Undecided on cruising Celebrity or NCL - Help!

[mfrimodog]

Hello all!

 

I am having a serious dilemma and decided to ask for advice. My wife and I are planning a cruise in February of next year but cannot choose which cruise line to go on and could use some honest advice. We are trying to decide between going on the NCL Epic on Feb 8th or the Celebrity Silhouette on Feb 8th. We are looking at a mini-suite on the Epic or a Veranda on the Silhouette.

 

As a little background on us - we are both 29, have cruised 4 times all on RCCL (Mariner, Oasis, Allure, Independence) and are Platinum members. We enjoy some of the activities on RCCL but have become increasingly disappointed with their food and service. We want to be able to relax most of the time but enjoy having something to do too (trivia or comedians). We have a 3 year old but are leaving him with grandma so we can relax together! We are also looking forward to trying a new cruise line.

 

We mostly care about food, being able to relax, and good ship activities. We have really found that RCCL has not been doing very good at making a relaxing environment anymore...

 

I'm going to ask this same question on the Celebrity forum too just so I can get both ends of the spectrum.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give us!!!

[bespin]

It's been a few years since we've cruised on a Celebrity ship, but having just returned from an NCL transatlantic, I would advise opting for Celebrity, as we were not impressed by the food on NCL.

[MMMD]

When I was trying to decide which line to book for our first cruise a few years ago...I did a search on here & read some of the most recent reviews.

They helped a great deal.

 

I also have a suspicion that NCL people you ask will say NCL & Celebrity people will say Celebrity.

 

I'll only say that I chose NCL for our first cruise & chose them again for our second.

 

Hope you have a great time on either NCL or Celebrity. :)

[SissasMomE]

Hello all!

 

I am having a serious dilemma and decided to ask for advice. My wife and I are planning a cruise in February of next year but cannot choose which cruise line to go on and could use some honest advice. We are trying to decide between going on the NCL Epic on Feb 8th or the Celebrity Silhouette on Feb 8th. We are looking at a mini-suite on the Epic or a Veranda on the Silhouette.

 

As a little background on us - we are both 29, have cruised 4 times all on RCCL (Mariner, Oasis, Allure, Independence) and are Platinum members. We enjoy some of the activities on RCCL but have become increasingly disappointed with their food and service. We want to be able to relax most of the time but enjoy having something to do too (trivia or comedians). We have a 3 year old but are leaving him with grandma so we can relax together! We are also looking forward to trying a new cruise line.

 

We mostly care about food, being able to relax, and good ship activities. We have really found that RCCL has not been doing very good at making a relaxing environment anymore...

 

I'm going to ask this same question on the Celebrity forum too just so I can get both ends of the spectrum.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give us!!!

 

Given what you described, I would go with Celebrity. It is a more upscale cruise line, and I think you will enjoy the atmosphere and food better. If you were looking for a more lively, party, family amosphere, I'd recommend NCL hands down ... but to relax, good food, still have activites - AND just the 2 of you? Definitely Celebrity.

[UFMOM]

It sounds like you will like Celebrity. But be aware there is not much comedy and no comedy clubs. Hopefully they will increase their comedy offerings. The food is great and the specialty restaurants very good. Qsine is fun and hip. They have great perks. We have the free all inclusive drink package on our upcoming cruise and there are other perks you can pick if you don't drink a lot. Although the drink pkg. is the best value for free.These perk offers come up fairly regularly and I would book when you can get a good one that suits you. The free perks are combinable with obc from your ta. We have the drinks pkg. and another 300.00 obc from our ta. Good luck with your choice.

 

Mary Ann

[UFMOM]

It sounds like you will like Celebrity. But be aware there is not much comedy and no comedy clubs. Hopefully they will increase their comedy offerings. The food is great and the specialty restaurants very good. Qsine is fun and hip. They have great perks. We have the free all inclusive drink package on our upcoming cruise and there are other perks you can pick if you don't drink a lot. Although the drink pkg. is the best value for free.These perk offers come up fairly regularly and I would book when you can get a good one that suits you. The free perks are combinable with obc from your ta. We have the drinks pkg. and another 300.00 obc from our ta. Good luck with your choice.

