Century 10/02/04 Review - Part 1

We booked our cruise directly through Celebrity including the airfare. We flew from Roanoke Regional Airport (Virginia) to Miami. Took the shuttle (bus) that the cruise line provided. This went very well. The cruiseline personnel are very easy to spot and once we had collected our luggage, we were taken to the bus and only had to wait maybe 15 minutes before leaving for the pier. This worked out well for us, as the bus driver drops the luggage off for you and you can proceed with embarkation. Like others have said, this went very smooth. There was a very large line when we arrived, but it moved very very fast. Our documents were checked and before we knew it we were having our picture taken. We dropped off our carry ons in our stateroom and went to the Island Cafe to enjoy our first meal on board. While we were eating our meal, we heard the announcement that staterooms were now ready for passengers. This was around 1 pm. Oops! Guess we had dropped our carry ons too early. We did get our welcome glass of champayne, but didn't receive an escort to our room so maybe that service is only provided to people with more expensive staterooms. We were trying to keep costs down and had an inside stateroom on Panaroma deck.

After we finished our meal, we went exploring a little and found everything beautiful just like I had read. Everything was so clean & shiny, that I would have sworn the ship was new if I had not known so previously. Later on in the cruise, we found the Crystal Room and the seat we had was quite frayed & worn. That was the only time I really noticed any bad wear. One of our table mates mentioned that the chair s in their cabin were worn, but I did not personally see this. Our luggage was delivered to our cabin in PLENTY of time before dinner and we had early seating. We had more than enough room for everything we brought. I had not brought extra hangers, as I simply got some extra from my stateroom attendant. I also did not need the extension cord that was recommended to bring. I had brought the shoe bag and did hang it over the bathroom door, but I really think we could have done without it as there was very ample room in the bathroom. The hanging shoe bag for the closet WAS wonderful!! I would definitely recommend that. Also, I had brought a travel alarm, but when I purchased it, I didn't pay enough attention to what as I was buying obviously since it had no light! I would have liked to have had a lighted clock, as it is quite dark, but not too dark that it bothered me. Light does shine in from under the door. The bed was very comfortable, but I hated my pillow. I am very fussy when it comes to my pillow as at home I use a feather pillow and when we land travel, I will pack my pillow. I left it at home since it would have taken up too much valuable luggage space. I did leave a note to my stateroom attendant in the morning and she got me 2 feather pillows. Slept like a baby thereafter.

Meals - Dining room hands down beats the buffet, but the buffet is good. Loved the waffles & omelets out by the pool. Did not care for the eggs on the buffet, as they are a bit undercooked for my taste. I also thought the buffet food could have been a bit hotter. We missed dinner the night we were in San Juan, but they had provided a buffet for those missing dinner in the dining room from early seating. We enjoyed the meals in the dining room & our table mates that we really looked forward to each & every meal. You can eat breakfast & lunch in the dining room as well. It is open seating & a nice way to meet other passengers. Never did eat lunch by the pool, as I felt I can get hamburgers & pizza when I was at home. I enjoyed the variety of foods to choose from on the buffet, but like I said - could be a bit warmer. Dress code - It is enforced and I did see a lady who was dressed in shorts on casual night get turned away. On formal nights, there were some people who were not dressed up, but I thought they really stuck out and if it was me, I would have been very uncomfortable. Even a dressy pantsuit works so I would strongly recommend participating in formal night. It is worth it just for the food in the dining room. Also, I want to mention please try to show up on time for dinner. The people at the table next to us on 2 nights that I noticed, showed up about 30-45 minutes late and it really makes it harder for the waiter & waiter assistants. These people work so hard and the service is just superb that I think every effort should be made to make their job as easy as possible. Also, praise goes a long ways. They love hearing what a wonderful job they do. I really got the impression that it was very important to them.

Hi Patti:) great review!!!

Now I have to wait 7 months to sail her again!........

And nice to know the Dining Room staff enforced the dress code......it has always been "no shorts" for dinner.

Hi Patti:) great review!!!

Now I have to wait 7 months to sail her again!........

 

And nice to know the Dining Room staff enforced the dress code......it has always been "no shorts" for dinner.

