Celebrity or NCL?

[Maya1234]

I am posting this on the NCL board also because I know each board tends to attract its own boosters. I am trying to decide between an NCL (Epic Haven 2 bedroom family) and the Celebrity Edge (Sky Suite).

 

I know the Edge is not even in operation yet, but I'm looking for any general thoughts/pros and cons of NCL vs Celebrity.

 

Price is NOT a factor for us in choosing the cruise. This is a Western Med itinerary and the NCL and Celebrity are close enough that we don't think that's much of a factor either.

[dabear]

There are many posts on this subject on both the X and NCL threads.

We've traveled on both but not in the Haven which will be larger than a sky suite. Other X suites may be more comparable. In general, X is better food and service with a more upscale feel. NCL has better entertainment.

[portcbob]

Have travelled with both lines. Slightly favor celebrity but not by luch.

Food better imo.

Ncl has better entertainment.

PS. Probably the itinerary would decide the difference.

[ECCruise]

Have sailed Celebrity 25 times or so, NCL 15 or so. No one has sailed Edge yet, so that makes that direct comparison impossible.

 

However, having sailed both Sky Suite on =X= and 2 BR suites on NCL, they are not in the same ballpark. The Sky Suite is basically just a larger balcony cabin. The 2 BR NCL suites are about double that size, with a living room, dining room table, large master BR and a quite small 2nd BR. 2 full baths.

 

Dining? We like Luminae and the Haven restaurant equally. Same level service, same food quality. Bonus for =X= is the menu, although small, changes. The Haven menu is more extensive but is fixed. Haven restaurant is open for every meal, every day. Luminae is not open for lunch on port days.

 

No one has any idea what the suite "private areas" on Edge will be like. On Epic, they are wonderful, and extensive (private courtyard and private sundeck, 3 dedicated bars, it's own gym, etc. etc.). Butler service equal on both lines.

 

Have no way to comment on Edge, but honestly, we did NOT like the total Epic experience, save the Haven. Loved all our other NCL cruises and will continue to sail them. There simply is not the huge difference between the 2 lines that some (usually with a whopping 1 cruise on the line). However, the Epic just didn't ring our bell due to crowds. Will that happen on Edge? No way of knowing, but but part of the problem on Epic was the large amount of spaced dedicated to the Haven (and robbed from the rest of the ship). It appears that Edge will be going in that same direction since it appears to be very suite-centric.

[OCruisers]

Cruised on both lines and would most likely to pick X ... expecially for your itinerary.

[4774Papa]

We cruise both lines and have also done one on Royal Caribbean. Celebrity is still our cruise line of choice. Royal does have great entertainment, perhaps better than NCL.

 

Both cruise lines have raised their prices, except for repos or transatlantic cruises by bundling expensive drink packages that we don't want.

 

Still, it is good to compare prices and itineraries as well as the ships.

 

The Epic has great entertainment, but you have to make reservations for a lot of it. We prefer Celebrity where reservations are not made.

 

Celebrity excels in dining and service, but NCL in entertainment.

 

As for ships, the Epic is a clunky design that seemed to make us feel crowded when in public places. The main pool area is too small for the number of passengers on the ship and virtually unusable, especially with the very loud music played.

 

Haven't done the Edge, but it looks amazing.

[Maya1234]

These responses are very helpful and I truly appreciate the time you all are taking to answer.

[Duanerice1]

I'd jump at the chance to sail in the Haven 2 bedroom. That room would be head and shoulders better than a sky suite. Main stream cruise lines are not as different as most people think especially when it comes to suites.

 

We pretty much just sail Celebrity anymore but have sailed with most lines and would again. Haven't been on NCL in years and probably only would if we were in the Haven.

 

enjoy whatever you decide.

[dkjretired]

These responses are very helpful and I truly appreciate the time you all are taking to answer.

 

Also done both and agree with others food is better on Celebrity, entertainment on NCL. For me Celebrity’s smoking policy is far superior no smoking indoors, cabins or on Verandas. NCL was like being in a chimney.

