Princess compared to Celebrity

[stevenr597]

Trying to get some opinions.  We are planning to take a Southern Caribbean Cruise, approximately 10 days.  We have seen two attractive cruises:

1) Enchanted Princess Reserve Class

2) Celebrity Beyond...Concierge Class (we are 3 people and will not qualify for Aqua Class

Both seem to have fairly good itinerary...although a slight edge may go to Celebrity. 

Both are fairly new ships.  Which would one prefer. 

[asctony]

1. Price?

2. Ports

3. Been on both. Celebrity Beyond would be my choice based on ship, entertainment, service. However, price would be more expensive on Celebrity in cabin, beverages & Specialty Restaurants.

 

Really, only you can decide as it is money & choice. 

[Cruise Raider]

If it were me, I would choose Princess.  So, I say this after sailing on a side by side on both  Celebrity and then Princess.  Celebrity used to be our favorite cruise line but hadn’t sailed on her since a year or two before CoVid hit.  Celebrity certainly has its great features but we just felt like our cruise was a bit on the boring side.  Princess is just so much more fun and has some great activities scheduled throughout the day and evening.  
 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

I recently posted the below on a “Celebrity vs NCL” thread on the Celebrity forum and thought it might be helpful here from $$$ perspective, depending on what booking perks you might qualify for. You may also notice in my below signature we have more days up to this point cruising with Celebrity than Princess, but …
 

We are in our early 70s and currently have bookings with Princess (8), NCL (5), HAL (1), and X (1) through the summer of 2025. Our booking priorities are based on: (1) itinerary, (2) gross and net cruise costs, and (3) dining room availability options, along with of course how much fun we will have on the cruise in the evenings and on sea days.

 

Here is the breakdown we have recently encountered for each of the lines we book with. As you will see, there are significant differences, with X providing the least incentive for us to book with them.

 

Itinerary: We usually book 3-5 week cruises based on the uniqueness of the itinerary, such as going to South America and Antarctica, Japan, Europe, Africa, Panama Canal, Alaska, and transoceanic cruises.

 

Gross and Net cost of the cruise: This includes figuring into the equation Military (we are both retired) and shareholder benefits, TA booking discount, cruise line "All Included" packages, and the cost of a refundable deposit. Note: All of the cruise lines we use except for X offer by default refundable deposit fares if booking a specific cabin. In the case of X, they include a 20% surcharge if you want to book your cruise with a refundable deposit.

 

Here is the booking "perk" breakdown for each cruise line based on our recent experiences:

 

Princess: Up to $250 (military) MOBC for each of us, up to $250 (shareholder) SOBC per cabin, 8% cruise fare reduction for booking with our TA, $60 pp/day for their Plus package.

 

NCL: 10% military discount off cruise fare, up to $250 SOBC per cabin, 8% rebate check for booking with our TA, $70 pp/day for their FAS and FAS Plus packages, which is a super deal if most perks are used, to include 4 specialty restaurant dinners each, $50 off per person on excursions, unlimited premium beverage and internet packages.

 

HAL: $100 per cabin for MOBC, up to $250 per cabin for SOBC, 8% cruise fare reduction for booking with our TA, up to $400 OBC if you book within 90 days of the itinerary being made available, $65 pp/day for their HIA "Early Booking" package if you book more than 1 year from embarkation day, and their optional Club Orange dining package for $15 pp/day that includes a free upgrade from the cheapest to most expensive cabin category within a meta category, which sometimes will save you more than the cost of the package.

 

X - up to $100 military discount off the cruise fare, up to $250 SOBC per cabin, 8% of cruise fare in nonrefundable OBC for booking with our TA, and $75 pp/day for their All Included classic beverage and basic internet package combo. 

 

Evening dining room minimums for us based on booked cabin category: Princess (Reserve Class dining), NCL (free specialty dining combined with MDR), HAL (MDR early fixed seating table for 2), and X (dine in their Blu restaurant).

 

Just some things we consider before booking a cruise with any of these 4 cruise lines.

