Eurodam vs Celebrity Eclipse?

[zbestfamily]

Hi All - New to this Forum and new to Holland America. We're a family of 4 (parents + 2 boys ages 19 & 16). We're planning to take a cruise during Christmas 2011. We've been on a number of Royal Caribbean cruises, as well as 1 NCL cruise and a Disney cruise when the boys were younger.

We looking forward to spending quality time together as a family as our older son is away at college most of the year. Trying to decide between Holland America Eurodam or Celebrity Eclipse.

Both itineraries are pretty similar so it's really about the ship itself: how comfortable the rooms are (we're planning to get 2 balcony rooms); the restaurants; the spa; the gym; the quality of the shows & entertainment; and the staff/crew.

Has anyone been on both ships and can compare them? Appreciate all replies. Thanks very much!

ZBestFamily

[jewels89]

Hi All - New to this Forum and new to Holland America. We're a family of 4 (parents + 2 boys ages 19 & 16). We're planning to take a cruise during Christmas 2011. We've been on a number of Royal Caribbean cruises, as well as 1 NCL cruise and a Disney cruise when the boys were younger.

We looking forward to spending quality time together as a family as our older son is away at college most of the year. Trying to decide between Holland America Eurodam or Celebrity Eclipse.

Both itineraries are pretty similar so it's really about the ship itself: how comfortable the rooms are (we're planning to get 2 balcony rooms); the restaurants; the spa; the gym; the quality of the shows & entertainment; and the staff/crew.

Has anyone been on both ships and can compare them? Appreciate all replies. Thanks very much!

ZBestFamily


Hi There,

My mother and I did the Christmas cruise on the Eclipse last year, this was a 8 night cruise leaving from Miami. I absolutely loved the Eclipse. It was so beautiful and modern. It has the grass roof and glass blowing demonstration (which is pretty cool). The food was to die for and included items like filet with fois grois . I should mention I am 21 and my mother was 47 at the time.

We did the spa for my birthday, it was moderately priced but not really anything to write home about. The waiting room is especially nice (aft facing windows and loungers). We ended up buying a "couples" pass for the thermal room with the heated tile beds- that was nice and relaxing.

The entertainment really wasn't anything to write home about, really the things that are most memorable were the Balcony Cabin (we were in CC- Concierge Class) The hors durves was not something we enjoyed, next time I don't think we would spring of the CC balcony again. The staff on the ship was amazing, and the general ambience on the ship (wood, modern accents, shopping, and the colour pattern) was just modern luxury. I have several pictures on my Facebook so if you pm me i would be glad to send you some pictures. It was truly a cruise to remember.

Whatever you choose you will enjoy for sure, but for me...I absolutely loved everything about this ship, and continue to think back to that cruise and it brings a smile to my face every time. This year we are on the Ryndam B2B and am interested in trying HAL...the average age of HAL is a bit older than you will find on the Eclipse.

In sum: the Eclipse has AMAZING atmosphere, generous crew and delicious food- I would try out Qsine for an awesome culinary experience!

[tcook052]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1474633&highlight=eurodam+eclipse

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1248330&highlight=eurodam+eclipse

[2menUK]

Hello there. We have been lucky enough to sail on both ships. I will say it is a close call. Both ships have their advantages. If you are sailing with two younger people you may enjoy the Eclipse better. However that being said the Eurodam seems to have activities for youth as well.

I am not sure what class you will be sailing. We chose Aqua Class on Eclipse which was fantastic. If is not that expensive and you get the advantage of dining in a dedicated restaurant strictly for Aqua Class called Blu. It is wonderful. We in a deluxe suite on the Eurodam which gave us access to the Neptune Lounge which was great. However, if I was to choose between the Neptune lounge and having Blu to dine in, I would choose Blu.

Over all I felt the food on Eclipse was better with maybe the exception of the buffet. I think HAL does the Lido Buffet much better. You kids will love the premium restaurant on Eclipse called Qzine. It is very different and the food is fantastic.

Over all I felt HALs service was friendlier but the over all experience on Eclipse was better. Its really what you are looking for.

I do hope this helps.

[Grandma Gilly]

Have to concur with 2 menUK having also sailed on both ships. Eclipse is better appointed and generally more luxurious. We had an Aqua class cabin on Eclipse and so ate in Blu which was good. I didn't like the MDR as the tables were so close together. Had any time dining on Eurodam but have booked fixed dining on upcoming Nieuw Amsterdam cruise. Loved the private cabanas on Eurodam. Thought the cabins on Eclipse short of clothes space and there was only a shower. SY cabin on Eurodam was large and loved the bath tub.
Think I would go for the better itinerary (although you say they are similar) and the best price.
Both lines are IMO preferable to RCCL (even though I have a RCCL cruise booked!)

