Going back to the start!

[Swampduck]

Hi everyone :)

 

We are thinking of going back to where we first started cruising and doing a RCI cruise this August, for one reason only and this is cost! I can't believe the price that Celebrity are charging at the minute and I guess if people are willing to pay almost double what was charged last year, then those prices will stay!

So, I am thinking of going back to Royal. My question to you is: Have you ever went back and if so, how did you find Royal Caribbean compared with Celebrity? The ship we are looking at is Brillance of the Seas.

All this said, when we done our very first cruise with RCI on the Adventure of the Seas, there was nothing that I could fault - but after being spoilt by Celebrity, will we still find it so!

What do you think??

 

Thanks in advance :o

[Bo1953]

It is all about expectations.... yours specifically.

 

If cost is the issue, so be it, go and have fun and not look back.

 

bon voyage

[barneyboy]

We did four cruises with Royal Caribbean with our then teenage son. My husband and I then went on Celebrity Constellation. Last year we got a great last minute deal on RCI Vision of the Seas - round trip from Venice.

 

We have enjoyed all our cruises and would not hesitate to go on Royal Caribbean again, although we have two booked with Celebrity for this year. We found the service in the Vision just as good as on the Constellation, and the MDR food was almost as good. The buffet on Celebrity seemed to have more choice, and we love the Martini bar.

 

We feel the only drawback with Royal Caribbean was the number of very large multi generational family groups on board. All our cruises have been in Europe, and I think this is quite a European thing. It meant that the dining room was sometimes very noisy. There were also a lot of children running around the atrium and some of the lounges during the later part of the evening.

 

 

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[Cruise Raider]

We cruise quite often and Celebrity is, by far, our favorite cruise line. We sailed on Royal Caribbean recently after about 10 years since our last cruise with that line. We did enjoy ourselves but noticed lines, lines, lines for everything we wanted to do. And those crowds were so crazy ... it felt so crowded all the time. We weren't as crazy about the food on RCCL either.

But, with all that being said, wow ... what a beautiful ship we sailed on ... the Explorer of the Seas. I loved the promenade and the ice skating show. Our room steward was nothing short of excellent. The maintenance of their ships shows they care (not indicating Celebrity doesn't maintain their ships well, though).

We are sailing on RCCL again later this year, sandwiched in between 2 cruises on Celebrity and know we will enjoy ourselves on all future cruises. I won't be disappointed and will just plan out my time a little better to control how much time I spend in lines and won't attend those events that are so crowded that there is standing room only. Who knows, I might be really pleasantly surprised.

 

And ... not sure what Celebrity cruises you are looking at but I've found that for the ones I sail on, there are oftentimes really great deals shortly after final payment dates have passed. I am sailing on Celebrity in the near future and the pricing for a balcony room went from over $4300 pp down to under $1700 pp after final payment date. It doesn't happen on all of them but keep your eyes peeled for these price drops if you really want to go on Celebrity. Only bad thing is about that .. you have to be rather flexible with your dates and itineraries.

[BettyLou260]

I have sailed RCCL twice since 2015 due to trips with our high school/college age kids. We knew there would be more for them to do on a RCCL sailing. I honestly liked some things better on RCCL and some things are better on Celebrity. I think Celebrity has a slight edge over RCCL in the MDR. I've not done specialty dining so I can't comment on that. Those over 21 in our party had a drink package, and we had a shorter wait at the RCCL bar then on Celebrity. I think this is due to the number of families and kids...so the number of kids does work in your favor at the bar. :) The things I missed most of all from Celebrity were some minor things...like having to use your seapass card to get (slightly thinner) towels; not having a table with drinks and towels set up near the gangway; no cotton hand towels in the bathrooms; no sommelier in the MDR; relaxed dress code everywhere; no champagne or mimosa upon boarding; fewer roaming bar servers, although this wasn't a problem since the wait at the bar was almost non-existent. All in all, given the right price, I would definitely sail RCCL with just my husband, but I would recommend a longer sailing (7 days or more) and a sailing that is not during school holidays.

[Mr. Click]

We did 3 cruises with RCI starting about 9-10 years ago. All on the Serenade, all Southern Caribbean out of San Juan. All very nice. Then we did one Celebrity cruise on the Equinox in the Med for the itinerary. Wowed by it, our next San Juan cruise was on the Summit and we were hooked on X. About 4 years ago friends invited us to join them on the Allure to experience the mega ship thing, we went and were really disappointed in the whole experience. Since then we have gone with X in the Baltic, Australia/New Zealand, the Med, again, different itinerary, Alaska, going to China/Korea/Japan next money and to Adriatic and Med in Sept. Yes, it is more expensive but I won't go back to Royal after our Allure experience. I tis no bargain if I go home unhappy with the trip. After the Allure trip we were one point away from moving up from Gold but it was not worth it to us to make even a 3 day trip so we have stuck with X, been very happy and will be Elite after the cruise next month.

