Cruise Reviews

A New cruisers experience

Reviewed By: Webster, Walsall on 8th Feb 2010
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: Celebrity Solstice Sailed: September, 2009
Destination: Mediterranean Age: 65+
Cabin: Balcony Occasion: Wedding anniversary
We are both experienced travellers with 25 years experience of being fortunate enough to have stayed in some of the top hotels of the world in many different countries. Although we had considered cruising, we had never actually got round to doing it. We did eventually agree to give it a go with 4 friends.
We decided we wanted the best possible ship we could afford in order to get a good impression of cruising and after reading many, many reviews on this site and others,we chose the Celebrity Solstice 11 day tour of the Mediterranean which gave us a nearly new ship and a tour without to much travel to join it (Rome).
based on review comments I booked a cabin on deck 7 to guarantee uninterrupted views and it was well worth the few £'s extra. The cabin turned out to be more than we had expected, being really well appionted with excellent shower,toilet and washing facilities, a good sized bed and ample storage considering the limited space.
Our biggest surprise was the food. The buffet restuarant was superb with many choices of food from different countries, all presented in a first class manner so we were never at a loss to find something exciting to try.
In the evening we dined in one of the formal restaurants where the choice, quality of food and the polite and friendly service could not be faulted.
The theatre entertainment varied a little being really good on some nights and not the most exciting on a couple of others, but all in all it was ok.
One aspect we did not use was the gambling Casino, which is a fairly dominant feature of the ship and to us seemed rather expensive, although it was well used by the Americans and other non British travellers.
The excursions were numerous and provided a solution for all tastes and abilities. They were superbly organised with smooth loading of the large number of coaches involved, with the excursion Staff making it a very enjoyable experience on all the ones we did. To sum up:- We were a little apprehensive but it turned out to be all we could have wished for. Well done Celebrity. We will be back
Quality of Food5
Wonderful choice. Tried almost everything
Entertainment2
Circus = best. Some Staff shows could have been better
Shore Excursions3
Santorini far to crowded which left little time to explore. Didn't like being dragged into carpet and other sales venues.
Staff5
All Staff we came into contact with were very good.
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities4
Casino seemed to take up to much space . Other areas ok.
Cabins5
Better than I expected.
Overall Rating5
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW

Add a COMMENT about     Ask a QUESTION about     ANSWER  Question

Agree with Review?            

Publish a Review