Celebrity vs Princess

[Retired-N-Happy]

1 hour ago, doghog said:

SSS's, DPVs and SVs are real balconies on the E class ships.

Well, you enjoy them dog since X is currently in my rearview mirror and I really don't care what is classified as a balcony.  The changes that have occurred on X over the past two years have caused them to no longer earn any of my vacation dollars.  Have cruised them nine times and there won't be a tenth.

[cgolf1]

So we are doing our first princess soon. I am hoping that they do Gluten Free food good enough that we can make the switch. Looking at 2026 pricing and itineraries, Celebrity is more expensive and the itineraries are downright boring. We are liking the 10+ day trips and there aren't a lot of good options.

 

The only thing that would keep us at Celebrity is how good they do the food allergy stuff. We ran into the boring itinerary thing with Disney along with rising costs and that is why we left. When we looked for a last minute deal this spring, Royal, Celebrity, and even Carnival there were no deals to be had, only Princess. Time will tell if that is because they suck and have to drop their prices to fill the ship.

 

Right now we are stuck with cruises not that far from the states due to not having a ton of vacation time. I am looking forward to Transatlantic and transpacific, but my wife wouldn't want me to go alone lol.

[doghog]

12 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Well, you enjoy them dog since X is currently in my rearview mirror and I really don't care what is classified as a balcony.  The changes that have occurred on X over the past two years have caused them to no longer earn any of my vacation dollars.  Have cruised them nine times and there won't be a tenth.

Thank you. We enjoy all our cruises. Bummer as I was hoping one day I would buy you a drink. Enjoy and Bon Voyage. 🍻😁

Edited May 7 by doghog

[ScottC4746]

It is always hard to compare two cruise lines overall.  What works for one does not work for the other.  Example, DH loves RCCL, I prefer a smaller ship and don't need all the slides, go karts, etc.  I love the Schooner Bar in the original nautical format.  They newer ships they have it but isn't as heavily themed as in the past.

We both love the service on HAL and X and others find HAL too old for them and too sedate. I have seen travel videos about X saying not a lot of activities.  I did not find that to be true on the Solstice.  I hate schedules that are so jam packed with everything that peaks an interest and you find yourself running all over the ship to do everything.  

I cruise to relax and it is nice to have a much lighter schedule to allow that.  I was pleased to see on Solstice Sept 22 no napkin folding classes.  Who entertains that way and who has napkins that stiff?  LOL.

[swigso]

Celebrity’s smoking policy means that it is a no brainer for us. Princess allow smoking in the casino, we had a top level suite booked on the new Sun Princess but cancelled due the smoking policy once we found out. Princess told us there was no smoking allowed in the casino not true.
WHEN we go to any restaurant now,  there is no smoking allowed, why do cruise lines allow smoking at any indoor venue. Sorry for the rant but that issue is really important to us.

 

Edited May 7 by swigso

[Retired-N-Happy]

36 minutes ago, swigso said:

Celebrity’s smoking policy means that it is a no brainer for us. Princess allow smoking in the casino, we had a top level suite booked on the new Sun Princess but cancelled due the smoking policy once we found out. Princess told us there was no smoking allowed in the casino not true.
WHEN we go to any restaurant now,  there is no smoking allowed, why do cruise lines allow smoking at any indoor venue. Sorry for the rant but that issue is really important to us.

 

Most cruise lines have a no smoking section in their casinos and sometimes it's in a separate room.  Of course the easy solution is to just avoid the casino altogether but obviously the thrill that you get there is obviously a part of your vacation that you enjoy.  If it wasn't for the profits that the casinos make the cruise fares would be substantially higher.  Disney is the perfect example.

[prmssk]

33 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Most cruise lines have a no smoking section in their casinos and sometimes it's in a separate room.  Of course the easy solution is to just avoid the casino altogether but obviously the thrill that you get there is obviously a part of your vacation that you enjoy.  If it wasn't for the profits that the casinos make the cruise fares would be substantially higher.  Disney is the perfect example.

My issue is that the way so many ships are designed the smoke from the casino doesn't stay in the smoking section of the casino.  Smoke filtering into the bar where I want to listen to music or get my favorite drink can really ruin the experience for me.

 

Celebrity's no-smoking anywhere inside policy is one of the things that draw us to Celebrity.

