Celebrity v P&O (Cruising)

amc1

Looking at cruising this summer. Anyone have any views on the above ? Family traveller ages are 16, 19, 41, 47. Thanks for your comments.

PeacefulWaters

I've never been unhappy with P&O. On board charging in sterling, with reasonable bar prices was appreciated. Always traveled as a family with similar ages to yours.

But I've never used another cruise line so can't give you the comparison.

lcbjcomc

Have travelled with both. Been with P&O 3 times and thought there was no other cruise line that compared to them until we travelled with Celebrity last year.

We feel Celebrity are a far superior cruise line, the service and attention to detail is much better. The only gripe would be that the cost of the drink are more expensive but if you can deal with that then I would highly recommend Celebrity.

Archergirl

I would choose the itineary before the cruise line. We tend not to spend much time on the ship.

daveyjp

Been with both companies and Princess. All ships within each company are different so comparing companies is only half the story.

All are very similar and itinerary came above the company for us.

As a ship Celebrity Eclipse was much better than Ventura and Grand Princess, far more space per passenger and better bars. Celebrity daytime activities were also much more varied.

P&O drinks generally cheaper, but not in all cases.

RADDERS

Looking at the ages of the children, have you considered Royal Caribbean, Independence of the seas is out of Southampton. We have done P&O, Celebrity, Princess and Royal Caribbean. They all have pros and cons but for children of that age I would go with Royal Caribbean. As other posters say American lines tend to have slightly dearer drinks but they tend not to use measures for spirits so are larger. Beware of the tips as well as for a family of 4 can work out expensive as some now do not allow to opt out.
Hope that helps Radders

gingernm

I'm another that would highly recommend Royal Caribbean for the ages in your family.

Been on 1 P&O cruise and 7 Royal. Personally I'd never go P&O again.

Free activities available with Royal are superb, ice-skating, wall climbing, flowrider(Indy), youngsters have their own chill out areas and bars. Your teens will be very well catered for. Flowrider is my family's favourite, enough to have found a place in Bedford that has one to have a go one for a fee.

Celebrity is part of the Royal Caribbean family, however (in my opinion) more aimed at couples than families.

Depending on when you are looking to cruise, Royal will be basing a new ship, Anthem of the seas in Southampton in 2015 replacing Indy which not return after 2014 season. Adventure of the seas is also based in Southampton, not being as big as Indy it does not have the flowrider. Other ships UK based are Brilliance out of Harwich. Oasis will be paying a visit in 2014, and Allure 2015 during their refit programs.

Anthem, is the all singing, all dancing ship with dogems onboard, skydiving and the "pod" bit like a capsule off the london eye attached to an arm which will offer superb views.

As others have said, P&O alcohol prices are the lowest, around same price you'd pay in a UK bar. Royal charge in $ and on conversion are around 1.5 times uk prices.

Have a look at cruise critic, loads of info, reviews etc on there.

Which ever you choose, you'll have a great time.

Rob.

Ger-onimo

We've been with P&O for the last 10 years but tried Celebrity for the first time last year and doubt we'll go with P&O again. If you haven't cruised with P&O before, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. However, if you have and then try Celebrity, you'll appreciate that everything is just that little bit slicker. Service and attention to detail are first class and the food was fantastic. Also I felt that the level of cleanliness and hygiene (no shortage of hand gels & staff actually holding the gels rather than assuming that people will do it themselves) was a step above that on P&O.

getmore4less

Make sure you price up properly and check prices booking through the US, often cheaper.

Consider cabin options carefully 4pax in a cabin can be tight 2 cheaper cabins or one decent one with a cheap one close by can be a much better option(extra bathroom).

If the 19yo drinks check the drinking policies of any US company.
(I know P&O is US company but operates as a UK one)

Agree with the others RCI might be worth a look.

two good cruise forums.

cruisecritic.com
cruises.co.uk