Alternatives to Celebrity

[hobgoblin]

This is a great thread,Ive been looking for some comparisons too .

Been with Celebrity for a good few cruises now and reached Elite but am not happy with a lot of the changes and cut backs .

Maybe I need a change too !

 

[montythecat]

Another definite vote for Holland America. We have left 

behind our Celebrity Elite status and jumped over to

HA’ s Pinnacle (preferred option) and Vista Class ships.

I am not keen on production shows but love Music Walk

on HA with its rock band , pianos  (and a blues/soul band

on the Pinnacle ships).  We have also enjoyed a classical

quartet in a dedicated room (no talking !) but I believe that

may be changing which would be a pity.

 

Food is probably marginally better than X, service is as 

good and there is a sociable forward facing lounge

which standard balcony guests do not get on X’s Edge

Class ships. Our experience earlier this summer on

Silhouette was marred by the poor standard of the 

entertainment staff.

 

We do splash out on Viking every now and then. Great

for a smaller ship but very different to both HA and X.

 

[vickykay]

We’re on the Summit this coming Sept and have booked the Ascent for next Sept.  Would love to hear opinions from those with cruises coming up on other lines.  Great information. ( Maybe between now and next Sept Celebrity will read some of the comments regarding cuts and change things).  Thanks.

[Ipeeinthepools]

2 hours ago, hobgoblin said:

This is a great thread,Ive been looking for some comparisons too .

Been with Celebrity for a good few cruises now and reached Elite but am not happy with a lot of the changes and cut backs .

Maybe I need a change too !

 

Try one of HAL’s Pinnacle Class ships, I bet you’ll love them.

[TeeRick]

16 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

At the risk of feeling like I'm hijacking the page, can we get some info on suite experiences as well?  Been a loyal Celebrity cruiser for more than 20 years and finally reached Zenith only to find the Celebrity I know is changing a lot, and none of it for the better as far as what we like.  I've heard some lines, like NCL, are not comparable as to non-suite cabins, but may be equal or better in their suite area.  thoughts?  I will do research on other posts as well, but thought maybe I could get some feedback here as well.

We are in the same boat (no pun intended!).  After years of cruising Celebrity in all categories, but recently mostly suites, our last one was a CS on Equinox in January.  No more suites booked on Celebrity.  I never thought I would say this.  But thanks Celebrity for opening my eyes (finally).  We are waiting to see what they do to the product (additional downgrades) before we book a suite with them again.  

So we are booking Silversea and also considering the MSC YC suites after comments here seem to be positive.  Perhaps a suite on a new ship on HAL - we will try Alaska.

[Shiba_Lover]

17 hours ago, billc23 said:

...can we get some info on suite experiences as well?

 

We tried Silversea in a basic suite and found the experience, as far as dining and interesting itineraries go, superior to Celebrity's upper suites. Great service and public spaces. Not the same level of entertainment, but after many cruises we don't go to the shows that much anymore. The included excursions are superior to Celebrity unless you want to shop on the excursion. No art auctions on Silversea (so if you cruise to buy art you won't like it), no photographer at dinner, small casino and no buffet for dinner. Multiple sit down dining venues at lunch and dinner. No hierarchal system like Celebrity has created over the years. Usually cheaper than a Sky suite at the current prices.

I was just looking at silverse yesterday.  Husband prefers table for 2.  Is that available or is it only large tables?  This is one of his big reasons for sticking with Luminae.

[jelayne]

Does anyone have recent experience with Seabourn they can share.

[Ipeeinthepools]

37 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

We are in the same boat (no pun intended!).  After years of cruising Celebrity in all categories, but recently mostly suites, our last one was a CS on Equinox in January.  No more suites booked on Celebrity.  I never thought I would say this.  But thanks Celebrity for opening my eyes (finally).  We are waiting to see what they do to the product (additional downgrades) before we book a suite with them again.  

