Rare drpclarke Posted February 16 #1 Share Posted February 16 This post was recognized by LauraS! "Thank you for sharing your review with everyone at Cruise Critic. Please consider submitting it to the site for publication as well: Click: Write a Review" drpclarke was awarded the badge 'Great Review' My first Celebrity cruise! For reference, I've sailed several times on Carnival (never again), Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. Went on my first Norwegian cruise back in June and loved it so much I booked several more. ...and then came this Celebrity cruise. EMBARKATION - what? Ten minutes? If even? SPEEDIEST EMBARKATION EVER. CABIN - a surprise upgrade was awesome to get. Balcony cabin, spacious and plenty of storage. My only gripe was the lack of outlets. 3 of them, all by the desk. My husband and I were continually fighting for outlet use. No outlet in bathroom, so had to dry my hair there by the desk. OVERALL SPACE: I was told that this cruise was fully booked. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but hey, I WAS NEVER IN A LINE and NEVER IN A CROWD. There is plenty of creative and cozy seating throughout the boat, and I could always find a seat on deck too. BAR: The martini bar is pretty crowded and loud, it's right in the atrium. My room wasn't far, but I couldn't hear the noise. Martini flight was not included in drink package but got it anyway and it was yummy. Smaller martini glasses, but that was okay. Bar by the specialty restaurants was quiet and nice. SPECIALTY RESTAURANTS: didn't hit any except for "Le Petit Chef" which was just precious, and the food was pretty good too! MAIN DINING ROOM: my only complaint about this cruise. The food was uninspired, bland, and the menu just wasn't appetizing. Two salmon dishes on the menu? NO thank you. (however, I will say the escargot was teeny but good, and that is offered every night) THE BUFFET FOOD: I make a practice of staying away from all buffets, but I broke that practice on this cruise. In the words of Stefan on SNL: "This place has everything": salad bar, mexican, indian, carvery, hummus bar, pasta bar..I don't even know what all they had and I appreciated the fact that things didn't stay the same throughout the cruise either. I thought the quality here was better than the MDR. CASINO: Penny slots with the lowest bets at 50 cents. Some bad seating by the "Huff and Puff" machines...too many machines, not enough space. ENTERTAINMENT: SIlent disco is a must. I did hear a bit of the "LIFE" Musical and my ears bled, so I ran off. DEBARKATION? Ten minutes, tops! SERVICE: SMILES EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OVERALL? I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to go on another Celebrity cruise!!!!!!!! I hate that I'm late to the Celebrity life! 19 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lola2013 Posted February 16 #2 Share Posted February 16 Welcome to Celebrity! I’ll be sailing on Silhouette in April…so glad you had a great time. Susan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted February 16 #3 Share Posted February 16 Glad to hear you enjoyed it. We booked a short cruise on Silhouette for Dec 24..Concierge..We may not get off the ship in Nassau but probably will at Key West.. been there before but looking for ideas! We booked 3 Specialty Dining venues so far..waiting for the Porch.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ciaranaman Posted February 16 #4 Share Posted February 16 We were on Silhouette last February, and will be back on in May. Can't wait, and glad to hear that almost everything was enjoyed! ~Bernadette 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daydreamer16 Posted February 16 #5 Share Posted February 16 Silhouette is my favorite! Glad you had a good time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvcrusn Posted February 16 #6 Share Posted February 16 1 hour ago, drpclarke said: My first Celebrity cruise! CABIN - a surprise upgrade was awesome to get. Balcony cabin, spacious and plenty of storage. My only gripe was the lack of outlets. 3 of them, all by the desk. My husband and I were continually fighting for outlet use. No outlet in bathroom, so had to dry my hair there by the desk. Just a FYI. There is an outlet in the bathroom above the sink near the ceiling. It is a low voltage only though it's good for an electric shaver or to charge an electric toothbrush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisersTimesThree Posted February 16 #7 Share Posted February 16 Our favorite ship! Boarding her a week from Monday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted February 16 #8 Share Posted February 16 Glad you enjoyed the Silhouette. it is our favourite ship too, although we haven't sailed any of the E class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denby Posted February 16 #9 Share Posted February 16 We board on February 26th. What a lovely positive review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirlppp Posted February 17 #10 Share Posted February 17 Loved reading your review; we don't board her till May but this softens the "final payment sting". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyman Posted February 17 #11 Share Posted February 17 Nice review and things looking more positive. If only Celebrity could pull their finger out and sort the MDR offerings……… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise a holic Posted February 17 #12 Share Posted February 17 (edited) We also love the Silhouette and Reflection. Our favorite S class ships- sailed on both multiple times. However we sailed in January on the Silhouette and both my DH and I got very sick the last couple of days. A lady in the solarium was coughing badly and we sat near her. When we got home, I had multiple tests for Covid, RSV, pneumonia and many viruses- all negative. Went to ENT and was prescribed antibiotics and nasal and cough medication. Was told I had a bad sinus infection. I am still coughing! Be careful, wear a mask in the elevators and run away for anybody who appears ill! We have another cruise in three weeks. Hopefully, I will be better by then! Edited February 17 by Cruise a