[awhfy]

We didn't cruise on Royal until we were Elite on Celebrity. Our first Royal was Navigator out of Galveston & we had a great time. But I think we had such a good time because of the folks we were with. The following year we went on Liberty on her first voyage out of Galveston. We got stuck in Select dining that time, separated from most of our friends. It really made a difference with our enjoyment. This April we're back on Liberty for a b2b with our good friends & we're back in traditional dining. Our biggest complaint with a Royal is that smoking is still allowed in the casino. Of course, I can't really complain, I save a lot of money on Royal cause I don't gamble!

 

 

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[Alsmez]

Interesting thread. We are Celebrity fans but are considering RCCL for a last-minute Bermuda trip out of NJ/NY. We would go before schools are out for the summer, but I still worry about the number of kids and overall lack of "luxury" as compared to X. Looking forward to more responses, but it sounds to me like we would be better off on Summit than Anthem (those are the only two ships we're considering to Bermuda).

[champagne123]

Interesting thread. We are Celebrity fans but are considering RCCL for a last-minute Bermuda trip out of NJ/NY. We would go before schools are out for the summer, but I still worry about the number of kids and overall lack of "luxury" as compared to X. Looking forward to more responses, but it sounds to me like we would be better off on Summit than Anthem (those are the only two ships we're considering to Bermuda).

 

I am probably the only person that did not care for the Anthem. No particular reason...just wasn't crazy about it. We did however, love the Summit to Bermuda. Service was much better if that is important to you.

[villauk]

I think that if you go on the Royal ship with the mindset of comparing everything against X, then you will spoil your vacation. We have sailed on Brilliance (I think it's 3 times - must check my signature) and we've loved every cruise. In fact she holds a special place in our hearts being our first ever sailing :).

 

We did a B2B once from FL, disembarked Silhouette and then walked across to Indy. Unfortunately, because we'd had such fabulous service on X, all we did was compare it to Royal's lacklustre efforts. Now I must add here that Indy is probably our least favourite Royal ship. We can't put our finger on it, and we've even given her a second chance by taking another cruise on her to see if it was just the comparison with Silhouette, but no, she's just not to our liking.

 

Now we thoroughly enjoyed our time on the mega ship Oasis (I know others don't like the huge beasts :D). However, I think if you're organised and pre-reserve all those must-sees before you embark, then you can have a wonderful time - back to the 'horses for courses' saying ;).

 

So if you intend to compare everything with your previous X sailings, then reconsider whether the price difference alone is the most important consideration when choosing your vacation ;).

[wallie5446]

We sail between both. 1st RCCL in 1989, last in 2011, we are Diamond. 1st Celebrity in 1994, last 3 and next, we are Elite.

 

We find RCCL has a 'busy' or hurried feel to it. Not anything bad, where Celebrity is more laid back.

 

We do feel more crowded on RCCL. The dining food quality is hard to tell apart, the Filet in Chops is one of the best cuts of meat we have had at sea. We like the flow and design of the Celebrity buffet better.

[bobndee]

Our first two cruises were on RCI. Last fall we went back to the Grandeur of the Seas for a fall foliage cruise. While the cruise itself was fine we both came away feeling that we are no longer in the demographic targeted by RCI.

 

There was no one thing, just an accumulation of little things that built up into an overall impression. It's hard to put into words. :(

 

Added to that impression is the fact that we aren't interested in the mega-ships that RCI is enamored of.

[WINGFAN728]

I have done about 15 RCI and loved them, but I go on a cruise to have a good time. I may spend months reading the boards, preparing lists, but once I go, I let go. Alot has to do with my age, and many times the crowd on the ship, but I feel like I have grown out of RCI, I was younger, single, and many times traveling alone. Loved the party of RCI, I am now a Celebrity cruiser, but someday hope to sail Seabourn or Crystal. I would do another Windstar for sure and who know what else may come in the future.....

[chemmo]

We cruised RC for many years before a few less than good cruises on Allure and Freedom...We moved to Celebrity and had not cruised RC again until two weeks ago (Oasis).

 

We are suite cruisers and I think this will bias my response....

 

We dined 4 nights in specialities and 3 in Coastal Kitchen. Food OK but not outstanding. Our couple of visits to the buffet were awful owing to lack of seating....really not good, on one occasion staff were not opening up the other side despite many guests wondering around with plates...

 

Our room Aqua Suite was beautiful, well maintained and serviced well. Room attendant very good.

