Celebrity or Carnival?

[Lightngsvt]

Hello all, first post here. My wife and I want to go on a cruise for our 10th anniversary and are planning to book very soon (tonight or tomorrow actually). Ive got it narrowed down to either an eastern carribean on Celebrity (Reflection) or a western carribean on Carnival (Conquest). Im 40 and my wife is 39, Ive been on 3 cruises between my teens and mid 20's (Costa, NCL and Carnival), she has never been. We dont have kids and while we dont mind them also like "nice" things and dont mind adult centered venues. We arent huge drinkers but like an occasional cocktail or glass of wine and really enjoy good food.

 

My wife is into scuba diving and snorkeling, etc so I assume the western carribean would be the better route? Ive only been to the eastern carribean. I was hoping to make this a bit special given the occasion by going with a suite, spa packages, upgraded dining, etc and the suites on Carnival seem to be a much better value (though the rooms look nicer in pictures on Celebrity).

 

Of the cruises Ive been on the only time I got sea sick was on my last (Carnival) cruise, that was a MUCH smaller ship then what they sail today though. So how are the larger ships for motion sickness? Do you still feel the "motion of the ocean" for a time after debarking?

 

Also wondering if you need a passport? We'd be leaving from and returning to Miami.

 

How about a breakdown of costs to figure out a vacation budget:

cruise x2 $890 - 2200

airfar3 x2 $500-700

gratuities $200 (ship and tours)

Drinks $150

dining "upgrades" $160

excursions / tours $

Spa $

Casino $200-300

shopping $1000-2000

 

Anything Im forgetting?

 

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!!!

[cruiseaholic777]

Celebrity is about 5 classes higher than Carnival. Better food, entertainment, service and anything else you can think of. But you will have an older crowd. Either way you will have a nice vacation. The eastern caribbean is alot nicer than the western. ;)

[Lightngsvt]

One more thing that crossed my mind is should the recent events (2010 and 2012) of Carnival Ships being stranded influence my decision?

[janetz]

I would not think so but Celebrity is so far better then Carnival. :) In every way.

[Guest maddycat]

Celebrity is about 5 classes higher than Carnival. Better food, entertainment, service and anything else you can think of. But you will have an older crowd. Either way you will have a nice vacation. The eastern caribbean is alot nicer than the western. ;)

 

I agree with the above for the most part. The age of the passengers depends largely on the time of the year and the length of the cruise. School vacations mean more families with children. Longer cruises mean more retirees. We've sailed with Celebrity several times. Their product is excellent. We definitely prefer the Eastern Caribbean.

 

One more thing that crossed my mind is should the recent events (2010 and 2012) of Carnival Ships being stranded influence my decision?

 

It sure would affect my decision. I don't trust Carnival's maintenance.

[Lightngsvt]

I guess Carnival has had 2 ships fail at sea in 2 years? I was on the Festivale many years ago and we had 0 issues (I think it was scrapped in India since), has Carnival gotten that much worse?

 

The itineraries are:

 

San Juan - St Thomas - St Maarten

-vs-

Grand Cayman - Cozumel - Belize - Roatan

 

 

Would that influence your decision?

 

What happens if you throw NCL into the mix?

 

If you

[Northshorecruisers]

Go with Celebrity. You get what you pay for.

 

Nicer ship, better food, better service, a lot less drunks.

 

On the issue of passport - you'll find a lot of comments on the boards. Do you need one - no. Would I cruise without one - no.

 

Congrats on your anniversary. We are coming up on 10 years in October and haven't decided where we're cruising to yet.

[Lightngsvt]

Thanks for the replies everyone! After spending some time on both websites I'm pretty sold on Celebrity even if its not the ideal itinerary. But it seems the onboard experience will be much nicer. Im going to call tomorrow and book.

 

Now I just need to find a good service to rush a passport since I dont currently have one!

