Celebrity v RCL

[glf2710]

Hi all,

 

Have just come back from 10 days on the Navigator of the Seas - I was pretty blown away by how fantastic it is. Next year considering another cruise and have been told by many that Celebrity are better than RCL. I feel as if I've been spoiled so far and worry if I book celebrity it won't be as good.

 

Any views??

 

Thanks guys

[caviargal]

These are two different experiences entirely. What did you like about RCI and Navigator? If it was the activity level, great entertainment, casual atmosphere, size and amenities of ship, then IMO you would not be ahppy with Celebrity.

Personally, the big ships of RCI are not my cup of tea, and Celebrity is a better fit than RCI for my taste. I like the formality, the traditional atmosphere, the dress code, the smaller and quieter ships.

 

Which appeals more to you?

[cruiseyguy]

It's not really a "vs." thing since the lines aren't intended to compete against each other. They provide very different experiences (although both are owned by the same company).

[Kathie44]

I replied to a similar thread last night, but don't see it now.

Anyway, we felt the same way after our first two fabulous cruises on Explorer. (Love the Voyager class, not too big for us!)

Friends asked us to go with them on a Summit Alaska cruise/tour. I knew Celebrity had a good reputation, but wondered if we would like it as much. We loved the Summit and everything about the cruise. Now we cruise only X and RCCL, depending on itinerary and price. X is not always more $$.

I totally disagree with caviargal that these are two entirely different experiences. At least for us, there has not been much difference. X wants you to stay in formalwear for the rest of the evening and we comply, but would rather change into something more comfortable after dinner like we do on RCCL. The activities, entertainment and excursions have been comparable with X having a tiny edge in service level IMO. In general, the food might be a bit better, but the best food, most beautiful ship and overall cruise we've had was on Jewel of the Seas in June, '06. I think that X ships are not as glamorous-looking as RCCL's on the outside, but inside they are very nice, a bit more subdued than Voyager or Radiance-class.

You will not regret cruising X. (The waffles are a BIG plus ;D) We are coming up on our 8th cruise which will make 4 on each line. We hope to cruise Galaxy to the Med in summer '09.

 

1/02 Explorer E. Carib.

1/03 Explorer W. Carib.

8/03 Summit Alaska cruise/tour

2/04 Adventure S. Carib.

2/05 Galaxy Panama Canal

6/06 Jewel Brit. Isles/Nor. Fjords + 3 nights in London

1/07 Mercury Mexican Riviera

1/08 Mercury Aust/NZ

[caviargal]

I replied to a similar thread last night, but don't see it now.

Anyway, we felt the same way after our first two fabulous cruises on Explorer. (Love the Voyager class, not too big for us)

At least for us, there has not been much difference. X wants you to stay in formalwear for the rest of the evening and we comply, but would rather change into something more comfortable after dinner like we do on RCCL. The activities, entertainment, excursions have comparable with X having a tiny edge in service level IMO. In general, the food might be a bit better, but the best food, most beautiful ship and overall cruise we've had was on Jewel of the Seas in June, '06.

You will not regret cruising X. (The waffles are a BIG plus.) We are coming up on our 8th cruise which will make 4 on each line. We hope to cruise Galaxy to the Med in summer '09.

 

Differences that are important to some are not to others.

 

Dining on X is European style, with nicer, higher quality table settings. Desserts are presented by the waiterstaff prior to ordering on X, not so on RCI. Small details made the dining experience better overall on X, IMO.

 

X has sommeliers, RCI does not. X uses proper wine glasses, RCI only does this in the specialty restaurants.

 

RCI has Pirates Parades and other lip sync "entertainment" at dinner, X does not.

 

The Summit is built on the same platform on the Jewel though Jewel packs on 400+ more passengers. The difference can be felt when the ship is full.

 

My RCI cruises in the past 5 years have been overrun with children, not so on X which does not market directly to families.

 

I was on Jewel last December. She is a beauty but we dined every night in the specialty restaurants (where we could get the experience we prefer) and had breakfast daily in the concierge lounge. Lunch was in port whenever possible. The quality of food on RCI's buffet is mediocre, IMO and we both dislike buffets period. There were infants and kids everywhere, knocking over displays in the art auction and racing through the hallways (no it was not a holiday sailing).

 

What RCI does better, IME and IMO, is nightlife and fitness areas and programs. They also have an excellent loyalty program which X does not.

 

While these differences are inconsequential to some, they are not to all of us which is why I encourage the OP to decide what they really enjoyed about Navigator and then read some reviews of Summit to see if it would be a good fit.

