Should We Give Celebrity a Try?

[karmamule]

9 minutes ago, Mimiya11 said:

We are major Celebrity fans (in our mid 60's - how did that happen 🙂 .....

 

I just turned 60 yesterday and yeah, how DID that happen?!?!? 😁

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

36 minutes ago, OysterD said:

Everyone is different, but from what you said I think you would probably prefer Celebrity over RCI. 

 

After a lot of research, reading reviews, watching videos etc and considering other lines for our upcoming Sept cruise, we went with Celebrity. We had wanted to go on Beyond but we couldn't all get our time off work to match up with the sailing we wanted, so it'll be the Reflection for us. I've sailed with Celebrity before and absolutely loved it.

 

These two photos of the pool decks of the newest RCI ship (Wonder of the Seas) and the newest Celebrity ship (Beyond) sum up (to me at least) the fundamental differences between the two lines. One of these I could quite happily sit out at with a book and cocktail in hand, relaxing and chatting with friends. The other is full of water slides, rather garish colours and large metal bright orange palm trees!

 

 

 

I just can't get the premise behind that elephant. Edge has the beautiful butterfly and Apex has the heart hands and Beyond has...the elephant. Don't get me wrong - I love elephants. But not on cruise ships!!

[DarrenM]

16 hours ago, Mosttoyswin said:

A big plus to us is celebrities no smoking indoors policy. On the lines that allow smoking indoors, even if only in the casino, I can still smell smoke inside the ship in various locations.  And somehow it seems like I always need to walk through the casino😊.

I cant believe that anyone would allow smoking indoors nowadays

 

I am genuinely shocked.

 

Even more shocked that people would do it anyway these days.

 

On saying that i find it remarkable that people smoke at all.

[runner2013]

3 hours ago, OysterD said:

Everyone is different, but from what you said I think you would probably prefer Celebrity over RCI. 

 

After a lot of research, reading reviews, watching videos etc and considering other lines for our upcoming Sept cruise, we went with Celebrity. We had wanted to go on Beyond but we couldn't all get our time off work to match up with the sailing we wanted, so it'll be the Reflection for us. I've sailed with Celebrity before and absolutely loved it.

 

These two photos of the pool decks of the newest RCI ship (Wonder of the Seas) and the newest Celebrity ship (Beyond) sum up (to me at least) the fundamental differences between the two lines. One of these I could quite happily sit out at with a book and cocktail in hand, relaxing and chatting with friends. The other is full of water slides, rather garish colours and large metal bright orange palm trees!

 

 

Ugh, we'd much rather the back side of an elephant view than any type of water slide!🤣 Just the thought of a water slide on a cruise ship drives me bananas.

[OysterD]

21 minutes ago, runner2013 said:

Ugh, we'd much rather the back side of an elephant view than any type of water slide!🤣 Just the thought of a water slide on a cruise ship drives me bananas.

Haha agreed. At least with the elephant there's the potential of it stimulating some philosophical debate rather than on the RCI ship I'd simply be complaining the gaudy colour scheme was giving me a headache. OK, admittedly the convo on the Beyond would probably be more along the lines of "anyone for a top up" "hmm I think we've had enough, we're seeing elephants" 

[Snit13]

On 6/21/2022 at 6:05 AM, runner2013 said:

Glad to read the solarium pool area is relaxing. On Princess we fell in love with the Sanctuary pool area and said we'd always pay the extra money in the future to stay there. We enjoy the 'little extras' we've  received while there. 

Have any of you been on Holland America as well.  We've been told to give them a try too. Are they similar to Celebrity? We're open to it, but  concerned we may be just a bit too 'young' for them at this point.🤣

 

Have never sailed Holland Am but friends I know have and told me it is for OLD people.  My friends and I are all over 80 but don't look, think or act old.  You will have to try and judge.  I called once but at that time they permitted smoking throughout the ship.  As an ex smoker that wouldn't work for me.  I prefer Celebrity's non smoking policy.

[destar]

On 6/20/2022 at 5:13 PM, spillers493 said:

We're right there with ya and considering a Celebrity cruise for our 30th anniversary next June, so I'm now following this thread😉

Same here spiller, we are booked on the Apex for February 2023, our 30th anniversary, for the occasion upgraded to the sky suite to get the benefits of the Retreat. This will be our first time with celebrity, looking forward to a great cruise. 

[karmamule]

4 minutes ago, destar said:

Same here spiller, we are booked on the Apex for February 2023, our 30th anniversary, for the occasion upgraded to the sky suite to get the benefits of the Retreat. This will be our first time with celebrity, looking forward to a great cruise. 

