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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Stewart Cohen
Email: unkey@webtv.net
Age: 43
Occupation: Legal Assistant
NumberOfCruises: 8
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Zenith
SailingDate: 10/28/00
Itinerary: Bermuda
Cabin: 6040/9
FoodDiningRoom: 92
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff:
CabinAmenities: 93
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 88
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 98
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 88
OverallPortsofCall: 99
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 98
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 05 Nov 2000
Time: 09:38:18
Remote Name: proxy-1366.public.svc.webtv.net
Remote User:
Comments
This was the final cruise to Bermuda for the 2000 season. I had been interested in a cruise to
Bermuda for quite some time, booked one 7 years ago that had to be cancelled, but never got around
to booking another one til now. Being the final cruise of the season, the rates dropped dramatically
and made this cruise a bargain. I was well aware that one takes a chance with the weather (more on
that later) but I have sailed in unkind waters before with no problem to my constitution.
We arrived at the passenger termianl around 12:30 pm. Boarding had already commenced and using
the Captain's Club priority boarding desk, we were on the ship in no time at all. Upon boarding on
Deck 5 we were ushered to our cabin on Deck 6 by a staff member. The cabin was inside, above the
Celebrity Theatre, which, I must say, never proved to be a noise problem. The cabin was large for an
inside and appeared to be the exact same size as the outside cabins. The beds were even wider than
most. The cabin was immaculate. I missed not having a small sofa or love seat. They only provide 2
chairs and a small glass table (no floral arrangement as seen in the brochure!) but there was plenty of
storage space. The night table was very wide and had 2 large drawers. The vanity table had 8
draweres and there were another 8 drawers in one closed which also contained a safe which you
program the combination (no need to swipe a credit card). The television is on the vanity which limits
the amount of space, but it is wide. There is one outlet by the vanity which can accomodate both 2
and 3 pronged (grounded) appliances. Bring a power strip or something to plug in for extra outlets.
There is also a separate set of lights for the vanity mirror. Closet space was amble as well. One
double closet for long clothes and another double closet (the one with the drawers and safe) for short
clothes. The hangers were the type that have straight hooks that fasten to rings on the bar. So far the
only cruise line I've sailed on that trusts its guests with regular hangers is Princess. There were 2
robes in the cabin (not plush terry cloth like Princess or Carnival) for use during the cruise which came
with the standard note "if you wish to purchase a robe." The bathroom is average size for cruise ships
BUT the shower is much larger. There is a shampoo dispenser in the shower which I found handier to
use than those tiny bottles or messy cardboard containers. Likewise, a lotion dispenser is by the sink.
There is a hose-type hairdrier which doesn't blow much air but gets hot. I think women would be
advised to bring their own hairdryer which can be plugged in by the vanity table, so you can sit and do
your hair there (it's more comfortable and frees up the bathroom). Lastly, the night table by the bed
also contains a console for 3 channels of piped in music, a button to surpress announcements in the
cabin (except for important ones), buttons to control the cabin lights, a single lamp with lights and
switches on either side. The problem with the lights is that you cannot get a dim light for using while
someone else is asleep. You are forced to keep the bathroom light on all night so that the light under
the door can help guide you. Likewise the televsion set is programmed to go on with sound regardless
of how you set the volume the last time (it also reverts to the channel with the in-cabin menu for
pay-per-view and other services). Since this was my first inside cabin experience I would add that not
having the window really didn't affect my comfort and enjoyment. The cabin was quite comfortable and
the use of the tv channel with the bow camera was almost as good as having a window.
I found the public spaces were amply sized and conveniently located. This is not a mega ship and was
built before the industry standard use of the atrium. The ship's lobby, located on Deck 5, is gorgeous.
But since it is situated on a deck with no other public ammenities it isn't really used for social
situations, which is a pity. Some of my favorite places were the Fleet Bar, located at the top of the ship
(forward) which offers panoramic views; the Aftdeck on Deck 10 (rear) with lounge chairs for relaxing
when you don't want the noise of the pool area (I enjoy watching the ship's wake as we sail); The
Martini Bar (adjacent to the Rendez-Vous Lounge on Deck 7) which offers a menu of some very
interesting variations of the Martini (I enjoyed the "Le French" made with 2 parts Stoli,1 part Chambord
& a splash of pineapple juice). This little lounge was decorated with a beautiful Tiffany style stained
glass mural behind the bar and Tiffany style lamps. I must say that the lounge servers are the best I
have ever encountered. All were friendly but did not push the drinks. Even if you weren't ordering they
always were friendly and polite.
