Never sailed the Millennium

[MsBoomer]

Hi! I'm an experienced cruiser, but am new to CC.

 

Love Celebrity, but have only sailed their Solstice Class ships. Recently booked the Millennium, but am concerned about a poor experience friends and frequent cruisers had with their first (and last) sailing aboard this ship. They had unresolved issues with cabin readiness (cabin bed dismantled when they arrived - norovirus on previous sailing), and lack of heat in their stateroom throughout their voyage (55 degrees). My question is for those who have sailed her before. I know she is the oldest in the Celebrity fleet, how would you rate her with other ships? Do you have Millennium experiences to share? Would really like to have input on this. Am considering switching cruise lines to do this itinerary (Indonesia/Malaysia).

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

MsBoomer

[Lastdance]

I have your exact feelings, but have just decided to go with the Millie and let myself feel the way that iI do after the cruise. Yes, I have heard the good, the bad and the ugly. My DH, on the other hand, says it will be okay. Furthermore, I have been on most of the "S" class ships and really enjoyed them and their itineraries. The Millie was chosen because of her itinerary and not the ship!:eek: At least the cruise will be AFTER dry dock.

 

**Also, I have never been on a land tour, as I love o do all the planning, along with adding at least a week to see many other places by train or car in Europe. This will also be my first, but I have let go of the controls this time.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Lastdance

[az_tchr]

Have sailed on Millie twice with no ship issues whatsoever. The regular veranda cabins are a bit smaller than on S class and a few less amenities but everything just fine. Cabin decor and beds same in quality. The unmade cabin complaint is a bit harsh. Would you rather have the cabins thoroughly cleaned (far more than normal) or have a higher risk of getting sick? Remember noro has only to do with sick people who get on board and do not confine themselves.

 

The key is to find the itinerary and then make that the deciding factor, not the ship.

[Texed]

. Recently booked the Millennium, but am concerned about a poor experience friends and frequent cruisers had with their first (and last) sailing aboard this ship. Any advice would be appreciated!

MsBoomer

 

I have your exact feelings, but have just decided to go with the Millie.

 

We have sailed on Millennium six times. We loved it each time. :)

[alcpa1]

The Millie is one of our favorites.

My best guess is that the topsy turvy cabin had had a guest with noro on the previous sailing. They literally attack the cabin from top to bottom. When my DH got noro he was confined to the cabin. As we completed breakfast on disembarkation day I realized I had left some paperwork in the cabin. I returned to the cabin to find the bed frame empty with a new mattress against the wall. The drawers were opened, airing, and the odor of a strong cleaner was permeating the cabin. The walls were also damp. The passengers who followed us in the cabin had a VERY clean cabin.

Every cruise line can have cases of noro and so can schools, businesses or any other place where people gather. No one should blame Celebrity or any cruise line for noro. Any site with close quarters and humans who insist on infecting others is vulnerable.

I can't imagine the heating issue not being addressed. That can be remedied by moving the passengers but generally the crew is prepared to fix the problem. Unless you know the passengers personally I'd take that one with a grain of salt.

You may actually find the Millie an easier ship to navigate. There are three elevator banks vs two on the S class ships. The public decks are roomy and the only time we feel as if we are in a crowd is during the muster drill. FYI get there early if you want a seat no matter which venue you are assigned.

If you enjoy Celebrity then keep your booking especially if you are looking at Princess or HAL. The ship is in fine shape with the service you have come to appreciate.

[MsBoomer]

Thanks, alpac1. I do know these cruisers very well and they are very experienced (50+ sailings). So I felt pretty bad when I recommended Celebrity because of the great experiences we have had with our Solstice sailings. I know cruise lines cannot be faulted for noro. I think they were surprised to find their room torn up. The heating thing was a real issue, and they could not get it fixed. They said they could not enjoy their cabin and had to spend their days in other parts of the ship and freeze at night. They felt their problem was not taken seriously. They won't sail with Celebrity again.

[MsBoomer]

Thanks, az_tchr. Nice to hear you enjoyed Millie enough to go with her again. We have been impressed with Celebrity's protocols for dealing with noro when it happened on one of our sailings. I would expect the same with this ship.

[MsBoomer]

Thanks, Texed! What was it about the Millennium that made you repeat passengers?

[nztraveller]

We are just about to book the Milli but would like to know when and if she has a dry dock this year and what is the plan ? What will be up graded etc ?

