First time with another cruise company!

[CASPALL]

I finally tried another cruise company other than P&O.

Got a fantastic deal - 5 days on Celebrity millennium from Miami to Miami.

2 ports of call were Grand Cayman and Falmouth,Jamaica. We stayed on the ship for 5 days and never went ashore!

On the whole it was on a par with P&O. Some things were much better and some were worse.

The check in process was sleek - we boarded at 11.30 and were given a glass of champagne on the prom deck. Cabins ready at 2pm

Our inside stateroom was bigger than any we've had on P&O with great cupboard space - specially for an older ship. Bathrobes in cabin.

No laundry or iron room. Not even allowed to take on a hairdryer!!!

Only 1 bottle of wine pp allowed in your hand luggage but unlimited water/soft drinks

Silver service no good - P&O does this with style. Dinner was fantastic every night and standards were high. Our tips were paid up front but our waiters were so good we gave them extra.

Expensive bottles of wine. We just bought by the glass - $6-11 but we could have paid a lot more!

All staff very friendly - always smiling

Entertainment was tremendous - astoundingly good and of a west end standard. Theatre Company fab, good comedian, juggler ..all brilliant!

Formal night? Americans just dont dress up. Lots of jeans and trainers. Maybe 40% made the effort.

15% on everything you buy! We bought NOTHING except the wine with our dinner and some tonic (to go with the gin we sneaked in our suitcase!)

The casino was huge and always busy. Big business with the Americans. It was situated in a part of the ship you didnt need to walk through so that was fine (I hate casinos! So noisy!)

5 days was just a fine length of time. I still prefer the way p&O do things - a bit more sophistication, but they really need to up their game as theyre letting things slip with their cutbacks. Celebrity seemed to have a lot more staff - though the ship wasnt full to be fair.

Off on Adonia on Tuesday so I'm really hoping it will be a good cruise. I've read some horrible reports but will try to be open minded.

Merry Xmas to you all and Happy cruising in 2012

Best Wishes

Caryl

[jeanlyon]

Adonia is going to seem like Millenium's tender!! LOL

[jo-b]

See you on Tuesday Caspall!!

 

We too tried Celebrity the first time this year and were VERY impressed. Dress code same as P&O and food better, particularly the buffets.

[Jo and Rob]

We also enjoyed Celebrity Eclipse this Summer. The quality of the food was superb but we missed the free shuttles at the ports. Formal nights were very suitably formal so perhaps sailing out of Miami made it appear less formal for you? Did you go to the brunch? We also enjoyed the galley, engine control room and bridge tours. A great holiday!

[Sutho]

Its no secret that I am a loyal P&O passenger. However I do think P&O has allot to worry about as competition is increasing and they have not been keeping up to their high standards lately and passenger expectations are growing.

 

Even I am now starting to try the direct Carnival competition and am finding the product good. I found Royal Caribbeans 10 year old Radiance of the Seas to be far superior than P&O's brand new Azura.

 

I still think P&O has better staff and service than the likes of Princess. Its just P&O's ships that are the problem when compared to the competition. They are not keeping up with the latest innovations and are moving in a more charge to use area while other cruise lines are becoming all inclusive.

[jo-b]

Like Jo & Rob we found being charged $12 a head for a shuttle a bit of a shock but I think you have to investigate before booking. We knew the shuttle,tips and drinks would be dearer, but the cruise itself was good value so the price worked out there or thereabouts versus P&O.

 

The toours seemed a little dearer too but as we had no direct comparison it was difficult to tell, and we do our own wherever possible anyway.

 

Ours was a Baltic cruise with quite a mix of passengers so we now want to try a different Celebrity ship in a different region to see if the differences are TOO different!

[LibraLass41]

'Formal night? Americans just dont dress up. Lots of jeans and trainers. Maybe 40% made the effort. '

 

Whats the point of a formal night if 60% or so just don't bother?, may as well scrap it then, there is nothing worse than making the effort, wearing a long dress , nice jewellery etc and then you are surrounded by peopLe in jeans and trainers. Us Brits wouldn't dream of dining in a formal restaurant on land in jeans, but obviously the US pax just don't get it. May as well make the whole ship casual and be done with it and leave the formal nights to P&O ...

