Dissappointed w/ RCCL, next cruise choice?

[Donnaluv2cruise]

My husband and I took a Celebrity cruise 4 years ago on The Constellation and loved it. We loved the room, (we had booked a 1A that changed into a CC before we booked, but then were upgrated to a SS upon boarding), we were pretty impressed with the dining room experience and liked the sushi in the evening. We liked hanging out at the aft bar in the evening with the acoustic guitar player. Felt like an slightly above average class experience.

 

Last year we cruised on RCCL with friends and were slightly dissappointed. Although we had a wonderful suite and concierge aboard the Serenade.

 

Looking to book a cruise for next March.

 

Should we book the 10 day on The Constellation, or is there another cruise line we should be looking at?

 

We like to dress up for dinner, be able to have a full breakfast in our room, may possibly book another suite, and like some low key entertainment for the evening (some casino, and we like the guitar player, etc...)

 

Recommendations please...

[Donnaluv2cruise]

So many people viewing, but noone has anything to say?:eek:

 

I was looking into this cruise about 6 months ago and the reviews of Celebrity had gone down. That's why I'm asking.

 

Is there another line we should look into?:confused:

[leoandhugh]

we might be of some help if you told us where you might want to go then we could give you some recommendations on what cruise line or ship. seems like March ties you to the Caribbean, Panama Canal or even South America, since most European cruises dont start until late April/early May. and what you say you like does not seem to apply to Costa or some other line that operates in Europe all year. and it would also be a help if you gave us some idea of how long you are considering.:)

[Tatka]

You can book any cruiseline/ship, but just remember the very first cruise usually is the BEST.

 

From our experience if you like X, book X or Princess. :)

[motherchic]

Just got home from the Summit 14 day Panama Canal cruise. We had an aft CC cabin. We had a wonderful time. The service was outstanding.

This is our 4th cruise on the M-class ships and we are thinking about trying a different cruise line. We really like Celebrity but would like to try something new, Also would like to have a bit more to do activity wise.

But all in all it was a lovely cruise.

Just a Comment : we cruise every two years or so. But when we have, the menu was exactly the same, as was the side entertainment. A little variance would be nice.

Having said all that ---the trip was very, very good-no complaints at all.

Hope you enjoy your next cruise

Nadine

[rebeccalouise]

I loved the Constellation. So far it is my favorite ship. So, yes sail her again.

 

I have also sailed on other lines and just prefer Celebrity.

 

I am trying something new next month, Radiance of the Seas, which I understand is a lovely ship. I write a comparison between Constellation and Radiance when I return.

[chrismch]

We've cruised 17 times covering RCL, Carnival, Princess, Celebrity, HAL, NCL and Crystal. Until our last cruise in Dec-Jan on the Mercury, we thought we had found our line for our budget and # of times we like to cruise. The in-house mgmt on that cruise was off in many little ways.

 

Now if our income could allow we would probably always cruise with Crystal. It's not that they do everything tons better, it's all the little things that they do just a little better. When I'm on Crystal, I don't care if I get off the ship. They have come in #1 for service for 10 yrs with Conde Nast or Travel and Leisure and it shows. The rooms are nicer and more is included like all soft drinks and bottled water. Lobster is more a daily item and they even have Kobe style beef in their specialty restaurant ($6 gratuity only)...As with any cruise book early for best rates and rooms!

[CaliforniaDreamin]

We booked this cruise while on our Oct 2006 Circle Hawaii cruise on Infinity. All our cruises have been on M-class ships and we enjoy them. This will be our first true Caribbean cruise.

 

Yes, the entertainment has been repetetive, but good. The shows seem to last about four-five years and some individual magicians, solo musicians and singers have performed on numerous cruises.

 

We also like the guitar player at the aft bar and the piano player in Michael's Club. Sometimes the string quartet in Cova Cafe that also plays during dinner in Main Dining.

 

I like the Sushi Cafe but DW does not. She goes for the fresh Pasta and Salad. I like to check out Aqua Spa Cafe for lunch and if nothing I want check the Sandwich Bar.

[caviargal]

You must have enjoyed Maritza on Serenade. Yes, a great concierge and a pretty ship but RCI has declined quite a bit IMO and I no longer would choose to sail with them again.

 

I think that HAL offers a great product. I like the size of their ships, their service is excellent and the food at least as good as X. I prefer their cabins in terms of comfort and amenities; the bedding is great, the linens high quality, tubs are in most categories of staterooms and Elemis amenities are provided. Flowers and fruit are standard and not just for CC class.

 

I also appreciate their wine policy as X's new stance is very disappointing.

 

I have three cruises booked with HAL. Might be worth giving a new line a try.:)

[dbh62ark]

Is there another line we should look into?:confused:

Nice name. ;)

 

We sailed Oceania last year and loved that cruise line. The ships are smaller, and the open dining policies are wonderful. You can dress up for dinner, but it's not required. Oceania does not have big production shows, but I'm not crazy about those anyway (we sail primarily for the ports and can see better shows at home or in our other travels), and there is good on-board entertainment in more intimate venues that are smaller. Oceania's quality and customer service is significantly better than Celebrity and RCCL.

 

I also think you should check out HAL, another cruise line that we love.

 

We sail primarily for itinerary, so I hope you find one that you like. Have a great next cruise.

 

Donna

[sweetair]

donna,

i am not sure what you are looking for...7 day/10 day/exotic/cheap/fly or drive to the pier but

i think if you loved the connie, you should go on another m-class ship. the summit is doing a 7 day cruise out of puerto rico in march. If you can..stay a couple days either pre or post cruise and enjoy the isle of PR as well. This to me is the best combination of cruise and land.

