Carnival addict/Thinking of Celebrity

[lvz2cruz]

We know someone who was a very loyal Carnival fan. He tried Royal Caribbean and says he cannot believe the difference in service, ship decor, food, crew attitude, etc. He is now sold on Royal.

He is just a little younger than you all.

I can also remember flying home after a cruise and Carnival fans were behind us complaining to each other how X closed down at night and there was nothing to do. You might have a problem there--I don't know what your expectations are.

Good luck in your decision.

[2SeaWithMe]

I've cruised on Carnival 2x and RCCL once and have my first Celebrity next month.

 

Honestly, I've been told by friends, this board, and etc that it's definitely less of a party ship and I'm looking forward to it.

 

I've had enough of drunk couples old enough to be my parents running down the halls, laughing or worse, fighting and screaming at each other.

[cruznlobo]

We have come to the conclusion that we will not be cruising on Celebrity 'boats'. They are not the right fit for us. Yes we are getting up in age but that does not mean that we have to stop enjoying what we like. I work hard for our money and will relax how I see fit...not how other people think we should. As for the cigars...they are not that important to me, but...when I want one I want one. I don't need some big corporation telling me I can't have one because someone "might" get upset. You guys enjoy your cruises. I am not taking anything away from how you like to relax and enjoy your vacations, it just doesn't work for us.

Thanx for all the input.

Mike

[Orator]

Looks like you're making the right choice for your preferences. Enjoy your cruise.

[cruznlobo]

Agreed...Thanx.

Maybe we'll try Princess.

Thanx again.

[richsea]

Different strokes for different folks. I would suggest that you just sail Celebrity with an open mind & decide for yourself what the differences are & which cruise experience is more suited to your needs.. You'll be cruising with family, so no matter what, you should have a good time.

[cruznlobo]

I remember reading somewhere...maybe here...that cruises are like women...even the worst was still good.

[kitty9]

Except for the smoking policy, Princess is very much like Celebrity. More low key, without a lot of over the top activities.

[d4m]

Mike, enjoy your cruise. You asked a simple question and, uinfortunately were subjected to a couple rude and rather pompous & threatening answers.

 

Everyone has rights and it's absurd for a few folks to act all righteous.

[middlehaitch]

Mike, i am a fun loving 50 something smoker and although I have since read that Celebrity has one of the strictest policies around on my first cruise last year on the Solstice I found all the smoking areas very pleasant and had no problems with none smokers. If you like to enjoy your cigar after dinner you and your partner will love going up to the sunset bar by the lawn club for a nightcap while watching the world go by, it is very peaceful and relaxing. Please don't be put off by some of the stuffy sounding messages you have recieved I am sure it is just the writing tone that is harsh not the person writing. I have found Celebrity cruisers friendly and fun. Try an s class cruise I am sure you will like it.

[TomTN]

Except for the smoking policy, Princess is very much like Celebrity. More low key, without a lot of over the top activities.

 

Well, some of their ships are extremely crowded. i.e. Caribbean Princess.

 

Passengers are very much alike. I suppose they are looking for a similar atmosphere.

[cruznlobo]

I am sure that all cruise lines are pretty much the same as far as passengers go.

We have been able to enjoy every single cruise that we have been on.

We will take this one step at a time and move to more classy ships in steps.

As far as rude comments...I only saw one or two on this thread. Kind of like the passengers. If you weed out the few bad apples you can probably save the whole bushel.

Thanx for evreyones comments.

Mike

[terigo]

I, too, have been turned off by some of the strident anti-smokers on ALL the boards, and I don't even smoke! Some people need to just untighten their sphincters.

 

We are platinum on Carnival, and have sailed twice with Celebrity (though next year's transatlantic will be our first on an S-class).

We've also sailed HAL, RCI, NCL, and some cruise lines that aren't even around any more.. :)

 

Celebrity is a bit more up-scale in flavor and attitude than Carnival, but both lines are mainstream when it comes down to it.

 

Which line we choose to go on at any given time has much to do with what we are in the mood for, the itinerary we are looking for, and who we are traveling (or not traveling) with.

 

When we travel with our grown children and their spouses, we LOVE Carnival... food's good, the atmosphere is jovial, and everyone can find their own milieu within the confines of the ship.

 

When it is just my husband and I looking to have some quality "us" time, we look to HAL or Celebrity.... and enjoy our verandahs alone.

 

Don't go by the uptight people who give smoking lectures on these boards every chance they get.... go on the ship that offers you what you want... there are always places on any line to enjoy a good cigar. My husband likes to indulge occasionally, too!

[Grumpy100]

We have been on 5 Carnival cruises and no Celebrity. We take our first Celebrity in 8 days (who's counting). I will let you know the difference when we get back. Last time we were on Carnival the service was the worst ever. I think they are cutting back with the servers. We like the traditional dining and always get that and get to know our servers and enjoy talking and joking with them. This time they were totally not friendly, had way to many tables to handle and it took almost 2 hrs. to eat dinner. The last 3 nights of the cruise we just did the buffet because the service was so bad. I am looking forward to better service on the Solstice. Can't wait.

