ilymom!

BTW Guinness is now on the Classic package. DH very happy:D

Oh good! He thought Guinness should be included in the Classic package. He still wants to upgrade for the Whiskey/Scotch and his Vitamin Water. Sadly, my favorite Tito's isn't on any package!

Hello. DH is just now involving himself in our Cruise Planning, we leave Sunday- LOL! I was planning to upgrade his drink package from Classic to Premium on board based on reading the forum. I like the idea of putting a little extra money in one of the bartenders pockets. However, DH read the fine print that upgrading is subject to availability on board. Is there a chance once we get on board that he won't be able to upgrade? He wants to enjoy his Guinness and different Scotch not available with the classic package. Should we just purchase it now or will he be ok to wait and do it on board. Thank you!!!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! We set sail on the Silhouette when you return on the 18th and like others I was getting nervous reading so many negative comments. I too am a glass half full person but I was really starting to worry. This is our first cruise without our children, our first Celebrity Cruise and our first 7 night cruise. Thank you, you've relieved my fears that I just wasted a ton of money. Have a great time.

Happy to hear your great report on Silhouette and, especially, the Lawn Club. I board this Sunday, when you get off. The Lawn Club was going to be my one speciality dinner, but after I read the review your reference, I was rethinking it. Now, I am back to my original plan of dining there. Thank you.

We are on the same cruise and I was getting nervous from some of the reviews. So thankful for this post!

You should have no problem booking a dinner in the Lawn Club - to be sure, make a reservation as soon as you get on the ship. Most ships are almost totally sold out by the time they sail - so has no affect on the decision to eat in a specialty restaurant. If you decide to purchase a specialty restaurant package the minimum is 3 nights but the 4 night package only adds $16 per person for the 4th night so is a much better deal. Regardless of what restaurants they assign you to prior to boarding, you can make changes after boarding - recommend you do so as soon as you board - then you will most likely get your preferred choices of restaurants, days and times.

 

Enjoy

Thank you so much. We will book our one night as soon as we board. So it sounds like the inflated spa treatment price really isn't worth it if it doesn't include the Persian Garden. I thought that would make it

worth the extra cost. I will look into purchasing passes when we board.

The Spa offers some specials during the cruise, in addition to the port day discounts -still overpriced IMHO.

 

We love the Lawn Grill and ate there 3 nights recently. There is always a

Discount on the 1st night. They also have a special “Ultimate BBQ” once each cruise. It is expensive, includes wine so if you already have a beverage package they reduce the price. It is a fun evening and you can cook your own food with the chefs if you want.

Thanks! I will wait to book spa treatments. Sounds like we should try to go for the Ultimate BBQ night for our one night.

We're heading on our first Celebrity Cruise/Silhouette on Feb 18th. I just went to book some spa treatments and had a little sticker shock! Are there discounts or spa packages you can purchase? Also, do you get to use the Persian Garden when having spa treatments?

Lastly, we aren't huge foodies but would like to eat at the Lawn Club one night. Given that our cruise appears to be almost sold out, will we be able to eat there one night or will we need to buy a package? Is it better to eat at specialty restaurants when ship is almost sold out? If I do purchase a package, will we have to eat at the seating we were assigned-8:30? It's a little later than we'd like.

Thanks for all your help.

Sorry if that bothers you but it is a major concern of mine and others. Although I'm not happy about this situation we have decided to stay with the Western itinerary and I have already booked Maya Chan for that day. Have read many good things and am looking forward to it.

I totally understand. I'm not a picky person but I am a bathroom SNOB! Drives my husband nuts but it is what it is.

The group rate may show some amount of discount (typically 1 persons stateroom rate for every 8 staterooms at double booking spread over those 8 staterooms. That equals 1/16th off the total per stateroom over that group of 8 rooms - if the TA gives that all back). The trade off is you are limited to stateroom selections within that category block. Very large agencies with larger blocks of staterooms may be able to offer a little more.

 

You also need to be careful as to what is being discounted as often they will show only the commissionable portion of the stateroom rate with the "discount" and add back the difference in the port taxes and fees portion. The net total on invoice is what you need to see up front to be sure of the total rate charged. The base stateroom with most US mass market cruise lines is the same directly or through a TA. Pricing differences are a matter of timing, slight discounts for blocks as indicated, and perks from TA commissions.

 

Any TA can book a block of rooms but the larger "big box" agencies tend to do this more frequently and in potentially larger numbers. And to the OP, you cannot mention TA's by name on CC - this thread could be deleted as a result.

Thank you. I thought names might be a No-No.... I'm not going to worry about the on board credits other TA's may offer at this point. I just want to get it booked! Because TA is small though, there was only one 2B room available and it's right above the smoking deck. Am I better going to a Big Box store with Travel agency or an online large TA to have more selection of rooms in that category? We don't want an obstructed view so may now upgrade to a 1C.

