14 Cruises but never a Celebrity Cruise - Compare Please

[teacher2cruiser]

I have 14 past cruises with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian.  My DH and I are seriously considering  Celebrity  for this summer and for Alaska in summer of 2020.

I would like some Cruise Critic comparisons of the other lines to Celebrity. I'd especially like to hear opinions of service, food, and kids on board.  I will be appreciative to read your opinions. Please and thank you!

Edited October 25, 2018 by teacher2cruiser

[helen haywood]

I’ve sailed all those lines and also HAL, Costa and MSC.  To me they are all more alike than dissimilar.  We no longer are interested in Royal because we don’t have kids and thus aren’t interested in the flow riders, rock climbing walls, etc.  Used to cruise Carnival years ago but not anymore.  Clientele isn’t our fit.  I find Celebrity’s Solstice Class ships to be the most beautiful of any we’ve sailed.  Food is very subjective.  I find the buffet islands on S Class to be very easy and fast to navigate. Celebrity’s specialty restaurants are way overpriced in my opinion.  NCL’s are much more reasonable...but we get fooded out after a few days and become blasé.

 

Regarding Alaska, that is a very unique cruise and I’d select a line and ship based on itinerary.

[AnJ]

Respectfully I’d ask , Oh, please Stop using that font, it’s so very hard to read on a smartphone. I’ve noticed a few posts using similar fonts and I really find them difficult. I don’t want you to think I’m flaming you or being disrespectful, I really care about what you want to say but I just find it much to difficult on a small screen. 

[teacher2cruiser]

7 minutes ago, AnJ said:

Respectfully I’d ask , Oh, please Stop using that font, it’s so very hard to read on a smartphone. I’ve noticed a few posts using similar fonts and I really find them difficult. I don’t want you to think I’m flaming you or being disrespectful, I really care about what you want to say but I just find it much to difficult on a small screen. 

 

I've never had it mentioned before.  I will remember that for future posts.

[AnJ]

Thank you so much. Actually I’ve never noticed it before the new update. 

Edited October 25, 2018 by AnJ

[kenevenpar]

For us, they are not comparable.  We rate =X= as our #1 of the main line companies, and HAL as #1A, or maybe #2.  Of 32 cruises, we have more RCL, followed by =X= then HAL.  We generally do not cruise in summer except to Bermuda.

 

We find =X= food to be generally better, especially in Luminae.  While their specialties are over priced, they are very good, particularly Murano (S class).  The S class ships are modernly eloquent, passengers are genaerally older than the lines you mention, depending on time of year and destination.  When we sail, kids are significantly less prevalent, and other than spring break, very well behaved.  Any specific questions? 

Edited October 25, 2018 by kenevenpar

[Bruin Steve]

I'll take a swing at this one:

I am the veteran of 50+ cruises on 8 different cruise lines...including multiple cruise on Royal Caribbean and Carnival and one on NCL...but my personal favorite cruise line is Celebrity...

First understand that all cruise lines do a lot of the same things--they feed you, entertain you and take you from port to port.  They all have a main dining room, specialty restaurants, a showroom, lounges and bars, shops, swimming pools and jacuzzis, a casino and a spa...

The differences are in how they do things, how well they do them and at who they aim their marketing...There are minor differences in amenities...and a lot of subtle differences that a lot of people just never even recognize...

 

That said, also understand that everyone's criteria and standards are different...

Things like food and entertainment can be very subjective...

So, there really is "a different cruise line for everyone".  For example, there are a lot of Carnival aficionados who think Carnival is the greatest cruise line in the world.  Most of them seem to like the constant noise and activity well into the early morning hours...and they tend to overlook the overcrowding, poor service, tacky decor, constant announcements and corner-cutting... Being part of a 24-hour party is important to them, having space and a refined atmosphere is just not something they care about.  For me, even though I've been on several Carnival cruises, I question my sanity after each one.

 

My wife really likes Royal Caribbean--the entertainment, especially on the big, newer ships is unmatched.  The ships, though having a high number of passengers, are actually well sized for the capacity.

