CELEBRITY BEYOND vs MSC SEASHORE

[morpheusofthesea]

   Just got off the Celebrity Beyond and wish to bring a few observations comparing these competing cruise lines. Like to cruise a bit as time is running out and chose the Celebrity Beyond Retreat since our present favorite cruise ship, the Seashore, is no longer sailing from a South Florida port this month and the Seascape is coming to South Florida next month. We booked a Royal Suite (560/70 sq ft) to compare it to the Royal Suite on Seashore Yacht Club (670/355 sq ft). The cabins are very comparable, but the balconies are different. The Beyond RS balconies are cramped. Had the butler put a deck lounger (could only fit one) and asked for it to be the type seen on the Retreat Sun Deck with a nice cushion. (First disappointment, only allowed uncushioned deck lounges). There was a very good overhang on deck 12 for shade everyday on the Beyond so not good for sun basking. Oh, yes cost comparison for the suites $19,000 for Beyond, $12,000 Seashore.

Edited November 29, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[jmdlv1]

Thanks for posting this.

I also just got off the Beyond but was in a lowly CS.

I just booked a RS on the Apex for April and it seems like Celebrity is cranking up the suite prices which is how I ended up looking here.

My question is do the Yacht Club suites have butler 

And now that I looked around more,I see that they do.any other difference in service levels between MSC and Celebrity?

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by jmdlv1

[morpheusofthesea]

5 hours ago, jmdlv1 said:

Thanks for posting this.

I also just got off the Beyond but was in a lowly CS.

I just booked a RS on the Apex for April and it seems like Celebrity is cranking up the suite prices which is how I ended up looking here.

My question is do the Yacht Club suites have butler 

And now that I looked around more,I see that they do.any other difference in service levels between MSC and Celebrity?

 

We do the same thing. Check every E class out of South Florida for price and cabin category. Do not get off the ship so itinerary is not important. You will enjoy the entertainment more on the Apex or even Equinox, as the best guest entertainers are booked for 2023 on them. Celebrity must 'feel' that the Beyond being newest ship is enough of a 'draw'. The production shows on Beyond are imitations now of MSC, with singing, dancing, acrobatics. Not as good as MSC except for one called "Stage Door" which garnered a standing ovation like MSC's "Coast to Coast" and "Amore". As for cranking up prices, MSC has done the same thing on their new Seascape. We paid $ 21,000 for 7 days in December 2022 in RS. Butlers are ubiquitous in the YC, hard to find in Retreat. No escort everywhere, no reserved seating every evening in The Theater, not as accommodating (no cushions on my balcony deck lounger). I will post more.....

 

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, jmdlv1 said:

I also just got off the Beyond but was in a lowly CS

Not so lowly. It was our cabin category of choice with a separate bedroom and large enough balcony UNTIL the new ships no longer installed walk-in showers. Instead, now tub/shower combo. Can no longer climb into even a low profile tub without trepidation. This 'forced' us to consider the next upgrade option a RS.

[jmdlv1]

@morpheusofthesea , I appreciate all the info.

We really enjoyed Stage Door on the Beyond.

Like you ,itinerary is not that important to us.

The ports on the Beyond were almost a waste. A few hours in Bermuda and a shortened stop in Aruba were more frustrating than anything.

I cannot cancel 2 of my upcoming Celebrity cruises due to family and friends being along.

However ,I may look at changing to MSC for my recently booked April cruise.

 

BTW  ,we also hate the tub/shower combo in the CS.

 

[gmbhardy]

Looking forward to future posts. We normally book Haven or YC but are trying the Retreat in 2024.

[Two Wheels Only]

I've considered The Retreat on the EDGE class ships but I'm still on the fence so any additional information from a YC regular is greatly appreciated.

 

With a family of 4 (2 young children), the tub/shower is a plus... especially if there isn't a hot-tub on the balcony like we get on MSC.

[morpheusofthesea]

4 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

I've considered The Retreat on the EDGE class ships but I'm still on the fence so any additional information from a YC regular is greatly appreciated.

I usually look to you as the 'go to' guru of cruising. Thanks for asking. Please go to my report on the Celebrity Cruises Board titled "Observations From the Poop Deck : Beyond Nov 20-27, 2022. I would respect your feedback.

[Two Wheels Only]

25 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I usually look to you as the 'go to' guru of cruising.

 

Trust me, I learn much more from others on the forum than I give. Even when I'm putting together a list of bed locations, balcony sizes, stateroom configurations, etc., I'm gathering information from others and adding that info to what I've personally gathered. 

 

29 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Please go to my report on the Celebrity Cruises Board titled "Observations From the Poop Deck : Beyond Nov 20-27, 2022. I would respect your feedback.

