Celebrity or Renanissance
 

We are currently booked on Celebrity's Millenium for the Genoa/Genoa 12 day cruise 10/23/00, air additional. I just received a USAir special deal on Renaissance to Tahiti- 15 days includes air. I am wondering which way to go, it's our 25th anniversary, we are young 40's and either itinerary is fine with us. Since both cruises are expensive, I am wondering which cruise will end up being more expensive with extras. Help!

We took Ren to Tahiti last month-35th anniversary mid 50s. Positives-very romantic isles-no smoking-no kids-no formal nights -open seating--good food <BR>Negatives--very overpriced shore excursions--less than Broadwy level entertainment. <BR>On balence we loved the cruise.We spent about $1400 on shore excursions.We could have cut it almost in half by buying tours on the dock instead of through Ren. I think you are chosing between two excellent trips.Good luck

We did both Celebrity (Alaska) & Ren's R3 to Tahiti(returned 5/8). In French Polynesia we spent about $700 on excursions & saved plenty by booking them at the docks in their local currency. But you also have the option of paying almost nothing by taking advantage of the free island beaches & great water sports. I don't think the total cost should be your only deciding factor. French Polynesia can be intoxicating, the Tahitians are charming people & the Islands are truly beautiful. In addition you will appreciate the small & intimate size of the R3/R4. We spent our 25th Anniversay on Moorea 2 years ago & returned this year for a more extensive tour of the Islands. In my opinion, French Polynesia is probably the most romantic area in the world - perfect for a 25 Anniv.!

So much depends on what you're looking for. Both could be great. As far as the cruise line itself, I'd opt for Celebrity anyday....although I've recently heard that Ren.is trying to improve their "customer no service" image that is so well reported through out the years. Maybe they are improving?? The Millenium is a large ship so if you're looking for small and intimate, maybe you could try Ren. (only if you're non-smokers) but be cautious of anything promised to you.

Julie, Although not anniversary for us, we too have looked into the Mediterranean with Celebrity and Tahiti on Renaissance. We have sailed with Celebrity in the past and have been very happy. They are a great line. In fact, we did the Med. last year on the Century. We looked into Ren, and talked with a lot of people. We have heard some good things about peoples invividual trips, but to be honest, very little good things about Renaissance's customer service. We also know they are terrible when it comes to cancellations and they change and cancell on people without notice. We have decided to take the new Millenium with Celebrity. We feel why take a chance with an outfit that is rumored to be going out of business. We are however glad for those who have sailed with Ren and enjoyed their trip.

I just returned from my first Celebrity cruise yesterday (Century, eastern Caribbean) and am sold. While Renaissance, RCCL, Princess etc are good, I'm a Celebrity man now.

I'm curious as to how it's a USAir deal...Ren uses a Hawaiian Air charter from LAX to PPT. We took the R3 in mid-April...Cat C balcony cabin...$1499 pp. With that great price, we opted for the Business Class upgrade at $799 pp. The ship was nice and the food was very good. Don't waste $$ on bottled water (they try to push it on you) as the ship's water is fine. We did all of our own shore arrangements (we are SCUBA divers and went diving at most every port). Watch out for Ren's <BR>tipping "suggestions"...they're higher than most other lines (perhaps they don't pay their waitstaff enough???) And NOW they're charging a $5 pp cover charge for the alternative restaurants! Go to their web site www.renaissance.com and go through the Message Board entries for more pros and cons.

Ooops...sorry...I meant www.renaissancecruises.com for their website...

Julie, <BR> <BR>You're choosing from two wonderful itineraries, French Polynesia, is romantic, alluring and enchanting, while Europe is facinating, the ports are diverse and there's much history there. <BR> <BR>We've done both and I can't say we prefer one over the other, <BR>a European cruise is port intensive while Tahiti is more restful so it depends what type of vacation you're seeking. Sun and sea days equal Tahiti, whereas, sightseeing in a different country or city each day equals Europe. <BR> <BR>We've never sailed Ren and are quite hesitant to do so, (schedule changes, cancellations and poor customer service, although there are many happy cruisers out there). Did Polynesia on Princess, sailed Celebrity and others in Europe, we just returned from Scandinavia/Russia, our 20th cruise and we've never had a bad one but now we're <BR>anticipating a leisurely trip on a ship tto Hawaii. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

done them both. <BR>the R is a Frrd Escort and the Celbrity a Cadillac. Depends on what you wnat to pay. Tahiti si my favorite palce on earth but we are heading back to Europe again on land. I would do the R again as food quality and entertianment is not important to us. It is hard to beta Celebrity over all for the money.19 cruises and counting. Good luck

Ren. doesn't let you do your own air (which we had originally planned to do)We flew out of Miami and had to make 3 changes of planes just to get to Lisbon. The cruise itself was OK but we were a bit "soured" by the time we finally boarded. I'd opt for Celebrity or Holland America if I were you. My TA tried to warn me but finally (reluctanly) booked our Ren cruise...I should have listened to him! Amy

I definitely recommend Renaissance. They are tough to book right now so Celebrity is a good alternative.