HAL fan trying Celebrity

[happygran]

We too are booked on a HAL cruise after many Celebrity cruises. We love Celebrity but wanted a different itinerary.........we're not flying across the pond to do the same islands........we wanted something different.

 

It's hard to leave Celebrity as it has suited us perfectly, but we're hoping that HAL will suit us just as much.

 

For the OP going on a Solstice class ship is just.........wow. They are beautiful ships...no question........the food & service is good.....as is the entertainment. It's an excellent cruise.

 

We're hoping for the same on HAL.........BUT as long as the food is good........the cabins are good........no hairy chest contest etc..........then we'll be happy.

[cashmeremypuppydog]

I am a HAL cruiser & I was unaware that smoking was permitted around any pool on HAL ships; certainly not on the Lido Deck or anywhere around the Lido Pool! :confused: Please be more specific where smoking was allowed "around the pool" onboard HAL ships? :confused:

 

I should have been more specific. I just opened my HAL 2014-1025 cruises brochure and looked at the Eurodam (the ship we were on) deck plans. We were at the "Sea View Pool" (Panorama Deck) at the back of the ship and A LOT of people were smoking. The only area where we could find lounge chairs was at the "Sea View Pool". The number of lounge chairs around the "Lido Pool" were VERY limited so when we tried Celebrity Eclipse a few months later my DH and I realized how much more room we had on the Eclipse comparing to Eurodam. We never had any problems finding a lounge chair on the Eclipse but on the Eurodam, it was such an ordeal... Sitting with the smokers...

 

We stayed in an inside room but our "new" friends at our dinning table (in MDR) were experiencing their 1st cruise ever and had booked a balcony. They couldn't use it as DW was having problems with cigarette smoke and their neighbours were smokers... I would have been so upset if I would have been them...

 

I really don't understand HAL thinking as there is way more non-smokers than smokers... I wrote my comments on HAL's comment card in regards to smoking (as our "new friends") around the "SEA VIEW POOL" but obviously, they haven't changed their policy...

[cashmeremypuppydog]

Where are you getting the ratings? 4*, 4.5*, 5*????

 

I think you are referencing some 1 to 5 Star rating system?

 

I appreciate you stating that you only stay in inside rooms. For me the room location, size and balcony will have an enormous amount of weight when I select a cruise.

 

I am using the rating stars (maximum 6 stars) from a cruise web site: gotovacations dot com (changed the orders of the words as CC would not allow me to type that website). The first time you log on, you will have to sign on but you will not have to afterward... You can view all ships and rating. It's on a scale of 6. If you want to sail on a 6* ship, called "luxury"(Regent, Crystal, Seabourn), you will pay way more than premium ships (Celebrity, HAL, Disney, Cunard, Princess) or Mainstream (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL)

 

We only book inside rooms as we are very active people and are never in our room. We rather travel more often with longer stays and save where it's not important to us (as an inside room). Maybe when we are older, a balcony will become important...:D

[foodgirl]

We too are booked on a HAL cruise after many Celebrity cruises. We love Celebrity but wanted a different itinerary.........we're not flying across the pond to do the same islands........we wanted something different.

 

It's hard to leave Celebrity as it has suited us perfectly, but we're hoping that HAL will suit us just as much.

 

For the OP going on a Solstice class ship is just.........wow. They are beautiful ships...no question........the food & service is good.....as is the entertainment. It's an excellent cruise.

 

We're hoping for the same on HAL.........BUT as long as the food is good........the cabins are good........no hairy chest contest etc..........then we'll be happy.

 

We love the cabins the beds the service and the food on HAL very much. I hope you enjoy it as well. Also the wrap around promenade is one of our favorite things about HAL ships. Oh and the beautiful blue hull. Just love that. Have a wonderful cruise. I am sure you will find things you love on one of the DAM ships!! :D

[CAPinBoynton]

That is good to hear. As we never eat in the dining room that will be nice. We may do a couple of the specialty restaurant as they are smart casual every night

 

I haven't finished reading this entire thread yet, but I just have to jump in. We have just experienced the reverse of your situation. We have sailed Celebrity 13 times, and just did our first HAL on the Westerdam on March 1. In many ways they are comparable. In the Solstice class we have sailed the Solstice twice, the Silhouette, the Eclipse, and the Reflection.

