Are you planning a cruise and wondering which cruise line is best for you, Celebrity Cruises or Holland America Line?
Since both Celebrity and Holland America are popular and well-loved cruise lines, this is a great question.
Both cruise lines share many similarities and are known for being good quality, premium cruise lines. However, there are some key differences to be aware of when deciding if Celebrity or Holland America is the right cruise line for you.
I’ve recently cruised on Holland America’s and Celebrity’s newest cruise ships, and know first-hand that both of these cruise lines have a lot to offer.
With that being said, here’s everything you need to know about Celebrity Cruises vs Holland America Line.
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Why Cruisers Like Celebrity
Celebrity Cruises is a premium mainstream cruise line. Celebrity refers to themselves as a “modern luxury” cruise line.
Celebrity Cruises’ clientele enjoys tasty food, excellent service, and a laid-back cruise experience. Celebrity cruise ships are known for their modern, beautiful, and elegant design.
Ship Size & Design
Celebrity Cruises is known for having beautiful cruise ships with great layouts. Whether you’re on a Millenium, Solstice or Edge-class ship, you’ll enjoy the cruise ship design.
If you like a mid-size to large cruise ship, you’ll love Celebrity Cruises. Their cruise ships never feel crowded, and their newer and refurbished ships are particularly stunning. When cruising with Celebrity, you’ll find beautiful bar areas, a gorgeous Lido deck, and many picturesque areas to relax.
The Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Xcel (coming soon) are Celebrity’s newest cruise ships and absolutely stunning. It’s easy to get lost in areas like Eden, The Magic Carpet, and The Sunset Bar and feel like you’re at a 5-star resort.
Overall, Celebrity has some of the most beautiful and well-designed cruise ships on the market.
Cabins
When you cruise with Celebrity, you can expect to have a beautiful and comfortable cabin. On Celebrity Edge-class ships, you can book an Infinite Veranda cabin, which features a floor-to-ceiling window that can open at the push of a button. Alternatively, there are more traditional sunset verandas and porthole balcony cabins available.
Interior cabins may be smaller, but these cabins are still comfortable and have a nice decor.
On Celebrity, the cabins have a great design, a good amount of storage space, and a modern look on their revolutionized and newer ships. They also have great lighting, which comes in handy at night.
Of the popular cruise lines, Celebrity is an industry leader when it comes to their cabins.
Related: Celebrity Beyond Infinite Veranda Cabin – Pros & Cons
Food & Dining
The food and dining onboard Celebrity cruise ships is consistent of good quality. Whether you’re eating in the casual dining venues, buffet, included main dining rooms, or specialty restaurants, the food is very good top excellent.
When it comes to mainstream cruise lines, Celebrity is at the top of its class for its main dining room. The level of service is top-notch, and every meal is tasty.
Dress Code
Since Celebrity is an upscale cruise line, most guests tend to dress nicely. During the day, passengers are dressed casually. However, guests tend dress up in the evenings as if they were going to a nice restaurant or an elegant night out.
The dress code in the main dining room and restaurants range from smart casual to evening chic. Although Celebrity does not have an overly strict dress code, cruise passengers tend to dress up a little in the evening time.
Related: What to Wear on a Celebrity Cruise
Service
Onboard Celebrity, the crew members do their best to accommodate your needs, making for a very pleasant cruise vacation. From waiters and bartenders, to cabin attendants who clean your room twice a day, the service on Celebrity is better than many other mainstream cruise lines.
We’ve also found that Celebrity has a few extra special touches that enhance the cruise experience. The extras include complimentary citrus water and icy cold towels served as you return to the cruise ship during port days.
If you go to the pool deck in the mornings, you’ll find towels placed on the lounge chairs for guests. Onboard Celebrity, guests can take pool towels at their leisure, as there is no sign-out system that is found on many contemporary cruise lines.
On occasion, sorbet may be served by the lido deck – passed around to guests as a nice and refreshing treat.
Entertainment
Overall, the entertainment onboard Celebrity cruise ships is versatile and very enjoyable. You can expect Las Vegas-style production shows that feature a mix of singers and dancers.
Furthermore, you’ll find shows that feature guest entertainers, including illusionists, comedians, and incredible acrobatic acts. Additionally, there are live music performances in different bars and venues around the cruise ship.
Atmosphere
Although the overall experience and service on Celebrity Cruises are upscale, the cruise ship atmosphere onboard Celebrity is not stuffy. In fact it’s fun, relaxed, and pretty laid back.
