Carnival Cruiser thinking of going on X.

[jrmende63]

Hi,

I am Julie, a vetran of soon to be 18 cruises on Carnival. I want to sail out of San Juan to the Caribbean islands. I have not considered X before but saw that the Summit goes to some unique islands that CCL does not go to.

So what should I know before stepping onto a Celebrity ship? I am not unhappy with CCL but it would be nice to have a different menu. The only down side is I am Platinum with CCL and really hate giving up my 3 bags of free laundry. And the priority boarding. Those are the two perks that I really like. I want to see the islands that Celebrity Summit is offering. So I think we will do the "plunge" and sail on X.

Any advice? We don't sail until 10-25-2014

[cl.klink]

I've only been on 2 cruises but loved Celebrity. Feels noticeable how effortfully they've managed to have a mass marketed product but still try to give you a feeling of being taken care of. Feels classy, but not Four Seasons type classy. The food is very good. The typical passenger might be a bit older and activities perhaps a by more sedate than what I imagine Carnival does, but that's likely a gross generalization and likely there is a lot of overlap.

 

But, a Caribbean cruise is usually pretty port intensive so which ship or line you are on may not matter than much, don't you think? Also, you're such a veteran. cruiser, it's hard for me to imagine that you won't have a great time on any cruise line. Just dive in and have fun!

[cl.klink]

BTW, forgot to mention, we sailed on X out of San Juan for a southern Caribbean cruise, also in part because of the ports (I really wanted to visit Curaçao on a Saturday). Was a great cruise. Great islands. Loved San Juan, actually, too.

[Gig103]

The decor of Celebrity ships is more demure and classy, with real art instead of garish colors. Every ship is more like the Sunshine or Breeze decor, for example. The ambiance is more like a spa resort, with a focus on service and lower key entertainment... No belly flop contests, for example, and there is a 'Beyond the Podium' lecture series. The non smoking policies and the lack of PA announcements is something I really noticed on X vs. Carnival.

There is less a focus on free food venues, compared with the 'Fun Ship 2.0' programs, but several options for specialty dining (for fee). I thought it was sort of silly, bordering insulting, that high tea was $25 on Celebrity and offered once, compared to every sea day for free on Carnival. I actually preferred the food on my Carnival sailing more than my Celebrity sailing.

 

Celebrity also has more classes of verandah cabins, Concierge and Aqua classes, which have extra perks (including the priority boarding). On the older ships (M-class including the Summit) CC and AQ cabins and larger by about 30 sq. ft. Suites are more than just larger cabins (as I see it on Carnival) with perks like butler service, or free espresso.

 

I only have one cruise on each line, but chose X for my third cruise, due mainly to the exemplary service all over the ship, and also the live music on board being more my style (I liked the string trio and cover band that did mostly 60s-80s music).

[Keith1010]

In the end you will never know until you try it. I would recommend you give it a try and hopefully you will have a great time.

 

Keith

[SNJCruisers]

Hello Julie....I too am a platinum Carnival cruiser who also has 17 under my belt with them, but I did sail on the Celebrity Horizon about 18 years ago and even though things were much different back then, I do remember that the food on celebrity was fantastic. Because of the recent 123 Go promotion, we decided to book our next two cruises on X and we too will be on the Summit for our first M Class experience and then next March on the Silhouette for our first S Class journey.

In general, Celebrity will be more sedate and have a more adult and upscale feel to it compared to the many Carnival cruises that you have been on. I'm glad to see that you're booked on the Breeze for January. It will be a great stepping stone for what to expect, to a certain degree, on Celebrity. While there will still be the annoying announcements and such on the Breeze, the Caribbean decor and non glitzy look will be more Celebrity-like.

If you're thinking of booking a balcony cabin, check out the sweet sixteen, it consists of 16 2C cabins on deck 6. On the port side it's 6021-6035 and on the starboard side, it's 6016-6030. They all have double size balconies even though you can't tell from the schematic on the Celebrity website. It's great info like this that is so good about CC.

[cruisestitch]

Two things were briefly mentioned in an earlier post but deserve to be noted again:

 

You should know that Celebrity has a very restrictive "no smoking" policy -- no smoking at any indoor venue, be it bar or casino or restaurant, nor in your stateroom or on your balcony

 

Also there is a policy to not make announcements all day long -- the captain and the cruise director will come on once a day, but you won't hear "Bingo is starting in five minutes" or "the Art Auction invites you to visit the gallery" or the like throughout the day

[Mulege]

Full meals from the MDR for lunch and dinner in addition to hot entrees for breakfast. Available to all guests not just suites. Nice to have a meal on your balcony.

[Cruise a holic]

Hi,

I am Julie, a vetran of soon to be 18 cruises on Carnival. I want to sail out of San Juan to the Caribbean islands. I have not considered X before but saw that the Summit goes to some unique islands that CCL does not go to.

