first time Celebrity

[hopelea]

My husband and I are seasoned cruisers.  We have sailed with Carnival 25+ times.   With that said, I am planning my husbands retirement cruise in 2026 or 2027.  I feel like we need to try a different cruise line.   We were in port next to Celebrity Ascent.....OMG it is beautiful!  

 

We would love to do at least a 10 day cruise for his retirement.

 

If you have cruised on Carnival and Celebrity, what are the main differences you have found?  Is the dress code "fancier" that Carnival at dinner?  Anything goes on Carnival now.  We actually sat next to a man in a bathing suit in the main dinning room.  Didn't bother me, but I know it would bother some 🙃

 

Thanks for your input

[WestLakeGirl]

Could you please change the font you use? I cannot read your post.

[Essiesmom]

45 minutes ago, hopelea said:

My husband and I are seasoned cruisers.  We have sailed with Carnival 25+ times.   With that said, I am planning my husbands retirement cruise in 2026 or 2027.  I feel like we need to try a different cruise line.   We were in port next to Celebrity Ascent.....OMG it is beautiful!  

 

We would love to do at least a 10 day cruise for his retirement.

 

If you have cruised on Carnival and Celebrity, what are the main differences you have found?  Is the dress code "fancier" that Carnival at dinner?  Anything goes on Carnival now.  We actually sat next to a man in a bathing suit in the main dinning room.  Didn't bother me, but I know it would bother some 🙃

 

Thanks for your input

The font you are using is nearly unreadable, requires a magnifying glass on a mobile device.  It shows as fine script in light gray.  Comic sans font does that when you are on a pc.  EM

[hopelea]

50 minutes ago, hopelea said:

My husband and I are seasoned cruisers.  We have sailed with Carnival 25+ times.   With that said, I am planning my husbands retirement cruise in 2026 or 2027.  I feel like we need to try a different cruise line.   We were in port next to Celebrity Ascent.....OMG it is beautiful!  

 

We would love to do at least a 10 day cruise for his retirement.

 

If you have cruised on Carnival and Celebrity, what are the main differences you have found?  Is the dress code "fancier" that Carnival at dinner?  Anything goes on Carnival now.  We actually sat next to a man in a bathing suit in the main dinning room.  Didn't bother me, but I know it would bother some 🙃

 

 

[hopelea]

35 minutes ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Could you please change the font you use? I cannot read your post.

Can not figure out how to change it.   Just reposted below

[Cruisingirl2012]

50 minutes ago, hopelea said:

My husband and I are seasoned cruisers.  We have sailed with Carnival 25+ times.   With that said, I am planning my husbands retirement cruise in 2026 or 2027.  I feel like we need to try a different cruise line.   We were in port next to Celebrity Ascent.....OMG it is beautiful!  

 

We would love to do at least a 10 day cruise for his retirement.

 

If you have cruised on Carnival and Celebrity, what are the main differences you have found?  Is the dress code "fancier" that Carnival at dinner?  Anything goes on Carnival now.  We actually sat next to a man in a bathing suit in the main dinning room.  Didn't bother me, but I know it would bother some 🙃

 

Thanks for your input

We have cruised on Carnival and Celebrity.  Celebrity is definitely a better option if you are looking to relax and have more of an adult style cruise.   I personally would not cruise Carnival again because we are not party animals and find that Carnival was a party vibe.

[hopelea]

1 minute ago, Cruisingirl2012 said:

We have cruised on Carnival and Celebrity.  Celebrity is definitely a better option if you are looking to relax and have more of an adult style cruise.   I personally would not cruise Carnival again because we are not party animals and find that Carnival was a party vibe.

Thanks.  We are not into the party vibe either.  My husband has worked very hard all his life and is usually in bed by 10.   But he does love a casino 🤣

 

I am ready for a different experience.   For his retirement cruise, I think it needs to be more of an adult trip.

[39august]

Casinos are non-smoking on all Celebrity ships. 

