Royal Caribbean cruiser moving over to Celebrity

[Mum2Mercury]

We've cruised Royal Caribbean many times, but we're looking at a Celebrity cruise, which seems to be the best fit for us for a Panama Canal cruise.  I have a number of questions, and I appreciate any help y'all can give me: 

 

- We're looking at a cruise that'll do a partial trip through the canal -- those who've done it, is that partial trip satisfying?  I'm sure the full trip is better, but this cruise looks like the best fit for us.  

- I assume we'll be moving through the new locks /not the original Panama Canal locks?  Because of size.  

- We'll be stopping in Cartegena, Columbia and Colon, Panama -- and other places, but these two are new to us.  Any suggestions on what to do?  I read that it's wise to go with ship's excursions (which I do not favor) because these areas can be dangerous.  Any thoughts on that?  With five at-sea days, we'll want to get off the ship.  

- We're looking at the second week of April.  We're usually fall cruisers.  What can we expect in terms of weather?  Ocean temperature? 

- We're looking at cruising on Celebrity Beyond, and I read about the main dining room being divided into four smaller dining rooms.  I'd like to hear details.  Do we reserve the main dining room -- or do we reserve the Italian restaurant specifically?  If we're in the Italian restaurant, but I'm interested in something from the Greek side, can I request that?  

- Does Celebrity Beyond have a self-serve laundry?  

- Does the pool bar offer a beer special like on Royal?  Does the sports bar offer beer by the pitcher?  

- I saw on a You Tube channel that Celebrity allows you to go straight to your rooms /drop off your bags.  If so, does this mean boarding starts later?  Otherwise, how could they get the rooms "turned over" in time?  

- I'm guessing that a Panama canal trip draws in an older crowd /fewer children.  Does this mean fewer chair hogs around the pool?  

 

[twins_to_alaska]

No self serve laundry. You can go straight to your cabin and drop off bags but cabins might not be done getting cleaned and they aren't officially available for occupancy until later (there will be an announcement when they're ready). It's so nice not to have to drag carry-ons around while getting lunch/exploring the ship.

Edited Wednesday at 04:23 PM by twins_to_alaska

[Ex-Airbalancer]

There is a lot threads about RCL trying Ceebrity 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3029542-rccl-diamond-looking-to-try-celbrity-for-a-ta-what-ship-what-should-i-expect-different-all-help-welcome/#comment-67951044

[hrhdhd]

We did a partial trip on Princess, so not exact comparison, but we found it satisfying. We'd like to do a full transit sometime, but work gets in the way. Probably on that cruise, we did a private excursion with Mr. Emerald in Cartegena; doing a search today, I don't see information about tours on his website, but you could contact him and ask.

 

You can have dinner in any of the four MDRs. You can order any of the specials from any of the MDRs in each MDR. No need for reservations; if you're hungry, show up.

 

 

[39august]

No beer specials. No laundry room on any Celebrity ship. 

[hcat]

A different  more upscale experience!

[Luvcrusn]

1 hour ago, Mum2Mercury said:

We've cruised Royal Caribbean many times, but we're looking at a Celebrity cruise, which seems to be the best fit for us for a Panama Canal cruise.  I have a number of questions, and I appreciate any help y'all can give me: 

 

- We're looking at a cruise that'll do a partial trip through the canal -- those who've done it, is that partial trip satisfying?  I'm sure the full trip is better, but this cruise looks like the best fit for us.  

- I assume we'll be moving through the new locks /not the original Panama Canal locks?  Because of size.  

- We'll be stopping in Cartegena, Columbia and Colon, Panama -- and other places, but these two are new to us.  Any suggestions on what to do?  I read that it's wise to go with ship's excursions (which I do not favor) because these areas can be dangerous.  Any thoughts on that?  With five at-sea days, we'll want to get off the ship.  

- We're looking at the second week of April.  We're usually fall cruisers.  What can we expect in terms of weather?  Ocean temperature? 

It will be tropical. Cartegena is dangerous in areas and also known for pickpockets.

