lsnyder

Hi Everyone,

 

I was just looking for your opinions on Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity cruises.

 

We have only ever cruised with Royal Caribbean as we really enjoy everything about them, but have recently been looking around at different cruises in terms of pricing and destinations and Celebrity keeps coming up.

 

I am 30 and my wife is nearly there too ;) so we just wanted to know what others thoughts were. The pro's and con's of each cruise line.

 

I will be posting this in the Celebrity forum as well.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! :)

We just tried Celebrity for the first time too. I was expecting it to be a notch above the other mainstream cruise lines we've traveled (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival) because of their tag line (Modern Luxury) - but I can honestly say there was absolutely no difference. I've decided that it all comes down to individual ships - especially the size that suits you the best (for us it's 2,000-2,500 passengers - but we've yet to try a 1,000 or less ship - maybe our next trip), the staff and the location you are going to - so we now start with the destination/itinerary and size ship and then and go from there to see who's got the best deal (and drink package ;)). When our kids were younger - we loved Royal Caribbean because they had the best kids camps. Now we prefer Norwegian because of the smaller dining venues/choices.

I'd like to find out which night the Summit will have Beef Wellington (don't want to miss it) and the Top Chef night (would prefer to do specialty dining that night). I did a search for the menus but I can't find anything.

 

Any ideas which night is which for Bermuda?

 

Thank you.

I can tell you on our recent trip (May 15th sailing) it was Friday night (the second "evening chic" night) because we missed it because we were dining in Quisine that night! I want to say Top Chef night was night 3 (Tuesday) - I didn't even notice it on the menu until my sister-in-law pointed it out! Other than that, it just looked like a regular menu to me. I will say that was the best meal I had in the dining room (we had the beef cheeks - and the ginger spice ?? or something like that - dessert was wonderful).

Happened upon this thread because we're considering Bermuda for next spring and will NOT sail the BA again unless we're in the Haven (which we cannot afford, esp now that we splurged on our recent Hawaiian cruise). Do you think a couple in their early/mid 30's would enjoy the Summit?

I think it depends what's most important to you on a cruise. On our recent sailing I'd guess most (75%?) were 50's and above - with a smaller percentage in their 40's like us (because they were home with their kids/ teenagers UNLIKE us!) - even smaller % in their 30's. Very minimal late teens/early 20's traveling with their 50's parents and 70-80's grandparents (one dad told me that his 20's were bored)....

If you don't want tons of children then this time of year and ship is for you probably. Spa is nice, gym is nice (not at all crowded), pool area and bars are nice...

I wasn't able to locate your review, which I'd like to read. Could you post a link? I'm particularly interested in your compare/contrast viewpoints--especially your experience on the Carnival Pride. We live near Baltimore and have wanted to try it. We like "reasonably priced upscale" as well and have been led to believe that it would be, you know, downscale...That wasn't your experience, I take it? And can you say why Norwegian is your favorite? We're still shopping around for the line that fits us best!

I don't think they've approved it for posting yet - but basically I just copied/pasted on here. We live in Annapolis area and traveling out of Baltimore was great - so was Bayonne. hmmm...I liked the Pride because they had a separate back deck area for adults 21 & over - so it was away from the summer kids (I like kids but mine are teens now and I like peace and quiet too :) - It was definitely not "downscale" - it was right in line with Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity...we also really enjoyed the comedy club - and the cruise director (who has since moved on to another ship) was fabulous.

Norwegian is my favorite because I prefer smaller dining rooms and dining when I want to dine - which can vary from day to day.

Absolutely fantastic cruise.

Only disappointment was Prime 7.

Shared table for 8 seated at 7pm. Main coarse arrived at 9 pm, some cooked wrong.

When one lady questioned why the creamed spinach was not hot, the waiter replied that the cream is cold when added (?)

We left at 9:30 to catch the show and the dessert menu had not yet been shown to the table. I am sure this experience was not for all but everyone we spoke to,even those at tables for 4 had the same wait time.

Signatures was a great surprise. Fabulous with incredible service.

Had a category A. Cabin was great. Changed rooms at the last minute so we would not have to step into a tub for a shower. The stand alone showers are the absolute best at sea. They replaced the tubs so take up the same amount of room. Nice bench inside.

The free internet service had started & it was fast.

If you enter the Laveranda restaurant from the right side of the pool, you will not miss the smoothie bar in the morning. In that same area is the incredible ice cream bar in the afternoon. Do not think this area is just for hamburgers & hot dogs in the afternoon. Some times they are barbecuing chicken & steaks.

The breakfast in LaVeranda was great...not a typical buffet. At the omelet station you can order things like eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes & the incredible swedish pancakes which I had several time.

Cleanest ship and amazingly you never see anyone cleaning. Not even carts in the hallways.

Just beginning research for an Alaskan cruise next May - considering Regent for the first time . How would you generalize the fellow passengers? Are there any teens on board (if we bring our son)? Why did you choose to go in May vs summer? I'm wondering what the benefits are and how the weather compares.

They had discounts if you signed up the first day - I got a seaweed wrap/massage deal which I booked for the first morning at sea. My husband's massage was either discounted or longer than normal. I recall seeing something on the last sea day too (or day before) - one of those 3 thing specials (neck massage, scalp massage and foot massage - something like that)...

Achilles Bay or St. Catherine ?

Achilles Bay

Feel the need to comment on this now that we are back from our cruise (Celebrity Summit May 15-22)...after reading all of the negative posts, I was a bit apprehensive - but we booked scooters from Oleander right at the port and it was one of the highlights of our trip. We rode the doubles (me/husband and my brother/wife) - we were careful and even wound up riding in the pouring rain on our return. We have driven on the opposite side of the road before but honestly, you just need to pay attention...short left, wide right! Just practice around the dockyard until you feel comfortable heading out on your adventure.