 

Mary Ann

 

Forgot to add that your platinum status will transfer to Celebrity also.

[bonitaly]

Have never been on Celebrity but have had the pleasure of sailing in a Spa Mini-Suite on the Epic and relaxation was awesome for us. The spa is very large and we used it every single day. We chose a cruise with more sea days just to relax on deck and in the spa. Ate at Le Bistro, Moderno, O Sheehans and both main dining rooms. We loved the blues club, awesome comedian's, Blue Man Group, Cirque shows and we purchased the drink package.

We were extremely happy with the Epic and her crew. Hope you will give NCL a try. we think freestyle equals relaxation. Others may disagree but that's our opinion. Good luck and have fun together no matter what.

Edited May 31, 2014 by bonitaly

[cruzsnooze]

Both cruise lines have something to offer. You won't go wrong on either ship. Do you like the formal nights? Celebrity has formals NCL does not. NCL prices for higher category cabins are priced better IMHO.

[sugarnyc]

I have been on both. Both during inaugural season. I actually wish the great things on each ship could be combined to make a nearly perfect vacation :-)

 

Overall I like the service, food & Itineraries better on Celebrity. But overall the activities & entertainment are much better on NCL. I still prefer having the same table for dinner every night. I was on Celebrity twice during Thanksgiving and even with kids sailing there were not a huge number of kids running around. So Celebrity is a more relaxing experience.

 

I have never had a bad cruise experience-thankfully! I simply do research to see what each ship offers before I book a vacation.

[Turtles06]

I also have a suspicion that NCL people you ask will say NCL & Celebrity people will say Celebrity.

 

 

If you look at my cruising history, I guess you could say I'm both an NCL person and a Celebrity person, so perhaps I can give an unbiased opinion. ;)

 

OP: you don't mention the itinerary; that's generally important to us and helps with the choice. Perhaps that's of no moment here to you.

 

Although I've sailed five times with NCL, I haven't been on the Epic, and frankly don't have much desire to. She sounds too big and crowded. Celebrity's S-class ships, of which the Silhouette is one, are beautiful ships with a huge "wow" factor. The food is typically better on Celebrity than it is on NCL, but this is not universally true. But if food is a big factor for you (as it sounds like it is from your post), that would tip the balance for Celebrity.

 

Celebrity overall is a bit more "elegant," if you will, but we do love NCL's Freestyle dining and all around casual atmosphere. You would likely be on the younger end of the demographic on Celebrity, but that should not be a problem.

 

Celebrity prohibits smoking not only in cabins but also on balconies, and pretty much everywhere indoors (even in the casino), which to us a huge advantage that Celebrity has over NCL.

 

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

[NMLady]

Forgot to add that your platinum status will transfer to Celebrity also.

 

I doubt it. Even if under the same umbrella of ownership, each cruise line has it's own loyalty program.

 

To OP: Celebrity offers fixed dining. NCL is entirely freestyle dining.

Celebrity has Formal evenings. NCL does not.

 

Both have good entertainment. Food in MDR is probably better on Celebrity.

Both have drink packages. NCL has a dining package for specialty restaurants.

 

I have cruised on both lines. It depends on itinerary and cabin selection price unless you have strong feelings about dining arrangements or attire.

Whichever line you choose you will have a great cruise.

Edited May 31, 2014 by NMLady

[Susie51]

I have also cruised on both NCL and -X-.

 

Pros for Celebrity: MDR, beds, décor, formal nights, relaxation, pools, Aqua Café, bigger rooms per category except for high end suites

 

Pros for NCL: Entertainment, dining options, suites

 

Enjoy your cruise

[OCruisers]

For what you want you'd probably be happier with Celebrity unless you book a suite on NCL and have dinner in a specialty restaurant every night.

LuLu

[Turtles06]

I doubt it. Even if under the same umbrella of ownership, each cruise line has it's own loyalty program.

 

Actually, RCCL and Celebrity have the same parent, and there is recognition given to each other's loyalty program. The specifics on how RCCL status is recognized on Celebrity are in fn. 18 on this web page:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do;jsessionid=PVW5nwZh0sS4bwdya3wvpMj#rcca-answer18

 

To OP: Celebrity offers fixed dining. NCL is entirely freestyle dining.

