Jump to content

How does Celebrity compare to Royal Caribbean


stillafloat

Recommended Posts

We are looking at Serenade of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity summit for December 2009 cruise. They all have very similiar iteneraries. Has anyone been on both lines/ships? We want to book soon. Thanks!:confused:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just back from Rhapsody of the Seas, RCI. Previously cruised twice on Celebrity Mercury. While Rhapsody was a larger ship, Celebrity food quality and service blows RCI off the map. For instance, Celebrity had 5-course meals at dinner (soup, salad, appy, entree, dessert with at least 5 choices for each), RCI had 3 (soup, salad or appy, entree, dessert). Overall will choose Celebrity again. Celebrated anniversary and birthday on Alaska cruise with Celebrity - they decorated the doorway of our cabin, provided special dessert and sang. Celebrated same on this RCI cruise, they did nothing. Everything I have read on the Solstice says if you can afford it, take it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have not sailed RCI but one thing to think about is the Summit is a smaller ship than the Solstice. You might want to check out the amenties onboard before deciding.

We just sailed the Infinity and it was so much better than anything else we had tried in the past,very laid back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We sail both, and there are different things that I like on each. We have been on the Mariner and the Millenium this year, and had a wonderful time on each of them. My preference for Celebrity is the inside pool area and the aqua spa cafe, but the food on the Mariner in April was perfectly satisfying as was the Millenium. I thought my meal in CHOPS on the Mariner was among the best that I have had anywhere. That being said I might try the newest ship which happens to be the Celebrity Solstice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We like and sail on both lines. My favorite ship so far is Century. Also love Millennium, which we are about to sail for the second time. But we have also had great cruises on two Voyager class ships (Explorer and Adventure) and have several more RCCL cruises booked. We make the menus on RCCL give us all 5 courses by ordering appetizer, soup and salad from the menu. Easy to do, and they are happy to accomodate. Yes, we will probably try Solstice class some day, but no hurry to do so soon. We also want very much to try Radiance class on RCCL, and that is likely to happen sooner.

 

David

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celebrity is more of a layed back atmosphere, not as many activities. There is a better smoking policy, I'm not sure if Royal Caribbean changed their smoking policy. Celebrity's smoking policy was no smoking on the balconies or the casino. I was surprised when the casino didn't smell like smoke like on a Royal Caribbean ship. There are no announcements (or one announcement a day). No announcements selling you on Bingo, Art Auctions, etc. No towel animals on Celebrity but that didn't bother me one bit. This was my first Celebrity cruise on Celebrity Solstice. I liked the food overall a lot more than Royal Caribbean. The buffet definitley had more options. I would pick Celebrity Solstice over almost any ship. :) The decor on Celebrity Solstice was beautiful, although I've heard some people thought it might have been too modern. It feels like an upscale Nordstrom's with lots of comfy seats. It didn't feel like a cruise ship around the Purser's Desk. It felt like an upscale hotel. I was amazed with Celebrity Solstice, my expectations were a little lower since the ship was smaller than previous Royal Caribbean ships I've been on. Celebrity far exceeded my expecations. :D There are several other differences that I didn't mention but Celebrity is by far an awesome cruise line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My first cruise ever (other than a European river cruise) was October 2007 on Celebrity, Galaxy (no longer in the fleet)/Mediterranean. My second cruise was this past February/March with RCI on the Serenade/Southern Caribbean. My third cruise will be on Celebrity Equinox /Holy Land 2010. While they are totally different itineraries... This was my experience.

 

Celebrity- refined elegance. Better food, service and refined ambiance/ship.The atmosphere was much more relaxed on Celebrity than the Serenade. The crew (all around) seemed much more seasoned and at ease. Very pleasant experience. Dinner was very relaxing and not rushed at all. Passengers were slightly more mature and not as many children on board.

 

Royal Caribbean Serenade- fun and beautiful ship with many more activities such as rock wall, basketball, etc. If those things are important to you. Me, not so much. The food was just above average (semi-rushed service), service was ok but not nearly as good as Celebrity. I would/will definitely cruise on RCI again but I have to say that Celebrity was more to my liking. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either... I like the RCI family so it's all good but if you want to feel a little more special, treat yourself and go for Celebrity. BTW- we had an unpleasant experience, we ended up with rooms above the Casino and had to listen to LOUD announcements around 10-10:30 pm. Texas Hold'em or something... Yeah, we are big late night partiers! LOL. You could even hear it out on the balcony with the doors closed. It was really annoying and we called to complain the first few nights but they didn't seem too sorry or seem to care much either. There were about 5-6 other cabins that heard it too (and complained) as we all looked out in the hall... just don't book a room above the Casino or any area with loud announcements. Live and learn.

 

With all that said...personally, I would go for Solstice. Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought my meal in CHOPS on the Mariner was among the best that I have had anywhere.

