Is Celebrity right for me?

[TinaLoves2Cruise]

Never cruised on Celebrity and want to know whether this is a good cruise line for me and my family. Can anyone tell me the kind of people and experiences I will have if I cruise on Celebrity? I want to make sure it's a good fit. Any thoughts at all would be appreciated. Thanks.

- Tina :confused:

[cgehrke]

Personally I think Celebrity is a good fit for anybody because it has children's programs, excellent food, great service, good entertainment, the casino, etc., etc., etc. not knowing you andyour family, it's hard to say what you would like, and it also depends on where you're cruising, when, etc.

Being a Celebrity lover, I thought I would never go on a Carnival Cruise, but two years ago went with my brother and his family and friends and enjoyed myself immensely. wasn't up to par with Celebrity in terms of service and ambience, but food, entertainment, cabins, everything was great.

so there are many factors to take into consideration. perhaps you should pick the itinerary you like and try Celebrity. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[newmexicoNita]

Tina,

 

It is hard to say without knowing something about you. I will give you my opinion of Celebrity and maybe this will help.

 

If you have been reading the boards you probably know Celebrity is a step up from the majority of mass marketed lines. this does not mean it is perfect or the others are bad. In fact we prefer another line to Celebrity but for personal reasons. You will find Celebrity a little on the formal side, there are lots of activities, but not as many as on RCI or Carnival. The food, to us, is about the same on all mass marketed lines, but I do think Celebrity does a better job with presentation plus the only line I have seen that features Frog Legs as an appitizer. I know, some think I am crazy; I love um!!!

You mentioned family, I assume you have kids, there are activities for every age group. The teen program seems to get mixed reviews; our granddaughters did not particularly care for it, but they were on the older side. it did seem to us younger kids were having a blast with the program.

 

The cabins are about the size of most other lines and very well appointed.

 

The service was outstanding though we did find the wait staff a bit stuffy. It could have just been our particular wait people. The wine steward was awesome; very friendly and very knowledgable.

 

Entertainment: well it was a mixed bag; our granddaughters loved it, we though we had seen better, but it certainly wasn't bad.

 

All in all Celebrity does offer a few special little things that makes her a bit above, like champange upon boarding, cool towels when you return from long port trips, very few announcements, and nice bathroom amenities.

 

Would we pay much more to cruise Celebrity? No way, would we choose them if the price was the same as other lines and the itienerary what we wanted, for sure. We are sailing them twice this year.

 

I would say Celebrity is for the cruisers who want a memorable experience, like to dress up a couple of nights, want a variety of activities, are slightly more upscale in their life style, and like to be pampered. If a laidback vacation with a very relaxed atmosphere is what you are looking for there may be a better line out there for you.

[Bruin Steve]

Never cruised on Celebrity and want to know whether this is a good cruise line for me and my family. Can anyone tell me the kind of people and experiences I will have if I cruise on Celebrity? I want to make sure it's a good fit. Any thoughts at all would be appreciated. Thanks.

- Tina :confused:

There really is no great answer for this kind of question...

There are slight demographic differences between all of the cruise lines IN GENERAL...but it does vary even within a cruise line itinerary to itinerary, time of year to time of year...

 

Most cruise lines, you are on a ship with 2,000+ other people and you will find all sorts...

 

The small variations...and, again, this is only a generalization, are that you will find a markedly older crowd on HAL as well as on the ultra-premium lines (Crystal, Radisson, Seabourne, etc.)...You will find a younger, rowdier crowd on Carnival...You will find more families-at times-on certain Royal Caribbean ships...But, for the most part, you will find a lot of the same types of people on Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean and even on those afore-mentioned lines...

The crowd will tend to be older on longer, more exotic routes...there will be more families with kids during school vacations...

 

As to Celebrity, the demographics seem to span all ranges in terms of age...

There are no rules as to geographical distribution...On Mediterranean cruise, especially in August, you will find a healthy number of Europeans, but still, the passengers are predominantly English-speaking, mostly American...

