My husband and I are planning a cruise in January. I'm trying to decide between the RCCL Rhapsody out of Galveston or the Celebrity Mercury out of Miami. We live in Texas so we would save on airfare going on the Rhapsody. However, this is my husband's first cruise and a milestone birthday celebration for him so I don't mind paying for airfare if the ship, service, and cruise experience on the Mercury are worth the extra bucks.<BR><BR>Thanks!

Have been on the Mercury. Have not been on the Rhapsody, but have been on Legend of the Seas which I think is a sister ship. I would recommend the Mercury. It is a great ship. I would rate it above the Legend class vessels. Really scout around for pricing, you can get significant variations in price quotes both from TA's and from the web.

Hi Sandra,<BR><BR>I have sailed both ships and I would say Mercury, hands down.<BR><BR>Paul

All I can say is, how good can the Mercury be!? We were on the Rhapsody in May and thought it was the best cruise we'd been on! (Our 4th, the others being Carnival and NCL). The food was very good and the entertainment first class. I wish I could remember their names..there was a ventriloquist, Jay___ who appeared on SOAP, a first-rate magic act, a Las Vegas club singer who did take-offs of a couple of famous singers and told some jokes and, afterwards, made my husband and I remind ourselves that some mighty talented people don't make it to the top, a TV comedian who had us rolling except for his x-rated midnight show, which we sat through wishing we'd gone to bed. (We are no prudes, but that kind of comedy isn't our bag). Then there was the ship's troupe of entertainers..very good too. Our room steward and waitress were top-notch and very, very nice. Our cabin, though inside on the upper-most cabin deck, always seemed secluded, mainly (I guess)because there just aren't as many cabins up there! (yes, they were all occupied) and at no time did we hear as much as a pin drop! The only time the ship felt crowded to us was the night they had the late-night deck buffet. For what it's worth, that is our Rhapsody experience! <BR><BR>Oops, I forgot! I think it was beautiful ship..the nicest so far. <BR>

Haven't sailed the Mercury but have sailed Rhapsody. She is not a sister ship to the Legend; she is of the next generation RCCL ships and is bigger than the Mercury. We would rate her the third best ship we've been on out of twelve ships. We have sailed Celebrity and would rate them better for service and food and RCCL better for ship's quality and condition and entertainment.

The Rhapsody is SLIGHTLY larger (less than 1000 grt), but carries 200 more pax at capacity, has a higher crew/pax ratio and lower pax/space ratio. Give Celebrity the edge on food and service, and RCI on entertainment and decor (IMO). Overall quality and ambience to Celebrity.<BR><BR>Regards...Bob

Bob - I didn't realize we were trying to be so precise - but you're right, gross tonnage is pretty close - but you're dead wrong about passengers at full capacity - the Rhapsody will carry 565 more passengers than the Mercury.

Sorry Pete, but I respectfully disagree with your numbers. The Rhapsody holds 2014 dbl. occ. while the Mercury holds 1870. At full capacity, the Rhapsody holds 2435 vs. 2209 for the Mercury. Both ships are excellent!<BR><BR>Regards...Bob

Thank you, Gentlemen and Elaine, for your reponses. It sounds like a 50/50 split.<BR><BR>I have another question. I hear that Celebrity is an upscale line and it's necessary to dress up every night for dinner. True? My hubby and I like nice, elegant things (and good food!) but we're also a pretty laid-back couple. Thanks again!

I didn't see anything spectacular on the Rhapsody. Now the Radiance, that's a ship. <BR><BR>The Mercury has the country-club feel. The ambiance is over and above the Rhapsody. Although it is a dressier ship than the Rhapsody and formal nights will find everyone dressed fairly elegantly, the other nights one does not have to dress to the nines. Nice casual will do fine.<BR><BR>I still beleive for your husband's milestone bithday celebration you should not treat him to a mass-market cruise line such as RCCL.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul,<BR><BR>So you would so something better than RCCL, with the exception of the Radiance? Also, do you have any input on the Grand Princess or Golden Princess? I found a good deal on the Grand w/a western Caribbean itinerary, and not-so-good deal on the Golden w/an eastern itinerary.<BR><BR>Thanks, again!

We sailed the Radiance this summer. It was the worst food and service I have encountered on a ship. Many at our table sent their food back several nights because it was cold or wrong. Buffet food was cold when it was supposed to be warm. Sure the ship was pretty but I wouldn't sail her again. The ship also felt very crowded. We were in Alaska and people avoided the pools so people were everywhere else.<BR><BR>I loved the Grand and Golden. Service and food were excellent!

