Why would RCL be higher than Celebrity

[chiguypaul]

(I've posted this in the Celebrity forum, but posting here as well given the separate audience)

 

I'm Diamond on RCL. Have been on Celebrity a few times. I'm looking at booking a Celebrity sailing in NA for March 2024. I only look at interior rooms. I've noticed on several sailings with equal sail lengths that RCL is coming in more expensive on ships like the Quantum and Oasis classes compared to Celebrity ships. I am comparing Oasis and Symphony - NOT newer ships. In one case, I'm comparing to the brand new Ascent in one instance, but there are others where Celebrity is lower. Does this surprise anyone? I'm wondering if it's because it's Spring Break week and families are booking in large amounts on Royal driving on demand???

[Ourusualbeach]

6 minutes ago, chiguypaul said:

(I've posted this in the Celebrity forum, but posting here as well given the separate audience)

 

I'm Diamond on RCL. Have been on Celebrity a few times. I'm looking at booking a Celebrity sailing in NA for March 2024. I only look at interior rooms. I've noticed on several sailings with equal sail lengths that RCL is coming in more expensive on ships like the Quantum and Oasis classes compared to Celebrity ships. I am comparing Oasis and Symphony - NOT newer ships. In one case, I'm comparing to the brand new Ascent in one instance, but there are others where Celebrity is lower. Does this surprise anyone? I'm wondering if it's because it's Spring Break week and families are booking in large amounts on Royal driving on demand???

Celebrity is having a much harder time filling their ships than Roysl is, hence thr lower pricing. 

[chiguypaul]

13 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Celebrity is having a much harder time filling their ships than Roysl is, hence thr lower pricing. 

 

Have you heard why that is the case for Celebrity?

[Ourusualbeach]

Just now, chiguypaul said:

 

Have you heard why that is the case for Celebrity?

 

Just now, chiguypaul said:

 

Have you heard why that is the case for Celebrity?

Demographics.  Other lines with similar demographics are experiencing the same thing.  Just not recovering as quickly from the shutdown as other lines with a younger demographic. 

[firefly333]

For whatever reasons, oasis ships with all their bells and whistles seem to be what people want to book. Me too for that  matter. Luck for rcl the market wants what they offer the most. 

 

If you are just as happy with celebrity book it. 

[basenji56]

I like to think it’s passengers who prefer a real balcony. That’s the reason I booked Odessey for two recent transatlantics. 

[Threedrones]

We started using Celebrity pre-pandemic. MANY similar sailings were already cheaper than Royal Caribbean. If you don’t participate in all the bells and whistles, I think Celebrity offers a better experience. Of course, that is all subjective. I enjoy not lugging around a cup and getting cans of coke instead of a glass. I enjoy going to a casino and not holding my breath because of the smoke..on the other hand, if I’m taking young ones along, it’s Royal without a doubt.

[chiguypaul]

56 minutes ago, Threedrones said:

We started using Celebrity pre-pandemic. MANY similar sailings were already cheaper than Royal Caribbean. If you don’t participate in all the bells and whistles, I think Celebrity offers a better experience. Of course, that is all subjective. I enjoy not lugging around a cup and getting cans of coke instead of a glass. I enjoy going to a casino and not holding my breath because of the smoke..on the other hand, if I’m taking young ones along, it’s Royal without a doubt.

i have an 18 year old. And for $1000 less celebrity might be just fine. 

[deliver42]

Celebrity's prices are much higher than one year ago, with cuts that are unacceptable to loyal celebrity passengers. While they may paint a pretty picture of how full their ships are, it just isn't the case, unless you go on the Millenium or Solstice class.

[EBFURR]

We are Diamond (almost plus) but have never tried Celebrity. I just booked a Celebrity cruise for next year on Beyond for a veranda guarantee and it was considerably less expensive than the Royal Caribbean cruises I found for the same week. That said, the Celebrity prices did increase shortly after my booking. There are definitely deals out there if you shop around. 

[RumRunner01]

19 hours ago, basenji56 said:

I like to think it’s passengers who prefer a real balcony. That’s the reason I booked Odessey for two recent transatlantics. 

I can vouch for that. We wanted to try X Beyond but the infinite balcony looks terrible to us. We like to be out on our balcony, not just have a sunroom. The X sailings I looked at already had the few non-infinite balcony rooms sold out, and we can't afford a suite with the actual balcony/verandah. We've done several other X ships and wanted to try a new ship so we're back to RC (Wonder) for our next sailing.

[George C]

We book suites and in general celebrity is way higher in price than rccl , I normally avoid the newer ships , I am happy to get an older. Oasis class grand suite for under 3k , closer to 2500 per , while currently celebrity sky suites are over 4K. 

[The Fun Researcher]

We love both lines.  We're taking the kids (21, 19, 17yrs) and my in-laws on Celebrity for the first time in December on the Equinox.  Price was very good.  The main downside to Celebrity is the lack of activities versus Royal.  They don't even have a putt putt course.  Things get pretty dang quiet after 11pm or so.  That's why we're ok that our cruise is only 5 nights.

 

However, on the flip side, we love the slight bump in food quality, service and amenities with Celebrity.  I'm very interested to see with the kids think.  I think we are all really going to enjoy it.

 

In summary, we're happy to sail Celebrity especially if the price is right.  We just need to be aware that it's more of an old school classic elegant cruising experience versus all the activities on Royal.

 

Dan

[George C]

52 minutes ago, The Fun Researcher said:

We love both lines.  We're taking the kids (21, 19, 17yrs) and my in-laws on Celebrity for the first time in December on the Equinox.  Price was very good.  The main downside to Celebrity is the lack of activities versus Royal.  They don't even have a putt putt course.  Things get pretty dang quiet after 11pm or so.  That's why we're ok that our cruise is only 5 nights.

 

However, on the flip side, we love the slight bump in food quality, service and amenities with Celebrity.  I'm very interested to see with the kids think.  I think we are all really going to enjoy it.

 

In summary, we're happy to sail Celebrity especially if the price is right.  We just need to be aware that it's more of an old school classic elegant cruising experience versus all the activities on Royal.

 

Dan

My niece took her twin 18 years old and a 16 year old on symphony of the seas last year, their first cruise, then apex to Europe in June she said they preferred celebrity which surprised me. Edge class seems to have more entertainment than there other ships , some stuff after midnight.

[mitz18]

20 hours ago, deliver42 said:

 While they may paint a pretty picture of how full their ships are, it just isn't the case, unless you go on the Millenium or Solstice class.

Well the M & S classes make up all but 3 ships (excluding Galapagos class) so you are saying 75% of their ships are full.  Our last 2 voyages on the Beyond (Edge class) were both about 95% full. 

 

[JsMom2]

Supply and demand!  Last summer I did a 6 night Equinox followed by an 8 night Infinity.  Paid less than $2000 total to sail in Aquaclass as a solo!