Zenith--

[patrickc]

love Celebrity-- and have booked 3 cabins out of bayonne in june-- but, can anyone weigh in on this ship-- is it worth it// really not a cheap cruise- and we're used to the larger celebrity ships. just hoping it will be a decent experience- please advise.

[tuggers]

I personally LOVE the smaller ships! Horizon was my favorite but Z is great, too. IMO.

 

She's an older ship so don't expect everything to be perfect. But it is clean and maintained with love and has a great, friendly crew. There is no T pool. And some of the other little niceties of the larger ships will be missing. If you can deal with those things, then by all means go and have a ball, but if you are going to be bothered by a piece of worn carpet here and maybe a worn place in your bathroom sink, then go for one of the other ships.

 

Food on the smaller ships tends to be better, IMO. Maybe because they are feeding less people per seating and have the time to add a little more personal touches like the potato baskets that have all but disappeared from the other ships.

[wallygator]

I cruised the Connie once for 14 days. The Galaxy for 12 days, the Zenith for seven days. The Zenith is an older ship and lacks many things that newer ships have. I would cruise the Zenith again but there was a mold smell in parts of the ship, toilets backed up. Who needs that in the morning. Ours backed up on the last day or I'd been angry . Also two cards are issued. A sail & sign card and a key to you cabin that is actually in you cabin as you enter it in a little holder on the wall.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Service and smiles from the ships staff were great as always:rolleyes:

[jessemon]

Patrickc,

We have cruised on both the Zenith & Horizon. My wife and I like ships in this size range. We have cruised 18 times on ships the size of the old Regal Empress to the mega Golden Princess. Our favorites are the Statendam Class Of HAL and this class in Celebrity.

Other posters are correct. You don't get all the bells & whistles of the newer larger ships. What you do get is a much freindlier crew (they can be more personal because they have less faces to remember). I also feel the food is better and warmer when served. Much cozier areas. A great little Martini bar.:D

Yes, it is an older smaller ship. It is always neat as a pin. Someone is always polishing something or painting something. Pretty interior. Nice observation lounge (the Fleet Bar) and room on deck if you like the sun.

Just to let you know, we've booked an 11 night Christmas cruise on her in the Eastern Carib. & I think that says it all.:)

Have a great "little" cruise.

[capeboy96]

I too have sailed on the larger ships, Constellation and Infinity, before trying the Zenith a couple months ago. Had a great time and would not hesitate to sail on her again in the future. Am sad I never got to experience the Horizon. The Zenith was very clean. We did have some minor toilet issues but a quick call to guest services quickly had that reolved. The food and entertainment were all excellent. Missed the T pool and thought the hot tubs could have been warmer. Bermuda is awesome and sailing out of NJ is so much easier than sailing from NYC. We went from there to Bermuda on the Empress of the Seas 2 years ago and had a fantastic cruise. One of my favorites.

[ocngypz]

Let's see.. I sailed Horizon 7 times.. and in April I'll be on Zenith for the 10th time.

 

I love Zenith.

 

I've had toilet backups on every Celebrity ship I've sailed.

[pattycakes]

In my opinion it's totally worth it. The trade off in the older/smaller ship is that you get to spend more time in Bermuda. Hamilton and St. George cannot accomodate the bigger ships (even compared to Empress you get an extra half day). Based on past experience mid-May -- June is the optimum time to go -- before the summer crowds. I've done it 3 times on X and 1x on another line -- X is the better bang for the buck -- service, food, etc. hands down. I love the cova and the fact that there is a quiet deck out back on 10. If you're a coffee drinker, bring a coffee mug -- they only have the small cups. Alternative (casual) dining was actually pretty good -- they have sushi every night and a pasta bar along with the usual fanfare. Additionally, it's easier to meet/get to know your fellow cruisers. Hope it turns out to be great!

[flashdog_1]

I am booked on Zenith this fall and am concerned about the roughness of the ride. We all know that there are rough days getting to Hawaii, Bermuda, and across the Western Carib to Panama (an immediately out of Ft Lauderdale with water splashing out of the pool making it unuseable the first night). The crew will tell you this. But my logic tells me that a larger ship will be a smoother ride.

 

I recently sailed Century and liked her better than the Millenium class ships. Someone on cruise critic said Zenith will be like Century but just smaller. I am sailing on HAL's Veendam in March, so will get a feel for a small ship before I go on Zenith.