 

Our first time on Celebrity will be on the Apex in January 2023 in a Celebrity Suite. We'll have to compare notes afterwards!

[Pinboy]

On 6/20/2022 at 3:56 PM, runner2013 said:

Could those of you who really enjoy Celebrity and sail with them often tell me what keeps you coming back? 

Food, atmosphere, service, or something else entirely. 

( I haven't read the other posts, as everyone has their own opinions, wants and needs )

Ok, so for us---- After sailing on many cruise lines over the " years " we prefer Celebrity.

The food ( MDR and Specialty restaurants ) all excellent, service , overall ambiance , cleanliness of the ships, usually only one announcement daily ( the Captain tells us the weather, the position of the ship ( I don't know what the hell it means anyway ), and to " Enjoy your day in xx " ), entertainment ( pretty good ), they don't " promote " activities every 1/2 hr , and the balcony rooms on the " hump " are a nice size.

All in all, never had a complaint.

LOL--- I've joked about the time our Waiter forgot to bring my 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time , and besides,  I have to defend my golf putting championship from 2012( ? ). Talk about " stress "-- WOW.

Now, about MDR---- We " learned " long ago to request a table for 2 --- just in case ( you know what I mean )--- the tables are set quite close enabling conversation if desired---- usually the same small talk-- ( Where are you from ( must be cold up there ), how many cruises have you taken, are you enjoying this cruise , etc ).

To sum up -- Try Celebrity--- I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

 

[Cruise a holic]

On 6/20/2022 at 3:56 PM, runner2013 said:

Hi all, 

I've sailed on several lines in the past.(hubby only Royal and Princess, I've also tried Ncl.) We are tossing around the idea of a cruise on Celebrity to see how it compares to Royal or Princess. We're in our 50's and not into a huge 'party' scene. We like having a variety of choices for activities that Royal offers, but not the kid/family situation that comes with it. (nothing against kids, please no bashing us for that)  We also really enjoy listening to nice music in the atriums on Princess with a glass of wine people watching. We are good at 'going with the flow' when it comes to a lot of things on board. As long as we have a view from our balcony we are content.  Could those of you who really enjoy Celebrity and sail with them often tell me what keeps you coming back? 

Food, atmosphere, service, or something else entirely. 

Any insite greatly appreciated. 

Having sailed on the Royal Princess and NCL, I highly recommend celebrity.  You will love the ambiance.  Food much better IMO then the others, with the exception on Royal's specilty restaurants.  You do not get messages all day on the loud speaker.  No smoking indoors including the Casino.  Our favorite ships are the S-class and Edge class.  We are elite plus celebrity members and diamond on Royal.  I do not think Princess and NCL are in the same class.  I found both to be very crowded with mediocre food.  Only the Haven on NCL is worthwhile- We stayed in the Haven, but when we left to go to other non-haven areas felt like steerage class.

[Jeremiah On a Cruise]

On 6/20/2022 at 12:56 PM, runner2013 said:

  We also really enjoy listening to nice music in the atriums on Princess with a glass of wine people watching.

 

Reading through the thread, Celebrity is a good option (and a better fit than most others), but I would actually encourage you to consider Holland America for two reasons.

 

First, I would argue that the music on Holland America is the best in class.  It's highly varied, typically with a jazz group, classical group (quartet?) and billboards/piano pair - all of which is really high end.  Celebrity has good musicians, but fewer than Holland America, and they seem to rely on a DJ more than Holland America.

 

Second, you can't find a more relaxing line than Holland.  I prefer Celebrity over Holland America, but for sitting and enjoying a glass of wine, or finding a peaceful place to read - Holland America is perfect.  I know that they have an old person reputation, and while that's partially true, we typically see plenty of others in our age range (we are in our early 40's), and a big crowd in the 40-60 range.

 

I'm not trying to dissuade you from Celebrity, as that is my preferred line.  But if you're looking for music and relaxation - Holland America may better fit the bill.

[Silent Penguin]

On 6/20/2022 at 4:36 PM, deliver42 said:

We've sailed princess and Royal to match what you've done.....The cruises are more upbeat than Princess in my opinion, and don't have the party atmosphere of Royal. The food and the service are amazing.

This is compelling since one of the reasons we're thinking of trying Celebrity after several Carnival cruises is because we would like a different atmosphere and dining experience.  Thank you for posting this.  

[Silent Penguin]

On 6/20/2022 at 4:07 PM, ChicagoCruisin said:

Celebrity is our favorite line for many of the things you are looking for.  Our goal of cruising is to be relaxed and feel taken care of.  