[jo-b]

I really think it depends on where and what type of cruise both on the Celebrity Baltic cruise and two Azamara cruises we have done with mainly US passengers the formal nights were adhered to as well as on P&O.

 

That is why we want tp try more Celebrity maybe shorter cruises or Caribbean then they are more relaxed.

 

Having said which their "resort casual" is often a lot smarter than our smart casual!!

[LibraLass41]

I really think it depends on where and what type of cruise both on the Celebrity Baltic cruise and two Azamara cruises we have done with mainly US passengers the formal nights were adhered to as well as on P&O.

 

That is why we want tp try more Celebrity maybe shorter cruises or Caribbean then they are more relaxed.

 

Having said which their "resort casual" is often a lot smarter than our smart casual!!

 

 

Yes agree, when I was on Celebrity Equinox sailing roundtrip UK (no Americans onboard) the formal night was nearly 100% supported. Depends on ship and which nationality is onboard I suppose.

[Sutho]

Maybe the American passengers cant afford to buy formal clothes. I have noticed allot of suit/tuxedo hire with Princess. That suggests to me that they are selling their cruises to people who dont own those sorts of cloths.

[Presto2]

Maybe the American passengers cant afford to buy formal clothes. I have noticed allot of suit/tuxedo hire with Princess. That suggests to me that they are selling their cruises to people who dont own those sorts of cloths.

 

I hope no Americans wander on to this thread - the phrase "Light the blue touch paper and stand well back" comes to mind. :eek:

[tom_uk]

I've done three Celebrity cruises out of Rome with predominantly american passengers, and formal nights were *very* well observed on all of them. At the risk of starting a real argument, I would say that the standard of ladies' gowns was probably a bit higher on X than on P&O; and (without being in any way a connoisseur) there seemed to be some serious jewellery on display.

 

It may well be just ex-Florida cruises. A lot of passengers will have flown in with just one bag, whereas flying transatlantic I think you still get two bags in economy, don't you?

[Presto2]

I've done three Celebrity cruises out of Rome with predominantly american passengers, and formal nights were *very* well observed on all of them. At the risk of starting a real argument, I would say that the standard of ladies' gowns was probably a bit higher on X than on P&O; and (without being in any way a connoisseur) there seemed to be some serious jewellery on display.

 

It may well be just ex-Florida cruises. A lot of passengers will have flown in with just one bag, whereas flying transatlantic I think you still get two bags in economy, don't you?

 

Must admit last we were on the Silhouette from Rome but most passengres were Italian. Have to say the formal night was not observed as much as on the Oceana the previous year. A number of Americans we spoke to said that the weight issue re their cases can restrict what they bring. Didn't see much jewellry but those Italian handbags and shoes were something else ! ;)

[Scrapnana]

A lot of passengers will have flown in with just one bag, whereas flying transatlantic I think you still get two bags in economy, don't you?

 

Virgin Atlantic and British Airways only allow one bag in economy (UK-US), two in premium economy.

[Denarius]

Virgin Atlantic and British Airways only allow one bag in economy (UK-US), two in premium economy.

Agree. I recently flew to US and back with British Airways scheduled flight and was allowed one bag max 23 Kg.

[mogpie]

hi,

I agree with virtually all that you said. I can only speak from our experiences, but..... Yes, food is better with Celebrity. Yes, drinks are more expensive with Celebrity. Yes, ridiculous tips and silly rule about allowing only 2 bottles of wine per cabin per cruise with celebrity. P&O have far, far superior kids clubs, and our balcony room was much bigger on P&O. Waiters were just about equal, both cruise line staff were superb overall. room service better with P&O. Celebrity provided cold towels and drinks outside ship on return from port days, this was lacking with P&O. Overall, P&O were better for us, and Ventura is a much better ship than Millenium; though the standard of food on celebrity was unbeatable.

