First cruise, we are very familiar with the industry and wanted to choose the exact ship and itinerary to provide a quieter, elegant, non intrusive experience with port calls that were off the usual path. Not a party ship or a floating nursing facility, rather a mix of active, curious people and good shore information. The Quest was the perfect choice; about eight couples from our state went along on the Panama Canal and South/Central America/Mexico trip. Four of us originally booked last June, as individuals through Celebrity Cruises, but as more people heard about the trip we became a "group." Flew independently to Miami and stayed in South Beach at the Fountainbleu.
Embarkation: Simple and quick, the ship was on a smaller dock - easy to find. Restaurant staff set up a table by registration to take dinner reservations for the first night which worked well. We were in our stateroom immediately upon boarding. Sky Suite was lovely, comfortable bed and nice linens, good closet arrangements, veranda was fine with easy-drying table and chairs that fit the climate. Beautiful Hermes scarves framed in the staterooms for color splash. Lots of wood, befitting a well appointed vessel. The butler, Avalon, introduced himself and went about his quiet, efficient ways for the remainder of the voyage. After reading previous reviews of the Quest before our trip I wasn't sure what to expect regarding service personnel. Our group agreed that the four different butlers that worked with our various suites did a wonderful job - hors d'oeuvre, ice and lemons during cocktail hour without asking after first evening, always there if needed, etc. One evening after a shore ex I saw Avalon standing in the hall and asked if he was able to get some rest during the day (they seem to be active from 0600 to late at night.) He smiled and said he was "waiting for his guests."
Eating: Aqualina and Prime C restaurants, nice fine dining, veal Osso Buco and tiny donut holes dipped fondue style in chocolate were outstanding. Diverse wine list never failed. For breakfast, usually had coffee, muffin and berries on our veranda early with room service, picked up a fruit smoothie at the health bar around nine and headed for the pool chairs. Lunch at Windows buffet and ate on the aft Sunset deck outside. Good bar too, nice barkeepers from New Zealand and Croatia. For dinner we ate at the above specialty restaurants or Discoveries. We never had to wait for a seat, no matter how many in our party (two to fourteen people). The soups on the Quest are outstanding every time. Stir Fry bar near buffet is best kept secret on the ship - made fresh in front of you, anything you want in your dish.