Hi all!

My new husband and I just got back from our honeymoon, and we're already thinking about what cruise we want to do next year! This cruise, on the Carnival Conquest, was my third. We'd like to try every cruise line eventually, and we're trying to decide between Royal Caribbean (possibly Freedom of the Seas) and Celebrity Cruises for next year. Any recommendations?

Thanks!
Cort


Carnival Conquest - 4/9/06
Caribbean Princess - 2/19/05

Hi there! My husband and I've been on most of the cruise lines already and by mutual agreement preffer Royar Carib. especially the Voyager class ships, we're going on the Navigator (w/kids this summer for the 3rd time) and I'm waiting for the next yrs schedule to come out to book the Nov or Dec on the Freedom. I did like the Celeberty line, but it was not as upbeat and fun as the Royal Carib; the croud was abit older and the whole atmosphere was more sofisticated; we did enjoy it a lot, but if u're looking for fun, some noise, but at the same time lots or privacy and rest do go on the Voyager Class ship or the Freedom there is nothing like a PROMENADE and Ice Skating ! U'll LOVE it!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Cortney:
Hi all!

My new husband and I just got back from our honeymoon, and we're already thinking about what cruise we want to do next year! This cruise, on the Carnival Conquest, was my third. We'd like to try every cruise line eventually, and we're trying to decide between Royal Caribbean (possibly Freedom of the Seas) and Celebrity Cruises for next year. Any recommendations?

Thanks!
Cort


Carnival Conquest - 4/9/06
Caribbean Princess - 2/19/05

I agree with Lanar. My wife and I have been on 29 Royal Caribbean cruises and don't intend on changing to any other cruise line. We talk to alot of cruisers and most feel RCCL is the best. The Freedom will be a new experience for us. The Voyager class ships are our favorite ships. The ice show is awesome! You won't find that on other ships. If it were my choice I'd choose the Freedom.

I prefer Celebrity to any other line I have sailed on - and I have been on 27 cruises/5 lines. I prefer the elegance and better food and service that Celebrity has to offer. I still play trivia games, sports, etc. on Celebrity and have a great time.

On cruise ships age is very mental. The passengers on Celebrity is a bit older than RCCL but I find they are willing to have just as much fun - I am in my middle 30's. But there isn't anything wrong with RCCL at all - I have a great time every cruise I take with them. Both you and your husband I'm sure will note a HUGE difference from Carnival to Celebrity or RCCL.

We've sailed on NCL, RCCL, HAL, Costa, Carnival, and Princess. So far my favorite is Princess, but I truly enjoyed RCCL and NCL. NCL has a great program called Dive-In which is right up our alley--we love to snorkel. So far, I've never had a bad cruise. Some better than others, but none that were bad. Some friends of mine did Celebrity for their wedding/honeymoon cruise. They were married in St. Thomas on the beach and finished their cruise as newlyweds. They totally enjoyed Celebrity, but that was their first cruise. Congratulations on your marriage!!

quote:

So far, I've never had a bad cruise. Some better than others, but none that were bad.

Penny, Bob Dickinson of Carnival Cruises likes to say:
"Cruising is like sex. Even when it's bad, it's good."


Sandy

I was a solid Celbrity fan until they let thier ships get so run down and shaby. This year we tried the Carnival Legend and it turned out to be one of the best cruises ever.Maybe because it was a longer cruise, I don't know.We are going on it again.I was never fond of Carnival but we tried it because of the itinerary and i'm glad we did. But as said above there is no such thing as a bad cruise, it's just that some are better than others. tom

Thanks for the advice, guys! I like hearing about other people's experiences. Lucky Sonny - going on two cruises in just a few months! Penny, how do you like Costa? I noticed they had a few itineraries out of Ft. Lauderdale that seemed to hit some different ports than other lines (I don't like to fly, so the less distance I have to fly for the departure port, the better!

