RCL Diamond trying Celebrity-questions!

[ggroup]

We are RCL diamond and will be trying the Celebrity Silhouette in 2016 (Israel/Med).

What are the differences between the two cruiselines? We prefer aft balconies- is the C1 concierge class the way to go? Is it worth the extra cost compared to a regular Verandah? 2154 C1 is open for the cruise we want.

 

Thanks in advance!

[need2bespoiled]

Right now it is worth the cost as a C1 would include all three perks of 123 (Pre-paid gratuities, drink package and OBC, book through a travel agent and you can get additional OBC.

 

As far as differences, we haven't sailed Royal in a while, so someone else will have to answer, but this is a question that is often asked and their are many threads on it.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[grandgeezer]

What is the difference in price, is it considerable? The cruises I looked at had price difference of $300-500 p.p. more between a regular balcony and a conceiarge. With the regular balcony you get to pick one perc, the cc gives you all three, at a cost. I have no interest in the drink package and am not willing to pay any premium to get it. There is no free lunch. Only you can decide if it's worth it. Taking the percs out of the equation, the only time I would pay extra for the cc is to get the extra Captain's Club percs. Since I have no chance of moving from Elite Plus to the top category so I wouldn't do it.

[need2bespoiled]

We just booked 4 CC cabins where the total price difference was less than $250/cabin for decent locations. Between the OBC and the drink package, the difference was great, add in prepaid gratuities and extra OBC offered by our TA and it really made a lot of sense.

 

Remember, the drink package includes a lot more than just alcohol. It's pretty easy to spend $100 on a 7 day cruise on coffee, soda, smoothies and water.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[wallie5446]

The Aft cabins on the Celebrity S-Class have wonderful views. Our last Aft on RCCL was on the Freedom and the super structure of the ship blocked the view! We were in a Jr Suite and it was horrible.

 

The size of the cabin will be the same as a standard veranda @ 194 sq ft. The perks are not worth the add $$ for a C1,2,3 to us, so you will have to weight that out for yourself.

[wallie5446]

Here are both views, Freedom 1st, then S-Class,

[waterbug123]

We are RCL diamond and will be trying the Celebrity Silhouette in 2016 (Israel/Med).

What are the differences between the two cruiselines?

 

One of the biggest differences is that Celebrity does not allow smoking in the casino, just in one area outside I believe, whereas RC still allows it in the casino. If you're not a gambler it won't matter, but it makes the casino on X FAR more enjoyable to me.

In my experience, I've also found the pool area on X to be much more relaxing, in that the activities staff isn't constantly out there interrupting the music to yap on the microphone for belly flop contests and hairy leg contests, etc.

I haven't been on Silhouette but have been on her sister, Reflection, twice and love it. The add-on restaurants are very good, and we really enjoy the alcoves on the lawn, which is obviously a feature that RC does not have.

[ggroup]

Thanks to everyone for their informative replies!

[phoenix_dream]

Remember, the drink package includes a lot more than just alcohol. It's pretty easy to spend $100 on a 7 day cruise on coffee, soda, smoothies and water.

I am not trying to be argumentative, but I can't imagine spending anywhere near that amount on these things. Just to make sure the OP is aware of options - you can carry-on all the water and soda you want at embarkation and at every port. You can drink the ship's regular coffee for free, which is much improved over what it used to be. There is also milk, juices, iced tea, and lemonade for free. I guess if you like to splurge and don't want to bother with carrying on, you might, possibly, maybe could spend that much - everyone is different. But you certainly don't need to spend a penny onboard for any of these things if you don't want to.

[villauk]

What is the difference in price, is it considerable? The cruises I looked at had price difference of $300-500 p.p. more between a regular balcony and a conceiarge. With the regular balcony you get to pick one perc, the cc gives you all three, at a cost. I have no interest in the drink package and am not willing to pay any premium to get it. There is no free lunch. Only you can decide if it's worth it. Taking the percs out of the equation, the only time I would pay extra for the cc is to get the extra Captain's Club percs. Since I have no chance of moving from Elite Plus to the top category so I wouldn't do it.

 

For Europe, you can choose two perks in a regular balcony (3 for CC) ;).

[need2bespoiled]

I am not trying to be argumentative, but I can't imagine spending anywhere near that amount on these things. Just to make sure the OP is aware of options - you can carry-on all the water and soda you want at embarkation and at every port. You can drink the ship's regular coffee for free, which is much improved over what it used to be. There is also milk, juices, iced tea, and lemonade for free. I guess if you like to splurge and don't want to bother with carrying on, you might, possibly, maybe could spend that much - everyone is different. But you certainly don't need to spend a penny onboard for any of these things if you don't want to.

 

 

I can't imagine spending that little, if I am on vacation, I don't want to worry about what I drink, stopping to pick up a case on the way to the ship, or even worrying about carrying bottles of wine onboard, but then again, I'm willing to spend more than $100 on a single bottle of wine. To each there own. In 7 days, $100 is less than $15 a day.

