I Left Celebrity And Want To Know About Hal

[tromvest]

We have been fans of Celebrity for many years. We had a cruise booked with them for next summer in the caribbean and they pulled the ship and moved it to Europe. They offered us nothing and we lost out on airline tickets etc... Very long story. SO, I would like to know if any of you who are familiar with both HAL and Celebrity could give me some insight on the Zuirderdam. We are considering the Zuirderdam for June 2005 because it has a nice Caribbean itinerary. I have never been on the HAL Boards so of course the Celebrity board posters all favor Celebrity.
Thanks to anyone that can help.

[DFD1]

I believe the Zuiderdam was HAL's only ship in the Caribbean this past summer.

Zuiderdam has caused losts of mixed reactions on this board. There are many experienced travelers who swear by her. They love sailing on her and many have done so repeatedly.

Others, for whatever reasons, have not liked her as well as some of the other smaller and more traditional HAL ships.

Her decor is more modern and lively than is the HAL tradition.

Personally, since we have sailed on her sister ship, the Oosterdam and had a great time, I would not hesitate to sail on the Zuiderdam.

I hope you like HAL. There are many of us around here who believe HAL provides the best cruise experience in the world for the money it costs.

[jcike1980]

We have been fans of Celebrity for many years. We had a cruise booked with them for next summer in the caribbean and they pulled the ship and moved it to Europe. They offered us nothing and we lost out on airline tickets etc... Very long story. SO, I would like to know if any of you who are familiar with both HAL and Celebrity could give me some insight on the Zuirderdam. We are considering the Zuirderdam for June 2005 because it has a nice Caribbean itinerary. I have never been on the HAL Boards so of course the Celebrity board posters all favor Celebrity.
Thanks to anyone that can help.
It will be a win win situation for you. In the past I have cruised with celebrity. I personally did not see much difference between hal and celeb. Maybe the food by a nose to celebrity. You will love the zuiderdam. You will also love the HAL. jcike

[dakrewser]

The Zuiderdam is the most "Carnival" or "RCCI" like ship in the HAL line. I wouldn't recommend it to Celebrity cruisers looking for their first experience on HAL. Unfortunately, she's the only HAL ship in the Caribbean in June.


If you want to stay close to North America, want to cruise in June, and want a HAL experience similar to Celebrity, I'd suggest the Maasdam out of Boston to New England and Canada...

[michmike]

Haven't been on the Zuiderdam (by choice) based on what many have posted here. It is not representative of HAL as a whole as other posters have said. Also far more likely to have large numbers of children aboard if that is an issue for you (certainly is for us) If you are flexible as far as dates, I think you'd get a much truer picture of HAL on Veendam, Maasdam, Zaandam or Volendam.

Our first cruise was on Celebrity (Galaxy) and while it was fine, we tried HAL next and our last 4 cruises have been on the vessels listed above. Food is more elegant and ambitious on Celebrity (at least as of 1999) but we love the smaller size and more laid back atmosphere of HAL as well as the Indonesian/Filipino crew. DW is 55 and I am 57.

That having been said, would do Celebrity again w/o concern if itinerary and price were right. I would avoid Zuiderdam and Oosterdam though. JMHO.

[Bill HaHa]

I like both lines, and will be on both in 2005. Ryndam in March and Infinity in October. I always buy my airline tickets thru the cruise line. If anything happens I am not stuck.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I'm a Celebrity and HAL cruiser. We love both, but we do give the edge to Celebrity. I've never been on the Zui so can't comment. But when I compare Oosterdam (sister ship) to the Millennium, the Millie wins hands down for food and service.

On the other hand, I love the people I meet on our HAL cruises. I agree with others who don't recommend the Zui for your first go 'round. You may have read Lois R's opinion on this both on the HAL and Celebrity boards. If you page down a few here (or do a search) you should find lots of threads on HAL vs. Celebrity.

Good luck in your search for the right cruise! In my view, if it's a ship on the sea how bad can it be?;)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Thanks guys. While you might have dissapointed the OP with your comments you have made me quite happy.

We picked the Zuiderdam because of the itinerary and the fact that we didn't think it would be representative of HAL's overall product. Since we are taking teens you have made me feel really good about our choice. We are used to Princess, RCI, and Carnival so hopefully this cruise will be more reprenstitve of those lines. :)

Bill