The Celebrity Theatre, located on deck 7 is 2 stories tall. It's not as high tech as the newere ships
theatre and therefore cannot offer as elaborate productions, but it serves the Bermuda cruise well
because of the restrictions placed on entertainment while in port. I found that the solo acts worked
best. My favorite was pianist Elliot Finkel who performed both a pop recital one evening and a
classical recital another evening. I only attended the classical recital which was excellent. His insigtful
and amusing introductions to the music added to my enjoyment. The other offerings were a
magician/unicyclist and a couple of "production shows" featuring 2 vocalists and the "Matrix Dancers".
These were typical cruiseline shows. Some better than others. What I find amusing is that one of the
shore excursions is to a nightclub where the cruiseline feels it's necessary to add the caveat that this
is not Las Vegas or Broadway calibre entertainment, yet there is no warning in the ship's daily bulletin
with such a warning about their own shows (meow!). There were also musicians performing in the
various lounges, none of which I can honestly rave about. In fact, the Celebrity Orchestra did not
sound well rehearsed for their big band numbers.
Now about the food. Celebrity is supposed to be, or perhaps, was tops in the area of cuisine and food
service. I cannot say I had a bad meal on board the ship. Not even a mediocre one. But I did, however,
find that food service coordination was not the best and neither was the availability of beverages in
the buffet area. I still don't understand why the most convenient beverage station to many diners was
not open at times. My one special request made to the waiter was politely turned down (a request that
was accomodated on both Princess and Royal Caribbean). There were faux pas such as frozen cream
cheese, almond and pecan desserts subsituted with peanuts and most important, many dishes
arriving luke warm. I only recall one soup arriving piping hot (and that was the vichysoisse...only
kidding...I couldn't reist that one). Because of my schedule in Bermuda, I didn't have lunch very often
on board. The times I did I would say that the dining room selection and presentation outshined the
buffet. The hot foods just did not look appetizing, except for the carving station, which was impressive.
The buffet breakfasts, however were quite good for me. The omelette staton was excellent, the
selection of melons and other fresh fruit was outstanding, and if I worked it right, my hot cereal was
indeed hot. Using the buffet for breakfast gave us the oportunity to eat outside on the aft deck while in
port (too windy at sea), enjoying both the sunshine and the views of Hamilton.
On the subject of Bermuda, I must say that I fell in love with this gem of an island (or islands
connected by bridges and causeway). We arrived in Hamilton early and the ship was ready for
disembarkation by 9:10 am. Since the weather was beautiful and we weren't sure of the rest of the
days, we headed straight for Horseshoe Bay Beach via the 7 Bus (we purchased the 3-day bus/ferry
pass at the pursers desk). Everything said about the south shore beaches in Bermuda is true. The
powdery pink sand is like walking in a sugar bowl. The water is delightful, clean and crystal clear.
Along either side of Horseshoe Beach are coves where you can snorkel or sunbathe without the
crowds. Climbing the rocks on the east side of the beach, I could look down 30-40 feet into the water
and see azure blue fish (what a sight!). We landed up spending the entire day at the beach. The trip
back to the bus stop is a hike, but there are taxis waiting for those who prefer to get back to the ship in
comfort. The next day we took the ferry from Hamilton to the Dockyards, which is the former British
Naval Port for Bermuda. It is now a tourist attraction and cruise ship dock. The main attractions is the
Maritime Museum (which we skipped) and the Shopping Mall, in the clock tower builiding. This contains
both unique shops as well as satellites of the large shops in Hamilton. We proceeded afterwood via
the 7 bus to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, passing through Sandys and Somerset Parish. This proved to be a
most enjoyable ride for both the sites as well as observing the locals socialize on the bus. Everyone
seemed to know each other and there was always a pleasant "good morning/afternoon" to each other.
I was espcially impressed by the way younger people addressed their seniors. When was the last time
you heard a group of students thank the bus driver when they lighted the bus? The Gibbs Hill
Lighthouse offers beautiful views of the island, so if you can make the trip up the hill from the bus stop
and then the 156 steps once inside, you are in for a treat. The final stop on the bus was at the Elbow
Beach Hotel to visit a former co-worker of my mother's whom I haven't seen in 25 years. What a
wonderful reunion this was, and the hotel is magnificent. There is a shuttle van to take you down to
the beach (where we had lunch) and you can call for the van from the beach to return to the hotel.
