New to Celebrity

[jackieo]

Hi there

 

We are Primcess cruises thinking of trying Celebrity Eclipse.

 

Can you give us some ideas of what is similar and what is different - we usually do Anytime Dining on Primcess as well as some of the speciality restaurants. We are elite on princess

 

We will be taking an inside cabin so is there any facilities we can't use as newbies and insiders?

 

Thanks

 

Jackie

[Tiggertastic]

Hi, select dining is the same as anytime. Only suites can use Michaels club. Other than that I can't think of other restrictions on an inside.

[ghstudio]

Hi, select dining is the same as anytime. Only suites can use Michaels club. Other than that I can't think of other restrictions on an inside.

 

Blu is a specialty restaurant only available to those in aqua class or suites. Luminae is a restaurant only available to suite passengers. Finally, Michael's club is only available to some suite passengers and those who have sailed on many many celebrity cruises.

 

Other than those three places, your cabin type doesn't matter...

[hillsprint]

The main items you can't access are those reserved for Aqua and Suite class staterooms, so those are the two eateries, Blu (Aqua) and Luminae (Suite), plus Michael's Club which is now reserved for those in the higher class Suites.

 

Apart from that you obviously miss out on the various drinks parties and discounts that those who have been previous X cruisers, but you'll know that from your Princess experience.

 

But as to being"insiders" you'll know very few other differences to the rest of us :)

[marco]

We have sailed many times on both Celebrity and Princess. More similarities then differences. If you like Princess, I think you will be happy on "X".

[GUT2407]

Been on both lines more alike than different. Celebrity MAY have a SLIGHTLY younger demographic.

 

Will go with either again in a heartbeat.

[neverbeenhere]

As with any cruise there maybe "private party" only access periodically to some of the rooms. And of course, you can't access our stateroom if you are on a cruise with us.

[A1A]

Celebrity is more like Princess than you can imagine! Some of the differences include; no MUTS on Celebrity, which to me is a good thing! You will have a lawn on the Eclipse, which Princess does not have. Celebrity has a BEV123GO special that Princess does not have! Celebrity requires you to pre-pay you excursions, Princess does not. Celebrity has a spacious dining room, Princess has several smaller dining venues. Give Celebrity a try, you will get to experience a great product and see that there are more things alike than different between the two! We are back to Princess in 2017!

[joanne2]

On Celebrity you have to get your own coffee at the buffet. We're Celebrity cruisers who tried a TA on Princess in April. LOVED the waiter service at breakfast and lunch in the buffet.

[gsb]

On Celebrity you have to get your own coffee at the buffet. We're Celebrity cruisers who tried a TA on Princess in April. LOVED the waiter service at breakfast and lunch in the buffet.

 

Except for the waiters with the carts that come around all the time filling your cup.:cool:

[Tralynn]

We've cruised on both Celebrity and Princess. They are very similar, and I am sure you'll enjoy Celebrity. I will say that although it is extremely subjective, we enjoyed Celebrity's food over Princess'. Celebrity's entertainment in the main theatre was also very good.

 

You will also be greeted as you board your Celebrity cruise with a nice drink! It was fantastic to have a drink handed to you before you even hit the ship's lobby! Service was fantastic!

 

The only thing that I personally missed on Celebrity was M.U.T.S.

 

Enjoy!

Edited June 22, 2015 by Tralynn

[cynbar]

We also miss the International Cafe when we sail Celebrity, who has nothing like that. They do have Cafe al Bacio which is the coffee bar and offers free pastries all day, but no sandwiches or salads. Of course, you never go hungry on a cruise ship, so it is hardly a deal breaker. I agree that if you like Princess, you should like Celebrity too, and we like to switch it up a bit since too many cruises on the same line can get kind of repetitive.

[mr_bad_example]

Our experience on Celebrity has been from Inside to Aqua Class, although not on the same cruise, although we did go from Inside to Concierge Class on the same cruise, but that's another story.

