Cruise Talk: Royal caribbean versus Celebrity

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Topic: Royal caribbean versus Celebrity

Iain
Just Boarded
Member # 1407

posted 07-08-2000 04:44 AM

Looking at booking a 12 night cruise for June 2001 on either Legend of the seas or Millenium both in the Meditteranean.Is it worth the extra money for Celebrity. Any comments Please.

Posts: 3 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 07-08-2000 11:24 AM

Iain

Compare cabin size, space/ratio, crew/passenger ratio and you'll see Celebrity has a big edge. Also, food and service are much better (IMHO) than RCCL. With the Millennium doing her maiden voyage right now, she is a obviously a newer ship. I think RCCL has an advantage in their entertainment, but for a more upscale experience, go with Celebrity. I've sailed both lines several times and like RCCL's product, but it's not on the same level as Celebrity. Hope this helps:-)

regards,

Bob/cruznut6

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 07-08-2000 01:54 PM

I was on the Vision of the Seas in May. It did not even compare with Celebrity on the service and food, and upkeep of the ship. The ship had a pretty Grand Atrium, but I didn't like the layout of the ship in other areas. No back of the ship outdoor eating. I like the layout of the Celebrity ships better. We are booked on the Millennium, and feel it's definately worth the extra money.

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 07-09-2000 09:44 AM

Mercy

My "better half" and I are planning on the Millennium or Infinity for next year, so please give us a report when you return. I also enjoy the outdoor areas on their ships!
Enjoy and keep us posted :-)

regards,

Bob

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Leviathan
Just Boarded
Member # 1419

posted 07-11-2000 10:31 PM

Took the GALAXY on her LA-Panama Canal cruise last October. I had an absolute blast. Sailed on NORDIC EMPRESS back in 94, FASCINATION in 95. Trust me RCCL and Celebrity are two ENTIRELY different cruise lines. Celebrity has superior accomodations, service and food. RCCL does not, not much different from Carnival. RCCL IMO, is best for short getaways. For longer cruises, go Celebrity or Princess.

Posts: 3 | From: Germantown, PA USA | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

M.S.Grumple
First Class Passenger
Member # 1340

posted 07-12-2000 09:09 AM

I keep seeing all the glowing reports of Celebrity cruises.
In November '98 we decided to 'splurge' and take a 10 day Southern Caribbean cruise on the 'Horizon'.I didn't have particularly fond memories so went back to my travel 'diary' to check.
Started off badly with a 2hour line-up in Miami sun to embark,followed by an horrendous line-up for the 'lunch'buffet which we finally ate at 4.15pm.This was interrupted by the lifeboat drill at 4.30.
Although our cabin was excellent, as was the dining room & cabin service service,we were plagued throughout the whole trip by constant line-ups (buffet lunches & breakfasts) and complete disorganisation.
Food was good but not as good as RCCL or HAL.
These comments were echoed by many other of our fellow guests.
We were extremely disappointed & vowed never to try Celebrity again but maybe this experience was only a 'glitch'?

Posts: 280 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Mary
First Class Passenger
Member # 316

posted 07-13-2000 10:31 AM

Oh no! I'm just about ready to put down a deposit on a cruise on the Millennium for Feb. 2001. We have sailed RCCL twice but have always heard Celebrity is a cut above. (It will be our 30th anniversary. Our first cruise was for our 25th anniversary on the Monarch of the Seas) Does anyone else have any info.? My husband refuses to stand in line (some leftove Army thing). We generally don't do buffets -- are lunches in the dining room buffets?

Posts: 35 | Registered: Jan 99 | IP: Logged

CruiseBuff
First Class Passenger
Member # 94

posted 07-13-2000 11:02 AM

Mary, don't worry. I've been on Century twice and Galaxy once and have never had more than half a dozen or so people before me in the buffet line. Other than that, I've never had to wait in line for anything (except for portraits on formal evening.) Go and have a wonderful cruise.

