An Elite Princess tries to be a Celebrity

[OCruisers]

Thanks for your thoughtful comparison!

We don't let being long time Elite on Princess keep us from cruising on Celebrity from time to time. :)

[floridalover5623]

We have 88 cruises on Princess, have enjoyed the cruise line more in the past than in the present -- too many cutbacks! So we are just off a Celebrity cruise and have an MSC booked in a month, trying the opposition. We want to sail out of Florida ports year round but Princess has decided to put its focus elsewhere in the world. Celebrity was much like Princess but why give up Elite benefits for a very similar cruise line, and MSC is still an unknown -- so for now we will sail Norwegian -- or maybe MSC -- and Princess when the itinerary meets our needs.

 

DrJohn

Friends of ours tried MSC one time & went back to HAL forever. ;)

They told me it doesn't come close to Princess or HAL in any way.

[eyecantwait]

We are elite on Celebrity but looking forward to trying Princess for the first time in March 2018. We'll be on the Crown which hasn't been getting great reviews lately but I don't take the reviews as gospel.

Thanks for the comparison.....even more excited to try Princess now!

[margob111]

I, too, was on the Celebrity Constellation in May, but it was her last cruise before going into a short dry dock for refurbishing. First, I have to say that the Constellation is a different class of ship; I have been on the Celebrity Solstice and it was a fabulous cruise and ship. We specifically chose the Constellation because the itinerary included Malta. That being said, I will give you my thoughts on the Constellation.

 

I was not impressed with the Constellation. The crew members were fine and our ship steward was great. However, I can honestly say that with the exception of one night in a specialty restaurant and one night in the main dining room, the food was the worst I've ever had on a cruise. I do feel Celebrity is more expensive than Princess. Our cruise pricing came with a lunch in the main dining room on embarkation day, which is not typical, and we chose the perk of free drinks up to a certain amount, I think it was $9.00. I get lattes every morning and you would think the crew would have been friendly after the first few days - no, which was a total surprise. On this itinerary, we did have one overnight in Barcelona, which is nice, but not a biggie for us since we have been to Barcelona before. I think if you would have chosen a Solstice class ship, you might feel a little differently, but I have been on both Celebrity and Princess and am totally happy with Princess. I've been on two Celebrity cruises, one Carnival cruise and two Princess cruises and am scheduled for another Princess cruise in January. Not elite on Princess, but trying to get there:-).

 

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[ellie1145]

We are Elite with Princess and Diamond with RCI. We have over 50 cruises under our belts and have cruised Cunard, P and O, NCL, Celebrity and even Carnival (just the once!!). We, too, love Princess and always feel that we are coming home. We find the service exceptional, the food, in the main, great, and crew seem happy and willing to go the extra mile.

 

Our one trip on Celebrity Solstice was a disappointment. We had expected it to be a step up from RCI, and the ship certainly was amazing. But service was poor and 'no' was a word heard too often. At breakfast in the buffet, for example, I asked if there was any more English bacon and the answer was a flat 'no.' On Regal Princess in January I asked if there were any baked potatoes available in the buffet. The answer was 'no, but if you can wait a couple of minutes I will go and get one for you.' A few minutes later my potato appeared, but the crew member was very apologetic because I had waited and he said he was going to bring it to me.

 

We also found the buffet closing down regularly a pain, as we are used to being able to eat a decent meal whenever we return from the ship.

 

But it had its good points, and Celebrity must suit very many people. Each to their own. The entertainment was different and we enjoyed the silk work and acrobatics, and our cabin was superb, especially the amazing bathroom without the over-friendly shower curtain. We also liked the lack of smoking, especially in the casino, which although we don't gamble, was pleasant to walk through without rushing past the smoke.

 

But I think our first love will always be Princess.

 

Thank you for your comparison.

[sunsetbeachgal]

Enjoy trying others here and there if the price and itinerary beckons, but my basis of comparison is Princess and we always come back saying this is what we prefer!

 

 

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[umuva]

Friends of ours tried MSC one time & went back to HAL forever. ;)

 

They told me it doesn't come close to Princess or HAL in any way.

 

 

 

We did the MSC Divina. It is a gorgeous ship with many positives. Entertainment was excellent from an afternoon opera performance to big shows. Shopping easily far better than most with a liquor store that compared with St Thomas in price and choices; high level shops. Problem was food and dining service which had not acclimated to US market. Balcony stateroom we had the included shower and separate tub and it was not high category.

We are elite on Princess and love it and 3 star on HAL. We stopped doing HAL because there was little to do. A couple we introduced to cruising on HAL said they weren't interested in cruising if others were as "dead" as the Eurodam was.

 

 

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[Astro Flyer]

Thanks 'cruisequeen4ever'...based on your other CC posts I've read, you objectively share your experiences & I appreciate your helpful comparison of Celebrity & Princess. :)

[Kristal Blade]

I prefer the cookies on Celebrity to those on Princess! I like that Zumba classes are free on Princess but Celebrity now charges for them. But we select cruise lines by itinerary so we haven't got major loyalty points with any line.

