Royal to Celebrity?

[MandyMooToo]

My husband (52) and I (43) are considering a switch from Royal to Celebrity for our next cruise bookings.  We have both really enjoyed sailing Royal but sometimes the hustle and bustle (and yes I am sorry to say it but the kids) are a bit much.  I had the thought that maybe trying Celebrity would be a good idea.  I realize that there will still be some of the same, as in children and hustle/bustle, but maybe less and a more refined experience.  Any opinions on whether or not the move to Celebrity makes sense or is it basically still a Royal cruise on a different ship?

[PROCRUISE]

I suspect you'll find Celebrity to definitely be an environmental change from most RCCL cruises. Celebrity has a slightly older passenger make up (you'll fit right in) and sort of laid back. I find that most X passengers are well traveled and enjoy truly relaxing instead of a week of constant activities. I find the food to be better on X (subjective of course) as well as the service. RCCL does have more "things to do onboard" and their shows are a little better.

I have found that Celebrity fits my cruising needs well - lots of quiet areas on the ships, great fellow passengers, activities if I so desire, really good food even in the MDR, and very nice cabins. My two favorite X ships would have to be: Equinox and Summit but have cruised on three other X ships and they were all excellent and, will be on the Reflection for the first time in February.

Regardless of your final decision, enjoy your next cruise.

[MandyMooToo]

4 minutes ago, PROCRUISE said:

I suspect you'll find Celebrity to definitely be an environmental change from most RCCL cruises. Celebrity has a slightly older passenger make up (you'll fit right in) and sort of laid back. I find that most X passengers are well traveled and enjoy truly relaxing instead of a week of constant activities. I find the food to be better on X (subjective of course) as well as the service. RCCL does have more "things to do onboard" and their shows are a little better.

I have found that Celebrity fits my cruising needs well - lots of quiet areas on the ships, great fellow passengers, activities if I so desire, really good food even in the MDR, and very nice cabins. My two favorite X ships would have to be: Equinox and Summit but have cruised on three other X ships and they were all excellent and, will be on the Reflection for the first time in February.

Regardless of your final decision, enjoy your next cruise.

 

Thank you for the response, we mostly cruise to relax, play a little trivia (husband's favorite thing to do I think)/watch the shows, shop and explore ports.  We are not interested in Flow Riders or rock climbing walls or whatever else...mainly good food/rooms and good service are tops with us.

[davekathy]

33 minutes ago, MandyMooToo said:

My husband (52) and I (43) are considering a switch from Royal to Celebrity for our next cruise bookings.  We have both really enjoyed sailing Royal but sometimes the hustle and bustle (and yes I am sorry to say it but the kids) are a bit much.  I had the thought that maybe trying Celebrity would be a good idea.  I realize that there will still be some of the same, as in children and hustle/bustle, but maybe less and a more refined experience.  Any opinions on whether or not the move to Celebrity makes sense or is it basically still a Royal cruise on a different ship?

If you decide to book a Celebrity cruise call the Captains Club (1-800-760-0654) and provide them with your C&A numbers. 

[MandyMooToo]

26 minutes ago, davekathy said:

If you decide to book a Celebrity cruise call the Captains Club (1-800-760-0654) and provide them with your C&A numbers. 

 

Thank you, I will do that. 

[Tangocherie]

One of the good features of travelling within a sisterhood of companies that recognizes loyalty from one of the "brood" to the other. Reciprocation between the sister companies is GREAT! You will enjoy your Celebrity cruise and your Captain's Club status.

[4774Papa]

We are elite on Celebrity (10 cruises) and did our first Royal cruise in April/Map (Transpacific).  Royal made us diamond since we were elite and we loved the diamond happy hour.  It was better than the elite HH.  It ran from 4:30-8 and we could order drinks in the MDR until 8.  We didn't buy a single alcoholic drink for 22 days.

 

We loved the Royal entertainment, especially the 2 great ice shows that we saw.  The specialty restaurants were great and the MDR was almost as good as Celebrity.  The buffet was not as good as on Celebrity.  The food choices for lunch were heavy.  Sorry, we don't eat steak at lunch or heavy meat dishes with gravy.  The salad bar on Royal was only great about one day a week.

 

We missed the sunset bar just outside the buffet on all Celebrity ships.   Royal's ships don't have that design and the aft is blocked.

 

The main street on Explorer of the Seas was OK, but we still like the design of Celebrity's S and M class ships.

 

Still, we liked the prices on Royal, since they don't bundle promos with the bottom line price like Celebrity does on most of its cruises.

 

Celebrity's clientele is a bit older, but not nursing home old.  We still prefer Celebrity to Royal and NCL.

