RCI Seranade vs Celebrity Summit?

[cruisincrips]

We are planning an anniversary S. Carib. cruise for the fall. Having trouble deciding between Seranade of the Seas and Celebrity Summit 7 day sailings from San Juan. I've tried comparing itineraries/ports, and I think either will be fine. So I think it comes down to the ship/cruiseline. Anyone have excellent pros for one of the two? Or even better, does anyone have really bad cons that would rule one out?

[kitty9]

I'm a Diamond Plus on Royal Caribbean and Elite on Celebrity, and I would have to say that I now choose Celebrity above RCI for many reasons, including much better food and service. But, if you're younger, and require lots and lots of non-stop activities at all hours of the day and night, then RCI would be a better choice. If you are looking for a great cruise, with a lot of things to do (nothing like ice rinks, rock climbing or wave runners, but a bit toned down), with very good food and excellent service, then go with Celebrity.

[cruisincrips]

I'm a Diamond Plus on Royal Caribbean and Elite on Celebrity, and I would have to say that I now choose Celebrity above RCI for many reasons, including much better food and service. But, if you're younger, and require lots and lots of non-stop activities at all hours of the day and night, then RCI would be a better choice. If you are looking for a great cruise, with a lot of things to do (nothing like ice rinks, rock climbing or wave runners, but a bit toned down), with very good food and excellent service, then go with Celebrity.

Thanks Darcie! We're 34, and not the adventurous rock climbing type. And I'm certainly looking for the better food and service.

[printingchick]

We were docked next to the Summit on our recent Serenade cruise. She is HUGE. It's a very different animal than Serenade.

 

I enjoyed Serenade's intimate feel and the fact that there was lots of opportunity for mingling with other passengers at public events. Serenade is the most classy and friendly ship I've been on. I honestly don't think you'd be dissapointed and it's probably less costly to cruise Serenade than her Celebrity sister.

 

Serenade frequently gets the award for best service when cruise ships are ranked annually.

 

I thought I might be disappointed having sailed on larger RCL ships prior to my Serenade cruise, but I found there is a reason people love it so much. You have very few kids on Serenade and she tends to draw a somewhat older crowd. But my 22-year-old daughter found plenty of new friends on the ship.

 

Serenade is not decked out with bells and whistles like the ice rink, FlowRider, in-line skating and Royal Promenade. She's not the ship you envision when you hear Royal Caribbean.

 

I'm sure you'll have a great cruise, either way.

[mcalvey187]

There are eight of us sailing on the Serenade next Saturday, May 1, all between 22 & 27. Let's hope THIS crowd skews younger...

[thedadude]

Did a S. Caribbean on Serenade about 2 yrs ago November, thinking about her again vs Summit as well. Serenade is a great mid size ship, good food, especially in the upgrade restaurants. In fall generally older crowd, Crown & Anchor Club special seemed to draw older clientele almost no kids (in school) in fall. Have also sailed Celebrity (not Summit), draws generally older more formal cruisers. Ports were great, service wonderful, considering Serenade again because they are doing new different ports (St Croix, Grenada), St Thomas & Lucia were fabulous, would love to be shipwrecked there.

Only concern with Serenade is the ship is narrow waisted mid-ship and the "deluxe ocean view balcony stateroom" on decks 7-9 affords a wonderful view of the roof above the boat deck, NOT straight down to the water. If you love a balcony (like we do) be aware, it was disappointing though looking at Summit deck plans, it appears to be similar design. Happy cruising!

[buzbom]

We are having the same conundrum right now. I courtesy holded (thats not a word!) a family cabin on the Summit with the big balcony. Our family is two parents late 30's and two kiddos, one 4 and one 9. I keep reading about Celebrity's service which is appealing. I'm worried that there are not enough pools, that there aren't a lot of choices for eating, and that there isn't a fun atmosphere. Otherwise, I'm thrilled to have that cabin, the customer service, pizza and lemonade for the kids. And the ports are awesome on Celebrity. A guy actually called from Celebrity and tried to sell us on the Serenade. What to do?

[The Big Booper]

We were docked next to the Summit on our recent Serenade cruise. She is HUGE. It's a very different animal than Serenade.

 

I enjoyed Serenade's intimate feel and the fact that there was lots of opportunity for mingling with other passengers at public events. ..>>SNIP<<.....

 

The Serenade is 90,000 GRT, the same as the Summit. They are built on the same hull.

 

But, the 4 Radiance class ships by RC were designed and built with the wasp-waisted look which makes them look skinnier and sleeker then the totally squared off and blockly looking "M" ships of Celebrity.

 

On esthetics, the Serenade is miles ahead of any of the M ships.

[BroncosFan2010]

The main differences will be this:

The Serenade is a prettier ship with amazing views because of all the glass. There will be more activities, and they may be aimed at a more active crowd. The Serenade has amazing service.

 

The Summit will have larger cabins, no matter which category you book. The food is sometimes rated better than RCCL (but that is subjective), and the service tends to be better. The age group will probably be older, more seasoned travelers. There will be less entertainment (no belly flop contests, sexy leg contests) and fewer announcements on board.

[The Big Booper]

We have been on off-season long cruises on both the Radiance and the Constellation as well as the stretched slightly smaller Enchantment.

 

The makeup of the crowd, agewise, was very similar on all three cruises. But the older people on the two RC cruises were more active then the people on the Connie. Both of the RC cruises had big band concerts at 10:45 PM or 11 PM and drew full houses including standing room. The Connie was constantly dead after 10 PM. And you know what age groups go to big band concerts.

 

This is a self-selecting process and has nothing to do with kids vs. oldsters. People who want a more active ship, and I don't mean belly-flop contests, will choose RC over Celebrity. People who want a more formal environment with traditional slightly stuffy service will go with Celebrity.

 

Only the OP knows what is important to him/her.

[boogs]

The Serenade is 90,000 GRT, the same as the Summit. They are built on the same hull.

 

But, the 4 Radiance class ships by RC were designed and built with the wasp-waisted look which makes them look skinnier and sleeker then the totally squared off and blockly looking "M" ships of Celebrity.

 

On esthetics, the Serenade is miles ahead of any of the M ships.

 

Until you get onboard. Then the comparison does a 180 degree. The Summit is subdued elegance, while the Serenade is flashier, more upbeat.

 

This could be important to you: the Summit has a very restricted smoking policy, smoking allowed in only in few designated areas of the ship - no smoking in staterooms or on balconies, in the casino and in most lounges. The Serenade is less restrictive, with smoking allowed on balconies, the casino, and several lounge areas.