The grounds of the hotel are beautifully landscaped and the beach is nice, but not as scenic as
Horseshoe Bay.
We were informed that the winds were too strong for the ship to make the reposiion to St. George. So,
instead, we went to St. George via the ferry. Well, those winds were strong and the ferry boat pitched
and rolled the entire time we were out in the ocean. We had no problem, but someone else did get
sick and another person took a fall on the deck. It was quite an experience, and i'm afraid to say, a
shade of things to come.
St. George is a charming, colonial-type town including stocks and a ducking stool. There is a little
show put on to demonstrate town life in the 18th century at noon. We skipped this because we wanted
to visit the other lighthouse in Bermuda in St. Davids, a 20 minute bus ride from St. George. This was
a lovely ride and St. Davids is the least commercial part of Bermuda. The visit to the lighthouse (which
was closed) was very tranquil and a nice respite from the activity of Hamilton and St. George. We
returned to St. George for a stroll and then continued by bus to the Crystal Caves. I was quite
impressed with this visit and recommend it provided you can make it down and back up a number of
flights of steps.
The next day we would depart from Hamilton at 2 pm, so the last half day was devoted for shopping in
Hamilton in the Front Street Stores. I found the staff at Smiths and Trimminghams very friendly. We
found very good prices on duty free cologne and even some English Bone China. Someone else on
the ship told me he did very well with a Harris Tweed jacket. Liquor prices are not as good as the
Caribbean but are very good. You have to purchase the liquor at least a day before and it is delivered
to the ship. The ship then holds it until the last day of the cruise.
Well after 3 1/2 perfect days in Bermuda (only scattered showers which always seemed to happen
while I was indoors. By the way, you can borrow umbrellas from the ship at the same desk you sign out
for beach towels), it was time to leave Bermuda. Unfortunately, after only about 5 miles out the ship
began to pitch, like a seesaw and the waters would get even nastier as we proceeded. By that
evening, which was the 2nd formal night, many people skipped dinner. I was taking ginger capsules
since 2 days before the cruise, and felt just fine during this ordeal, so I did not miss the lobster, nor
the best roast duck I have ever tasted. The next morning the captain announced that we encounterd
90 mph winds and 35 ft swells (what's so SWELL about that?). Sleep wasn't so easy but the ship
performed well under the circumstances. I would add that all drawers and closets in the cabin shut
tight, so there was no problem with swinging doors or rolling drawers. Breakfast in the buffet was a
challenge the next day but no accidents. I am especially amazed at the way the waiters navigate the
heavy trays stacked with plates on their shoulders. No crashes were heard during the entire ordeal.
But you had to see the water in the swimming pool, splashing 10 feet out of the pool!
By late the next evening conditions improved so, that the ship didn't feel like it was moving at all.
Breakfast in the dining room on the last morning was a treat as we sailed past the Statue of Liberty
and Ellis Island. We arrived 2 hours late, but we were warned the day before. This just meant sleeping
later than normal on the last morning. I'm sure that those with early flights didn't take the news as well.
The ship arrived at around 9 am and took a little over an hour to clear for disembarkation. Again,
being a Captain's Club member meant priortiy disembarkation and the luggage was closest to the exit.
I was very happy with this cruise and had an enjoyable time. Using the ship as a hotel in what is a
prohibitively expensive destination worked out perfectly. And for the most part, Celebrity does a very
good job and offers excellent value. I look forward to another visit to Bermuda.
Name: Charles L. Johnson
Email: johnsonbc@hitter.net
Age: 72
Occupation: Retired Military
NumberOfCruises: 21
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Zenith
SailingDate: Nov 27, 2000
Itinerary: Souther Caribbean
Cabin: 1073 - 3
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 50
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 60
CabinAmenities: 75
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 70
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 60
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 40
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 80
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 50
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 75
OverallPortsofCall: 75
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 50
CruiseActivities: 50
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 80
EmbarkDisembark: 85
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 75
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 75
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 10 Jan 2001
Time: 15:02:20
Remote Name: oca-pm3-3-143.hitter.net
Remote User:
Comments
The dining room food was far below the overal value we received on this ship in 1995 - and much below the
quality and quantity we had come to expect on a so-called 'luxury cruise vacation'.Also, the size of entree
portions for dinner were shamefully small. As an example, on 3 different shrimp meals, they served 4 medium
shrimp for an entree. Unbelieveable! This is just an example. Other entrees were equally small.