Celebrity has Formal evenings. NCL does not.

 

 

Celebrity also offers "Select Dining," which allows you to eat in the MDR whenever you want during the dinner hours.

 

In terms of formal nights, don't think of it as black tie. No tuxes or gowns needed (though they are welcome and you will see them). Men are okay in suits and ties, and women are okay in cocktail dresses, or dressy slacks and glitzy tops. And you can avoid even that level of attire on formal nights by eating in a specialty restaurant or the buffet, where the dress code is smart casual. (Or order room service.)

[Zhane's mum]

I doubt it. Even if under the same umbrella of ownership, each cruise line has it's own loyalty program.

 

To OP: Celebrity offers fixed dining. NCL is entirely freestyle dining.

Celebrity has Formal evenings. NCL does not.

 

Both have good entertainment. Food in MDR is probably better on Celebrity.

Both have drink packages. NCL has a dining package for specialty restaurants.

 

I have cruised on both lines. It depends on itinerary and cabin selection price unless you have strong feelings about dining arrangements or attire.

Whichever line you choose you will have a great cruise.

 

 

I spent quite a lot of time over on the RCL boards prior to my last cruise and I do believe that RCL loyalty status is acknowledged on celebrity with the cruiser receiving the benefits of the equivalent status on Celebrity

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[SissasMomE]

I spent quite a lot of time over on the RCL boards prior to my last cruise and I do believe that RCL loyalty status is acknowledged on celebrity with the cruiser receiving the benefits of the equivalent status on Celebrity

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Correct - it is most definitely honored!

[calex]

Just a FYI -- Celebrity is bring back their '123 Go' promotion next week per an email I received from one of my TA this morning.

 

SALE BEGINS AT 12:01 am ET on MONDAY JUNE 2.

 

Here is the promotion from Celebrity:

 

Book an OCEANVIEW or higher on virtually any NEW Celebrity cruise sailing October 2014 thru April 2016 this week and choose ONE of the following gifts from CELEBRITY.

 

OR, Book an OCEANVIEW or higher on a EUROPEAN cruise (cruise must begin and end in EUROPE), sailing October 2014 thru April 2016 this week and you can CHOOSE TWO of the following gifts from CELEBRITY:

 

CHOOSE FROM: OFFER DETAILS

 

1. Free Beverage Package Receive Classic Beverage Packages for TWO,

including spirits with beverage gratuities covered. (A value of $ 49 per person/ per day plus a 15% gratuity/service fee) That's a value of over $1350 for a 12 nt. sailing!

 

2. Free Gratuities Receive Pre-Paid Gratuities for TWO (a value of up to $30* per day)

 

3. Onboard Credit Receive $100 per cabin for 3- to 5-night sailings, Receive $200 per cabin for 6- to 9-night sailings,Receive $300 per cabin for 10-night or more.

 

PLUS,

 

3rd/4th passengers sharing the same cabin receive A Complimentary Classic Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package (In addition to enjoying your favorite Coca Cola can and fountain sodas selections such as Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta Orange and Coke Zero, you may also enjoy fresh squeezed and bottled juices, Premium Coffees and Teas and Non-Premium Bottled Water.)

 

PLUS,

 

A 40 Minute internet package

Edited June 1, 2014 by calex

[mfrimodog]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I'm thinking if they bring back the 123go then that will make our decision for us! We have never gotten a beverage package before and really like the idea of it. That may be the extra that helps us decide Celebrity!

[UFMOM]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I'm thinking if they bring back the 123go then that will make our decision for us! We have never gotten a beverage package before and really like the idea of it. That may be the extra that helps us decide Celebrity!

 

If you book Celebrity, look into their 3 and 5 day dining packages too. It saves a bit if you like the specialty restaurants, which are all very good.

 

Mary Ann

[ShelleyK]

We were on a Celebrity cruise in Dec 2013 and did "select dining." Loved it! Gave you all the freedom of NCL's freestyle cruising. With your platinum status, I think you will be happier with Celebrity because of your added "perks." That being said, we have opted for NCL this fall for a cruise to the Baltics. We have never been on an NCL cruise, and were able to get a suite for just a few dollars more than a balcony or mini-suite. Make a list of the options and see where you are getting the most "bang for your buck" and go for it!

