Convince me to go back to HAL

[HALFans]

We'd love to do the Panama Canal. DS will be in 8th grade, and our school is very flexible about missing a week and making up the work. Next year he'll be in high school and I don't think that missing a week would be very beneficial. So this may be our last year to do the Canal with the kids since all of those cruises tend to be during the school year and two weeks long.

 

I don't know if Celebrity does this, but one thing that's really great about Holland America is that they open up the bow of the ship for the canal transit.

 

It's been quite a while since our Maasdam transit, but they put up shade canopies all round the edge of the bow, and waiters brought trays of free Iced Tea around.

 

We went through one set of locks next to a Princess ship and they were amazed to find the iced tea was free! There was a lot of good natured 'yelling' back and forth and it made for a fun Q&A session while it lasted. :D

 

[pipedreams62]

I don't know if Celebrity does this, but one thing that's really great about Holland America is that they open up the bow of the ship for the canal transit.

 

It's been quite a while since our Maasdam transit, but they put up shade canopies all round the edge of the bow, and waiters brought trays of free Iced Tea around.

 

We went through one set of locks next to a Princess ship and they were amazed to find the iced tea was free! There was a lot of good natured 'yelling' back and forth and it made for a fun Q&A session while it lasted. :D

 

 

 

 

Halfan- I was wondering if you thought the bow was the best spot going thru the canal. I think I read on here photos are a problem with the railings? What was your opininon.

 

Thanks

[HALFans]

Halfan- I was wondering if you thought the bow was the best spot going thru the canal. I think I read on here photos are a problem with the railings? What was your opininon.

 

Thanks

 

Unfortunately what I thought was the best spot isn't available any more. "Way back in '98";) they didn't have the glass walls up around the Sky Deck (above the crow's nest) which they've added to all the ships. That was the highest elevation, and you had clear access to both sides and the front with unobstructed views. Now the sports deck works well for photos to the sides - weather permitting and hope you have a good sun shade for the lens. :) I'm mostly a point & click camera type of guy so not a good one to ask about anything much more involved. :o

 

Luckily, things progress slow enough that you can try many areas during each part of the transit. I especially enjoyed the outer promenade deck while going through the locks. I'm tall enough so the bow provided a nice spot for low elevation photos... not sure that would be the case for everyone though. I don't remember any problems with railings, sorry.

[pipedreams62]

Unfortunately what I thought was the best spot isn't available any more. "Way back in '98";) they didn't have the glass walls up around the Sky Deck (above the crow's nest) which they've added to all the ships. That was the highest elevation, and you had clear access to both sides and the front with unobstructed views. Now the sports deck works well for photos to the sides - weather permitting and hope you have a good sun shade for the lens. :) I'm mostly a point & click camera type of guy so not a good one to ask about anything much more involved. :o

 

Luckily, things progress slow enough that you can try many areas during each part of the transit. I especially enjoyed the outer promenade deck while going through the locks. I'm tall enough so the bow provided a nice spot for low elevation photos... not sure that would be the case for everyone though. I don't remember any problems with railings, sorry.

 

 

I'll relay all this great info to my wife (the photographer)

 

 

On another note,how's your cruise hunt going?

[HALFans]

I'll relay all this great info to my wife (the photographer)

 

 

On another note,how's your cruise hunt going?

 

Ooh! I forgot... the narrow public access baconies on the front of the ship should be open for shots to the fore.

 

re: the hunt... I think we've decided to give Celebrity a shot but haven't decided for sure yet.

 

There is an interesting Celebrity/HAL comparison from someone who did a kind of 'back to back' very recently on both lines, but I can't find it for some reason. It was very informative and I'd love to read it again.

[iflyrc5]

I don't want to convince you to come back to HAL - you might book the cabin I want on our next cruise:D

[pipedreams62]

Ooh! I forgot... the narrow public access baconies on the front of the ship should be open for shots to the fore.

