Royal Caribbean cruiser tries Celebrity- the differences.

[CruisingTheWaves]

I've sailed both lines. Even when I was 17 on a RCI ship I always found myself wishing we were going Celebrity instead. Since S class came out we haven't booked a RCI ship. Good to be reminded of the differences, and why I stick with Celebrity. If the music is decent, that's enough for me. We don't go to the shows or require over the top entertainment. I know Celebrity is trying with Eden on Edge, but it may be why we avoid that venue if we find we don't like it. I go to relax. I go for serenity. I go for peace.  I love being on a ship in places it's quiet, especially to hear the waves, so our open air balcony will be important for me. I like to dress up. Where I live it's casual all the time, so it's nice to put on something that sparkles and shines. I always found the food to be better on Celebrity and just all around more relaxing. More tasteful décor and friendly staff. Things have changed over the years, but some have not. I still take notice of things like embarkation champagne, and I make sure to enjoy them. 

[Threedrones]

We did a modified b2b in October. We cruised RC and on our return to Miami walked over to Celebrity Equinox. This gave us a great opportunity to compare while everything was still fresh in our minds. The service and cleanliness of Celebrity far exceeded that of RC. The Windjammer on RC was clean the first day, but hardly touched afterward.  Celebrity constantly was vacuuming and cleaning. Food was better in the buffet on Celebrity but not too different in main dining room. More to do on RC as far as activities. For us, the non smoking casino was a big plus (Celeb). As we are both pop (soda} drinkers, we purchased the soda deals. Celeb is a big winner there, too, because they serve in cans. I agree that the lack of footstools diminishes the balcony setting. Advantage RC.   Overall, we prefer Celebrity, but are already booked on both this year (2019).

[cangelmd]

We were doing some comparisons between RCCL and Celebrity night before last, trying to decide on a last minute and costs.

I believe there are some real differences in the drink packages between the 2, although the overall prices are close. Check the fine print when moving from one line to another - I don't want to talk too specific, because I may well be misremembering, but a long time cruiser on one might make incorrect assumptions about the other, fyi

[bobndee]

Our first few cruises were on RCI.  Then we bounced around several different cruise lines before trying X.  After several cruises on X we went on RCI again.  While it was a good enough cruise, we both agreed afterwards that we are no longer in the RCI demographic.  That's no knock on RCI or special praise for X - currently X meets our preferences better than RCI does.

 

But I have no interest in the RCI mega-ships.  Even the Edge is larger than we care for.

 

[Caymus88]

19 hours ago, DaCruiseBug said:

 

We got off the Edge a week ago and I wore a t-shirt to the MDR a few nights. No problem at all. I even saw a person wearing shorts one night and nobody said anything (I always wore jeans). 

Thankful for this as BH will only wear jeans. After 30 cruises he refuses to dress up.  We mistakenly are going to the MDR on elegant night.  We’ll see

[Mimiya11]

Interesting comparisons by all.  We just got off a HAL cruise (that's for another topic of comparison).   We tend to cruise Celebrity but went on the Allure a few years ago.  One of the best times we ever had on a ship as the ship is really the destination.  Tons and tons to do even if it is exploring each deck (Central Park was fantastic) and we still talk about our evening watching and participating in Grease sing along outside under the stars.  Having said that, our only complaint was the food in the MDR.  We ate there once, it was bad and as a result, we had all our other dinners everywhere but the MDR for the remainder of the cruise.  One of the highlights was the Chef's Table (expensive but so much fun, and delicious too).  As a matter of fact, my daughter and son-in-law had been considering a Celebrity cruise for their 10th anniversary and I really pushed them to go the newest of the RC ships and they had a blast.  If the ship was our destination only, I would choose RCI just for the fun and variety of it.  Otherwise we are happy with Celebrity.   

