I'm back in the good ol' USA and back on my diet so I guess it must be time to write my cruise review!
A bit about me: I'm a divorced mom of 2 grown sons, road warrior by profession, who just loves to travel even on my vacations. I've done a number of cruises with my family but this was my second-ever solo cruise, and my second-ever transatlantic. My first solo cruise was a westbound transatlantic last fall on the Constellation. I'm pretty boring on my cruises--I like to rest, eat good food and drink good coffee, read, relax on my balcony, and listen to interesting speakers and good music while on the ship. Celebrity allows me to do all of these things in great comfort and style. Also, I'm a cheapskate--hence my forum name--and I HATE paying any more than absolutely necessary for anything.
Since I live in Florida now and only need a 1-way flight for a transatlantic cruise, I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out the best transport options to and from the cruise. I ended up driving to a nearby airport, parking in long-term parking and then renting a car and driving to Ft. Lauderdale in it. I chose a rental company that had a free shuttle to the port, and one-way rentals don't have an extra drop-off fee in Florida like they do in most places. Then I flew back to my local airport from London at the end of the trip. For what I spent on the parking and the car rental, I could have probably spent a night at a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale that offered free cruise parking and a free shuttle to the port...but then I would have had to make the 4 hour drive home from Ft. Lauderdale after my flight instead of the 1 hour 20 minute drive home from my nearby airport. So I think I made the right choice and would do that again given the flight arrival timing.
Huge balcony, close to elevators but quiet. Great cabin.