Dedicated RC cruiser tries Celebrity

[tinkerme1]

Hi Carol! Glad you loved your Summit Cruise.

 

We tried Celebrity several years ago and cruised on the Equinox and then the Silhouette! We really love the Solstice-Class ships. I think your review was "spot on!" On the Solstice class ships, the Buffet was really good. Maybe it was the Summit buffet that wasn't too good since it is an older ship (even with the renovations and improvements).

[A&L_Ont]

Thank you for the informative review. It is a great way to get a comparison between the two cruise lines.

 

Andrew

[kc320]

Thanks for a great comparison review!! I will be on my 1st Celebrity Sailing in April...the Century...I know it's the oldest ship in the fleet...but still nice to have some basic idea of the differences...

 

I was not aware of the balcony upgrade ...is that only if you book onboard?

[dirtgirl]

Thanks, Carol! Celebrity is my new love, and I adore the Solstice class ships! I am on the Summit next year out of San Juan. And I'm on the Solstice again next month. :) I like to have fun (hey you know me, lol), and X has never let me down. ;) The DJs have been fantastic on all my X cruises, and really play to the audience. It wasn't total rap the entire time. They would take requests and mix it up. I love their room service menu for breakfast in Concierge class - it's huge!

[maggie416]

We are Celebrity and Princess cruisers but are going on the EOS in March because RCI is leaving from NJ whereas Celebrity and Princess are not leaving from this area.nervous about this! Celebrity just seems a step above. I am sure it will all be good though., just a bit apprehensive, so any encouragement welcome!

Marguerite

[crisndeefromde]

Good Morning and thank you Carol for this comparison. 33 more days til my cruise on Summit to Bermuda my first time to that island but only second cruise on Celebrity.

 

Was wondering if you found the island and dockyard area crowded since

larger NCL Breakaway is there in port with Summit for all 3 days?

 

Chose this itinerary because of the 3 full days in Bermuda.

 

when I did the Summit in May with the Breakaway there also the beach was busier than previously. Loved being in Bermuda but I personally didn't enjoy the Summit.

[MMOMOM]

We are Celebrity and Princess cruisers but are going on the EOS in March because RCI is leaving from NJ whereas Celebrity and Princess are not leaving from this area.nervous about this! Celebrity just seems a step above. I am sure it will all be good though., just a bit apprehensive, so any encouragement welcome!

Marguerite

Don't be nervous! You'll have a wonderful time! I've not sailed Celebrity or Princess .... mostly RCCI, but I have sailed HAL and I thought that was sort of as you say 'a step above'. But, having said that, I think all cruise lines have their own personality so to speak (just my opinion! :)) ... but I have been on EOS and she's a lovely ship! You might find it bigger than what you've sailed, but it's lovely and we never found it all that crowded despite the number of people on her. I really like all the Voyager Class Ships ... and I've sailed both the Freedom and Oasis Class ... but just seems the Voyager is just 'nice'. I think we are all 'apprehensive' when trying something new or out of our comfort zone .... but it will be a good trip for you, I'm sure. We've always found RCCI to have great service, good food and entertainment and the ships all offer a lot. Let us know what you think ... till then, relax and Happy Sailing! :)

[Merion_Mom]

Hi Carol! Glad you loved your Summit Cruise.

 

We tried Celebrity several years ago and cruised on the Equinox and then the Silhouette! We really love the Solstice-Class ships. I think your review was "spot on!" On the Solstice class ships, the Buffet was really good. Maybe it was the Summit buffet that wasn't too good since it is an older ship (even with the renovations and improvements).

 

I think that you are right, Celia. Others also pointed out that the flow is better and more like RC with islands and stations on the Solstice class ships.

 

I hope to try the Solstice next year!

 

:)

[Merion_Mom]

We are Celebrity and Princess cruisers but are going on the EOS in March because RCI is leaving from NJ whereas Celebrity and Princess are not leaving from this area.nervous about this! Celebrity just seems a step above. I am sure it will all be good though., just a bit apprehensive, so any encouragement welcome!

Marguerite

 

I love the Explorer.

 

I love the Summit.

 

They aren't the same, but I have had great cruises on both.

 

Don't be nervous. Go in with an attitude of "this is a new adventure!" I will wager that you won't be disappointed.

 

:)

[abridalmaven]

Hi Barb

 

jc

 

Hi JC

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[rubrrick]

Carol, I seldom post anymore, but enjoy lurking. However your review has brought me out once again!! You are so right on about the cafeteria. Our last Celebrity cruise was last November, on the Infinity, and we were totally disappointed in the Oceanview cafe. The nightly food was repetitive, and the choices were limited.

 

The attitude of other passengers on a Celebrity ship has always seemed to be more mature, and I have not heard of negative feedback that you may have experienced.

