Why should we choose Seabourn over Celebrity?

[margbem]

Probably a silly question, but we have only cruised RCI and HAL previously. We are thinking of doing a western Med cruise next September. The stateroom we are thinking of on Seabourn is on the bottom passenger deck above the officers' accommodation. Are these rooms OK? What would we get included that we would have to pay for on other lines?

 

Thanks for any info at all to help us make our minds up.

[wripro]

You would choose Seabourn over Celebrity for the same reason you would choose Tiffany's over Zale's or Mercedes over Mercury. The suites on Deck 4 are just like the ones above. All suites are pretty much the same except for those with the French balconies which do not affect the space inside. What you will get included is all alcohol and wine, all tips and the best food and service on the sea.

[Host Dan]

Probably a silly question, but we have only cruised RCI and HAL previously. We are thinking of doing a western Med cruise next September. The stateroom we are thinking of on Seabourn is on the bottom passenger deck above the officers' accommodation. Are these rooms OK? What would we get included that we would have to pay for on other lines?

 

Thanks for any info at all to help us make our minds up.

Hmm, where do I begin?? First of all, all suites are created equal, other than the classic, double and owners suites. You will be just fine on deck 4. I usually prefer that deck (unless I am in a french balcony suite). Seabourn offers an open bar, incredible food and the best service on the seas! Within a day, most of the crew will be addressing you by name. I've sailed Celebrity, HAL and most all of the other lines. Although they can be wonderful cruise experiences, Seabourn has a magic about the experience that you can't match on the mass market lines. If you really are trying to choose, I think you know what my recommendation would be!

 

Host Dan

[hoya68]

Margbern:

 

We sailed on the Legend two years ago (and will be on the Spirit in about two weeks). There is simply no comparison between a mass market ship and Seabourn ships. First of all, with respect to the cabins, we were on a cabin on the lower deck. They are as large as cabins on the higher decks (and they are spacious enough to comfortably entertain two other couples in style - see below). Their windows are the same. In fact they are no different than any other cabins, except the few very expensive suites) and the cabins that have "French balconies", i.e. windows that open to let in the fresh air.

Although Celebrity has a reputation for having fairly good food, I don't think anyone would argue that it approaches the level of Seabourn. Seabourn will be like dining in a first-rate contemporary restaurant. The service will be FAR more attentive because of a well-trained staff and far more staff to passengers than on a mass cruise line. What do you get extra that you would have to pay for on celebrity? All alcoholic beverages (except very high end wine and spirits -e.g. vintage champagne, as opposed to the excellent French house champage, and XO cognac), caviar upon request, champagne and caviar for entertaining in your cabin, a fridge stocked with beer, water, soft drinks and two bottles of liquor dinners served course by course in your cabin, dining in special restaurants, and all gratuities. All of these would add significantly to your costs on a line such as Celebrity.

 

You will find the entertainment and variety of activities on Seabourn much more limited. Passengers, who tend to be pretty worldly, but not stuffy, seem to be able to entertain each other pretty well. Of course, seating in the dining room is open, and you may dine as a couple, or with others, as you choose. Also, on a typical cruise you will get several invitations to dine with crew and staff.

 

I am sure others will have more to add, but I hope this is a start.

 

Steve

[Keith1010]

If these are hotels think of Seaborn as the Ritz Carlton and think of Celebrity as the Hyatt. And, think of Seaborn as if you were staying on the club floor of the Ritz Carlton with even more attentive service than at the Ritz.

 

There is just no comparison between these two cruise lines.

 

Keith

[beargal]

We have been on the Legend once and the Pride and are going on the Spirit in May on a Med cruise. We have previously been on HAL and Celebrity as well.

As mentioned above all drinks not just alcoholic are included. I get really tired of paying for cokes and water on the mass lines! The food is much better on Seabourn. I have to agree that Celebrity food was better than HAL but I was very disappointed on the Celebrity Galaxy to find silk and plastic flowers around the ship versus all the fresh ones on HAL and Seabourn.