 

As far as the fun factor goes, and this is the most subjective area of them all, each cruise line offers different evening and sea day options, and we try not to compare offerings, as we have fun on all of our cruises. However, at this current moment in time, we have the most fun on Princess, then Celebrity, then NCL and finally HAL, and in that order. But, again, the above itinerary, costs, and dining considerations weigh more than the level of "fun" we experience onboard on a cruise.

 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents on the subject. 🙃

 

[kywildcatfanone]

We have done 2 cruises on Celebrity and 28 on Princess.  Beyond will be a bit smaller and less people. Food and service will be relatively equal.  I would choose based upon itinerary and cost. Celebrity will likely be higher.

[Nora86]

Our first cruise was on Celebrity to Alaska and it hooked us on cruising. It felt upscale and classy with amazing service. Tried lots new foods, dressed up for formal night and hoped i wouldn't spill anything. Our next two were on Princess to Mexico. More casual with a bit of a party atmosphere. Had a fantastic time! Definitely a better fit for us. However we're tucked in by 8:00 pm so no clue about the nightlife.

[leck57]

Both great ships. Celebrity and Princess are more alike than different in my opinion. I certainly wouldn't pay extra for Concierge class which I did once. Aqua class maybe but not Concierge. 

[Lady Arwen]

Our favourite is Celebrity with Princess being a close second.  For us,  Celebrity ticks all the boxes as far as the ships and the onboard experience.  Staterooms are definitely nicer on Celebrity.  Food used to be better on X but now not so much.  Edge class ships are marvellous.  If you sail on Beyond you will probably be privileged to have Captain Kate at the helm.  She is probably the most personable and dynamic cruiseship captain you will ever meet.  That ship just feels special because of  her presence onboard.  This would be our choice.

 

I have to ask why you’ve chosen Concierge class.  You really don’t get much, unless you  love the cabin location.  Other than that, the rest is really just fluff.  I would take a standard balcony or upgrade to Aqua Class, if only to get Blu as a dining venue.  To be honest, we stopped booking Aqua because to us the food in Blu just wasn’t worth the hype anymore.  But, that just us, as some people still love it.

Also, there are standard balconies available not only Infinity balconies.  We like the ones aft on deck 6 close to Eden. 

I think you’ll find that Princess and Celebrity are quite comparable and you would enjoy either one.  Just do your homework and choose whichever ship gives you more of what you’re looking for.

Edited November 19, 2023 by Lady Arwen

[suekel]

I just got off my first Celebrity cruise yesterday.  We chose it for the ports which were wonderful.  TA from Barcelona.  I am elite on Princess so it goes without saying that I missed the perks that this entails. 

I found the friendliness of the crews to be equal.  

Celebrity-The food and the cabin bathroom won hands down. We had a concierge level infinite veranda.  Didn't offer much.  Canapes (mostly inedible) every day.  Free entry into a slot tournament.  Galley tour.  Bottle of bubbly. I definitely would NOT get an infinite veranda on warm weather cruises.  The air shuts off automatically if you open the window, and it really is just a window, not a balcony.  I loved having the window open when we were crossing but in Bermuda and the Bahamas, it was too warm.  

Other than that, I'm sticking with Princess.  I missed the medallion and the ease of ordering what I want, when I wanted it. I always get a package.

Paying 11.64 per room service order, yeah no.

Paying $100 to send laundry out twice and that is buying precruise and getting a discount.  Celebrity does not have machines for passengers to use.  

The Apex was beautiful but so much space was taken up by specialty dining restaurants and showing off their art.  Last Sunday morning it rained.  There were literally 2 bars open on the ship, the restaurants except the buffet were closed.  We tried to go to the one bar that was showing football, place only holds about 40 people.  

On Celebrity I found at least 80% of the events during the day to be centered around the shops, the spa and the fitness center.  

There was only 1 outdoor pool.  I love going to the pool.  Both lines have issues with chair hogs.  

 

If I find another must do itinerary, I might look at Celebrity again but it would depend on the ship, definitely not an edge class.  

