Welcome Home Tuggers!

[gkm]

We've really missed you, and thanks for the updates -- breadsticks and all.:D I'm looking forward to your impressions of the Century this time. There seems to have been some sanitation problems, which I'm sure are now corrected.

 

After you get settled and get your babies, give us a post and let us know how you are!

 

Garry

[Char]

I'll add my "welcome back" to Garry's :D Anxious to know how you are and if you got your Creme Brulee on the second leg of your cruise. I'll bet your "babies" are all over you!!!!! ~~~and aren't they a welcome sight!!:)

[tuggers]

Thanks, guys! I missed the boards!

 

Plane was late leaving FLL and traffic was heavy coming home so I didn't get the guys tonight. Will pick them up tomorrow after lunch. Books and I are just laying here 'bonding' - that means I feed him chicken and he eats it!

 

The breadsticks were back on the table on 12/3. I sure missed them! They would serve you two and then it was much too long before they came around and replenished them!

 

I'll write more tomorrow. I must say that I, and several others who have been on Century a few times, were definitely disapppointed with these last cruises.

Things were really not up to X standards. What bothered me most was the attitude of some of the staff! I'm not sure I would sail her a fourth time. More later.

 

Gail

[tuggers]

And don't believe everything you hear about me on this cruise! Some of it is bound to be an urban legend type thing!!!

[sunpsyche]

welcome back tuggers....just in time for our cold spell! our weather has been downright balmly til last evening...getting steadily cooler.....

but on to more important matters...I'm concerned...what was wrong on the century?

this is very disturbing news...anxiousing awaiting hearing more details.

[brigittetom]

Welcome home Tuggers. I'm also anxious to hear more about the Century. :)

[dmarch@islc.net]

Hey Gail,

 

Welcome home! Sorry to hear the Century's not up to snuff. Did you see any cockroaches? LOL Hopefully the Zenith won't let us down.

When you get a chance would you email me at dmarch@islc.net . I have a few onboard booking questions I think you could help me with.

 

Thanks,

David

[gkm]

I'm glad you got home safe and sound, Gail. Do you get your babies today? And I hope you'll give us an update on how Ryan is doing. I'm mailing a Christmas card to him today.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the downward trend on the Century. I wonder what the problem is. As you remember when we sailed her in June the staff was top-notch!

 

Garry

[tuggers]

Morning, Garry! Yes I get them back this afternoon. The cat has forgiven me (the KC helped!), now I just have to see what the other babies have to say. While I was away, Books sister in California died from lymphona (sp?). That was very sad. My friend Judy was so very bonded with Bonnie and her sister Katie, having saved the whole litter from drowning and raising them from little kitties.

Makes me realize they turned 13 in July and will not be with us always!

 

I booked the b2b based on our June experience so was very disappointed with the downward turn. Like I said, most staff was excellent, just a few bad apples, but unfortunately they were in positions of responsibility.

 

Eva, the Martini Bar bartender was fabulous! From Columbia. Boy, did she make a mean Martini! And took such good care of us. The first cruise we had about 7 that met every day. The 12/4 cruise, I showed up the first night with about 9 others and said 'these are my new pips!'. So that became our unofficial moniker, Gail and her Pips!! The Limon's were still the best, but tried a few new ones, too!

 

After about the third time that the wine steward said to me, 'are you aware of the corkage fee', I was a smartass and said, 'listen, I not only know about the corkage, I SET the new price'! After a few Limons you can see I was feeling my wheaties! LOL!:D

 

Cabin Steward, Shetty (boy do you have to be careful with that one!) and his asst Iwayan were beyond terrific! So Glad I had them both weeks! Had to change cabins, but only 2 doors down so not too bad. When JoAn first got onboard, she came to me and said, what's his name!?!

 

Sorry to say, a couple of the chilled soups I love so well were not up to par. Noteably the rubharb (I can't spell anything today!). JoAn and I both agreed it was missing some needed spice. Not at all like before. However, my favorite, Celery, Apple, Coconut was to die for! Both weeks!