 

But, personally, I think Celebrity stands out as the best experience and best value for the money.  First thing I always look at is the space per passenger and crew per passenger ratios...and it is here where Celebrity really stands out...and in an objective way...Divide the number of passengers into the gross tonnage (a measure of volume or space, not weight) and you get an idea of just how much space there is per passenger--often almost double what you find on Carnival.  This manifests itself in several ways.  On Carnival or Princess, for example, the showrooms don't have enough capacity for the passenger load and, in order to get a seat for a show, one needs to show up a half an hour to an hour ahead of show time.  On Celebrity, for most shows, one can wander into the theater just before curtain and get a fairly good seat.  Space is also more ample in lounges and bars, on the pool deck and elsewhere on the ship...

 

You will find far fewer kids than on Carnival or Royal Caribbean...though there are still many on most sailings--especially during school vacation times--they just seem to be well-handled in an excellent kids and teens program.

 

The service is clearly superior, IMHO, to all of the other mass-market lines.  Food is very subjective...but I think it is clearly at least equal, if not better, than all of those other lines (the only line where I've liked the food more was Oceania--but that is a bit more expensive).

 

JMHO...

Edited October 25, 2018 by Bruin Steve

[killsport]

@teacher2cruiser you didn't provide specifics about your traveling party that might help people hit up things that are of great importance to you, so what you're getting are very good (and probably helpful) generalizations. If you provide the ships/itineraries that you are looking at, members may be able to provide more tailored feedback. For example, going on a Celebrity 7 day cruise in the Caribbean is VERY different than a 12 night Mediterranean cruise, and it could really help you decide.

I will say that up until this year, I did find X to be the best value. Their prices have shot up so much that they really are no longer a good value to me. Of course, if you don't drink alcohol, you can get a last minute fare that is quite attractive, but not for planning something far in advance.

Maybe some more information would help guide people... for example - what itinerary, what features/activities do you find important, is it just you and DH, did you have a ship in mind, etc.

Whatever you decide, if you have a great attitude, you'll have a blast!

[Northern Aurora]

Some very thoughtful and well written comments have been posted -- but I just want to add a quick comment about an issue which hasn't been mentioned.  Celebrity does not have any interior smoking venues; even the casinos are non-smoking.  Smoking is also prohibited on stateroom balconies.  Locations where smoking is allowed are limited.  This may or may not be an important consideration for the OP.

[Dancing Shoes]

Pick your itinerary first and then find the ship that sails it.  Alaska is way different.  Very port intensive.  Celebrity does not visit Glacier Bay.  It does go to Hubbard.  If you do a R/T,  leave from Vancouver rather than Seattle.  You are in an inner passage and not out in the open ocean as you head out.  

 

I like Frommer's book on Alaska Cruises & Ports Of Call.  I enjoy sitting down and reading sometimes instead of being on the computer. lol  

Edited October 25, 2018 by Dancing Shoes

[Luvcrusn]

On Celebrity you will only have one daily announcement by the Captain and CD at about 10:00AM. The daily listing of activities are found in the Celebrity Today newspaper delivered to your cabin each evening with the nightly turndown with the next day's schedule. We find the atmosphere much more laid back (not boring) than the other lines you've listed. There are generally many fewer children aboard than on the other lines you're comparing at a similar timeframe and itinerary. We find the service better and the food as well, but realize food is subjective.  Little touches like chilled towels and cold drinks waiting dockside when you're returning from a hot day in port, a welcome complimentary glass of bubbly or mimosa when you step aboard the first time on embarkation day, cloth hand towels in the public restrooms, no reservations necessary for shows, no belly flop contests are all easy to miss little things, but are subtle differences.

[Host Jazzbeau]

In general, I would rate Celebrity above all the other cruise lines you have mentioned.  But Alaska is different and there is one over-riding factor there:  Glacier Bay.  I would not do an Alaska cruise without Glacier Bay, and the two cruise lines that go there most are Princess and HAL.  I have no experience with HAL, but I did cruise to Alaska with Princess and even though I dislike Princess generally I would still book them again for Alaska [just as I will never sail NCL again, except Pride of America in Hawaii].  Specifically Coral Princess – one of their older ships, but built to the Panamax dimensional standard [long and narrow] to give a really generous Promenade Deck for glacier viewing – and it also has public viewing balconies fore and aft on most decks [rather than high-rent suites].  This makes it the ideal ship for Alaska.  Also the itinerary from Anchorage [Whittier] to Vancouver gets you both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, and the smoother and more scenic Inside Passage route.  This is one case where a single recommendation is easy:  Princess - Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Southbound) - on Coral Princess.

