Loyal RCCL cruisers who’ve tried a luxury cruise line… What did you think?

[zooma]

The YC cabins on MSC are an interesting discussion, but I'm more interested in information regarding a cruise on a true "luxury" line like those mentioned in the OP.

 

Really appreciate the feedback and experiences that you are all sharing. Thanks again. -Dan

 

We are just a few years older than you and recent empty nesters and very interested in your original inquiry as well. We're particularly curious about recommendations for a "transitional" experience, i.e., for a couple who wants to try one of the luxury lines you mentioned but still would like of the activities/entertainment/later-night options we've enjoyed on larger RCCL ships (comedy/trivia/casino/broadway-type shows -- yes; Quest/belly-flops not so much!). We're foodies who like the specialty dining venues and would like to experience some of the interesting enrichment opportunities posters have mentioned, e.g., wine-tastings, port-related educational lectures.

 

Is there an order to ships/lines that might be good for those in our boat to start researching? It's a little overwhelming diving in!

[drsel]

We are just a few years older than you and recent empty nesters and very interested in your original inquiry as well. We're particularly curious about recommendations for a "transitional" experience, i.e., for a couple who wants to try one of the luxury lines you mentioned but still would like of the activities/entertainment/later-night options we've enjoyed on larger RCCL ships (comedy/trivia/casino/broadway-type shows -- yes; Quest/belly-flops not so much!). We're foodies who like the specialty dining venues and would like to experience some of the interesting enrichment opportunities posters have mentioned, e.g., wine-tastings, port-related educational lectures.

 

Is there an order to ships/lines that might be good for those in our boat to start researching? It's a little overwhelming diving in!

For an upgrade from Royal, first try Celebrity and Princess. They would be a good "transition" with better service and food, and are not so expensive.

If you need more luxury (and want to spend more), next you should try Azamara and Cunard.

If you are still not satisfied, you can then splurge on Silverseas,.Regent and Seabourn.

Finally, to blow your bank, go on a Galapagos cruise!

[Artful]

Reading this with interest. We actually booked an OCeania cruise and had to cancel due to work conflicts, but definitely want to try them. My biggest concern is ship movement with the smaller ships. We've only been on HAL Westerdam so far and now have RC Adventure booked for NE/Canada. Any thoughts on movement with the smaller ships would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

I felt queasy twice last year on Regatta, having to leave the dining room in the stern both times. Seas not terribly rough, but definitely felt the motion. On Dramamine nightly. Also, concierge balcony cabin was very small and bathroom was tiny - the toilet was almost in the shower. Nicest features: most of the food (not all was great), beautiful afternoon tea, string quartet. Entertainment -meh.

[maggieq]

How is the entertainment on MSC? Do they have headliners similar to RCCL?

 

Thanks,

[waterbug123]

For an upgrade from Royal, first try Celebrity and Princess. They would be a good "transition" with better service and food, and are not so expensive.

If you need more luxury (and want to spend more), next you should try Azamara and Cunard.

If you are still not satisfied, you can then splurge on Silverseas,.Regent and Seabourn.

Finally, to blow your bank, go on a Galapagos cruise!

 

Having sailed on all three, I don't consider Celebrity or Princess to be anything but the mass market lines that they are. In other words, so similar to Royal that I think you'd be hard-pressed to see enough of a difference. As I said previously, we enjoyed Oceania but found some differences on their smaller ships vs. their larger ships. To have more of the "entertainment" options, consider a larger Oceania ship, or similar size from another "luxury" line, something around 1000-1200 pax. That's probably big enough to offer more of the typical cruise ship entertainment you're looking for, but still small enough to see a noticeable positive difference in the food quality and general service level.

[sgmn]

I enjoy the evening entertainment on RC and the food is OK but would really like better enrichment programme. Our one and only time on Cunard, QM2, the enrichment and planetarium was fantastic

[Cheezus]

Tiny cabins and screaming kids jumping into the exclusive YC pool?

And you got to pay more for this??

 

I guess YC and Haven have this in common, too.

