Difference between X and Royal C

I have always heard that X is the "step up" brand to Royal Caribbean ships. (My TA mentioned that it is a more sophisticated cruise line) I have been on Freedom of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas, different type of ship/cruises but I enjoyed them equally. I know that Summit is not their newest/greatest but what are some differences that you have noticed between the two brands? Side note- I read on here too that even the route on this ship effects the menu, is this true?

We've been on both lines many times and I feel the biggest difference is that on Celebrity you won't get a lot of messages (bingo-bingo, games at the pool, big sales on jewelry, art, etc) and other stuff. Also, Celebrity is more geared to an older crowd, not a lot of kids running around. It isn't snobbish by any means but it is more mature in feeling. I wouldn't have a problem booking a RCI cruise but would never in a million years go on one again during spring or summer school vacations. The kids take over the ship. Bumper cars, surf simulators, skating rinks, and lots of other things to attract families. Kids snorkeling in the hot tubs and running up and down the hallways in the middle of the night while their parents are in the casinos are not my idea of a nice cruise.

Read the smoking policy for both cruise lines. We enjoy the Celebrity experience for the reasons mentioned in the previous post. When choosing a cruise when the itinerary is not important to us the smoking policy on Celebrity and the 1,2,3 Go perks, if you can get them, will sell us everytime.

I think you would find Summit very comparable to Jewel of the Seas, with some exceptions. Celebrity is a little more quiet, with (IMHO) slightly better service and food quality. The ship design and size are very similar. There is a huge difference between FOS and Summit. FOS has a lot more activity, is quite a bit larger and therefore has more venues, has a lot more children and children's activities. FOS, due to its size, also has a lot more entertainment options to choose from. We enjoyed our FOS cruise last fall, but definitely prefer Celebrity. My 20something son, on the other hand, loves Celebrity but vastly prefers sailing a ship like FOS for more things to do.

I have sailed on X and Royal. I would say that Summit is perfect for reading a book and taking a nap pool side and Royal is like WOW what will we do today.:D

X is the 5* operation of the company, Royal is the 4* option.

Both are very good, and prices can be more expensive on either for similar itineraries!

Book An Aqua cabin if you can swing the cost. Dinning in the Blu dinning room (only for Aqua & suites) is a higher end experience than MDR unless you want to be seated at a large table then you need to book a regular cabin.

We've been on both lines many times and I feel the biggest difference is that on Celebrity you won't get a lot of messages (bingo-bingo, games at the pool, big sales on jewelry, art, etc) and other stuff. Also, Celebrity is more geared to an older crowd, not a lot of kids running around. It isn't snobbish by any means but it is more mature in feeling. I wouldn't have a problem booking a RCI cruise but would never in a million years go on one again during spring or summer school vacations. The kids take over the ship. Bumper cars, surf simulators, skating rinks, and lots of other things to attract families. Kids snorkeling in the hot tubs and running up and down the hallways in the middle of the night while their parents are in the casinos are not my idea of a nice cruise.

Fortunately Royal has recently done away with the annoying announcements :)

X is the 5* operation of the company, Royal is the 4* option.

!

Royal is more family orientated.

We have done one cruise on Splendour o Seas, but since we tried Celebrity, we have never looked back.

We are however going on Azamara in 16 months time, smaller ship, but we choose it for the itinerary.

Also our Captains Club status will be maintained on that ship, so we will benefit from the perks.

We first sailed RCCL in 1992, and Celebrity in 1994.

RCCL is like a Theme park, and X is like a country club.

Book An Aqua cabin if you can swing the cost. Dining in Blu......

Is more for health fanatics and gym freaks, with a high-veg, low-carb "vitality" menu.

Is more for health fanatics and gym freaks, with a high-veg, low-carb "vitality" menu.

I have never booked an Aqua class cabin because I don't think it is worth the price but I think saying " health fanatics and gym freaks" is a bit extreme.

I have sailed on Enchantment of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas and I don't think they compare to our experience on the Summit. I would do a cruise on the Explorer if the price was extremely attractive, otherwise the quality and perks (when offered) I get with Celebrity is hard to pass. I also found the amount of activities to be similar in these ships.

If you compare it to Oasis, which I have done too, then I think the comparison someone gave earlier of "Wow vs. Reading/Napping" is more appropiate.

Here's my take:

Celebrity - better: food (overall), service and attention to detail.

RCCL - better: Diamond lounge (over Elite lounge), nightlife, entertainment variety.

We did not think the RCCL production shows in the theater were any better than the Celebrity production shows. But Royal seems to offer things like Ice Skating shows and The Quest, etc. along with other activities, which you don't find on Celebrity.