[crazyman3]

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

In general, I would rate Celebrity above all the other cruise lines you have mentioned.  But Alaska is different and there is one over-riding factor there:  Glacier Bay.  I would not do an Alaska cruise without Glacier Bay, and the two cruise lines that go there most are Princess and HAL.  I have no experience with HAL, but I did cruise to Alaska with Princess and even though I dislike Princess generally I would still book them again for Alaska [just as I will never sail NCL again, except Pride of America in Hawaii].  Specifically Coral Princess – one of their older ships, but built to the Panamax dimensional standard [long and narrow] to give a really generous Promenade Deck for glacier viewing – and it also has public viewing balconies fore and aft on most decks [rather than high-rent suites].  This makes it the ideal ship for Alaska.  Also the itinerary from Anchorage [Whittier] to Vancouver gets you both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, and the smoother and more scenic Inside Passage route.  This is one case where a single recommendation is easy:  Princess - Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Southbound) - on Coral Princess.

 

Excellent advice!

[teacher2cruiser]

Thank you all for your thoughts, opinions, and comparisons.

I've never had a bad cruise, but more adult peacefulness does appeal!

Can anyone direct me as to where I might read about the entertainment (shows and live music)?

The cruise we are considering booking is on the Equinox out of Ft. Canaveral in summer of 2019.  We have previously visited each of the ports, some more than once.

We are also looking to book Alaska 2020, but these cruises haven't been posted as of yet on Celebrity's website. I'm glad to know Glacier Bay is to be considered!

[4774Papa]

Lots of good wisdom already posted.

 

I will add my 2 cents.

 

We have done Celebrity, NCL and Royal C.

Celebrity is our favorite, with overall great ships, dining, entertainment and service.  The atmosphere is great for us.   We are retired and could not stand the noise, etc. on Carnival.  Celebrity's dining is the best.   The MDR is so good we hardly ever do the specialty restaurants.

 

Royal C. is very similar to Celebrity (same company owns them), but Royal had better entertainment and many of their ships are huge with many self entertainment choices.  We loved the Royal ice show.  No ice shows on Celebrity and NCL.  We love the Diamond Happy Hour that goes from 4:30 to 8pm and allows you to order drinks anywhere on the ship, including the MDR.  Celebrity Elite has a 5-7 happy hour that is nice, but you can't order a drink in the restaurants.  NCL has no such happy hour, except one party for Platinums on a cruise.  On Royal's ships, I miss the sunset bar at the aft of the ship outside the buffet, like on Celebrity and most NCL ships.

 

NCL has excellent entertainment.   They don't have ice shows, but they have some shows that are the best.  Their MDR is not as good, but they have several good specialty restaurants that don't cost a lot to dine.  

 

We will likely cruise again on all three, depending on the itinerary and cost.  Royal has had better prices than Celebrity lately, since Celebrity bundles its drink packages with the overall fare that we don't want.   NCL bundles as well and we hate the drink packages that are hugely overvalued with a 20% gratuity that is a bridge to far.

 

 

 

 

[cangelmd]

Great replies, I agree completely with all of them - as people have said, itinerary is really important when you are talking about Alaska - Celebrity isn't bad, but if this is a first and/or only trip to Alaska, Princess does the land tour part very. very well (and I recommend a land tour, can't see Denali without getting on land) and there is Glacier Bay.

 

Secondly, if I was traveling with a mixed group, especially young adults and teens, or even other couples, RCCL provides way more activities - which may or may not be a good thing.

RCCL and Princess are single class - so if you are with a group, the group can have reservations linked and dine together. A multi-age family can have one suite with the other family members in other types of staterooms as is affordable, and everyone can congregate in the suite for drinks, visiting, etc. Yes if you are in a suite on Celebrity, you can ask get everyone to eat together, but it won't be in Luminae and is a special request because the suites are set up as a separate class for dining and shows. Just not as family friendly for a larger party.

 

Finally, and I only noticed this because I sailed on RCCL, then about a year later sailed almost the same itinerary on Celebrity, RCCL is very inward focused. Celebrity has lovely interiors, but there are very few places where you cannot see out to the ocean, it seemed like a lot of the central "boulevard" area on the RCCL ship was visually closed off from the sea. I do a cruise to be on the ocean, so I didn't like that so much.

 

I sound like I don't like Celebrity, but it is by far my fav - I've been on Carnival (never again), Celeb, Princess and RCCL - but depending on the trip and my traveling party I would do Princess and RCCL again any time.