Good to see different opinions, I'm liking this thread!

 

 

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[Colonialdame]

We're Elite on Princess and Celebrity and Diamond Plus on RCI, so I guess we've been around the block a few times. (We are an older, retired couple.) Each cruise line is different and has it's own way of doing things. We are going back to Princess this fall after a hiatus of several years and are looking forward to seeing how things may or may not have changed.

 

 

We agree with opinions expressed here about Celebrity in general. If we splurge for a suite on Celebrity, however, they do a phenomenal job, especially with some of their package promotions. Michael's Club and Luminae are great suite benefits.

 

 

On RCI, with Diamond Plus, it doesn't matter what type of cabin you book. You still have great loyalty perks. Princess, in our view, is the most egalitarian and consistent. We have never been disappointed.

[Host Jazzbeau]

...We agree with opinions expressed here about Celebrity in general. If we splurge for a suite on Celebrity, however, they do a phenomenal job, especially with some of their package promotions. Michael's Club and Luminae are great suite benefits.

 

On RCI, with Diamond Plus, it doesn't matter what type of cabin you book. You still have great loyalty perks. Princess, in our view, is the most egalitarian and consistent. We have never been disappointed.

 

I agree that Celebrity offers the best experience for those in Suites, with Michael's and Luminae. I don't know of any other cruise line that offers comparable experience at the Sky Suite level. Princess has weakened and now offers Club Class dining to the top level Minisuites [comparable to S1] and all full Suites, but that is still just a section of the MDR with the regular menu plus one or two extra choices [and better service] -- in some ways the worst of all possible solutions because the non-Club passengers see that section sitting empty after their long wait for a table. When I see a bad review of Celebrity, it is almost always someone who dined in the MDR or the buffet -- it seems that Celebrity doesn't really care about passengers below Aquaclass any more.

[Bookited]

I don't like the fact that Celebrity doesn't allow the military, police/firemen, shareholders credit to all be used. Princess gives all of them for every cruise. My sister booked a Celebrity California coastal recently for September, and they wouldn't give them all that they would have received on Princess.

 

Does Princess allow police/firemen credit?

[umuva]

Does Princess allow police/firemen credit?

 

 

 

There is only military on board credit. There may be police/fire/aarp discounts/credit offered by travel agencies. (Also, shareholder and future cruise credit by Princess)

 

 

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[Astro Flyer]

Does Princess allow police/firemen credit?

No...but unlike some cruise lines nearly all types of complimentary OBC is combinable.

 

Their great Military Cruise Benefit Program (http://www.princess.com/military_benefit_program/) and Shareholder onboard credits are from $50 to $250 depending upon length of cruise.

 

I was unable to get a veteran's discount on RCI because of another promotional discount on my cruise; Princess allows combining several types of OBC which add up to much more than any PD/FD discount or OBC on other cruise lines I've checked.

[chamima]

Looking for your review once you get back. We also love Luminae [from Connie] and are booked on Equinox in January. We found the combination of the Luminae and MDR menus to offer a very wide selection, and the Luminae staff bent over backwards to make us happy [the word 'no' is not in their vocabulary!]

 

I agree that Celebrity offers the best experience for those in Suites, with Michael's and Luminae. I don't know of any other cruise line that offers comparable experience at the Sky Suite level. Princess has weakened and now offers Club Class dining to the top level Minisuites [comparable to S1] and all full Suites, but that is still just a section of the MDR with the regular menu plus one or two extra choices [and better service] -- in some ways the worst of all possible solutions because the non-Club passengers see that section sitting empty after their long wait for a table. When I see a bad review of Celebrity, it is almost always someone who dined in the MDR or the buffet -- it seems that Celebrity doesn't really care about passengers below Aquaclass any more.

 

 

The first post is from the Celebrity boards in answer to a question about the Suite dining room.

Host Jazzbeau's remarking upon never being told no in that dining room speaks volumes about the rest of the ship.

We are Elite on both lines. We started sailing Celebrity when Princess dropped the true 14 day winter Caribbean itinerary (which Celebrity is also now dropping)

We have always sailed in their "Aqua Class" because of the smaller dining room. My husband is a vegan and I'm a vegetarian.

Princess is much more accommodating to special requests , even with us being in this small dining room. If we get a good Maitre D' on Celebrity (the Maitre D' for the Aqua class dining room - equivalent to a Head Waiter on Princess) we're ok but it's always the luck of the draw.

On Princess we meet with the Maitre D' the first day and we have always been assigned to a Head Waiter that knows how to accomodate our needs.

 

Still both lines are still wonderful.

I appreciate the indoor pool on Celebrity for inclement days and the shower is nicer.

The Piazza on Princess is much more open and beautiful and the drink prices (as everyone has said ) are much lower. (Even corkage on wine - $15 on Princess, $25 on Celebrity).

All that being said we usually have a very good time whichever line we're on.

