CELEBRITY SILHOUETTE | 14 September 2015

On 14th September I boarded the Celebrity Silhouette together with my sister for an 11 day cruise in the Mediterranean. I have cruised many times before but never with celebrity and rarely on as large a ship as the Silhouette. First impressions as I boarded were of a floating block of flats unlike many of the smaller cruisers which look like ships. Inside I found her to be luxurious, spacious, elegant in parts and gaudy in other areas. The main Dining room was tastefully decorated but the Self service one, felt more like a larger version of a certain supermarket orange cafe. The carpet was coloured orange and green if I recall correctly. I would not have wanted to be in there with a hangover!

We had an inside cabin each and I must say we were pleasantly surprised at how spacious they were ƒ?? large double bed with plenty of space either side and with lots of storage spaces, including the bathroom. Our cabin steward was helpful and pleasant and cabins had been beautifully cleaned by midmorning. I have been on ships when this task was not completed until late afternoon!

The food in the main dining room was very good. We had the choice of dining early, late or when we wished. We went for the latter. Unfortunately, nearly everyone who went for this option, turned up at the same time and we were frequently kept waiting till 9pm- so we might as well have opted for late sitting in the first place ƒ?? we would have at least known where we stood, instead of dressing and being ready to eat at 7.45pm but having to wait for over an hour. On a couple of occasions we were given a bleeper to take away until they were ready for us. We also asked to dine on a large table with others but on our first night we were placed in a dark corner next to a serving station. On the second evening I explained carefully to the dining manager that we wanted to meet other people on this trip and would like to sit with others. When she directed us back to the pokey table for two I refused, stood my ground and made a fuss until we were correctly seated. I felt I should not have had to get cross before something was done. After all, I had been told that we would notice the difference going on a 5 star ship rather than a 4 star ships I was more used to. Yes we did notice the difference but not in a good way as far as dining room was concerned.

We did consider eating in the smart ƒ??Murano Restaurant ƒ?? one evening, When I went to book a table I was asked to pay 56 dollars extra each, when we had already paid for our food! As you can no doubt gather, I did find the ship expensive. 18% gratuities were added to everything you bought on board. I had paid my gratuities when I paid for the cruise so this extra on everything came as a bit of a shock! I was charged 46 dollars for one of their more economical bottles of wine! I would not have minded so much if it had been good or at least acceptable but it was like vinegar ! I had hoped for a relaxing meal with good company in a nice part of the dining room with fine wine and food! The food was the only thing they had right. I did find a better wine a day or two later I may add – for about 6 dollars more, thanks to a fellow passenger we did meet at diner when they eventually got the message that we would not accept a table for two. The waiters were all excellent. In fact the staff at all levels were all courteous and most of them helpful. The food by the way in the self service was excellent in quality. There was a massive variety of foods on offer here at breakfast and lunchtime. It was probably the same at dinner but I didnƒ??t pay to go on a five star ship to sit having dinner in gaudy self service cafe.

My sister and I bought one photograph taken by one of the shipƒ??s photographers. We had not been on holiday together for about 55 years so we wanted to mark the occasion. That photograph cost us 39 dollars including the 18% gratuities. It was one large print 24 X 20cm with 3 tiny useless sized ones attached. The smaller prints were not optional. I will not repeat what I told the photographer about his prices!
The pool area was pleasant with comfortable loungers at the poolside and on the decks above. On sea days it was always possible to find a couple of free loungers if you are prepared to go up a deck or two. In fact I found it preferable as the duo sung at you at top volume all day which my sister and I found very annoying (I know I must sound like a grumpy old man but I am usually quite easily pleased on holiday so this is not the norm for me). It is difficult to hold a conversation or even concentrate on a good book. I could hear the female singer warbling and sometimes shrieking away 2 decks above!

It was a comfortable ship. The evening shows in the theatre were of a high standard ƒ?? both the singing and the dancing. The itinerary was excellent. We decided to do our own thing during our days in port, rather than opt for the shipƒ??s tours, particularly after the first and only port talk we attended – It told us absolutely nothing more than the port information on line. We were very disappointed as we had hoped to get more information about Taormina in Sicily, other than what we had read.

It was not the worse cruise I have been on I have to admit. However, it was also not the best one either ƒ?? far from it!