Comparing my cruise on Celebrity Summit

[AllenF]

As a few of you might remember after my 13th cruise on Carnival my wife and I had slight issue (Splendor Swine Flu) plus a touch of Carnival burnout. So we tried HAL and really loved it. The next cruise line we tried was Celebrity on the Summit out of San Juan on April 3rd. Let me say no cruise is a bad cruise so this is just comparing what we like and is based on how my wife and prefer to vacation which relaxing as much as possible. What we really liked about HAL was the in room dinning option and Celebrity did this also where Carnival does not offer full in room dinner service. Let me say Celebrity did a great job getting us on and off the ship but so have the others. The crew was very good on the Summit same as HAL and Carnival. We liked the Persian Gardens on HAL better than Celebrity have not tried it on Carnival yet. We do not go to shows much anymore so can’t really compare but I will say it was not Freezing on Celebrity like it is on Carnival in the show lounge. I liked the fact Celebrity was pretty much smoke free (casino) unlike HAL and Carnival. Plus you could not smoke on Balcony on Celebrity (my wife loved that a lot). Now here is where some people get defensive FOOD I must say I expected more from Celebrity but to be honest there is not much difference between the 3 in my opinion as far as quality. But my wife and I do think Carnival has better Lido food. I did like the full breakfast service you get on Celebrity with Concierge class beats HAL and Carnival. Now here is where I had a small disappointment with Celebrity our robes and towels had stains on them they were clean but stained you would think they would have been thrown out. The beds were terrible and so were the pillows. HAL and Carnival both have very comfortable beds now maybe Summit is do for an upgrade but what’s on there now in not comfortable in my opinion not a big issue but for a Premium cruise not to good . We liked the fact it was quieter on HAL and so was Celebrity not tons of announcements or noise. Celebrity did a lot of nice things just like HAL and Carnival but for us HAL was much better as far a step up to a premium cruise line. While it was not a bad cruise had a great time loved it but I doubt if we will sail Celebrity unless there is a port or sale that catches my attention. The reason I say this is because I will be taking another cruise on the Carnival Magic out of Barcelona in July 2011 but before that we will be back on HAL on the Niew Amsterdam in November 2010. Any cruise is a good cruise and you can find differences between them all the trick is finding what suits you and your family the best so far it looks like HAL is the best for us. I would like to try Princess just don’t know when yet. I enjoyed everyone of my cruises on Carnival but I am enjoying trying other lines just as much if not more.

Happy Cruising J

[halos]

Thanks for the fair comparisons!!!

I wasn't that impressed by the food on Celebrity either. It was very good...no doubt, but the way some people talk about it, I was expecting so much more than what I got.

Did you find the crew on your X cruise to be a bit stiff....too formal??

I've only been on one X ship and I wonder if it was just that particular crew or if it's a Celebrity thing.

[AllenF]

All of the crew I came in contact with were very nice and friendly.

[halos]

All of the crew I came in contact with were very nice and friendly.

Crew on my X cruise were friendly...just too stiff.

[jerseyjjs]

So, basically, if one is a smoker...Celebrity is not the cruiseline to take.

[AllenF]

Yes if you like smoking inside the Ship Celebrity is not for you. While I think there a few Bars you can smoke in most area's were outside. No smoking on Balcony $250.00 fine

[AllenF]

Crew on my X cruise were friendly...just too stiff.

I did not find them to be stiff but I did not have many long talks with any of them either.

[kyrisong1]

I did not find them to be stiff but I did not have many long talks with any of them either.

Hi Allen, I'll give you a small hint. When I was on the Constellation I told my steward that the mattress was really uncomfortable. She went and pulled a eggcrate mattress from somewhere, whipped that bed together and it was just lovely. I'm a double pillowtop girl at home and really want comfort in my mattress.

I disagree on the buffet, we preferred the buffet on Celebrity, especially the breakfast buffet it was much better cooked.

We like the deserts from Carnival better.

I found the staff to be extremely helpful and friendly on Celebrity. And we too adored the hot breakfast on the balcony for the Concierge class.

Cheers, Carole

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Hello there Allen!! Long time, no see! :)

 

We have been enjoying Celebrity for the reasons you stated (strict smoking rules, in room dining, relaxed cruise experience). And I am right there with you regarding their food and beds! Carnival beats them HANDS DOWN in the MDR, as well as the bed/comfort.

