RCL vs. celebrity

[cruisecriticmember]

My wife and I have cruised both RCL and Celebrity and enjoy them both. Our next cruise will be on RCL because of a one port difference in itinerary between the two. Do you and yours have a preference for one or the other? What makes the difference for you? And PLEASE fellow cruisers No flaming of other posters comments. When I read threads where that happens I get so turned off I stop reading. I say Cruise and Let Cruise! Thanks!:p

[budster]

We think the food is much better on Celebrity.:)

[Jimretired]

My wife and I have had the privilege of sailing on both and we much prefer RCI. We do not believe that Celebrity is better than RCI when evaluating everything. Bottom line for us is you will pay more to cruise on Celebrity and we do not believe the service, food, amenities, atmosphere, accommodations, etc. are better, especially for the cost difference.

[Mrs_Tiki]

If it is just the two of us looking for a relaxing week, we prefer Celebrity S-class ships. We love the atmosphere, especially when we had an AquaClass cabin and dined in Blu. We do think that Celebrity has the edge in food and service.

 

However, our next cruise is on RCL's Serenade, because we are taking DD and a friend and there is more for them to do on the RCL ships. The Radiance class is our favorite on RCL, because of all of the glass and sea views. I don't love the food selections as much as on Celebrity, but have never gone hungry! :) The added activities and amenities for the young people will certainly make up for any other differences.

 

All that said, I wish that RCL didn't require the whole pool towel check-out/check-in routine! It is so much easier on Celebrity to just grab a towel when you need one ~

[djandnic]

We have gone on many RCCL cruises, and only one Celebrity cruise, so please keep that in mind when reading this.

Based on our limited Celebrity experience, we believed the food quality was better on Celebrity, as well as the overall service. That's not to say RCCL was or is bad, we just felt it was a slight step up, especially the food.

However we did stay in an Aqua suite, so our 'dining room' was Blu so I'm not sure that's a fair comparison to RCCL MDR.

We felt RCCL had more 'going on' during the day as well as in the evening.

We did like the drink package on Celebrity, not that we're heavy drinkers, but the ability to get everything from fresh squeezed orange juice in the morning to special coffee, to soda, to bottled water, plus the alcohol, made this a much easier process then having to sign for every drink. You just show them your card and away you go.

The lines are different, and I won't hesitant to cruise on either line in the future. To be it comes down to the itinerary and the size of the ship. Good luck and happy cruising!

[Muushka]

We prefer Celebrity. One major reason, no smoking on the balconies. Minor reason, more conducive to relaxation.

[The-Dude]

My wife and I have cruised both RCL and Celebrity and enjoy them both. Our next cruise will be on RCL because of a one port difference in itinerary between the two. Do you and yours have a preference for one or the other? What makes the difference for you? And PLEASE fellow cruisers No flaming of other posters comments. When I read threads where that happens I get so turned off I stop reading. I say Cruise and Let Cruise! Thanks!:p

 

This subject has been asked a billion times in the past. Use the search feature, you'll be reading for the next billion years.

 

Read up!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1400783&highlight=vs+celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1393605&highlight=vs+celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1324985&highlight=vs+celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1415878&highlight=celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1397324&highlight=celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1381272&highlight=celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1371878&highlight=celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1257978&highlight=celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1220312&highlight=celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1228029&highlight=celebrity

[Motorman23]

This subject has been asked a billion times in the past. Use the search feature, you'll be reading for the next billion years.

 

Read up!

 

Ouch, I told you a million times not to exagerate! ;)

[Lazz]

Been on RCCL 6 times, 1 time on Celebrity (Solstice) last year. Like others who have posted, we were in Aqua Class, so the overall experience is upgraded. Dinning in Blu is remarkable! My wife did not like the menu on some nights, so the waiter brought out the Main Dinning room menu and let her select form it. We made friends with two other couples in Blu, and after the 2nd night, combined our talbles.

 

I just got off the Serenade, staying in a JS. Great Cruise, Great Ship, FANTASTIC Crew! While the JS was bigger than the Aqua Class room, The service and ammenites are much better than in a RC JS. Here is my thoughts:

 

• Less children on Celebrity. Some people get really annoyed with kids and teens running everywhere, but being a teacher, I am use to it. However, I do wish parents would instruct their children that the elevators are NOT toys or amusement park rides.
  
• More down time on Celebrity. On RCCL, you can go from one activity to another non stop. On Celebrity we found more time with no activities available. If this is good or bad, I will leave it to you to decide.
  
• More sophisticated and formal on Celebrity, Although both are very friendly.
  
• More little amenities on Celebrity that you don't miss until you take a cruise on another line. Examples: Deck chairs all cushioned, Pool towels always available without having to check out. Water, fruit drinks, and cool damp towels available when returning to the ship.
  

Please remeber that I do love to cruise on either. My TA was worried that I would be disappointed on the Serenade after sailing on the Solstice. However, knowing that the experience was going to be different (notice I did not say it was a downgrade), my wife and I had a great cruise.

[kernow]

We enjoy both and don't really have a favourite.

 

We think the food, service and 'extra' little touches are a bit better on Celebrity while the entertainment on RCL is much better.

A combination of the 2 would be my perfect cruise line.