 

I've found it and will go through every post in the thread (over 10 pages) in good time. I am like a fish out of water when it comes to Celebrity as I've never sailed with them. When EDGE and the Retreat were first announced, I went over there to compare/contrast NCL's Haven and MSC's Yacht Club with the new Retreat and I was surprised by what I had read from some Celebrity veterans. Many of them were as strongly against the Retreat as I was against the goofy-looking Tragic Carpet. Yes, I was the first one to name it the Tragic Carpet and no matter how many Celebrity veterans defend it, I will continue to call it that. 😱

 

I'm also interested in the rift that seems to be forming on Celebrity between the "traditional" Celebrity cruisers and the new "high energy" Celebrity cruisers. I have no dog in the fight but I'm curious as to which side will prevail. 

[morpheusofthesea]

6 hours ago, jmdlv1 said:

Like you ,itinerary is not that important to us.

Yes, it is the ship we enjoy the most. There is an exception that we just came to realize on this Beyond cruise which had 4 ports of call. That Celebrity has no Ocean Cay, which is the only pristine stop worth getting off the ship, even to just walk around. No fears of being accosted or taken advantage of, Ocean Cay is like walking in a gated community like Disney. We would be happy with just one Ocean Cay than all the ports of call in the Caribbean. MSC takes the 'gold metal' for Ocean Cay.

[morpheusofthesea]

Celebrity does take the 'gold metal' for complimentary confections. Please see the difference below. Celebrity has the fabulous 12-15 choice of goodies all day and night in their Cafe Al Bacio. Whenever one is not tempted by the desserts offered in the Luminae there is always Al Bacio.  Compare the two. Guess which one is in the Brooklyn Cafe ?

P.S. We do not frequent either self service buffet on either ship.

Edited November 29, 2022 by morpheusofthesea
P.S.

[morpheusofthesea]

The shops on MSC are stocked with merchandise that cruisers want. Celebrity has very little that main stream cruisers can afford.

[morpheusofthesea]

Celebrity Beyond has the first of its kind French chocolate kiosk. Bought a 2 1/2 oz milk chocolate bar as a test $12.50 US.  ( It was just okay) Thank Goodness DW had the foresight to bring our stash of Venchi chocolates with us. Celebrity doesn't even give a single piece of chocolate on a pillow to split between us before bed. My Venchi Cremino bar was $6.50 US.

[morpheusofthesea]

"You don't know what you've got til it's gone". MSC always has some sort of handmade pasta for lunch or dinner as a side dish or plain to add to a salad. No such luck on Celebrity. Little things do add up.

[morpheusofthesea]

Those that have cruised MSC in the Yacht Club have come to appreciate having a special reserved section in the Madison Theater for every show. The Theater on the Beyond only has reserved seating for the "Chic Nights". I will never forget the time on board when MSC had the ever popular "Michael Jackson Tribute Show". Guests would be lined up early waiting for the theater to open. We prearranged with our YC butler to reserve two front row seats on the end of a row, because we are too old and not fast enough to beat children running us over to save the front row for their entire clan. We were early as well and being escorted by our YC butler, JoEl, (who subsequently was promoted to head butler) who got to the seats we indicated prior that day and he instructed the children to move as the seats they were in were reserved. For some reason I cannot imagine getting the same treatment from a Retreat butler, having been denied cushions on my balcony lounger. When one spends all morning and all afternoon on ones balcony one will know what I mean.

[morpheusofthesea]

Celebrity Beyond wins the wifi category. Had the complimentary wifi on Seashore for two devices and could not upload a picture to CC and could not get on YouTube to get our nightly fix of Cruise News. So on 3rd day paid to increase wifi to streaming, still could not upload a picture but could get YT with some buffering. "Starlink" on Beyond was also complimentary for 5 devices per person. Could even upload a video, but usually only when everyone was sleeping or off the ship.

[morpheusofthesea]

One is more likely to have better butler service on MSC since the Yacht Club suites are all within  its own "gated community." There are other butlers always running around willing to help or contact your personal butler for you. One appreciates the key card access gated community concept. It also affords suite guests added security or at the very least an illusion of more security. The suites on Beyond are on decks with the general population. Another big bonus of MSC for YC guests are the key card elevator over rides.

[morpheusofthesea]

Muster  is quick and easy . Watch a video go to muster station and have key card scanned anytime until 3:30. No calling by decks or having to wait for a telephone number to dial first before going to muster station. Celebrity was less congested and everyone could use the elevators.

[morpheusofthesea]

Now this will probably keep many cruisers from booking Celebrity Beyond. Celebrity 'felt' the need to post this dress code at the entrance to its Blu restaurant dedicated only to upper 'class' semi suites. No dress codes needed to be posted outside of Luminae as not one guest ever wore shorts, etc to the dining room at any time. Evening Chic Nights most every gentleman wore a jacket in the Luminae.

