Help me choose

[Doc2725]

I need help choosing between Allure of the Seas or Celebrity Silhouette. Currently, we are booked on a Feb. 12 cruise onboard Allure of the Seas. However, we are debating switching and instead going on Celebrity Silhouette during the same week. This would be our first celebrity cruise. What I need your help with is telling me a bit about Celebrity. My gf and I are both in our early 30's (30 and 32.) We don't typically care about the dance club, but do enjoy drinking, visiting the casino once or twice, and at night typically bar hop, watch the bands in each bar, go to the comedy club, etc. Big Broadway shows don't matter much to us. The appeal of Celebrity is the good, and the upscale nature of the brand, which we both are into.

 

I guess my question here is, given what we like to do, will we be bored at night on Celebrity?

[bwg03]

I am 29 and have been on Carnival, RCCL, NCL and Celebrity. In my opinion Celebrity is leaps and bounds above every other line. While definitely quieter during the evenings it is calming and relaxing. You don't see the drunks walking down the hallway. You look around and you truly see that everyone is on vacation and relaxing.

 

While not as crazy the amenities certainly make up for nightlife. The restaurants are far superior as well as the food and ship options. Nothing on Allure of Seas can measure up to Lawn Club Grille.

 

I tried Celebrity 5 years ago and I can certainly say I will never go back. I am taking my wife on the Silhouette for Thanksgiving (My 2nd time, her 1st) and I can't wait to see how she takes it being use to RCCL and Carnival.

 

Just my .2

[Doc2725]

I am 29 and have been on Carnival, RCCL, NCL and Celebrity. In my opinion Celebrity is leaps and bounds above every other line. While definitely quieter during the evenings it is calming and relaxing. You don't see the drunks walking down the hallway. You look around and you truly see that everyone is on vacation and relaxing.

 

While not as crazy the amenities certainly make up for nightlife. The restaurants are far superior as well as the food and ship options. Nothing on Allure of Seas can measure up to Lawn Club Grille.

 

I tried Celebrity 5 years ago and I can certainly say I will never go back. I am taking my wife on the Silhouette for Thanksgiving (My 2nd time, her 1st) and I can't wait to see how she takes it being use to RCCL and Carnival.

 

Just my .2

 

Thank you for your thoughts. Is there still a nightlife going on between 12-1AM. As in, are the bars still open? We don't guy crazy, but like to sit and drink, people watch, etc. Also, do most of the bars have bands each night?

[sound_guy0918]

Thank you for your thoughts. Is there still a nightlife going on between 12-1AM. As in, are the bars still open? We don't guy crazy, but like to sit and drink, people watch, etc. Also, do most of the bars have bands each night?

 

Our experience from the Summit - the nightlife dwindles between 12-1am. Most passengers are in bed, but those who are still up will either be in the casino (non-smoking so the bar is enjoyable for all) or whichever club has music going...which answers your second question. You might have to go bar hoping to follow the musical acts. There is always something going on, but it moves around the ship throughout the evening and from day to day.

 

We are in our 40s and LOVE the peace and quiet on Celebrity compared to CCL and RCL. The food is superior and the free drink package (make sure you book to get this Perk!) makes for a worry-free vacation.

[Doc2725]

Our experience from the Summit - the nightlife dwindles between 12-1am. Most passengers are in bed, but those who are still up will either be in the casino (non-smoking so the bar is enjoyable for all) or whichever club has music going...which answers your second question. You might have to go bar hoping to follow the musical acts. There is always something going on, but it moves around the ship throughout the evening and from day to day.

 

We are in our 40s and LOVE the peace and quiet on Celebrity compared to CCL and RCL. The food is superior and the free drink package (make sure you book to get this Perk!) makes for a worry-free vacation.

 

We like the idea of relaxing peace and quiet during the day (no belly flop competition, etc., not a lot of kids.) But we also want to make sure that at night we aren't bored. Give us some booze, a couple of good bands and we are good to go.

[wallie5446]

5000 new best friends elbow to elbow fighting to climb a wall, ride a wave, ice skate, watch a water show, zip line past your balcony, pre book just where and when to dine, yada, yada, yada, oh, and with 4-5-6 maybe 700 of them under the age of 10! :eek:

 

Verses 2500 in an adult country club casual setting, where you can sit on the quiet top deck aft watching the slowly setting sun disappear into the wake from the ship with a cold beverage in hand and have a nice conversation with your spouse, or say nothing and relax.

 

Hummmm, even when we were still 30, the second option was really good! :D

 

ps: we are Diamond on RCCL #1 in 1989, so we know the drill! Also Elite on Celebrity, #1 in 1994, we know the quality.

