We had previously sailed with Royal Caribbean and wanted to experience Celebrity's 5 star rating. Embarkation was very smooth and we were presented with a glass of champagne on boarding. Initial impressions were of a ship offering a restrained style of decor and lacking the atmosphere and heart that was immediately apparent on Jewel of the Seas. We sat in the atrium on deck 3 and the area outside Quasar and Celebrity Central while waiting for access to our stateroom; everything seemed a little impersonal somehow.

We were pleased with our stateroom on deck 9. The balcony was a must for the fjords and the bathroom was good; nice shower and plenty of storage. It's a shame the same could not be said of the cabin. There were too few drawers. Tea and coffee making tray was a welcome touch. However, when we stepped on to the balcony, we were met by a pair of ladies knickers lying on the floor next to the table; after a phone call to guest relations an embarrassed room attendant hurried in muttering apologies. He thought they might have been washed along the balconies when they were being hosed down. But they shouldn't have been there in the first place!

We were disappointed to find that there was no sailaway on the pier; onboard music yes, but nothing else. This was a feature of the entire cruise; we arrived and departed like a huge long distance coach. Read more