Mercury review, Pacific Northwest 9/18 (Long)

[kruisecat]

USNDiver,

 

Like you, I'm not sure why the issue is as volatile as it is, but it is. However since you asked, I will gladly tell you where I stand...right after I enter the government's witness protection program, have reconstructive surgery to change my appearance, don some armor and hire the Secret Service to protect my family from that ol' train wreck you mentioned!

 

For what it's worth, here goes (let me move out of the line of fire; there, that's better)...

 

I like the evening dress code on Celebrity and am of the opinion that if there is a dress code, passengers should respect it and the cruiseline should (oh, how I hate to use this word for fear of being blasted, but there really isn't another that will do) enforce it - within reason, of course (no walking the plank or night in the brig for failure to dress properly...anything short of that is fine with me). I think it's rude for passengers to show up in the dining room for dinner dressed in shorts, jeans, tee shirts, caps, sneakers, flip-flops, sweat pants, bathing suit cover-ups, jogging suits, or various other forms of attire that are clearly inappropriate. There are alternative dining venues for those who do not wish to "dress." I don't think it's unreasonable to expect passengers who book a cruise on a line that publishes an evening dress code to "clean up" for dinner and make a marginal attempt to dress accordingly.

 

I don't buy the "It's my vacation, I paid for it, I'll dress as I wish" defense - I think it speaks volumes about those who offer it. However, I'm aware that Celebrity's policy of prohibiting passengers from bringing liquor onboard does not extend to lack of respect, bad manners, rudeness and arrogance.

 

Those who don't follow the dress code do not affect my vacation, my dinner or my physical and mental well-being in any way, shape or form.

 

I think Celebrity does itself a disservice by not reasonably enforcing its own rules (ouch, another word I hate to use with respect to this issue) but I understand that the bottom line is the bottom line and one person's money is as green as another's.

 

There, I've said it and would appreciate it if you would post the rest of your wonderful review before I'm forced to leave town. I hear the mob approaching...

 

I'll stand by your side against the mob :D I am not a veteran as most are as I've only been on 2 X cruises but I couldn't agree more. Just wanted you to know you're not out there braving the onslaught alone!

[cruisin'mama]

I agree with you also. I love to do the whole formal night thing, but my husband HATES it. So when I let him tag along on a cruise with me, we go on another cruise line that allows casual dress. But when I leave him at home, bring on the BLING!

[4 cruisers]

We adhere to the dress codes always. Just got back from a Crystal cruise with friends. Two teenaged boys came to the dining room on formal night in t-shirts and shorts!!!!! It just made me chuckle and shake my head. But one member of our party REALLY let it bother him. He had to see the maitre'd and complain and thought they should be thrown out, etc. He was right, but as an old attorney of ours once said to us, "You can be right or you can be smart!" If you let others affect your good time, you aren't being very smart.

[lysolqn]

It wasn't my intent to steal USNDiver's thunder and turn this into another dress code thread. I was just answering his call and offering my humble opinion. Sure hope he posts the remainder of his review so we can get back on point...and I can come out of hiding!

[USNDiver]

First of all..

 

Thank you all for the opinions on the dress code, much appreciated!!

 

Tell ya what, since I started this thing, when it blows up, you guys make your escape and I'll be the human shield.

 

Far, far better thing.........

 

 

 

 

And so we're headed South on the Inside Passage. People seem to think that the last day of the cruise is the worst. I say it's the next to last day. A feeling of, I don't know, melancholy, seems to be sweeping the ship. The day you disembark you have so much to do that you don't have time to be sad.

 

 

Watching the passing view from my balcony, coffee in hand, I felt better immediately. I've had the opportunity to travel the world while wearing The Uniform (which I still proudly wear) and the Inside Passage is some of the prettiest country I've ever seen (I could spend days on the ship just cruising these waters.) We grabbed a late breakfast/early lunch and went up on deck to watch for whales. Okay the whales didn't seem to want to cooperate but we did see a pod of porpoises - just as cool. We headed back to our cabin to do some :( (sniff) packing. We packed for a few minutes but the view drew us back out to the balcony to watch the passing islands. We heard someone on the deck above us yell "whale" and we looked forward and saw an Orca splashing around - VERY COOL!!! He (or she) parralleled the ship for a few minutes just playing around. A few minutes later we were looking aft, at our wake, and saw a Humpback Whale break the surface and spout. This improved the mood dramatically. We immediately started planning our next cruise which improved the mood even more (sometimes I think the anticipation is almost as good as the cruise.) Then I had an incredible brainstorm, lets go get a martini and plan for our next cruise!!

 

Back on cloud 9

 

 

Spent the rest of the day just strolling the ship, checking out the gift shops, and talking with some other passengers "oh, your'e the Kilt Guy" I kept hearing. Hit the casino again and won a little more (key word being "little".)

