We are of the opinion that Celebrity cruises are superior to Royal Caribbean and this cruise (our 7th transatlantic, with one on RC) confirms that opinion. The smaller fitness center and buffet, cleanliness issues, WiFi problem (though it’s really hit or miss on any cruise), limited night snack offerings on RC make it clear that we will stick with Celebrity in the future.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Onboardibg was smooth and easy, though my crown & anchor level (diamond) wasn’t printed on my seapass card.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Great service in the main dining room and windjammer buffet. The park cafe offerings are quite limited though convenient to the solarium.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Fitness center is small and means there is sometimes a wait for equipment; the jogging track outside is nicely marked for distance. I never got to use the climbing wall but there were daily opportunities offered.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Really enjoyed the musical, comedic, juggling, and magic shows. All performers were great and the show length was just right (45-55 minutes).
Children's Programs
No children were in my party.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
The cleanliness of my room at the start of the cruise was not acceptable (there was hair balls under the desk; and empty can and bottle and gum wrappers in the cabinet; and dirt or black mold around the edge of the sink). The items were addressed once I pointed them out and my room steward kept the room spotless going forward. Though I should not have had to correct the initial cleanliness, I do recognize the limited time for changeover between cruises.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship design was familiar to me as I’ve sailed many times with RC and Celebrity. The ship was kept pretty clean.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabin was in a good location, at the forward end below the buffet and theater. For Internet or WiFi access however it was abysmal. I could barely get a reliable signal in the cabin with the door closed, but if I stood in the open door or went into the hallway I could connect to WiFi. Signal was great in the theater, but it was a royal pain to have to go there for reception. Many others joined me there, however, so it appears to be a broader issue.
Barcelona is great but seriously watch for pickpockets, they are getting bolder and I think the city turns a blind eye to them (“tourist tax”). Watch how you’re being watched, and take care to not let anyone get close to you from behind on stairs or escalator (they hit the STOP button on our escalator to create a distraction but weren’t able to steal from my friend’s purse, though they got her zippers open).
Due to weather, our ship docked at Port Canaveral in Orlando, 2 hours away from Tampa and the cruise line arranged for bus transport to Tampa. Always consider changing your flight to just leave from Orlando rather than take the 2 hour bus ride.
Thank you for your detailed review. I'm a bit disconcerted, though. I'm going on my very first cruise in March...on Rhapsody of The Seas. Perhaps I'll be more content about some of it since I have NOTHING to compare it with...
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