Cruise line help (RC, Celebrity, Princess)

[Billmont]

Hi Cruise critic members.

 

I need the trusted advice of my fellow Royal Caribbean cruise critic members. You haven't let me down yet.

 

We have only cruised RC in the past and have had great experiences. However we are planning our 2006 cruise and we like the 10/11 night Mexican Riviera intinery out of San Fran or San Deigo available through Celebrity or Princess cruise lines. Princess is a tad bit expensive so we may not go that direction, but the Celebrity cruise seems affordable.

 

My first question is, is Celebrity a major step down from RC?

My second question, what is the kids program like on Celebrity? We have a 3 year old and she had a blast at the Adventure ocean club on RC.

 

So thanks for all your help.

[caviargal]

Celebrity is NOT a step down but it is a very different experience.

 

RCI is know for their kids programs; X is not. That being said, there will not be as many kids on this itinerary, period.

 

X is not as big on activities and nightlife as RCI.

 

X is more formal than RCI, except for Radiance class, which is close.

 

I enjoy both for different reasons.

[hdawson]

Celebrity will be a major step up in refinement and sophisitication. Decor is more understated elegance. DR food is far, far above Royal Caribbean. Celebrity doesn't use the PA system to hawk bingo, pool games and the like.

Celebrity is a bit dressier in the evenings. On Celebrity you will be escorted to your cabin when you first board while sipping complementary champagne. In the cabin there will be a carraffe of water instead of the bottle for sale.

Celebrity's pizza is better than RC but still not quite as good as Carnival's.

Burgers on the pool deck are great.( not frozen patties). Celebrity bakes all their breads daily onboard, makes their own salad dressings and ice cream. I like both lines and cruise them both. I've never felt the need for inline skating tracks or rock climbing walls. In the very hot climates, you will be given chilled towels when reboarding from ports. They are more welcome than you can imagine.

[isujim]

Bill you are going to get many opinions here.

 

Just back in April from the Celebrity Infinity and was disappointed. Was not a step up except for service. Their service was the best I have ever had on a cruise ship. Food was no better than RC........I also think from what I saw you would be better off with the kids program on RC, although our kids are now grown and we haven't used either. As for dress on formal nights, 70% of the men on the Infinity wore suits not tuxes.......at least for this sailing.

 

All in all and I have sailed both now.........there wasn't a lot of difference except Celebrity had better service and I think the kids would enjoy RC much better.

[slotaddict]

Celebrity gets my vote. Never had a bad meal on a Celebrity ship, service was always excellent. They do escort you to your room and show you where everything is. Entertainment is good. I haven;t cruised Celebrity in quite awhile as I like to try different things, but apparantly I am talking myself back into it.

 

What Celebrity ship will you be cruisingh

[cruiseforus]

Just back from my first Celebrity cruise. It was a good cruise but I think the service on RCCC is much better. As far as the food goes I think it was good on both Cruise lines. As far as entertainment on the ship again RCCC wins hands down.

 

I'd go again on Celebrity but if it were the same itinerary on both ships and the same price on both I would absolutely choose RCCC over X. Acttually I think even if I had to pay a little more I'd choose RCCC over X.

[Guest OBAYbee]

Bill you are going to get many opinions here.

 

Just back in April from the Celebrity Infinity and was disappointed. Was not a step up except for service. Their service was the best I have ever had on a cruise ship. Food was no better than RC........I also think from what I saw you would be better off with the kids program on RC, although our kids are now grown and we haven't used either. As for dress on formal nights, 70% of the men on the Infinity wore suits not tuxes.......at least for this sailing.

 

All in all and I have sailed both now.........there wasn't a lot of difference except Celebrity had better service and I think the kids would enjoy RC much better.

 

 

My gosh!! I just now noticed your post count. Holy smokes 14,880!!! You ought to publish them, I bet they are interesting to read when you go back to those posted in the 80's! Just like having a CC time capsule!

[JCSM-Mom]

Hi Cruise critic members.

 

I need the trusted advice of my fellow Royal Caribbean cruise critic members. You haven't let me down yet.

 

We have only cruised RC in the past and have had great experiences. However we are planning our 2006 cruise and we like the 10/11 night Mexican Riviera intinery out of San Fran or San Deigo available through Celebrity or Princess cruise lines. Princess is a tad bit expensive so we may not go that direction, but the Celebrity cruise seems affordable.

 

My first question is, is Celebrity a major step down from RC?

My second question, what is the kids program like on Celebrity? We have a 3 year old and she had a blast at the Adventure ocean club on RC.

 

So thanks for all your help.

 

Hi - I sailed the 10 day Mexican Riviera on Celebrity Mercury Jan 2004 with my Son who was 14 months at the time. Let me tell you, they LOVED having him on board. However, he was not old enough to enjoy the kid center. We hired him a private babysitter in the evenings. We had the same one every night and she was fantastic. She would take him around. He knew more of the crew than we did and they all went out of their way to say hello to him. The security personal when we got on and off at ports were always glad to see him.

 

Also, the DR staff was fantastic. They took extra care to prepare special food for him, we didn't even ask. They saw me cutting his melon much smaller than they serve it, the next day it was already done. He loved the fruit soups, so on the days they didn't have fruit soup, the made some special for him. I think he had better service throughout the cruise than we did...LOL.

 

We I was talking to various staff about kids, they told me that they really liked to have kids (especially young ones).

 

I think you will be fine on the X with a young one like yours. Even though my upcoming cruise in November will be my first RCCL I can see where it might be more fun for older kids! I can't respond regarding the Step down, but after 3 Celebrity cruises, I can't see how it could be a step down.

 

Have a fantastic time!

[Floater4life]

I think bottom line RC or Celebrity you can't go wrong. I have been on RC serveral times but did a Celebrity in Alaska. The Celebrity ship was very nice not as big as the RC mega ships but wonderful decor the trip was great.

However.....I missed out on the escort and champagne!!! Oh well

The Martini Bar on the Infinity made up for it!!

[SLU Billikens]

As others have stated Celebrity is a more sophisticated experience. I have 3 children. When I cruise with my children we like RSSC for their activities. they also have so many kids it is easy for them to develop friendships. When my wife and I travel alone we prefer Celebrity. Better food, more elegant and not so many kids on board.

 

With that said, either is a wonderful vacation with or without kids.