[graphicguy]

I'm going to qualify my statements up front that I've only taken one Celebrity Cruise-Solstice. I've never taken a bad cruise. But, we won't sail Celebrity again.

 

We like NCL, CCL, and RCCL. But, NCL's newer ships have the best entertianment at sea, bar none.

 

We like NCL's Freestyle, too. There's much more to do on NCL ships.

 

The most exciting thing we could find on the Celebrity Solstice was a glass blowing deminstration. Not that it wasn't interesting. It was. Not exactly exciting, however.

 

We're leaving for Bermuda a week from today. We could have sailed either Celebrity or NCL to Bermuda. We chose NCL.

Edited June 1, 2014 by graphicguy

[mfrimodog]

I'm going to qualify my statements up front that I've only taken one Celebrity Cruise-Solstice. I've never taken a bad cruise. But, we won't sail Celebrity again.

 

We like NCL, CCL, and RCCL. But, NCL's newer ships have the best entertianment at sea, bar none.

 

We like NCL's Freestyle, too. There's much more to do on NCL ships.

 

The most exciting thing we could find on the Celebrity Solstice was a glass blowing deminstration. Not that it wasn't interesting. It was. Not exactly exciting, however.

 

We're leaving for Bermuda a week from today. We could have sailed either Celebrity or NCL to Bermuda. We chose NCL.

 

 

That's my fear with Celebrity. I don't want to go on a cruise and by the 3rd day have nothing else for us to do at night. Does anyone know what kind of entertainment Celebrity had? My wife and I aren't big musical fans so we usually skip those on every cruise (except when she made me sit through Hairspray on the Allure :eek:)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I love NCL and it is now my cruise line of choice but with what you have stated I think you will feel more at home with Celebrity. Celebrity really has that under lining feel it is upscale RCI. While I really like our cruise on the Solstice a few years ago I could not help but feel the strong presence of Royal Caribbean in many things on board. Many people love Royal Caribbean unfortunately I am not one of them. What is great about Norwegian is it really does not feel like any other cruise line. Other than there are things they do that remind me just a bit of how HAL use to be. But most that love RCI love Celebrity with the slight difference in that was mention about things to do in the evening. One thing about Norwegian you will not be bored. The entertainment is all over the ship and there is constantly things to do.

[mg33626]

It sounds like you will like Celebrity. But be aware there is not much comedy and no comedy clubs. Hopefully they will increase their comedy offerings. The food is great and the specialty restaurants very good. Qsine is fun and hip. They have great perks. We have the free all inclusive drink package on our upcoming cruise and there are other perks you can pick if you don't drink a lot. Although the drink pkg. is the best value for free.These perk offers come up fairly regularly and I would book when you can get a good one that suits you. The free perks are combinable with obc from your ta. We have the drinks pkg. and another 300.00 obc from our ta. Good luck with your choice.

 

Mary Ann

 

I was recently on Reflection the sister ship to Silohette ( ?) and the comedy club was great! Also, the 123 promo is an amazing perk!

[snow bunny]

That's my fear with Celebrity. I don't want to go on a cruise and by the 3rd day have nothing else for us to do at night. Does anyone know what kind of entertainment Celebrity had? My wife and I aren't big musical fans so we usually skip those on every cruise (except when she made me sit through Hairspray on the Allure :eek:)

 

We did the Silhouette for the second time in March. 1st one was a port intensive Mediterranean cruise and this last one was more low key. We found the entertainment to be better than previous Celebrity cruises. We attended every show in the theatre and were quite happy with the variety. As for nightlife, it was a bit limited but we always found something to do, be it dancing or just hanging out.

 

We did the Epic cruise back in 2010 and enjoyed it. As for entertainment, I think they had a few more activities later at night. We did not have that many things to do on our NCL Dawn cruise but again we always find somewhere to dance!

 

Food wise, I would choose Celebrity over NCL but need to qualify this by saying that our last three cruises we ate in Blu. If you can afford it, try the Aqua Class rooms. We enjoy the quieter dining venue and it is less formal as you are only required to dress smart casual, even on formal nights.

 

snow bunny