Independence or Celebrity Constellation - help me decide!

[tamilyn]

Looking at a couple of options for February. The Independence goes from FLL to Falmouth, Labadee and Grand Cayman (6 nights). Constellation goes from FLL to Key West and Cozumel (5 nights)l. Have been on Independence before but never on Celebrity. Have also never stopped at Key West before. Also, our RCL Diamond status would follow us (or whatever) to Celebrity. Can anyone compare the two ships or give me any input?

[frenchrci]

Independence for 1 more night, better ports of call (to my mind!) and because it's RCI. :D

 

It's my opinion.. ;)

[debshomespun]

I also vote for Independence, because it is 6 nights! If all things were equal, I would say go with Celebrity. You would be Elite, and it is very nice!

 

We sailed the 6 nighty Indy cruise, and also the 5 night Celebrity on Millinium and they are both great crusies. 1 more night on the ocean is always better!

[mailmama]

I just love the Freedom class ships better than the Millennium class. I really like Celebrity but this class of ships just isn't as fun as the Freedom class. Guess I love the promenade and the layout in general. Food is a cut better on Celebrity. Especially the homemade ice creams!!:) Just more activities on RCCL also! IMHO.

[hansolosmom]

This is kind of tough

 

For me if I was looking strictly at ports, I would do the Constellation - I love Key West and don't like Grand Cayman (every time we stop there something happens to us, it's like bad luck for us)

 

If I was looking at ships I'd go with Independence because of the "stuff" available ont he ship.

 

We did the Refelction this summer and while it was nice, I felt like I was at a hotel instead of on a cruise ship. (Not sure if that makes sense or not). So I guess it depends what you're looking for ship stuff or ports

Edited November 5, 2013 by hansolosmom

[mjldvlks]

The extra night is a plus. Additionally, our one Celebrity cruise was on one of their smaller classes and I was not impressed. The ship was crowded and cramped. As a general principle, I much prefer the general openness of RCI ships. The service on our Celebrity cruise was marginal at best, and any additional "luxuries" seemed superficial and trivial.

 

No real desire to go on Celebrity again unless I cannot find a comparable itinerary on RCI or MAYBE to try their Solstice class ships. But even then, the price would have to be right.

Edited November 5, 2013 by mjldvlks

[tamilyn]

Thanks for the replies so far, please keep them coming. We have been looking for an opportunity to try Celebrity, but don't want to make a mistake with the wrong ship. Maybe we should wait and try another class. I'm just looking for input from any of you who have sailed both.

[101Jus]

Thanks for the replies so far, please keep them coming. We have been looking for an opportunity to try Celebrity, but don't want to make a mistake with the wrong ship. Maybe we should wait and try another class. I'm just looking for input from any of you who have sailed both.

We've sailed both RCI (Voyager) and Celebrity (Eclipse) and while we had a fab time on both we would choose Celebrity (just) as it was a slightly more upscale experience and their smoking policy was a whole lot better. Food was better also.

 

However as I haven't sailed the Celebrity Constellation (Millenium Class) or Indy (Freedom Class) I cannot be specific to these particular ships although in essence Indy is just a stretched Voyager class.

 

It all depends on what are your preferences. RCI will have more activities, Celebrity focuses more on food & service. This is only my opinion based on cruising with both lines, others may beg to differ.

[villauk]

We've booked the Independence cruise for next Easter (our kids love Freedom class ships). Funnily enough, we've also considered the Constellation cruise as well, along with several others that would link for a B2B.

 

TBH, I do prefer the Solstice class on Celebrity as opposed to M class ships - newer and more refined class of ship. However, if the itinerary suits you better (which is why we're also booked on Infinity next year), then that's the way to go. Personally, I'd book Indy and enjoy the extra day..... Oh, I have ...lol :p.

[rwdnj]

If I was looking at ships I'd go with Independence because of the "stuff" available ont he ship.

 

We did the Refelction this summer and while it was nice, I felt like I was at a hotel instead of on a cruise ship. (Not sure if that makes sense or not). So I guess it depends what you're looking for ship stuff or ports

 

Couldn't agree more. Have always sailed the Freedom class ships but decided to try the brand spankin new Celebrity Reflection. (only 4 months old at the time)

Although the ship itself was nice it just didn't do anything for us.(we were bored on sea days) No promenade, flowrider, rock wall, etc.

I guess it all depends what you like to do when your cruising. Celebrity is geared more to a laid back crowd while RC goes for the more active. If just lounging around or reading a book is your kinda thing, then book Celebrity. But if your active, I'd book Indy.

