Would you select RCCL Brilliance or Celebrity Galaxy for Holiday Sailing?

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Well, we (meaning 20 members of our family...so far) have committed to book a cruise during the holidays for 2006. Our main objective is to be onboard for both Christmas and New Year's. Most of us were ready to deposit on Celebrity Galaxy but, then it was suggested that maybe Brilliance of the Seas is the way to go.

 

Here's what I can offer you to help us decide:

 

Galaxy - Southern Caribbean, 11 nights leaving from San Juan

 

Brilliance - Panama Canal with stops in Aruba and Curacao, 11 nights leaving from Miami

 

Our group is diverse to say the least raning in ages from 1.5 (at the time of sailing) to 76. Most of us fall in the middle and are in our thirties and fourties.

All but, 2 members of the group have cruised previously.

 

We consider the following the most important factors and they are listed in order of importance: good food, nice casino, relatively good evening shows, things to keep us occuppied at days at sea (spas, game rooms, etc), then cabin selection, and last itinerary.

 

If you've done either of these itineraries, I'd really love to hear from you and get your opinion about the overall experiences at the ports of call.

 

Thanks all, you're help is appreciated!

[tserface]

I have never been on the Galaxy, but I can tell you that the Brilliance was one of my favorite ships of all time. I also love the Panama Canal, but the islands may be more fun for kids. The history of the Panama Canal is incredible and certainly would be a good learning experience for all ages.

 

Tom

[Danno]

Regardless of the ship I much prefer the southern Caribbean...I really like the islands and the people.

 

Aruba and Curacao I really like...but I don't care for most of the other stops in that area.....but that's only my opinion.

 

I do think you'll find the Panama Canal is very interesting for people who were around when it was constructed...to me, it's a ditch in the bush, surrounded by scary people.

[gkm]

I have sailed on both the Galaxy and Brilliance and like both ships. Each has good things to offer. The Galaxy's dinners are better, but the buffet for breakfast and lunch in the Brilliance are better. It would be hard to judge the shows since they change yearly (and weekly). I think the Brilliance has more activities during the day to keep you occupied and we even enjoyed carpet golf on the Brilliance. I guess overall, I would opt for the Brilliance. She's a gorgeous ship and I love that itinerary.

 

Garry

[Sky Sweet]

Regardless of the ship I much prefer the southern Caribbean...I really like the islands and the people.

 

Aruba and Curacao I really like...but I don't care for most of the other stops in that area.....but that's only my opinion.

 

I do think you'll find the Panama Canal is very interesting for people who were around when it was constructed...to me, it's a ditch in the bush, surrounded by scary people.

 

This response illustrates the diversity of people who currently cruise on Celebrity. The type of passenger that Celebrity inititally attracted would never think that a wonder as historically significant as the Panama Canal only appeals to people who were alive at the time of its construction.

[cruising with marti]

Regardless of the ship I much prefer the southern Caribbean...I really like the islands and the people.

 

Aruba and Curacao I really like...but I don't care for most of the other stops in that area.....but that's only my opinion.

 

I do think you'll find the Panama Canal is very interesting for people who were around when it was constructed...to me, it's a ditch in the bush, surrounded by scary people.

A ditch in the bush??? wow! No, I was not around when it was built (Teddy was the President) I may be old, but not that old:D

Still a fascinating achievement. I do agree with you Aruba and Curacao great places to visit.

Phil

[Danno]

"Ditch in the bush" :D ...agreed, it's very interesting but it's the other ports in that area that don't interest me.

[signman]

I've been on Radiance (sister to Brilliance) thru the Canal and on Galaxy as well. Both cruises were 14 days. I would choose Brilliance. Radiance class ships are just stunning, with lots of entertainment options.

 

Food overall probably better on Galaxy, no tea or sushi on Brilliance, but layout of buffet on Brilliance is wonderful and they served smoked salmon everyday at breakfast which is important to me. On Galaxy it was more like every other day in the buffet, although available in dining room each day on both ships.

 

Canal is interesting, and Aruba and Curacao are 2 of the nicest calls you can make. Best shows for me were pop acts from the 60's who shuttled on and off Radiance. Nothing like that on Galaxy. Production shows very similar otherwise, although state of the art showroom on Brilliance is terrific, but ship is about 7 years newer. No real Martini bar on Brilliance, but more options for lounge entertainment.

[sacway]

We consider the following the most important factors and they are listed in order of importance: good food, nice casino, relatively good evening shows, things to keep us occuppied at days at sea (spas, game rooms, etc), then cabin selection, and last itinerary.

If you've done either of these itineraries, I'd really love to hear from you and get your opinion about the overall experiences at the ports of call.