 

Here are pictures showing a HOT breakfast delivered and set up on our balcony (two different cruises) - and a GREAT photo showing the "quality" of their beds on our first Celebrity sailing!:eek:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom

[cyntil8ing]

We were on the Summit in December and I agree with your assesments. Buffet food and bedding hands down to Carnival. Dining room, smoking restrictions, less noise, fewer crowds to Celebrity. We had a concierge balcony and really enjoyed breakfast out there. Our Summit cabin was over $100 cheaper than a Victory cabin that same week, plus we got more OBC from our TA.

 

Our current cruise plan is to stick with Carnival for our summer family cruises and to try different lines for our winter cruise when it's just dh and me.

[AllenF]

I can not complain about the price either we ended up getting over 800.00 in OBC due to price drops Celebrity was very good on that for sure. Perhaps it is just me but when I get cabin I do not want to have the Steward bring in something extra to make the bed comfortable. Seems like they know there is an issue yet they dont change bedding. It was a great cruise I could have slept on the floor and been happy not to be at work. I snore and that keeps my wife on edge as it is....throw in a bad bed and if Momma cant sleep because of my noise and a lumpy bed and bad pillows....you get my drift. Hey Tom love your pictures :cool:

[halos]

I did not find them to be stiff but I did not have many long talks with any of them either.

That's good for me to keep in mind. I'd like to think it was just that particular sailing. The crew was just not what I am used to.

One girl, working in the ship store was ringing up a purchase for me on the last day and she was so happy. I couldn't help but smile because she was so contagious, especially after a week of crew that seemed anything but cheerful. She told me straight out that she was excited it was her last day on that ship...she was being moved to a RCCL ship and couldn't wait.

 

My youngest DD was going to school for hospitality management at the time I sailed on X and was considering a double major in cruise hospitality. I talked quite a bit with the crew to see if they liked their jobs and ask how they were treated (I spoke with bartenders and wait staff mostly...even though this would not be the areas where she would have worked) and not one of them told me they liked their job.

 

When I last cruised on NCL, I talked a bit with our bar waiters and had the total opposite reaction. The one girl was on her 9th year with NCL and was happy as a clam. The entire crew on that ship was happy all the time. My feeling is that a happy crew makes for happy passengers (and vice-versa).

 

My daughter opted not to go the cruise route

*sigh*

My dream discount went out the window along with her decision :p

[happy cruzer]

HAl does full hot breakfast too right, just like they do for lunch and dinner of the main dining room menu for room service.

 

Love them all.

[LHP]

Hello there Allen!! Long time, no see! :)

 

We have been enjoying Celebrity for the reasons you stated (strict smoking rules, in room dining, relaxed cruise experience). And I am right there with you regarding their food and beds! Carnival beats them HANDS DOWN in the MDR, as well as the bed/comfort.

 

Here are pictures showing a HOT breakfast delivered and set up on our balcony (two different cruises) - and a GREAT photo showing the "quality" of their beds on our first Celebrity sailing!:eek:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom

 

Since we will have completed all the Carnival ships come December...we may have to give Celebrity a shot...I particularly like their limited smoking policy...

 

I have also been looking at Holland and Princess....since we will probably be going Princess next summer (British Isles). It is either that or the Carnival Magic...but we have already done Italy.....so not thrilled about repeating that.

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

Well you get what you pay for (lately Holland and Celebrity have had some great prices comparable to CCL). That being said CCL is good value for the $$ (used to say great value) but often for just a few $$ more you can step up a notch to a higher level of cruising which Holland, Celebrity and IMO RCCL is better as well especially the RCL wow factor of their ships. CCL does not have that IMO on any ship.

[SMSACE6]

I have been on Celebrity once, nine years ago, so going with a one time experience, here are my comparisons. Compared to Carnival, Celebrity had better breakfast buffet, with much better bread/toast selections, including smoked salmon. Lunch buffet was also better than Carnivals Lido, and there were always staff available to find you a table, and often they carried your tray to the table. Dining room dinner menu for me was not as good as Carnivals. Im not complaining, food was good in Celebrity dining room, but I find there is more variety on Carnivals menu, and it is most often of very good quality.

