GALAXY Review: Just back from Panama Canal L O N G

[poetic license]

Add to the list fruit punch. I couldn't get enough of this. It was available most of the time.

DonLou, you are absolutely right, and that reminds me of something else I forgot to include: The orange and apple juices are available only at breakfast time; they change out what is dispensed after the late breakfast to fruit punch and passioguava in addition to lemonade and iced tea.

[mostofus]

Great! Leaving the juices home! This is truly the best, most detailed review I have read in a long time about the Galaxy as well. Have you thought about posting it in a review thread on this and different sites? Many future cruisers would be very appreciative!

[islandersx4]

Dear Poetic License, What a great review, very detailed and as so aptly put by another member....I was not even aware I needed to know about some of the things you addressed. I'm considering the Christmas Cruise this year and your comments are making that decision easier for us.

It is my understanding that the Galaxy goes into drydock sometime in April 2007. I had heard it was to be November '06, which was another factor for us. Anyone else hear otherwise?

Thank you for taking the time to enlighten all of us........... ;)

[canderson]

It is my understanding that the Galaxy goes into drydock sometime in April 2007. I had heard it was to be November '06, which was another factor for us. Anyone else hear otherwise?

Your April '07 date makes a lot more sense, as this is the first point in Galaxy's current cruise schedule that would permit it. Without something more major than they've got to contend with now, it's hard to imagine they'd cancel a cruise.

[suznf]

Dear Poetic License, What a great review, very detailed and as so aptly put by another member....I was not even aware I needed to know about some of the things you addressed. I'm considering the Christmas Cruise this year and your comments are making that decision easier for us.

It is my understanding that the Galaxy goes into drydock sometime in April 2007. I had heard it was to be November '06, which was another factor for us. Anyone else hear otherwise?

Thank you for taking the time to enlighten all of us........... ;)

 

Islanders, if you are thinking 'bout the Galaxy at Christmas, you should move fast! We are on that sailing and it is filling rapidly. We have a roll call already in progress and there has been a lot of chatter about that.

 

We were on the RCCL Mariner OS last Christmas, our first cruise, and now we are hooked. But the choice of cruises that cover both holidays this year are slim, and we couldn't resist the Galaxy's itinerary.

[excitedofharpenden]

Excellent review Nicki. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself as much as we did back in November 2004. I was nodding at a lot of your comments, although I think there must have been a different band in Rendezvous Square as my ears didn't suffer there:)

 

I am not sure about the Stratosphere Lounge. It should be a great spot during the day (even with clouded windows), but I always felt it was a barn of a room with little atmoshpere. Much better at night.

 

Phil

[LV2COOK]

Dear Poetic License, What a great review, very detailed and as so aptly put by another member....I was not even aware I needed to know about some of the things you addressed. I'm considering the Christmas Cruise this year and your comments are making that decision easier for us.

It is my understanding that the Galaxy goes into drydock sometime in April 2007. I had heard it was to be November '06, which was another factor for us. Anyone else hear otherwise?

Thank you for taking the time to enlighten all of us........... ;)

 

You really had better reserve and soon. The Galaxy is nearly sold out and the prices have sky rocketed since we booked. 2 reps of Celebrity told me it was going into dry dock in Nov.... but I don't seen any break in the schedule for it. The beds are absolutely AWFUL on the Galaxy.... so much so that on the Christmas sailing of 04 we brought feather toppers in a large suitcase with us. Of course we live in Houston so it was possible. Now trying to figure out what to do this time around since we have to fly. Hope to see you onboard.:cool:

[MSBYRDY]

We are sailing Galaxy on 3/9, have sailed her before, but your review was a great overview and brought the excitement back.

 

Do you remember what time the Muster Drill was held? We're sailing at 6 pm and just curious about meeting with some CC friends.

Marilyn

[poetic license]

Do you remember what time the Muster Drill was held? We're sailing at 6 pm and just curious about meeting with some CC friends.

Marilyn,

Our CC roll call for GALAXY wanted to do the same thing, and since everyone who wanted to meet had indicated they were arriving at port by 1:00, we decided to meet in Rendez-Vous Square at 3:30. It worked out perfectly, and we hung there until we had to head back to our cabins to get lifejackets for the muster drill.

 

The muster drill was 5:15, and took about 30 minutes after people had reported to their assigned muster stations to place everyone where they needed to be by the lifeboats.

 

We sailed at 6:00, and it seemed to cause a good bit of confusion for early seating diners, since sailaway and early seating were the same time. Hope you have late seating.

 

Have a great time!

[islandersx4]

Hello Everyone,

I am aware that the Galaxy is selling quickly, but I am optimistic that we'll find the rooms we need.

We cruised for the first time this past Christams on Radiance OS. It was an incredible experience and we are hooked.

The Galaxys itinerary did it for us too!

So hopefully we'll travel again this Christmas.

Islandersx4

[MSBYRDY]

Thanks for that info. We are indeed late seating always.

Marilyn

[poetic license]

What did you think of having an inside cabin? Would you do it again?

nightnurse,

I didn't answer this right away because it's tough to answer. The reason I tried it was because it was a sensational deal three days before sailing. Would I do it again? Probably not on a cruise of this length. It was really hard to get going in the morning since the cabin was not only pitch black but completely quiet. I had no sense of orientation at all. Once I got out of the cabin, things were fine. I don't get seasick, so the motion of the ship combined with a lack of orientation didn't bother me. But I wonder how it would affect someone who's constitution is more delicate.

