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Last year, Royal Caribbean Group introduced an enhanced Loyalty Status Match program that got many loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers curious about its sister cruise lines Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
Through the revamped program, members of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program, Crown & Anchor Society, can enjoy one-for-one status matching and reciprocal loyalty perks with Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club as well as Silversea's Venetian Society.
Related: MGM reveals updates to loyalty program, including Marriott partnership
The status matching benefits are enticing for loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers, but many wonder just what it will be like to jump ship to Celebrity. Although Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise brand that promises an elevated experience, its ships are very different than Royal Caribbean's.
To find out exactly how different, one Royal Caribbean passenger recently turned to the Celebrity Cruises community on Reddit for advice on what to expect from one cruise line to the other. The discussion revealed a number of helpful insights that may make the decision whether (or not) to try Celebrity Cruises a little easier for any Royal Caribbean cruiser.
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The adults-only Solarium is a popular space on board Celebrity Cruises ships. Image source: Daniel Kline/ComeCruiseWith.com
Celebrity Cruises is a sophisticated, grown-up sister to Royal CaribbeanCelebrity Cruises ships are generally smaller with a more intimate, upscale, and relaxed atmosphere than Royal Caribbean's action-packed megaships.
"The biggest differences will be that generally things will feel less crowded, and that spaces use for ice skating, rock walls, etc. are instead used for less adventurous public spaces," monorailmedic explained in the Reddit thread. "I personally prefer the ambiance, decor, music, etc. on Celebrity (especially Edge series)."
Celebrity Cruises is particularly appealing to those looking to sail with less kids on board than they'll find on a Royal Caribbean ship. Celebrity Cruises does welcome kids and offers a Camp at Sea kids' program that many kids enjoy, but its ships aren't designed with as many kids- and family-focused spaces and activities like water slides and bumper cars.
Related: Royal Caribbean adds new perk for loyal cruisers
"Celebrity puts its money into space, comforts and relaxation instead of amusement parks," BrainDad-208 noted.
"The decor and design of Celebrity is more upscale, more 'grown-up' than 'family-focused,' if that makes sense," Kennesaw79 explained. "All main dining rooms are beautiful, and the buffet was a much better layout. The food across the board was better than Royal Caribbean. Plus — my biggest perk — very few kids onboard."
Cruisers say dining stands out on Celebrity, shows better on Royal CaribbeanWhen it comes to cruise dining, many passengers who make the switch from Royal Caribbean to Celebrity Cruises say the food is a step up.
"We find the food on Celebrity to be better all around," Least-Donkey9178 wrote. "The buffet is very good with a wide variety of foods and they do a cuisine theme every day like one day will be Mediterranean and so on."
The biggest upgrade passengers notice with dining is on Celebrity Cruises' Edge Series ships.
"The main dining room on Celebrity on non-Edge series isn't drastically different than on Royal Caribbean," monorailmedic pointed out. "On Edge series there are four distinct restaurants, all of which you can enjoy, and part of the menu spans all four, while each venue has a selection specifically for that restaurant. I find the quality on Edge series main dining room to be better than other Celebrity Cruises ships, and much better than Royal Caribbean."
Related: What you get at Royal Caribbean's Hideaway Beach at CocoCay
If production shows are important to you, you may want to stick with Royal Caribbean, however. Celebrity Cruises offers a variety of well-executed shows but some say they're not on the same level as Royal Caribbean's productions.
"Shows are better on Royal. Literally a bigger stage so the productions are bigger," lowcarbbq pointed out. "Also, I think the comedians have been better on Royal."
Overall, for many Royal Caribbean cruisers, the decision to sail Celebrity Cruises comes down to cruise activities and atmosphere.
"Do you need the over-the-top things Royal offers to make your cruise a good one? Ice skating, rock walls, surf simulators?" Monorailmedic questioned. "Would you prefer fewer families with young kids and less crowding? Then give Celebrity a shot."
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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