New to this Forum; Compare and Contrast: Celebrity - Royal Caribbean?

[NutsAboutGolf]

I did leave out another major downside of RCI.  The main scheduled shows require tickets and folks were lining up 30 minutes in advance to get the best seats.  They did have some no-shows/standby and we did find if you were okay with standing, you could show up to the Aqua theatre right when it started without tickets

 

On the WoS they had two casinos, one was smoke-free but there was barely anyone in there

[PTC DAWG]

1 minute ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

I did leave out another major downside of RCI.  The main scheduled shows require tickets and folks were lining up 30 minutes in advance to get the best seats.  They did have some no-shows/standby and we did find if you were okay with standing, you could show up to the Aqua theatre right when it started without tickets

 

That part is something I don’t care for at all on Royal..it just shows the venues are too small..

[doghog]

1 minute ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

I did leave out another major downside of RCI.  The main scheduled shows require tickets and folks were lining up 30 minutes in advance to get the best seats.  They did have some no-shows/standby and we did find if you were okay with standing, you could show up to the Aqua theatre right when it started without tickets

 

On the WoS they had two casinos, one was smoke-free but there was barely anyone in there

Not fleedwide to have tickets or reservations for shows. That's a requirement for the larger ships like the Wonder.

 

[PTC DAWG]

3 minutes ago, doghog said:

Not fleedwide to have tickets or reservations for shows. That's a requirement for the larger ships like the Wonder.

 

1 and done for me on the Oasis Class…they feel very chopped up to me..

 

I did like the layout of the Mariner of the Seas…old school feel..casino was too smoky for my taste though..like we have figured out here, nothing is perfect..

Edited July 31 by PTC DAWG

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 minute ago, PTC DAWG said:

That part is something I don’t care for at all on Royal..it just shows the venues are too small..

 

Yup.  Also, you couldn't get tickets in the app, we had to wait in a long line at the ticket venue (I think it was a bar) and sign up with a crew member

[doghog]

4 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

1 and done for me on the Oasis Class…they feel very chopped up to me..

 

I did like the layout of the Mariner of the Seas…old school feel..casino was too smoky for my taste though..like we have figured out here, nothing is perfect..

We don't cruise the mega ships. Mainly Voyager and Radiance class of ships. Totally agree about the smoking lounge aka casinos. 

[Luvcrusn]

Celebrity is more laid back, the ships are certainly smaller than the Oasis since the largest accommodate around 3,000 passengers give or take. There will be generally less children onboard. The entertainment on X doesn't require reservations and will not have any broadway shows, but will have cast production shows in addition to guest entertainers. 
There are some differences in the perks applications between the two lines. We prefer the service on X ships, however with the post-Covid changes the differences have narrowed. Both are enjoyable. You won't find water slides, wave pools, etc. on any X ships.

The biggest difference for me is the casino is no smoking as are all indoor areas of all the ships. Because of a severe sensitivity to smoke, the casinos on most other cruise lines are a no-go for me. In fact, I have to go up or down a deck to avoid even walking through them.

[canderson]

11 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

You won't find ... wave pools, etc. on any X ships.

 

...

 

The biggest difference for me is the casino is no smoking as are all indoor areas of all the ships. Because of a severe sensitivity to smoke, the casinos on most other cruise lines are a no-go for me. In fact, I have to go up or down a deck to avoid even walking through them.

If you do find a wave pool, you can bet it has been roped over until the seas calm a bit 😁

 

Just came in from outside, and it's probably a good thing your in the Philly burbs and not here.  We've got 3 wildfires going at once on the Front Range at the moment and the air isn't worth diddly.  Wish us well.

 

 

 

[PTC DAWG]

2 minutes ago, canderson said:

If you do find a wave pool, you can bet it has been roped over until the seas calm a bit 😁

 

Just came in from outside, and it's probably a good thing your in the Philly burbs and not here.  We've got 3 wildfires going at once on the Front Range at the moment and the air isn't worth diddly.  Wish us well.

 

 

 

WOW..y’all be careful…looks like you need rain..

[canderson]

Just now, PTC DAWG said:

WOW..y’all be careful…looks like you need rain..

Certainly wouldn't hurt, but July/August aren't noted for much here.  The area up to the foothills is technically graded as "high desert plateau".

 

[Luvcrusn]

5 minutes ago, canderson said:

If you do find a wave pool, you can bet it has been roped over until the seas calm a bit 😁

 

Just came in from outside, and it's probably a good thing your in the Philly burbs and not here.  We've got 3 wildfires going at once on the Front Range at the moment and the air isn't worth diddly.  Wish us well.

 

 

 

O! Stay Safe! Send prayers and hopes for a good steady rain!

[zitsky]

There are fewer kids on Celebrity.  Until it’s Family Hour in the Solarium.  Then adults can’t even use the pool or the hot tubs.

[keesar]

It could be just luck for me but I have not had difficulties getting a pool chair on Royal.  It has been a different story for me on Celebrity.  On our last several cruises, people are up at the crack of dawn reserving chairs and not showing up until after their excursions had ended and had lunch.  .  

[zitsky]

28 minutes ago, keesar said:

It could be just luck for me but I have not had difficulties getting a pool chair on Royal.  It has been a different story for me on Celebrity.  On our last several cruises, people are up at the crack of dawn reserving chairs and not showing up until after their excursions had ended and had lunch.  .  

Does no one talk to the staff about chair hogs?

[island lady]

On 7/30/2024 at 12:10 PM, leaveitallbehind said:

Simple and as a general comparison:  RCCL's primary target demographics is families and their ships are set up with multiple amusement park type venues to accommodate that.  And most of their ships are mega ships with passenger capacities between 3,500 and 6,500 people.

