Everything you need to know about Celebrity Cruises’ post-Covid UK sailings

Is the gym and spa open as normal?

In the large gym, which has running and cross-trainer machines at floor-to-ceiling windows along the front and two sides of the ship, wearing a mask was a personal choice – after all it’s difficult to run in one – but the gym staff all wore masks. To ensure social distancing some of the machines were out of action and everybody was encouraged to clean them after use, although staff were also constantly cleaning.

Normally passengers can nip into the gym any time they like, 24 hours a day, but a maximum of 30 were allowed in at one time and hour-long slots had to be booked for the opening hours, which were from 6am to 10pm because they had to be staffed.

The gym had been refreshed during Celebrity Silhouette’s major “Revolution” refurbishment last year and, apart from the new flooring, has six Peloton bikes for those who either have membership already or want to subscribe while onboard. There were also new yoga classes designed by US yoga guru Katie Brauer, which are among the paid-for fitness classes available.

The spa had a few Covid restrictions that will be lifted when possible, including a limit to the number of passes sold for the Perfume Garden, which has heated ceramic loungers plus steam room and sauna. Aqua class passengers get free access to this facility, for which others have to pay $49 a day or $169 for seven nights, but only 10 passengers were allowed in at one time and they had to book hour-long slots.

Also, during treatments you had to wear a mask unless you were having a facial and, of course, all staff wore masks.

Has the Revolution upgrade made any difference?

Boarding Celebrity Silhouette was like getting on a brand new ship. It was immaculate, with no tired-looking décor remaining.

Much of this is down to British interior designer Kelly Hoppen’s work in reinventing the public spaces. Hoppen also designed the new Resort Lounge for suite passengers, which serves a lovely afternoon tea and has free snacks and drinks all day for its guests.

The very sophisticated Retreat Sundeck was even nicer, with cabanas, loungers and outdoor sofas plus a free bar.

Celebrity Cruises’ new Always Included policy means there are free drinks and wifi for all guests and no daily gratuities. For premium brands, though, you can upgrade to an ELEVATE package and for unlimited streaming wifi you can upgrade to an INDULGE package.

Other new venues created by the Revolution include Craft Social, a sports bar with 40 craft beers, where you can buy tasting experiences for beer or wine.

There’s also a new Entertainment Court Bar outside the theatre, for pre-show or after-show drinks, and updates to the Lawn Club, Sunset Bar, Solarium and Fitness Centre.

The spa has a new Quartz Bed – the first at sea was on Celebrity Edge – for Hot Mineral Body Boost or Power Pulse massages. And all staterooms and suites have been redesigned with new carpet, furnishings and mattresses.

source: express.co.uk