So what should I know before stepping onto a Celebrity ship? I am not unhappy with CCL but it would be nice to have a different menu. The only down side is I am Platinum with CCL and really hate giving up my 3 bags of free laundry. And the priority boarding. Those are the two perks that I really like. I want to see the islands that Celebrity Summit is offering. So I think we will do the "plunge" and sail on X.

Any advice? We don't sail until 10-25-2014

 

I think you will love Celebrity! Having sailed on both, multiple times, we love the Celebrity experience. The food and service are better then Carnival. The ship isn't flashy and "carnivalish" as the carnival ships are. If you can, try to get the 123 deal- not sure if they still offer it, but call. You can get a free alcohol and beverage package, or a cruise credit and/ or free tips.

 

While the summit isn't nearly as grand as the Newer Celebrity Solstice Class ships, it has been redone and, it is very nice and comfortable. If you want priority boarding, upgrade to either Aqua Class or Concierge class. If you can afford a suite, you do get many perks including priority boarding.

 

If you want the loud, rowdy bunch you might not like Celebrity, however if you want a great relaxing vacation, with good food, entertainment, service and ports, try Celebrity. As previously stated the limited smoking sections and no announcement policy are wonderful. The free laundry isn't worth giving up the celebrity experience for. Bring more clothes or pay the fee to have your laundry done if necessary. Typically you get coupons for discounted services including a bag of laundry, even on your first cruise.

[wallie5446]

Safeway and Kroger both stock a lot of the same products, yet there are some that for what ever reason won't go to one or the other. There are suttle differences in the presentation of a product, cruise lines are no different. So to find out if you are ok with those differences, you have to walk into the store and shop around :D

15 cruises, 7 diff lines, Celebrity's presentation is our experience of choice.

[Cruise a holic]

Safeway and Kroger both stock a lot of the same products, yet there are some that for what ever reason won't go to one or the other. There are suttle differences in the presentation of a product, cruise lines are no different. So to find out if you are ok with those differences, you have to walk into the store and shop around :D

15 cruises, 7 diff lines, Celebrity's presentation is our experience of choice.

 

Not entirely true . I shop in Fairway and Whole Foods in NY products very different then our local Waldbaums and Shoprite. We all have different standards and likes and dislikes I believe you see one cruise ship, you see one cruise ship Each ship and sailing unique.

[wallie5446]

Not entirely true . I shop in Fairway and Whole Foods in NY products very different then our local Waldbaums and Shoprite. We all have different standards and likes and dislikes I believe you see one cruise ship, you see one cruise ship Each ship and sailing unique.

 

I think we said the same thing, suttle/unique.

[miataman19]

Safeway and Kroger both stock a lot of the same products, yet there are some that for what ever reason won't go to one or the other. There are suttle differences in the presentation of a product, cruise lines are no different. So to find out if you are ok with those differences, you have to walk into the store and shop around :D

15 cruises, 7 diff lines, Celebrity's presentation is our experience of choice.

 

Not entirely true . I shop in Fairway and Whole Foods in NY products very different then our local Waldbaums and Shoprite. We all have different standards and likes and dislikes I believe you see one cruise ship, you see one cruise ship Each ship and sailing unique.

 

I miss Wegmans..;). I'm not sure that subtle is the proper term for Carnival ;). It does have some things on board that do make you want to be on that ship. I've been on a few Carnival ships and I enjoyed them. Princess was my line of choice. I've taken 1 Celebrity cruise on Reflection. Just booked Silhouette over Ruby Princess next March. We'll see if Celebrity can keep me coming back. But the subtle things that Celebrity did on Reflection did make myself and my DW just say wow, did they just do that.

[Cruise a holic]

I miss Wegmans..;). I'm not sure that subtle is the proper term for Carnival ;). It does have some things on board that do make you want to be on that ship. I've been on a few Carnival ships and I enjoyed them. Princess was my line of choice. I've taken 1 Celebrity cruise on Reflection. Just booked Silhouette over Ruby Princess next March. We'll see if Celebrity can keep me coming back. But the subtle things that Celebrity did on Reflection did make myself and my DW just say wow, did they just do that.

 

We also were on the Reflection and LOVED it. However, leaving out of Miami was not a great experience. We will also be on the Silhouette in January and March. Hope that we also have a great experience!

[POPDISPLAY]

No belly flop contests, for example,

 

True. But, they still have singing and/or dancing waiters. IMO, not much class in that.

[Spudder]

We are also Carnival cruisers that want a change.

We have been eyeballing the Med in 2014, and we expect we will have a wonderful cruise.

 

Two questions that I have to take care of my curiosity:

1. What is the average age of passengers on a Med cruise on Celebrity?

2. I like relaxing in a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops but don't mind taking it up a notch for lounges, buffets, etc. How is the overall dress code and are you expected to always be in dress shorts and polo shirts during the day and dress shirts and long or dress pants at night?

 

Thank you,

Allan

[Cruise a holic]

We are also Carnival cruisers that want a change.