 

Celebrity is just the opposite with their primary target demographics being adults 45ish+ and their ships have none of the amusement type venues to accommodate that.  Most of their ships are mid sized by comparison with passenger capacities less than 3,000 people.

 

And is the main reason we are switching from RCI to X.  🙂  

 

Added to sweeten the deal...status match.  😉 

[island lady]

8 hours ago, doghog said:

Not fleedwide to have tickets or reservations for shows. That's a requirement for the larger ships like the Wonder.

 

 

Yup, no reservations or tickets needed on Serenade currently...and was also the case from start in Miami.  🙂  

 

Though of course the "wow" affect is not there as in the high tech shows on large RCI ships...but we like it that way.  

[BrendaJ]

We have moved mostly to Azamara after many years with Celebrity, but we were on Harmony of the Seas with the grandchildren a few months ago and these are some of my thoughts:

 

RCL Pros

• the Junior Suite was similar to a Sky Suite on Celebrity; very roomy, and a very reasonable price, unlike any suites on Celebrity these days
• the shows on RCL are very professional and well done, even if the reservation process is a pain
• the handwashing station on entering the buffet is a great idea
• never had problems getting a deck chair on the Harmony
• I liked the coffee station set-up in the entrance to the dining room in the morning
• the drink voucher system is far superior to Celebrity’s happy hour

 

RCL Cons

• smoking in the casino, which drifted to the entrance of the dining room, was unpleasant, and the odd time, it seemed necessary to walk to the casino to get where we wanted to go quickly
• overall, the Harmony had a very noisy environment, due to the number of people
• the open area feels like a gigantic shopping mall; very lively, but not really my cup of tea
• Celebrity decor seems a bit more refined, overall
• I found Harmony to be a little warm in the hallways sometimes, like they couldn’t regulate the air conditioning with the doors to the atrium constantly opening and closing
• drink packages are overly expensive
• dress codes on the website show RCL having a more formal approach, but the reality was we saw lots of ball caps and shorts in the dining room on formal night on RCL, something I’ve never seen on Celebrity.

 

Overall, many things are similar across the lines. Service is good on both lines and the food is fine.

 

Mega ships are not for me these days, and we prefer Azamara for the interesting ports and upgraded onboard experience, but I can’t say I’d never sail RCL again, and we are going on Celebrity in a couple of weeks with friends. I’d try RCL on one of their smaller ships.

[Saturngrl]

We have sailed Celebrity and RC (plus 2 Carnivals for me).  We much prefer Celebrity as Elite level members (Diamond on RC).  Differences:

1.  Cloth towels in the public restrooms on Celebrity, vs. paper towels on RC.

2. Public restrooms on Celebrity are cleaner.

3. Non-smoking casino on Celebrity.

4. Cafe al Baccio is much quieter with better service than Cafe Promenade.

5. No reservations needed for shows.

6. Better food in the MDR and buffet.

7. If you have a beverage package on Celebrity, once you provide your card the bartender will only ask for your stateroom number after that.

8. The vibe on Celebrity is definitely more refined and quieter. 

9.  Bocce on the Lawn Club on Celebrity S-class ships. 

 

 

[LEMJMcC]

18 hours ago, doghog said:

What class of ship? 

Beats me, I think it's Celebrity Reflection, I don't know the classes of ships for Celebrity as well as I do Royal.

[PhillyFan33579]

The previous replies have addressed the differences very well in my opinion. I cruise on both lines frequently and enjoy the different atmospheres on each cruise line. Like others have stated, on RCI ships there is always something going on from early in the morning to late at night. On Celebrity ships there is far less going on and the atmosphere is far more relaxing. Another big difference is the age of the passengers. I am in my late 50s. When I cruise on RCI I/we are usually two of the oldest passengers on the ship. On the other hand, we are usually two of the youngest passengers on Celebrity ships. 
 

Just an FYI, you mentioned you like water slides. The water slides on Icon are by far the best water slides I have rode on any ship. There is nothing on Celebrity that is close to Central Park. One of my favorite things to do on an Oasis class ship (Icon too) is hang out at the Trellis Bar at Central Park at night listening to musicians playing in the park. That is as good as it gets on a ship in my book. 

[doghog]

45 minutes ago, LEMJMcC said:

Beats me, I think it's Celebrity Reflection, I don't know the classes of ships for Celebrity as well as I do Royal.

S class. Solstice class.  That ship has the Grand Foyer. Nowhere as big as the CPN. There will be a live band or entertainer in the evening. Some cruiser's dance. The Passport Bar is right there also. 

[hcat]

Much nicer shops on X... esp E Class 

[DaKahuna]

 It just dawned on me that no one has mentioned those anoying announcements by the Cruise Director throughout the day.  On Celebrity you get the Captain's announcement around 1000 every morning and except for emergencies, that's about the only public announcement made.  No continuous announcements about Bingo and othe ractivities. 

 

[hcat]

5 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 It just dawned on me that no one has mentioned those anoying announcements by the Cruise Director throughout the day.  On Celebrity you get the Captain's announcement around 1000 every morning and except for emergencies, that's about the only public announcement made.  No continuous announcements about Bingo and othe ractivities. 

 

true but we had non stop  PA noise from CD and asst CD poolside on ASCENT.. no more quiet time in the morning.. noise starts early!  But agree no announcrments are a def plus!

[DaKahuna]

7 minutes ago, hcat said:

true but we had non stop  PA noise from CD and asst CD poolside on ASCENT.. no more quiet time in the morning.. noise starts early!  But agree no announcrments are a def plus!

 

Yeah - poolside is totally different, out side the confines of the ship you take you chance.