Celebrity Silhouette Review
Significantly lower in quality than last Celebrity cruise two years ago.
Rating by category
Additional details
I have previously traveled with Celebrity three times and all three were with the Century (which was recently sold to a Chinese company). The total time spent on the ship was over a month and I loved everything about this smaller boat. Now, over two years later, I decided to try another Celebrity cruise. After all, I'd enjoyed the previous ones so much.
Unfortunately, I was left very, very flat by my cruise aboard the Silhouette--mostly because the quality of the food has slipped so very badly. The dinners looked great but often tasted awful....and this even included some of the food at the optional (and expensive) restaurants (we ordered two ribeyes at Tuscan and they both were flavorless). The buffet sucked and often had portions roped off--making the novel buffet idea more like an obstacle course. Also, the 24 hour room service is NOT 24 hour and the quality was the worst of any of the food options.
Apart from the food the other serious problem was the noise. Although the average age of the cruisers appeared to be about 60-70, the ship was incredibly loud--with music blaring in the central portion of the ship--and making it impossible to relax in the coffee bar or martini bar on the decks above. And it wasn't just that the music was loud, it was also annoying--often with loud Eurobeat music which none of the older passengers would have enjoyed.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Veranda 2A
Cabins were relatively large BUT had almost no drawers whatsoever. Only three tiny half drawers--providing enough space to accommodate, at most, half a suitcase. Electrical outlets across room from bed, so if you need to plug anything in next to the bed (such as a clock or fan) you can't. Mattresses very, very thin--like a cot. I have traveled with other cruise lines and Holland America's and Disney's are MUCH more comfortable. Ended week with severe back trouble--something I never have but think was caused by uncomfortable bed.
Port Reviews
San Juan
One of the best ports in the Caribbean. Over the last two decades, San Juan has done a lot to clean up the city, improve safety and improve the quality of the shops. Add to that San Cristobal and El Moro fortresses and you've got a top-notch destination for cruisers.
St. Thomas
The port is one owned by RCI (who owns Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Azumara) and so it is small and with a small selection of uninteresting shops. I have been to the other St. Thomas port (where Disney docks) and it is MUCH bigger, better and has great shopping choices.
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale) is MUCH more confusing and difficult than Tampa or Port Canaveral. Entire embarkation and disembarkation process was tough compared to these other Florida ports I have used. Finding luggage was tough following the cruise.
Antigua
I only got off the boat briefly. I wasn't impressed BUT also saw very little of the island.