[WEGL81]

Have sailed Celebrity 25 times or so, NCL 15 or so. No one has sailed Edge yet, so that makes that direct comparison impossible.

 

 

 

However, having sailed both Sky Suite on =X= and 2 BR suites on NCL, they are not in the same ballpark. The Sky Suite is basically just a larger balcony cabin. The 2 BR NCL suites are about double that size, with a living room, dining room table, large master BR and a quite small 2nd BR. 2 full baths.

 

 

 

Dining? We like Luminae and the Haven restaurant equally. Same level service, same food quality. Bonus for =X= is the menu, although small, changes. The Haven menu is more extensive but is fixed. Haven restaurant is open for every meal, every day. Luminae is not open for lunch on port days.

 

 

 

No one has any idea what the suite "private areas" on Edge will be like. On Epic, they are wonderful, and extensive (private courtyard and private sundeck, 3 dedicated bars, it's own gym, etc. etc.). Butler service equal on both lines.

 

 

 

Have no way to comment on Edge, but honestly, we did NOT like the total Epic experience, save the Haven. Loved all our other NCL cruises and will continue to sail them. There simply is not the huge difference between the 2 lines that some (usually with a whopping 1 cruise on the line). However, the Epic just didn't ring our bell due to crowds. Will that happen on Edge? No way of knowing, but but part of the problem on Epic was the large amount of spaced dedicated to the Haven (and robbed from the rest of the ship). It appears that Edge will be going in that same direction since it appears to be very suite-centric.

 

 

We loved the Haven on the Epic, but once you leave the Haven, the rest of the Epic is dark and very claustrophobic. We did enjoy both the comedy show and the cirque show, but not much else outside the Haven.

[cynbar]

We overall prefer Celebrity and Princess but really enjoyed our 2 NCL cruises, both in the Med. Service has been good for us on all lines, particularly in the suites. Food in the MDRs is better on Celebrity, but since you'd be in a suite on NCL, I think you'd find the food comparable on both lines. Our Med cruises were port intensive, and we especially like the more relaxed dress code on NCL after our long touring days.

[davekathy]

Celebrity.

[NoNoJo55]

Celebrity no question!

 

 

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[Banjo]

When my job had my on the Gulf Coast we did a lot cruising out of New Orleans on NCL. Then I retired about 7 years ago, moved and we decided to try other cruise lines. Tried Celebrity & Princess and don't even think about returning to NCL.

[Lastdance]

I really enjoy Celebrity and the layout of their S class ships and being in a corner aft S1 suite. NCL just isn’t a good fit for my DH and I and we no longer cruise on any of the ships due to layout and having so many other choices.

 

 

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[Orator]

Haven't been on NCL for quite some time. Had food poisoning my last two NCL cruises and that was it!

[67Miner]

I like the hallway carpets on the NCL ships. The fish are all swimming forward. And I like the 24/7 cafe, O'Sheehan's, and its tasty grilled Reuben sandwiches. And I like the atrium entertainment venue where there's adequate seating to enjoy the music. X is still my preferred cruise line but NCL it cannot compete with the service or food quality that offers (although I did have a nice inch-thick prime rib cooked to perfection on the NCL Star last year).

[lenquixote66]

I am posting this on the NCL board also because I know each board tends to attract its own boosters. I am trying to decide between an NCL (Epic Haven 2 bedroom family) and the Celebrity Edge (Sky Suite).

 

I know the Edge is not even in operation yet, but I'm looking for any general thoughts/pros and cons of NCL vs Celebrity.

 

Price is NOT a factor for us in choosing the cruise. This is a Western Med itinerary and the NCL and Celebrity are close enough that we don't think that's much of a factor either.

 

We have been on e Celebrity and 3 NCL ships . I definitely would choose Celebrity .The food and service were much better .

[WonderMan3]

I was an NCL cruiser 5 times before switching to Celebrity in 2013. Our last cruise before switching was on Epic in its inaugural year. We tried NCL again this year due to a special casino rate. We sailed on Getaway. Here are my comments from an earlier post a few days after we got off the ship with ratings from 1 to 10. I’ve added small comparisons to Celebrity.

