Infinite balcony in your background sailing out of Ft Lauderdale? That sounds like an Edge class ship, so probably Celebrity Beyond, Apex or Ascent. As far as Holland America, as an age 55+ couple that cruises fairly often, (completed 4 cruises so far in 2024, have another scheduled on 4/27, another on 5/11 and another 7/11, but only did 9 sailings in 2023) I can say unequivocally that HAL is our favorite. Nieuw Statendam is a good ship (Ingrid runs fun crafting classes!) but I was much happier on Nieuw Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Regardless, the service on all their ships has always been impeccable, the included MDR menu delicious, and the music walk venues lively. (Especially on Orange night and during chocolate surprise) Service, IMO, was MUCH better than on the Celebrity ships we've sailed on, but HAL is, admittedly, a touch more tame and had fewer wild deck parties compared to the other lines. When we were on Celebrity Equinox last month, someone at our dinner table laughed and began talking about all the "old people" that he heard infested HAL. Looking around the MDR, however, we pulled out pics of our HAL cruise dinners and pointed out the people on Celebrity were as old, if not older, than the HAL guests. Unfortunately stereotypes and biased opinions from people who have never sailed with Holland before are often treated as fact, but then again, I love HAL just as they are. Thanks for the unbiased review!
Thanks for your comment. Good guess on the ship. It was an Edge class ship, the Celebrity Ascent. We have booked the Noordam in Asia for next year. I was concerned about enjoying the Nieuw Statendam so much that the Noordam will be a let-down, but the itinerary is extremely port intensive so I don't expect to have much time on the ship.
I was on the April transatlantic. It was very nice.
Congrats! I have a transatlantic scheduled in the future. Can't wait.
Infinite balcony in your background sailing out of Ft Lauderdale? That sounds like an Edge class ship, so probably Celebrity Beyond, Apex or Ascent. As far as Holland America, as an age 55+ couple that cruises fairly often, (completed 4 cruises so far in 2024, have another scheduled on 4/27, another on 5/11 and another 7/11, but only did 9 sailings in 2023) I can say unequivocally that HAL is our favorite. Nieuw Statendam is a good ship (Ingrid runs fun crafting classes!) but I was much happier on Nieuw Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Regardless, the service on all their ships has always been impeccable, the included MDR menu delicious, and the music walk venues lively. (Especially on Orange night and during chocolate surprise) Service, IMO, was MUCH better than on the Celebrity ships we've sailed on, but HAL is, admittedly, a touch more tame and had fewer wild deck parties compared to the other lines. When we were on Celebrity Equinox last month, someone at our dinner table laughed and began talking about all the "old people" that he heard infested HAL. Looking around the MDR, however, we pulled out pics of our HAL cruise dinners and pointed out the people on Celebrity were as old, if not older, than the HAL guests. Unfortunately stereotypes and biased opinions from people who have never sailed with Holland before are often treated as fact, but then again, I love HAL just as they are. Thanks for the unbiased review!
Thanks for your comment. Good guess on the ship. It was an Edge class ship, the Celebrity Ascent. We have booked the Noordam in Asia for next year. I was concerned about enjoying the Nieuw Statendam so much that the Noordam will be a let-down, but the itinerary is extremely port intensive so I don't expect to have much time on the ship.
Celebrity ship?
Good Job. It is the Ascent