Disappointing!

We have been cruising for nearly 10 years now and have always enjoyed P&O ships (an odd occasion has disappointed!) but we had been advised that the Celebrity Eclipse would exceed our expectations of P&O experiences as it was rated 5*.

There are some areas that were 5* and I’d like to recognise these: –
The self serve buffet for breakfast & lunch, although always the same menu, in general the range of choice was exceptional. The availability of fruit juice throughout the day from this venue was very well used and the inclusion of an ice cream bar within the buffet area was also popular. In the main restaurant the meat (in particular beef) was of exceptional quality but that is where the quality ended!

When it came to the main dining room we were left very disappointed! The meals choice was mediocre and the vegetables had to be requested as extra to our meals and usually arrived cold and only blanched rather than cooked! This failed to be resolved even when raised as a problem, leaving us very unhappy.
The restaurant stated that diners would only be served if they arrived within a half hour opening of evening meal times (late sitting, 8:30 – 9:00pm) but often our service was disrupted by late comers arriving as late as 10pm! The ma??tre de neglected to resolve this even when one of the waiters pointed out that he shouldn’t allow them in when they arrive so late!
Dress code was not enforced on formal nights and the tardy attire of some diners left much to be desired!

We had been warned that drinks on board were very expensive but we didn’t feel they were too expensive with the exception of bottled still water – we were buying this ashore for 46 cents when on board they were charging 6 dollars! This is disgusting when water is a necessity in hot weather conditions.

Because all our gratuities had been paid up front there was no incentive for waiters or cabin stewards to be helpful and we found the service somewhat lacking! A bed sheet being missed off of the bed when linen was changed and no replenishment of milk, tea & coffee to name but a few!

The bathroom was larger and better than we had anticipated and the sun canopies on the main sun decks around the pool were lovely and welcomed in the hot sunshine.

We wouldn’t rush to cruise with Celebrity again but if the ship offered the right itinerary, that couldn’t be found with another company, we might consider it!