[Cruisingirl2012]

8 minutes ago, hopelea said:

Thanks.  We are not into the party vibe either.  My husband has worked very hard all his life and is usually in bed by 10.   But he does love a casino 🤣

 

I am ready for a different experience.   For his retirement cruise, I think it needs to be more of an adult trip.

Trust me, you will both love the Celebrity Cruises! 

[hopelea]

1 hour ago, 39august said:

Casinos are non-smoking on all Celebrity ships. 

seriously?  That would be great.  Thanks for the info

[cocobakerchica]

2 hours ago, hopelea said:

My husband and I are seasoned cruisers.  We have sailed with Carnival 25+ times.   With that said, I am planning my husbands retirement cruise in 2026 or 2027.  I feel like we need to try a different cruise line.   We were in port next to Celebrity Ascent.....OMG it is beautiful!  

 

We would love to do at least a 10 day cruise for his retirement.

 

If you have cruised on Carnival and Celebrity, what are the main differences you have found?  Is the dress code "fancier" that Carnival at dinner?  Anything goes on Carnival now.  We actually sat next to a man in a bathing suit in the main dinning room.  Didn't bother me, but I know it would bother some 🙃

 

Thanks for your input

The main dining room dress code for dinner for the majority of your cruise will be resort casual, which is absolutely no bathing suits, lol(bathing suits aren't allowed at breakfast in the MDR either, and cover ups are to be worn over swimsuits in the Oceanview(buffet)at all times). Jeans are fine in the MDR, as are athletic shoes, but maybe not t-shirts with logos or slogans. Shorts are also not allowed, however I've seen a few diners wear them on various cruises, so it depends on the restaurant manager on how strict the enforcement is. The "formal" nights are called Chic Night and is pretty much relegated to the MDR and Theater(the rest of the public areas stay casual dress). The range of dress on those nights is from dressy casual all the way up to full formal, although it's been a very, very long time since I've seen a tux or formal gown worn onboard.

[SbbquilterUT]

We loved our retirement trip - flew to Barcelona, sailed the western Med then stayed in to sail the transatlantic back to US.  First time we were ever able to be away that long and only had to make the LONG flight one way to Europe.

[hcat]

2 hours ago, cocobakerchica said:

The main dining room dress code for dinner for the majority of your cruise will be resort casual, which is absolutely no bathing suits, lol(bathing suits aren't allowed at breakfast in the MDR either, and cover ups are to be worn over swimsuits in the Oceanview(buffet)at all times). Jeans are fine in the MDR, as are athletic shoes, but maybe not t-shirts with logos or slogans. Shorts are also not allowed, however I've seen a few diners wear them on various cruises, so it depends on the restaurant manager on how strict the enforcement is. The "formal" nights are called Chic Night and is pretty much relegated to the MDR and Theater(the rest of the public areas stay casual dress). The range of dress on those nights is from dressy casual all the way up to full formal, although it's been a very, very long time since I've seen a tux or formal gown worn onboard.

posted by a recent cruiser..

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Even though Celebrity says the evening chic night only applies to the MDR it has been our experience that a majority of cruisers adhere to it in the specialty restaurants, Blu and Luminae.  We also see a lot of guests staying dressed in the evening, especially with later dining. Personally, we just can't be bothered to change after dinner.

 

Unless you are cruising during certain times; spring break, holiday cruises, summer, there will be a lot fewer kids on Celebrity than Carnival. Longer cruises also have fewer kids.

Edited April 4 by CHEZMARYLOU

[keesar]

You will find the energy level is quite different on Celebrity.  Lower energy to say it nicely.  We have found Celebrity is more refined but not snobby. We have enjoyed the food and the music. You may be disappointed with the burgers on Celebrity.

 

Ascent is an outstanding ship providing a top notch experience. I expect you will be happy if you said on that ship.

[zitsky]

Celebrity is great.  It's a nice balance between party time on Carnival / Royal Caribbean and the sleepy atmosphere on Viking.  If you want to celebrate a retirement, consider something like a Sky Suite or Aqua class cabin which each come with their own restaurant.  Aqua is usually a lot less expensive than a suite, even the small Sky Suite.  Why leave your money to your grandchildren?

