Celebrity cruiser who tried RCCL

[WeBeCruisin']

My wife and I have been on three Celebrity cruises in the past 14 months and were in the casino or disco or lounges just about every night until 2 or 3 a.m. We found it far from dull. We've also been on RCCL four times and have our fifth booked for this July. I would consider them about equal as far as late-night opportunities for entertainment.

[mandltullis]

Hi skiiergirl.....No criticism taken. In fact I think it's a great question. I posted here because this is where I came to look for info. when we became interested in taking a RCCL cruise. The second question is harder to answer because I don't know you and I don't know what you would consider dull. I can say that my hubby and I live in a big city and go out every weekend and dance until 2 or 3 am. We never once found ourselves bored on X. In fact it seems that more people were out at night on X then on NOS. With the bigger ship maybe people wore themselves out during the day. Or perhaps our sailing didn't have many night owls on it. Hope you have a great cruise whatever you decide.

[Host Karen]

While I, too, wonder why the OP posted here about her disappointing Royal Caribbean cruise and her decision to stick with Celebrity rather than posting on the Celebrity board (although perhaps she posted there too), I also wonder why posters continue to believe it's appropriate to flame someone over her opinion. It's an opinion about a sailing, folks, not a personal attack on your right to choose Royal Caribbean over another line. Lighten up.

 

We have sailed Royal Caribbean three times and have another cruise booked for June. We made our maiden voyage on Celebrity last month (see my review of Infinity and our comparison of it to Brilliance of the Seas) and have subsequently booked two more Celebrity cruises. In short, we enjoy both lines for different reasons: Brilliance for her decor, layout, activities, entertainment, and reasonable internet fees, and Infinity for her food and service -- to us the most important aspects of a cruise after the itinerary. We have experienced good to mediocre service on Brilliance and the food, with the exception of Chops, has been okay but nothing to write home about. However, we will gladly sail Brilliance again, especially on a port intensive cruise when we'll be looking mainly to relax when we're onboard, and Brilliance provides plenty of lounges and bars in which to kick back and take a breather.

 

It's a shame that the OP didn't enjoy her cruise, but if Celebrity provides everything she is looking for and she's unwilling to accept less in service and food quality, that's the line she should stick with. In my opinion, there was simply no comparison between Infinity and Brilliance in those two areas.

[captain1]

I have to agree with the bulk of the comments here. I just returned from the Serenade (my first RCCL cruise) after two previous Celebrity cruises. While I had a GREAT time on the Serenade, I still think Celebrity has them beat. The Serenade itself was absolutely gorgeous - the most spectacular ship by far that I have been on. But the food and service were just that slight bit better on Celebrity. On the Century, in particular, it seemed that at dinner the waiter and assistant waiter were almost choreographed in their precision. Never a slip, stumble or false move. On the Serenade, our waiter and his assistant were fine, but didn't seem to have mastered the art of making it LOOK effortless. I was also disappointed in the quality and variety of the food. Just not as good IMHO. I also didn't like the fact that there were no sommoliers on the Serenade. The room steward also did fine, but not like on Celebrity where they seem to know when you have left and go in and clean your room. Also, no cold washcloths to greet you when you come back to the ship - and no champagne from a white gloved attendant when you first embark - just little things, to be sure, but the ones that you really remember as making the cruise magical. But again, I had a wonderful time on the Serenade.

[xpcdoojk]

I have had exceptional wait staff teams on RCI as well. That is unfortunately, the luck of the draw. I don't think the training is any less rigorous or that the desired service is designed to be inferior on one line or the other, but the execution comes down to your particular waitstaff. Making blanket statements that one is better worse or the same based on a tiny sample (ie your personal experiences) is at best of limited value at worst, a waste of time. In my opinion the mood on X is more refined. (again unfortunately very limited experiences, if I only didn't have to work.) I think in many cases that may be the result of the clientele than the actual service or environment. There is no doubt that on average the age of X cruisers are older than RCI cruisers. There is further no doubt that RCI appeals to more families. Both of these factors are far more important to the mood of a ship. In other words, the customers are the ones that maintain standards more so than the cruiseline. In other words put a lot of young families into the mix and you have a different final product than without this mix. You are more likely to receive a traditional cruise experience on X or HAL than Carnival or RCI. Not all cruiselines are for everyone. What is best for one cruiser may not work for another. I still say if you want to say X is better than RCI and that RCI was awful, and you say that in a RCI forum you have to be living in a cave to be shocked that people didn't take your pronouncement as proof that they have been getting the business from RCI because of their choices of cruises.....:rolleyes:

 

JMHO

 

jc

[mortypro]

is that a greyhound?

