Reflection vs Regal for a couple in there 30s

[wallie5446]

We were on board Reflection at Christmas and Captain Peppas announced about Reflection. You could tell he was very proud. :)

 

We chatted a bit with him when we were on the Reflection Nov 2013. He was an Officer on the Zenith in 1994 when we sailed with Celebrity the first time!

[wallie5446]

Its so hard choosing, the Summit to Bermuda, the Infinity to the Pacific Coastal, the Reflection to the Caribbean and than I've seen the reflection to New Orleans for Mardi Gras in 2018, although I don't think I could wait that long, how do you decide?

 

 

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It's so hard choosing!

 

Welcome to the wonderful problem of taking a vacation on a Celebrity Ship.

( Or any ship for that matter :D )

 

Your choices are 3 very different regions that all have great off ship experiences to do and see. Pick the one that has things to do that you feel may give you that wide eyed kid going to the Fair for the first time effect! :eek:

 

Because as you see, some of here feel that way every time we set foot on any Celebrity Ship.

EW

[NOSaints1]

It is hard because there's only so much money to go around and were not rich, we have to save up for the deposit and make payments and with the way our dollar is now it cost us 900 CDN for 750 US

 

 

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[wallie5446]

It is hard because there's only so much money to go around and were not rich, we have to save up for the deposit and make payments and with the way our dollar is now it cost us 900 CDN for 750 US

 

 

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We are in the same boat :eek: so to speak. :D

We try and take a cruise every 11-12-13 months.

We have nothing booked for this year, home repairs don't ya know, but are putting back for our next deposit. Book well in advance, then log into 'My Celebrity' and make a payment every month. That way when Final is due, it is not such a big bite!;)

EW

[NOSaints1]

Tax refund helps, my DW likes to travel in March/April when it's starting to get warm here and you don't have to worry about snow delays, I kind of like that book& go package from Hamilton, ON where everything is included.

 

 

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[seadancer]

DH and I went on the Silhouette 2 years ago and we LOVED it!! We liked it better than the Summit which we went on last year. We like the Concierge class staterooms (they are really roomy) and the up charge restaurants on the Silhouette. We had the "ultimate dining package" and the meals averaged out to $25 per person. We had decided to try them since there are 4 of them, it was cheaper to get the "ultimate dining package" than to pay for it individually. The buffet was awesome and we went to breakfast to the buffet and to bistro on five. ALL of the food was delicious!!! Our cabin stewards were fantastic and attentive! (when do you rave about cabin stewards? Usually they are just great.) The ambiance of the ship was relaxed and everywhere you went you felt welcome, the people were friendly and the Solarium was peaceful and serene. DH and I looked on YouTube for videos and that is how we decided that we liked the Silhouette for that cruise. That was our first cruise on Celebrity so we were unsure about what to expect. We LOVED it and we also love the specials they give on board for booking a next cruise. Since it can be changed (date) with no fees, we book it on board and take advantage of the on board credit they offer. Other cruise lines have offered us discounts or on board credits but not as much as Celebrity. We were really surprised. I hope this has helped!

[seadancer]

It is hard because there's only so much money to go around and were not rich, we have to save up for the deposit and make payments and with the way our dollar is now it cost us 900 CDN for 750 US

 

 

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We have the same problem even though we live in FL. We save, put deposits down, pay every month or when we can, use a travel agent, whatever helps! If you look at YouTube for the size cabin you want or to compare the ships, it will help you decide.

[NOSaints1]

We had a AQ for the Soltice going to Alaska with the 1,2,3 promotion to Alaska for this September but we had to cancel for some reason

 

 

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[NOSaints1]

One food were not into is Seafood, were more meat eaters as my DWs uncles are all Butchers. She's got around 10 aunt and uncles on one side 11 on another, 100 first cousins on each side. Her Grandma has 70 great grand children and 1 great great grand children, could you imagine organizing a group booking like that.