Posts: 27 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 07-13-2000 12:43 PM

Mary

I've sailed every ship Celebrity has with the exception of the Zenith (will do in 2001)and have NEVER waited in lines of more than several people. As far as food, check with Conde Nast, Fodors or any major travel mag or company. While the gentleman in the post above may have had a problem, that is possible with any particular ship or line. I have had a few experiences with RCCL, but would still try some of their other ships. I will agree that embarkation is slow at times with Celebrity, getting on the ship that late added to his problem with food. Don't allow one persons bad time or review affect a chance to try another ship or cruise line; they all have pluses and negatives. Just enjoy:-)

regards,

Bob/cruznut6

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Iain
Just Boarded
Member # 1407

posted 07-14-2000 04:38 AM

Bob/Cruznut6.Have booked today(12 July)12 night cruise aboard Celebrity Milleneum June 12 2001 cruising from Barcelona to Instanbul.Thanks for your info.

Posts: 3 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 07-14-2000 11:13 AM

I use to work on Royal Caribbean ships AND at Celebrity. Celebrity is definitely a cut above when it comes to dining and service. Celebrity is more formal that RCCL. RCCL tends to promote more fun and is a bit more lively. RCCL is above Carnival

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Jenhen
Just Boarded
Member # 1422

posted 07-17-2000 05:16 PM

My husband and I sailed on the Majesty in Dec '96 and loved everything about it. It was our first cruise. Our second cruise, in '98 was the Galaxy and we were quite disappointed in alot of things - mainly checking in and debarkation at San Juan. We didn't feel well looked after and didn't like the ground transfers. The ship itself was beautiful, good food(but not better than RCCL), entertainment and well maintained cabins etc., but we rated the Majesty higher.

Posts: 3 | From: Toronto,Ontario,Canada | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 07-17-2000 07:39 PM

Again, this will cause the messages to fly, but my experience with the food on Celebrity, specifically Mercury, was nothing to brag on. Yes, it was good, but not great, and certainly not worth TV ads (as I saw today) unless things have changed immensely since last October. The food did not even come up to the standard of Princess. It was bland, served with little panache and next to no presentation, and bordered on "Holiday Inn" food to us and our group.

Maybe they had a bad week, but it just didn't do it for me.

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

bonny
First Class Passenger
Member # 1347

posted 07-17-2000 10:04 PM

Every cruise is different. We have even been on the same ships twice and had different experiences. It depends what you are looking for. Sometimes we pick a ship for a route and some we pick to relax on (HAL). If we want to party we go on CCL or RCCL. You have to decide for yourself, what is most Important to you.

GRUMPLE I don't believe we might have something in common. Did you mention a diary? I have one from every cruise and every vacation we've ever taken.

Bonny

Posts: 44 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

dkingsr
Just Boarded
Member # 1430

posted 07-18-2000 06:35 AM

My wife and I just completed a cruise on the Monarch of the Seas (RCCL). Compared to the last time we used RCCL in 95 the service has fallen as have the entertainment. It seems, like a lot of travel industry, the quality and standards are falling. This trip compared to last had a lot of teenagers who were running rampid onboard. Acting like teens with raging hormones. The last trip to Bermuda was sedate and actually a real pleasure. A lot better than Carnival Lines.
Which has a reputation of being a party boat.
Have not tried any other lines but will in the future.

Posts: 3 | From: Mt. Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

bonny
First Class Passenger
Member # 1347

posted 07-18-2000 02:05 PM

It's hard to get good help. They are building too many ships and they can't train people fast enough.

Posts: 44 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

M.S.Grumple
First Class Passenger
Member # 1340

posted 07-19-2000 07:38 PM

Hi Bonny,
People don't always agree on a subject, sometimes we can become a bit 'heated' - just makes life more interesting.
I,like you,always keep a travel diary. It's a bit of a nuisance having to write in it every day but so rewarding to read later.
Quite often the trip was obviously even better than I had remembered.

Posts: 280 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

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