Celebrity Cruises brochure 2013/2014

Celebrity cruises have to be one of my favourite cruise lines out there. The Celebrity Eclipse, (although it isn't my favourite ship of all time), is definitely in my top three.
For any one curious it would be:
NCL Epic;
Celebrity Eclipse;
Cunards QM2.
In fact you can click here to seem my review of the Eclipse from the last time I was onboard. However for those of you who haven't cruised with Celebrity but are thinking of it for next year you may find their 2013/2013 cruise brochure useful................

Happy cruising

Is Celebrity Concierge class worth it?

First off Celebrity themselves are great value for money. Their ships, (especially the new Solstice class), are amazing, (see my review here for the last time I was on the Eclipse), but it just seems to me that the Concierge service they offer isn't worth the money you pay for it;  but what do you think?

Celebrity cruises - Behind the scenes

Hmmmm, it's not often you'll hear me criticising Celebrity Cruises. I think they're a great cruise line with some of the most amazing ships at sea, (click here to see my review of the Celebrity Eclipse).
The one thing that does bug me about them however is the amount of things you're charged for whilst your onboard and the cost of those things in general.
If you're not careful you can walk away from your cruise with a huge bill on your onboard account and I don't think Celebritys latest brain wave is going to help this situation much.

Kosher food that will taste good?

Anyone that's been reading my blog for a while will know that Halal and Kosher food has always been a bit of a bug bear with me. It annoys me that so many cruise lines offer Kosher meals but not Halal and even when they do offer Kosher meals they're pre-packed microwave meals. Not really the standard I'd expect on a cruise ship!

Looking to improve on this situation, (somewhat, there still isn't a Halal option), Celebrity are set to launch a range of 'premium Kosher meals'.

i-Art work

Celebrity Cruises are introducing self-guided art tours on the i-Pad. An addition to the 'Celebrity Life' series of entertainment and enrichment activities that I’ve blogged on before, the i-Pads on each Solstice class ship house deck plans with select artworks flagged on every level.

A Change to the Mexican Riviera Line-Up

Carnival Cruise Lines recently announced that they will place a third ship in the southern California market for the winter of 2011-2012 season. Carnival Spirit will be sailing from the Port of Los Angeles, the first time in eight years the Carnival brand has based a ship there.
During the winter period the line will also sail two 15-day round trips from Southern California to Hawaii, another first for the line.
As Carnival was announcing their expansion in the Mexican Riviera market, Norwegian Cruise Line was announcing the end of their program from Los Angeles in the spring of 2011.
So for anyone looking for a winter trip to Hawaii, they need to be looking to research Celebrity ships. Or you can just book direct with me and I'll do all the leg work for you.

Happy Cruising

Ready, Steady, Cruise

Cruises in general and cruise lines in particular have always been known for a love of food. Whether its putting a stone on by the end of your cruise from an over indulgence at the buffet bar, or relaxing at some of the speciality restaurants that have become so common place, cruise lines have always catered for all tastes.

However, Celebrity may have just taken thins one step further.
The Cruise line has teamed up with US broadcaster the Food Network to offer the world's first Food Network at Sea program.
As part of the package, which will be offered onboard the Celebrity Solstice as it departs on Eastern Caribbean sailing this August, passengers will be given bespoke demonstrations of some of the networks favourite recipes.
More important still, they will get the chance to sample some of the food and enjoy VIP treatment at the welcome reception party arranged especially for the passengers.
"We know our guests enjoy cooking and great dining experiences, and many are followers of chefs such as those featured on this sailing, so this is a perfect pairing," commented Dan Hanrahan, Celebrity's chief executive and president.
Do you have a favourite chef you would like to see on board?
Are you not too fussed about the direction cruise lines are taking with their food?
Let me know what you think here.

Happy Cruising