[hopelea]

51 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Celebrity is great.  It's a nice balance between party time on Carnival / Royal Caribbean and the sleepy atmosphere on Viking.  If you want to celebrate a retirement, consider something like a Sky Suite or Aqua class cabin which each come with their own restaurant.  Aqua is usually a lot less expensive than a suite, even the small Sky Suite.  Why leave your money to your grandchildren?

Aqua sounds like something my husband would love.  We usually book a spa balcony on Carnival.  Not leaving money to grandkids 🙂  Their parents make more than we do.....so we are going to enjoy ours!!!  ❤️

[Lastdance]

1 hour ago, hopelea said:

Aqua sounds like something my husband would love.  We usually book a spa balcony on Carnival.  Not leaving money to grandkids 🙂  Their parents make more than we do.....so we are going to enjoy ours!!!  ❤️

Exactly!  Seize the day...day by day!🥰

[Harrisonkid]

I find more "Adults" on Celebrity.  The vibe is classy. Dress Code is what i would call very nice casual. SHORTS work all day but long dress pants and collard shirts. Food and things are always subjective . We think Royal is an upgrade from Carnival and we feel Celebrity an upgrade from Royal...I hope this helps 

[omahabob]

6 hours ago, hcat said:

posted by a recent cruiser..

So I can still wear my sandals, as long as they don't flip or flop. Good to know.

[zitsky]

14 hours ago, hopelea said:

Aqua sounds like something my husband would love.  We usually book a spa balcony on Carnival.  Not leaving money to grandkids 🙂  Their parents make more than we do.....so we are going to enjoy ours!!!  ❤️

The reason I did a move up bid to a Sky Suite on the Beyond is that I didn’t want the window cabin, I mean Infinite Veranda.  For me paying money for a window is an infinite “no”.

[Liao]

22 hours ago, hopelea said:

 

Celebrity is a nice line, primarily skews older adults, school breaks and holidays not so much.  Food is good to very good, Luminae is so very good.  Service on Celebrity is IMO the standout best!  Entertainment while not Broadway caliber, had always done what it is supposed to do, that is to entertain me and it almost always does.  Depending on level of cabin you cruise in will of course have an impact on what you are offered.  For celebrating your husband retirement, you should take a look at what the Retreat has to offer, it’s a very nice elevated experience.  Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise and happy retirement to your husband!

[cocobakerchica]

20 hours ago, hcat said:

posted by a recent cruiser..

Yes, I know what's posted on the ships, I've seen them. I'm also speaking from recent lived experience of seeing someone in shorts in the MDR and the person not being turned away. But thank you for posting this.

[Club Eleven]

20 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Even though Celebrity says the evening chic night only applies to the MDR it has been our experience that a majority of cruisers adhere to it in the specialty restaurants, Blu and Luminae.  We also see a lot of guests staying dressed in the evening, especially with later dining. Personally, we just can't be bothered to change after dinner.

 

Unless you are cruising during certain times; spring break, holiday cruises, summer, there will be a lot fewer kids on Celebrity than Carnival. Longer cruises also have fewer kids.

Awwww, heck yeah!  I'm in tux on evening chic night, because that's the only time I get to be James Bond. Getting dressed to the nines, before dinner, and not changing afterwards, because I want share my intensely suave and attractive self with the rest of the passengers, should they find that a pleasant thing. 😎

 

Also more than happy, dressed like that, to sidle up to the bar by the pool and hang out with a fellow passenger dressed in cutoffs and a tank top. Or anything in between. It's all good!  🤙

[D. B.]

On 4/4/2024 at 6:15 AM, hopelea said:

Thanks.  We are not into the party vibe either.  My husband has worked very hard all his life and is usually in bed by 10.   But he does love a casino 🤣

 

I am ready for a different experience.   For his retirement cruise, I think it needs to be more of an adult trip.

All Celebrity ships Casino’s are non smoking.

if he is Not a smoker he will appreciate that.

  If he Is a smoker maybe not so much…..