Edited November 30, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[graphicguy]

I like Celebrity.  Have sailed on the Solstice, Edge (2X) and Apex.  Edge and Apex, I sailed in a Sky Suite in the Retreat.

 

But, that was about a year and a half ago.  At the time, Luminae was casual.  I think I only saw one person wearing a sport coat, on one night in the Luminae.  I don't care one way or the other, but found it pretty casual.

 

And, their "treats" in Al Bacio are indeed wonderful.  Loved having an afternoon coffee with a lemon tart.  Yummmmmm!!!!

 

Many mornings I would just get a coffee and a croissant or muffin and relax looking out the windows to the water go by.  Very relaxing!

Edited November 30, 2022 by graphicguy

[morpheusofthesea]

25 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I like Celebrity.  Have sailed on the Solstice, Edge (2X) and Apex.  Edge and Apex, I sailed in a Sky Suite in the Retreat.

 

But, that was about a year and a half ago.  At the time, Luminae was casual.  I think I only saw one person wearing a sport coat, on one night in the Luminae.  I don't care one way or the other, but found it pretty casual.

 

And, their "treats" in Al Bacio are indeed wonderful.  Loved having an afternoon coffee with a lemon tart.  Yummmmmm!!!!

 

Many mornings I would just get a coffee and a croissant or muffin and relax looking out the windows to the water go by.  Very relaxing!

Yes,I followed your excellent exploits.  We were on Celebrity catching a CS 48 hours before the new Edge sailed its 2nd week July 4 2021 and loved it so much went back to Celebrity every month the rest of the year. What you say is true about the casual attire in Luminae. Although nothing is being done on Beyond about 'chair hogs' in the Retreat sun deck, we were surprised at the elegance of the Beyond's Luminae restaurant and perhaps that alone had an effect on the guests to dress more formally?? Or they read the sign posted always outside Blu and took the hint.

Edited November 30, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

This is not a deal breaker, but we thought it was a bit 'not right' in the Luminae. The bottled water was never on the table for any meal. It was served by a waitress and not left on the table. It was taken table to table and when needing more she was hard to find and flag down. DW even saw her pouring water from one bottle to top off another bottle. Just thought it was not 'sanitary'. While MSC YC restaurant we had an unopened liter bottle waiting on 'our' table breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and always a new bottle never an unfinished bottle held over.

[morpheusofthesea]

Never had a problem sailing on MSC Yacht Club in regards to having a lunch on board. We would always enjoy eating in air conditioned splendor in the YC restaurant, even when at Ocean Cay. There are only 3 tables at Ocean House, inside, and the lunch is superb inside or outside, weather permitting. But in any event one has options.  On Celebrity ships the Luminae is closed every port (4x our cruise) and we had to look for alternatives other than the buffet which is self-serve. We do not do self service, even in 'good' times. We ate at the Eden lunch counter. Placed an order for a veal loin wrap, took a beeper, and 60 seconds later beeper goes off and we pick up order at other end of counter. 5 desserts, 3 with nuts. So it was off to Cafe Al Bacio for dessert, brought our cans of water from cabin. Room service is okay if one likes to eat indoors, because within 15 minutes ones picnic on a 'cramped' balcony is visited by port flies. Our 3rd lunch was Le Bistro a chicken brie brioche, no charge for RS ($10 tip ) but we were not impressed by the type of chicken. A pressed sliced slimey roll type. Only good outside Luminae lunch was the turkey BLT at one of the six tables at the Retreat Sun Deck, which is dependent on weather and position of ship in relation to the sun, no shade above the 6 tables.

  All this fretting on where to eat (DW is very 'particular, I wouldn't mind sitting at Cafe Al Bacio for all my meals) takes a 'toll' on DW. And I am constantly reminded (by DW) 'happy wife, happy life.;

Edited November 30, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

There is nothing on Beyond comparable to the jazz ensembles in the MSC Brooklyn Cafe at night or the live music and dance, of a band in the MSC Up Towne Lounge. If one likes game shows then its Celebrity's Le Club in the evenings.

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is a subtle difference between the Retreat sun deck and One Pool deck. In the Retreat one cannot rent a particular pergola/cabana, it is first come first serve. So guests are plagued by 'chair hogs'. They get up early and take up all the prime real estate and disappear. Overheard one lady in Retreat complain to a Retreat staffer that a coveted cabana was toweled with personal effects that she wanted it all removed as it was over 45 minutes and nobody was there. The contrite staffer said there was nothing he could do about it. (Even if the information page in daily program states otherwise. 

   On MSC YC one can just rent one of the pergolas/cabanas for the day and have it reserved and stocked, otherwise they are first come first served and complimentary. For an extra tip $ one can have the roof and sides of the pergola toweled for shade.