 

Dressed for dinner (casual night, and I'll just let it go at that) and went down to the dining room, making the usual watering stops enroute. Had another fine meal and were sincerely sad to be saying goodbye to our tablemates (like I mentioned earlier, we lucked out on this deal.) After dinner we hit the bars and thanked (again) some of the crew who went out of their way for us. I think it was some members of the crew who really made the cruise for us. We stopped and listened to a couple bands and this is one area that I never touched on. We never went to see any shows (just not our thing) but we like just listening to music. All of the bands, quartets, musicians, duos we heard were first rate. Not a sour note among them. There was music for all tastes playing at some time during the day aboard. High marks on this.

 

Okay back in the cabin we found an envelope with airline luggage tags and, low and behold!, our boarding passes for the flight home. We changed into our traveling duds for tomorrow, packed the last of our things, put our bags outside the door, and called it a night.

 

 

Awoke the next morning to hot coffee and the most horrible, blood curdling, ghastly, hideous, shocking thing I had ever laid eyes on.

 

 

It was our shipboard bill.

 

 

 

But this was no ordinary bill.

 

 

 

This bill looked like a phone number.

 

 

 

 

This bill was worth every penny.

 

 

 

 

 

More in a bit

[USNDiver]

Can you give some info on the scheduled daily activities. We are on the three night Oct. 6th. I have a big group traveling with me, some first timers. They are asking about scheduled events with the cruise directors, BINGO, Ping Pong, Shuffle board, Trivia, etc. Thanks, Great review by the way!!

 

Tracy,

 

There was NO shortage of daily activities. Everything you named above plus scrabble, basketball. cards, board games and a lot more than I can even remember. I'll dig out the shipboard newsletter later and fill you in if there's anything else. It seemeed like there was something going on all the time though.

 

Dave

[Nilla]

Now I am sad! This has all come to a craching end:( Thank you so much for takign the time to give us your review! I have a question from a lady we are cruising with next weekend she wants to know if Karaoke is an cativity offered at night? Thanks Dave for the great review!

[USNDiver]

Now I am sad! This has all come to a craching end:( Thank you so much for takign the time to give us your review! I have a question from a lady we are cruising with next weekend she wants to know if Karaoke is an cativity offered at night? Thanks Dave for the great review!

 

Nilla,

 

Don't despair, I've still got one page to write (though I'm sure people are tired of reading this.) I'm almost certain I saw karaoke offered at one point but I'll check the newsletters later and check for certain.

 

Thanks again for the nice words,

 

Dave

[Nilla]

Woo HOO Woo Hoo there is more!!!!!!!!!! Cant wait to read some more!:p

[USNDiver]

I left the Mercury in a Melancholy/Hungover haze.

 

Disembarkation is one sad process but, at least, it was well organized. Got off the ship and grabbed a cab to SeaTac Airport to find our flight delayed 2 hours.

 

We just had a great cruise so we rolled with it. Made it back to our home airport WITH OUR BAGGAGE!!! (I was really kind of sweating this) and we were on our way home with some great memories (and a lingering hangover.)

 

Just a couple more comments and I'll leave you nice folks alone.

 

Before I decided on this cruise I scoured these boards and found all the information I could on the Mercury.

 

A lot of the information I found was not flattering.

 

When I began to look for information one or two people specifically said to stay away from the Mercury citing the recent Nora Virus problem and the removal of the Skipper. My own thoughts on this were "Okay they had some problems on board, and some bad press, but because of it, this is going to be the tightest ship in the Celebrity fleet."

 

I think it was

 

 

Some people commented on the public areas looking a little threadbare. I think that someone who has cruised on the Mercury several times is more likely to pick up on this than a first time cruiser like myself. Even if someone noticed a little "wear and tear" in the areas, they were still kept spotlessly clean.

 

Works for me

 

 

I'm afraid I've spoiled myself now and will refuse to cruise without a balcony to call my own. The SkySuite was excellent!! The Butler services were great, but I feel strange being waited on in that manner, and I'm sure I didn't utilize the Butler services to their full extent ( Don't get me wrong here, I'll probably try it again.)

 

 

I think I've come to the conclusion that, it seems, many people cruise (or even just go through life) looking for things to complain about. I will not even try and understand this (Dr. Phil might be able to get a handle on it.) I had a wonderful time, meet some great people, ate too much, drank WAY too much,

 

 

And created some good memories

 

 

Complaints come and go but good memories stick around.

 

 

 

 

Thank you all for the kind comments and I'd be pleased to cruise with any of you,

 

 

Please meet me in the Martini Bar :D

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Dave

 

 

 

p.s. If anyone has questions ask 'em here and I'll be happy to answer.

[hillgirl20]

Good review, Dave. Hope our trip in March 07 on the Mercury is as much fun as yours. Don't usually drink martinis but I think I'll have to try the Martini Bar , just because of you:) .

