Carnival vs. Celebrity

Got talking with a friend today who has cruised extensively. Absolutely turned his nose up when I mentioned we cruise Carnival. Didn't have much nice to say about NCL or HAL. He was somewhat neutral about RCCL but I absolutely know they're not for us. But he and his wife LOVE Celebrity. And with hundreds of days at sea, he certainly has experience.

I know and value what we get on a nice 7-8 Carnival ship. Really don't think we'll ever (never say never) do a 3-4 day with the weekender vibe. But CCL is all we've done unless we were doing a small ship sailing adventure. Anyone care to comment on Celebrity and the pros/cons vs. our familiar Fun Ship? And at what price differential might that be a very good option?

Love your veteran thoughts.

I've been on 15 cruises, planning number 16 on the Pride. I guess it all depends on what you value more in your cruise. Celebrity (owned by RCCL) has better food, while RCCL has better entertainment.

Cruise lines also change. My first experience on Carnival was horrible: I felt like I was on a floating Las Vegas. I was a kid at the time, and their idea of kids activities was an ice cream social. Not that ice cream socials are bad, but they had them all day everyday. Fast forward 10 years, and I'm booked again on Carnival. It's a completely different vibe than my first cruise with them. They're much more family friendly and actually had stuff for me to do!

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I have actually only been on Carnival and Celebrity, but here is my take. The MDR food and theater entertainment on Celebrity are far better than Carnival, but that's it. In my opinion Carnival is better in every other category. Unless you are a casino person (we are not) outside of the nightly shows in the theater there is NOTHING else to do. I'm afraid that if there were more than one sea day, I'd be bored out of my mind! But the biggest difference is that I have never taken a Carnival cruise where I didn't come home without new friends that I will keep in touch with. I can honestly say I don't remember the name of one single person we've met on any Celebrity cruise. So, if the food and theater entertainment is what is most important to you then Celebrity is your best bet, if having a variety of activities to choose from and meeting new people and making friends is most important then Carnival is your best bet. Also, on Celebrity they roll the sidewalks up at 10:00.

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Done over 30 Celebrity cruises so my take:

More Country Club than Beach Party, not the place for huge deck parties and belly flop contests or you want to dance the night away.

No Formal Nights, but Evening Chic-- think suits and cocktail dress. All around more adherence to clothing recommendations. Country Club or Saturday night dinner in the City.

Great line for couples. Lots of honeymoon. And anniversaries.

Best little nooks and crannies all over the ship, especially on SClass.

Food much better, separate dining for Aqua class and another for suites. MDR has traditional feel, dining vs eating.

Great atrium pool area with nice spa cafe.

Decor gorgeous, muted and every design aspect had purpose.

Best ship art on the seas. Many custom pieces designed for each ship.

Passenger flow is wonderful, more people yet feels less crowded than ships with fewer passengers.

Best suite benefits.

Reciprocal loyalty points between brands, you'll be whatever your highest level is.

Can buy cabin as package or just cabin. internet, tips, beverages*, OBC or any combination.

Fewer ships so itineraries are narrow in Caribbean.

Announcements am only.

Main pool area smaller than CCL.

Specialty restaurants more expensive, but creative menus.

Wonderful spa area.

More personalized, wet cloths on gangplank when you reboard from day, Mimosa's or juice when you board, staff in background more.

*Each person can buy or not any drink package and they have a bunch to choose from including Premium Non Alcohol is great. Cafe included for specialty coffee.

Overnights in ports available.

God awful pizza. But much better coffee all over the ship 24 hours a day.

No waterslides, kids pools.

Good kids program, CCL better.

Unless in suite, bags sometimes take awhile to show up.

For us it's a great fit, for some, they'll hate it as "boring". It's just being honest about what you want for your cruise. Sometimes it's party time, other times, more relaxed, great food and wine, more romantic. Not better just different.

Be honest and you'll make the right choice. But take a look at it. Firm believer in trying all different lines.

It never hurts to give another cruise line a try to see for you own self -- rather fun to "sleep around"! ;p

This is good feedback so far. We're more the Serenity crowd and not so Hairy Chest contest folks. But I certainly don't mind it. As it pertains to food, I think Carnival is quite good so no real need to move that up the ladder but I don't mind better, of course. And I know and appreciate a Country Club experience.

Here's another thing. One of the reasons maybe to be interested is that we cruise for the destinations more than the ship. It's fine by us that Carnival isn't RCCL. Entertainment to us is watching our next destination appear on the horizon, NOT the rock climbing wall. Hence our love for tall sailing ships and the lore of the sea. I'm wondering if Celebrity gives us a taste of that at a reasonable price point.

