Carnival Breeze for loyal Celebrity Cruiser?

[airlinerob]

Hi All -

 

I just returned from the Carnival Breeze 8 night, and it was by far my favorite Carnival cruise & ship.

 

My parents would like to book a cruise with me this fall to celebrate my 40th birthday (they are both 70).

 

Here is the question - they are both elite with Celebrity. I am trying to decide between taking them on the Freedom of the Seas (RCL) where they can get matched status, or the Carnival Breeze (they have never sailed Carnival).

 

We can get 2 balcony cabins on Carnival for the price of 1 on Royal.

 

My parents normally do dinner and then a show on Celebrity each night. I was not at all impressed with Carnivals shows. (But still loved the ship!)

 

Thoughts? What would you do?

[snowskier]

I would ask my parents what they would like to do.

[airlinerob]

I would ask my parents what they would like to do.

 

Lol

 

I did and they said it's up to me. :-)

[jonbgd]

What 8 day Breeze cruise are you seeing half the price of RCCL FOS?

 

Every time I check the southern cruise on the Breeze, in a balcony, its more expensive than most RCCL cruise except for the Oasis/Allure

[airlinerob]

What 8 day Breeze cruise are you seeing half the price of RCCL FOS?

 

Every time I check the southern cruise on the Breeze, in a balcony, its more expensive than most RCCL cruise except for the Oasis/Allure

 

In September. Airline employee rate.

[jonbgd]

In September. Airline employee rate.

 

Did you calculate in the Diamond balcony discount?

 

How did your cruises on The Navigator compare to the Breeze?

Edited June 21, 2014 by jonbgd

[airlinerob]

Did you calculate in the Diamond balcony discount?

 

How did your cruises on The Navigator compare to the Breeze?

 

Actually I didn't calculate the discount. I'll check it out.

 

They were different experiences. The Breeze is a great ship. I wish they would change the menus in the MDR, but that's me.

[jakeT]

Your parents are not going to likeCCL they are 70 and most likely not going to want to change there ways

[DebJ14]

We are in our 60's and did not care for the Breeze. The shows were awful and ear splitting. The décor on the Breeze is so stark compared to the beautiful Celebrity ships. I actually wished I was back on one of the gaudy Carnival ships as the pale yellow throughout was so boring.

I would go with RCCL. Keep checking prices - there have been some amazing sales on RCCL lately.

[Linerguy]

So why don't you go with them on Celebrity? If your date is a little flexible, there are good rates on CELEBRITY REFLECTION in November.

[loubetti]

Your parents are not going to likeCCL they are 70 and most likely not going to want to change there ways

 

Celebrity is a totally different animal than Carnival, but as a 55 year old now living in Florida, and having had over 2 dozen cruises on Celebrity and Cunard, I would like to give both CCL and RCL a shot. With RCL, nothing less than Independence, and more likely Oasis class, unless I decide on a 4-night on Majesty from MIA. On CCL, I'd really like to try a classic Fantasy class vessel, and see Joe Farcus at his best drug-induced design stupor (just kidding)!

 

Frankly, take your folks on Celebrity. :)

[sjcruiser]

Seeming in how they love Celebrity, I would ask them which cruise line they wanted, and possibly show them some of the YouTube videos, or photos from the Breeze to see which they preferred. I like Carnival, and loved the Breeze, but would probably choose the FOS if it was me, and the itinerary was right.

[katiel53]

We have sailed many times on Celebrity and have sailed Freedom of the Seas and Carnival Dream. I know Dream is not Breeze, but there are similarities and I would choose Freedom of the Seas in a heartbeat. It is closer to Celebrity than Breeze is.

 

I do think Carnival entertainment is very poor with having the guests be the entertainment instead of shows etc. I don't know how your parents feel about comedy, but that is a lot of the entertainment on Carnival.

 

Freedom is a beautiful ship and although the food is not of the standard of Celebrity, I feel it is better than Carnival. I know many on here feel the food on Carnival is better and many of those say that Royal Caribbean doesn't have down to earth every day food and that it is too fancy. I guess it's all in what one is used to.

 

I don't know if your parents drink cocktails, but Royal Diamond Status gives a free three hour cocktail hour nightly that includes great hors d'oeuvres. The downside to that is if you are not at least Diamond Status you won't be able to enjoy that with them.

 

Having said all that, we still enjoy Carnival and sail equally now between Carnival and Royal Caribbean. We prefer to sail from PT Canaveral and no Celebrity ship sails from there. Whichever line you choose, enjoy your cruise.

[DancerOT]

I think it depends on what kind of 70's your parents are - I realize that sounds strange. My parents are in their early to mid 60's and enjoy both Celebrity and Carnival. They have elite on Celebrity and it is why they ended up choosing Celebrity for their Baltic cruise this summer (the internet and laundry will make things super easy for them). But, they are what I would call "young 60's" - I go out drinking with them, often go to wineries, enjoy going to see musicals with them, and I will go on vacation with my parents of my own choosing. They really enjoy the piano bar and comedy shows on Carnival but enjoy the mainstage shows on Celebrity. At times, their choice of which cruise line comes down to itinerary and price. Interestingly, my mom is not a huge fan of RCCL as she felt they were nickel and diming her for everything.

 

Good luck with your choice! I can't imagine you would truly go wrong with whatever you decide. Happy Birthday :)

[sunkey1]

Just my opinion of course, but my parents are also in their 70's and although my mom would have an ok time on Carnival, my dad would not. They both would enjoy shows in the evening, definitely not Carnival's strong suit. I think Celebrity and NCL have the best entertainment out there but even RCCL beats Carnival in that area hands down. I'd say go for Celebrity, you may even find that you and your husband enjoy it as well! They pamper you like no one else! Yes it will be a more laid back, quiet cruise, but great for spending time with your parents and plenty of romantic time for you and hubby as well!

[meatloafsfan]

I would choose the Breeze and then make sure your parents know, it's not like Celebrity.

 

I think the risk you'll run with Royal is that they will be comparing everything to Celebrity (because they are sister lines, they are similar in the whole, dinner than show thing, they offer equivilent benefits, etc.) but they are not the same.

 

Carnival will be different and I would ask them to embrace the differences. Instead of "dinner and a show", go with the "thrill theatre, dinner, and then the comedy club or kareoke".

 

For me, I don't use the statement, "When I cruise, I do XXX".

 

It's -

 

When I cruise Celebrity I - hang out in Cafe Al Bacio.

When I cruise Royal I - spend a lot of time in their adult pool area and grab breakfast at Cafe Promenade.

When I cruise Disney I - enjoy the real movie theatre onboard and the crafts and family activities.

When I cruise Carnival I - spend more time in the lovely, bright, open casino and order a chocolate melting cake for dessert most nights.

[dorisis]

Your parents are not going to likeCCL they are 70 and most likely not going to want to change there ways

 

I'm afraid I have to agree . We are seniors and prefer X. Especially if they are Elite.