Celebrity Summit vs. RCL Jewel

[Captainjz16]

I apologize if this thread is in the wrong forum, but I didn't seen any that fit my particular question.

 

My wife and I are native Floridians and have each been throughout the Caribbean. I'm looking to surprise her with a Southern Caribbean cruise for her 30th birthday and neither of us have done this route.

 

I'm currently looking at both the Summit and Jewel which disembark fro San Juan, PR. Both offer a nice list of 5 ports in 7 days which is a plus IMO.

 

Any particular reason to choose one over the other?

[Aquahound]

The one thing I like about Summit over Jewel is the fact smoking is not permitted in the Summit casino. Actually, make it 2 things. Summit has a larger outdoor pool deck. Otherwise, I prefer RCI's Radiance Class ships over Celebrity's Millennium Class. I think Radiance Class ships are prettier and offer more activities.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

There will be fewer children on the Summit than on the Jewel. I haven't done Jewel but have done her sister Serenade. The Summit and Serenade are very similar. The pool is nicer on the Summit IMO. I think the outpools on Royal are cheesy looking- maybe trying to appeal to family/party crowd. Didn't care for the sports blaring on the outdoor movie theater on Royal.

 

Do Summit. I really do like the M-class ships and Summit I sailed in 2012 and had a wonderful time.

[DonnaK]

We are huge RCI fans. While there is no doubt that Jewel is a gorgeous ship with all the glass overlooking the water and the outdoor dining area outside the buffet, we did not enjoy our cruise on Jewel. Entertainment and service was way below standards compared to other RCI ships.

 

We loved our Summit cruise last summer, and will be on her again this coming Sunday!!

[jp30338]

I have not been on Summit yet. I did cruise on Jewel earlier this year and it has been one of the nicer ships I have been on. It is very classy with all the glass and nautical themed decor. Service was overall was outstanding! The food in the MDR wasnt too good, so ended up having dinner in the specialty dining options, and they were outstanding!! I did not go to any of the shows so cannot comment on them.

 

I would rebook Jewel in a heartbeat but want to try Celebrity, as I canceled my Celebrity cruise earlier this year to book the Jewel instead. :D

[miched]

Living in Fl instead of flying to San Jaun book a southern cruise on a ship that leaves out of Fl. The Eclipse does a 14 night and Equinox 10 or 11. I would rather drive to a port than fly into one plus them extra days are nice.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[phoenix_dream]

I have sailed on both ships, and both are very nice. We tend to pick Celebrity as we feel the food and service are just a tad bit better, and the crowd is a little more quiet and refined. That said, if you sail when kids are off school, then there are a lot more of Puerto Rican families onboard than there usually are. Generally, Celebrity would have fewer families and a somewhat older demographic. Now that RCI has strengthened their smoking policy, we would be more likely to consider booking them again (and in fact, just booked one today).

 

Before I would decide, I would consider pricing, and I would consider which islands are being visited. I did not look at the itineraries, but I definitely like some islands better than others. With pricing, be sure to consider any current sales or offerings going on. RCI has some 1st passenger full price/2nd passenger 1/2 price, and Celebrity often has 1-2-3 Go type specials where a drink package or gratuities or OBC are included.

[Captainjz16]

The reason I'm looking at PR is I can't leave my office for a 10-11 day cruise out of South Florida. We also have frequent flyer points that get us to PR, so the flight really is a non-issue.

 

Both prices are right at $600/person, with each offering certain perks. As far as I can tell, the prices is apples to apples.

 

Jewel stops at the following ports:

 

Tortola

St. Kitts

St. Maarten

Dominica

Barbados

 

While Summit heads to:

 

St. Croix

St. Kitts

Dominica

Grenada

St. Thomas

 

Both leave Dec. 6, so school is still in session in PR (and everywhere else for that matter).

 

With 5 ports and 1 sea day, I doubt we'll be spending much time at the pool (besides the sea day).

 

I'm most concern with food quality, night life, age and the over all feel/quality of the experience.

[Big_G]

The only drawback I saw on Summit was the layout of the buffet. Some days it was a little challenging. We liked the Jewel too but over all I'd give the edge to Summit.