Thanks. TA is more of an acquaintance and does this on the side. I thought I'd give her the business and alleviate some of the research. I seem to be doing the same amount of research had I done it on my own. I read that many of the travel agencies buy cabins in bulk so maybe I will have better luck getting a decent cabin with one of them. I may head over to Costco today. Who else buys up the cabins? I thought choosing which cruise line was difficult, now it's choosing cabin! I was going to go with a 2B Cabin but the only room left for my TA is right above the smoking deck. Not good! Now deciding if I should go GTY, 2C or splurge and go Aqua. If the bigger agencies have better cabin choices, I think I may need to go that route. I hate doing it but it is our vacation and need to do what's best.

Relatively inexperienced cruiser here. Using a friend to book our cruise. After reading many posts, it seems some agents give away extra on board credit. Mine hasn't offered any. One website (I get the impression it's a no no to leave actual names) lists the cruise and Go Best, Better...Perks and up to $200 hotel credit or up to $750 OBC. They say you won't find out until you book how much. Just wondering, should my agent be offering up a little OBC, should I find a different agent that does or order from one of the cruise websites to see what the up to $750 OBC credit is?

In the grand scheme of things the difference is minor.

 

Go with your gut. Make a decision and then stop shopping.

 

We like both. But, you might just want to check the Celebrity Tuesday Specials. We have enjoyed some exceptional late booking offers from this program. Celebrity's Solstice class ships are usually at the top of our list.

Ooh, we don't have to pay until tomorrow so maybe there will be a Tuesday Special. Either way, the decision is made. Silhouette in Feb.

Personally, if we were going to book a Caribbean cruise and since we love food and have no desire to cruise with children, we would also compare an Oceania cruise on either their Riviera or Marina before we would make a final decision.

I really toyed with the Oceania Riviera Seaswept Breezes after your advice. We've only been on 3 and 4 day cruises so we will get our feet wet on a week long cruise first. A balcony for one person was the same price as our total trip with Drinks, Internet, gratuity on Celebrity. Before spending that much, I need to make sure we enjoy cruising. Somehow I think it's unlikely we won't enjoy it!

Since you've never cruised with Princess why not ask the same question on the Princess Forum?

With the Christmas rush, I just posted here. I never got around to posting on the Princess Forum, too much wrapping and cooking to do! I think I received a fair amount of advice for both. Honestly, if there was an indoor pool on the Princess, I would have chosen Princess over Celebrity based on the advice I received here.

We have sailed on Equinox three times, Sister ship to Silhouette, most recent sailing on Equinox in October after a three-year absence from Celebrity. We last sailed on the Regal last March, third time on that ship and 17th cruise on Princess. Although we are booked for the Silhouette for April, we are vacillating between the Regal still. We love both lines for different reasons. We had s wonderful cruise on Celebrity two months ago. However, we had an all inclusive package, which we had never had before.

Price wise, the Regal has been much pricier all year than the Silhouette due to the perks at booking on Celebrity. However, recently the two ships are similarly priced.

What does OP like via entertainment?

What I like more about Celebrity: sophisticated atmosphere. We were in Aqua so loved Blu as our dedicated restaurant. Love the nightclub electronic [emoji445]. Their bands were more contemporary than Princess, even though Princess has good entertainment.

Princess entertainment skews to an older demographic, think Beatles, Beach Boys, lots of showtunes. Celebrity is more funky music, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s. We we were quite surprised. Nightclub much larger on Celebrity. Princess Club 6 on the Regal has a poor layout and the same old music every night played on a loop.

However, Princess has a BOGO deal in the night club every night buy one get one for a $1 from 11-12.

Also 3-4 pm at Crooner’s

Drinks on X are way more pricy than on Princess. Around $15 after tip for many drinks.

Smaller martinis are cheaper.

We like the cocktails on Princess more, and there is more bar staff and they’re much friendlier than on Celebrity. On Celebrity most seem to have drink packages and bartenders appear to be overworked and stressed, and there’s hardly anyone at the pools to take orders, unlike on Princess, where there’s always plenty of drink service

 

Buffet> Hands down the Regal is the winner by leaps and bounds.

We were pretty underwhelmed with X’s buffet in October, even though we used to think it was the be all end all. Food quality there has tanked badly since our three year absence.

We found things that were decent, but a lot of stuff was of poor quality, too.

 

We like the buffet so much on the Regal, we don’t even bother eating in the dining room.

 

We like that Regal has movies under the stars.

 

We like the pools on X better.

We love that they have an indoor pool, basically adult environment.

 

We like the balconies on X much more than on the Regal. Regal has tiny balconies.

 

We like the bathrooms better on X and having a couch in the room.

 

We like the coffee bar n X more than Princess.

 

We love Alfredo’s on the Regal.

 

Specialty restaurants are pricier on X but there are more to choose from.

 

We do love the Crown Grill on the Regal.

 

We love the atrium on the Regal. Far superior atmosphere than that of the Equinox.

 

Princess crowds seem more mature. Celebrity crowd seems more international and people dress up in the evenings more compared to on Princess.

 

Shows are much better on Princess and more varied.