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, bobndee said:

Our first few cruises were on RCI.  Then we bounced around several different cruise lines before trying X.  After several cruises on X we went on RCI again.  While it was a good enough cruise, we both agreed afterwards that we are no longer in the RCI demographic.  That's no knock on RCI or special praise for X - currently X meets our preferences better than RCI does.

 

But I have no interest in the RCI mega-ships.  Even the Edge is larger than we care for.

 

Same here. That's why when we cruise with RC we only will cruise on the Radiance class, Voyager class and Freedom class ships. The Radiance class ships are our favorite. 

[TeeRick]

9 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Same here. That's why when we cruise with RC we only will cruise on the Radiance class, Voyager class and Freedom class ships. The Radiance class ships are our favorite. 

 

2 hours ago, bobndee said:

Our first few cruises were on RCI.  Then we bounced around several different cruise lines before trying X.  After several cruises on X we went on RCI again.  While it was a good enough cruise, we both agreed afterwards that we are no longer in the RCI demographic.  That's no knock on RCI or special praise for X - currently X meets our preferences better than RCI does.

But I have no interest in the RCI mega-ships.  Even the Edge is larger than we care for.

 

 

Actually both Voyager Class (138 000GT, 3140 passengers) and Freedom Class (154,000GT, 4370 passengers) are still quite larger than Edge (131,000 GT, 2900 passengers) which is marginally larger than Solstice Class (122,000GT and 2850 passengers).  Radiance Class (90,000GT and 2501 passengers) compares to Millennium Class (90,000 GT and 2100 passengers).  I do personally like the size of both Radiance Class and Millennium Class.  Looking forward to the freshly renovated Millennium!

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for taking the time to post your observations.

Interesting reading.

[jagoffee]

2 hours ago, bobndee said:

Our first few cruises were on RCI.  Then we bounced around several different cruise lines before trying X.  After several cruises on X we went on RCI again.  While it was a good enough cruise, we both agreed afterwards that we are no longer in the RCI demographic.  That's no knock on RCI or special praise for X - currently X meets our preferences better than RCI does.

 

But I have no interest in the RCI mega-ships.  Even the Edge is larger than we care for.

Edited February 6, 2019 by jagoffee

[bschoon60]

I'm so thankful for this post.  My DH and I have only cruise twice on Princess and a dozen times on RCCL.  We will be taking our first Celebrity Cruise in October.  I was wondering what some of the differences were.  We actually like the RCCL Mega ships as there is a lot to do and some very peaceful places to sit and relax.  The entertainment is very good as well.  The reason we switched to Celebrity was for a different experience and itinerary.  From what I'm hearing we will enjoy our time on the Equinox because it sounds like relaxation is the name of game.  I am looking forward to reading more about Celebrity.

 

Barb

[davekathy]

10 minutes ago, bschoon60 said:

I'm so thankful for this post.  My DH and I have only cruise twice on Princess and a dozen times on RCCL.  We will be taking our first Celebrity Cruise in October.  I was wondering what some of the differences were.  We actually like the RCCL Mega ships as there is a lot to do and some very peaceful places to sit and relax.  The entertainment is very good as well.  The reason we switched to Celebrity was for a different experience and itinerary.  From what I'm hearing we will enjoy our time on the Equinox because it sounds like relaxation is the name of game.  I am looking forward to reading more about Celebrity.

 

Barb

Have you contacted the Captains Club (1-800-760-0654) and provided them with your C&A numbers? 

[bschoon60]

13 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Have you contacted the Captains Club (1-800-760-0654) and provided them with your C&A numbers? 

Yes we have - thank you for mentioning that.  We are going to be getting Elite benefits.  Speaking of Captain's Club, if something is a CC benefit can you book it online prior to the cruise or should you wait until you get on the ship.  I'm thinking of possibly getting internet.

 

Barb

[davekathy]

18 minutes ago, bschoon60 said:

Yes we have - thank you for mentioning that.  We are going to be getting Elite benefits.  Speaking of Captain's Club, if something is a CC benefit can you book it online prior to the cruise or should you wait until you get on the ship.  I'm thinking of possibly getting internet.

