Which Bermuda cruise--RCI or X?

[schlimazel_traveler]

Just off the Grandeur's Bermuda sailing and looking forward to returning to Bermuda this time next year. This was just our second cruise, both on Royal Caribbean, once on Enchantment out of Baltimore and once on Grandeur. We chose these ships because we live <30 min from the port.

 

We had a lot of fun on Grandeur--loved the activities staff, found the silly games and contests very entertaining. Enjoyed participating in trivia, the Quest, the Majority Rules game, karaoke, etc. Enjoyed the aerial shows, the music on the pool deck, and the relaxed atmosphere. Liked the freestyle soda machines, too! Our cabins were comfortable. But we didn't love the food (it was good enough, but not exciting), and we also think we might like to try something different.

 

I just priced out cruises next year (late May/early June) and we could have two balcony cabins (not concierge class or aqua class or whatever, just veranda cabins) on the Summit for $200 LESS than the Grandeur--and that's assuming I book the Grandeur TODAY before the price goes up by $950/cabin. Plus, the Summit includes some OBC for each stateroom.

 

We are 3.5 hours from Bayonne.

 

It seems like a no-brainer, but will Celebrity be too sedate for us if we liked the silly stuff on Royal? We're not drinkers or carousers, we just like to be entertained.

[delirious9876]

We're a bit zany and fun and X Eclipse to Bermuda was amazing :-)

[Big_G]

It seems like a no-brainer, but will Celebrity be too sedate for us if we liked the silly stuff on Royal? We're not drinkers or carousers, we just like to be entertained.

 

While we've never done a Royal to Bermuda, we have a few Royal cruises under our belt and this will be our first on an X Millennium Class and it's going to Bermuda in two weeks. Our other X cruises have been on S Class and while they were a little slower paced (a lot slower than Oasis Class), they weren't sedate. I'll let you know when I get back. :)

[jgnova]

My feeling is that a cruise vacation is what you make of it. We're not partiers and tend to sit on the balcony most of the time. We've taken Summit twice to Bermuda and had a great time. There are a few differences to consider when thinking about this:

1. I think that Summit's itinerary is better - you have more usable time in Bermuda. Two full days plus leaving late enough on the third day to go some place (even St. Georges) and get back in plenty of time.
   
2. I think that the New York departure is nicer - going under the Verrazano bridge and seeing Coney Island is cool. And you're at sea at full speed in an hour or two after leaving. The trip down the Chesapeake is longer.
   
3. OTOH, Baltimore is probably a nicer terminal to go through than Bayonne. However, they're about to start a major reconstruction project on 95 and that may impact getting to/from the port.
   
4. Also - if you check the links in our signature below, you can see scans of dailies from several Celebrity sailings to get a feel for the activities. There are also menu scans.
   
   

j

Edited May 31, 2014 by jgnova
added line about dailies

[roe2ship]

We were on the Summit to Bermuda a few years ago. We did find that the MDR food was indeed better than Royal but the service was not as impressive as many say it is with one exception, our MDR waiter was excellent...one of the best we ever had. For the most part we thought the entertainment was dull. By 10:00 pm, it was VERY quiet, it really felt like most of the passengers were in bed. This was a summer cruise so this was very surprising to us. Who knows, maybe it was an off week. With that said, since it is a new cruise line and ship for you, I would try it and see for yourself.

[Cruisegirl6]

I been tossing on which ship to take our family vacation on next year, we are 7 adults and get four staterooms and just got off the Allure three weeks ago.

 

All week we were debating Adventure which we dismissed due to the fact going to 6 ports is way too much as we will miss our sea days, then we were tossing around Celebrity Silhouette, Royal Princess and the Oasis...while I hesitate booking the Oasis (we all agree the Allure is our most favorite ship ever) most of our staterooms got very warm during the night even at the thermostat being set at lowest setting, so this makes the Oasis my last choice. After doing a lot of research and asking questions on the X board I have found that past 10:30 its very quiet, two people on different sailings have been kicked out of the casino around 11:30 due to the fact I guess they didn't meet quota in the casino...then the fact my daughter and her bf smoke those electronic cigarettes and there is no smoking in the casino (which I love) but those are vapor and no smoke and well daughter and bf won't be happy...then I found out on top of this that there is no food to eat, you can't get a snack anywhere past 11pm other than pizza which is only served up until midnight and after that there is nothing besides room service. We do stay up late usually in the casino from midnight till 2am and we do like to have a snack to eat late, so with this being said three strikes for us on X and we dismissed Celebrity. Now we are still debating Oasis or the Royal Princess.

 

If you are the type to go to sleep early, and you don't eat anything past 11pm, and you don't smoke and don't mind having the "relaxed, downbeat" type cruise then go for X otherwise I would suggest not to go.

[JMG]

We were on the summit last year and enjoyed the ship and X. The new terminal in Bayonne is scheduled to be completed by Nov 2014 so there would be a nicer terminal when you plan to cruise. It is a little more difficult to get to the Bayonne port than Balt. Lots of turns once off of the main highway. It is within driving distance.

