There are very few times in my life when I’ve been lost for words and whilst of course it does happen occasionally – I wish it happened more. I wrote this exact same couple of lines for a previous ship review and the reason I’ve done it again is because for a second time in my life – I really was left speechless more times than I can count thanks to the stunning Norwegian Fjords, with the help of Celebrity Silhouette to take me there.
Celebrity Silhouette is a Solstice-class cruise ship which took to the ocean back in 2011, having various refits since and with its next due in January 2020. With an occupancy of around 2800, it’s certainly not the biggest ship I have been on – but neither could it ever be classed as small as we still got lost every single day of our 7 night cruise.
We boarded at Southampton and disembarkation was smooth enough, but felt a little chaotic at the start. Once the announcement came to board, we were on the boat enjoying a welcome glass of something sparkling (handed to you as soon as you get on the ship) which I thought was a nice touch. Then – we waited for our room to become ready at about 1:30pm and it was time to begin our Celebrity Cruises experience!
The Atrium
I absolutely love a good atrium! I still have my favourites, but the one on Celebrity Silhouette was pretty special and is the beating heart of this cruise ship. Expect live music and theatre productions, different floors to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, endless shopping, lots of restaurants and just about everything else this cruise ship has to offer leads directly off from this atrium. It even had a real tree hanging at its centre which you’ll pass by daily going up and down in the glass lifts.
Immediately off of the atrium, there’s a games room, magnificent library and my favourite – The Hideaway. Located on Deck 7, pods and two tree-houses were split across two levels. Grab a pod (or treehouse), bring your favourite book and enjoy a glass of the complimentary tea/filter coffee on offer in this room. In fact it’s a great place to grab a hot drink when arriving into ports as it’s never busy and most importantly – it was free!
As the sun sets, the ground floor of the atrium becomes the place to be, with most of the bars and restaurant leading off of these areas. They would have games, quizes and competitions – but my favourite was when the entertainment team would spill out on to the staircase, performing well-know hits or even dance classes. If you’re lucky, grab a seat looking down on the action just by the atrium balcony edges – though come early because these spots go quickly!
The Room
We were staying in a balcony room which a the time of booking, we hadn’t realised was partially obstructed (lifeboats just beneath us) but honestly it didn’t cause many problems, apart from when snapping away on my camera it occasionally got in the way. One bonus was our room was right in the centre of the ship, so we rarely needed to use the lifts to get to places as the main atrium was practically on our doorstep. A very comfy bed (pillows were great), good TV services and of course that large balcony. In terms of improvements, the decor needed a little updating now and the wardrobe for us was a little small, but these were only minor improvements we’d like to see after the next refit.
Bathroom was clean and modern, with all of the amenities needed and space wise I found it very generous in comparison to other ships of this size and the shower in particular was very roomy. Mini shower gels and shampoo were provided and topped up daily, but the quality wasn’t great. I’d recommend bringing your own toiletries, especially for longer cruises.
The Swimming Pools
If you’re the type of person who likes to relax and enjoy a few too many cocktails in the sun, the main pool onboard Celebrity Silhouette will be your second home on this ship. It may have looked like blue skies in my photos, but heading to the Norwegian Fjords – I can assure you it was rather chilly outside!
There were two heated swimming pools at the centre of the ship, split by a small bridge and four (yes four!) jacuzzis. They were so warm, had excellent jets and with the music playing in the background, they were absolute bliss on a chilly day. Though of course with that fresh Norwegian air, getting out of them and into the cold was much harder!
Just by the main pools and under shelter there are plentiful comfy seating areas, deck chairs, huge hammocks and a lovely pool bar. Meaning that even in chilly weather, you can always find a space to cosy up in and on sea days everyone was having a siesta in the hammocks after lunch.