[doghog]

Threads like this have zero influence on our decisions to book or not book a cruise line, ship, itinerary, stateroom category and etc. based on others opinions and experiences. Positive or negative. 

[Lady Arwen]

2 minutes ago, doghog said:

Threads like this have zero influence on our decisions to book or not book a cruise line, ship, itinerary, stateroom category and etc. based on others opinions and experiences. Positive or negative. 

Some people enjoy hearing about other’s experiences and opinions, not necessarily to make their choice based only on that information.  I know I do.  This is why we have an entire forum “Cruise Reviews” for exactly that purpose.

[doghog]

7 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

Some people enjoy hearing about other’s experiences and opinions, not necessarily to make their choice based only on that information.  I know I do.  This is why we have an entire forum “Cruise Reviews” for exactly that purpose.

Just to be clear, I didn't say I didn't respect or enjoy reading others opinions or experiences. I do. My point is their opinions or experiences have zero influence on our decisions. 

Edited November 19, 2023 by doghog

[Steelers36]

Have not been on X for ages, but no one has mentioned that there is no indoor smoking on X compared to PCL.  That would almost be enough to make me go again, but price would have to be very comparable and I am not thinking that will be the case.

[Lady Arwen]

Just now, Steelers36 said:

Have not been on X for ages, but no one has mentioned that there is no indoor smoking on X compared to PCL.  That would almost be enough to make me go again, but price would have to be very comparable and I am not thinking that will be the case.

Yes, you are so right!  One of the reasons we choose Celebrity is because I enjoy an adult beverage or two whilst spinning those slots.  However, I absolutely can’t  stand cigarette smoke!  On Princess, even on the no smoking nights,  the smell lingers.  I hate for my clothes and hair to smell like smoke.  The rest of the time I have to stay away completely.  Such a shame because we love the casinos!

[stevenr597]

6 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

Our favourite is Celebrity with Princess being a close second.  For us,  Celebrity ticks all the boxes as far as the ships and the onboard experience.  Staterooms are definitely nicer on Celebrity.  Food used to be better on X but now not so much.  Edge class ships are marvellous.  If you sail on Beyond you will probably be privileged to have Captain Kate at the helm.  She is probably the most personable and dynamic cruiseship captain you will ever meet.  That ship just feels special because of  her presence onboard.  This would be our choice.

 

I have to ask why you’ve chosen Concierge class.  You really don’t get much, unless you  love the cabin location.  Other than that, the rest is really just fluff.  I would take a standard balcony or upgrade to Aqua Class, if only to get Blu as a dining venue.  To be honest, we stopped booking Aqua because to us the food in Blu just wasn’t worth the hype anymore.  But, that just us, as some people still love it.

Also, there are standard balconies available not only Infinity balconies.  We like the ones aft on deck 6 close to Eden. 

I think you’ll find that Princess and Celebrity are quite comparable and you would enjoy either one.  Just do your homework and choose whichever ship gives you more of what you’re looking for.

We are booked Aqua Class many times on Celebrity and generally liked the "upgrade"  However, Aqua Class, was a bit of a disappointment on our last cruise on Celebrity Reflection.  

With that being said, on this cruise we will be three in one room, and Celebrity will only permit two in a room for Aqua Class.

We did look at Suites on Celebrity, but much more expensive.  

[stevenr597]

1 hour ago, Lady Arwen said:

Yes, you are so right!  One of the reasons we choose Celebrity is because I enjoy an adult beverage or two whilst spinning those slots.  However, I absolutely can’t  stand cigarette smoke!  On Princess, even on the no smoking nights,  the smell lingers.  I hate for my clothes and hair to smell like smoke.  The rest of the time I have to stay away completely.  Such a shame because we love the casinos!

In respect to smoking, I on some occasons do like a glass of Port and a Fine Cigar.  On our last cruise on Princess, I did visit, Churchill's and found that it was filled up with people smoking cigarettes. 

Needless to say, I did not sample any Cigars on the voyage. 

