Short Century Cruise 1/12/06 - Short Review!

[donnaw]

We took this cruise as a floating hotel prior to boarding Opera last Saturday and had a great time so just some thoughts!

 

Occasionally, Celebrity offers shorter cruises and this was one of them. We decided to take this prior to our Opera cruise on 1/14/06 when we realized that the cost would be the same (using on board booking credit and stockholders credit) as flying in one day pre-cruise and spending the night. This cruise also had the additional benefit of taking us to Select in Captain’s Club.

 

Embarkation - We did the Express paperwork on line so had everything ready when we reached the port directly from FLL. Arrived at FLL at 11:55 and took a cab to port after picking up our checked luggage. Cab cost was $12.00 and took 10 minutes to reach the Century. The Express check in was definitely the longer line but also had a lot more agents so it went very quickly. Embarkation was a breeze and we were on the ship in 15 minutes. We arrived late enough to be escorted directly to our cabin with our carry on luggage. The rest of our luggage appeared just before and after muster.

 

The ship - We have sailed Century before and sailed her sister (Galaxy) in October so quite familiar with her layout and felt like coming home. She is still a beauty and very well maintained. One major change from our prior cruise was the designation of Images as the Martini Bar rather than a sports bar.

 

Demographics - Due to the shortness of this cruise, the average age of cruisers was much lower than usual. From those that we met, I would have to estimate that the average age was early 30’s and 90% of the passengers were from Florida.

 

 

Itinerary - Due to the length of the cruise, the only port was the private island. Activities were offered on the island though we decided to hit a beach chair and relax. This is a tender port with the easiest tendering that we have ever had. We waited until it was open tendering and were on the tender in less than 5 minutes. BBQ was being served on the island until 1:30. We meandered up at about 1:05 to find that they were out of almost everything so decided to have burgers when we returned to the ship.

 

Cabin - We booked inside guarantee. Our cabin assignment was 9174, which was a wonderful location. Century insides are that same size and layout as outside cabins so we didn’t feel the extra cost of the outside cabin was worth it for a 2 day cruise. Some items were missing from our cabin (robes, room service menu, Celebrity bag) but we didn’t feel they were worth chasing down. We have heard many comments about the condition of the mattresses (need to be replaced) and if our cabin is indicative, they have been replaced.

 

Dining - We were second seating at a table for six with two other couples. The dining room menu was excellent for a taster cruise and the service was wonderful. as we have come to expect. Out of the two other couples, one was new to X and was very pleased with the quality of food and level of service. Pizza and Burgers (buns are the only problem area since they dry out and fall apart) were wonderful as usual and the addition of the Caesar Salad station as part of the Pizza/Pasta station was great. Buffet was standard Celebrity fare and very good. We did the dining room for breakfast both mornings since they have Eggs Benedict as part of the standard menu. Lunch was salads from the buffet and a burger or hot dog from the grill. Both nights were casual though some appeared to not understand what that meant.

 

Martini tasting -Offered both days in Images at 5:00 and 7:00 PM and very well received. We had another friend on the ship who would be boarding Opera with us so set this up as our meeting spot.

 

Entertainment -Late seating shows were offered pre-dinenr and we did not attend them but others said they were very good.

 

 

Disembarkation - Celebrity’s new policy of allowing use of the cabin until disembarkation was not in effect on this cruise. We were told to vacate our cabin by 8:00 AM so vacated to the dining room. We had hoped to stay on the ship as late as possible so we could take a cab and drop off our luggage at our next cruise terminal then meet friends in town but disembarkation was the fastest that we have ever had. We left on last call at 9:15 AM and were definitely among the last to disembark.

 

Tips on Sea Pass - It has been reported that those that took the 2 day Millie were not allowed to place tips on their ship account and had to pay in cash. This was not the case on Century and tips did go on our shipboard account.

 

Summary - The short itinerary cruise on Celebrity is a rarity. For those that find themselves in the right position at the right time, it is a very viable and fun alternative to a couple of days on land. Additionally, it is a good way to see what X is about for those who have not tried them before.

[Texed]

Donna,

 

Thanks for the quick review.:)

[98Charlie]

Thanks for your informative review. DH & I will be sailing Century on Feb. 18. Haven't sailed her for about 2 years. Your review reminds us of what we have awaiting us as we muddle through an up and down winter season in Ohio.

 

Century is awaiting us!:D

 

Dianne

[Lois R]

Hi Donna, thanks for the review:) I am thinking about going

back on her for the 4th time in April. Glad to know you enjoyed

the couple of days.:D

 

Dianne, hope you and Gwynn have a great time next month:)

[flashdog_1]

We were on this cruise and it was really fun. The "Shout" show was the greatest..so much energy!

 

We must have been at the BBQ earlier than you because they had everything. Salads with chick peas were especially flavorful. But they served drinks in bathroom size Dixie cups so you had to get a couple. ha

 

We were not called to depart until around 9:30 so after breakfast (buffet & dining room closed at 8 a.m.!) we went back to the cabin and bathed and enjoyed a little more time on the balcony. I'm glad we didn't have to leave at 8 a.m.!

 

We'd also been on the Millenium 2 nighter in December and it was all the difference in the world. Century was wonderful.

[PVogel]

Great idea!!! I will have to bear that in mind for the next cruise, if a shorty is available.

[98Charlie]

Hi Donna, thanks for the review:) I am thinking about going

back on her for the 4th time in April. Glad to know you enjoyed

the couple of days.:D

 

Dianne, hope you and Gwynn have a great time next month:)

 

Thanks, Lois. Gwynn & I will have a great time, as we always do when we're sailing somewhere far from home.

 

Miss ``talking'' to you like we used to talk. Hope all is going well with you.

 

Dianne

[joramrose]

I was on this shortie as well, and Donna is right. It was great.

 

My only problem == I was assigned a dinner table with only me as guest. I assured the waiter I was not going to eat by myself, so he kindly went to the mlaitre 'd who promptly came and escorted me to the upstairs dining room to offer me a "choice" of tables. Of course I took the first one (can't you just see me going around and interviewing prospective dinner partners?) And I was well pleased.

 

The shrimp cocktail, the broiled snails and the creme brulee were every bit as good as I remembered from previous cruises.

 

The two-night martini tasting was fun; the private island had a wonderful beach; the staff was polite and eager to please. I love the Century.

 

And yes, they deducted tips from my cabin credit and I had some left over for the casino.

 

love

joan