Celebrity vs Oceania

[harpy3]

Wondering what I would find different on Celebrity (Reflection) having only previously cruised on Oceania and Crystal? I know size, of course, but other things. We've liked our previous cruises, but are always interested in trying something different. Thanks

[bphman]

Big difference. Celebrity is a totally different experience. Food much better on Oceania as well as service. Oceania is much more plush. Much older demographic on O. With that being said, Excursions much more reasonably priced on Celebrity assuming you're paying for them. Bars and entertainment are better on Celebrity. Food is fine for a mass market ship. Cabins are not nearly as luxurious on Celebrity. Our experience on O was on the Marina and not R class. We have sailed all the Celebrity categories. There used to be a big price gap but the two lines are getting closer as Celebrity pricing is soaring. I like Celebrity and, if you want to try a mass market ship, Celebrity would be my choice. But, in my opinion, Oceania wins.

[dinosaurdem]

As far as food goes, there is not as much difference as you might think. I would give a modest edge to Oceania. The big differences are: the wonderful breads on O; breakfast in Blu; the no charge in the specialty restaurants on O; and the mediocrity in Toscana on O. We are not impressed with Qsine, but O doesn't have an equivalent.

[Host Jazzbeau]

If you are used to the prices on Oceania and Crystal, you should book a suite on Celebrity -- then you will dine in Luminae, where the food is as good as Oceania, and have access to Michael's Club, for a quiet, classy lounge atmosphere that is also similar to those two luxury lines. Plus you would then get the better level of entertainment shows on Celebrity. A Sky Suite is slightly larger than a regular stateroom. A Celebrity Suite is a true 2-room suite. There are also larger suites above the level of those two, but all suites get full suite privileges.

[warmwinds]

Our last cruise in Aqua/Blu we sat next to a few times a couple who were Crystal cruisers, some trip got cancelled and their TA had to find something that "fit" with their purchased air, so this X cruise it was. They were nice and didn't really say anything bad about X, but on the last night I asked how it compared...well the litany that followed made me think our liking X was equivalent to staying in a cardboard box and eating dog food.

 

I probably will never spend the money for Oceania or Crystal, and I love X, but since you are going in that direction (rather than trading up) I'd take the advice to book a suite very seriously.

[CincyAL]

I have sailed on both. Elite Plus on Celebrity. Food is clearly better on Oceania.

Very difference experience between 2,000 passengers and under 700. Celebrity wins on shopping & production shows. Oceania wins slightly on service and style. The R ships have a classic beauty with a functional library and excellent use of space for lounges, fitness center, etc. Minimum lines with only 700 passengers. Many people say that they did not take a cruise so that they could do laundry, however, you do have self service washers and dryers on Oceania. I think passenger demographics would be very similar on the same itinerary. I would give Oceania a try is price is comparable.

[lozzie64]

I am trying to choose between X Millenium Seward to Vancouver (Alaska) 7 days in Sky Suite or Oceania (Regatta) in maybe slightly smaller Verandah Suite, 10 days, out of Seattle and into Vancouver this September. I have done one cruise in the Med on X Silhouette and loved the boat and food was pretty good. The latest reviews on Regatta are terrible, shocker after shocker, small shower, food not great and on it goes. The reviews on Millie are quite good. Clearly different Pax numbers, O's day tours are expensive, haven't looked close enough at Millie's yet. Due to some specials pricing is similar so that is not swaying me. Having trouble deciding which one, I have paid deposits on both of them, so already have the right room squared away. HELP????

[Ehg]

If you are used to the prices on Oceania and Crystal, you should book a suite on Celebrity -- then you will dine in Luminae, where the food is as good as Oceania, and have access to Michael's Club, for a quiet, classy lounge atmosphere that is also similar to those two luxury lines. Plus you would then get the better level of entertainment shows on Celebrity. A Sky Suite is slightly larger than a regular stateroom. A Celebrity Suite is a true 2-room suite. There are also larger suites above the level of those two, but all suites get full suite privileges.

 

 

 

Full suite privileges with regards to dining in Luminae and access to Michael's club, butler etc, but there are more perks the higher up you go. For example, in a Royal Suite you get comp wifi, laundry, unlimited speciality dining, 2 large bottles of spirits and premium drinks package included plus various other extra touches. Pretty sure Celebrity Suite has some wifi, classic drinks package at least, which I don't believe Sky Suites get. I think that's right, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. [emoji4]

 

 

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[Mynki]

Full suite privileges with regards to dining in Luminae and access to Michael's club, butler etc, but there are more perks the higher up you go. For example, in a Royal Suite you get comp wifi, laundry, unlimited speciality dining, 2 large bottles of spirits and premium drinks package included plus various other extra touches. Pretty sure Celebrity Suite has some wifi, classic drinks package at least, which I don't believe Sky Suites get. I think that's right, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. [emoji4]

 

 

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Generally speaking if booking in the US and it's not past final payment date or a repo cruise you will get the following four included perks when travelling in ANY suite :-

 

WIFI

Included gratuities

$300 OBC

Premium drinks package

 

This is why in my opinion at least the Sky Suite package is the best value for money deal X have generally as they also have access to Luminae, MC, concierge, butler and suite manager just like the other suites.

