Great itinerary, great staff, sad ship, Modern Luxury turned into Disney

As repeat Celebrity guests, we were happy to be able to select this “Holiday” cruise for its itinerary. Little did we know that the concept of Modern Luxury would exist only in Blu on this sailing. This review will lead with the blunt, honest, negatives about our sailing, then lead to and end on a more positive note.

Celebrity is not known for being a “family sailing”cruise line, but this cruise was, clearly, for families. Family groups of 10plus people took over tables at the buffet breakfast and lunch, eating and then staying for the day to play cards, games, or whatever. It was close to impossible to get a table at Cafe al Bacio, as the same situation would occur. The staff made up cards, requesting that you give other guests a chance to enjoy the area, and offering the tables at Qsuine for card playing, but, no luck..the families just stayed and played.

The 450-500 children onboard also made their own rules..taking wheelchairs and racing them in the hallways, hanging out in the Library til all hours-4 am!-, running everywhere, playing with soccer balls in the Ocean View Cafe and Constellation, sleeping and hanging out in the stairways..”egging”the elevators, throwing pizza at the elevator doors, wet bathing suits, no shoes, etc. in the OVC..

Adult activities, such as a 10 p.m. Silent Disco, became a children’s party, with children, as young as 6 running all over, wearing the disco headphones.

The Constellation Lounge was booked for a 5 a.m. New Years Day event with Mickey Live, to watch sunrise over Ushuaia. When we arrived, the lounge was still in use as a disco, with cigarette butts, leftover food and party items all over the lounge and the outer deck.

Clearly, Celebrity did not exert any control at all. What a mess!

These are just a few of the negatives we experienced during our trip..

In terms of our Aqua Class cabin, it was dated and showed it’s age. The WIFi was lousy, and our room was right outside of the iLounge! The television reception and choices were sparse, at best.

Now, for the positives....THE STAFF!! Wonderful service, wonderful people.

Mickey Live! This guy is the greatest naturalist I have ever had the pleasure to meet. His informative and fun lectures made this trip!

The adult guests whom we met while dining in Blu..great people, exactly what we expect when we sail Celebrity

The ship was clean, in spite of some of the guests’ lack of decorum. The staff was always working to clean up after them.

The entertainment was typical Celebrity fare..the dance troupe onboard works so hard and their production numbers were fun. (The Captain had to request that children NOT be seated in the first three rows in the theater, as they would run onstage!)

All in all, we enjoyed our South America cruise. It was a once in a lifetime trip for us and we were able to see so many wonderful and exciting things. Will we sail Celebrity again....YES.....would I recommend this trip at Holiday time...NO..

Would I sail Infinity again..NO..

Sorry to post such a negative review, I have never, ever done this before.

This is usually a very quiet cabin. This trip, there were children and people racing all over, and teens were hanging out all night in the Library, which is located right downstairs from the cabin. It was NOT quiet!