After two voyages on Carnival Cruise Line, the first cruises I ever took, the Royal Caribbean casino started sending me offers for trips.
Generally, they were for trips of three or four days on medium-sized ships or longer on older ships.
Once I took my first sail on the cruise line's Independence of the Seas, a typical mid-tier example of Royal's fleet, I was more or less hooked. The Independence, a Freedom-class ship, has been “expanded,” Royal Caribbean says. (RCL) – Get a free report Program to upgrade older ships.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line removes popular dining option
It offers the cruise line's Playmakers sports bar concept and features an Italian restaurant, a sushi/hibachi concept and a Chops steakhouse. Most of my first 30 cruises were on Indy, as it's casually called, or the slightly smaller (and also “enlarged”) Voyager-class Navigator of the Seas.
For a three or four day sail, these ships had more than enough to do and both offered my favorite spot on board, Royal Caribbean's British Pub, where guitarists play acoustic music (mostly covers).
Almost all Royal Caribbean ships have a pub, but the Freedom and Voyager class pubs are located next to a spiral staircase leading to the casino.
These ships offered plenty to do at night, better food options, and quiet spaces to work during the day. On a three-day weekend trip, she often seemed like the only person with a laptop instead of a drink umbrella, a shot of tequila, or a beer in hand. But during the two years before the pandemic, Navigator was my weekend home a dozen times.
Image source: Daniel Kline/TheStreet
How I Discovered Celebrity Cruises
When I sailed every few weeks on Navigator, Sam Ensuque, one of the best musicians in the Royal Caribbean fleet, was the pub's guitarist. On some of his early trips, at my request, he played an Elvis Costello song and, after his introduction, I joined him and other passengers for a drink.
After his contract with Navigator ended, he appeared as a guitarist on a Thanksgiving voyage on the Explorer of the Seas, where I took my teenage son. For many nights we became unlikely friends who stayed in touch during the pandemic.
Once the ships were sailing again, when Sam got a contract, he usually tried to book one or two trips. Last year, after a few years at Royal Caribbean, Sam accepted a short contract at sister brand Celebrity's Summit.
It is an older ship without many of the modern touches that Royal Caribbean's larger ships offer.
There are no water slides, Flowrider, or Starbucks on board, and when I booked the week before Thanksgiving and Christmas for five-day trips. I went into it with low expectations for the boat. This was mainly an opportunity to watch my friend play, share some meals, and walk around a port or two.
So I was pleasantly surprised when one of Celebrity's older, smaller ships turned out to be a wonderful way to sail.
What I like about Celebrity Cruises compared to Royal Caribbean
Essentially, there are no bad cruisers, and I still love the Voyager and Freedom class ships. I've also been able to experience all of the Oasis class ships, and nothing beats the tranquility of Central Park at night or the incredible pool decks, restaurants, and entertainment options on those ships.
I also like the fact that almost all Royal Caribbean ships have a guitarist who plays in the pub most nights and a pianist who entertains in the Schooner Bar.
Celebrity actually offers more live music with guitarists, acoustic duos, party bands and other acts spread around the ship, but the company moves them around and often schedules them during the day when I'm usually busy.
However, Celebrity's ships, even the smaller and older ones, seem a little more exclusive than Royal Caribbean's. The food in the main dining room meets a higher standard as does Café Al Bacio, the on-board café. It compares favorably to my favorite cafes in New York and Seattle.
The pools on Celebrity ships offer a little more peace of mind, since there are fewer children on board (the ships have spaces for children, but not as many offerings for children). Plus, Celebrity ships are filled with different bars serving unique cocktails. Some of Royal Caribbean's bars, like Schooner Bar and Mason Jar's, offer them, but most of their bars are more generic.
For a trip with friends, especially friends with kids, I would probably opt for Royal Caribbean, preferably Oasis class. When I travel alone and work at least part of the day, as is often the case, I prefer Celebrity. And having recently sailed on their newest boat. Ascent, I will say that the cruise line manages to maintain the feeling of intimacy on the larger ship.
Royal Caribbean ships with their huge open “Promenade” spaces have a more festive atmosphere, while Celebrity, even on a larger ship like Ascent, maintains a more exclusive feel.
I will also say that a controversial celebrity offering, the Infinity Balcony, was one of my favorite features at Ascent. These balconies are closed and passengers have the option of rolling down a window for fresh air.
I found that the balcony actually enlarged my room and I used it quite a bit, whereas I rarely use a traditional balcony other than to take a photo or two.
I also enjoyed that the Ascent balconies offered blackout curtains instead of the looser curtains used on traditional balconies. It's a small detail, but the blackout curtain allows you to sleep until dawn. That's not a bad thing on a boat that has so many options, it's hard to fall asleep at night.
