Celebrity or RCCL

[max227]

This question has nothing to do with recent changes at RCL.

 

We are looking at a 7 day Barcelona, Med cruise in Sept. 2010. Comparing the two, in similar cabins there is only about a 200 price difference, so that does not matter. The ports of call are the same except X stops in Genoa Italy and RCL in Marseilles France. The other ports are the same. I am just wondering what experienced people think, we have done 5 RCL cruises but never done X. Comments and suggestions would be very helpful, thanks.

[Kevin's girl]

We are Diamond members with Crown and Anchor and have just finished our first X cruise on the Solstice. Even with as much as we liked RCCI, I'm not sure we can ever go back. We just loved the Solstice, the service and general attitude of Celebrity. I was truly impressed.

[max227]

Thank you, can you give some specific's on what you liked better.

[Denny01]

So we don't have to go to the RCCL and Celebrity sites and look it up. If we know, we can give you a better opinion.

 

Denny

[Host Anne]

For me it would likely depend on the ship. If it's Solstice or Equinox, I'd definitely go with Celebrity. If it's a Radiance-class ship vs an M-class ship, we might do the Radiance-class ship. In the Med, so much time is spent in port that you don't have nearly as much time to enjoy the ship. If it's a Voyager class ship vs any Celebrity ship, we'd go with Celebrity. So for us, it would depend on the ship. I don't want to be in the Med on a Voyager class ship. Solstice is as big as I'd want to sail in the Med.

[jaycor]

We are diamond members on RCcl -mid 40's

We went on the Summit 2 years ago (Celebrity) and just loved it. First time on Celebrity

went back on RCcL this year-but on the IOS-too big-we did not eat in the dining room after the 2 day.We love the Radiance class-on RCCL -not as many people-food so much better

We did Back to backs from IOS RCl to Solstice this feb and Celebrity was amazing- better then the Summit-the food was great and so was service-we have booked celebrity again for next yesr.

Think that we will stay with this line-nothing to do with perks.

just food and service so much better-no more plastic plates or mugs(which drove me nuts on Rccl) in the buffet area

Music was live and not piped in-

what ever you choose

 

have fun

[max227]

Again thanks, the ships are RCL Voyager or X Constillation.

[djhuff]

I sailed on the Solstice this past January. The ship was great, the crew was great (personal attention, WOW). Didn't care for the other passengers though. Maybe it was just this cruise, but it was and OLD ship (passengers).

 

Kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. The only other cruise I had been on was RC, and we met so many great people on that cruise. This one, not so much.

 

Take the passengers out of the situation, and the Celebrity was just a little step above what Royal offers in every aspect.

[janets here]

It depends on what kind of holiday experience you enjoy.

RCCL - younger crowds with lots of children, English pubs, lots of entertainment, not many frills - i.e. you eat off plastic plates and drink out of mugs instead of cup & saucer in the buffet restaurant, there is no butler service in the suites etc. Shows are very good, especially the ones on ice. Like a three star Holiday Inn.

 

Celeb - 40+ yr old guests, feels much more premium, silver service in the speciality restaurants and amazing staff. There are talks, shows, bars etc to keep you entertained, but the nightclub is never very full! Butler service and extra details if you're in a suite or CC class make a real difference. Like a four star luxury hotel.

 

I've (early 40s) been on a RCL cruise once and it was very disappointing. I prefer Celebrity's understated elegance and attentive staff.

[TRadle]

We've sailed on both Voyager and Freedom class on RCL as well as the Century and two of the M class ships. We do like the Voyager class ships.....but only when the kids are with us!:D

 

If it is just adults I'd chose the Constellation...no contest. The service is better, the music softer, the food is just a tad better, and the ship is stunning. And there are no announcements!

[biker1972]

To me Celebrity fits my tastes. The example I draw on is cheese and crackers: Celebrity gave me brie with some interesting water/wafer crackers in the dining room; RCCL gave me brie with ordinary soda crackers, and they had to seach for them!:)

[slotaddict]

We have sailed on both - and enjoyed both. "In my opinion" Celebrity's food is a cut above the rest. Now, I have not been on a Celebrity ship since Michael Roux has not been the head chef - so there may have been changes. Again in my opinion RCL is a little more laid back than Celebrity.

I have never had a bad Celebrity cruise.

[Denny01]

Haven't sailed Voyager, but sailed Constellation and other Celebrity M-Class and they are my favorite. Going to try Solstice this Fall.

 

Agree with above on dining and low-key. Our favorite spots on the Constellation are:

- T-Spa (Aqua Spa Pool Forward). Large warm saltwater pool. Inside with lots of jets and water-action. Lounges on the side of the pool with bubbles up through them. Fantastic. We'd get a SR forward so we could run up every AM. Aqua Cafe is there. Light fare. Excellent.