The Radiance and Brilliance have the worst passenger to crew ratio in the industry, at more than 3:1. A lot of folks have noticed this, and complained of lack of service, lines, etc. <BR><BR>That being said, they are beautiful ships.

Here goes..<BR>I've never found fault (as some) with any of Paul's advice, but knowing he is such a big fan of Carnival's (is this the same Paul?) I wonder why he is so 'anti' RCCL when - having sailed both - I think RCCL is a step above. And not having sailed Princess or Celebrity, I can offer no opinion of either. I will say, though, that my TA who has been on every ship afloat speaks very highly of both. <BR><BR>We have flown many times so I'm not adverse to getting on an airplane, but have tried to pick cruises we can drive to and park. So far that has meant NO, Galveston and Houston. I will skip a little ambiance to avoid the added head-aches of flying today and transferring going and coming and the additional cost..etc..but to each his own.<BR><BR>Sandra, whatever you decide, I'm sure you will have a good time. Out of curiosity, post your final decision!<BR>

It is a known fact that RCCL food is no where near what it was years ago.<BR><BR>There is no difference in the passenger profile on either Carnival or RCCL. They are both mass-market cruise lines with average service. Average means you just may get a waiter or cabin steward that is not up to par. This is why there is a Hotel Manager and Maitre d' to complain to. They are both family value cruise lines. I didn't mention the cruise experience on the Rhapsody or the Radiance. It is a fact that the artwork and decor of the Radiance is spectacular.<BR><BR>I sailed both the Grand and Golden Princess and although some say they are so big they are overwhelming, I think they are the most beautiful ships in the world. Spend some time on deck after midnight and it is like you have gone to heaven. <BR><BR>I do not think there is anything seriously wrong with the Rhapsody, by no means, I just believe a Celebrity experience is better. Most people agree with me.<BR><BR>Paul

Theresa and CG...Thanks for the info on the Radiance. Bad service, food, and space ratio doesn't make for a good trip not matter how beautiful the ship is.<BR><BR>Elaine...You make a good point about driving v flying. But I had another thought - I wonder how many days, if any, of cold weather we would encouner leaving and returning to Galveston? Whichever we decide, I'll be sure to post my final decision. <BR><BR>Paul...Thanks for your input as well. My budget says Rhapsody, my heart says Century or Princess. I'm rarely up after midnight, but if we go Golden or Grand, I'll make it a point to be!<BR>

Hi Sandra,<BR><BR>Most people go with their budget. That is why mass-market ships are so popular. The way I look at it, a cruise is a cruise is a cruise. One can overlook the small negatives.<BR><BR>Have a safe and wonderful trip.<BR><BR>Paul

I completely disagree with Paul on this one.<BR><BR>When you invest in anything, go with your heart instead of your purse. It is your heart which determines your enjoyment. <BR><BR>I do not subscribe to Paul's idea of &quot;ain't it just wonderful to be at sea.&quot; You should do what your heart tells you, or wait until you can follow your heart.

I'm very happy for Lew, for whom money is no object.<BR>The rest of us have to look at our budget and make the best choice out there based on what we can afford. I really don't want to be paying next year for this years cruise! And I don't want to not go at all so that I can 'save up' for a perfect cruise which might not be anyway!!<BR><BR>But back to Sandra's last question, the weather. I don't really know how much good weather is lost on either end of a cruise that leaves from a little further north. I don't think much since it leaves in the late afternoon and gets back to port early in the morning a week later. It would seem that that territory would be covered during hours when it wouldn't matter.<BR><BR>We sail on the Grandeur on December 14th. Seven of us. Neither flu, nor terrorism, nor gloom of night shall keep us from having a wonderful time. (Oh, oh, sounds like I Need a vacation!) <BR>This will be our second RC sailing and we hope it compares to our trip on the Rhapsody.

There's not any doubt in my mind that the Mercury will be superior! Have sailed over 15 times, including HAL, Princess, Celebrity, and RCCL, and although all were great really, Celebrity is a definite notch above. Moreover, most cruiselines have one or two formal evenings and certain dress codes, but we didn't mind and in fact enjoyed getting dressed-up for dinner!<BR><BR>No matter which cruiseship you choose though, I expect you will enjoy.