Having thoroughly enjoyed our cruise to Iceland & Norway the previous year and been impressed with all thing Celebrity Eclipse we were very excited to join the ship bound for the Baltics. The first concern arose in the Premier Inn the night before when we were informed that there had been cases of gastro enteritis on board and that boarding would be delayed due to a deep clean taking place. Not too worried as as long as you wash, wash, wash your hands and keep you fingers out of your mouth you should be ok but was rather dismayed that the deep clean had clearly been overlooked in our cabin as the basin in the bathroom still had toothpaste from the last inhabitants. Pleased to see Loo Police checking that people washed their hands however!

The cruise in itself was fine and the various ports of call enthralling but what spoiled it for us this time was the entertainment, we felt as though we were on a Darby & Joan themed outing. Apparently Perry Grant is followed all over the show by his devotees but frankly we found him boring, monotone - his "music" unvarying and ghastly. We are in our 50+'s and don't particularly remember "Knees up Mother Brown" or wartime greats. Night after night this odious person occupied the Sky Lounge with few if any dancing to his Liberace-esque outpourings. What happened to the band or some variety? I have to say the entertainment on the only P & O cruise I have ever been on was of a wholly different caliber - what's left of the Four Tops etc. Celebrity need to up their game as I overheard numerous people bemoaning the very amateur offerings.

The staff seemed more care worn and there were two shaven headed Serbian men in the Oceanview Cafe who would not / could not smile or interact with guests at any price while all others, even though clearly very tired at times, made every effort to be friendly. My last gripe must sit with our cabin attendant who could not grasp the notion of discretion instead finding every reason under the sun to knock on the door and disturb us even with the sign on the door! So, moaning over; embarkation & debarkation smooth, all other staff friendly especially Miroslav our waiter, kids club excellent, food good and plentiful and as I say Ports and tours wonderful. Pity the TV's don't have a DVD facility (I couldn't find one if it did) as we'll need an alternative entertainment to the songs for the over 70's next time.