[emoji15] No Quest?!!!! [emoji12][emoji23] Kidding aside- I have read comments about no sexy man/belly flop, what "entertainment" do they offer in place of this type of thing? And are there little niceties that make an overall difference? Such as...robes in all cabins, chocolates on pillows, bag/umbrella usage or have they done away with these little touches?

And just for further clarification, we have three sea days to/from Bermuda, I am just trying to get a feel of what do they offer, not that I would miss the sexy man & belly flop stuff. [emoji6]

And just for further clarification, we have three sea days to/from Bermuda, I am just trying to get a feel of what do they offer, not that I would miss the sexy man & belly flop stuff. [emoji6]

I took out my Celebrity Today's from our last year's Bermuda cruise on Summit (we sailed 5/25) here's what I remember from the first sea day, they had a talk on ships navigation, acupuncture seminar, weight loss seminar, galley tour, some dance lessons, one was line dancing an the other was the cha cha (I think), trivia, shore excursion talks, shopping (in port) talks, slot pull.

I'm sure they also had computer class of some type and some other casino tournament.

And just for further clarification, we have three sea days to/from Bermuda, I am just trying to get a feel of what do they offer, not that I would miss the sexy man & belly flop stuff. [emoji6]

ILounge lectures, theatre guest lecturers, trivia.

You will get a tote bag to take home. Depending on the cabin, you'll get a bit nicer one or not, but the very least is perfect for a trip offshore and at home for your groceries;)

Robes in all the cabins.

Chocolates on pillow.

You don't have to check out towels for the beach (they will appear in your room - big yellow ones) or the pool (blue ones). Just grab one at the pool and then deposit it in the bin on your way out.

The binoculars they have in the room to use are not good - they're really just a toy. There are full size umbrella and fold up umbrellas to use in the rooms.

You'll get iced tea in Aqua, delivered to your room, daily, and bottled waters. You can get as much of that as you want, although the company policy is only two a day. Just ask your room steward or butler (if you're getting a suite). Also canapés come to your room.

There is no self-service laundry and no irons allowed to be brought on or used. Their laundry service is reasonable and frees up your time for vacation not laundry!

I've not been on RC - so I can't comment on them, but the above is a list of some of what you'll get. I presume RC has all that too.

really enjoyed the lay-out of the ship and the Captain. (daily announcement was a hoot) The food and the service in the MDR...not so much. This was in '07...and TBH...we never went back. Is that fair?? Not sure...but we have zero kids and grand kids...so...from what I have seen/observed and seen in ads...this is not the line for us.

We have sailed many times on X...and find their overall experience to be much better...better food/service. And...don't get me wrong...just not as kid friendly...which is fine for us...but not for those who have kids/grandkids. If I was sailing with those family members...I think I would choose RCCL in a heart beat!! Who wouldn't love all those on-board experiences????? :)

And we are not really interested in sailing on the large ships that RCL now offers.

So...our choice is X...but that is because of who WE are...not who YOU are!! LuAnn

RCCL is like a Theme park, and X is like a country club.

That says it perfectly...including the apparel people will be wearing.

Shorts, T shirts, flip flops vs. stylish, tasteful Tommy Bahama / Country Club casual

The majority of our cruises have been on Royal, we did our one Celebrity cruise on Century. We tend to like the smaller, older ships. We did enjoy our cruise but were a little disappointed in the food and service. I think our expectations were just too high as we've been told for years by other cruisers that Celebrity was a step up from Royal, and we did not find that to be true. We think they are pretty equal, with each having things they do better.

I keep searching for another Celebrity cruise to take but so far, we've continued to cruise Royal.

Sherri:)

Sherri, I am starting to think we are going to be "The Griswalds" on this cruise. [emoji57] Do they have a "Love & Marriage" type show on Celebrity?

Sherri, I am starting to think we are going to be "The Griswalds" on this cruise. [emoji57] Do they have a "Love & Marriage" type show on Celebrity?

They have a Newlywed/Not So Newlywed game show.

Ok, then. I used to watch the Newlywed show with my Grandma, so this one show I would miss on a cruise! Always entertaining!

That says it perfectly...including the apparel people will be wearing.

Shorts, T shirts, flip flops vs. stylish, tasteful Tommy Bahama / Country Club casual

Perhaps at dinner and around the ship in the evening, but certainly not during the day - especially in the Caribbean. Lots of shorts, t-shirts and flip flops during the day on Celebrity!

X has never felt like a country club atmosphere to me - just very comfortable.