Comparisons between RCI and Celebrity

[Kellie Poodle]

If you are sailing on a Freedom Class RCI ship or smaller, there is no charge for the steam room and sauna on RCI. Celebrity charges.:mad:

 

RCI does not automatically add gratuities to your sea pass account. Celebrity does.

 

For Elite, Celebrity has much better perks than RCI has for Diamond. Celebrity has better MDR food, but RCI has better buffets.

 

Celebrity has the best smoking policy on the high seas. It's the only line where we non-smokers can enjoy the casino during all the hours it is open.

 

Celebrity passengers can also be assured that the balcony we have paid for will be usable because there won't be anyone emitting noxious tobacco smoke to pollute their balcony.

 

What kids running up and down the hallways?????:D

[Jborosara]

Darn - we were looking forward to the food on Celebrity.

 

My experience with the food on RCI is that I thought it was good but nothing memorable. I thought the food was decent not great. That doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy myself and eat a great deal. It was pretty much what I expected.

 

The Windjammer was to me not a good experience. And I am one that appreciates a buffet and doesn't turn my head up at it. The people working in the WJ were great. The food was good, but it wasn't a more than one evening type of place to eat. I did enjoy the sushi on jade and brought a tray every evening to our room for a pre-dinner snack.

 

My kids loved the WJ. Kids usually like places where there is great deal of choices and desserts.

 

Overall the food was good. The pizza in Sorrentos not so good. The snacks in the Promenade Cafe were decent. We really enjoyed the PC.

 

In my opinion the volume of quality entertainment on RCI blows every other line out of the water. I am not talking the shows, but the things to do on the ship. Terrific

 

My biggest concern with RCI is that most of their ships apart under the Freedom class are starting to get old. It doesn't seem like they have changed anything out and replaced anything.

 

So when you say Celebrity doesn't have better food, when I have heard over and over that it does. Yikes! Thats one part we were looking forward to.

 

Oh well. We will see how it compares.

 

 

 

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We were on the refurbished Radiance this summer and everything was spectacular! I really enjoy the size of the Radiance (or the Celebrity M class) more than the bigger ships - just less frenetic and more relaxed....Radiance had several new restaurant venues (albeit for-a-fee venues) that were excellent - Samba grill was our fave!

 

We are sailing on the soon to be refurbished Summit in a Feb and looking forward to it!

[Bridge Maven]

We were on the refurbished Radiance this summer and everything was spectacular! I really enjoy the size of the Radiance (or the Celebrity M class) more than the bigger ships - just less frenetic and more relaxed....Radiance had several new restaurant venues (albeit for-a-fee venues) that were excellent - Samba grill was our fave!

 

We are sailing on the soon to be refurbished Summit in a Feb and looking forward to it!

 

Jborosara, did you try Giovanni's Table on Radiance of the Seas? We loved it almost as much a Samba Grill.

[Jborosara]

Jborosara, did you try Giovanni's Table on Radiance of the Seas? We loved it almost as much a Samba Grill.

 

Bridge Maven - we did not - we wanted to but our kids were set on Chops (we went to Chops on the Liberty) - we also didn't get to try Izumi, so that just gives us more reasons to go back! Radiance was easily my favorite cruise ship - though it didn't hurt that we were in Alaska - with all of our kids and my mom and my husband's parents - in two wonderful Junior Suites that were adjoining - with balconies from which we saw eagles and dolphins and whales and seals and many many more!

[Bridge Maven]

Bridge Maven - we did not - we wanted to but our kids were set on Chops (we went to Chops on the Liberty) - we also didn't get to try Izumi, so that just gives us more reasons to go back! Radiance was easily my favorite cruise ship - though it didn't hurt that we were in Alaska - with all of our kids and my mom and my husband's parents - in two wonderful Junior Suites that were adjoining - with balconies from which we saw eagles and dolphins and whales and seals and many many more!

 

Jborosara, I felt the same way about Radiance. My husband and I had a corner junior suite which we also thought was wonderful for viewing whales and other marine life, as well as the Hubbard Glacier.