[CFIGuy]

We did Seadream Yacht Club one time. It is drastically different that RCI in many areas (obviously). The most noted, as previously mentioned was little to no scheduled entertainment. Liars club seems to be a luxury staple. There was a piano bar where the seats were at the piano. The casino was 1 blackjack table I believe and maybe a few slots. The majority of the entertainment was happy hour / dinner driven.

 

The huge difference was the service. Staff coming around with free mini massages poolside, cleaning your sunglasses, with small bites, etc. Drink orders were known by the first day. They knew if you liked a frozen drink by the pool, yet champagne before dinner. Room steward cleaned the room impeccably and dropped a gift every night. Mini-bar in room was included, as was room service.

 

Everything other than some shore excursions, gambling, super premium alcohol, and spa treatments was included. For activities, this included: bike rental when on shore, hike with the captain or other officer when in port, golf simulator, sunbeds (including being able to sleep on deck in a private sun bed overnight), swimming off the back of the ship (including kayaks, sunfish sail boats, wave runner, and trampoline.

 

The food was much nicer than on Royal, which is to be expected. In the morning and afternoon, meals were served on the outside deck via buffet. Servers would take your plate to the table for you. Dinner was generally in the dining room, although a couple of nights it was also outside. The happy hour immediately prior was sometimes in the lounge and sometimes poolside.

 

On the last full day, they typically do their beach bbq day. They rent a land facility and fully cater a beach day. The “photo” opportunity is champagne & caviar (I don’t understand how people like this) served in the ocean on a surfboard, typically by staff in full uniform.

 

I did like how the smaller ship was able to hit smaller ports, and even overnight in some ports. I also liked how this line didn’t have “formal” nights. The typical nighttime outfits were khakis and a short sleeve collared shirt for men and a sundress of some type for women.

[The Fun Researcher]

Having sailed on all three, I don't consider Celebrity or Princess to be anything but the mass market lines that they are. In other words, so similar to Royal that I think you'd be hard-pressed to see enough of a difference.

 

I would agree with this. While I loved our cruise on the X Equinox last year, it wasn't what I would consider a big step change from Royal Caribbean. Overall the food and service was a step up, but not by a large margin, and still a mass marketed cruise line like you mention.

 

Dan

[zooma]

Thanks to all for the info re next steps! Fun to start this research.

[drsel]

Thanks to all for the info re next steps! Fun to start this research.

You can choose the best all inclusive super luxury 7* cruises. But it all depends on what your budget is (per person per night).

[Laurmc8]

My husband and I have been on Royal Caribbean and Oceania. We like both of them for different reasons and we don't like to limit ourselves. We've been on Harmony (6000 passengers) and we've been on Oceania Regatta (680 passengers). Obviously they're very different but we enjoyed each cruise we have been on.

 

The big highlight of Oceania is no nickel and diming. You don't pay extra for specialty restaurants. No extra charge for soft drinks and there is a barista bar where you can have all the specialty coffee you want for no extra charge. The food on Oceania is definitely a step above the mass market cruise lines. Another highlight is no photographer. I dread having a camera in my face as I'm trying to eat dinner. It's an older, more mature crowd on Oceania. I'd estimate average age of 60. That could be a highlight or lowlight depending how you look at it.

 

Highlights of Royal Caribbean are better entertainment and more onboard activities. There are activities for children, whereas on Oceania there are none. I dislike crowds and I was a little worried about that when we were planning our Harmony cruise but we were in a suite and that allows access to places on the ship that were quiet. We had breakfast in Coastal Kitchen every morning. Very relaxing.

 

Paying extra is worth it, in my opinion, but it depends on what you're looking for. If for a special occasion you should give it a try.

 

We have two cruises planned for 2019. RC Serenade of the Seas to the Southern Caribbean and Oceania Marina to the Baltic. Looking forward to each.

 

Glad to hear this. We are new cruisers and have been approaching our planning with this mentality that'll we'll like different things for different trips. We just finished our first cruise on Azamara in the Mediterranean and loved it and I was afraid our upcoming RC might feel like a letdown. But we booked for the more entertainment and activity options etc since we are traveling with family and the Caribbean is less appealing to us as the destination on the last trip so this one is about the boat.

Edited September 4, 2018 by Laurmc8