Thanks for any info on this

[livingasia]

If you're planning on the November 2016 sailing, the value for money should be a major plus factor. I have a booking already to lock in the two perk promotion. However given the ship is only half full now I'd expect lot more movement on the already low prices on that cruise. Every Royal suite is available and even family aft cabins.

 

We were on Millennium in Jan/Feb '16 and loved it.

[4774Papa]

Hi! I'm an experienced cruiser, but am new to CC.

 

Love Celebrity, but have only sailed their Solstice Class ships. Recently booked the Millennium, but am concerned about a poor experience friends and frequent cruisers had with their first (and last) sailing aboard this ship. They had unresolved issues with cabin readiness (cabin bed dismantled when they arrived - norovirus on previous sailing), and lack of heat in their stateroom throughout their voyage (55 degrees). My question is for those who have sailed her before. I know she is the oldest in the Celebrity fleet, how would you rate her with other ships? Do you have Millennium experiences to share? Would really like to have input on this. Am considering switching cruise lines to do this itinerary (Indonesia/Malaysia).

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

MsBoomer

 

We had a wonderful cruise on Millie last Oct/Nov, Japan and China. No problems at all. We actually prefer the smaller M class ships.

[Texed]

Thanks, Texed! What was it about the Millennium that made you repeat passengers?

 

Well, we did the first Caribbean sailing on her, and we loved it. Then, it was mostly itinerary based. But, we did love the Olympic Restaurant and the great crew. :)

Edited March 19, 2016 by Texed

[Fran Record]

We are just about to book the Milli but would like to know when and if she has a dry dock this year and what is the plan ? What will be up graded etc ?

Thanks for any info on this

FYI from Celebrity:

 

With an $8M makeover scheduled for April 2016, Celebrity Millennium is ready to stun—right alongside the ship that inspired her new look, Celebrity Solstice.

 

Now on Celebrity Millennium, you can relax at the chic new Rooftop Terrace, catching a movie under the stars with themed cocktails and snacks (our new A Taste of Film experience). Refuel from your exhilarating day ashore with USDA dry aged steaks and fresh-made pastas at Tuscan Grille, already a smash hit on our Solstice class ships. And recharge in our revamped Penthouse and Royal Suites, with glimmering new powder room fixtures, marble surfaces, and fabrics throughout.

 

But, we didn’t stop there. You’ll notice stylish new touches around every corner, from Fortunes Casino to the adults-only Solarium.

[1982CruzStart]

We sailed with Celebrity for the first time on Millie in a Celebrity Suite. Our suite was very clean but was in very poor shape from my perspective. Many of the cupboard doors no longer fit properly, some of the drawers were hard to open and close and the bath had moldy tile and the fixtures were all tarnished. All the living area furniture was over sized and worn out. Coulndn't find anywhere to sit comfortably. Overall i was very unimpressed with our stateroom. I hope the Millie drydock includes major work on their cabins.

 

On the positive side the staff were all fantastic.

 

We are trying Celebrity again on the Equinox, in part, because we had the cruise booked before we went on Millie and had already made plans around the cruise. If not i don't think i would try Celebrity again. I am thinking positive about our upcoming cruise.

[villauk]

Well, we did the first Caribbean sailing on her, and we loved it. Then, it was mostly itinerary based. But, we did love the Olympic Restaurant and the great crew. :)

 

Good to hear, Ed :). We're on her this Christmas, post dry dock, so hopefully she'll be all spruced up :D.

[MsBoomer]

FYI from Celebrity:

 

With an $8M makeover scheduled for April 2016, Celebrity Millennium is ready to stun—right alongside the ship that inspired her new look, Celebrity Solstice.

 

Now on Celebrity Millennium, you can relax at the chic new Rooftop Terrace, catching a movie under the stars with themed cocktails and snacks (our new A Taste of Film experience). Refuel from your exhilarating day ashore with USDA dry aged steaks and fresh-made pastas at Tuscan Grille, already a smash hit on our Solstice class ships. And recharge in our revamped Penthouse and Royal Suites, with glimmering new powder room fixtures, marble surfaces, and fabrics throughout.

 

But, we didn’t stop there. You’ll notice stylish new touches around every corner, from Fortunes Casino to the adults-only Solarium.

Fran, good to know. I looked at her schedule and noticed a gap April-May. Thanks for the blurb from Celebrity!

