This will be a first family cruise with Teenagers. I have nailed it down to either the Cel. Century or Radiance of Sea. We are looking for very good food. Any thoughts on which would be the best? They have similar itinerary for the dates I need to travel. Also is there much of a difference in where the cabins are located? I was thinking of getting 2 cabins one inside and one outside. What does the catagory really mean? Will one level higher really make a difference?

any help is greatly appreciated

I think it's a great idea to get one inside cabin; and an outside across the hall with a balcony. You can all share the balcony while keeping the cost down.

Researching and reading about cabin location it sounds like you pay more to be higher up even though it may be the exact same cabin. Since it is calmer midship and on lower decks, it would seem that it would be the opposite charging more to be LOW and midship.

Have sailed on both of these ships to the Caribbean. Radiance is a beautiful ship,but both are very good. My son and daughter went with me on Radiance of the Sea. At the time we went there were more young people on that particular ship,but also people of all ages more so than on the Century. Both have good food. I cannot say one was any better than the other as far as food was concerned. Both times I was on the 8th level. With son and daughter we had a balcony . Suggestion for one inside room and one with a balcony is a very good one as all could enjoy the balcony.

The teens would prefer the Radiance.

You would probably prefer the food on the Century.

Food and service on Celebrity is far superior to Royal Caribbean. You will not get "very good food" on Radiance.

FYI, I have cruised RCI 47 times and Celebrity 5x and am booked for Century for November. RCI is MUCH more family oriented, more casual and more energetic with very good entertainment and lots of options.

Teens will prefer ambiance and activities on Radiance. Century and Celebrity is more formal, traditional and low key.


Categories are based on location and type. Standard cabins are larger on Century but you should be fine in a Larger Outside Stateroom for the adult and a basic inside for the teens.

Both my children, 19 and 16 love the RCCL ships. They have been on four cruises beginning when my oldest was 4. Any time we think about using another cruise line the 'kids' really don't want to. We have never had a problem with the cruise line nor the food; however, if you want 5 star cuisine I would recommend always going to the formal dining room (I think RCCL is 4 star but you might want to check). My family just doesn't want to stop and take an hour or more for dinner so we hit the 'informal' dining room. Plus we hate 'dressing' up for dinner. Hope this helps. I have never been on a Celebrity cruise, though so I have nothing to compare.

Perhaps might this be Caribbean over a school vacation? Because we have looked at some of same options for us and one teenager.

If it is school vacation, the sheer number of kids and teens will be different, even on Celebrity which might normally have fewer kids.

When we have sailed with our 2 teens, just keep in mind they make you register one adult and one kid per cabin, but no one cares where anyone sleeps once you are on ship.