Celebrity vs. RCCL

[DAL745]

We have cruise RCCL several times and have been very pleased with the overall experience. Entertaining the Millennium for an upcoming cruise (Eastern Caribbean) and wondering if any other RCCL / Celebrity cruises can compare the two experiences for me?? We are in our early 30's and love the laid back atmosphere of RCCL, the nightly entertainment, shows like the newlywed game and pool activities and the overall vibe on the ship. Just wondering if Celebrity has a similar feel. I understand celebrity is a little more upscale but wondering if it will feel stuffy? Can anyone weigh in?? :)

[Andy99]

Im 34 and I love both lines. I find them very similar with X being a little more upscale. The food is better on X then on RCCL also.

[ccletzgo]

NO, it wont feel stuffy at all. If you are comfortable on Royal, you will be MORE then comfortable on Celebrity..

Go for it!:D

[hawt1]

We just finished our first Celebrity Cruise after three on RCCL. We are mid-40s with two kids so somewhat similar to you and I think the things you appreciate about RCCL are what we also enjoyed but the Celebrity itinerary won us over.

 

That said, on our sailing (and each X ship may be different), there was a belly flop contest but not much else in terms of Newlywed Game, Quest, etc that we noticed.

 

Entertainment was not geared towards our age group IMO. We have enjoyed excellent comedians (that we had previously heard of) and bands (Beatlemania, etc) on RCCL but our entertainment on X was Pearl Kaufman (pianist), Jack Walker (singer), Jack Walker again!, a comedian we had never heard of, the singers and dancers, and a night with (are you ready for this) Pearl Kaufman and Jack Walker again. We found the casino to be our entertainment most nights.

 

X does have its stronger points over RCCL but this is our take on the areas that you seemed to value.

 

YMMV....

[cruiseorbust]

We just finished our first Celebrity Cruise after three on RCCL. We are mid-40s with two kids so somewhat similar to you and I think the things you appreciate about RCCL are what we also enjoyed but the Celebrity itinerary won us over.

 

That said, on our sailing (and each X ship may be different), there was a belly flop contest but not much else in terms of Newlywed Game, Quest, etc that we noticed.

 

Entertainment was not geared towards our age group IMO. We have enjoyed excellent comedians (that we had previously heard of) and bands (Beatlemania, etc) on RCCL but our entertainment on X was Pearl Kaufman (pianist), Jack Walker (singer), Jack Walker again!, a comedian we had never heard of, the singers and dancers, and a night with (are you ready for this) Pearl Kaufman and Jack Walker again. We found the casino to be our entertainment most nights.

 

X does have its stronger points over RCCL but this is our take on the areas that you seemed to value.

 

YMMV....

 

We are in our late 50's and have young men 18 & 24. We feel exactly the same. Entertainment for us was definitely lacking on Celebrity. The food in the Windjammer on RCI was much better, but the food in the dining room in the evening on Celebrity won hands down. We also liked the ship itself better on RCI (Jewel & Mariner) as well as liking the cabins better on those two ships.

[insulationbabe]

We also just returned from a Celebrity cruise on the summit - and prefer RCCL more - we enjoy more of a relaxing and casusl feel of the RCCL - we found Celebrity a little stuffy - mind you the service and food were excellent and the ship itself was beautiful - but if you like dressing up every night in the dining room (except for casual nights) the celebrity is for you - the entertainment on the Mariner of the Seas was far superior and more of a variety - too subdued for us on the Celebrity - each to their own I guess - but we have three more crusies booked this year and they will be on RCCL:)

[contom]

Celebrity hands down! The service is far superior, and I never felt that "stuffy" feeling. In fact, my experience has been that the staff makes it a point to interact and socialize with the guests. Many of the staff get to know you by name, and go out of their way to make you feel at home. We cruise 3-4 times per year, on several different cruise lines. RCCL is one of our least favorites, and Celebrity is number one with us. As stated though everyone has a little different taste.

[voyager70]

We've cruised both lines several times and prefer RCI for the ships & activities. Celebrity is great, but we were a little bored with the entertainment & onboard atmosphere. I would never call X stuffy, after all prices are no more expensive than RCI, but definitely more subdued. Food & service are, obviously, highly subjective, but we don't find X to be any better in those areas than RCI or Princess. I would definitely give X a try just to experience another cruise line. Don't worry about it being stuffy. You'll have a great time.

[glgolfer]

Here's our review of the Millennium and comparison wirh RCI.

 

Just off the ship 2/3/08/

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=708341

 

25 cruises with RCI.