[George C]

We are now diamond plus on rccl and did a sky suite on celebrity earlier this year on summit, I love rccl entertainment, hate there buffet, celebrity buffet was great, suite perks also better than rccl. Just got off oasis way too many children, looking forward to celebrity again in March. 

[Tahina cruising]

I went on Celebrity Summit before trying Royal Caribbean. Celebrity does have an "older crowd". I went a few years ago in my early 40's and it was an amazing experience.  I think the food is better on Celebrity. The shows are better on Royal Caribbean. I love the non smoking casino on Celebrity! Since that cruise I have done 3 cruises on Royal Caribbean and have another cruise booked on Celebrity Equinox in February. Then another Royal Caribbean one in October. I love both cruise lines. Celebrity is just a bit more upscale. 

[Baron Barracuda]

Our first sailings were on X twenty five years ago.  Switched to Royal when our kids began sailing with us and then back to X now that they're grown.  In general we feel X suits us better, especially the more laid back experience, better food (especially in the buffet) and cafe al bacio.  What we miss most from Royal is the Diamond Lounge, better quality entertainment, and variety of lounges with live music.  

[stevenr597]

My wife and I usually cruise either Princess or Celebrity.  We have, also cruised RCCL.  To us, there is a big difference between RCCL, as compared to Princess and Celebrity.  The latter two lines are much more traditional , sacrificing roller coaster,s wave pools etc. for a more refined cruise experience.  Food is much much better.  Entertainment is more traditional with more Broadway Type Shows.

If you decide on Celebrity, I do feel that you will be disappointed.  

[BNBR]

You should definitely try celebrity. It's a clearly more refined experience than Royal. Whether you prefer that or not will only come from experiencing it.  I find Celebrity maybe a little too relaxed for my taste. I may not ride the flow riders, but sometimes grabbing a drink and watching others fall off is fun!

 

Celebrity has better food. I love royal, they have good food, but X is a clear step up. Some other things are nice like no checking out towels, real scooped ice cream, etc.  Just little things that make it clear it's an upmarket line. 

 

Celebrity fills a niche and is different than Royal, as it should be.  Give it a shot, based on what you are saying, you may prefer it. 

[grandgeezer]

If your main form of entertainment is drinking, Celebrity is for you. If your second form of entertainment is a chance to win a key chain over a hot game of trivia, this is the place. If you want more than that, look elsewhere. If getting a seat by the pool is important, this is not for you. If complaining about it is, you'll feel right at home. The best part is the drinks, internet, and gratuities are free. If that's not enough, they'll give you $300 obc, just price a cruise on their web site.

[39august]

X internet is only "Free" if you get it as a perk. As Pinnacles we get free internet on RCI, as well as the noted HH and some other perks. Nevertheless, we prefer Celebrity. A more refined experience over all, many fewer children,, decent entertainment, better food. and the great drinks package. Cafe Al Baccio is my favorite hang out place. I think the older we get the less we like to tolerate kids and their over-indulgent parents. And people who leave food ant trays all over the ship. Don't see much of that on Celebrity. Fewer morbidly obese and tatooed folks on X. 

Edited January 1, 2019 by 39august

[davekathy]

23 minutes ago, 39august said:

X internet is only "Free" if you get it as a perk. As Pinnacles we get free internet on RCI, as well as the noted HH and some other perks. Nevertheless, we prefer Celebrity. A more refined experience over all, many fewer children,, decent entertainment, better food. and the great drinks package. Cafe Al Baccio is my favorite hang out place. I think the older we get the less we like to tolerate kids and their over-indulgent parents. And people who leave food ant trays all over the ship. Don't see much of that on Celebrity. Fewer morbidly obese and tatooed folks on X. 

No. Celebrity Elites gets 90 minutes of internet p/p, Elite + gets 200 minutes of internet p/p and Zenith gets unlimited internet p/p along with the CC HH and other perks. 

Edited January 1, 2019 by davekathy

[Oneluckywoman]

Be aware that celebrity has instated a 3 drink limit during their happy hour event for elite and above. Even in their lounge. They have to swipe your card now. 

 

Other than that, my husband and i enjoy celebrity's food, clientele,  live music, and service better than Royal. Also very few children except during holidays. I would say give them a try if the drink limit isn't important to you. Shows are better on Royal but we've seen some really good headliners on both. 

 

Also, when you book with"free drink package", it's not really free. There's a price which includes a perk, and a price without. 