We have been eyeballing the Med in 2014, and we expect we will have a wonderful cruise.

 

Two questions that I have to take care of my curiosity:

1. What is the average age of passengers on a Med cruise on Celebrity?

2. I like relaxing in a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops but don't mind taking it up a notch for lounges, buffets, etc. How is the overall dress code and are you expected to always be in dress shorts and polo shirts during the day and dress shirts and long or dress pants at night?

 

Thank you,

Allan

 

Day wear in buffets and restaurants just no swim suits or barefeet. You can wear a tee shirt over your swim suit for men and beach coverup for ladies. Flip Flops ok. Shorts fine during the day in all dining venues, except special captains club functions. Typically they have two or three formal nights on Celebrity, depending upon the length of the cruise. On formal evenings, it is party attire- men suits, tuxs, or sports coat. Most men wear ties also. Ladies wear both short and long cocktail attire- and or dressy slacks and tops. You can read all of the debates as to what "formal" is, but I believe celebrity defines on their websites. On other evenings, men wear slacks ( have seen black jeans also) and collard shirts and ladies, anything goes except shorts and swimwear.

and torn jeans.

 

The dress code for some is a bone of contention- and starts many heated threads! Use your judgement.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Cruise a holic]

True. But, they still have singing and/or dancing waiters. IMO, not much class in that.

 

We typically dine in Blu- or speciality restaurants- no singing an or dancing waiters- so if you like the dancing waiters typically the last night of the cruise, you will like the MDR. If not consider one of the great speciality restaurants that evening.

[navyrotorhead]

We are also Carnival cruisers that want a change.

 

How is the overall dress code and are you expected to always be in dress shorts and polo shirts during the day and dress shirts and long or dress pants at night?

 

Thank you,

Allan

 

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!! :eek: :D :rolleyes:

[Spudder]

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!! :eek: :D :rolleyes:

 

Good god....I guess it is just not on the Carnival boards.:rolleyes:

[Spudder]

Day wear in buffets and restaurants just no swim suits or barefeet. You can wear a tee shirt over your swim suit for men and beach coverup for ladies. Flip Flops ok. Shorts fine during the day in all dining venues, except special captains club functions. Typically they have two or three formal nights on Celebrity, depending upon the length of the cruise. On formal evenings, it is party attire- men suits, tuxs, or sports coat. Most men wear ties also. Ladies wear both short and long cocktail attire- and or dressy slacks and tops. You can read all of the debates as to what "formal" is, but I believe celebrity defines on their websites. On other evenings, men wear slacks ( have seen black jeans also) and collard shirts and ladies, anything goes except shorts and swimwear.

and torn jeans.

 

The dress code for some is a bone of contention- and starts many heated threads! Use your judgement.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

Thank you for that informative and mature answer.

[richstowe]

OP

I believe there are more similarities then differences between all mass market cruise lines.

Having said that, Celebrity is a more adult oriented line. A lot less trivial PA announcements.

No need to sign out pool towels, less lines for food and entertainment as well better on/off ship issues.

If you are a non-smoker it's a pure pleasure and though there is a kids program ,they don't market as much to family's.

 

Entertainment was just so so but the food was a 1/2 step up from Carnival.

 

Summit is a good but aging ship. Similar to Carnival's Spirit class. Most dress up a bit more then on Carnival but in general, no big differences.

I wore a Suit for formal nights but our dining section was hot and so my jacket was off immediately.

 

Enjoy

[HeatherC430]

Hi Julie,

 

Like you, I've decided to try X for the same reasons. I'm looking forward to visiting Grenada & St. Croix (both of which Carnival doesn't visit). The 123Go promotion was too good for me to pass up. I'll be on the Summit in February!

[wallie5446]

We are also Carnival cruisers that want a change.

We have been eyeballing the Med in 2014, and we expect we will have a wonderful cruise.

 

Two questions that I have to take care of my curiosity:

1. What is the average age of passengers on a Med cruise on Celebrity?

2. I like relaxing in a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops but don't mind taking it up a notch for lounges, buffets, etc. How is the overall dress code and are you expected to always be in dress shorts and polo shirts during the day and dress shirts and long or dress pants at night?

 

Thank you,

Allan

 

IMHO, both these area's will be just like what you are used to on Carnival. We do not see difference in these area from RCCL, Princess, to Celebrity. There is the nukle head on every ship that wants to do it 'his way' cause he is on 'his' vacation. Put them on ignore like you always do. 7 diff line, Celebrity's overall product is our cruise of choice.

[SNJCruisers]

True. But, they still have singing and/or dancing waiters. IMO, not much class in that.

Well...you cruised on Carnival in 1980 and then 3 more times after that. And you cruised on RCI in 2005 and came back for seconds. I guess the singing and dancing waiters that are on both of those lines were not that much of a hindrance to your cruise experience, otherwise you would not have cruised on those lines again.