I know, give it a try and go from there. I'm appreciating the feedback.

X is very boring but some people like that.

I have cruised Carnival A LOT...but after cruising Hollad America, World Explorer (now defunct), Cunard, and...Celebrity. NEVER Celebrity again, NEVER! Horrible experience. Yes, the ship (INFINITY) was more upscale, and the comments about Country Club style is good fit. What turned me off was the service. I was just off a Holland America Cruise, and had comparable accommodation on Celebrity. The touted Butler service was a joke. The entertainment was lame, in my opinion. Many things in the cabin did not work, were missing. The housekeeping was awful...filthy tub. Lights not working. A ten day cruise, and very little was done. My travel agent was appalled,and went to corporate for me. The response was only an offer of a ten percent discount on a future cruise, IF I booked with in a year. For me, NEVER a Celebrity cruise. Now for Carnival, at their price point, blows me away. They exceed any expectations I might have. Something for everyone. If you want a more upscale experience, you have some al a carte options, the lovely serenity deck for more relaxed sunning away from the main pools. Cabins are nice, comfortable. If you want to dress you can, if not, no pressure. The fun ships! I am now Platinum on Carnivals, because I get the best bang for my buck with them, and I can cruise more often. Just my opinion.

I find it's the little attention to details that I enjoy from x.

The food is amazing. The service generally fantastic. The entertainment is not as lively or as much but what they have is tasteful and really good. And you will never walk by staff without them smiling and saying hello.

However, it is hard to find a party late at night. And I agree, the infinity is getting older and wasn't my favourite.

And yes, the pizza is horrid!

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I've been on 2 celebrity cruises, repositioning ones - so long cruises, on older ships (Century, Millie).

I thought the food in the MDR on the Millennium was similar to Carnival. On the Century - I had seen the menus & was wowed, but the presentation of the food did not seem on par with the descriptions. It was just ok, and some of it was horrible. The coffee was the worst of any cruise ship I've ever been on, and it was uniformly bad between the coffee bistro & free coffee.

Buffet food better, more variety on Celebrity. Room service menu with many more choices & hot breakfast (although in all likelihood it is delivered warm at best).

Production shows a definite step up on Celebrity since Carnival has made the changes to theirs - the playlist productions.

Service quite similar between the 2 lines. Plenty of activities on Celebrity, maybe more so than on Carnival for folks like me that don't go for bingo or gambling. My latest cruise on Carnival I had trouble finding more than 2 activities a day that appealed to me, and often if there were 2 - they happened at the same time.

Gym on Millennium incredibly small, inadequate for the number of passengers - especially with a mainly captive crowd on a cruise with so many sea days. Any time a free class was offered, it was full to bursting & people turned away. One class we lost half the time slot because the instructor insisted on taking roll & checking with each person against the list (before the class started) to see who had signed in. Many more were in the class than on the list - don't know if it was a language barrier issue or what - but the instructor was furious & it was awkward.

The beverage packages are so worthwhile, I got the non-alcohol one that includes bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, smoothies & premium coffee / espresso from the shops. The promotions offering gratuities, OBC or drink packages are offered on so many Celebrity cruises, that bring the price difference between the 2 lines to pretty negligible. I know the transatlantic I took on Celebrity was actually less expensive than what I've seen offered on Carnival, even comparing a standard balcony to a concierge class balcony.

Celebrity does not have any laundry rooms for passengers to do their own laundry, so if you want clean clothes you'll be paying for them to do your laundry. But I have used their dry cleaning as well, a great service and it was far less expensive than prices I pay locally.

Passengers were as nice on Celebrity as on Carnival. I didn't notice any snobbishness at all, people were by & large friendly.

We have been pretty loyal to Carnival (Platinum), but decided to branch out and try Celebrity for our latest cruise. We were very impressed and wowed. There is really nothing wrong with Carnival, I think it is more a matter of us outgrowing it and tastes and needs evolving. As mentioned, food and entertainment were much better on Celebrity, with more specialty ($$) options. We found the buffet food far superior with cooked to order steaks (actually edible compared to Carnival flat iron steaks) nightly. Yes, cost was higher, although once the free drink package and OBC was factored in, not that much. Drawbacks is nightlife is quieter, fewer ships in Caribbean mean more limited itinerary options. I am so glad we gave them a try and will certainly be back. We will probably still use Carnival for quick getaway and family cruises, etc.

My first cruise was on Celebrity back in 96. On the Century. Went to Bermuda out of the old Philadelphia port. The best cruise ive been on to date..lol maybe im partial because i was young amd was my first cruise? Idk but cruising in the 90s was a lot different than today.