 

Since you have "food" in your handle, I assume that you are a foodie like I am. The buffet on the Reflection is great. It will be a different experience for you, as they don't use trays and have islands instead of a line. At first it will seem weird, but once you are used to it, it's sooooo much better. All of the specialty restaurants are amazing. Get a group of at least 4 or 6 people together and go to Qzine. WOW!

 

On another note, and the reason I wrote before I had finished reading the thread, is please, please do not deny yourself the experience of the main dining room for a couple of nights. It won't kill your husband to wear long pants. He can change after dinner. In fact, if it's not a formal night, he could get away with nice jeans (no holes). I always just wear slacks and a blouse. It's not dressy except on formal night. The food in the MDR is extraordinary and the service is to be experienced.

 

And last, but not least, take a peek at our website and you'll find our reviews of all of the Solstice class ships with lots and lots of pictures of the ships, the menus, and the food, as well as the ports, etc. You'll find them at http://www.thepreismans.com. Enjoy!

[foodgirl]

Thanks for the input. I will try to get us to the MDR one night. And I will check out the info you have here. Yes am a foodie actually a chef so very much so.

 

 

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[iancal]

We have never really understood why it is so difficult for any cruise line regular to experience another line.

 

There is no out of body experience. It is typically only for a week or two. How bad can it be? Especially if you have done some basic research on the ship and match it to your individual preferences.

 

We have never had a bad cruise. They have been different, some obviously better than others. Nor do we understand this sense of 'abandoning' a line. These are corporate bodies whose motive is revenue, profit, and growth. More than half are owned by the same corporate parent-just like most consumer and service offerings. People do make the difference, but we have found the staff on most cruise lines/ships to be very welcoming and very service orientated. Their training demands it with so much competition in the marketplace.

Edited March 18, 2014 by iancal

[foodgirl]

We have never really understood why it is so difficult for any cruise line regular to experience another line.

 

There is no out of body experience. It is typically only for a week or two. How bad can it be? Especially if you have done some basic research on the ship and match it to your individual preferences.

 

We have never had a bad cruise. They have been different, some obviously better than others. Nor do we understand this sense of 'abandoning' a line. These are corporate bodies whose motive is revenue, profit, and growth. More than half are owned by the same corporate parent-just like most consumer and service offerings. People do make the difference, but we have found the staff on most cruise lines/ships to be very welcoming and very service orientated. Their training demands it with so much competition in the marketplace.

 

Speaking as OP who started this thread. I don't find it difficult and am excited to see a new line and what they have to offer. I am doing research as I don't know but a little about it and just knowing my way around the ship which I can do with my eyes closed on HAL is just different. There is a comfort in knowing what to expect and as a hard working person that travels once or twice a year on a budget I want my money's worth. Plus DH and I just love HAL. It is like coming home for us. That being said it is also a good thing to try new things and that is what we are doing. The business is what it is and that is no different for sure no matter what the line. But if it makes me happier then they will get more of my money.

[cruisetrail]

I am using the rating stars (maximum 6 stars) from a cruise web site: gotovacations dot com (changed the orders of the words as CC would not allow me to type that website). The first time you log on, you will have to sign on but you will not have to afterward... You can view all ships and rating. It's on a scale of 6. If you want to sail on a 6* ship, called "luxury"(Regent, Crystal, Seabourn), you will pay way more than premium ships (Celebrity, HAL, Disney, Cunard, Princess) or Mainstream (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL)

 

We only book inside rooms as we are very active people and are never in our room. We rather travel more often with longer stays and save where it's not important to us (as an inside room). Maybe when we are older, a balcony will become important...:D

 

Some operators in cruise market have to use this primitive rating to split all available products into categiries "understandable" for an "average" consumer. They the nearest "analogy" - hotel star rating.

I fact, this is far from reality.

So-called "luxury" ships are actually club style cruising - in many cases far from any luxury.

On the contrary, some "premium" ships represent true luxury at sea.

 

Just take a closer look at the Seven Seas Navigator - how and when the ship was built and what it has onboard.

If this ship is luxury, then the QM2 is a floating palace at least.