 

Several people at my table, both weeks, had to send filets back due to tendons running theough, just couldn't cut it! I think one finally gave up after 2 bad ones and had something else. That would have been unheard of prior to these cruises.

 

Also, one day, the deserts at lunch were very, very small. The Mawr en Hand

(or something like that), the chocolate steamed pudding that is soooo good, which the previous week had been about the size of a wine glass, arrived the size of a shot glass! The waiter was embarassed, said they were trying to cut costs and that he could not put two on one plate! He very shortly showed up with a second one! Weird stuff like that on both weeks! Remember the comment about we were eating too many breadsticks?

 

More later. I have to find some coffee!

 

Gail

[gkm]

That's disappointing to hear. I wonder if there's been a change in management. Do you know Gail? Was the SH the same one we had in June. I remember her as very "distant"--a no show at our CC gathering, in which you saved the day.;) Glad to know you could at least get your martinis!:D

 

Garry

[tlm]

This sounds so disappointing. We're scheduled to sail on the Century in six weeks. I hope things go back to the way they were before.

 

Toni :(

[joramrose]

And don't believe everything you hear about me on this cruise! Some of it is bound to be an urban legend type thing!!!

 

Or table fables?

 

Or maybe See and Say for C-C gang-plankers.

Whatever. I have the scoop on Gail's cruising, and I have been known to TELL ALL.

'

In fact, I may be induced (even seduced) to write a "What She Did on Her Vacation" for this site. Just so's you can get the lowdown.

 

I can tell you this. When things don't go right aboard ship, that lady knows how to set them straight. A good one to have along as part of your cruisin crew. Worked for me! (In other words, she takes care of her Pips.)

 

love

joan

 

P.S. I liked the Horizon last month better than the Century this month, and I liked the Century better than the Constellation in June. But offer me a deal and I will gladly board any one of them again, any time. It's Galaxy next in line for me.

[tuggers]

Garry,

 

Mahalia was on the Century. She's now on Horizon and I wasn't impressed. Everything seems very forced. Not very geniune. You know it's her job and that's it.

 

Amanda was this one. She's off Century now, but no one knew where she was going. Tiffany took over. She was very bright and bubbly. Liked her. This new position where they have to sit at a desk certain hours is not for everyone, so i think you will see some weeded out. The Future Cruise Manager in now the first level supervisor for them. Problem is, they were on the same level until recently and many partied together. Doesn't make for a good situation. Maybe that's why they are moving soon around. We'll see.

 

Toni,

 

I was certainly disappointed! And I was on for 2 weeks! Never been ready to come home from a cruise before, but many of us were. That's not good.

 

Gail

[gkm]

I can tell you this. When things don't go right aboard ship, that lady knows how to set them straight. A good one to have along as part of your cruisin crew. Worked for me! (In other words, she takes care of her Pips.)

 

You better watch out Gail! You're getting a reputation.

Pretty soon they'll be putting you up in the Royal Suite to keep you off their backs.

 

Garry

[tuggers]

That Royal Suite thing sounds pretty good! When do you think that will happen, Garry? Can I count on it?

 

I know no one will ever believe that I am usually easy going on a cruise! I just had a few snafus this time. Some were taken care of and some were not. MOST staff was wunderful, some were not. Just found more of the not this trip than most.

 

I read a post today from someone who was on the 12/4 and everything was great. And for her, maybe it was. I, and others, just did not have that.

 

PLEASE, I don't need any more of a reputation! I won't be able to go anywhere!

Has anyone ever been banned from X? I don't want to be the first!

 

Gail

[Andy]

Thanks, guys! I missed the boards!

 

Plane was late leaving FLL and traffic was heavy coming home so I didn't get the guys tonight. Will pick them up tomorrow after lunch. Books and I are just laying here 'bonding' - that means I feed him chicken and he eats it!

 

The breadsticks were back on the table on 12/3. I sure missed them! They would serve you two and then it was much too long before they came around and replenished them!

 

I'll write more tomorrow. I must say that I, and several others who have been on Century a few times, were definitely disapppointed with these last cruises.

Things were really not up to X standards. What bothered me most was the attitude of some of the staff! I'm not sure I would sail her a fourth time. More later.