 

Julie

[philnpen]

Unlike some of the others who sailed on 'S' class (we were on Equinox) we DIDN'T stay in Aqua class. We had a CC cabin and ate in the MDR. Which seemed quieter than the ones on RCL. Food was great and service outstanding. I had a drink package card and felt the wine steward was a little overbearing trying to push a few more glasses of wine or beer. Did not think CC cabin would be worth the price if we had to pay for it, but had booked a Veranda Class and there was a price drop that put the CC a little lower than what we booked so we took it. Would probably stay Veranda Class next time. Rooms were smaller than the JS size we are used to, but the bed was VERY comfortable. Shower stall had doors instead of a curtain. Amenities were very nice though, and the cold wash cloths when reboarding after a port call were very much appreciated. LOVED the lack of announcements. No "BINGO, BINGO, BINGO, or Art auction, Spa specials, etc." There was one announcement time daily at noon and that was kept short.

 

We are Diamond so our friendly TA signed us up for our Elite status (doesn't automatically transfer) which makes us more appreciative of her and glad we don't handle all our own reservations. Did meet a few stuffy (snobby) people. They probably would have been surprised to find out I was just a lower ranked Gov't retiree and DW works in a retail store. We both laughed when we talked later as to what their reaction might have been.

 

We will sail either/or both again when we save up more nickles and dimes.

[Queenzena]

I was bored to death on Celebrity. Very little to do onboard. Sea days dragged on and on. Definitely RCL for our family!

[asoowal]

Celebrity IS RCI's premium line. We prefer AQ on Celebrity S class ships. Next cruise is on Explorer of the Seas because of the rest of our group. Afraid of flames here, Carnival and Royal Carribean are the mass market lines and similar products.

[cruisecriticmember]

I was bored to death on Celebrity. Very little to do onboard. Sea days dragged on and on. Definitely RCL for our family!

 

 

 

 

You make a good point about activities on board for sea days. Our CElebrity Cruise was Very port intensive (9 different ports) and only two sea days. Our next RCCl cruise wil have more sea days.

[cruisecriticmember]

Celebrity IS RCI's premium line. We prefer AQ on Celebrity S class ships. Next cruise is on Explorer of the Seas because of the rest of our group. Afraid of flames here, Carnival and Royal Carribean are the mass market lines and similar products.

 

 

 

That's why I asked for no flaming on this thread. I do think that the term mass market line is a relative term. We are paying much more for our upcoming RCCl cruise than for our last CC cruise because of the intinerary and (lack of ) competition for the latter route compared to the former. Cruise Critic has just published reader best cruise ships ratings for multiple categories and the two lines have very similar results for the most part.

[Pack My Bags]

Celebrity IS RCI's premium line. We prefer AQ on Celebrity S class ships. Next cruise is on Explorer of the Seas because of the rest of our group. Afraid of flames here, Carnival and Royal Carribean are the mass market lines and similar products.

 

No flames--Just want to stress there is a world of difference between RCI & Carnival. Now onto the topic at hand!

 

I too started my own similar thread. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1384573 Feel free to browse. I also found similar comments like yours. I am D with RCI & taking my first "X" cruise as Elite member in August on the Summit. Not quite -S class but the cruise is a gift & just grateful to go! Looking forward to new menus, great service & less announcements but scared that after dinner & show I will be bored to death. I hear it gets quiet unless you're in a lounge drinking. We will be in the Casino with our party of ten traveling with us, but I will miss my Love & Marriage, battle of the Sexes & Quest game shows terribly.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[kasowell2]

Quite Time = Celebrity

More Activities = RCCL

 

The main reason I would choose Celebrity over RCCL is the drink package. It is worth the money if for the hassle free time for getting drinks. And don't worry you will get your money's worth.

 

Celebrity was cheaper than a comparable RCCL cruise when i went last year.

Both have their strong points but if it is just the wife and myself we will choose Celebrity again and mainly for the drink packages and the little touches.

[cruisecriticmember]

No flames--Just want to stress there is a world of difference between RCI & Carnival. Now onto the topic at hand!

 

I too started my own similar thread. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1384573 Feel free to browse. I also found similar comments like yours. I am D with RCI & taking my first "X" cruise as Elite member in August on the Summit. Not quite -S class but the cruise is a gift & just grateful to go! Looking forward to new menus, great service & less announcements but scared that after dinner & show I will be bored to death. I hear it gets quiet unless you're in a lounge drinking. We will be in the Casino with our party of ten traveling with us, but I will miss my Love & Marriage, battle of the Sexes & Quest game shows terribly.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

 

Thanks for the thread link. I agree with you that the difference bet. carnival and RCCl is bigger than the diff. Between RCCL and Celebrity. I recommend that you browse the Celebrity Boards here on CC. Someone or several people will have posted copies of the daily programs from their cruise so you can check out what's available in the later evenings. I honestly can't remember because for my wife and I a nice walk on the deck after the later show was enough activity before bed.

[mjldvlks]

Didn't care for Celebrity. Service in MDR was abominable. Ship design was poor. Buffet was weak. Food was about the same. Might try the newest ships just to see, but otherwise not itnerested.

[philnpen]

I am D with RCI & taking my first "X" cruise as Elite member in August on the Summit.

 

Have you already received your Celebrity membership number? We had a fellow cruiser on our last Celebrity cruise that was Diamond, but thought that would automatically be picked up as Celebrity Elite. Does not happen that way.