Msc vs. Celebrity

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

So, our 4th cruise has come and gone and thought to share my experience and comparisons to MSC

We tried Celebrity Constellation on a 14 night southern Caribbean itinerary

Ship

MSC-Beautiful, tasteful décor, modern and open spaces, pool a little crowded

Celebrity-Recently refurbished, and Solciticized. Nice décor , nice variety of lounges but exterior decks need work, some of the interior spaces seemed crowded or tight

Food

MSC- Typical Italian food, and regular meat and potatoes selection, variety limited and some food block out periods.

Celebrity- Here is where Celebrity really impressed me. WOW!!! The food is absolutely the star on this line. Impressive food stations, and MDR. We really had to control ourselves, it was difficult choosing one and sometimes two main courses, they were are excellent. Not large portions, but fine cuisine and great presentation

Entertainment

MSC-Great production shows (although almost all visual or singing) More refined offerings

Celebrity-Shows were average at best, some even compared to high school musicals (but that’s just me). Not a lot of activities for a younger crowd. Celebrity clientele is slightly older, but active and most of the activity seemed concentrated in the Martini bars, casino and a Piano bar that had a very talented and entertaining piano player/entertainer named Perry Grant (look him up on YouTube) his shows are fun.

Service

MSC-Laid back, not in your face, yet available when needed. European type service.

Celebrity- Sincere staff impressed us with their willingness to accommodate and assist in any way. ALL officers greeted you, all wait staff assured of excellent service, all room staff friendly and hard working.

Value for $$

MSC-Great for families, may still offer kids sail free on some itineraries, Enjoyed these 2 cruises because of the entertainment offerings and entertainment staff that made sure we had a good time

Celebrity-A more expensive upscale cruise, but definitely worth the extra $$

 

Both lines have unique offerings and would not hesitate to cruise with either one of these again in the future.

[Spligit]

Good reviews. Nice to see comparisons and not one or the other get bashed.

[cruisingcanadian]

Hi MTL,I had been awaiting your comments on your first Celebrity cruise.

Glad you had not been disappointed:D.

I cruised on the "Connie" before the refurbishing,loved loved loved the adult-only pool area with the healthy meals corner on the side.Hope it hasn't changed.

Where to next?;)

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

Hi MTL,I had been awaiting your comments on your first Celebrity cruise.

Glad you had not been disappointed:D.

I cruised on the "Connie" before the refurbishing,loved loved loved the adult-only pool area with the healthy meals corner on the side.Hope it hasn't changed.

Where to next?;)

 

I regret not having gone to the adult only/therapeutic pool earlier in the cruise. I would have spent a lot more time in there.

Yes, the healthy meals are still offered in that area.

 

I definitely will look at Celebrity itineraries that include islands we have not done.

 

I did see an MSC in Feb 2013, that was interesting...too early to decide...

But in the words of Bobby Darin "There are so many wonderful places to see..."

[Deckhandoug]

Glad to see you had a great time and took the time to write a review and let us know your honest opinion.

 

Oh, but would others venture out and try something new!

[The_Big_M]

Glad to see you had a great time and took the time to write a review and let us know your honest opinion.

 

Oh, but would others venture out and try something new!

 

I notice you haven't tried Celebrity yet... I would definitely recommend it :-)

[Deckhandoug]

I notice you haven't tried Celebrity yet... I would definitely recommend it :-)

 

It is on my list, so far we've tried 5 different lines; with another Alaska cruise and Hawaii being planned, plus a European river cruise and another land to China, all before 2014, I'm sure I'll work it in sometime!

[FRANCOIS]

hello Mtl and thanks for the msc first cruise update!

I just booked for sept 8 on msc sinfonia, a 7 days cruise and it is our first with msc. we did cruised with princess, celibrity and carnival and we loved them, maybe a bit less for carnival ...more for kids.

celibrity in carribean is great for their 10-11-14 days cruise and I agree with you the food is amazing.

if you dont mind Mtl, here is some question for our first cruise and tell me what you think about it, thank you.

can we have only a table of 2? the 2 formal night are they really formal like we are use on celibrity, ties or toxedo? I drink diet coke or pepsi what would be the best to buy, before or on the ship and wich card? looks complicate compare to our carriebean cruise that has a soft drink pass and a wine pass!