While Celebrity attracts an older (or mature) clientele, there are also a fair share of younger cruisers. You’ll find a younger demographic of cruise traveler on shorter cruises and Edge class ships.
Throughout the day, guests may hang out by the pool areas or in the different lounges around the cruise ship. There’s also live music, lectures, trivia, and other fun activities, so everyone can find something to keep them busy.
Come evening time, Celebrity’s Martini Bar is a popular location. During dinner, passengers will pass by to enjoy a drink and chat. It’s also a fun time to check out the Martini Bar “show”. I don’t want to ruin it for you, but these bartenders are fabulous!
The casino is always a popular venue, and the nightclub can be “happening,” depending on when you cruise. In my experience, summer holidays, spring break, and holiday sailings attract a younger and more active crowd.
Onboard Attractions
While some cruise lines may have more “fun” theme-park like attractions, Celebrity has plenty of enjoyable attractions catering to their clientele. Attractions that you’ll find on Celebrity include resort-style pools, adult-only solariums, dance classes, meditation classes, stretching classes, and more.
On Edge class ships, there is a Magic Carpet, a floating bar (13 floors above sea level). Here, you’ll enjoy live music, comfortable seating, and a full bar. Many people who have cruised on Edge class ships love the Magic Carpet.
The Magic Carpet is available on:
- Celebrity Edge
- Celebrity Apex
- Celebrity Beyond
- Celebrity Ascent
- Celebrity Xcel
Onboard the Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Silhouette, you’ll find the lawn club. This is an area where guests can eat, play games, and relax on a real grass lawn.
Itineraries
Celebrity Cruises offers various Caribbean itineraries, from shorter cruises (4-5 days) to longer sailings (10 days and more). Furthermore, Celebrity has diverse itineraries that include Bermuda, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Greek Iles, the Baltic, Galapagos Island, and more.
In recent times, Celebrity has begun doing sailings to the Royal Caribbean private island, Perfect Day at Cococay. This is a great way to experience CocoCay, while sailing with Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity’s primary focus on travel experiences attracts cruise passengers who tend to be well-traveled.
Kid’s Club
Although Celebrity tends to target a more mature demographic, they actually have one of the best kids’ clubs at sea. “Camp at Sea” is Celebrity Cruises’ youth program, and it’s very fun for kids and teenagers.
Here are the age groups for Camp at Sea:
- Shipmates (3-5)
- Cadets (6-9)
- Captain (10-12)
- Teens (13-17)
Each age group has its own designated area where kids can hang out, make new friends, and participate in activities. The youth staff is always friendly, and makes the kid’s club a fun and safe place for kids of all ages to spend time.
Pricing
The price of a Celebrity cruise is on the higher end of the major cruise lines. Considering the amazing experience, high-quality food, and service, Celebrity is an excellent option for a cruise vacation.
There are also options for an “all-inclusive” price available. Up until recently, Celebrity’s all-included fare included a classic beverage package, basic wi-fi and crew gratuities. Crew gratuities have since been removed from the program.
If you have the budget and are looking for a more luxurious cruise experience without the price tag of a luxury cruise line, Celebrity is a great choice.
Why Cruisers Like Holland America
Similarly to Celebrity Cruises, Holland America is a premium cruise line. When you cruise with HAL, you can expect great service, exquisite cuisine, and spacious cruise ships.
Holland America cruises tend to attract an older and more well-traveled clientele. Those who cruise on Holland America enjoy great food, live music, exploring new destinations, and pickleball!
Ship Size
One of the biggest perks of cruising with Holland America is that the cruise line only offers smaller ships to mid-size cruise ships. For cruisers who prefer a traditional cruise experience, Holland America ships definitely fit the bill.
In contrast to other cruise lines, which seem to be building larger and, in some cases, mega-ships, Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships (newest ships) are proudly mid-size cruise ships. Holland America’s Pinnacle Class (Konindsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam) cruise ships are popular, modern ships with many lounges, pool areas, and entertainment venues.
Holland America Line focuses on destination, dining and the overall cruise experience. Although I’ve only cruised on Pinnacle Class ships, I’ve heard the Vista Class and R Class ships are great as well.
Design
Holland America has elegant and beautiful cruise ship designs. When it comes to staterooms, outdoor areas, and public spaces, Holland America does a great job with attention to detail.
On Holland America cruise ships, you’ll find a strong Dutch influence incorporated into the decor, artwork, and ship design. Don’t be surprised to see a blue and white color combination, from the well loved Grand Dutch Cafe to the beautiful Delft china tableware used in the main dining room.