 

I like it that you put "luxury" in quotation marks. :)

It can rated as 6* or 66* - does not matter.

We don't cruise on guide books, we cruise on real ships.

[cruisetrail]

Who does a 6-star rating system? All the guides I'm familiar with top out at 5 stars.

 

Neither 6-star, nor 5-star ratings has real value when it comes to cruise ships.

[cruisetrail]

 

Since you have "food" in your handle, I assume that you are a foodie like I am. The buffet on the Reflection is great. It will be a different experience for you, as they don't use trays and have islands instead of a line. At first it will seem weird, but once you are used to it, it's sooooo much better.

 

It's a common misconception about "islands" vs "lines".

All of them are "places" or "stations".

One tray of food can be used by one person at a time.

Put them in lines, put them in circules - the more trays, the less lines; the more people, the more lines.

HAL Signature class ships have 13 "stations" in the Lido buffet.

Call them "islands" if you wish.

The major difference between HAL and Celebrity buffets is not in the form of the counters.

The difference: all hot foods on HAL are served by the staff.

Why?

Because the variety of foods offered is far above the "limit" of self-service. :)

Thus the main difference between HAL and Celebrity buffets: food.

[Lizzie68]

In my single experience of cruising on Royal Caribbean, I liked the layout (and the food) in the buffet, which was set out in - I guess - "islands". It worked really well, no line ups, and was very efficient. My next cruise is on Holland America, so I will have something to compare to.

[kazu]

Deck plans, island versus lines in the Lido and * comparisons aside, (I think most of us know by now that there is a LOT more to a ship than a simple deck plan;))

 

we did sail on Celebrity but it wasn't this class of ship. I have been encouraged by more than one CC member to give this class a try (they rave about it) and when I see an itinerary that grabs me (if I do) I very well might.

 

I have heard really good things about this class and I would certainly give it a try - especially under the circumstances you have described.

 

Why not? go for it. Ships are not as different as some like to make them out to be. There will be differences, no question - some will be for the better and some will be for the worse. Nothing is perfect - including HAL.

 

so please come back and let us know what you think.

 

We'd all love to hear - and most importantly have a great time.:D

 

and don't forget if you want, you can get a bon voyage by adding your names and cruise info to the HAL Future Cruise Listing.

 

Life is good on the HAL boards:D

[KirkNC]

We cruised on the Infinity a few months ago, fantastic cruise. There are differences, some good some bad and which one will depend on the individual.

 

X-

 

Much more restrictive smoking policy,

Much better wine list options, they claim over 500 possible selctions,

Better drink packages as only one person in the cabin needs to order it,

Great free happy hour for Elite cruisers,

You can get a soda in the morning (important for me :p)

We enjoyed their specialty restaurants more then most HAL ships,

Outstanding speakers on sea days

 

 

HAL -

 

I just love the style of HAL's ships (X is very sterile to me),

Can you say promanade deck!!!!

Day of the week rugs in elevators,

much better casino staff (more friendly),

Better Lido for lunch as X does not open until noon :mad:,

Culinary center versus cooking shows in the middle of a bar

 

 

These are just some of the differences I noted off the top of my head. We will still sail HAL but X did move up a lot in our opinion.

[shrimp56]

Re HAL: we can promise no "hairy chest" contests and no stuffing bikinis with ping pong ball contests.

 

I did love Celebrity's Century, but then I've always preferred smaller ships. As much as we loved Eurodam it pushed my limits.

 

The beds on HAL are the bee's knees. One "trick" on the verandah/smoking issue is to book one high and to the front. On Vista and Signature ships these were formerly known as VQs. A smaller balcony, but less likely to have smokers in front of you than midships.

 

Note: They are still VQs on Signature ships, but re-rated to VE and VD on Vista ships. We love it up there.

[iancal]

I do not understand the statement that hot foods in the Lido are served by HAL but no so on Celebrity.

 

On our last four Celebrity cruises not only were hot foods in the buffet served by staff, MANY of them were available on a made to order basis-including steaks, chicken breasts, kabobs, and lamb. The pasta station was also manned.

 

The only exception appeared to be some breakfast meats in the AM.

