Century Review from Dec. Hawaii Sailing

[bobnjeff]

Right from the start I new we were in for a great cruise. Checking in took all of two minutes. No long lines and very friendly staff. Filled out the usual papers and we were on the Century in all of ten minutes. Definitely a record! We have been on 20 + cruises and 10+ on Celebrity and this one is certainly at the top.

 

We boarded just in time for lunch about 12:30, went to our cabin first to see if by chance it was ready as it was only one floor above the Lido dining area and surprise, all ready so we left our carry on bags and headed down for a little lunch. The Lido was comfortable and not too busy at all. Unlike the Solstice class ships which are often mob scenes. We found a table and got a nice lunch. Great food, fresh salads, nice servers and spotlessly clean. This area was a real sour spot on our last cruise on the Eclipse. Rude staff, filthy tables and so crowded was this area on the Eclipse that this was a very nice surprise. Oh and no loud music blaring at us from the over head speakers, just nice soft background music so easy to have a conversation. Kudos to the staff off on the Century for realizing that most of us like to have a conversation during meals. We had lunch here all but one day. Never too crowded always clean and just super staff. From this moment on things just got better and BETTER!

 

No Elite cocktails were done on the first night as usual so we decided to head to Cova and have a drink and people watch and listen to a super group, The Sound Track Trio, a wonderful latin jazz group. So into their music and so talented these guys quickly became our favorites of the many, many bands on the Century. Several nights they had Jam sessions with other band members from other bands of the ship. All I can say is WOW! You would pay big bucks in any city to see such talented performers and this was all free. There was more great talent and bands on this little ship then any of the larger ships. Great drinks were served here not just coffee though that was super too. Best part was Manuel Fernandes, one of the servers here at Cova, after ordering one drink from that moment on through out the cruise when ever we walked through this area he would make a point of calling us by name, asking how our day was, having a good time, anything I can do for you. Superb hospitality considering how many drinks he must serve in a day. Simply Amazing!

 

Despite what some may say the Century still is in excellent condition. The only real wear we saw was on the furnishings in the Crystal lounge which according to the Captain are to be replaced during the coming dry dock. Everything else on the ship was spotless and beautifully maintained. She may not have all of the wiz bang gizmos of the newer ships but she is a very lovely traditional cruise ship in wonderful working order.

 

The dining was spot on everywhere on the ship. Excellent food, superb service and spotlessly clean. We had the most professional waiters ever and a truly super Asst. Maitre'd. I always wondered who they were and what they did but not with this one. He was there nearly every night making sure everything was just right. The second night he asked if we had any other problems and one of our tables mates mentioned a strange noise in her cabin disturbing her sleep. He got on the phone called someone and it was resolved before she went to bed that night. No kidding. And again, soft lovely background music, made conversation at our dining table easy and pleasurable. Why do some of the other ships feel a need to bombard us with loud music? None here. Even the Martini bar had a bit softer music. Could it be that Celebrity is listening?

 

We had five days at sea before Hawaii and again after. No shortage of things to do on board. The cruise Director John Grantham had everything covered from Zumba to crafts to music and everything in between. Never a dull moment. But also he was never in your face. Everything was done with style and class and a healthy dose of fun. He is now my favorite Cruise Director, sorry Sue Denning!

 

What really makes the Century unique is her service and HOSPITALITY. Hospitality is something that is being over looked and lost on the newer and bigger ships. They are beautifully designed but cold spaces with the hospitality being overlooked in running these massive ships. What you get on a smaller ship such as the Century is true care and concern for the guests and their happiness. The Captain was ever present greeting and talking with passengers. The superb Hotel Manager Sheldon Thompson was everywhere leading by example for his hard working and super friendly crew. Have a question or just simply want to chat, feel free. He is so approchable and so friendly. He also leads the crew volley ball team! He and the captain run this ship as if they personally owned it and it was their private home.Kind of like being in a nice B&B. After the first day so many crew members were calling us by name greeting us everywhere. Wishing us a good day, can I help you, anything you need or I can do for you. I can not say enough good things about so, so many of the crew. I will simply say that the crew on board the Century easily, easily put the crew on the Eclipse to shame. I can only hope that Celebrity will read this and take a few lessons from the great people on the Century and apply them to the larger ships soon.

[cruiseacecat]

Very good to hear nice things about Century. I absolutely agree about the Century being a warmer ship than the S class. And happy to hear the music levels are good. Hate loud noise and when music is played too loud it does, in my opinion, just become noise.

