Celebrity Versus RCI - Just My Opinion

[Lorabele]

Here's my disclaimer: I've only cruised twice, once on Celebrity and once on RCI. I do not believe I'm an expert, nor do I intend to try to convince anyone that my opinion is the right opinion. What follows is based upon my experience on Celebrity Summit (November of 2003 - 11 nights) and RCI Jewel of the Seas (March of 2005 - 8 nights). Others may feel differently....and that's okay!

 

All right, so here we go.

 

Dress Code: On Celebrity, the dress code is very clear, every day. It's in the daily program, and it CLEARLY states the expectations. In the dining room, I never saw shorts or jeans. Casual attire nights were much more dressy than I expected, but that was fine with me. On RCI, the daily paper would just say the expected dress was "formal" or "casual," but it never defined what that was or stated anything further about no jeans, no shorts, etc. Neither did I ever see it stated that that attire was for everywhere on the ship, as it was on Celebrity. Saw lots of jeans and shorts at dinner, and the dress overall was much more casual than Celebrity.

 

Stateroom Attendant: On Celebrity, on our first day, our attendant came in our room, introduced herself, told us what to expect, and left us a card with her name and phone number on it. On RCI, the attendant knocked on the door and from the doorway told my husband her name and said to call if we need anything. I got a glimpse of her, and after that I saw her only one other time, the 2nd day. That same day, Day 1, she turned our bed down sometime around 4 PM. We were quite surprised by that. When we saw her on Day 2, we asked her about it, and she said she was tired so she did it early. She then told us in great detail about how early she had to get up to turn the rooms around and how tired she was. We asked that she turn our beds down during dinner after that, and she complied. On both ships, the rooms were kept very clean and we appreciated the hard work of the staff. On Celebrity I had to ask nearly every day for an extra towel (I like to use 2), since the attendant couldn't seem to remember that. On RCI, with only 1 reminder, that extra towel was there every day. We LOVED the towel animals on RCI and looked forward every night to the new one.

 

Overall Staff: The staff on Celebrity was very efficient and professional, and they seemed to keep their distance from the passengers. On RCI, the staff didn't seem quite as efficient, but they made up for that in their friendliness. We really enjoyed getting to know the people on board.

 

Stateroom: We had a CC on Summit and an E-2 on Jewel. Cabins very similar in size and layout. Summit we were right under the buffet, but we never heard a thing. Jewel we were two or three floors above Schooner Bar, and the noise was awful. As long as we kept the balcony door open, it drowned it out somewhat, but if that door was closed it was like we were in the bar. The sound was actually coming up through the floor. Luckily it seemed to stop fairly early, just after midnight. Still, with a brand new ship, I would not have expected to hear so clearly something 2 or 3 floors away.

 

On Board Activities: On Summit, we had so much to choose from every single day. It was amazing. Loved Simon, the cruise director. He was everywhere all the time, it seemed. On Jewel, the cruise director was awful. There was only one or two things to choose from at any given time, even on sea days. Very disappointing. Others who cruised RCI previously felt that this was an exception for RCI and said that there were usually many other activities to choose from.

 

Food: To me, the food seemed very comprable on both lines. Some nights were great, some were okay. Just depended on what they were serving. On Celebrity, our waiter was very, very good, but he was not the friendliest man I've ever seen. On RCI, he bent over backwards to please us and be friendly. He seemed to not always get things right, so we had to work with him, but it was clear he was trying to please.

 

Speciality Resturant: Celebrity wins this HANDS DOWN. We ate at the Normandie, and that was one of the best meals of my life, both related to food and presentation. The atmosphere was amazing, with live music, dedicated wait staff, beautiful room, etc. Chops on RCI was like a good steak house - but nothing special. I didn't think the steak there was any better than the steak on the main dining room. I would never waste my money on Chops again, but Normandie I would visit at least twice on every cruise.

 

Buffet: Jewel's setup was much better than Summit's. On Jewel, there were many stations to choose from, so I never felt like I was "in line" or waiting. On Summit, all the food is in one long line, so you are put through it with everyone else. While the food, again, seemed to be about the same on both lines, I liked the Jewel's arrangement much better.

 

Overall, both lines provide exceptional service, and both ships were gorgous. My cruise wasn't "ruined" by any of the bumps we had, and I can't wait to cruise again. We will probably end up on both lines again at some point, as we plan to do a lot of cruising. I would recommend each of them to anyone without hesitation.

[Chicot]

.............When we want to cruise with our friends, leaving the kids at home, we choose Celebrity, and make sure that it is NOT a school holiday. But when we take the kids, we now only go on one of the Voyager class ships of RCI. Hands down, this is MUCH better for families. Our kids (ages 14, 18 & 20) have been on both Celebrity and RCI and they agree. It's Royal Caribbean for them.

 

Thanks for your post!