The food on the Lido deck for breakfast and lunch, was quite adequate with many selections to choose from.
However, the carved meats, leftovers from previous dinner,such as beef, ham and fowl, were often very dry
and tough.
Probably 85% of the ship's passenger were seniors, as we expected, and as younger persons complain
about. For us, there simply was too much of the usual childish crap going on, under the guise of
'entertainment', certainly not suited for seniors - mostly out on the pool deck - and regardless of the weather.
Absolutely unreal!
I was a wheelchair passenger as were more than a dozen. Wheelchair access is a joke on this ship, as it was
on her sister ship, Horizon. On passenger deck 10 it is impossible to wheel down the hallways to and from
staterooms because the room attendants constandly have their carts in the isles, even when unattended, for
their convenience, and when a wheelchair passenger comes by, trying to get to their room, it the attendant
happens to ber around, they just look at you and smile, and say 'sorry', but make no effort to move their rig -
no, they make the passenger get out of their chair, fold it up and then move past them. Because of this
attitude and situation, I will not sail with Celebrity again.
As to ports of call - we were done out of one with nothing done in any way or form to make it up to the
passengers. The worse part about it is that most passengers thought the ship's master and the cruise line
handled the situation very poorly and with little care for the passengers. There is no point in dwelling on this
subject.
Cruise activities aboard these ships haven't changed in the 26 years we've been cruising. Many of them done
at the pool deck attract only the young and foolish, while the vast majority of the pasengers just sit there
wondering what to do.
The shops on board are the same no matter what ship you sail on. In spite of their so called 'duty free
shopping', 'duty free prices', the prices, as a rule are way out of line, being much too high - especially on the
cheaply made clothing they peddle. When asked why the prices are so high, the passenger is told they are
lower than the prices in New York. Well, we've got news for them - very few of the passengers live and shop n
New York.
The very tall and skinny smartassed Cruise Director left a great deal to be desired. One of the worse we've
encountered in 21 cruises. He really thought his 'you know what' didn't stink. All he ever really accomplished
was, screaming at the passengers to 'put our hands together to show our appreciation for some entertainer
(who often was not very good) or for the ships band, etc. And we don't know what it was about his staff,
especially the young females. They just thought they were just too beautiful, and helping the passenger was
beneath their duties. They were always being 'showoffs' wanting you to notice them and tell them how
wonderful they were..
The ship was certainly not as clean this time as it was in 1995 when we sailed on her - and by the way, that
was one of our best cruises - overall - which is why we selected the Zenith a second time.
In spite of the fact we were on deck 10 in category 3, noise from above, deck 11-the pool deck,lowered the
comfort in our staterooms. This was especially true during the nights that special events were held on the pool
deck. We were amazed about this since deck 10 is all category 1, 2 & 3 staterooms and suits.
We find that the cruise staff way over does it when telling passengers not to go off the ship on tours on their
own. This is hogwash and ought to be stopped. Our experience is that in most ports-of-call of the Caribbean,
there are English speaking taxi drivers and taxis with air conditioning. The reason the ship does not want you
to do tours on your own is because the locals charge only half as much, or even less, for the same or better
tours than does the ship. For example, we and another couple hired a very nice air conditioned taxi in
Martinique, for a city and island 5-hour tour, which was very good and cost us less than half the ship's tour
cost, and was better. Better for several reasons. One - because we went where we wanted to go, Two - we did
not have to wait for a whole van or bus load of people to reboard, Three - we moved about the island at our
own pace and didn't stop at all the 'gotcha' places that were packed with tour passengers on the ship's tours.
Nuff said!
The primary entertainment conducted in the main lounge referred to as 'Production Shows' which simply
means a lot of singing and dancing, are for the most part, repeats of the shows on their other ships. SO if you
go from ship to ship, even two years apart, you see the same darn shows over and over. Frankly, after the
first two nights, it wasn't much forth going when the entire show is based around a single male or female
vocalist - especially when these people are not very good in the first place. We are finding that the
entertainment on cruises has fallen very low compared to the cruises of the 1970s and 80s. I guess there are
so many cruise ships now, there are not enough quality entertainers to go around!