[monicajay]

Does the Summit come with the bevy package? Having done both ships and loved them this could be the factor that has the Summit winning.

 

Even if you don't drink, the waters,coffee and fresh squeezed juice make it special. not having to sign slips makes it more like a real all inclusive.

[jp30338]

The Jewel ports are way better than the Summits, imo. Tortola and Barbados alone are worth visiting over any of the Summits ports.

[Captainjz16]

The Jewel ports are way better than the Summits, imo. Tortola and Barbados alone are worth visiting over any of the Summits ports.

 

What about Tortola and Barbados do you like so much?

 

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[chrismakris]

The reason I'm looking at PR is I can't leave my office for a 10-11 day cruise out of South Florida. We also have frequent flyer points that get us to PR, so the flight really is a non-issue.

 

Both prices are right at $600/person, with each offering certain perks. As far as I can tell, the prices is apples to apples.

 

Jewel stops at the following ports:

 

Tortola

St. Kitts

St. Maarten

Dominica

Barbados

 

While Summit heads to:

 

St. Croix

St. Kitts

Dominica

Grenada

St. Thomas

 

Both leave Dec. 6, so school is still in session in PR (and everywhere else for that matter).

 

With 5 ports and 1 sea day, I doubt we'll be spending much time at the pool (besides the sea day).

 

I'm most concern with food quality, night life, age and the over all feel/quality of the experience.

 

We did the Summit itinerary last January. We enjoyed it a lot and the Summit is a great Ship. Grenada and Dominica were highlights as well as St. Thomas.

[shipfriend_max]

Hi,

 

we had to make the same decision some time ago.

For both spring 2013 and 2014, we have decided to book Celebrity Summit instead of RCI's Jewel (2014) or Brilliance (2013), because:

-cheaper, but Celebrity is premium, RCI is standard

-itineraries were more appealing to us

-we booked Summit again in 2014 because in 2013 we loved her (and in 2014 as well :D)

-great size, layout, service and food of Summit

-RCI is more family friendly --> especially Puerto Rican families are somewhat uncough, I have the feel that they will rather book RCI than X.

 

I won't argue against RCI-s Radiance class. They are very appealing to me and seem to have the same layout as Celebrity Millennium class and are similarly sized.

From the chosen itineraries you mentioned: I really would like both, except for Tortola, I know all islands. IMHO Dominica and Grenada are the best. :)

[koolforkatz]

What about Tortola and Barbados do you like so much?

 

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Can't answer for jp30338 but I love Tortola. You can go to the baths at Virgin Gorda for one. And depending how long you are there for, if you are really looking you can go to Jost Van Dyke - amazing, gorgeous little island.

[koolforkatz]

if you are really looking you can go to Jost Van Dyke - amazing, gorgeous little island.

 

I meant "really lucky." :o

[fleckle]

I apologize if this thread is in the wrong forum, but I didn't seen any that fit my particular question.

 

My wife and I are native Floridians and have each been throughout the Caribbean. I'm looking to surprise her with a Southern Caribbean cruise for her 30th birthday and neither of us have done this route.

 

I'm currently looking at both the Summit and Jewel which disembark fro San Juan, PR. Both offer a nice list of 5 ports in 7 days which is a plus IMO.

 

Any particular reason to choose one over the other?

I don't think you can really go wrong with either. Both are nice ships of comparable size.

 

Our personal preference is for Celebrity (because they do not blast you with annoying announcements throughout the day the way that Royal does, and generally have fewer children on board and somewhat better food and service), but we also book RCI when it is to our advantage to do so.

 

If both are acceptable to you, compare prices for equivalent accommodations.

Our last RCI cruise was on the Brilliance (sister ship to the Jewel) where we were able to book a nice junior suite shortly before final payment for less than the cost of a regular balcony cabin on Celebrity.