 

Chicot

PS: When I dress formally for dinner and my husband is in his tuxedo, I am annoyed when other passengers show a lack of respect by not following the "dress code." However, this rarely happens on Celebrity and I like that about that line. But when I go on RCI, I leave my good jewelry and long gowns at home, I still dress nicely for the "formal" nights (husband still wears his tuxedo, though......his choice), and am not disturbed by others' attire. (BTW, my kids wear coat and tie on "formal" nights and change after dinner.)

[FinelyCruising]

Having cruised both lines I know that Celebrity has a standard that needs little enforcement based on the tastes, desire and willingness of the cruiser to adhere without question and favor the traditional cruise decorum. RC, while indicating a dress code, caters to a different drum.

 

I do, however, find the design and decor of the RC ships to be far more beautiful and interesting hands down.

[Pumbaamd]

We are looking at doing the Horizon to Bermuda later this year. Anyone have any comments on that trip?

[FinelyCruising]

Only that you will love it.

[Pumbaamd]

FC, thanks. Have you done it?

[FinelyCruising]

Yes. We did Bermuda on a 7 night on the Celebrity Merdian. If comparing wship vintages its like the Horizon now in 2005, as an older ship, but the Meridian was our first Celebroty cruise. For 7 nights and FWIW I cried when we pulled away from the Bermuda pier.

 

Bermuda is for many the ultimate destination when compared to the Carribean. The people are unlike what you will experience on any other island destination in the Carribean. I can't accurately describe it, you have to be there and live it for yourself to know just how special it is.

 

Life on the ship is a bit altered in that you are in a 'while in port mode', but that does not diminish your ability to get out on the island and enjoy all that the fine environment has to offer during the evening, and without the worry of having to rush back or of the ship leaving without you as with day ports.

 

If you or anyone else is considering this destination, while more expensive than the others, it is unlike the others in unique ways, so if you have the dollars to get there, they will be dollars well spent on a very memorable and fanstastic destination cruise.

[2ndcruiser]

We have also only done 1 Celebrity (Mercury 12/02) cruise and one Royal Caribbean (Voyager 3/05) cruise. These are just MY family's opinions: Mercury's food was MUCH better than Voyager's. Entertainment was MUCH better on Voyager, Mercury was a much more sophisticated ship than Voyager--dress codes enforced,higher class of people. My kids (12 & 16) made more friends on Mercury (my daughter felt that it was easier to meet up with friends on the smaller ship), and thought their kids program was a bit better. Service was better all around on Mercury, but staff on Voyager was very friendly with a great head waiter in Carmen Dining Room --and a very good new cruise director. Some of our rooms on the Voyager were a bit dirty upon arrival. Recreation was better on Voyager--much more to do on sea days. I might choose a Voyager class ship again, if I was with a very large group. Although we really did enjoy our cruise on the Voyager last week, I think that if we cruise again, we'll choose Celebrity.

[WeBeCruisin']

We are looking at doing the Horizon to Bermuda later this year. Anyone have any comments on that trip?

 

Pumba, we were on the Horizon for an 8-day cruise in October. Because of the weather, we were in Hamilton the entire time, and it was very nice. The Horizon is about the same size as the Nordic Empress, except the rooms are much larger and there are about a third-fewer passengers than on the Empress. The food and service were excellent, but we had been spoiled on Celebrity's Constellation and Summit and missed the Martini Bars and the layout and ambiance on the M-class ships.

 

To be fair, though, many seasoned Celebrity cruisers who have been on almost all their ships, prefer Horizon and Zenith to all the rest. The Constellation and the Summit are about the size of the Brilliance and the Jewel. The Horizon was still a great trip, though, with a glass of champagne to welcome you on board, cool towels upon returning from port on some days, and the usual great shows and service. We were even invited to the Captain's Table. Since you will be in port for an extended amount of time, be aware that the casino and shops, etc. aren't open at night during port days. Because the Horizon is a smaller ship, it is more susceptible to motion than the larger ones. You might want to start taking Bonine or Dramamine a few days before the passage to Bermuda just as a precaution. My wife had never been seasick on eight previous cruises, but it got her on the Bermuda trip. She hadn't taken anything in advance, but there were wrist bands and Bonine available in the ship's store and her discomfort only lasted about six or seven hours.

 

Allen

[mtchg]

..I have yet to try Celebrity, but it's on my 'to-do" list. Next adventure will be in Jewel of the Seas.

 

Celebrity has a reputation as being a bit older and "sleepy" at night....how would you compare?

 

MItch

[WeBeCruisin']

..I have yet to try Celebrity, but it's on my 'to-do" list. Next adventure will be in Jewel of the Seas.

 

Celebrity has a reputation as being a bit older and "sleepy" at night....how would you compare?

 

MItch

 

I would respectfully disagree. On our three Celebrity cruises, my wife and I were up until 2 or 3 a.m. every night. We usually closed either the casino or the disco, and even at midnight, when the waiters bring around "gourmet bites" to all the public rooms, the venues were still very crowded. Many of the entertainment shows don't even start until about 10:30 and there are scheduled comics, etc. at 11:00 and even 12:00. We've also been on four RCCL cruises and found Celebrity to be just as activity as those trips. In July, we'll be on the Brilliance for 12-nights and I'll have an updated comparison to make.