[iancal]

We have found both cruise lines to be very similar in terms of service, food, etc.

But, whenever we have come down to a 'draw' between HAL and Celebrity, ie ships, itinerary, price, etc. are all even in our minds, we have always selected the Celebrity ship.

The main reason for us is Celebrity's smoking policy. We do not want to take even a remote chance on HAL of ending up in a cabin that has the lingering smell of smoke or in a cabin that we have to ask to have deep cleaned because of the smell. We don't really care about the other common areas...casino, etc as we can walk away from them.

To be fair, this has not happened to us yet on HAL, but if all things are equal we are not willing to take a risk that we do not have to.

[bocatraveler09]

I read that HAL's policy is changing. As of 1/12, all staterooms will be non-smoking.

[zbestfamily]

Thank you everybody for your quick responses. I am sure that which ever cruise we picked we would have a great time but I am excited to say we booked the Eclipse! Thanks again.

[moonshadow1010]

We currently are booked on Eurodam for late February. We booked a large interior j cabin and a family retreat cabana. We are considering switching to Celebrity Eclipse for a January cruise in a veranda cabin.

We have been on Celebrity Summit a few times, but never Holland America. We like Celebrity, but the price at initial booking was great for Eurodam so we thought we would give it a try. Now Celebrity has a deal for a January cruise on the Eclipse.

We are torn as to whether we should remain with the Eurodam or take advantage of the deal on the Eclipse. The itinary doesn't matter to us and neither does the date of travel.

We are in our 50's and our son is 20 and has autism. Celebrity has always been very good about accomodating his needs.

I know that Eclipse has been getting the edge in this post. Considering out situation and reserved accomodations any suggestions and recommendations would be aprreciated.

[OVgirl]

We currently are booked on Eurodam for late February. We booked a large interior j cabin and a family retreat cabana. We are considering switching to Celebrity Eclipse for a January cruise in a veranda cabin.

We have been on Celebrity Summit a few times, but never Holland America. We like Celebrity, but the price at initial booking was great for Eurodam so we thought we would give it a try. Now Celebrity has a deal for a January cruise on the Eclipse.

We are torn as to whether we should remain with the Eurodam or take advantage of the deal on the Eclipse. The itinary doesn't matter to us and neither does the date of travel.

We are in our 50's and our son is 20 and has autism. Celebrity has always been very good about accomodating his needs.

I know that Eclipse has been getting the edge in this post. Considering out situation and reserved accomodations any suggestions and recommendations would be aprreciated.
You will probably enjoy either cruise. However, since you are asking and considering changing from HAL to Celebrity, I think you should switch. If you are second guessing your choice it means you are not convinced that HAL will be good for you. You might have to make up your mind fairly quickly as your final payment date might be soon.

Take you family on a cruise and enjoy whichever ship you pick.:)

[GeriatricNurse]

I read that HAL's policy is changing. As of 1/12, all staterooms will be non-smoking.

Correct! :) Unfortunately, not progresssive enough yet to have included the balconies! :(

[GeriatricNurse]

We currently are booked on Eurodam for late February. We booked a large interior j cabin and a family retreat cabana. We are considering switching to Celebrity Eclipse for a January cruise in a veranda cabin.

We have been on Celebrity Summit a few times, but never Holland America. We like Celebrity, but the price at initial booking was great for Eurodam so we thought we would give it a try. Now Celebrity has a deal for a January cruise on the Eclipse.

We are torn as to whether we should remain with the Eurodam or take advantage of the deal on the Eclipse. The itinary doesn't matter to us and neither does the date of travel.

We are in our 50's and our son is 20 and has autism. Celebrity has always been very good about accomodating his needs.

I know that Eclipse has been getting the edge in this post. Considering out situation and reserved accomodations any suggestions and recommendations would be aprreciated.

Well, for one thing, is there a T-Pool area on the Eclipse? I know that there was one on the X M-Class ships, "Millenium" & "Constellation"! :) If so, would it be no charge to use? The equivalent area onboard, with HAL, called the ?Hydrotherapy Pool, I believe costs $$$$! :eek:

[iancal]

For our tastes, Celebrity's Soltice class ships (which include Eclipse) are by far the best designed and the best appointed ships in their class. You made a good decision.

[SmokinActuary]

We currently are booked on Eurodam for late February. We booked a large interior j cabin and a family retreat cabana. We are considering switching to Celebrity Eclipse for a January cruise in a veranda cabin.

We have been on Celebrity Summit a few times, but never Holland America. We like Celebrity, but the price at initial booking was great for Eurodam so we thought we would give it a try. Now Celebrity has a deal for a January cruise on the Eclipse.

We are torn as to whether we should remain with the Eurodam or take advantage of the deal on the Eclipse. The itinary doesn't matter to us and neither does the date of travel.

