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Celebrity Summit

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Cruising things to be aware of...

Kusadasi

We were looking forward to our first time sailing with Celebrity having previously tried P&O, Ambassador and Cunard (mainly TA on current QM but 1 med cruise on current QE) On TA crossings several people we've spoken to have commented that Celebrity's food was much better than Cunards so we were especially looking forward to the dining. We've always enjoyed the food on Cunard and found Ambassadors offering to be comparable though with fewer choices and less enticing desserts but for the price we had no complaints. 

Unfortunately, we found the MDR choices to be extremely limited and repetitive on Celebrity, and the desserts were rarely better than on Ambassador As a table (6 regular attendees on a table for 10, 2 others joined us twice but found the late dining made it difficult to attend the evening entertainment) we did have a chat with the waiter & Maitre d' and in the second week we were offered a chefs special starter and main and these were of a quality and style I would have expected but it felt like a lot of effort to get what I have come to expect from cruise food. Perhaps our expectations were unrealistically high but others who had traveled more with the line were adamant that standards had dropped. Many discussions about the repetitive nature of the offerings came back to a feeling you were being pushed to purchase specialty dining which while it was enjoyed by those we spoke to who'd dined at them I'm not convinced the extra cost would be justified when you consider you have already paid for a restaurant quality meal in your cruise price. Also a can of Guinness that costs £1 onshore being sold at $13 (almost double the Cunard price) when you think of the buying power of Celebrity.... well I felt it was exploitative even if we did have the classic package but even a modest drinker could justify the package cost once you factor in the soft/hot drinks as well. 

OVC was nice and most days we got a seat for breakfast and lunch without too much problem although there were 3 occasions we really struggled and there were just no inside seats available :-(  The selections for breakfast were good, I loved the eggs benedict but it was hard to secure seating and be able to get food and eat it together while it was hot. All buffets have a feel of busyness they are feeding thousands so its only to be expected but I can't say buffet dining on Silhouette was a relaxing or peaceful affair. 

Lunch selections were plentiful although many did not appeal to me, I enjoyed the option to have chilli every day if there was nothing else I wanted and the Pizza was delicious.

The coffee hot chocolate & raspberry tea in Al Baccio was delicious and quickly became part of our daily routine along with a cookie or pastry.

We liked the different areas on the ship to socialise and hang out. We felt you could always find somewhere to suit your mood.

The cabin was great! We had to be moved after initially being in a really noisy cabin but they did that without us directly requesting it we only asked if there was anything that could be done to reduce the rattle & hum. 

Ports were good but lots of the stops were quite short time wise,  only 2 stops were earlier than 9am

Staff were all good and helpful most very friendly as well. They do work so hard and I do worry that working practices are not as good as they could be. Our waiter was almost desperate in his urging for us to score them highly on a nightly basis

We enjoyed the cruise but would not rush to book with Celebrity again as we did not feel it was value for money

Expectations not met

We hadn’t cruised for some years due to COVID and illness and decided to take this no-fly itinerary on ship we last cruised on in 2015 after a number of previous Celebrity cruises.

Our overall impression was that the ship was much more crowded than on past cruises and this was most evident in the Ocean View Cafe and the sun decks where finding a sun bed proved an almost impossible task, despite notices placed on the beds requesting considerate use.

We also found the main dining room menu repetitive, although we appreciate that it had been geared to the the demographic of guests-90% plus  British. However, this doesn’t really justify Yorkshire Pudding and cauliflower cheese being the ever-present side dishes. Green vegetables were requested and provided via our ever-attentive servers, After 7 days with the salmon as only fish offered ( apart from Drum Fish which we couldn’t  get an accurate description of) a discussion with the Maitre D did result in more fish appearing on subsequent days. A variety of fish was available in the speciality restaurants which did rather contradict the difficulty of supply explanation. We felt disappointed  that some dishes had to be returned due to the food being dry or cold although they were replaced without a problem.

The ocean view cafe did provided a wide variety of dishes for lunch but on previous cruise was themed in the evening, making it a more attractive alternative dinner venue.

Prices onboard had increased dramatically, from excursions to alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Our consumption did not warrant the purchase of drinks packages.