[BODELIGHT]

Robert Levine

 

A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED

 

WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW OR WHY IT IS WORTH $500 MORE TO CRUISE RCL RATHER THAN NORWEGIAN OR CARNIVAL WITH ESSENTIALLY THE SAME ITIENERARY. HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY ALL THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE? WHY IS RCL CONSISTENTLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ANY OTHER LINE?? I love cruising out of the NY area. I have cruised out of NY & NJ on Carnival,Norwegian,RCL and from Fla on Princess and Celebrity. I welcome the new itinereries to St Thomas Puerto Rico etc. BUT WHY PAY $500 MORE FOR ESSENTIALLY THE SAME PRODUCT? PLS SEE TMar 13 New York (Manhattan), NY New York (Manhattan), NY Norwegian / Norwegian Gem $749 Oceanview! Mar 15 Bayonne, NJ Bayonne, NJ RoApr 8 New York (Manhattan), NY New York (Manhattan), NY Carnival / Carnival Splendor $749 Oceanview!

Apr 9 New York (Manhattan), Norwegian / Norwegian Gem $1,149 Oceanview!

Apr 18 Bayon...ne, Royal Caribbean / Explorer of the Seas 5 - $1,474 Info Oceanview!

Apr 18 New York (Manhattan), NY Norwegian / Norwegian Gem $1,029 41% Oceanview!

May 9 New York (Manhattan), NY Carnival / Carnival Splendor $769 Oceanview

yal Caribbean / Explorer of the Seas5 - $1,239 Info Oceanview .HE

[Bonnie J.]

Celebrity is more of a country club cruise than Carnival. On friend's 1st cruse he got turned away from the dining roon on Celebrity because he didn't have a jacket on! (He went and put one on.) Carnival is more relaxed, a lot don't wear a tux on 'cruise elegant night', that used to be formal night. You can order two, even five+ lobsters that night and if you also want the prime rib, order that too!

We have gotten so we like Carnival best. There is a good mix of ages. When were were on Princess, February, 2012, we had to be the yougest on board and we were 68! We hate freestyle dining on NCL- had to wait 40 minutes once for a table. Disney is more $$$$ because they do not have a casino and we don't care about meeting Mickey or Pluto.\Our favorite after Carnival is Royal Caribbean.

Do go to your Roll Call here. Passengers on your cruise email each other, plan tours together, have a meet & greet to meet each other and get to know other passengers before your even get on board!

[Aquahound]

WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW OR WHY IT IS WORTH $500 MORE TO CRUISE RCL RATHER THAN NORWEGIAN OR CARNIVAL WITH ESSENTIALLY THE SAME ITIENERARY. HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY ALL THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE? WHY IS RCL CONSISTENTLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ANY OTHER LINE??

 

It's just a matter of opinion. I would gladly pay a little more for RCI because in my opnion, it is a better product. I like their ships better, have received better service on their ships, and their loyalty program blows away those of NCL and CCL. Just look at the reviews...take a look at the 2013 Cruisers Choice awards here on CC. RCI's ships are consistently better reviewed than NCL's and CCL's. But no one is saying you have to agree and if you like the less expensive cruises better, good for you.

 

But I have to ask....what's this got to do with deciding between Celebrity and Carnival? :confused:

[mizLORInj]

They are both fine and offer a good cruise. If you post this on Celebrity and Carnival's boards, you will get responses from loyalists to both lines.

Bottom line, only you know what is right for you and you find out by trying the cruiseline out. Personally, I like variety and have not had a bad cruise yet.

 

I hope you have a fabulous cruise on whichever you choose!!

[muti]

We have sailed on Celebrity and Carnival only once each. We found them to be about the same. Wasn't impressed with either. However, we are giving Celebrity another chance soon -- hope this ship changes our minds about that line.

[agabbymama]

Hello all, first post here. My wife and I want to go on a cruise for our 10th anniversary and are planning to book very soon (tonight or tomorrow actually). Ive got it narrowed down to either an eastern carribean on Celebrity (Reflection) or a western carribean on Carnival (Conquest). Im 40 and my wife is 39, Ive been on 3 cruises between my teens and mid 20's (Costa, NCL and Carnival), she has never been. We dont have kids and while we dont mind them also like "nice" things and dont mind adult centered venues. We arent huge drinkers but like an occasional cocktail or glass of wine and really enjoy good food.