Edited October 24, 2016 by wallie5446

[sound_guy0918]

We like the idea of relaxing peace and quiet during the day (no belly flop competition, etc., not a lot of kids.) But we also want to make sure that at night we aren't bored. Give us some booze, a couple of good bands and we are good to go.

 

A Caribbean itinerary in February will be older with less families/kids. Good choice. The (adult) passenger mix tends to be a little younger sailing out of San Juan with the port-intensive itineraries.

 

You will definitely appreciate the laid-back experience during the daytime. You nailed it with no belly flop contests and far fewer announcements and no blaring canned muzak by the pool.

 

Get the drink package as a perk, upgrade to premium, and you can enjoy all of the specialty bars etc. As long as you are willing to move around the ship to follow the music and action, you will find what you are looking for.

 

If you visit St. Maarten, I highly recommend Captain Bob for an awesome boat trip.

[Doc2725]

A Caribbean itinerary in February will be older with less families/kids. Good choice. The (adult) passenger mix tends to be a little younger sailing out of San Juan with the port-intensive itineraries.

 

You will definitely appreciate the laid-back experience during the daytime. You nailed it with no belly flop contests and far fewer announcements and no blaring canned muzak by the pool.

 

Get the drink package as a perk, upgrade to premium, and you can enjoy all of the specialty bars etc. As long as you are willing to move around the ship to follow the music and action, you will find what you are looking for.

 

If you visit St. Maarten, I highly recommend Captain Bob for an awesome boat trip.

 

Thank you. We are looking at the Feb. 12 sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale, which stops at:

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, USVI

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

[Scott2.0]

I'm your age and like to do the same stuff. I really liked Celebrity, but the ship I was on died out around 1am. The bars were a lot of fun up until that point though. Given that, the food, service at atmosphere were plenty to compensate for it getting a little sleepy early on. I loved my Celebrity cruise and just booked another.

[Doc2725]

I'm your age and like to do the same stuff. I really liked Celebrity, but the ship I was on died out around 1am. The bars were a lot of fun up until that point though. Given that, the food, service at atmosphere were plenty to compensate for it getting a little sleepy early on. I loved my Celebrity cruise and just booked another.

 

That is really good to hear. What kind of music did the bands play? Any Latin music? Also, what is there for late night food options? Thank you again!

[sound_guy0918]

Suggestion - search the boards for the Daily's for the ship/itinerary you are looking for. Even if it is from 2015 or 2014 you should get a good idea what is open late.

 

With the extra sea days on your itinerary you should get more nightlife. People tend to go to bed earlier when they know they have an 8am excursion the next day.

[Scott2.0]

That is really good to hear. What kind of music did the bands play? Any Latin music? Also, what is there for late night food options? Thank you again!

 

Good question about the bands, I honestly can't remember. I believe there was some Latin music and maybe even salsa dancing. I remember pop music playing out by the pools during the day. I think the Caribbean cruises tend to be geared toward a bit younger crowd which I enjoyed.

 

Late night food was a let down. In fact, I just started a thread on that topic. Great minds think alike! Here you go: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2415414

[digital_curator]

As you can see from my signature, we started on RCI. I loved all the bells and whistles but the vacations were tiring!

 

In our late 30's we switched to X. The older ships are very similar (we are about to try the S-class ships).

 

I miss some of the activities (mini golf, flowwider) but it doesn't sound like you will.

 

We love the variety of lounges- lots of places to have a cocktail and listen to music. We find that most ships have had a Latin band, a pool band/current music, a guitarist, a piano player, and the ship band.

 

Things do get quiet earlier than on RCI, though it will depend on your sailing. Food is limited late at night- pizza until 1 in the buffet. Coffee and pastries at the coffee shop (closes 11/11:30?) and room service ($4.95 charge after 11). There is a thread about this right now. Many have suggested grabbing a snack from the buffet before dinner ends at 9/9:30 and putting it in your fridge.

 

Hope this helps!

[awhcruiser]

Have you been on this ship or is this idle speculation? This was not our experience on Allure.

5000 new best friends elbow to elbow fighting to climb a wall, ride a wave, ice skate, watch a water show, zip line past your balcony, pre book just where and when to dine, yada, yada, yada, oh, and with 4-5-6 maybe 700 of them under the age of 10! :eek:

 

/QUOTE]

Edited October 24, 2016 by awhcruiser

[fridaythe13th]

Have you been on this ship or is this idle speculation? This was not our experience on Allure.

