baabtx Posted February 9, 2016 #1 Share Posted February 9, 2016 My DW and I just returned to the Great State of Texas after our first Celebrity Cruise (after multiple cruises on RCCL). We both had a fantastic trip! But I'll try to give some of the High and Low lights of the cruise, which was the Eastern Caribbean 1/31 cruise. Sorry I don't have any pictures to share, I donated my camera to the good people of St. Maarten during the trip :( Embarkation: Wow - that was too easy! Maybe because we were considered Elite (due to Diamond RCI status) or in suite, but walked right up @11:30, checked in and immediately boarded the ship, no waiting around at all. The smoothest we've ever experienced!! After about an hour and a quick bite to eat in Luminae (I'll get to that later) we were able to get to our cabin. We booked an Sky Suite 2157 which is an aft facing cabin - great cabin, plenty or room and storage with all the Bulgari(sp) amenities. Super Butler Tegue and Cabin attendant. The Ship: I loved this ship - all of the public spaces are incredibly comfortable, like many the chair hogs were out, but found some good sun spots and really liked the solarium on those days which I didn't want to bake - and found lounges easily. Specialty Restaurants: Only tried one - the Lawn Club Grill, we enjoyed our meal here. The flat bread pizza was awesome as was the steak and seafood and service. This was included in our package, but I wouldn't pay the fee of $45 for the restaurant as I didn't feel that I received $45 worth of food for that cost. But enjoyed it none the less (and thought it was only $25 pp). The others looked nice and heard nice things about them. (but costly) Luminae - As the private dining area for suite guests, we really enjoyed the privacy and the service in the Luminae. The staff was awesome, awesome, awesome - the food was so/so, so/so, so/so. Breakfast was good, lunch had a nice brochette offering and dinner had a couple of good things during the cruise, but at best it was very inconsistent. Even lobster night, they served a poached lobster instead of a lobster in the shell (which we would have preferred). We could have ordered it instead, as with many other dishes, but as a stand alone the food could have been much better to match the service the staff provided. Michaels - what a treat this was. I heard it had been packed on previous cruise, but on ours, it was never crowded, which made it great. Loved being able to grab a coke, water, etc. when needed (and we were on a premium drink pkg) and our Concierge Anca was Great as was the Bartender/Server Ksenia! Entertainment - Also a hit or miss. The first comedian was funny enough (to my wife and I) but lost on the full crowd, which was a bit older than the 2 of us (we are both in our 50's). The first show, LIFE, was very good and the vocal ensemble of singers (4) had great range and great voices. The show with the guys singing Motown (Hitsville) was FANTASTIC! Had everyone moving and singing along! The comedian/magician was OK and did some nice illusions. The big miss to us was the new show Cosmopolitan done by the Staff Singers and Dancers (and I'm not bashing them). We and another couple we met and saw the show with just didn't know what the heck the show was truly about, it seemed rudderless. The first few numbers were not all that good, it then got a bit better musically, then faltered in the end. Just not well put together. Also wonder if Celebrity looks at some of the demographics of their cruising public prior to embarkation. Since the majority of the cruisers were older wondering if they couldn't make some adjustments (small) to accommodate all tastes. They sang some Hip Hop during a bit @ NYC and might have been better served doing Frank Sinatra or a Broadway number. Really disappointed in the show as a whole. Last night was the Tenors of Rock and they did not disappoint! Fun and great music - crowd loved em! Other entertainment: Great individual performers especially Blue Waves a cute young couple from Canada that did folk/country music. Tried not to miss any of their shows (especially in Ensemble Lounge or Lawn Show). Nice touch for smaller shows. Ports: Well we've been to San Juan and St. Maarten, so we just walked and shopped in San Juan and I finally got my chance to go to Maho Beach in St. Maarten to see the planes which was cool, but don't have the pics to prove it since this is where I seemed to have lost my camera! St. Kitts - we thought this was a beautiful island and went to the Marriott for a Day Pass, which was a great deal at $35pp. Quick cab ride and beautiful beach!! Disembarkation - got lucky with Anca helping to escort us off the ship at 9am, out of terminal by about 9:30. Overall we really loved this cruise! We had a blast, met some really nice people, met some really nice staff members. I think I'm a convert, but still haven't convinced my DW as yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portofrome Posted February 9, 2016 #2 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Glad you loved the cruise. Thank you for the review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copi2boys Posted February 9, 2016 #3 