 

Of the 4 times that we have cruised on Celebrity, we have always had a Royal Suite, and the service always has been excellent.

 

I was saddened when Royal Caribbean decided that after the Smith case, to no longer sell liquor by the bottle for consumption in the cabin. Celebrity does. They also introduced me to a new vodka, that you cannot find in the U.S. It's Absolut Elyx, and was the bottle stated it was a limited edition. It was in our suite, as they give 2 bottles of liquor for Royal Suites and Penthouse Suites. Anyone loving a good vodka, that travels overseas, can find it in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and Sweden.

 

Back on subject.:D Your experience almost mirrors mine, and with Michael Bayley at the helm of Celebrity now, what is good, will be better, and Celebrity is a line that we already enjoy. We are planning more for 2014, just have not booked them yet!

 

Thanks again Carol, for an unbiased, and great review!:)

 

Rick

[sound_guy0918]

What a great review by the OP and all of the follow-up comments are most encouraging. We are looking forward to our turn on the Summit!

[BobbyD]

Great thread! Thank you. I am also venturing out to unchartered territory! We have booked a cruise on the Silhouette for next March. We are loyal to Royal (with an occasional Carnival thrown in there ) but are really looking forward to this upcoming cruise. We are also ready to book the Allure for next summer, first time on that class of ship. Looking forward to both! We are in a 2A cabin on the Silhouette. We love the shows and entertainment and look forward to that part of the cruise.

[Merion_Mom]

I just found out that a good friend of mine, a colleague, was on the Summit the week before I was, and also in Aqua class! I'm trying to find out if she was in the same cabin!!!!!

 

:D

[IBookHePays]

Great review, Carol!

 

Mark and I are going on our first Celebrity cruise next September on the Solstice...a 12 day to Hawaii...and we are really looking forward to trying something new.

 

Thanks for a great report!:)

[Merion_Mom]

Great review, Carol!

 

Mark and I are going on our first Celebrity cruise next September on the Solstice...a 12 day to Hawaii...and we are really looking forward to trying something new.

 

Thanks for a great report!:)

 

Round trip out of San Diego? With a quick stop in Ensenada?

[EmpressofPurple]

Thanks, Carol! Celebrity is my new love, and I adore the Solstice class ships! I am on the Summit next year out of San Juan. And I'm on the Solstice again next month. :) I like to have fun (hey you know me, lol), and X has never let me down. ;) The DJs have been fantastic on all my X cruises, and really play to the audience. It wasn't total rap the entire time. They would take requests and mix it up. I love their room service menu for breakfast in Concierge class - it's huge!

 

So glad my other friend DG Carol posted about her newfound love for Celebrity (I was going to share this with MM Carol). I think the no smoking on balconies and in Casino is a big positive for a lot of people! I didn't realize this was your first Celebrity cruise, MM Carol!!! How cool! My "two Carols" are the ones who inspired me to take so many RC cruises (I was originally a big Princess fan) -- and I'm fascinated that these active, social, engaged, late-night disco, early-morning gym, theatre- and music-loving friends seem to enjoy Celebrity as much as or more than RCI.The atmosphere on Celebrity sounds like what I remember from Princess: the staff may not be as outwardly warm and friendly as RCI's -- a bit more formal and polite and attentive. Perhaps a bit more traditional and cultured, vs. active and family-oriented (although still plenty of entertainment for families and kids).I have a Celebrity Passages that DG has been moving forward and forward for me... I hope I don't get a call to use it or lose it!! -- or perhaps I'll be happy to finally schedule a Celebrity cruise and get to see for myself.It does seem that Celebrity is a big pricier... hopefully I can catch a good promotion somewhere, and get to experience these great itineraries... it would be nice to be treated at the highest level (Elite) for being a "mere" Diamond... guess I better schedule that cruise fast, before they institute a bunch of new loyalty levels!! : )Thanks so much, MM Carol, for the great review. I always appreciate your clear descriptions. Even if people have different tastes from you, they can tell whether something will appeal to them or not, since you describe them in such detail. I enjoy your opinions, too, of course! -- often rendered in colorful and entertaining fashion, yet without overpowering the objective delineation of the (food/entertainment/decor/atmosphere/port activities, etc.)Just one question... "Human soup"?!?!? ewwwwww!!!

