Do you remember? Celebrity Nostalgia

[curtdesilets]

Started cruising in 1982, moved to Celebrity in 1999 first the Mercury, then Horizon, Galaxy and Century. Did almost 2 months on the Century alone. They sold Zenith before we got to sail her. Have done the Infinity a lot. Moved off to Regent when Celebrity started the S class. Coming back to do the Eclipse TA this week and I know the experience will be vastly different than the Horizon, where after two days, you knew all the staff and they met your every need. These new ships are like the big splashy hotels in Vegas. The Century in her prime was like going to the Tropicana in the 80's where the dealers knew your name if you came more than twice a year. Thanks for all the pictures and memories. Threads like this are Cruise Critic at its best!

 

We just got off the Century a couple weeks ago. Several of the staff called us by name, and the service was as good as you describe the early years.

 

Shame that she is going the way of the dodo.

[Lady Arwen]

Does anyone remember a bar server named Grandville? He was with X for many years and is now retired. He would balance a tray of drinks on his head and walk around the pool or dance a conga line with them never spilling a drop.

 

Yes! He was on the Mercury, during a storm and very heavy seas, and even though passengers were having great difficulty just walking, he never spilled a drop! Wish I could find the photo of him with the tray on his head. Great guy!

[shofer]

Does anyone remember a bar server named Grandville? He was with X for many years and is now retired. He would balance a tray of drinks on his head and walk around the pool or dance a conga line with them never spilling a drop.

 

I had completely forgotten about him doing that. Really brings a smile remembering it.

 

Sue

[shofer]

Remember being escorted to your cabin by a person wearing white gloves?:D Dave

 

Yes, We were so impressed seeing the housekeeping staff all lined up waiting to escort us onboard and to our room. So many happy memories.

 

Our first cruise was to celebrate our 25th anniversary and it was on Zenith. We couldn't believe we were on a ship, everything was so luxurious! They really made it special. Probably much easier on a ship of 44K tons as compared to the 127K tons of the S-class.

 

Sue

[shipshape sam]

And the new colours adopted with the New Millennium followed by a change in logo

 

 

Did't realize Constellation had a full blue hull at first. I can remember when the M class was at the top of the 'Best' lists. :)

[cruising teacher]

Just saw him 10 minutes ago on the Century. Didn't realize he had such history. Great show!

[lilghallinsf]

What a nice thread. It's so nice to see people nostalgic and nice instead of complaining about what they are NOT getting now. I really hate that. There are those of us who are new to celebrity and love it. To hear people constantly complaining about how things have changed is disheartening.

 

 

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[lovecruzin]

Our first cruise was in 1998, a 10 day caribbean on Horizon. Friends thought we were crazy for going for going 10 days on our first cruise. We sailed on her 3 more times one of which was during her final Bermuda season in one of the 2 balconies cabins that were added.

 

Got us hooked on X.

[Germancruiser]

My first X cruise after beeing very loyal to Royal, was on board Millenium- old livery- old style inside, Notes and Books still at place- barely 2 month old. I loved every minute of it and almost banned Royal completely !

Infinity and Summit together in St. Thomas from Paradise Point

Edited September 4, 2014 by Germancruiser

[lilghallinsf]

Probably not that long ago, but I loved the old commercials of the woman walking down the stairs into dinner. Always made me want to go on celebrity and now I have. I don't think they have really changed their message that much just evolved

 

 

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[gwrod]

anyone remember "happy, happy" ?

 

And fashion shows on the pool deck?

[CruisingChick]

I believe you are referring to Mark Preston, (of the Lettermen) who we saw a few times on the Galaxy as well. Wonderful entertainer and he still does occasional gigs on Celebrity and Princess.

 

He will be on our upcoming Celebrity Summit cruise 9/21 (or so I've been told). We saw him last year also on our Celebrity Summit cruise. He was terrific.

[irenemc]

I love this threat!! I started cruising in 2011 so for me this is a great way to discover how cruising was back in the 90's! Thanks for sharing your memories!

