Celebrity v Princess

[geordiebing]

I usually cruise with Princess but always thought Celebrity was a class above.We are about to book a cruise with Celebrity April 2018 but have been put off by negative reviews about the drop in standards. Princess standards have dropped that is one of the reasons for change. Should I go ahead and book

 

 

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[OCruisers]

You should definitely go ahead and book!

It never hurts to "sleep around" to experience different cruise lines for your own self. :D

[bphman]

I would have no hesitation booking Celebrity. The two lines are similar in many ways. I prefer Celebrity in that I feel less crowded in the bars and lounges. Princess has an advantage is cabin selection. Love the size of Princess minis and Celebrity has nothing comparable. I think all cruise lines are seeing cuts in service even luxury lines. We were booked on Crystal and had to cancel for health reasons and the cruisers were also complaining on line about cuts. Go and have fun. I am sure the service you receive will be better than you get at your home.

[Kamloops50]

We have done Celebrity and enjoyed it. The only thing that we wouldn't cruise without is the Beverage Package.

[sammy8888]

comparing princess royal class to celebrity solstice class:

 

entertainment- P two evening show choices

C one evening show choices both C & P are excellent.

food - as a foodie - C is a class above in main dining room, spa cafe and buffet. Fantastic desserts in Cafe al Bacio on C, Good a la cart pizza and pasta restaurant on P(free alternative from main dining room and buffet). Also good sandwich,pasta and salade bar on main foyer on P.

-specialty dining - both P and C are equivalent.

 

coffee -cappuccino etc - on P can get coffee card.

-on C quite pricey unless you have a drinks package.

 

 

Daily activities - P is more free events and activities

- C mostly paid i.e. need to pay for zumba, but free line dance.

 

Movie - both have comfortable theatres

 

ships - both are grand

 

gym and track - both are excellent.

 

pool,hot tub,sauna - same

 

cabins - same , very comfortable.

 

excursions - all expensive, but they provide excellent service, no fuss, relax and enjoy

 

hope this helps.

[Lastdance]

Suite class is excellent, but if you haven't had it on Princess, you won't miss it on Celebrity...

 

 

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[Kamloops50]

comparing princess royal class to celebrity solstice class:

 

entertainment- P two evening show choices

C one evening show choices both C & P are excellent.

food - as a foodie - C is a class above in main dining room, spa cafe and buffet. Fantastic desserts in Cafe al Bacio on C, Good a la cart pizza and pasta restaurant on P(free alternative from main dining room and buffet). Also good sandwich,pasta and salade bar on main foyer on P.

-specialty dining - both P and C are equivalent.

 

coffee -cappuccino etc - on P can get coffee card.

-on C quite pricey unless you have a drinks package.

 

 

Daily activities - P is more free events and activities Zumba is now a paid option.

- C mostly paid i.e. need to pay for zumba, but free line dance.

 

Movie - both have comfortable theatres

 

ships - both are grand

 

gym and track - both are excellent.

 

pool,hot tub,sauna - same

 

cabins - same , very comfortable.

 

excursions - all expensive, but they provide excellent service, no fuss, relax and enjoy

 

hope this helps.

Recommend getting the classic beverage package . We had it for free . Used enough bottled water , Coffee , tea , beer and fresh squeezed OJ to pay for one.

[villauk]

I usually cruise with Princess but always thought Celebrity was a class above.We are about to book a cruise with Celebrity April 2018 but have been put off by negative reviews about the drop in standards. Princess standards have dropped that is one of the reasons for change. Should I go ahead and book

 

 

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I'd definitely give it a try. We tried Princess once but decided it wasn't for us at that particular time. They're more smilar than different :).

[Hlitner]

We generally describe Princess and Celebrity as relatively equal lines.....each with their pros and cons. At one time we would have called Celebrity a "cut above" Princess....but we think that Celebrity has undergone a steady decline under the tenure of its current CEO. Princess, on the other hand, seems to have maintained,,,,and even improved some facets over the past 5 years.

 

Hank

[cynbar]

Princess and Celebrity are more alike than different, generally if you like one you will do fine on the other. We sail both lines, some things are a little better on one and some things on the other. But we enjoy a little variety, if we sail the same line over and over again it can get a little stale. Give Celebrity a try and make your own decision. Celebrity has slipped a little but still puts out a quality product. We sailed on Silhouette in January and it was a great time.

