chocolate_lover

Hi cl,

 

My wife and I have cruised both of these ships and here are a few thoughts:

 

--Summit is older (2001), but was refurbished in 2016; is 91,000 tons and carries

2,158 customers, for a space ratio of 42.2.

 

--The Escape is pretty new, being built in 2015; It's 164,000 tons and carries 4,248 passengers; more families with more entertainment geared towards them. The space ratio is 38.6.

 

--Standard, included food is not even close -- the Summit wins by a mile. We dislike NCL's basic food so much that we always purchase a full dining package and eat every evening meal in the alternative restaurants (which are great, by the way). MDR for breakfast and lunch; buffet is getting a bit better as of late.

 

--No indoor smoking on Celebrity; NCL lets people smoke in many areas outside and in the casino inside. Big design flaw with the Escape, as the casino is sandwiched between two other central atrium decks and the smoke moves all over this section of the ship.

 

--NCL cabins are smaller, but well designed. All the newer ships have glass shower enclosures which are a huge improvement. Summit still has shower curtains to fight with, except the newer Aqua class units.

 

--We actually like NCL, but find that our costs are higher because of all the extras needed to pull the experience up to Celebrity's level. Dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat Celebrity.

 

--We too are budget cruisers as we usually cruise three or four times a year. We love inside cabins (you don't really know sleep until you cruise in an inside cabin!)

Make sure your cabin is sandwiched between two other cabin decks. You don't want noise from below or above.

 

--As Elite Plus cruisers with Celebrity, it's difficult to venture off on other lines, but we do it all the time.

 

Both choices can be great, but I would spend a little extra to make NCL's experience better. With no upgrades I would go with the Summit every time.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

Thank you so much! That is very helpful!!

Hey all,

My husband and I are trying to decide between going on a Bermuda cruise via the Celebrity Summit or Norwegian Escape. The itineraries are pretty identical, as are the price points. We are young adults w/o kids who look forward to the food and entertainment (ie shows) on cruises. We are also budget travelers, so we'd be booking the lowest class of rooms and eating at mostly the free places on either ship. We don't drink and dislike loud crowds, but we also like fun atmospheres! Anyway, if anyone has any advice as to what would fit us best, that'd be wonderful! Thank you! :)