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Name: Cynthia Liss
Email: nacpa@ix.netcom.com
Age: 42
Occupation: Association Exectutive
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Mercury
SailingDate: 3/1/98
Itinerary: Western Carribean
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff:
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 85
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 70
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 75
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 93
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 16 Mar 1998
Time: 11:58:19
Remote Name: 207.94.251.120
Remote User:
Comments
Having sailed on the Galaxy last year, we were really looking forward to the Mercury
cruise. Overall, the Mercury did not measure up as well as the
Galaxy. Both are beautiful ships, beautifully maintained. Although the cruise was sold out
(about 2000 passengers and a staff of 1000), crowding
was not a problem. The cabins were small but very well arranged so as not to be
claustraphobic. We had veranda which gave us the sense of more
space and it was lovely to be able to open the door for the fresh air. This was especially
important since we had a hard time adjusting the
temperature in our cabin. In fact, many areas of the ship were kept too cold. By the end
of the week, a number of passengers had colds. We had a
family as neighbors who had two rooms across the hall from each other. They were up
late(1-2am) with kids running back and forth from room to
room and slamming the doors. That was an irritant but not the fault of the ship.
The food was generally good and there was excellant variety. The wine list is very
reasonably priced and well chosen. Personally, we are not big
fans of formal nights and it seems that others aren't as well given the number of
non-tuxedoed gents and non-formally attired ladies. We had the
nicest busboy/man who always had a big smile and great attitude. It is a wide-ranging
international crew who are generally very interesting to talk
with.
Favorite excursion: enjoying 7 mile beach at Grand Cayman. Key West was to
touristy/souvenier shopping oriented. Calica: you tender in then wait in
the middle of nowhere with no shade to duck into for taxis or buses. Why they don't build
some sort of thatched covering or awnings is beyond me.
When I looked out to decide if we wanted to disembark, there was a line of at least 70
people waiting for taxis. Cozumel: again shopping but with
more of a party-town focus. The trip to Chitchen Itza is wonderful.
My main objection to the trip was the constant focus by the cruise staff on in-port
shopping! It was non-stop hucksterism. REading the fine print of the
port/shopping guide you realize that the stores have paid to be recommended and included
in the excursion talks. By the end of the week, it
became positively offensive. Also, one of the reasons we returned to Celebrity was the
incredible staff on the Galaxy. While the dining room staff of
the Mercury were excellant, the other staff could have used some training as well as a
more pleasant demeanor. At one point I was using the spa
and had a question. Stuck my head out the door to the reception area to ask it and all six
of the staff hanging around the desk looked up but then
continued their conversation about their favorite beached without ever asking if they
could help me. It was really incredible, I finally had to say 'Sorry
to interrupt, but...!' Anyway, that was but one example of what was generally a less than
top-notch service orientation.
With those critcisms said, overall it was a good cruise. In retrospect, I think we would
have been happier with the Southern Carribean itenerary. Given
the choice, we would both prefer the Galaxy but would not hesitate to recommend either
ship for the overall experience.
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