We find the food overall to be the best of the major lines, the service is quite a big step up. 

As someone who has enjoyed several Carnival cruises but is ready to raise the bar when it comes to food and atmosphere, this sounds good to me.  

[Moonarino]

On 6/21/2022 at 9:33 AM, DarrenM said:

I cant believe that anyone would allow smoking indoors nowadays

 

 

Casinos. Money money money! They do usually have segregated areas, for all the good that does. (I'm a light smoker and I can barely stand walking through some of them).

 

My last cruise on Carnival Magic I did find a separate non-smoking casino on another deck, below the big one. (MO' money-money-money!) Maybe other cruise lines will follow.

 

@runner2013, big thanks for posting the Q and thx to all for so many responses. I haven't sailed Celebrity since 2011, just the one on X I'm sad to say, because my aging ears just cannot take the noise anymore. Celebrity Eclipse (11 years ago, granted) was the quietest and most peaceful cruise we've ever been on.

 

Even Royal, with whatever "haute" it's supposed to possess -- my last on Independence OTS was as loud as a cruise ship can get. Our second cruise on Oasis a couple years before wasn't any better. I'm as much looking forward to 10 days on Silhouette in November as any cruise I've ever anticipated, for all the reasons all of your responders have stated.

 

In addition to the peace factor, pics (and a video) I've seen of the renovated Silhouette show it to be, probably, the prettiest ship I will have ever sailed. I cannot wait to get there.

[letsgogogo]

On 6/20/2022 at 2:56 PM, runner2013 said:

 Could those of you who really enjoy Celebrity and sail with them often tell me what keeps you coming back? Food, atmosphere, service, or something else entirely?

All of the reasons you mentioned about princess. I have not cruised princess but I know people who have and they say Celebrity is quite similar but with a more modern twist. All that, plus the food, service, etc.

[rrraydon]

I was just looking in to cruises on Celebrity also. My only con of booking would be losing the perks that D+ afford me. 

[TeeRick]

On 7/12/2022 at 8:53 AM, Snit13 said:

Have never sailed Holland Am but friends I know have and told me it is for OLD people.  My friends and I are all over 80 but don't look, think or act old.  You will have to try and judge.  I called once but at that time they permitted smoking throughout the ship.  As an ex smoker that wouldn't work for me.  I prefer Celebrity's non smoking policy.

I got a kick out of your comments.  You are in your 80's but saying that others sailing on HAL ships are OLD.  Quite a refreshing attitude!  You are as old as you act and feel.  Happy cruising.  Come enjoy smoke free indoor areas on Celebrity.

[deultgen]

On 6/20/2022 at 1:56 PM, runner2013 said:

Hi all, 

I've sailed on several lines in the past.(hubby only Royal and Princess, I've also tried Ncl.) We are tossing around the idea of a cruise on Celebrity to see how it compares to Royal or Princess. We're in our 50's and not into a huge 'party' scene. We like having a variety of choices for activities that Royal offers, but not the kid/family situation that comes with it. (nothing against kids, please no bashing us for that)  We also really enjoy listening to nice music in the atriums on Princess with a glass of wine people watching. We are good at 'going with the flow' when it comes to a lot of things on board. As long as we have a view from our balcony we are content.  Could those of you who really enjoy Celebrity and sail with them often tell me what keeps you coming back? 

Food, atmosphere, service, or something else entirely. 

Any insite greatly appreciated. 

 

I would suggest we are very similar travelers.  We are in our early/mid 50's.  We have been on 12 cruises including Carnival, Princess and Celebrity.  We have cruised the typical E and W Caribbean itineraries, the California Coast, Western Mexico Rivera, and Alaska.  We travel to relax, good food, nice drinks, and spending some time walking around different ports.  We rarely take shore excursions.   

 

So, we prefer sailing Celebrity.  We find the demographic best suits us with many people our age who like to travel, very few kids as well as very few elderly people.  Ideally for us, we would sail Aqua Class.  We have done this three times and find the food in Blu outstanding, and the Relaxation room and Persian Garden are for us.  We like the overall feel of the Solstices class ships which I would say are elegant without being stuffy. 

 

At the same time we also like Princess.  I can appreciate you liking and paying for the Sanctuary.  We typically rent the Sanctuary every afternoon of our cruise.  We like the relaxation it offers and the service.  We also typically spend time in the main Piazza both in the morning for coffee or evening for a cocktail.  Neither my wife or I really prefer the typical food in the dining rooms on Princess.  We usually eat in a specialty restaurant most nights of a cruise. 