Take the stairs up from the pool and walk the sun deck with a cocktail in hand. My cruise cocktail is always a pina colada and they do great ones on Celebrity. In fact, I thought the cocktails on Celebrity were some of the best I’ve had at sea. If you’re wondering about drinks prices on Celebrity, they’re not crazy on board but neither are they the cheapest and so I would highly recommend a drinks package as it can include a large selection of beers, wines, spirits, premium hot drinks, soft drinks and bottled water – even on the entry-level packages. More details HERE.
If you don’t mind missing out on a little sunshine, the indoor solarium pool is absolutely stunning. The conservatory style room was so lovely and warm, as was the swimming pool and single jacuzzi. Green foliage at one end added a touch of the outdoors, while the other end featured a huge water feature, shooting out jets of water with colourful lights illuminating it all. Here fresh towels are provided on all the beds and a small cafe area for ice cream, tea/coffee and other small bites served throughout the day. The snacks here are more health focused so bare that in mind.
Entertainment
My favourite thing on a cruise ship (apart from the delicious food and cocktails) – is the entertainment! There is whole host of performances going on in this ship and so your daily cruise planner which arrived every evening around 5pm for the next day – this will become your bible. Wine tastings, cookery classes, pub quizes, dance classes, West-End style shows – the list is endless. I enjoyed the entertainment on the ship a lot and found it very varied, but some of the headliner shows by the onboard cast were sometimes a little weak on certain performances and we got the same feedback from other guests we met onboard.
Silhouette Theatre
When it comes to big, West-End style shows – The Silhouette Theatre is the place to be and it is huge! If you have dinner plans that run over the show which you’d like to see, don’t worry. Every evening, there is both an early and a late production so that you can choose the time which best suits you. There is table service here too so you can order a range of drinks in your seat, or grab one from the bar as you enter. The seats are rather comfortable too, complete with cup holders.
Quasar Nightclub & Celebrity Central (The Entertainment Court)
Acting as both bar and entertainment, we found Quasar to be great fun. This retro nightclub had DJ’s spinning tunes, karaoke and my favourite – the silent disco. It’s great fun and even more so watching from a distance with everyone dancing around in complete silence! If you haven’t tried it before, make sure you do as like me – you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
We never experienced the Celebrity Central Cinema, but films were shown regularly here, as well as talks from experts and it was also where we took our muster drill, which admittedly was long, drawn out and instead of a physical life jacket fit, you watch a video which seems as if it was created for children. If they changed anything, it should be that terrible muster video! Still, it gave us all a few laughs to start our holiday.
The Casino & Shops on The Boulevard
I promised myself before the cruise I wouldn’t spend any money in the casino (again), but of course I failed that promise but with luck that I came out top one night! A mere £5 won me a few hundred! Usually the casino is a losing game for me and just a bit of fun so I felt very lucky indeed.
As night falls onboard or indeed on a sea day, head to the Fortunes Casino and try your luck. Vegas-style interiors where you can play the most exciting slots, tables and games. I loved that they had regular competitions to win items such as luxury watches and the added bonus that most of the slot machines had built-in wireless charging mats so was perfect when low on battery on a sea day. The casino also has a great little bar which we found quiet if others were busy and for sport lovers, the screen above it proved a popular hit. Don’t forget – the casino and shops are closed when in port.
Just next to and above the casino is The Boulevard. Luxury boutiques, shops and the art gallery. There are regular sale events here daily and so if you fancy picking something up from one of them, personally I’d wait a few days if you’re on a longer cruise as the closer to the end of your cruise – prices come down even further.
The Sky Observation Lounge
The Sky Observation Lounge is one of the best places onboard to admire the views of the ocean and during the day there are various activities here such as dance classes or golf putting. During the evening it becomes the place for those who fancy a little dance late into the night and the resident singing duo onboard performed here most evenings.
Where to Eat & Drink
There are so many placed to eat & drink on Celebrity Silhouette (over 14 restaurants and 10 bars) that writing about them all was never going to be an easy task, as well as visiting them all! I tried my best but on a 7 night cruise – we couldn’t quite fit them all in. Celebrity is all about choice, especially when it comes to fee-for dining. Below are just some of my absolute favourite places to eat and drink on this cruise ship, with an in-depth look into their sumptuous interiors and food.