 

 

[cltnccruisers]

We switched from Royal to X a few cruises ago and find X to be much more relaxing.  Going forward, X will likely be our line of choice.  That said, we'll be taking our granddaughters on their first cruise on Freedom of the Seas out of San Juan in April, 2020.  We've been on FOS before and there will be much more for 13 and 15 year old girls to do than on X. 

[cruiseyj]

On 1/1/2019 at 11:20 AM, BNBR said:

You should definitely try celebrity. It's a clearly more refined experience than Royal. Whether you prefer that or not will only come from experiencing it.  I find Celebrity maybe a little too relaxed for my taste. I may not ride the flow riders, but sometimes grabbing a drink and watching others fall off is fun!

 

Celebrity has better food. I love royal, they have good food, but X is a clear step up. Some other things are nice like no checking out towels, real scooped ice cream, etc.  Just little things that make it clear it's an upmarket line. 

 

Celebrity fills a niche and is different than Royal, as it should be.  Give it a shot, based on what you are saying, you may prefer it. 

 

Do you have to check out towels on Royal? They don't have them around the pool? thanks

[BNBR]

1 minute ago, LILYJULES said:

 

Do you have to check out towels on Royal? They don't have them around the pool? thanks

 

Yup. You swipe your card and they give you all the towels you want. Any you don't return they will charge you $20/ea. The towel stations are near the pool.  On X, the towels not only didn't need to be checked out, but they place them nicely on the chairs ready and waiting for you.

[hubofhockey]

There are certain things about the Celebrity experience that we really like.  We often get the two perks included and get Aqua Class, so we like eating dinner at Blu and enjoying the free flowing wine that comes with the classic drinks package.  We also like the M Class smaller ship experience.  They're less crowded, more relaxing, do great itineraries, and still have the shows.  We'll do other cruise lines and have a big Azamara (Celebrity sister line) and Silversea coming up, but Celebrity hits the sweet spot for us and we're always happy and relaxed.  I don't think it's too refined though and not pretentious at all.

[XtaSea]

We started cruising with RCI in the late 80s and that was our line of choice for a long time...maybe six cruises. Tried others but always returned to RCI. Eventually we tried Celebrity and that became our preferred line. We did go back to RCI a few years back for a Canada/New England cruise on Brilliance of the Seas. I know many say RCI has better entertainment, and maybe on some ships that's true, but that was the first time we ever walked out of a show...actually, two shows. The food in the MDR and in the buffet was okay, but nothing special. Celebrity certainly wins on that one. And for the last three Celebrity cruises we've done suites. Not that you have to book a suite to have fun, and they're not inexpensive by any means. But we find the perks, the extra room and the experience, including Luminae and Micheal's Club, to be worth it. We did Silversea once and while it was very nice and classy, it was also somewhat pretentious and, at least for us, a bit boring. Suites on Celebrity gives us the best of both worlds...a very nice experience and the fun of a large ship with like-minded cruisers. 

[baabtx]

My wife and I exclusively cruise on Royal, but a couple of years ago did our first Celebrity sailing on the Silhouette.  Really appreciated that our Diamond status carried over to Elite Status in the Captains Club.  I thoroughly enjoyed my cruising experience on Celebrity - more laid back (can't really discuss the kids issue since it was early February).  Found the food better in the MDR than Luminae (although enjoyed the privacy and quiet of Luminae).  My wife wasn't as impressed and still prefers Royal, but it's a nice trade off and welcome change from Royal, but not one that will make me ditch Royal altogether.  There are pluses and minuses to both.  Have Fun!

[Buccaneergirl]

We are D + on RCCL and sailing on Celebrity in April for the Pacific Coastal Cruise.

I am so afraid that Dh will be bored because he loves the flow rider and any other activity! He is all obout go, go ,go, and I’m all about the relaxation.

😳😳😳

[villauk]

On 1/5/2019 at 2:36 AM, BNBR said:

 

Yup. You swipe your card and they give you all the towels you want. Any you don't return they will charge you $20/ea. The towel stations are near the pool.  On X, the towels not only didn't need to be checked out, but they place them nicely on the chairs ready and waiting for you.

 

 

That’s only happened on Royal over the last few years because pax were not returning them after taking them off at ports. It wasn’t like that when we first sailed on Royal. It’s a shame some pax ruin it for everyone.

[sjb317]

We go back and forth between Royal and Celebrity with the majority of our cruises being on Royal.  Royal “wins “ for entertainment, music, MDR food,specialty restaurants and DL/CL.  Celebrity wins for smoke free casino,  buffet, Mast grill, Martini Bar and Cafe  al Bacchio.  Service is similar on both. 

 

If price and itinerary were equal, I would pick Royal. 😀

 

Sherri🙂