How does Carnival compare to Celebrity?

[Octavias]

21 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

What type of cabin do you have on the Celebrity? You're probably on the Solstice? I was on the Solstice in February and although it's an older ship she is still beautiful and it's a much larger ship than the Carnival Spirit. The decor on both ships are night and day. So if you decide to go ahead with the Sprit you have to be OK with a ship environment that's not upscale in anyway, shape or form. The Cabins aren't upscale, the public spaces aren't upscale, the buffet isn't upscale, the pool area isn't up scale. The main dining room isn't upscale. 

The food on Celebrity would be overall better than Carnival. The buffet on Celebrity is far superior to Carnival. To compensate for the weak buffet Carnival has other food complementary food venues such as Guy's Burgers and Blue Iguana Cantina. 

The itinerary you're considering only has four port stops out of 15 days. That's ALOT of sea days for what will be only your second cruise. And given your first cruise will be on Celebrity, I'm very hesitant to recommend you go on the Spirit.

We are booked in a sky suite on the celebrity edge for our first cruise.   It’s to Alaska next May.  I’m looking at where else we can go from Seattle (or maybe Vancouver) and found the itinerary to Hawaii.

[Octavias]

8 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

You will never see a one way out of Seattle to Hawaii on any cruise line, due to the Passenger Vessel Service Act. That’s why they leave from Vancouver. 

I’m more interested in a round trip.  What is the passenger vessel service act? 

Edited June 8, 2023 by Octavias

[Octavias]

13 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

As a point of reference here are photos of the Carnival Sprit indoor pool vs the Celebrity Solstice indoor pool. Which looks more unscale and relaxing? 

I see what you mean!  I think I could be ok with either though.  Of course the Celebrity looks more plush.  Thanks for all your help, you’re really helping me understand the differences.   How are the suites on Carnival?  

[kwokpot]

58 minutes ago, Octavias said:

I see what you mean!  I think I could be ok with either though.  Of course the Celebrity looks more plush.  Thanks for all your help, you’re really helping me understand the differences.   How are the suites on Carnival?  

The issue with suites on Carnival isn't the room itself but that nothing else really comes with it. In other words there's really no other perks. With Celebrity, there's a private dining room, private lounge with complementary alcohol and snacks, a Butler, and all kinds of other priorities. On Carnival suites are  just a larger room, there's no other benefits. None.

 

 

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, Octavias said:

We are booked in a sky suite on the celebrity edge for our first cruise.   It’s to Alaska next May.  I’m looking at where else we can go from Seattle (or maybe Vancouver) and found the itinerary to Hawaii.

You'll going to love the Edge. 

[gkbiiii]

4 hours ago, crzndeb said:

You will never see a one way out of Seattle to Hawaii on any cruise line, due to the Passenger Vessel Service Act. That’s why they leave from Vancouver. 

Or a stop in Mexico for CA arrival, but they only need to visit Canada, not end there. 

[CruizinSusan70]

6 hours ago, Octavias said:

We are limited to cruising out of Seattle.  

As an alternative there is an 11 night west coast cruise roundtrip out of Seattle on the Majestic Princess also in September of 2024 that is even cheaper than the per day cost of the Carnival Spirit cruise.  It makes 5 west coast stops in Victoria BC, Oregon, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.  Princess also offers their Plus package at 60 dollars per person per day which includes gratuities, WiFi and their drinks package.  Food for thought. 

The Majestic Princess was built in 2017 and is just over 140 K tons, whereas the Carnival Spirit was built in 2001 and is 88.5 K tons.  You have to be flexible if you're limited to a single embarkation port and I'd choose the Majestic over the Spirit any day and I've cruised on both.

[sparks1093]

13 hours ago, luv2trvlnow said:

We did a Celebrity cruise out of San Juan way back in 2015.  I felt that it was not that much different than Carnival.  We had many people from Puerto Rico onboard.  They seemed to liven things up. There were games at the pool.  It was fun to see officers in uniforms playing volleyball against passengers in the main pool.  Our only problem was an uptight couple at our table in the MDR.  They were friendly until they found out we had been on Carnival and then they barely talked to us the rest of the cruise.