[mandltullis]

I couldn't agree with you more xpcdoojk. That is precisely why I didn't state that one line was better or worse than the other nor did I say that RCCL was awful. I just stated my personal preference. These days there are so many different ships out there that we can all find one that suits us best. Hopefully we can all ignore the flamers and use these boards to help us make more informed decisions.

[Host Karen]

mortypro, it certainly is. In fact, I'm on the receiving end of the famous "greyhound lean" at the moment. Heaven forbid I try to use both hands to type rather than one to pet. :)

 

mandltullis, actually you're agreeing with one of Cruise Critic's most esteemed and experienced flamers, albeit not in this particular case. Isn't that right, jc? :D

Karen

[xpcdoojk]

mortypro, it certainly is. In fact, I'm on the receiving end of the famous "greyhound lean" at the moment. Heaven forbid I try to use both hands to type rather than one to pet. :)

 

mandltullis, actually you're agreeing with one of Cruise Critic's most esteemed and experienced flamers, albeit not in this particular case. Isn't that right, jc? :D

Karen

 

Only when deserved, Karen. And it is deserved far more often than I am able!:D ;)

 

jc

[mortypro]

mortypro, it certainly is. In fact, I'm on the receiving end of the famous "greyhound lean" at the moment. Heaven forbid I try to use both hands to type rather than one to pet. :)

 

ok you have to email privately so we can do greyt talk

we were in belize last month and a woman came running up to me asking were i got my save the greys tee shirt. to make a long story short she adopted her two from the adoption center our group uses

mortypro@aol.com

do you go to dewey

[xpcdoojk]

mortypro, it certainly is. In fact, I'm on the receiving end of the famous "greyhound lean" at the moment. Heaven forbid I try to use both hands to type rather than one to pet. :)

 

ok you have to email privately so we can do greyt talk

we were in belize last month and a woman came running up to me asking were i got my save the greys tee shirt. to make a long story short she adopted her two from the adoption center our group uses

mortypro@aol.com

do you go to dewey

 

Great story mortypro

 

jc

[FinelyCruising]

Last Celebrity cruise was an 11 night, just DH and I, and every other word out of our waiters mouth for every selection and every comment we made was 'beautiful'. I swore if I heard him say that one more time I was going to scream.

 

Agree with others it really is hit or miss.

 

Except for the hot South African, Christo, who escorted me to the ladies room at the Olympic during dinner....He was Hot, but then when I saw him in the Spa flirting with all the technicians I thought he was really into me the night before. :confused:

 

Don't get that on Royal!:D

[Host Karen]

Finely, and here I thought that Dominique in the SS United States walked me to the ladies room because I had several glasses of wine at dinner and he wanted to make certain I got there in one piece. Guess my bubble is burst now, too. :rolleyes:

 

mortypro, don't want to bore others with greyhound talk so I'll drop you a line. Haven't been to Dewey yet, but heard there's a mini-Dewey in early April.

 

Karen

[skiiergirl]

OMG....They walk you to the ladies room if you have to go during dinner? How embarassing! I would just die. That is way "too much".

[queenL]

I've sailed on both lines and I do think that Celebrity is a step up from RCL overall, however, I think that RCL has certain advantages that are better than Celebrity. Self-leveling pool tables, ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, mini-golf, in line skating etc all are definite plusses that Celebrity just can't compete with. Night life, (as a twenty something), Celebrity was fairly dead at night, RCL had a good night life. Bottom line is I will continue to sail on both, both are great, they just have different advantages. I determine which based on the mood I'm in, pricing and itinerary.

[Host Karen]

skiiergirl, actually I thought it was very thoughtful. He didn't walk me all the way, just far enough that I could see where the ladies room door was. It was a big help since I had no idea where the restrooms were and the ship was rocking a bit that night...or was it the wine??

