Question for Rafinmd re Royal Caribbean (anyone else may respond too, thanks)

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Hi Roy -

 

I've got a hold on two identical Pacific Coastal 7-day itineraries from Seattle, my home port. One is on Celebrity's Infinity, the other is on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas (Voyager-class ship). I am familiar with the Celebrity product, but not at all with Royal Caribbean. I know you have traveled with RCCL before, and would appreciate your thoughts. If anyone else wants to pitch in, please do.

 

Thank you.

 

Edited to add that the Infinity leaves from Vancouver, Explorer from Seattle, but both are round trips that would entail no flying, always a plus.

Edited December 7, 2015 by middle-aged mom

[rafinmd]

I may not know a lot but I'll get back when the PE sailaway ends.

 

Roy

Edited December 7, 2015 by rafinmd

[qsuzi]

Hi Roy -

 

I've got a hold on two identical Pacific Coastal 7-day itineraries from Seattle, my home port. One is on Celebrity's Infinity, the other is on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas (Voyager-class ship). I am familiar with the Celebrity product, but not at all with Royal Caribbean. I know you have traveled with RCCL before, and would appreciate your thoughts. If anyone else wants to pitch in, please do.

 

Thank you.

 

Edited to add that the Infinity leaves from Vancouver, Explorer from Seattle, but both are round trips that would entail no flying, always a plus.

The following link will give you information about the Explorer of the Seas in case you aren't familiar with the ship. The Explorer went through dry dock earlier this year. A Cruise Critic link regarding the refurbishment is included. It's been 7 years since we were on the Explorer and 3 years since on a Voyager class ship. One of our favorite things is the promenade which is described in the links. Our RCL loyalist friend finds the food on Celebrity to be superior. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipClassCode=VY&shipCode=VY&br=R

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6322

[rafinmd]

OK. I sure hope others will respond. I've been on Celebrity Solstice (bigger) and Summit (Twin of Infinity) and have a bit of a feel. Other than my TA on the Allure, all of my Royal Caribbean cruises have been on Radiance of Vision class ships, roughly the same size as the Vista/Signature ships, so I look to Voyager Class ships with a disadvantage.

 

I must say I'm not a fan of Celebrity, but will try to answer anyway. I frankly don't know what I would do in your case, but would probably go with the Explorer since I've never seen that class:

 

Entertainment: I'm drawing a bit of a blank here. RCI entertainment was quite different on the Allure and I'm not sure where the Explorer fits in the spectrum. The Allure featured full length musicals, a bit too much for me after a long dinner, but others liked them. I think Mama Mia was about 2 1/2 hours, making it a long day for me. Allure shows also required reservations, something not required with the other RCI ships I've sailed. Their entertainment was much like that on Celebrity but with less emphasis on aerial acts. I also know RCI's Schooner Bar was a pretty nice piano bar (a bit of a step down from HAL). I don't remember that on Celebrity.

 

I do like the Centrum on Celebrity, Vision, and Radiance class ships. Allure and Voyager/Freedom class ships have something called Royal Promenade,something like a section of mall. I prefer the centrum.

 

Activities: On Celebrity not that different from HAL. A lot of the activities on Royal run to the pool type, like bellyflop and sexy man contests.

 

Dining: I did not really see a lot of difference although I like the cold soups on Royal (as on HAL) and saw them only in Aqua on Celebrity. I think Chops Steak House is a step down from the Pinnacle Grill but still very nice.

 

One of the things I really missed on Celebrity was a decent place to walk. My experience with that has been Royal's ships are better at that.

 

I probably haven't been a lot of help but I'll try to answer any questions I've pointed you to.

 

Roy

[Old As Dirt Mom]

OK.......

One of the things I really missed on Celebrity was a decent place to walk. My experience with that has been Royal's ships are better at that.

I probably haven't been a lot of help but I'll try to answer any questions I've pointed you to.

 

Roy

 

Roy, you've been a lot of help, and I appreciate the time you took to answer. I love the wrap-around promenade on HAL, as you do, and I love that HAL has so much open deck space. I agree with you that Infinity is lacking in that regard, and it looks as if the Explorer has more outside decks available for walking.

 

Qsuzi, thanks for the links and information above.