P&O Ventura 9/10

Celebrity Millenium 8.5/10

 

Just my opinion,

Darren

[Denarius]

hi,

I agree with virtually all that you said. I can only speak from our experiences, but..... Yes, food is better with Celebrity. Yes, drinks are more expensive with Celebrity. Yes, ridiculous tips and silly rule about allowing only 2 bottles of wine per cabin per cruise with celebrity. P&O have far, far superior kids clubs, and our balcony room was much bigger on P&O. Waiters were just about equal, both cruise line staff were superb overall. room service better with P&O. Celebrity provided cold towels and drinks outside ship on return from port days, this was lacking with P&O. Overall, P&O were better for us, and Ventura is a much better ship than Millenium; though the standard of food on celebrity was unbeatable.

P&O Ventura 9/10

Celebrity Millenium 8.5/10

 

Just my opinion,

Darren

P&O used to provide orange drinks (but not towels) on returning to the ship, but this was discontinued some time ago.

The comparison between Ventura ond Millennium is perhaps unfair on Celebrity by not comparing like with like. Millennium was launched in 2000 and carries circa 2000 passengers; she is thus of a similar age and size to Aurora and Oceana, which would have been fairer comparators. Ventura was launched in 2008 and carries circa 3000 passengers; a fairer comparison would have been with Celebrity Solstice, which is of a similar size and age.

[PRINCESSTHE BEST]

Agree. I recently flew to US and back with British Airways scheduled flight and was allowed one bag max 23 Kg.

 

Due to fly out to Arcadia in a few weeks time, my allowance is 20kg. My suitcase weighs 4.75kg. Looks like formal night will consist of a dickie bow and a pair of 'budgy smugglers'!!!!!! :D

[cruisebore]

Due to fly out to Arcadia in a few weeks time, my allowance is 20kg. My suitcase weighs 4.75kg. Looks like formal night will consist of a dickie bow and a pair of 'budgy smugglers'!!!!!! :D

 

Who are you flying with? we have 30Kg each

 

Cb

[PRINCESSTHE BEST]

Who are you flying with? we have 30Kg each

 

Cb

Hi Cruisebore, we are flying out to Cape Town with South African Airways. This has however, all been booked through P&O as a complete package.

[umbertsmum]

Hi, we have just booked with P&O for th first time(usually go with Princess) but being from the UK they have a good variety of cruises from southampton. What should we expect to find in terms of differences?

We do already posess formal attire as in our experience with Princess , passengers do dress for dinner!

[balcony queen]

Hi, we have just booked with P&O for th first time(usually go with Princess) but being from the UK they have a good variety of cruises from southampton. What should we expect to find in terms of differences?

We do already posess formal attire as in our experience with Princess , passengers do dress for dinner!

You will be pleasantly surprised with their drink packages. Tipping policy less than Princess. Food is very subjective some bits better some not as good.Entertainment shows better comedians just as bad. We were on Ventura. Same ship as Crown Emerald etc only venues had different names. Go with an open mind and you will have a great time:)

[CASPALL]

Just off Adonia on Tuesday.

Celebrity was a lot better! maybe those Americans werent dressed so badly after all!

 

Formal nights on P&O are not great any more. The standard of dress from the ladies was poor! They are wearing what we used to wear on casual nights (5 yrs ago) with poor matching separates and short dresses. The mwn were much better but they were all jeans and polo shirts on casual. Polo shirt was no better than a scruffy do-the-gardening old t shirt!

Semi formal wasnt much better. Standards have really dropped. Shorts in the restaurant at lunchtime is now accepted - even if it is only 10degrees outside!!!!!! Socks and sandals only slightly more bearable than hairy toes!

I just expected so much more of the Adonia cruiser.

 

We only had a 20kg luggage allowance with Thomsons and 5kg hand.There wasnt enough room on the plane for peoples hand luggage so there was a bit of luggage rage - especially on the way home when people were actually pushing and shoving each other to get on the plane. Mayhem!

Of course if you travelled with Thomas Cook you got 23kg !!!

