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Name: Peg Swalwell
Email: swalwepj@emax.com
Age: 46
Occupation: Consultant
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Galaxy
SailingDate: 4-11-98
Itinerary: Deep Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 75
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 60
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 08 May 1998
Time: 14:29:49
Remote Name: 208.134.37.4
Remote User:
Comments
This was the third cruise for my husband and me, but the first cruise for most of our
friends. We were a group of six couples - all celebrating something special -
birthdays and anniversaries. Having cruised as a couple alone, with one other couple, and
with a group, I’d say this is definitely the best way to go! We had our
own fun party from the beginning, and I think we provided some free entertainment to the
other passengers and crew - just ask anybody in the lounge about the
Hawaii-Five-O canoe!! Our group was also large enough that there was always someone
interested in what you wanted to do, but too many of us to feel we had
to do everything together.
We absolutely loved our waiter, Jesus, and our wine steward, Paolo. After the first night,
Paolo had all our wine preferences down and kept us in good supply
with good wines. Jesus was very attentive without being obtrusive - and he was very good
natured about all our kidding. You couldn’t ask for a nicer guy.!! They
brought us special cake two nights - one for the birthday, and one for the anniversaries,
and made a big fuss over us. The food was outstanding every night. On
the last night, our table staff had arranged for an encore presentation of our favorite
dessert (creme brulee - it’s to die for!) and appetizer (escargot - fabulous)
especially for us. We had late seating, and they were able to arrange for a table for
twelve to accommodate all of us together. We did not experience the
vibrations in the dining room others have written about - I wonder if this is during early
seating when the ship is pulling out of port.
Our travel agent had arranged a special cocktail party for us in the Stratosphere Lounge
one evening. It was great! We had the singing group Voltz there, and
they were able to play almost any song we requested. We’re a group who likes to dance
a lot, and this group is great to dance to. We also thoroughly enjoyed
Dynamic Touch.
We found room service to be very prompt and courteous. Even though I had not ordered it,
the stewards were thoughtful enough to bring coffee and juice with
my tuna salad. Our cabin steward was wonderful - service was better than either cruise
(NCL and Royal Caribbean) we were on before. Our towels were always
refreshed, the bed made, and the decanter always had fresh water and ice.
Deck space on the Galaxy is very plentiful. We never had a problem finding a good sunning
place - even for a group our size. The deck service was always there
when you wanted, but never obtrusive.
We had a couple of disappointments. The show entertainment was pretty lame and certainly
didn’t equal the wonderful facility. What a shame. We only signed up
for two shore excursions. In Martinique, it was nice to sail to the other end of the
island and see the volcano, but our driver on the return trip left a lot to be
desired. He didn’t tell us about much - or if he did it was after we had just passed
the attraction - except for the local mental hospital. Some of the group went
out to a beach that day - they definitely got the better deal. We were excited about
snorkeling in Antigua, but that was the one day it poured with a
thunderstorm, so most people decided to bag it. We were given a refund on that one.
Of the ports, St. Thomas was definitely our favorite. We all did some major anniversary
shopping there at prices about half stateside. Just do your homework
ahead of time so you know what to target. St. Thomas is the most beautiful in my opinion,
and has markedly less poverty than Barbados or Martinique. Antigua
looked promising, but we didn’t see much beyond the port town due to the weather. We
chose to stay on the ship for a sun day instead of going over to Catalina
Island. From the looks of the tenders rocking in the water, I believe we made the best
decision.
Several members of our party toured the galley - a great tour and you learn all sorts of
interesting facts about how the food gets produced - and it’s a lot like a
production facility. Amazing, considering the high quality of presentation and taste.
Several of our group also had spa treatments - again a recommendation. A
word of advice - book your spa treatments early -when you first board the ship - or
you’ll be sacrificing port time. My husband and I and another couple in our
group took the couples massage class - great fun, but make sure you know how much the
products cost before you buy - you may be so relaxed that you won’t
care at the moment.
We booked our own air. Some of us went to San Juan a day or two ahead - that worked great
and allowed time to get into the vacation state of mind without
worrying too much about timing of flights and connections. Even for those of us who
arrived the day of sailing, it went smoothly. Ship agents met us at the airport,
helped us find and tag our bags, and got us over to the ship promptly. We had late day
return flights, and were the last group off the ship - everyone was off by
10 am. We flew Delta, and they processed our tickets and baggage tags on the ship, so we
just had to claim our bags at the dock, and they whisked them away
to the airport. Things were not quite so smooth with our friends flying USAirways - they
had to wait in line quite awhile in the hot sun to check bags.
All in all, this cruise rates as one of the best vacations we’ve ever had - right up
there with two weeks in Hawaii!! We’d definitely choose Celebrity and the Galaxy
again - even if they don’t shape up the show entertainment.
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