 

IMHO this needs to be factored in when comparing the X suite life versus other lines.

Edited March 3, 2018 by Mynki

[Mynki]

I have sailed on both. Elite Plus on Celebrity. Food is clearly better on Oceania.

Very difference experience between 2,000 passengers and under 700. Celebrity wins on shopping & production shows. Oceania wins slightly on service and style. The R ships have a classic beauty with a functional library and excellent use of space for lounges, fitness center, etc. Minimum lines with only 700 passengers. Many people say that they did not take a cruise so that they could do laundry, however, you do have self service washers and dryers on Oceania. I think passenger demographics would be very similar on the same itinerary. I would give Oceania a try is price is comparable.

 

There isn't really any value in making sweeping statements like this. Comparing the food on one line against another shows no objectivity at all.

 

If you're dining in the MDR you won't experience the same quality of food than if you were dining in Luminae or Murano for example. Host Jazzabeau offers some very wise advice to the OP. If the OP is used to sailing O then they are best to sailing in a suite on X as that will offer a better comparison of the two lines.

[lozzie64]

The food reviews on Regatta at the moment are really giving it a hard time. I have eaten on Celebrity Silhouette at Sky Suite level and the specialty restaurants were all pretty good. I will go nuts if I get on Oceania and it's not good for 10 days. More restaurant choice on Millie, but more people coming on and off ship, but that wasn't a problem last time. Having so much trouble splitting the 2, I need to decide before the end of March so I get my non used deposit back. I like a casino, I don't mind a show either. I love time on balcony even if it's cold. Once on shore the tours are the tours and luck of the draw about what sea life you see and if it's raining. Hmmmmmm???

[lozzie64]

I will generally go to a bar too before dinner.

[jillmoyra]

Hi - we have travelled on Oceania Nautica and Riviera, Celebrity Summit and are booked on Eclipse for next year. We are restricted on budget and choosy on itinerary. We can only afford inside cabins on Oceania - which are absolutely fine - but we go aqua class on Celebrity because we heard that Blu was good. Enjoyed it last time and booked at same level for next year. We do think that the food is generally better on Oceania and love the fact that all soft drinks and coffees are included and that you have acesss to the excellent speciality restaurants although we do find that Oceania ships are very quiet in the evening. Not necessarily a bad thing. I was interested to read on this thread that if you book any level of suite on Celebrity then a premium drinks package and grats are included. Is that right? On the website it says you have to be Signature Suite or above. We have no benefits included with our cruise next year because it is a long/re-positioning one.

[Ehg]

Generally speaking if booking in the US and it's not past final payment date or a repo cruise you will get the following four included perks when travelling in ANY suite :-

 

WIFI

Included gratuities

$300 OBC

Premium drinks package

 

This is why in my opinion at least the Sky Suite package is the best value for money deal X have generally as they also have access to Luminae, MC, concierge, butler and suite manager just like the other suites.

 

IMHO this needs to be factored in when comparing the X suite life versus other lines.

 

 

 

That's very interesting, I wonder if it's the same if booking from U.K. I'll check with our TA. You're right, that would make a Sky Suite much better value.

 

 

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[jillmoyra]

checking with my TA too but having looked at the website it seems that those privileges are not attached to booking a Sky Suite. Unfortunately. :) think we will stick with Aqua and pay as I go for drinks.

[npb]

After cruising exclusively on X since 1993, we became part of the group that missed the food on the "old" X. In December, we tried Oceania's Insignia because of the good reviews. While the food was better than X, it was not exceptional and we are going back to X. We just booked a veranda on X for 11 days for half the price we paid for a veranda on O for 6 days. We are going with lower expectations and a dining package. What we really missed on O were the friends we made during X's Elite functions.

[Mynki]

That's very interesting, I wonder if it's the same if booking from U.K. I'll check with our TA. You're right, that would make a Sky Suite much better value.

 

 

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checking with my TA too but having looked at the website it seems that those privileges are not attached to booking a Sky Suite. Unfortunately. :) think we will stick with Aqua and pay as I go for drinks.

 

I'm assuming like me that you are both in the UK. If you are booking with a UK based TA or direct with Celebrity UK you will not receive all four of those perks.

 

You can do as many other Brits do though and book with a US based TA to receive all four perks. Be advised that the complete deal value can be better in the US at times whilst other times it is better value to book in the UK. Undertake due diligence on every single cruise you book and check both options. Occasionally the UK market bundles a classic drinks package and rarer still gratuities. Add the cost of internet premium package upgrade, grats and OBC and it can still be better value to book in the UK though. Bear all of this in mind.