Thanks for this. Believe it or not it was the fact that Celebrity is less expensive, over all, that enticed us to book this cruise. By the time we factor in everything on Carnival that we would be paying for Celebrity saves us a few hundred since their drink package, wifi and gratuities are included in the fare. I am concerned with the snootiness level of other passengers, that is for sure.

Edited June 8, 2023 by sparks1093

[sparks1093]

10 hours ago, craig01020 said:

Is that on the Summit on 1/29/25?

Summit in February 2025. 

[Phanlee91]

Ive heard its like night & day compared to each other, Celebrity is more luxury class than Carnival.

Edited June 8, 2023 by Phanlee91

[sparks1093]

7 hours ago, kwokpot said:

The issue with suites on Carnival isn't the room itself but that nothing else really comes with it. In other words there's really no other perks. With Celebrity, there's a private dining room, private lounge with complementary alcohol and snacks, a Butler, and all kinds of other priorities. On Carnival suites are  just a larger room, there's no other benefits. None.

 

 

There are a few perks that come with suites on Carnival, but not too many compared with other lines but more than none. We got priority boarding and tendering, complimentary water (woo), bath robes, complimentary wash and fold laundry, priority dining reservations if needed. The cabin was much larger as was the balcony, there was a dressing room, and a jacuzzi tub. $2800 for the week, though and even just for the added real estate it was worth it.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

4 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Thank for this. Believe it or not it was the fact that Celebrity... I am concerned with the snootiness level of other passengers, that is for sure.

 

I haven't detected that, save one "full of himself" guy we shared a wine connoisseurs dinner with. What you will find less of is a stereotypical trailer park person. Don't get me wrong, I've lived in a couple of mobile homes!

 

Tom

[sparks1093]

Just now, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

I haven't detected that, save one "full of himself" guy we shared a wine connoisseurs dinner with. What you will find less of is a stereotypical trailer park person. Don't get me wrong, I've lived in a couple of mobile homes!

 

Tom

I know that is the stereotypical model of a Carnival cruiser but I've never seen anyone that has met that description, much less shared a table with anyone like that at dinner. 

[craig01020]

45 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Summit in February 2025. 

I'm on the 1/29 cruise. My second time on Celebrity and Summit. I think (hope) you'll enjoy it.

[Honolulu Blue]

46 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

I am concerned with the snootiness level of other passengers, that is for sure.

I've done a few Celebrity cruises in my time.  I haven't really detected any snootiness among them.  The ones I interacted with tended to be more experienced travelers than the typical Carnival passenger, and some of them are proud of it and like to talk about it.

39 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

There are a few perks that come with suites on Carnival, but not too many compared with other lines but more than none. We got priority boarding and tendering, complimentary water (woo), bath robes, complimentary wash and fold laundry, priority dining reservations if needed. 

I've never had a suite on Carnival, but as a Platinum VIFP member (flashes Platinum card), I get all these bennies other than the bathrobes for whatever cabin I choose.  Granted, it's just one 1 1/2 liter bottle, but you'd be surprised at how far I can make that last.

[aml3679]

Like night and day in my opinion.

 

Celebrity is more upscale.  Feels less crowded.  No rowdy deck parties.  Food is better.  Hated Carnivals buffet whereas we love the Ocean View Cafe.

 

Felt pampered on Celebrity.  Hardly saw our room steward on Carnival.

 

We prefer Celebrity but since we live on social security, we said Carnival.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, sparks1093 said:

I know that is the stereotypical model of a Carnival cruiser but I've never seen anyone that has met that description, much less shared a table with anyone like that at dinner. 

 

Almost every Carnival cruise they'll be there. This is a good example - this woman was standing outside of the casino early on the last evening  (Mardi Gras - early March). I don't typically take photos of other people, but she stood out - and I knew this would be photo worthy. Barefooted with a "meth look" about her - I'll withhold the image of her face (for her privacy), but it helps to complete the picture.

 

 

BTW, this was unusual - and is a sight you'd rarely see onboard.