5000 new best friends elbow to elbow fighting to climb a wall, ride a wave, ice skate, watch a water show, zip line past your balcony, pre book just where and when to dine, yada, yada, yada, oh, and with 4-5-6 maybe 700 of them under the age of 10! :eek:

 

/QUOTE]

 

My thoughts exactly when I read that response... Our Allure cruise was awesome and I'm doing it again!

[BlessedAZWife]

Hubby and I have cruised RCI, Princess and Celebrity. We are booked on our second Silhouette cruise this December. While, in my opinion, something REALLY horrible would have to happen for a cruise to qualify as "bad", we far prefer Celebrity, and the Silhouette in particular. The analogy that I have used for comparison is that RCI and Princess are like Las Vegas: lots of glitz, lights, activity, noise, action, and obvious; while X is like Paris: Elegant, classy, sophisticated, and subdued. Hubby and I are a very young "attitude" 56 and 60, and we LOVE Silhouette. Finally, in my opinion, no matter you are, you can always find something to do.

[Doc2725]

I have also always wanted to go on Allure, but the more I read about Celebrity, the more intrigued I am. How crowded is the pool deck on the Silhouette? Easy to find a deck chair?

[fridaythe13th]

I have also always wanted to go on Allure, but the more I read about Celebrity, the more intrigued I am. How crowded is the pool deck on the Silhouette? Easy to find a deck chair?

 

Also to consider, Feb 12 is the beginning of school vacation in some districts and Allure will likely have more kids, if that matters. Allure never seemed crowded despite the number of people on board!

[maxsales]

If you are a smoker celebrity has a much more stringent smoking policy, no inside smoking at all including the casino.

[janetz]

I have been reading many reviews as we are booked on the Silhouette for April.

Most seem to say that the ship is dead by 11. That does not concern us as we are cruising alone this time and are looking for a very relaxing and low key sailing.

 

The Allure has so much to offer. A lot of night life, and the shows offered are just fabulous.

Cruises, are so subjective, but I think the Allure would be a good fit for you. :)

[PoppyandNana]

Have you been on this ship or is this idle speculation? This was not our experience on Allure.

5000 new best friends elbow to elbow fighting to climb a wall, ride a wave, ice skate, watch a water show, zip line past your balcony, pre book just where and when to dine, yada, yada, yada, oh, and with 4-5-6 maybe 700 of them under the age of 10! :eek:

 

/QUOTE]

 

 

Ugh! Do they ever run sales or promos where they pay you to sail their ships?

[PoppyandNana]

I have also always wanted to go on Allure, but the more I read about Celebrity, the more intrigued I am. How crowded is the pool deck on the Silhouette? Easy to find a deck chair?

 

I'll be honest with you. We have been on 26 Celebrity sailings. On hot sea days, in the Caribbean, it will be difficult to find two lounges, by the pool, at 11am.

 

Frankly, chair hogging is as much a problem on Celebrity as on any other cruise ship. Now, huge variations on this depending on when and where. 12 or 14 day cruises to the med, not so much a problem. In the Caribbean, in January can be as I said, an issue.

 

This a cruise industry problem, not a Carnival vs Celebrity equation.

Edited October 24, 2016 by PoppyandNana

[debshomespun]

I have also always wanted to go on Allure, but the more I read about Celebrity, the more intrigued I am. How crowded is the pool deck on the Silhouette? Easy to find a deck chair?

 

What I really love about Celebrity, you do not have to "check out" a towel for the pool. The towels are rolled and waiting on the chairs in the morning. AND, they have several lounge beds around the pool that have a 6 inch cushion on. I would go up to the pool deck shortly after 8:00AM, and never had a problem getting one of these. If you are out late the night before, and don't make it out until after 10:00, you may have a problem finding a chair around the pool. You can probably find a chair 1 deck up from the pool.

 

I would definitely try Celebrity and see for yourself if it would be a good fit for you. Definitely a more refined cruise experience than RC, and IMO, much better food.

[Doc2725]

I have been reading many reviews as we are booked on the Silhouette for April.

Most seem to say that the ship is dead by 11. That does not concern us as we are cruising alone this time and are looking for a very relaxing and low key sailing.

 

The Allure has so much to offer. A lot of night life, and the shows offered are just fabulous.

Cruises, are so subjective, but I think the Allure would be a good fit for you. :)

 

Dead by 11, that worries me. That's usually when the bands start to get good.

[PoppyandNana]

Dead by 11, that worries me. That's usually when the bands start to get good.

 

Celebrity ships are NOT dead at 11. All depends on where you are at and time of year.

 

Sailing the Baltic, with major ports almost every day (like St. Petersburg)

You will find the ship quiet but not dead at 11.

 

Conversely, in the Caribbean, on sea days, you'll find the place hopping at midnight and long after.