Need Info, Celebrity vs Carnival

[newtocc]

How do you think they compare?

This ship 10/91
That ship 11/95
Whatever ship 12/98
here a ship 13/99
there a ship 14/00
everywhere
a
ship ship 15/05

<font size="3" color=red>Over 1 year</font> into my LMBO cruise

[marvholly]

I sailed Cel Mercury 6/03. Sailded Carnival Triumph 11/99, Spirit 12/01, Victory 3/04.

Personally I prefer the dinner menus and entertainment (more options) on Carnival. Deck choices are also better on Carnival with the chineese, deli, 24/7 ice cream and pizzia (also better on Carnival). Breakfast and lunch menus are comparable for both lines.

Staff: Celebrity: all fell into the acceptable level, but remember I have only 1 cruise w/ them. Carnival: had 2 of the best and the single worst dine room waiter ever over 10 cruises. Had acceptable cabin steward on 2/3 and the worst ever on 1 (min-suite yet).Pursars office & shore excursion staff: found Carnival to be MUCH less accomodating or willing or trying to work out minor stuff. Also had the rudest, most arragont (sp) person on Carnival in 10 cruises over 7 different lines.

That all said, I would cruise either again basing my decision first on itinerary, then available dates and finally on price.

Holly

M/S Boheme 11/69
Rhapsody 2/77?
Azure Sea 3/89
Panama Canal 11/90
Mexican Riviera 3/98
Carnival Triumph 12/99
Carnival Spirit 12/01
NCL Dream 11/17/02
Celebrity Mercury 6/1/03
carnival Victory 3/28/04

[PJnVA]

The biggest thing Celebrity had going for it in my opinion was the room service. You could order off the dining room menu for room service. Great option when you want a fine meal but just want to relax in your room or have a cozy meal with your SO.

[img]http://thumb4.webshots.com/s/thumb4/3/43/54/107134354kNepvj_th.jpg[/img]

Carnival Sensation 09/99
Carnival Victory 12/01
Carnival Sensation 05/02
Carnival Pride 12/02
Carnival Spirit 12/03
Celebrity Galaxy 3/04
<MARQUEE>
Carnival Conquest in ...
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;12;12;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]</MARQUEE>
<MARQUEE direction=right >Adventures of the Seas in ...
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2005;12;4;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]</MARQUEE>
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&s=927093444&a=tpc&m=362106051&f=1683059817"]Roll call AOS 12/4/2005 click here[/url]

[hdawson]

Some of the features I think sets Celebrity apart from their competors:

Complementary champagne or OJ upon boarding and being escorted to your cabin by a steward.
In your cabin there will be a carraf of free water instead of a bottle of overpriced water.
Sorbet served around the pool during the afternoon on sea days.
No PA announcements annoucing bingo, pool games and the like.
Chilled towels given to you upon reboarding from ports when you tend to be hot and sweaty.
Fantastic dining room food presented beautifully.
Fellow cruisers that understand appropriate dress for occaisions.
Ships decor that are understated elegance rather than 70's Vegas or resembling the Mall of America.
Staff that is very poffesional yet warm and friendly.
On some ships the specialty restaurants offer unnparrelled service and cuisine.
Superior chocolates on your pillow at night.
There are other things that make Celebrity my favorite, but I guess I haven't had enough coffee to get my brain working. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, HAL, Celebrity, Princess and most other lines do a fantastic job in providing an excellent vacation alternative.

[hdawson]

PJinVA. I thought most if not all the mainstream lines now permit ordering from the DR menue during dining room hours.

[jemingway]

Newt is at it again. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

JV The 4 stages of cruising: planning, anticipation, experience and reflection.

[F5Loar]

Carnival best pizza, Celebrity best homemade
ice cream. Carnival has a topless deck, good thing Celebrity does not.
IMO you are not really comparing like cruises.
It's apples and oranges between these two.
Best points differ depending on how you like to cruise. Carnival compares to RCL and Celebrity compares to HAL.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;07;19;13;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till we sail on the Zuiderdam

Til we sail on the Mariner of The Seas RCL
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;3;7;12;01;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
until we sail on the Disney Wonder
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ff00&cdt=2003;10;09;12;01;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
til we sail the ms Maasdam
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;05;29;11;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[hdawson]

F5Loar. Hi Neighbor. Celebrity has now added a topless deck with the enhancements. In addition to making the ice cream oboard, Celebrity also makes their own salad dressings and bakes all their breads in two shifts daily. The croissants are outstanding, and fattening. Although Celebrity's pizza is good, Carnivals is better. Celebrity is also bringing Circue sole onboard some of their ships and adding two ships for expedition type cruises such as to the Galopolis Islands and an icebreaker/cruise ship to do the Artic and Antarctic.

