Trying to decide between NCL and Celebrity

[bossygal77]

Hi Everyone!

 

I have already booked a cruise on NCL Pearl for June 2014. We currently have an aft balcony mini suite for my husband, myself, and 2 kids (5 & 1). This is our first Alaskan cruise and we are really excited! As I was doing some further price comparisons this weekend, I noticed that Celebrity Solstice (through Costco) is offering an Alaskan cruise with a C3 class room for the same price as NCL, and with 450 OBC. Celebrity also offers in-room babysitting, which may be helpful for our 1 year old (although I am not totally convinced that I can leave her with a complete stranger). BUT, Celebrity is not going to Glacier Bay, which kind of disappoints me. I do not know when or if we will cruise Alaska again, so I am wondering if anyone who has cruised with either of these ships can give me some insight or provide some information that I have been missing. Like I said, I already have a reservation, but if it looks like Tracy Arm is comparable to Glacier Bay, and if the Solstice appears to be okay for the kids, I am willing to change. That 450 OBC is very attractive.

 

FYI: I have cruised with Celebrity in the past...the Zenith, and it was Caribbean, which, from what I can tell on CC, is nothing like doing Alaska. It is my husband's first cruise and I really, really want him to love it, so we can keep up the cruising for future family vacations.

 

Thanks for any helpful insight!

Sarah

[Kamloops50]

Hi Everyone!

 

I have already booked a cruise on NCL Pearl for June 2014. We currently have an aft balcony mini suite for my husband, myself, and 2 kids (5 & 1). This is our first Alaskan cruise and we are really excited! As I was doing some further price comparisons this weekend, I noticed that Celebrity Solstice (through Costco) is offering an Alaskan cruise with a C3 class room for the same price as NCL, and with 450 OBC. Celebrity also offers in-room babysitting, which may be helpful for our 1 year old (although I am not totally convinced that I can leave her with a complete stranger). BUT, Celebrity is not going to Glacier Bay, which kind of disappoints me. I do not know when or if we will cruise Alaska again, so I am wondering if anyone who has cruised with either of these ships can give me some insight or provide some information that I have been missing. Like I said, I already have a reservation, but if it looks like Tracy Arm is comparable to Glacier Bay, and if the Solstice appears to be okay for the kids, I am willing to change. That 450 OBC is very attractive.

 

FYI: I have cruised with Celebrity in the past...the Zenith, and it was Caribbean, which, from what I can tell on CC, is nothing like doing Alaska. It is my husband's first cruise and I really, really want him to love it, so we can keep up the cruising for future family vacations.

 

Thanks for any helpful insight!

Sarah

 

Your trying to compare two total different concepts in cruising.

NCL is free style cruising . Celebrity is more of a traditional type cruise.

[bossygal77]

It is my understanding that freestyle pertains to the dining experience. Is that correct? If so doesn't Celebrity offer select dining where you can eat anytime between 6 & 9 or so? If there is another difference in the freestyle concept, please let me know!

[Kamloops50]

It is my understanding that freestyle pertains to the dining experience. Is that correct? If so doesn't Celebrity offer select dining where you can eat anytime between 6 & 9 or so? If there is another difference in the freestyle concept, please let me know!

 

Celebrity there are dining rooms that have fixed seating . Yes Celebrity has anytime dining but it is limited to one dining room. NCL all the dining rooms are anytime dining . NCL usually has more dining restaurants as well that are free style.

[mapleleaves]

tracy arm isn't always accessible, especially early in the season.

[mikaula]

When we did Tracy Arm the Ship didn't get close enough to the glacier to see it. It was in July & there was too much ice.

[Northern Aurora]

Celebrity there are dining rooms that have fixed seating . Yes Celebrity has anytime dining but it is limited to one dining room. NCL all the dining rooms are anytime dining . NCL usually has more dining restaurants as well that are free style.

 

If the only Celebrity cruise the OP has had was on the Zenith, it has been some time since they were on a Celebrity ship! What a classic ship it was.

 

The Celebrity Solstice is the first of X's S-class ships (hence they are called "S-class" ships). All of these S-class ships have visually stunning interiors and have been generally been very popular with X fans (although I personally prefer the M-class ships, but that is just me).

 

Celebrity offers "select dining" option in the MDR. That is their "Celebrity speak" for their anytime dining option. About 1/3 of the seats (depending on the ship) in the MDR are used for select dining, with the remaining area of the MDR dedicated to traditional dining with two set times.

 

Celebrity also offers Aqua Class staterooms. While Aqua Class passengers can opt to dine in the MDR in select dining, the dining room assigned to Aqua is Blu. Blu serves only breakfast and dinner, and is any time dining. Also, on a space available basis suite passengers can dine in Blu.

 

Other dining options include the Aqua Spa Cafe (not connected to Aqua Class staterooms in any way), which is a no extra fee option for breakfast and lunch. And of course the buffet is available to all for no extra fee.