 

Gail

 

Hi Gail !

 

I am so sorry to hear you didnt have a great Cruise on Century. I am totally puzzled whats going on with Celebrity, and Century specifically. I was on Century a few months ago, and everything was wonderful !

 

It is hard to figure out all of this (sanitation, breadsticks, lousy service etc) changing so quickly. Of course, I do believe you ! Just that it is very hard to understand.

 

To make matters worse, while it is pretty clear that Century now has problems, she will be virtually our only choice out of South Florida next season.

 

Unless something changes soon, it looks like it is goodbye to Celebrity for me, for now anyway. That is very sad news indeed.

 

Again, I am so sorry to hear your Cruise did not "exceed expectations"

 

Regards,

Andy

[turtlemichael]

As someone who reads the boards more than inputs, I have to say I particularly value Gail's comtributions. I am therefore concerned at what she says about Century as I'm sailing on her next year. It is tempting to look at some of the specials on Silversea or Seabourn which, when all is taken into account, are more expensive but not a lot more expensive.

[dkjretired]

I value Tuggers opinions but as usual there is another thread on these boards from someone who returned from the Century on Saturday and said everything was wonderful. Reported the ship was clean, food was up to Celebrity's standards and there was no evidence of any problems on the ship. It also seems that no one who posted on that thread posted on this thread.

 

Go figure

 

Don

[tuggers]

Thanks for the kind words. As I stated, my opinion is just that, an opinion. I realize that some were pleased and others not. I do sail frequently and I am sure that I expect more than a cruiser who goes once or twice a year. I am also more aware of things and how they have changed just because I have been on other ships within the last month or so and see how things should be. No offense intended, I just may be more aware than others. In a month or two, those annoying things will recede in my mind, too and I will choose to remember the good times and great people more than an arrogant Matre' d!

 

I also stand by my statement that Century has also been adored more for a 'state of mind' than actual facts. They always made you feel so welcomed and appreciated that maybe the little things didn't matter quite so much. Now that the staff is not all so happy, maybe that is just shining through and we pick up more on the things that are missing. (I'm trying to be very PC here!) Little things like finding out my sea pass didn't work right before sailaway on 12/4 and had to be escorted all the way from the Mast Bar back to the terminal to be 'checked in'. When I asked if I had done something, they said, no, it's our clerical error. I was not doing too bad that day but on another day it could have been a painful experience with my hip and knee. I thought they should have done this for me and brought me a new card without me having to schlep all the way back to step one!

 

Some of the good things were wonderful conversations with Alan King and his wife. She is wonderful! Also the Hotel Managers wife was onboard and she also was charming. Enjoyed my time with both of them. Naomi was the asst matre' d on first cruise and she was great, providing escargot on more than one occassion and also terrific Creme Brulee. The CB was much better on Century than Galaxy. While Galaxy had some nights it was good, it was uneven, Century hit the mark everytime I had it. The librarian was very friendly and knowledgeable, one of the few who seemed to enjoy books as much as I do and had actually read lots of them. He was good at recommending books I enjoyed. The computer people were good although they did forget to give me my 10 minute credit. ( Because we had no interactive tv I didn't know this untill disembarkation day. Got to stand in that GR line!)

 

I have tried to be fair, siting the good and the bad. If anyone wants specific info, just ask. I am not leaving X, just steering clear of this ship until they revamp some things. Could be the Captain as someone asked about 'new management'. He seemed very charming but I was told that he did not want any singles at his Captains Table which I found to be very discriminatory. I sat with the Hotel Manager this trip (I've had him before and he's great so it was fine with me), but I do not like his policy. I do plan to persue this.

 

My ta (bless her soul, she puts up with me!) is having lunch with her X rep today and plans to address the issues I had.

 

Gail

[dkjretired]

I also stand by my statement that Century has also been adored more for a 'state of mind' than actual facts

 

As someone who has traveled the Century twice, I completely agree with you, there is something about her that is special. She is my favorite ship hands down.

 

Don

[joramrose]

As a first time cruiser on Century, I had no past experience to compare with.