[F5Loar]

You mean the Galaxy has gone toppless? or is just the newer bigger ships? Actually it was on the Galaxy a few years ago I saw an elderly lady from France who seemed to think the entire pool deck was topless and she didn't care who knew it.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;07;19;13;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till we sail on the Zuiderdam

Til we sail on the Mariner of The Seas RCL
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;3;7;12;01;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
until we sail on the Disney Wonder
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ff00&cdt=2003;10;09;12;01;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
til we sail the ms Maasdam
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;05;29;11;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[newtocc]

Thanks to all that responded, actually, I'll be sailing on the Miracle next week, I appreciate all the info, thanks again, I sincerely hope I enjoy Carnival!

This ship 10/91
That ship 11/95
Whatever ship 12/98
here a ship 13/99
there a ship 14/00
everywhere
a
ship ship 15/05

<font size="3" color=red>Over 1 year</font> into my LMBO cruise

[PJnVA]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hdawson:
PJinVA. I thought most if not all the mainstream lines now permit ordering from the DR menue during dining room hours.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can only say that as of 12/2003 Carnival did not offer this. I wish they had. I hope they do in the future.

Also I have to agree with F5Loar, Celebrity offers the very best homemade ice cream [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[img]http://thumb4.webshots.com/s/thumb4/3/43/54/107134354kNepvj_th.jpg[/img]

Carnival Sensation 09/99
Carnival Victory 12/01
Carnival Sensation 05/02
Carnival Pride 12/02
Carnival Spirit 12/03
Celebrity Galaxy 3/04
<MARQUEE>
Carnival Conquest in ...
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;12;12;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img] </MARQUEE>
<MARQUEE direction=right >Adventures of the Seas in ...
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2005;12;4;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] </MARQUEE>
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&s=927093444&a=tpc&m=362106051&f=1683059817"]Roll call AOS 12/4/2005 click here[/url]

[This message was edited by PJnVA on 05-10-04 at 09:30 PM.]

[Littlegoo75]

I would love to try a Celebrity cruise, but I'm afraid that there wouldn't be a lot of other twenty somethings/early thirty somethings. Don't get me wrong, I socialize with people of all ages, but sometimes you would like to have others in your own age group around.
I like the entertainment that Carnival offers - I'm not sure if Celebrity would have the R-rated comedians or not. I'm pretty sure that Celebrity would have a different level of cuisine, and not a lot of little kids running around, which would be a plus, but I don't know if I want to take the chance of being on a geriatric cruise.

Carnival GLory 11/06/04
Carnival Legend 2/03 ( had to cancel at last minute)
Carnival Pride 4/27/02
Sitmar Fairsea 4/ 1983 ( I was just a little kid!!)

[Luvsangels]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]
As someone who has cruised both lines extensively, 20 cruises all together, I would have to agree with hdawson. However, it depends on what your looking for. Some of the most fun times, I've had on Carnival! But, it again is what your looking for. They are two different types of cruise lines. Both are good, one just is .............different! I personally would go on any cruise, regardless, as long as I'm pampered, have good food, good friends, and FUN!
You can't lose that way. Just a nice positive attitude! And, have fun!

Linda B.

A day at sea is Heaven on Earth to me!!

[F5Loar]

The Galaxy I was on had R rated comedians but depends on who he is. They try to appeal to all and sometimes clean it up more than it needs to be. X is getting a younger crowd. They are beefing up their kiddy programs to compete and really have a nice one especially on the bigger ones. That will bring in younger crowds. To me the price is the big difference. If price was not the issue then X would get my buisness everytime. I don't consider X to be as older a crowd as HAL but you can expect a more classy type cruisers who's not up to do the "Fun" ship "Hot,Hot,Hot" cruise.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;07;19;13;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till we sail on the Zuiderdam

Til we sail on the Mariner of The Seas RCL
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;3;7;12;01;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
until we sail on the Disney Wonder
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ff00&cdt=2003;10;09;12;01;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
til we sail the ms Maasdam
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;05;29;11;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[scottp]

I've done the Celberity Century(twice) and Millennium. Loved all three experiences. And yes, there were 20 and 30 somethings on these ships. Quite a few more than I experienced on HAL. Will be taking my first Carnival in approximately 39 days!! Can better respond to this question upon return!!!!!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;6;19;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img] Until the FUN begins!!!!

