We were a group of four couples, all very experienced cruisers. Two of the couples are elite on Celebrity, all of the couples are elite on Princess. This was a reunion cruise for the four couples and highly anticipated by all.

There were many things right about this cruise--most of the staff, the dining room maitre d'h and waitstaff, the Quisine waitstaff and the cabin stewards impressed us all. The buffet staff was inexperienced, actually surly in one isolated incidence, rarely offered to go above and beyond and just generally appeared untrained. Entertainment was quite good and the NASA speakers were excellent.

The tendering however was a nightmare. This Canada/NE trip required tendering in Bar Harbor, Sydney NS, and Gaspe. We did not go into Gaspe, but did tender in the other two ports. Because we were with elites, we were able to go on the priority tenders. Even these tenders were not called for over 1 hour. We heard numerous complaints of three hour waits and missed tours. In Bar Harbor Celebrity apparently uses the tenders to tender in the lobsters for dinner, leaving the passengers waiting while lobsters got top priority. Seriously?? And trust me, the lobster may have been fresh when it got on the ship, but it was dry and overcooked when served. Read more