[Michidoeme]

I have only sailed the S class on Celebrity, liked it so much that we did it 4 times in last 2 years. Now thinking of inviting our children (early 20ies) who might enjoy Royal Caribbean more for all reasons mentioned above (activities, partying, etc.) and I am sure we will enjoy it as well.

 

I appreciate the little details on Celebrity, even in normal balcony cabins ; turn down service at night, good hairdryers, bathroom products (shampoo, soap, conditioner, bodylotion), chocolates on pillow, complementary bathrobes (slippers in Aqua Class), beachtowels, umbrella, bag in cabin, etc.

What, if any, can I expect on Royal Caribbean? It won't be a matter of make or break, just knowing what to pack.

 

Are there free drinks like coffee, tea, juices, lemonade as well on Royal Caribbean with all meals ?

[Jborosara]

Jborosara, I felt the same way about Radiance. My husband and I had a corner junior suite which we also thought was wonderful for viewing whales and other marine life, as well as the Hubbard Glacier.

 

yeah... we were worried about having eight people in two JS's but the huge walk in closet doubled as a dressing room and our room steward was so awesome that the beds were out when we needed and in when we wanted that it was really just terrific - and the glacier - you are right - one of the highlights of the trip. And for the record, my husband and i slept on the pull out couch the whole week (my mom is 77 and my in laws are 67 and my FIL has some health issues, so we knew they were in a real bed for sure!) and the couch was really fine - as comfortable as most hotel beds... it was right on the floor which didn't bother me, but did make it just a bit colder...I'd book a JS again in a heartbeat - even with 4 pax

[Kellie Poodle]

I have only sailed the S class on Celebrity, liked it so much that we did it 4 times in last 2 years. Now thinking of inviting our children (early 20ies) who might enjoy Royal Caribbean more for all reasons mentioned above (activities, partying, etc.) and I am sure we will enjoy it as well.

 

I appreciate the little details on Celebrity, even in normal balcony cabins ; turn down service at night, good hairdryers, bathroom products (shampoo, soap, conditioner, bodylotion), chocolates on pillow, complementary bathrobes (slippers in Aqua Class), beachtowels, umbrella, bag in cabin, etc.

What, if any, can I expect on Royal Caribbean? It won't be a matter of make or break, just knowing what to pack.

 

Are there free drinks like coffee, tea, juices, lemonade as well on Royal Caribbean with all meals ?

 

 

There is turn down service at night. No candy on the pillow. You'll probably get towel animals, too. Hairdryers are usable, not very powerful. You have to hold down the button. They are usually in one of the drawers at the desk. Some people bring a rubber band to hold the button down.

 

You will get a bathrobe in a suite and if you are Platinum or above in the Loyalty program. (hint: If you are in the Celebrity Captain's Club, call RCI and have them issue you a Crown & Anchor membership)

 

There are free drinks like coffee (not specialty), tea, lemonade. Juice at breakfast but not fresh- squeezed. That's extra.

 

There is a plastic carry bag. Beach towels have to be signed for on the pool deck. There are little bar soaps in the bath. The shampoo and liquid soap are in a container on the wall of the shower. No little bottles of bath amenities.

 

We are senior citizens and we find that Royal caters to us just as well as it caters to the youngsters.

[FrankinPA]

Do most ships have guest speakers on Celebrity related to culture and history lessons? It seems like a line that might have those things.

 

Our experience on Infinity recently was that the guest lecturer on the Canal was very good, entertaining and obviously knew the facts and history as well as anyone.

 

But the other two were not so interesting IMO. One was a university professor focusing on the plate tectonics and geography of the region we were cruising. That was her expertise but she had a lot of people walking out on her lectures after a few minutes. Just not interesting to the average cruiser. Her last lecture was titled "Pirates in the Caribbean" so I went again thinking that finally there would be something interesting. She mentioned the word "pirate" one time 25 minutes into her lecture on plate tectonics, methane underground that could be released into the atmosphere, etc. Never once gave an interesting fact on pirates.

