Celebrity Sojourn - A different type of cruise?

[cohengm]

I just checked out the 'specs' on this ship on VaToGo and read that the ship has no showroom, no shops, does not do laundry or dry cleaning. If that is true, what kind of entertainment is planned for the Bermuda cruises?

[ocngypz]

Uh, the new ship going to Bermuda is called the Journey.

 

You can check out the Journey at http://www.celebrity.com

[cohengm]

But my basic question remains the same. Is there no showroom, no library, etc. on this smaller, more intimate ship? I'm not trying to "knock it", and it's even tweaked my curiosity as to being more upscale. But for people who have booked those "interim cruises" where Journey is doing the Bermuda Zenith routes in 2007, are they getting less than they expected, about the same, or better than they expected? Most likely the answer will depend on what you want from a cruise. Does anyone have a more detailed answer?

(P.S. I have checked the Celebrity site which isn't as informative as the VToGo site.)

[ECCruise]

Actually, the former Renaissance ships (which the Journey is one) have both libraries and showrooms. If the libraries are maintained even remotely like they are on Oceania, they are by far the nicest libraries afloat. The showroom is small (obviously) but has pretty good sightlines. These ships are like smaller versions of what you are used to sailing, as opposed to Xpedition, which is nothing like traditional cruise ships. If you check the deck plans on Celebrity's site, the library is on Deck 10, just forward of the speciality restaurants, the showroom is deck 5, all the way forward.

[ocngypz]

Journey is going to be a more luxury-oriented ship than the rest of the fleet.

Every cabin including insides will have an upgraded amenity package (details to come) and butler service. Now.. whether the butler is in addition to the cabin attendant and assistant remains to be seen.

 

There will be two specialty dining restaurants, Aqua Spa, Martini Bar, Cova Cafe Acupuncture at Sea, Sushi CaFe,Online@Celebrity, Casual DIning, Pool and Casino.

 

I am really looking forward to an intimate ship... and now with balconies.. to Bermuda. I loved her when she sailed for Renaissance.. I love her sisters which now sail for Princess (Tahitian and Pacific.. and Royal to come).. and of course, her other sisters who sail for Oceania (Regatta, Insignia and Nautica).

[stebul]

The Journey should have everything you expect from Celebrity, just smaller. It already has shops, a casino, specialty dining, multiple bars and lounges, a library, a beautiful observation lounge, and balcony cabins. There is one pool. It does not have any children's facilities, unless Celebrity decides to add these during its refurbishment. Celebrity may add laundry and dry cleaning services (right now the ship has self-service laundromats).

 

The former Renaissance ships are among the nicest afloat and are favorites for many people. They were designed for premium, near-luxury cruising and are small enough to go to many ports that larger ships do not enter. The smaller size makes for an intimate experience onboard as you see the same staff and passengers every day. It is a lot easier to prepare tasty, gourmet cuisine for 700 people than for 2000. There is lots of nice woodwork in the public rooms that I'd hope Celebrity keeps during the rennovation.

 

Enjoy this ship on the Bermuda itinerary -- you can be pretty confident that it will be doing more exotic itineraries in the future (world cruise with Celebrity, anyone?)

[Windrunner I]

Fear not - the Journey has a Casino, it has laundry and dry cleaning in addition to a self-service launderette, two shops, a Library and a Showroom.

 

The Showroom is one-story, so I'm sure Celebrity will have to alter their entertainment to suit the space. I hear the Library is being relocated to deck 5, near the Martini Bar and Casino and Micheal's Club will occupy the space that is currently the Library on deck 10.

[ocngypz]

Fear not - the Journey has a Casino, it has laundry and dry cleaning in addition to a self-service launderette, two shops, a Library and a Showroom.

 

The Showroom is one-story, so I'm sure Celebrity will have to alter their entertainment to suit the space. I hear the Library is being relocated to deck 5, near the Martini Bar and Casino and Micheal's Club will occupy the space that is currently the Library on deck 10.

 

The showroom is remaining as is. The new specialty restaurants will be aft on Deck 10. One portside, the other starboard. The main dining room remains one level on Deck 5. The complete deckplans still are in the works.

 

The handicap accessible rooms: Cat 8, oceanview deck 3 (2); Cat 2a deck 6 (2); Cat 12 inside deck 4 (2); There are no hca suites.

[dkjretired]

The showroom is remaining as is. The new specialty restaurants will be aft on Deck 10. One portside, the other starboard. The main dining room remains one level on Deck 5. The complete deckplans still are in the works.

 

The handicap accessible rooms: Cat 8, oceanview deck 3 (2); Cat 2a deck 6 (2); Cat 12 inside deck 4 (2); There are no hca suites.

 

Any idea what the two specialty restaurants will be, one I assume will be the same as on Century and M ships but what of the other...

[ocngypz]

Any idea what the two specialty restaurants will be, one I assume will be the same as on Century and M ships but what of the other...

 

Hi Don:

 

I asked and asked, but nobody could or would tell me. I started at the top (Dan Hanrahan) and worked my way down the chain of command.

 

My guess is the traditional specialty restaurant found on the other ships and the second featuring a rotating menu based wherever the ship happens to be sailing. But you just never know. Insofar as they are positioning this ship at the luxury end of the market, anything can happen.

 

I still don't get the luxury bit, but we'll see what happens.

[dkjretired]

Hi Don:

 

I asked and asked, but nobody could or would tell me. I started at the top (Dan Hanrahan) and worked my way down the chain of command.

 

My guess is the traditional specialty restaurant found on the other ships and the second featuring a rotating menu based wherever the ship happens to be sailing. But you just never know. Insofar as they are positioning this ship at the luxury end of the market, anything can happen.

 

I still don't get the luxury bit, but we'll see what happens.

 

Babette:

 

Thanks for all the info on the new ship you've given, I just figured if anybody would know it would be you. Have a nice holiday. I'm going to be away fro a few days..