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We have been several cruiselines. We are probably a cruiselines worst customer since we are not loyal to any. Have been on more Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Comparing our one Celebrity to Carnival, I will say this, there is just as much pushing and shoving in the the buffet on Celebrity just like any other cruise.

Carnival's Steakhouse we found to be far superior than what we experienced on Celebrity. But we also think it is better than NCL and RC too.

We would try Celebrity again if the opportunity is there.

I think a great deal of what cruiseline also depends on what you are looking for in your cruise and it is not always the same. I sail different lines because I have a varying appetite for cruise experience.

For example if I'm wanting a fun, casual getaway where I am in the mood for a party, going with friends or have young ones... I enjoy the wide variety (good and bad) of people on Carnival as well as the efforts that CCL makes to provide entertainment and opportunities (deck party, line dances, pax participation contests etc..) to meet, mingle laugh at and with other passengers. The passengers in many cases ARE the entertainment.

if I want a relaxing getaway with my husband and am wanting to reconnect with him and not have tons of party distractions... I choose celebrity. The little things make the difference. But there is a smaller range of demographic. But food, service and relaxation are the main reasons, not the party...

RCCL kinda splits the difference... if I have teenagers with us... that is our go-to cruise line as they have sooo much for,them to,do. I love RCCL entertainment shows and they have a few activities that are group oriented...

Sailed HAL but it it not my demographic (too old). Princess was more similar to Celebrity but the food on celebrity was better IMO.

For me personally, although I love the food and elegant touches on Celebrity and the onboard experience of RCCL, I find myself gravitating to CCL more often and when on other lines, I am missing the carnival atmosphere on Carnival... I love people watching and am willing to forgive some of the crazy or obnoxious folks you find on CCL in order to get a more interactive experience.

One last thing is that CCL gets most new cruisers and there is something joyful about being around people who are experiencing cruising for the first time... they are still impressed and amazed and not jaded by all their past cruise experiences and spend the whole time talking about how much better this or that cruise was.... I love when they first realize they can order 2 entrees or 5 appetizers or when they first walk onto the ship or when you see a couple or family that you know had to save all year for this vacation so they are soooo excited and happy... and you are more likely to find new cruisers in CCL ... it is refreshing.

Here is what I just posted in another thread asking which lines people sail with when not Carnival:

Celebrity is more of a step up. Food and service are far more polished than on Royal or Carnival. Lots of little things that indicate you are on a more premium line from orchids and real cloth towels in the public bathrooms, water and punch provided when returning to the ship in port, a complimentary glass of bubbly or orange juice upon embarkation and only one (hallelujah!) PA announcement per day, and only to provide weather and distance traveled updates.

I think a great deal of what cruiseline also depends on what you are looking for in your cruise and it is not always the same. I sail different lines because I have a varying appetite for cruise experience.

 

For example if I'm wanting a fun, casual getaway where I am in the mood for a party, going with friends or have young ones... I enjoy the wide variety (good and bad) of people on Carnival as well as the efforts that CCL makes to provide entertainment and opportunities (deck party, line dances, pax participation contests etc..) to meet, mingle laugh at and with other passengers. The passengers in many cases ARE the entertainment.

 

if I want a relaxing getaway with my husband and am wanting to reconnect with him and not have tons of party distractions... I choose celebrity. The little things make the difference. But there is a smaller range of demographic. But food, service and relaxation are the main reasons, not the party...

 

RCCL kinda splits the difference... if I have teenagers with us... that is our go-to cruise line as they have sooo much for,them to,do. I love RCCL entertainment shows and they have a few activities that are group oriented...

 

Sailed HAL but it it not my demographic (too old). Princess was more similar to Celebrity but the food on celebrity was better IMO.

 

For me personally, although I love the food and elegant touches on Celebrity and the onboard experience of RCCL, I find myself gravitating to CCL more often and when on other lines, I am missing the carnival atmosphere on Carnival... I love people watching and am willing to forgive some of the crazy or obnoxious folks you find on CCL in order to get a more interactive experience.

 

One last thing is that CCL gets most new cruisers and there is something joyful about being around people who are experiencing cruising for the first time... they are still impressed and amazed and not jaded by all their past cruise experiences and spend the whole time talking about how much better this or that cruise was.... I love when they first realize they can order 2 entrees or 5 appetizers or when they first walk onto the ship or when you see a couple or family that you know had to save all year for this vacation so they are soooo excited and happy... and you are more likely to find new cruisers in CCL ... it is refreshing.

It's interesting that you say that. My wife and I own a second home out in suburban Vegas. We're not gamblers and frankly rarely go to the Strip except for a specific show or restaurant. We own the home for the weather and outdoor opportunity it provides. But one of our great joys is seeing first timers experience what the city has to offer. I feel much the same way when I see an excited 'blue card' getting on his/her first Fun Ship.

