Carnival addict/Thinking of Celebrity

[cruznlobo]

We are thinking of a Celebrity cruise in 2011.

We are Carnival addicts but are willing to try anything.

What should we be looking forward to if we cruise Celebrity?

[yayvacation!]

We are thinking of a Celebrity cruise in 2011.

We are Carnival addicts but are willing to try anything.

What should we be looking forward to if we cruise Celebrity?

 

You would look forward to a nice relaxing, totally pampering experience. The atmosphere on board is all about catering to you and taking care of your every need! DH and I like the quiet and upscale feeling of the ships.

 

The food is great, the service even better!

 

What cruise are you looking to do, and what ship? Why the switch from Carnival - or I should ask what do you like the most and dislike the most aobut Carnival?

[Orator]

Need to know more about your demographics and likes and dislikes before I can recommend a Celebrity Cruise. If you are young and enjoy pool games and late evening activities, you probably will not find Celebrity to be your best choice. In my view Carnival is much closer to NCL than Celebrity. Hope you enjoy your future cruise.

[Maryscooking]

Need to know more about your demographics and likes and dislikes before I can recommend a Celebrity Cruise. If you are young and enjoy pool games and late evening activities, you probably will not find Celebrity to be your best choice. In my view Carnival is much closer to NCL than Celebrity. Hope you enjoy your future cruise.

 

Agree with the above. I'd recommend looking into Royal Caribbean if you are looking for more "action" on the ship, but still want a different (I think better) experience than Carnival. Personally, we have cruised RCCL and Carnival (once, won't go back) and are looking forward to trying out Celebrity this December.

[cruznlobo]

We are 55 and 60.

Enjoy everything from relaxing with a nice glass of wine and a cigar to pounding some beers and getting a bit crazy.

The kids have cruised Celebrity and like that pampering stuff. Myself; I really don't need someone to take care me. I like to do what I want when I want.

The kids think that we will like the Celebrity cruise so we are appeasing them.

We are not switching from Carnival to Celebrity because we enjoy having a nice relaxing cruise for a very resonable price. That is the same reason we choose not to cruise Royal. What we would get for the price is not worth it to us. If I have to pay extra for ice skating or rock climbing or more pampering, it is not worth it to me.

We are willing to try it for the sake of the kids.

We just want to know what we should expect from Celebrity that we don't get from Carnival. I didn't come here to listen to people extol the virtues of Celebrity. I just would like some honest opinions from people who have cruised both cruise lines.

Thanx

Mike

[kittyluvrnurse]

Celebrity is a great choice for you guys, then! I've only been on Carnival once (vs. Celebrity 2x) but we love Celebrity. It is low key, with great service and food! I'm all about finding a cruise line where I can have enough peace and quiet to read a book or carry on a conversation, indoors or out!

 

Carnival was too too rowdy and overcrowded in a lot of areas for us, and we're 29 and 32! I'm on vacation to get away from it all!

[cruzeluver]

I have sailed both. The differences we noticed when going from Carnival to Celebrity were:

 

-Celebrity ships are much less crowded in public spaces.

-food on Celebrity is several steps up in quality.

-decor is far more subdued.

-service is at a higher level, more refined

-Celebrity offers beverages and cool towels when re-boarding the ship in port.

-Celebrity has one PA announcement per day, Carnival has them constantly.

-activities on Celebrity are more low-key (trivia, lectures, cooking demos etc.) than what one would find on Carnival.

 

I have absolutely nothing against Carnival. They offer a solid product for the money, but Celebrity is a much better fit for us.

[bellybutton530]

I have sailed both. The differences we noticed when going from Carnival to Celebrity were:

 

-Celebrity ships are much less crowded in public spaces.

-food on Celebrity is several steps up in quality.

-decor is far more subdued.

-service is at a higher level, more refined

-Celebrity offers beverages and cool towels when re-boarding the ship in port.

-Celebrity has one PA announcement per day, Carnival has them constantly.

-activities on Celebrity are more low-key (trivia, lectures, cooking demos etc.) than what one would find on Carnival.

 

I have absolutely nothing against Carnival. They offer a solid product for the money, but Celebrity is a much better fit for us.

 

I couldn't have said it any better....

 

But I would recommend an "S"-class ship for your first Celebrity cruise.

[lysolqn]

Celebrity offers a more traditional and somewhat more formal cruise experience than do many of the other mainstream lines, and certainly more traditional than Carnival fun ships (tried them once for a kick and that was enough). If you're looking for a party atmosphere with over the top revelers enjoying non-stop activities throughout the day and well into the night, you won't find that on X ships. Neither will you find all the bells and whistles that attract pax to some of the newer mega-ships - no ice skating rinks, water slides, rock walls, flow riders, ziplines, etc. Announcements are limited to a noon message from the bridge, there's little crowding, you won't be assaulted by someone hawking something for you to buy at every turn and there is an evening dress code. In short, what you will find is a less commercial atmosphere, a slightly older demographic (less so during school holidays), fairly well-traveled fellow passengers, decor that is tasteful and relatively understated (no neon) and a strong emphasis on service. Not extolling any virtues but certainly calling it like I see it.

[firemanbobswife]

It really depends. If you are looking to "pound a few beers and get a bit crazy" then Celebrity is not for you - especially later in the night. We find it rather subdued compared to Carnival. Which is actually what we prefer. But if you enjoy the more lively type crowd, I'm afraid you may be bored on Celebrity.

 

I don't mean to sound like it's only for older, stuffy people (I'm 36), but it is for sure a different experience. There is nothing wrong with either Cruiseline (we thought the food on Carnival was great too). But it seems like your kids like being pampered as you say and that's not necessarily your thing.

