Undecided on cruising Celebrity or NCL - Help!

[mfrimodog]

Hello all!

 

I am having a serious dilemma and decided to ask for advice. My wife and I are planning a cruise in February of next year but cannot choose which cruise line to go on and could use some honest advice. We are trying to decide between going on the NCL Epic on Feb 8th or the Celebrity Silhouette on Feb 8th. We are looking at a mini-suite on the Epic or a Veranda on the Silhouette.

 

As a little background on us - we are both 29, have cruised 4 times all on RCCL (Mariner, Oasis, Allure, Independence) and are Platinum members. We enjoy some of the activities on RCCL but have become increasingly disappointed with their food and service. We want to be able to relax most of the time but enjoy having something to do too (trivia or comedians). We have a 3 year old but are leaving him with grandma so we can relax together! We are also looking forward to trying a new cruise line.

 

We mostly care about food, being able to relax, and good ship activities. We have really found that RCCL has not been doing very good at making a relaxing environment anymore...

 

I'm going to ask this same question on the NCL forum too just so I can get both ends of the spectrum.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give us!!!

Edited May 31, 2014 by mfrimodog

[20pluscruises]

Hello all!

 

I am having a serious dilemma and decided to ask for advice. My wife and I are planning a cruise in February of next year but cannot choose which cruise line to go on and could use some honest advice. We are trying to decide between going on the NCL Epic on Feb 8th or the Celebrity Silhouette on Feb 8th. We are looking at a mini-suite on the Epic or a Veranda on the Silhouette.

 

As a little background on us - we are both 29, have cruised 4 times all on RCCL (Mariner, Oasis, Allure, Independence) and are Platinum members. We enjoy some of the activities on RCCL but have become increasingly disappointed with their food and service. We want to be able to relax most of the time but enjoy having something to do too (trivia or comedians). We have a 3 year old but are leaving him with grandma so we can relax together! We are also looking forward to trying a new cruise line.

 

We mostly care about food, being able to relax, and good ship activities. We have really found that RCCL has not been doing very good at making a relaxing environment anymore...

 

I'm going to ask this same question on the NCL forum too just so I can get both ends of the spectrum.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give us!!!

 

If your going for the food...hands down Celebrity.

[barbels]

My 30 something son and his family just got off the NVL Gem this morning. they have cruised with me on Celebrity and Hal. i warned them that the food would not be as good on NCL- my experience after 3 NCL trips. They had avery good time but said they are now Celebrity snobs; pointindg out all the things that were better on X. Long story short, if you are looking for better food go with X.

[jomf]

We have cruised both lines. Celebrity wins hands down for food and ambience.

We enjoyed NCL and would cruise with them again but Celebrity is definately a step up.

[GaryT-UK]

I'm slightly older than you (early 40s) but I've cruised in the US on NCL Star & in Europe twice on Celebrity Eclipse & Infinity. In my opinion I'd say NCL was less formal, entertainment was great, but the comedy night was a bit too international for my liking (I didn't always get the jokes - but it was a mainly NorthAmerican audience). In contrast I'd say Celebrity is a bit more formal, but I liken that to going 4star +, shows were also very good. I sailed from the UK both times on X, so I may be a bit biased to the entertainment being better. I really enjoyed the Celebrity Life lectures on both cruises as something different to do on sea days. I can't fault the food, service or entertainment really on either (I may be lucky - I've not yet been on a bad cruise on any line). It really depends what matters more to you. If you fancy a bit more formality I'd definitely recommend Celebrity. If you prefer informal then NCL. I have to say I'd happily sail with both again, so I don't think you will go wrong either way.

[TMLAalum]

The lack of announcements in your Celebrity cabin will be very relaxing in comparison to NCL's frequent interruptions about bingo, pool games, etc.

 

The captain gives a daily 'state of the ship' announcement around noon, that you will only hear in public spaces.

 

You might consider booking AQua class for access to Persian Gardens and the intimate Blu restaurant reserved only for AQ guests. AQ cabins hold a maximum of 2, so it's not too likely you'll be surrounded by little ones who have been known to cry loudly enough to be heard next door.

 

Plus being Platinum on RCL should equate to a comparable loyalty level in Captain's Club for you.

[dkjretired]

Have done both and a big difference is the smoking policy. On Celebrity its almost smoke free, NCL was like a smokestack in certain areas and I am not someone who ever complains about people smoking.

 

Entertainment, hands down NCL in both theater and lounge, food, no comparison, Celebrity wins.

Edited May 31, 2014 by dkjretired

[4774Papa]

DW and I have done seven Celebrity and three NCL cruises. We haven't done Silhouette, but have done Solstice. Also, we have done a Med cruise on NCL Epic.