 

I would do it again on a much shorter cruise and if it were a great bargain. I think it's doable for 5 nights or less, but I don't plan on doing any shorter cruises for the foreseeable future. If it came down to booking an inside cabin and getting in an extra cruise a year with the savings, I'd do it. Otherwise, probably not.

 

Cheers,

[mostofus]

Hi poetic license, me again with another question!

 

I haven't thought of until now (actually last night it came to me as DH and I were watching TV and I was reminded of his changing channels with the remote habit that he has - watching 4 shows at once!) anyway, although I plan to watch as little TV as possible while I am on the ship, can you recall if the TV viewing options were the normal channels? (A few ship channels, CNN, a movie, etc.) that will really help us to know how many movies to bring with our portable DVD player.

 

And since you just returned, which movies were playing in the ship's theater? (I never have a chance to go to the movies, so it doesn't matter to me how old they are!)

 

Thanks again for your help, and I am sure I will think of something else to ask you before we leave on Feb. 25th!

[tssace]

nightnurse,

I didn't answer this right away because it's tough to answer. The reason I tried it was because it was a sensational deal three days before sailing. Would I do it again? Probably not on a cruise of this length. It was really hard to get going in the morning since the cabin was not only pitch black but completely quiet. I had no sense of orientation at all. Once I got out of the cabin, things were fine. I don't get seasick, so the motion of the ship combined with a lack of orientation didn't bother me. But I wonder how it would affect someone who's constitution is more delicate.

 

I would do it again on a much shorter cruise and if it were a great bargain. I think it's doable for 5 nights or less, but I don't plan on doing any shorter cruises for the foreseeable future. If it came down to booking an inside cabin and getting in an extra cruise a year with the savings, I'd do it. Otherwise, probably not.

 

Cheers,

 

I would agree with you. We did 1 inside cabin - due to very last minute booking. I was very concerned as I am fairly claustraphobic. My claustraphobia was fine but, I too, was very disorientated with no window as a frame of reference. My husband discovered a cure however, he tuned the TV into the bridgecam channel and voila... I was able to wake up to the sun coming up!! LOL I managed for the 7 day cruise - not sure I'd do it for a longer cruise.

[poetic license]

can you recall if the TV viewing options were the normal channels? (A few ship channels, CNN, a movie, etc.) that will really help us to know how many movies to bring with our portable DVD player.

 

Hi again mostofus!

 

Let me think. There was the Celebrity interactive channels for checking your shipboard account, booking shore excursions, room service, etc. along with CNN, TNT, some free movies (including a bollywood 'Bride and Predjudice', so bad that it was hysterically funny), a pay movie channel (they were showing Little Manhattan, Cinderella Man among others -sorry, I didn't pay much attention here). The rest of the channels included the ship's cam, rebroadcasts of shopping and casino talks, art auction previews, etc. All the usual suspects. ;)

 

Hope this helps!

 

Cheers,

[poetic license]

.

 

And since you just returned, which movies were playing in the ship's theater? (I never have a chance to go to the movies, so it doesn't matter to me how old they are!)

mostofus,

Sorry I missed your second question. Movies playing in the theatre were Spanglish, Ocean's 12, Finding Neverland, In Good Company, Meet the Fockers, Coach Carter, The Aviator, and The Phantom of the Opera.

 

Don't believe for a minute that I have a good memory: I merely saved all the ship's dailies! :D;):D

 

Cheers,

[MSBYRDY]

Any chance you remember who the Captain was on Galaxy?

Thanks

Marilyn

[Live_2_cruise05]

Captain Athanasios "peppas" is the current Captain on Galaxy!

[poetic license]

Captain Athanasios "peppas" is the current Captain on Galaxy!

It's a miracle you can remember how to spell it, Live_to_cruise! He was a most congenial man. Hope you get an invite to the Captains Table, MSBYRDY. I didn't, but my table was immediately in front of it, and we enjoyed it vicariously.

 

Cheers,

[Live_2_cruise05]

Nicki,

 

Lol, well I can't take full credit of spelling it right. I kind of cheated and looked at my capers! Lol.

 

It’s amazing how they themselves can remember to spell their own names! Hehe!

[flashdog_1]

Was lunch included in the coffee plantation tour? The Celebrity site does not show the food symbol, so I'm guessing you pay separately for lunch. Thanks.

[poetic license]

Was lunch included in the coffee plantation tour? The Celebrity site does not show the food symbol, so I'm guessing you pay separately for lunch. Thanks.

Hi Phyllis,

 

Yes, lunch was included. And what a lunch! On the way back to the ship, we turned onto a small dirt road and drove for a couple of miles, then turned onto an even smaller road, which turned out to be a long driveway lined with royal palms to the Hotel Casa Turire, where lunch was served to us in their lovely dining room and skylit interior court. We chose between a chicken curry and a broiled fresh fish with mango salsa. The fish was GREAT! I highly recommend it.

 

We did, however, tip the waitstaff. They did a wonderful job, and refilled our drinks often.

 

Cheers,

[MSBYRDY]

Thanks both of you, looking forward to meeting him.

Marilyn

[flashdog_1]

Thanks Nicki,

I guess it's Celebrity's omission on the website that it does not say lunch is included in the price. Well, I guess things could have changed between your recent cruise and what's being offered in November. The price is listed at $72. Sound right? Or if yours was higher, then that's the price of the lunch, I'd guess. Let me know. Thanks.

[poetic license]

Well, I guess things could have changed between your recent cruise and what's being offered in November. The price is listed at $72. Sound right? Or if yours was higher, then that's the price of the lunch, I'd guess. Let me know. Thanks.

 

Hi Phyllis,

Your in luck: the price was $72 with lunch included. Can't beat it for an all-day excursion!

 

Cheers,