Tuscan Grille
If I had to pick my favourite dining experience (with a fee), it would have to be Tuscan Grille. A taste of Tuscany at this friendly Italian steakhouse will satisfy just about everyone. Fusing a well-loved traditional style with a healthy splash of innovation and creativity, Tuscan Grille is all about quality and let me tell you now, portions are so big you’ll wish you shouldn’t have eaten all day and after – you’ll be ready for your bed!
Inside the decor has a focus on a grill-style restaurant and a nod to fine wine with its barrel designed entrance and large wine bottles dotted around the room.
As for the food, expect homemade pastas, plump USDA prime dry-aged steaks, fritto misto and decadent desserts. I thought the food here really was excellent and for me it was the best dining experience on this ship.
Murano
Classic French cuisine gets a modern update at Murano, with fresh lobster prepared table-side, artisanal cheese boards and a touch of sophistication. A perfect restaurant for those formal nights, now referred to as Evening Chic. A lot of people on the ship still dressed up in black tie and cocktail dresses (as did we), but the majority of the ship on these nights were much more casual than I’ve experienced on formal nights previously.
Cellar Masters
A cosy wine bar just off from the main atrium. Choose from an extensive collection of both popular and unfamiliar wines from around the world, guided by expert sommeliers.
In fact we didn’t experience any of what was promised here and instead it seemed to become an extension of the other bars when they got busy. If there was one space they should re-think, it’s this. Perhaps a nice pub or something similar?
Café al Bacio
Café al Bacio was always busy, come day or night. Serving premium coffees, sweet snacks and authentic gelato (the latter at a fee). We used this cafe every morning as it was included in our all-inclusive drinks package and especially for take-out coffee when we arrived into port. It did get very busy at times but the team seemed to manage it very well so we never had to wait for long.
The Porch
If you fancy a little fresh seafood, The Porch is a foodies delight. Again we didn’t get to eat here, so instead we’re saving it for next time that we cruise with Celebrity. The views are great here and there are heated lamps in the colder months so you can still eat al fresco.
Sushi on 5
Pair your favourite sushi with the finest sake? Yes please! This was again an extra fee to dine here and not included in any extra dining packages you take out, but if you do have the latter a generous amount of $ is given towards the food and generous enough that we never managed to go over it.
Freshly made sushi rolls, dumplings, spicy edamame, seared tuna and to finish – mochi. After Tuscan Grille, Sushi on 5 was another of my favourites. My only regret is trying it on the last day as we would have eaten here so many more times.
Ensemble Lounge
On your way to dinner, stop by the elegant Ensemble Lounge for an aperitif. We did every single evening. I thought it was the nicest bar, the most sophisticated in terms of its atmosphere, we could always get a seat at the bar and the cocktails seemed to be the best made on ship. Not to mention the added bonus of enjoying live music which was played here every night.
The Sunset Bar
Onboard all Solstice Class ships, the Sunset Bar will be located on the highest deck. Offering magnificent views looking out across the ocean and fresh sea air in your face. This must be an amazing spot if you’re on a Caribbean cruise! It was a great location in the Fjords too, as we sailed in and out of ports.
Sipping a cocktail here turned out to be one of my favourite experiences on the ship. As you sailed out of each location and the sun was shining, plus the Oceanview Café buffet was located just below, perfect for a quick snack.
Martini Bar
Oh the Martini Bar! We made a big mistake ordering the Classic drinks package which we discovered doesn’t include these large martinis (so go for the premium drinks package). Yet, for a few extra dollars extra you can still indulge and enjoy the experience of the Martini Bar. Watch the expert bartenders create your favourite martini on an ice-topped bar, all with a little theatrics as they shake and pour away. Tip – you can still enjoy regular drinks here for those who don’t fancy these boozy martini cocktails.