Whilst a bottle of Perroni Lager at $13 plus 20% service is incredibly high in U.K. terms, our most expensively priced item could have been the  $5 ice cream cone offered by Cafe Al Baccio. This after our free scoop of Gelato as part of our Concierge benefits.

On the plus side, our stateroom had a large verandah for relaxing away from the crowds, the entertainment was very good and the staff unfailingly pleasant.

Return to Cruising

After around 20 cruises, this was our first Med.  - and our last.  The Silhouette which we had been on twice before was very crowded, I believe the passenger capacity has been increased and it showed.  Full sunloungers, extremely difficult to get a seat in the evening and constantly running the gamut of the numerous motorised scooters - not wheelchairs I must add.  More smokers than I have ever seen before.

The menu in the Grand Cuvee was much reduced with a very poor selection of food.  No longer two sides to it with 'favourites' on one side and a good choice of daily 'specials' on the other, just two, or three dishes changing daily.  Some of the food was very badly cooked - duck that needed a hammer and chisel, likewise Yorkshire pudding.  Irish stew with very fatty inedible lamb to name just a few.  The only one I really liked was liver - served on 2 nights out of 13.  I love liver but didn't really expect it in a restaurant called 'Grand Cuvee'!!!   However the desserts (which I can't have) looked as lovely as ever.

The staff however were as lovely as ever.  (I think even the waiters in the Grand Cuvee were embarrassed by some of the dishes)

The Oceanview cafe had a really excellent selection of food at breakfast and lunch but returning late from an excursion we ate dinner there and were not at all impressed.

Ship excursions are always expensive but 'safe' if you are likely to be late but some of these were extortionate. eg Sardinia - wine and cheese tasting on a farm - very nice - followed by a 21/2 hour Panoramic drive.  The drive consisted of driving backwards and forwards thro' the little town of Cagliari which could have been done on a 'land train' for $9.  This cost us more than $100 each!!!  After complaining we received 20% refund - not enough really.

The staff worked very hard 'sanitising' the ship which I appreciated but I think it is starting to look shabby in places.

Overall, I did enjoy the cruise - the weather was superb.  Dinner spoiled it and the overcrowding.   Perhaps a lot of this is due to the fact that it was a Med. cruise, out of Southampton which makes it very accessible and the price of inside cabins compares favourably with package holidays which involve flying.

Lowering of standards

A little bit about ourselves first. Me and my husband are seasoned cruisers, approx 20 so far with the last 8 being on the s class ships. We travelled with my sister and brother in law - cruise virgins.

Embarkation was a breeze we were on board by 11.30, no long queues, checked in at the muster station and then dropped off hand luggage in our staterooms. We had adjoining staterooms deck 8 just a little forward. We requested the balcony divider be opened, it was done and remained opened until the very last night. The safe in our room broke twice but was fixed immediately, the one next door was not anchored - it could be pulled out! but again was resolved after a quick call to Guest Relations

The ship itself is showing signs of wear and tear, for example tatty and torn seating around the pool, dirty balcony and rust patches on the balcony roof. Staff are friendly but were very busy and at times it was challenging to attract a waiter for a drink.

FOOD

Unlike previous cruises we ate breakfast in the OV everyday - we did this at the request of our travelling companions. The food was hot, plentiful and never a problem finding a table. 

At lunchtime, again there was great selection of dishes, something to suit everyone.

We usually eat dinner in the MDR so we went there for the first 2 evenings, we had reserved a table on the app and literally no queue. The waiters and Sommelier were great, attentive and friendly. Unfortunately the food itself wasn't of the standard we are accustomed to and the choices were much reduced, We therefore decided to eat most of our dinners in the OV, there was however less choice than previous cruises. I bumped into the Food and Beverages Manager one evening and took the opportunity to express my disappointment with the changes, he said the menus were going to change again on the Silhouette as a result of the dissatisfaction expressed by many. 

We ate in the Lawn Club Grill one evening - it was tremendous.

ENTERTAINMENT

We enjoyed the Barricade Boys and the comedienne. The other shows were so so, music in the Grand Foyer was varied and we also enjoyed the Ensemble Lounge (when we could get a seat)

We loved the Sky Lounge - it became our favourite place, we enjoyed the activities too. 