We will probably cruise with Carnival again but I want to try RCL and HOL before we go back.:eek:

[TomTN]

We have been on 5 Carnival cruises and no Celebrity. We take our first Celebrity in 8 days (who's counting). I will let you know the difference when we get back. Last time we were on Carnival the service was the worst ever. I think they are cutting back with the servers. We like the traditional dining and always get that and get to know our servers and enjoy talking and joking with them. This time they were totally not friendly, had way to many tables to handle and it took almost 2 hrs. to eat dinner. The last 3 nights of the cruise we just did the buffet because the service was so bad. I am looking forward to better service on the Solstice. Can't wait.

We will probably cruise with Carnival again but I want to try RCL and HOL before we go back.:eek:

 

It will probably take that long on Celebrity. Depends somewhat on the size table you get, but service is not hurried.

Odd to me that many americans want a quick meal. Reminds me of outback steak house--herd em in, herd em out!!:(

[Maryscooking]

It will probably take that long on Celebrity. Depends somewhat on the size table you get, but service is not hurried.

Odd to me that many americans want a quick meal. Reminds me of outback steak house--herd em in, herd em out!!:(

 

There has to be some middle ground between a "quick meal" and dinner that takes over two hours each night.

 

When with company, it is entirely possible for two hours to go qiuckly due to conversation. On the other hand, if one is sitting and staring at her dinner companions, having run out of anything of substance to say, two hours can be an eternity.

[terigo]

It will probably take that long on Celebrity. Depends somewhat on the size table you get, but service is not hurried.

Odd to me that many americans want a quick meal. Reminds me of outback steak house--herd em in, herd em out!!:(

Agree! ...

I can't tell you how many times we have asked a server to please slow down a bit in between courses.

I feel compassion for the waitstaff that gets told in training that "Americans want to get their next course as soon as they are done with the one before it".... and then we go and ask for something different.

Dunno about the rest, but DH and I are 2 Americans who like to dine, not eat.... and we actually *enjoy* each other's company at a leisurely dinner.

[curiouscat]

Agree! ...

I can't tell you how many times we have asked a server to please slow down a bit in between courses.

I feel compassion for the waitstaff that gets told in training that "Americans want to get their next course as soon as they are done with the one before it".... and then we go and ask for something different.

Dunno about the rest, but DH and I are 2 Americans who like to dine, not eat.... and we actually *enjoy* each other's company at a leisurely dinner.

 

 

Us too... we advise the waitstaff the first nite we like a slow leisurly pace and ...unless there is a show we want to make then we advise accordingly that nite...

We also have to do that at land restaurants....they sometimes want to rush ya.

 

CC

[YOW]

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.

 

How about Larry? or Curly? ... Shemp? ;)

[journeymore]

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?

 

Having 9 carnival cruises under my belt and 3 celebrity, I'll try to answer your question:

 

• First, you should know the dress code on carival is way more relaxed than celebrity. I have never seen someone sent from the dining room for dress code on carnival but have on celebrity.
  
• The clubs on celebrity close down much earlier on celebrity.
  
• celebrity has enrichment courses that I totally enjoy
  
• celebrity has drink packages (alcohol and non alcohol)
  
• older group of people, less children
  
• celebrity has no smoking on balcony and casino (don't remember if you can smoke on balcony on carnival or not)
  

I still enjoy carnival but I much prefer celebrity. I especially enjoy celebrity's smoking policy. I'm 53.

[Jazzbo]

We have sailed on Carnival twice, Royal Caribbean twice, and Celebrity 3 times.

 

Food -- We have had good to excellent food on Carnival (the excellent was in the early 90s, though); fair to good food on Royal Caribbean, and good to excellent food on Celebrity (last Celebrity cruise in 2007).

 

Service -- Although we had some really good service on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, Celebrity wins this one hands down. Service was uneven on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, but it has always been above and beyond on Celebrity.

 

Entertainment -- I can always find something to do on any cruise ship. I generally enjoyed the singing/dancing shows on all three lines, and generally didn't enjoy most of the comedians. The karaoke on Carnival got raucous and a little vulgar, even during the day. (I especially noticed because our grandkids with us.) I don't know that Carnival could have done anything about that; it was due to some of the passengers on that cruise. I am not a fan of the hairy legs or belly-flop contests on Carnival or Royal Caribbean. I have enjoyed trivia contests, wine-tasting seminars, and lecturers on Celebrity. I enjoy going to the casino, and am really looking forward to a smoke-free casino on my next Celebrity cruise.

 

Ambience -- Carnival and Royal Caribbean are glitzier and much higher-energy than Celebrity, and in my opinion, less relaxing. However, I would probably favor Carnival or Royal Caribbean when cruising with children, teenagers, young adults.

 

Smoking -- My husband smokes an occasional cigar, as does my father, and my cousin's husband is a heavy smoker. All of them were fine with Celebrity's smoking restrictions. The outdoor bar where you can smoke cigars is very pleasant -- we have fond memories of a wonderful guitarist there! I am a long-time ex-smoker, so I love being able to enjoy my balcony without drifting smoke.

 

Overall, Celebrity suits us really well, but I would consider cruising with Carnival or Royal Caribbean again, depending on itinerary and price.

 

Whatever you decide, Happy Cruising!

[d4m]

How about Larry? or Curly? ... Shemp? ;)

 

Priceless..................