 

Allen

[Lorabele]

I didn't include this originally, but we thought the night life on Celebrity was much more lively than on the Jewel. Twice we went to the disco after dinner (late seating), and we were the only ones there for over an hour. Couldn't believe it. Not sure if it really ever did get going. On Summit, disco was hopping no matter what time we went.

[judy&steve]

:mad: What do you mean by "a higher class of people?"

--Judy

 

 

 

 

We have also only done 1 Celebrity (Mercury 12/02) cruise and one Royal Caribbean (Voyager 3/05) cruise. These are just MY family's opinions: Mercury's food was MUCH better than Voyager's. Entertainment was MUCH better on Voyager, Mercury was a much more sophisticated ship than Voyager--dress codes enforced,higher class of people. My kids (12 & 16) made more friends on Mercury (my daughter felt that it was easier to meet up with friends on the smaller ship), and thought their kids program was a bit better. Service was better all around on Mercury, but staff on Voyager was very friendly with a great head waiter in Carmen Dining Room --and a very good new cruise director. Some of our rooms on the Voyager were a bit dirty upon arrival. Recreation was better on Voyager--much more to do on sea days. I might choose a Voyager class ship again, if I was with a very large group. Although we really did enjoy our cruise on the Voyager last week, I think that if we cruise again, we'll choose Celebrity.

[Gabbiegirl]

Lorabele-

 

I was also on Summit November 2003 but on the 10 nighter. Have not been on Jewel, but have been on Navigator, Sovereign(since the refurb) and Magesty and we're booked on Radiance later this year. We've been on 3 other Celebrity cruises too.

 

Summit was wonderful, :) the best ship we've ever been on in every category. While the CD doesn't really make or break any of our cruises Simon Weir really is the best we've ever had. :D Just a big step ahead of everyone else,IMHO. We went to the Normandie on Summit, Olympic on Millennium and Portofino's on Navigator. The Normandie wins hands down, and it's more, or at least as much, about the excellent service as it is the food in the Normandie.(Olympic a close 2nd). We've been a few times, and the first time was by far the best dining experience we'd ever had, it was the best evening I have ever spent on a ship. Great memory. :)

 

Having said that we've been on RCCL ships since that cruise and are very happy, which is why we're booked on Radiance. Celebrity prices have increased to the point that the small difference in the levels of overall service is not worth the extra dollars, at least not until we start seeing all new itineraries. I love at sea days but when I do get off the ship I'd like to see some new ports.

 

We can't wait for our Radiance cruise. :D

[DigMaster]

I agree that the nightlife on the Jewel, in the disco, was quiet compared to other ships. The only time there was a fair crowd was during the 70's Night Dance, but once the hour was over people cleared out quickly. We attributed it to a port intensive cruise (Western 6-night) and that the cruise seemed to have many large multi-generational groups not that many spring breakers.

[dc-snoopy]

Interesting. I found that the night life on the Jewel last month seemed reasonably good. I don't get into the night time dancing scene but the two times that I was out for my midnight stroll (actually more like 1:00-2:00 AM) there were at least a couple of dozen folks on the Vortex dance floor. I would presume that there were more earlier in the evening and I heard no complaints from my one acquaintance who partook of the evening dancing.

 

Since I was often in the casino at night before my stroll, I typically saw a fair amount of strollers and bar denizens around the ship as I strolled. What I found was that all venues were lightly populated but a lot of people were out, just evenly distributed. For me and many of my friends this would be perfect. There were places to go but no place was loud and packed with people (well, the Vortex was loud, but it was supposed to be).

[mtchg]

..I intend on trying them soon. I am going to guess that my 12 day Jewel Repo cruise will have an older average age and that the late nites will be a little calm, but shorter cruises even on the same ship, with less port stops would probably be younger and more active late nite.

 

Mitch

[OPSoccermom]

:mad: What do you mean by "a higher class of people?"

--Judy

I'll take a stab at this... Don't know if the correct term is "higher class" of cruiser, but in general you will encounter more seasoned cruisers on Celebrity who choose to cruise because they enjoy cruising and not because they want to be on the biggest ship with all the "toys". This is not to say that Celebrity only attracts older passengers, but we didn't run into very many 1st time cruisers.

 

My children (11 and 15) also preferred the kids activities on Celebrity to RCI. Although the facilities were smaller than those on RCI, they felt they got to know other kids better and that the staff did more to "break the ice" among the kids. Also, this is just my opinion, but we have been on both RCI and Celebrity during spring break, and the kids on Celebrity seemed more well behaved. Not sure why, but got the opinion on RCI that most of the small group of unruly teens were experiencing their first cruise and their first taste of "freedom" to choose what they wanted to do.

[Dorothy]

I, too, have sailed on Celebrity and RCCL. I felt they both were fairly equal and will now sail on RCCL because it is less expensive for the same thing.

 

On Monarch, I was shocked by how many people did not dress for dinner. Many people wore shorts and jeans.