Celebrity vs. NCL?

[chocolate_lover]

Hey all,

My husband and I are trying to decide between going on a Bermuda cruise via the Celebrity Summit or Norwegian Escape. The itineraries are pretty identical, as are the price points. We are young adults w/o kids who look forward to the food and entertainment (ie shows) on cruises. We are also budget travelers, so we'd be booking the lowest class of rooms and eating at mostly the free places on either ship. We don't drink and dislike loud crowds, but we also like fun atmospheres! Anyway, if anyone has any advice as to what would fit us best, that'd be wonderful! Thank you! :)

[Btj301]

I vote Escape- newer ship more to offer. Celebrity’s experience wasn’t much different than ncl Qin my opinion.

 

 

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[Keith1010]

I would recommend reading reviews about each ship and going with the 80/20 rule meaning that if 80% of the people say something is positive or negative I wold assume it as fact until you experience it for yourself.

 

Keith

[champagne123]

You have chosen two very different ships. The Summit is an older, smaller ship (but in great shape) ship, which caters to excellent service, food, decor, entertainment and usually an "older" clientele.....with less children. They have an amazing T-Pool also.

 

The Breakaway/Getaway/Espcape is very family oriented. Bells and whistles (new ship) and much larger with many more pax and children. I love the outdoor eateries and love O'Shenigans (sp?) open 24/7...NO FEE.

 

Soooo, I guess it depends on what you are looking for. Love both ships for what they are. I have never had a bad cruise and to me, Bermuda is really the highlight. One of my favorite places in the world....I will always have a soft spot for the Splendor though.

Edited February 27, 2018 by champagne123
.....,,,,,,,

[kelmac]

Hey all,

My husband and I are trying to decide between going on a Bermuda cruise via the Celebrity Summit or Norwegian Escape. The itineraries are pretty identical, as are the price points. We are young adults w/o kids who look forward to the food and entertainment (ie shows) on cruises. We are also budget travelers, so we'd be booking the lowest class of rooms and eating at mostly the free places on either ship. We don't drink and dislike loud crowds, but we also like fun atmospheres! Anyway, if anyone has any advice as to what would fit us best, that'd be wonderful! Thank you! :)

 

Hi cl,

 

My wife and I have cruised both of these ships and here are a few thoughts:

 

--Summit is older (2001), but was refurbished in 2016; is 91,000 tons and carries

2,158 customers, for a space ratio of 42.2.

 

--The Escape is pretty new, being built in 2015; It's 164,000 tons and carries 4,248 passengers; more families with more entertainment geared towards them. The space ratio is 38.6.

 

--Standard, included food is not even close -- the Summit wins by a mile. We dislike NCL's basic food so much that we always purchase a full dining package and eat every evening meal in the alternative restaurants (which are great, by the way). MDR for breakfast and lunch; buffet is getting a bit better as of late.

 

--No indoor smoking on Celebrity; NCL lets people smoke in many areas outside and in the casino inside. Big design flaw with the Escape, as the casino is sandwiched between two other central atrium decks and the smoke moves all over this section of the ship.

 

--NCL cabins are smaller, but well designed. All the newer ships have glass shower enclosures which are a huge improvement. Summit still has shower curtains to fight with, except the newer Aqua class units.

 

--We actually like NCL, but find that our costs are higher because of all the extras needed to pull the experience up to Celebrity's level. Dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat Celebrity.

 

--We too are budget cruisers as we usually cruise three or four times a year. We love inside cabins (you don't really know sleep until you cruise in an inside cabin!)

Make sure your cabin is sandwiched between two other cabin decks. You don't want noise from below or above.

 

--As Elite Plus cruisers with Celebrity, it's difficult to venture off on other lines, but we do it all the time.

 

Both choices can be great, but I would spend a little extra to make NCL's experience better. With no upgrades I would go with the Summit every time.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

[Cruise a holic]

Hey all,

My husband and I are trying to decide between going on a Bermuda cruise via the Celebrity Summit or Norwegian Escape. The itineraries are pretty identical, as are the price points. We are young adults w/o kids who look forward to the food and entertainment (ie shows) on cruises. We are also budget travelers, so we'd be booking the lowest class of rooms and eating at mostly the free places on either ship. We don't drink and dislike loud crowds, but we also like fun atmospheres! Anyway, if anyone has any advice as to what would fit us best, that'd be wonderful! Thank you! :)

 

Having sailed on both (breakaway to Bermuda) I vote for the Summit. Unless you are sailing in the Haven NCL ships have way too many people. The cabins are tiny! And the food fair.

 

The summit, has a more sophicated atmosphere and even with budget traveling the amenities and service so much better. Enjoy your trip.

[marco]

We've sailed the "Summit" 2X, once to Bermuda and are going again in May. Having been on NC L(but not "Escape"), I'd go with the "Summit". A bit smaller, IMO nicer overall fit and finish of the ship, and MUCH better MDR dining.

[champagne123]

You have chosen two very different ships. The Summit is an older, smaller ship (but in great shape) ship, which caters to excellent service, food, decor, entertainment and usually an "older" clientele.....with less children. They have an amazing T-Pool also.

 

The Breakaway/Getaway/Espcape is very family oriented. Bells and whistles (new ship) and much larger with many more pax and children. I love the outdoor eateries and love O'Shenigans (sp?) open 24/7...NO FEE.