 

AMEN. We still talk about our Chops meal on Mariner 3 yrs ago. Wow. We did the specialty dining on Carnival's Legend this month and it was yawn city. I swear the MDR was better. That may be because our reg wait staff was incredible and made each night's meal incredible, but Chops blew whatever Legend's restaurants name was out of the water.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are looking at Serenade of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity summit for December 2009 cruise. They all have very similiar iteneraries. Has anyone been on both lines/ships? We want to book soon. Thanks!:confused:

 

 

Only one word needed here SOLSTICE recommended to me by someone who has done more than 200 cruises and some one who cruised SOLSTICE first.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is no bad choice between the Solstice, Summit and Serenade. Yet they are very different. It really depends on your lifestyle and preferences.

 

We have sailed on all three, and enjoyed them all.

 

Ambiance: Serenade is very beautiful and more vibrant and active. More suitable for a young family . Summit more understated, traditional and elegant, Solstice more like a modern upscale Four Seasons hotel.

 

Entertainment is better on Serenade. The show "Solstice" is great, similar to Circe de Soleil. More activity on Serenade.

 

Food is superior on Summit and Solstice. But it is not bad on Serenade.

 

We faced the same December dilemma as you, and booked the Solstice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are trying to decide between Royal(Serenade) and Celebrity(Summit) for a Southern Caribbean cruise Jan/Feb 2010. I have a hump balcony reserved on RC and an aft CC balcony on Celebrity. Celebrity comes out to be a little less than $200 more for the cabin. Ports are the same except RC= Dominica & Barbados vs. Celebrity= Antigua & St. Lucia.

 

I like the room and itinerary of Celebrity a little more, but would be happy with either. We enjoyed our last Celebrity cruise but would like a little more nightlife and from what I have researched, RC may have a little more to do at night. HAL cruise(alumni cruise so no choice) was a snooze to us. Can anyone give a reason for one over the other.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I find both lines good. We always use Royal Caribbean when traveling with big groups of multigenerational family members. Tons to do and entertainment better for us as a group. Food acceptable.

 

When my dh and I have cruised alone, we chose X as we really enjoy the food better and service just feels more personalized. Don't like the shows as well tho. Pick and choose what we are interested in. We like the quieter and more traditional style. None of the really outlandish pool games. Altho we did enjoy watching them, I have to admit. And definitely the no smoking rules are a big plus! We like the M class size of ship. But definitely will try the Solstice or Equinox soon.

 

I don't think you can go too wrong with either. Keep doing research and figure out which "style" is more you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Both - a little different. Celebrity is perhaps a little older passenger-wise and entertainment not as lively.

 

We were very recently on the Voyager and Brilliance and the food was very good on both. Certainly far better than a couple of years ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are trying to decide between Royal(Serenade) and Celebrity(Summit) for a Southern Caribbean cruise Jan/Feb 2010. I have a hump balcony reserved on RC and an aft CC balcony on Celebrity. Celebrity comes out to be a little less than $200 more for the cabin. Ports are the same except RC= Dominica & Barbados vs. Celebrity= Antigua & St. Lucia.

 

I like the room and itinerary of Celebrity a little more, but would be happy with either. We enjoyed our last Celebrity cruise but would like a little more nightlife and from what I have researched, RC may have a little more to do at night. HAL cruise(alumni cruise so no choice) was a snooze to us. Can anyone give a reason for one over the other.

 

Why not try RC this time around? You have already done X. (Altho I'd prefer Antigua and St. Lucia to Dominica for sure.) Nightlife might be a bit livelier on RC. Jan and Feb will not draw big groups of families on either so it will be naturally quieter than summer cruising on either. I really don't think you would be disappointed on either. Know that Presidents week in Feb is big for one week cruising because of many school systems giving a winter break that week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The aft CC balconies on Celebrity M class ships are absolutely WONDERFUL cabins. See photo in my signature below, taken on the balcony of 7208 on Millennium, while we were hosting a wine and cheese party for 10. Plenty of room. Nothing else comes close.

 

That said, we want to try an RCCL Radiance class ship on our next southern Caribbean cruise, probably Serenade in 2011 if we can get a good aft D1 balcony. If not, Summit.

 

David

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The aft CC balconies on Celebrity M class ships are absolutely WONDERFUL cabins. See photo in my signature below, taken on the balcony of 7208 on Millennium, while we were hosting a wine and cheese party for 10. Plenty of room. Nothing else comes close.

 

That said, we want to try an RCCL Radiance class ship on our next southern Caribbean cruise, probably Serenade in 2011 if we can get a good aft D1 balcony. If not, Summit.

 

David

 

We had a D-1 aft cabin last year on RCCL's Brilliance of the Seas and have had a number of CC aft cabins on Celebrity's M class ships. The D-1 aft cabins on Royal Caribbean's Radiance Class ships are larger than the CC class cabins on Celebrity's M Class ships and feel a lot more spacious.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I tell people that Celebrity is what RCCL used to be before they started taking away the 'little' extras.

