Newbie question

[seb530]

Hi all, never sailed with Celebrity before but have done so with Princess/P&O and Marella.
We are currently booked on RCL Wonder of the Seas for caribbean  Jan 2024 but its very expensive (£8k for inside, 14 days from UK incl drinks) and whats concerning is come recent report of degradation of quality of food and service,

So... we are looking at options and considering switching to Asia for Jan 2024 which would be aboard Solstice.
Main concern is the number of "tiers" in teh booking system (like a "class" system!), the Celebrity video focussed on those plus paid restaurants etc!).
There doesnt seem to be many entertainment venues for live music - just the theatre and potentially one other.  Is this right or is there plenty entertainment during  the evenings?  Does this ship/line have a different clientelle to, for example, Princess?

[mahdnc]

10 minutes ago, seb530 said:

Hi all, never sailed with Celebrity before but have done so with Princess/P&O and Marella.
We are currently booked on RCL Wonder of the Seas for caribbean  Jan 2024 but its very expensive (£8k for inside, 14 days from UK incl drinks) and whats concerning is come recent report of degradation of quality of food and service,

So... we are looking at options and considering switching to Asia for Jan 2024 which would be aboard Solstice.
Main concern is the number of "tiers" in teh booking system (like a "class" system!), the Celebrity video focussed on those plus paid restaurants etc!).
There doesnt seem to be many entertainment venues for live music - just the theatre and potentially one other.  Is this right or is there plenty entertainment during  the evenings?  Does this ship/line have a different clientelle to, for example, Princess?

 

We will be sailing on Solstice for a third time this Dec (like you, also Asia). 

 

Solstice is a nice ship. Do not worry too much about the tiers. It's not noticeable. AquaClass has access to their own dedicated restaurant, Blu, while suite guests (aka Retreat guests), have their restaurant, Luminae, and Michaels Club is their own inside space. These two classes of cabins are heavily promoted because Celebrity charges much more for them (in general). 

 

As far as live evening music is concerned (which I don't pay that much attention to) I believe there are three venues. Grand Foyer, Rendezvous Lounge, and I cannot remember the third (Sky Lounge?). I am not counting the large live musical performances from the Celebrity Theatre.

 

I hope you give Celebrity a try. 

[cachouonacruise]

I can't speak for Princess Cruise Line, having never sailed on.

 

Royal Caribbean, especially their mega ships, are more like amusement parks at sea and are very well suited for young families and younger crown. The choice of activities ranging from belly flops at the pool, to ice carving, to trampolining etc is more extensive than Celebrity. In my opinion, the magnitude of the show in the theatre, does not go with the cruise line so much but with the size of the ship. The bigger the ship, the more enhanced is the show.

 

On Celebrity, we have sailed 5 times including once on Solstice. A new trend with this cruise line is to set aside portions of the ship to suite class people. They have their specific restaurant ( Luminae), their specific Lounge ( Michael's) and their specific reserved area on the top deck.

 

Then the rest of the crowd share the rest of the ship and suite class people can join us too. 
 

Aqua Class cabins have a designated restaurant called Blue. Concierge Class cabins have a few perks but no designated areas.

 

In my opinion, the main benefit of Luminae and Blue is that they are smaller venues.

 

In the Main Dining Room, we do have a broader menu, and I have always had an excellent service, as good as Blue or Luminae ( this last restaurant, I went only once as a guest, and likely because of my choices, I was...underwhelmed). 
 

Besides the Main Dining Room, you also have access to the Ocean View Cafe (buffet), the Cafe Al Bacio (Coffees and pastries), the mast Grill Bar ( Hamburgers, hot dogs, French Fries) and the Spa Cafe, for more healthy choices.

 

Bars options include the renowned Martini Bar, the Sunset bar, the pool bar, the World Class bar (for mixed drinks), and the Sky Lounge for the view and Zodiac signs drinks.

 

The entertainment on Celebrity and Solstice, include an evening show at the theatre, typically at 7 and 9 PM. The shows vary from O.k to good to excellent, depending on your personal taste.

 

In addition, you have access to a variety of music related activities in the main foyer, the Sky Lounge, the Rendez-vous Lounge etc. Sometimes, just for listening, sometimes to karaoke and other times for dancing, for example the silent disco, line dancing class, etc.

 

Activities also have included in the past casino or gambling games and the new trend is the Deal or no Deal game replacing the Bingo. 

 

Across the ships, you will also have access to trivia games, paper planes throwing, archery with inflated targets and funny arrows, etc. On Solstice, you may even be able to sign up for Hot Glass Blowing classes.