 

If you like Carnival, you may like Celebrity. On the other hand, you might find yourself bored. Go with your gut instinct.

[cruznlobo]

Thank you for your opinions. I think I just wanted to break the ice. If we in fact will be traveling with the kids, I'll be spending a bit of time on this board along with the Carnival board, so I can get a feel for the people we'll be cruising with.

I started my cruising career back in the 90's on Premier Cruise Line (The Big Red Boat) then moved to Carnival when my brother started cruising. Shortly after that we hooked up with another friend who keeps getting us better and better deals on Carnival. So, we are not gonna give up Carnival because we know how and where to get away from the crowds if we want to. We can always just go and sit on our balcony and throw back a few and have a cigar.

That's one thing that we do have to have...A Balcony. We will not even think of cruising unless we get a balcony.

Again...Thanx for your input and will be talking to you soon.

Mike

[firemanbobswife]

BTW, no smoking anything on your balcony on Celebrity. Or in your room.

[BroncosFan2010]

BTW, no smoking anything on your balcony on Celebrity. Or in your room.

 

Ditto... no smoking (even your cigars) on the balconies. This is actually one of the reasons we prefer Celebrity, but understand that can be a reason for some not to cruise Celebrity.

[London25]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1292056

I'm sorry and a lot of people will probably get upset with this, but you should check out this thread before you book anything with Celebrity.

[sayvan]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1292056

I'm sorry and a lot of people will probably get upset with this, but you should check out this thread before you book anything with Celebrity.

 

and your point?

[double bogey]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1292056

I'm sorry and a lot of people will probably get upset with this, but you should check out this thread before you book anything with Celebrity.

carnival corp owns rccl celebrity princess

[jspirit]

carnival corp owns rccl celebrity princess

 

Carnival owns Princess , Holland America, and others but NOT Celebrity and Royal Caribbean!

[jackdiamond]

jspirit, you are correct.

[double bogey]

Carnival owns Princess , Holland America, and others but NOT Celebrity and Royal Caribbean!

sorry I meant Cunard and to say rccl and celebrity were owned by same company, point being food and other amenities pretty much on par. Carnival chef received honors, I find the big difference on the lines is the age of the passengers hal and x I think are older

[mathgeek1978]

We are 55 and 60.

Enjoy everything from relaxing with a nice glass of wine and a cigar to pounding some beers and getting a bit crazy.

The kids have cruised Celebrity and like that pampering stuff. Myself; I really don't need someone to take care me. I like to do what I want when I want.

The kids think that we will like the Celebrity cruise so we are appeasing them.

We are not switching from Carnival to Celebrity because we enjoy having a nice relaxing cruise for a very resonable price. That is the same reason we choose not to cruise Royal. What we would get for the price is not worth it to us. If I have to pay extra for ice skating or rock climbing or more pampering, it is not worth it to me.

We are willing to try it for the sake of the kids.

We just want to know what we should expect from Celebrity that we don't get from Carnival. I didn't come here to listen to people extol the virtues of Celebrity. I just would like some honest opinions from people who have cruised both cruise lines.

Thanx

Mike

 

Just want to let you know that Celebrity has the strictest non-smoking policy (including cigars). No smoking in your cabin, balcony, casino, and most bars. There are a few smoking areas in open decks.

 

To see the difference in the party atmosphere, check out my videos on the Carnival Splendor and Celebrity Solstice from the link below and compare foryourself. As far as I am concerned, after sailing with Celebrity last June, it's very hard to switch back to Carnival, or any other cruise lines. Just the non-smoking policy is worth it.

[bighairtexan]

I've cruised Carnival many times. I think the food is very good especially for the price. There are more things to do on Carnival, especially at night. Carnival is more "kid friendly". More families, on Carnival though the families that have used Celebrity kids programs lately have been more than pleased.

What stands out WAY above Carnival is the service and attitude of staff/crew you'll find on Celebrity. Little classy touches. Mimosa's on boarding, iced towels and cold water/punch upon returning to the ship at port. Not stuffy or snobby, just refined.

Would I cruise Carnival again? You bet I would, though my preference, if the itineraries and prices are even CLOSE would be to cruise Celebrity.

 

Oh and Carnival Corporation & PLC owns Carnival Cruise Line, HAL, Princess, Cunard, Costa, P&O and on and on.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd owns Royal Caribbean International (not the other way around as is a common misconception), Celebrity, Azamara etc.

[London25]

and your point?

 

Did you not read the thread? It's just a small thing called "Customer Service". I was just trying to inform the poster of ALL concerns so they could make an informed decision. I certainly would want to know something like this before I booked.

[dande123]

We are thinking of a Celebrity cruise in 2011.

We are Carnival addicts but are willing to try anything.

What should we be looking forward to if we cruise Celebrity?

 

I have never sailed on Celebrity so I can't say which I would prefer. I will be taking my first Celebrity cruise next month and I am looking forward to it. I believe a cruise is what you make it. After reading so much about Celebrity on CC I really believe I will enjoy it.:)

[80sramfan]

We are thinking of a Celebrity cruise in 2011.

We are Carnival addicts but are willing to try anything.

What should we be looking forward to if we cruise Celebrity?

 

 

Make the switch. I did and I won't be going back to Carnival any time soon. You will love Celebrity.

[FLJudi]

If one of your major pleasures is smoking a cigar on your balcony, then you will not be happy with Celebrity. If you do this anywhere near my balcony, I will report it and you may end up with a $250 fine each time you do it. You may be happier on a ship that allows you to smoke - you'll never meet mo there.