holic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catskier Posted February 17 #13 Share Posted February 17 I was on the same cruise. It was a full ship. At times did feel crowded. Sea day. Chairs were already “saved” at 8 am when walking to breakfast. Location: a balcony forward cabin, plenty of space. we could not get our hair drier to fit in the bathroom plug. Used the office space, same as poster. Agreed, MDR uninspired. Not bad, but if it was a restaurant I had to drive to and pay, would not go back. Except pool side and martini bar, always quick to get a beverage. Loved the El bacco? To sit in the evening and listen to the music. Buffet: plenty choices, but I was underwhelmed . Nothing I loved. Did not go hungry, but…Good news I did not put on a pound once home. We did walk every day even clocked in 7 miles on a sea day. Helps when you have the most forward cabin. I had the premium beverage package and was surprised to find out the gelato was not included. Over all friendly staff, plenty to do. The one big complaint every day they had some common areas closed off for private party. How is that allowed? Sky bar area at sail away,, sipping drinks watching us pass Miami, asked to leave. As well as another afternoon, I saw the closed sign while walking by. It was closed for a private Super Bowl party. They did have lots of TVs on for viewing, even the big theater. They even had a little buffet for snacks during the game and a bar set up, so you did not need to walk far. Nice touch. Could not stay up late enough for silent disco, but loved the couple of 10 o’clock sing along’s. My favorite Abba. We were off the ship by 7:45am walk off. Once out of terminal turned right to walk to cabs- was father then I thought it would be. We were stopped by a large Mercedes mini van who said would take us for $11 each. They do take other passengers but we were last ones on, off we went to airport. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mahdnc Posted February 17 #14 Share Posted February 17 On 2/15/2024 at 6:32 PM, drpclarke said: I hate that I'm late to the Celebrity life! Better late than never! I'm glad to read that you enjoyed your first Celebrity cruise. Thanks for posting your review. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiscs Posted February 17 #15 Share Posted February 17 On 2/16/2024 at 1:32 AM, drpclarke said: MAIN DINING ROOM: my only complaint about this cruise. The food was uninspired, bland, and the menu just wasn't appetizing. Two salmon dishes on the menu? NO thank you. (however, I will say the escargot was teeny but good, and that is offered every night) Hmm. I got the impression that Celebrity had good food 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mahdnc Posted February 17 #16 Share Posted February 17 5 minutes ago, Cruiscs said: Hmm. I got the impression that Celebrity had good food It's all relative and subjective! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NMTraveller Posted February 17 #17 Share Posted February 17 22 minutes ago, Cruiscs said: Hmm. I got the impression that Celebrity had good food Celebrity USED TO get Cruise Critic awards for food. Now it is Virgin that is getting the awards ... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veinless Posted February 17 #18 Share Posted February 17 1 hour ago, Cruiscs said: Hmm. I got the impression that Celebrity had good food Had, but no longer has. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiscs Posted February 17 #19 Share Posted February 17 8 minutes ago, Veinless said: Had, but no longer has. Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NMTraveller Posted February 17 #20 Share Posted February 17 33 minutes ago, Cruiscs said: Why? They incurred a bunch of debt during the pandemic and are trying to save money and boost shareholder revenue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiscs Posted February 18 #21 Share Posted February 18 12 hours ago, NMTraveller said: They incurred a bunch of debt during the pandemic and are trying to save money and boost shareholder revenue. So Virgin was not affected? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted February 18 #22 Share Posted February 18 Silhouette is our favourite ship too…The range of speciality restaurants does enhance the dining experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiscs Posted February 18 #23 Share Posted February 18 18 minutes ago, chemmo said: Silhouette is our favourite ship too…The range of speciality restaurants does enhance the dining experience. Which speciality restaurants do you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted February 18 #24 Share Posted February 18 1 hour ago, Cruiscs said: Which speciality restaurants do you recommend? Murano for a more formal, special occasion feel. Definitely the best food quality. Tuscan for great wake views, a relaxing steak/pasta house feel. Le Petit Chef. Unusual and amusing but fun rather than fine dining. Lawn Grill, think of a family BBQ atmosphere and food to match. Less good in cold regions. The Porch. A bit like a Mediterranean cafe both for food and ambiance. We tend to enjoy for an occasional lunch. Sushi on Five. More than Sushi, great place for a relaxing lunch or for an informal evening meal. Sorry if I haven’t given you the clear answer you want! I guess the strength of the Silhouette speciality restaurants is their variety. We will do each of them a few times. Murano we find great on a sea day when you have the time and energy to enjoy a longer and more formal meal. Tuscan we love when we leave a port at about 6pm. You peruse the menu and sip your first drink as you see the ship leave port, you enjoy your starter as day starts to fade and the port begins to slip into the distance and by the time you are sipping your coffee end enjoying a limoncello day has turned to night… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hawkstar33 Posted February 18 #25 Share Posted February 18 4 more sleeps before our BTB, on Silhouette. Unlimited specialty dining for second leg of trip..Very excited.. Thanks for review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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