After hearing about the comparisons between Princess and Celebrity and wanted to compare on ourselves. Our first cruise on Celebrity was terrific. The service on board was great, and being in Aqua Class was an added benefit. Dining in Blu was a wonderful experience, food and service was incredible. Only small negatives, the casino and the buffet. We are not buffet people and had too go there a couple of times when when the timing was off during especially during lunch. There is always many people wondering around loading up their plates, cutting inline and not very pleasant, making "dining" in the buffet not very enjoyable. The selection and presentation in the buffet also was not very appealing. Not everyone loves the buffet and it being the one large venue to have lunch on embarkation is not very attractive. Princess does have a smaller dining room available for lunch so you don't have to go to the buffet. The one negative was the casino, the staff and dealers were not very friendly and seemed there were just there. The RCCL/Celebrity casino policy of adding surcharge when you charge your cabin for your casino cash is just wrong. This was the only cruise line that we have sailed has done that. But overall it was a great cruise, great ship and we have confirmed our next trip on Equinox in October 2020.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Had the transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia port and that went great. Will not complain that our flight was 60 minutes early due to amazing tail winds. The drive to the port was scenic and once we arrived the embarkation was smooth and efficient. The one complain was the blatant and annoying selling attempts for upgrading drink packages or specialty restaurants.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Being in Aqua Class gave us the pleasure of dining in Blu. The service and food was exemplary so much so we did not dine in any of the other specialty restaurants. All of our breakfasts and dinners were in the Blu with except of one lunch in the MDR which was great.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Used the fitness center five of the six days, the exception of the early arrival in Aristogli Greece. Large, lots machines, the bikes worked it was a great place to workout.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The musicians were great. The musical production shows were just ok, the shows were ordinary, the only "wow" was this acrobatic couple on the heavy scarfs and swing that were truly amazing.. They had a magician doing his act on a large screen, after his second trick the magic became boring.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The service on board was fabulous. Everyone greeted you with a smile and genuine feeling they appreciated their ship guests. One major shout out to Norbert of the Excursion office who assisted finding my cell phone left on Bus 18 in Messina Sicily and had worked out the logistics to have the phone delivered to us in Venice when we departed the ship.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship was great in doors but obvious it is old and in need of the dry dock. A few of on board crew did reference the ship was 20 years old and not due for the drydock until November 2020.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
It started off a tad rough. The steward left a cleaning towel on the desk chair and it left a wet spot, but he quickly replaced the chair.
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2 Comments
Gwbigdog 2 years ago
cruisereckoning 4 years ago