Which whould you choose

[DeputyDan]

The Celebrity Summit and the RCCL Jewel of the Seas both go out of Puerto Rico on the same itinerary.

 

I have never been on a cruise but like this schedule. Which one would you choose?

 

Thank you.

[preschool teacher]

Celebrity....

[mom says]

They're both just out of refit this year, I think, so they should both be looking good. But I'm not a huge fan of RCCL as a whole, so I'd pick Summit.

 

Depends on your party and what their expectations are for their ship board experience. Do you have kids? Do the adults like to party at night, every night? What ship activities are important?

[Grandma Dazzles]

RC owns Celebrity so you will find some things very similar. Most people consider Celebrity a little more upscale; perhaps an older crowd. I think it's a question of what is important to you. What do you like to do and what are you looking for. I would also consider price if the two cruises are identical.

[Clarea]

Don't know about Summit, but Jewel has a kiddle pool area with a slide.

[fishywood]

Do you want open-seating dining without an interminable wait? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want a ship that doesn't resemble the Mary Celeste after 10:30 each night? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want to see a show, or even any live music, or even just have a drink, after late sitting dinner? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want a buffet that serves something other than the same pizza, pasta, curry and sushi every single day? Or that has any dessert items at all? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want disembarkation in each port, or heaven help you ship's tour dispatch, that is not a complete clusterflop? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want to not be treated like a third-class citizen just because you are not a high-ranking loyalty member? Actually, both Royal and Celebrity do that, so I guess its a toss-up.

[mom says]

Do you want open-seating dining without an interminable wait? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want a ship that doesn't resemble the Mary Celeste after 10:30 each night? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want to see a show, or even any live music, or even just have a drink, after late sitting dinner? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want a buffet that serves something other than the same pizza, pasta, curry and sushi every single day? Or that has any dessert items at all? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want disembarkation in each port, or heaven help you ship's tour dispatch, that is not a complete clusterflop? Don't go on Celebrity.

 

Do you want to not be treated like a third-class citizen just because you are not a high-ranking loyalty member? Actually, both Royal and Celebrity do that, so I guess its a toss-up.

 

Hmm. Something tells me that your single experience on X and RCCL weren't your cup of tea. Seem like pretty sweeping indictments after only 1 cruise with each.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Please give us more information about yourselves -- age -- what you like, etc.

[MCC retired]

Celebrity ships extremely limit smoking areas . RCI ships a bit more lenient but neither allows smoking in cabins/balconies.

[DeputyDan]

Non smokers

Light drinkers

Kids are now adults.

Pool facilities not important but a coffee/cafe area with a shaded view would be nice.

A piano bar would be appreciated more than can can dancers.

Nice sit down meals would be preferred over the golden corral (go to the trough buffet) experience.

Gym facilities more important than a casino or bars.

Very early risers so coffee access by 5:00am and breakfast by 6:00am would be a real plus.

 

 

I scuba dive and generally do two - two week dive trips each year. The destinations for this cruise are places I would like to know more about so I thought that a cruise would be a relatively inexpensive way of checking them out for a possible future extended stay.

 

Thanks

[GUT2407]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Please give us more information about yourselves -- age -- what you like, etc.

 

That's what's needed more information.

[GUT2407]

Non smokers

Light drinkers

Kids are now adults.

Pool facilities not important but a coffee/cafe area with a shaded view would be nice.

A piano bar would be appreciated more than can can dancers.

Nice sit down meals would be preferred over the golden corral (go to the trough buffet) experience.

Gym facilities more important than a casino or bars.

Very early risers so coffee access by 5:00am and breakfast by 6:00am would be a real plus.

 

 

I scuba dive and generally do two - two week dive trips each year. The destinations for this cruise are places I would like to know more about so I thought that a cruise would be a relatively inexpensive way of checking them out for a possible future extended stay.

 

Thanks

 

In that case I'd try Celebrity.

[agargoyle]

Non smokers

Light drinkers

Kids are now adults.

Pool facilities not important but a coffee/cafe area with a shaded view would be nice.

A piano bar would be appreciated more than can can dancers.

Nice sit down meals would be preferred over the golden corral (go to the trough buffet) experience.

Gym facilities more important than a casino or bars.

Very early risers so coffee access by 5:00am and breakfast by 6:00am would be a real plus.

 

 

I scuba dive and generally do two - two week dive trips each year. The destinations for this cruise are places I would like to know more about so I thought that a cruise would be a relatively inexpensive way of checking them out for a possible future extended stay.

 

Thanks

 

We have been on the Summit twice now in the past year (third time will be in October). We do not use the pool either....but they do have a nice thalassotherapy pool.

 

Have nice quiet music in different areas of the ship. Last time we were on there was a guitar player, piano man, etc.

 

Gym is ok as seen from the outside :)

 

We have done only Aqua Class and those rooms have coffee makers. On any ship you can also order room service...also an option to put in your order the night before and have it delivered at a certain time. I believe the aft bar has coffee nearby....nice to sit there and watch the wake.

 

Coffee - 24 hours in the buffet. We have gotten up early on other ships and gotten coffee and gone on deck or back to our balcony room.

 

With Aqua Class we have our own dining room so nice sit down meals. We will do the MDR for breakfast and lunch.

 

Sounds like we could share a cruise nicely. I am sure whichever you decide you will have a great time.

 

Once you decide check Cruise Critic and the cruise line website for tips.

 

Relax and enjoy.

[Sequim88]

A deciding factor might be the cost for a balcony. For So. Caribbean in the tropical warmth it is really nice to be able to end the day on the balcony looking at stars and having a nightcap. Celebrity does not allow smoking on balcony so as a non-smoker that could be a plus over RCCL and having a chain smoker next door. But if the only way to afford a balcony is RCCL it is still worth taking chances on neighbors.

 

If you catch the cruise bug and like Celebrity the benefits in their loyalty program are a little better than RCCL.

 

For piano bar we've always had a great time until way to late in the Schooner Bar on Radiance class ships like Jewel. Not sure about X.

[sloopsailor]

.....Celebrity does not allow smoking on balcony so as a non-smoker that could be a plus over RCCL and having a chain smoker next door. But if the only way to afford a balcony is RCCL it is still worth taking chances on neighbors.....

 

RCCL also does not allow smoking on balconies. There should be zero difference in the risk of having a neighbor who smokes on their balcony. If they do, contact guest services and let them know. They will inform your neighbor of the rules.

[Sequim88]

RCCL also does not allow smoking on balconies.

 

When did this change? Last TA we did our balcony time was limited to when the neighbor was sleeping. But that was 2012 and I've been out of touch with cruising and CC for a couple years due to job changes.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Sequim88

[Grandma Dazzles]

When did this change? Last TA we did our balcony time was limited to when the neighbor was sleeping. But that was 2012 and I've been out of touch with cruising and CC for a couple years due to job changes.

 

Someone may post an actual date, but definitely true for a few years.

[Aquahound]

When did this change? Last TA we did our balcony time was limited to when the neighbor was sleeping. But that was 2012 and I've been out of touch with cruising and CC for a couple years due to job changes.

 

RCI's no balcony smoking policy started on Jan 1, 2014

 

The Celebrity Summit and the RCCL Jewel of the Seas both go out of Puerto Rico on the same itinerary.

 

I have never been on a cruise but like this schedule. Which one would you choose?

 

Thank you.

 

Normally I'd recommend the Jewel over the Summit but after your later post describing your interests, I think Summit is the better ship for you.

 

Although, Jewel has the far superior piano bar to Summit. In fact, if memory serves me right, Summit doesn't even have a piano bar.