So we are booking Silversea and also considering the MSC YC suites after comments here seem to be positive.  Perhaps a suite on a new ship on HAL - we will try Alaska.

I’m a big fan of HAL’s non suite offerings, particularly on their Pinnacle class shops, but it doesn’t appear to me that they are really trying to cater to suite guests.  For example, only the Pinnacle class ships have a separate dining room for suite guests.  Although I haven’t traveled in HAL’s suites,  I’m afraid you would be disappointed.

[Travel-and-See]

I only sail standard class (inside, ocean, balcony) -  but my alternative to celebrity is virgin.  There are things I like and dislike about both lines but for me the food quality is much better on virgin, the entertainment is way better, and the overall vibe of the shop is very relaxing especially without anyone trying to sell you anything ever. And of course…. No kids! 

[basenji56]

2 minutes ago, Travel-and-See said:

I only sail standard class (inside, ocean, balcony) -  but my alternative to celebrity is virgin.  There are things I like and dislike about both lines but for me the food quality is much better on virgin, the entertainment is way better, and the overall vibe of the shop is very relaxing especially without anyone trying to sell you anything ever. And of course…. No kids! 

I have a VV cruise booked.  A bit apprehensive about the vibe.  Their marketing seems geared to a young, "wild" crowd.  Reality may be different.

 

[Orator]

The first reports on the new Crystal are very encouraging so I would book a future cruise with them. It costs more, but to me the quality is worth it. I have also booked Oceania and Viking as well as Celebrity. I am doing a short cruise on Celebrity Equinox in October as a test.

[billc23]

I was just looking at silverse yesterday.  Husband prefers table for 2.  Is that available or is it only large tables?  This is one of his big reasons for sticking with Luminae.

 

Plenty of tables for 2 with much more space between them than Luminae. Look at some you tube videos that walk around the ship and you will see the difference compared to Luminae. Lunch available everyday at multiple sit down restaurants. Food is subjective, having said that (as a foodie) I enjoy the lunches on Silversea more than the dinners at Luminae. However, If you like to shop at the high end stores and be greeted by the store personnel every time you walk by, you will miss that on Silversea. I tried Silversea in October 2022 and now have over 100 days booked. Having read all the changes that Celebrity is making I need to decide if I will cancel some of my Celebrity bookings including (B4B) Hong Kong to Vancouver in 2024. I have to go now but I will post more info later if anyone is interested

[Travel-and-See]

2 hours ago, basenji56 said:

I have a VV cruise booked.  A bit apprehensive about the vibe.  Their marketing seems geared to a young, "wild" crowd.  Reality may be different.

 

I wouldn’t worry about it, it’s more chill and relaxed than celebrity.  The teens and tweens on my celebrity cruise were way more “wild” and annoying than anything I’ve seen on virgin.
 

if you’ve ever been to an “adult” comedy show on celebrity or another line you’ve heard the words you’ll hear on virgin haha. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

1 hour ago, billc23 said:

I was just looking at silverse yesterday.  Husband prefers table for 2.  Is that available or is it only large tables?  This is one of his big reasons for sticking with Luminae.

 

Plenty of tables for 2 with much more space between them than Luminae.

Table for 2 😱

We eat together atleast 330 days , nice to have someone else around 🤣

we always ask for a sharing table if we not cruising with friend 

 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

2 hours ago, Travel-and-See said:

I only sail standard class (inside, ocean, balcony) -  but my alternative to celebrity is virgin.  There are things I like and dislike about both lines but for me the food quality is much better on virgin, the entertainment is way better, and the overall vibe of the shop is very relaxing especially without anyone trying to sell you anything ever. And of course…. No kids! 

🤔

the only children I see on our Celebrity cruise are at the Martini Bar 🤣

on the last cruise there was a utuber a guy , captain fun , he was the most childish person on the cruise 

[billc23]

I agree, we often share tables and it is delightful! Usually with people we meet on an excursion or one of the lounges. I was just answering someones question.