 

On Princess you can go to one showroom and then catch another show in the other showroom shortly after. On X it is just the main showroom and then you don’t have much options for other entertainment unless you partskecof ABBA night in the disco or silent disco by the pool.

 

Okay, that is all I can think of at the moment.

 

And the cabin stewards seem friendlier and more engaging on Princess, too.

 

Officers seem friendlier and more engaging. on X.

 

Would I pay $400 more for X? I actually thing I would.

I want to do both now! Thanks so much!

I love both the Regal Princess and Silhouette. There is more entertainment on Regal. Both have great buffets and wine bars. It's really nice to spend a day in the Regal Sanctuary (upcharge, but the most amazing service), but they don't have a nice free solarium like Silhouette. Princess lacks having enough shaded areas for lounge chairs by the pool. Both have good service. The Silhouette is more modern and elegant, and the passengers seem to be more interactive on Celebrity than on Princess...at least that has been my experience. Whatever you decide, have a great time, and see if you can get an upgrade to a deluxe balcony if you go on Regal. By the way, the obstructed balconies on either ship are fine to me, but that's subjective.

Thank you for your input. We chose the Silhouette, the indoor pool/solarium won out. We may do a Princess next time. This is our first cruise in 8 years and our first without our kids or friends.

Not to be mean or sarcastic but If you are a bottom troller than NO.

 

I am sure if you are trying to get a bargain cruise than there are much cheaper fares on other lines. Personally I have sailed on many other cruise lines that others may consider trash and really haven’t found much difference in the mainstream cruise lines. Enjoyed the dining, entertainment and being at sea. Service has been great on all of them. The cabins and ship are cleaner and almost spotless and unless you are Raymond’s mother Maria I am sure cleaner than most people’s house.

 

I feel that the entertainment is better on Princess and their late night shows are better along with the lounge acts. They also have a true piano bar. Food, drinks and etc aren’t much different. Cheaper specialty restaurants on Princess.

 

Only you can determine what the difference in cost is worth.

 

That is my opinion and I am sure many others will disagree.

 

Happy cruising and merry Christmas. 🌊🛳🇺🇸🌅🎄

I'm not sure what a bottom troller is. I've been called many things but never a bottom troller. If wanting the most bang for my buck if two ships are comparable makes one a bottom troller, then I guess I am one. We travel quite a bit and I always go for the best deal on what I want. Three years ago after shopping around, I was able to get first class tickets on Virgin Airlines Dreamliner to London for over half the price. An amazing experience for an unbelievable price. If that make me a bottom troller, then I'm so glad to be one. I'm not looking to save money by taking a Carnival Cruise. That was fine when I was a youngster but not really my cup of tea. I had always heard Celebrity was a class above the rest but after reading so many reviews, it seems it's not what it once was, thus the question.

We did decide on the Celebrity after weighing out the options. So many helpful posts including yours. We did have the nightlife on Regal as being important but the pool and balcony won out. Thank you for your input.

Decision made. Celebrity Silhouette, February 18th. Deciding factor, Balcony size and indoor pool (in case of rain). After adding up the perks it wasn't much different in price. Thank you for all the advice. Next cruise Princess Regal or we may spend a bit more and go on Viking or Oceania.

We have cruised both lines, however we are through with Princess. Very unhappy with their product - food not as good, maintenance of ships not as good, value not as good as Celebrity. Sometimes,

Celebrity fares are less than Princess for the same category stateroom and itinerary, so it all averages out. We are sticking with Celebrity from now on. This is just our experience and opinion which is what you asked for. You will find others on CC who will vehemently disagree with me and that is fine too.

Thank you. I know it's so subjective that's why I can't decide. Have you been on the Regal? I think I might be leaning towards spending more money and going with Celebrity.

For us yes it’s worth the extra. In our view Celebrity is a level up from Princess

Thank you. Have you been on the Princess Regal? I'm still unsure.

I've sailed on both of those ships, and if the itinerary is the same, I would say no. I love both cruise lines, and Celebrity has the better cabins by far (especially bathrooms), but I don't think I would pay an extra $400 for Celebrity, unless Celebrity was going somewhere I'd never been before that wasn't on the Princess itinerary. Is this the same general time of year?

Thank you! This is exactly what I wanted, advice from someone who has done both. Yes, same week. Itinerary doesn't really matter to us. It's a Caribbean cruise. The Princess would be unobstructed Verandah vs. Balcony on Celebrity. To get the Deluxe Verandah on Princess it would be a $200 difference.

Welcome to CC. IMO this is totally on you.

Thanks, hoping to hear from someone who has experienced both to see if it's worth more. Hard to make that decision.

Does Celebrity include drinks?

No.

We're booking a last minute cruise in February. I've researched and thought I wanted a balcony on the Celebrity Silhouette. However, the Regal Princess is $400+ less for their balcony. Is it really worth that much more? We've only cruised on RC, Disney and Carnival before. We're ok with both itineraries and neither includes drinks. We've heard Celebrity is nicer but is it really that much nicer?

Thank you!