The Little Differences - Celebrity - Royal?

[avalon007]

Hi,

 

We are diamond on Royal & sailing first time on Celebrity on Solstice soon so will get reciprocal Elite benefits.

 

I'm interested in hearing from members that have done a few cruises on each cruise line to compare, as to what they think the most notable 'little differences' between the two lines are, taking into account the loyalty perks as well if possible.

 

Thanks. :)

[wallie5446]

Welcome to Celebrity.

 

We have sailed 5 classes of RCCL ships and are Emerald. 3 classes on Celebrity and just reached Elite. The perks are nice but for us, don't factor in our decision which to book, a free rum n coke in a 'special' room;) The ship itself has become more of a factor.

 

RCCL, tho very nice, has nothing that compares to a Celebrity S-Class. They are more refined and a grown up experience. We like Vintages better than Cellar Masters ( which are being replaced )

 

If the elbow to elbow party on RCCL is enjoyable for you, Celebrity may be to refined. Tho the Martini bar does get hoppin each evening.

EW

[boscobeans]

Elite member benefits:

 

Access to the Captain's Club Lounge for daily coffee house style breakfast

 

Evening Cocktail hour (excludes embarkation and evening of Senior Officers' Party)

 

Complimentary 90-minute Internet package per member

 

20% discount on any digital or print photo package at the Photo Gallery

 

Complimentary access to Persian Garden (on one port day of your choice while ship is in port)

 

Complimentary dry cleaning of one garment item per member

 

One complimentary bag of laundry (wash, dry, fold) on every sailing per member

 

A private shipboard departure lounge, serving continental breakfast

 

Priority Tender Service in Tender Ports of Call Priority wait list in Main Dining Room

 

For us the better laundry, dry cleaning and internet benefits are a nice difference.

 

bosco

Edited December 30, 2014 by boscobeans

[debshomespun]

The Elite benefits are better on Celebrity, than the Diamond benefits on RC, IMO.

 

Also, the food in the MDR seems to be a step above on Celebrity. Especially the creme brulee. It is fabulous on Celebrity, and available every night (did I mention this is my "Favorite" dessert! :D).

 

The ambiance on the Celebrity ships seems to be more refined than on those of RC. No loud games around the pool on Celebrity, as on RC (belly flop, sexy legs, etc). Also on Celebrity, they do not have those constant announcements about the bingo events, like RC.

[cynbar]

The atmosphere on Celebrity is more relaxing, dignified, refined. It is also quieter than Royal, with less entertainment, which may or may not be an advantage based on your point of view. I find the two lines very different. Cruises on Royal, there is more going on, more activities to go to and adventures to have. Celebrity is really more about enjoying good food and service on a beautiful ship, and enjoying the company of other cruisers, than rushing around to "do it all." DH and I love Celebrity at this time in our lives when it is just the two of us, but look to Royal or NCL when traveling with the family.

[Trainer]

Much as I like, and prefer Celebrity, I think Royal offers some things I like. For example, all the benefits are entered on your cruise card: like the evening drinks, like the FREE photo, the discounts on drinks and wine; so you don't have to carry all those coupons around. I often forget them when I want something. I think the storage on balcony cabins is better on the newer Royal ships (not Allure class). Also, the Royal ships in Florida go out of more ports, like Tampa and Port Canaveral which are both easier for me than Miami. (Both do go out of Port Everglades-Ft. Lauderdale.) I am Elite on Celebrity and Diamond on RCCL, even without the matching benefits. So, it really comes down to itinerary and price.

[NorthCarolinaBelle]

The most important difference for me is the stricter smoking policy on Celebrity. I love that there is no smoking inside the ship at all, including in the Casino!

[richsea]

We've only sailed once on Royal Caribbean, & found the food good, the service good, & the entertainment very very good. Celebrity ships definitely have a quieter atmosphere, with Royla ships having the rock climbing, & more.

The one thing, though small irked me about Royal, was the wining out & in of beach towels, like they think you will steal them. On Celebrity, your attendent gives you a beach towel, more if you ask, & the pool towels are plentiful at the pool.