 

re: the hunt... I think we've decided to give Celebrity a shot but haven't decided for sure yet.

 

There is an interesting Celebrity/HAL comparison from someone who did a kind of 'back to back' very recently on both lines, but I can't find it for some reason. It was very informative and I'd love to read it again.

 

 

After reading your review. I genuinely feel bad for you. I know there's all the excitement countdown clocks angst that everything is going to go right or (as you've always experienced it) then when it does not happen it's a big let down.

 

I'm fairly new at cruising,2002 was our first cruise. We've now been on nine

(that's a rookie on these boards). I must say there was nothing like our "First" cruise. It just seems everything went perfect and we were suddenly hooked. We were on the Volendam.

 

Since then numerous things have sadly changed. I love cruiisng so much that I will hold on to the bitter end.

 

We took two Celebrity cruises,and were very satisfied.

 

My main concern for you is like your screen writing the other day

 

Your sitting out on the Celebrity deck and pining for your Indonesian and Philipino crew. They really do make the difference.

 

Celebrity is a good product,and you will be fine. I still feel like you are torn (that's understandable) good luck whatever line you cruise.

 

Jay

[AZjohn]

I just can't imagine that Celebrity and HAL would be all that different?

 

Maybe someone who has done both recently could point out some of the little differences that might appeal to one group and not another?

Hi Suzanne,

 

There really aren’t any “big” differences and neither line is perfect. I could tell you some differences between just the last two Celebrity cruises I just took, let alone the small differences between the two cruise lines. But do you really want to know the nitty-gritty details knowing that what we experienced on our cruises will probably be different than what you will experience?

Obviously you have a little interest in trying something a little different next cruise or you wouldn’t have posted what you did. So to one Desert Dweller to another, just go ahead and book your HAL cruise and go in with eyes open to enjoy and not try to figure it all out before hand.

Have a great cruise!

John

[liketraveling]

I woudn't be able to due comparison for a Panama Canal Cruise but I can for Alaska.

 

Last September I took the Celebrity Millenium NB from Vancouver to Seward and the Holland America Veendam from Seward to Vancouver.

 

Itinary NB was Ketchican, Juneau, skagway, Icy Strait, Hubbard Glacier

on Celebrity Millenium

 

Itinary SB was Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau & Ketchican

On the Veendam.

 

I found Pro's and Con's on both lines Celebrity had traditional dining

First Seating at 6:00 2nd seating at 8:30. Some nights the late seating show would be before dinner and sometimes after dinner. Since we were early seating we always saw the show after dinner. The waiters would wait so long to see if everyone was coming. Sometimes people would show up late and we would have to wait to order. When we switched to HAL we found it nice to not have to wait for everyone to show up. I didn't think I would like Open Seating but I think it is the only way to go for me. If you like traditional dining times go to Celebrity if not go Hal

 

Cabins on the Veendam were Much Nicer and larger. We had an outside cabin on both. We were on the Lowest Deck on the Millenium and on Promenade Deck on the Veendam.

 

Entertainment was definately much better on Celebrity than the Veendam.

Even my dad who has 100 days with HAL was totally shocked at how poor the entertainment was. On the Millenium they had a great quartet, They did about 4 Broadway Production type shows during the cruise, One night they had this Stand up Comedian that had us all laughing til we cried.

 

I never used the Piano Bar on either. There is a club called Michaels that had a Piano Bar on Celebrity and a Piano Bar on the Veendam.

 

I hung out at the Casino at night and like the smaller feel to it rather than the Vegas Size on the Millenium. Neither Ship had high rollers and people were there to have fun.

 

As far as food I would give the edge to Celebrity. The lido on Celebrity was not as orderly as the Veendam. The Lido had a much more open feel of elegance than the Millenium. Also the Atrium on the Lido Deck on the Veendam that is enclosed is great for Alaska especially in the wet weather.

