Cruise Talk: Celebrity vs. HAL

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Celebrity vs. HAL

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Topic: Celebrity vs. HAL

lambcom
First Class Passenger
Member # 656

posted 04-12-2001 08:57 AM

We've finally booked our next cruise - 7 day western Caribbean on Celebrity's Century. As all of our previous cruises have been on HAL ships (with the exception of a very forgetable transatlantic on the QE@ - but that's another story), I'd appreciate some input from members of this esteemed group who have cruised on both lines.

What does Celebrity do better than HAL? Or vice-versa?

Does Celebrity search you for duty free liquor when returning to the ship? (I know HAL doesn't but some other lines do).

Can you buy a bottle of liquor or wine on board for consumption in your room as you can on HAL?

All comments and thoughts are welcomed!

George

Posts: 179 | From: Montreal, canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Stevesan
First Class Passenger
Member # 1494

posted 04-12-2001 11:37 AM

IMHO, there's little difference between the two. We've done only one cruise w/Celebrity, W. Carib on the Mercury. We were very satisfied with nearly all aspects. I found the meals in the Mercury's main dining room better in quality and variety, but gastronomy is too subjective to base a comparison. The service people on both lines were equally helpful and eager to please; however, the Mercury staff, front desk, etc, were more approachable and cooperative than HAL's. I must say, however, our last cruise w/HAL found the dining room staff extremely short handed. Judging by other recent reviews, I see the same comments. If this becomes standard practice where evening meals regularly require 1 1/2 to 2 hours, I'll dump HAL for ANY other line. When cabin space is a major consideration, HAL has @40 sq ft edge (196 - 162) in standard cabin space. I didn't make any smuggling attempts, so can't advise about carry ons. Overall, I'd book with either line based on price and itinerary, and be equally happy.

Posts: 46 | From: Houston, TX | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

cobra
First Class Passenger
Member # 1605

posted 04-12-2001 07:27 PM

I prefer Celebrity over HAL because I find the service is much better. I found the HAL staff lacking, they did their job, but did not aim to please. I have bought alcohol ashore at ports and Celebrity did not take it from me at the gangway when I boarded. I have never seen them search anyone.

Posts: 21 | From: north palm beach, fl. u.s | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

James
First Class Passenger
Member # 1351

posted 04-12-2001 08:32 PM

We never have cruised on Celebrity, but have been docked next to their ships a few times and were really annoyed at the loud P.A. system blaring from their ship calling horse races or pool games etc. It seemed endemic to Celebrity. For that reason alone they're off my list.

Posts: 202 | From: Illinois, Home of Lincoln and great graft | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 04-12-2001 11:38 PM

I've cruised with both several times, finding HAL organizational ability far greater than Celebrity's, but their entertainment much weaker. Celebrity's ships seem to have a barrier between officers and passengers-they do not interact nor communicate with passengers, while those on HAL at least smile when seen! Food better on Celebrity by a whisker, as was the service. HAL had little extras that enhance the quality (no 15% tip added to bar bills, lower alcohol/shop/tour prices, cotton hand towels in public toilets). I somehow felt I was receiving much better value for my dollar on HAL, and with price and itinerary being the same, would choose them. Friends who are experienced cruisers have said that they feel both lines are slipping a bit, but that it is more pronounced at Celebrity. Hey, any cruise is bound to be great, some just better than others! You'll have a great time on either.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 04-14-2001 11:16 AM

lambcon

Having sailed both lines, I would agree with most of the comments Grant has made. I do think Celebrity's ships are easier to "get around" and IMHO has more appealing interiors. I must correct Stevesan on the size of Celebrity's cabins. The Century class (standard inside and outside) are 172 sq. feet, not 162. The Millennium class are now 170. Both lines offer such an excellent product, you can't make a poor choice
Regarding alcohol, if you purchase it onboard, it will be delivered the last night of the cruise. I have never been searched for booze when embarking any port!

Regards...Bob

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 04-14-2001 12:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by James:
... were really annoyed at the loud P.A. system blaring from their ship calling horse races or pool games etc.