 

So this lecture was really a repeat of her other three. Again, lots of people walking out after just a few minutes. I stayed the entire 60 minutes hoping to hear about pirates. Duh.... But if you were a visiting geology student and always wanted to know about plate tectonics in Central America, she was GREAT.

 

The third lecturer was there to talk specific subjects about how to invent things and market them, how to document your memories for your descendents, etc. - just what all us retired folks wanted to know :p Unfortunately, each session turned into him remembering all the major events of his life and telling us what he did and how many great people he knew. Sounded like my 90 year old great grandfather when I was sitting at his knee back in the 1950's.

 

The subject of guest lecturers is one where I think Celebrity could really improve. Maybe they could conduct a survey of past cruisers asking about subjects that would be interesting.

[Bridge Maven]

In comparing food, I have found that the port of departure is a major factor. We have had the best food on Alaskan cruises, followed by European cruises, then cruises that leave from New York , with the worst food on cruises from Florida, no matter which cruise line it was. We also took a cruise on Mercury several years ago from San Diego where the food was just OK but that was our only cruise from that port. Actually, the best food we ever had on a cruise left from NYC but that was 36 years ago so I didn't consider that in this opinion.

[tanelicus]

In comparing food, I have found that the port of departure is a major factor. We have had the best food on Alaskan cruises, followed by European cruises, then cruises that leave from New York , with the worst food on cruises from Florida, no matter which cruise line it was. We also took a cruise on Mercury several years ago from San Diego where the food was just OK but that was our only cruise from that port. Actually, the best food we ever had on a cruise left from NYC but that was 36 years ago so I didn't consider that in this opinion.

 

That it may have to do with the quality that the supplier is giving to the cruise ship?

 

Speaking of Europe, it seems like everything that I read about the food on European cruises has to do with it not being as good as it is in the U.S., example the beef.

 

I think in my opinion, that the food on cruises, though generally good, and better in the speciality venues, does not really equal land based food.

[Michidoeme]

We were on the Equinox from Rome on Nov. 7. Did a tour of the galleys and attended the cooking demo. The big chief cook Ueli (who wrote the big book in Celebrity food - forgot name of this) informed us during a FAQ that all food is flown in from US to Europe and loaded on the ship at each departure. Practically nothing is bought locally and certainly not the meat.

[tanelicus]

What you just said makes sense to me. I would imagine that people think what they want to think, whether rational or irrational. In my opinion, it would be more economical for the cruise line to deal with a small group of suppliers contracted to do business through a central hub, where it is flown around to different locations.

[dzcruisers]

They did add our tips on daily on the Jewel last spring. You cold have them removed. We did not but it seemed to be the same policy as X.

[Bridge Maven]

We were on the Equinox from Rome on Nov. 7. Did a tour of the galleys and attended the cooking demo. The big chief cook Ueli (who wrote the big book in Celebrity food - forgot name of this) informed us during a FAQ that all food is flown in from US to Europe and loaded on the ship at each departure. Practically nothing is bought locally and certainly not the meat.

 

Mich, when we took a cruise on Brilliance of the Seas from Barcelona to the Greek Isles/Turkey, our waiter told us that we couldn't have Caesar salad for a few days because there was a strike in Barcelona so they had to get its ingredients at another port.

[Bridge Maven]

That it may have to do with the quality that the supplier is giving to the cruise ship?

 

Speaking of Europe, it seems like everything that I read about the food on European cruises has to do with it not being as good as it is in the U.S., example the beef.

 

I think in my opinion, that the food on cruises, though generally good, and better in the speciality venues, does not really equal land based food.

 

tanelicus, I agree that food on most mass market cruise lines, including Celebrity, is not in the same league as a good land based restaurant, but the meals we had in two of the specialty restaurants (Samba Grill and Giovanni's Table) on Radiance of the Seas in Alaska this past summer were comparable to an upscale land based restaurant. In addition, the dining experience on our first cruise, during the middle seventies, on Leonardo da Vinci was probably better than most land based restaurants at the time, but that was a different era of cruising when cruises were a lot more expensive than they are today!