Tom

[sparks1093]

19 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Almost every Carnival cruise they'll be there. This is a good example - this woman was standing outside of the casino early on the last evening  (Mardi Gras - early March). I don't typically take photos of other people, but she stood out - and I knew this would be photo worthy. Barefooted with a "meth look" about her - I'll withhold the image of her face (for her privacy), but it helps to complete the picture.

 

 

BTW, this was unusual - and is a sight you'd rarely see onboard.

Tom

Oh, I am aware that given the broad demographics that Carnival has one will find all sorts of people onboard. But just because there might be one or two that fit the stereotype doesn't mean that all do. As you point out, it is rarely seen and that says it all. (And if someone wants to put me into a certain mold because I sail with Carnival it matters not to me at all.)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

4 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Oh, I am aware that given the broad demographics that Carnival has one will find all sorts of people onboard. But just because there might be one or two that fit the stereotype doesn't mean that all do. As you point out, it is rarely seen and that says it all. (And if someone wants to put me into a certain mold because I sail with Carnival it matters not to me at all.)

 

I never meant to imply that all Carnival cruisers fit that, or any, stereotype. We're all one big happy mix/family !

 

(and, there's typically plenty more than 1 or 2, lol)

 

 

Tom

[mizLORInj]

2 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

. . .. I am concerned with the snootiness level of other passengers, that is for sure.

 

I wouldn't let that stop me from trying it out though.     

[crzndeb]

12 hours ago, Octavias said:

I’m more interested in a round trip.  What is the passenger vessel service act? 

In a nutshell, a foreign registered vessel can’t transport passengers from one US city to another US city, without stopping at a distant foreign port. There are no “Distant” foreign ports on the Westcoast. However, round trips only need to stop at a foreign port. California usually has the Hawaii round trips, and they make a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. Cruises from Vancouver, to and from Hawaii are normally repo cruises and one way. 

[sparks1093]

58 minutes ago, mizLORInj said:

 

I wouldn't let that stop me from trying it out though.     

That's why we booked it. 🙂

[jsglow]

14 hours ago, Octavias said:

We are new to cruising.  I just booked our first cruise and we haven’t taken it yet, it’s an Alaskan cruise on Celebrity.  We are empty nesters in our mid-50’s.  We want to be spoiled and lean more to enjoying elegance over fun, although I wish celebrity had bingo!  That sounds like it would be fun.   If Celebrity offered the itinerary to Hawaii, I’d probably book it but they don’t.  We are limited to cruising out of Seattle.  

You've just answered your own question. Celebrity and Princess seem like a much better fit for your cruising style.  Not that there isn't significant overlap across all brands, and while I can't speak directly to Celebrity, I do know and appreciate the difference between Carnival and Princess. 

[luv2trvlnow]

5 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Thanks for this. Believe it or not it was the fact that Celebrity is less expensive, over all, that enticed us to book this cruise. By the time we factor in everything on Carnival that we would be paying for Celebrity saves us a few hundred since their drink package, wifi and gratuities are included in the fare. I am concerned with the snootiness level of other passengers, that is for sure.

I believe it on the cost.  For us it was the same cost as Carnival.  The reason we did Celebrity was we had airfare to San Juan and then Carnival cancelled our cruise, but Celebrity was available for the same time. 

 

Most of the passengers were not snotty like our tablemates.  I let some know they could get to St John Trunk Bay on their own and save money, get there faster, and stay longer.  I ended up with 9 people wanting to join us on our trip over.  They were all surprised how easy it was to get there.  They all felt confident on getting back to the ship on their own.  I think you will find the snotty people are few and far between.

[crzndeb]

5 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

I am concerned with the snootiness level of other passengers, that is for sure.

I am going on my first Celebrity cruise next May. Had to cancel a couple, so it’s a swap, so I don’t lose deposits. I wanted something close to home, so just doing the 6 night to Alaska on the Edge. Looking forward to that ship. I get benefits from my sailings on Royal, so I’m sure I will enjoy it. Least of my concerns are snootiness.

I have run across several, what I call, “ugly Diamonds” on Carnival, so it’s definitely not a brand trait. LOL