[jmdlv1]

On 5/3/2024 at 11:46 AM, NMTraveller said:

I am starting to lean towards Princess.

 

Does Princess have kids running through the hallways at night?  This was happening on Millie during a Christmas cruise.  The Millie staffing was also an issue.  Instead of booking another cruise,  I ended up booking a land vacation for next year as the resorts handily outperformed Millie in both food and service.

 

Holiday cruises always have more kids than any other time of year.

Still no excuse for kids running in the halls but cannot blame cruise line for that.

 

 

[Retired-N-Happy]

1 hour ago, prmssk said:

 

Celebrity's no-smoking anywhere inside policy is one of the things that draw us to Celebrity.

Celebrity no longer including crew appreciation with their package along with the changes with their drinks packages is what had drawn us away from X permanently after having cruised them nine times over the years.

[NMTraveller]

44 minutes ago, jmdlv1 said:

Holiday cruises always have more kids than any other time of year.

Still no excuse for kids running in the halls but cannot blame cruise line for that.

The land resorts we stayed at did not have kids running through the halls at night, though there were many more kids at the land resorts.  I have run into hotels that do have this problem.  I stay away from them.

 

Kids running through the halls was more of a Royal experience, except for my last Celebrity cruise. 

 

If the 5 star resorts do not have this issue,  why should we expect this on Celebrity?

Edited May 8 by NMTraveller

[Northern Aurora]

1 hour ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Celebrity no longer including crew appreciation with their package along with the changes with their drinks packages is what had drawn us away from X permanently after having cruised them nine times over the years.

 

I am sorry -- but I do not understand this post.  What crew appreciation is included in what package?

[Ergates The Ant]

Did a couple of cruises on Princess, but not as enjoyable as Celebrity. Didn’t go into the casino on Princess, but the stink of smoke managed to pervade surrounding areas anyway. Celebrity definitely our preferred line on the smoke free front.

The Celebrity buffet has always been good, whereas Princess selection was poor, and the serving area was cramped. Preferred the more spacious coffee shops on Princess. Last celebrity cruise, the beverages manager finally realised that the seating area at Il bacio was far too small for the demand for morning coffee for us Brits, and opened a nearby specialty restaurant to accommodate us all!

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

6 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

The land resorts we stayed at did not have kids running through the halls at night, though there were many more kids at the land resorts.  I have run into hotels that do have this problem.  I stay away from them.

 

Kids running through the halls was more of a Royal experience, except for my last Celebrity cruise. 

 

If the 5 star resorts do not have this issue,  why should we expect this on Celebrity?

 

It shouldn't be "expected" anywhere. But my guess is that the parents at the land resort were doing more parenting than the parents on the cruise. I guess they figure there's only so far they can go on a ship so they don't keep as tight a reign on them, but I don't know.

 

At any rate, it comes down to parenting rather than type of vacation. I'd guess there have been some 5 star resorts where parents are more "hands off" and kids run just as there have been cruise ships where parents were more aware of what their kids were doing and stop silliness.

[prmssk]

8 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

I am sorry -- but I do not understand this post.  What crew appreciation is included in what package?

All Included used to include gratuities.  We usually book cruise only so it is not a deal breaker for us but for those who normally book AI, it was a fare hike.  

 

To be fair, Princess has played with their all included packages quite a bit over the past couple years.  When we cruised with Princess in 2022, the packages were actually at a price point that made sense for us and so it was nice to have a more included fare.  Since they have increased the price and changed the drink package structures so we would be back to booking cruise only again with them.

[cgolf1]

12 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Most cruise lines have a no smoking section in their casinos and sometimes it's in a separate room.  Of course the easy solution is to just avoid the casino altogether but obviously the thrill that you get there is obviously a part of your vacation that you enjoy.  If it wasn't for the profits that the casinos make the cruise fares would be substantially higher.  Disney is the perfect example.

