There was never a cruise we did not like but after 20 Celebrity cruises, 3 Viking, 2 Royal Caribbean we are eager to try something new. Our cruise was wonderful but it does get repetitive. Since they started to focus on exclusive dining venues, I feel that they have neglected the main dining room, it is always the same menu from cruise to cruise, we can predict what we will have beforehand, Time for a change, it is not that good anymore !!
The ship was in wonderful shape, looks brand new, our inside cabin was fabulous and comfortable. Our best meal was at the Silk Harvest and we especially enjoyed the Elite breakfast at the Tuscan Grill, classy and quiet. The shows were excellent especially the guest entertainers, a special mention for Ryan Joyce, the magician-hypnotist, he is fabulous. The cruise director, Ken Mills was annoying, always repeating the same thing, no warmth. He was just okay but not to the level of the great ones such as Sue Denning, Dru Pavlov or Alejandro. The service was very good, not excellent. The Captain and his officers were excellent, very present and very involved and made up for the cruise director.
The itinerary was excellent. We stayed a few days in Auckland before embarkation at the Grand Millenium Hotel. an excellent value. We visited the Albert Park, the Sky Tower, the zoo, the wharfs and hiked on the volcano of Rangitoto Island.. The hotel staff sent us to the Elliott stables where we found an excellent variety of dining venues at reasonable prices.
excellent, the attendant was the best !