We have been with many other cruise lines but this was our first with Celebrity. We chose the trip because Ireland and Iceland was an unusual combination.

The Southampton embarkation and disembarkation were exceptional; we were in our car going home by 8 am.The ship was excellent and our cabin large and comfortable, although some of the storage was badly designed. Dining in the main restaurant in the evening was very good with a fine menu and fast service. The same restaurant at lunchtime was less good with poor choice and staff being diverted I felt to the self service restaurant. Luckily we were on a drinks package or I would have gone teetotal. $11 plus 18% service charge plus dollar/sterling conversion makes for a dear glass of wine. I felt the chic nights were pointless with a man wearing a tuxedo next to a man in a T- shirt. Either go formal or do away with the chic nights.

The entertainment was slimmed down as there were very few sea days but what there was was on a par with other lines. The waiters were the best I've ever had, remembering your name and preferences from almost first meeting. Ports and excursions were a problem.Local disembarkation could be a nightmare and was often poorly planned. The cost of excursions was often in three figures per person. The two cheaper ones we went on were substandard. The charges for shuttle buses were unacceptable; I do not call $16 / person a nominal charge. As we were docked many miles from the advertised ports, getting to Cork or Waterford say was high.Overall I think the lack of attention to smaller details and the high on board costs would persuade us to travel with another line in future.