Was just there last week and I thought it was just fine - it was partly cloudy and when the sun came out it was hot! I swam at the beach near Fort Saint Catherine by the Beach House/Blackbeard's restaurant (which we also enjoyed) and it felt WONDERFUL - I loved that beach! It's a tad chilly going in but once you're in it's fine.

Many people said the MDR food was fine - all depends on what you order and where you are seated and yes, I did comment on my review directly to Celebrity. I think my expectations were higher because it was our first time on Celebrity. You will have a wonderful time - overall the ship/cruise was awesome! I hope you have great weather!

Interesting how people can experience the same thing and have opinions that are much different. I was on the Summit to Bermuda in early May and I thought the food in the main dining room and the Oceanview was very good. One dinner in the MDR, the herb encrusted haddock, was one of the best fish dishes I ever had. I also thought our inside cabin was very comfortable and I had absolutely no problems with the bathroom.

 

Each to his own, as they say.

Like I mentioned in my review - most people I spoke to on the ship said the MDR food was fine...so it's quite possible it was what I was ordering - although I tried to stick with the waiters suggestions each evening...my husband sat in on a "how to cook a steak" seminar in the Tuscan Grill (which he found quite interesting) and the executive chef there said they alter the MDR menu based on ship demographics in addition to what they can source in mass quantities...

Thank you for your review. I always like reading opinions from people who don't usually cruise X.

 

I'm with you on the Aqua Spa Cafe. I used to love it on the Century and M class ships (we're talking 7+ years ago). But it has changed for the worst. I won't even bother now checking the menu. It takes forever for them to make sub par food.:eek:

 

We are contemplating a NCL cruise. It has the drinks package included (but we have to pay the grats which to me, is lame). I keep reading that they have only 1 choice of each type of wines (chardonnay is apparently terrible) and from what I gather, there is no premium (like you said) and to get a better wine is next to impossible, even when paying the difference. Does this sound accurate?

We were on Norwegian in Greece and I don't recall the wine (sorry) - but don't remember paying gratuities on the drink package...

I posted a review but also wanted to post here - we missed the Cruise Connection party due to spa appt! Hope everyone enjoyed their time on board, and for those of you with upcoming cruises - you'll have a blast!:)

Overall enjoyed the cruise -mainly sunny skies and came back home to rain!

First off about us - married couple, late 40's, traveled with my brother/wife (their first cruise). We travel a lot - "reasonably priced" upscale :) - and this was our 6th cruise. First time on Celebrity, my expectation was that it would be a notch above the other cruise lines we have experience with (Royal Caribbean - I think best for kids programs, Carnival - surprisingly enjoyable - FABULOUS Chefs Dinner, and Norwegian - still our overall favorite and best for dining).

There was no difference whatsoever, so I think their tagline of Modern Luxury is a bit misleading. That being said, we enjoyed the cruise overall and the main reason for the overall 3 rating is the food - particularly the main dining room, which is kind of important. Otherwise, it would be a 4.

Pros - easy embarkation/debarkation, attractive, clean ship with plenty of quiet spaces and super easy to get around, friendly staff, had an enjoyable spa experience (seaweed/massage special booked the first day), GREAT martini bar (we got the classic package when we booked and then after a ridiculous amount of research (Norwegian just has a drink package- much preferred to this 2 level nonsense) we upgraded to Premium...it was well-used from Vitamin water to martinis to specialty beers and coffees...

I liked the balcony chairs/table (we had a regular balcony 7099), the room was average

Shows were decent, enjoyed our dinner/service/ambiance at both Tuscan Grill and Qusine, the gym was clean and had plenty of equipment for the ship

LOVED Café Baccio - fresh flowers, nice music, enjoyable morning coffee - best part of the day for me,

Barely any kids on board (time of year and no waterslides!) - mainly retired people??? - which showed in the music/food selections I think...

Solarium was nice

Cons - bed not particularly comfortable, don't like shower curtains (in general, the bathroom seemed poorly designed compared to other ships), the food in the main dining room was subpar - 2 nights I barely ate my main course - also we made reservations for 4 and each time were seated at a big round table for six...even after requested a later time (the dining room was not as full) and a table closer to a window and out of the main corridor. I really hated the main dining room experience (although it was beautiful with not too bright lighting) - but I'm finding that on most cruises now - the specialty restaurants are much preferred with better food quality, ambiance and service and I'm willing to pay for that - but not necessarily the price of a suite just to get a nice included dining room (note, most people I spoke to on the ship said the main dining room was ok/fine) - Aquaspa café? Was looking forward to a morning smoothie - but they didn't seem to know what they were doing and it was awful - didn't seem like many people were going there - only tried it once and never went back

Buffet - ate here most days for breakfast (enjoyed the eggs benedict options and the fruits, waffles - all toward the back deck) and lunch was ok - but the salads were in tiny bowls - never enough plates - and always felt crowded and overwhelming no matter whether we went early or later. We did eat there one night for early dinner before an excursion and really enjoyed the stir fry (you pick what you want in it)

We booked the classic but already know that we want to upgrade to Premium (because of husband's beer preference and my desire to go to the martini bar :p)...

I read a post somewhere that it costs more to upgrade if you wait until you are on board vs. doing it pre-cruise - does anyone know this to be true? It's my preference to wait since we've got $400 on board credit to spend.

First time Celebrity cruiser - hate this nonsense between the 2 packages - IMO they should just eliminate the "classic". Norwegian only had one and it is fantastic.