 

*sweet*

[negc]

So many people viewing, but noone has anything to say?:eek:

 

I was looking into this cruise about 6 months ago and the reviews of Celebrity had gone down. That's why I'm asking.

 

Is there another line we should look into?:confused:

 

I doubt that you can find one mainstream cruiseline where someone hasn't recently claimed that it has declined in some way or another. We hear that nothing is as good as it used to be, today's music, tv, movies, politics, food, even the weather, and let's not forget how kids aren't as perfect as we were, when we were their age. :D We hear or read those statements just every day in almost every aspect of our lives, but usually dismiss it, and that is probably what you should do in this instance, at least until your own experience verifies it. At least accept the possibility that those critics might have tastes or expectations that are totally different from yours and that you might totally disagree with their evaluations. If you want to try another line, there are plenty of them out there. Some might actually fit your style and tastes better, but most of them are more similar than different, and each of them probably has someone who is lamenting that it isn't the same as it used to be. Only you can decide which is the best line for you.:)

[Donnaluv2cruise]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. The 10 day on Constellation on March 21st is a definate possibility. We have stayed in San Juan quite a few times so I would like to take the extra day or two to cruise instead of a pre or post stay. We generally like the Carribean because we find it so relaxing (we're definately not the types that fell a need to go go go the whole time,) but we're open to new suggestions.

I've looked into Princess but havn't found an itinerary that's really thrilled me. I'll definately check into HAL and Crystal.

Yes, Maritza was the wonderful concierge on The Serenade.

[dalitos]

I loved the Constellation. So far it is my favorite ship. So, yes sail her again.

 

I have also sailed on other lines and just prefer Celebrity.

 

I am trying something new next month, Radiance of the Seas, which I understand is a lovely ship. I write a comparison between Constellation and Radiance when I return.

 

Will be looking forward to that!! Have sailed Radiance only, and am considering Celebrity for our 2nd cruise. Would love an expert comparison! :)

[caviargal]

dalitos, I have done both several times over. One big difference is that RCI packs several hundred more passengers on the Radiance class than X does on the M class, even though they are built on the same hull. The difference can be felt on sea days and other high traffic times.

 

There is more nickel and diming that goes on with RCI and I find it annoying. Also more announcements, less respect for a dress code, food, service in the dining room (as well as china and linens) a large step down.

 

Trade off is better nightlife and an active program for daytime, lots of music and pool games, if that sort of stuff appeals. I am personally not a fan of the pirates parade through the dining room on RCI and the piped in lip synched dinner entertainment.

 

I do prefer the more adult and traditional atmosphere on X to that on RCI, but will choose HAL above X these days. It is the little things that really make a great cruise experience for me and HAL really delivers in that department.

[dalitos]

Caviagral, thanks for your response. I saw your signature or an earlier post and was amazed at your 111 cruises, WOW!

I appreciate all your comments, we did love our cruise, both because of the ship/ports/etc and because it was our vacation and obviously we were in a good mind set.

I think X could be a great choice for our next cruise, will have to start researching their ships. For what I read (or understood) it is similar to RCI but 'better', or classier. I know it's a broad description, but sounds good to me! :)

We actually didn't care much for the entertainment on the RotS (especially the night shows) it was just average, with a cruise director I didn't care for at all. The food ranged from very good to absolutely tasteless (CariMex buffet), so although overall we enjoyed ourselves very much and would cruise RCI again in a second, are also giving good thought to trying another company and maybe finding a better fit.

[skandls]

We like both X and RCI. We did HAL once and found the passengers to be older and night life nonexistant. HAL has wonderful regular staterooms, service and the food is good.

 

Since you are sailing in the suite classes I would try Crystal. I have only sailed them once but found the whole experience outstanding. We would rather take 2 cruises on RCI than 1 on Crystal.

[Cathy Maneri]

Donna,

 

I've only cruised RCL and Celebrity as you can see by my signature and have cruised the Caribbean many times since I live in Miami.

 

I've done the Ultimate Southern Caribbean 10-nighter on the Summit but now the Constellation does it and it was my favorite Caribbean cruise that I've done to date. I tell everyone, if there's only one Caribbean that you can do, do this one! Are you looking at the one that has two sea days then does St. Thomas, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maartin and Barbados with two sea days again (not sure of order)? If so, this is the best cruise to do.

 

I've also been on the Connie only once though and it's my favorite out of all the Millenium ships (I've been on all of them).

 

I would tell you to book the cruise on the Connie if you want a nice relaxing cruise with good food, service and entertainment and wonderful ports of call.

 

I would do this cruise again in a heartbeat.

[Germancruiser]

Hi

to the OP, book the Constellation again. I bet you won´t be dissapointed. I love the Radiance Class Ships from RCL though, they just should move them to X- with what X stand for! LOL!

Greetings

Michael

[Donnaluv2cruise]

Thanks for all of your responses and suggestions. I think we will probably end up on The Constellation again. I do like the idea of starting and ending with 2 sea days. Last time on The Connie it was a little port intensive. But it was pretty tough to improve on that cruise. They have improved on the fact that they don't stop in Casa de Campoand have added St. Kitts, which would be our only new stop.

I thought I had found what I was looking for with HAL. They have a great 10 day that goes to Aruba, Curacao, Panama, and Costa Rica. Places that we've never been. But my husband and I are a little worried that we are 39 and 40 and the other passengers are .....not.

Now comes the hard part. Last time on The Connie we got a visit from the upgrade fairy which unfortunately has spoiled us for life. We had booked a CC and were given the key to a SS. We had wanted to try and aft veranda, but it's way too late for that. On The Serenade we were able to book the infamous (I think it was 1664.) And my husband really got spoiled in the concierge lounge. Do we spring for the SS? It's an awful lot of money.....