 

You are wrong about the Disney example. In the past their prices were inline with RCCL and Princess, we always checked, but in the 2015-2016 range there prices started increasing dramatically. We were suite level in 2014, and the next year the same room would almost be double. By 2019 or 2020 same itinerary and same ship an inside would have only been 400$ less than what we paid for the suite level room. Disney across the board seemed to raise prices drastically, as I had friends that did the parks every year, and they cut way back on that. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

7 hours ago, Ergates The Ant said:

The Celebrity buffet has always been good, whereas Princess selection was poor, and the serving area was cramped

are we talking Royal class Princess? Or the older Princess ships? Royal Class Princess buffets are lovely.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

2 hours ago, prmssk said:

When we cruised with Princess in 2022, the packages were actually at a price point that made sense for us and so it was nice to have a more included fare.  Since they have increased the price and changed the drink package structures so we would be back to booking cruise only again with them.

for a heavier drinker who also needs fancy coffee and wifi, $60 pppd still makes sense financially. Plus package includes the majority of alcoholic drinks, unlike Celebrity's lower level alcohol drink package.

 

We don't drink, so buying a Plus package is not for us. We'll enjoy a fancy coffee here and there, and maybe a cocktail or two on Princess ships, since they are more or less sensibly priced.  X's drinks were too expensive even for the most basic beer.

[Retired-N-Happy]

12 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

I am sorry -- but I do not understand this post.  What crew appreciation is included in what package?

The gratuities or tips that each cruiser gives used to be included in the packages that Celebrity has.  They changed their policy last year and the gratuities or crew appreciation or whatever you wish to call it are now no longer included, so you are now adding 16.00 pp per day to your bottom line that is now no longer included.  Celebrity also made changes to their drinks packages as well.  Because of these two factors we will not be taking a tenth cruise with them.

[Retired-N-Happy]

3 hours ago, cgolf1 said:

 

You are wrong about the Disney example. In the past their prices were inline with RCCL and Princess, we always checked, but in the 2015-2016 range there prices started increasing dramatically. We were suite level in 2014, and the next year the same room would almost be double. By 2019 or 2020 same itinerary and same ship an inside would have only been 400$ less than what we paid for the suite level room. Disney across the board seemed to raise prices drastically, as I had friends that did the parks every year, and they cut way back on that. 

No, I am spot on with Disney.  They have no casinos on any of their ships and because they will not be getting the income flow from gamblers this is just one of the reasons why Disney cruises are so much more expensive than other main stream cruise lines. They need to charge more to make up for the guaranteed profit from gamblers that they don't have since they don't have casinos.

[Retired-N-Happy]

3 hours ago, prmssk said:

All Included used to include gratuities.  We usually book cruise only so it is not a deal breaker for us but for those who normally book AI, it was a fare hike.  

 

To be fair, Princess has played with their all included packages quite a bit over the past couple years.  When we cruised with Princess in 2022, the packages were actually at a price point that made sense for us and so it was nice to have a more included fare.  Since they have increased the price and changed the drink package structures so we would be back to booking cruise only again with them.

Princess started at 40, went to 50 and is now 60 pp per day for the plus package.  Even at 60, it's the best value at sea.  You get grats, wifi, drink package and other perks.  For the 60 you can't even get the drinks packages on other cruise lines.  You're obviously a teetotaler but there have been posts on the Princess boards that people find value even without drinking any alcohol.  Wi-Fi is worth 25 and grats are 16, so that's 41 out of the 60 right there.  We really don't care about the wifi, so if you take the 60 minus the 16 for grats, that's 44 for the drinks package.  That is cheaper than any other cruise line and then all of the other amenities of the plus package are pure gravy.  You have to run the numbers for yourself, but it's great for us and it's why we currently have 11 future cruises booked on Princess and X is in our rear view mirror.

[prmssk]

2 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Princess started at 40, went to 50 and is now 60 pp per day for the plus package.  Even at 60, it's the best value at sea.  You get grats, wifi, drink package and other perks.  For the 60 you can't even get the drinks packages on other cruise lines.  You're obviously a teetotaler but there have been posts on the Princess boards that people find value even without drinking any alcohol.  Wi-Fi is worth 25 and grats are 16, so that's 41 out of the 60 right there.  We really don't care about the wifi, so if you take the 60 minus the 16 for grats, that's 44 for the drinks package.  That is cheaper than any other cruise line and then all of the other amenities of the plus package are pure gravy.  You have to run the numbers for yourself, but it's great for us and it's why we currently have 11 future cruises booked on Princess and X is in our rear view mirror.

I must be a teetotaler because my husband and I combined don't drink enough to make the $60 a day/pp package worth it?  $120 a day is a lot of money to spend on internet, tips, and drinks for light drinkers (we don't see value to the other perks with Princess Plus).  When we book cruise only, our daily onboard charges don't come anywhere near that.  We have never been able to justify buying a stand alone drink package.  

