Thread: Princess vs. Celebrity

Sometimes when I tell people I am leaning toward Princess for my first cruise, some veteran cruisers suggest considering Celebrity. Besiides better mattresses and fewer smoking areas, is there any reason to choose Celebrity instead of Princess? I want to watch lavish shows in the stasge theater, take classes, listen to lectures, watch demonstrations, etc. and do NOT drink alcohol, gamble, or play sports, so I don't care if any of those features are better on a Celebrity ship. I like to swim and dance. Except for my nephew,I do not like little kids. I love Italian and Chinese food much better than a lot of standard American stuff and am addicted to desserts, especially chocolate. Based son these interests and criteria, what do you think?

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

Sometimes when I tell people I am leaning toward Princess for my first cruise, some veteran cruisers suggest considering Celebrity. Besides better mattresses and fewer smoking areas, is there any reason to choose Celebrity instead of Princess? I want to watch lavish shows in the stasge theater, take classes, listen to lectures, watch demonstrations, etc. and do NOT drink alcohol, gamble, or play sports, so I don't care if any of those features are better on a Celebrity ship. I like to swim and dance. Except for my nephew,I do not like little kids. I love Italian and Chinese food much better than a lot of standard American stuff and am addicted to desserts, especially chocolate. Based son these interests and criteria, what do you think?

Andrea ... Princess really is better on lavish production stage shows and normally has better lounge entertainment. Lots of dance classes that are easy to attend as a single. Keep in mind, Princess is my favorite cruise line because I've found it "best all 'round".

Celebrity does a good job with the lectures and that sort of thing. Also, anything you get to eat on a Celebrity ship is very likely to be extremely good. On our last Celebrity cruise there were "dance hosts" ... heard that was now discontinued but don't know.

Bottom Line: They both are great mass market cruise lines. Either way, you can't go wrong!

Andrea- I am a bit of a Celebrity snob having been on 4 Celebrity cruises and none on Princess. What I do know is that the Celebrity big stage shows are not as good as Princess. The lounge acts are comparable from what all my friends say. We have enjoyed all the Celebrity lounge acts and have loved their dance bands. Princess has a lot more kids- you will not find very many on Celebrity. Other than that the population mix is about the same with Celebrity being a bit older, IMHO.

Lectures on Celebrity can be quite good. We had several excellent speakers on our TA including the head of photography at NASA during the 60's and 70's and a ship historian who was totally engrossing with his stories of the Titanic and other ships that went down on the TA crossing.

Food on Celebrity is better than on Princess with more of a continental flair. Desserts are excellent although there are some on Princess that will rival a few of the Celebrity ones. MDR is better on Celebrity, the buffet slightly better on Princess.

If I remember correctly, cabins are larger on Celebrity.

Overall I love the way Celebrity pampers you and treats you like royalty.

Both are excellent cruise lines.

Having been on them all and having sold thousands to clients, I can tell you one very important thing; what one person loves, another will hate. The best thing about cruising is that there is something out there for everyone and the fun thing is trying them all until you find the one that best fits you.

With that said, people are always asking me which cruise line do I recommend. And my response is always the same; I do not recommend. I further state that if they're talking to an agent who does recommend, find another agent. There are three reasons why: 1) it may be the only thing they know. They may not have ever been on other cruises, cruise lines, or itineraries, so their knowledge will be very limited; 2) They may have enjoyed their cruise on this particular cruise, but as I said, what one person loves, another may hate. So just because they enjoyed it does not necessary mean that you will. And 3), they may be getting a bigger commission from that cruise line. Cruise lines pay commissions based on sales - the higher the sales, the higher the commission. So some agents will 'steer' clients towards or away from certain cruise lines based on how much commission they are getting.

So a reputable agent will only use the word 'recommend' in certain situation; like purchasing travel insurance. This is something I always recommend.

But an agent's job is to provide as much information as you can handle so you can make an informed decision on the best cruise for you based on your requirements, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Personally, I think you will thoroughly enjoy either Princess or Celebrity. And if you're considering those, you might also want to look at Holland America.

