Celebrity Cruises vs Silver Seas

[goldenhorn]

I did 5 or 6 cruises with Celebrity Cruises prior to the pandemic. I'm thinking of another cruise next year, but not sure I want to go back to Celebrity.

Someone on one of our cruises highly recommended Silver Seas. I understand Silver Seas is all-inclusive. For those who have cruised on both, what are the main differences you find between the two?

I think, generally, I'd want to do a cruise that is a bit smaller (fewer than 3,000 guests) and feels a little more exclusive and luxurious.

 

[n7of9]

It's like comparing a hatted restaurant to Maccas

 

[SYD]

It's like comparing a hatted restaurant to Maccas

No, not really. Maybe RCCL or God forbid - Carnival!

Celebrity has all manner of classes that can filter out the riff raff, starting at Aqua Class (and the seperate Blu dining and comp spa access). Suites are basically the “all inclusive” equivalent with private spaces that come close to a small ship experience on a large ship.

I did 5 or 6 cruises with Celebrity Cruises prior to the pandemic. I'm thinking of another cruise next year, but not sure I want to go back to Celebrity.

Someone on one of our cruises highly recommended Silver Seas. I understand Silver Seas is all-inclusive. For those who have cruised on both, what are the main differences you find between the two?

I think, generally, I'd want to do a cruise that is a bit smaller (fewer than 3,000 guests) and feels a little more exclusive and luxurious.

If you’re done a few cruises on CC, you must have quite a few nights towards status?

The beauty of the RCCL family is that there’s an auto Status Match between RCCL, Celebrity and Silversea. Each have their own loyalty program but which ever you have the highest status carries across to the others.

They’re also about to introduce the ability to direct sailings on one company to the other two (albeit at a slightly reduced rate).

Cut a long story short, consider the cruise you want to do (region / duration) and compare Silversea v Celebrity (Aqua Class or Suites) and go for the best value!

There are of course many other options that’ll happily take your money.

 

[odysseus]

I did 5 or 6 cruises with Celebrity Cruises prior to the pandemic. I'm thinking of another cruise next year, but not sure I want to go back to Celebrity.

Someone on one of our cruises highly recommended Silver Seas. I understand Silver Seas is all-inclusive. For those who have cruised on both, what are the main differences you find between the two?

I think, generally, I'd want to do a cruise that is a bit smaller (fewer than 3,000 guests) and feels a little more exclusive and luxurious.

All you've written above is correct.

Silverseas has smaller ships, meaning fewer pax, with better service and food. All cabins are suites so bigger than entry level on Celebrity - not sure what you sailed. Whereas if you sailed suites in Celebrity the difference wouldn't be as great. One thing is there's less differentiation on Silverseas; pax have the same experience unlike Celebrity where there's more segregation and benefit separation depending what cabin you're in. But being a smaller ship, casino is tiny, and entertainment is more limited than Celebrity. I actually liked that boarding is so much quicker than Celebrity where you go through the big security apparatus.

In short, Silverseas matches what you are looking for.

 

[goldenhorn]

If you’re done a few cruises on CC, you must have quite a few nights towards status?

Good question! I didn't know, as I haven't cruised since 2017, so I logged in and checked. I am Elite - not sure if that's worth much or can be status matched with SS cruises.

Celebrity has all manner of classes that can filter out the riff raff, starting at Aqua Class (and the seperate Blu dining and comp spa access). Suites are basically the “all inclusive” equivalent with private spaces that come close to a small ship experience on a large ship.

Yes, once we tried Aqua Class, we never wanted less than that. But friends we know did a Celebrity Cruise in Aqua Class in last 2 years and said it was an absolute disaster. Completely overcrowded, and the standards and food had slipped. There was nothing exclusive about it. They said they'd never do Celebrity again after their experience. I think the cruise was in Canada.

Silverseas has smaller ships, meaning fewer pax, with better service and food. All cabins are suites so bigger than entry level on Celebrity - not sure what you sailed. Whereas if you sailed suites in Celebrity the difference wouldn't be as great. One thing is there's less differentiation on Silverseas; pax have the same experience unlike Celebrity where there's more segregation and benefit separation depending what cabin you're in. But being a smaller ship, casino is tiny, and entertainment is more limited than Celebrity. I actually liked that boarding is so much quicker than Celebrity where you go through the big security apparatus.

In short, Silverseas matches what you are looking for.

Yes, everything you've said here is what I would want from a cruise! I don't care about entertainment or casinos - I find them both lame.

I recently saw a travel agent review Explora Journeys. Looked amazing, and a suite ensures free-flow Champagne throughout the cruise. The quote I got was USD$7,000 per person (that includes a 30% discount on at the moment until 30 April).

Check out the IG stories here for Explora. Looks amazing.

Explora I = @flylikelinz

See Instagram 'Explora I' highlights from Lindsay Smith (@flylikelinz)

www.instagram.com

EDIT: OH! I just noticed in the Celebrity portal that there was a one-click status match with SS. So I clicked it, and I now have 250VS.