 

For information, the following is more than $15/day:

 

1 bottle of Peregrine at lunch or dinner

2 sodas at the pool

a Cappuccino at Cafe Al Bacio

 

You can sub 3 sodas and remove the capicino, or sub in a fresh squeezed OJ

 

Hardly a splurge if you ask me, but to each there own.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[alcpa1]

The differences between the lines are becoming greater than the 1-2-3 package as far as I am concerned. We are Diamond on RCI and Elite on Celebrity. I only point this out because we have experienced sailings on both lines.

We were just on RCI after a string of Celebrity sailings and were not thrilled with much. The only truly bright spot was Chops and we ate there twice.

The ambiance is decidedly different now. Celebrity has a more subtle feel with less luminous furnishings for one thing. The food is much better on Celebrity too.

As far as an aft - I prefer an aft cabin but if the price differential is steep take this into consideration. There are just some itineraries that are just perfect in an aft - sailing the Venetian Canal, sailing through the Panama Canal, sailing out of Icy Straits in Alaska, or the straits to or from Stockholm. I can only imagine sailings from the Far East since we haven't been there. Almost every other itinerary I can think of that we have sailed any cabin would be just fine.

I hope your planning goes well and you have a wonderful cruise.

[drarill]

We are RCL diamond and will be trying the Celebrity Silhouette in 2016 (Israel/Med).

What are the differences between the two cruiselines? We prefer aft balconies- is the C1 concierge class the way to go? Is it worth the extra cost compared to a regular Verandah? 2154 C1 is open for the cruise we want.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi. We are D+ in RCCL and started cruising with Celebrity a couple of years ago and love it. First, you have to call the Captains Club to get reciprocity on their program where you are going to be Elite. As an Elite you will get great coupons with free internet minutes and free laundry. Both will be really useful on a long cruise.

Don't know if you drink but the free drink package that comes with the 1,2,3 promotion is great. I don't drink and even for me is a great deal.

About the concierge class, we usually travel in suites but once we booked two connecting C-1 cabins. The cabins are the same size than any other balcony room. To me the best perk of the concierge class cabins is the location, if that's important and the difference in price is not considerable, then book the concierge class. You should also take a look at the Aft sky suites, great rooms and great amenities. Although sky suites don't have concierge lounge access they come with a butler and after April Celebrity's suite guests will have their own dining room.

Hope you like Celebrity as much as we do. We just returned from a RCCL cruise (on a suite) and even our kids asked us to book a Celebrity cruise this summer. We did, and two days ago I was checking Royal's website and found a similar cruise with them. I asked my family if we should switch to the Royal's cruise, for the convenience of a round trip to the same city, and my children said "no way". I really love my children!! :D:D

[phoenix_dream]

I can't imagine spending that little, if I am on vacation, I don't want to worry about what I drink, stopping to pick up a case on the way to the ship, or even worrying about carrying bottles of wine onboard, but then again, I'm willing to spend more than $100 on a single bottle of wine. To each there own. In 7 days, $100 is less than $15 a day.

 

For information, the following is more than $15/day:

 

1 bottle of Peregrine at lunch or dinner

2 sodas at the pool

a Cappuccino at Cafe Al Bacio

 

You can sub 3 sodas and remove the capicino, or sub in a fresh squeezed OJ

 

Hardly a splurge if you ask me, but to each there own.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Jenna, my apologies. For some reason I was reading it as $100 a day. Certainly $100 a cruise is more reasonable.:)

[wallie5446]

Jenna, my apologies. For some reason I was reading it as $100 a day. Certainly $100 a cruise is more reasonable.:)

 

That was the way I read it too. :o so don't blush:eek:

[waterbug123]

Just to make sure the OP is aware of options - you can carry-on all the water and soda you want at embarkation and at every port. You can drink the ship's regular coffee for free, which is much improved over what it used to be. There is also milk, juices, iced tea, and lemonade for free. I guess if you like to splurge and don't want to bother with carrying on, you might, possibly, maybe could spend that much - everyone is different. But you certainly don't need to spend a penny onboard for any of these things if you don't want to.

 

Exactly- everyone is different. I have absolutely no desire to carry cases of water onboard with me. I usually drink 2 liters a day, and at (I think) $3.95/liter onboard, that's about $56 in water alone for the week, which cuts a big chunk off the price of the package. And while I CAN drink regular coffee, I PREFER a latte, so add in one of those each day and there's another $30 or so off the price of the drink package. For the remaining alcoholic drinks, the price just got relatively cheap! ;)

[Demosthenes9]

Exactly- everyone is different. I have absolutely no desire to carry cases of water onboard with me. I usually drink 2 liters a day, and at (I think) $3.95/liter onboard, that's about $56 in water alone for the week, which cuts a big chunk off the price of the package. And while I CAN drink regular coffee, I PREFER a latte, so add in one of those each day and there's another $30 or so off the price of the drink package. For the remaining alcoholic drinks, the price just got relatively cheap! ;)

 

 

For me, it's not even about carrying things on board. I had the drink package and still brought a case of Cokes and a case of bottled water with me. But, that was just to have in the cabin. Call me lazy, but when on vacation, I don't want to have to get up from the pool and run down to my room every time I want a Coke or a water. Or excuse myself from the dinner table because I want a 2nd/3rd Coke that I forgot to bring with me. I'd much rather just sit back and enjoy myself and let the waiters bring them to me.