 

We've done a family cruise on RCI (Voyager), a bunch of cruises on X, and one on Princess. We think a long family cruise is a great way to get together.

 

We think the food on X is better overall, more sophisticated (are you all from SFO, or just your family? are you really into great food?)

 

Both will have plenty of casino action. On X, where Formal nights everyone supposedly stays dressed up all evening in public, the casinos look like they came out of a James Bond movie with the evening gowns and tuxes. Do you think some of you will really enjoy dressing up?

 

Evening shows are equivalent.

 

Spas are equivalent (run by same firm, Steiner)

 

Not many balconies on Galaxy... if that's a big deal to you. Your very cruise will sell out of them shortly, I expect.

 

As for itinerary, hands down we prefer to sail out of (or into) San Juan at the holidays -- have done it twice now and next year will make it three times. Old San Juan is all dressed up, great shopping and food to get in the cruise mood, and the weather is already terrific. It can be cool to cold from Miami for the first day or two. (and then, the last day or two) 30 or 40 degrees may not bother cruisers from the frozen north-central states but if you're coming out of the Bay Area ... well, we weren't too happy one day in Key West in the 30s in our shorts and flipflops!

 

The X itinerary is more port-intensive (ports that I like) and one result is there's somewhat fewer structured onboard activities. Also, it's a smaller ship; for us this feels more like being on a ship going places than a floating destination resort with occasional stops.

 

If it were our family, I'd vote for the Galaxy. Top notch service & food the main reason, the X asthetic, the ports, the starting point.

 

Either way, though, you will have a great cruise.

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Hi Sacway,

 

I'm a transplanted New Yorker. My family is still in Manhattan and surrounding area (meaning NJ) and, my husband's family are in the Bay Area with most living either in Marin County or San Francisco proper. We all have the good sense of what formal night requires and everyone, including the children, will comply with dress codes without any worries. We are indeed foodies - we have a chef in the family, so, that's one of the reasons why good food (oppossed to lots of food) is on the top of our lists.

 

The children on the trip aren't the type that will use rock climbing walls or play basketball or even go in-line staking. They are the more reserved types that enjoy being with their family, going to the game room, sighteeing and even going to the shows onboard.

 

My concern about the Galaxy is the age of the ship - with many reviews making it souds like it's a rust bucket that should be completely overhauled.

And, my concern about the Brilliance is the food - while the menus look very appealing, the fact that I keep reading the quality isn't there concerns me.

 

As for the ports of call remarks, I'll just leave it that I am amazed by the attitudes of some posters. You are entitled to your opinion, and, likewise, so am I! :D

 

Please keep the suggestions coming, we'd like to get this cruise under deposit this weekend - if at all possible.

 

Thanks everyone for all your replies!

[Live_2_cruise05]

Although I have never been on the Brilliance, the Panama Canal is a great experience! We just got back a couple of weeks ago from a 12 night cruise on the Galaxy to Panama. The Galaxy is a lovely ship! She does show her age,(due in dry dock soon) but it's beautiful! The only negitive is how much the ship moves. Be sure to bring medicine!! There is also many activities for all ages. We thought Celebrity would be too upscale for us (have a 5 year old and 15 year old). It was perfect!

 

Well which ever one you choose, you will love it!

[caviargal]

I have sailed on both the Galaxy and Brilliance and like both ships. Each has good things to offer. The Galaxy's dinners are better, but the buffet for breakfast and lunch in the Brilliance are better. It would be hard to judge the shows since they change yearly (and weekly). I think the Brilliance has more activities during the day to keep you occupied and we even enjoyed carpet golf on the Brilliance. I guess overall, I would opt for the Brilliance. She's a gorgeous ship and I love that itinerary.

 

Garry

 

Brillliance is gorgeous! And IMO Portofino's is excellent and worth a few nights. And, if you have Diamond status or a suite, the Concierge Lounge is a huge benefit. Nothing on X comes close.

 

I agree that dining room food and service is better on X, buffets go to RCI. As I do not care for buffets, I give the edge to X. If you are foodies, I find the food on RCI to be good but not special. I opt to dine in specialty restaurants more often than not and also dine in port when we are there late enough.

 

If fitness is important to you (it is to me) Brilliance has far more extensive facilities than Galaxy. It is a sleeker, more spectacular vessel from a design and decor standpoint.

 

From a nightlife standpoint (not including shows because I don't go) I think Brilliance has more to offer. I do not care about rock climbing, etc., but the floating pool tables are cool and fun and the lounges aboard are really fabulous.

 

So for food and service and size of standard cabins, Galaxy would be my choice. For everything else, I give the edge to Brilliance.

