Comparing Princess and Celebrity

[nimiq]

Eric- I remember a thread you wrote on Jan 17 when I was boarding the Silhouette, where you were asking what had changed in 14 years.

 

Was there a post-cruise review I missed?

 

My fave Princess ship design was the Diamond and I can imagine you looking forward to the Sapphire, her sister. Far East too-that's some icing on the cake.

 

I imagine the Connie was a good experience-she's a great looking ship inside and out (but I'm looking at old Beyondship photos)

 

Cheers,

 

Norris

 

Hello Again Norris,

 

Don't worry you have not missed much as I do not write the same way you do. Your way of explaining and writing towards reviews are just amazing to read. As for mine you will find it in the review section. It was a short two days so not much to write about as well.

 

I have been on the Diamond and the Sapphire before and love the 4 anytime MDR concept. To me it is fun to have to choose which dinner room we will have to choice from every night especially on a 17 nights cruise.

 

sea ya

 

Eric

[Bimmer09]

As we wind along on this comparison it's time to hit the buffet.

The buffet on Princess is the Horizon Court and takes the form of a cafeteria line where first come first served is the rule. There is food to both sides of you so you may not need to visit each side to get what you want. Each item is labelled so you know what you are getting. You'll often find as in the sign below that the vast area is split and only one side serving. This makes it easy to switch from breakfast dishes to lunch.

 

 

The cafeteria line format can sometimes lead to this...

 

 

Food is laid out in an orderly fashion (that's before the diners get to it)

 

 

A beverage station where you can help yourself. Coffee is made from a concentrated syrup.

 

 

The Horizon Court starts serving a hot breakfast at 5.30 which is usually the only time I eat there as I am up early and will have a second breakfast in Sabatini's at 9 a.m. It's a good basic breakfast and staff will bring you coffee and orange juice etc. I think I have eaten lunch there once. You can take your plates out to the aft decks and eat there.

 

Indoor seating

 

 

Tables are already laid with flatware, napkins, cups and glasses

 

There are tables to eat your buffet food on the tiered aft decks.

 

 

I enjoy the food in the HC but have to say the layout is rather tight and the assortment of dishes small. Signing is minimal besides the labels on the dishes.

NEXT X

[El Crucero]

Tables are already laid with flatware, napkins, cups and glasses

 

This was not our experience on our Princess cruise last December. We had to gather our flatware and napkins at the buffet line. There were no glasses or cups on the table. Staff came along as they had time and asked us what we wanted to drink and then brought it to us. There was Noro aboard so no health precautions. Different ships, different experiences.

[Jasperdo]

This was not our experience on our Princess cruise last December. We had to gather our flatware and napkins at the buffet line. There were no glasses or cups on the table. Staff came along as they had time and asked us what we wanted to drink and then brought it to us. There was Noro aboard so no health precautions. Different ships, different experiences.

That's unusual. What ship was that on? We have always had silverware inside a cloth napkin set up at the buffet tables. Here's a few photos of the lunch set up on three different ship:

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

Tables are already laid with flatware, napkins, cups and glasses

 

This was not our experience on our Princess cruise last December. We had to gather our flatware and napkins at the buffet line. There were no glasses or cups on the table. Staff came along as they had time and asked us what we wanted to drink and then brought it to us. There was Noro aboard so no health precautions. Different ships, different experiences.

 

That's the same as on X- the customer gets their own. It saves the crew time but gives the customer more stuff to carry.

 

Having the set up that I showed for breakfast with the table completely laid for juice and coffee is time consuming but they have time to do the set up as the room is empty for the only time of the day. It makes sense to set it all up at once from carts full of cups/glasses etc than to go get 4 glasses and cups when people sit down-time management study needed.

 

Norris

[JF - retired RRT]

It seems to be ship dependent...we've had it both ways.

[Bimmer09]

It seems to be ship dependent...we've had it both ways.

 

JF, there's nothing that burns my shorts than "ship dependent" on Princess.

The ships are all part of the same brand and as such the same expectations should be met from ship to ship. No short-cuts. Home office should create a procedure and then have it carried out fleet-wide. The current method invites laziness on the part of Hotel Managers who already let bars get away with closing before their scheduled time.

 

Come the revolution....

 

Norris

[Woobstr112G]

Joe, I can imagine even though I wasn't interested in Princess in 2004. I think it can be overused during the day but at least on the Grand Class it doesn't blast the entire pool deck thanks to the superstructure (stadium seating) that separates the Calypso Pool from the Neptune pool, where I live.

 

Of course that structure is missing on the Royal Class.

 

Norris

 

I wholeheartedly agree.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

Joe, I can imagine even though I wasn't interested in Princess in 2004. I think it can be overused during the day but at least on the Grand Class it doesn't blast the entire pool deck thanks to the superstructure (stadium seating) that separates the Calypso Pool from the Neptune pool, where I live.

 

Of course that structure is missing on the Royal Class.