I always bring in my big luggage a bottle of rhum for my room, have you experience something about alcool. I like to try beer from other countries and if I can bring one one ship, can we?

if you have any suggestion for our first cruise please let me know.

my DW and I are going to venice for 4 days then toscana for 5 days then the cruise and then 1 day in rome.

if you have any advice for embarquation let me know.

thank you in advance

francois from....Mtl !

[FRANCOIS]

hello Mtl and thanks for the msc first cruise update!

I just booked for sept 8 on msc sinfonia, a 7 days cruise and it is our first with msc. we did cruised with princess, celibrity and carnival and we loved them, maybe a bit less for carnival ...more for kids.

celibrity in carribean is great for their 10-11-14 days cruise and I agree with you the food is amazing.

if you dont mind Mtl, here is some question for our first cruise and tell me what you think about it, thank you.

can we have only a table of 2? the 2 formal night are they really formal like we are use on celibrity, ties or toxedo? I drink diet coke or pepsi what would be the best to buy, before or on the ship and wich card? looks complicate compare to our carriebean cruise that has a soft drink pass and a wine pass!

I always bring in my big luggage a bottle of rhum for my room, have you experience something about alcool. I like to try beer from other countries and if I can bring one one ship, can we?

if you have any suggestion for our first cruise please let me know.

my DW and I are going to venice for 4 days then toscana for 5 days then the cruise and then 1 day in rome.

if you have any advice for embarquation let me know.

thank you in advance

francois from....Mtl

[AmoMondo]

Officially you can't bring drink onboard but they rarely seem to enforce it.

 

There are a few tables for 2 but not that many, so you may not be able to get one. If they have too many passengers requesting them, then I believe priority goes to honeymooners and those with high status with MSC Club.

 

Formal nights are a mixed bag. Only a small percentage wear tuxes and long gowns. Som don't bother at all, and the rest dress somewhere in between.

 

Do try the thermal area on the Sinfonia - it has the nicest in the fleet. Really beautiful. Just loved the tepidarium.

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

hello Mtl and thanks for the msc first cruise update!

I just booked for sept 8 on msc sinfonia, a 7 days cruise and it is our first with msc. we did cruised with princess, celibrity and carnival and we loved them, maybe a bit less for carnival ...more for kids.

celibrity in carribean is great for their 10-11-14 days cruise and I agree with you the food is amazing.

if you dont mind Mtl, here is some question for our first cruise and tell me what you think about it, thank you.

can we have only a table of 2? the 2 formal night are they really formal like we are use on celibrity, ties or toxedo? I drink diet coke or pepsi what would be the best to buy, before or on the ship and wich card? looks complicate compare to our carriebean cruise that has a soft drink pass and a wine pass!

I always bring in my big luggage a bottle of rhum for my room, have you experience something about alcool. I like to try beer from other countries and if I can bring one one ship, can we?

if you have any suggestion for our first cruise please let me know.

my DW and I are going to venice for 4 days then toscana for 5 days then the cruise and then 1 day in rome.

if you have any advice for embarquation let me know.

thank you in advance

francois from....Mtl !

 

 

Bonjour Francois!

 

AmoMondo answered most of your concerns, Indeed MSC is less formal than Celebrity, we noticed the majority with a simple suit, some just jacket and shirt, for ladies, skirt and blouses, very few tuxedos.

 

Be sure to go to see the Maidre D, as soon as you embark, if having a table for 2 is important for you.

We found him to be very accomodating on our requests.

 

Please be sure to do alot of research on MSC, make sure you know what to expect. If you are easy going and like to have a laugh and enjoy different cultures (as we all do here in Quebec) you will not be dissappointed. Do not expect an American type cruise, it is different, for us in a good way, we enjoyed both our MSC cruises.

 

The service standard is different, the waiters will not juggle and entertain you or pretend to be overly friendly, much more laid back approach.

 

Do attend the lounges in the evening you will be amused, mingle with the staff , they will make sure you will have a good time.

 

Try the Pizza!!!