 

Originally from the Balt area, it is a thrill for us to go under the 2 bridges and then over the Bay Bridge tunnel. Amazing to see the car headlights disappear as the cars go into the tunnel. Cruising the Chesapeake is quite different since you see the red/green channel markers throughout that journey as opposed to not seeing those lights in the ocean. It does take 8 hours each way so that does cut into port time in Bermuda.

 

It you are looking towards future perks and such, staying with RCI will give you points toward the next step up the ladder. It takes time to get to D/D+ but switching cruise lines takes points away from this potential goal. Points earned on X do not apply to RCI. If you enjoyed Grandeur than you may want to stay with that option.

 

Celebrity is quieter in many aspects. They do not have announcements throughout the day. They will have lots of activities all day long. The staff officers are more involved in passenger activities..Dancing with the Stripes, water volleyball Stripes vrs passengers.

 

You cannot go too far wrong with either line. X could be too sedate then again, it often depends on the passenger mix on every cruise as to how lively a ship becomes.

[DonnaK]

First let me say that we are huge fans of RCI and of Explorer (been on her 3 times). We booked a last minute cruise on Celebrity Summit last year, and we were blown away with the quality of live music and other entertainment/activities all over the ship, and with the stellar service and attentive crew. It was one of our best cruises.

 

Because the cruise was in August, there were plenty of young people onboard, and it wasn't stuffy, sleepy or "old" at all. There were many late night things going on, many started at midnight (a late-night jam session with all of the entertainers was so much fun). There are 3 production shows, and the troupe has 6 main singers and more dancers than the RCI troupe. They did a concert one day too. The lounge activities were also a lot of fun.

 

The food in the MDR was excellent, and there was real soft-serve ice cream just inside the entrance to the buffet that was outstanding (especially the cinnamon one). The only thing that we thought was better on RCI was the buffet area itself.

Edited June 1, 2014 by DonnaK

[Cruisegirl6]

I have another thought....you will be at dock in Bermuda for three nights, most of the passengers be on the ship and the casino is closed anyway while your in port. There will be activities about I am sure since the casino is closed, the food on X is suppose to be better, so now my suggestion is to go on X.

[pjlee3333]

I have another thought....you will be at dock in Bermuda for three nights, most of the passengers be on the ship and the casino is closed anyway while your in port. There will be activities about I am sure since the casino is closed, the food on X is suppose to be better, so now my suggestion is to go on X.

 

Just got back from Bermuda on Grandeur. Apparently a new rule in Bermuda for 2014 is that the casinos can open "late" as in about 9 pm both nights we were in port. Shops onboard remained closed.

[emmy]

I have another thought....you will be at dock in Bermuda for three nights, most of the passengers be on the ship and the casino is closed anyway while your in port. There will be activities about I am sure since the casino is closed, the food on X is suppose to be better, so now my suggestion is to go on X.

 

 

 

With Summit you are actually in Bermuda 2 nights. You are always in port with NCL Breakaway.

[emmy]

First let me say that we are huge fans of RCI and of Explorer (been on her 3 times). We booked a last minute cruise on Celebrity Summit last year, and we were blown away with the quality of live music and other entertainment/activities all over the ship, and with the stellar service and attentive crew. It was one of our best cruises.

 

Because the cruise was in August, there were plenty of young people onboard, and it wasn't stuffy, sleepy or "old" at all. There were many late night things going on, many started at midnight (a late-night jam session with all of the entertainers was so much fun). There are 3 production shows, and the troupe has 6 main singers and more dancers than the RCI troupe. They did a concert one day too. The lounge activities were also a lot of fun.

 

The food in the MDR was excellent, and there was real soft-serve ice cream just inside the entrance to the buffet that was outstanding (especially the cinnamon one). The only thing that we thought was better on RCI was the buffet area itself.

 

 

I was actually on the same sailing with Donna :) I too love RCI but was drawn to Summit because she had 3 full days in Bermuda. Never enough days to enjoy this island.

 

I totally agree with her especially about the entertainment. Best live entertainment and singers I have had on a cruise ship. I especially liked Hannah and still keep in contact with her family. Did not find it sedate and would not hesitate to suggest Summit to Bermuda. Very friendly officers and staff. Quite an enjoyable cruise.

 

I wish RCI had a ship that would stay 3 days.

[emmy]

Just got back from Bermuda on Grandeur. Apparently a new rule in Bermuda for 2014 is that the casinos can open "late" as in about 9 pm both nights we were in port. Shops onboard remained closed.

 

Yes here is an article about the casinos to confirm they are open in the evenings when a ship is docked in Bermuda

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/10/04/bermuda-cruise-ship-casino-gambling/2921697/

[Merion_Mom]

Just off the Grandeur's Bermuda sailing and looking forward to returning to Bermuda this time next year. This was just our second cruise, both on Royal Caribbean, once on Enchantment out of Baltimore and once on Grandeur. We chose these ships because we live <30 min from the port.