Share Posted February 9, 2016 (edited) Good review. We have only sailed RCCI (except VERY early in our cruising career) and are trying Celebrity for the first time next year. Sounds like it will be perfect for us. Edited February 9, 2016 by copi2boys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landj999 Posted February 9, 2016 #4 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Does Anca do just one escort off the ship or multiple times, if you know? Trying to stay on as long as possible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globevest Posted February 9, 2016 #5 Share Posted February 9, 2016 A cruise on Silhouette was our first introduction to Celebrity and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We join Reflection in 4 days....can't wait. Thank you for the balanced review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 9, 2016 #6 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Thanks for sharing your review! My thoughts on Luminae echo yours exactly. Norris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baabtx Posted February 9, 2016 Author #7 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Does Anca do just one escort off the ship or multiple times, if you know?Trying to stay on as long as possible! She did multiple trips, but mostly early from what I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy2cruise Posted February 9, 2016 #8 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Wondering if you remember whether the filet was still on the menu at the Lawn Grill:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baabtx Posted February 10, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Wondering if you remember whether the filet was still on the menu at the Lawn Grill:confused: My wife had the Filet. It was grilled as she liked it, but charred a bit much, I added some drawn butter (I cook my steaks with butter) and it made it moister. But she still enjoyed it. I had the shrimp/scallop skewers which were very good, but had to ask for drawn butter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uem Posted February 10, 2016 #10 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Thanks for sharing your review. I have this same cabin booked next year, and was wondering if you had any issue with noise from above? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRWLOBO Posted February 10, 2016 #11 Share Posted February 10, 2016 We notice that you have a similar cabin to one we are considering on our upcoming cruise. Can you tell us if you had any issues with noise from the deck above, i.e., chairs moving, people talking, music, etc.? We have heard mixed reviews and we just want to get as many opinions as possible before we decide. Also, how did you like the overhang on the balcony? It seems to me that it would protect from some of the noise from above. Any details you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vino123 Posted February 10, 2016 #12 Share Posted February 10, 2016 We also have the same sky suite in April. Love to hear any more details about it too. Especially any noise issues but we love the aft views. Hoping that any noise from above will only be heard if we are outside on the veranda and not inside the suite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted February 10, 2016 #13 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Enjoyed your review. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baabtx Posted February 10, 2016 Author #14 Share Posted February 10, 2016 We notice that you have a similar cabin to one we are considering on our upcoming cruise. Can you tell us if you had any issues with noise from the deck above, i.e., chairs moving, people talking, music, etc.? We have heard mixed reviews and we just want to get as many opinions as possible before we decide. Also, how did you like the overhang on the balcony? It seems to me that it would protect from some of the noise from above. Any details you can provide would be greatly appreciated. It was not that bad, but again it depends who is really above doing the eating and moving around. I head it now and then, but it was mostly just a moving chair or something. Didn't hear anybody talking and we slept in a couple of mornings. Probably the worst on the last night when the crew was most likely doing a more thorough cleaning of the deck - again not horrible. Nice cabin, plenty of storage, great attendant and Butler (for our cruise). As stated above, the only difference would be a different class of passenger that would be a bit rougher with the furniture if moving it around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy2cruise Posted February 10, 2016 #15 Share Posted February 10, 2016 My wife had the Filet. It was grilled as she liked it, but charred a bit much, I added some drawn butter (I cook my steaks with butter) and it made it moister. But she still enjoyed it. I had the shrimp/scallop skewers which were very good, but had to ask for drawn butter. Thanks, just wanted to make sure it was still available because one of the menus on Celebrity website did not list it:confused:. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now