Embarkation was excellent - turned up at the terminal at the allotted time and on board within minutes. On first appearances the ship does not have that initial wow that some of the big cruise lines have but you soon come to realize that all the decor / artwork/ furnishings etc are top quality. The cabins have that understated type decor that really cannot offend and the layout is good. The "enclosed" balconies in this grade of cabin are a bit odd but functional.
I found signage to be poor and the ships map provided on arrival is certainly a must. The layout of the stairways and lifts is most confusing and access to the decks at the rear (where the swimming pools are) is often not easy.
The food in the britannia dining room was good the waiters were efficient, polite and helpful. The food court on deck 7 was, however, odd with lots of food stations scattered about, each offering different food but if you wanted a little from each you found yourself wandering around such a long distance that by the time you found a seat the food was cold. The staff did not help when looking for seats or if you wanted drinks etc ( unlike Celebrity Constellation where the staff often found seats and helped to bring drinks etc.) Generally throughout the ship the staff were very polite and helpful if a little reserved. They became more friendly as the cruise progressed and they got to know you and the way you liked to be treated. The captain ( or Commodore as he like to be called) tells us its a liner not a ship. Its certainly not built like or has the layout of a cruise ship, the top deck, for example, is mainly a vast open space with little else other than sun beds. The staff then set up the area for eating if the weather permits and then clear everything away then next the area might be used as an open air cinema.