 

[SYD]

Good question! I didn't know, as I haven't cruised since 2017, so I logged in and checked. I am Elite - not sure if that's worth much or can be status matched with SS cruises.

View attachment 503296

“Elite” Is good. A bunch of decent perks kick in there. Although, we’re Elite also now but some of the perks are redundant if you pre-purchase a drinks package, or book a suite class. The free laundry is useful on longer cruises.

It also matches to Silversea’s Venetian Society “250 VS DAYS”, BUT they’re about about to “enhance” their program and to keep 250 VS, you’d have to have sailed on them or possibly have just booked a cruise by June 2026. Otherwise, it’ll drop to 100 VS DAYS.

So timely you’re pondering it!

Some info here.

Thread 'SilverSea Venetian Society ‘enhancements’'

Yesterday at 4:48 AM

I’ve taken two cruises on SilverSea. Their Loyalty program is the Venetian Society.

Got an email today announcing some “enhancements“.

• RooFlyer
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Cruises

Yes, once we tried Aqua Class, we never wanted less than that. But friends we know did a Celebrity Cruise in Aqua Class in last 2 years and said it was an absolute disaster. Completely overcrowded, and the standards and food had slipped. There was nothing exclusive about it. They said they'd never do Celebrity again after their experience. I think the cruise was in Canada.

That’s a shame. We’ve done Aqua a few times - last was in Dec and it was fine. Possibly not as good as previous times several years ago. We’re about to head off again soon in Aqua class - hopefully ok.

I’m pondering whether to credit the upcoming cruise to Silversea or just keep accumulating points to CC and aim for Elite+.

 

[goldenhorn]

That’s a shame. We’ve done Aqua a few times - last was in Dec and it was fine. Possibly not as good as previous times several years ago. We’re about to head off again soon in Aqua class - hopefully ok.

Maybe they had an unlucky experience. Who knows? Where are you off to next cruise?

So timely you’re pondering it!

Sounds like it. So if I book a SS cruise before June 2026, I can hold onto my 250 VS?

 

[SYD]

Maybe they had an unlucky experience. Who knows? Where are you off to next cruise?

SYD to HNL (repositioning cruise).

Sounds like it. So if I book a SS cruise before June 2026, I can hold onto my 250 VS?

That’s what the website says at the link in the email that arrived this week.

Venetian Society Enhancements

Explore the elegant lifestyle of all-inclusive ultra-luxury cruising across 900+ fascinating destinations aboard Silversea intimate luxury cruise ships.

www.silversea.com

Crown & Anchor Society or Captain’s Club members who status matched to Venetian Society 100 VS Days or 250 VS Days.​

​

• If your tier from one of our sister lines placed you in our 100 or 250 VS Days and you have sailed or booked with us between May 30, 2024 and June 14, 2026 your VS Tier will remain the same.
• If your tier from one of our sister lines placed you in our 100 or 250 VS Days and you have not sailed or booked with us between May 30, 2024 and June 14, 2026 your VS Tier will change. You can lock in your current VS Status Match tier by booking a cruise with us before June 14, 2026.*

*Status Match guests with 100 VS Days or 250 VS Days will retain their current tier if they sail or book between May 30, 2024, and June 14, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. If the qualifying booking is cancelled, the higher tier will be forfeited and guest will be re-tiered according to the status match matrix taking effect on July 1, 2026.​

 

[goldenhorn]

Cut a long story short, consider the cruise you want to do (region / duration) and compare Silversea v Celebrity (Aqua Class or Suites) and go for the best value

After some brief research on some possible itineraries for June 2027, it looks like SS is significantly more expensive, quite often 80-100% more than CC.

I was looking at $4,000 to $5,000 per person, Aqua Class on CC, versus $8,000 to $9,000 per person on SS.

Have you cruised on SS? I'm curious to know if you have experienced both and if you think the value is there for the all-inclusive smaller boat.

 

[SYD]

After some brief research on some possible itineraries for June 2027, it looks like SS is significantly more expensive, quite often 80-100% more than CC.

I was looking at $4,000 to $5,000 per person, Aqua Class on CC, versus $8,000 to $9,000 per person on SS.

Have you cruised on SS? I'm curious to know if you have experienced both and if you think the value is there for the all-inclusive smaller boat.

They’re not cheap but you would need to compare Suites Class on Celebrity v Silversea for a more like for like comparison (putting aside the big v small physical size ship and the ensuing debate of what’s good / not good).

Unfortunately, I’ve not had a chance to try Silversea nor a Suite class on Celebrity. The latter, with exclusive access to the Retreat and Luminae restaurant is pitching as the Small ship luxury on a big ship.