Furthermore, Holland America cruise ships have a timeless design featuring brass elements and classic wood. On Holland America’s newest cruise ships, you’ll find unique artwork ranging from sculptures to paintings displayed throughout the cruise ship.
Food & Dining
When you cruise with Holland America, you can expect a top-notch dining experience. Everything from the casual dining venues to the main dining room and specialty restaurants is amazing.
A personal favorite of mine is Dive-In, which is a pool-side grill that serves burgers and hot dogs. In my opinion, Dive-In serves the best burgers at sea!
Grand Dutch Cafe is one of the unique restaurants that you will find onboard HAL cruise ships. At the Grand Dutch Cafe, you can order coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, and a sweet or savory Dutch snack.
The specialty restaurants include Canaletto, Pinnacle Grill, Nami Sushi, Rudi’s Sel De Mer, and my favorite, Tamarind.
You’ll also find the new Morimoto by Sea, which we tried onboard Nieuw Statendam. Not only was the fish and sushi fresh and delicious, but the presentation was exquisite!
All of the specialty restaurants are delicious, and they make for a fantastic culinary experience.
Service
One of the benefits of cruising with Holland America is that they offer great service. Since HAL has small to mid-side cruise ships, you’ll get to know the crew on a more personal level than you’ll experience on a mega ship. The crew are always helpful, kind, and friendly.
Throughout my Holland America cruises, I’ve met multiple crew members who would go above and beyond to enhance my cruise experience. Holland America takes pride in having a friendly and accommodating crew, exceptional dining, and personalized service.
Drinks
Holland America has a great selection of specialty coffees, cocktails, and alcoholic beverages. The bartenders onboard Holland America cruise ships are friendly and talented and make fantastic drinks.
One of my personal favorite drinks at sea is the Foggy Boulevardier. This drink is a variation of an Old Fashioned, and it is presented with real smoke.
On board HAL cruise ships, you can order special edition beers, cocktails, and their own exclusive De Linj Gin.
During our Alaska cruise, Holland America introduced special cocktails that used ice from the glaciers. These drinks were tasty, unique, and memorable!
Itineraries
Holland America is known for having longer and unique itineraries geared toward experienced travelers. In fact, on the Holland America website, you can easily find cruises that are 17 days or longer.
An interesting itinerary that Holland America offers is a bucket list 133-day Pole-to-Pole cruise called the “Grand Voyage.” You may also enjoy the Solar Eclipse cruise planned for 2026.
Alaska
If you’ve planning an Alaska cruise, Holland America is one of the best cruise lines for this itinerary.
One of the advantages of cruising with Holland America is that they have been sailing to Alaska longer than any other cruise line. When you sail with HAL, you can cruise through the Inside Passage and into Glacier Bay National Park, which is breathtaking.
Glacier Bay is a National Park that only two cruise ships can visit daily. They have priority since Holland America has been sailing to Alaska for so many years.
Holland America is a great cruise line if you are interested in visiting Alaska. HAL offers itineraries that include stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Anchorage, Sitka, Valdez, and even the Yukon.
When you cruise to Alaska with Holland America, they will bring park rangers, Alaskan natives, and wildlife experts onboard. There will be presentations and activities like wildlife spotting so you can learn from the experts!
Related: What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise (clothing, gear & essentials)
Private Island
If you like crystal clear waters and white sand beaches, then you’ll love Half Moon Cay. Half Moon Cay is a private island in the Bahamas owned by Holland America.
Half Moon Cay has complimentary lounge chairs, a beachside barbecue, and many activities. Furthermore, there are several bars to grab a drink and cabanas, which are available for rental.
When you visit Half Moon Cay, you can book shore excursions like horseback riding, glass-bottom boat tours, Jet Ski tours, nature trails, and other water sports. Overall, Half Moon Cay is a stunning private island that many cruisers love.
Related: Pre-Excursion Checklist: 16 Things to Do Before a Cruise Port Day
Entertainment & Activities
There is a strong focus on enrichment when it comes to the entertainment and activities onboard HAL cruises. This includes shows such as Holland America: Origins, BBC Eather, and talks by renowned experts.
You’ll also have shows that feature Holland America singers, dances, and occasional guest entertainers. Recently, Holland America announced brand new shows and enhanced entertainment.
Throughout the day, interesting activities such as mixology classes, art classes, whiskey tastings, and trivia will happen in Crow’s Nest and other locations around the cruise ship.
Music Walk
One of the highlights of Holland America’s Pinnacle Class cruise ships, and a few smaller ships in the fleet, is the Music Walk. The Music Walk is a unique concept, something you won’t see on other cruise ships.