World Class Bar & The Passport Bar
The World Class Bar seemed to be rather quiet most of the time, but we had a quick look over the menus and the offering here is all about luxury high-end cocktails, using premium spirits to make them with. Again, you need a premium drinks package to enjoy most of the drinks here.
On the grand foyer is another bar, Passport Bar. It’s a great spot for people watching, but sadly not our favourite. Always too busy, understaffed, service took a long time and the drinks prepared felt rushed. Hence my lack of photos of it.
Qsine
Qsine didn’t really exist when we dined on Celebrity and was replaced by Le Petit Chef (though the Qsine branding still remained). A 3D table animation experience where you food comes to life. It was a really fun dining experience and beautifully choreographed with a menu created by Michelin star chefs.
Le Petit Chef in short is an animated character who appears beside your plate via a projection and prepares each course you’ll be enjoying right in front of you before being served the actual dish. The food was tasty, service was excellent and I think overall it was a great addition to the Celebrity experience.
Lawn Club Grill & Alcoves
The Lawn Club Grill is located on the half-acre of REAL GRASS, found on the top deck. Get hands on with your lunch by becoming a “Grill Master”, with a large selection of prime quality meats for you and your party over open flames with the help of one of the Celebrity chefs.
Just next door on the lawn are The Alcoves, which for a price can be your very own secluded private space for the day. Eight cabana-style alcoves, each fit up to 4 people. The Alcoves are available between 9am and 9pm and each comes with WiFi, atmospheric lighting and chilled towels. You can also order food from the room service menu, drinks or even your very own outdoor picnic.
Complimentary Dining
The Main Dining Room
Now if you’re unsure as to how dinner works in your included a la carte restaurant or what is included when dining in them, it’s very simple and all I can say is apart from the speciality restaurants, it pays to eat in your included restaurant the majority of the time. Any room class can dine in The main dining room on Celebrity Silhouette and you won’t want to miss it as it’s spectacular, inspired by Champagne bubbles with its design. Lunch is only served in this restaurant on a sea day, but otherwise every evening. I believe suite guests can dine here at lunch any day (including embarkation day), but don’t quote me on that.
If you’d like to dine at the same time every night, go for the Traditional Dining or if you’d like to make reservations each day, the Select Dining is best. We went for the latter, meaning we’d arrive each evening at different times, requesting a table for two. Most of the times with no wait at all and the maximum was around 10 minutes. They also try to sit you in the same area each night, though not necessarily the same table and we always managed to get a table for two.
The galley chefs work around the clock (quite literally) to provide a menu which changes daily, though still retaining customer favourites such as the classic Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, French onion soup and escargot. I quite enjoyed the spring rolls on one night.
For main courses, regulars are the grilled chicken breast, grilled salmon and New York sirloin steak, the latter which was a big hit and miss some nights. Other dishes we enjoyed were the chicken Milanese, lamb shank, chicken Kiev and a good old Sunday roast which was fab.
For desserts (if you have room), warm apple crumble, crème brûlée and a slice of rich chocolate cake. I also had a cheesecake on a few occasions and it was fantastic so if you see it – order it! Dishes can like any cruise ship be a bit of a mixed bag, but overall (apart from the side dishes served) we were pleasantly happy each evening.
Blu
If you’re an AquaClass guest, then if you wish you can enjoy Blu – an exclusive breakfast and dinner restaurant. Blu is based around the concept of a “spa restaurant” and specialises in light and healthy cuisine. For those worried about it being “too healthy” it really isn’t, but instead more balanced in terms of what is on the plate and dishes are inspired by the Mediterranean Sea.
Luminea
Staying in a suite? Then Luminae with its refined modern menu and incredible service will most likely keep you away from The Main Dining Room as it’s a step up on all counts, though I’ll let you discover that for yourself….