@RooFlyer has done a couple of recent SS and currently on a Ponant cruise. I believe @drron has done several SS cruises. Pretty sure there are others here, although many here seem to divide themselves into “only small ship (never a big ship)” or “big ship” cruisers. So not sure if there are too many who can give recent comparison.

I’d be curious myself! I guess we could try and bid for a Suite upgrade but they’re starting at several thousand pp to upwards of $20k pp . Maybe next SYD season, I’ll look at short cruise and consider splashing out on a Suite and the hopefully get to compare that with a SS in due course.

 

[luxury-lizard]

We've done one Celebrity cruise (but like 10 years ago) - got an amazing deal on AKL-SYD (14 day round NZ -> Hobart -> Syd) in a large suite with all the extras - it was fine - we were amazing how well the large number of passengers were managed - never seemed to queue. We only ate in the speciality restaurants so did not have to endure the main dining room and/or buffets. We had little interest in the entertainment or casino. The art auction and watch sale events left us totally unimpressed.

All other cruises we've taken have been on smaller ships (usually expedition style) including Silversea. The most important differences are everything is more personalised, good dining options with no surcharge for speciality restaurants, all inclusive (beverages, room service, tipping). The smallest cabins are generally the size of a suite on larger ships so you need to compare like-to-like. One intangible is the majority of passengers tend to be "like-mined" people (particularly on expedition style cruises). Finally - if it matters to you, there are either no or few children.

 

[Pushka]

I don't like the infinite balcony concept on celebrity particularly with hot med cruises. Just think a balcony can do some shielding from the sun as opposed to what is just a window. Haven't tried the Edge class yet but we use the balcony. A lot, and that cut out won't cut it. Next cruise on Celebrity is next year in a suite guarantee. All the magic carpet suites had been sold so we were allocated a sky suite within a day of booking. Then one after is on Millenium in Aqua. Might try a move up bid or not. But this time we bought the drink and wifi package upgrade so maybe yes maybe no. I priced it on the US site and gosh they pay so much more than we do plus tips are included in Aus bookings.

 

[goldenhorn]

Finally - if it matters to you, there are either no or few children.

Yes, it REALLY matters that there are no or few children! Also enjoy like-minded ppl.

Outside of the CC space, we did one cruise in the Caribbean on a Royal Caribbean, and it really was a bit of a disaster. None of the guests were our people, and it was swarming with children. We couldn't wait to get off.

I think SS is my future. Just have to adjust price expectations, and I'm sure it will be amazing.

 

[SYD]

I don't like the infinite balcony concept on celebrity particularly with hot med cruises. Just think a balcony can do some shielding from the sun as opposed to what is just a window. Haven't tried the Edge class yet but we use the balcony. A lot, and that cut out won't cut it.

I thought the infinite balcony staterooms are only on Edge class? Where else did you have one?

We have one coming up. First time for us - guess we’ll see how it goes!

 

[Pushka]

I thought the infinite balcony staterooms are only on Edge class? Where else did you have one?

We have one coming up. First time for us - guess we’ll see how it goes!

Edge. Thought I typed that. I was thinking it.

Yes, it REALLY matters that there are no or few children! Also enjoy like-minded ppl.

Outside of the CC space, we did one cruise in the Caribbean on a Royal Caribbean, and it really was a bit of a disaster. None of the guests were our people, and it was swarming with children. We couldn't wait to get off.

I think SS is my future. Just have to adjust price expectations, and I'm sure it will be amazing.

Yes. This is why we love Viking. Although kids haven’t been an issue on others not travelling in school holidays.

 

[SYD]

Edge. Thought I typed that. I was thinking it.

You said you hadn’t tried the Edge class yet. . Must have been memorable!

Yes. This is why we love Viking. Although kids haven’t been an issue on others not travelling in school holidays.

Virgin Voyages is the other child / kids free zone. Shame they pulled out of Oz. There were rumours that they would return in 2027 but that was fake news apparently.

We’re hoping a long repositioning cruise outside school hols will also be light on kids!

 

[goldenhorn]

You said you hadn’t tried the Edge class yet. . Must have been memorable!

Virgin Voyages is the other child / kids free zone. Shame they pulled out of Oz. There were rumours that they would return in 2027 but that was fake news apparently.

We’re hoping a long repositioning cruise outside school hols will also be light on kids!

Yes, I'm also very keen to try Virgin Voyages at some point too. I thought they had a free-flow Champagne class, but I can't find it mentioned online anymore, so maybe they removed it. I only see "Shake for Champagne," which gives you a bottle of Moët for USD 105.

 

[Pushka]

You said you hadn’t tried the Edge class yet. . Must have been memorable!

Virgin Voyages is the other child / kids free zone. Shame they pulled out of Oz. There were rumours that they would return in 2027 but that was fake news apparently.

We’re hoping a long repositioning cruise outside school hols will also be light on kids!

The infinite balconies on Edge - you don’t need to bang your head on a wall to know it hurts to appreciate these don’t hold the balcony appeal which for me is part of cruising.