[Dawniepoo]

I just got off the Freedom, and our next cruise is on Constellation with that itinerary (I love Key West). Both options are fabulous. If you are taking kids, pick the Independence. If you want a relaxing cruise, choose Constellation. The service for both is perfect, but I love the small feel on Constellation. In fact, last year's Constellation cruise my my absolute favorite cruise ever!

[Little Buddy's Mom]

Looking at a couple of options for February. The Independence goes from FLL to Falmouth, Labadee and Grand Cayman (6 nights). Constellation goes from FLL to Key West and Cozumel (5 nights)l. Have been on Independence before but never on Celebrity. Have also never stopped at Key West before. Also, our RCL Diamond status would follow us (or whatever) to Celebrity. Can anyone compare the two ships or give me any input?

 

We sailed on the Constellation twice, before we sailed on the Independence.

We have sailed on the IOS twice now and she's our favorite ship. I LOVE the promenade. We are Elite on Celebrity and are happy it made us Diamond on Royal.

 

No comparison between the activities on Celebrity and RCL. We were bored on Celebrity, even before we sailed on Royal.

 

We would sail on Celebrity again but only as a B2B, with the second week being on Independence.

 

We have also sailed on Oasis and Allure but just enjoy Independence more.

[hshowalter]

About 6 years ago we did a Carrib, cruise on the Connie & & came off & got on IOS. The food was better on the Connie & the deck chairs were padded on the Connie, you did not have to sign off for towels, Also on the Connie they gave you bubbly upon boarding. Service better on Connie. IOS had more activities,

[tamilyn]

Can anyone comment on the nightlife on Constellation? Is there a band in the lounges, piano bar, comedy show, karaoke, game shows, etc.??? We're fine just lounging around the pool during the day, but want something to do at night -other than eat - which we do our fair share of!!

[shipshape sam]

Can anyone comment on the nightlife on Constellation? Is there a band in the lounges, piano bar, comedy show, karaoke, game shows, etc.??? We're fine just lounging around the pool during the day, but want something to do at night -other than eat - which we do our fair share of!!

 

We have sailed on Constellation twice, the last time in May' 2012. As a general rule, if you want more nightlife, sail on Royal Caribbean. We have sailed on Freedom and will be on Indy this coming December and I am sure the nightclubs will be more active than on Celebrity ships which for the record I like also. We are sailing Indy as we like to switch back and forth.

 

Specifically, Celebrity has had a show type band and they do play 60/70/80/90's music, but it seems to be more limited in when and how long they play. Don't recall a karaoke event on Constellation, but I could have been donating money to the casino at the time. :)

[FLACRUISER99]

Looking at a couple of options for February. The Independence goes from FLL to Falmouth, Labadee and Grand Cayman (6 nights). Constellation goes from FLL to Key West and Cozumel (5 nights)l. Have been on Independence before but never on Celebrity. Have also never stopped at Key West before. Also, our RCL Diamond status would follow us (or whatever) to Celebrity. Can anyone compare the two ships or give me any input?

I dislike the Independence staff (so I'm biased), so I will have to say try the Constellation, travailing on Celebrity will be a great experience for you.

[tamilyn]

Thanks for all of the replies. We're still "on the fence". I don't like trading a known (Independence) for an unknown (Constellation), but nothing ventured nothing gained, I guess. Hopefully we can make a decision soon. Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[lbw]

We sailed our 3 longest cruises (14, 12 and 11 days) on Constellation. It is one of our favorite ships. We recently sailed on Freedom and enjoyed that for different reasons. As others have said, the activities, music, etc. are a bit more focused on the younger crowd on RCCL and the service is a bit better on Celebrity. We enjoy both lines. The biggest difference between Constellation and Independence is really the feel of the ship. Constellation, which is very similar to Radiance class ships, seems more traditionally nautical in design. You get more of a sense of being at sea. For instance, the buffet has outside dining at the aft of the ship, and some of the elevators look out over the water. And you can't beat the fabulous panoramic view from the forward windows in the lounge on the top deck. Freedom class ships, on the other hand, have several interior public areas like the promenade and the ice rink. In general, Connie feels a little more like a ship, and Freedom class is a little more like a hotel.

 

However, if beach activities are important, I'd recommend Independence because of Labadee. And , you're not going to get the flow rider or rock wall on Constellation.

Edited November 7, 2013 by lbw