Royal vs Celebrity

[Ex-Airbalancer]

19 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Agree. Huge plus in our book! Kudos to Celebrity for that one. And we aren't gamblers. RC only allows smoking in the casino. RC needs to follow Celebrity's lead on that. 

On the Explorer you could smell smoke on at least 3 decks , it was cold so a lot of people were just smoking in the casino 🤢

[PTC DAWG]

9 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

On the Explorer you could smell smoke on at least 3 decks , it was cold so a lot of people were just smoking in the casino 🤢

The casino on many ships is the de facto smoking lounge…one reason I really like Celebrity..because it’s not that. 

[jean87510]

23 minutes ago, davekathy said:

We did a B2B cruise in March on the Explorer. Spinners were not available unless taking a class. We did a cruise on the Summit 21 September and there were 4 spinners (Peloton) for anytime use. There were other spinners but they were only for the spinning class. 

I did see that.  We have equinox and beyond 2023 Christmas/nye in the retreat upcoming and I also noticed Barre classes which I love.  Hopefully since we are in Aqua on the Equinox plus have a lot of OBC on the Beyond, I can try some classes.  Will also check out the Pelotons as well.  

[motherchic]

We are now in our mid 60's. We have sailed Royal several times and for us it was just ok. The ships were pretty but loud, lots of announcements. Did not care for the smoking. I love children, had 4 but when I travel I enjoy seeing and hearing less of them. 

For us, food wise we felt that Royal did not even come close to Celebrity in comparison. We found Celebrity to be far superior.

 

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

On the Explorer you could smell smoke on at least 3 decks , it was cold so a lot of people were just smoking in the casino 🤢

RCs casinos (no matter the ship) are smoking lounges that allows gambling. 

Edited October 7, 2022 by davekathy

[deliver42]

I'm Diamond on Royal, so Elite on X. As much as I love Royal, we are now more into Celebrity. We're booked on the beyond for December, and on the equinox for the 2nd time next year for a 10 day cruise. Looking forward to both. I'm 80 and my wife is 71.

[davekathy]

Celebrity still does the evening pillow chocolate. RC doesn't. 

[Tee & Chilli]

More specialty restaurant options on RCCL Oasis class. 

[LB_NJ]

11 hours ago, spintowin said:

What are the main differences between  RCI and Celebrity? We are diamond + on Royal and are ready to jump ship. Too many complaints to mention, biggest being the food. Anyone experience  both and prefer Celebrity? We are mid 60's and live in Florida.  Thanks.

 

This year I traveled on Celebrity once and Royal twice.  I have 2 cruises booked on Celebrity and will never travel on Royal again.  

[Boo's Mom]

11 hours ago, spintowin said:

What are the main differences between  RCI and Celebrity? We are diamond + on Royal and are ready to jump ship. Too many complaints to mention, biggest being the food. Anyone experience  both and prefer Celebrity? We are mid 60's and live in Florida.  Thanks.

I have sailed a lot on both Celebrity and RCI. 

Only a few time on Princess and Carnival. 

 

Celebrity and RCI are similar products, although I feel that Celebrity is a little more refined. 

RCI has more ships and therefore more itinerary options.  Itineraries are typically what direct me these days. 

 

On either cruise line, if you want the excellent dining experience of 15 - 20 years ago, you have to go into the specialty dining venues.  Just my opinion/experience though. 

 

Regarding these two cruise lines: my preference is certainly Celebrity. ✅

 

Good luck! 

[LXA350]

The overall experience on Celebrity is slightly more exclusive compared to Royal, starting already with a higher staff to guest ratio. Especially on the Edge Class Celebrity is aiming to create a stylish modern atmosphere on board also attracking younger adults. Although they do offer kids clubs, I would not recomend them for kids as there are not enough activites offered to keep them busy, especially the ones looking for action.

 

When it comes to the Food, the main dinning room experience is probably slightly better than on Royal, but I would also not say significantly, same goes for the Buffet. On the Speciality dining side Royal in my oppinion is even better. Especially when comparing Eden on X to Wonderland on RCL, same goes for the Steakhouse Finecut on X and Chops on RCL. For the Suites, I guess the game changer is the Edge Class of X with the seperate pool deck. Also here, not sure if the Suite Restaurant Coastal Kitchen on Royal is not better than Luminae on X. Then again the Retreat Lounge and overal Suite service probably better, especially if comparing to Suites not getting Genie. For all Royal Ships not having "Suite Clsss", then Suite experience on all X ships is for sure better due to more perks etc.

 

I would still say that RCL is better than Carnival. Hence if you are looking for a less premium experience but for excellent entertainment, action etc then RCL is not a bad choice; Voyager class and larger.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

On RCL , most pinnacles are so much more demanding and obnoxious

while on Celebrity the Zeniths just blend into the crowd

 

 

[adolfo2]

21 hours ago, spintowin said:

What are the main differences between  RCI and Celebrity? We are diamond + on Royal and are ready to jump ship. Too many complaints to mention, biggest being the food. Anyone experience  both and prefer Celebrity? We are mid 60's and live in Florida.  Thanks.