 

Is the only cabin on Zenith where you can expect no noise or vibration from the engines (aft), no pitching & anchor sound (foreward) amidship? I booked aft on deck 9 and the agent said, "you know it's noisy back there." I assumed she meant from the engine noise people who have lower cabins complain of, (I thought deck 9 would be far enough above it not to have the noise) but did she mean noise from the grill entertainment? I am ready to change my cabin assignment, even though I wanted to be able to walk out onto the back deck on level 10 or 9.

 

Are the windows in very last cabins on 9 and 10 private, or is it like being on a promenade deck? I can't really tell from the photos I've seen of those back decks if there's a small wrap around, or if the deck railings stop and do not wrap around, and therefore the windows of 9109 and 9104 are private.

 

Help! More information from people who've sailed her is needed! Thanks.

[dmarch@islc.net]

(IMHO) Best ship in the fleet! Service is second to none. Too bad she doesnt seem to be getting the respect she's due from X. Though the crew keeps her in excellent shape, it's time for a major re-fit and balcony upgrade! That, or build a 80,000 ton Zenith II.

[asmitty]

I am getting really excited to be on Zenith 2/20/06, but ya'll have me a little worried about the toilets-backing-up thing (eeeuuuuwh - I guess it happens) and engine noise. We are in 4151 aft - so I guess we will be dealing with that for sure. Oh well, we don't take a cruise to spend a lot of time in our cabin, and maybe we'll be tired enough to not really notice.

I am expecting lots of great things from what I've read! Especially the food!

[jeffs55]

I sure hope they don't add balconies. Much as I like a veranda on a newer ship I like Zenith just the way she is.

I love her wraparound public decks. We sailed Horizon in 93, and I was on Zenith in 2003, and will be again Feb 25. My favorite ship.

[flashdog_1]

One more Zenith question. If the concierge class cabins are the same size as other OV cabins, with no balcony and no fridge, then tell me what is the difference in them and OV besides the perks (Oh yeah, the towels and bathmat, flowers, fruit bowl, canapes, champagne, early debarkation, which I may decide I want again)? I loved those smoothies.

 

I mean is it decorated better? Trying to decide. The cost is about $10 more per day per person.

[Luckyroot]

I have not stayed in CC Class cabin on Zenith (personally I didn't think it was worth the extra money) but I do know that they have a small sofa (really a loveseat I guess) instead of the tiny table and chair you get in a regular cabin. Otherwise they are pretty much the same size as far as I could tell from walking by and looking in.

[patrickc]

Feel much better-- just got a little nervous but I think everyone is right on about scooting into Hamilton W/ Zenith-- and can't beat the food & service! just wish X would bring some ships back to Baltimore for us!! thanks all.. happy Cruising.

[jessemon]

One more Zenith question. If the concierge class cabins are the same size as other OV cabins, with no balcony and no fridge, then tell me what is the difference in them and OV besides the perks (Oh yeah, the towels and bathmat, flowers, fruit bowl, canapes, champagne, early debarkation, which I may decide I want again)? I loved those smoothies.

 

I mean is it decorated better? Trying to decide. The cost is about $10 more per day per person.

Flasdog_1,

We have been on Zenith & Horizon. When on the Zenith they did not have CC cabins then...they were called deluxe. When we went on Horizon they were called CC. Yes, they are the same size as most cabins on the ship (172sf) except the suites. Is it worth taking a CC class cabin...YES. You get the best cabin stewards on board. Ask for something and its done. Select the tpye of pillow you like to sleep on. That deck (from what I have read on Cruise Critic) was refurbished on the last drydock. Oh, by the way...they have fridges also known as mini-bars.

Better towels-flowers for the wife-fruit-champagne-embarkation-(private line to check in-not standing in the maze like cattle) disembarkation 1st off if you like-umberella in cabin-binoculars-it goes on and on.

If it only costs $10.00 more for a CC cabin on the cruise you are going on...please let me know which one it is so I can call my TA or Celebrity. I must be getting over charged. JUST KIDDING!!!! :eek: Seriously...if it is only a slight difference...book it. We have booked one for this Christmas 12/18/06 on the Zenith.

Try not to book a CC cabin under the pool deck. Can be noisey when cleaning-up after a late night deck party. Putting the deck chairs back in place gets loud at times.:mad: Found that out the hard way.

By the way...reread this after posting...you are right...about $20.00 a day...not $20.00 for the cruise. Yes...it is worth it.

Got to cut down on the "BEERS" while posting. :)

[flashdog_1]

Thanks for all the info, but I'm still asking

1) about noise/vibration in the very aft cabins, whether cat 4 on deck 9 or CC on deck 10. No one has addressed this.