[thezeit]

I usually cruise with Princess but always thought Celebrity was a class above.We are about to book a cruise with Celebrity April 2018 but have been put off by negative reviews about the drop in standards. Princess standards have dropped that is one of the reasons for change. Should I go ahead and book

 

 

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Have been on most of the Solstice class Celebrity ships and was just on Royal Princess in November. The last Princess ship; we were on was probably 10 years ago. I have to say I liked the Princess better. The food and service was better in the MDR, and seemed less crowded. The entertainment and dancing was much better on Princess. We were lucky to have been able to upgrade to a mini suite. The extra room really made it comfortable.

We're going on Celebrity Eclipse on 2/19 so will really be able to see if there is a notable difference.

[cheeseheads4ever]

Ive been on Princess about 7 years ago, my first cruise and loved it. Been on Celebrity the last 3 and coming up on 4 with them . We enjoy Celebrity because of the drink package we get included with cruise. We really like the no signing for drinks... makes it easy. As far as entertainment its for me ok? But looking forward to Tenors of Rock on Sillouette in April. Hope they are still onboard.

Other than that Id go with Celebrity!

[Pier290]

Celebrity!

Better food

More relaxing

 

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[AZ Ocean Lover]

We like both but tend to use Princess more than Celebrity just because they have more west coast departures. Below are what we see as differences:

 

Celebrity: We love the decor (very subjective)

Better buffet

Martini bar is great

Non-smoking casino

 

Princess: Easier to get in the MDR with Any Time Dining. I'm sure other won't agree with this but it

was so chaotic on Celebrity we were tense by the time we sat down.

We love the aft pool

International Cafe

Bigger balconies

 

We went on our first Celebrity cruise last year so we didn't have anything to compare regarding services going down hill. It all looked good to us.

[Toronto Guy]

I think they are very comparable except Princess ships seem much more crowded. I do not like decor or layout of the new royal class ships on Princess. Too many people on Grand Class - all the lounges are too small for popular events. More activities on Princess (plus for me), pools are much better on Princess too. Food is same on both IMHO. I would say Celebrity Solstice class better than any Princess ship all things considered. Princess has better itineraries.

 

 

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[Shadow9612]

We generally describe Princess and Celebrity as relatively equal lines.....each with their pros and cons. At one time we would have called Celebrity a "cut above" Princess....but we think that Celebrity has undergone a steady decline under the tenure of its current CEO. Princess, on the other hand, seems to have maintained,,,,and even improved some facets over the past 5 years.

 

Hank

 

Interesting point Hlitner about the steady decline under its current CEO. I hadn't thought to make that connection. It would be interesting to see if/when things change under a different CEO?

 

To the OP - IMHO, you need not have any reservation with Celebrity - despite the cuts in service or declines, which I agree have happened, the overall experience is still fantastic.

 

I think they are very comparable except Princess ships seem much more crowded. I do not like decor or layout of the new royal class ships on Princess. Too many people on Grand Class - all the lounges are too small for popular events. More activities on Princess (plus for me), pools are much better on Princess too. Food is same on both IMHO. I would say Celebrity Solstice class better than any Princess ship all things considered. Princess has better itineraries.

 

I have been on 2 Princess cruises, both Grand Class ships (one over 10 years ago, and then 3 years ago). I find the layout of Celebrity S class ships much more logical and maneuverable. I could never remember how to get from 'A' to 'B' on Princess. I also find the Ocienview Cafe (buffet) experience much more pleasant - the X layout is superior to Princess (I don't enjoy the "enter here" / "exit there" line-up style...). I'm not sure if the Princess Royal Class ships are different though.

 

I think Celebrity still has some wonderful itineraries.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Don't know which level of cabin you are comparing between the two lines. Celebrity Verandas are larger than Princess Deluxe Balconies but smaller than mini-suites. But Princess Club Class mini suites are priced more like Celebrity Sky Suites, which are larger yet and have much better amenities (Luminae suite-only restaurant rather than Club Class section of MDR, Michael's Club lounge with concierge, free drinks and music in the evening). Yes, there has been a lot of complaining here about Celebrity cutbacks at the regular cabin/MDR level, but above that I think Celebrity has an unmatched product -- much nicer than Princess or HAL, without the "gated community" problems of NCL and MSC.

