Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity

[luige]

I've sailed on Royal several times but my travel agent is now suggesting Celebrity as its more of an "upgrade" from Royal. We've been satisfied with Royal, but are looking to do a different itinerary. Does anyone have any opinion on the differences between the 2 lines besides the 3 formal nights on Celebrity?

 

Thank You

Luige

[FortyNinerLiz]

I've sailed on Royal several times but my travel agent is now suggesting Celebrity as its more of an "upgrade" from Royal. We've been satisfied with Royal, but are looking to do a different itinerary. Does anyone have any opinion on the differences between the 2 lines besides the 3 formal nights on Celebrity?

 

Thank You

Luige

 

Personal opinion, but if you are under 40 and/or have kids with you, stick with RCCL. Many more activities for young people.

[SusieV]

Personal opinion, but if you are under 40 and/or have kids with you, stick with RCCL. Many more activities for young people.

 

Not sure why you say this. We're in our mid twenties and love Celebrity.

 

It all depends what you want from a cruise, not how old you are.

[luige]

We are both 40 and my wife likes the shows while I enjoy sitting in some of the smaller clubs. We both loved Matt Yee when he was on the Serenade and we enjoyed watching the Quest. We aren't real big into the dance club scene, but also want a little more then a game of checkers in a quiet room.

[elliekate]

How did you like Serenade? We are thinking about booking Southern Caribbean for next year. We loved Celebrity - very classy and Constellation was a great ship. Some of the reviews I have been reading about Serenade are making me think we should stick with Celebrity!

[tuggers]

I just did a thread on this forum comparing Brilliance of the Seas to X if you'd care to read that. I'm an X fan with almost 40 X cruises and only 5 or 6 RCI ones. I try to show the differences between the two lines.

It's called: Live From The Decks of Brilliance...

[luige]

I really liked the Serenade, crew was great, ship was well cared for and I think that particular southern itinerary is the best. I was looking at the southern itineraries for 2009 and may repeat the Serenade again.

[luige]

I really liked the Serenade, crew was great, ship was well cared for and I think that particular southern itinerary is the best. I was looking at the southern itineraries for 2009 and may repeat the Serenade again.

[jt1120]

Tough call. We are both in our mid 40's and prefer X to RC, but the Serenade is our absolute favoritest ship of all that we've cruised. Can't go wrong with either, though the professionalism of the X staff definitely sways us in X's favor.

 

Yes, favoritest is a word.

[Donnaluv2cruise]

How did you like Serenade? We are thinking about booking Southern Caribbean for next year. We loved Celebrity - very classy and Constellation was a great ship. Some of the reviews I have been reading about Serenade are making me think we should stick with Celebrity!

 

We sailed on The Serenade after sailing on The Constellation. Even though The Serenade was a beautiful ship, had a great concierge, (Maritza,) and we loved those self liveling pool tables, there was just something we missed about Celebrity. We felt that the food was much better on The Constellation, and we just felt more pampered. We're returning to Celebrity on The Galaxy in March, with a great Southern Carribean itinerary. Cant wait! :D

[Casino Player]

I've sailed on Royal several times but my travel agent is now suggesting Celebrity as its more of an "upgrade" from Royal. We've been satisfied with Royal, but are looking to do a different itinerary. Does anyone have any opinion on the differences between the 2 lines besides the 3 formal nights on Celebrity?

 

Thank You

Luige

Luige, I've been on both lines. I've only sailed once on RCCL and this year will be my third on Celebrity. That should say something. Differences: 1) The food on Celebrity is better. On RCCL even the people that handle the food could not idendify what an item is when I or my wife asked. 2) Service. On Celebrity Cruise Line the service is best of any cruise line I've sailed on. I've been on five different lines. Celebrity could have room service to my stateroom about 10 minutes after I order from room service. On RCCL it takes over an hour. Well past what is told to you when you order and far longer than on any other cruise line. 3) Announcements- RCCL makes announcements all the time for everything. On Celebrity they don't make announcements. You find what you want to do in the ships paper then do it. A more sedate cruise experience and you aren't always interrupted for announcements.

[negc]

We are both 40 and my wife likes the shows while I enjoy sitting in some of the smaller clubs. We both loved Matt Yee when he was on the Serenade and we enjoyed watching the Quest. We aren't real big into the dance club scene, but also want a little more then a game of checkers in a quiet room.

If you liked Matt Yee, you might enjoy Perry Grant if he is entertaining on your Celebrity cruise.

We have many RCI cruises under our belt but enjoyed our transatlantic on the Constellation last September. Food is a very subjective issue and we found some items on the Connie to be better than what we have been served on RCI ships, but other items did not reach that level, and frankly I found the service and food in Oceanliners to be far less satisfactory than what we experienced in Chops on Enchantment of the Seas in December. Service on the Constellation was adequate but not superior, with two specific exceptions where we encountered superlative waiters in the buffet restaurant, though it was certainly adequate. Again, that type of thing depends entirely on the people who you come into contact with. There seemed to be more than enough activities available during our sea days that you needn't worry about being reduced to playing a game of checkers.

If you like the itinerary and the price is right, I'd recommend that you give Celebrity a try. I don't think you will be terribly disappointed and you might even find it better suits you than RCI. If it doesn't you will at least have actual experience on which to base your opinion. :)

[negc]

We are both 40 and my wife likes the shows while I enjoy sitting in some of the smaller clubs. We both loved Matt Yee when he was on the Serenade and we enjoyed watching the Quest. We aren't real big into the dance club scene, but also want a little more then a game of checkers in a quiet room.