- We're looking at cruising on Celebrity Beyond, and I read about the main dining room being divided into four smaller dining rooms.  I'd like to hear details.  Do we reserve the main dining room -- or do we reserve the Italian restaurant specifically?  If we're in the Italian restaurant, but I'm interested in something from the Greek side, can I request that?  

You can request from any of the restaurants.

- Does Celebrity Beyond have a self-serve laundry?  

No Celebrity ship has self service laundry.

- Does the pool bar offer a beer special like on Royal?  Does the sports bar offer beer by the pitcher?  

I've not seen it but we're not beer drinkers so I can't say for sure.

- I saw on a You Tube channel that Celebrity allows you to go straight to your rooms /drop off your bags.  If so, does this mean boarding starts later?  Otherwise, how could they get the rooms "turned over" in time?  

Your room will not likely be turned over, but you can leave your carry-on items and put valuables in the safe, then go out and about on the ship until later. That's a good time to get your Muster Drill check in done.

- I'm guessing that a Panama canal trip draws in an older crowd /fewer children.  Does this mean fewer chair hogs around the pool?  

Chair hogs come in all age groups.

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 05:41 PM by Luvcrusn

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I'm guessing that a Panama canal trip draws in an older crowd /fewer children.  Does this mean fewer chair hogs around the pool?  

Nope!

[Mum2Mercury]

1 hour ago, twins_to_alaska said:

You can go straight to your cabin and drop off bags

And this is an official acceptable practice?  I don't wanna be "that person". 

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

There is a lot threads about RCL trying Ceebrity 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3029542-rccl-diamond-looking-to-try-celbrity-for-a-ta-what-ship-what-should-i-expect-different-all-help-welcome/#comment-67951044

Well, that's the next hour of my life planned!  

1 hour ago, hrhdhd said:

Probably on that cruise, we did a private excursion with Mr. Emerald in Cartegena

 

You can have dinner in any of the four MDRs. You can order any of the specials from any of the MDRs in each MDR. No need for reservations; if you're hungry, show up.

I'll look up Mr. Emerald. 

 

Order specials from any of the four MDRs -- nice. 

No reservations?  Are waits common?

39 minutes ago, 39august said:

No beer specials. 

Bummer. 

35 minutes ago, hcat said:

A different  more upscale experience!

Looking forward to it. 

 

THANKS to all who helped -- and I'm willing to hear more!  

Edited Wednesday at 06:11 PM by Mum2Mercury

[doghog]

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Celebrity allows you to go straight to your rooms /drop off your bags.  If so, does this mean boarding starts later?

Your Seapass card will be at your cabin. Drop off any carryon you may have and  grab your Seapass card. Boarding doesn't start later.  

 

No inside smoking. That includes the casino. 

 

No dedicated lounge like the Crown Lounge. 

[Spudd]

We went through the canal in April this year. I think a partial transit will be sufficient, it was a bit "more of the same" in the 2nd set of locks on the full transit. 

 

Weather was lovely. It was hot but not uncomfortable, not overly humid. 

 

I haven't been to Colon, but in Cartagena we did a tour with shore excursions group (URL is that plus .com). It was fine, they picked us up at the port and took us on a city tour with a stop at a jewelry store for emeralds and a museum, as well as just some scenic walking around the old town. We enjoyed it, got some good commentary on how the locals live from the guide.

[mfs2k]

 

A few questions about Celebrity Main dining room service:

 

• Do Celebrity waiters automatically present paper menus to guests or do most guests review the menu on the App?
• Are you asked to order dessert when you place your order for appetizer and entree, or do they come back afterwards for the dessert order?
• How is coffee service?  Is it an afterthought or are they attentive to this? 

 

Edited Wednesday at 06:22 PM by mfs2k

[39august]

You get menus. Desert orders taken later. 

[twins_to_alaska]

It's official accepted practice to drop off your bags in the cabin. As someone mentioned, your seapass card(s) will be outside the door. You're supposed to then leave and wait until the official cabin ready announcement before returning.