Thanks Lois. I was all set to book the 10/20/05, 9-day cruise until hubby told me he would not be able to get 7 days vacation in a row. Sails on a Thursday and returns to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday. Does anyone know are all Celebrity's ships going to 9 days or just The Century? I really fell in love with this ship though and would prefer to sail on her. :(

Hi Patti:) I just picked up 2005-2006 X Cataloge! Milliennium, Constellation and Summit will sail 7 days....it just depends when you want to go.......you probably want to look at a catalog too....there are many different dates with different sailings......

See if you can go again in May....May 7, 2005...join me and Terri:D that is when we are going! Its 7 nights! Actually it is the LAST 7 night cruise Century will be doing.....the following week she starts her new 9 and 10 night itineraries.

Patti - Great review, I enjoyed it, can't wait to get to the rest of it. The Millennium does 7 night Caribbean in the Fall from Fort Lauderdale. We're looking at a Thanksgiving cruise for next year.

Terri

Patti .... Love your review! You make it easy for me to feel as if I'm there with you. Can't wait to see what "we" :rolleyes: do next in Part II!!!!

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

Hi Patti:) I just picked up 2005-2006 X Cataloge! Milliennium, Constellation and Summit will sail 7 days....it just depends when you want to go.......you probably want to look at a catalog too....there are many different dates with different sailings......

See if you can go again in May....May 7, 2005...join me and Terri:D that is when we are going! Its 7 nights! Actually it is the LAST 7 night cruise Century will be doing.....the following week she starts her new 9 and 10 night itineraries.

Lois,

Boy do I wish I could. Sadly budget will not allow it at this time. I will spend the next few weeks scouring the net trying to find a good deal. I really wanted to sail on Century again, but though a 9-day cruise would be heaven - getting 8 days vacation time for hubby would be like pulling teeth. I am checking out some of Celebrity's other ships & itineraries hoping to find something I can afford.

Patti - Great review, I enjoyed it, can't wait to get to the rest of it. The Millennium does 7 night Caribbean in the Fall from Fort Lauderdale. We're looking at a Thanksgiving cruise for next year.

 

 

Terri

Thanks Terri,

Going to check it out. If I don't get another one booked I think I will cry. I am actually slightly depressed that the cruise is over. Is this how everyone feels when their cruise ends? I swear the only thing that is going to help is to get another one booked as soon as I possibly can. Am I hooked or what? :D

Hi Patti:) Oh girl, you are hooked....line and sinker:D

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"If I don't get another one booked I think I will cry. I am actually slightly depressed that the cruise is over. Is this how everyone feels when their cruise ends? I swear the only thing that is going to help is to get another one booked as soon as I possibly can. Am I hooked or what? :D"

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I feel like that after each cruise.......and especially after my most recent one....I knew I HAD TO get back on X!!!!!

Thankfully......NOW I feel waaayyyyyy better:)

Reading such a great part I makes me look forward to the rest and makes me want to book a trip, which sadly, right now I cannot afford in time or money, so I will live vicariously through these!

Thank you for your review. Looking forward to our 1st cruise on the Century. Have heard so many wonderful comments about the ship.

I was on this cruise too. We had a fabulous time! Everything was done so well and we were really satisfied with this vacation. My husband and I had a royal suite 1040. It was well stocked, clean, and confortable. Our butler Alex and attendant Antonio were awesome!! Always there to help.

We were the very first ones to board the Century that day. We got to the pier around 10:30 am. They started boarding around 11am and we got to be the first in line. That was really cool!! Debarkation went so smooth too! I'm very impressed.

We also got invited to sit at the captains table on the 2nd formal night. What an honor! The service was impeccable and they gave us complimentary drinks and a photo at dinner. We were also invited to tour the galley the next morning. I'm amazed at how everything is done. Top notch!

The only things that I think they can change are the safes and buffets. My safe never worked right. They really should consider new ones. There was never a buffet at night if you missed your scheduled dinner. I missed dinner 3 times because of port stops and never made it back in time to do the casual dining reservations. I got stuck eating just pizza or a very limited room service menu. Other than that, I am pleased and will return. :)

Thanks Terri,

 

Going to check it out. If I don't get another one booked I think I will cry. I am actually slightly depressed that the cruise is over. Is this how everyone feels when their cruise ends? I swear the only thing that is going to help is to get another one booked as soon as I possibly can. Am I hooked or what? :D

OH yeah, you are definitely hooked! I always end up booking another cruise either onboard or as soon as I get back!

Terri