Celebrity Silhouette……..

As a few of you are aware I’ve just returned from 02 nights onboard Celebrity Silhouette.  She is now sailing out of Southampton for the summer season and replaces Celebrity Eclipse who’s been based in Southampton for the past few years.   Silhouette is the fourth ship in the Solstice class, and was launched in 2011.

Now for me a 02 nighter doesn’t always give you a good indication of what cruising is really like if its your first time as I think it attracts a lot of groups whether it be Stag / Hen parties or special birthdays.  Obviously these kind of groups are attracted to the offer of a free all inclusive drinks package.  This cruise just went over to Le Havre where a few customers did an excursion to Paris.  I just got off an had a look around Le Havre but the rain was very heavy all day.  

Celebrity Cruises are classed as 5* and in my opinion are the best of the mainstream cruise lines sailing out of Southampton and after these last 02 nights onboard I still believe that to be true. My only gripe would be that because of the above mentioned drinks packages the bars are always very very busy with quite often only 2 to 3 staff trying to make cocktails with sometimes 10 – 20 people waiting!  For me there should be a barman just serving beers/lagers by the bottle as this is much quicker than making a cocktail and would help to keep the bars clearer.  This was probably the only complaint I would have, so nothing major aslong as you’ve got a little patience.

Facilities aboard Celebrity Silhouette include:

• The Lawn Club, a country club – like activity center on the uppermost deck, with a half-acre of grass.
• First ship in the fleet to have a grill at The Lawn Club called Lawn Club Grill which is in place of the glass blowing theatre featured on the first three Solstice Class ships.
• First ship in the fleet to feature restaurant The Porch at the Lawn Club which is also in place of the glass blowing theatre featured on the first three Solstice Class ships.
• First ship in the fleet to have The Alcoves, verandas at the Lawn Club
• First ship in the fleet to have an Art Studio at The Lawn Club.
• First ship in the fleet to have The Hideaway
• The Celebrity Silhouette has 12 restaurants

I was quite impressed with my cabin, I was given a 2C grade oceanview balcony.  These show as partially obstructed but as you will see from my Photo its hardly anything to worry about just a white metal ledge that stops you looking directly down.  Having one of these can save you sometimes a few hundred pound so look out for them the next time you book.

Now may favourite part of a cruise…..the food.  I wasn’t disappointed.  We dined in the main dining room ‘Grand Cuvee’ for the 02 nights but as with most ships there are also speciality dining rooms onboard and as always the self service buffet Oceanview Cafe which is fantastic at lunchtimes with so much choice on offer.

Dining Options Onboard The Celebrity Silhouette

Unfortunately the weather was awful for my 2 days onboard but that didnt stop some people using the hot tubs, but whats great with Silhouette is the indoor pool which i’ve no doubt will used a fair bit now she sails out of Southampton!

All in all it was great trip and very beneficial as i’d not been on a Celebrity ship since Celebrity Equinox was launched back in 2009.  If you like to sail out of Southampton and haven’t yet tried Celebrity give them a try…….would recommend it.

During the summer months Silhouette sails to the Baltic, Med and then the Canaries later in the summer.  If you fancy trying please let me know and i’ll be happy to assist!

Haydn