The production numbers are much better. Celebrity hires a company to handle performers. RCCL trains in-house. This makes Celebrity production shows more professional.

We did the Solstice in Feb. and loved it. We did not realize the size of the ship because of the why it is laid out.

BUT do not book the cabins on the pool deck. The are under the cafeteria and can be noisy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I tell people that Celebrity is what RCCL used to be before they started taking away the 'little' extras.

The production numbers are much better. Celebrity hires a company to handle performers. RCCL trains in-house. This makes Celebrity production shows more professional.

We did the Solstice in Feb. and loved it. We did not realize the size of the ship because of the why it is laid out.

BUT do not book the cabins on the pool deck. The are under the cafeteria and can be noisy.

 

I personally think that both cruise lines should eliminate their production shows, which are mediocre at best, and use that money to provide better entertainment such as a good short play, a concert, or talented entertainers who aren't past their prime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

and for us Celebrity is the best...but we don't have kids, or grandkids. We did the Solstice T/A in April and loved it...but it is very different...and modern...no wood or"old world charm" (whatever that is?) but new and fresh! To each his/her own! We loved it!

 

We have been on RCL and we loved the ship! I thought that the design was wonderful and we loved the Captain (Have a cookie and a "hurty-goody day") But we thought that the food and service was "average" Again... to each his own! If we had family we were travelling with...I would pick RCL in a heart beat! But based on our own Demographcis...I would choose Celebrity. LuAnn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We had a D-1 aft cabin last year on RCCL's Brilliance of the Seas and have had a number of CC aft cabins on Celebrity's M class ships. The D-1 aft cabins on Royal Caribbean's Radiance Class ships are larger than the CC class cabins on Celebrity's M Class ships and feel a lot more spacious.

 

Thanks, Bridge Maven. That's good information to have. Still a secret from Allen, but for his 50th birthday I have booked Serenade for a 7 night Southern Carib. (which does NOT include St. Thomas:)) and have managed to get corner aft D2 9256. I'm very excited about that cabin.

 

David

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First, this is the opinion of my Husband and I only.

 

Our first cruise was on the Summit and we loved it. We have sailed on her 4 times since then. We love the ship, and EVERYTHING else about it. Great food, great service, great crew, everything! We have sailed on all of the other M class ships we have enjoyed them ALL! Other than the Summit the Constellation is our favorite.

We have not sailed on Solstice, but only because we have not had the opportunity. In November 2009 we are sailing on the Equinox for a total of 15 nights in a 4 night/11 night back to back. We are very excited about it as we have every reason to believe that it to will have great food, great service, and a great crew. We are looking forward to the specialty restaurants and we always LOVE the Martini Bar! And we will be just as excited to sail on the Solstice when the time comes.

We love Celebrity because of their attention to detail and because of the courtesy they show their passengers and the class shown by the majority of fellow passengers. We love Formal nights and Celebrity does them better than anyone!

 

We have sailed on Royal Caribbean once. We hated it, we were treated very rudely by the crew on 3 separate occasions. We requested a table for two for dinner, we went to the Maitre'd on the first afternoon we boarded. They had 20 different excuses, we had to come back 3 times and finally the answer was "you are lucky you have a table at all". Our room attendant could not speak ANY English so every time we wanted to tell him something or ask a question he had to go get someone else and bring them back to our room while we stood around and waited! The food was mediocre, the service was terrible. The ship was fine, but to us the food and service are very important. On formal nights there were way too many people in the dining room that looked like they were going to a Hell's Angle Convention. It was our first and last RCI cruise. The RCI cruise cost almost as much as the Celebrity cruise. If we cannot go on Celebrity we go on Carnival at least we save a LOT of money and at that price point we do not expect great food and service. If it is good it is a surprise! The ships are nice and they have nice itineraries.

So we have tried all of the cruise lines! For us it is Celebrity or Carnival!

What ever you decide to do - HAVE A GREAT CRUISE!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are looking at Serenade of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity summit for December 2009 cruise. They all have very similiar iteneraries. Has anyone been on both lines/ships? We want to book soon. Thanks!:confused:[/quote

 

Greetings stillafloat: I have sailed on both lines. After one cruise with RCCL I don't like sailing with them. The service leaves a lot to be desired as does the food. On RCCL the chef could not or would not identify the food in the buffett not marked. He didn't know what it was although he claimed it was good. How does he know if he doesn't know what it is?

About Celebrity Cruise Line. The Solistice is larger than the Summit. The Summit is a good sized ship though. I will go on the Summit next year to Bermuda. They have better entertainment on Celebrity Cruise Line, the food is better, the service is better.

You will have a better time on the Celebrity ships. You can't go wrong with either ship. When my wife and I sail it is either Celebrity or Carnival Cruise Lines.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...