Celebrity vs. RCCL - Differences?

[Max Circus]

Have only sailed on RCCL. Would like to try something different and was considering Celebrity.

 

What are some of the major differences I would notice bewteen the two lines?

 

Since RCCL and Celebrity seem to be the same company now, is Crown and Anchor society recognized on Celebrity? Do you need to join Captain's Club?

 

We like the larger ships. Any ones to recommend?

[caviargal]

As a C&A member, the same benefits are extended to you on Celebrity.

 

From my perspective these are the distinctions between the two:

 

-X has better food overall and higher quality service throughout

- fewer kids on Celebrity and a more adult atmosphere overall

-X ships are not as dense with passengers and never felt crowded to me

-X maintains a dress code standard, and RCI does not

-RCI has a much better sports and fitness program

-RCI has more varied nightlife options

- X has bigger and nicer cabins

- X is a bit more upscale and elegant than RCI (although Radiance class is very nice

 

If I were going with a DH or SO, I would pick likely chose X. Solo or with grilfriends, I would find RCI more to my liking.

[hajekfam]

If you are at diamond or platinum level in Crown and Anchor, you can become a member of Celebrity's Captains club at an equivalent level. If you are at the 1-5 cruise level, no the benefits are not reciprocal. Cruise counts remain separate for both lines, but after 5 cruises on either line, you will have the highest status that you achieved in either line as your status for both lines. For example, if you have 6 cruise credits with Royal Caribbean and 2 cruise credits with Celebrity, you will be at the 6 cruise level in both programs. If you cruise 9 more times on Celebrity and 0 on Royal Carib., you will have 6 cruise credits with Royal Carib. and 11 cruise credits with Celebrity and therefore move up to the over 10 cruise level in both.

[fireguy091]

I have only been on X one time. It was nice but not very fun. Stick with RCL

[Lois R]

Hi there:)

 

I have been on Royal once and Celebrity 5 times. I definitely have more fun on

X.

 

So, I guess fun means different things to different people.

[negc]

We have friends who have sailed on both and claim to see very few differences, however they, more often than not, choose Celebrity when booking a cruise where both lines sail similar itineraries. Personally, I dislike the external design of many Celebrity ships, especially the boxy aft sections, but that is a matter of aesthetics and really wouldn't have any effect on my enjoyment of a cruise on one of them. :)

Try Celebrity and make up your own mind. No line is perfect for everyone, but the similarities usually far outweigh the differences so you are not taking that big a risk.

[wv4891]

Celebrity makes better Martinis!!!!:D As to ships, the "M" class ships have, by far, the best Martini Bar.

[chessbriar]

One more thing to keep in mind, Celebrity does not have announcements over the loud speakers.

[Host Kewlguy]

On X the workers actually carry your tray for you at the buffet. Dining room on X is much more formal. Food better on X. More fun activities on RCC. Better shows on RCC. Less kids on X. More mature crowd on X. We like both lines for different reasons.

[gkm]

We sail on both lines equally and enjoy them both. Celebrity has better dinners, but RCI wins hands down with the casual dining (Windjammer). RCI had more activities and more varied and there's no comparison with the Meet & Mingle party to Celebrity's Connection Party. RCI win that one by a mile. Celebrity makes you feel special with the Champagne when boarding the ship and the escort to your cabin is nice. Also, I like the pitcher of cold water in your cabin that they have. Also, Celebrity will hand you a cold towel when reboarding after a hot day of excursions. It feels mighty good. And Celebrity has breadsticks.:D

 

You really should try Celebrity and make up your own mind. Each Line has their special things that are nice.

 

Garry

[mdeane]

Interesting thread. I am usuallly on RCCL and am concerned about smaller suites on X. How do you think they compare? We are looking a Sky Suites.

We are spoiled with room and walk-in closets and bathtubs.

[42trvl]

Each has its pros and cons, many of which have been stated here already. We like Celebrity's M class ship as a ship more - quieter, more elegant and spacious feeling. Our suite and bathroom on RCI was much nicer. Food on Celebrity was slightly better and service maybe a bit more polished, but we had very good and friendly service on RCI also. No - noone carried our tray in the buffet area, but then on Celebrity that only happened half the time anyway (we sailed on her twice), and it wasn't all that crucial to us. Regarding formalness, I actually found a bit more "attitude" about it on Celebrity than the reality of how formal it actually was. Neither line really enforced dress code, but on RCI people seemed more relaxed about the whole thing - if they didn't want to follow the code, they just found somewhere else to eat. On Celebrity, there was a bit more of a "it's my cruise too, and I'll eat where I want dressed how I want." So, my opinion only, but I felt that with Celebrity there is a bit more talk about the type of clientele that it attracts and some of them want to remind you of that, but on RCI, people were just more comfortable with themselves, did their own thing without minding other people's business too much. i.e. on Celebrity, when a man was asked to put out his cigar up on deck on the wrong side of the ship he argued with whomever he could; on RCI when this sort of thing happened the person would more likely shrug it off and move. There really weren't all that many announcements on RCI. You could turn off the channel in your cabin, and really the only time you even heard announcements in the cabin were the captain's briefings that were actually kind of interesting and then just a couple of important things that you would want to hear anyway - other times they had great jazz piped in. The other announcements that you might hear in hallways or up on decks were few and far between. Activity wise, RCI's entertainment was better and more diverse. They also seemed timed a little better. On Celebrity I often felt like I had to choose between things because of the timing. There were nicer and quieter public spaces on the Celebrity ship. Either line I would cruise again - just depends on what you're looking for.

