Seabourn Ovation Compared to Celebrity Century/Millennium?

[Beyond_YXU]

We currently have a hold on a Seabourn Ovation cruise from Reykjavik to Copenhagen in August. We've cruised only twice before, both times with Celebrity (Century and Millennium) to the Caribbean. We enjoyed some aspects of those trips, but ultimately decided "big ship" cruising isn't for us.

 

Would the Seabourn Ovation be different enough from the Celebrity experience we had? Or, with 600 passengers, would we likely still find it too big? 

 

Also, it's about double the cost of what we paid for our Celebrity cruises years ago. Is the experience significantly elevated above what Celebrity offers?

 

Thanks in advance for your information and opinions.

Edited September 12, 2022 by Beyond_YXU
typo

[Mr Luxury]

There is no comparison between the two lines.

The Ovation is a lovely ship and service will be very different from Celebrity.

Generally you do get what you pay for with cruise lines.

Have a great time and come back and tell us how you enjoyed it.

[iramack]

Agree Completely!

It's a whole different cruise experience that is way beyond what the "mega"ships can offer!

Be prepared, however, to become a convert and stay with small ship cruises for all your future trips!!

 

 

SM

[Covepointcruiser]

The Ovation is a lovely ship with wonderful service.    Compared with the two celebrity ships you will have the same choice in numbers of restaurants.   No charge for any of them on the Ovation.   We especially enjoyed TKs and it’s very special bar.   There is an up charge for some wines and champagne but you will find those you like in the included ones.   There is a wonderful library on the Ovation.   Passengers dress a but better on Seabourn and don’t push against the dress code as much as on Celebrity.   One more formal evening a week requests a sports coat in the main restaurant.

[Dunnedg]

Sailed twice on Ovation. Excellent. Just finished a trip on Celebrity. It was fine but it reminded me why I like smaller ships!

[Fletcher]

In my book, the Ovation is a fairly big ship, just about the biggest we have ever been on, which limits its itineraries in certain locations, though our Norway cruise was one of the best.  Can't comment on mass market, nickel-and-diming lines like Celebrity but they have absolutely no appeal for me at all.  The Ovation is a great ship but I prefer the smaller Odyssey class and will probably prefer the Venture to all of them.  

[purpleally]

No comparison. Celebrity can never hold a candle to Seabourn 

600 is not a lot; it’s not an expedition ship