 

Our preference is Celebrity. However, we still occasionally cruise on NCL, in fact we have two cruises b2b on the Star out of Copenhagen this September and Oct.

 

The Epic is an exciting mega-ship with excellent entertainment, but we found the 4200 passenger ship too large for us. The food on Epic was the best of the three NCL ships that we have been on.

 

The Epic did have a younger average passenger age, probably in the 40s, while the Celebrity cruises we have been on (all long cruises) have an average age in the 60s.

We are in our 60s, so not a problem. We find Celebrity cruisers, regardless of age to be active, just you will probably find the night life shuts down by 11pm.

 

The food on Celebrity is superior to NCL, when you compare the free MDR. Celebrity's specialty restaurants are expensive and super. NCL's specialty restaurants are excellent and generally not as expensive as X.

 

There is no option for fixed dining seating on NCL, which we like, but the variety and flexibility of anytime dining is still nice.

 

NCL seems to charge more for its excursions. We sometimes take X excursions, but frequently organize private tours at the ports.

 

The entertainment on NCL is slightly better than on Celebrity, but not by much.

However, on Epic, we did not like the Blue Man Group at all.

 

NCL does irritate you a bit with its announcements at the pool, as well as harder selling of photos and other stuff. Celebrity is great in this area.

 

Smoking policy is the best on Celebrity. On NCL you can smoke on your balcony, not on Celebrity.

Also, NCL allows smoking in the casino, which you have to pass through on your way to the show.

[wallie5446]

We have sailed on both, Celebrity gets first look to book.

 

Lots of great examplies listed, but think of it this way.

 

Celebrity is like living on Bellevue Ave in Newport, RI,

where NCL is like living out back. Nice, but not the same.:)

[rebeccalouiseagain]

NCL has great entertainment (with the exception of a horrible comedian named Willie Farrell- yikes he needs to retire). I loved the Second City comedy troupe onboard the Pearl. I haven't been on Epic but the entertainment looks really great.

 

There will be fewer kids on Celebrity and the ambiance is nicer but there will be more action on NCL. If you looking to decompress- go Celebrity. If you like fun and games- do NCL. As for food- we stick with the pay restaurants for dinner. The buffet on NCL and on Celebrity were on par. We never starved and the food was varied and good. Both pools will be crowded but Celebrity has the indoor pool as well as two outdoor pools. There are fewer passengers on Celebrity than NCL.

Edited May 31, 2014 by rebeccalouiseagain

[teecee60]

I've been on NCL five times, total of 40 nights, and on Celebrity six times, total of 89 nights.

 

I have never had a bad cruise on either one, all were wonderful experiences.

 

The food, service, and atmosphere/ambiance is far better on Celebrity.

 

NCL is MUCH more casual, with a MUCH younger clientele.

[A Sixth?]

Have done both and a big difference is the smoking policy. On Celebrity its almost smoke free, NCL was like a smokestack in certain areas and I am not someone who ever complains about people smoking.

 

Entertainment, hands down NCL in both theater and lounge, food, no comparison, Celebrity wins.

 

I'll second that....

[Scrappytraveller]

I think you can find very good food on the Epic. They have a lot more options and they're much more affordable than Celebrity's. The MDR is not great, but the smaller free dining room, Taste, is nice. I had a fantastic jerk chicken there last time I was on Epic. MDR food is generally better on Celebrity, but the service has been a big letdown (at least in select dining) on my last 2 (Solstice & Eclipse).

 

For me, what it comes down to is this: do you want to have something to do after dinner (show, dancing, decent comedy)? If yes, go on Epic. If you're happy to have a nice dinner and maybe hit the casino before retiring for the night, Celebrity is great. I'm sorry, know I'll be flamed, but Celebrity is just not very good at entertainment. It's their weakest link IMO, especially for someone your age.

 

Both have a martini bar. ;):D

[Starry Eyes]

If food and relaxation are your priorities for this trip, Celebrity would be the better choice.

 

We cruise frequently. For variety, we switch among Celebrity, Royal, and NCL. All things are subjective, but I'd say Celebrity's food is better than Royals which is better, usually, than NCL's. They all have lots of specialty dining for extra $, and if you spring for that, the food expectations would improve for any line.

 

Same, I'd say, for service, but individual variations among staff are enormous (I've had great stewards, for example, on every line, but on average I'd say your odds of a good to excellent steward are C>R>N). The exception on NCL: full suites...NCL excels in service there (if you step up to a full suite rather than a mini, I'd waver a bit, but might say NCL suite if you'll spring for specialty Restaurants for many dinners).

 

Celebrity has the most refined atmosphere. NCL is casual, but otherwise no more relaxed than Royal.

 

Epic differs a bit from other NCL ships. Not everybody likes her. I did, but it was a fun cruise more than a relaxing one.