 

[dreamer321]

2 hours ago, basenji56 said:

I have a VV cruise booked.  A bit apprehensive about the vibe.  Their marketing seems geared to a young, "wild" crowd.  Reality may be different.

 

Ignore the marketing, There are several YouTube videos reviewing VV where you will see the bulk of passengers are not the hip 20-30 something hard bodies  doing exciting things but much more like a slightly younger adult crowd you'll see on X.

[C 2 C]

3 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

I’m a big fan of HAL’s non suite offerings, particularly on their Pinnacle class shops, but it doesn’t appear to me that they are really trying to cater to suite guests.  For example, only the Pinnacle class ships have a separate dining room for suite guests.  Although I haven’t traveled in HAL’s suites,  I’m afraid you would be disappointed.

You can get a private dining room with club Orange on Pinnacle class.

[ISABELLA]

Being loyal Celebrity cruisers, sailing often in AQ, decided to try something new and different.

We absolutely enjoyed NCL Haven, food and service was superb. Didn't care for NCl ships or overall atmosphere. After our last X cruise on Equinox this year we will be trying new Princess ship in the Mediterranean and MSC YC in 2024.

There are definitely a lot of ships out there to choose from.

[Shiba_Lover]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Table for 2 😱

We eat together atleast 330 days , nice to have someone else around 🤣

we always ask for a sharing table if we not cruising with friend 

 

Yeah - this is the oddest request from him.  He is the world's most sociable person.  He engages in conversations with the people in all the bars and at the tables next to us in Luminae (or wherever else we go).  But the actual thought of being forced AT a table with people - it's a hard no.  The little 6-inch space between is fine though 🤷‍♀️

[NutsAboutGolf]

Generally speaking, MSC YC will most likely yield the best value

[wineoclock]

X are being very silly I think. Putting up prices ok, but don’t cut down on service as people will look around. 

[CruisinShips]

4 hours ago, basenji56 said:

I have a VV cruise booked.  A bit apprehensive about the vibe.  Their marketing seems geared to a young, "wild" crowd.  Reality may be different.

 

We did one earlier this year.  Yes the overall vibe of VV does seem geared to a 20/30s crowd, the actual passenger mix does trend older.  Nothing wild unless you choose to attend their pajama party (which happened later than we were up), or unless you're easily offended by things like their ice cream venue being named "Lick me till Ice Cream".  You also need to be accepting (or at least tolerant) of outwardly alternative staff members and casual dress codes for staff and crew.

 

We enjoyed the cruise and appreciated the many differences between it and a more conventional cruise line, but for whatever reason, our next three cruises are booked on Celebrity.

[SSFrance69]

We are long time Celebrity cruisers and tried Oceania last March. We LOVED it. I was just on Summit in Aqua earlier this month and loved the food in Blu... but honestly the experience can't compare to O. The main dining venue on O is larger than Blu but the food is every bit as good and then you have the specialty dining, which is included. Pricing from what I've found is about on par with pricing for Aqua. Also O has a lovely afternoon tea every day, with small sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, etc. Soft drinks and water included. At a minimum you get a basic drink package but you can upgrade. Also the bathrooms on the 3 larger ships, are quite large (largest I've had on a ship), even in a standard verandah. You can get surf and turf every day, along with a variety of delicious juicy burgers at the grill, which in the evening turns into a lovely pizza cafe, where they make really good pizza with burrata cheese and other premium toppings. I could go on and on. Oh and you can bring 6 bottles of wine on board PP! Next year we are booked on O again, on the brand new Vista ship. Looking forward to it.

[basenji56]

5 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

We did one earlier this year.  Yes the overall vibe of VV does seem geared to a 20/30s crowd, the actual passenger mix does trend older. 

They seem to want that demographic but the people without kids who have the time and money to cruise tend to be older.

 

The 20/30 year olds with kids will cruise Carnival or Royal.  The drunken 20 year olds can't afford VV unless they have a trust fund.