This was not our first cruise. Far from it in fact. My wife and I picked this Celebrity cruise to Greece and Turkey as we had not been to either place. We cruise to see things, relax and for the convenience of the restaurant on board. Overall, the trip was good. The ship is big and has all the amenities that most cruise ships have these days. The food and cabin were OK. I have several criticisms that not only Celebrity should read but all other cruise lines as they are equally guilty of these faults. One thing I will say that Celebrity excels at...shore excursions. Not the quality of the trips themselves, but in the way that they are organized. Most lines just pull up to the dock and let everyone push off. Celebrity gathered us in the theater and discharged us in groups before other passengers were allowed to disembark. Other cruise lines...take note.

1. I am very tired of the lines' "hands out policy". This has nothing to do with tips, but with the constant effort to pry us from our money. After spending 10 grand for tickets and airline flights, I am in no mood to shop at their "boutiques", ( with a lot of overpriced stuff) get special deals on drinks, $25 pix taken of us at every opportunity and plenty of other efforts such as specialty restaurants.

2. About tipping. Tipping is a personal thing and should never be included in your ticket price. I do not mind keeping some cash on hand for our cabin stewards, waiter, bus service and som. Tipping is for good service. I don't know how anyone knows for certain that their employees give good service all of the time. Leave the tipping to me, guys. Read more