 

[Luvcrusn]

58 minutes ago, teacher2cruiser said:

Thank you all for your thoughts, opinions, and comparisons.

I've never had a bad cruise, but more adult peacefulness does appeal!

Can anyone direct me as to where I might read about the entertainment (shows and live music)?

The cruise we are considering booking is on the Equinox out of Ft. Canaveral in summer of 2019.  We have previously visited each of the ports, some more than once.

We are also looking to book Alaska 2020, but these cruises haven't been posted as of yet on Celebrity's website. I'm glad to know Glacier Bay is to be considered!

There is a thread on this forum called Who's on Board... Within that thread there are postings that contain a graph listing the on board music and live production shows. The guest entertainers vary from cruise to cruise and by ship as well, so there's no telling who will be a guest entertainer for a given cruise. 

Reservations can be linked together on X without being in a suite so you can dine together, we always do that when travelling with friends.

Edited October 26, 2018 by Luvcrusn

[killsport]

2 hours ago, teacher2cruiser said:

The cruise we are considering booking is on the Equinox out of Ft. Canaveral in summer of 2019. 

Summer Caribbean cruises (I assume you meant Ft Lauderdale) out of Florida will have a large number of kids -- my guess is 800-1200 of the 2800 passengers. Of all ages. The Equinox is a great ship (wonderful layout, lots of space). I think it is in for refurbishment in June 2019 before your cruise (see https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=8760 for what they might be doing) so some things you hear may not apply, especially if you're not in a suite. The food on Equinox is good (although subjective, much better than Carnival, better than Royal and NCL) -- I wouldn't go to specialty restaurants unless you get 50% off; the current pricing is just bonkers for what you get. Service has always been good. We do have some bartenders that remember us from years past. If you get a rate you like, book it. If not, go with another line or a different vacation.  Safe passage!

[nini]

We have only been on 9 cruises; 4 to Alaska. In September we were on the Regal Princess and last week, the Celebrity Reflection. We have been on Princess 4 times and I can honestly suggest that you take Princess to Alaska. Some have suggested the Coral Princess for Alaska due to its size; it is an older ship but comes in handy for places that are small like the Panama Canal (we did in Jan. 2018). Glacier Bay is wonderful as the Tracy Arm Fijord ( with possibly getting to the end with Sawyer Glacier).

 

P.S. Anj will not like this font either, as he/she has posted this comment on other boards.

[Luvcrusn]

2 hours ago, nini said:

We have only been on 9 cruises; 4 to Alaska. In September we were on the Regal Princess and last week, the Celebrity Reflection. We have been on Princess 4 times and I can honestly suggest that you take Princess to Alaska. Some have suggested the Coral Princess for Alaska due to its size; it is an older ship but comes in handy for places that are small like the Panama Canal (we did in Jan. 2018). Glacier Bay is wonderful as the Tracy Arm Fijord ( with possibly getting to the end with Sawyer Glacier).

 

P.S. Anj will not like this font either, as he/she has posted this comment on other boards.

FWIW, I just read your post on my phone and it appeared as a totally different font than it does when I just opened it on my computer. On the phone it appears as a small script and here it is a much more readable print. It must be a quirk of the new site since I didn't see any note that your original post was edited by you. I read this on my phone about 15 minutes before I did on the computer.

[Cachecara]

On 10/25/2018 at 11:55 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

In general, I would rate Celebrity above all the other cruise lines you have mentioned.  But Alaska is different and there is one over-riding factor there:  Glacier Bay.  I would not do an Alaska cruise without Glacier Bay, and the two cruise lines that go there most are Princess and HAL.  I have no experience with HAL, but I did cruise to Alaska with Princess and even though I dislike Princess generally I would still book them again for Alaska [just as I will never sail NCL again, except Pride of America in Hawaii].  Specifically Coral Princess – one of their older ships, but built to the Panamax dimensional standard [long and narrow] to give a really generous Promenade Deck for glacier viewing – and it also has public viewing balconies fore and aft on most decks [rather than high-rent suites].  This makes it the ideal ship for Alaska.  Also the itinerary from Anchorage [Whittier] to Vancouver gets you both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, and the smoother and more scenic Inside Passage route.  This is one case where a single recommendation is easy:  Princess - Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Southbound) - on Coral Princess.

I totally agree with all points.  This is the exact ship itinerary we did after loads and loads of research.