As a long time 10 years plus cruiser, we did enjoy the boat and the shows but it's not our first choice for bang for your buck. We have cruised with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival and Princess. I must admit that your dollars is better used with Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, Norwegian being honestly the best value for your dollar, their all inclusive packages include pretty much everything on the boat, and even the specialty restaurants (which 2 or 3 nights are included) are affordable if you don't get a package. Norwegian does not nickel and dime you for alcohol or food, even the options for snacks are much better and daytime entertainment was found to be better. The boats from Norwegian might not be as luxurious but this is a small difference as Norwegian boats, especially the newer ones are much more fun and still luxurious enough for the average person.
Overall Celebrity cruises is good for those who just want to relax, chill and do nothing but for those who want a little more fun and not be nickel and dimed, I do prefer other companies like Norwegian or Royal Caribbean.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The 4 main restaurants are amazing, delicious food and amazing service. We did not try the specialty restaurants as we found these to be extremely expensive and not necessary as the 4 main restaurants were absolutely fabulous. The only downfall of this ship is the availability of quick snacks in the middle of the ship, the only option was coffee and cakes in the Cafe Lounge, but nothing else. Also the late night options were extremely lacking, only option was vegetable sandwiches, some cold cuts and buns and the late night pizza station, but this was only available in the oceanview cafe at the back of the boat in deck 14. So the only options to have a late night snack was in deck 14 at the oceanview cafe and this was until 1 am only, anything later you would have to order room service and they charge a delivery fee for this. Thus in conclusion the lunch and dinner options were amazing on the boat, the late night options and availability of decent snacks was not available on this boat.
Also be prepared to pay more for your drinks if you don't have the premium package, we had the classic beverage package which includes alcohol (basic lower quality), soda and coffee that are not more than $10 per drink, well guess what, every bar on the boat has specialty drinks and they all cost around $17 and up thus we have to pay extra for drinks that had a better quality of alcohol.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
The daytime activities during the sea days was not very engaging or fun, not much to do except try and find a spot on the top decks and take in sun. As I am not much of a sun person, I found myself wandering around the boat with nothing to do on sea days, a couple of activities here and there but nothing exciting. Again being on a celebrity cruise perhaps caters to people of a more mature age and thus they don't offer to much entertainment to others that like to not sit around and do nothing :)
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Amazing shows and the onboard team of entertainers where amazing, singers, dancers, acrobatics was all amazing. We really enjoyed the evening entertainment shows on board.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Ship tip
Expect them to approach you for the speacialty dinners and pay more money.
I’m a bit surprised by someone complaining about Celebrity nickel and dining and then complimenting NCL, being as most people would say the opposite. Personally I don’t think either of them do, but that’s also because I don’t feel the need to get extras. I had the classic drink package on a previous Apex cruise, never once had an upcharge. If you ask for specific premium brands you will pay more, but that is the same on other cruise lines like NCL.
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