[kayyfire]

I have cruised twice with princess before and really enjoyed both times. We are doing celebrity for the first time in about a month I can let you know my opinions when I get back! :)

 

 

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[UpcountryTravelers]

..... I also find the Ocienview Cafe (buffet) experience much more pleasant - the X layout is superior to Princess (I don't enjoy the "enter here" / "exit there" line-up style...). I'm not sure if the Princess Royal Class ships are different though.

 

I think Celebrity still has some wonderful itineraries.

 

Yes, the Princess "Royal Class" ships have - by far - the best buffet we have seen in 26 cruises on 4 lines. Only one Princess ship has buffet lines, Pacific. All the rest are stations.

 

We found our (first) Celebrity cruise - on Reflection - to be quite delightful. Enough so that we are going on Celebrity again this month.

 

One difference you will notice is that there are certain venues that are off limits unless you are "Concierge" or "Aqua" class passengers. Except for one small restaurant at breakfast, there is no such "class" separation on Princess.

[Host Jazzbeau]

One difference you will notice is that there are certain venues that are off limits unless you are "Concierge" or "Aqua" class passengers. Except for one small restaurant at breakfast, there is no such "class" separation on Princess.

 

Princess has now roped off a section of the Main Dining room for Suites and top-level MiniSuites. Maybe that hadn't happened when you sailed. It is much more "in your face" than any of Celebrity's upper amenities.

[Toronto Guy]

Yes, the Princess "Royal Class" ships have - by far - the best buffet we have seen in 26 cruises on 4 lines. Only one Princess ship has buffet lines, Pacific. All the rest are stations.

 

We found our (first) Celebrity cruise - on Reflection - to be quite delightful. Enough so that we are going on Celebrity again this month.

 

One difference you will notice is that there are certain venues that are off limits unless you are "Concierge" or "Aqua" class passengers. Except for one small restaurant at breakfast, there is no such "class" separation on Princess.

 

 

 

I can honestly say that the royal class buffet set up was one of my least favourite in both layout and quality of food. We avoided at all costs on the Regal last year as a result. Funny how we all have such different experiences and preferences. It felt like a hospital cafeteria to me and I remember remarking same the first time we went. Also didn't like the long galley style set up through the middle with the coffee and pastries. Thought that was most bizarre.

 

 

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[Toronto Guy]

My other gripe re royal class layout was the strange location of the spa off the bottom level of the atrium. Nowhere near the fitness center and most awkward to go to spa pool etc in swimsuit and a robe through the atrium and then up about 8 decks to get to your cabin. Also couldn't understand why there wasnt even a sauna or in the locker rooms of the gym. Would not sail on that class again as a result.

 

 

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[Denny01]

We have cruised both Lines and enjoy them. We prefer Celebrity unless it's to join friends on Princess or an itinerary.

 

Comparisons :

- C has better overall service

- C has a little better dining but C S-Class buffet is much better. Very subjective.

- the P main theater is too small on all 3 P ships we used. Had to go Very early to get any seats. C has a theater that accommodates most.

- The P lounges got so crowded. C seems to be laid out better and better flow.

- P has better specialty coffee cards.

- P's standard balcony SRsmaller with no real room to entertain. Always had to go with P Mini SR. Very nice but more costly by a big amount.

- C has a band iwhile P usually had canned music for singer. I call that karioke.

 

Den

[Denny01]

I forgot to add my favorite 2 things about Princess:

 

The full wraparound deck on the ships I cruised. Loved it.

 

The International Cafe. Great sandwiches and coffees.

 

Den

[derekjp47]

I usually cruise with Princess but always thought Celebrity was a class above.We are about to book a cruise with Celebrity April 2018 but have been put off by negative reviews about the drop in standards. Princess standards have dropped that is one of the reasons for change. Should I go ahead and book

 

 

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We have cruised both lines many times and definitely enjoy Celebrity a great deal more. Nothing wrong with Princess, but Celebrity just has a nicer appearance, great service throughout and seems more relaxed.