Century - JUST OFF

[excitedofharpenden]

A quick summary and comparison of our back to back on Century and Constellation.

 

First of all, I have to say that for a five day cruise with a lot of children and a capacity ship, I loved this trip. It far exceeded my expectations. It all started very easily with a seemless entrance onto the ship and we were aboard at 11.15am and in the cabin (Sky Suite 1208) at 1pm. I was able to dump my carry ons straight away so I did not have to practice the ancient and difficult art of balancing a back pack in one hand and a Martini in the other;)

 

It's interesting to compare Century immediately after doing the longer Constellation cruise. The first effect of stepping on Century after the larger ship is that you don't know your way around and must get used to the Penthouse Deck being on ten rather than six and public rooms in different places. Having been on both Galaxy and Mercury, it was rather like coming home, even though Century has undergone some extensive (and on the most part successful) refurbishment. She is a lovely ship with the best looking dining room of any of the ships I have been on. The Rendezvous square is also very smart. Less successful in my view is the Martini Bar. Perhaps I have been somewhat spoilt by those on Connie and Millie, but it's kind of a narrow room which makes it more difficult to stay away from the smoking side. It's also a little bright for my tastes.

 

What can I say about Murano? It is a lovely room and much more intimate than the larger ships, which in my view makes it nicer. You can hear the harpist from wherever you sit. The staff were superb as was the food. Both even better than Constellation (if that were possible). A truly memorable evening, we were there for 4 and a quarter hours.

 

We were treated famously on the ship. Our whole table of ten had dinner with Captain Mitropoulos on formal night, so no-one felt liked chopped liver. We were also invited to a bridge tour and got some very nice pictures and explanations. The staff and crew were great and our waiter and assistant (Tris and Freddy) were of high quality. Probably the nicest waiters I have had. Brenda Meyer, the CC Hostess was really great. Friendly and chatty.

 

A word on Sky Suite 1208. I have taken a few pictures of the ship and when I am home I will download them. The balcony is about one quarter covered and three quarters covered, which worked better than the half and half I thought it would be. We got plenty of sun, but also some shade too. The deck above was VERY noisy, at all times of the day and evening. There were a couple of joggers the first day, but ropes up there on deck 14 early in the morning had the desired effect. I had been prepared for the noise and it is amazing that a basketball can sound like a bouncing bomb when it is above your head. Those who have seen "The Dambusters" will know what I mean!:) Remember this was Easter week, Spring Break with a lot of children, so I don't expect this typical, but you should be aware and if there is a disturbance don't be afraid to ring and bring it to the attention of the staff. An iPod on loud volume was very useful many times!

 

Our butler, Alwi was pretty useless. It is obvious he needs some training, not least a better command of the English language. Asking for crackers instead of fish canapes was met with "you can order it through room service 24 hours a day" and a plate of fish canapes that evening. He also said I was not listening when he should have said I did not hear, which took me back a bit. A bit frustrating, but he was an exception to an otherwise excellent experience mentioned above. The room was clean, spacious and comfortable as was the bed (although not as comfortable as Constellation the previous week).

 

So overall, we had a wonderful time on Century. I'd like to do a longer cruise on her and that is pretty much the acid test, isn't it?

 

I'm waiting at the airport to fly home now, boo hoo:( Thanks to all on this cruise and the previous for making it such a special trip.

 

Phil

[Eliz]

Hi Phil, thanks for the review. Sounds like a great time was had by all!

 

Elizabeth

[lysolqn]

Glad to know you enjoyed your Century cruise. We sailed on Century five times between her inaugural year and a few months prior to the rebuild - she's always been one of our favorites. We're looking forward to a 17-night December transatlantic (Barcelona/Miami) which will be our first time back onboard since the ship was refurbished and your review makes that cruise all the more enticing. Thanks.

[Texed]

Thanks Phil. :)

[TourDeCruise]

Hi Phil. Happy to hear you enjoyed your cruises and look forward to hearing more. We will be back on Century in May for our B2B. Kathy

[Andy]

Hi Phil !

 

Thanks for the updates on both of your Cruises. It sounds like you had a great time. I hope we will meet on a future Cruise !

[Lois R]

Hi Phil:) glad everything went well...other than the Butler:rolleyes:

Just off Mercury too...well about 1.5 weeks ago....she was

as fabulous as I remember.

And I will finally be sailing Century again. Not till the end of the

year but it will be wonderful to step back on her!

 

Hope you have a safe flight back across the pond:)

 

Be well:)

[Karynanne]

Phil, thank you for the wonderful review...can't wait to see you in Sept.!!

 

Karyn

[jerseygirl3]

We're also just off the century. I'll be writing a full review when we get home (we're staying a few days in Marco Island). Anyway, I just have to say something in defense of Alwi, the butler. We were in Sky Suites 1212, 1218, 1220, and 1222. We, too, had Alwi. He couldn't have been more accommodating and pleasant. Anything we asked for was met with "why, of course, Madam, anything you'd like." He saw my husband's tie was not knotted too well on formal night, and he offered to retie it for him. He escorted my elderly parents and the grandchildren to the dining room the night we (my husband and me and my brother and SIL and sister and BIL) were eating in Murano. He arranged a private cocktail party in our cabin and continuously chilled the champagne all day long until it was ready to serve, along with a large pitcher of o.j. to make mimosas. He also brought in an extra bottle of champagne (at no charge). He brought cheese and crackers, assorted fruits and canapes, etc. He offered to serve dinner on the balcony to my parents and the grandchildren. He brought in the dining room menu for the evening and said it would be no problem serving them privately on the balcony (he said he had a young child at home...an 8-year-old daughter...and it would be no bother at all for him to assist my parents with the children who were ages 6-year-old twins, a 9-year-old, and a 12-year-old.)