 

I stayed in a CC below the waterfall cafe on Millenium. deck 9, and the chairs etc. being scooted early in the a.m. did awaken me.

 

2) mini bars in CC on Zenith. What a pleasure. Sure? That's the first time I've heard that. I thought only suites had them.

 

3) Looking at both deck plans and photo of Zenith, there is something happening aft that I haven't heard addressed. The photo shows a dark portion that corresponds to a "lip" shown on the deck plans for the last aft cabins on decks 9 and 10 off the public deck at the rear. I'm wanting to know if that is walking space so that the windows are not private? Do you know what I mean?

 

4) I thought being near those aft decks would be convenient for catching a smoke, almost like having your own balcony. Is smoking allowed out there?

 

Reason I ask is that originally that's where I was going to book on Century, but when I got there I saw no smoking signs at those stairwells.

 

If there is no vibration that far up, there is smoking on the aft deck, then i can get a CC immediately off that deck. If there IS vibration and no smoking then I can get a midship CC for a smother, quieter ride.

Opinions, please.Thanks.

[pattycakes]

I've stayed on the Bahamas deck 2x -- and its my personal preference. Easy up to the pool and down to dinner, etc. The only concern I would have are the ping pong tables and darts located out the back deck on 9 -- so if your cabin is 2 doors from the door you may have some coming and goings noise from the kids but its really not a high traffic area and you are not at peak summer (kids out of school) season. Other than that, you will feel the Zenith vibrate at times no matter where you are on the boat. My last cruise I was on deck 4 -- much more noise down there -- especially if its rough -- I could actually hear the waves coming (laying in bed trying to sleep I almost lost my cookies). On the Zenith all the windows are private -- there are no cabins on the wrap around deck and the cabins that border the 2 back decks have windows that face the ocean not the deck. There are lounge chairs on deck 10. The back dining deck (where the grill is located) is my favorite place for morning coffee and the aft decks are great for a drink or a smoke. On all public areas (except hallways) smoking is allowed on the port side -- you may have to scrounge up an ashtray but this is exactly why I love being up there and most newbies dont realize the decks are there! On 10 I've heard that there is some noise mostly from moving pool chairs back and forth so its your call -- if you book the CC cabin try to find one that's not under the pool. Bear in mind that they are constantly rearranging the pool area because they have a number of parties/events at the pool at night. Bring a coffee mug -- they only have the small cups. Generally, I'd say be prepared for a rough ride -- its the Atlantic and I haven't had a smooth ride yet -- it will be rough until you hit the Cape going and then coming back (that's been my experience although I've heard tell that it can be smooth as glass). On the AOS in the Carribean in November I was actually surprised at the rough ride and experienced the same vibrations as on Z. The real danger is that should there be a hurricaine there's nowhere else to go but north -- however you have a much better chance of getting to Bermuda with a 7 day cruise than you do with a 5 day. Hope that answers everything for you!

[RickandAnne]

Thanks for all the info, but I'm still asking

1) about noise/vibration in the very aft cabins, whether cat 4 on deck 9 or CC on deck 10. No one has addressed this.

 

I stayed in a CC below the waterfall cafe on Millenium. deck 9, and the chairs etc. being scooted early in the a.m. did awaken me.

Hi, Phyllis,

We have had the last cabin on deck 4 on Horizon (so I assume it is like Zenith) and been subject to the engine noise and last year we had a deck 9 CC cabin about halfway from the aft elevators to the aft of the ship on Millennium. That's near the kitchen and they were dropping "big, heavy stuff" every night. While we won't do either again, the Horizon/Zenith experience was easier to get used to because it was a low constant, vs. the shock of a big bang in the middle of the night. I went up to deck 11 in Horizon and could feel none of the engine vibration so my belief was then that a higher cabin would be okay. (In fact, I'm counting on that on Constellation in March as we have an aft cabin for that cruise and I'm a little concerned about the stern vibration the Millennium class is known for.)

2) mini bars in CC on Zenith. What a pleasure. Sure? That's the first time I've heard that. I thought only suites had them.

3) Looking at both deck plans and photo of Zenith, there is something happening aft that I haven't heard addressed. The photo shows a dark portion that corresponds to a "lip" shown on the deck plans for the last aft cabins on decks 9 and 10 off the public deck at the rear. I'm wanting to know if that is walking space so that the windows are not private? Do you know what I mean?

