I Celebrity a step up to RCCL?

[smile247]

Hi - I really didnt know where to post this question. I was afraid if I posted on RC forum or Celebrity forum I wouldnt get un-biased suggestions.

We are getting ready for our first family cruise on Royal Caribbean Voyager in Feb. of 2008. (D-1 cat.) This is a family cruise with our two children which is why we booked as we did. My husband and I will be celebrating our 15th anniversay in March of 2009,and I was thinking of booking us a 5 day out of Miami on Celebrity's Century. It would just be for the two of us. I was looking at the CC or concierge level. Would this be a step up from RC? I understand that RC owns Celebrity. I was wanting a more intimate and "white glove" cruise . I havent cruised yet,but would like to know if this is a good move. I would love to hear from anyone that has sailed both lines. We are both in our early 30s. Thanks so much -Smile

[hajekfam]

I have not cruised Royal but I can tell you about Celebrity.

First of all, Celebrity has a no announcement policy - the only announcement is the daily noon announcement from the captain telling location of the ship, time, temperature, water temperature, speed and arrival time at next port (if a sea day), and a very brief announcement by the cruise director of the evening's activities.

Upon boarding, you are given a glass of champagne or orange juice. If you board after rooms are ready you are escorted to your cabin (with your escort taking your carryons for you).

When reboarding the ship after a day in port, cold damp towels are handed out to refresh yourself.

There is only one grand buffet at midnight held on the last formal night. On other nights, they have gourmet bites at midnight - appetizers and bite size pastries passed around by waiters in the lounges and casino.

Celebrity has three dress codes for dinner - casual (dockers and polo shirt for men), informal (jacket and slacks for men), and formal (dark suit or tux for men). They do have alternative casual dining for dinner - however it is not a buffet but a sit down meal in the buffet area with waiters and tableclothes and limited menu (different from the dining room menu).

Activities are listed in the daily. There is no belly flop contest, hairy chest contest, etc. There are trivia contests, lectures, dancing, and other activities.

At dinner time, there are no singing and dancing waiters (with the exception of the last formal night's baked Alaska parade where Old Lang Syne is sung. There is soft music or a harpist, quartet, or piano player. Wine (from an extensive wine list) is served by sommeliers, alcoholic drinks and sodas by bar staff - not your waiter.

Suites have butlers as well as extras. Concierge class has extra amenties - such as express check-in, late afternoon canapes, extended room service menu including smoothies.

There is a water carafe and ice bucket in your cabin that your steward keeps full.

All rooms have robes - concierge class and suites have plush terry robes, all other cabins have waffle weave robes.

[janetz]

Yes, it is. I would say about 2 steps up. Enjoy. :) The Century is a awesome ship.

[smile247]

Thanks for your responses,according your description this is the type of cruise I was looking for. I just wanted to make sure before I booked.....:)

[Mocorobabe]

Have sailed on both lines. We did not think that the price difference was worth it.

 

If you are going to be a one time cruiser, Celebrity is the way to go.

(By the way, we did not get all the services the previous poster mentioned.) If you are going to be a frequent cruiser, Royal Caribbean offers greater perks. We have the highest rating Celebrity offers and it is nothing compared to RCL.

 

The real "white glove" line is Crystal.

 

Mocorobabe

[eh2zed]

The best advice comes from Royal Caribbean itself. It owns both lines. It markets RCI as a regular cruise line and Celebrity as a premium cruise line. Celebrity is at least one star higher than RCI. Both will give a great experience.

[sailorwife]

I have sailed on celebrity and did not get that service and I was in a CC class Balcony room, no white gloves no drink when boarding, very good room stewart, and great Dining Staff, no hot or cold towels, as for the sea days unless you play Bingo or Casino they really had nothing to do, and we had a lot of sea days going from La to Hawaii, very nice and clean ship (Summitt),I would try them again but for sure on a different cruise ,

sailorwife

[beth4652]

We have sailed both lines. We were in a balcony on Celebrity and did get all the white glove perks outlined above --- except for the towels when reboarding. We were in Alaska :rolleyes:. We also felt that the food was better on Celebrity and they had a Somalier. That being said, there were more organized activities on RCCL and we had a wonderful cruise with wonderful treatment. Would not hesitate to sail with either again. Bottom line --- it sounds to me as if you've made the right decision for you. Have a wonderful time.

[newmexicoNita]

I have sailed on celebrity and did not get that service and I was in a CC class Balcony room, no white gloves no drink when boarding, very good room stewart, and great Dining Staff, no hot or cold towels, as for the sea days unless you play Bingo or Casino they really had nothing to do, and we had a lot of sea days going from La to Hawaii, very nice and clean ship (Summitt),I would try them again but for sure on a different cruise ,

sailorwife

thanks for responding, i was about to say something similar. We did a 5 day cruise on Celebrity a couple years ago, I don't care what line, 5 days cruises are not the same as 7 or longer. We did get the champagne when we boarded, but the rest, no. Twice on Celebrity, never the wet towels which we were so looking forward to. This is not to downplay the poistives about Celebrtiy, but I don't think they are quite as upscale as some loyalists think they are, certainly I don't think everything about a shorter cruise will be as good as a longer one. Again, this is just my opinion.

