Cancelled Fascination Passengers should consider coming over to the Celebrity Summit!

I just read how many of the Fascination cruises are cancelled thru Feb so the ship can house FEMA workers. Which I completely understand, but feel sorry for all of the people whose vacation is cancelled. So I want to point out that starting 10/28/17, the Celebrity Summit sails from Puerto Rico on a 7 day voyage leaving every Saturday. It is a fantastic ship (going on my third voyage with the Summit this November) and I am sure that many Carnival fans (I sail both lines) would enjoy. So before you cancel you airfare, check with celebrity!

I have mentioned the Summit many times on CC as an alternative to Carnival. I sailed the Summit as a solo twice, once in December and then a year later in a January. My inside cabin fare on the Summit was less than Carnival's.

This January, we are doing a 10 day sailing on the NCL Dawn out of SJU, which recently underwent an almost total ship reconditioning while in dry dock. We have a midship balcony for $1299.

With this two alternatives, I find that Carnival isn't an option for SJU sailings.

I am sure cruisers can shop several cruise lines to possibly find a replacement cruise, not just Summit. I would consider all the alternatives.

I too love the Summit. We have taken six cruises -- four to Bermuda, two from San Juan, and have lucky number seven booked next spring. Another bonus is different ports than Carnival's usuals. We have been to St. Croix, Grenada, Tobago, Dominica and Barbados.

If you book ocean view or above, perks such as beverage packages, gratuities, obc and/or internet are usually available. We generally find we pay a bit more up front, but in the end, end up about the same.

We have also had better luck with Cruise Critic roll calls and making new long term friends with Celebrity over Carnival cruises. Not really sure why that is, but it's definitely our experience. It could be that we often cruise Carnival with our kids and are more family-focused than social.

The ship has undergone two renovations since we were first on in 2009, but it was my very first Cruise Critic photo review, so here's a link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1110255

I have to preface my comments by saying I haven't sailed on Celebrity for several years. To my way of thinking, the passengers of Celebrity and the passengers of Carnival are very different.

Carnival cruisers are far more lively and laid back; whereas Celebrity is more sedate and from my experience a much older crowd. I see very little in common between the two cruise lines.

When I sailed on Celebrity, it was pretty quiet by about 10 or so and Carnival just starts moving then. I would not recommend that those missing their cruise because of the charter to FEMA, try Celebrity. To me, that would be a big disappointment. JMO.

I just read how many of the Fascination cruises are cancelled thru Feb so the ship can house FEMA workers. Which I completely understand, but feel sorry for all of the people whose vacation is cancelled. So I want to point out that starting 10/28/17, the Celebrity Summit sails from Puerto Rico on a 7 day voyage leaving every Saturday. It is a fantastic ship (going on my third voyage with the Summit this November) and I am sure that many Carnival fans (I sail both lines) would enjoy. So before you cancel you airfare, check with celebrity!

I'm already booked on the November 4 cruise. I'll see if it's right for me.

I'm a relatively "hardcore" Carnival fan, but I have also sailed on Celebrity. I wholeheartedly recommend Summit. Beautiful ship with a great crew.

Also, Fascination is scheduled for dry dock on January 31st through February 17th next year, so they'll need to be off ship by then. Dry dock schedules are set in stone.

You might even get to meet Bugnaked; Capt. Kate's hairless cat. LOL.

I am sure cruisers can shop several cruise lines to possibly find a replacement cruise, not just Summit. I would consider all the alternatives.

I think it was great OP chimed in for those who may have air booked. It looks like all the airlines are being very accommodating, but we don’t know that.

The prices of the remaining San Juan Cruises are really cheap. Folks who priced Summit and Fascination months ago may be surprised to learn that they can probably book the Summit now for less than they paid for the cancelled cruise.

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I think it was great OP chimed in for those who may have air booked. It looks like all the airlines are being very accommodating, but we don’t know that.

 

The prices of the remaining San Juan Cruises are really cheap. Folks who priced Summit and Fascination months ago may be surprised to learn that they can probably book the Summit now for less than they paid for the cancelled cruise.

 

Helluva deal for folks cancelled in October, go on Celebrity instead of Carnival and plan a free cruise on Carnival for the future.

 

 

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I have to preface my comments by saying I haven't sailed on Celebrity for several years. To my way of thinking, the passengers of Celebrity and the passengers of Carnival are very different.

 

Carnival cruisers are far more lively and laid back; whereas Celebrity is more sedate and from my experience a much older crowd. I see very little in common between the two cruise lines.

 

When I sailed on Celebrity, it was pretty quiet by about 10 or so and Carnival just starts moving then. I would not recommend that those missing their cruise because of the charter to FEMA, try Celebrity. To me, that would be a big disappointment. JMO.

This was literally my first thought when I read the title of this thread. I haven't sailed on Celebrity, but I've done extensive research on the various cruise lines, and everything I've read says that Celebrity has a completely different demographic and atmosphere versus Carnival. Personally, we would never book Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, etc. We like the younger crowd and rowdier atmosphere that Carnival offers.

I appreciate the OP's invitation. If I had a cancelled Fascination cruise, I'd jump on the invitation. I've never sailed Celebrity but have been thinking about it mostly because of their more restrictive smoking policy. If Carnival's casino offers become less attractive, I think Celebrity would be my next choice.

I have to preface my comments by saying I haven't sailed on Celebrity for several years. To my way of thinking, the passengers of Celebrity and the passengers of Carnival are very different.

 

Carnival cruisers are far more lively and laid back; whereas Celebrity is more sedate and from my experience a much older crowd. I see very little in common between the two cruise lines.

 

When I sailed on Celebrity, it was pretty quiet by about 10 or so and Carnival just starts moving then. I would not recommend that those missing their cruise because of the charter to FEMA, try Celebrity. To me, that would be a big disappointment. JMO.

I agree. I love Celebrity, but they are a night and day difference from Carnival. For Carnival cruisers, I'd recommend the Adventure of the Seas before I'd recommend Summit.

I agree. I love Celebrity, but they are a night and day difference from Carnival. For Carnival cruisers, I'd recommend the Adventure of the Seas before I'd recommend Summit.

I've done them both. They're both fun.

We went on the Summit when Carnival cancelled our cruise a couple of years ago. We had airfare already purchased and they were offering a cruise at the same time. We enjoyed it. It was in March so during Spring Break time. We were surprised to see quite a few children onboard and many people in their 30's. So for us it wasn't a completely different demographic. I will say it was a bit quieter but they did have games and activities at the pool that were a lot of fun. Also you have to take into account that this is usually a very port intensive itinerary and that can have an effect on the atmosphere.

Looked at the Summit but it's not is SJ for a few weeks in late January. Always hear good things about Celebrity. Most people I meet who dislike Carnival or Royal always say good things about Celebrity, Next time...