 

Staff on Celebrity were not "stiff" in my opinion. They were very friendly. but I would have to say they were not any better than those I have encountered on Carnival.

 

I dont remember much about the entertainment on Celebrity, except that there was an excellent violinist one evening. I do for the most part enjoy Carnivals shows and shipboard entertainment. The atmosphere was much more relaxing on Celebrity. But I really like a mix.

 

I would love to sail on Celebrity again, but lately I find I am more likely to travel solo, so am sticking with Carnival for now. Have nothing against Celebrity, or NCL which I have also cruised once with. They just dont offer me a single rate, that is acceptable. And so far my Carnival cruises have been very enjoyable. JMHO.:)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

 

I would love to sail on Celebrity again, but lately I find I am more likely to travel solo, so am sticking with Carnival for now. Have nothing against Celebrity, or NCL which I have also cruised once with. They just dont offer me a single rate, that is acceptable. And so far my Carnival cruises have been very enjoyable. JMHO.:)

 

Guess what? You may want to take a look at the NCL Epic. They have a few innovative features on the ship, including SOLO STUDIO cabins! Take a look HERE.

 

This is a segment from that page:

 

At last, a stateroom designed and priced for the solo traveler

With our new Norwegian Epic Studios, we're breaking the mold of traditional cruising again – with a truly innovative approach to solo guest accommodations. You’ll experience a thoughtful, contemporary design, a comfortable layout, and best of all, pricing tailored to you. You’ll also enjoy exclusive Key card access to the Studios Lounge: your own private spot to meet up with friends, have coffee or make plans for the day.

 

 

After DGP1111 here on CC indicated he had signed up for the Epic (granted, not the most attractive ship on the exterior), I started researching things to see what caught his interest (he is also generally a Solo traveler, and is staying in one of the Studio Cabins). After a few days looking at it, I signed up for the same cruise he is going on next February!

 

(Hey Linda --- perhaps you may want to sign up for that one as well! :D)

 

Tom

[LHP]

 

(Hey Linda --- perhaps you may want to sign up for that one as well! :D)

 

Tom

 

Carnival "barely" handled all of us on one cruise... I am just not sure that NCL is up to the task!!! :D

 

Besides...I don't like anytime dining... :o

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Carnival "barely" handled all of us on one cruise... I am just not sure that NCL is up to the task!!! :D

Besides...I don't like anytime dining... :o

 

I have been adamantly opposed to anytime dining as well... up to this point. With NCL and Celebrity (Epic and Solstice respectively) there are many specialty options, and knowing what we know about the MDR on Celebrity (and what I've heard about NCL), we are all about alternative options!

 

There's only one way to find out! :eek:

 

:)

 

Tom

[AllenF]

Another thing I liked about Celebrity was the Casual dining they had on the lido deck. They ask you to make a resevation and they have 6 entrees that are basically on the menu all week. You have a great view and it is very laid back we ate there 1 of the formal nites since we dont dress up anymore. The cost was 2.00 per person you had the same service as MDR. The section they had for this on the Summit was in the back of the Lido corner area. I am not sure but I think HAL does this also but we ate on our Balcony every night on HAL

[Oceangrace]

Just off the Mercury today Allen. We sailed the Celebrity Century in 03, Carnival Glory in 07 and now back on the Mercury last week.

 

You mentioned the food, I thought the food was a step down from the Century in 03. I thought the food back then was amazing. When we went on the Glory in 07, I thought the food was good, but no where near the level of the Century. So, I was expecting the food this week on the Mercury to be comparable to the Century. I think they have stepped back and the food was similar to what we had on the Glory in 07.

 

I also agree that the beds on Celebrity were horrible, along with the pillows, but they were just as bad on the Glory. At least in the lower category oceanview rooms. We have not booked a balcony or higher. I am glad to be home to my Air Bed tonight!

 

The area that we thought was still a huge step ahead of what we experienced on the Glory was the level of service from the staff from top to bottom. Also loved having the Select dining. We went when we wanted, never made a reservation and were seated within 2 minutes each night. Some nights we dined with others, several nights we had a table to ourselves.

 

But as you have said many times, any cruise is a good cruise!

[AllenF]

Glad you guys had a nice cruise Brian and yeap any cruise is a good cruise.