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Name: Chris McCutcheon
Email: klutch2@aol.com
Age: 40
Occupation: Financial Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Century
SailingDate: 4-11 April 1998
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 28 Apr 1998
Time: 13:32:31
Remote Name: 204.34.115.253
Remote User:
Comments
To begin, we did not use the ship's air program or ground transfers. We were able to
obtain competitive air fares on our own. We also did not purchase
the cruise line's ground transfers. We did affix the cruise tags to our luggage and they
were picked up with all other cruise luggage at the airport and we
did not see it again until we arrived at our cabin. We probably lucked out here, but when
we inquired at 'missing baggage' for our things, we were told that
this was actually quite common-place. The taxi ride from the airport to the pier was about
$7.00 compared to $20-$30 transfer per person from the cruise
line. Embarkation was well organized and the time went by quickly. Another hint: You can
purchase liquor from the duty-free kiosk at the pier, which you
can take on-board the ship with you and keep in your cabin for cocktails in the room, etc.
The liquor is cheap! Only catch - you have to board the ship and
then come back to the embarkation terminal at the designated time before sailing, to pick
up your purchase. Don't know if you were limited to the amount
you could purchase. Once on-board, you can purchase liquor from the duty-free shop (same
great prices!), but you cannot take the stuff to your room - it
will be delivered in airline carry-on boxes on the last day of the cruise.
Entertainment: We were so tired the first day, that we fell asleep during that evening's
show. What we did see though (a comedy juggling act) was quite
good. We only caught bits and pieces of the production shows on other nights, so I cannot
offer a very informed review. The actual Celebrity Theater was
beautiful though - all good seats.
Meals/Dining Room: We opted for the late seating, which worked out great. This allowed us
time to take full advantage of shore activities and make it back
to the ship in time to relax and get ready for dinner at a leisurely pace. We often got
some sunning time on the deck or a round of simulator golf in before
dinner. We had a WONDERFUL group of people at out table (for 10). We always looked forward
to the company at dinner, sharing what we had done
during the day, etc. We often met for activities after dinner as well. The food was as
awesome as I had expected. Celebrity has been touted for their
cuisine and I was not disappointed. (I enjoy cooking myself and appreciate good food.) In
fact, I had to purchase the souvenier menus from the ship. A
great memento of the culinary experience for only around $5. Our waiter and busboy were
most attentive, polite, and fun to be around. We ate all
dinners, except one night when we chose to order room service, in the grand dining room.
However, for breakfast we generally opted for something
lighter (either room service which was requested the night before, or at the Island's
Cafe, which provided a nice variety of fruit, pastry, eggs to order,
bagels/lox, etc.) Breakfast choices (either in the main dining room or the cafe) were
basically the same every day. Lunch was another matter. We ate in
the grand dining room only once, and it was as nice as dinner. A great variety of light
lunch options everyday. I wish we had eaten there more often (but
you could eat yourself to death if you took advantage of every meal!) The midnight buffets
were quite impressive. A different theme every night - Italian,
Oriental, Tex-Mex, Gourmet Bites, and the spectacular Grand Buffet, just to name a few. It
was hard not to sample a few of the tempting items.
Casinos: Always seemed to be busy and full of activity. But, there was always a slot
machine available, if we wanted to throw down some quarters (never
left with more than I started with though!) Black jack was fun to watch too (I think there
was probably a greater chance of winning something there.)
Miscellaneous activities: We took part in the wine and cheese sampling (nice), bingo
(daily jackpots were small, but the final jackpot on the last night was
over $3,000!) Didn't have much luck there either. There were plenty of other activities
(movies,dance lessons, etc.) which we just did not have enough time
to squeeze in.
Fitness Center/Spa: This was wonderful. We made it a point to get a workout of some sort
in every day - whether it be taking part in an aerobics class,
lifting weights, using the treadmill or virtual reality bikes, or running on the top deck
jogging track. I also took advantage of some of the spa amenities - the
ionotheramie treatment was a real treat! All of the spa packages/offerings were kind of
expensive, but it fun to treat ourselves to one or two.
Cleanliness/spaciousness: Concur with everything else I have read about Celebrity.
Immaculate, new, tasteful elegance, etc. There was actually more
people on the cruise we went on (due to spring break), but you would never know it. Most
times as we moved about the ship, there was no one else
around (except crew members polishing and cleaning the place!) The only really crowded
places, were the decks around the pool, during the afternoons,
on days at sea. Even though, you could always find a place and space of your own.
Shore Excursions: I had done considerable research/reading prior to departing, so we had a
good idea of what we wanted to do at each port. We did all
excursions on our own (not through the ship), as they were cheaper. Jamaica was my least
favorite port. We commented that it would be ideal if the
itinerary bypassed Jamaica and overnighted in a port like Grand Cayman or Key West. It
would have been fun to take part in the night life at either of those
ports. In Jamaica we took a cab/van to Dunns River Falls, rented the rubber shoes (a
necessity), and climbed the falls twice. Great fun and very refreshing.
You can do it without a guide and go at your own pace, but if you are at all nervous, it
would be best to go with a guide. The rest of the time in Jamaica was
spend avoiding the hawkers trying to sell everything from coffee bean beads and hair
braiding, to marijuana! Grand Cayman was another story. The tender
service to the island went very smoothly. Upon arriving at the pier we purchased a
snorkeling trip to stingray city. Went in a VW van with a group of about
15 people to a docking site. Boarded a big fishing boat that took us for a 20-30 minute
ride out to the sand bar where the stingray gather, and snorkeled
in the clear Cayman waters for about 30 minutes. Packed up and went to another site for
some reef snorkeling. The excursion was $25 each and included
transportation, gear, food for the stingrays, guide, etc. We had time to explore the area
after we returned to the pier. It was very clean and friendly.
Cozumel was great too. We rented a jeep-type vehicle with another couple (about $50 for
the day) and cruised all around the island beach-hopping. We
ended up at Chankanaab Park ($7.00 admission per person was well worth it). This was a
great place to hang out for a few hours - nice beaches with
chairs, grass huts, good Mexican food and margaritas, snorkel gear to rent ($5.00), etc.
The snorkeling was really good right off the shore. We then
drove across the island to a great little beach bar at the other end - got a coupon for
free slammers from the car rental place, and of course we had to
take them up on the offer. They made wonderful Margaritas there as well (Mescalitas is the
name of the little town.) Final stopover was in Key West. What a
fun, charming town. We would love to go back here for a separate vacation. Stopped for
lunch at Margaritaville. Also grabbed a beer at Sloppy Joes, and
when we were finished shopping and wandering around, we went down to the pier/marina at
the end of town near the free trolley stop (which shuttles
to/from the ship) and relaxed there for a while. If you are interested, you can go on
glass bottom boat rides or rent personal watercraft there. The Coach
Factory Store is a must-stop. Great bargains to be had there, especially for the items
that are on sale (marked down further than their factory store price).
First quality merchandise - as you would expect with Coach.
I could go on and on. We had a wonderful experience and would definitely do it again. It
would be hard to choose a cruise line other than Celebrity - I
read so many positive things about it and was not the least bit disappointed. Next time we
would consider taking our teenage children - they would have
loved it! One of the very best vacations we have ever taken.
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