Holland America has several music rooms featuring live performances, instead of one main bar or dance club. When you’re at Music Walk, you can listen to different genres of music while dancing or having a drink.
The Music Walk is composed of Billboard Onboard, B.B King’s Blue Club, Billboard Onboard, and Rolling Stone Rock Room. Throughout your cruise vacation, you’ll see amazing live performances every night.
You can find the Music Walk on the following Holland America ships:
- Nieuw Statendam
- Nieuw Amsterdam
- Rotterdam
- Koningsdam
- Westerdam
- Noordam
- Zuiderdam
Pickleball
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and cruisers love to play it! Holland America became the official cruise line of the PBA (Professional Pickleball Association).
All Holland America cruise ships have pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. Throughout your cruise, you’ll have opportunities to take beginner lessons and participate in tournaments.
Throughout my recent Panama Canal cruise, Pickleball was a huge hit! Whether you’re new to Pickleball or an avid player, there is nothing like playing a game on the top deck of a cruise ship!
Mature Travellers
Those who cruise with Holland America tend to be mature and well-traveled. This means that the cruise ship’s pace may be slower and more relaxed than other cruise lines.
Since the demographic is older than some popular cruise lines, the entertainment is catered towards a more mature traveler. However, even though HAL is a great cruise line for cruisers that are 60 plus, younger couples and solo travelers also enjoy and frequent the cruise line.
Multigenerational Travel
As a cruise line, Holland America is great for multi-generational travel. When you sail with HAL, you’ll see plenty of multi-generational families, especially on 7 day Caribbean and Alaska sailings.
Holland America has the reputation of being a cruise line with an older demographic. However, when I cruised with HAL, quite a few families with kids and teenagers were there with their grandparents.
Cruising is a great way to see the world as a family, which is why Holland America is a great choice for multi-generational travel.
History
Holland America Line has been sailing for over 150 years (since 1873). Holland America has an interesting orgin story, and a very rich history.
Since the late 1800s, Holland America has been cruising from New York City to the Netherlands. Holland America gained the reputation of providing reliable transatlantic crossings, good accommodations, and high-quality service.
Recently, Holland America has developed a database of its passengers beginning in the 1900s. Now, people can search for their family names in the database and track their ancestors.
There are various stories of cruise passengers discovering that their relatives cruised with Holland America from Europe to the United States.
Pricing
Holland America is known for being a good value premium cruise line. Holland America has standard pricing options, as well as all-inclusive packages like the Have It All promotion and the Club Orange upgrade.
If you have the budget and you’re looking for an enhanced travel experience, you can’t go wrong with Holland America.
Related: Is Holland America’s Club Orange Worth It? My Review and Experience
Which Cruise Line is Best for You? Celebrity Cruises or Holland America
Overall, Celebrity Cruise and Holland America Line are very good cruise lines with many similarities. These cruise lines are great options for those who value premium cruise lines.
Whether you choose to sail with Holland America or Celebrity, you’ll have an amazing cruise experience. If you’re still debating which cruise line to sail with, there are a few things you should know.
Celebrity Cruises Are Best For:
Cruisers who are looking for a lively, luxurious vacation with many beautiful places to relax. Celebrity has a laid-back atmosphere, delicious food, and amazing service.
There is a wide variety of daytime activities, music around the pools, and an active nightlife. Overall, Celebrity is a great choice for those who want the perfect balance between a beautiful ship and an enjoyable cruise experience.
Holland America Cruises Are Best For:
Cruisers who prefer mid-size cruise ships, enrichment experiences, and a slower pace will enjoy Holland America. HAL cruises are perfect for those who value great food, top-notch service, and a relaxing atmosphere.
On Holland America, the entertainment and activities end around midnight. However, this allows cruisers to wake up early and make the most of their day.
Holland America is ideal for cruisers who value visiting new destinations, enjoy live music, and prefer a less boisterous crowd.
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Final Thoughts On Celebrity Cruises vs Holland America
Well there it is, everything you need to know about Celebrity Cruises vs Holland America!
Comparing Celebrity and Holland America Line is interesting as they share many similarities. Celebrity and HAL are known for their more traditional and upscale cruise experience.
When it comes to choosing which cruise line is best, it comes down to what you enjoy and value most on your cruise vacation. Both cruise lines have many loyal repeat cruisers and large fanbases!
In this post, I shared everything you need to know about Celebrity Cruises and Holland America.
Have you cruised with Celebrity Cruise or Holland America or are you planning to? Please let me know what you like best in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
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