 

In extremely rare instances when you consider the value of the four perks and assuming they are of value to you it can be cheaper to book an S2 sky suite than it can aquaclass. In fairly rare circumstances the upgrade can be just a few dollars more. And then suite class can be considerably more expensive so pay attention to all of the details!

[pattycakes]

I am trying to choose between X Millenium Seward to Vancouver (Alaska) 7 days in Sky Suite or Oceania (Regatta) in maybe slightly smaller Verandah Suite, 10 days, out of Seattle and into Vancouver this September. I have done one cruise in the Med on X Silhouette and loved the boat and food was pretty good. The latest reviews on Regatta are terrible, shocker after shocker, small shower, food not great and on it goes. The reviews on Millie are quite good. Clearly different Pax numbers, O's day tours are expensive, haven't looked close enough at Millie's yet. Due to some specials pricing is similar so that is not swaying me. Having trouble deciding which one, I have paid deposits on both of them, so already have the right room squared away. HELP????

 

Did Seattle to Vancouver last May on Regatta. Got a really good deal - it seemed as though a lot of travel agents were onboard though.....Overall the service was excellent but I was not a fan of the food and was definitely disappointed though most enjoyed it -- I would put it on par with MDR Celebrity or Norwegian but not "cuisine". Having 2 specialty restaurant nights gratis was a bonus as well as bottled water, soda and coffee. I would say the "entertainment" is on par with Celebrity on a smaller scale, but I'm not the biggest fan of cruise ship production entertainment and tend to skip it except for comedians. I'd rather the string quartet or small jazz ensemble. I like the participation chits - traded them for a nice long sleeved O shirt at the end of the cruise. The size of Regatta is perfect for me and had that cozy feeling where you got to know your fellow travelers and the crew actually acknowledges you by name. Not being a drink package purchaser, I liked happy hour. I think Regatta is a quieter ship by nature and I was actually glad not to have many options for staying up late at night given our consecutive port days. O's excursions were awesome. I did go out and book one or two similar or the same through an independent excursion company for savings. Regatta's spa service was lacking -- the massage was good but the sign in was down right rude. You'll find the lounges very social -- especially the forward one when entering port or cruising for the views. I think we had a little more port time than the bigger ships and one or two smaller ports.

[jillmoyra]

Can you recommend a US based travel agent I could try? Too late for next year I guess, as we have already booked and paid deposit, but useful to consider for the future I hadn't realised this was an option.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Can you recommend a US based travel agent I could try? Too late for next year I guess, as we have already booked and paid deposit, but useful to consider for the future I hadn't realised this was an option.

 

Cruise Critic rules prohibit anyone from discussing Travel Agents by name, or requesting offline contact for same.

[Mynki]

Cruise Critic rules prohibit anyone from discussing Travel Agents by name, or requesting offline contact for same.

 

This. Though google might be your friend. :)

[ORV]

I am trying to choose between X Millenium Seward to Vancouver (Alaska) 7 days in Sky Suite or Oceania (Regatta) in maybe slightly smaller Verandah Suite, 10 days, out of Seattle and into Vancouver this September. I have done one cruise in the Med on X Silhouette and loved the boat and food was pretty good. The latest reviews on Regatta are terrible, shocker after shocker, small shower, food not great and on it goes. The reviews on Millie are quite good. Clearly different Pax numbers, O's day tours are expensive, haven't looked close enough at Millie's yet. Due to some specials pricing is similar so that is not swaying me. Having trouble deciding which one, I have paid deposits on both of them, so already have the right room squared away. HELP????

 

Just a note, a standard veranda on Oceania is definitely going to be considerably smaller than a Sky Suite on Celebrity. The bathrooms are really small.

 

I like Oceania, and all things considered I'd usually rather cruise with them. Sometimes for various reasons we still cruise Celebrity and like it fine. I think it all depends on what your expectations are and knowing what you are getting in to.

[lozzie64]

Thanks everyone and pattycakes for your Regatta latest info. Hmmmmm, still mulling. I am coming from Australia by the way. I may also be travelling solo, not sure yet, so I assume I will get to know people on Regatta where as I might just be a wanderer on Millie due her size. Yes, I must compare the dock times as well, I think Icy Straight point is the only get in early and leave early rest look pretty standard. If the latest reviews on O were not so average I wouldn't even be considering changing over as my head was firmly pointed to taking that option, then I don't have to get myself all the way to Anchorage from Australia, just Seattle, which is easier. I need to decide by last week of March.

[compman9]

I have just read claims that Celebrity's entertainment is better than another line's.

 

This will take some doing, given that my local pub has better entertainment than Celebrity.

 

If you want a drink before second dining, good luck, no lounge bands, it's theatre or nothing.

 

I can accept that it might be better than Oceania, but to mention entertainment standards on Celebrity at all is embarrassing.

[PhD-iva]

...well the litany that followed made me think our liking X was equivalent to staying in a cardboard box and eating dog food.

 

 

Love it! LOL!

 

 

 

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