- Cava Cafe. On most Celebrity ships. European-style coffee lounge. Lovely woods and brown accents. Cafe tables. Great specialty coffees (including spiked - loved Aspen). Free Pasteries. We'd meet friends, play cards, listen to rotating music groups, use WiFi. Good signal there.

 

Have enjoyed RCL, but only been on the older ship that sailed out of New Orleans. Enjoyed it, but not the same level as Celebrity. On a port-intensive European cruise, may not take full advantage, but I love the ships, and Constellation is my current favorite.

 

Denny

[Schplinky]

I'm a real RCL fan but I would chose the Constellation. After the very busy days in port, the Constellation will be a better place to re-group and look ahead. The ship is very calming and you will be shocked how tiring all the touring is.

[hcat]

Again thanks, the ships are RCL Voyager or X Constillation.

 

No contest--go with Connie--what a great ship!

Voyager is one of the larger mall ships--you will love M class....

[hajekfam]

Although I can't compare Celebrity to Royal (having only cruised on Celebrity), I can tell you why I cruise Celebrity. Celebrity offers a relaxed, adult experience with good food and great service.

We like the lack of announcements hawking things like bingo - except for emergency announcements, there is only one announcement a day at noon from the captain giving the temp, location, etc followed by a short announcement by the cruise director giving the highlights of the remaining activities of the day. We like the little touches like the welcome aboard glass of champagne, mimosa, or orange juice; the cool damp towels passed out when returning to the ship after a hot day in port (or the hot chocolate passed out after a cold day).

With the Med being a very port intensive cruise, the Celebrity cruise experience is perfect for a relaxing, restful change from the hectic port pace.

[ghstudio]

The constellation is one of our favorite ships (we're on her in April again). Nice size (not too big), very friendly crew, reasonably good food (far better than RCL) and far far better baking (which may be a negative if you are watching your weight).

[max227]

Again thanks for all the comments, it really does help a great deal. We have only done RCL, loved every cruise and will be diamond after our upcoming cruise. Both EARLY 40's. But from all your comments it would appear Celebrity may fit our interests and style a little better.

 

I will still take any additional comments and add one question, can you get table for two for dinner. We always request this on RCL and always got one.

[AtlantaJake]

You can get a table for two but you will be missing half the fun of the cruise, meeting & enjoying other people. My wife & I almost always travel alone but request a table for 8. We have never been disappointed with the company of others. We did two 14 day cruises back to back last fall on Cel. Summit. First was the Med & then a Transatlantic. One of our table mates had the same itinerery & had never been on Cel before. They are now sold on Celebrity over the RCL. Mostly due to food & service. Seven days in the Med will wear you out. Take comfortable shoes.

[de313]

My DH and I have also done 5 cruises on RCI then we went on Celebrity Summit in a CC cabin and our status went with us. Really liked X and will be doing it agian in 2010 to Alaska (making plans in Aug on cruise want the on board credits). My DH and I are in our 40's and the only thing I can say that I would of liked different on Celebrity was there were very little messages over the speakers. I guess that in a way was good it was nice and quite in our cabin. I'm sure no-matter what line you pick you'll have a great cruise.

[Coolcruise02]

Again thanks for all the comments, it really does help a great deal. We have only done RCL, loved every cruise and will be diamond after our upcoming cruise. Both EARLY 40's. But from all your comments it would appear Celebrity may fit our interests and style a little better.

 

I will still take any additional comments and add one question, can you get table for two for dinner. We always request this on RCL and always got one.

 

Since you want more opinions......... we are in our mid 50's but very active. Even though we had good cruises with X you have to go with the understanding it will be a big change from an RCL cruise. On our X cruises the ships were DEAD after 9:30 and the average age was 65-80. For us we enjoy nightlife/dancing and the energy a younger crowd brings to a ship. JMHO

[Schplinky]

While my vote was for Connie over Voyager, you shoudl also note that RCL in Europe is an older criowd than RCL in North America. Cannot comment on the X ships there being any older as we have not sailed X in Europe.

[Solstice23]

We prefer Celebrity, Although we do enjoy RCCL

[cruznjan]

We're Elite on Celebrity and Diamond on Royal. We find the service on Celebrity to be a cut above Royal Caribbean. When you board X you're given a glass of champagne and you're escorted to your cabin. Royal doesn't do that. We also find X's dining room service to be better.

[hajekfam]

We have found a good mix of ages on all 15 of our Celebrity cruises and never saw the ship "DEAD" after 9:30 - even on a port intensive cruise. However, it does quiet down around midnight -1 am in most areas of the ship. On a Med cruise with heavy port touring, you actually look forward to the quiet time to wind down and get plenty of rest for the next heavy day.