trying to decide ?

We are looking at choosing between Carnival Spirit/Legend Western or
Celebrity Milli/Constellation, or RCCL Adventure/Serenade OTS.
We were on the Mercury recently, found it to have good food and service,
but the ship's layout and features were not too exciting - we like to have
more show appeal like that of the Sea Princess. If anyone can give me
their views on those mentioned above in respect to food, service, atriums,
shops, etc. Also we are looking for unique itineries- have been on Western
and traditional Southern...

Thank you,

Myron.

Wow, you are asking for a lot of information. I've been on the Spirit
and Legend. I've also been on the Millie (and the Mercury), the
Explorer (sister ship of the Adventure) and the inaugural of the
Serenade last month. Not sure what you mean by "exciting" and "show
appeal" but here is my take.

IMO, of all the ships you mention, the Spirit/Legend has the best food.
They also have fine service and great entertainment (music and
production shows), large, interesting atria, nice staterooms and good
shopping.

The RCCL mega ships, like the Adventure, are awsome ships, with a ton of
different things to do (rock climbing, ice-skating, etc.). Instead of
having an atrium, these ships provide a whole city block in their
centers. It is really awesome. The entertainment is as good as that on
the Spirit/Legend and the service is fine. The food is dernitely a notch
below the Spirit/Legend.

The Serenade is a beautiful, new ship, with lots of glass and lots of
pretty spaces to relax and hang out. The atrium is beautiful and there
is wonderful artwork spread around the ship. I found the production
shows to be as good as it gets. The service was fine and the food was
good but still not up to that provided on the Spirit/Legend.

The Millie is a more sedate kind of ship. There are some beautiful
spaces but I really did not care too much for the ships layout. I would
rate the entertainment below that of the Carnival and RCCL ships.
Service was excellent, perhaps even better than on Carnival and RCCL
ships, but the food was definitely not as good as that on the Spirit/Legend.

I loved my cruise on the Mercury but I should mention that I found the
production shows on that particular ship to be far less professional
(especially with respect to sets and lighting) than that on any of the
ships discussed above.

I'm not one to shop on a ship so I really can't compare these ships on
that dimension.

Howard

Myron Hanch wrote:
We are looking at choosing between Carnival Spirit/Legend Western or
Celebrity Milli/Constellation, or RCCL Adventure/Serenade OTS.
We were on the Mercury recently, found it to have good food and service,
but the ship's layout and features were not too exciting - we like to have
more show appeal like that of the Sea Princess. If anyone can give me
their views on those mentioned above in respect to food, service, atriums,
shops, etc. Also we are looking for unique itineries- have been on Western
and traditional Southern...

Thank you,

Myron.

I think I will take the Celebrity cruises off my list.
How about the Carnival Glory and Carnival Destiny's food, entertainment,
service
and staterooms ? If anyone can compare with RCCL, Princess, etc

Thank you.

Myron.


"Howard Garland" wrote in message
...
Wow, you are asking for a lot of information. I've been on the Spirit
and Legend. I've also been on the Millie (and the Mercury), the
Explorer (sister ship of the Adventure) and the inaugural of the
Serenade last month. Not sure what you mean by "exciting" and "show
appeal" but here is my take.

IMO, of all the ships you mention, the Spirit/Legend has the best food.
They also have fine service and great entertainment (music and
production shows), large, interesting atria, nice staterooms and good
shopping.

The RCCL mega ships, like the Adventure, are awsome ships, with a ton of
different things to do (rock climbing, ice-skating, etc.). Instead of
having an atrium, these ships provide a whole city block in their
centers. It is really awesome. The entertainment is as good as that on
the Spirit/Legend and the service is fine. The food is dernitely a notch
below the Spirit/Legend.

The Serenade is a beautiful, new ship, with lots of glass and lots of
pretty spaces to relax and hang out. The atrium is beautiful and there
is wonderful artwork spread around the ship. I found the production
shows to be as good as it gets. The service was fine and the food was
good but still not up to that provided on the Spirit/Legend.

