Celebrity -v- P&O

[british betty]

We always look at Celebrity first when planning a holiday but have noticed that P&O have some very good prices on an itinerary that Celebrity doesn't have. This of course is very tempting for holiday obsessed people who like an extra holiday if at all possibly :p

 

We've been in various different categories on various ships and have also sailed with other lines.

 

To be honest my main criteria is a larger than standard size balcony so that I can enjoy peace and quiet and watch the sea. My DP is generally just happy to cruise. Unfortunately, we're not able to go to "suite" level, the prices are good, but not quite good enough for that :(.

 

Any opinions would be appreciated, thanks.

[Blondie008]

I wouldn't go back on P&O if the cruise was free!

No chance!

Its a whole different ballgame (not in a good way!) from Celebrity.

In fact, I would choose to cruise on NCL, Costa, and even Carnival rather than P&O.

If you like Brit style holidays "Tenerife style" then you may well like P&O -

Low ceilings, public spaces are squashed with too many cabins and not enough space ratio.

Sardines in a tin by the pool.

Intrusive games all day long.

We cruised P&O of old - after an experience on Oceana we vowed never ever again - and we meant it.

Ask this on the P&O board and a hundred people will tell you how fabulous it is.

I am British too incidentally (well Scottish ;) )

Just MY opinion - different horses for different courses.

[Kitekat]

We haven't cruised P&O for some time, but my parents who are Elite+ on Celebrity (and are equivalent on Cunard and Princess) now sail P&O regularly and they are definitely not activity joiners. They chose them now as a value for money line...

 

Food is not as good as Celebrity, but the dining room is open on port days for breakfast and lunch and they prefer to eat there. Freedom dining (= Select) is available.

 

Drinks prices are much cheaper - more like a UK bars and pubs, although I don't think there are packages like X. You used to be able to buy a reasonably priced bottle of spirits for the room and add mixers.

 

Shows are generally better than X, but that often depends on taste.

 

They are not pool people and mostly cruise during the cooler months, so cannot comment on this, but I hope this helps.

[DebbieMacG]

I've not cruised on both lines but from what friends have told me who have done, I wouldn't sail with P&O if the cruise was free.

 

The two lines are a world apart. Having said that it really depends on your personal tastes. I'm sure there are thousands of people who have a wonderful time sailing with them.

 

As my Hubbie always says P&O do ferries ;)

[YORKI1]

We have just returned from our first Celebrity cruise (Eclipse) and throughly enjoyed it. We have sailed twice on P&O, June 2015, Oceana and December 2013 (New Year), Azura. Again, we throughly enjoyed both cruises.

 

There were a few minor things that I didn't like about all the ships, but none that would put me of cruising on them again, especially if the price and itinerary appealed to us.

[scifimonkey]

We always look at Celebrity first when planning a holiday but have noticed that P&O have some very good prices on an itinerary that Celebrity doesn't have. This of course is very tempting for holiday obsessed people who like an extra holiday if at all possibly :p

 

We've been in various different categories on various ships and have also sailed with other lines.

 

To be honest my main criteria is a larger than standard size balcony so that I can enjoy peace and quiet and watch the sea. My DP is generally just happy to cruise. Unfortunately, we're not able to go to "suite" level, the prices are good, but not quite good enough for that :(.

 

Any opinions would be appreciated, thanks.

 

Done 3 with P&O and 2 with Celebrity with one more booked with X so clearly we are not put off by either.

They are different in some ways but have a lot in common depending on the specific ships you choose, we have only been on the 3 larger P&O ships and S class on X so they are similar in scale.

P&O do adult only cruises on some ships should you wish them, Celebrity do not.

P&O is quite British and British people form the vast majority of the passengers (for good and Ill), it has cheaper drinks, better entertainment (in our view) but does tend toward the Butlins on deck on occasion. Cabins are a bit larger and balcony options are similar with the exception of Britannia which unless you are on the back has very narrow ones.

Celebrity is as you will know more cosmopolitan though with a US bias and has more options and variety for paid dining and bar ambience however we have found the quality of all the specialty offers on both lines are generally quite high and the MDR food quality is also similar if slightly differently slanted to UK tastes on P&O. On anytime dining P&O will ask if you want to share a table by default and they have more large circular and elliptical tables for 8/10. Celebrity will always try to position you in your group size but most of the MDR tables are 2 person pushed together in rows and even if you get a table for two you will be very close to the next table.

If you do not take a drinks package on X the continual 18% service charge addition can be irritating whereas with P&O the price you see is the price you pay. Whilst the Celebrity staff probably just edge it on service (that's not to say that the P&O service is bad its just slightly less attentive) they also tend to bombard you a lot more with special offers and upselling which can be annoying.

Celebrity has a larger casino but less secondary show lounges than P&O meaning that the theatre and cinema(if there is one) seem to come under greater pressure and getting a seat often requires an earlier arrival.

Not sure if any of that helps but we have had terrific cruises with both companies so go to P&O with an open mind, do your research on the destinations and the specific ship and I am sure you would have a great time.