Really? I've found mostly the opposite, that CEL is as good if not a better value than RCI, HAL and PCL. My boss, for instance, found a Feb 2012 two week sailing in a balcony for around $1800 incl taxes per person and while I can't recall the exact cabin category and that doesn't include air USD$128/day per person for a balcony in the middle of winter/peak Caribbean cruise season is to me a very good deal. The boss thought so too so she put a deposit on it to lock in the price. Obviously prices on CEL sailings will vary but I'm of the opinion that CEL isn't overpriced and is one of the better cruise values. YMMV, of course.

Tenerife - Yup, I'm on the Dec 13th Millie sailing.

I've already signed up on the Celebrity site and have been checking on it. Thats where I go the information that I assumed meant I'm 2c. The exact text on the site is "Deluxe Ocean View - 2c , Guarantee". I have to admit I'm a bit confused by it now but I'm still working on the assumption I'm in a 2C class. If I get knocked down to another balcony class then I'm OK with that. Or, since I am a cruise first timer, Maybe I'll get a teaser upgrade to convince me to do more trips

I think it's already the start of a new obsession! I'm considering doing a Western Caribbean trip this summer now in addition to the December sailing. Just need to find some sailings that don't have 100% single supplements (which I realize may be a bit tought during the summer) or find a friend to go with me.

Based on my reading up on CruiseCritic.com, I feel pretty good about the choice to go with Celebrity. They may cost a bit more but as long as the service and experience is there then I'm all in!

After doing more research and not just going on what I've heard, I think I fully agree with you. I'm booked (& Hooked ) on Celebrity now.

Mike,
o.k. - a 2c and a C2 are not the same thing A 2C is the lowest balcony category, a C2 is a Concierge (more $$ and extra tip for the butler). A 2c on Millie can be excellent (or, you may even be upgraded sometime before boarding OR at boarding). If you are looking forward to a larger balcony (especially for the caribbean) -- even at this lower category and price -- try to watch for availability of certain 2c cabins on Deck 6. Important is that it is one of the first 8 balconies on either port (left) or starboard (right) side, as those are probably the largest standard balconies (especially 6030 or 6035). If you do a search on the Celebrity boards at Cruisecritic, try to find "sweet sixteen cabins". They're a secret "tip". BTW, on the deck plans they do NOT look any bigger but, believe me, they are! They are almost twice as deep from cabin door to "water" as any other standard cabins!

Since you're already registered at cruisecritic, you have access to the "roll-calls". Check out your particular cruise and you'll get a feeling for what kind of fellow cruisers you'll be encountering on the 13th of December! If 25 or more sign up for the Connections party (sponsored by Celebrity), you'll have a nice way to meet the others for a get together. You may find a few whose company you would enjoy at lunch, dinner or coffee. (You may also find a few who will may want to avoid for the rest of the cruise)

I'm looking forward to booking a special cruise on Seaborne soon but typically I cruise with HA and RC. While I am not too picky, I have been happy with both.

FYI, there might be something to this upgrade thing for first time Celebrity cruisers. My wife and I booked a 2D guarantee on the Solstice for our first ever Celebrity sailing this last January. We got a five category upgrade to a Sunset Verandah in one of the widest aft balcony suites and were very pleased with how that worked out.

You certainly won't get anything less than your 2C. That's why the guarantee.

Enjoy your trip. Many of the ports on your itinerary are particularly good for diving.

Interesting, it's been a couple years but we didn't find it to be a bad place, although I have to admit we didn't spent a lot of time onshore there. We did do an excellent trip through a company called Adventure Antigua, their "Eco-Tour" trip. Nice group to deal with, their trips seem to be pretty popular.

I know at least in this case, the company that was refered to (Vacations To Go), I've always had good luck with. They're not necessarily always a lot cheaper than the cruise company's web site, but over the years I've dealt with one person there, so she knows enough of our likes and dislikes that it makes it easy to deal with her. (She'll be a bit disappointed when I cancel the Tahiti trip though ).