 

In the end, we prefer Celebrity.  Our main problem is ............ COST.  We really have been priced out in many ways by Celebrity.  That is to say, for example, we could book a Princess cruise 7 day Caribbean cruise (January 2023) in a balcony room, with additional cost of the Sanctuary every afternoon, and specialty dining every night for FAR less than an Aqua Class stateroom with Blu, Persian Garden, etc included.  

 

 

 

[RedIguana]

21 hours ago, Jeremiah On a Cruise said:

Reading through the thread, Celebrity is a good option (and a better fit than most others), but I would actually encourage you to consider Holland America for two reasons.

 

First, I would argue that the music on Holland America is the best in class.  It's highly varied, typically with a jazz group, classical group (quartet?) and billboards/piano pair - all of which is really high end.  Celebrity has good musicians, but fewer than Holland America, and they seem to rely on a DJ more than Holland America.

 

Second, you can't find a more relaxing line than Holland.  I prefer Celebrity over Holland America, but for sitting and enjoying a glass of wine, or finding a peaceful place to read - Holland America is perfect.  I know that they have an old person reputation, and while that's partially true, we typically see plenty of others in our age range (we are in our early 40's), and a big crowd in the 40-60 range.

 

I'm not trying to dissuade you from Celebrity, as that is my preferred line.  But if you're looking for music and relaxation - Holland America may better fit the bill.

Went on my first HAL cruise with 21 yo daughter last march (Rotterdam). I agree with what Jeremiah has posted. The age was not nearly as old as I expected (the old joke that the average age is "dead" just did not hold up). At mid-50's I was right in the middle, although not many kids. I found the MDR to be equal or slightly better than RCL. Music walk was pretty good, aft pool deck was a great place to hang out. Daughter did prefer Harmony, but the Oasis class ships are just hard to compare to anything else entertainment wise. Most of my limited cruising has been on RCL,  Covid cancelled my princess Alaska, and celebrity Southern. Friends really should not let friends go on carnival. Finally have a Celebrity in September

[sharton]

56 minutes ago, rrraydon said:

I was just looking in to cruises on Celebrity also. My only con of booking would be losing the perks that D+ afford me. 

Is D+ Royal Caribbean? If so then I think you can keep your perks as Celebrity s owned by the same line: RCCL.

[rrraydon]

1 minute ago, sharton said:

Is D+ Royal Caribbean? If so then I think you can keep your perks as Celebrity s owned by the same line: RCCL.

Hmmmm…didn’t know that. I’ll have to check in to that.

[sharton]

1 minute ago, rrraydon said:

Hmmmm…didn’t know that. I’ll have to check in to that.

Friends of mine are Elite on Celebrity and were  able to transfer their perks when they sailed with Royal Caribbean 

[TeeRick]

D or D+ on RCCL becomes Elite on Celebrity.  

[Pinboy]

8 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

You are as old as you act and feel.

LOL--- That's what that old " f--t " thought when he took his ( ?? ) beautiful 32 yr old  " secretary " ( ?? ) on a cruise ----He bought her a pre-loved Rolex --- was seen hugging and kissing everywhere --- she laughed at everything he said--- walked hand in hand --- sat in the front row of the theater ( early show ) ---

The guy looked exhausted, oops, worn out by the 3rd day ----

 

 

 

[hawkesbaynz]

We have sailed five times on Celebrity and have a further four booked. Love Silhouette.  I wistfully gazed at her sailing out of The Solent whilst dog walking on Saturday. Have sailed Aqua, MDR and Retreat. If possible sail Aqua as Luminae wasted on DW and am priced out of the suites. 
 

Also sailed P&O, Royal Caribbean and Marella (a UK tour operator sailing old ships).  Enjoyed them all but much prefer Celebrity. 
 

I have booked the new Enchanted Princess next June really to give it a wiz and am really impressed by the itinerary for a seven day East Med cruise. Price is decent. 
 

Am sixty this year and hopefully retiring. Splurging out on a couple of Oceania cruises including South America with Antarctica. Celebrity does not do a similar itinerary. Looking forward to tasting the much vaunted food😀. Doubt if we will be able to afford this line in retirement ☹️
 

Am looking for a Transpacific in 2025. Other than Holland America and Oceania the other cruise lines, including Celebrity, just seem to be moving the ships from America to Australia with a complement of paying guests. The aforementioned HA & O have numerous stops and a far better itinerary. This is where some other lines beat Celebrity!