[baggal]

Chair hogs can be any age.  

[Mum2Mercury]

1 hour ago, doghog said:

Your Seapass card will be at your cabin. Drop off any carryon you may have and  grab your Seapass card. Boarding doesn't start later.

Good!  

1 hour ago, doghog said:

No inside smoking. That includes the casino. 

Love it.

1 hour ago, doghog said:

No dedicated lounge like the Crown Lounge. 

Don't care.

1 hour ago, Spudd said:

We went through the canal in April this year. I think a partial transit will be sufficient, it was a bit "more of the same" in the 2nd set of locks on the full transit. 

Another question:  About how long did it take to do the partial transit?  Are we talking half a day?  

1 hour ago, Spudd said:

Weather was lovely. It was hot but not uncomfortable, not overly humid. 

Good!  

 

Again, thanks to all!  

[39august]

We had a private tour with Dora in Cartagena and it was great. Try googling Dora Tours Cartagena, as I'm not sure of her e-mail at this point. 

[SEC Man]

5 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

We've cruised Royal Caribbean many times, but we're looking at a Celebrity cruise, which seems to be the best fit for us for a Panama Canal cruise.  I have a number of questions, and I appreciate any help y'all can give me: 

 

- We're looking at a cruise that'll do a partial trip through the canal -- those who've done it, is that partial trip satisfying?  I'm sure the full trip is better, but this cruise looks like the best fit for us.  

- I assume we'll be moving through the new locks /not the original Panama Canal locks?  Because of size.  

- We'll be stopping in Cartegena, Columbia and Colon, Panama -- and other places, but these two are new to us.  Any suggestions on what to do?  I read that it's wise to go with ship's excursions (which I do not favor) because these areas can be dangerous.  Any thoughts on that?  With five at-sea days, we'll want to get off the ship.  

- We're looking at the second week of April.  We're usually fall cruisers.  What can we expect in terms of weather?  Ocean temperature? 

- We're looking at cruising on Celebrity Beyond, and I read about the main dining room being divided into four smaller dining rooms.  I'd like to hear details.  Do we reserve the main dining room -- or do we reserve the Italian restaurant specifically?  If we're in the Italian restaurant, but I'm interested in something from the Greek side, can I request that?  

- Does Celebrity Beyond have a self-serve laundry?  

- Does the pool bar offer a beer special like on Royal?  Does the sports bar offer beer by the pitcher?  

- I saw on a You Tube channel that Celebrity allows you to go straight to your rooms /drop off your bags.  If so, does this mean boarding starts later?  Otherwise, how could they get the rooms "turned over" in time?  

- I'm guessing that a Panama canal trip draws in an older crowd /fewer children.  Does this mean fewer chair hogs around the pool?  

 

We did the partial through the Panama Canal on the Beyond earlier this year and enjoyed it very much. Yes, it goes through the new locks and turns around.  We did ship tours in both Panama and Columbia and they were both enjoyable through the Panama one was long, about 7.5 hours.  You can order any MDR dish in any of the four MDRs.  There are many threads as to how the dining works but basically you can either set a time and dining room if you want the same table and waiter or you can rotate and do anytime dining at any of the four MDRs (since you can order the same food we preferred the consistency of the same waiter and table and a set time, which we set for 6 PM to catch the main theater show afterwards).  You can drop off your bags in the room early (but not unpack them) go grab a bite to eat.  Lounge chairs around the pool are a challenge on every ship. 

[orville99]

7 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

- We're looking at a cruise that'll do a partial trip through the canal -- those who've done it, is that partial trip satisfying?  I'm sure the full trip is better, but this cruise looks like the best fit for us.  

We are doing that cruise on Ascent in mid March. We have been through the canal twice, and did an 8 hour excursion on a packet boat that did the old locks once. Looking forward to doing the new locks. If you want to experience the history of the canal, the excursion is a good choice, and I believe it is one of the offered excursions on your cruise.