[MsBoomer]

We sailed with Celebrity for the first time on Millie in a Celebrity Suite. Our suite was very clean but was in very poor shape from my perspective. Many of the cupboard doors no longer fit properly, some of the drawers were hard to open and close and the bath had moldy tile and the fixtures were all tarnished. All the living area furniture was over sized and worn out. Coulndn't find anywhere to sit comfortably. Overall i was very unimpressed with our stateroom. I hope the Millie drydock includes major work on their cabins.

 

On the positive side the staff were all fantastic.

 

We are trying Celebrity again on the Equinox, in part, because we had the cruise booked before we went on Millie and had already made plans around the cruise. If not i don't think i would try Celebrity again. I am thinking positive about our upcoming cruise.

CruzStart - We have friends (veteran cruisers) who won't return to Celebrity after sailing with Milli. I think the Equinox will change your mind. You've booked a Solstice Class ship - a brilliant and unique design. There are only two elevator banks, creating an island of quiet in the hotel part of the ship, so when you are ready to retire for the night, the noise from the atrium and clubs do not filter through. Myriad alcoves and hideaways for reading are everywhere. But there are also wonderful and unique bars and cafes to meet and enjoy with friends. Specialty restaurants are great. Even the buffet design is pretty cool, with different stations that help alleviate long lines, and there are buffers between clusters of table groupings making it quieter and more intimate. Except for boarding, muster, and disembarking, we never felt as though we were on a large ship.

We've booked the Millennium in 2017 for the first time because of the itinerary. Any tips you could give would be welcome.

[Jeaannie55]

Just off The Millie, at Singapore. Booked this cruise because of the itinerary, then read the reviews and had doubts, but I loved it, no issues whatsoever with the ship and the crew were fantastic! I must admit I have not been on S class but have been on Infinity and Summit, this was just as good, if not better!

[MsBoomer]

So good to hear Jeannie55! And your experience was before dry dock, too! Thx! :)

[mcrcruiser]

Millenium goes into dry dock just prior to our May 12th ,8 night Alaska cruise .she is getting a $8,000,000 make over per the Celebrity person who posts on this thread . :D That will be great :D

 

We have sailed on Millenium more than any other Celebrity ship except Mercury when she was in the fleet . Millenium is a great mid sized ship & we never had any problems with sailing on her .:D

[Texed]

Good to hear, Ed :). We're on her this Christmas, post dry dock, so hopefully she'll be all spruced up :D.

 

Hope you have a great Christmas cruise on Millennium. We will be on Equinox at Christmas. :)

[Lastdance]

Hope you have a great Christmas cruise on Millennium. We will be on Equinox at Christmas. :)

 

Hi Texed and Jacqui! We were almost doing hat cruise too, but our life is still fairly disorganized...hope to sail with you two again and shop w with Jacqui!:cool:

Edited March 19, 2016 by Lastdance

[MsBoomer]

Millenium goes into dry dock just prior to our May 12th ,8 night Alaska cruise .she is getting a $8,000,000 make over per the Celebrity person who posts on this thread . :D That will be great :D

 

We have sailed on Millenium more than any other Celebrity ship except Mercury when she was in the fleet . Millenium is a great mid sized ship & we never had any problems with sailing on her .:D

Good to hear, mcrcruiser! Thanks! :)

[nztraveller]

FYI from Celebrity:

 

With an $8M makeover scheduled for April 2016, Celebrity Millennium is ready to stun—right alongside the ship that inspired her new look, Celebrity Solstice.

 

Now on Celebrity Millennium, you can relax at the chic new Rooftop Terrace, catching a movie under the stars with themed cocktails and snacks (our new A Taste of Film experience). Refuel from your exhilarating day ashore with USDA dry aged steaks and fresh-made pastas at Tuscan Grille, already a smash hit on our Solstice class ships. And recharge in our revamped Penthouse and Royal Suites, with glimmering new powder room fixtures, marble surfaces, and fabrics throughout.

 

But, we didn’t stop there. You’ll notice stylish new touches around every corner, from Fortunes Casino to the adults-only Solarium.

 

Thank you for that info

We are thinking of Milli 9 Dec Singapore to Hong Kong

[Texed]

Hi Texed and Jacqui! We were almost doing hat cruise too, but our life is still fairly disorganized...hope to sail with you two again and shop w with Jacqui!:cool:

 

I look forward to sailing with you again. Your shopping with Jacquie, not so much. :p