 

We tend to run into a lot of "professionals" on Celebrity, possibly a SLIGHTLY higher economic and education demographic that on other lines, but, really, on any cruise, you are going to find people ranging from blue-collar working-class folks who have saved for a long time to afford that inside cabin...all the way to well-to-do folks who sail regularly in suites...

 

Now, because of differences in marketing, you may find more of those people stretching to get in on a line like Carnival...maybe they perceive Celebrity as somehow costing just enough extra to surpass their budget...But, it really isn't the determinant...People wishing a more refined, more elegant cruise experience will maybe just save a little bit longer to cruise on Celebrity (It really isn't that much more or that out of line)...The key to class is not how much money you earn (I've met loads of classless rich people and classy poorer ones), but what you desire in a cruise experience...

 

The folks who cruise on Celebrity are those who want to be treated like royalty--no matter what they do the rest of the year...(I guess the traditional notion is that the ones who want to get drunk and loud cruise on Carnival--though I've met lots of nice folks on Carnival cruises who weren't loud or drunk)...

 

Will you enjoy Celebrity? Depends on you...

I, personally, think it's the best of the mass-marketed cruise lines (and I've cruised on six of them)...If it's the Mediterranean you want, I wholeheartedly recommend the Millennium--the best cruise we've ever done...

 

Good luck...

[Leela]

This is always such a difficult question to answer because there are so many factors to take into account. Take "stuffiness" for example: some people think Celebrity is "stuffy," and others (like me) find it to be polite and professional. I don't necessarily want my wait staff to chat me up every night at dinner. I do want the food presented as ordered, with proper pacing, with the right extras (salad dressing, pepper, etc) and requests responsed to with either a "yes" or "I'll check for you." That's what I get on Celebrity: professional service by people who exude an air of competence, calm, and caring without getting overly chatty about it.

 

For instance, I went to a restaurant in San Francisco a couple of months ago and our waitress bounced up to us, told us her name, and then stood around trying to make small talk with us while I was trying to read the cocktail menu so I could order a drink. I don't want to be this person's buddy, I just wanted to order cocktails. The wait staff I've experienced on Celebrity (only two cruises now, so hardly a large sampling) have been excellent at observing that I'm not a super talky type and treating me accordingly. I'm sure other people who are more chatty have had different experiences -- probably because the staff they interacted with properly read that person's responses. That to me is the mark of a true professional: quickly sizing up their customer and responding in the way that works with that individual. It's quite a talent, and I must say that I think Celebrity hires and trains a talented staff. Now, some people are better at this than others...but I also think that "stuffy" is in the eye of the beholder. Me being more interested in looking at the menu and talking to my table mates rather than chatting with my waiter might seem "stuffy" to some, but to me it's normal.

 

My mom has cruised more than me, on Cunard a few times, NCL, and Royal Caribbean. I've been on Cunard, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. The two of us prefer Celebrity by far. Why? Lots of reasons...in no particular order:

professionalism of the staff (you just KNOW they are going to take care of everything in a very good-to-excellent manner)

more traditional loveliness of the ships (we think Century is absolutely beautiful)

smaller size of the ships (that we've been on so far...haven't tried an M class yet)

consistent high quality of the food

ease of embarcation/debarcation

cabin comfort

higher level of formality in the evenings (even on informal nights we can go around in dresses and high heels and feel stylish without being out of place)

kid's program (we don't have any kids with us, but we keep meeting kids who are having fun with just enough supervision to keep them out of trouble)

 

When we step on board we feel like we're in for a treat, something more special than every day, and that we're truly treated like celebrities!

[hajekfam]

We have cruised Celebrity exclusively - our first TA matched us with Celebrity and it was a good match. He interviewed us about our likes and dislikes, our ideal vacation and our thoughts on a "vacation from hell". He thought we would be a good match and we were certainly quite pleased with our experience that we now cruise Celebrity because of the ship experience instead of the ports.

