We are relative neophytes in comparison to other cruisers with this being our 6th. I must say that our first experience on Celebrity was near perfect. The pluses are: 1. the personnel who are courteous, knowledgeable, available and kind (our cabin steward Danny was on his last trip of his contract and you would have though he was fresh onboard - amazing). 2. Dining in Cuvée was a strong A- with wonderful staff and slightly above average food. 3. The ease of navigating the ship (wonderful maps and floors that go all of the way from back to front). 4. While we at 50 were among the younger on the ship, our fellow passengers were kind, interesting and positive in their approach and conversations. 5. Star in the wine bar was absolutely amazing and incredibly knowledgeable and ready to share her experience and our drink package covered many of the wines by the glass (also, the $20 for the tour around the world one afternoon was quite a bargain and very entertaining. 6. The entertainment was the best that we have seen on a cruise ship. We love all types of music and appreciated running the gamut from Motown to Broadway. Loved the humor being injected and that the cast could display their personalities versus playing a "part" in every production.
Areas for improvement include: 1. The appetizers for the concierge class are very poor. Most need a cracker but none was offered all week nor was a fork. If you wanted to eat something, you had to balance it on the offered knife or eat it with your fingers which is fine for olives but for cheese spread and the likes it was impossible and unappetizing. (Just discontinue this or improve it.). 2. Leaving the ship was incredibly poorly planned. I am fine with waiting as long as it takes but waiting to get into line to leave and waiting to get into the line that gets into the line at customs is a little tiresome. The weather was lovely but if it hadn't been, the hour plus that we stood under a tarp could have been very uncomfortable then to only get inside the building and get in line to pick up your luggage and another line to go through customs (yes this last is necessary but the prior 3 are not). Again, it's not the amount of time that it takes to get 3000 people through customs. It is what appeared to be the complete lack of planning and direction. 3. Continual upsell at the spa for each treatment is a little much. The cost of the treatment is more than sufficient.
I would take this cruise again any day but would just wait on board until I was the last one off and would certainly forego the extra costs for Concierge level. See you soon Silhouette!
Cabin was just fine but I would not upgrade to Concierge. Just get a veranda and save the $. I should have headed the other reviews but alas... I will next time!!
Rained a torrential down pour the whole time we were there!
Took the water taxi to City Center ($7 round trip each). It was enjoyable but nothing special. Lots of jewelry shops and locals that are very interested in you seeing their goods :). (However, it was Thanksgiving Day so they were getting a jump on Christmas dollars being spent.)
Neutral. It was a cruise port.