[swigso]

Hi ,

I have sailed on the same trip last Feb on the Brilliance and whilst I have not sailed on the Galaxy I have sailed 3 Times on the Summit on a similar itinery to the Brillliance.

 

Before I give my opinion I would suggest that you look at the reviews and also look at the type of excursions etc that you could do and compare.

Now for my input,

I would have no hesitation in saying go for the Brilliance. The ship is magnificent so are the staff. The casino is inviting and seems very spacious. There are many areas were your familly can go to chill and have fun and there are enough watering holes so that you can happily wander sampling the cocktails. The sports bar is a great meeting p[lace and shows upto the minute sport- a major plus at playoff time.

The transit of the Canal is spectacular and will be a lasting memory for your children and Parents alike. The food was not as rich as on the Celebrity ship but nevertheless was of very good quality and was always well presented. The fish was always excellent as was the beef.

I hope this has been helpful but this class of ship is in my opinion just the right size.

[glenneagle]

we were on brilliance this holidat season 30 of us and we had the most wonderful holiday

we cruise every holiday season and this was one of the best cruises ever

we have done celebrity in the past and love the line but rcc was just great as well

[sacway]

Haven't cruised on the Summit but have on the Constellation, which is a carbon copy more or less (the 4 infinity class ships are the same). Galaxy is a Century class ship, along with the Mercury. We read some of the same types of "aging ship" comments on the Mercury and the year before on the Century -- we took both of those cruises because we enjoyed the Galaxy and the three ships are very distinctive though the same size. I love all three of them, despite a bit of wear and tear. Think of a boutique SFO hotel lobby where the chairs are great and got high quality upholstery at the first, and haven't yet been reupholtered, but everything clean and well kempt. By contrast, our one Constellation cruise, though the ship was only 7 months old, the fabrics in the cabin were already in bad shape. The quality originally in the three Century class shows. Plus, I think the movie theaters and the library have some of the most comfortable chairs at sea (recollect sleeping through some lecture on mexican peninsula history, rocked by the waves... some "enrichment" lecture that was!)

 

If you go with the Galaxy, ask for creme brulee every night, you will not regret it!

[C 2 C]

I do think you'll find the Panama Canal is very interesting for people who were around when it was constructed...to me, it's a ditch in the bush, surrounded by scary people.

 

 

I don't think there are many of these people still alive

the Panama Canal is very interesting for people who were around when it was constructed

Are the scary people surrounding you the other pax on your cruise?:eek:

[ecslady]

Although I have never been on the Brilliance, the Panama Canal is a great experience! We just got back a couple of weeks ago from a 12 night cruise on the Galaxy to Panama. The Galaxy is a lovely ship! She does show her age,(due in dry dock soon) but it's beautiful! The only negitive is how much the ship moves. Be sure to bring medicine!! There is also many activities for all ages. We thought Celebrity would be too upscale for us (have a 5 year old and 15 year old). It was perfect!

 

I've never been on the Brilliance, but I've been on the Galaxy 3 times, including the Panama cruise you just did. I don't think the ship moves a lot...perhaps you experienced some bad weather.

 

The Galaxy has a wonderful staff, and the food and service is great. It is a perfect size ship for a family reunion type cruise - not too big, not too small. I also think the normal cabin size on Galaxy is larger and has more storage space, especially if you are putting more than 2 people in the cabin. And the Southern Carib itinerary will provide more variety of things to do for all the ages in your family.

[C 2 C]

Down side of the Galaxy is a horrendous frontal obervation area in the lounge because they just won't fix the windows..:mad:

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Down side of the Galaxy is a horrendous frontal obervation area in the lounge because they just won't fix the windows..:mad:

 

Could you elaborate on that or perhaps someone has a photo to share. Thanks.

[C 2 C]

Could you elaborate on that or perhaps someone has a photo to share. Thanks.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=275923

 

Canderson was just on this cruise:

[Live_2_cruise05]

I've never been on the Brilliance, but I've been on the Galaxy 3 times, including the Panama cruise you just did. I don't think the ship moves a lot...perhaps you experienced some bad weather.

 

The Galaxy has a wonderful staff, and the food and service is great. It is a perfect size ship for a family reunion type cruise - not too big, not too small. I also think the normal cabin size on Galaxy is larger and has more storage space, especially if you are putting more than 2 people in the cabin. And the Southern Carib itinerary will provide more variety of things to do for all the ages in your family.

 

Yes, we did experience rough seas. We also had clam seas, and believe me the ship rocked during both! During the calm seas it wasn't that bad but when you sat down you would sway!