 

My wife is into scuba diving and snorkeling, etc so I assume the western carribean would be the better route? Ive only been to the eastern carribean. I was hoping to make this a bit special given the occasion by going with a suite, spa packages, upgraded dining, etc and the suites on Carnival seem to be a much better value (though the rooms look nicer in pictures on Celebrity).

 

Of the cruises Ive been on the only time I got sea sick was on my last (Carnival) cruise, that was a MUCH smaller ship then what they sail today though. So how are the larger ships for motion sickness? Do you still feel the "motion of the ocean" for a time after debarking?

 

Also wondering if you need a passport? We'd be leaving from and returning to Miami.

 

How about a breakdown of costs to figure out a vacation budget:

cruise x2 $890 - 2200

airfar3 x2 $500-700

gratuities $200 (ship and tours)

Drinks $150

dining "upgrades" $160

excursions / tours $

Spa $

Casino $200-300

shopping $1000-2000

 

Anything Im forgetting?

 

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!!!

 

I personally prefer Celebrity over Carnival, but that doesn't mean you would. I really cruise more for the ports than the ship. When I start planning a trip, I make a graph chart. Across the top, put the cruiseline/ships and down the side put the things of interest to you (price, itinerary, size of the ship, stateroom, cost, excursions, etc.). As you research, put an "X" in the conjoining box. As you near the end of your research, one should have more x's than the others.

 

Of the itineraries you listed, San Juan, St. Martin & St. Thomas would appeal more to me (as a matter of fact, I did a cruise to just those ports). I cruised Carnival back in 1989 and haven't been back on their ships since then. Just not my cup of tea. They even call themselves the "Fun Ship". Hairy chest contests and beer drinking contests aren't what I cruise for.

 

Don't discount NCL. Lots of folks like the "Free style cruising" that they are noted for. Ships are a nice size (not huge floating cities, but large enough to feel safe). I don't care for the new behemoths they are building. Just to darn many people confined in a limited space.

 

Have fun planning, then taking your cruise!

[Lightngsvt]

Thanks again!

 

Based on a comment here, is Celebrity really that formal (no jacket = no dinner)? I think 1 or 2 formal nights would be fun and might even rent a "penguin suit" but not sure I want to have to wear a jacket everytime I enter the dining room.

 

The eastern itinerary has 3 sea days so for that cruise I would place more weight on the ship then the ports. We like a fun atmosphere but have settled down past the drink yourself into a stupor phase of life, but we are still 20 years from retirment age so we dont want anything stuffy either. I think the atmosphere on Celebrity seems a little better as long as its not to formal?

[artypharty]

Thanks again!

 

Based on a comment here, is Celebrity really that formal (no jacket = no dinner)? I think 1 or 2 formal nights would be fun and might even rent a "penguin suit" but not sure I want to have to wear a jacket everytime I enter the dining room.

 

The eastern itinerary has 3 sea days so for that cruise I would place more weight on the ship then the ports. We like a fun atmosphere but have settled down past the drink yourself into a stupor phase of life, but we are still 20 years from retirment age so we dont want anything stuffy either. I think the atmosphere on Celebrity seems a little better as long as its not to formal?

 

We cruised Celebrity in the Mediterranean, which is a little more formal than the Caribbean. DH did not wear a jacket or a tie every night to dinner, nor did the majority of the men. On formal night it was about 50/50 between suits and tux's.

 

IMO Celebrity outshines RCI and Carnival on every level and is our favorite. But, for cost, experience for your money and service we really like RCI. I am not mentioning Carnival for a reason (if you can't say something nice...)

[dwjoe]

Some things to consider:

 

If USVI is on the itinerary I think the Eastern Caribbean will have better snorkeling.

 

Celebrity Reflection is almost a brand new ship, Conquest is approx 10 years old.

 

Celebrity tends towards an older demographic and has an elegant feel. I liked their guest lecturers. It is more formal and traditional than NCL or RCCL but not as much as HAL.

 

CCL aims to a younger / new cruiser demographic and if you like to party late and go casual you might prefer it.

 

A passport is not required, but it's the only document valid for international travel by air, should you need to come home in an emergency.