We have done Carnival, Royal Carribean and Celebrity - Carnvial is a true party - very up beat - Royal Carribean is not to far behind. We found Celebrity to be very quiet - But this was as very nice. It made for a true vaction. Celebrity little extra service was nice. (Laying in the sun - here comes the silver tray around with towels on ice. Also they bring cold ice treats) - Celebrity seem to give you that little extra touch. Know matter what cruise line - I will taking cruising any day.

royal carribean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
iv been on both rcl definetaly
definetally freedon of seas without a doubt

Hi, we were on Celebrity Galaxy in the Mediterranean last summer, loved the itinerary and the ship, food and service--and had a great time. Sometimes felt some of the lounge furniture needed updating, fresh upholstery, but nothing awful. Wondering whether RCCL is very party-oriented, or just more friendly. Thinking about Europe this summer on Legend of the Seas. Thanks

I think that since RCL bought Celebrity they have become the red haired stepchild so to speak.RCL seem's to take much better care of thier ship's and to keep them cleaner than Celebrity.I think a lot more corporate attention is paid to RCL. JMHO. Tom

I agree - I was on Zenith in April - The service was great - But the ship did not look that clean - Around the pool area - there would be glasses or pieces of food there 24 hours or longer.

Courtney--I haven't been on Costa in years, but booked the one for Christmas because the price was reasonable and I liked the itinerary. The last cruise I took on them was on the Carla (telling my age now). The crew was great, service was great, food was good, the ship was old but they tried to keep it looking good. The Magica isn't that old of a ship, so I am looking forward to this cruise. We've been sticking with Princess, because that is our favorite. I hope Costa will be as much fun as it used to be. On the Carla, the waiters danced, let you join in with them, lots of singing at dinner, most of them would sing or whistle when serving drinks by the pool. I let you know the verdict when we get back. Best Wishes!!

Bonnie, I think you can expect a somewhat different crowd on European cruises than in the Caribbean. If you like the itinerary, going with RCCL in Europe may work out fine for you. Bear in mind, though, that the bigger the ship, the more often you may need to tender.

Try Royal Caribbean first and book Celebrity ship for your 10-year wedding anniversary!
You'll love both of them.

We've been on 28 cruises and find the ship and its crew are the determinants of the quality of the cruise, not necessarily the cruise line. New ships seem to be better staffed in an effort to make a great impression. The food is generally better as is the service and quality of entertainment. You must first determine what is important to you then get a good travel agent who listens to you and works to fulfill your wishes.

My favorite ship: Legend of the Seas (RCCL) My husband and I have cruised on it 5 times after the inaugural to Alaska. Why do we love it? It's like going home. It's comfortable, easy to navigate, service has always been of high quality. The food varies somewhat from cruise to cruise, but we have found we are always accommodated if we speak up.

Over the years much has changed in regard to cruising, but if you are flexible, you will enjoy each voyage. It's the best buy in town.

I've read.

Could some of you please be a bit more specific relative to the quality of the food overall and specifically in the main dining (not the pay extra).
I too am considering this, along with Princess.

To Cortney ... my guess (having done three) is they all have good points and lesser ones. I'd suggest you familiarize yourself with the different lines, classes of vessels (ages, sizes, what they have, differences). I was on the Carnival Victory when it was 3-4 months old, beautiful ship, food was OK, not bad, just not wonderful, service good, big 110K tons, lot's to do, so overall really good. Then I did Celebrity Mercury and Infinity, nice ships, great food, less to do, less party party, but I thought a bit more up scale. Next we want to do a big one (Voyager Class 138K tons with lot's to do) or Princess Star/Grand/Golden 110K, also big, much to do ... but I'm hoping the food won't be a disappointment compared to Celebrity.

We were on Celebrity Summit twice in the last 18 months and on RCCL Grandeur last December. I know there are people who will disagree with us, but we felt the food in the main dining room of the Grandeur was much tastier than on the Summit. For some reason, the food on the Summit was bland and the desserts were all fluff with no taste! I am sure each ship's food will taste different so that what was good on the Grandeur might not be as good on the Navigator. But we preferred the RCCL food.

We are in our early 60's and enjoyed the atmosphere on both ships. We like the "brass and glass" decor on the RCCL ships, but also appreciated the more elegant decor on the Summit.

The crew on both lines were great. I don't think you would go wrong with either Celebrity or RCCL.

We prefer Royal Caribbean over Celebrity and Princess, but Princess is cheaper on equivalent cruises and their ships are in great condition and buffets easiest of all to use. It's just they are not as flashy. The thing I don't like about RC out of Puerto Rico is that they are packed with very noisy Puerto Ricans. Unsold cabins are practically given away there, I understand. Nice people but noisy. And you have to listen to everything said in Spanish as well as English which was very annoying to many people.