Cruise Talk: Bermuda: Horizon vs. Zenith

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Bermuda: Horizon vs. Zenith

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Topic: Bermuda: Horizon vs. Zenith

lambcom
First Class Passenger
Member # 656

posted 01-27-2001 12:18 PM

My wife and I are looking at a seven day New York-Bermuda cruise in May on Celebrity. The two ships offered are the Horizon and the Zenith. From reading the "professional" review, I gather the two ships are essentially identical in size and layout. As all of my cruising experience has been with HAL, I'd appreciate any comments on the ships (I've been to Bermuda before, so that's a known commodity).

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

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 01-27-2001 03:55 PM

I was on the Zenith a couple of years ago on a Panama Canal cruise. We really enjoyed the ship, our friends that were with us went on the Horizon that summer to Bermuda and did not like the ship as well as the Zenith. Felt it was somewhat run down and staff, etc were not up to par with the Zenith. They are sister ships, so layout, etc are the same. I checked the itineraries and they are both going from New York and stopping at St George and Hamilton. I believe last year the Horizon docked at KingsWharf, which would have made me chose the Zenith, but looks like they are doing the exact itinerary this year.

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

Beezo
First Class Passenger
Member # 1505

posted 01-27-2001 04:01 PM

why do they do the same itinerary?? do they depart on the same day??

Brian

Posts: 865 | From: Massachusetts, USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

cobra
First Class Passenger
Member # 1605

posted 01-27-2001 04:23 PM

We have been on both ships and felt they were both equal, however it has been 3 years. We prefer Celebrity.

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

harborman
First Class Passenger
Member # 1248

posted 01-27-2001 05:30 PM

We did 2 cruises on the Horizon in 2000, one in April and one in December. She went into the yards for some upgrades after the April cruise and we found her to be much nicer in December. All new cafe for buffet service, a bubbler in the small pool to make it like a big hot tub, new carpets on the pool deck and sun deck. Several areas upgraded during the refit.
Found the staff to be very nice both times, good food, good shows ( although some were the same as in April).

Never have been on Zenith so I can't say but Horizon is very nice.
Have a great trip either way.

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

ocngypz
First Class Passenger
Member # 1555

posted 01-27-2001 10:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Beezo:
why do they do the same itinerary?? do they depart on the same day??
Brian

The merely reverse the order of ports.

Posts: 343 | From: Newport, RI USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Jake
Just Boarded
Member # 1748

posted 01-28-2001 12:51 AM

Both ships will give you an equally good experience. Zenith has a slightly larger Fleet Bar, but both ships are nearly the same, except for decor.

Celebrity vs. HAL???? Both are excellent cruise lines. May be a bit warmer and friendly aboard Holland America, more rigid aboard Celebrity??

Posts: 3 | From: Palmer, Alaska | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

lambcom
First Class Passenger
Member # 656

posted 01-28-2001 07:29 AM

I really appreciate all the comments received to date. Keep them coming. FYI, the other difference between the Horizon and the Zenith (other than reversed itineraries) is that one leaves NY on a Saturday, the other on Sunday.

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

starfish
First Class Passenger
Member # 986

posted 01-28-2001 08:02 AM

Did they change it back for this season.Last year I thought they both left on Saturdays.
We were on the Zenith back in 95 and enjoyed her very much even with the rock and roll ride we had at the time.

Posts: 225 | From: Dallas,PA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-28-2001 09:38 AM

quote:
Originally posted by lambcom:
I really appreciate all the comments received to date. Keep them coming. FYI, the other difference between the Horizon and the Zenith (other than reversed itineraries) is that one leaves NY on a Saturday, the other on Sunday.

Unless I read the itinerary on the Celebrity web site incorrectly they BOTH leave on SATURDAY. Better check again, lambcom.
Off the subject for a min. how far is it from where the HAL ship docks in Mtl. to Dorval airport? Better to take a cab than the ship's transfer? Will be disembarking 9/17 and didn't know whether to ask TA to get me transfer or not.

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 01-28-2001).]

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

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 01-28-2001 10:00 AM

Checked the 2001 brochure, both ships leave on Sat from New York - Horizon doing St George then Hamilton, the Zenith doing Hamilton then St George.

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

lambcom
First Class Passenger
Member # 656

posted 01-28-2001 02:08 PM

Thank you sharp-eyed fellow cruisers. Clearly lambcom cannot read! Or suffers from caledar dyslexia. Whatever.

Sympatico. There is a fixed rate for taxis in downtown Montreal (which includes the port) of about $26 CDN the last time I checked. I strongly suspect this is less than HAL charges for two people.

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

lambcom
First Class Passenger
Member # 656

posted 01-28-2001 02:11 PM

This is one of those days. I meant to say there is a fixed rate of about $26 CDN from anywhere in downtown Montreal to Dorval airport (in the 'burbs). Less any non-Canadians think taxi gouging takes place here, taxis operate normally on meters at competitive rates!

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

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-28-2001 04:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lambcom:
This is one of those days. I meant to say there is a fixed rate of about $26 CDN from anywhere in downtown Montreal to Dorval airport (in the 'burbs). Less any non-Canadians think taxi gouging takes place here, taxis operate normally on meters at competitive rates!

Thanks lamcom - I will be by myself (first time going single, altho will be with friends on the ship) - kind of scary for me. Will have to see what HAL charges, because I will have to get the transfer from LaGuardia to NY port. Even thought of taking the train home to TO but don't know if that is feasable. Live closer to Pearson than downtown. Thanks.

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

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 01-28-2001 08:52 PM

lambcom - glad you got fixed up - kind of hoped you would make the Hawaii trip

Never sailed Celebrity but have heard glowing comments - the shows are, I'm told, very Broadway.

Happy Cruisin'

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

lambcom
First Class Passenger
Member # 656

posted 01-29-2001 06:24 AM

Off topic to fellow Canadians Green and Sympatico:

1. Sympatico: if it were me, I'd go for the train between Montreal and Toronto. Montreal's central station is about a $6 cab ride from the dock, VIA 1 First Class provides comfy seats, a decent meal and drinks and the money you save over airfare and cab in Montreal should offset the expense at the other end!

2. Green: Hey, I wish I could be on the Hawaii Cruise too, believe me! However, since winning the Lotto doesn't seem to be in the cards, this seemed like an affordable option, especially if we take a day or two in NYC at one end or the other and take in a Broadway show. Hope you have a great time on your cruise!

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

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