Public Areas & Facilities

While stylishly furnished, the decor in public areas suffers from low ceilings. This is a lovely ship but the predinner crush can seem especially onerous when passengers appear en masse to enter the single formal restaurant. Not far from the dining room, the popular Martini Bar isn't quite big enough to find a seat unless you arrive early, but you can order the specialty drinks from a table in the adjacent Rendezvous Lounge. Think about selecting the intimate Michael's Club, with its comfortable seating and faux fireplace, for predinner libations instead.

Restaurants

The single formal restaurant serves evening meals in two assigned seatings and is supplemented by a casual Lido buffet, which requires reservations for the evening meal. A breakfast and lunch buffet, an outdoor grill, Cova Café, and 24-hour room service are additional dining choices. Waiters circulate through lounges serving late-night pizza bites and canapés.

What Works & What Doesn't

Handsomely decorated, some public rooms on the two mid-ship decks nevertheless suffer from distracting shiny overhead surfaces. Light bouncing off the dining room ceiling gives it a particularly dated look.

Lounges and nightclubs are spacious and comfortable. Nearly all adults should find a spot that appeals to them -- important on a ship with no balconies and little deck activity at night.

The youth staff do a credible job, but this isn't the ideal ship for youngsters since the children's playroom is small. Teens are also unlikely to be satisfied as there are no dedicated facilities for them.

Accommodations

Layout: Even without private balconies, accommodations are pleasant and spacious with more wardrobe space than most passengers need. Cabins are well-designed and use their space efficiently, and include ample closet and drawer-shelf storage and bathroom shelves for storage. Royal Suites have a walk-in closet; all suites have a combination bathtub and shower instead of just a shower.

Amenities: Light-wood cabinetry, mirrored accents, a personal safe, a hair dryer, and a small sitting area with either love seat or chairs and table are typical standard furnishings. Extras include bathroom toiletries (shampoo, soaps, and lotion) and a bathrobe for use during the cruise. Only the Royal suites add a CD player and VCR, while all suites include butler service, a small refrigerator, personalized stationery, and a tote bag. An expanded room-service menu is also available in suites, as well as afternoon tea service and evening canapés.

Worth Noting: A half-dozen standard staterooms overlook the stern with dramatic views of the ship's wake, but two of them (5160 and 5167) are adjacent to the children's playroom and can be noisy during periods when the kiddy program is in full swing. Four staterooms are designed for wheelchair accessibility.

Category	Size (square feet)
Royal Suites	500
Zenith Suites	270
Concierge/Ocean View	172
Interior	172

Favorites

Our Favorite Spot for a Nightcap: The Fleet Bar is without a doubt one of the most successful observation lounges afloat. Even if it weren't huge, with a large seating area, dance floor, and a delightful nautical air, it would still qualify as best-of-the-best because the adjacent outside deck offers a fine view to starboard, port, and over the bow. Head there for port arrivals and departures and a bit of relaxation to end the evening.

Best Place to Get Away From It All: Although the ship does not have the Celebrity signature AquaSpa, a trio of whirlpools is set high up on an aft deck overlooking the ship's wake. Situated in such an out-of-the-way spot, these whirlpools are relatively private and seldom crowded.

Best Splurge: The special treats at Cova Café are worth the small additional charge.