 

The things we missed most when Inside were the wall of windows you get when you book a Balcony and above cabin and the additional space, perceived or otherwise, that came with the non-Inside cabins.

 

We have never paid for more than a Balcony cabin, so all of our Aqua Class experiences have been as a result of upgrades. Our preference has always been to look at the QPR (Quality/Price Relationship) when booking; we'd rather two cruises in a Balcony cabin than one in a Suite. I've left the Suite Class out of the information below, since that is a horse of a very different color.

 

No matter what class you are in, your cabin attendant is your friend. Ask nicely, and if he or she has access to it, it will magically appear. If your cabin attendant goes above and beyond the call of duty (gives you fresh sheets daily, get you bathrobes when you are in an Ocean View Stateroom, etc.) show him or her your appreciation. If you're on a budget and can't afford more than the standard gratuities, consider telling Guest Services, the Concierge or the Guest Services Manager about the eXceptional service; they have ways to reward the crew when guests take the time to single out those who go above and beyond.

 

An added bonus is that those crew members ALWAYS remember you. There is nothing like coming aboard to hugs and kisses from the crew as the word spreads that you're back (as happened to us on the Summit last fall), or getting emails over the holidays from crew who remembered us fondly.

 

We can't speak for Princess, but we can speak for our experiences on RCCI, Carnival and Holland America, and we believe that Celebrity is a "cut above." Judge for yourself.

 

Things you don't get if you don't book Concierge Class on Celebrity:

 

Services

 

Priority check-in

Express luggage delivery

Personalized Concierge service

Priority disembarkation based on your travel needs

Complimentary shoeshine service

Access to the exclusive Concierge Class Pre-departure Lounge

 

Dining

 

Main and specialty restaurant seating time preferences

Expanded room service menu

 

Amenities

 

Welcome Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine with a commemorative label featuring exclusive art work from the ArtCenter/South Florida artists

Pillow menu to suit your sleeping preferences

Daily delivery of Afternoon Savories

Plush bathrobes

Fresh fruit

Custom-blended bath amenities

Use of binoculars and golf umbrella

Extra handheld hair dryer

Celebrity tote bag

 

Stateroom Features

 

Hansgrohe® massaging showerhead

 

Things you don't get if you don't book Aqua Class on Celebrity:

 

Services

 

A Personal Spa Concierge to arrange Spa treatments

Welcome bottled water (two bottles, which posters say is replaced on request)

Daily delivery of flavored tea

Priority check-in

Express luggage delivery

Priority disembarkation based on travel needs

Complimentary shoeshine service

 

Dining

 

Exclusive access to Blu, a specialty restaurant featuring "clean cuisine" that also serves complimentary breakfast every day

Upgraded room service menu

 

Amenities

 

Complimentary access to the Persian Garden and Relaxation Room (Relaxation Room on Solstice Class only)

Aromatherapy diffuser

Pillow menu

Additional bathroom amenities, including shower gel, facial spray and lip balm

Plush bathrobes

Slippers

On-demand wellness programming including meditation and yoga

 

Stateroom Features

 

Hansgrohe® shower panel

Fog-free mirror

 

Enjoy your first Celebrity cruise.

 

Derek

Edited June 23, 2015 by mr_bad_example
spelling

[alcpa1]

I just wanted to respond to two things mentioned by A1A.

You do not have to pre-pay excursions UNLESS you wish to book before you board. Under normal circumstances there will be plenty of space for excursions and you can book immediately upon boarding. Of course there will be excursions planned via the Roll Call too. Generally they are more enjoyable anyway. Smaller more intimate groups usually for fewer $$$.

The other point he mentioned was the 1-2-3 packages. These packages are not applicable to inside cabins. You can easily search the benefits and determine the value of booking an ocean view, or higher, cabin.

[jackieo]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and information. I am sure we will like the experience.

