When you add up all the extras that Celebrity tries to
"sell" you, you might as well go on a higher level cruise
line, such as Oceana, Crystal or 7 Seas, where everything is included, including air.
To charge $59 and $69 for a "beverage package", unless you are a drunk, or wish to start drinking right
after breakrfast, is outrageous. I consider myself and my partner "average' drinkers; what this means is that we might have a Pina Colada around the pool around mid afternoon, and a cocktail each before dinner, and a
bottle of premium red wine during dinner. Does that add up to $69 / PERSON DAILY? This is my 8th Celebrity Cruise. You constantly raise prices on the premium restaurants. The Italian steak restaurant @ $60 / person is not worth it. For $10 more / person you might as well have dinner at Morano, which at $70 / person, costing $140 for two people is a lot more than it used to be.
We usually are Aqua Class; this time we were a little late booking this cruise and had dinner in the main dining room. I will say our waiter and ass't waiter were
OUTSTANDING. I felt like we were in the Aqua Class
Blue dining room. It stops there. The menu and food were at best average. I wound up having the basic
steak 6 out of 12 nights, and had dinner at The Italian restaurant and 2 dinners at Morano. I realize you are preparing food for 2950 passengers plus staff, but as I had stated in the beginning of my review, I might as well be on Oceana of Crystal. Not any difference in price when you add it all up with Celebrity.
Our cabin steward was also outstanding. The Conceirge level sounds great, but in the end what does this all mean? (a) the H'ourves sent to our cabin we did not even touch. The Concierge, after her long recording on the telephone, meant nothing to us. Never had a need to use her services. The head of the dining room and I became well acquainted, and went out of his way to help us with restaurant reservations. I was thrilled when I asked him if he is going to be on the Apex this Summer.........HE IS!!!! Nice to know someone on the new ship, although he does not know at this time where he will be positioned. Being on a
Sky Suite level, I doubt I would need his help, but never the less wonderful to have a "friend" on staff.
I was not the only passenger we met on our 12 day cruise who felt the same as we did, that it is a constant
selling on Celebrity.