 

You do realize, cruise lines offer packages like this because they make money off them, right?  That means enough people who don't make full use of the package get it for convenience.  I'm always puzzled when people try and convince others that it is such a great deal.  We all cruise differently and so it isn't going to be a great deal for everyone.  People should do their own math based on how they cruise and what they expect to spend.

 

Back to the topic of this thread, because AI packages aren't a great deal for us, it isn't a deciding factor for us between Princess and Celebrity.  That said, I understand why the differences could be a deciding factor for those that regularly book AI packages.  

[prmssk]

4 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

Plus package includes the majority of alcoholic drinks, unlike Celebrity's lower level alcohol drink package.

I was on the cruise where Princess transitioned to two drink packages.  We were in the middle of a B2B when the change happened.  My experience was that a lot of the wines we were enjoying on the Plus package week 1 were no longer included week 2 and I have seen drink price menus where wine prices have only grown higher.  I also thought I had read that Good Spirits drinks are no longer included by Plus.  The transition was such a mess that bartenders didn't know what was and wasn't included anymore that second week of our cruise.  I followed cruise critic and other Princess groups after that cruise for a while to see how it all shook out and it still seems like quite a few drinks are no longer covered on Plus that used to be.  

[Itchy&Scratchy]

13 minutes ago, prmssk said:

The transition was such a mess

 

yes, it was. Undoubtedly.

 

9 minutes ago, prmssk said:

I had read that Good Spirits drinks are no longer included by Plus.

 

well, they are very expensive at that establishment. I still remember watching the bartender show and getting Vanilla Sky (no package for us), and then getting a shock upon viewing my folio... That was many years ago.

 

Plus Package covers Cocktails, wine and beer up to $15 each.

 

here is a small sampling from the current Enchanted Princess sailing - as you can see, plenty of drinks under $15. Yes, good wines are more expensive than $15, and I am sorry about that. I don't drink wine, so Lemon Drops, Midori Sours, Dunes and Appletinis for $10 each would be fine for me.

[Retired-N-Happy]

40 minutes ago, prmssk said:

I must be a teetotaler because my husband and I combined don't drink enough to make the $60 a day/pp package worth it?  $120 a day is a lot of money to spend on internet, tips, and drinks for light drinkers (we don't see value to the other perks with Princess Plus).  When we book cruise only, our daily onboard charges don't come anywhere near that.  We have never been able to justify buying a stand alone drink package.  

 

You do realize, cruise lines offer packages like this because they make money off them, right?  That means enough people who don't make full use of the package get it for convenience.  I'm always puzzled when people try and convince others that it is such a great deal.  We all cruise differently and so it isn't going to be a great deal for everyone.  People should do their own math based on how they cruise and what they expect to spend.

 

Back to the topic of this thread, because AI packages aren't a great deal for us, it isn't a deciding factor for us between Princess and Celebrity.  That said, I understand why the differences could be a deciding factor for those that regularly book AI packages.  

75% of cruisers on Princess purchase either the Plus or the Premier package.  The package difference between Princess and Celebrity can be a reason to choose one line over another.  It is the reason FOR US to currently have 11 future cruises booked on Princess and zero on Celebrity.

So, regarding the topic at hand, since you don't purchase packages, other differences between the cruise lines such as price, entertainment, smoking in casino, etc will be your tipping point one way or another.  The value of the packages on Princess is the tipping point for us.

[Retired-N-Happy]

40 minutes ago, prmssk said:

I was on the cruise where Princess transitioned to two drink packages.  We were in the middle of a B2B when the change happened.  My experience was that a lot of the wines we were enjoying on the Plus package week 1 were no longer included week 2 and I have seen drink price menus where wine prices have only grown higher.  I also thought I had read that Good Spirits drinks are no longer included by Plus.  The transition was such a mess that bartenders didn't know what was and wasn't included anymore that second week of our cruise.  I followed cruise critic and other Princess groups after that cruise for a while to see how it all shook out and it still seems like quite a few drinks are no longer covered on Plus that used to be.  

Celebrity's prices are off the wall compared to Princess's.  On Princess a Blue Moon and a Michelob Ultra are 7.50.  On X they are 11.00 and not covered by the basic package.  Any way you cut it 11.00 for a Michelob Ultra is highway robbery.