Over the last five years I have been on five cruises. In that time I have come to read Cruise Critic's boards to check out where I might head next. I have yet to post a review. So I figure I owe it one and here it is.
History; Having been on five cruises over the last five years, all on different cruise lines (the top 5 = Princess, Carnival, Holland America, Royal Caribbean), Celebrity was the last of the lot.We chose the ship by its route/ports and not by the reviews, age of the ship or services provided on board. Having been on 4 cruises, we have been to many of the ports of call in the east and west Caribbean and looked forward to seeing the sunny south.
Booking; We booked our cruise though a local CAA (AAA in the USA) travel agent. I like the security and expertise of having a veteran on your side. That said, I did compare the price to that online/self booking and found little difference. I would consider going directly through the cruise line in the future as equally as going through an agent again. I guess it will come down to price and my confidence with the cruise company and my ability to hit the right buttons on the computer. Using credit card to book might provide me with that extra security I feel using a Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) approved agency.We booked a balcony cabin(6069-2C), with flight for three. I travel with three very close, family like, friends(aged 40ish). We can share a close space and they can put up with my snoring...for the most part. The fact is you spend so little time in your room. The balcony provides a private get-away and I would highly recommend it. The cabin for three cost $899 each, the flight cost $799 each. We are "educators" so our travel dates are fixed to the school holidays. In Toronto this means "peak" season and the need to book extra early to get what you want.
Cabin; Our cabin was #6069-2C. It was a outside, balcony and convertible to three beds. The room appeared in good shape and perhaps had been recently remodeled. The bathroom was small, but no smaller than what we had experienced in the past. It was as clean and well laid out as any we had been in. Our room steward team (Edwin and Simpson) where always in the hallway or cabin down the way if we needed anything. We did make some request of them and they obliged. I would say of all the cruises I have been on they where effective, efficient, but certainly not personable. I don't need them to wait on me hand over foot. I was happy that we needed little interaction. But in comparison with other room stewards, I knew little about them in the end. Which was fine, but also prevented us from feeling a personal connection to them or the need to recognize them with an additional tip beyond the standard deduction. I would recommend the balcony. Even if you end up spending little time out there. The time you do spend, in port or at night just before bed, is a peaceful and worthwhile expense. We opted for the sofa to be unfolded and stay as a bed for the majority of the cruise. The other option was a pull down above the two singles. We had experienced the pull down last year and I was not happy be suspended (300lbs) above two other, unsuspected sleeping cabin mates. Edwin did add the mattress from the pull down to the sofa bed at my request, which made the sofa bed a much more enjoyable lateral sleeping location for 7 nights.