 

 

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[sp2]

Hi NOSaints1,

 

You have asked a lot of questions which I will try to answer, starting with the original question of Reflection vs. Regal.

 

We have cruised 21 times, including twice on Regal in the past four months. We have not cruised on Reflection yet (we will be on her in March) but have sailed on her sisters Solstice, Equinox and Silhouette. We are 50 and 51 years old, no kids. I am not a big drinker but my husband likes his scotch so we have used the beverage package on our last fourcruises and loved the convenience and being able to try different things. We are not big partiers when we are at home but on a cruise we usually try to take part in whatever nightlife is available (life is short - enjoy it while you can!).

Having said all that, it's our opinion that the Celebrity Solstice class ships are the most beautiful at sea, with beautiful cabins and decor all over the ship. They also have the beautiful free Solarium pool which the Regal does not. Also, what others have said is true, there is no Crows Nest/ Observation lounge type indoor bar which looks out to sea on the Regal. We missed that on Regal. It is a beautiful ship but those are two design flaws in my opinion. However, we did enjoy both of our cruises on Regal and I would not hesitate to sail on her again. Her atrium is beautiful and she has great nightlife. We found ourselves staying up until 2 a.m. every night which we would never do at home, we were just having fun dancing!

 

As to beverage packages, I think that Celebrity requires both occupants of a cabin to purchase the package if they want it, whereas Princess will allow you to purchase individually (you don't both have to purchase it) . Great if one of you drinks but the other doesn't. Perhaps someone else can verify that for sure regarding Celebrity. As to cost, on Celebrity website it shows the cost for the Classic package as $77 Cdn per day per person, plus 18%

Gratuity. I believe the price is $49 USD plus grats on Princess. In general we have found drinks more expensive on Celebrity. Their specialty dining is also more expensive although they do offer deals like 2 for 1 occasionally. No need to make reservations ahead online unless you really want to, it seems there was lots of availability, at least on our cruise there was.

Also, on Princess they set their USD to Cdn exchange rates in advance so depending on when you pay your deposit, sometimes you can lock in to a lower exchange rate. For example, we paid for our Dec 2015 Regal cruise at $1.10 rates because it was booked in Dec 2014. The exchange rate in December was probably more like $1.35 so we got a real bargain. I am not sure if Celebrity uses the same process but your travel agent should be able to find out.

We have also used the all included package from Canada (we fly from Ottawa) last March and will be again this March and think it's a great deal for what you get included. Keep in mind, if you are utilizing it from Hamilton you probably won't get a pre cruise night in hotel. They will be flying you down on a charter direct on the day you sail. I think they only give you the pre cruise hotel night if they can't fly direct and the risk of flight delays is too great, so they fly you down the day before.Also a note on the all included Celebrity package, I think they are only booking for this winter 2016 yet, so the price you have quoted above may be different for 2017. A lot will depend on what happens with the exchange rates.

 

I'm also not sure if you were quoted an exchange rate by someone or not, but you mention $750 US costs $900 Cdn. That is actually only an exchange rate of $1.20, and the actual rate is around $1.40 right now, so if someone has offered you that rate now I would grab it and book something! As long as you ensure the deposit is refundable.

 

Someone also mentioned the loyalty programs as a factor to be considered. I'd suggest you go to the websites and compare what is more important to you. We think the Princess program is better because once you reach a certain level you get a free internet package, which is of value to us. There is nothing comparable on the Celebrity program ( I think it gives you 10-15% discount on Internet).

 

I would encourage you to keep researching the Internet and check out the cruise line websites as well as they do have a lot of info on them. Also I would get a travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you decide.

 

Sorry this is long but a lot of topics were brought up that I wanted to address.

Have fun choosing!