[SeafordCruiser]

We are RCL diamond and will be trying the Celebrity Silhouette in 2016 (Israel/Med).

What are the differences between the two cruiselines? We prefer aft balconies- is the C1 concierge class the way to go? Is it worth the extra cost compared to a regular Verandah? 2154 C1 is open for the cruise we want.

 

Thanks in advance!

We too are Diamond on RCCL and then started cruising Celebrity more. Celebrity gives us 90 Internet minutes, dry cleaning, laundry which we dont get on RCCL. The Diamond club for drinks before dinner is similar to Celebritys Michaels Club But for the ships we were on Diamond Club was better. ..We have been in sky suite (upgraded), Aqua Class and Concierge and Veranda on Celebrity. We are usually D2, D3 on RCCL. I look at price. On our Celebrity cruise in Europe this coming summer, we got a $750 captains club discount on the Veranda. It did NOT pay to upgrade to Concierge for the 1,2,3 because it would of cost us $1200 more!! So look at the numbers and make an informed decision. You will LOVE Celebrity..food, service superb..though I think RCCL usually has better nightlife! Enjoy...

[ghstudio]

The Diamond club for drinks before dinner is similar to Celebritys Michaels Club But for the ships we were on Diamond Club was better.

 

Michael's club is only available to those in a celebrity suite or higher...or those who have earned the zenith level in the captain's club.

[SeafordCruiser]

Michael's club is only available to those in a celebrity suite or higher...or those who have earned the zenith level in the captain's club.

Not so in our case......We were in Michaels Club on all three Summit voyages. Last one was August..and I did check before we booked on the Constellation for this July. We are still allowed to go...

JUST found this on website

Elite Tier

Our Elite members** know that loyalty yields great rewards, including complimentary Internet and laundry services and complimentary Captain's Club cocktail hour.

Maybe it will be held in another room on some ships????

Edited January 25, 2015 by SeafordCruiser
more info

[ghstudio]

Not so in our case......We were in Michaels Club on all three Summit voyages. Last one was August..and I did check before we booked on the Constellation for this July. We are still allowed to go...

 

Nothing surprises me any more with Celebrity where the only thing that's consistent is their inconsistency.

 

The entrance requirements are clearly stated on their site and well known here. If you weren't in a century suite or above and you were admitted, someone should be probably be shot (as in given an opportunity to find another job with another company) ....

Edited January 25, 2015 by ghstudio

[SeafordCruiser]

Nothing surprises me any more with Celebrity where the only thing that's consistent is their inconsistency.

 

The entrance requirements are clearly stated on their site and well known here. If you weren't in a century suite or above and you were admitted, someone should be probably be shot (as in given an opportunity to find another job with another company) ....

There are just no words to answer that.

:eek:

[ghstudio]

There are just no words to answer that.

:eek:

 

Were you actually invited to michael's club or are you perhaps confusing it with the elite cocktail event from 5-7 each night. All elites (and above) and RCCL diamond and above are welcome to all elite events which of course include the cocktail event.

 

BTW..I wasn't suggesting you did anything wrong....but celebrity needs to maintain the "eliteness" of michael's club as a marketing tool...the same way they enforce the admission to the blu dining room.

Edited January 25, 2015 by ghstudio

[diesel1973]

We are Elite on X but after 2 more cruises this year with them we decided to try a RCCL cruise next year. We have heard from seasoned cruisers that RCCL Diamond treats you better. We need the change and hope that we will not be disapointed.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[lawgirl]

I will likely be in the minority, since this is an X forum, but I think there are pluses and minuses to X and RCI. In general, for us, we like RCI loyalty program better for The Diamond Club, though this next cruise we are D+. we are late diners and the Elite cocktail hour ends at 7:00 pm, which is inconvenient for late diners. And the service in the Elite cocktail hour was just not great, and drinks are very limited.

 

We also think RCI just has more going on....more options for activities. On our last X cruise there wasn't even a band at the pool more than one hour per day. We were kind of bored with some of the X entertainment and options. With RCIs Broadway shows, I think they beat X at entertainment.

 

The ships are decidedly different, although we mostly sail RCI Radiance class, which is not unlike Celebrity. Clearly, though, the larger RCI SHIPS, while exciting, are not as classy as X. I also think RCI Chops and Gioovannis Table are quite good. When RCI has the buy one, get second fare 1/2 off, you get some great deals. We are going to Europe this year on RCI in a large suite for thousands less than the same cruise on X, because of the BOGO.

 

Now, having said that, I love the X ships, the Molecular Bar is fabulous, and the food in general, on X is superior. Decor on X is lovely and I think service on X is better as well. We stay in suites, and frankly it is hard the beat the location of the aft Ss1s on S class. We are trying a CS in 2016 on M class.

 

Finally, with the 123 promo, I think in the end X beats out RCI. Who can beat free drinks, free tips and OBC, plus great food. And beautiful ships. And very nice cruisers. Plus, with the new suite perks, I can't imagine that RCI will come close to X when it comes to suites. Hope this helps.