We are not new to cruising, this being our 33rd cruise since 1978 and I have to say with the exception of a couple of minor glitches, it will be known as the best cruise we have ever taken. This is the first review I’ve ever written. We flew to Rome, spent 3 days before boarding. (We booked the hotel and choice air thru the cruise line and everything went perfect.) The 1st day in Rome, we went to Vatican City. Took small private tours thru Celebrity, for all our Rome tours, to tour the Vatican, you do need a ticket, and if you don't book a tour you will stand in line for 2 to 3 hours. All I can say about the Vatican, St Peters Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel, is that it was breathtaking! I just can't express the emotions we felt. We also toured the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum. Which were very impressive. The Crown Plaza hotel, was okay, but for the cost, we've stayed in better. I did not consider it a 4 star....more like a Holiday Inn, It was also NOT with in walking distance of anything as was advertised. But the restaurant was fantastic and reasonably priced. On the 24th we boarded the ship and were thrilled to see how large our cabin was. We were able to get a 2 room FV aft cabin for the 2 of us. It was wonderful!

We had the best Captain ever. Captain Tasos Kafetzis, and we will be sure to sail with him again. along with JC, our cruise director and Mark, activities director, whose specialty was watching for icebergs! One of our favorite restaurants on the ship is Bistro on 5, this is where we head as soon as we board It is delicious plus no standing in line. This is the only specialty restaurant we go to, the food in the main dining Room is wonderful. The only problem was, the lack of veggies, but we just asked for them.

On the 25th, we toured the Leaning tower of Pisa; As interesting as the leaning tower was, seeing the Alps in the background, a very beautiful sight. Read more