[CAPinBoynton]

Okay, let me try to clarify this whole lido business. When I said that the Reflection is set up in islands, that is what it is called. It is only found on the Celebrity Solstice class ships. There is no traditional line with trays. There is an island for salads. Yes, there is a person there to make that delicious Caesar for you, but you can make your own salad from a big selection of ingredients. Another island is the Cuttery, where among other things, you can get the slice of ham or beef or whatever they feature that day. Another island might feature sandwich makings. It just lets you go straight to what appeals to you rather than having to wait in line behind grandma while she makes her salad. I'll put a couple of pictures below, but it's easier to understand if you look at any of our reviews of the Solstice class ships: Solstice, Silhouette, Eclipse, or Reflection. I left out the Equinox because we haven't sailed her yet.

 

[cruisetrail]

I do not understand the statement that hot foods in the Lido are served by HAL but no so on Celebrity.

 

 

You've missed one word. I said "all hot foods".

 

On our last four Celebrity cruises not only were hot foods in the buffet served by staff, MANY of them were available on a made to order basis-including steaks, chicken breasts, kabobs, and lamb. The pasta station was also manned.

 

Yes, same on HAL. Even Eggs Benedict can be "made to order".

 

However, many hot food items in Celebrity buffet are sitting in the trays for self-service.

[cruisetrail]

Okay, let me try to clarify this whole lido business. When I said that the Reflection is set up in islands, that is what it is called. It is only found on the Celebrity Solstice class ships. There is no traditional line with trays. There is an island for salads. Yes, there is a person there to make that delicious Caesar for you, but you can make your own salad from a big selection of ingredients. Another island is the Cuttery, where among other things, you can get the slice of ham or beef or whatever they feature that day. Another island might feature sandwich makings. It just lets you go straight to what appeals to you rather than having to wait in line behind grandma while she makes her salad. I'll put a couple of pictures below, but it's easier to understand if you look at any of our reviews of the Solstice class ships: Solstice, Silhouette, Eclipse, or Reflection. I left out the Equinox because we haven't sailed her yet.

 

 

Thank you CAPinBoynton,

You have separate stations on HAL as well. You can go straight to what you want.

If you want to make a sandwich, you won't have to wait in line behind grandma while she makes her salad because "sandwiches" is a separate station.

Also note that the Reflection carries about a 1000 more passengers.

Edited March 19, 2014 by cruisetrail

[CRUZBUDS]

Yes, same on HAL. Even Eggs Benedict can be "made to order".

 

However, many hot food items in Celebrity buffet are sitting in the trays for self-service.

 

Celebrity (Century) has a separate Eggs Benedict station -- they make traditional, Mexican, Italian (weird) and Scotch (Salmon). It's very good and made to order :)

[PatriciaF]

We've only been on Celebrity once--the Equinox. Sailed Aqua Class--its private restaurant BLU is like dining in a up scale restaurant every night with wonderful service and even better food. Escargot EVERY night--if asked.

 

I thought the Equinox was beautiful. Loved the "cafeteria" on the Lido deck.

 

Friends travelling with us that did not book Aqua, thought the food was so-so in the MDR. They had sailed on HAL and Princess within 6 months before and thought the MDR food on Princess was the best.

 

Entertainment was good--most people love the last show--X's version of Cirque du Soleil--but I think after about 10 minutes that stuff gets boring--but apparently I am one of the few.

[cruisetrail]

Celebrity (Century) has a separate Eggs Benedict station -- they make traditional, Mexican, Italian (weird) and Scotch (Salmon). It's very good and made to order :)

 

On HAL they offer 9 options.

There are two kinds of sauce.

Many variations/combinations to order.

I like those with crab meat.

[sppunk]

For traffic flow and visibility, the design of the Solstice lido >>>>>> any HAL lido design. On HAL your lines all form into one giant mess with ropes blocking off the stations but just causing it impossible to walk through and try to get close to see what's available.

 

The lido IMO is a really terrible design.

[cruisetrail]

Buffets on cruise ships are full when they are full.

Celebrity is not an exception.

Empty buffet on Celebrity is more spacious because the ship is larger.

[sppunk]

Buffets on cruise ships are full when they are full.

Celebrity is not an exception.

Empty buffet on Celebrity is more spacious because the ship is larger.

 

Right but when full you at least know where the Celebrity lines form. Not so on HAL.