[FrankinPA]

What you just said makes sense to me. I would imagine that people think what they want to think, whether rational or irrational. In my opinion, it would be more economical for the cruise line to deal with a small group of suppliers contracted to do business through a central hub, where it is flown around to different locations.

 

I work on supplier contracts in my business and it is not uncommon for suppliers to have international branches that would service their clients everywhere their materials are needed. It does not make financial sense to air freight many of the supplies used on a ship. Certain speciality items, sure. But paper and plastic products, cleaning supplies, and tons of other items would be very difficult to justify air freight charges. If I were Celebrity, I would tell my suppliers what items I needed and where I need them and let the supplier figure out the most economical way to supply it.

[tanelicus]

It sure sounds like you know more than I.

[hockeyken]

:D The two lines are Chocolate and Stawberry. Neither is better than the other, just different. Both are delicious. You will simply have to try both, several times, to be sure;););).

 

K

[Tiggertastic]

I found some of the original post interesting as neither of the RCL ships we have been on left the pools open 24hours. They did leave 1 hot tub open.

 

Celebrity has much better outdoor space - The lawns on the soltice class are great to sit around with a cold drink and they outside space to eat breakfast is much better on Celebrity.

 

I like both companies for different reasons but have to say that RCL are very poor on officer visibility, unlike Celebrity who send them out to play games etc against passengers.

 

I think the concierge access on the RCL beats what Celebrity offers suite guests in fact on Celebrity we don;t see the point in paying for anything above a balcony as you don;t really get anything for the extra money.

[Aquahound]

Darn - we were looking forward to the food on Celebrity.

 

My experience with the food on RCI is that I thought it was good but nothing memorable. I thought the food was decent not great. That doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy myself and eat a great deal. It was pretty much what I expected.

 

To be perfectly honest, the food has been better on RCI than my last 2 Celebrity cruises. And one more thing food related, I've noticed the Celebrity dining rooms are very cramped. The tables are so close to one another, they might as well be connected.

[Guest maddycat]

To be perfectly honest, the food has been better on RCI than my last 2 Celebrity cruises. And one more thing food related, I've noticed the Celebrity dining rooms are very cramped. The tables are so close to one another, they might as well be connected.

 

On the Silhouette the tables for two were placed about six inches apart. It was just like sitting at a table for four or six, absolutely no privacy.

[Bridge Maven]

On the Silhouette the tables for two were placed about six inches apart. It was just like sitting at a table for four or six, absolutely no privacy.

 

Maddycat, have you been on any of Royal Caribbean's Oasis class ships? At first I thought I would never go on a ship that large, but a number of our friends love them and feel that the Oasis and Allure are so well designed that they never feel crowded and provide better service than ships that are a fraction of their size.

[Guest maddycat]

Maddycat, have you been on any of Royal Caribbean's Oasis class ships? At first I thought I would never go on a ship that large, but a number of our friends love them and feel that the Oasis and Allure are so well designed that they never feel crowded and provide better service than ships that are a fraction of their size.

 

 

No, we haven't been on any of RCI's larger ships. The largest that we have sailed on are the Voyager class ships. We no longer want to fly so we only cruise out of Cape Liberty Cruise Port, Bayonne, NJ. The port is only a 40 minute drive from our home. We're hoping that a Freedom class ship will replace the Explorer in a couple of years.

[Aquahound]

Maddycat, have you been on any of Royal Caribbean's Oasis class ships? At first I thought I would never go on a ship that large, but a number of our friends love them and feel that the Oasis and Allure are so well designed that they never feel crowded and provide better service than ships that are a fraction of their size.

 

I've been on both the Oasis and the Allure. The ships are nothing short of amazing and as far as crowds, your friends are absolutely correct. Oasis Class uses a reservation process for shows since they are in 4 different venues. This keeps all the crowds separated. You owe it to yourself to give it a try. You won't regret it.