This cruise followed a trip to Mardi Gras on the Celebrity Equinox. Family members chose this itinerary, and therefore the ship.

Embarkation was quick and uneventful.

My Time Dining, found us at a different table every time. Service was not well coordinated at any of the tables. Wine service was sometimes available, but never for a second glass. We wanted “sharing” tables, and were only allowed to sit at tables of 8 or 10, as tables of 6 were reserved for families. Table conversation was difficult, as the dining room is quite loud. Food was mostly bland, and meat was usually tough. We noticed that the menu offered prime rib and lobster every night, but required a healthy additional charge (even in the specialty restaurants). On the last formal night, lobster and prime rib were available at no charge. We ate in the Windjammer Buffet one night, and found that food mediocre as well. Surprisingly, tongs were kept in the food (no separate plates to put them on) which raises concerns of dirty hands, dirty handles, and food contamination. Royal Caribbean does have Purell dispensers, and a person at the buffet entrance trying to get people to clean their hands, but tongs in food does not seem sanitary. We ate breakfast in the Diamond Lounge (where there were resting areas for tongs). We enjoyed the helpful and personable concierge, Romina. The beverage stewards there were quite attentive. Read more