Oceanview Café
I somehow managed not to take a photo of the Oceanview Café, or the food we ate in it but as buffet style dining goes, they really know what they are doing. Different choices every night, with differently themed stations, freshly baked pizza, a pasta station, salad station – practically anything you can think of! Even FREE ice-cream. Something you don’t normally see as complimentary on a cruise ship. I loved the buffet around midnight, tucking into one last plate of pasta after a good dance and drink.
Mast Grill
On the deck just above the swimming pool, the incredibly popular Mast Grill was a real favourite of ours for a quick snack or lunch. Delicious burgers, hot dogs, fries and a nice selection of chilled beers and wine.
I’ve probably still missed out a couple of smaller outlets you can dine complimentary on this ship and also at a fee, but hopefully this gives you some insight in to all the delicious food you can expect to enjoy on Celebrity Silhouette!
The Destinations
We were spending 7 days cruising the Norwegian Fjords and it was absolutely magical. If I could do this cruise again, I would in a heartbeat – but perhaps with more of a focus in the Fjords themselves as I’ve now seen some of the major cities more than once.
Bergen, Norway
Bergen is a city on Norway’s southwestern coast and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains and fjords, including Sognefjord (I highly recommend pre-booking a tour first on the ship). Bryggen, pictured below features colourful wooden houses on the old wharf and the Fløibanen Funicular close by goes straight up Fløyen Mountain for panoramic views and hiking trails (a relatively inexpensive excursion). Bergen is a very small place to explore, so if this your first stop, much like ours then take it easy, soak up the atmosphere and tuck into some good locally sourced seafood.
Ålesund, Norway
I really enjoyed all of our stops, but if I had to pick one I didn’t fall completely in love with, it’s the port town of Ålesund on the west coast of Norway at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. Known for its art nouveau buildings, most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904. My favourite part of our day here was the panoramic views of Ålesund’s architecture from the Aksla Mountain lookout. It’s free, has stairs, many viewing points on the way up and a cafe at the very top. It’s worth the climb for the views, just make sure you’re prepared to walk and in fit health.
Geiranger, Norway
Geiranger was my favourite stop and is the most spectacular place EVER! Even if the weather is bed (because in the Fjords it can change quickly) it didn’t seem to matter here as it’s all part of the experience. Geiranger is a village in western Norway, at the head of Geirangerfjord. The Norwegian Fjord Center is here and is worth a stop, but those looking to explore this place further should walk the steep Trollstigen mountain roads.
We were being lazy and instead of walking, booked a City Sightseeing Geiranger Hop On Hop Off Bus Pass, which was great value and stopped at different locations to jump off at. One of which was the Flydalsjuvet lookout, which has the most amazing views over the fjord.
On your way back down, stop at Westerås Restaurant. A small, authentic cafe/restaurant high up above the clouds. You’ll pass goats running freely as you hike your way from the main road and gushing waterfalls. It feels very Game of Thrones up here and all of the food made in the restaurant is fresh, local and delicious.
As you sail out of Geiranger, it’s even more stunning, passing the Fjord waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters, the Suitor and the Bridal Veil.
Stavanger, Norway
Stavanger is also in southwestern Norway and in terms of cruise ships stopping in the thick of it, Celebrity moors up quite literally within throwing distance of the old town which is just stunning. My aerial shot of it below was from the top deck of the ship to give you an idea of just how close you are.
In the center of town, Stavanger Cathedral dates back to the city’s 12th-century founding and has a very pretty lake next to it for long walks or enjoying a spot of lunch. The street of Øvre Holmegate is also great for a spot of shopping, lined with colourful houses.
The sail out from Stavanger is also an experience in itself. It was sad knowing this was out last port before heading back to Southampton, but sailing out past the last of the islands as the sun was shining was magical and the perfect end to our Norwegian Fjords experience.
Would we cruise with Celebrity Cruises again? Absolutely! If you have any questions about the places we stopped or even the ship itself – then get in touch below!
READ MORE ABOUT MY OTHER CRUISE EXPERIENCES HERE
