RCI cruisers on first Celebrity cruise - Millennium to Alaska

Third trip to Alaska... first on Celebrity. Impressed with the ship so far. Have sailed mostly Royal... will be Diamond after next cruise in Feb... have tried NCL and Princess once each. Nothing special there for us. Will see what Holland America has to offer on a short cruise next May.

First impressions... nice touch to have champagne/mimosas when you walk on the ship. Decorating is understated with nice colors. Comfortable seating in many lounges and on deck. We are not main dining room lovers and enjoy being totally casual in buffet. Food on this ship is comparable to all the rest. Usually try a specialty restaurant and may do that.

Wifi is tolerable in most areas as well as in cabin. Good enough for email, texts, and checking FB, etc.

Anyone with questions, ask away... will try to find the answer. Suggestions for things we should not miss onboard are appreciated!

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If the weather is nice check out the roof top porch for movies. If the weather is bad the Sky Lounge or maybe they call it Cosmos on the M-class ships, is a great place to hang out during the day. It is forward on deck 14. Make sure you get to the ice cream bar in the Oceanview cafe, it is far better than anything I have seen on Royal or Carnival. Watch for special deals on the specialty restaurants. We always seem to find 30 to 50% off deals once we are on board. The crew is great, the ship is really nice and Alaska, as you know is amazing. Assuming you are going to the Hubbard Glacier make sure you are outside for that visit. It is normally pretty chilly around the glacier so dress for it. We went in the early part of the morning and spent about an hour just sitting at the glacier as the captain did a slow 360 so everyone had great views. We knew we would be there during breakfast so we ordered room service breakfast and enjoyed during our warm up breaks.

If the weather is nice check out the roof top porch for movies. If the weather is bad the Sky Lounge or maybe they call it Cosmos on the M-class ships, is a great place to hang out during the day. It is forward on deck 14. Make sure you get to the ice cream bar in the Oceanview cafe, it is far better than anything I have seen on Royal or Carnival. Watch for special deals on the specialty restaurants. We always seem to find 30 to 50% off deals once we are on board. The crew is great, the ship is really nice and Alaska, as you know is amazing. Assuming you are going to the Hubbard Glacier make sure you are outside for that visit. It is normally pretty chilly around the glacier so dress for it. We went in the early part of the morning and spent about an hour just sitting at the glacier as the captain did a slow 360 so everyone had great views. We knew we would be there during breakfast so we ordered room service breakfast and enjoyed during our warm up breaks.

Thanks for the great ideas. We found Cosmos earlier today. What a lovely spot! Will look for the specialty discounts... there are plenty of people out selling!

One thing none of these companies has figured out is how to successfully get all the people seated in the buffet on a sea day. Seems to be a mess no matter what ship you're on. May be time to try the MDR for lunch!

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Thanks for posting. We have been loyal to Royal until now, and will be sailing Millie in Asia in April. We are Diamond and have sailed all the classes on Royal, and love the ships, so I admit I'm a bit nervous about sailing a new line on an older ship. But the itinerary is what hooked me. So, I'm looking forward to your impressions as you sail through the week. Thanks. Laura

Thanks for posting. We have been loyal to Royal until now, and will be sailing Millie in Asia in April. We are Diamond and have sailed all the classes on Royal, and love the ships, so I admit I'm a bit nervous about sailing a new line on an older ship. But the itinerary is what hooked me. So, I'm looking forward to your impressions as you sail through the week. Thanks. Laura

Now that is kind of funny. We have done two trip on the Millennium. Alaska in July 2016 and Asia in March 2017. Both great trips. Yes, the ship is older but we found things to be in very nice shape, very well cared for and the crew,under two different captains was just the best. Both captains were very hands on, very visible and very passenger friendly and that filters down to the crew.

OP, the MDR is only open for CC passengers on embarkation day and regular passengers on sea days. We are not fans of buffet dining so we usually do breakfast and dinner in the MDR and enjoy it. Lunch is often off the ship or a late, light bite when we get back after exploring a port. Don't be afraid to ask those people selling specialty dining about discounts. On our Asia trip our MDR waiter offered us a "Special Deal" 30% off. My cousin the brave one said "Can you do me better?". Jefferson , our waiter, went to ask and came back with "50% off, that is buy one get one free". So we did and it was a nice dinner in the Tuscan Grille.

So happy to find this thread! We are also Loyal Royals (Diamond) and will be doing Alaska southbound on Millennium next August. Can't wait to hear your impressions.

Anne

Thanks for posting. We have been loyal to Royal until now, and will be sailing Millie in Asia in April. We are Diamond and have sailed all the classes on Royal, and love the ships, so I admit I'm a bit nervous about sailing a new line on an older ship. But the itinerary is what hooked me. So, I'm looking forward to your impressions as you sail through the week. Thanks. Laura

We are 3 in our early 60s and definitely notice a bit of a more upscale vibe. All of the staff have been beyond friendly and helpful. I do miss the outside decks that go all the way around like some of the smaller RCI ships have. We like to walk a few laps around several times during the day. Asia sounds very interesting!

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Now that is kind of funny. We have done two trip on the Millennium. Alaska in July 2016 and Asia in March 2017. Both great trips. Yes, the ship is older but we found things to be in very nice shape, very well cared for and the crew,under two different captains was just the best. Both captains were very hands on, very visible and very passenger friendly and that filters down to the crew.

 

 

 

OP, the MDR is only open for CC passengers on embarkation day and regular passengers on sea days. We are not fans of buffet dining so we usually do breakfast and dinner in the MDR and enjoy it. Lunch is often off the ship or a late, light bite when we get back after exploring a port. Don't be afraid to ask those people selling specialty dining about discounts. On our Asia trip our MDR waiter offered us a "Special Deal" 30% off. My cousin the brave one said "Can you do me better?". Jefferson , our waiter, went to ask and came back with "50% off, that is buy one get one free". So we did and it was a nice dinner in the Tuscan Grille.