We have cruised several times on Royal C, Celebrity, Carnival and Princess. Here's my brief view, from a 65 yr young wife & nana:

Loved all our cruises.

Food was good on all, but we think Carnival has more venues for food with no additional charge. Celebrity and Princess have some more unique items in dining room and more silverware.

Entertainment - all were good; some of Celebrity and Princess entertainment is more classical.

Celebrity - service was excellent.

Much quieter on Princess and Celebrity - but sometimes too much quiet time for us, others probably enjoy.

Would cruise any of them again, but we have cruised most with Carnival, for the overall experience. 2 more weeks and we will be onboard - Carnival: let the fun begin again!

The biggest difference I've seen is the median age of cruisers. Royal Caribbean and Carnival has much younger passsengers with more night life. On our Princess cruise it was definitely more elegant and upscale. But after 10 pm the ship was dead. No sing along at the piano bar, no late night comedy club, no dance clubs open, no karaoke, nothing. ☹️ Im not a party girl AT ALL, but I hate the idea of going to bed at 10 pm on vacation. Vacation is all about getting to stay up late because you don't have to get up early for work the next day. And based on my experience the upscale cruise lines like HAL, Celebrity, Princess, etc. are definitely fancier and a step up in some areas. But the ship practically shutting down at 10 pm is a deal breaker for me. I'm a night owl and love going to Carnivals late night adult comedy shows and their late night karaoke or piano bar. There always something fun to do well past midnight. 😉

The biggest difference I've seen is the median age of cruisers. Royal Caribbean and Carnival has much younger passsengers with more night life. On our Princess cruise it was definitely more elegant and upscale. But after 10 pm the ship was dead. No sing along at the piano bar, no late night comedy club, no dance clubs open, no karaoke, nothing. ☹️ Im not a party girl AT ALL, but I hate the idea of going to bed at 10 pm on vacation. Vacation is all about getting to stay up late because you don't have to get up early for work the next day. And based on my experience the upscale cruise lines like HAL, Celebrity, Princess, etc. are definitely fancier and a step up in some areas. But the ship practically shutting down at 10 pm is a deal breaker for me. I'm a night owl and love going to Carnivals late night adult comedy shows and their late night karaoke or piano bar. There always something fun to do well past midnight. 😉

We agree (and we are in our early 60's)

It was a while back - 90's - when we cruised X, but we had only been on RCCL before that and we found it to be so (why do I want to say) snotty. Passengers acting like they owned the ship, demanding, and deserved special treatment. Food was great! Cabin was very nice and so was service, but we decided it was too formal and one needed too many outfits to cruise them. NEVER would have considered CCL, but, after a change in resources, tried NCL and liked it - more mid-class which suits us. Finally booked CCL when they were much less than NCL and were amazed at how much we loved the "walmart of the seas"! Not true, really. Have never gone back since.

X is very boring but some people like that.

This is why I'm afraid to try another line (aside from NCL or RCCL). I don't like that, and using the examples someone else posted I'd rather be at a beach party than a country club

It's the small things, but mostly if I'm going to be locked up with 3,000 people for at least 10 days, I'll take the Country Club crowd over the Hairy Chest Bellyflop crowd. Don't really want to spend my dinner conversations listening to bubba explain to me how he's maxed out his drinks program for the 4th day straight.

It's the small things, but mostly if I'm going to be locked up with 3,000 people for at least 10 days, I'll take the Country Club crowd over the Hairy Chest Bellyflop crowd. Don't really want to spend my dinner conversations listening to bubba explain to me how he's maxed out his drinks program for the 4th day straight.

Certainly that can happen. I guess I've found that more comic than truly annoying. Truthfully, that's one reason we always get a table for 2 at dinner so as to get some buffer on that situation. I've found almost everyone on a Fun Ship to be, well, fun.

Folks also mention the 'rolling up the sidewalks at 10p' tendency. Truth be told, we're rarely up past 11p and often (always?) are up by 7a because the morning out on deck can be so beautiful.

I have a saying. 'I can sit in a bar late at night back home.' I feel the same way about skiing vacations. A drink with and after dinner and then to bed at a reasonable hour. There's a beautiful mountain right THERE and I want 'first' chair. Feel the same about the sea. Now certainly not begrudging folks that do it differently. Everyone has the right to a good time.

Jsglow,

Couldn't agree more. We have beach house in SC, I'm out by 10pm, but live nothing more than early morning cappuccino watching sunrise over the ocean. If I'm in part mode, it's Vegas or Cabo. We often cruise to relax, use spa, great food and reconnect with each other.