 

The extra fee options include the specialty restaurants, which generally require a reservation. Also, the Bistro on 5 is a creperie which charges a $5.00 per person cover charge for their all you care to eat meals.

 

I also agree that the OP is comparing two very different cruise lines. If they opt to go with Celebrity they need to understand that Celebrity now has a very restrictive smoking policy, which is great for non-smokers but a problem for those who smoke. And yes, even the casino is non-smoking.

 

Also, there are very few announcements on Celebrity. The captain will address the ship, generally at 10 AM, providing navigational and weather information, and then the cruise director will make some announcements about activities. But don't expect continual announcements about bingo games, shop sales and so forth.

[Budget Queen]

Your post, seems to have plus points for Celebrity. Certainly, you would have a great time with either ship and going to Alaska. You are NOT likely to see a glacier with Tracy Arm, only about 25% of the cruise ships get within viewing, so there is no similarity comparing Glacier Bay. However it is very scenic sailing that is enjoyable. In most cases I highly recommend as "necessary" the add on Tracy Arm tour, would be way more than your OBC.

 

There is no clear choice to recommend for you, from me. :) Perhaps back up and look at your times in port, what your port plans are, and if either ship offers better timing.

[sdmike]

There is a wonderful excursion to Tracy Arm out of Juneau on a smaller boat...or at least there was on our Jewel trip. Believe me, you get close to the glacier. :) Also, if they can't get into Tracy Arm they usually detour to Hubbard Glacier which is more accessible. This is South Sawyer from last summer.

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2014 by sdmike

[Budget Queen]

There is a wonderful excursion to Tracy Arm out of Juneau on a smaller boat...or at least there was on our Jewel trip. Believe me, you get close to the glacier. :) Also, if they can't get into Tracy Arm they usually detour to Hubbard Glacier which is more accessible. This is South Sawyer from last summer.

 

 

 

 

No they do not detour to Hubbard Glacier. It is Endicott Arm and Dawes glacier, which isn't as dramatic.

[jennyrussell]

Hi Everyone!

 

I have already booked a cruise on NCL Pearl for June 2014. We currently have an aft balcony mini suite for my husband, myself, and 2 kids (5 & 1). This is our first Alaskan cruise and we are really excited! As I was doing some further price comparisons this weekend, I noticed that Celebrity Solstice (through Costco) is offering an Alaskan cruise with a C3 class room for the same price as NCL, and with 450 OBC. Celebrity also offers in-room babysitting, which may be helpful for our 1 year old (although I am not totally convinced that I can leave her with a complete stranger). BUT, Celebrity is not going to Glacier Bay, which kind of disappoints me. I do not know when or if we will cruise Alaska again, so I am wondering if anyone who has cruised with either of these ships can give me some insight or provide some information that I have been missing. Like I said, I already have a reservation, but if it looks like Tracy Arm is comparable to Glacier Bay, and if the Solstice appears to be okay for the kids, I am willing to change. That 450 OBC is very attractive.

 

FYI: I have cruised with Celebrity in the past...the Zenith, and it was Caribbean, which, from what I can tell on CC, is nothing like doing Alaska. It is my husband's first cruise and I really, really want him to love it, so we can keep up the cruising for future family vacations.

 

Thanks for any helpful insight!

Sarah

 

Hi Sarah. :)

 

This doesn't at all address your question (sorry, no experience with either of those lines) but I am curious about your plans for your kiddos.

 

We are looking at an Alaska cruise this summer and my girls will be 15 months and 4.5. We were tentatively planning on having them stay with grandma & grandpa at home because we were concerned there may not be much for them to do, but we'd definitely consider bringing them along if this cruise might be a good fit. Any thoughts as you've planned would be great!

[Budget Queen]

Hi Sarah. :)

 

This doesn't at all address your question (sorry, no experience with either of those lines) but I am curious about your plans for your kiddos.

 

We are looking at an Alaska cruise this summer and my girls will be 15 months and 4.5. We were tentatively planning on having them stay with grandma & grandpa at home because we were concerned there may not be much for them to do, but we'd definitely consider bringing them along if this cruise might be a good fit. Any thoughts as you've planned would be great!

 

With infants and toddlers, you will have to think much more about how you are going to spend your time at ports. Some tours do not have "kids" rates, some tours would be completely inappropriate. A lot of Alaska tours are lengthy with no way out, so more considerations. Small children will make a visit limiting, but certainly just fine depending how often you travel and what you want out of the trip. A lot to consider.

[bossygal77]

First of all, thank you everyone for your input! I think I will look at the itineraries side by side today and try to make a decision.

