NCL Jewel vs. Celebrity Century

[Purplepuppy]

Hi everyone!

 

This is my first post although I have to admit that I've been a lurker for a while. We took our first cruise this month-RCI's Serenade to Alaska-and we are hooked on cruising now!

 

I am torn between two sailings for this September:

 

1) 12 night Classic Mediterranean from Barcelona to Istanbul leaving September 3 on NCL Jewel (Venice, Rome, Naples, Dubrovnik, etc.)

 

2) 13 night Best of Europe from Amsterdam to Barcelona leaving September 2 on Celebrity Century (ports include Paris, Nice, Rome, Lisbon, Malaga, etc.)

 

We are a couple in our late 20's and I have never been to Europe before. The itineraries are quite different but I think I'd enjoy visiting all of those places. I also am not sure about the ships. I know that Celebrity is supposed to be a more luxurious line but the Century is an older ship (although refurbished). The Jewel sounds like it's a beautiful new ship but we're not sure about the freestyle dining (do you have to pay extra for a lot of them?) and if the service will be as good. The Celebrity cruise is slightly more expensive. How do the ships compare to RCI's Serenade?

 

We have a reservation booked for the Jewel currently but we need to decide tonight or we will lose it. I can't seem to decide between the two!!

 

Thanks for any advice that anyone can offer!!

[newmexicoNita]

Celebrtiy is known for being more upscale, but in the past few years she seems to have lost some of her charm. Of course I am a true NCL loyalist but also a TA that rarely tries to influence my clients. I think everyone needs to make up his/her own mind and what suits 1 person may be a total misfit for another. That being said:

 

Century has been refurbished with many more balconies and most of the reviews are positive. I did read a few today that were not, but that is bound to happen.

 

the Jewel is only a year old, has 10 restaurants and lots of activities.

 

both ships, of course have casinos. Century cabins may be a little larger, but the Jewel (I have cruised her) has great bathrooms for a cruise ship.

 

I actually have clients going on the Century the end of October, they preferred the Jewel but wanted to sail transatlantic and the timing was better on the Century.

 

Either ship woudl be great; one more warning and this isn't meant to be negative at all: your first cruise normally will be your favorite for years to come and you are going to compare everything that happens on this cruise to the first one.

 

Freestyle dining isn't for everyone though it is gaining in popularity more all the time with other lines trying some version of it. If it were me I would try the Jewel to give freestyle a chance and to cruise a nearly brand new ship. NMNita

[ce2000]

I was on the Jewel in December and had a great time. I have also cruised with Celebrity and I believe that the food and service is better with Celebrity. Which ever you choose I'm sure that you will have a great time, after all you will be cruising Europe. I have cruised Alaska and the Caribbean/Bahamas, but never Europe. I hope to cruise Europe in Oct. 2007. Like you, I was hooked after my first cruise, it was just a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas. Life just seems to be better when you have a cruised booked. Something to look forward to. Enjoy.

[Purplepuppy]

Thanks for the replies! I know that I will have a great time on either one but I am just so terribly indecisive!! I keep swinging from one direction to the other......and I only have a few more hours to decide!

[L0204]

:) Can't imagine any Europe cruise that won't be wonderful! What a fabulous dilemna to have. I don't see how you can go wrong with either one. Enjoy;)

[Purplepuppy]

We have decided to go with the NCL Jewel! I will definitely be using this board to prepare for our upcoming cruise! :)