By the way, I would have never imagined that you were scorted to your room in the old days :O

[C 2 C]

Zenith and Horizon in Bermuda:

 

[R&M1000]

I remember taking the Century over New Years 1999-2000 and receiving this paperweight as a gift from Celebrity. This was the Y2K cruise that had everyone worried what would happen with their computers when returning home....And of course everything was fine.

 

Always remembered getting a small gift back then from Celebrity.

 

[richsea]

Great photos of Zenith & Horizon Arno! We were on Zenith's final sailing, & her final sail away from Hamilton was very emotional to the many onboard who sailed her multiple times. The final morning in Bayonne saw an empty pool deck, with all of the lounges stacked up near the bandstand.

[ECCruise]

Love the pic of Horizon and Zenith in Hamilton, Arno. Sailed both of those ships to Bermuda several times and even with C class, M class or S class delivering the Celebrity product, still have many fond memories of those "sisters" and the wonderful experiences we had on them.

[iheartbda]

Zenith and Horizon in Bermuda:

 

Our very first cruise was on the Zenith to Bermuda and docking in Hamilton and St. George was the BEST itinerary for there. We were on the last sailing by the Zenith to Bermuda.:( Bought a set of mugs that say, Cape Liberty, Hamilton, St. George and use one for my coffee everyday. The Cova chocolates were also the best chocolate on any line we've been on.:)

 

[C 2 C]

The Cova chocolates were also the best chocolate on any line we've been on.:)

 

 

We loved those chocolates. There have been posts about pax no longer getting their pillow chocolates. If they had been covas that were discontinued, I would have been very upset. These never made it home to the grandkids. To think positive... my waistline no longer expands at the same rate.

[texkan]

Hi Arno:)........one of my favorite ships...........

 

 

Loved the Galaxy (loved the small size) :)

[C 2 C]

Loved the Galaxy (loved the small size) :)

 

And the portals to obscurity?

 

She was also the first to have a bit of lawn..

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Started cruising in 1982, moved to Celebrity in 1999 first the Mercury, then Horizon, Galaxy and Century. Did almost 2 months on the Century alone. They sold Zenith before we got to sail her. Have done the Infinity a lot. Moved off to Regent when Celebrity started the S class. Coming back to do the Eclipse TA this week and I know the experience will be vastly different than the Horizon, where after two days, you knew all the staff and they met your every need. These new ships are like the big splashy hotels in Vegas. The Century in her prime was like going to the Tropicana in the 80's where the dealers knew your name if you came more than twice a year. Thanks for all the pictures and memories. Threads like this are Cruise Critic at its best!

 

I was on the Century for a B2B this spring. My cabin attendant called me by name from the first time we met. Also Kristiana and Alexandra after the first time they served me in the Cova Cafe. So some traditions are alive and well.

[upwarduk]

I was on the Century for a B2B this spring. My cabin attendant called me by name from the first time we met. Also Kristiana and Alexandra after the first time they served me in the Cova Cafe. So some traditions are alive and well.

 

Except that Century is now leaving, I hope the traditions that you mention aren't lost with her.

 

http://s478.photobucket.com/user/Cruisenut/media/Nostalgia/ZenithampCentury.jpg.html

 

I was first introduced to Celebrity via the BBC documentary ' The Cruise Ship.' featuring the British singer Jane McDonald.:) and Galaxy.

I later did my first TA on her, from Rome to Galveston.

The Captain steered her across the Atlantic, taking a route which avoided hurricane Wilma.

Edited September 5, 2014 by upwarduk

[Germancruiser]

Ah I so loved the Cova Cafe- much more than All Bacio! That wonderful china- wonderful experiences!

[elena7seas]

I was on the Century for a B2B this spring. My cabin attendant called me by name from the first time we met. Also Kristiana and Alexandra after the first time they served me in the Cova Cafe. So some traditions are alive and well.

 

Kristiana and Alexandra on Celebrity are perfect examples of what makes Celebrity special. So was our butler, Elvis. My biggest concern about cutbacks is when they negatively impact the staff's working environment. When the bar waiters were removed from the dining room, our sommelier was just run ragged.