 

Barb

On Celebrity you will each receive 90 minutes of free internet as a Elite perk.  Unlike RC Diamond internet minutes with Celebrity you don't have to use the minutes all at once. You can log on and off and use what you need until you have used all your minutes. If you want to purchase the internet package instead then it will be 30% off for being Elite. I would imagine you can purchased the internet package pre-cruise but not completely sure.  I have no experience with this as we stay disconnected when cruising. I only use the internet to check-in and print our airline boarding passes. We never use all our Elite minutes. 

Edited February 6, 2019 by davekathy

[dodger1964]

6 hours ago, Caymus88 said:

Thankful for this as BH will only wear jeans. After 30 cruises he refuses to dress up.  We mistakenly are going to the MDR on elegant night.  We’ll see

Jeans are perfectly fine ALL nights in ALL venues on Celebrity ships. (as long as not torn or ripped)

 

 

[Caymus88]

59 minutes ago, dodger1964 said:

Jeans are perfectly fine ALL nights in ALL venues on Celebrity ships. (as long as not torn or ripped)

 

 

Thanks!

 

[Caymus88]

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

Have you contacted the Captains Club (1-800-760-0654) and provided them with your C&A numbers? 

What are c & a numbers?

we have sailed numerous times on princess, RCCL. Oceania, ncl and others. Do they recognize these point too?

 

[davekathy]

3 hours ago, Caymus88 said:

What are c & a numbers?

we have sailed numerous times on princess, RCCL. Oceania, ncl and others. Do they recognize these point too?

 

Crown and Anchor (C&A) numbers are like ID numbers issued by RC after your first RC cruise. Same with Captain Club (CC) numbers on Celebrity. They are not cruise points. RC Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle are equal to Elite on Celebrity. Celebrity Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith are equal to Diamond on RC. Cruise points are not recognized between Celebrity and RC. Princess, NCL and Oceania are not recognized by Celebrity or RC. 

Edited February 7, 2019 by davekathy

[Caymus88]

11 hours ago, davekathy said:

Crown and Anchor (C&A) numbers are like ID numbers issued by RC after your first RC cruise. Same with Captain Club (CC) numbers on Celebrity. They are not cruise points. RC Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle are equal to Elite on Celebrity. Celebrity Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith are equal to Diamond on RC. Cruise points are not recognized between Celebrity and RC. Princess, NCL and Oceania are not recognized by Celebrity or RC. 

Thank you. I called C Club to verify. My status.

[bschoon60]

18 hours ago, davekathy said:

On Celebrity you will each receive 90 minutes of free internet as a Elite perk.  Unlike RC Diamond internet minutes with Celebrity you don't have to use the minutes all at once. You can log on and off and use what you need until you have used all your minutes. If you want to purchase the internet package instead then it will be 30% off for being Elite. I would imagine you can purchased the internet package pre-cruise but not completely sure.  I have no experience with this as we stay disconnected when cruising. I only use the internet to check-in and print our airline boarding passes. We never use all our Elite minutes. 

Thanks for the information.  We have elderly parents plus Grandkids we like to check on during our vacation.  I think 180 minutes should be enough internet for us. 

[4774Papa]

We did Explorer of the Seas from Sydney to Seattle last April/May and very much enjoyed our cruise.  Explorer is not a mega ship (about the same size as an S class on X.

 

The dining was actually pretty close to X quality, except we didn't like the buffet as much.

 

We loved the Diamond happy hour that runs from 4:30 to 8 and you can order in the MDR.

We now compare Celebrity with Royal and are finding Royal's prices are generally lower.  Royal doesn't price bundle promos that we don't want and that helps, but even a TA out of Rome in 2020 that I compared for the two lines, a balcony on Celebrity was about $1900 pp while a balcony on Royal was $1200 pp.  With that kind of bargain we will go with Royal any time.