 

[need2bespoiled]

I have not sailed on either ship, but have on Connie, which is Summit's sister ship. You have very good advice about the overall difference in the vibe between the two previously reported. My main reason for posting is that I have been to all of the ports, though it has been a while for some, and while we would prefer Celebrity in general, we would chose the RCI ports over those on Summit. Our preference is to find less crowded, and more quiet endeavors like relaxing on the beach, nice (not the typical cheap) crafts, unique jewelry such as iCandy in the Chattel Village in Holetown on Barbados and not the places by the port, other local shops, or maybe visit a more upscale resort for the day. Based on this, here is why we prefer the RCI itinerary:

 

Dominica and Grenada are somewhat similar, less built up with resorts, more natural, so with the Summit, you have two of these stops that are not as much to our liking on Summit, but Summit has Barbados. We love Barbados and have our go to days we spend there. It's easy to find a very quiet restaurant on the beach, find a beach chair in many places without lots of people around, and not very expensive compared to some island. There are also some very good catamaran options. We rent a car to get around and do some really fun shopping.

 

I haven't been to Tortola since 1996 and St. for YEARS so I can't remember enough to comment so for us it would be a toss-up.

 

St Kitts is the same so neither option is better.

 

St Maarten is our presence over St. Thomas, but we have found some places on St. Thomas we enjoy where we can get away from the standard busy locations. Plus there is always St. John, but it seems it is always a rush trip on a cruise ship to get to St. John. We enjoy the French side of St. Maarten, but our go to (local's) beach has changed a bit over the last 6-8 months, so I'm not sure it would still win out. Until my next trip there in April, I'd give the slight edge to St. Maarten because of the French side.

 

All the port stuff being said, I don't know if it would win over our preference for some of the things we enjoy about Celebrity such as less children, more subdued atmosphere, etc. If you'd prefer to party more, dance the night away, and have a good time at night, I'd probably steer you more towards Jewel.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[shipfriend_max]

I would say Grenada is worth a visit, since it is more an insider tip - not as touristic as many other Caribbean islands, great mixture between nature, beach and water sports. On our cruise w. Celebrity Summit we really enjoyed the island since it was very diversified - similar to Dominica.

 

In 2014, we visited Barbados on Summit as well - great island, but the main attractions are beaches, and the town Bridgetown itself - if you really would like to experience rainforests, other islands are better.

At Barbados we did the Atlantis Submarine tour - very exciting!

[DonnaK]

<snip> we have found some places on St. Thomas we enjoy where we can get away from the standard busy locations. <snip>Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

I would love to know about these places on St. Thomas. We've been there countless times and are always looking for something new and different (and quieter) to do there.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

take the ferry to st.john

[need2bespoiled]

I would love to know about these places on St. Thomas. We've been there countless times and are always looking for something new and different (and quieter) to do there.

 

I am a scuba diver, and there is a place in Secret Harbor I like to dive from, but we go to the boat right off the beach. It's not hugely special, but it's generally more quiet and crowd free. There is a restaurant on the beach / water that servces decent food and the dive shop rents chairs and umbrellas.

 

Our other option is chartering a small boat and headnig to St. John for the day to Snorkle and visit the island AND having it pick us up by the boat. The Redhook ferry is an option, but we never seem to get the timing right, or we're always rushed. We find that if the boat docks at 8am, the 9am ferry is a rush, but 10am the day is not so long on St. John.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Captainjz16]

Think I'm set on the Summit. Free drink package for two broke the tie. Thanks all the pointers.

 

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[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

The reason I'm looking at PR is I can't leave my office for a 10-11 day cruise out of South Florida. We also have frequent flyer points that get us to PR, so the flight really is a non-issue.

 

Both prices are right at $600/person, with each offering certain perks. As far as I can tell, the prices is apples to apples.

 

Jewel stops at the following ports:

 

Tortola

St. Kitts

St. Maarten

Dominica

Barbados

 

While Summit heads to:

 

St. Croix

St. Kitts

Dominica

Grenada

St. Thomas

 

Both leave Dec. 6, so school is still in session in PR (and everywhere else for that matter).

 

With 5 ports and 1 sea day, I doubt we'll be spending much time at the pool (besides the sea day).

 

I'm most concern with food quality, night life, age and the over all feel/quality of the experience.

 

We've been on the Jewel and had a wonderful time. We booked the Summit this Dec for St Croix & Grenada. I also like the non smoking policy on Celebrity, and the fact that they do not have all those announcements that Royal does.

 

What ever you choose have a wonderful cruise and I'm sure your wife will love her birthday gift.