You can check out http://www.getyouhome.gov for more info.

[dwjoe]

Based on a comment here, is Celebrity really that formal (no jacket = no dinner)? I think 1 or 2 formal nights would be fun and might even rent a "penguin suit" but not sure I want to have to wear a jacket everytime I enter the dining room.

You don't need to wear a jacket every night in the MDR, only on formal nights.

 

You can get more info on dress code from the Celebrity web site or on the Celebrity board.

[printingchick]

Based solely on ship, I'd say Celebrity.

Based solely on the two itineraries provided, I'd choose Carnival. (I prefer more port intensive itineraries. I think three sea days is one too many in a 7 day cruise, but that's just me.)

 

What is the reason you narrowed to those two ships/itineraries? Was it departure port?

 

We all have different opinions, so OUR preferences might not necessarily be YOUR preferences.

 

Carnival will have more "cheesy" kind of activities, like the belly flop contest, hairy chest contest, etc. Personally, I enjoy those things, but others might find them silly.

 

Celebrity isn't a LUXURY line, but definitely more "classy" than Carnival. (Passengers are greeted with embarkation champagne/mimosas, they get cool face cloths when boarding from ports of call, etc.)

 

Carnival decor is more Vegas-like and over-the-top.

 

Celebrity would be more upscale and sophisticated.

 

Carnival would offer more of a party atmosphere.

 

Celebrity offers a fabulous lunch buffet during one of the sea days.

 

 

I personally prefer Royal Caribbean, which for me, bridges the gap between upscale versus the party atmosphere.

 

As others have suggested, doing some reading about offerings on each line might help you determine which one is more "right" for YOU.

[momofmeg]

Celebrity is about 5 classes higher than Carnival. Better food, entertainment, service and anything else you can think of. But you will have an older crowd. Either way you will have a nice vacation. The eastern caribbean is alot nicer than the western. ;)

 

No, Carnival has great food and entertainment. Service? That is subjective-it depends on who happens to be the crew-(these people take 6 to 9 month contracts and often jump around on which line they work-we ran into a guy on NCL that had been on HAL our cruise the year before). I think the diference in service is a more affordable line attracts people with tigher budgets who do not want to tip or can't tip much- so they do not give as good of service. We had some louzy service on the Connie back in January, but that was a 4 day cruise and it seemed we had a lot of the Carnival crowd of PAX.

 

However, Celebrity is tons more subdued and a ton less children. Also not so many silly party pool games and tons of anoucements on Celebrity

 

To the OP if you do not want hordes of children and a considerable amount of party hardy swinging singles-Celebrity is much better. Carnival's age range seems to be more young 20's and 30 somethings with a few older. Celebrity's age range is 35 up with a tiny amount of younger people. Just realize that 50% plus of the PAX will be older than you. You will still see plenty your age though.

[printingchick]

Oh, and no, you don't need a passport for a closed loop cruise, but it's always advisable to have one, just in case.

[Lightngsvt]

Based solely on ship, I'd say Celebrity.

Based solely on the two itineraries provided, I'd choose Carnival. (I prefer more port intensive itineraries. I think three sea days is one too many in a 7 day cruise, but that's just me.)

 

What is the reason you narrowed to those two ships/itineraries? Was it departure port?

 

The main reason was the departure port and travel dates. I want to actually be on the ship on our anniversary, then factor in work and travel schedules and it greatly limited the options.

 

I might have to check on RCCL one last time. I think my preference would be an upscale atmosphere with a light hearted attitude.

[dwjoe]

I might have to check on RCCL one last time. I think my preference would be an upscale atmosphere with a light hearted attitude.

Upscale... light hearted... I think Celebrity and CCL will take you in two different directions there.

 

I think RCCL might be a good fit for you. You mentioned earlier that ship was a factor given the number of sea days. One of RCCL's strengths is the ship as its own destination. Voyager, Freedom, or Oasis class vessels will have a ton of things to do and places to go onboard.

 

Something else to consider is NCL in a suite. NCL is a casual line with no formal nights, and the service is friendly. There is a separate part of the ship called "The Haven" with special perks including butler service.