 

Karen

[skiiergirl]

olliekl....Well, I guess I wouldn't think of it like that since I go so often I know where every ladies' room is on every ship (Radiance & Voyager class). Someone "escorting" me would just slow me down. If I were new to the ship and asked for directions, then it would be "lovely" for them to offer to "escort" me. But if I were just getting up to go on my own and they "escorted" me I would be appalled. Generally I don't need help getting anywhere. Hubby loves getting to the ship early so he can direct people when they look lost. (Most of the time pax think he is an employee because he knows so much about the ship. He has even "helped" new crew members out before. lol) Once again....just a difference of opinions and preferences. Good thing there are "choices" out there for all of us.

[FinelyCruising]

I was grateful too, after the wine and all and me in my heels on that shiny marble floor just made for slip and falls when babes like us drink too much. ;)

 

It's probably a requirement that they escort us just to eliminate some of the liability...:rolleyes:

 

Gotta said I loved holding onto the arm he offered me. :D

[payman]

:eek: I am sorry to say the BIG MISTAKE was your error of judgement as regards your

posting, rccl did not deserve what you said. My family and I have sailed on the

Voyager, Explorer and the Radiance of the Seas and have not come across any

of the complaints you have listed.

Service:- what level of service were you looking for when it was obvious that you had stepped down a level.

Cabin Steward:- they make a point in introducing themselves on the first day, it

is not in their own interest to make you unhappy with the service.

9 times out of 10 cabins are usually cleaned or they are in the process of being

cleaned, clean towels are always thereand the shower area cleaned, he always

tells you if you are unhappy, just pick up the phone, speak to housekeeping, the

cabins are generally cleaned while you are having your breakfast.

Sun Loungers:- sure, round about the pool area it is difficult to find a chair or a

lounger ( a popular place ) I know nothing about saving spaces.

Food Quality:- horrible is a terrible word for comparison, I cannot beleive that you did not like any meal whatsoever.There is no mention of your servers etc.

Decor:- this is in the eye of the beholder, some like it, some do not.

Shows:- what do you want "The Phantom of the Opera". " Cats" etc, I think

they do good job considering the space they have to work in.

ACTIVITIES:- every night the cabin steward leaves the ships newsletter called the COMPASS detailing the following day's activities, excursions, sales.

 

I THINK YOU WERE AWAY OUT OF LINE ABOUT THE CARS.

[Jennygirl]

While I am sitting here at my desk in NY just reading and reading everyone's opinions I am reminded of just how much I enjoy these boards. They are like a soap opera. I love it.

 

My group is taking our first RCI cruise out of Bayonne next December. We have sailed with Celebrity/Princess and NCL. All of them are nice!!! ALL OF THEM. GIve me a ship, a vacation, good food, dancing, funny people to watch, nice people to chat with, a few drinks, a quiet place to sit, a comfy room to sleep in and what the heck can be wrong with that. I'm looking foward to this cruise next December just as much as I had with the other ones we took.

 

LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT!

JENNIFER

[Mugz]

Man, I am totally bummed out........never should have read this thread...

 

First time cruiser going in 2 weeks on the Mariner.........:(

[xpcdoojk]

Man, I am totally bummed out........never should have read this thread...

 

First time cruiser going in 2 weeks on the Mariner.........:(

 

It is posts like this that people don't like to see, all because someone shared their "knowledge". I think tempering your criticisms is probably the best fairest way to describe your personal experiences. Poor Mugz, here now thinks that he/she spent a lot of money for a really bad product. That is where the unfairness comes in. :mad:

 

jc

[FinelyCruising]

Mugz don't be silly. You are going to have a blast! You can even come back here and complain if you don't!

[Host Karen]

I agree, Mugz. Go with a positive attitude and you'll have a great time no matter what. After all, a bad day cruising is better than a good day working! And if you don't love Mariner but get bitten by the cruise bug (as so many of us have), keep trying ships and lines until you find the right fit. The OP obviously already found hers -- she just didn't recognize it!

 

Karen

[hstrybuf]

Mugz, don't feel badly. Everyone has an opinion and different experiences. Yours will be great if you go with a positive attitude! :)