Thank you so much for this helpful comparison.
I've always aspired to the Celebrity Retreat but when looking at the suite sizes and actual menu samplers - I have stuck with aquaclass , or looked at princess or queen's grille suites or Regent . Your comparison has persuaded me that MSC wins hands down .
I am currently onboard MSC Virtuosa YC and WOW ! ……
Despite booking MSC YC a couple of times 10 yrs ago , there wasn't anything particularly striking ( just the dread of hearing the announcements and showtime quips in 4-5 languages - so much repetition, we were determined not to book MSC again ) , This time it is a completely different experience and pleasantly so . Attentive staff and excellent service , fantastic quality food and luxurious generously sized rooms , very impressive and at a fraction of cost compared to Celebrity Retreat or Regent Seven Seas..
I like the secluded rooms which are quiet and give easy access to the dining venues and theatre . The show quality was excellent too plus everything was presented in English without multi translations . Venturing outside the YC area was interesting but after 15 mins of crowds, noise and carnival like atmosphere- I was ready to retreat to my sanctuary.
The nice thing about Celebrity would be the ability of exploring other areas, bars / cafe without the overcrowding that comes with MSC , so although within the YC confines , activities and entertainment is rather limited , it was perfectly adequate for our needs .
Price wise and value - I would say MSC wins hands down .
( okay the alcoholic beverages might be more mediocre compared to Regent Seven Seas etc but that is not such a priority for us ).