 

Food for thought.

[rafinmd]

One thing I missed that may or may not make a difference. Royal's Casinos seem to be a bit on the smoky side (more than on HAL in my experience). If you use the casino a lot, that might make a difference.

 

Roy

[flatcircle]

Some additional comments....

Although we prefer HAL, we have taken 3 RCI cruises & EOS was one of them. We thought the evening entertainment was quite good & enjoyed the novelty of the ice show. Of course food is quite subjective, but were very disappointed with EOS -- dining staff always got our meals orders incorrect and found the entrée offerings had limited appeal for us. We had an very nice aft balcony, (don't remember the exact room number) with an excellent room steward.

Marge

[Aquahound]

Hi Roy -

 

I've got a hold on two identical Pacific Coastal 7-day itineraries from Seattle, my home port. One is on Celebrity's Infinity, the other is on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas (Voyager-class ship). I am familiar with the Celebrity product, but not at all with Royal Caribbean. I know you have traveled with RCCL before, and would appreciate your thoughts. If anyone else wants to pitch in, please do.

 

Thank you.

 

Edited to add that the Infinity leaves from Vancouver, Explorer from Seattle, but both are round trips that would entail no flying, always a plus.

 

I've cruised HAL, and I've been on both the Explorer and 3 of Infinity's sister ships.

 

First the Explorer. It is unlike anything in the HAL Fleet. It is a huge ship with a ton of wow factor. The Royal Promenade is amazing, as is the grand, 3 story dining room and the huge main theater. The outside promenade not only goes all the way around, it goes out onto the bow heli-pad. The heli-pad is always open, so you can go out there anytime you like. The Cafe Promenade is open 24/7. The ice show is amazing and unlike anything you have ever seen on HAL. The stateroom TVs are interactive, the live entertainment is abundant and great, and the Flowrider is fun to watch....or use if you dare. ;) No smoking on balconies. Interior smoking is only allowed in the casino. No indoor pool though. If you've never sailed RCI, you'll be in awe at the size of the venues.

 

Next the Infinity. The Infinity is much closer to a HAL experience. The ship is really nice, but with no frills. The aft dining room with the huge 2 story aft windows is beautiful. Service is excellent and the food is really good. Like HAL, there is a large, glassed in solarium pool. Unlike HAL, that indoor pool is a thalassotherapy pool and is free to use. Smoking is not allowed on balconies, nor anywhere inside the ship. It is the most restrictive smoking policy of any major cruise line. The outdoor promenade does not go all the way around.

 

Feel free to ask any questions. I can also post pictures if there's anything specific you're interest in. :)

Edited December 8, 2015 by Aquahound

[qsuzi]

I've cruised HAL, and I've been on both the Explorer and 3 of Infinity's sister ships.

 

First the Explorer. It is unlike anything in the HAL Fleet. It is a huge ship with a ton of wow factor. The Royal Promenade is amazing, as is the grand, 3 story dining room and the huge main theater. The outside promenade not only goes all the way around, it goes out onto the bow heli-pad. The heli-pad is always open, so you can go out there anytime you like. The Cafe Promenade is open 24/7. The ice show is amazing and unlike anything you have ever seen on HAL. The stateroom TVs are interactive, the live entertainment is abundant and great, and the Flowrider is fun to watch....or use if you dare. ;) No smoking on balconies. Interior smoking is only allowed in the casino. No indoor pool though. If you've never sailed RCI, you'll be in awe at the size of the venues.

 

Next the Infinity. The Infinity is much closer to a HAL experience. The ship is really nice, but with no frills. The aft dining room with the huge 2 story aft windows is beautiful. Service is excellent and the food is really good. Like HAL, there is a large, glassed in solarium pool. Unlike HAL, that indoor pool is a thalassotherapy pool and is free to use. Smoking is not allowed on balconies, nor anywhere inside the ship. It is the most restrictive smoking policy of any major cruise line. The outdoor promenade does not go all the way around.

 

Feel free to ask any questions. I can also post pictures if there's anything specific you're interest in. :)

 

Just to expound on your very informative comments, RCI is known for having some of the best entertainment at sea. Even though the EOS does not have the Broadway type entertainment like the Oasis, Allure, etc. it is very good. You can reserve times to skate and as you know the ice skating show is very good; we never miss it. Please remind me can you book your onboard shows on the internet about 90 days before your cruise or is this only on some RCI ships. I assume there is still a parade one evening in the promenade?

