We were informed by text 2 days before sailing that there was still norovirus on the ship and asked not to arrive for embarkation before 2pm as the staff were deep cleaning the ship. (We know people on the ship that actually caught norovirus at Christmas 2012 so it is sadly an ongoing issue). We arrived for check in at 5pm; it was chaotic and our suitcases arrived at 8pm so many people had to go for dinner in their casual clothes. Celebrity relaxed the rules on this occasion. We never heard anything from the Captain for 3 days and actually enquired if he was aboard as the ship was docked for this period.
Because of the norovirus restrictions were in place so there was no self service even in the buffet restaurant and the poor staff worked relentlessly serving everyone with everything, even cutlery. We previously travelled on this ship in 2008 and the service was exemplary; not the case this time. There were no drink menus so no idea how much anything cost; no books in the library, no ice buckets or condiments until the last 2 days when the restrictions were finally lifted. As we had 5 days at sea it made for very long queues especially to get drinks in the buffet restaurant.
For some reason this seemed to have a knock on effect on other areas and room service was incorrect every time we ordered it. The ordering by tv wasn't working so we completed the cards given to us by the cabin steward. One day we got 4 cooked breakfasts! We tried completing individual cards for each of us but it seemed that no-one could understand the orders. So much food must have been wasted. Even breakfast in the Grand Epernay dining room was chaotic, taking a long time to get served and having to ask 3 or 4 times for juice.
Midship cabin with large balcony in a quiet location. Very satisfied.