For the most part, Princess will draw a younger crowd, whereas Holland America and Celebrity will attract an older crowd. However, it will also depend on where you're going, when you're going, and for how long. For example; a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean in Summer will generally have a younger crowd on all the ships, compared to a 12-night cruise in September to the Mediterranean, which will attract an older crowd on all ships. Generally speaking, when school is out, prices will be higher because that's when families like to travel. When school is in session, prices will be better because less people are traveling and that's normally when the older crowd likes to travel. In other words, each cruise line will attract younger and older crowds depending on when, where, and length.

Some people will pick a cruise for the ports, while others for the ship, and others for the overall experience. Some people have a wonderful time no matter what because they have a positive attitude and don't let the small things bother them, while others will have a lousy time because they're busy finding fault with everything. And because of this, everyone will have an opinion. Just remember the old saying, "Opinions are like bellybuttons - everyone has one." Don't let any one opinion influence your decision.

So gather your information and then make a decision based on what you're expecting in a cruise. Then be happy with the decision and have a great time. If it turns out not to be your cup of tea, then try another one.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

Pete

Pete, I wish every travel agent could be like you. Yes, I do know some people hate things I love and have different travel personalities, so I am just trying to get the facts. I am looking for quality here, which is something you can say is a fact with so many experiences. For example, does "better buffet" mean more variety, better choices, or higher quality food on the ship?

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

Sometimes when I tell people I am leaning toward Princess for my first cruise, some veteran cruisers suggest considering Celebrity. Besiides better mattresses and fewer smoking areas, is there any reason to choose Celebrity instead of Princess? I want to watch lavish shows in the stasge theater, take classes, listen to lectures, watch demonstrations, etc. and do NOT drink alcohol, gamble, or play sports, so I don't care if any of those features are better on a Celebrity ship. I like to swim and dance. Except for my nephew,I do not like little kids. I love Italian and Chinese food much better than a lot of standard American stuff and am addicted to desserts, especially chocolate. Based son these interests and criteria, what do you think?

Here is what I think from 2 Princess and 1 Celebrity Cruise.
also from Jan 2012 Princess smoking restrictions will get closer to Celebrity which is the most restrictive I know.

Lavish Shows - Princess
classes - Princess
lectures - tie
demonstrations - Princess
less kids - Celebrity
food variety/quality - Celebrity
deserts - Celebrity
dance - Celebrity

I love both lines and it would just be the itinerary that would decide me.

Tony, which ships were you on?

Andrea, I have not sailed Princess yet but from everything I have read on the board the last five years, I would have to agree with Tony. Celebrity is geared less to families and more to "genteel" luxury. For that reason I would give Princess the edge in excitement and things to do. The shows, the family activities, the movies under the stars, are all things that Princess advertises and is very good at. Celebrity is noted for the food and upscale activities like ballroom style dancing.

Princess has longer hours for the buffet at night but Celebrity does have sushi in the afternoon and room service when the restaurants are not open.

I like the atmosphere on Celebrity and the little things like cold towels when you get back to your ship after a long day on the beach or touring a town. Or the hot chocolate or cider when it is cold outside.

Since we are going for elite status on Celebrity that throws our interest a bit more in that direction.

Like I said in my earlier post, both cruise lines are good, for different reasons. I think you will be happy with either.

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

Tony, which ships were you on?

Diamond Princess 26 days Beijing to Vancouver
Star Princess 20 days Rio to Buenos Aires

Celebrity Summit 14 day ,Canada/New England

My next Cruise will be 11 days on Celebrity Eclipse,

Celebrity regular coffee is better than Princess'

Originally Posted by tonylinsdell

Diamond Princess 26 days Beijing to Vancouver
Star Princess 20 days Rio to Buenos Aires

Celebrity Summit 14 day ,Canada/New England

My next Cruise will be 11 days on Celebrity Eclipse,

Celebrity regular coffee is better than Princess'

Coffee is subjective, so I don't know if my mom and sister would agree. But they will drink a lot of tea and wine too, of course, while I get apple juice, milk, and smoothies.

Wow, 26 days is a long cruise! My mom thinks any cruise over 7 nights is long.