I just noticed that remark about the "no" and it really struck a nerve.

[richsea]

Thanks cruisequeen4ever for you impressions and comparisons. We are basically the opposite of you in that we are elite+ on Celebrity,and (finally) platinum on Princess. Our first Priness cruise was on Crown in 2006. We enjoyed our cruise, but naturally kept comparing the 2 lines. Thereafter, we told each other not to compare, but just enjoy our cruise for what it was. That mindset made a big difference, & we have enjoyed each subsequent Princess cruise more and more.

 

We also used to feel gulity that we were betraying our Celebrity, but now realize that the cruise lines do not really return the loyalty.

 

I agree that Celebrity's drink prices are outrageous, and think that it is due to Celebrity wanting everyone to have a drink package, when for most, it is a waste of money. Food is certainly subjective, but I think both lines are comparable, & Princess' specialty restaurants are so much more reasonably priced.

 

Thsnks again for your perspective!

[cruisequeen4ever]

Thanks 'cruisequeen4ever'...based on your other CC posts I've read, you objectively share your experiences & I appreciate your helpful comparison of Celebrity & Princess. :)

 

 

 

Thank you; that's very nice to hear! I try hard to be objective, and my DH steers me back if I get off track. [emoji5]

 

 

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[cruisequeen4ever]

I agree that Celebrity offers the best experience for those in Suites, with Michael's and Luminae. I don't know of any other cruise line that offers comparable experience at the Sky Suite level. Princess has weakened and now offers Club Class dining to the top level Minisuites [comparable to S1] and all full Suites, but that is still just a section of the MDR with the regular menu plus one or two extra choices [and better service] -- in some ways the worst of all possible solutions because the non-Club passengers see that section sitting empty after their long wait for a table. When I see a bad review of Celebrity, it is almost always someone who dined in the MDR or the buffet -- it seems that Celebrity doesn't really care about passengers below Aquaclass any more.

 

 

 

Agree!

 

 

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[Clarea]

Very interesting comparisons, thank-you for the report.

[mafig]

I like Princess. However.....

 

I've always been slightly bored on her.

 

Also, I hate the way they do their Anytime Dining.

At the beginning of the trip, it's OK.

Then it gets worse because they allow their Traditional Diners to switch back and forth between Traditional and Anytime. This results in lines.

 

We also prefer a table for two. Every time we've gone to the dining room and ask for a table for two we always hear "wouldn't you like to share?" Um, no. Did I say every time? I meant every time .....breakfast, lunch, dinner. One time the Anytime Dining was full and he maître'd said we can accommodate you in Traditional. OK. He said it's a table for two. So we walked downstairs, and the first thing they asked was "would you like to share?"

 

I understand that now if you book the higher end mini suites you now have a portion of the dining room that are mostly tables for two. It's called Club Class. No waiting for a table either. However, it's priced considerably higher than other minis (and the same menu as the regular dining room.)

[kendon]

To the OP, we are Princess Elite and just got off the Celebrity Equinox two weeks ago (chosen simply because Princess doesn't do the Caribbean in the summer) and I agree with your review 99%! The buffet on the Equinox surpassed even the Royal and Regal buffet, but all else considered, Princess is IT for us. The crew on Princess is way above in pleasing it's guests.

[kendon]

Celebrity's coffee in the buffet is brewed coffee not from syrup.

OBC is stackable on Princess.

They both have ships that sail in the ocean.

 

The coffee on the Equinox was fabulous...the buffet had Melitta and Lavazza. Purchasing coffee was not necessary to get a good cup. If you chose to buy a cup at Cafe al Baccio (similar to the international cafe on Princess, but NOT nearly as good), it was $5/cup!

[2forseas]

Having sailed both, my "crown" goes to Princess!

[floridalover5623]

I like Princess. However.....

 

I've always been slightly bored on her.

 

Also, I hate the way they do their Anytime Dining.

At the beginning of the trip, it's OK.

Then it gets worse because they allow their Traditional Diners to switch back and forth between Traditional and Anytime. This results in lines.

 

We also prefer a table for two. Every time we've gone to the dining room and ask for a table for two we always hear "wouldn't you like to share?" Um, no. Did I say every time? I meant every time .....breakfast, lunch, dinner. One time the Anytime Dining was full and he maître'd said we can accommodate you in Traditional. OK. He said it's a table for two. So we walked downstairs, and the first thing they asked was "would you like to share?"

 

I understand that now if you book the higher end mini suites you now have a portion of the dining room that are mostly tables for two. It's called Club Class. No waiting for a table either. However, it's priced considerably higher than other minis (and the same menu as the regular dining room.)

To be fair about it, you're not the only person showing up at the door hour after hour. Did you expect them to remember everyone's choices?

[mafig]

To be fair about it, you're not the only person showing up at the door hour after hour. Did you expect them to remember everyone's choices?

 

I suppose you're right. I would just like to hear a "of course" or "certainly" like I do on other lines when we say "table for two."