Edited January 31, 2016 by sp2

[CQG67]

Putting in my two cents worth - Reflection hands down. Beautiful ship. Was on Royal (Regal sister) recently and although nice, the cabins sre smaller, balconies way smaller, no promenade, no center staircase unless it has been recently added so traffic jams at those center elevators, and food I think better on Reflection. Regal has nice public areas but so does Relevtion. Smart move to leave Carnival. Barb

[sp2]

[quote name=sp2

Someone also mentioned the loyalty programs as a factor to be considered. I'd suggest you go to the websites and compare what is more important to you. We think the Princess program is better because once you reach a certain level you get a free internet package' date=' which is of value to us. There is nothing comparable on the Celebrity program ( I think it gives you 10-15% discount on Internet).

 

[/quote]

 

Sorry, I don't want to mislead you with what I said above. You do eventually reach a level where you get a free internet package on Celebrity, it just seems to take longer. Princess loyalty plan is based on number or cruises taken whereas Celebrity's is a points system based on cruise days and cabin type.

Thanks!

[carolslc]

On Celebrity, both occupants do NOT have to both purchase a beverage package. I frequently buy one and my husband does not or we purchase different ones.

 

I think there are some requirements around promotions but I don't know about those.

[NOSaints1]

Sorry it was 500 US at 750 CDN my apologies

 

 

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[NOSaints1]

I think even at 2000 pp, using a interior for a example plus your classic beverage package and everything is included except any onboard package, seems like a good deal. Do you book specific cabins based on the intenary like if you do Bermuda or a Southern Caribbean since your not in your cabin as much, I hope you know where I'm getting at.

 

 

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[sp2]

On Celebrity, both occupants do NOT have to both purchase a beverage package. I frequently buy one and my husband does not or we purchase different ones.

 

I think there are some requirements around promotions but I don't know about those.

 

That's good to know, thanks!

 

NoSaints1, I also forgot to mention nightlife on celebrity. We found that things shut down relatively early (around midnight, not much to do after that). The Regal seemed to be livelier. Since you like to retire early that might not matter but thought I'd mention it.

Have fun deciding!

[NOSaints1]

We're not big into the nightlife, just relaxing and having a good time.

 

 

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[NOSaints1]

Can't remover if I asked this but is X all a non smoking ship? How many kids are on a typical sailing, I know it depends on the time of year, sailing. How big would you say the interior/OV are as this is more ecomical for us to travel as my DW doesn't work but still brings money in. How're the fellow passengers, do they treat you any different if your in a lower category or age. I know people aren't like that at least I hope not. Just outta curiosity, I'm hoping maybe someone knows all the cruiselines have Catholic service onboard but not Christian services why is that?

 

 

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[CQG67]

Not gonna lie - Celebrity I have found has a little more mature crowd versus Royal and especially Carnival. On my cruises on Celebrity there has always been plenty to do but it is NOT a big party ship which appeals to us. I have never seen people being rude to younger people. The children population on a Celebrity ship is generally less than on other lines, but spring break and Christmas anything goes. Let's face it - during certain months of the year, kids are in school and people are working so those who can cruise more easily are generally retired older folks. Transatlantic crossings generally have an older crowd with few children (most belong to Europeans who usually travel with their little ones).

 

Most lines now have smoking limited to only a few small areas. On the Reflection smoking is allowed up in the back of the ship at the outdoor Sunset Bar. I can't remember if there is a cigar area on the ship as some lines have that and others don't. Supposedly you can smoke on the port side of the ship on many ships either on the promenade deck or up on the pool deck. Generally smoking is allowed in the casino with sometimes one or two nights set aside as nonsmoking nights. There is no smoking in the dining venues, in your staterooms, on your balconies and in most of the indoor bars. Celebrity cabins are pretty spacious - maybe along the lines of those on Carnival. I don't know about inside cabin as I tend toward claustrophobia and need a window or veranda. If you're not in your cabin that much, inside should be fine and yes they are a better deal money wise. I believe OV cabins are same square footage as standard veranda. I think interior cabins are close to same size if not the same. Aqua and concierge run a little larger and then on up to suites etc. Princess cabins are smaller. Right now Celebrity is running specials on $25 deposits, free gratuities or classic beverage package, shipboard credit, free internet - pick two. If you purchase beverage package separately you can just buy one. If you take it with the special offer you both will have it.