The Millie is a more sedate kind of ship. There are some beautiful
spaces but I really did not care too much for the ships layout. I would
rate the entertainment below that of the Carnival and RCCL ships.
Service was excellent, perhaps even better than on Carnival and RCCL
ships, but the food was definitely not as good as that on the
Spirit/Legend.

I loved my cruise on the Mercury but I should mention that I found the
production shows on that particular ship to be far less professional
(especially with respect to sets and lighting) than that on any of the
ships discussed above.

I'm not one to shop on a ship so I really can't compare these ships on
that dimension.

Howard

Myron Hanch wrote:
We are looking at choosing between Carnival Spirit/Legend Western or
Celebrity Milli/Constellation, or RCCL Adventure/Serenade OTS.
We were on the Mercury recently, found it to have good food and service,
but the ship's layout and features were not too exciting - we like to
have
more show appeal like that of the Sea Princess. If anyone can give me
their views on those mentioned above in respect to food, service,
atriums,
shops, etc. Also we are looking for unique itineries- have been on
Western
and traditional Southern...

Thank you,

Myron.

On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 19:45:42 GMT, "Myron Hanch"
wrote:

We are looking at choosing between Carnival Spirit/Legend Western or
Celebrity Milli/Constellation, or RCCL Adventure/Serenade OTS.
We were on the Mercury recently, found it to have good food and service,
but the ship's layout and features were not too exciting - we like to have
more show appeal like that of the Sea Princess. If anyone can give me
their views on those mentioned above in respect to food, service, atriums,
shops, etc. Also we are looking for unique itineries- have been on Western
and traditional Southern...

Thank you,

Myron.


Millie is more spectacular than Mercury -- the atrium has amber
colored marble (I think onyx actually) stairs lit from within, for
instance -- but is a bit more refined and less "pizazz" than
Adventure. Millie has more elegance, better service, more "gourmet"
dining experience. RCL has more athletic-type activities going on and
more emphasis on theatre shows.

So when you say "show appeal" I'd say Millie would have quite a bit
more than Mercury but less than RCL, which pretty much is #1 in the
world for "fun" interiors IMO.

The Spirit/Legend itineraries seem to be more basic. Both Millie and
Adventure class ships will at least do the Mediterranean and/or
Baltic.

Mason Barge

"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
-- Abraham Lincoln

I sailed on the Destiny when she was new and I thought she was a
beautiful ship. The food was terrible but I've read many good reports
about the food since then. Haven't been on the Glory but I would
definitely like to give this ship a try. I've been on the Sun, Grand,
and Golden Princess. Lovely ships. There is a recent thread on this
board about princess food. I suggest that you read it to get some
different perspectives.

Howard

Myron Hanch wrote:

I think I will take the Celebrity cruises off my list.
How about the Carnival Glory and Carnival Destiny's food, entertainment,
service
and staterooms ? If anyone can compare with RCCL, Princess, etc

Thank you.

Myron.


"Howard Garland" wrote in message
...

Wow, you are asking for a lot of information. I've been on the Spirit
and Legend. I've also been on the Millie (and the Mercury), the
Explorer (sister ship of the Adventure) and the inaugural of the
Serenade last month. Not sure what you mean by "exciting" and "show
appeal" but here is my take.

IMO, of all the ships you mention, the Spirit/Legend has the best food.
They also have fine service and great entertainment (music and
production shows), large, interesting atria, nice staterooms and good
shopping.

The RCCL mega ships, like the Adventure, are awsome ships, with a ton of
different things to do (rock climbing, ice-skating, etc.). Instead of
having an atrium, these ships provide a whole city block in their
centers. It is really awesome. The entertainment is as good as that on
the Spirit/Legend and the service is fine. The food is dernitely a notch
below the Spirit/Legend.

The Serenade is a beautiful, new ship, with lots of glass and lots of
pretty spaces to relax and hang out. The atrium is beautiful and there
is wonderful artwork spread around the ship. I found the production
shows to be as good as it gets. The service was fine and the food was
good but still not up to that provided on the Spirit/Legend.