 

Don't know if Royal has changed, but as of a few years ago, they still had 3 dress codes, formal, informal, & casual, while Celebrity has discontinued the in formal nights, & replaced them with smart casual.

[radsailor]

We cruise on Royal with the kids and do Celebrity for just us adults:) I agree with the other posters that X is a much more relaxed atmosphere. I do think that the food and service are better on Celebrity, but that is just my opinion. I am Elite Plus on Celebrity and do use the perks such as the free internet minutes and laundry services (for the longer TA cruises).

 

This is picky, but if you get the Premium package on Celebrity then you can get a large or small bottle of Evian. On Royal..............they just give you a small bottle of water (not Evian). If you get the water package on Royal they deliver they deliver the set amount of bottles to your room. On Celebrity, you can get them throughout the cruise at any of the bars. On Royal you have to sign for the drinks even if you have the package, on Celebrity you never have to sign anything if you have the package.

 

Just my 2 cents............Happy Holidays!

[thebutlerdidit]

I've yet to sail RC, although I have gone so far as to book and then cancel with them. The things that I knew would bother me on RC were:

 

- Smoking still being permitted in some interior spaces. Celebrity's smoking policy was the single one reason we began sailing with them.

- Having to make dining and entertainment reservations prior to sailing. This sounds stressful, and I tend to be a last minute decision maker.

- Checking out pool towels.

 

Those are the little differences that are holding me to Celebrity at the moment, although I don't consider myself loyal to Celebrity. Once the smoking policies on some of the other lines become comparable to Celebrity's I think I'll be ready to make the plunge and book with other companies.

[Islandbuoy]

We've only sailed once on Royal Caribbean, & found the food good, the service good, & the entertainment very very good. Celebrity ships definitely have a quieter atmosphere, with Royla ships having the rock climbing, & more.

The one thing, though small irked me about Royal, was the wining out & in of beach towels, like they think you will steal them. On Celebrity, your attendent gives you a beach towel, more if you ask, & the pool towels are plentiful at the pool.

 

Don't know if Royal has changed, but as of a few years ago, they still had 3 dress codes, formal, informal, & casual, while Celebrity has discontinued the in formal nights, & replaced them with smart casual.

"X" has definitely not discontinued formal nites.

[Ozzmund]

When we traveled as a family, Royal was our line of choice. There was always something for every age group.

Now that it is just the two of us, we prefer Celebrity. Top reasons:

Smoking policy

No need for rock walls, ice rinks, flowrider, etc.

Feels more "adult" (not old, just more refined)

 

With that said, when the grandkids are old enough, I am sure we will choose Royal for family cruises.

[attilamom1217]

"X" has definitely not discontinued formal nites.

 

You are correct. However, they discontinued informal. They now have formal and smart casual.

 

Debbi

[attilamom1217]

I've yet to sail RC, although I have gone so far as to book and then cancel with them. The things that I knew would bother me on RC were:

 

- Smoking still being permitted in some interior spaces. Celebrity's smoking policy was the single one reason we began sailing with them.

- Having to make dining and entertainment reservations prior to sailing. This sounds stressful, and I tend to be a last minute decision maker.

- Checking out pool towels.

 

Those are the little differences that are holding me to Celebrity at the moment, although I don't consider myself loyal to Celebrity. Once the smoking policies on some of the other lines become comparable to Celebrity's I think I'll be ready to make the plunge and book with other companies.

 

I believe #2 - making reservations in advance of the cruise for dining and entertainment is only true for Oasis and Allure. We did not have to make reservations for anything on Explorer and Mariner. We did need to get tickets for the ice show, but that was done on board.

 

The other two annoy me also. I love that there is no smoking in Celebrity's casino and other inside venues. And I don't like the pool towel policy either.

[Hlitner]

We do not little perks impact our decision making. DW and I used to love RCCL (now RCI) and became Diamond back in the early days of Diamond. We also cruised many other lines (14 to date) but RCI was our favorite until about 6 years ago. But RCI changed their entire business plan, moved to mega ships, focused on maximizing onboard revenue, cut-back on many food/cuisine items, etc. In a sense we outgrew RCI and did not want to be on any line that has hairy leg competitions, diving for spoons, constant PA announcements ("we have a great sale in the jewelry shop") etc. We found Celebrity to be a bit more sophisticated, it has better itineraries (for longer cruises), and we love the S-Class vessels. At this point, among the mass-market lines, we would put RCI at the bottom of the barrel ..probably even below Carnival. We do understand that RCI has a good product for many folks, but it is just not for us. We want to be on a cruise ship, not a floating shopping mall.

