Suites on HAL vs. Celebrity

[scamper]

I'd like to hear from cruisers who have stayed in suites on both Celebrity and HAL...

I've sailed HAL twice, but have never sailed with Celebrity. I am taking my sister on her first cruise next year and thought it would be nice to book a suite. Based on the shopping I have done so far, Celebrity's suites of comparable size to HALs (Royal on Celebrity, Deluxe Verandah on HAL) have tariffs thousands of dollars higher. For what I would pay for the same suite on HAL would only purchase a sky suite (at best) on Celebrity. Although it has been said that size isn't everything (uh-huh), I'd like some feedback as to whether (or not) it would be advantageous to pay the higher fare on Celebrity.

[emma06]

Scamper - I've never been on HAL, but just booked the Noordam Deluxe Verandah for March. The only other ship I've been on was the Celebrity Millenium (Sky Suite). So, although I can't make the comparisons (yet), I can say that the butler service available on Celebrity was incredible. When we came home, I missed my butler most of all! I understand that with HAL you have the Neptune Lounge goodies available to you throughout the day with someone there to help you with reservations, etc., but I don't know if you can say that it is similar to having your own butler at your beck and call. Perhaps that makes up for Celebrity's higher price (?) Compared to the Sky suites on Celebrity, HAL's delulxe verandah cabins and balconies appear to be larger, and Celebrity didn't offer free laundry:(

Having said all that, we loved the Millenium and I would highly recommend it!
Any input for me re: HAL? We will be myself, hubby, my parents and teenage daughter during spring break.

[lougee1043]

the royal suite room on the galaxy is bigger then the sa on hal

on the glaaxy its like a one bedroom apt- with a door between the sitting area and the bedroom-----on hal its llike a studio apt --the bed is at one end and the sitting area is on the other

[Vox Veritas]

The Sky Suites are great but don't even have a balcony for that price.

My moneys on HAL, nice room and a big balcony, and room service is good so you don't need a butler at your beck and call unless the snob appeal is important. ;)

[dakrewser]

We've done S suites on HAL and A Sky Suite on the Infinity and HAL wins hands down. THe suite was bigger & more 'comfortable' ands the Neptune Lounge (and the lovely concierge service) beat our 'not very helpful' butler hands down.

[hunzabunz]

We've been on both and if you are going to spend the money for either a SA on HAL Royal on Celebrity I'd have to go with HAL. The beds are so much nicer on Hal and there is still one bathroom with the Royal Suite. Also remember with Celebrity that they have a list of tips not only for the butler but also the guys who clean your room. I think there are 2 others not including the butler. Neptune lounge is so great and it's right there for you. No waiting for the call to the butler and then he delivers.

By the way, we had the Suite adjoining the Penthouse which our friends had and service was good by the butler but it did take time (especially if you had dinner in the Penthouse).

[smoothdancer]

In November we will be sailing HAL for the first time so I cannot compare. But we haved stayed in a RS on Celebrity.... Would pictures help? Here is a link to our review with suite pictures.. You will have to click on the Celebrity button to enter.

WWW.JustCruisin-SV.com

[scamper]

thanks for all your responses. looks like I will be sticking with HAL

[mick70]

HAL is the best by far.!!!

[LCAR]

We have cruised both lines in suites (penthouse) -- HAL wins hands down! The room is larger, more accomodating with the better service. HAL is definitely focused on providing the best in class service along with great accomodations!

[lougee1043]

The Sky Suites are great but don't even have a balcony for that price.

the sky suite we were in on the galaxy most certainly did have a balcony

[krewzin]

We have cruised both lines in suites (penthouse) -- HAL wins hands down! The room is larger, more accomodating with the better service. HAL is definitely focused on providing the best in class service along with great accomodations!

Actually, the Penthouse suites on the Celebrity Millenium Class ships are much larger than that of HAL Vista Class.

Clebrity = 1432 sq ft with a huge 1098 sq ft balcony for a total of 2530 sq feet.

HAL Vista Class ships are a total of 1318 sq feet...including balcony.

You also have a personal butler taking care of you on Celebrity as opposed to having the Neptune Lounge on HAL, and the service is incredible.

Both lines PH suites are beautiful, but as far as HAL being larger and more accomodating w/better service ...that is incorrect.

[Gaile]

We just returned from the Westerdam Alaska in a deluxe suite and have sailed previously in both Celebrity Sky and Royal Suites. The HAL suite is larger than the sky suite but should not be compared to the Royal which as another poster pointed out has doors to the bedroom and includes an dining room table w/seating. We enjoyed the HAL suite amenities and access to the Neptune lounge, but have been fortunate to have some good butlers in the past who provided more personalized service. In our discussions on the way home we rated the HAL deluxe suite room over the Celebrity Sky Suite. With a 3rd person in the room you simply have more room to walk around the sofa bed and the bedding was much more comfortable. I would personally choose the Celebrity Royal suite over the HAL deluxe - lot's more space & personalized service. Celebrity's prices have really gone up year over year and that was one of the reasons that we wanted to try the deluxe accomodations on HAL. It's hard to justify the full price difference with Celebrity, but if you want a Royal Suite, these accomodations are roomier and offer different "living" space that is not available in the HAL deluxe suite. Whichever way you go - enjoy the cruise.

[Sea King]

The full suites are equally beautiful on both Celebrity and HAL.

Having sailed on each line, there is no advantage IMO to a butler vs. the room steward and concierge in Neptune when it comes to service. The amenities in both are for the most part equal.

The accomodations IMO rank #2.

It's the people much more than the cabins that matter to me.

On Celebrity, you have the clear impression you're a pax; on HAL, you're a guest.