The Millie is a more sedate kind of ship. There are some beautiful
spaces but I really did not care too much for the ships layout. I would
rate the entertainment below that of the Carnival and RCCL ships.
Service was excellent, perhaps even better than on Carnival and RCCL
ships, but the food was definitely not as good as that on the

Spirit/Legend.

I loved my cruise on the Mercury but I should mention that I found the
production shows on that particular ship to be far less professional
(especially with respect to sets and lighting) than that on any of the
ships discussed above.

I'm not one to shop on a ship so I really can't compare these ships on
that dimension.

Howard

Myron Hanch wrote:

We are looking at choosing between Carnival Spirit/Legend Western or
Celebrity Milli/Constellation, or RCCL Adventure/Serenade OTS.
We were on the Mercury recently, found it to have good food and service,
but the ship's layout and features were not too exciting - we like to

have

more show appeal like that of the Sea Princess. If anyone can give me
their views on those mentioned above in respect to food, service,

atriums,

shops, etc. Also we are looking for unique itineries- have been on

Western

and traditional Southern...

Thank you,

Myron.

To me, Celebrity and Princess are virtually identical, except for things
like personal choice dining. Overall ambiance, activities, cruise
experience, service and food quality are pretty much identical. If you
rule one out, you should rule the other out. If you include one,
include both. To me they're interchangeable.

Most people, including sources like Berlitz, Frommers, Fodors, etc. will
suggest, if you want better food, service and elegance, go with
Celebrity or Princess.

If you want action, "fun", more of an active experience, more hopping
discos, more active casinos, but at the expense of food and service, go
with RCCL or Carnival. Or even NCL.

Those are basically the niches that they've established. There may be
exceptions, based on some specific classes of ships, but that's pretty
much how the cruise lines are aligned. Some people may disagree, but
that's because we're all different, and like different things.

--Tom

Myron Hanch wrote:

I think I will take the Celebrity cruises off my list.
How about the Carnival Glory and Carnival Destiny's food, entertainment,
service
and staterooms ? If anyone can compare with RCCL, Princess, etc

Thank you.

Myron.

"Howard Garland" wrote in message
...
Wow, you are asking for a lot of information. I've been on the Spirit
and Legend. I've also been on the Millie (and the Mercury), the
Explorer (sister ship of the Adventure) and the inaugural of the
Serenade last month. Not sure what you mean by "exciting" and "show
appeal" but here is my take.

IMO, of all the ships you mention, the Spirit/Legend has the best food.
They also have fine service and great entertainment (music and
production shows), large, interesting atria, nice staterooms and good
shopping.

The RCCL mega ships, like the Adventure, are awsome ships, with a ton of
different things to do (rock climbing, ice-skating, etc.). Instead of
having an atrium, these ships provide a whole city block in their
centers. It is really awesome. The entertainment is as good as that on
the Spirit/Legend and the service is fine. The food is dernitely a notch
below the Spirit/Legend.

The Serenade is a beautiful, new ship, with lots of glass and lots of
pretty spaces to relax and hang out. The atrium is beautiful and there
is wonderful artwork spread around the ship. I found the production
shows to be as good as it gets. The service was fine and the food was
good but still not up to that provided on the Spirit/Legend.

The Millie is a more sedate kind of ship. There are some beautiful
spaces but I really did not care too much for the ships layout. I would
rate the entertainment below that of the Carnival and RCCL ships.
Service was excellent, perhaps even better than on Carnival and RCCL
ships, but the food was definitely not as good as that on the
Spirit/Legend.

I loved my cruise on the Mercury but I should mention that I found the
production shows on that particular ship to be far less professional
(especially with respect to sets and lighting) than that on any of the
ships discussed above.

I'm not one to shop on a ship so I really can't compare these ships on
that dimension.