[InMN253]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hdawson:
Ships decor that are understated elegance rather than 70's Vegas or resembling the Mall of America.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So THAT'S why going to the Mall of America makes me think of cruising! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Pat K.

[Littlegoo75]

Scottp, which Carnival ship will you be sailing on?
It's nice to hear that Celebrity has a decent younger crowd on it - I really want to try them. I've priced their cruises, and the prices seem pretty low to me.
I wish they wouldn't try to compete with the other lines by beefing up their kid program. I don't want to sail with a bunch of kids. I have heard many people say that Celebrity is good for yuppies and dinks ( double income, no kids) If they start getting taken over by people bringing their kids along, it'll be Carnival and RCCL all over again, just with better food ( from what I have heard). Why not leave well enough alone - let the families stick with Carnival, Disney, and RCCL.

Carnival GLory 11/06/04
Carnival Legend 2/03 ( had to cancel at last minute)
Carnival Pride 4/27/02
Sitmar Fairsea 4/ 1983 ( I was just a little kid!!)

[scottp]

Going on the Triumph in June, 2004. Celebrity had kids, but not very many. In fact, probably not enough for my teenagers. That's why we're going Carnival in June. I do love Celebrity and will definitely sail with them again, after the kids are gone and we're DINK'S!!!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;6;19;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img] Until the FUN begins!!!!

[Rustynail]

I think I can answer this question.

Celebrity and Carnival each have many big boats in their fleet.

Hope that helped.

Rusty

CARRIBEAN PRINCESS JAN 2005
<IMG
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=475109651"] Roll Call.... click here to join the fun![/url]
</applet>
CARNIVAL'S LEGEND JAN 2003
CELEBRITY'S CENTURY DEC 2003

[Logic]

We Just Returned From Celebrity Horizon 12 Day. Food Was Sub-Par & We Wern't Allowed To Order Any Of The Dining Room Menu For Room Service. If You Decide To Skip Getting Dressed Up For Dinner & Goto The "Casual" Dining. Theres No Buffet. There Is A Menu With 4 Choices...& The Menu Never Changes...Same 4 Every Night..Very Boring. The Pizza Was Dry & Tasteless. Burgers Were Decent. We Had Heard So Much About Celebrity Being A Cut Above.....We Were So Excited To See & Feel This Expierence...But It Never Materialized. Service Was Good But No Better Then Any Of Out Carnival Cruises. We Were Always Treated Good On Carnival. We Kinda Expected Great Food & Since It Was 12 Days...Thought We'd Get Lobster & King Crab Maybe Twice....We Did Get Lobster Once & It Was Good. No King Crab Though....Lots Of Pasta Dishes & The Meats Were Dry...Except For The Prime Rib Which Was Very Good.

Activities Were B O R I N G - Mostly Trivia & Ping Pong. We Are Mid 50's & Not Big Party People Anymore......But Celebrity Rolled Up The Sidewalks At 11pm Most Nights.

They Also Canciled 1 Of Our Ports & Reduced Another From 8 Hrs To 4 Hrs....Making Us Do 3 1/2 Sea Days On The Way Home..Which Wouldnt Be Bad If They Had Something To Do. I Never Seen So Many People Reading Library Books In My Life!!!

This Was The 1st Cruise We Didnt Fully Enjoy.
We Are Going Back To Carnival Next Cruise...It Really Is The FUN Cruiseline.

Carnival Ecstasy 1998
Carnival Paradise 2001
Star Princess 2002
Carnival Legend 2003
Celebrity HORRORrizon 2004

Days Past Since Last Cruise
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[Littlegoo75]

Sounds like maybe we should just stick to Carnival. I am all for trying out other cruiselines, but since we have so much fun on Carnival, maybe we should just leave well enough alone rather than risk not having as much fun elsewhere.

Carnival GLory 11/06/04
Carnival Legend 2/03 ( had to cancel at last minute)
Carnival Pride 4/27/02
Sitmar Fairsea 4/ 1983 ( I was just a little kid!!)