 

Any idea how long the officers will remain aboard? I am especially interested in the Capt., Hotel Director and Guest Relations Manager. Just wondering if they will still be there after the drydock. Looking forward to being on her in February. Thanks. :)

[portofrome]

Thank you for the review.

[Grandmaanne7]

Thank you for your review. I'm anxiously approaching my first Celebrity cruise on Century and soaking up any info I can get. Much appreciated.

[C 2 C]

Right from the start I new we were in for a great cruise. … I can only hope that Celebrity will read this and take a few lessons from the great people on the Century and apply them to the larger ships soon.

 

How dare you post a positive review? ;)

 

There have been so many Celebrity-bashing posts over the last few weeks that your review is absolutely a joy to read.

 

Thank you for posting this. We have always loved Century and have booked quite a few sailings on her.

[Andy]

Hi Bobnjeff,

 

Thanks for sharing your insights with us. Your comments make us more excited to sail on Century, in February after her Drydock. Happy Holidays, and welcome home !

 

P.S. We sailed on Eclipse a few weeks ago, and I'm happy to report the crew was outstanding, and the issues you described at the buffet were not the case on our sailing. FWIW, the previously reported issue of constant loud music was also resolved, as it was virtually non-existant on our sailing.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Host Andy

[Keith1010]

Thank you for taking the time to write and share your review.

 

Keith

[lovecruzin]

Thanks for your review!

We first "discovered" Century on the same itinerary last March. We were so impressed by the entire experience that when we got home we booked and took 2 more cruises within 4 months, a pacific coastal and Alaska cruise. The crew is among the best and both Captains we sailed with reminded me of being on Azamara, always out and about and approachable. We canceled an Equinox cruise that we had scheduled for next month to go on Century in Feb and am so glad we did because it may be our last time to sail on her (incase I can convince DH to go to Alaska again).

[bobnjeff]

Hi Bobnjeff,

 

Thanks for sharing your insights with us. Your comments make us more excited to sail on Century, in February after her Drydock. Happy Holidays, and welcome home !

 

P.S. We sailed on Eclipse a few weeks ago, and I'm happy to report the crew was outstanding, and the issues you described at the buffet were not the case on our sailing. FWIW, the previously reported issue of constant loud music was also resolved, as it was virtually non-existant on our sailing.

 

It is great to hear that things have improved on the Eclipse. I was talking with someone on the Century who was on The Eclipse last Feb and she too had a very bad experience. So I hope that means that X is listening and fixing things. We have a big trip planned in April 8 nights in Sydney then 18 days on the Solstice to Honolulu. I wish it was on the Century but will hope for the best.

 

By the way X has added two new cruises to the Century March-April of 2015 one from Singapore to Dubai then Dubai to Rome. Great prices if any one is interested. Plus I hope this means that she will be in Europe starting April of 2015 for the summer. I would love to do an eastern Med. On her or Norway. I am looking forward to more the scheduel to come out hopefully March or April so we can book something when we are on the Solstice.

 

It was so nice to have such a great cruise on the Century. The Captain and Hotel manager say they are on for the duration so...... she is in great hands.

 

Sent from my BNTV600 using Forums mobile app

[Lois R]

Another thank you from me too:) thanks for sharing your experience

with us and glad you had such a good cruise:D. I will also be sailing

her in February (Hi Anne:)) and cannot wait......this will be my 7th

time on her;)

[drarill]

Great review!! thanks for taking the time to share your cruise with us.:):)

[zoncom]

Great review. Was on her exit from Miami to Vancouver couple yrs ago. Now on the infamous StB Feb. cruise. So where was Elite cocktail hour held?? Hopefully no coupons. Remember last in a dark interior bar. I think Century with a little jazzing up, would make a great World Cruiser.

Edited December 27, 2013 by zoncom

[ccruisequeen]

Great to read your review. Will be sailing on her in March/April and I hope nothing changes between now and then. My dad will be happy to hear about the live Soft music and I'm happy that I won't need sweats on the ship! Some ships are so cold you need to go outside to warm up.

[Northern Aurora]

I also want to thank the OP for the comments on Century.

 

We were on the Century last fall, and were also on her in October 2012. Both times the Elite cocktail gathering was held in the Crystal Room, and I don't recall those chairs in the Crystal as being so battered in 2012 as they were this past fall. Since we are scheduled for a set of B2B cruises in the fall of 2014 on her I am glad to hear that the chairs will be replaced.

 

While I find the Century color schemes to be dated, the Century is incredibly clean. I would much prefer an incredibly clean ship with a dated color scheme and a wonderful crew to a ship with a modern color scheme and less than wonderful crew. And despite the somewhat dated color schemes, there is something so delightful about how the light shines through the Century's public room windows.