major differences??

[cdnliving]

We're considering the RC Jewel of Seas and Celebrity Constellation for March Break with our two children 10 & 12. What can we expect the major differences to be? Thanks all.

[caviargal]

RCI would be a better choice, IMO, for families. There will be a more active kids clubs as well as an overall more casual atmosphere.

 

The ships are the same size and built on the same hill. Jewel is more beautiful, IMO, the Connie more subdued. Jewel puts about 300 more people in the same space.

 

Connie will be a more formal and traditional experience. X has sommeliers and the dining staff is trained in the European style. Linens, china, glasses are of a nicer quality and there is more elegance overall.

 

RCI offers a warm, enthusiastic and energetic cruise experience. It is more casual in all regards.

[barbarah33]

I think you'll have a great time on either but for a family with kids I would agree with Caviargal and opt for Royal Caribbean. Chances are there will be more children for yours to play with and more choices for the kids.

[Cuizer2]

We're considering the RC Jewel of Seas and Celebrity Constellation for March Break with our two children 10 & 12. What can we expect the major differences to be? Thanks all.

 

RCI is a better choice for families than Celebrity. Celebrity tends to have a older, less active crowd. RCI is more family oriented. Both are owned by the same company.

 

Take a look at the brochures. Are there any kids in the Celebrity brouchure? I am sure the RCI brochure will have more pictures of kids. There is a reason for that.

[cdnliving]

Thanks for the informative replies. We have looked extensively into both cruiselines and have read many posts/reviews etc.... Although it certainly seems like RC is more geared for families....I have read many posts that have said there were tons of kids on board. Although we want there to be children, 50 - 100 would suffice - in fact I think this would be preferable for both my husband and I and the kids. It's unfortunate that these two lines wont give out their demographic particulars like Princess. In any event, our kids appreciate fine dining, although on a cruise I am certain this won't be as much an issue for them as for us. In terms of the activities, from reading the daily activity sheets for both cruises, I really don't see much of a difference. If anyone can comment on these differences that would be most appreciated. We almost thought that if there were fewer (ie 50 - 100) kids on board, our kids would have better opportunity to really get to know some of the kids throughout the cruise, and the staff would be more attentive.....hence we thought this would make for a more personal cruising experience. The downside of this, is too few kids could make for a potentially boring experience for the kids (particularly for our tweenager). Anyhow, that's our predicament in a nutshell. Any additional insights would be most appreciated.

[provenienbam]

Our TA is a cruise specialist. We went to him and asked, "Got a 3 year old and want to go on a family friendly cruise line, what do you suggest?"

 

His response was (in order of preference):

* Princess

* RCL

* NCL

 

Have been on 3 NCL cruises and our daughter had the greatest of times. Going on RCL in April 2007.

 

His comment regarding Celebrity Cruises: "a bit stuffy", and having been on a nightmare cruise with them once won't ever be going back again.

[provenienbam]

Regarding number of kids:

 

Some cruise lines limit the number of kids. I believe Princess and RCL limit the numbers so that the kids club won't be overrun.

 

NCL: we went on one cruise and there were 13 kids on the whole boat. The next cruise they were expecting 500 kids.

[caviargal]

Regarding number of kids:

 

Some cruise lines limit the number of kids. I believe Princess and RCL limit the numbers so that the kids club won't be overrun.

 

NCL: we went on one cruise and there were 13 kids on the whole boat. The next cruise they were expecting 500 kids.

 

RCL has no limits. I have been on sailings with over 900 and they were really not pleasant, IMO.

 

On Crown Princess, the limit is 1100, one third of capacity.

 

Not much of a limit.:)

 

On my last X cruise, there were over 400.

 

Timing is a big factor but there is also the luck of the draw.

[Cuizer2]

In a nutshell, RCI is one of the mainstream lines (as is Carnival, Princess and NCL). Celebrity is a premium line (as is HAL). Celebrity and HAL tend to attract an older group of passengers who are willing to pay a little more and thus expect a more refined cruise experience. The activities on Celebrity will be geared more toward the 60 - 70 year old age group. I suppose you could look at Celebrity as a four star line.

 

RCI would be a three star line. RCI will cost a little less. Its activities will be geared a little more toward the family age groups that make up its usual passenger list. There will be more children on the RCI ship simply because it is more children friendly.

 

I am not saying that your children will not have a good time on Celebrity. They might. However, it is more likely that your children will have a good time on RCI than on Celebrity.

[agabbymama]

We're considering the RC Jewel of Seas and Celebrity Constellation for March Break with our two children 10 & 12. What can we expect the major differences to be? Thanks all.

 

Just did Celebrity Constellation, there were only 14 kids registered on the ship. Don't think that is exactly what you are looking for. While you will have many more kids on a March break cruise, I still think you need to really be looking at Royal Caribbean as a more family (young folks) cruise line.

 

As Cuizer2 stated, most of the folks on Connie were 60-70 age range. Lots of electric wheelchairs and scooters. While I had my 60th birthday while on the cruise, I was still amazed at the number of people that made me feel young!:p

[HunnyBunnyTink]

If you want to cruise on X it is still a good line for kids. Went on Mercury at Christmas 2 year ago and there were plenty of children and teens about. As for the HAL, X comparison, HAL is MUCH more for the older crowd than X. I was on HALs Statendam in 2002 and there were 100 kids total abouts, on X there were more. I will be on RCI in a little over a week but have been on before and from what I can remember I had a lot of fun there too.

 

I believe that whether you choose RCI or X you and your kids will have fun.

[cdnliving]

Thanks everyone for the replies. My, are they varried. Can anyone comment on the actual differences in the activities on RCL vs. Celebrity, based on their experiences. Thanks

[caviargal]

Thanks everyone for the replies. My, are they varried. Can anyone comment on the actual differences in the activities on RCL vs. Celebrity, based on their experiences. Thanks

 

Celebrity: Better food and service in the dining room, fewer kids, more traditional, better space per passenger ratios on all ships, more formal, better wine list, sommeliers, nicer linens and china in dining room, fewer announcements overall, more laid back and a more sophisticated.

 

RCI: Activity rich, crew is young, energetic and enthusiastic, not as formal, food and service in dining room good, no sommeliers and waiters in general not well trained in wine selection and service, new bedding is very nice, nightlife is great, family oriented.