Celebrity or NCL for Honeymoon in Alaska?

[loyalGTfan]

Hello cruisers!

 

Looking for some advice to narrow down our honeymoon options. The two cruise ships are the Solstice and the Bliss from Celebrity and NCL respectively. 

 

They both have have the same port schedule and nearly identical prices for the following options:

 

Solstice, Aquaclass cabin with prepaid gratuities and classic drink package.

 

Bliss, a balcony cabin with classic drink package and the three specialty meals included. 

 

Anybody cruise either ship in Alaska? Thoughts on aqua versus regular balcony? We do like going to thermal spas. We’d probably try to purchase a day pass once or twice if available on the Bliss. 

 

Any comments would be appreciated! We have both cruised once before years ago. Right now we like the entertainment options better on the Bliss, but like the spa package on the Solstice in aquaclass. We are early thirties, like to enjoy fine dining, piano style cocktail bars, and look forward to seeing some great shows!

[SantaFeFan]

32 minutes ago, loyalGTfan said:

Hello cruisers!

 

Looking for some advice to narrow down our honeymoon options. The two cruise ships are the Solstice and the Bliss from Celebrity and NCL respectively. 

 

They both have have the same port schedule and nearly identical prices for the following options:

 

Solstice, Aquaclass cabin with prepaid gratuities and classic drink package.

 

Bliss, a balcony cabin with classic drink package and the three specialty meals included. 

 

Anybody cruise either ship in Alaska? Thoughts on aqua versus regular balcony? We do like going to thermal spas. We’d probably try to purchase a day pass once or twice if available on the Bliss. 

 

Any comments would be appreciated! We have both cruised once before years ago. Right now we like the entertainment options better on the Bliss, but like the spa package on the Solstice in aquaclass. We are early thirties, like to enjoy fine dining, piano style cocktail bars, and look forward to seeing some great shows!

 

Based on your last paragraph, I strongly advise Celebrity over NCL. Celebrity is several steps up from NCL, with a classier, more sophisticated feel to it. Dining on Celebrity is superior to NCL, which has a reputation for having some of the worst food in the industry. Even the food in Celebrity's main dining rooms, included in the base fare, is usually better than NCL's extra cost specialty restaurants. Where NCL may shine, however, are their shows. 

 

If you want to feel pampered and well taken care of, go with Celebrity. If you want to kick back, relax and dress down like a week at the beach, then go with NCL. 

Edited April 3, 2019 by SantaFeFan

[Essiesmom]

Are you going for the honeymoon or the itinerary?  If for the honeymoon, I would choose Solstice.  but for the itinerary, I would go with Bliss because she goes to Glacier Bay.  EM

[taglovestocruise]

If you scroll up top to research you will find the Bliss getting a 4.0 and the Solistice getting a rare 5.0 from cc members.  You may  want to do a  youtube video of both ships.  My choice in your situation would be X. happy honeymooning 

[lab_love123]

Another vote for Celebrity for your specific situation. It just has a classy, sophisticated vibe like SantaFeFan says. I think Celebrity will have that cocktail lounge feel you're looking for and I thought the dining was excellent . There's some really neat venues, such as the Lawn Club and the martini bar..I don't know the whole thing just felt very elegant. I don't think you'd regret either choice, but I think for your honeymoon, the atmosphere on Celebrity would suit better.

[Aquahound]

Not even close, in my opinion.  Definitely Solstice.  Dining is leaps and bounds better than NCL and the ship feels far less crowded.

[dkjretired]

I did Solstice in Alaska and have done a number of NCL ships although not to Alaska or the Bliss.  Food is miles better on Solstice than any NCL ship you go on unless you eat all your meals in the Specialty restaurants.  To be fair though the Solstice has excellent Specialties.  Entertainment on NCL will be better although some of it is paid, all of Celebrity entertainment is free.   A big difference for us is the smoking policy,   Celebrity does not allow any indoor smoking including casino, veranda's or staterooms.  Every NCL ship I have been on was like a chimney including the casino.  Celebrity will not have all the bells and whistles like water slides and bumper cars, it is more refined and IMHO, perfect for a honeymoon.  

[marco]

For something as  special as your honeymoon, I'd go with "X"  (any ship) over "NCL" (any ship)

[paul929207]

Since this is your first trip to Alaska, Glacier Bay is a must. RCI (Royal & Celebrity) are not allowed into the park. So that would eliminate them in my eyes.

 

Why not consider HAL or Princess. They have been doing Alaska for years and have the best plans. Each has 6 or 7 ships there each Alaska season.

[Midwestern Cruiser]

Will avoid the line/ship side of this and 'suggest' if you can sail Tracy Arm vs Glacier Bay, do it.

And if your itinerary offers Sitka vs Skagway, take Sitka.

I ❤️ cruising to Alaska!

[AL3XCruise]

On 4/3/2019 at 7:18 PM, loyalGTfan said:

Any comments would be appreciated! We have both cruised once before years ago. Right now we like the entertainment options better on the Bliss, but like the spa package on the Solstice in aquaclass. We are early thirties, like to enjoy fine dining, piano style cocktail bars, and look forward to seeing some great shows!

 

NCL is known for entertainment, and they have a lot of options from big main theater shows to dinner shows and plenty of live entertainment around the ship.  Celebrity entertainment is less varied, and the main theater shows will probably not be as impressive.  Celebrity does have entertainment around the ship, but probably fewer options on a given night.  Both will have some kind of a piano bar, though Celebrity will probably be a bit more subdued and classy.

 

I don't know what your budget is, but Bliss does have a very nice Spa you can purchase passes to.

 

On 4/3/2019 at 7:51 PM, SantaFeFan said:

Dining on Celebrity is superior to NCL, which has a reputation for having some of the worst food in the industry. Even the food in Celebrity's main dining rooms, included in the base fare, is usually better than NCL's extra cost specialty restaurants.

 

Both the Celebrity and NCL boards frequently complain of declining food quality.  My most recent NCL cruise had surprisingly good food, and the specialty restaurants were better than anything I've had on Celebrity in the MDR.  However, I think NCL suffers from some variations, whereas Celebrity tends to deliver more consistently.

 

12 hours ago, dkjretired said:

A big difference for us is the smoking policy,   Celebrity does not allow any indoor smoking including casino, veranda's or staterooms.  Every NCL ship I have been on was like a chimney including the casino.

 

The earlier Breakaway class ships were pretty bad because the casino opened to a three story atrium in the center of the ship.  I believe bliss has enclosed indoor smoking areas and reduced exterior ones.  Neither Celebrity nor NCL allow smoking on veranda or in staterooms.

 

I would agree that all things being equal, Bliss will feel more crowded.  In addition, if you want to relax by a pool, Solstice has an indoor Solarium.  Bliss has an indoor pool in both the Haven and Spa, but both of those will cost you extra.

 

Given the general vibe on Celebrity, I'd lean towards Solstice, but it isn't as cut and dry as people make it sound.  Celebrity is probably my go to line, but there are positives with NCL.  I think you'd find something enjoyable on both ships, just different.  Have fun!

 

 

[MicCanberra]

Welcome to cruise critic, and congrats on your nuptials.

I am biased as the Solstice is my favourite ship, so I would go for that, especially as the overall experience is considered better. If your honeymoon is going to be spent with privacy in mind (lots of time spent in your cabin ) , the solstice would also win out. That said, Glacier bay is awesome and worth seeing.