RCI Compared to Celebrity

[DJan07]

I'm just looking around at some random cruises that my family is possibly interested in. We heard that Celebrity Cruises are very nice and are owned by RCI. I wanted to know what the differences/likenesses are for anyone who has sailed on both.

 

DJan07

 

Jubilee- July 22, 2005- 5 Day Western Caribbean from Tampa

Explorer of the Seas- July 24, 2005- 7 Day Eastern Caribbean from Miami

[GottaLuvCruising]

Service was definitely better on Celebrity. It was the nice little touches like our stateroom attendant knowing our names from day one. Our waiter was the most personable we've had in 13 cruises. The quality of service was probably the biggest difference for us.

 

Cuisine was a little better on Celebrity. Entertainment not quite as good as RCI, but it may have been that the options during our week weren't as much to our taste. The atmosphere on Celebrity was definitely more upscale than Royal Caribbean. Overall the passengers were quieter and more reserved, but we did get a great group of fun people at our table.

 

The biggest surprise and disappointment for us with Celebrity is that the ship was so darned smoky. We dealt with more smoke on our ship than any of our other cruises. Maybe it was the ship (Century) and its layout or the large group that was on board (from a tobacco state or something?). But it was smoky. We certainly expected less smoke on a premium line and were disappointed.

[FWCruiser]

We sailed both this year -- and had a blast on both. The service was GREAT on both (BUT no towel animals on Celebrity). I would agree that Celebrity is more upscale than RCI but I wouldn't let that deter you if that is worrisome. We sailed with our kids both times (ages 6 & 8) and they had a blast on both.

 

The biggest difference I saw was the difference in dining attire. There were no jeans or shorts in the main dining room on the Celebrity ship even on casual nights (this was our observation...no flames and no jumping from the OP's original question!!) On RCI there were both shorts and jeans in the main dining room on casual nights (and the food tasted the same!)

 

The clientele on Celebrity was OLDER (& grumpier) even on Spring Break. RCI was a younger crowd (summer cruise). Time of year may have played a role.

 

I also agree the food was better on the Celebrity cruise.

 

We love to cruise and would cruise either in a heartbeat.

Hope that helps!

[fm519]

Have sailed both lines numberous times and love both equally. They both have things that we liked better on one more than the other. Celebrity's entertainment, we felt, was superior. The adult pool (Thallasotherpy) on the Summit was worth the trip in itself! The food was comparable on both. We thought the buffet on RCCL was far superior. There was so much more activity on RCCL. If you have specific questions, we'll be happy to answer.

[newmexicoNita]

I think I would agree with fm519. We were a little disappointed with the food on Celebrity, not the dinners nor the lunches in the dining room. In fact the dining room lunches were the best we have ever had; we just thought the buffets though the presentation was outstanding the selection just wasn't quite as good as on other lines. No buffet is going to be gourmet, but some are better by far. There are little touches that set Celebrity apart from other mass marketed lines. The variety of activities on RCI are better but the adult pool on the M class ships (Celebrity) are wonderful. I would base my decision on price and itinerary. Whichever you choose enjoy your experience. NMNita

[sicsinohio]

We have only cruised on RCCL (twice), but would highly recommend them. We had great service both times, the food was good and we enjoyed the entertainment and activities...on the larger ships, there really is something for everyone. Have heard that Celebrity is more upscale and elegant, but that RCCL is more fun!!

[AFT_LOVER]

as the only size we cruise. AFT CC is our home away from home with Celebrity. 200 sq ft balcony with nearly 200 sq ft stateroom sold us. We are greeted with a glass of champagne, then a bottle on ice in our stateroom. Thick carpeting, very nice robes, flowers in every room, a pillow menu & very comfy beds with duvets. The T-Pool is wonderful after a long excursion just to relax before bed. We also had breakfast, lunch & dinner served on our table on the balcony which is dressed just like the idning room. The only problem is everything is served at once, not shifts like the dining room. But when yoou are tired, and want to relax & eat, in our jammies, this was great.

 

Now we have booked a D1 on FOS in October 2006. They are to have a very unique whirlpool that is HUGE. A wave pool with boards to try surfing on. Inline skates instead of jogging the path. I will try the rockwall jus to say I did it, but I may want to do it over & over. The Concierge Lounge for Diamond & Diamond plus members is another plus that "X" doesn't have. Enjoying free dinks nightly from 5-8PM is a nice perk.

 

My TA stated we are Voyager+ folks. On Celebrity we enjoyed the lecturers from movie stars to newsmen to cruise ship writers. But on RCCL we can get out there and play and not have to be a kid. They are both the same company that we are stockholders of, getting the onboard credit with, so we can enjoy them both.

 

RCCL is much cheaper than "X". The FOS W Carib was 1/3 of the price of "X"

[OPSoccermom]

Have cruised on both with kids, and both have much to offer. Our family would give the slight nod to X.

 

On X, we love the attentive service, the slightly more relaxed atmosphere on deck - minimal overhead announcements, and the food in the dining rooms and specialty restaurants. Also love the T-pool and spa cuisine on the M class ships. 11 year DD prefers the X kids program - more variety, less kids.

 

On RCI, agree that the buffets are better, with the exception of the sushi that X serves every evening which is great. Love the eastern buffet. Would probably give RCI the nod on entertainment as well.

 

Since both ships are owned by the same company, transfers, embarkation, and shore excursion offerings are pretty much the same (we usually go with independent operators when we can)

 

After our last cruise on the Mariner, we have decided that we are not Voyager class folks - when we're on vacation, we prefer to get away from the crowds and the shopping mall atmosphere of the promenade. Maybe it was just the week we were on the Mariner, but it seemed like there were more passengers who did not follow ships rules (kids in solarium pool, jeans in the dining room, age of kids in the disco and casino)

 

We have booked the Serenade for next spring (balcony categories were almost sold out on Constellation), and feel the Radiance class on RCI will be more of a match with the M class ships on X.