 

Nita

[mithryl]

I've done two RCCL cruises and just got off my first

Celebrity cruise on Friday. I thought the cabins and overall decor on RCCL was far superior to Celebrity. I was just on the Mercury, which is an older ship, and it was very plain. I was Wowed by the decor on RCCL.

I must say that the food (in the dining room) on Celebrity was the best I've experienced so far on any cruise. Consistantly excellent! Service was also fantastic. The buffet was just ok. Food was good but not great and selection seemed very limited compared to other cruiselines. If I was given the choice of two cruises, right now, to the same destination, I'd pick RCCL over Celebrity.

But if the dining experience is your number one priority...I'd go with Celebrity.

[GORDONCHICK]

Speaking for the decor, RC has more of a "wow" factor, while X is understated elegance. X caters to a more mature (and I don't mean decrepit!) demo than RC, hence the lack of calls for bingo, etc. If you are looking for lots of action and a very active nightlife, X may not be what you are looking for.

[mary_228]

One thing you may (or may not) enjoy aboard the Century is a more formal atmosphere. At dinner each night, men wear suits and ties. The dress code is actually honored by the passengers who sail Celebrity.

 

On RCCL, passengers tend to be more casual. Even on formal nights, people would show up for dinner in khakis and polo shirts.

 

There is also more of a party atmosphere on RCCL ships. Stuff a watermelon in your swimsuit competitions and so forth. The kids will love it! But for your anniversary, you may prefer something more refined.

[Sundagger]

One thing you may (or may not) enjoy aboard the Century is a more formal atmosphere. At dinner each night, men wear suits and ties. The dress code is actually honored by the passengers who sail Celebrity.

 

The dress code is:

 

A gentleman's choice for casual nights includes a sport shirt and slacks, while women will be comfortable in a pants suit, skirt and blouse, or casual dress.

 

On informal nights, men are requested to wear a jacket, shirt and slacks, No jeans, while women may want to wear a suit or dress.

 

For the formal nights, including the Captain's Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party, dinner on the second night, and the Captain's Farewell Dinner held the next-to-last night of the cruise; both men and women may prefer more dressy attire, such as an evening gown for women and a tuxedo or dress suit for men.

[corkpopr]

absolutly for all the reasons mentioned by the other posters, RCCL is behind celebrity, holland, and princess, and the cabin STEWARDS are better!

[newmexicoNita]

One thing you may (or may not) enjoy aboard the Century is a more formal atmosphere. At dinner each night, men wear suits and ties. The dress code is actually honored by the passengers who sail Celebrity.

 

On RCCL, passengers tend to be more casual. Even on formal nights, people would show up for dinner in khakis and polo shirts.

 

There is also more of a party atmosphere on RCCL ships. Stuff a watermelon in your swimsuit competitions and so forth. The kids will love it! But for your anniversary, you may prefer something more refined.

Our kids didn't find the Century that much more formal than other lines when they sailed her across the Atlantic last fall?

 

Nita

[Host Kewlguy]

Having sailed on both lines including the Celebrity Constellation last month I can tell you the difference between the two cruise lines isn't as great as it was a couple of years ago. At this point in time they are both mass market lines. Although you will find more families on Royal while Celebrity will attract more seniors. We certainly don't consider Celebrity a "white glove" cruise experience.

[sandy toes]

I have sailed on both lines and I do think Celebrity is the most elegant of all that I have I been on (PCL, HAL, RCCL, DCL,CCL, NCL, Costa, MSC) except Cunard. I have sailed 18 times on Celebrity and more than that on RCCL. I do enjoy the formal dining area with dressing to dine instead of seeing people wear what they did in port earlier in the day. I like the soft romantic music instead of singing waiters and a loud maitre d'. It is a pleasure to have a cool frozen sorbet handed to me while I read a book on the pool deck or a cool frosty towel given to me from a silver tray when I reboard ship after a day on island. I like the CC class and think it is worth the extra. Of all the Celebrity ships that sail in the caribbean I like the Millennium best. You can dine in the RMS Olympic speciality dining room where the walls are from the Olympic, sister ship to the Titanic. A bit of history to speak to you.The Galaxy, Century, Constellation are all great ships. I look forward to '09 and the Solstice. I do cruise alot and take my family frequently. They tend to like the upbeat atmosphere of RCCL and CCL best. The kids camps on those lines are wonderful. I do think you will have a wonderful anniversay no matter what line/ship you cruise but Celebrity will provide a few more romantic extras. Just my humble opinion.

[smile247]

I'm really enjoying reading everyone's responses,thanks for all of your help. :) -Smile247

[Jim_Iain]

While Celebrity is owned by RCL I feel it is a step up. I have not sailed RCL but have heard there is a lot more to do for families with children - Rock Walls, Surfing Pool, Ice Rings etc...