The cruise ship Celebrity Beyond was great. It was a long time on board, 14 nights, but fortunately there were soccer games (on TV) almost everyday, so there was something to do and other soccer fans to meet and enjoy. Lots of live music. The production entertainers only knew two shows, so it was not special in that regard, but the two were very good and we'd never seen them. There were other good entertainers, but TWO Motown shows. Horrible. Expensive 'extra' restaurants, but really good; and we celebrated our 40th Anniversary at the Chef's Table. a special event that is a real extra cost, but there is only one 40th.

We were not able to stop in the Azores due to rough seas, but the ship itself was wonderfully stable. You were mystified when you'd look at the rough sea, yet not feel it at all on board. Brilliant stabilizers!

Our ports of call were really nice. The cooking class in Barcelona, which I booked on shore rather than from the cruise company, was just wonderful, one of our best ever. Making seafood Paella was great. We went to the market in the city, a brilliant market, bought the seafood, and then made it with a very good chef whose recipe did not include saffron. The food tour in Marseilles was good, too. The ship tour to Portofino and two other coastal towns was OK, but so many people from two ships in one place was 'crowded'. I can't imagine if there were three or more ships in port. Read more