 

Edited Wednesday at 11:53 PM by orville99

[mac_tlc]

Here is another vote for Dora Tours in Cartegena. We did it last February and enjoyed it very much. 
 

mac_tlc

[PhillyFan33579]

I believe all of your questions have been answered more or less. Since you mentioned beer in a few posts, the Craft Social Bar located on several Celebrity ships is awesome if you like beer, since they have a huge selection of beers. There are a lot of things I prefer on Celebrity over RCI (and vice versa), but the Craft Social Bar is at the top of the list. I also enjoy seeing far fewer kids (the four Celebrity cruises I have been on this year have had as few as 12 kids under 18) and not having to checkout towels is something I appreciate more every cruise, especially since I still cruise on RCI often.  

[Mum2Mercury]

15 hours ago, SEC Man said:

We did the partial through the Panama Canal on the Beyond earlier this year and enjoyed it very much. Yes, it goes through the new locks and turns around.  We did ship tours in both Panama and Columbia and they were both enjoyable through the Panama one was long, about 7.5 hours.  

I so appreciate info on this (from you and several other posters).  The Canal is our #1 priority for this cruise /why we chose the itinerary.  We want to sign up for any excursions that'll get us close to /teach us about the locks.  

 

Assuming no excursions, how long does it take the ship to move through the partial locks /get to Lake Gutan?  

13 hours ago, orville99 said:

We are doing that cruise on Ascent in mid March. We have been through the canal twice, and did an 8 hour excursion on a packet boat that did the old locks once. Looking forward to doing the new locks. If you want to experience the history of the canal, the excursion is a good choice, and I believe it is one of the offered excursions on your cruise.

That sounds exactly like what we want -- do you remember the name of that excursion?  Or was it ship-sponsored?  If so, I could find it easily.  

12 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Here is another vote for Dora Tours in Cartegena.

I'm still laser-focused on the canal, but I'm absolutely going to check that tour guide group for Cartegena.  When multiple people tell me the same thing, I listen!  

17 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Since you mentioned beer in a few posts, the Craft Social Bar located on several Celebrity ships is awesome if you like beer, since they have a huge selection of beers.

Actually, I hate beer, but my husband loves it!  He strongly prefers to cruise on a Royal ship with a Playmakers, and I suspect he'll share your opinion once we've finished this proposed cruise. 

 

Thanks, All!  I appreciate the help.  

[orville99]

19 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

That sounds exactly like what we want -- do you remember the name of that excursion?  Or was it ship-sponsored?  If so, I could find it easily.  

This is the one we took in February 2023. It was ship sponsored and took a bit more than 8 hours.

 

This the way the same excursion is displayed on Celebrity for our March 2026 cruise:

 

Edited Thursday at 02:09 PM by orville99

[Mum2Mercury]

That's exactly the kind of thing we'd love to do -- my husband is an engineer, and he's already "geeking out" over the idea.  It's expensive, but I'd pay it for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

 

I don't see how it'd work with our cruise though:  Says we'll go through the canal ... then we'll be in Colon, Panama 5:00 - 9:00 that same evening.  I know I'm right because I have a template that I type up for all our cruises, and I worked on filling in this cruise's information yesterday.  Celebrity presents these two activities (going through the canal + Colon) in two separate boxes, as if they're two separate days -- but they have the same date, and the total number of days "works" only if these two are on the same day.  

 

Does this mean we'd go through the canal on the small boat -- not the cruise ship itself?  Since it starts at 7:30 am, that makes sense -- people on this excursion would disembark before the cruise ship enters the canal.  That might be a better, closer to the water experience.  

 

Edited Thursday at 02:10 PM by Mum2Mercury

[orville99]

1 minute ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I don't see how it'd work with our cruise though:  Says we'll go through the canal ... then we'll be in Colon, Panama 5:00 - 9:00 that same evening. 

The way that works is that your ship will dock in Colon very early in the morning, offload everyone doing a shore excursion, then undock and do the partial transit through the new locks before it returns to Colon to pick up the shore excursion passengers.