[mfrimodog]

I think you can find very good food on the Epic. They have a lot more options and they're much more affordable than Celebrity's. The MDR is not great, but the smaller free dining room, Taste, is nice. I had a fantastic jerk chicken there last time I was on Epic. MDR food is generally better on Celebrity, but the service has been a big letdown (at least in select dining) on my last 2 (Solstice & Eclipse).

 

For me, what it comes down to is this: do you want to have something to do after dinner (show, dancing, decent comedy)? If yes, go on Epic. If you're happy to have a nice dinner and maybe hit the casino before retiring for the night, Celebrity is great. I'm sorry, know I'll be flamed, but Celebrity is just not very good at entertainment. It's their weakest link IMO, especially for someone your age.

 

Both have a martini bar. ;):D

 

That's what I'm afraid of - that we will finish our dinner and then be wandering around looking for something to do. We love to relax but I imagine by the 3rd day that I will want to do something at night so we aren't in bed by 10 PM!

 

Does anyone know if Celebrity has trivia on the boat? I had read that Celebrity was going to do away with trivia which would be unfortunate because we really enjoy killing 30 minutes not winning at trivia! And does anyone has any idea on the type of entertainment they normally have?

[4774Papa]

That's what I'm afraid of - that we will finish our dinner and then be wandering around looking for something to do. We love to relax but I imagine by the 3rd day that I will want to do something at night so we aren't in bed by 10 PM!

 

Does anyone know if Celebrity has trivia on the boat? I had read that Celebrity was going to do away with trivia which would be unfortunate because we really enjoy killing 30 minutes not winning at trivia! And does anyone has any idea on the type of entertainment they normally have?

Celebrity does have trivia. We have participated a couple of times. It seems that we did it earlier in the day, not in the evening.

 

We find that the night before a port day, we generally retire about 10:30pm, since we generally need to be awake rather early the next day.

If there is a sea day, I still like to go to the fitness center in the morning before breakfast, so we don't participate in late evening activities. Some people are night owls, but we are not.

[cpj]

Was on the NCL Getaway in March and we had a great time. Was able to eat in the specialty every night for 119 dollars and the food was very good, well worth the money. Been on Celebrity many times and the food in the MDR is ok. If your looking for a good meal you also need to go to the specialty restaurant which is way overpriced. Entertainment NCL wins not even close. Also the comedy club on NCL is great along with the howl at the moon contest of the dueling pianos. Also the crowd was a lot younger and there was not much complaining as there is with the older crowd on Celebrity. I'm 68 and that's one the reasons I don't sail Celebrity any longer. The elite crowd drove me off the there ships. I see now why Celebrity is trying to attract a younger crowd. Also if your in to casinos they have the largest one I ever saw on a ship and the best casino program at sea. Also eating on the waterfront was a very nice time. Good luck in your choice.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

To be honest- I got of NCL Pearl and onto Celebrity Solstice last month and was missing the Pearl. I'm 49. MDR food is always like glorified wedding food. It's fish, lamb, pork, beef, one pasta dish, maybe Duck and some vegetarian entree. More and more people like having choices like Italian, Japanese and Mexican. So I think that the cruise lines ought to have more specialty restaurants and do away with the elegant banquet hall idea. No one really likes to sit with strangers and having to worry about showing up for meal and letting the table mates and waiter know that they are not coming. Since none of the lines offer much of break to single passengers- most bring a friend or travel with family and they don't really care to dine with others.

[CruisingGatorGirl]

My husband and I, both 28 (well he will be 28 in a couple weeks), love Celebrity because of the food, relaxation, and boutique/swanky style decor. If you are interested in seeing Celebrity through the eyes of someone in their 20's you can read my review in my signature :D. We just booked our 3rd X cruise. (I have sailed on Carnival and RCL previously). We started cruising Celebrity when we were 26. I find the food, relaxation, and decor better on X. Celebrity will not have the "party" vibe, which I am OK with! We love children, but not on our cruises.

 

After dinner we would hit the martini bar, molecular bar, maybe the late show (depending on times), or we like wandering around. Sometimes we just went back to the cabin early to enjoy the balcony.

 

Yes, there is trivia on board, we did it on both of our X cruises

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1700095

Edited June 1, 2014 by CruisingGatorGirl

[mfrimodog]

My husband and I, both 28 (well he will be 28 in a couple weeks), love Celebrity because of the food, relaxation, and boutique/swanky style decor. If you are interested in seeing Celebrity through the eyes of someone in their 20's you can read my review in my signature :D. We just booked our 3rd X cruise. (I have sailed on Carnival and RCL previously). We started cruising Celebrity when we were 26. I find the food, relaxation, and decor better on X. Celebrity will not have the "party" vibe, which I am OK with! We love children, but not on our cruises.