 

 

Just a final note to Mr Bad Example - Thanks so much for giving a very exhaustive list of things only available in Concierge Class. 0:)

Edited June 23, 2015 by jackieo

[wallie5446]

Hi there

 

We are Primcess cruises thinking of trying Celebrity Eclipse.

 

Can you give us some ideas of what is similar and what is different - we usually do Anytime Dining on Primcess as well as some of the speciality restaurants. We are elite on princess

 

We will be taking an inside cabin so is there any facilities we can't use as newbies and insiders?

 

Thanks

 

Jackie

Jackie we sailed on the Ruby Princess in 2012, and with Celebrity on the Reflection in '13, and the Equinox in '14, which are both in the same ship design as the Eclipse called the S-Class.

 

We found the Celebrity ships easier to get around without feeling like we made a wrong turn:D We sailed with the same friends on the Ruby and Reflection who like you, book inside, we were in a balcony on both.

 

Celebrity has a couple of areas that are set aside for those in upper level suites and Capt Club ( ie: Capt Circle on Princess ) members.

There are more speciality ( add cost ) restaurant's which are, IOHO, a lot better than the Crown Grill. Open to all, who pay the up charge.

 

There are no areas around the pool that are off limits nor a fee to use, on Celebrity like the Sancutary is on Princess. They have the Persian Garden in the Spa, open to all for a fee.

 

Getting on the ship is exactly the same process as you are used to on Princess, the so called priority line is sometimes a longer wait than the others.

 

A cabin is a cabin is a cabin. You will find all the things needed the same on both lines.

We find the level of service just a notch higher on Celebrity. We first sailed with them in 1994, and our first with Princess was in 1992. Food quality is different as is our taste buds, but we also give the edge in the MDR to Celebrity.

 

The S-Class ships are our favorite to cruise on. You will not be disappointed.

EW

[gsb]

 

An added bonus is that those crew members ALWAYS remember you. There is nothing like coming aboard to hugs and kisses from the crew as the word spreads that you're back (as happened to us on the Summit last fall), or getting emails over the holidays from crew who remembered us fondly.

 

Derek

 

Ain't it funny-the magic of the little old $20 bill?;)

[nojoke]

Like others have said, both lines are very similar. I can’t even pin it down, but after several Princess cruises (all very good), when we stepped into the lobby of a Celebrity S class ship, I just had to smile--it felt like “home”! Food, service, entertainment were comparable. Celebrity S class just has that “something”. You will love it!

[cruisestitch]

Part of that 'Something' is clean air indoors -- there is no smoking anywhere indoors on Celebrity ships, including the casino and all the bars and all the staterooms.

[cruisestitch]

But let's examine those lists of things you don't get more carefully, keeping in mind that they were written by copywriters and advertising staff and some are nothing more than "fluff". My comments in red

 

"Things you don't get if you don't book Concierge Class on Celebrity:

 

Services

 

Priority check-in many people get this -- suites, members of the loyalty program, handicapped, Aqua, so many so that on any given cruise 2/3 of the passengers get "priority"

Express luggage deliveryno one has ever been able to figure out what this is

Personalized Concierge servicethere is no dedicated Concierge for Concierge class -- there is one Concierge for the whole ship, everyone can use his/ her services

Priority disembarkation based on your travel needs again, many people get this, including suites, loyalty members, Aqua, handicapped

Complimentary shoeshine service

Access to the exclusive Concierge Class Pre-departure Lounge

 

Dining

 

Main and specialty restaurant seating time preferences another one where so many get this that they can't possibly deliver passengers' first preferences

Expanded room service menu

 

Amenities

 

Welcome Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine with a commemorative label featuring exclusive art work from the ArtCenter/South Florida artists

Pillow menu to suit your sleeping preferences

Daily delivery of Afternoon Savories

Plush bathrobes

Fresh fruit

Custom-blended bath amenities they are the same bath amenity brand as all other other non-suite rooms, so I don't understand this one at all