If you liked Matt Yee, you might enjoy Perry Grant if he is entertaining on your Celebrity cruise.

We have many RCI cruises under our belt but enjoyed our transatlantic on the Constellation last September. Food is a very subjective issue and we found some items on the Connie to be better than what we have been served on RCI ships, but other items did not reach that level, and frankly I found the service and food in Oceanliners to be far less satisfactory than what we experienced in Chops on Enchantment of the Seas in December. Service on the Constellation was adequate but not superior, with two specific exceptions where we encountered superlative waiters in the buffet restaurant, though it was certainly adequate. Again, that type of thing depends entirely on the people who you come into contact with. There seemed to be more than enough activities available during our sea days that you needn't worry about being reduced to playing a game of checkers.

If you like the itinerary and the price is right, I'd recommend that you give Celebrity a try. I don't think you will be terribly disappointed and you might even find it better suits you than RCI. If it doesn't you will at least have actual experience on which to base your opinion. :)

[pandabebe]

I've sailed on Royal several times but my travel agent is now suggesting Celebrity as its more of an "upgrade" from Royal. We've been satisfied with Royal, but are looking to do a different itinerary. Does anyone have any opinion on the differences between the 2 lines besides the 3 formal nights on Celebrity?

 

Thank You

Luige

 

I have cruised with Royal several times and I just finished my first Celebrity cruise so I thought I'd offer a fresh opinion of the 2 lines.

 

I am in my late 20s, married with no children. DH and I prefer Royal for the "wow" factor of the newer ships...the large atriums, the 3 level dining room, etc. We also like all the different ammenities/activities that the new and larger Royal ships have to offer (larger casino, rock climbing, ice skating, mini-golf, etc.). We love to swim, so the fact that Royal keeps their pools and hot tubs open late into the night is big plus factor for us (whereas Celebrity closed their pools and hot tubs quite early on our recent Hawaiian cruise)

 

However, the food on Celebrity is SOOOO much better!!!! Other than Crystal, Celebrity has the best food by far!!!! And the specialty restaurant on the Soltice was fantastic...the best filet and chocoalte souffle I've ever had!!! The service on Celebrity is also much better...the staff there really know how to make you feel special (they remember all the little details).

 

Would I sail Celebrity again? Maybe...the food alone is worth considering. But based on the fact that Royal seems to be better suited for our generation/age group I think we will most likely stick with Royal for the next few years (not to say Celebrity isn't a great cruise line...but maybe something more suited for us as we get a little older). Parents on the other hand only sail Celebrity.

[txsloth]

And the specialty restaurant on the Soltice was fantastic...the best filet and chocoalte souffle I've ever had!!!

A time traveller!!! Who wins the Super Bowl? :D Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

Anyway--my wife and I are in our early 30s and have only sailed Celebrity. We would consider a couple other lines, but based on what I've read, RC is not one of them. All things considered, I think we'll stick with X for the sedate and sophisticated experience they provide.

[negc]

 

However, the food on Celebrity is SOOOO much better!!!! Other than Crystal, Celebrity has the best food by far!!!! And the specialty restaurant on the Soltice was fantastic...the best filet and chocoalte souffle I've ever had!!!

Should we judge your review by the experience you claim to have had on the Soltice (sic)? :rolleyes: If so, I can't wait till next week when you return from Genesis 1.:D

PS. If he tells you that the Colts beat the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, don't put your money on it.;)

[Sugar*Magnolia]

I've sailed on Royal several times but my travel agent is now suggesting Celebrity as its more of an "upgrade" from Royal. We've been satisfied with Royal, but are looking to do a different itinerary. Does anyone have any opinion on the differences between the 2 lines besides the 3 formal nights on Celebrity?

 

Thank You

Luige

 

I think Celebrity is more refined. We've sailed both lines, both are GREAT. It depends on what you're looking for. I dont recall being bored on Celebrity, but we tend to make our own fun alot of the time too. On RCI there will be more families so there is more to do and keep occupied. imho it really depends on what you're looking for.

[Kathie44]

We sail only Royal C and X and love them both. We started cruising 6 yrs ago at ages 57 and 60, later than a lot of posters here. In general, the food is a bit better on X, but the best overall cruise to date was Brit. Isles/Nor.Fjords on Jewel in June '06. That was partly due to the itin., but also the beautiful Jewel, where food, service and everything else was every bit as good and the food even better than our X cruises to date.

X-only fans will not agree, but I don't see a lot of difference between the two, maybe because we didn't cruise X in earlier years. I can't really say our X cruises have been more refined. I have the same hilarious good times with the trivia and other games. It all depends on how refined YOU are, lol.

We leave Thurs. for our 8th cruise, 4th on X and can't wait!!! I have two more X cruises in mind for '09.

PS, if you go with X,you MUST try the waffles. :D

 

1/02 Explorer E. Carib.

1/03 Explorer W. Carib.

8/03 Summit Alaska cruise/tour

2/04 Adventure S. Carib.

2/05 Galaxy Panama Canal

6/06 Jewel Brit. Isles/Nor. Fjords + 3 days in London

1/07 Mercury Mexican Riviera

1/08 Mercury Aust/NZ Sydney-Aukland

[pandabebe]

A time traveller!!! Who wins the Super Bowl? :D Sorry, couldn't resist..

 

WHOOPS...my bad...I meant Summit :p

 

My brain is not functioning...I'm having cruise withdrawal...it's the lack of food!!!! :D