[sunsetme]

I enjoy Celebrity for the food, the bars (many more than Princess), better entertainment and larger cabins especially the bathrooms.

[Cruise Raider]

4 minutes ago, stevenr597 said:

In respect to smoking, I on some occasons do like a glass of Port and a Fine Cigar.  On our last cruise on Princess, I did visit, Churchill's and found that it was filled up with people smoking cigarettes. 

Needless to say, I did not sample any Cigars on the voyage. 

I understand that the smoking rooms on Princess ships may be changing over to arcades for the kiddos.  Don’t quote me but I think it’s happened on the Royal already and soon to happen on the Discovery.  
I hope that doesn’t mean more smokers just lingering in the casino area simply to smoke.  We enjoy gambling as well but can’t handle the smoke.  

[Lady Arwen]

4 minutes ago, stevenr597 said:

In respect to smoking, I on some occasons do like a glass of Port and a Fine Cigar.  On our last cruise on Princess, I did visit, Churchill's and found that it was filled up with people smoking cigarettes. 

Needless to say, I did not sample any Cigars on the voyage. 

You’ve made me curious!  As a cigar smoker, do you find cigarette smoke to be offensive?  I only ask because so many people don’t enjoy the smell of cigars.  I guess it’s all about one’s own personal taste.  My DIL, a non smoker, loves the smell of cigars!

[SCX22]

As of recent, Princess' service has taken a dive.  Crew that interacts with passengers does their jobs, but there's no passion in what they are doing and rarely do they go out of their way.  Lots of newbies on their first or second contract.  The ones that have returned are managers or supervisors.  Many of the crew with seniority but in low positions have expressed the desire to move on to greener pastures and take contracts with Disney/RCCL/X because they pay more.  On the Enchanted in the Med currently and there was a group of servers that were sent home because they didn't make the cut.  No replacement crew until ship reaches Fort Lauderdale.  Lido managers have had to have room service folks brought up to the buffet in the evening because there is no one else to do the job.  Mini bar swap is handled by room service on this ship but didn't happen for 2 days because they are short staffed.

 

X's service, to me, is more polished.  

 

I always write in my surveys Princess can't raise their fares because what's being put out on their ships doesn't warrant it.  If Princess were to charge more, I'm taking my money to X.  Saying that after having sailed on the majority of Princess' itineraries.  

Edited November 19, 2023 by SCX22

[stevenr597]

47 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

You’ve made me curious!  As a cigar smoker, do you find cigarette smoke to be offensive?  I only ask because so many people don’t enjoy the smell of cigars.  I guess it’s all about one’s own personal taste.  My DIL, a non smoker, loves the smell of cigars!

I may get flamed, but indeed I do.  I like a fine cigar, often with a group of people and a glass of wine, preferably a fine port.  Don't do it often. 

[Cruise Raider]

1 minute ago, stevenr597 said:

I may get flamed, but indeed I do.  I like a fine cigar, often with a group of people and a glass of wine, preferably a fine port.  Don't do it often. 

No flaming from me.  While I would love a smoke free ship, I much prefer the smell of cigar smoke over cigarette smoke.  
 

[Lady Arwen]

12 minutes ago, stevenr597 said:

I may get flamed, but indeed I do.  I like a fine cigar, often with a group of people and a glass of wine, preferably a fine port.  Don't do it often. 

No flaming here.  As long as you’re offered a decent, comfortable area away from the non smokers, I’m fine with it.  On Celebrity the outdoor smoking areas are very nice with sofas and coffee tables and they are covered to protect guests from the elements.  Everyone is happy!

[Steelers36]

I imagine the closing of Churchill's will result in more smokers heading into casino just to smoke.

 

Princess needs to wake up and get with the 2000's!.  Oops, they are really behind the times now.

[Cruise Raider]

6 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I imagine the closing of Churchill's will result in more smokers heading into casino just to smoke.

 

Princess needs to wake up and get with the 2000's!.  Oops, they are really behind the times now.

I am hoping it doesn’t but already see the writing on the wall.