Edited December 8, 2015 by qsuzi

[Old As Dirt Mom]

We're neither smokers nor gamblers. We are however, excellent drinkers:D So we appreciate good bar/sommelier service. We enjoy good food (who doesn't?;)), but we're not gourmet foodie types. I hate feeling crowded on a ship, and that's my concern with the Explorer. I know they recently refurbished that ship this past spring, and in the process added something like 80 new cabins?

 

Thanks for all the very helpful replies!

Edited December 8, 2015 by middle-aged mom

[Aquahound]

We're neither smokers nor gamblers. We are however, excellent drinkers:D So we appreciate good bar/sommelier service. We enjoy good food (who doesn't?;)), but we're not gourmet foodie types. I hate feeling crowded on a ship, and that's my concern with the Explorer. I know they recently refurbished that ship this past spring, and in the process added something like 80 new cabins?

 

Thanks for all the very helpful replies!

 

One thing that RCI is very good at is keeping crowds separated. Yes, there's a lot of people on board, but remember how big the ship is. Between the Explorer and Infinity, Explorer is the more crowded ship but I wouldn't say it's bad. I hate crowds and I never had a problem on Voyager Class ships.

 

Just to expound on your very informative comments, RCI is known for having some of the best entertainment at sea. Even though the EOS does not have the Broadway type entertainment like the Oasis, Allure, etc. it is very good. You can reserve times to skate and as you know the ice skating show is very good; we never miss it. Please remind me can you book your onboard shows on the internet about 90 days before your cruise or is this only on some RCI ships. I assume there is still a parade one evening in the promenade?

 

I totally agree with your additional comments. RCI knows how to entertain people. :) No, Explorer is not a reservation ship. Yes, Explorer does do parades. Whether or not it's a Dreamworks ship, I don't know but either way they do still have parades.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Thanks to Rafinmd, Aquahound, Qsuzi, and Flatcircle for your very helpful responses to my request. You helped me make a decision for the Explorer of the Seas, round trip Seattle Pacific Coastal next September. Looking forward to trying something new.:) If HAL offered longer round trip Pacific coastal itineraries I'd probably be on a HAL ship, but they don't, so I won't:) Flowrider surfing and rock wall climbing, here I come!:D

[Aquahound]

Thanks to Rafinmd, Aquahound, Qsuzi, and Flatcircle for your very helpful responses to my request. You helped me make a decision for the Explorer of the Seas, round trip Seattle Pacific Coastal next September. Looking forward to trying something new.:) If HAL offered longer round trip Pacific coastal itineraries I'd probably be on a HAL ship, but they don't, so I won't:) Flowrider surfing and rock wall climbing, here I come!:D

 

Great decision. I'll never forget my first cruise on a Voyager Class ship. You're going to love it. :)

[rafinmd]

Early Bon Voyage. Since you mentioned you are familiar with Celebrity are you perhaps Select or better on Captains Club? If so, your status will be transferrable to Royal. Select converts to Platinum which is not really a big deal but it does get you invited to a "Welcome Back" Cocktail Party as well as a nicer "Top Tier" party as well as some discounts and a lounge for disembarkation.

 

It doesn't sound like you would be Celebrity Elite but that gets you quite a bit of nice stuff. The basic Captains Club tier though gets you nothing.

 

Kind of analogous to starting with HAL after another Carnival brand in that you get the membership status with 0 points and don't move up until you have the required points with Royal.

 

Roy

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Early Bon Voyage. Since you mentioned you are familiar with Celebrity are you perhaps Select or better on Captains Club? If so, your status will be transferrable to Royal. Select converts to Platinum which is not really a big deal but it does get you invited to a "Welcome Back" Cocktail Party as well as a nicer "Top Tier" party as well as some discounts and a lounge for disembarkation.

 

It doesn't sound like you would be Celebrity Elite but that gets you quite a bit of nice stuff. The basic Captains Club tier though gets you nothing.