[cavkc]

Heres a comparison I did last year

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=392725

[Schplinky]

Our first cruise was on Navigator and we ahd heard Celebrity was "a step above" from so many people that we had to try it. We tried Constellation. I would say that in all honesty, it depends on what you find inmportant. We found that the ship design, variety of activities and entertainment were far superior on RCL while the specialty restaurant, martini bar and aqua spa cafe were better on Celebrity by far. Although some disagree, I think the difference in their main dining room food has been grossly overstated (or is outdated) on these boards. While we did have a sommelier, he was stretched so thin that we found our wine glasses empty far more than on RCL, where an assistant waiter would have filled them. The food is more continental on Celebrity and more American fusion on RCL. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. RCL needs more inventive entrees while Celebrity's salads should bring them shame. They have recently hired a dining consultant on Celebrity who will hopefully fix this. The crowd on Celebrity is a little older, which means fewer kids and a more sedate environment. While it's true that more folks seem to dress up for dinenr and remain dressed up throughout the evening, it is by no means uniform.

[Schplinky]

 

RCI has Pirates Parades and other lip sync "entertainment" at dinner, X does not.

 

While I agree that the lip-sync entertainment is juvenile on RCL (our waiters sang two songs during a twelve night cruise this summer), I have not seen one pirate parade on RCL in the dining room in 8 cruises. We always have early seating so I wonder why I have not seen these? We do notice the kids club doing a pirate parade in the promenade but I've never seen it in the dining room.

 

Celebrity is not immune to public displays of silliness in the dining room, either. The baked alaska parade, with adults twirling napkins in the air like children at a birthday party, has always struck me as incredibly dumb, too.

 

I'm hoping they drop that in the Aqua class on solstice.

[bailey2004]

My husband and I (early 40's) try to stick with Celebrity when sailing with adults and go to RCCL when we take our kids.

 

My favorite example of the differences between the cruiselines is at dinner on RCCL the assistant waiter came to the table with the breadbasket and presented it to me for my choice. When I told him I really liked one particular roll, he said "better take two - I have no idea when I'll be back"...

 

My husband and I just laughed, because of his honesty and that we knew that probably wouldn't have happened on Celebrity!

[caviargal]

While I agree that the lip-sync entertainment is juvenile on RCL (our waiters sang two songs during a twelve night cruise this summer), I have not seen one pirate parade on RCL in the dining room in 8 cruises. We always have early seating so I wonder why I have not seen these? We do notice the kids club doing a pirate parade in the promenade but I've never seen it in the dining room.

 

Not sure but I always book late dining and on cruises of 7 days or more have had the pirates parade on most all of them over the past 5 years or so. Before that, no parade and none on the shorter cruises. These days, we just avoid the dining room as we like the service, food and ambiance in Chops and Portofino, even just for wine and appetizers.

[Casino Player]

Hi all,

 

Have just come back from 10 days on the Navigator of the Seas - I was pretty blown away by how fantastic it is. Next year considering another cruise and have been told by many that Celebrity are better than RCL. I feel as if I've been spoiled so far and worry if I book celebrity it won't be as good.

 

Any views??

 

Thanks guys

 

If given a choice between RCCL and Celebrity Cruise Line why anyone would choose RCCL is beyond me. Rooms are about equal. However, Celebrity is tops in service and the food is very good to excellent. On my RCCL trip the food was bad and the service is nonexistant. The only thing good about the RCCL trip was the fact I saved money on tips. On Celebrity cruises I tend to pay out a lot of money on tips. I'd rather have the service and pay out the tip money.

Besides, the people at Celebrity Cruise Line tend to treat the passengers better than they do on RCCL.

[Coolcruise02]

If given a choice between RCCL and Celebrity Cruise Line why anyone would choose RCCL is beyond me. Rooms are about equal. However, Celebrity is tops in service and the food is very good to excellent. On my RCCL trip the food was bad and the service is nonexistant. The only thing good about the RCCL trip was the fact I saved money on tips. On Celebrity cruises I tend to pay out a lot of money on tips. I'd rather have the service and pay out the tip money.

Besides, the people at Celebrity Cruise Line tend to treat the passengers better than they do on RCCL.

 

WOW, what a statement. We would choose RCCL again because we had a GREAT time. Sorry you didn't.

 

But, to say Celebrity treats their passengers better is your experience not ours! We were treated just as good on our RCCL cruises as on our Celebrity cruises.

 

IMHO Celebrity is way overrated on these boards as far as food and service. There just isn't that much diffence in all the lines.

[Fang]

I think there is a lot of difference in the two lines.

 

I have sailed on both, with kids and without. My daughters like the kids program on Celebrity much better than RCI. My experience with staff is about the same but there are many more things about Celebrity that my family likes.