 

Hank

[avalon007]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

To clear up some items regards Royal sailing out of Australia at least - they discontinued the signing out of pool towels last year. Having only sailed Voyager class or smaller we have never had to pre book any event or dining, apart from the specialty restaurants which we book when on board.

 

We find over here that Royal has a nice middle aged demographic in general & the bogan types (rough, boozy, uneducated) tend to travel on Carnival or P&O. Think Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee) verses Cate Blanchet.

 

We also book balcony cabins on higher decks which cost more as we find they attract less families with lots of kids etc, so it is quieter.

 

On Royal we don't generally use the rock climbing or ice skating, but we do use the solarium/hot tubs/spa & like to play table tennis, mini golf & shuffleboard. Does Solstice class have the traditional games available?

 

Although now Voyager has the flow rider my husband may well try it.

 

Our sport activities are mainly focussed on scuba diving & snorkelling or walks/hiking at the ports rather than on board. So we are active people & we use the gym but like doing our own thing rather than participating in group sports.

 

We enjoy the evening shows & movies if shown as well as trivia, but don't bother with bingo or the casino at all.

 

We do enjoy the odd night at the nightclub or an evening pool party, but not essential.

 

One thing I did find unrefined on a recent Royal cruise on Rhapsody, was that several times during the cruise they started playing loud music with the crew doing a dance during the dinner service - was not impressed. This is the only Royal ship of three I have sailed on that this occurred though, apart from the goodbye singing/show they do on the last night.

 

We prefer my time dining on Royal & have selected the corresponding dining option on Celebrity so we have the freedom to eat when we please & also an opportunity to meet different people.

 

We are middle aged so prefer a demographic of 35-60 year olds in general but having said that it also depends on the itinerary I have found, with cruises to NZ on Royal generally a lot older than those to the South Pacific. I have heard that Celebrity tends to attract an older demographic - is that correct?

 

I'm not ageist but certainly prefer not to be the only person that thinks not going grey & not always succumbing to comfortable clothes over any sense of fashion is the theme of the day.

 

I also prefer not to be surrounded by people whose main reason for cruising is to suck away on sodas all day & eat as much garbage food as possible, so they can get a few days closer to their appointment with type 2 diabetes.

 

I enjoy formal nights & also like to dress nicely regardless for dinner if going to the main dining room.

 

I haven't found children much of a problem on Royal, although we don't sale during school holidays either, but I won't miss a lack of children either & I hear Celebrity has less of them aboard in general which suits me.

 

We are well travelled business people who enjoy a refined experience but not a stuffy one, we prefer to associate with like minded people but find bogans & older people who are not active or want to tell us about their grandkids or their latest illness not our cup of tea.

 

But at the end of the day I have never had a bad cruise as we are very self sufficient so really don't need other people to make the cruise a success, but certainly welcome the opportunity to mingle & meet new people whenever possible.

 

So do we sound like Celebrity will suit us well enough? :)

[ChucktownSteve]

"X" has definitely not discontinued formal nites.

 

I recently tried an Oceania cruise and I must admit, I liked the upscale cruise without having to lug the tux. A sports coat was sufficient. After all, don't the people with the most money flying first class go in jeans too nowadays? ;)

[richsea]

"X" has definitely not discontinued formal nites.

 

Of course you're fright! The dreaded spell check strikes again! (Or perhaps it was subconscious wishful thinking!)

Edited December 31, 2014 by richsea

[wallie5446]

 

So do we sound like Celebrity will suit us well enough? :)

 

I almost thought I was reading how we would describe ourselves!:eek:

IMHO, it would a a wonderful match.

EW

[avalon007]

I almost thought I was reading how we would describe ourselves!:eek:

IMHO, it would a a wonderful match.

EW

 

 

:D Great news!