GrandBistro

Thanks for your responses! Looking forward to checking it out for myself!

We leave on January 20 for the Panama Canal onboard the Century. Looking forward to sailing on this older and smaller ship. It's our first time on Celebrity.

Can anyone tell me what the Persian Garden is like on the Century? No therapy pool, I understand. What does a pass to the PG get you on the Century? Anyone know the cost? (It's a 15 day cruise) Anyone bought the pass and really loved it or hated it?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

The tags arrived in the mail today- 6 days after the phoned request. Nice. I'm used to printing my own with other lines, but this is a nice option.

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Hmmm. Haven't received then; she said they'd be sent. I'll let you know. Agreed, not that big of a deal since it's so easy to print them, but nice to have. IF they arrive!

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I've been trying to order tags for several days and have kept getting the message that they couldn't process the request. Called the number on the screen, and the helpful person at Celebrity took care of it. Thanks for the suggestion! A lot easier and less frustrating than continuing to check and not being able to do it. Now I'm on to my packing list!

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Also on this cruise and also first timers on Celebrity- looking forward to replies.

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It's been a while since this thread was opened, and I'm hoping that the OP has made a decision, is booked and ready for a wonderful anniversary.

(Still gonna add my two cents here!)

Lots of research is needed to make the best decision for any individual, and what is the best choice for one won't be for another. Some things to consider:

If choosing the Mediterranean, April is still dicey weather-wise. The very end of April and the beginning of May should be lovely - not too hot yet, but the seas smoothing. Of course, a rainy day can happen at anytime, so don't pin TOO much on one particular port of call.

About Santorini - if you are really early in the season, you run the risk of not being able to tender due to swells. Our arrival in Santorini was delayed once and the captain ALMOST cancelled the stop. Earlier in the season will like mean fewer ships in the caldera, which means fewer people crowding into the narrow streets of Oia and Fira, shorter wait for the cable car.

As has been mentioned, add all the variable costs. Does the cruise line include air, pre-cruise hotel, all beverages, excursions, specialty restaurants, tips, airport transfers? Is business class air available for a reasonable amount? (some find that critical for a trans-atlantic flight) If not, add those up.

The first time we sailed with Regent was also our first time visiting any of those ports, so we were quite satisfied with the basic excursions. If we'd been there before, perhaps we wouldn't have been. They are pretty standard overview tours, and the guides we had were all great. And Regent doesn't have their guest wear little tags or buttons to identify them as a part of a tour - a small thing, but nice. Don't know about the other luxury lines.

Smaller ships mean both that you can get to smaller ports but also that their are fewer people in the port.

Agreed with other posts that the #1 consideration is itinerary. But given the choice, I'd also pick a smaller room (small being relative - the small rooms on luxury lines are often larger than some suites on other lines) on a better line would create an overall better experience, at least to me.

Have a wonderful cruise, and Happy Anniversary.

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We are just off our first NCL cruise after Carnival, Princess and Regent. I found the bed on NCL firm and comfortable; my partner thought it was too hard and uncomfortable. Carnival beds are great and Princess beds are horrible, in my opinion!

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Oh! And I ALWAYS take an ace bandage/elastic wrap after spraining my ankle in China. That is now always the first thing that goes into my bag!

What's your next cruise Frank? I think mine is also about 35 days.

I've really enjoyed reading these posts as I prepare for my third cruise. Many of my comments have been made, but here is what I'm reminded of:

1. the comments about tipping and keeping a good attitude and to have fun remind me that while there may be a couple of rotten eggs, almst everybody is a nice person and is there to have a good time and is perfectly willing to help ensure that everyone else has a good time, too. Cruising may not be the super-elite and exclusive adventure it once was, and I think that makes it better. It's regular folks, enjoying a holiday, feeling generous but aware of a budget, and expecting to have a good time.

2. I take my iPod with external speakers for some music in the room, or to listen to interesting podcasts while winding down. It also

plays videos, and I sometimes use one of my famliar recorded TV shows to help me fall asleep.

3. I like the idea of a digital voice recorder to help remember names and events. I always take a small spiral notebook on vacation- a new one for each

trip, and write down names and contact info of new friends,

highlights of the day, a good story I heard, etc. It keeps the trip

much fresher in my mind once it's over.

4. Fewer clothes, and room for my pillow. I really like to have slippers to wear in the room or a quick run to the laundry.

5. Stay on the ship at least one port day. It's less crowded and some prices are reduced on port days.

6. If you know you'll drink a lot of sodas, buy a fountain drink

card. But you might do just as well with the instant powder drinks that come in so many flavor. I bring a water bottle and crystal light lemonade packs and am content.

7. I know the prevailing wisdom is to book your own tours which are significantly less expensive than booking through the ship. But for me, having to arrange, at least sometimes, an additional leg of transportation at a cost, and the anxiety, as unrealistic as it may be, about an unforseen delay and missing the ship makes the extra $30 or $40 worth it, just for my ease

of mind. And, it might get included in the ship's videolog, which I can enjoy

on my cabin TV.

Use good judgement, follow the golden rule, smile, be nice to everyone. You'll have a spectacular vacation.