Having been in a RS on Celebrity and a Deluxe Suite on Hal, yes those cabins are bigger and we did enjoy the butler on Celebrity and the Neptune Lounge on HAL. However, on those bigger ships you still have to come out of your cabin and stand in line with the rest of the ship to tender to shore or to come back on the ship! The lower number of passengers on Seabourn makes for a totally different experience and the personal attention can't be beat!

I will note one other factor that may play in choosing Celebrity over Seabourn is that if you are going to have a very port intensive cruise you won't get to savor all that makes Seabourn so special so you may not want to pay the extra money for things you won't get to enjoy as fully as on a cruise with more sea days. It all comes down to what makes you happy and how you want to experience your cruise.

Rebecca

[Baz-t]

A very good question and as you will see from the replies the easy answer is Seabourn, but that is not to put down the excellent voyage that can be experienced on Celebrity.

We sailed on Celebrity for the first time back in 2004 and have now done so three times, last year on Constellation which was very impressive in terms of service and food. I amaze myself that I get on with a ship of that size but it never feels overwhelming.

We used to sail Silversea but switched to Seabourn in 2006 for the first time and have our second Seabourn sailing in 11 days time (can't wait!!).

Seabourn gives small ship quality, exceptional pampering and the opportunity to meet and converse with great people (open seating for dining).

Celebrity is at the top of its peer group, gives outstanding service and amazing value for money.

We will continue sailing with both, but when the budget allows, we will always chose Seabourn.

Baz-t (also London)

[SchnauzerPup]

Not at all a silly question.

 

You will, of course, get a strong opinion towards SB on this board, and rightly so. SB offers a unique small ship experience that I and others enjoy. However it IS DIFFERENT from a large ship experience and you need to consider what it is about cruising that you enjoy. Here are some things to consider.

 

1) On SB you need to "make your own fun" quite a bit of the time. True their enrichment programs are excellent, and there is trivia if you wish, but there is nothing like the endless stream of activities that you see on a larger ship. If you like lots of organized activities you may find them lacking. If you like meeting interesting fellow travelers, socializing, reading, etc. you can't beat SB. Your fellow SB passengers are universally friendly and interesting.

 

2) The entertainment on SB is low key. The talented staff does a couple cabaret style shows, the SB quartet is excellent, frequently there is a lounge style duet. If you like big stage shows and extravaganzas with lot's of costumes you may wish to look elsewhere.

 

3) The "casino" (in quotes because it is practically non-existant) is tiny. Two tables and 4 slots in a little corner. If you place a premium on a big exciting casino you will be disappointed.

 

4) Dining. There is no comparison. The dining and service on SB is not even comparable to a mass market line. True celebrity is a cut above some, but SB is truly extraordinary.

 

5) Suites. True the suites on SB are all of high quality with excellent bedding and facilities, but there are no real balconies and for the cost of a SB cruise you could get a larger suite on another line. If you are the sort who stays in the cabin the whole cruise you might find it lacking. SB has, however, WONDERFUL public areas all through the ship. It is really designed for you to be out with your fellow passengers in a relaxed environment (no screaming and yelling on the deck, no crowds anywhere).

 

I guess in short it comes to your personality. If you like quiet and mingling in a laid-back environment SB can't be beat. If you like excitement and night life ala Vegas then SB may be a disappointment.

[margbem]

Thanks everyone! We still can't make our minds up - the pampering on Seabourn sounds wonderful but we do like to sit on our balcony with a glass of champagne before dinner and we can't really afford a balcony cabin!

 

Thanks for all the information!

[fPetrarca]

I also suggest that the OP check out Celebrity's small ship line Azamara. I have sailed Seabourn several times and Azamara once. I felt that the food on Azamara was at least as good as that on Seabourn (Celebrity seems to be putting a lot of money into the dining options on this line) and there were more choices--in addition to the main restaurant there are two smaller specialty dining rooms. However, the line is not all-inclusive (although all suites offer complimentary sodas and bottled water) and the service, while extremely friendly and hard-working, is not nearly as polished as that of Seabourn. The regular staterooms are smaller than Seabourn's "suites" but had wonderful soft goods. All in all, an excellent "middle ground" choice between Celebrity and Seabourn.