 

Second, as far as what to do with our young kids, we are planning on doing whale watching in Juneau and the train in Skagway. We have no plans for any other port right now, but may do something in the future. My husband is in the coast guard and we are currently stationed in Seattle, so it is just a great time for us to get up to Alaska. So, despite the fact that our kids are young, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go! Onboard, my son can go to the kids clubs on both ships, BUT the one thing that really attracts me to Celebrity is the in room babysitting. I believe that Royal also has stuff for the younger set, but they were not going to Ketchikan and that was non-negotiable for my husband. We traveled cross country with them this past summer, spending a week at Yellowstone, so we know their limits. Whatever happens, we will just go with the flow on this once (maybe twice:)) in a lifetime opportunity.

[Budget Queen]

First of all, thank you everyone for your input! I think I will look at the itineraries side by side today and try to make a decision.

 

Second, as far as what to do with our young kids, we are planning on doing whale watching in Juneau and the train in Skagway. We have no plans for any other port right now, but may do something in the future. My husband is in the coast guard and we are currently stationed in Seattle, so it is just a great time for us to get up to Alaska. So, despite the fact that our kids are young, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go! Onboard, my son can go to the kids clubs on both ships, BUT the one thing that really attracts me to Celebrity is the in room babysitting. I believe that Royal also has stuff for the younger set, but they were not going to Ketchikan and that was non-negotiable for my husband. We traveled cross country with them this past summer, spending a week at Yellowstone, so we know their limits. Whatever happens, we will just go with the flow on this once (maybe twice:)) in a lifetime opportunity.

 

Think carefully about those two excursions, they are at least 3 hours long with no way out. They are costly for everyone. Your kids are in a constant state of change, what they did last year, probably won't have any relation to next year. :) Take triple the activities and snacks with you. Toddlers are especially unpredictable. :)

[cibumcupio]

If the prices really are that similar I would go with Celebrity. Much more is included. A glass of champagne on boarding, hot chocolate as you get back on the ship, much better dining, better service and higher crew to passenger ratio. For NCL, there are a lot of things to pay for once you get on the ship. That is part of the freestyle concept. You pay for what you want, and don't pay for things if you don't want them. That is also why NCL base fares tend to be much cheaper than Celebrity.

 

Also note that the in room babysitting is not a guarantee but is based on crew availability. I would look into how that works some more on the Celebrity boards if that is a big motivation in booking, just to make sure you are getting what you expect.

 

Though people do say that given a choice Glacier bay is more impressive, a lot of people really enjoy Tracy Arm as well. We went in July and it really was so beautiful. We also got really close to the glacier and watched some calving while they rotated the ship for a while to give everyone a good view.

[Lady Anna & Sir Troy]

Your post caught my eye. Celebrity and NCL are my two favorite lines. I have actually had the pleasure of being on the Solstice once and the NCL Pearl twice. It is late so I will post some main differences including specifics on the cabins that you may want to know tomorrow. Personally, I don't care for Costco as I've heard unfortunate stories using them, so my biggest advice would be to find an agent who can offer you good advice and meet the prices.

 

L.A.S.T.

[Lady Anna & Sir Troy]

So here goes. I've only been on these ships in the Caribbean so keep that in mind for the review, although I am going to be in Alaska on the Pearl in May - Yay!!

 

Cabin Differences:

 

1. The aft balcony on NCL will provide the best views by far. With little kids, being able to sit our on your balcony and see the views at any point in time is a big bonus. Alaska is very picturesque. The aft balcony also will be quieter, better storage space and layout, and bigger than the C3 on the Solstice. The placement of the aft balcony is also really nice in that you are near the Buffet. In comparison between the two cabins NCL wins hands down. In fact, I am jealous as you have my favorite cabin outside of the Haven ones.

 

2. Dining - Solstice Dining Venues and layout are a little better than NCL. I rank it like this - NCL Specialty Dining - Celebrity Dining Rooms - NCL Dining Rooms. This is after several years of ups and down on NCL for dining, whereas Celebrity has remained consistently good. The buffets are equal in my opinion.

 

3. Pools/Spas - Both the Pearl and Solstice have beautiful Spa "thermal" areas which I love. A big plus on the Solstice is the covered pool for swimming.

 

4. Entertainment/Activities - Here is where I think the ships vary greatly. I find Celebrity entertainment/activities more for an older crowd even in the Caribbean. I found NCL to be much better for all ages in the entertainment and activities department. NCL will not bore your five year old. One big plus for Celebrity is the Glass Blowing show - you have to go to understand why. =)

 

There are of course many more differences but I tried to highlight some of the big ones.

 

Lady Anna

Edited January 10, 2014 by Lady Anna & Sir Troy

[mollanjake]

I don't think we are allowed to mention travel agencies on CC.

That said I have used the above mentioned agency a few times without problems.

 

 

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[expatmom]

No they do not detour to Hubbard Glacier. It is Endicott Arm and Dawes glacier, which isn't as dramatic.

 

So should we do this excursion? Is it worth it?