CCL Reflection vs. RCL Jewel for the Mediterranean difference of $1000, worth it?

I am getting quite impatient waiting for RCL to release its Mediterranean sailings for Summer 2018. I know, only a few more weeks. This morning while browsing around I looked at Celebrity and they have a similar itinerary to what Royal Caribbean is offering for the Mediterranean (out of Rome to Greece) on the Jewel of the Seas. Our son will be 12 by then but he has traveled with us all over and is comfortable in any environment. The price was not too unreasonable, so I put a deposit down and booked it. The price is about $1000 for the 3 of us more than what RCL is offering the same itinerary this year (similar cabin category). I am not sure what the prices will be like once they get released for next year, we will see. We have never been on Celebrity but always been curious. Do you think the price difference is worth it?

Dont forget the $1000 difference also includes drink packages for the 2 of you and $300 on board credit. So in short, yes i think its worth it. I think Royal is overpriced now, nevermind their 2018 sailings. Food is a little better on Celebrity as well and i prefer the atmosphere on their ships more. That being said, i think that your 12yr old would definitely enjoy the Jewel more. There will most likely be less then a dozen children his age on that celebrity sailing and Jewel will offer alot more activities and excitement for children. Pros and cons to both i suppose, but i do believe celebrity would be the better value.

Dont forget the $1000 difference also includes drink packages for the 2 of you and $300 on board credit. So in short, yes i think its worth it. I think Royal is overpriced now, nevermind their 2018 sailings. Food is a little better on Celebrity as well and i prefer the atmosphere on their ships more. That being said, i think that your 12yr old would definitely enjoy the Jewel more. There will most likely be less then a dozen children his age on that celebrity sailing and Jewel will offer alot more activities and excitement for children. Pros and cons to both i suppose, but i do believe celebrity would be the better value.

Where is the drink package and OBC coming from? I wasn't offered any of that when I booked this morning. The specials they are offering right now for those deals is only for sailings that go until the end of April, 2018, but our cruise is for June 2018. If I missing out on something I'd love to know, as you said that would completely wash off the price difference!

Where is the drink package and OBC coming from? I wasn't offered any of that when I booked this morning. The specials they are offering right now for those deals is only for sailings that go until the end of April, 2018, but our cruise is for June 2018. If I missing out on something I'd love to know, as you said that would completely wash off the price difference!

What type of room did you book? When I dummy book that sailing now it only offers 1 perk; but it does offer a perk. You do have to book an oceanview or higher for that. But that would at least get you the beverage package for free. If you booked through the website I don't know how it would have excluded you; if you booked through a TA, do a dummy booking to see what the regular room rates are but if that's what you paid def call back and see what happened.

What type of room did you book? When I dummy book that sailing now it only offers 1 perk; but it does offer a perk. You do have to book an oceanview or higher for that. But that would at least get you the beverage package for free. If you booked through the website I don't know how it would have excluded you; if you booked through a TA, do a dummy booking to see what the regular room rates are but if that's what you paid def call back and see what happened.

That's the difference, I am comparing prices on an inside cabin.

That's the difference, I am comparing prices on an inside cabin.

See how much more an OV would be. No perks for an inside.

With the cruise having very few sea days I don't think having so few children is an issue. Touring all the ports is tiring so sea days for a 12 year old may be relaxing with family

You are far enough out form the date that you have lots of time to compare and change if desired

Definitely step up to at least an oceanview. Some TA's offer at least 3 perks right now, drinks, tips, $300 obc.

Drinks $55pp/pd +18% Gratuity

Tips $14 a day pp

$300 On Board Credit

That should wash away the price difference when its all included.

We've done two Med cruises and I can honestly say that we saw very little of the ship. A Med cruise is so port intensive that we would have to be up early EVERY morning except the one sea day and we returned exhausted. We would shower and get changed for dinner and we were already thinking about how good it would feel to get in bed. We cruised on Royal both times but I don't think it was on Jewel. Once was the Navigator and I can't remember what the other one was. On the day at sea, we got up later, ate a leisurely breakfast, lounged by the pool, had lunch in the MDR, went to the cabin and took a mid-afternoon nap, went to a couple of the shops and picked up a few things, went to dinner and felt a bit obligated to go to the casino after dinner to make our usual "donation" and then we were off to bed early because we had to be up early the next morning. It's the only time the ship was of so little importance to us. Luckily, we had been on these ship previously because we saw very little of the ships on these cruises. I would go with whichever is cheaper and use the money for the excursions, which are more expensive on a Med cruise. The ports are what you go for on a Med cruise, rather than the ship. JMO.