Independence vs Celebrity Silhouette

[WestCoastCruiser123]

I am looking at booking the 8 day Independence of the Seas vs 7 day Celebrity Silhouette western. I have only sailed once on Royal and it was the Allure, so I am a little spoiled with their nightly entertainment options from that trip. For anyone who has been on both Independence and the Silhouette, which one had more things going on at night? Does either ship tend to go to sleep by 11pm? I liked dancing in the club fairly late on Allure.

 

Any other things that were better on one ship than the other? Food? Spa?

 

Thanks for any opinions.

[Cruising89143]

You're going to have more activities available on RCI. The ship will go later into the night on the Indy.

 

From my personal experience Celebrity has better food. Can't help you with the spa.

[wolfganghowell]

I have been on Freedom and Solstice - sister ships to the 2 choices you have.

 

Nightly activities vary greatly based on passengers more than anything - and your personal preferences. Both have discos, both have show lounges, both have casinos. Those are your late options.

 

Spas - Celebrity is more fancy in decor but basically the spa experience is the same. Both are run by Steiner so the options are similar.

 

Food is subjective. Basically, Celebrity's presentation is more sophisticated and they have a higher food budget. Royal is more basic - you won't starve but you won't have the same culinary experience you get on Celebrity.

 

We have cruised both lines. Other than what I mentioned above, your biggest difference is that Celebrity caters to a more adult and higher income clientele while Royal caters more to families and middle class. Royal seems to have higher energy and their activities reflect that. We love both but especially in the past 5 years, they have really marketed the lines as two distinct experiences.

[WestCoastCruiser123]

Thanks for your responses. We went with Independence.

[Louiangel]

Thanks for your responses. We went with Independence.

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can I ask what you thought in the end? we have sailed celebrity eclipse and we are considering the independence as its a similar itinerary but much cheaper.