 

I forgot to mention Art auctions, if that is in your interest and various shopping sales and contests.

 

In conclusion my wife and I began sailing Celebrity in our mid 50s, and we have not been bored yet.

 

Good luck in choosing your cruise and enjoy your vacation! 

[Jim_Iain]

I think you will really enjoy your cruise.    The "Class System" is not as distinct as you might think.  While Suites and Aqua do have separate dining rooms most guests still socialize in the same public spaces.

 

They do have a Theater for evening Shows and Lectures there is also a Movie Theater that is also used for late night comedy and other things.  

 

Music done throughout the ship with most sets lasting 50 minutes.   They will perform in different Bars, Main Foyer, al Bacio, Sky Lounge, Pool Stage, Ocean View outside area.

 

You may wish to download the Celebrity App -  You can choose an existing sailing and go to cruise planner (un-filter from recommended to all)  and you can view a representative listing hourly

[Arizona Wildcat]

2 hours ago, seb530 said:

Hi all, never sailed with Celebrity before but have done so with Princess/P&O and Marella.
We are currently booked on RCL Wonder of the Seas for caribbean  Jan 2024 but its very expensive (£8k for inside, 14 days from UK incl drinks) and whats concerning is come recent report of degradation of quality of food and service,

So... we are looking at options and considering switching to Asia for Jan 2024 which would be aboard Solstice.
Main concern is the number of "tiers" in teh booking system (like a "class" system!), the Celebrity video focussed on those plus paid restaurants etc!).
There doesnt seem to be many entertainment venues for live music - just the theatre and potentially one other.  Is this right or is there plenty entertainment during  the evenings?  Does this ship/line have a different clientelle to, for 

2 hours ago, seb530 said:

Hi all, never sailed with Celebrity before but have done so with Princess/P&O and Marella.
We are currently booked on RCL Wonder of the Seas for caribbean  Jan 2024 but its very expensive (£8k for inside, 14 days from UK incl drinks) and whats concerning is come recent report of degradation of quality of food and service,

So... we are looking at options and considering switching to Asia for Jan 2024 which would be aboard Solstice.
Main concern is the number of "tiers" in teh booking system (like a "class" system!), the Celebrity video focussed on those plus paid restaurants etc!).
There doesnt seem to be many entertainment venues for live music - just the theatre and potentially one other.  Is this right or is there plenty entertainment during  the evenings?  Does this ship/line have a different clientelle to, for example, Princess?

 

Just got off Emerald Princess.  The various classes of cabins was actually similar.  The difference being the MDR system that was chaos on our cruise.

Probably more entertainment about Celebrity than Princess.  Usually at least 2 and sometimes 3 venues late afternoon thru evening.  They play throughout the ship near bars and in open areas.  By the pool if nice weather.

Shows - No difference except the theatre on Princess was smaller and could not always get a seat.

Missed the cook to order stations on Celebrity in OV for lunch.  Selection otherwise similar.

Very similar overall.  Would make my choice on itinerary with a nod to Celebrity on organization.  No major problems like 3 hour wait to tender or 2 hours to get seated for dinner on multiple nights.  But that could have been cruise specific. 

[seb530]

thanks all, will take a look as entertainment is also a big consideration along with ports. Celebrity seem to be the only line visiting both Hong Kong and Singapore

 

[PTC DAWG]

On 3/26/2023 at 11:20 AM, Jim_Iain said:

I think you will really enjoy your cruise.    The "Class System" is not as distinct as you might think.  While Suites and Aqua do have separate dining rooms most guests still socialize in the same public spaces.

 

They do have a Theater for evening Shows and Lectures there is also a Movie Theater that is also used for late night comedy and other things.  

 

Music done throughout the ship with most sets lasting 50 minutes.   They will perform in different Bars, Main Foyer, al Bacio, Sky Lounge, Pool Stage, Ocean View outside area.

 

You may wish to download the Celebrity App -  You can choose an existing sailing and go to cruise planner (un-filter from recommended to all)  and you can view a representative listing hourly

As usual, on point with the comments.  ^^^^^^

 

I've sailed in most every category on Celebrity, never an issue with feeling left out.  

 

 

[SbbquilterUT]

We sailed the Solstice twice this January and had a great time - she is an older ship but suited us fine.  We appreciate the relative lack of children on Celebrity meaning deck space is not full of amusement park items and it is a bit quieter.  January is a lovely time of year in the Caribbean.