We spoke to 2 couples who had to pay excess baggage of £120.

There were other peoople checking in with 27kg who got away with it. Not a very fair system and it causes a lot of resentment.

 

This was the worst ever cruise for MOANERS. Dreadful. To be fair there was a lot to complain about. The entertainment was simply dreadful. I still cant believe it was that bad. The theatre company were a total let down.

So much for it being a Xmas cruise - no xmas cheer around. Lucky for us we were with our friends and spent most evenings in one couples cabin listening to our Xmas music on an i phone. Sounds sad!

The bars all shut down early as there was nothing happening on the ship after 11.30.

 

Food was mediocre - strange to see macaroni cheese on the dinner menu (especially when it had been in the buffet at lunchtime!!!) No nice napkin decoration on formal night either. Menu very ordinary.

on the bright side - we managed to get 1 canape each at the captain's party and 1 at the portunis party. Woopeee!!!

We will go again with P&O but we paid far too much for that cruise. Last minute bookings for us from now on.

 

Happy New Year to you all

(Im off to look at Celebritys website!!!)

Caryl

[Presto2]

Just off Adonia on Tuesday.

Celebrity was a lot better! maybe those Americans werent dressed so badly after all!

 

Formal nights on P&O are not great any more. The standard of dress from the ladies was poor! They are wearing what we used to wear on casual nights (5 yrs ago) with poor matching separates and short dresses. The mwn were much better but they were all jeans and polo shirts on casual. Polo shirt was no better than a scruffy do-the-gardening old t shirt!

Semi formal wasnt much better. Standards have really dropped. Shorts in the restaurant at lunchtime is now accepted - even if it is only 10degrees outside!!!!!! Socks and sandals only slightly more bearable than hairy toes!

I just expected so much more of the Adonia cruiser.

 

We only had a 20kg luggage allowance with Thomsons and 5kg hand.There wasnt enough room on the plane for peoples hand luggage so there was a bit of luggage rage - especially on the way home when people were actually pushing and shoving each other to get on the plane. Mayhem!

Of course if you travelled with Thomas Cook you got 23kg !!!

We spoke to 2 couples who had to pay excess baggage of £120.

There were other peoople checking in with 27kg who got away with it. Not a very fair system and it causes a lot of resentment.

 

This was the worst ever cruise for MOANERS. Dreadful. To be fair there was a lot to complain about. The entertainment was simply dreadful. I still cant believe it was that bad. The theatre company were a total let down.

So much for it being a Xmas cruise - no xmas cheer around. Lucky for us we were with our friends and spent most evenings in one couples cabin listening to our Xmas music on an i phone. Sounds sad!

The bars all shut down early as there was nothing happening on the ship after 11.30.

 

Food was mediocre - strange to see macaroni cheese on the dinner menu (especially when it had been in the buffet at lunchtime!!!) No nice napkin decoration on formal night either. Menu very ordinary.

on the bright side - we managed to get 1 canape each at the captain's party and 1 at the portunis party. Woopeee!!!

We will go again with P&O but we paid far too much for that cruise. Last minute bookings for us from now on.

 

Happy New Year to you all

(Im off to look at Celebritys website!!!)

Caryl

 

We found that on our first cruise on the Oceana (mid August) the formal nights were very formal and I thought that everyone looked fabulous. On Celebrity last August the formal nights didn't have the same 'atmosphere' and the dress code wasn't observed very well.

 

I suppose it all depends on the cruise and the 'make-up' of the passengers.

 

We're back with Celebrity because we loved the Silhouette and the itinerary is better, but we will be returning to P&O asap to enjoy the formality of the Formal evenings.

 

:)

[Norfolk Brit]

On Celebrity last August the formal nights didn't have the same 'atmosphere' and the dress code wasn't observed very well.

:)

 

On our Celebrity cruise in September/October last year, the dress was incredibly formal, even on casual nights, considerably more so than on our P&O cruise. Caught me slighly on the hop:eek:.

 

Must depend on time of year and itinerary plus, perhaps, how early the cruise books up.

 

Mary