Info from those traveled RCCL and Celebrity?

[torontoflo]

Hi, I normally travel Royal Caribbean or Carnival when I cruise. I am not completely loyal to any cruiseline so wanted info on Celebrity. I notice that Celebrity prices are generally higher than Carnival and RCCL. We tend to stay in Balcony rooms overall. If you have traveled other cruiselines along with Celebrity, what is your preference and why? We are also wanting to travel new places such as Alaska and Europe instead of the Caribbean and need info on these destinations. The higher cost makes me leary of Celebrity but now that RCCL and Celebrity are teamed up I am curious. Any info will be greatly appreciated (rooms, food, etc in comparison). Thanks

 

Megan

 

5/03 Carnival Pride 7-night Western Caribbean

6/04 RCCL Voyager of the Seas 5-night Canada

1/05 Carnival Fantasy 3-night Bahamas

5/05 RCCL Mariner of the Seas 7-night Eastern Caribbean

[mydogs]

Have traveled on both lines several times. Had suites on RC and Sky Suites and CC on Celebrity. Found service to be superior, as well as, food and over all condition of the Celebrity ships. Did transatlantic on the Constellation and it was wonderful. Mexico on Mercury and great. Have been on HA Zuiderdam and found it to be inferior in every way to Celebrity. Switch to Celebrity and you will find it to be well worth the additional cost.:D

 

M & R

[hdawson]

Celebrity cabins are a bit larger.

When first boarding you are escorted to your cabin while sipping complementary champagne or OJ

In the cabin a carrafe of water rather than a bottle for sale

NO PA announcements hawking bingo, pool games and the like

There is very little comparison in the food. Celebrity is far superior in imagination and presentation.

Service on Celebrity is more polished and refined.

When returning to the ship from very hot ports a steward will be offering chilled towels to refresh. Much more appreciated than you might think.

Even the burgers at the pool are superior. They seem to be fresh ground round rather than frozen patties that are grilled and put in a pan to stay warm until ordered, and dry.

In the buffet, a waiter will carry everyone's tray for you.

 

These are but a few subtle differences. I'm sure others will be offering more.

[Jem 12]

Hi we have cruised with both RCCL and Celebrity, I have found that there is very little difference in price between the two, but there are often extras that are included on Celebrity that you have to pay extra for on RCCL, like the shuttles at the various Mediterrean ports.

 

I love the fact that on Celebrity ships they don't have music blasting out constantly around the pool areas, when we like to read in relative peace.

 

We also love the adult only Aqua spa area on the Millenium class ships, the last time we travelled on Splendour of the Seas, a mother just left her two daughters (5 & 7)on there own in the indoor pool area for a couple of hours, so we found ourselves unwilling babysitters.

 

I would still cruise with RCCL but the price would have to be less than Celebrity.

 

Jean

[CaptData]

If you cruise RCCL and have 5 or more cruise then enquire about the equal Capt's Club for your Crown and Anchor.

[heatherb1958]

We have sailed 3 times with X ( all balcony cabins) And 9 times with RCI (inside,OV and balcony). For me, I prefer RCI cabins for the layout i.e beds at the window if you have a view,also for providing a proper hairdryer at a dresser not a permanent fixed one in the bathroom.

The things I love about X on the Millenium class ships are the thallasotherapy pool , the spa cafe healthy food options, and tables in the theatre for your drinks.

There is only one thing I dislike about RCI:- drink holders in the theatres that don't accommodate your drink !!!

[Oppgaard]

I have cruised on all three and now have cruises booked again on all three. I like RCI for what it is and have always had good service. I feel at home on the RCI ships and am very comfortable. Carnival cruises are fine if you are in the party frame of mind. I am booked on them in November with a group who always parties it up so I know we will have a great time on Carnival also. Next month we are booked on Celebrity in a Sky Suite and are looking forward to being treated famously in a suite. Yes, Celebrity is my favorite and enjoy the amenities that come with a suite, but RCI is always nice and Carnival will suffice in certain circumstances.

[elron]

Oppgaard, I pretty much feel the same as you on all three lines.

[AFT_LOVER]

Both times last year on Connie & Infinity we got the champagne & were told after we went to the room to fill out the illness questionairre that rooms were no available at 11AM so we are to go to the buffet for lunch, not the dining room. But I checked into the spa for volunteering my bod for shows & got 3 free treatments doing it.

 

We keep seeing folks posting about escorts but we've never seen them but we also do get a few refills for the champagne in the Atrium.

[caviargal]

I have sailed often with RCI and 4 times with X.

 

The standard cabins are bigger on X but I have had - and visited - some wonderful Jr Suites and Suites on RCI. Standard balconies on RCI differ from ship to ship but I found them to be well appointed in both cases.

 

RCI's Radiance class ships are the prettiest ships afloat IMHO. Until my cruise on Serenade, the Infinity was physically the prettiest ship I have had the pleasure to cruise.

 

Food and service are better on X but the specialty restaurants on RCI were excellent.

 

Fitness and entertainment options are more varied and interesting on RCI and I enjoy the nightlife more overall.

 

The staff and crew on RCI are a bit more outgoing and energetic. The staff on X ships is polished and professional. Both are warm, I just find RCI staff to be very warm.

 

The Concierge Club on RCI's Radiance class of ships is a wonderful addition and I use it daily and enjoy it immensely.

[AFT_LOVER]

is on Radiance, Voyager & ultra Voyager Class ships. Great for Diamond & Diamond Plus members, special folks to book excursions or future cruises with, food, latte, expresso, cappuccino there. 5-8PM is free booze time, great for before & after dinner. They also have the ice show tix for folks to grab for good seats.

 

 

D1 verandaha (Superior) is same size as Concierge Class stateroom on "X", and the 41 sq ft balcony with it is, on those not AFT, is 55 on RCCL.

[OPSoccermom]

Can only compare the voyager class RCI with Millenium class X. Although we had a great time on the Mariner, those in our group have have cruised many times felt it lacked the personal attention we got on X. Probably because of the difference in the number of passengers. One person in our group said she was tired of being told "no" when she asked for something special on the Mariner. We've never had someone tell us "no" on an X ship.

 

That being said, RCI meets the needs of the general cruising public very nicely, it's just that you won't experience a more polished, traditional cruise on RCI like you will on X. I also agree that the lack of noise on the pool deck compared to RCI makes for more relaxing days at sea. And what can I say about sorbet at 3:00 at the pool??? I always look forward to that.

 

We're doing the Serenade next April. Then i think I'll really be able to properly compare the two lines. We've heard great thhings about the Serenade.

[wcal]

I have cruised RCL, Carnival and Celebrity. Service is probably better on Celebrity but not by much. Celebrity gets the nod on food also, again not by much. I am leaving tomorrow for a Celebrity cruise tour befor boarding the Summit in Seward next Friday. I am also booked for next February on The Jewel of the Seas. Having never sailed a millennium class ship I am really looking forward to it. I have previously cruised the Radiance of the Seas and cannot imagine an ship any pretty than that except maybe her sister ship, The Jewel. The Carnival is also real pretty, similar to the Radiance. I think Carnival has the largest standard size cabins, at least on the newer ships. I would not hesitate to sail with any of them again.

[elron]

Serenade is a beautiful ship!