 

Norris

 

JF, there's nothing that burns my shorts than "ship dependent" on Princess.

The ships are all part of the same brand and as such the same expectations should be met from ship to ship. No short-cuts. Home office should create a procedure and then have it carried out fleet-wide. The current method invites laziness on the part of Hotel Managers who already let bars get away with closing before their scheduled time.

 

Come the revolution....

 

Norris

 

Spot on comments.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Bimmer09]

On the S Class the buffet gets away from the canteen line and into a world of separate food islands with big signage to help you navigate from afar. Gone is the line where you wonder what might be up ahead.

 

I ate there every lunch time- no breakfasts as I have been trying to lose weight after a year of indulgence. My breakfasts could wait until 8.30 in Blu.

 

Breakfast starts much later than on Princess- 7 a.m vs 5.30 and in general the ship sleeps longer but they had some more late night events including deck parties that didn't start until after 10 pm. The bars and shops and casino were all jumping when I headed in a bedwardly direction around 11 pm.

 

 

Lavazza coffee is served here-no syrup.

 

 

It's gigantic and apart from breakfast when the assortment is at it's narrowest both sides will be open for service. If you want sweet pastries you head to that station.

 

 

Cooked meats have their own island

 

 

There's even carved meats at breakfast

 

 

Seeing a sign saying Indian food on my first sea day I indulged myself each afternoon there for lunch- it was rightly popular.

 

 

You have to get your own warm plate and silverware/napkin combo before you start loading your plate. The food is piping hot.

 

More....

[Bimmer09]

A couple of days I grabbed a little steak, pork cutlet and fries for a quick protein boost. Regardless of what I brought to the table there was soon a waiter at my side asking if I wanted a drink. The answer was of course YES and a Guinness or Stella brought forth.

 

 

The bar waiters don't have to go far because the buffet has it's own bar which also makes espresso....nice touch!

 

 

I took all of my buffet meals out here

 

 

One thing I also love is the attention to art in the buffet-each island has whimsical displays like this at knee level.

 

 

 

I looked forward to the buffet lunch each day even though there were several other locations I could have eaten including Luminae and Blu the "private" restaurants. The food was good and I wish that I had indulged more. Next time!

 

BUFFET EXPERIENCE?

 

ADVANTAGE CELEBRITY

 

(FOR THE LAYOUT, THE CLEAR SIGNAGE, THE QUALITY OF FOOD, AMAZING VARIETY AND THE BAR SERVICE)

[El Crucero]

That's unusual. What ship was that on?

 

This was the Star. I just asked for confirmation from my wife and she said yes, the table was set in the MDR but no, not in the buffet.

 

I also should have said NO Norovirus aboard so lack of flatware was not the result of health concerns.

[Bimmer09]

Public rest rooms- and no jokes about this following the section featuring my spicy Indian curries!

 

Without them it's a long walk back to the cabin so I always avail myself of them when up on deck.

 

On Princess they are always well maintained and there's usually a chart hanging to show how often it has been visited by a cleaner that day. Paper towels are provided by the sinks and there are signs advising you to use one to open the door on your way out.

 

 

On the S Class

 

 

Etched glass sinks, orchids, white terry hand towels give the restroom a luxury hotel feel. You can also learn some pithy new thoughts/maxims....

 

 

The best thing about the rest rooms though (apart from being there when you need them) is that the doors open electronically when you press a button so no door knobs and holding a paper towel to open them- I use my elbow on the way out.

 

PUBLIC REST ROOMS?

 

ADVANTAGE CELEBRITY

 

(FOR THE ELECTRIC DOOR OPENERS, LINEN TOWELS AND THE UPSCALE HOTEL LOOK-MODERN LUXURY)

[Bimmer09]

Spot on comments.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

Bob so happy to see you still reading along!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Want coffee and a quick snack?

 

On Princess you can mosey on down to the bottom of the Piazza to the International Cafe.

 

 

If you're not in the mood for sweet, flaky, pastry things try the shrimp or chicken salad or a bowl of hot soup.

 

 

Fresh brewed and specialty coffee live here. Gelato too but at $1.50 a scoop.

 

 

International Cafe is open 24 hours a day

.

(Photos taken on Caribbean Princess January 2014)

 

On Celebrity the equivalent is Cafe al Bacio

 

 

Very comfortable seating at the Cafe.

 

Fine sweet pastries on display

 

 

There is a Gelato stand in the Cafe also. Scoops are just over $2 each (yummy)

 

 

The cafe is open 7 a.m until Midnight.

 

CAFES/MIDNIGHT SNACKS?

 

ADVANTAGE PRINCESS

 

(IT'S OPEN 24 HOURS FOR PETE'S SAKE!)

[Woobstr112G]

Norris;

 

Do you happen to have any pictures of Blu and its menus?

 

Bob

Edited March 5, 2016 by Woobstr112G

[Bimmer09]

Norris;

 

Do you happen to have any pictures of Blu and its menus?