We are in our 50's and our son is 20 and has autism. Celebrity has always been very good about accomodating his needs.

I know that Eclipse has been getting the edge in this post. Considering out situation and reserved accomodations any suggestions and recommendations would be aprreciated.

I can tell you from first hand experience that the family cabanas are outstanding and you will receive really personalized service.

[moonshadow1010]

Thank you all for your responses.

Although I am sure that the Eurodam with the family retreat cabana would have been a wonderful experience, we have decided to switch to the Eclipse.

We have always had veranda cabins in the past and our son really enjoys looking out at the ocean. We also believe that he may enjoy the Celebrity production shows better. (At least from what we have read in comparison to Hal)

It seems most people love the Solstice class ships and this was a great opportunity to sail on one.

Once again thank you all for your responses. We find that cruisecritic members always give the best recommendations and information. We are sure we will enjoy this cruise on the Eclipse and look forward to meeting some of you on this sailing.

[Hawaiidan]

same size ships... Holland has 2000 Celb has 3000.

Enought said.


This summer we docked alondside....the Cleb looked like an ant farm


Major dissapointments.... Cleb has one pool and no aft observation deck.
They also nickel and dime you for what on Holland you get for free, from orange juice to laundry. A naught-Haut-faux experience

[Hawaiidan]

On Cleb you will experience 30% higher prices, 33% higer passenger load for the same stuff. and 50% less deck space, ( taken up by packing the ship with cabins)

[kelmac]

same size ships... Holland has 2000 Celb has 3000.

Enought said.


This summer we docked alondside....the Cleb looked like an ant farm


Major dissapointments.... Cleb has one pool and no aft observation deck.
They also nickel and dime you for what on Holland you get for free, from orange juice to laundry. A naught-Haut-faux experience

On Cleb you will experience 30% higher prices, 33% higer passenger load for the same stuff. and 50% less deck space, ( taken up by packing the ship with cabins)

Sorry, but this is not correct!

HAL Eurodam is 86,000 tons; 2,044 passenger load; space ratio = 42

Celebrity Eclipse is 122,000 tons; 2,850 passenger load; space ratio = 43

The Eclipse has two side by side pools outside and one pool inside (adult only).

In the head to head competition, yes Celebrity is winning this battle and their prices are generally higher, but deals can be had inside the 70 day window.
My wife and I have cruised HAL eight times and Celebrity 17 times; we will board the Nieuw Amsterdam in less than two weeks and BtoB that cruise with the Millennium.

We narrowed our choice down to the N Amsterdam, or the Solstice -- the prices on HAL were about 25% less expensive and we wanted to try this new addition to HAL's fleet.

Both lines are excellent, but no matter how much you love Holland America, there is nothing in their fleet that can compare to Celebrity's Solstice class ships.(IMO)

With Eclipse, you get:

--more restrictive smoking policy, with no smoking on balconies/cabins.
--better food, with Blu option; three wonderful alternative restaurants; Bistro on five and the Aqua spa cafe, as well as the new buffet design.
--better entertainment.
--better uppper deck areas, with a half acre of grass.
--best cabin/bathroom design (sorry, no tubs)
--outstanding service
--as an Elite member of Celebrity, we get free laundry, free drinks at happy hour (5 -- 7pm), some free internet, flowers in our cabin, priority embarkation/disembarkation/tendering...,

Holland America is a wonderful cruise line and we are really looking forward to our up coming Nieuw Amsterdam experience! Half Moon Cay is the best private island out there! Can't go wrong with either of these great lines!

Enjoy!
Kel:)

[Orlandocruiser]

Well, for one thing, is there a T-Pool area on the Eclipse? I know that there was one on the X M-Class ships, "Millenium" & "Constellation"! :) If so, would it be no charge to use? The equivalent area onboard, with HAL, called the ?Hydrotherapy Pool, I believe costs $$$$! :eek:

There is no T-pool on the Eclipse and the other Solstice class ships. There is an enclosed adult area with loungers, an unheated pool and two large hot tubs. I never use the spa so I am unclear on what "for fee" services there are along those lines. (i do know that the dry sauna is free but the steam room is located in the "for fee" area of the spa.) .

[iancal]

I think what puts the Solstice class ships head and shoulders above the competition is design. The ships seem less crowded. They are redesigned from the ground up and it becomes obvious by end of day one. They feel less crowded than any of the Spirit class (Westerdam, etc) or Millennium class ships that we have been on.

Carnival seems to be limiting their subsidiaries to using the old Spirit class hulls and interior design w/ minor mods via paint and wallpaper as it were. I would really like to see HAL develop an new ship design instead of the tired Carnival Corp cookie cutter design. Then perhaps Carnival Corp would migrate to that design.

I have faith that HAL will do this-and it will be well accepted.

[scamper]

I want to try Celebrity. I just want to earn another star first. :)