 

On the Millenium they served Champange when you boarded. When we were in port they had Had Hot Chocolate or Chicken Boulion when we came back as soon as we got through security.

 

On Hal they always remembered your name no matter how limited a conversation you had with the staff. It was not that way with Celebrity.

 

I enjoyed the activities on both Ships about the same.

 

Each ship had a different experience.

 

I am going on the Ryndam on Wednesday. Our first choice was Hawaii but that was sold out. I had a good enough experience that I would do HAL again. I would also do Celebrity Again.

 

The biggest disapointment I had on a cruise line was that it was not worth the extra cost that it charged. It was neither HAL or Celebrity. What I did learn from that experience. The more money I spend the bigger my expectations are going to be.

 

With All this said I have read some Reviews about the Millenium Lately that are negative and it doesn't sound like the same ship I was on. Other have also responded to those reviews that were on the ship about the same time I was on the Millenium that it didn't sound like the same ship.

 

I don't know if this is what comparison you are looking for.

 

Good Luck on Your decision! I would go for the Panama Canal.

 

Gail

[HALFans]

Thanks Gail!

 

Better Entainment, Food, AND traditional fixed seating?

 

I think the scales have just tipped significantly to Celebrity.

 

We spend very little time in the stateroom - but I think the Concierge class verandas on the Millennium are larger than the verandas on the Holland America ships. Kind of an apples to oranges comparison I know, but I don't know that HAL has a similar in-between Veranda/Suite category to compare them to - and the prices are very similar. :D

[HALFans]

After reading your review. I genuinely feel bad for you. I know there's all the excitement countdown clocks angst that everything is going to go right or (as you've always experienced it) then when it does not happen it's a big let down.

 

I'm fairly new at cruising,2002 was our first cruise. We've now been on nine

(that's a rookie on these boards). I must say there was nothing like our "First" cruise. It just seems everything went perfect and we were suddenly hooked. We were on the Volendam.

 

Since then numerous things have sadly changed. I love cruiisng so much that I will hold on to the bitter end.

 

We took two Celebrity cruises,and were very satisfied.

 

My main concern for you is like your screen writing the other day

 

Your sitting out on the Celebrity deck and pining for your Indonesian and Philipino crew. They really do make the difference.

 

Celebrity is a good product,and you will be fine. I still feel like you are torn (that's understandable) good luck whatever line you cruise.

 

Jay

 

Thanks Jay!

 

Don't feel bad - after all I did say that "The cruise had very many pleasant and enjoyable aspects and was a positive experience." ;) In one of the other sub-boards I described it as something like the cruise was kind of 'tarnished' and that I'd be back when HAL polished the experience to a 'bright & shiny thing' again. :o (I know, more screenwriting!)

 

It's been suggested that our last cruise was an 'aberration' but I've been reluctant to even think that very loud with all of the Ryndam enthusiasts around. ;)

 

9 cruises in 7 years... I'm jealous! We had our first veranda cruise on the Volendam. That was a great cruise!

 

Our first was on the Westerdam II (now the Costa Europa). What an elegant ship she was!

 

Oh my... I didn't think about the difference in the crew. Half of the reviews say one is better while the other half say the other is better. :confused: I knew I should have brought a couple of extra suitcases & just snuck some of them home with us. LOL

 

Like you, I'm afraid we're in it 'till the bitter end too!

[Cruise Arizona]

Thanks every for your kind responses.

 

I definitely do have an interest in doing a cruise out of San Diego this fall, and since Celebrity has left that market it leaves me with HAL and RCCL, and Maybe??? Princess, but they might all be out of LA.

 

Anyway, I'm the kind of person that if I try something new, which is actually something old this time, I would take AZ John's advice and just go with and open mind..... and for iflyrc5, a soft touch ......so I'm not letting the door slam. (I'm not sure if it was me or the door, but on that last cruise we really had to catch the door or it would slam shut, so I was glad our neighbor mentioned it, I really don't want to be disturbing others.)