 

Soooo, I guess it depends on what you are looking for. Love both ships for what they are. I have never had a bad cruise and to me, Bermuda is really the highlight. One of my favorite places in the world....I will always have a soft spot for the Splendor though.

Too late to edit....I meant SUMMIT...not the Splendor. (sorry)

[LD Silver]

 

--We too are budget cruisers as we usually cruise three or four times a year. We love inside cabins (you don't really know sleep until you cruise in an inside cabin!)

 

Make sure your cabin is sandwiched between two other cabin decks. You don't want noise from below or above.:D

 

Completely agree with this philosophy. Love the inside cabins.

[Aquahound]

I've cruised both ships. Escape is superior for entertainment and Summit is superior for the food.

 

As already mentioned in this thread, Escape is a very crowded ship. It is the most crowded ship I've ever sailed. The public areas are always very chaotic.

 

All in all, I would pick Summit. It's just a nicer experience.

[gwsster]

I agree, I didn't find much if any difference between the two cruise lines. Celebrity has NO sail away party, very bland but the entertainment was better. Food was the same on both lines, but the main dining room on NCL was better not as crowded feeling. It all depends on which size ship you are comparing to as well. The larger ships have more amenities and the smaller ships are generally quieter and older.

 

I vote Escape- newer ship more to offer. Celebrity’s experience wasn’t much different than ncl Qin my opinion.

 

 

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[Aquahound]

The OP is specifically asking about Summit and Escape. These are 2 very different ships and 2 very different experiences.

[champagne123]

I agree, I didn't find much if any difference between the two cruise lines. Celebrity has NO sail away party, very bland but the entertainment was better. Food was the same on both lines, but the main dining room on NCL was better not as crowded feeling. It all depends on which size ship you are comparing to as well. The larger ships have more amenities and the smaller ships are generally quieter and older.

Have you even been on these two ships? Doesn't sound like it. :confused:

[sloopsailor]

Have you even been on these two ships? Doesn't sound like it. :confused:

 

Actually, a quick look as his posting history shows he apparently has.

 

He may have a point. Just like Denny's and Ruth's Chris are very similar restaurants (after all, both serve food on plates), and a Toyota Prius and a Mercedes Benz S Class aren't much different as cars (both have four wheels), the two cruise lines are equally similar in that they both float. :evilsmile:

[chocolate_lover]

Hi cl,

 

My wife and I have cruised both of these ships and here are a few thoughts:

 

--Summit is older (2001), but was refurbished in 2016; is 91,000 tons and carries

2,158 customers, for a space ratio of 42.2.

 

--The Escape is pretty new, being built in 2015; It's 164,000 tons and carries 4,248 passengers; more families with more entertainment geared towards them. The space ratio is 38.6.

 

--Standard, included food is not even close -- the Summit wins by a mile. We dislike NCL's basic food so much that we always purchase a full dining package and eat every evening meal in the alternative restaurants (which are great, by the way). MDR for breakfast and lunch; buffet is getting a bit better as of late.

 

--No indoor smoking on Celebrity; NCL lets people smoke in many areas outside and in the casino inside. Big design flaw with the Escape, as the casino is sandwiched between two other central atrium decks and the smoke moves all over this section of the ship.

 

--NCL cabins are smaller, but well designed. All the newer ships have glass shower enclosures which are a huge improvement. Summit still has shower curtains to fight with, except the newer Aqua class units.

 

--We actually like NCL, but find that our costs are higher because of all the extras needed to pull the experience up to Celebrity's level. Dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat Celebrity.

 

--We too are budget cruisers as we usually cruise three or four times a year. We love inside cabins (you don't really know sleep until you cruise in an inside cabin!)

Make sure your cabin is sandwiched between two other cabin decks. You don't want noise from below or above.

 

--As Elite Plus cruisers with Celebrity, it's difficult to venture off on other lines, but we do it all the time.

 

Both choices can be great, but I would spend a little extra to make NCL's experience better. With no upgrades I would go with the Summit every time.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

 

Thank you so much! That is very helpful!!

[cruzeluver]

If your plan is to dine exclusively at restaurants included in your fare I would highly suggest Summit. As someone else pointed out, NCL's main dining rooms leave a lot to be desired, but their specialty dining which you pay for is excellent.

[navybankerteacher]

Have you even been on these two ships? Doesn't sound like it. :confused:

 

Valid question. NCL ships always seem crowded in public areas - atrium is reminiscent of a Walmart on Black Friday and included dining is second rate. Their entertainment is better than that on Celebrity - but Celebrity's food and service is distinctly better - unless you pay for specialty restaurants - which obviates NCL's lower "list price".

[Cruise a holic]

Valid question. NCL ships always seem crowded in public areas - atrium is reminiscent of a Walmart on Black Friday and included dining is second rate. Their entertainment is better than that on Celebrity - but Celebrity's food and service is distinctly better - unless you pay for specialty restaurants - which obviates NCL's lower "list price".

 

Agree with your assessment of Walmart on Black Friday. I do not understand how people find the little atrium which is used as a theatre replacement for most ship activities ok. The pool deck is also a joke. The cabins are the smallest I have ever seen on a ship. I would rather sail on a carnival ship. Much larger cabins, more space and better food. Better option for those on strict budget. IMO.

[dkjretired]

Have done both NCL and Summit to Bermuda. Entertainment on NCL better, food on Celebrity much better. Celebrity has one of the best smoking policies in the industry, no indoor smoking and only a couple of places on the outside all on port side. NCL felt like being in a chimney all day especially in the casino