A good cruise overall – but it could have been more… First you should know about us - my wife and I like luxury, but are also OK with roughing it. We prefer interesting destinations, and the southern itinerary had a couple (boarding in San Juan, Dominica, maybe St. Croix for diving) but this cruise was primarily for rest and relaxation I personally love spas and the new Canyon Ranch Spa on the Summit was a draw, but little did I know that it is NOT the same Canyon Ranch as on the Solstice, even after Celebrity “Solsticized” its other ships including the Summit. So let me start there. The spa was nice, but not open and blue like in the pictures, darker and more “hammam”-style. The sauna and steam room doors did not automatically close so the rooms often did not stay hot. And the locker room was separate, meaning a short trip across the public ship areas to the spa. The spa area for facials was 2 decks down. Plus the staff, while polite and charming, seemed more interested in sales than your experience. I had free use of the spa as part of my Aqua package, but after the first day, including a signature facial (excellent, btw) I did not use it.
The crew was universally wonderful except for a single snotty Serbian (I think) martini bartender. My attendant Mara (from DR) was charming attentive and perfect. The coffee-bar bartender remembered my name and favorite frozen coffee. Staff in the dining room and buffets were polite and happy and effective – and aimed to please including my buddy and his wife who typically had two entrees, or me when I sometimes had two appetizers and skipped the main course. This was in the main restaurant.
The Blue spa restaurant (reserved for Aqua Class guests) was refined and quiet with an upscale atmosphere, but the spa food was very ordinary. The Qsine restaurant was good, not great and the concept (quasi-tapas) was fun. The Normandie French restaurant was the highlight for food, service and atmosphere.
Aqua class cabins are spacious with a terrace. Good colors and nice design. B+ or better.
Old San Juan including the Old San Juan Sheraton is just a joy to walk and wander.
Didnt take the Celebrity excursion but did a private Scuba dive with N2theblue -both my wife and I are certified but hadnt dived in many years - Dive leader Jenny was the best most competent and kindest dive leader of all time!
OK but nothing special
Beautiful island and worth taking a taxi for a private tour - make sure you get a great driver
Spices smell nice...
Walk to town and shop and the locals farmers market...