Use of binoculars and golf umbrella

Extra handheld hair dryer

Celebrity tote bag

 

Stateroom Features

 

Hansgrohe® massaging showerhead

 

Things you don't get if you don't book Aqua Class on Celebrity:

 

Services

 

A Personal Spa Concierge to arrange Spa treatments

Welcome bottled water (two bottles, which posters say is replaced on request)

Daily delivery of flavored tea

Priority check-in see above

Express luggage deliverysee above

Priority disembarkation based on travel needs see above

Complimentary shoeshine service

 

Dining

 

Exclusive access to Blu, a specialty restaurant featuring "clean cuisine" that also serves complimentary breakfast every day not exactly "exclusive" since Suites can eat there too

Upgraded room service menu

 

Amenities

 

Complimentary access to the Persian Garden and Relaxation Room (Relaxation Room on Solstice Class only)

Aromatherapy diffuser

Pillow menu

Additional bathroom amenities, including shower gel, facial spray and lip balm has anyone seen lip balm in a while? I believe that it was discontinued

Plush bathrobes

Slippers

On-demand wellness programming including meditation and yoga

 

Stateroom Features

 

Hansgrohe® shower panel

Fog-free mirror

 

 

So, keep in mind that some of what they are selling is nothing but advertising "hype".

[terrierjohn]

We have sailed both a number of times and find the main difference is in the entertainment venues. Celebrity has nothing comparable to Explorers or the show lounge/Vista Lounge on Princess. As a result you get more "show" type entertainment on Princess.

But overall they are similar, although we find The Eclipse to be the cleanest ship afloat, I think they must have double the normal cleaning staff, and more pointy toilet rolls than anywhere I have been.

[jackieo]

Thanks TerrierJohn

 

Glad to know about the pointy toilet rolls too! Lol

[chamima]

We are longtime Princess cruisers who started sailing Celebrity 5 or 6 years ago and have been on the Eclipse 3 times.

The fact that you're in an inside cabin really makes no difference.

Biggest differences I can think of are

1) no laundry rooms on Celebrity (and as a new cruiser, no free laundry either)

2) no coffee cards and the cappucinos are around $5 each

in fact all specialty coffees and teas aand most drinks are more expensive.

3) the public bathrooms are beautiful on Celebrity

4) the indoor Solarium pool is like the pool on the Island and Coral but WAY nicer

5) the buffet on Celebrity is larger than most Princess ships (except for the Royal and Regal)

6) pool towels are in receptacles by the pool instead of in your cabin

7) we're vegetarians but people who eat meat say it's better on Celebrity but there is NO comparison to the wonderful pasta on Princess. Desserts are also better on Princess.

 

That's all I can think of right now.

[sound_guy0918]

You will enjoy Celebrity. Similar demographic, similar level of service.

 

I thought the Celebrity cruise was darn near silent compared to any other line we have tried so far...no announcements, no wild party music, quieter and more reserved live music...all of these things were a huge plus for us, as we prefer quiet and calm when we are in paradise.

 

The beverage package (free perk) was the best thing since sliced bread. I wouldn't pay for it, but since we got it we enjoyed the heck out of it. All you do is hand the server your card and they bring back a drink...no receipt to sign, no 20% gratuity, no cash gratuity expected. Served with a smile every time and they never hesitated to come back, so I suspect the servers are getting their tips regardless.

 

Serenity was fantastic, we spent lots of time there.

 

All-in-all, we are going to try RCL this December and we are interested in trying Princess again, but we would book a Celebrity cruise without hesitation.

[JAF1]

We will be taking our first Celebrity cruise this October on the Reflection to Miami. Was watching a video on You Tube and advice was to have storage boxes for some clothes which can go in the cupboards over the bed. Can anyone who has sailed on Celebrity let us know if this is a good idea and if so what size storage boxes they use. We normally sail on Princess so are familiar with the amount of cabin storage available but not sure about Celebrity.