PORTS OF CALL

Malaga, we walked into the town and had a little wander around, it was a shame we didn't dock until the afternoon as the sun was at its hottest and it was quite a stretch from the port into town

Ajaccio, lovely little place, we used a mini bus tour to see the main sights

Civitavecchia, we used the express train into Rome where we had booked a 3 hr tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peters. The weather was baking hot and we didn't have much time to explore beyond the St Peters area of the City

La Spezia, we took a Celebrity excursion. Coach to Rapello then onto Santa Margarita then a ferry to Portofino. I must say that this was one of the nicest excursion we have ever taken. We had ample time to explore on our own, and we saw umpteen dolphins up close as we sailed on the Ferry

Marseille, we stayed on board

Cadiz, a lovely port, easy walking distance to the main sites.

You may be wondering why I have given a score of 3 - basically I think that the cutbacks in terms of the food no longer make Celebrity the premium cruise line. Also the lack of seating in the grand foyer area and the rather poor entertainment. 

The Silhouette will not be sailing from Southampton in 2024 and the prices for the Apex are far to high for our wallets - especially when you don't get a normal balcony so we are booking with Princess - we have nothing to lose and are going with an open mind. We may return to Celebrity after a break but very much dependant on them reversing their changes

Cutbacks are evident

We chose this cruise for its itinerary, our Steward, Waiter, Assistant Waiter and Sommelier where brilliant considering the amount of tables/cabins they had to cover, however they were let down by the choice and standard of food in the Main Dining Room, choices for starters usually 2 or 3 Salads 2 types of Soups and Snails and Shrimp Cocktail. Main courses not much better and frequently the food arrived cold and meat not cooked as requested.A  couple on the next table were unable to have their wine of choice as the ship had none on board after two days,They did manage to get some on the next port of call Rome.There was better food options in the Ocean View cafe and hotter food. On the classic drinks package the white wine was undrinkable We have noticed a major change from our previous cruise on this Ship 2 years ago. The quality of the shows in the Theatre were poor only 3 over 13 nights from the ship’s staff,The guest entertainers were very good particularly The Barricade Boys and Jo Little who were outstanding.We will not be sailing on this Ship again and in fact will look at other cruise lines.

Disappointing 

After many cruises with Celebrity this will possibly be our last. And I am sorry Celebrity but 40mph winds should not affect a cruise schedule. Since the Captain made the announcement of changes to the ships schedule and dropping Belfast many passengers have been complaining. Passengers from Australia, USA travelled many miles to visit attractions like the Giants Causeway and are now gutted that they have three sea days on a ship with sun decks not an option. What Celebrity fail to grasp is that technology allows us to see the marine weather, see other ships leaving and entering ports whilst Celebrity head office bean counters are trying to save $$$. 

Many of the crew seem distant, poorly managed and  only interested in selling booze. 

Two hours to eat a small lunch, unheard of. Wait staff disappearing without completing your breakfast order, so many chiefs in the restaurant all trying to make themselves look important and busy. 

The menus are a disgrace often the paper us grubby and stained, huge shortage of tea spoons at breakfast and I could go on and on. On arrival to the ship we had food droppings all over the balcony some nasty brown stains on the carpet.

What in the world has happened to Celebrity. 

We chose this cruise because I’d always wanted to go to Iceland, also another chance for celebrity to redeem itself after a very disappointing cruise round the Caribbean in February.

We have been loyal cruisers with Celebrity for years attaining Elite Plus status, sadly it’s time to say goodbye. It started with our balcony cabin, items from the previous occupants were left in the wardrobe. No shower gel or shampoo in shower, no body lotion. Handle on balcony door was so badly peeled, every time you touched it paint came off onto the floor. The balcony window seal was hanging down, it was so rusty I had serious doubts it would last the trip. Wrote a report and most things were put right - where was the checks from housekeeping before the cruise started. As compensation we were offered lunch in the Porch - dreadful experience, you have to pay  $36pp to eat there and if you want the seafood stack another $18 pp extra.  $36 for a chopped up filling of Lobster bits on a brioche roll seemed a bit steep to me.