Embarkation this time was better than the previous two times with this cruise line. However, dis-embarkation
was the usual disaster. It is quite obvious that these people don't much give a damn about the passenger
once they step off the ship. There was utter chaos in our dis-embarkation this time - partiall brought about by
the terrible location our ship was docked in. It is quite clear that Princess Lines has the best docking berths
locked up.
We were rather diasppointed in this cruise. We absolutely will not again sail on Celebrity.
Name: Brian Kirsch
Email: brian@cardsenders.co.uk
Age: 54
Occupation: Realtor
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Zenith
SailingDate: 12/2900
Itinerary: St Maarten Barbados St Thomas St Lucia Antigua
Cabin: 6128 cat 4
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 88
DiningRoomService: 80
CabinQuietness: 75
FoodMidnightBuffets: 80
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 88
ShoreExcValue: 75
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 65
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 88
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 75
EntertShowLounge: 60
OverallPortsofCall: 75
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 65
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 65
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 65
DiscoNightclubs: 75
DeckSpace: 86
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 65
SpaceRatio: 79
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 15 Jan 2001
Time: 12:16:17
Remote Name: inktomi2-bre.server.ntl.com
Remote User:
Comments
We arrived early to embark around 12.30 instead of suggested 2.00 pm. We were on board in 20 minutes as
compared to 90 minutes others took.
The cleanliness of the ship was exceptional and our Cabin Steward Agnelo tried so hard to please us and
towels etc were always changed each time we left the cabin.
Overall we were happy with the cruise but it is always the little things that irritated the most. One afternoon the
CAPTAIN announced that there was a problem with an engine and that we would be late arriving at the next
port. We were never told anything more about the progress of repairs but things moved ahead more or less
on schedule.
The entertainment in the Shows we really did not enjoy. They are all the same singing and dancing revues. A
calypso band that incessantly played the same music by the pool day after day.
We were really looking forward to the 50's and 60's party night. The room was jammed and after ONE SONG
the party was stopped so that 6 people could take part in a twist contest for 20 minutes....people started
drifting out. the dancing started again and after TWO SONGS we all stopped so that an ELVIS Impersonator
contest could start. WE LEFT AFTER 15 MINUTES. Do they really think we need such contests to have fun.
By about 12.30 the room was quiet.
We really loved the Cova Cafe where Manny played show tunes and requests till the small hours. He was
entertaining and the service was great.
The return of passports (we are from the UK) was a total fiasco and there was only one person allocated to
seat and direct nearly 500 people. Chaos ensued as people jumped ahead and there were several bad
situations. Reinforcements were called in to deal with THE MUTINY !! All they have to do is issue numbers as
you receive your passports and you are then called in numerical order......so very simple.
The waiter at dinner Gascon was he claimed the youngest with Celebrity and unfortunately it showed.....he
tried hard but really could note cope with any out of the ordinary requests. So often the food was warm rather
than hot. I found that I was having Filet Mignon each night as I did not like the Michele Roux style but the rest
of the table were happy with the selection. Maybe its just me.
The Assistant Maitre d's were clearly only there for tips and unlike on a Royal Caribbean Cruise ours did not
bother to learn our names or take any real interest. He made great show of entering things in his notebook
that we requested. Each night he came over and said how good he was and what he was going to do but that
was the end of it.
The ports of call were OK and we took two overpriced tours. St Lucia was the highlight and we will probably
return there for a holiday in the future. The driver and guide were great and they frequently stopped to pick a
fruit or plant to add to the information.
I hope from this review that you do not think that my wife and I did not enjoy the Zenith because we really did,
but I feel that potential Clients should be aware of the little things that really irritate and leave a bitter sweet
taste and they are things that could easily be corrected. We are actually looking into another Celebrity Cruise
in Europe in late Summer but on a larger Ship where we can have a better category cabin with a balcony
which we feel much improves the day.