That being said - we are planning a cruise for 2008 for our extended family - kids and grandkids - and Celebrity is not in the running. Our grandkids will range in age from babies to teenagers. We are looking at RCCL's new Freedom ships as an alternative for this cruise as it would have something for everyone (with the possible exception of us who are spoiled by Celebrity's style - but we will be with our grandchildren and with the reciprocal past passenger program we are diamond members of crown and anchor, we can give something up). Knowing my family and Celebrity the way I do, Celebrity would not be a good match for all members.

A good TA who has cruised several lines should be able to help you determine if Celebrity is right for you.

[flashdog_1]

There are certainly no restrictions as to activities for anyone of any age or income bracket, but you might find people you want to hang out with in the areas of the ship that offer activities you do like. For instance, if you like to play sports, you'll find darts, volley ball, basketball etc. on the top deck at specified hours and might make some friends. If you think an art auction is "above" you you can stand in the back and observe to figure it out for yourself, or you don't have to go at all. If you like going to a movie theater you can do so, or you can watch movies on the in-cabin tv. If you like classical music you might congregate in a lounge or the Cova Cafe to hear a particular artist, like a harpist, or a violin duo. If you prefer noisier music, hang out at the pool or a late night lounge. You will find people just like you, and some very different from you, each having a wonderful time because of the variety of activities offered. I liked the cooking demonstrations, flower arranging seminars, the spa and Thelosotherapy pool, and abhor the outdoor pool, bingo and trivia games, so i just don't attend those things.

 

Even your choice of excursions will put you together with people with a similar interest in that activity, be it just boarding a bus to look out the window at the port's town, or scuba diving after renting a jeep.

 

if you like to do work on computers, there are classes as well as the availability to email from the ship. You can play cards with friends or newly made friends you meet just for the game scheduled. It's really neat to run into people you've shared an activity with later in the cruise. A familiar face! If your idea of a fun day at sea is to read a book, you will find plenty in Words. if you like to gamble, there is the casino. If you don't want to miss a religious service, or an AA meeting, you will find both on board.

 

I think the thing that sets Celebrity apart other than the great, personal service they offer, and the carefully prepared food and its variety, is that there are no annoying announcements made. Kind of sets the tone for "don't let me interrupt you" and leaves the planning of one's vacation time to the individual. You will not be herded anywhere. Other than the mandatory muster drill which everyone on any ship must attend, you don't HAVE to do or go anywhere you don't want to.

 

If you don't want to dress up for formal night, you can order room service or go to the casual dinner in the Waterfall Cafe aft. if you do like to dress up, there is the Normandie restaurant on Summit where they fall all over themselves serving you. If you are pleased with the variety of two formal, two informal and 3 casual dining nights, then just experience them all.

 

The time of year you cruise will have an effect on the demographics of the cruisers, too. If it's a school holiday, or summer, there will be more families with children on board. Generally, a longer cruise will be mainly retired people who have the time for longer trips, but not exclusively so. On our 11 night trip to the Panama Canal we saw young women with babies, lots of people in wheel chairs, people of many nationalities and all ages, as well as the retired ones. People recognize that in situations where there will be 1000 people attending dinner, that one will be conscious of the other people around him/her, not to step on anyone's toes (literally and figuratively), that you are all sharing the same space in public rooms. Therefore i did not witness anyone making a scene of any kind. This might tell you something about Celebrity cruisers. They seemed interested in meeting other people, broadening their outlook on life, were polite and non-judgemental.

 

Read some of the boards for other cruise lines and you may hear things very different from what I've said. You will know where you fit in by reading.

 

Some people book a cruise because they found one at a great price, or because it was the only ship that went to a new port (Like Icy Strait Point in Alaska), so there is no ONE type person on any cruiseline. Your vacation is what you make of it. Go with the flow.

[Tjalex07]

Flashdog,

 

My wife and I have sailed on Celebrity, Princess, Radisson, Crystal, Cunarda, and HCL. We enjoyed all, but for the money Celebrity has our joint vote. The ships, service, food, and overall experience is A+.

 

Tom