Beyond was beyond amazing!

Celebrity Beyond Cruise Review

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 3
Helpful Votes: 78

Overall rating:

4.8 out of 5
Celebrity Beyond

8 Night Italy Croatia & Montenegro (Rome Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 07, 2023

Ship: Celebrity Beyond

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11296

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Beautiful ship and great itinerary. Very port intensive so be prepared to walk if you decide to leave the ship. We averaged 15k-18k steps per day.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Quickest embarkation of every cruise we’ve taken. Had a 12:30 boarding time, arrived at 11:50 and was on the ship by noon. Took less than two minutes to get checked in, rest of time was spent taking pics and videos of ship outside.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
We read so many bad comments about Celebrity’s food post covid we weren’t sure what to expect but we were pleased with every meal except for the burgers at Mast Grill. Guy’s is far superior. Oceanview Cafe and the four complimentary restaurants had meals that were tasty and plenty. Was surprised at the varied selections at Oceanview. We mentioned in our booking that we were celebrating our anniversary and to our surprise the wait staff brought us a piece of cake with candles at one of our dinners. Was such a nice surprise.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
Didn’t attend any activities except for silent disco but there was plenty offered. We spent most of our sea days enjoying our balcony and napping. Weather was a bit overcast, raining or windy both sea days so didn’t go by the pool but it and the areas surrounding it were beautiful.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Singer, Savannah Smith, was phenomenal. Good stage shows (although I preferred those on RC’s Symphony). Variety of music (either live or DJ) at various locations throughout the ship each day and evening. The area around the bar was lively and had lots of fun 💃🏼 and meeting people.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Not one day went by where we weren’t greeted with a smile throughout the ship and more times than I can count someone was asking how we were enjoying our cruise or how our day was. Cabin steward, Putra, was so attentive. Cleaned twice daily even on days we told him he could skip the morning, we returned to find he had placed additional towels in the bathroom and tidied up the room. Had a towel swan made on our bed with rose petals, a bottle of wine with a sweet note wishing us a happy anniversary. Wasn’t expecting that but was a very nice extra touch.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
The ship is designed very well. Easy to navigate once you learn where places are and we loved the decor. Simple elegance is the best way for me to describe it. Every corner wasn’t filled with a statue or gadget. It was very streamlined and tastefully decorated.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
We had a sunset veranda cabin and the best we’ve ever had. Large cabin and balcony (2 loungers, 2 chairs and small table), king size bed with rounded end which made for better movement throughout the cabin. So much storage I didn’t use it all. The bathroom was quite roomy with a large shower with glass instead of curtain, lots of shelving and a deep drawer. Everything was fresh and clean. Loved it so much we spent most of our sea days in the cabin and on balcony.

Ship tip

Don’t hesitate to book a sailing on this beauty. If you prefer a regular balcony then you will need to book early as they are only available with the sunset veranda and suites. The other balconies are called infinite and not true balconies.

Ports of call

Naples, Italy

4 out of 5
Weather wasn’t great but tour guide we booked was entertaining and informative. We did a tour of the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Ravello and Sorrento. Ravello is a quiet, peaceful town and loved it there. Great meal in Sorrento. Was a full day tour and made it back to ship with plenty of time to see Naples but we skipped it and from what we heard didn’t miss much. Most said it was a very dirty port with lots of sketchy locals but great pizza.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

5 out of 5
First European trip and hopefully not the last. Streets were a little difficult to figure out with map apps on phone. Could quickly get turned around if you didn’t turn right at a specific spot but the Eternal City is one that should be on everyone’s bucket list. We had two days pre and one post cruise and didn’t get to see nearly what we wanted but saw the most important places on our list.

Corfu, Greece

4 out of 5
Giving 4 stars because we didn’t get to see much of the island other than the old town due to rain. However, they did have some interesting shops. Great prices on leather goods and kitchenware made from olive trees (makes great souvenirs). What I loved most about Greece was the people. So friendly and would love to go back for a land vacay or cruise that stayed overnight.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

4 out of 5
This wasn’t my favorite port. Old town was interesting but it’s filled with so many shops after wandering a few streets and taking pics we left. The cable car offers some amazing views.

Zakynthos, Greece

4 out of 5
Not a lot to do here but it is pretty and locals very nice. Would have preferred skipping this stop and adding an extra day to Corfu.

Kotor, Montenegro

5 out of 5
One of the prettiest ports we’ve been blessed to visit. The day was a bit overcast and rained in the afternoon but even that didn’t take away from its beauty. Getting up early for the sail in is definitely a must. Feels like you’re sailing through a magical wonderland with the lights glowing on the water as the town awakens.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
As with embarkation, easy breezy. We opted for a later time to debark since our driver was requested for a 9:30 pickup. Left our cabin at 7:30 and hung out at Oceanview until our number was called. The area where the luggage was picked up was well organized and everyone’s luggage was neatly arranged unlike thrown haphazardly around on another cruise line we’ve been on.
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18 Comments

70Strong    1 year ago

Thank you for taking the time to do these reviews! Very helpful and fills me with anticipation!

deconz    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

angie007az    1 year ago

We are booked in a Magic Carpet suite. Can’t wait.

MargieRita    1 year ago

Do it Auntie! I think you would love and appreciate all the ship and this itinerary has to offer.

AuntPinkie    1 year ago

Appreciate you very informative and detailed review. Made me wonder if we need to put this in our cruise wants. Glad you enjoyed your much awaited anniversary cruise.

MargieRita    1 year ago

Grrr, it was 11296. Bed was closer to the bathroom which, to us, made it feel like there was more room in the cabin.

Grrr523    1 year ago

If you don't mind my asking, what # was your sunset veranda cabin? I wonder if they all have the same layout. We have one booked in January.

Bluebunny86    1 year ago

What a fantastic review! Thank you for all of the extra details, so helpful.

cruisersrandd    1 year ago

Happy to hear that you enjoyed your European adventure. Belgium for us this summer. Loved it so much we had to return.

windy2day    1 year ago

Glad you enjoyed your first European adventure! Happy anniversary!

gregkris2024    1 year ago

Loved reading your review. Sounds like it was a great vacay. Our room is also a sunset veranda that we booked and I’m so glad we chose it over the infinite veranda I would have been disappointed had we gone with that option.

greenbay2018    1 year ago

So glad you had a great cruise!!! Always enjoy your posts.

Carnivalfoodie    1 year ago

15-18k steps? Sounds like Disney but with better food. Glad you had a great trip

cruising2004    1 year ago

What a wonderful way to celebrate your cruise! Happy belated Anniversary! 🥂

javawoody    1 year ago

Wonderful itinerary, thanks for sharing your experience

Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

missnotanlines    1 year ago

So glad it went well and you had a wonderful time. Happy Anniversary 🎈🎉

BOBANDSUSAN    1 year ago

Awesomeness! Mediterranean was lucky to have y’all! 🛳🥂🎉

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