[USNDiver]

Not to stir up that whole "Dress Code" thing again but did Celebrity offer the same menu that's served in the dining room ,in a seperate, more casual area?

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

[mlmagic]

Thanks so much for taking the time to give such a fun and "real" experience of the Mercury. You have put my concerns to rest! We will be cruising on her in 11 months! I can't wait now, thanks to your warm, friendly review of a special time aboard a special ship...

Lysa:)

[lysolqn]

I really enjoyed reading your review - you don't strike me as the kind of guy who boards a ship with magnifying glass and clipboard in hand, and I suspect you enjoy yourself in spite of whatever glitches may pop up now and then.

 

By the way, alternative dining for those who don't wish to dress for dinner on X usually includes the sushi bar, pizza, pasta and salad stations, outdoor grill and a sit down/table service restaurant at the back of the Islands Cafe (buffet area) which I believe offers a full dinner but not necessarily the same menu as the dining room.

[Lois R]

Not to stir up that whole "Dress Code" thing again but did Celebrity offer the same menu that's served in the dining room ,in a seperate, more casual area?

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

 

Hi Dave, the C class ships offer "alternative dining" usually aft,

near the buffet..but you are served. Yes it is casual, the menu

is more limited than the dining room but they still serve you

on linen.

 

As to you review, it was excellent. I hope you submit

it to the MEMBER REVIEWS.

 

I also sailed Mercury back in May (my 2nd time on her)

and seems our weeks mirrored each other. I had wonderful

food, excellent service and yes, Branni in the Martini

Bar added an extra special touch to the the whole week:D

The man knows how to make a drink!

 

Thanks again for such an enjoyable read.....maybe

one day our paths will cross on the seas.

[Tucsoncruisers]

Dave, thanks for keeping my husband and I so entertained this week with your review. Outstanding!:)

[Bengoshi]

Bravo Zulu, NavyDiver!

 

Bengoshi, Colonel of Marines (Ret.)

[USNDiver]

[quote name=

As to you review, it was excellent. I hope you submit

it to the MEMBER REVIEWS.

 

[/quote]

 

 

Lois

 

Do you this is worth submitting as a "formal" review? I was just kind of having some fun with it.

 

Dave

[Lois R]

Dave, if you are asking my opinion..yes, I think it is definitely

worth it.:)

Of course, you will have to put it into WORD....as to

post the actual review without everyone's replies.

Make sense?

 

But yes, I think it is fun:) AND very well written!

[USNDiver]

Dave, if you are asking my opinion..yes, I think it is definitely

worth it.:)

Of course, you will have to put it into WORD....as to

post the actual review without everyone's replies.

Make sense?

 

But yes, I think it is fun:) AND very well written!

 

 

Thanks Lois

 

You know, I think I will.

 

Dave

[mii]

Dave i thoroughly enjoyed your review and waited with baited breath to read your chapters. It wa alot of fun to read and how you scripted the review. Thank you very much. I also agree with you that you cannot please everyone and it was such a pleasure to finally read a review where you and wife really enjoyed yourself. Thank you very much.

 

Marilyn

[Nilla]

Yes Dave do it do it! So I need to know what was your favorite martini at the bar? I love me a good martini and on my birthday I am planning on haveing a few! :D

[USNDiver]

Yes Dave do it do it! So I need to know what was your favorite martini at the bar? I love me a good martini and on my birthday I am planning on haveing a few! :D

 

 

There's a joke that goes with that.

 

Bartender; "How do you take you Martini's"

 

Customer; "By the quart"

 

 

Seriously, I like Bombay Sapphire, up, with a twist (olives take up valuable space) but straight gin is definately an acquired taste - you'll either love it or hate it. They had a full array of, pardon the expression, "martini'ish" drinks though. My Wife raved about the cosmopolitans (a little sweet for my taste) but they had Appletini's & such - looked like they offered something for everyone.

 

Have one for me,

 

Dave

[slotaddict]

Dave, thank you very much for the wonderful entertaining review. I hope I can be as clever with my review of the new century. Your review has certainly made me want to book the Mercury for my Alaska trip. I do have one question. My next cruise I will have my first ever balcony. We fully expected to book a balcony for our Alaska cruise, however I have read on these threads that perhaps you do not need a balcony on an Alaska cruise because of the weather. As I read you post I realize that you enjoy a balcony and will probably always have one. But is it as functional in Alaska as it is in a warmer climate. Thanks again for a great review.

Roe

[bunnybear]

I appreciate your time and enjoyed your humor as you shared your experience. I appreciate your comments about those that complain. I try to always find the good in any situation and would rather be on any cruise than sitting at my desk at work.

 

Our upcoming Mercury trip will be our first in Concierge Class so we will also not know how to accept the Butler's services. But I will certainly give it my best shot.

 

I would love to travel with you sometime - you are my kind of traveler!!!