 

Anyway, I echo the OP comments about the cruise. It was wonderful. It was as near to perfect as possible. I just had to add my sentiments about Alwi. His English language is a bit difficult to discern because he has a very thick accent, but he apologized for that and said he's been working very hard on improving his command of the language. He said he tries very hard to articulate, but it's difficult because he has a very mixed heritage (he's from Indonesia, but his parents are Spanish and Dutch). I'm sorry the OP didn't find him as enchanting as we did. Now Gene, the butler my sister and BIL (who had Sky Suite 1230) was a different story. They didn't care for him at all. If my BIL asked for a second cup of tea, it was met with "are you really going to drink two cups?" Also, he asked if the children were pressing their noses against the glass sliding doors (they are 6 years old, I'm sure they were pressing their noses against the glass). Anyway, as I said, a complete review will follow, but anybody fretting cruising the Century needn't worry. It's a wonderful ship that will provide a great vacation. My only complaint is that 5 days is too short.

[nu2sea]

Welcome back, Phil! Thanks for the review of the Century. When I read about all of the children on board it gave me the willies. Congratulations on not letting that issue stand between you and having a good time!

 

Susan

[Cruisenouvelle]

Phil and Jerseygirl, your comments couldn't come at a better time - we'll be on Century in just over a week, so every comment -good and bad- is appreciated! Glad you all made it back home safely and enjoyed yourselves!

[drk]

Thanks Phil. We were on the Century for a 5 dayer in Feb and enjoyed her. We sail her again in May and will be joining you on the Constellation TA in Sept and hope to meet you then. Thanks again for all of your informative posts.

 

Kevin

[FinelyCruising]

Phil glad to hear you had a great time. I look forward to catching up once you and the others are settled back in. :)

[themirsk]

Welcome back Phil . We're very excited about our upcoming transatlantic on the the Century. Do you know if Brenda will still be the CC Hostess then.............and is Stan (from the Millie) the Maitre d' of Muranos ???

Thanks in advance........M&M's

[SheilaNC]

Good report, Phil. Did you happen to meet Safar, the head bartender. He was our Asst Maitre D' on the Mercury and I just found out from him today that he's on Century. Great guy who was wonderful to our family group last summer. We haven't been on Century yet, so your report was very informative for future decisions.

[Lois R]

Good report, Phil. Did you happen to meet Safar, the head bartender. He was our Asst Maitre D' on the Mercury and I just found out from him today that he's on Century. Great guy who was wonderful to our family group last summer. We haven't been on Century yet, so your report was very informative for future decisions.

 

Not sure if you saw my question on the other thread?...this is the

same Zafer from Turkey that we both raved about last year?:D

He went from Asst Maitr'd to Head Bartender?

I wonder if you could write him again? I will be on Century in Dec...

would you ask him if he will be on at that time?

Thanks so much:)

[SheilaNC]

Will be glad to write him again. Lois. Does he know you by just Lois? Yes, it's the same one but he spelled his name Branimir Safar in his message today and Safar is in his email address.

 

BTW, I think I responded to your message on the other thread as well.... :)

[SheilaNC]

Lois,

Yes, it's the same person. His name is Branimir Safar (that's the way he spelled it in his message). Does he know you as 'Lois'? Will be glad to ask him. Or email me and I'll send you his email address.

[SheilaNC]

Sorry, double post - thought it didn't go through the first time :(

[Lois R]

Will be glad to write him again. Lois. Does he know you by just Lois? Yes, it's the same one but he spelled his name Branimir Safar in his message today and Safar is in his email address.

 

BTW, I think I responded to your message on the other thread as well.... :)

 

Oh I will look at the other thread too..sorry.

That is weird..I thought his name was with a Z....hmmm...now

I wonder if it is the same person? Really nice....with glasses from

Turkey. Tell him I was on the infamous "Capt Dismissed" cruise

out of Alaska....not sure if that will ring a bell with him or not.

He was my Maitr'd and Adrian from Romania was my waiter on that

cruise.

 

Sheila, you have mail:)

Wait a sec..that name looks like Branhi's name...I know Brahni is on Century..

from what Juro told me on Mercury...wonder if they are both there!

[themirsk]

Lois........

I think your Zafir from Turkey (with glasses) is a Maitre D' on the Millie.....

Mel

[Lois R]

Oh he is on Millennium now? I was on her in December and

he wasn't then......did he just go on?

I guess I will find out at the end of the year;)

It will be nice to see Century again, that is for sure:)

[themirsk]

Oh he is on Millennium now? I was on her in December and

he wasn't then......did he just go on?

I guess I will find out at the end of the year;)

It will be nice to see Century again, that is for sure:)

 

We were on the trans in November and he wasn't on then. We were back at the end of January and he was. Ali took over for Shadi and Zafir became his assistant.

[Host Anne]

Phil ~ I can't believe you Connie & Century cruises are both over. WOW...that went fast. Thanks for taking the time to post and keep us updated. Just wish I could have been along for the fun....some time in the future, I hope!

 

Safe travels home.

[Lois R]

We were on the trans in November and he wasn't on then. We were back at the end of January and he was. Ali took over for Shadi and Zafir became his assistant.

 

Oh my goodness...I wonder who Sheila has been emailing then?

 

I met Shadi in December. What a nice guy:)