Help choosing between Princess and Celebrity

[ldubs]

37 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

In February, on Apex, limited hours. Breakfast 6-10.

Lunch 12-2:30.

Tea 3:30-4:30.

Dinner 6-9. 

Pizza 12pm-1am 

The typical stations they've had in the past but the cooked to order stations were only one type per lunch or dinner, not several as in the past. Ie pasta station at lunch or dinner, not pasta or stir fry or grill. Just the one, and it rotated.. some days pasta, some days stir fry, some days grilled to order minute steaks or chicken breast..  fairly decent selections of buffet items. Just limited hours, particularly if you're more accustomed to Princess buffet which is open continuously from 6am-10pm (one side or section may be used while it turns over but at least a decent portion is open continuously).  

Better salad bar than Princess, comparing Regal and Apex 2 weeks apart.. 

 

 

 

Thank you.  That really help me understand the current situation.   

[MissP22]

14 hours ago, davekathy said:

We would never book or not book a cruise line, ship, itinerary, etc. based on others positive or negative opinions or experiences. I read and respect others reviews and posts about their cruises but... Threads like this are great examples why. 

Same here. Over the years of reading I've come to know which poster opinions  to trust (a select few)  and which ones not to. 

[xamsx]

20 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

I wonder if you have recent experience with the Celebrity's OV buffet?

Hubby and I have done three Celebrity cruises in the last six months. The OV buffet was wonderful pre-Jan 1. The cuts in food quality that were complained about after the first of the year in the Celebrity subforum are real. While we never went hungry, there was a real difference in the quality of food post and pre-January 1st. The only meal that was the same was breakfast.

Edited April 17, 2023 by xamsx

[fabby50]

13 minutes ago, xamsx said:

Hubby and I have done three Celebrity cruises in the last six months. The OV buffet was wonderful pre-Jan 1. The cuts in food quality that were complained about after the first of the year in the Celebrity subforum are real. While we never went hungry, there was a real difference in the quality of food post and pre-January 1st. The only meal that was the same was breakfast.

That was my experience too - went in November and then again last month.  World of difference, especially at dinner.  

[stevenr597]

Both lines are more alike than different.  We have sailed both extensively.  We do prefer Princess, that is just a matter of choice.

 

Can't go wrong with either of them. 

[ldubs]

2 minutes ago, stevenr597 said:

Both lines are more alike than different.  We have sailed both extensively.  We do prefer Princess, that is just a matter of choice.

 

Can't go wrong with either of them. 

 

"Can't go wrong with either of them. "

 

Agree 100% 

[Ken the cruiser]

We haven't cruised on the Sky yet, but here's a Live From thread covering our 16-day cruise on the Apex back in Nov 2021. If nothing else, just look at the pictures to get a feeling what the Apex onboard is like.

 

 

[cruisequeen4ever]

I’m Elite on Princess and have been on 2 Celebrity cruises, one of which was last month. I believe it’s wonderful that there are a wide variety of cruise lines from which to choose, and everyone can choose what best suits them. Between Princess and Celebrity, IMHO…

 

Itineraries:

Pretty equal

 

Ships:

Princess has more elegant ships, whereas Celebrity goes for a colder, more modern look and feel. I prefer the warm, comfy atmosphere of Princess. 
 

Crew:

Equally wonderful

 

Food:

Princess wins hands down with great flavors as well as variety. We always found something decent to eat on Celebrity, but nothing was stellar. It seems like the main way to get good food on Celebrity is to sail in a suite; otherwise, food is fairly ordinary. The only things Celebrity did better were having a yummy Eggs Benedict station and offering both soft serve and hard scoop ice cream. 

 

Drinks:

Princess drinks are less expensive. Both have good tasting drinks, but I prefer the consistently well-flavored Princess drinks. 

 

Entertainment:

Shows- Princess offers better quality production shows; Celebrity’s often don’t make sense. The comedian and the guest entertainment band on Celebrity this last cruise were better, but we have had fantastic comedians in the past on Princess. 

Cruise staff led activities- Equally fun, except they each have one advantage. Princess wins for still having bingo!! Celebrity gets praise for adding a third round to Deal or no Deal where you can win a free cruise. 

Casino:

Equally fun games and promos 

 

Laundry:

Princess because of self-laundry

 

Pool:

Equal because they both have adults only pools. Whichever ships have an indoor pool win, and that could be Princess or Celebrity.

 

Demographics:

I’ve experienced kind and friendly people on both cruise lines, but I’ve found Princess pax to be more down to earth. 
 

Hope this helps! Happy planning, whichever cruise line you choose!

 

 

[kmhkmb]

I haven't read through all the responses so forgive me if this is repetitive, but wanted to say I'm a former die-hard Princess cruiser who is switching to Celebrity (except for Alaska).  My husband and I  cruised on the Celebrity Beyond in January and had a fabulous time - the food was much higher quality, we loved the infinite balcony (so private and great to have the extra space in the cabin) and the shows were so much better - my husband works in broadcasting and he was blown away by the tech in their theatre - which is is not an easy feat.  I used to think the service was better on Princess - until my last cruise (just debarked on Sunday).  I posted a review if you would like more details.  

 

We also LOVED hanging out in Eden and admiring the 2000+ pieces of art around the ship - quite a bit different from the Princess "match the decor" type of art! 

 

Another huge plus is the washrooms in the cabins - way bigger with a lovely glass shower - no fighting with a mildewed shower curtain and you don't feel like you are in a closet.  

Edited April 17, 2023 by kmhkmb
Added more detail

[CruiserN1]

We've cruised both lines multiple times, but not on any of the newest Celebrity ships. Princess feels like a better value than Celebrity, but for us it comes down to the itinerary. We've also done HAL (because of itinerary) and probably wouldn't choose them again, just too old of a demographic for us. I haven't felt there are major differences between Princess and Celebrity.

 

Cuts have been made at all cruise lines because COVID forced them to take on so much debt and their shareholders are putting on pressure for them to regain real profitability. We've looked at Oceania but the cost difference is such that it's either an oceanview cabin on Oceania or a club-class mini-suite on Princess/aqua class on Celebrity. We do so enjoy the privacy of our cabin and the balcony to watch the ocean that at this point in our lives we aren't choosing Oceania.