By definition & design, Celebrity is a "Higher End" product offering compared to Royal. They mostly transfer your status over so why not give it a try... "what have you got to lose?"

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

On RCL , most pinnacles are so much more demanding and obnoxious

while on Celebrity the Zeniths just blend into the crowd

 

 

I have also noticed this…

[sjb317]

3 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

On RCL , most pinnacles are so much more demanding and obnoxious

while on Celebrity the Zeniths just blend into the crowd

 

 

That is true!.   While have never been able to identify someone as being Zenith, I can always spot  Pinnacles!😂😂

 

Sherri🙂

[Ex-Airbalancer]

10 minutes ago, sjb317 said:

That is true!.   While have never been able to identify someone as being Zenith, I can always spot  Pinnacles!😂😂

 

Sherri🙂

They do wear they name tags 😁

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

They do wear they name tags 😁

 

As you should if you want to. I'm surprised Celebrity doesn't offer the pin for the different CC tier levels as RC CAS does. We joined the CC back in 1994 when it cost $35.00 a person. Along with other gifts for joining we did receive two small pins. 

[spintowin]

Thanks for all the comments.  Does anyone know if there is shuffleboard, ping pong, and/or mini golf on the Constellation? We are looking at the Constellation as our first Celebrity cruise.

[davekathy]

19 minutes ago, spintowin said:

Thanks for all the comments.  Does anyone know if there is shuffleboard, ping pong, and/or mini golf on the Constellation? We are looking at the Constellation as our first Celebrity cruise.

No mini golf. Yes to shuffleboard, ping pong and basketball. 

[canderson]

48 minutes ago, spintowin said:

Thanks for all the comments.  Does anyone know if there is shuffleboard, ping pong, and/or mini golf on the Constellation? We are looking at the Constellation as our first Celebrity cruise.

The closest you'll get to mini golf on Constellation are the silly putting contests they put on in the interior of the ship from time to time!  The "greens" don't run very true, even after they installed all new carpet in the public spaces. 😀 

[Stealthdog]

Very quick and generic comparison (just my opinion):

 

Celebrity - older cliental, dreadfully boring entertainment, more relaxing lounge focus, better food in MDR, cleaner casinos.

 

Royal - more children, louder environment and less relaxing, great entertainment, later nightlife, better specialty restaurants (on newer classes).

 

The older royal ships have more of a celebrity feel on them.  

Edited October 8, 2022 by Stealthdog

[C4HCG]

4 hours ago, davekathy said:

As you should if you want to. I'm surprised Celebrity doesn't offer the pin for the different CC tier levels as RC CAS does. We joined the CC back in 1994 when it cost $35.00 a person. Along with other gifts for joining we did receive two small pins. 

So you wear a badge to show your “status”. Forgive me if I am misunderstanding 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

2 hours ago, Stealthdog said:

Very quick and generic comparison (just my opinion):

 

Celebrity - older cliental, dreadfully boring entertainment, more relaxing lounge focus, better food in MDR, cleaner casinos.

 

Royal - more children, louder environment and less relaxing, great entertainment, later nightlife, better specialty restaurants (on newer classes).

 

The older royal ships have more of a celebrity feel on them.  

Was just on the Voyager of the seas and the entertainment SUCKED , never walk out of so many threaten shows and the piano player in the Schooner bar was about the worst karaoke singer you could find ! 
it was an much older cliental than on a Celebrity cruise 

[miched]

On our last cruise on Celebrity in March.   Every day we would see this elderly couple sitting near during breakfast in Luminae.  They always wore a badge on chest.   We tried  to read it without staring.  It looked like ambassador.   We asked the host who are they?   She said it had something to do with their status on Royal Caribbean.   
 

I thought it was about as tacky as when we use to sail on Carnival.  At the time we love Carnival and had great times but many passengers loved to flaunt their status by wearing all of the pins they got from every cruise on their land yards that also displayed their  sea pass card because the color designated their status.  When they ran out off space on the land yard they also had a vest or hat.  
 

Apparently it means a lot to some people but your status or how my times you have cruised doesn’t impress me.   I treat everyone the same no matter what category you are in or CC status.   None of that means anything.   
 

Happy sailing 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[C4HCG]

3 minutes ago, miched said:

On our last cruise on Celebrity in March.   Every day we would see this elderly couple sitting near during breakfast in Luminae.  They always wore a badge on chest.   We tried  to read it without staring.  It looked like ambassador.   We asked the host who are they?   She said it had something to do with their status on Royal Caribbean.   
 

I thought it was about as tacky as when we use to sail on Carnival.  At the time we love Carnival and had great times but many passengers loved to flaunt their status by wearing all of the pins they got from every cruise on their land yards that also displayed their  sea pass card because the color designated their status.  When they ran out off space on the land yard they also had a vest or hat.  
 

Apparently it means a lot to some people but your status or how my times you have cruised doesn’t impress me.   I treat everyone the same no matter what category you are in or CC status.   None of that means anything.   
 

Happy sailing 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

😁 whatever makes people happy