 

Going through the Canal has been a dream mine since watching "The Love Boat" in 70's. Dad always wanted to do one, but I'm sure the reason we never did it was the two week itenerary and school.

 

HALFans, it sounds like Celebrity will a nice change for you. There were several things that really stood out as excellent on our last cruise with them: Dining room service, One of the 4 production shows, and delightful fellow passengers. We had what we thought was an excellent waiter, but another CC passenger said his service was horrible. They did 2 regular production shows early in the cruise and a Holiday show. These shows were somewhere between amaturish and good, but the Final "New" broadway show was fabulous. The singing was excellent, the dancing excellent, and the costumes, all really first rate. So if you don't enjoy the production shows the first couple of nights, be sure to find out when they are doing their "Best" show and attend that one. For our last cruise we made many new friends and met many nice people.

 

So HALFans, go with an open mind and don't sweat the small stuff. You'll have a wonderful cruise.

[steeragelady]

Hi Suzanne,

 

I will cruise on the Prinsendam for my first HAL cruise next year so I can not compare products but I have cruised Celebrity twice and after the second cruise decided it would be my last.

 

We were traveling with dear friends who were celebrating their anniversary and we had a large fun group. The staff onboard were excellent.

 

On boarding the ship for the two week cruise to Hawaii we had to wait for over three hours in huge lines in very hot weather. Unknown to us at the time the ship was under code red. Some of the other passengers were so obnoxious during the cruise they were put off the ship by the captain or confined to their cabin. Witnessed some of the rudest behavior I have ever seen directed at crew. The last three sea days we had instant coffee and disembarking was even worse than embarkation. Profane angry passengers were put ahead of everyone else who had been patient and following the rules. Anyone questioning the officers about this were just ignored. I have cruised with Cunard, Princess, RCL and Celebrity and that last experience with Celebrity was the only bad experience cruising but it did make for some funny stories.

[agabbymama]

Actually, nobody should have to convince you to return to Holland America.

 

I haven't cruised as much as some on these boards, but of my 7 cruises, HAL is the only one I've repeated. And plan to cruise with them again next year.

 

I enjoyed all of our cruises, not a bad one in the bunch.

 

HAL just does a little better job than the rest, IMO. IF for no other reason than the teak wood promenade deck that encircles the ship, making navigation of the ship a breeze. But there are many more reasons, as already stated by many of the posters.

 

On Celebrity Constellation, we were forever being told "you can't get there from here". Had to go up a deck, to go down a deck, and we always seemed to be in the wrong place from where we wanted to go.

 

Have a great cruise whatever you decided to do.

[junglejane]

Suzanne, I'm a fellow Arizonan:) and just wanted to suggest you also consider the Sapphire Princess Mexican Riviera cruise out of San Pedro. It's too bad that Princess no longer has a Mexico cruise out of San Diego because we would prefer that as well. But we are doing the cruise out of San Pedro for the 3rd time. We cruise with our kids who are now 8 and 12.

 

We have loved our two Celebrity cruises and would pick Celebrity in a heartbeat if they had a 7 day Mexico cruise. We looked at the Veendam but ended up back with Princess because of the great price. Book asap if you want traditional dining. Although we would go on Celebrity if we could, Princess offers a fine product too.

 

We're still hoping to find a HAL cruise that fits our plans, and I hope no one minds my butting in to suggest another line. We loved our Ryndam cruise (back in the pre-kid days) and I read this board a lot since I'm sure we'll end up back on HAL in the not too distant future.

 

--Junglejane

[honey-bunny]

:D our 3 girls ages 9 and 15 and 16 loved hal america noordam so much that we are looking for a next cruise with hal for the next december maybe zuiderdam to panama
kids always had a bunch of stuff to do with other kids in club hal and the teens had a place just for them to be in the Loft it was fun for them and us trust me they will love it