 

But Don, Century definitely did not get in the running as my favorite ship!

Of the three Celebirty vessels I have sailed, I'd pick Horizon hands down. That old girl and I got along just fine.

 

I did not get the service I expected in the dining room. Had to send my beef tenderloin back when even the waiter could not cut it. Got the wrong order twice -- but that was lunch, not dinner. Gail is right -- the rhubarb soup was tasteless, and I love rhubarb. None of the chilled soups tasted very chilled to me. I like 'em COLD, not tepid.

 

My sail card did not open my cabin door first time around and had to get a new one. But Shetty (I still shudder over that name!) our cabin attendant, was great. Biggest smile on the ship. I don't know why I judge service with size of the smile, but somehow I do.

 

Photographer never showed up for our CC party. But they were there quick enough to charge for the photographs! Paid $14.95 for one of them -- migosh, y ou'd think they were printed on gold leaf.

 

The tender experience was anything but -- tender that is. Very painful. I was told not to blame Celebrity for the tender, but why not? They are providing it. This old lady has stiff knees (one artificial) and a whiplashed neck and shoulders, and I thought they were going to have to get a crane to get me down, up and over. You'd have to see it to believe it, the way we had to pretzel ourselves to get aboard.

 

Am I complaining? Heck no! I had a wonderful week!

 

As usual, for me, my fellow passengers made the difference. Give me the ever-changing, always-beautiful sea, blue skies, warm sun, gentle breezes and fun people, ice cubes tinkling around my Scotch and it don't get no better than that.

 

I really did not have enough time in the days to do everything I promised myself I would do this cruise. Oh well, got two more booked already.

 

love

joan

 

P.S. Where is that wonderful everything-was-great review posted?

[teedee]

I was on this sailing with Gail and Joan and I've got to say I agree with what they are saying. I have always been a Century lover, but there were definitely problems on this cruise. Not with cleanliness at all, but I saw a definite downturn in attitude of the crew. I had a lot of problems with my initial cabin, there was a loud noise, sort of like a drill, off and on every night that kept me awake at night. After complaining to guest relations for 3 days with no help I was ready to leave the ship, but Ken the concierge found another cabin for me, and I had no problems with noise after that. I was not happy that it took them 3 days to resolve the problem though. I also didn't appreciate that they made me sign a statement that I would not try to get any reimbursement back from moving from an outside cabin to an inside cabin. I had no plans to ask for anything, in fact I was the one who offered to be moved. It was their attitude in asking me to sign the form that I didn't like. Beside this, most service was quite good to excellent. Had wonderful waiters and cabin stewards. The other exception was the man in charge of dining arrangements. He had a very bad attitude and at one point had 10 of us scheduled to sit at a table for 4!! Well, obviously that didn't work, and he was somewhat rude when we pointed it out to him. I also had problems with tough beef, but that was only on one night for me. I don't want to make it seem like it was a bad cruise, I had a good time. I just have never experienced anything like the problems I had this time on my other cruises on this ship. The thing that made the cruise fun for me was the other cruise critic members onboard. I had a great time hanging out with them, especially Gail, Joan, Jeff, Kevin, Karen and Paul.

 

Terri

[tuggers]

Terri,

 

If you will email me off board, I have that persons name you wanted! For the curious it is not a ta, we already have the BEST one!!:D

 

Gail

[hisfirstm8]

Gail,

Have you booked your 2005 cruises yet. We have a 50 page thread going for theTA on the Constellation next Sept. and would love tohave you join us. The price is pretty good!!

 

Barbara and Mike - ZenithApril 04

[tuggers]

After Century I'm thinking of canceling out my cruises till the fall. Really wasn't up to what I expect. Thinking of maybe sneaking in a quick MSC just to try it out. So Sept might be a possible. Earl will hopefully be ready to go again by then. I'll have a look at the prices. Is it out of FLL? That is so easy for us!

 

I'll be in Baltimore for Christmas and New Years and then fly into Jax on 1/1 to do Zenith on 1/2. Too late to get my money back on that one. The Z is usually great so maybe it will revive the urge in me!:)