[EmpressofPurple]

Sorry, computer issues, my paragraphs are getting all strung together and no way to select smilies. : (

[icedzz]

Thank you so much for your Celebrity review. We are also "regulars" with RC and have booked our first Celebrity cruise. We have only heard positive reports about Celebrity and are anxious to see if they are true.:)

[Merion_Mom]

So glad my other friend DG Carol posted about her newfound love for Celebrity (I was going to share this with MM Carol). I think the no smoking on balconies and in Casino is a big positive for a lot of people! I didn't realize this was your first Celebrity cruise, MM Carol!!! How cool! My "two Carols" are the ones who inspired me to take so many RC cruises (I was originally a big Princess fan) -- and I'm fascinated that these active, social, engaged, late-night disco, early-morning gym, theatre- and music-loving friends seem to enjoy Celebrity as much as or more than RCI.The atmosphere on Celebrity sounds like what I remember from Princess: the staff may not be as outwardly warm and friendly as RCI's -- a bit more formal and polite and attentive. Perhaps a bit more traditional and cultured, vs. active and family-oriented (although still plenty of entertainment for families and kids).I have a Celebrity Passages that DG has been moving forward and forward for me... I hope I don't get a call to use it or lose it!! -- or perhaps I'll be happy to finally schedule a Celebrity cruise and get to see for myself.It does seem that Celebrity is a big pricier... hopefully I can catch a good promotion somewhere, and get to experience these great itineraries... it would be nice to be treated at the highest level (Elite) for being a "mere" Diamond... guess I better schedule that cruise fast, before they institute a bunch of new loyalty levels!! : )Thanks so much, MM Carol, for the great review. I always appreciate your clear descriptions. Even if people have different tastes from you, they can tell whether something will appeal to them or not, since you describe them in such detail. I enjoy your opinions, too, of course! -- often rendered in colorful and entertaining fashion, yet without overpowering the objective delineation of the (food/entertainment/decor/atmosphere/port activities, etc.)Just one question... "Human soup"?!?!? ewwwwww!!!

 

Always look at the whole package. How much more expensive is that Celebrity cruise? If it sails out of Bayonne, how much are you saving on getting to the ship?

 

:)

[renech]

Did have ONE elevator incident.

 

Doors opened. About five people on the elevator. Mutters of, "it's full". I got on. Elevator stops at the next floor. About four people waiting. One on the elevator calls out, "No more room!" I said, "there's plenty of room" and moved back. They all easily got on. Other passengers exchanged eye rolls.

 

VERY AMUSING to me!

 

Me too! :D

 

Thanks for this comparison. I've yet to try Celebrity, although I have looked into it a few times. I even hoped to try it for my next cruise, but I couldn't find a short, getaway cruise on Celebrity. One of these times, it WILL work out! That Aqua class sounds sweet.

 

Did you notice much of a difference in the casinos, aside from Celebrity being all non-smoking (yay!)?

[Merion_Mom]

Me too! :D

 

Thanks for this comparison. I've yet to try Celebrity, although I have looked into it a few times. I even hoped to try it for my next cruise, but I couldn't find a short, getaway cruise on Celebrity. One of these times, it WILL work out! That Aqua class sounds sweet.

 

Did you notice much of a difference in the casinos, aside from Celebrity being all non-smoking (yay!)?

 

I don't play table games. Never cared to learn the rules of roulette or craps. I am the kind of blackjack player that nasty self-proclaimed experts yell at.

 

Slots on the Summit were almost all very low denominations. Mostly penny slots (that give you the option to increase to 5 cents, and then bet multiples on multiple lines) and some quarters, but either no or very few dollar and up slots.

 

And a lot of the penny slot machines are the kind with cute pictures and themes, like sex & the city or kitties or forest creatures or jungles or crap like that. :D

 

I like the old-fashioned kind with bars or sevens or fruit. "Real" slots.

 

:)

 

Oh, and I came out OK, maybe even a little bit up. I don't usually. :p

[Newsbuff16]

I love the Explorer.

 

I love the Summit.

 

They aren't the same, but I have had great cruises on both.

 

Don't be nervous. Go in with an attitude of "this is a new adventure!" I will wager that you won't be disappointed.

 

:)

 

Couldn't agree more!!!!

[Ocean Boy]

 

 

Did have ONE elevator incident.

 

Doors opened. About five people on the elevator. Mutters of, "it's full". I got on. Elevator stops at the next floor. About four people waiting. One on the elevator calls out, "No more room!" I said, "there's plenty of room" and moved back. They all easily got on. Other passengers exchanged eye rolls.

 

VERY AMUSING to me!

 

I had the opposite incident on Adventure. I'm in a packed elevator. It stops at a floor and this guy who is waiting proclaims that there is room for one more and proceeds to shoe horn himself into the elevator. It stops at the next floor and he informs all of the waiting people that there is no more room and he refuses to let anyone else on. Other passengers exchanged eye rolls.

 

VERY AMUSING to me.

[Cindy]

Thanks for your excellent comparisons! We will be taking our first Celebrity cruise in September...we're looking forward to our 9-night "Wine" itinerary down the Pacific coast in an aft AQ cabin. We have a very active roll call, and we're really excited about our trip.