Howard

Myron Hanch wrote:
We are looking at choosing between Carnival Spirit/Legend Western or
Celebrity Milli/Constellation, or RCCL Adventure/Serenade OTS.
We were on the Mercury recently, found it to have good food and service,
but the ship's layout and features were not too exciting - we like to
have
more show appeal like that of the Sea Princess. If anyone can give me
their views on those mentioned above in respect to food, service,
atriums,
shops, etc. Also we are looking for unique itineries- have been on
Western
and traditional Southern...

Thank you,

Myron.

On Sat, 20 Sep 2003 14:48:01 GMT, Tom & Linda
wrote:

To me, Celebrity and Princess are virtually identical, except for things
like personal choice dining. Overall ambiance, activities, cruise
experience, service and food quality are pretty much identical. If you
rule one out, you should rule the other out. If you include one,
include both. To me they're interchangeable.

Not me! Celebrity has more open deck space, better food, and that
fabulous thallasotherapy spa. Princess has more personal choice and
flexibility about eating.

Not to disagree too much, you are certainly correct that overall
ambiance and activities are quite similar. But interchangeable is
going too far


Mason Barge

"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
-- Abraham Lincoln

In article , Mason Barge
wrote:

Not me! Celebrity has more open deck space, better food, and that
fabulous thallasotherapy spa. Princess has more personal choice and
flexibility about eating.

I don't think Celebrity food is better. I rate them about equal. I
never noticed less open deck space on Princess than Celebrity. The
flexibility about eating is a big Princess plus. Another major plus and
one reason my next cruise is on Princess is that Celebrity has too many
dress up nights. My last Celebrity cruise had three formal nights and
three informal nights on an 11 day cruise. My next cruise, 10 days on
Princess just has two formal nights and no informal nights.

--
Charles

Answered inline:

"Tom & Linda" wrote in message
...
To me, Celebrity and Princess are virtually identical, except for things
like personal choice dining. Overall ambiance, activities, cruise
experience, service and food quality are pretty much identical. If you
rule one out, you should rule the other out. If you include one,
include both. To me they're interchangeable.

Having just one Celebrity cruise "under my belt", perhaps I should not
comment, but it was certainly not virtually identical to my six Princess
cruises. Ambiance and activities were entirely different, making it an
entirely different cruise experience. But as I said, it is comparing one
small ship, Zenith, to larger Princess cruises, except for the old Pacific
Princess which was spectacular in every way!


Most people, including sources like Berlitz, Frommers, Fodors, etc. will
suggest, if you want better food, service and elegance, go with
Celebrity or Princess.


They are going to have to update their information, as the food on the
Carnival spirit class is as good, if not better in some instances. ;-)
On last night's travel show on TV, they had rated the the NCL Star in Hawaii
as the cruise ship with the best food.


If you want action, "fun", more of an active experience, more hopping
discos, more active casinos, but at the expense of food and service, go
with RCCL or Carnival. Or even NCL.


The same show rated Carnival as the line with the most activities offered.


Those are basically the niches that they've established. There may be
exceptions, based on some specific classes of ships, but that's pretty
much how the cruise lines are aligned. Some people may disagree, but
that's because we're all different, and like different things.

That's very true.

--Jean

I would agree that there are some differences, but the person decided to
rule out Celebrity, based on certain criteria, and then asked about
Princess. I would think the same criteria would rule Princess out for
many people, since they are a similar product overall.

--Tom

Mason Barge wrote:

On Sat, 20 Sep 2003 14:48:01 GMT, Tom & Linda
wrote:

To me, Celebrity and Princess are virtually identical, except for things
like personal choice dining. Overall ambiance, activities, cruise
experience, service and food quality are pretty much identical. If you
rule one out, you should rule the other out. If you include one,
include both. To me they're interchangeable.

Not me! Celebrity has more open deck space, better food, and that
fabulous thallasotherapy spa. Princess has more personal choice and
flexibility about eating.

Not to disagree too much, you are certainly correct that overall
ambiance and activities are quite similar. But interchangeable is
going too far

Mason Barge

"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
-- Abraham Lincoln