 

Kids Club, Aqua Spa Cafe, Sushi Bar, in our opion much better food, Kids menu that changes and has a lot of options (other than the adult menu), padded pool side lounges.

 

The one thing that RCI has that is much better than Celebrity is the C&A perks. The Concierge lounge is very nice, but not nice enough to pick RCI over Celebrity.

 

I also like the fact that dress codes are normally followed on Celebrity. I have never seen blue jeans on formal night on Celebrity, like I have seen on RCI. Infact, I have seen people turned away for dinner who were wearing shorts. Not so on RCI.

[Mr. Mudd]

Hi all,

 

Have just come back from 10 days on the Navigator of the Seas - I was pretty blown away by how fantastic it is. Next year considering another cruise and have been told by many that Celebrity are better than RCL. I feel as if I've been spoiled so far and worry if I book celebrity it won't be as good.

 

Any views??

 

Thanks guys

 

I have not sailed RCL yet so I don't know much about them. On the Celebrity side if the physical amenities of a ship are important to you there is a wide spread between the various Celebrity ships. If you decide on Celebrity I would do a lot of research on these boards and try to get information such as when was the last drydock and when is the next drydock scheduled for a particular ship for refurbishment. From what I have read the food and service are a little better on Celebrity than on RCL.

Duane

[rebeccalouise]

Differences that are important to some are not to others.

 

 

RCI has Pirates Parades and other lip sync "entertainment" at dinner, X does not.

 

I am a true blue Celebrity fan and they most certainly do have a Pirate Parade of kids on every sailing I have been on. My son has sailed Celebrity four times as a toddler and they have Easter parades, pirate parades and the like.

 

Also, there is karaoke on Celebrity- at least they did on Constellation last year. This year on Millenium I did not see any karaoke. It may depend on the itinerary.

 

As far as nightlife on Celebrity- you have to go to the Disco or Casino late night to find it.

 

I love Celebrity. The only line I like better is Cunard.

 

As far as Royal Caribbean goes- I really didn't like it much. I thought it was overrun with kids and Radiance was not the "most beautiful ship afloat"- which is how it is touted. I thought it was very 1980s and overcrowded. The Atrium area at night was a zoo. The pool carpet smelled like pee and the upolstery in the public areas needs replacing. Staterooms were nice and the service was friendly. I would do Royal Caribbean again if the price was right but no where near as good as Celebrity IMO.

[caviargal]

Differences that are important to some are not to others.

 

 

RCI has Pirates Parades and other lip sync "entertainment" at dinner, X does not.

 

I am a true blue Celebrity fan and they most certainly do have a Pirate Parade of kids on every sailing I have been on. My son has sailed Celebrity four times as a toddler and they have Easter parades, pirate parades and the like.

 

As far as nightlife on Celebrity- you have to go to the Disco or Casino late night to find it.

 

In 6 X cruises, I have never seen a parade of children marching through the main dining room to canned music at late seating dinner and hope I never do. If they had them elsewhere, I never noticed and certainly never sought them out. I avoid holidays and summer when there are likely to be kids on board so perhaps I have just been lucky enough to enjoy a quiet dinner on my X cruises.

[caviargal]

Differences that are important to some are not to others.

 

 

RCI has Pirates Parades and other lip sync "entertainment" at dinner, X does not.

 

I am a true blue Celebrity fan and they most certainly do have a Pirate Parade of kids on every sailing I have been on. My son has sailed Celebrity four times as a toddler and they have Easter parades, pirate parades and the like.

 

As far as nightlife on Celebrity- you have to go to the Disco or Casino late night to find it.

 

In 6 X cruises, I have never seen a parade of children marching through the main dining room to canned music at late seating dinner and hope I never do. If they had them elsewhere, I never noticed and certainly never sought them out.

 

I avoid holidays and summer when there are likely to be kids on board so perhaps I have just been lucky enough to enjoy a quiet dinner on my X cruises. I can't say the same for RCI.

[BILLP1]

Past reputations seem to be prevelent when talking about the food on Celebrity. When saying that the food on Celebrity is great, I think that might have been true in the past. Not recently..

[tuggers]

In almost 40 X cruises in the last 3 1/2 years I have NEVER seen a Pirates Parade in the main dining room at late seating. Maybe I slept through it, but I doubt it. A parade of toddlers through a dining room is hard to miss!

While X food may have suffered in the last year or so, IMO it is still superior to RCL. A different kind of food, definitely, more to my taste. RCL seems to fall back on what I call glorified Denny's. Plain American fare. With the emphasis on plain. And I love the Sushi on X.

The fact that X's ships are not as 'glamorous' as RCL ships is not a fluke or the result of a smaller budget. It is the striving to achieve a more sedate, refined atmosphere. Same reason there are hardly any announcements on X. Same reason the dress code is more formal. Same reason people tend to stay in formal dress in the evening and not change into shorts for the casino visits. X is catering to a distinct clientèle. Not better, just different.

