My wife and I have had many cruises over the past 10 years with other lines. We found out early on that this type of holiday suits us. Last year, my wifes brother and his wife came with us (P & O) they enjoyed it again seemed to have developed into 'cruisers'. Having spent hours on the internet and calling in at our local agent trying to book for 2008 we were running out of time. Then our agent (Coop Travel) sent us an invite to attend a 'special weekend' in Meadowhall, so off we went. On our selected cruise lines we had no luck at all, nothing fitted in regarding dates. Then the agent looking after us found one!!!. Right dates, acceptable ports, only reservations I had was the fact that we would have to fly to Venice. Having spent many years flying while at work, I like a UK departure, weight of bags, not a problem. Anyway, we were offered two cabins with balcony, next to each other on 9 deck, price was a little more than we wanted to pay but hey, this was Celebrity!!!! so we booked it. I should have known what lay ahead, as the little booklet you get with your 'E' ticket and cruise information not only had our tickets, but someone elses as well. In trying to do 'the decent thing' I called them and was told, don't worry, it will sort itself out ? ,customer first Hmmmmmm. We were due to fly out to Venice from LHR, so we spent the night before in a hotel at the airport. Flight was on time, scheduled with BMI, we landed and were 'escorted' to the coach having retrieved our suitcases. We boarded without any problems, and then shown to our cabins (or as our colonial friends call them 'Staterooms'). It seemed fitting that we were on the 'Summit' because it all went downhill from there on. The cabins were fine, however one look at the minibar price list was enough, none of us are hard drinkers, but we do enjoy a G & T in the evening on our balcony. So, off we went for a look round and to take note of where things were situated. The following day we had booked tours, not cheap but hey ho, were on holiday. The ship sailed out of port on route to Dubrovnik, so while at sea (as most of us know) the shops open, they had all sorts of offers in the wines and spirit's, only problem is....if you buy you can't have it for your cabin, company rules. Yes, I know it's all been said many times, but this does get me going, it can't be anything to do with drinking in your cabin, you could (if you can afford it) get out of your head and when you have consumed all the original stock, they will come along and fill up your minibar again. Anyway, we arrived in Croatia, very nice place it is too. The ships 'tour' guide gave us all the information you could want, only problem was most of it was wrong. We were told the only currency they would take was their own, but don't worry, on the dockside you have a place to change currency. You would need your passport, perhaps some other form of ID. The exchange was NOT on the dockside, I found it on the main road, and they did not need my passport or anything else. I found that in general the communication on board was 'pathetic', no information was given as to where we were, weather forecast or anything else for the first week. When I did ask about it they said, oh we don't want to disturb people, they don't mind disturbing people when they want to sell something. Next port of call was Athens, been many times but well worth the stop, then Turkey for two days. On to Naples, I suppose the ship has to dock somewhere so you can visit ancient sites !!!. Onto Civi. and Rome, we bought a tour called 'Rome on your Own' not cheap, dropped us of at the Vatican, picked us up same place 5 hrs later. Next port allowed us to go to Florence, and we went on a tour to Luca. Then onto south of France, as we had been before, it was decided between us all to use local transport to Monaco. We contacted the ships 'tour' desk (for want of a better description) who on the surface seemed only too pleased to help, they provided us with a complete list of bus and train timetables. So, off we set, in search of adventure and a train. I know where the station is, and after being tendered in made our way to it. Armed with my timetable, I went to the ticket desk, and in my best French bought four return tickets to Monaco. The timetable from the ship said 10 euro return, it was actually only 5 euro, (they must have got confused and added the Celebrity fee) the first train was due in 10 minutes, stand by everyone here it comes....and there it went, never stopped. Going back into the office I found out that not all trains stop for Monaco, the next one would not be for 50 minutes. Of course the same applies for your return, only thing you need to remember is that the ship won't wait and that left us about 2 hours in Monaco in order to be sure to get back for last tender. And now for my biggest critical point, it is about 280 nautical miles from Villefranche to Barcelona, the ship can make up around 20 knts / hr. we left France at around 20.00 hrs on Thursday to arrive in Barcelona for 08.00 on Saturday. At times we were only making about 3 or 4 knts, why could we not have remained in France or docked in Barcelona on Friday. I asked the question and was told that Spain costs too much to dock. Then again, if your ashore your not spending are you, at least not with Celebrity !!!! I know this sounds all moaning, and to be fair, the cabin stewards were superb, as was the waiter, the food was in my opinion 3 star (not 5) many of dishes lacked that 'a bit special' feeling one is used to on a cruise. I asked for cheese and biscuits after a fairly poor dinner, and was brought three crackers and some 'plastic cheese' the overall experience is one I will not be repeating. I think my wife got it about right, the ship had 'no soul', just a floating money pit.