Not for the Young or Young at Heart

Celebrity Silhouette Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 26

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5
Celebrity Silhouette

7 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 18, 2018

Ship: Celebrity Silhouette

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 1034

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Let me start by saying I and my wife are 45 years old and have been on over ten cruises. I am not disabled but to say that this ship is handicap accessible is an understatement. There were probably more scooters, canes and wheelchairs than on any cruise ive seen. The average age had to be 70 and the activities (or lack thereof) reflected that. Unless you count eating and drinking as an activity there is virtually nothing to do. The highlight of the cruises entertainment would be the silent disco party where the revelers are wearing headphones and singing Saturday Night Fever songs for the world to hear with no musical accompaniment. It would not be fair to compare the offerings on Royal of a Rock climbing wall, wave runner, carousel, water slide, mini golf, ice skating, water theater shows, boardwalk cafes, 24 hour food availability and Room service menu to this ship, but when you are parked side by side in a port its hard to ignore the dearth of activities offered by this ship On the flip side if you are younger and can make it past a 11:00 pm bedtime the ship is at your disposal as most common areas were abandoned. The nightclub QUASAR never had more than a handful of people, presumably because the music was terrible. and similar to the Sky Lounge on deck 14 where top 40 meant top 40 from 1980. If you are adverse to minorities, except if they are serving you, this is also a ship for you. There was virtually no people of color to be found save a smattering here or there. The food in the main dining room was adequate, i think the quality and selection are designed to steer you to the specialty restaurant. The length of time for service and the lack of attentiveness are all negatives and I think is being driven by the prepaid tips policy where they are no longer working for tips. The same can be said for the staterooms. (I know its a little thing but any cruiser knows that having a towel animal is cruise 101. They've either done away with that or my attendant missed that day of training. It is a small touch that is missing.) Finally, paid for a concierge class, the only experience with the Concierge was briefly during the debarkation process he greeted us at the lounge and presumed to have the group follow him. We were dropped at a line at which time he said he would be back and he never returned. Again attention to detail was lacking and for being at the higher end of the price spectrum they definitely cater to a certain crowd willing to sacrifice certain luxuries for a quieter, less crowded and much, much more mature cruising experience. Children and families beware.

Embarkation

3 out of 5
Ship was delayed so had a late boarding time went surprisingly well and it was a shorter wait than expected.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
The main dining room menu is rather stale. the food was good enough but very limited. You can actually view it online as it doesn't change very much. The Drinks at the bars varied depending on the bartender that's to be expected. One thing I found odd was no matter how early you got to the bar you never saw a fresh bottle being open. they would leave come back and have a Half bottle of something. Not insinuating anything it was just weird that the never cracked a fresh bottle in front of the bar.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5
The fitness center was adequate other than that there were absolutely no other activities. There is a Half basketball court the pool is small and crowded so no swimming can be done. Lay out eat and Drink are the only activities. The clubs and casinos are deserted by 12 its like a ghost ship with a big fat do not disturb sign on it.

Entertainment

2 out of 5
Uptown may have been the best vocal performance ive ever seen on a ship they had two comedians who were funny and two "Shows" that were Okay. The DJ played music for the age appropriate crowd. If you are fond of the Swingin 60s and disco music you had a blast, but if your under 45 and wanted at least a smattering of top 40 you got Whitney Houstons I wanna dance with somebody. Oh yeah and the occassional ubiquitous Bruno Mars song.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5
I think the prepaid tips has really curtailed the service. Once you tip the bartenders they seem to be very responsive, but the room attendants and dining staff although adequate were not as engaged as I remember. Maybe that is my own biased expecting more, but just feel as if they are not as attentive. I actually had to complain to the Maitre di the first night. Service was notably better after.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

Ship tip

Let me start by saying I and my wife are 45 years old and have been on over ten cruises. I am not disabled but to say that this ship is handicap accessible is an understatement. There were probably more scooters, canes and wheelchairs than on any cruise ive seen. The average age had to be 70 and the activities (or lack thereof) reflected that. Unless you count eating and drinking as an activity there is virtually nothing to do. The highlight of the cruises entertainment would be the silent disco party where the revelers are wearing headphones and singing Saturday Night Fever songs for the world to hear with no musical accompaniment. It would not be fair to compare the offerings on Royal of a Rock climbing wall, wave runner, carousel, water slide, mini golf, ice skating, water theater shows, boardwalk cafes, 24 hour food availability and Room service menu to this ship, but when you are parked side by side in a port its hard to ignore the dearth of activities offered by this ship On the flip side if you are younger and can make it past a 11:00 pm bedtime the ship is at your disposal as most common areas were abandoned. The nightclub QUASAR never had more than a handful of people, presumably because the music was terrible. and similar to the Sky Lounge on deck 14 where top 40 meant top 40 from 1980. If you are adverse to minorities, except if they are serving you, this is also a ship for you. There was virtually no people of color to be found save a smattering here or there. The food in the main dining room was adequate, i think the quality and selection are designed to steer you to the specialty restaurant. The length of time for service and the lack of attentiveness are all negatives and I think is being driven by the prepaid tips policy where they are no longer working for tips. The same can be said for the staterooms. (I know its a little thing but any cruiser knows that having a towel animal is cruise 101. They've either done away with that or my attendant missed that day of training. It is a small touch that is missing.) Finally, paid for a concierge class, the only experience with the Concierge was briefly during the debarkation process he greeted us at the lounge and presumed to have the group follow him. We were dropped at a line at which time he said he would be back and he never returned. Again attention to detail was lacking and for being at the higher end of the price spectrum they definitely cater to a certain crowd willing to sacrifice certain luxuries for a quieter, less crowded and much, much more mature cruising experience. Children and families beware.

Ports of call

Key West, Florida

4 out of 5
Just Find Wet Willies and forget the rest.

Cozumel, Mexico

4 out of 5
Prebook the all inclusive Mr. Sanchos for the day. By Far the best food and service you will have all week.

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5
Very expensive and aside from 7 mile beach, which is also very expensive. Think Miami beach prices. Just Okay if youve done it once nothing has changed. It reminds me of Aruba only more expensive.

Disembarkation

2 out of 5
Total Chaos. No communication and despite being a Concierge class with "priority" debarkation the COncierge showed up and basically abandoned us at the back of a line withouth any instruction.
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