend the Solstice.  After all you loyalists know it an older ship and needs a facelift.  If you do not recognize a problem, then you will never fix it.  Just like the border is closed.  And then the problem just gets ignored until another concerned cruiser brings it up, only to be ignored again.  If you think the OP is hard just wait till I nic-pic.  I used to work in the Mystery Shopper program.  Hire by cruise lines.  I also look for dust.  You know "White Glove" treatment.

 

It’s called offering an opinion and this is a Board designed to do just that.  And “loyalist” 😂😂😂. 

[PTC DAWG]

8 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

he smoking in the HAL casino is just a minor point if you don't gamble.

It's a MAJOR point if you do and are also a non smoker...

[PTC DAWG]

"Also, I had a SPECIFIC complaint about the smoking areas on Solstice. My SPECIFIC complaint was that ALL areas that had chairs AND dining height tables (especially covered ones) were in or adjacent to smoking areas. When someone took issue with SMOKING BEING THE COMPLAINT ~They~ compared smoking on HAL to smoking on Celebrity. In response, I complained about smoke on HAL too, and said I hate smoke -- but again -- I did not compare. Maybe you should re-read what posted. I also sprinkled in positives as I said I would, but was criticized for "not liking" anything about Solstice."

 

I was just off Equinox there were chair height tables at the Mast Grill, outside, non smoking.  Also outside at the rear of the buffet, again, chair height tables non smoking area.  Try harder to find issues re tables outside.  Maybe the Solstice allows smoking in these areas I mentioned, but I doubt it.  

 

Was my recent cruise perfect, no, but smoking wasn't an issue...

 

Now the music, it was weak, IMHO.  

 

 

Edited September 29, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

8 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

The smoking in the HAL casino is just a minor point if you don't gamble.

 

It depends on where the casino is located and how you get to the dining room. When I was on the Westerdam, our group was on the lower level of the dining room and the easiest way to get there from where we usually hung out before dinner without going up and down stairs or an elevator was to walk through it. Even when it wasn't open, the stench remained.

 

Also when I've been on RCCL ships with a smoking section in the casino, the smoke stench drifts out.

 

The owner of the travel agency I use was recently on the Norwegian Prima and they actually did what should have been the procedure from the start - the smoking area is in its own CLOSED room so that the stench remains in there.

[Ken the cruiser]

If I might ask as I've seen this term used a few times now on this thread. What is a "chair height table"?

 

Edited September 29, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[barbette165]

14 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

If I might ask as I've seen this term used a few times now on this thread. What is a "chair height table"?

 

It's just a normal height table that you can sit at and eat at, play cards or whatever, rather than either a lower height coffee table or a higher table with (or without) bar stools.

[PTC DAWG]

18 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

If I might ask as I've seen this term used a few times now on this thread. What is a "chair height table"?

 

Think bar height vs dining table height…

[Ken the cruiser]

20 minutes ago, barbette165 said:

It's just a normal height table that you can sit at and eat at, play cards or whatever, rather than either a lower height coffee table or a higher table with (or without) bar stools.

 

20 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Think bar height vs dining table height…

OK, now I'm confused. But that's OK. It really doesn't matter.  😂

Edited September 29, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[LGW59]

15 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

 

OK, now I'm confused. 😂

It’s the height of the table in your kitchen or dining room 

[Muushka]

As somewhat of a Celebrity loyalist, I must confess.  After cruising on Nieuw Statendam for a Christmas/NY 2 week cruise, I loved that cruise.  Why?  I loved the music.  Pretty much any type of music was available in the evening.  Live, quality music.  I loved the TV.  Yes, I watch TV on a cruise.  A huge TV on the wall opposite the bed.  With lots of good programming.  In addition, I LOVED the laundry.  I think it was $7 a day, unlimited.  Coming back pressed on hangers or in  a nice basket.  We are Elite + on X and get all kinds of free laundry.  I would rather pay the $7 a day! 

While these things may not seem like much, it is enough that I think of that cruise often.   Yes, I missed the Happy Hour and the great breakfasts (well, I do it for the view, not the food) at Tuscan Grill.  I missed the beauty of X ships.  And the status.  We love to cruise in suites (lowly SS).  On NS we cruised in a Vista Suite.  They offered nothing in perks for cruising in a suite other than more cruising credit points.  MEH.  I think even their upper end suites don't offer very much. 

So in conclusion, if we can swing a suite, X it is.  If we are saving a little $$, I look forward to HAL. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

4 hours ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Also when I've been on RCCL ships with a smoking section in the casino, the smoke stench drifts out.

 

Was just on RCL Voyager , the stench was on a floor above the casino , same as the casino and on the floor below the casino 

[Georgia_Peaches]

3 hours ago, Muushka said:

So in conclusion, if we can swing a suite, X it is.  If we are saving a little $$, I look forward to HAL. 

Have your tried MSC Yacht Club?  They are my go to when looking to save a little money on a suite. And they offer Inside Suites that are very budget friendly but come with lots of perks. Have to say, they surpass the Celebrity suite experience IMO.  I haven't tried the Celebrity Retreat yet so my opinion could change.