 

Kind of analogous to starting with HAL after another Carnival brand in that you get the membership status with 0 points and don't move up until you have the required points with Royal.

 

Roy

 

Good thinking; I'll check it out. I'm still fairly low on the Celebrity totem pole. We will be staying in an OS (owner's suite) on the Explorer, so I think we'll get some perks either way.

 

Karin

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Great decision. I'll never forget my first cruise on a Voyager Class ship. You're going to love it. :)

 

RCCL should give you a commission. Your posts definitely influenced the decision:D

[Aquahound]

Good thinking; I'll check it out. I'm still fairly low on the Celebrity totem pole. We will be staying in an OS (owner's suite) on the Explorer, so I think we'll get some perks either way.

 

Absolutely. You'll have access to the Concierge Lounge. The concierge can take care of any concerns or problems you have on board, make bookings, etc. There is a capuccino machine, free, for you to use 24/7. Between the hours of 5 and 8:30 nightly, hors-d'oeuvres are served and all alcohol is free. The concierge should contact you the week before your cruise to introduce him/herself and ask if you have any pre-cruise questions. You'll have reserved seating in theaters and near the main pools, priority embarkation/debarkation, special room service menu, etc. Suite cruising on RCI is a really nice experience.

 

RCCL should give you a commission. Your posts definitely influenced the decision

 

Ha! If only. ;)

Edited December 8, 2015 by Aquahound

[Lizzie68]

I have never been on the Explorer of the Seas, my experiences have been on the Mariner OTS (several times before she went to the Med) and the Radiance OTS, both midsize ships and both lovely. I have to agree with what was said before about entertainment overall on RCI being excellent, and space ratio makes it never seem crowded. The only time I ever felt it was crowded was when there was a Lido deck sale on. I avoid those anyway. The 24/7 Cafe Promenade is a great option for lunch or snack anytime. Be sure to reserve for the Ice Show if you have one - amazing entertainment.:)

[qsuzi]

Good thinking; I'll check it out. I'm still fairly low on the Celebrity totem pole. We will be staying in an OS (owner's suite) on the Explorer, so I think we'll get some perks either way.

 

Karin

As part of checking what your level will be on RCI, check to see if you are eligible for a discount off your cruise price when you book a balcony or above cabin. Ours is $225 (Diamond level). The 24/7 Promenade Cafe is great for people watching and for getting snacks, light meal, free or speciality coffee.

Edited December 8, 2015 by qsuzi

[qsuzi]

Absolutely. You'll have access to the Concierge Lounge. The concierge can take care of any concerns or problems you have on board, make bookings, etc. There is a capuccino machine, free, for you to use 24/7. Between the hours of 5 and 8:30 nightly, hors-d'oeuvres are served and all alcohol is free. The concierge should contact you the week before your cruise to introduce him/herself and ask if you have any pre-cruise questions. You'll have reserved seating in theaters and near the main pools, priority embarkation/debarkation, special room service menu, etc. Suite cruising on RCI is a really nice experience.

Ha! If only. ;)

Do they also load 3 drinks in your card for those who choose not to go the lounge? If yes, are the hours to use it restricted to lounge hours? Also, on our June cruise on the Jewel some in the concierge lounge came to the Diamond Lounge because it was less crowded, it had a view, bar to order any type free liquor, and hors-d'oeuvres.

Edited December 8, 2015 by qsuzi

[qsuzi]

As part of checking what your level will be on RCI, check to see if you are eligible for a discount off your cruise price when you book a balcony or above cabin. Ours is $225 (Diamond level). The 24/7 Promenade Cafe is great for people watching and for getting snacks, light meal, free or speciality coffee.

 

Tho $ discount may only apply to those who reached the level via RCI and not via Celebrity reciprocity.

[Aquahound]

Do they also load 3 drinks in your card for those who choose not to go the lounge? If yes, are the hours to use it restricted to lounge hours? Also, on our June cruise on the Jewel some in the concierge lounge came to the Diamond Lounge because it was less crowded, it had a view, bar to order any type free liquor, and hors-d'oeuvres.

 

I really don't know. I know they do that for Diamond and up, but I don't know about suites. I think so, but I'm not sure. And yes, if it is uploaded on the card, the free drinks are only during those hours.