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Name: Melissa Valiquette
Email: MelissaV@juno.com
Age: 25
Occupation: Image Consultant
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Century
SailingDate: 8-22-98
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 91
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 92
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService: 98
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 98
TenderService: 82
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 92
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 99
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 98
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 98
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 30 Aug 1998
Time: 20:16:57
Remote Name: 152.163.194.199
Remote User:
Comments
I have just returned from my 7-day sailing to the Western
Caribbean on the Century and just couldn't wait to share my
review. This site was extremely
helpful to me in my planning - I actually took notes and brought
the notes with me. I hope my review will be helpful to you as
well. I cruised with my
husband (27), and another couple (both 24).
I'll start by discussing the ports of call. Our first stop was
Ocho Rios. I had read that we'd probably not even want to get off
the ship, and I can see why. I
would highly recommend purchasing an excursion in Ocho Rios to
avoid roaming the city. My husband and I had hoped to climb the
Dunn's River Falls,
but I was in the first trimester of pregnancy and decided it
would not be a good idea. Instead we shopped and actually found
some pretty good deals on
jewelry. The ship has a port lecturer, Robby Vallon, who did a
great job of educating us on shopping in each of the ports. If
you are a shopper, his talks
are a must! In all, I was not disappointed in Ocho Rios because I
knew not to expect much.
The next stop was Grand Cayman which was a welcome (and marked)
change from Ocho Rios. Although it's a British island, many of
its residents are
American. The highlight of Grand Cayman was definitely the
Stingray City Snorkeling tour! We paid $38 per person for the
excursion and I would have
paid to do it a second time in the same day! I took a
recommendation from this site and booked us for the earliest tour
of the day (7:45am) which is when
the stingrays are hungriest. When our boat arrived to the
sandbar, not only were we the first of the day, but we were the
first that week. The stingrays
were ravenous and they swarmed us. Luckily, they were completely
friendly. Bring with you an underwater camera - we have some
amazing pictures! The
guides are terrific and even allowed us to hold a stingray and I
even kissed one! The stingrays actually have a way of puckering
up and they love to be
touched on their 'lips'! Aside from the excursions, the shopping
is just mediocre in Grand Cayman. I wish we had signed up for a
second snorkeling tour
(at a coral reef or elsewhere) to fill our day.
Cozumel was definitely the best stop for shopping. I purchased a
diamond anniversary band and felt that I got a very good deal.
You just have to be sure
to shop at the guaranteed and recommended shops (the ship
provides a list of these). This goes for all of the ports of
call. It's just safer that way. We
visited Carlos and Charlie's for lunch - a great, wild, little
place. The atmosphere is fun and the food is really cheap. It
probably won't win any awards for
cuisine, but it was a real taste of Mexico and it was cheaper
than taking a taxi back to the ship. In the afternoon, we went to
Playa del Sol, which is a
public beach. The water, of course, is beautiful, but other than
that, I think Pensacola, FL has it beat. There were a number of
topless sunbathers!
Last stop, Key West. There were no surprises here since I am a
Floridian. It was pretty and a good place to find some last
minute souvenirs and gifts. We
ate lunch at Margaritaville, which was just as you'd expect.
I must say that we had such a fabulous time aboard the ship that
the ports of call were just a bonus. Often, we would come back to
the ship early to enjoy
time by the pool or to feast on afternoon tea (pastries, finger
sandwiches, fruit, etc.). This was our favorite time of day and
we tried not to miss it. We
were never disappointed in the food. It was quite amazing. We had
heard so much about it and it didn't disappoint. One thing that I
wish I had been told,
however, was how significant your drink order is that first night
at dinner. We did not order wine, a bar drink, or iced tea that
first night and it was never
offered to us again! We did hunt down the bartender on a later
night and he served us, but they don't want to pester you
soliciting drink orders if they
think you don't want it. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or
not.
The entertainment on board the ship was pretty good. They're
probably not going to win any awards here, but it was always
entertaining and we didn't
miss a show. We were very glad that we chose the late seating for
dinner and this was perfect for the nights when the shows were
only run once. It also
allowed us to stay in port the full time if we chose. I think
you'd really be rushing to make it back for the early seating.
One thing we did which turned out to be great: We brought
insulated mugs and a handful of canned drinks. This saved us a
little money at the pool and
allowed us to have something other than water while in the cabin.
I must say that with all of that food which is included in the
price of the cruise, I was
surprised that there was not a greater selection of drinks
available free of charge. If it was outside of a mealtime, water
was the only free option.
Celebrity did have great drink specials (non-alcoholic also),
which were terrific. The virgin pina colada became a staple for
me!
I know this review has gotten very long, so I'll close by saying
that I could not have been happier with our choice of Celebrity
Cruise Lines. We really
studied them all (and debated between an almost identical cruise
on Carnival), and I am so happy we chose this one. The age range
aboard the ship was
much broader than I expected. The guests, staff, and the ship
were truly first class and we had an amazing time. We're already
planning for a year 2000
Alaskan cruise, of course with Celebrity!
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