Regarding church services - you know I don't recall seeing any Protestant services ever offered. They offer Catholic and Jewish services but U.S. Protestants are forgotten.

 

Hope you book something. Go through a travel agent as Celebrity does not discount their fares but the ta can give you shipboard credit. For example - I booked a 7 day cruise for next Janiary for myself and my five gal pals. Our past six cruises have been on Royal Caribbean out of Port Canaveral or Tampa. The last was in November on the Freedom of the Seas. I talked the girls into trying something new and much nicer in my opinion. We are booked on the Silhouette (sister ship to Reflection). We got free gratuities, $300 shipboard credit and an additional $200 shipboard credit from my travel agent. If the rates should go down before final payment and there aren't any little catches such as has to be a new booking, etc. you get the lower rate. Got almost $600 off my cruise in April and didn't lose any of my perks when prices drop. You have to call the ta on this though as they don't keep up with the rates.

Hope this helps.

Barb

[sp2]

Can't remover if I asked this but is X all a non smoking ship? How many kids are on a typical sailing, I know it depends on the time of year, sailing. How big would you say the interior/OV are as this is more ecomical for us to travel as my DW doesn't work but still brings money in. How're the fellow passengers, do they treat you any different if your in a lower category or age. I know people aren't like that at least I hope not. Just outta curiosity, I'm hoping maybe someone knows all the cruiselines have Catholic service onboard but not Christian services why is that?

 

 

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There is no smoking anywhere indoors on Celebrity, including the casino. There is smoking on one side of the Sunset Bar area and also a section on the pool deck. It's pretty restrictive. We have not seen many kids on Celebrity and they seem well behaved. I think families with small kids tend to gravitate towards Carnival, NCL, Disney and RC because they have more fun activities for kids.

You should be able to find out cabin square footage on the cruise line websites so you can compare. It's not been my experience that passengers treat each other any differently regardless of your age or cabin category. Most folks are pretty nice, as at least that's been our experience, and we enjoy getting to know a variety of people on board,not just those in our age group.

[dahkeh]

We are also in our 30s we have kids and we despised Carnival when we sailed on it. Too much activity, food was bad, and a lot of partying. We sailed on celebrity and loved it! We have gone on 2 cruises Sans the kids and taking them on their first Celebrity cruise next year. Be prepared to be among the youngest on the ship but we meet some sail friends that we still keep in touch with- some as old as 80[emoji3] it is the best decision we ever made and we will only vacation with Celebrity from now on!

[farmermd]

Been on Reflection twice and loved it each time, but just booked the Regal for next year in the caribbean. Most of our past cruises have been on Celebrity. Did one Princess cruise in Alaska.

 

I'm at the point in life after 20+ cruises, I would like to try something different for a vacation - rent a car in Europe for a week, Bungalow in Fiji, all inclusive in the Caribbean, hike the Grand Canyon, etc. Having said that, I have told the family that any future cruise we take has to include at least one new port, hence the reason for Regal - Grand Turk & Princess Cays. We are easy to please so I'm sure we will have a good time, though we are sure it won't measure up to the Solstice class of ships.

[NOSaints1]

My sister in law happens to be a TA, she's been a few princess cruises only because they were free, the last few Carnival cruises, we've booked online through the cruiseline. We had a balcony on our last cruise out of San Juan and found we didnt use our balcony a lot, all I care about is sleeping and showering.

 

 

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[NOSaints1]

So how do price drops work on Celebrity? I know it's definitely than Carnivals Early Saver program

 

 

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[NOSaints1]

Just wondering I know i said the Reflection but I thought I would run it by you see what you think, Summit to Bermuda, Infinity to the Pacific Coastal or the Milli doing a 5 night to Ketchikan, Victotia and the inside passage

 

 

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