This was our first time cruising. We were most impressed with Celebrity as a cruise line; and The Century as a ship. We arrived at the port at Barcelona at 11am. We immediately got thru' the embarkation process and we were on the ship within 20 minutes to be greeted with a glass of champagne. We were able to use all teh facilities, and get to our state room by 1pm. All the crew onboard The Century were polite and courteous at all times. If there is any criticism to make it is only that they were a little too quick (expecially in the Islands Cafe Area) to take away your plate and your tray........sometimes before you had even finished eating from it! Also, by the end of the week, we had become a little put off by being asked if we wanted to buy a cocktail every five minutes. This happened the most when you sat out by the pool, or in the Theatre during the entertainment. But, apart from that, we were very happy. Our cabin (an inside cabin on the 8th deck) was clean, well laid out, and we had no faults at all with the shower, basin or toilet (I did hear that someone else on our floor had a toilet that just stopped working within a day or so....but this was rectified quickly by the staff). The food was plentiful. The staff in the main dining room were very helkpful and friendly. Our Head Waiter was Raymond on table 608, and he was very good, assisted by Alex. We were on a table of 10. To begin with we'd worried about what our fellow dinner companions would be like. We needn't have worried. We all had a great time, and we have met some friends who will certainly keep in touch with. We did eat one day in the Murano restaurant having read some great reviews on this site before we travelled. The ambience in the restaurant was terrific, and the staff were very attentive and helpful....but I must admit I didn't think the food was that much better than we'd had in the normal (price-included) restaurant. the entertainment was good. The professional singers and dancers tried very very hard. There were three separate shows during the week; so many dances routines to learn, songs to learn, and many many costume changes. The shore excursions we went ed on were for Cannes (by tender from the ship), Florence and Rome. My only gripe here was that we specifically booked the Panoramic Florence trip as were told we would still get to see most of the sights, but with little walking. In reality, we were first dropped off for 30 minutes at a leather outlet on the way to Florence. Then upon arrival, and after aw whistle-stop photo opportunity to take a picture of the city from a great view point, we were literally abandoned for 1 hr 30 minutes outside one of the main shops. Nowhere near any of the main sights- not being told how to ge to any of the main sights, and with nowhere to sit or use the rest rooms. By the time we found our way to the main sights, it was time to rush back to meet the coach for the 1 hour 30 minute drive back to meet the ship. I know many people on that tour felt let down and were not happy. In contract the other excursions were all fantastic- especially the Panoramic Rome tour with our guide, Monica. I would definitely recommend this. All in all, despite our very limited knowledge of cruise lines and ships, we were very impressed with The Century.....in fact, so impressed, that we have already booked another cruise on the same ship for next year !