This was our second cruise to Alaska, our first with Celebrity. The crew and staff were absolutely outstanding, 5+ out of 5. Reynaldo, our stateroom steward, was out of this world. Our state room was always turned down, perfectly clean, and he found time to make creative animals from towels to amuse our 8 year old. Bobi, a waiter in the Grand Epernay dining room, was another 5+ out of 5. His attention to detail and ability to navigate through a special diet with food allergies was superb. All of the staff was super friendly, and it seemed as if there were more staff than passengers at times, I couldn't walk one deck without seeing a staff member busy working, or cleaning, but with a smile and cheerful disposition. All of the staff get 5 out of 5 stars. The only disappointment from the staff was the breakfast we ordered twice via room service, as we received about 80% of what we had ordered.

The food was the biggest disappointment. The buffet food service area is a big open area, but chaotic, you have to be a defensive walker to dodge people coming at all angles. The buffet food was okay, once in a while an individual item would be outstanding (filet mignon, served one time), but then other items would disappoint (i.e. the ranch dressing, the scrambled eggs). The food in the Grand Epernay was also disappointing. For a 2-hour-plus dining experience, the food was only 3 or 3 1/2 out of 5. Bobi did the best with what he had to work with, and the quantity was fine, but the quality was underwhelming. The specialty restaurant Murano was a 5 out of 5 experience, provided you can afford such an experience.

One suggestion for Celebrity. Upgrade the toilet paper. Single ply? We're paying too much for a cruise to use material I'd expect to find in a motor home. If your systems can't handle better quality, then upgrade the plumbing! Another suggestion, but this is a design flaw - the "walking path" on Deck 14 is on the same deck as the buffet, so anyone attempting to walk or run anytime near meal hours is constantly dodging people who don't know any other way to get to the buffet. Read more