 

We had a lot of fun on Grandeur--loved the activities staff, found the silly games and contests very entertaining. Enjoyed participating in trivia, the Quest, the Majority Rules game, karaoke, etc. Enjoyed the aerial shows, the music on the pool deck, and the relaxed atmosphere. Liked the freestyle soda machines, too! Our cabins were comfortable. But we didn't love the food (it was good enough, but not exciting), and we also think we might like to try something different.

 

I just priced out cruises next year (late May/early June) and we could have two balcony cabins (not concierge class or aqua class or whatever, just veranda cabins) on the Summit for $200 LESS than the Grandeur--and that's assuming I book the Grandeur TODAY before the price goes up by $950/cabin. Plus, the Summit includes some OBC for each stateroom.

 

We are 3.5 hours from Bayonne.

 

It seems like a no-brainer, but will Celebrity be too sedate for us if we liked the silly stuff on Royal? We're not drinkers or carousers, we just like to be entertained.

 

I am on the Grandeur right now & loving it. I have sailed on Enchantment thrice from 3 different ports of embarkation. I sailed Celebrity Summit to Bermuda last summer and LOVED it.

 

IMO, you will not be disappointed in X.

Edited June 1, 2014 by Merion_Mom

[Clarea]

I am on the Grandeur right now & loving it. I have sailed on Enchantment thrice from 3 different ports of embarkation. I sailed Celebrity Summit to Bermuda last summer and LOVED it.

 

IMO, you will not be disappointed in X.

Sure, I'd love it too if I was in the Royal Suite!;)

[Merion_Mom]

Sure, I'd love it too if I was in the Royal Suite!;)

 

Nah, *just* a Junior Suite, but it's nice! ;)

 

I think that I'll do a full-blown review next Friday. :D

[Clarea]

Nah, *just* a Junior Suite, but it's nice! ;)

 

I think that I'll do a full-blown review next Friday. :D

Seriously, I hope you continue to have a great cruise, and I look forward to your review. We've never done Grandeur or been to Baltimore, so that combo has an attraction to us.

[Cruisegirl6]

Finally Bermuda allowing cruise ships to have casino open, and that is very fair I say from 9pm, Bermuda I admire you more now lol.

[schlimazel_traveler]

Still debating! The price on the Grandeur seems to have come down and it's now less than the Summit...

 

Plus, I read that Celebrity cut its activities staff in half!

 

Of course, you can't have the same cruise twice and I imagine we could book the same cruise on the same ship next year and be disappointed if the crew, schedule, or weather were not as favorable as this year.

 

What to do, what to do...

 

Also, I thought there was some arrangement in which I could get the benefits of on-board booking within a very short window after getting off a ship, but I'm not seeing that option. The OBC would be nice but mostly the reduced deposit would be nice. It doesn't seem I can combine the WOW with the BOGHO...at least not online.

[stevea36]

Still debating! The price on the Grandeur seems to have come down and it's now less than the Summit...

 

Plus, I read that Celebrity cut its activities staff in half!

 

Of course, you can't have the same cruise twice and I imagine we could book the same cruise on the same ship next year and be disappointed if the crew, schedule, or weather were not as favorable as this year.

 

What to do, what to do...

 

Also, I thought there was some arrangement in which I could get the benefits of on-board booking within a very short window after getting off a ship, but I'm not seeing that option. The OBC would be nice but mostly the reduced deposit would be nice. It doesn't seem I can combine the WOW with the BOGHO...at least not online.

 

I just returned from the 5/18 sailing on X and loved it. The 3 days in Bermuda as opposed to RCI's 2 was a big selling point. If you search the Celebrity boards you will find that I posted all of the Dailies..

 

A few differences between this year and past years:

• the casinos are open every night at 9pm while in Bermuda
  
• the buffet has been redone. most dishes are "pre packaged" in little pots, baskets, and the like that you just take what you want. There are multiple meats being carved, a huge fresh cheese station where they will cut a hunk of cheese off of a larger hunk for you, a deli meat station where they will freshly slice whatever you want, fresh, homemade, ice cream and gelato, and more. While we were in Aqua and we did eat a few lunches in the buffet and enjoyed it.
  
• Smoking... X still limits smoking to only a few areas of the ship and NOT the casino !!
  

Enjoy whichever you choose

Steve

[Cruisegirl6]

I also was debating to take a X cruise until I also found out that there is no food available past midnight unless you order room service, with us eating at times early due to father in law needs to eat a meal before taking his medication we definitely want a snack around midnight - 1am, we do stay up until 2am, so this was a major factor in our decision to go X or not.

[schlimazel_traveler]

I also was debating to take a X cruise until I also found out that there is no food available past midnight unless you order room service, with us eating at times early due to father in law needs to eat a meal before taking his medication we definitely want a snack around midnight - 1am, we do stay up until 2am, so this was a major factor in our decision to go X or not.

 

I think there's nothing but room service after midnight on Grandeur as well.

I just picked up a few things earlier in the day and put them aside in the cabin. Grab-and-go sandwiches, cookies, a plate of cheese, whatever. Actually, I got the impression that the Celebrity buffet was continuously open, as opposed to the Windjammer, which closes for chunks of the day, leaving a few gaps when the only place for food is the Park Cafe or grabbing a cookie from Lattitudes. We didn't starve, though.