 

After dinner we would hit the martini bar, molecular bar, maybe the late show (depending on times), or we like wandering around. Sometimes we just went back to the cabin early to enjoy the balcony.

 

Yes, there is trivia on board, we did it on both of our X cruises

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1700095

 

Did you find that the cruise ship "shut down" by 11? I've been reading that in a lot when people mention Celebrity...though I'll do all of this worrying just to have us fall asleep by 10 every night!

[CruisingGatorGirl]

Did you find that the cruise ship "shut down" by 11? I've been reading that in a lot when people mention Celebrity...though I'll do all of this worrying just to have us fall asleep by 10 every night!

 

Well we had 2 different experiences.

 

First, it will be very different than the 4 day, Bahamas, booze-cruises I go on with my friends for a party (Carnival, RCL, etc.). Celebrity will never have that true party, in the "club" until 4 am (which we may or may not have done on my bachlorette party ;)).

 

On our MED cruise, we were so exhausted from touring Europe all day we found ourselves heading to the cabin pretty early. When you have to get up at 6:45 am and see all of Rome in 8 hours it is tiring.

 

We went to the Caribbean for our honeymoon on the Celebrity Equinox this past December. We did stay up later than the Med. "I" did not personally see anybody really dancing (like in a bar or club on Carnival) but there were folks dancing in the atrium area. The "hot spots" we noticed were the martini bar and molecular bar. These 2 bars did stay open later, the Martini bar plays music late. We liked the molecular bar and became friends with several of the entertainers on board. Yes, Celebrity DOES attract an older customer base. The staff were our age :rolleyes: We met up with a group of the entertainers several nights for drinks and chit-chat.

 

With all that being said, if my husband and i want to cruise for a "nicer" experience we sail on X. If we want to party up (go with a group of friends) like we are still in college, we go on Carnival and RCL. They are just 2 different types of cruises... if that makes sense? Food is important to my husband, we find the food better on X, we find the service better. Overall, we like everything better on X. The only thing X is missing is a "party/club" feel. If it is important for you to dance until 2 am, X might not be for you. If you want a nice vacation for you and your husband, I think you would like X.

 

Sorry for the long winded response, I am tired. Hope this all made sense :) let me know if you have more questions and I would be glad to help!

Edited June 2, 2014 by CruisingGatorGirl

[mfrimodog]

With all that being said, if my husband and i want to cruise for a "nicer" experience we sail on X. If we want to party up (go with a group of friends) like we are still in college, we go on Carnival and RCL. They are just 2 different types of cruises... if that makes sense? Food is important to my husband, we find the food better on X, we find the service better. Overall, we like everything better on X. The only thing X is missing is a "party/club" feel. If it is important for you to dance until 2 am, X might not be for you. If you want a nice vacation for you and your husband, I think you would like X.

 

We aren't really into staying up until 2 AM drinking but at the same time, I'd hate to find out that everything is closed by 10 PM every night. We have never been on any other cruise line than RCCL so we are used to being able to go to the Schooner Bar or Boleros at anytime during the evening and hearing some great music. I am mostly concerned about food - I really appreciate the help!

[mickeysgal]

I have not been on Celebrity yet...we have sailed with NCL twice...Gem (for the Med) and Pearl (Alaska). We were warned about the food being so terrible on NCL yet we overall didn't find this to be the case. We did sail in suites so we had Cagney's for breakfast instead of the buffet. THAT was nice. NCL does suites very, very well. We ate most nights in the specialty restaurants with Le Bistro being our favorite. Entertainment was great. Loved their outdoor buffet seating aft. Overall ship design...well, I felt there wasn't enough public spaces...maybe too many restaurants taking up the space for the size of ship. Their "grand" atrium was an underwhelming two stories...nothing grand about it. Strong colors in decor is used throughout the ship. That said, we chose NCL for the cost, itinerary, and their suites - and I would sail with them again. Looking very much forward to Celebrity...I'm expecting it to be a step up in all regards from Royal.

[blindrid]

Have done both and a big difference is the smoking policy. On Celebrity its almost smoke free, NCL was like a smokestack in certain areas and I am not someone who ever complains about people smoking.

 

Entertainment, hands down NCL in both theater and lounge, food, no comparison, Celebrity wins.

 

You've must have been on NCL a long time ago. My last cruise was pretty prohibitive (yes, I smoke).

[rebeccalouiseagain]

We had an ordinary outside cabin on NCL and the storage was so much better than our Aquaclass Balcony Stateroom on Celebrity. I liked the bathroom better on NCL too. I would definitely sail NCL again but probably not during school breaks. It was fine in May when school was in session but I suspect it gets really crowded in the summer, at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and President's week.