Itinerary was changed because of 40mph winds, which was a bit strange as have been in much higher seas and higher winds before with no drama.  Captain’s announcements were good but he was the only officer we really saw around the ship. Entertainment was very repetitive, we’d seen it all before, ok if you like trivia and such like. 

The food is of such bad quality many dishes were inedible, the double cooked soufflé was something to behold, the texture of a suet pudding and the taste of cardboard, foul is the only word that comes to mind. Vegetables mainly consisted of boiled carrots and beans. Liver was on the menu 3 times, Irish Stew, twice and something called Flank Steak 3 times. I could go on but suffice to say it’s goodbye Celebrity from us, I certainty couldn’t in all confidence recommend family and friends to sail with them. The vast majority of people we spoke to said exactly the same, even those dining in Blu.

The staff in the Ensemble Lounge were great.

Such a shame

We chose this cruise for its itinerary but just like three of the four celebrity cruises we have been on excuses we’re made why we had to miss a port of call . We feel they are becoming a budget cruise company at a premium price we found some of the crew disillusioned and not really bothered   . We also found the food in the main dining room was well below standard with the quality and the choose. The menu was  very repetitive not what we are used too. 

We were never given any port fees back for any of our missed ports on the Celebrity cruises unlike Royal Caribbean who we have travelled many times before and only once not stuck to the itinerary but returned our port charges . Same parent company very strange .

we feel that the company is cutting its costs to the bare bones while charging extremely higher price, trying to claw back covid losses at the expense of the paying customer ! We are extremely disappointed!

Remember celebrity unhappy customers will mean  no customers lots of cruise companies to choose from ! Have a rethink before it’s too late !

Celebrity going down hill ! 

After my experience on the Celebrity Silhouette, the Celebrity cruise line has fallen to the bottom of my list.  This is after more than 40 cruises on 8 different cruise lines. 

At embarkation, a drink of water or lemonade was for Suite passengers only. 

The Embarkation Lunch for Concierge Class passengers included a salmon filet that was overcooked, tough and chewy short ribs, a table for 2 seating request that put us immediately next to a table for 4, and a disinterested wait staff that rushed our service. 

Exclusive Destination Seminar for Concierge? Never got a notice about it.

Food choices at the Café seldom changed from day to day, typically veering towards English and Indian dishes.  Meats were overcooked and tough. Cheese flavors were like typical American grocery store cheese. There was always,always a waiter there to see if you wanted to buy any drinks from the large standing menu on the table.

Crew was generally warm and friendly.  Ship officers, however, did their best not to make eye contact.

“Deep Sleep” sign for our cabin door? What happened to “Please make up my room” and “Do not disturb”?

Wake up service was sometimes not working, so we could not depend on it.

At our Seydsifjordur port of call, tendering took as much as 3 hours for some passengers. Disembarkation at Akureyi port took at least 45 minutes waiting in line, with no Concierge consideration or sympathy for those with an independent tour.

$7 for a bottle of water to take ashore, really?

We will do better elsewhere in the future.

Celebrity - Never Again

We toured on Silhouette’s sister ship Reflection last May and based on this experience and the itinerary chose Celebrity again.

At all times any staff we encountered were enthusiastic, interested and as helpful as we could wish for.

All breakfasts in any of the settings we tried were outstanding 

During the cruise we ate dinner in Murano and the Tuscan Grill, both were excellent.

Dinner in the MDR was acceptable at best, inedible at worst, a much reduced choice served with an inevitable ice cream scoop of mashed potato!  Dinner in MDR was so consistently poor that for the last 4 nights we chose to eat elsewhere, as I like to “frock up” for dinner this detracted somewhat from my cruise experience.

We took the golden circle tour organised by celebrity and were pleased with this although in the main thought the celebrity excursions overpriced. Thankfully the captain chose to visit Belfast in preference to Guernsey, we had a private tour with Odyssey booked, luckily the tour company was able to accommodate our altered itinerary and the weather held so we had a delightful visit to the Giants Causeway and a very insightful tour of the city.

Sadly I think unless we find the funds to upgrade from MDR dining we are unlikely to go with celebrity again.

Some Good, Some not so Good 

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