When I cruise with Celebrity in 1998 they had a 'minimal' announcements policy. The PA was user rarely - you had to rely on the ships 'newspaper'. Has this changed?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Jekyll
First Class Passenger
Member # 1878

posted 04-14-2001 12:55 PM

Malcolm:

I agree...I have sailed w/ Celebrity and found that they had many fewer announcements than other lines such as RCI or Carnival - I recall feeling exactly the same way about the other ships with which I have been docked when I was on Celebrity and heard the noise from Bands and Pool Games.

I wish that the mass market lines would realize that we can all read our daily programmes and if we want to play Bingo or go the Art Auction - we can just follow the programme (and not feel like we're being pressured to SPEND! SPEND! SPEND!)

Posts: 1524 | From: Nowhere | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

harborman
First Class Passenger
Member # 1248

posted 04-14-2001 06:31 PM

Don't know about HAL but have been on Celebrity twice, both times on Horizon.
On first cruise bought rum in the ships store and took it back to our room, second trip they said we could not take it. Trips were only 8 months apart.
Never heard any announcements on either trip over the PA except for boarding, depature and boat drill.
First cruise had a very annoying cruise director who had his staff play games in the pool while he narrated the games. He was loud and this took pool time away form the guests who just wanted to swim.
I wrote Celebritys president about this and both the cruise director and the games were gone on the second cruise. Much nicer.

As far as bringing liquor on board, we did on both trips and were never searched, never saw any guest bags being searched.

We are booked on Celebrity again next year, we both enjoy the experience, good food, great service and nice people.
I will say the officers are not very friendly for some reason, don't know if thats the same on all cruise lines but I've noticed it on both Horizon cruises.
Anyway I think either line should be fine.
Enjoy your trip.

Posts: 147 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 04-15-2001 12:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by cobra:
I prefer Celebrity over HAL because I find the service is much better. I found the HAL staff lacking, they did their job, but did not aim to please.

Guess there's a first time for everything - I've never read or heard of HAL staff doing their jobs without aiming to please.....would you like to elaborate?

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 04-15-2001 04:10 PM

Would most definetly go with Celebrity. Have been on both and feel Celebrity was a much nicer cruise (food, service, entertainment), just everything was a step above HAL. Our cruise on the Statendam was our least favorite (we've been on 24), so we've tried them all. Have plans for the Summit in Feb.

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

cobra
First Class Passenger
Member # 1605

posted 04-15-2001 08:45 PM

Green, when I asked for a glass of milk for dinner the first night on the HAL cruise, I was told that they didn't have milk, but that they would have it the next night. A person at the table next to ours asked for tomatoe juice and was told the same thing. The wait staff just didn't want to go get it. The wait staff never smiled, talked to us or our tablemates, never asked if everything was to our liking etc., and just could have cared less about being pleasant. We constantly had to ask for coffee or tea.

Posts: 21 | From: north palm beach, fl. u.s | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 04-15-2001 09:57 PM

Just stepped off the Maasdam (HAL) this morning and must say that the service on our cruise was great. Special requests were noted this first night and offered each subsequent evening.

We were on the Volendam's 11th cruise last year and the crew were still getting their act together but on the Maasdam it was a very experienced and professional team.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 04-16-2001 08:48 AM

quote:
Originally posted by cobra:
Green, when I asked for a glass of milk for dinner the first night on the HAL cruise, I was told that they didn't have milk, but that they would have it the next night. A person at the table next to ours asked for tomatoe juice and was told the same thing. The wait staff just didn't want to go get it. The wait staff never smiled, talked to us or our tablemates, never asked if everything was to our liking etc., and just could have cared less about being pleasant. We constantly had to ask for coffee or tea.

Cobra - that could have been one particular waiter who for some reason was not happy.
We have always found the wait staff most accommodating and eager to please. Now on the last cruise at Xmas, the Asst. left much to be desired, was never around, didn't help the waiter, etc. so he didn't receive a tip from any of us - the waiter got his share it. I have done 35 and they must be doing something right. Yes, you will get the occasional dud, but next time speak to the Maitre'd or the Captain in charge of your area.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

lblk
First Class Passenger
Member # 917

posted 04-16-2001 09:18 AM

I have to disagree with James. We sailed on the Century, and there were very few announcements from the PA system. Except for the pool band, the entire experience was very laid back and tranquil.

Posts: 22 | From: Westminster, MD USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

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