 

 

Ship - 8 (layout a little confusing in places; didn’t like how casino winds through hallways) Definitely prefer Celebrity S-class ships layout except for the lack of elevators aft. NCL only had two sets also but they were forward and aft.

 

Service - 8 (no superstars but everyone was friendly and efficient)

I’d rank Celebrity service a notch above NCL as we have had multiple amazing service experiences but only one that stands out from all our NCL cruises.

 

Food - 7 (great choices, buffet was terrible, La Cucina my husband had a bad experience and it had the worst service)

Food quality definitely better on Celebrity. Luminae beats Haven restaurant, Celebrity’s buffet is light years better than NCL, Tuscan Grille better than La Cucina but on par with Cagney’s. Murano and Le Bistro on par. Celebrity’s MDR is far better than NCL’s.

 

Cabin - 9 (we had aft Penthouse cabin 11908. Amazing cabin! Best balcony ever with most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on. Living area and shower a little tight otherwise it would’ve been 10)

NCL definitely does suite cabins better as far as comfort, space and amenities. My gripe with them is location. Most suites are at the front of the ships with balconies facing forward. The best cabins were the aft suites like we had but then it’s a haul to get to the Haven. Celebrity’s balcony sizes are more generous on the whole. The aft suites on NCL were the exception. Ours was enormous.

 

Haven - 8 (would’ve been higher but for the butler who was non-existent; cabin was not inside Haven and that made for a haul so we did not use the facilities as often, but it is very relaxing to hang out there; service not as personalized though as Suite class on Celebrity)

Can’t fully compare this experience until the Retreat launches on Edge.

 

Entertainment - 8 (we only did Cirque Dreams which was cool but I give them props for all the choices)

NCL definitely wins on the entertainment side. Celebrity really needs to step it up in this area especially when contrasted with sister brand RCCL.

 

Atmosphere - 1 (this really dragged down the whole cruise - the passengers were beyond abominable, it was like sailing in a drunk fraternity house; people intoxicated everywhere running around and screaming down hallways, the main public areas of the ship were so crowded all the time save for port days - I have never seen a more crowded pool area on a ship in my life - wall to wall bodies, people dressed in t-shirts and flip-flops and baseball caps at some of the nicer restaurants like Cagney’s, and I literally saw one man sitting near a bar area one day picking his toes! I am dead serious. Our cabin at the back of the ship and The Haven area were respites from this craziness. But even in The Haven evenings their bar would get full of drunks yelling loudly. It was basically what I always envisioned a Carnival cruise to be.)

Celebrity’s atmosphere is what I have always called “comfortably elegant” and this is one of the key things that keep us coming back.

 

Overall we had a good time on Getaway but because of the last item above we will never take another NCL cruise again unless it is 10 days or more, or possibly a 7 day cruise in Europe when kids are still in school. When we have done 10 and 14 day NCL cruises in the past we did not encounter passengers like this.

 

As far as NCL vs. Celebrity, there is no contest for us. Celebrity wins by a mile as being desirable for us. But NCL does have the edge with their wide choice of dining venues (even though Celebrity’s food is superior), having The Haven concept (which Celebrity will start to mirror with The Retreat on Edge) and their entertainment choices. But we prefer Celebrity’s much more calm (but not stuffy) atmosphere.

 

 

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[AusQueen]

The over all survey of the top 10 cruise liners for 2018 has come out here on Cruise Critic. Celebrity was consistently on it - on all the categories ( always within the top 10). The only time Norwegian came up was for entertainment amongst the top 10...surprise surprise - with the Jewel. Here is the link.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?Category=Overall

[AusQueen]

 

As far as NCL vs. Celebrity, there is no contest for us. Celebrity wins by a mile as being desirable for us. But NCL does have the edge with their wide choice of dining venues (even though Celebrity’s food is superior), having The Haven concept (which Celebrity will start to mirror with The Retreat on Edge) and their entertainment choices. But we prefer Celebrity’s much more calm (but not stuffy) atmosphere.

 

 

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Totally agree. Celebrity wins by a mile. It is sad because NCL was good.