Name: David J
Email: david1234@postmaster.co.uk
Age: 47
Occupation: lawyer
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Zenith
SailingDate: 119 January 2001
Itinerary: Carribean
Cabin: 4
FoodDiningRoom: 70
CruiseDirector: 84
CabinComfort: 97
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 93
CabinAmenities: 97
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 92
FoodMidnightBuffets: 80
CabinSteward: 92
ShoreExcVariety: 83
FoodVariety: 70
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 87
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 91
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 88
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 92
EntertShowLounge: 88
OverallPortsofCall: 92
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 81
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 91
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs: 83
DeckSpace: 91
Stabilization: 1
ShopsOnBoard: 89
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 70
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 02 Feb 2001
Time: 17:07:27
Remote Name: host213-123-67-57.dialup.lineone.co.uk
Remote User:
Comments
First impression on seeing the ship is one of being slightly jaded, but once inside this is not the case. To be
fair I have listed the pluses first:
1. Staff, especially waiter and assistant were excellent. Cabin and bar staff were also very good.
2. 10 day Carribean itinerary was good. The IDEA of two days at sea before and after visiting the islands
seemed great (but see later comment about stability)
3. Cabins were excellent - good sized and immaculate
Now the downsides:
4. To describe the food as gourmet is wrong. It simply isnt. I'm sure if Michel Roux (the consultant chef)knew
what was really served he would be horrified. The food isn't bad, its just not by any stretch of the imagination
gourmet in terms of content or presentation. For dinner each night there was a soup of extremely variable
quality - some of the vegetarian soups were thoroughly disgusting. This was followed by a salad consisting
normally of 95% shredded lettuce. Main courses were at best OK, but having eaten at truly gourmet
restaurants in England and France - I think I am being fair by saying that if quality of food is important for you
- this is not the ship for you. If quantity is more important then you will be in your element!
5. Stabilizers - If the ship normally behaves as it did on our cruise in the Carribean then this is worrying for
those looking for a floating hotel with little or no sense of movement. I suspect that this is not actually the case
but is something I am taking up with the company.
6. This was our first cruise - on arrival on the ship we were greeted by waiters offering trays of cocktails. being
inexpereinced, or maybe naive, we took one each for four of us, only to be later "stung" for almost $7 each
Name: David Jacobs
Email: davidjacobs@lineone.net
Age: 48
Occupation: Lawyer
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Celebrity-Zenith
SailingDate: 19 Jan 2001
Itinerary: Caribbean
Cabin: 6060
FoodDiningRoom: 68
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 75
CabinSteward: 89
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 68
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 87
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 85
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 89
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 87
CruiseActivities: 76
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 80
Stabilization: 50
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 75
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 13 Feb 2001
Time: 11:34:09
Remote Name: host213-123-24-39.btinternet.com
Remote User:
Comments
THE FOOD Personally I really don't understand why so many people think the food is so good. One thing is
for certain, and that's that its not gourmet food. One simple definition is 'Gourmet food is that which is of the
highest quality, perfectly prepared and artfully presented'. I know Michel Roux is involved, but I believe he
would be horrified if he knew what was being served up. The soups were consistently insipid, and occasionally
awful. The salad course was a joke - and almost identical every night - 95% shredded lettuce. Main courses
were ok, if a bit bland and tasteless. For English readers of this, if I say its more Beefeater pub food, than
Waterside Inn at Bray food, perhaps that puts it in context.
Reading through other reviews, at first I thought we were the only people who thought the food wasn't up to
scratch, but more detailed searching shows up a lot of disappointment. The same point is made consistently.
The food isn't terrible, its just not as good as Celebrity say it is - not by a long way.
THE STABILISERS Again my searches show that others have expressed concerns about the stability of the
Zenith. In moderate seas in the Caribbean in January, it pitched and tossed at times like a 4,000 ton
cross-channel ferry in a gale force wind. I have no knowledge about the technical aspects of stabilisers but I
did ask Celebrity if they could confirm whether any of the stabilisers had been damaged - they denied this. If
anyone else has any knowledge about this I would very much welcome receiving it.
WATCH OUT FIRST-TIME CRUISERS This is a rip-off. When you get on the ship, to the sound of live classical
music, they direct you into one of the lounges where waiters are hovering with trays of cocktails. The
atmosphere is very much like that of a reception. We were asked if we would like to take cocktails from the
tray, which we did, only to be 'stung' for $6.95 for each of the four of us. You do get to keep the glasses but
even so..!
SO WHAT DID WE LIKE? The waiting staff were excellent. (Why do so many reviews give you the name of
every member of staff the reviewer met?) The islands were great. The Americas Cup yacht race excursion on
St Maarten is fantastic. The cabins are large with big picture windows. Room service was good. The weather
was good.
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