We haven't been on any "new" ships as we prefer the smaller variety...and, of course, one can always find a bit of rust here or there and something that needs to be repainted, but I agree that especially the interior of the ship is beautiful and well maintained. Will see what kind of discounts are available... Thanks!

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In case you didn't know, the treats in the glass case and cookie jars at Cafe al Bacio are all free. Only the beverages have a cost. You do not have to purchase a beverage to eat something there or get it to go. For some reason the desserts at dinner time are much better there than either the MDR or buffet.

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So happy to find this thread! We are also Loyal Royals (Diamond) and will be doing Alaska southbound on Millennium next August. Can't wait to hear your impressions.

 

 

 

Anne

First thing that comes to mind is that there is so much more seating around the ship... some with small pillows for your back! So nice since we do a bit more sitting on sea days. We are also enjoying the live music choices earlier in the evening before dinner. RCI seems to have done away with those in the venues other than the centrum area on the ships we have been on.

Very few overhead announcements from the Cruise Director. Captain comes on a couple times a day to give nevigational updates, etc.

Also nice to have tubes of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in the bathroom.

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So nice to hear such great things about Celebrity and Millie! I really am looking forward to the Asia cruise and have already made some great friends on the roll call. Always a little nervous about the unknown though. So just love hearing about the ship and looking at any pictures I can find.

We are also used to large suites on Royal. Just off a Freedom Presidential Family Suite, prior sailings in owners suite on Allure and 2 bedroom Aqua theater suite on Oasis. Smallest suite we have had in many years was a grand suite on Anthem. I'm trying to get myself geared up for a "normal" size sky suite on Millie, lol. Not being a snob, I'm not at all like that. I just like to be prepared.

I think I will like the smaller more refined atmosphere, just something I'm not accustomed to. :cool::)

Thanks again for all the great info.

Third trip to Alaska... first on Celebrity. Impressed with the ship so far. Have sailed mostly Royal... will be Diamond after next cruise in Feb... have tried NCL and Princess once each. Nothing special there for us. Will see what Holland America has to offer on a short cruise next May.

 

First impressions... nice touch to have champagne/mimosas when you walk on the ship. Decorating is understated with nice colors. Comfortable seating in many lounges and on deck. We are not main dining room lovers and enjoy being totally casual in buffet. Food on this ship is comparable to all the rest. Usually try a specialty restaurant and may do that.

 

Wifi is tolerable in most areas as well as in cabin. Good enough for email, texts, and checking FB, etc.

 

Anyone with questions, ask away... will try to find the answer. Suggestions for things we should not miss onboard are appreciated!

 

 

 

 

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Does everybody get a drink when boarding? How absolutely civilised. I love it already.

Does everybody get a drink when boarding? How absolutely civilised. I love it already.

Yes... as you walk in the door there are glasses of champagne, Mimosas, or juice. Nice touch!

Also nice for those of us who do not smoke to be able to walk throughout the ship without smelling any cigarette smoke.

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Since we have done just under 40 cruises on Celebrity ships but none on a Royal ship I too am enjoying the comments and comparisons.

I was going to ask about the smoking policy on Royal ships, but "twincheryl" has already commented on how nice it is to walk through the ship and not smell any cigarette smoke. But to clarify -- are there indoor smoking venues on Royal ships? We too are non-smokers, and appreciate Celebrity's smoking policy.

We spent two weeks on the Millennium this summer (Seward to Vancouver and then back up to Seward). We had not been on the Millennium for a number of years, but were very pleased with how well maintained the interior has been.

Since we have done just under 40 cruises on Celebrity ships but none on a Royal ship I too am enjoying the comments and comparisons.

 

I was going to ask about the smoking policy on Royal ships, but "twincheryl" has already commented on how nice it is to walk through the ship and not smell any cigarette smoke. But to clarify -- are there indoor smoking venues on Royal ships? We too are non-smokers, and appreciate Celebrity's smoking policy.

 

We spent two weeks on the Millennium this summer (Seward to Vancouver and then back up to Seward). We had not been on the Millennium for a number of years, but were very pleased with how well maintained the interior has been.

The only indoor space on Royal that allows smoking is the casino. Unfortunately, it has become the de facto smoking lounge (not just gamblers). Also, unfortunately, on many ships, the stink spreads to nearby parts of the ship. I'm not a gambler, but Hal is and when I walk into the casino to find him, I nearly choke.

Transam48,

We did a B2B on the Millie last fall in SE Asia and it was a wonderful laidback experience on the Millie. Crew was fantastic and everything was "just fine" ... so enjoy your cruise! We did a lot of private tours through our roll call that were quite affordable.

Yes, you have to "push" for the big speciality restaurant deal... but play hard to get![emoji8]

Turangi!

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Yes... as you walk in the door there are glasses of champagne, Mimosas, or juice. Nice touch!

 

Also nice for those of us who do not smoke to be able to walk throughout the ship without smelling any cigarette smoke.

 

 

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Thanks for that; a lovely touch. I look forward to it when we board Solstice in February - our first Celebrity cruise. So excited.

Very happy with the quality of entertainment on Millie. I know the production shows are quite dependent on the quality of the "featured singers" but really like that the shows are straight forward, costumes classy, I am familiar with most of the songs... quality of singers and dancers is excellent... none of the weird color wigs and strange staging from RCCL lately.

Cafe al Bacio (like Cafe Promenade) is very nice and has an excellent assortment of cakes, desserts, and cookies. There is even a little section with tables where a server comes to take your order... nice teapots of hot water and biscotti delivered right to your table!

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Great info! Thanks!