 

Entertainment was really good. We are not 'show' people but really enjoyed the Aqua show and the Ice show.

 

General ambiance much livelier than X but not as loud as our last RC cruises. Quite a lot of older guests and families with young children.

 

We enjoyed a change. For us it was a cheaper cruise as we were happy with a mid range rather than the top suites we tend to book with Celebrity. No drinks package and the cost of the dining package, however, do need to be considered.

 

We enjoyed our 'change'. We are glad, however, our next few cruises are on Celebrity. We simply did not enjoy the dining as much, the ambiance or suite lounge as much as Michael's Club.

 

Would we cruise RC again? Yes, if the price was right, there was a special itinerary or the focus of the cruise was simply a bit of Winter sunshine....

 

It was an OK cruise, we had no real issues or complaints....but we wouldn't enthuse about it either. We did not feel the same 'glow' we feel on an X cruise if that makes sense.

[ProfessorEFFE]

To the OP you had said it's because of the cost you're thinking of going RCI. I have been on the Brilliance, in a suite (a low end one) and LOVED the cruise. Consider the cost, after the cruise run the numbers and see if this cruise on RCI actually did in fact cost less. As with everything if the freebies don't turn you on like a mimosa or glass of champagne on boarding isn't your thing nor cold towels etc. then why pay for them? If you DO like them they are not free. They may be included in the price of your stateroom, but they are not free.

[Alsmez]

I am probably the only person that did not care for the Anthem. No particular reason...just wasn't crazy about it. We did however, love the Summit to Bermuda. Service was much better if that is important to you.

 

You're definitely not the only one - reviews on CC are very mixed on the Anthem. We like the idea of some of the activities offered on board, but I know the rock climbing walls and ziplines are there to attract kids and families, and that is NOT our preferred demographic. We would go before school is out but even so, I have a feeling we would find it too crowded and kid-friendly for our tastes. Great service and a relaxing atmosphere are two of our most sought-after qualities in a cruise, and it sounds as though we're more likely to find them on Summit than Anthem. Thanks!

[conquesodor]

I've looked at RCI cruises when shopping around, but I have a hard time imagining that I would enjoy one. While RCI's many ships are not all the same, I really dislike the mega-ship concept that they seem to love. What I dislike the most is how they appear to be floating shopping malls and amusement parks, rather than cruise ships. I like cruising (and =X= particularly) because of the unique character and qualities of travelling by sea, and would rather not have that experience replaced with something as commonplace as mall shopping or visiting six flags. The food, cabins, service, etc., could be just as good as =X=, but if the atmosphere is like the Mall of America, I'll be miserable. If anyone thinks my fears are overblown, I'll be glad to hear why.

[villauk]

I've looked at RCI cruises when shopping around, but I have a hard time imagining that I would enjoy one. While RCI's many ships are not all the same, I really dislike the mega-ship concept that they seem to love. What I dislike the most is how they appear to be floating shopping malls and amusement parks, rather than cruise ships. I like cruising (and =X= particularly) because of the unique character and qualities of travelling by sea, and would rather not have that experience replaced with something as commonplace as mall shopping or visiting six flags. The food, cabins, service, etc., could be just as good as =X=, but if the atmosphere is like the Mall of America, I'll be miserable. If anyone thinks my fears are overblown, I'll be glad to hear why.

 

The ship the OP is referring to is not one of the new mega ships and actually has more connection with the sea, mainly due to its large areas of glass :).

[teecee60]

After 9 cruises totaling over 140 nights on Celebrity, I switched to Royal for the last 4 cruises totaling 55 nights. The whole experience was value driven... Royal has had lower prices so I booked with them.

 

I really, REALLY, *R*E*A*L*L*Y miss the incredible beauty of S Class ships... along with the Sunset and Martini bars on Celebrity. On the other hand, the benefits of the "Diamond" level on Royal is significantly BETTER than the equal "Elite" level on X. :cool:

 

Both the buffet and MDR food on Celebrity is much, MUCH better than Royal, but specialty dining on X has fallen SSOOO far the last few years, I actually prefer Chops and Giovanni's to Tuscan... something I would have NEVER thought possible just two years ago. :o

 

I have also done 15 nights on Princess recently and was quite satisfied... (but now blown away) and I have another 26 night B2B booked on Royal for April and May.

 

I would have gladly been on the Eclipse transatlantic (as opposed to Brilliance OTS) in April, but as long as Celebrity holds their prices so high for so long, I will probably already have booked somewhere else. :rolleyes: :(

 

That Eclipse T/A was recently priced at $449pp with $300 OBC! ...but the drop was just a little too late.