 

Bob

 

Bob- I have breakfast only as I never ate lunch or dinner there.

 

I'll find them and return later.

 

Norris

[midwestchick]

Bob- I have breakfast only as I never ate lunch or dinner there.

 

I'll find them and return later.

 

Norris

 

Norris...I have pictures of Blu on the Summit and the Blu restaurants pretty much look alike. Another option for the person who asked this is to Google Blu on Celebrity Silhouette and they can find them.

[Bimmer09]

For Bob

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A great place to start the day.

 

Norris

[Jasperdo]

A quick question about Cafe al Bacio if you don't mind. Is the food all at no extra charge except for the gelato, just like the International Cafe? And is the variety similar: pastries in the morning; sandwiches, salads and desserts the rest of the day? (OK, that was two questions. My bad.)

[El Crucero]

Bob- I have breakfast only as I never ate lunch or dinner there.

 

I'll find them and return later.

 

Norris

 

Norris, Blu is not open for lunch. It is available for breakfast and dinner only. If you are going Aqua class, Blu is the private restaurant. Suite guest can eat there on a "space available" basis, but Aqua class gets priority seating. Aqua class guests eat lunch at the buffet, one of the other free venues, or one of the cost extra specialty restaurants.

Edited March 5, 2016 by El Crucero

[Jasperdo]

This was the Star. I just asked for confirmation from my wife and she said yes, the table was set in the MDR but no, not in the buffet.

 

I also should have said NO Norovirus aboard so lack of flatware was not the result of health concerns.

Interesting. I've been on the Star twice, and the buffet tables have always had silverware and napkins already on the table. Funny how inconsistent Princess can be at times. Edited March 5, 2016 by Jasperdo

[OzKiwiJJ]

Love the comparisons, thanks, Norris.

 

We're fairly new to cruising but have managed a couple of Princess cruises (Sun and Dawn) and one on Celebrity Solstice (and one RCI as well). Like you, we find the two cruise lines more similar than different but each has its pluses and minuses.

 

We're booked on Golden for a 21 day cruise departing next month, and again on Solstice in Feb 2017. I'm looking forward to comparing Golden and Solstice - putting Sun/Dawn up against Solstice isn't really fair.

 

As other Aussies have mentioned, Princess has a distinct advantage for us in that most cruises out of Australia have onboard costs in AUD, and those that don't Princess offers very favourable exchange rates for OBC. Plus Princess is in our region all year round. And Princess has the Sanctuary so we can get away with booking an inside cabin and spending the savings on that.

 

But Celebrity includes more perks in their pricing so we book a balcony with included drinks package for much the same price as an inside plus buying the drinks package separately.

 

I did write a review of Solstice, with some comparisons to Princess and RCI, after that cruise. If you're interested ... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2296404

 

Once again, many thanks for your interesting and informative insights on teh two cruise lines.

Edited March 5, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[2onboardagain]

Norris,

 

You are doing an amazing job and it is much appreciated. Oddly enough we will be sailing both of these lines this year after a fairly long absence and it is great to get a preview of the current state of affairs on both. As we have been recently sailing with lines that have no ship photographers or art auctions I was curious to hear if there are differences in the aggressiveness of each in your experience.

 

Thanks again for putting this together.

 

John

Edited March 5, 2016 by 2onboardagain

[Bimmer09]

Love the comparisons, thanks, Norris.

 

We're fairly new to cruising but have managed a couple of Princess cruises (Sun and Dawn) and one on Celebrity Solstice (and one RCI as well). Like you, we find the two cruise lines more similar than different but each has its pluses and minuses.

 

We're booked on Golden for a 21 day cruise departing next month, and again on Solstice in Feb 2017. I'm looking forward to comparing Golden and Solstice - putting Sun/Dawn up against Solstice isn't really fair.

 

I did write a review of Solstice, with some comparisons to Princess and RCI, after that cruise. If you're interested ... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2296404

 

Once again, many thanks for your interesting and informative insights on teh two cruise lines.

 

Hi and thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you're finding this confirming some of your own impressions from your own review. Thanks for the link.

 

Like you I found the Grand Foyer to be the wrong place for a loud band but as the ship has very few closed-off rooms for bands (none really!) they're stuck with it.

It did make the ship sound very lively at night, I'll say that and luckily the main band was Front Row (on my Silly sailing) who were very good indeed.

 

We only had one MDR experience but the service was poor- it's all in the Silhouette review but we will give it another go on the Reflection. You can have the best service team working just a few tables away from Cheech and Chong on any ship. We've had a couple of weak last nights on Princess too but we roll with it.

 

My hope in this comparison is that cruisers exclusively sailing one of the lines will get a better idea of what the other offers. We only knew Princess until now but are glad there is another line we can trust to give us an enjoyable cruise.

 

Thanks for the response! Enjoy the Golden!

 

Norris