I have to say, the one thing that really gets to me on RCL is the night (sometimes two nights) when they give you a paper menu with the dessert menu under a little flap. When told I needed to order dessert at the same time as my meal I asked if I could wait. No problem I was told. True to her word she let me wait. Until she had taken everyone else's order at the table. Then she was back for my dessert order. I was told on these particular nights the order had to go into the kitchen with the dinner order to be filled. Reminded me too much of sitting at a counter in a diner and saying I'll have the blue plate special, apple pie and coffee!

And then there are the nights when you are told there won't be any service for a few minutes while the waiter and asst waiter go do their lyp sync 'number'. Dumb.

Do have to agree that the Wine Stewards are now stretched much too thin on X but at least when you get one to your table you can hold a conversation about the various wines. Not so on RCL. The asst waiter only knows how to open and pour into generic glasses.

The repeat cruiser, Captain's Club, on X is a joke. RCL does a much better job in this area. Actual free things. Things you don't have to buy something first to get. How nice! But I like that X doesn't charge for 'extra' food items like ice cream in the afternoon and Johnny Rockets hamburgers.

I also like that RCL gives you $300 off the price of a balcony cabin, right off the top. I dislike that RCL has such a strict no alcohol policy not even allowing one bottle of a special wine to be brought on.

You see, it is such a give and take thing that no matter how you look at it there is no best or better. Just choices. Choices that fit some better than others. Not necessarily an age thing either. I've seen very young couples love X and older people love RCL. The trick is in the research. Finding out which line best suits your wants and lifestyle. My advice is to continue to compile information and then make a decision. IMO as long as you are on the water how bad can it be????

[Texed]

 

You see, it is such a give and take thing that no matter how you look at it there is no best or better. Just choices. Choices that fit some better than others.

 

 

Stated very well. :)

[Schplinky]

 

You see, it is such a give and take thing that no matter how you look at it there is no best or better. Just choices. Choices that fit some better than others. Not necessarily an age thing either. I've seen very young couples love X and older people love RCL. The trick is in the research. Finding out which line best suits your wants and lifestyle. My advice is to continue to compile information and then make a decision. IMO as long as you are on the water how bad can it be????

 

 

I think this is very true, also.

[cavkc]

I must have been lucky! We have sailed on RCI several times in the last 5 years, we always have late seating and only take cruises of 10 nights of longer. We have never seen any sort of parade in the dining (not that I'm complaining!)

 

The only time we have seen a parade on X in the dining room, apart from the Baked Alaska parade, was on Christmas Day and it was 'santa' arriving! Obviously for the 'little ones' and it was done quite tastefully.

 

Our two teenage boys have sailed on both lines and whilst they love all the cruises we have been on, they felt that the activities were better organised on X. Whilst there were more activities advertised in the daily on RCI, quite often they would turn up only to be informed that there were no staff available, so the activitiy was cancelled.

 

The silly 'sorbet' parade most days annoyed me by the pool but for the life of me I can't remember which ship it was on! It could have been Infinity but I wouldn't swear to it.

 

If the price and itinerary are right I would sail on either line, but if I had a choice it would be X. IMO I prefer the food on X, however food is very subjective and I fully accept that not everyone will share view.

[caviargal]

You see, it is such a give and take thing that no matter how you look at it there is no best or better. Just choices. Choices that fit some better than others. Not necessarily an age thing either.

 

 

Tuggers, well said and I agree completey.

[Sky Sweet]

Past reputations seem to be prevelent when talking about the food on Celebrity. When saying that the food on Celebrity is great, I think that might have been true in the past. Not recently..

 

Hi Bill :)

 

Based on our experience, the quality of Celebrity's food has varied over the years. Our best experience with food on Celebrity was during our cruise to Alaska on Infinity during the summer of 2001 and our Baltic Cruise on Constellation last year. However, six months later when we took a Caribbean Cruise on the same ship the food was not nearly as good as it was on our Baltic Cruise, but was much better than our food on Millennium in 2002, which was our only Celebrity Cruise where the food and service was sub par.

 

The one overall trend I have observed is that the food on Celebrity's Caribbean Cruises was never as good as it was on its other itineraries, but I don't know if that is just a coincidence.

[clivep]

We returned yesterday from the Celebrity Century and thought it our best cruise yet. The food was excellent. This was our first X cruise and found it hard to find fault with anything. We have been on RCL 4 times before and RCL had been our favourite line prior to the X cruise. We go on RCL's Legend of the Seas on Sunday so will get an up-to-date comparison.