[mdeane]

I really like BIGGGG ships.

[MizzCard]

I just returned from my first cruise on RCCL aboard the Voyager of the Seas. Personally, I'll go back to the smaller ships...I'm there to cruise and relax, not to deal with lots of people and long lines. I have no gripes with RCCL at all, the service and food were great. Since this was our third cruise, we still find ourselves comparing to Celebrity. Hands down, it was our best cruise. Definitely an "adult" atmosphere and plenty of activities. Would sail the Century again in a heart beat!

[Tide Pride]

We have done four previous cruises on RCCL and just completed our first on Celebrity. Overall I would give the edge to Celebrity but not by much.

The dining was better on Celebrity hands down. However we found the service to be about equal and actually enjoyed the more laid back and friendly atomosphere in the RCCL dining room.

IMHO the RCCL ships were more awe inspiring and the Celebrity to me more sedate and intimate.

We would not hesitate to cruise on either again. Both are good value.

[KatieSails]

One more thing to keep in mind, Celebrity does not have announcements over the loud speakers.

 

I find all those announcements rather annoying.:rolleyes:

[negc]

I find all those announcements rather annoying.:rolleyes:

It has been my experience that the number of PA announcements has been reduced considerably on RCI ships over the past few years. You can also turn them off in your stateroom and only emergency announcements will override the system.

[travelgirl913]

This is what I have found as pros for each line:

 

 

Celebrity

-Much better food in the dining room

-Much better service in the dining room

-Wonderful Martini drinks

-Less children

-Butlers in suites

-staff remembering you more (favorite drinks, casino staff)

 

RCCL

-bigger cabins

-nicer corner showers with glass doors

-towel animals on your bed at night for fun(never had that on Celebrity)

-excursion desk has better knowledge

-much more to do on the ship

-Johnny Rockets is a plus for snacking

-bigger Casino

[chessbriar]

As to the shows on Celebrity, I have noticed a huge improvement in the last year.

 

Having sailed on Most X ships and the Brilliance of the Seas, Showers larger on X

[Leela]

Johnny Rockets? As in the LA-based faux-50's style hambuger chain?

[Lois R]

Hi Leela:)

 

quote:

 

"Johnny Rockets? As in the LA-based faux-50's style hambuger chain?"

 

Yep, you got it. The very same one. I don't know if they are all of them but most of the Voyager Class ships have them now.

[hdawson]

Correction. Celebrity has the larger standard cabins. Almost as large as Carnival.

[Host Karen]

We, too, having sailed Royal Caribbean four times and Celebrity once would give X a slight edge. Our pros not in order of importance:

 

Royal Caribbean:

- at least two ping pong tables (very important to DH)

- more activities and features (Johnny Rockets, miniature golf, ice skating rink, etc.)

- better evening shows

- more attractive ships (Radiance class vs. Millenium class)

- more convenient cabin layout

- reasonable in-cabin internet charges

 

Celebrity:

- better buffet (served by crew, not touched by passengers)

- slightly more formal

- less announcements

- better food and service

- larger showers in standard balcony cabins

- better participation in requested dress codes

 

You should definitely sail an M-class ship to make your own comparison, but if you prefer the Voyager-size ships, activities and features, you may be a little disappointed. Why not sail X and then post a review to help other CCers who have the same questions?

 

On a side note, I thought the size of the balcony cabins on both Radiance class and M-class ships were the same or almost the same.

[easternLIers]

I'll go with all that caviargal stated. Food & service much better on X. I've had waiters know our entire table of 8's names before we sat down the first night. The crew just does a little extra to make you feel special. :)

[Tatka]

We sailed on the same class of the ships on RCCL and X.

 

Century/Mercury vs Splendor of the Seas.

 

I can't compare "fun" as

 

Century was Caribbean cruise during the summer

Splendor was Mediteranean cruise during school year (no kids or families)

 

Service was friendly and nice on both.

 

On Celebrity it was more professional and polished. RCCL seems to have some understaffing problems in dining room. (waitress was great though)

 

Buffets Celebrity >> RCCL. Celebrity has great omelet station and waffle station

 

Dining room food on X >> RCCL. (had some nice dishes on RCCL but most of the dishes were just OK)

 

We also loved sushi bar on X.

 

Absolutely loved solarium pool on RCCL open 24 hours a day!!!

 

RCCL had free movies on TV, while only movies we could find on X were from public channels.(other we had to pay for)

 

If I had our kid with us RCCL would probably a better choice as it had mini golf and rock climbing wall, but he also loves service on X.

 

RCCL inside state room had 138 sq.ft but it didn't feel much smaller than X 172 sq.ft due to the smart design.

 

RCCL had very beautiful atrium and glass elevators.

 

Whirpools near outside pool were not working during the only 1 sea day ...