It's been a while, but my memory is that the railing ends at the back of the aft cabins and there is no walkway around the side of the ship there. I actually have a picture of Zenith as my computer desktop wallpaper and that seems to support my memory (altho not definitively).

4) I thought being near those aft decks would be convenient for catching a smoke, almost like having your own balcony. Is smoking allowed out there?

Celebrity discourages smoking from your balcony and tossing the butt overboard since winds or breezes could blow the lit butt back into a lower portion of the ship. Of course ashtrays on your balcony are okay, but I think there are none in the public spaces like out on the aft of the ship in that area and that no smoking is the policy there.

 

Whatever you decide, have a good cruise.

Rick

[CaribbeanBound]

We were in cabin 5155. We had no problem with our bathroom, and we didn't hear anyone complain about them on our October cruise to Bermuda. As for noise, yes, there is noise (mostly heavy vibration) especially when coming into Port. Consider it a wake up call. We didn't find it to be a big deal.

[newmexicoNita]

my humble opinion ringing in here: we sailed her last month and had a great time with mostly positives but a few negatives. We did have cc class.

 

Good: size of cabins and storage were quite satisfactory.

for the most part the food was very good, especially the meats.

condition of the ship: great considering the age. It was clean,

the wood shiney and everything in tip top condition.

easy to find your way around the ship and never felt crowded nor

did the ship seem as small as it is.

Very friendly casino

Enjoyed CC but wouldn't want to pay much for it. Our cruise was a

great deal.

Granddaughters wedding: the coordinators were outstanding. So was

been nicer.

 

the reception plus one particular waiter by the pool couldn't have

Bad: and nothing was really bad,

Sound: we could hear everything through the walls from our cabin to

the next, especially in the bathrooms: luckily it was our daughters

best friend (like our 3rd daughter) and her husband occupying the

cabin.

for some reason they would not let us put our gratuties on our bill.

I happen to get really bad Lobster, but everyone else's was great.

The escargot was the worst I have ever had.

 

All in all we would not hesitate to cruise her again if the price was right

[LSM1018]

Flashdog, We were on the first cruise out of drydock, and that cruise was one of our best! We currently have an 11 night Ultimate Caribbean booked for 2007, so that tells you what we thought.

 

Thanks for all the info, but I'm still asking

1) about noise/vibration in the very aft cabins, whether cat 4 on deck 9 or CC on deck 10. No one has addressed this.

 

We were in cabin 1095, the last CC cabin on deck 10. It was PERFECT. We have the same cabin booked for our next Zenith cruise. There was one night where there was a slight vibration, but it was almost more soothing than bothersome.

 

I stayed in a CC below the waterfall cafe on Millenium. deck 9, and the chairs etc. being scooted early in the a.m. did awaken me.

 

The chairs above outside the Windsurf Cafe were moved, but never early.

 

2) mini bars in CC on Zenith. What a pleasure. Sure? That's the first time I've heard that. I thought only suites had them.

We did not have a fridge.

 

3) Looking at both deck plans and photo of Zenith, there is something happening aft that I haven't heard addressed. The photo shows a dark portion that corresponds to a "lip" shown on the deck plans for the last aft cabins on decks 9 and 10 off the public deck at the rear. I'm wanting to know if that is walking space so that the windows are not private? Do you know what I mean?

 

There was NO WAY to see in the windows to our cabin.

 

4) I thought being near those aft decks would be convenient for catching a smoke, almost like having your own balcony. Is smoking allowed out there?

 

DH and I both smoke, and there were quite a few others smoking out there, as well as at the tables outside the Windsurf. Deck 10 is only 1 quick flight of stairs to the coffee, which is most important after your room service coffee is gone!

 

Reason I ask is that originally that's where I was going to book on Century, but when I got there I saw no smoking signs at those stairwells.

 

I never saw any no smoking signs in the stairwells, but we only used the stairs up to the Windsurf.

 

If there is no vibration that far up, there is smoking on the aft deck, then i can get a CC immediately off that deck. If there IS vibration and no smoking then I can get a midship CC for a smother, quieter ride.

Opinions, please.Thanks.

To recap, there was a slight vibration one day, and smoking was allowed. You will love this ship. We did. Have a great cruise!:D

[slotaddict]

I am getting really excited to be on Zenith 2/20/06, but ya'll have me a little worried about the toilets-backing-up thing (eeeuuuuwh - I guess it happens) and engine noise. We are in 4151 aft - so I guess we will be dealing with that for sure. Oh well, we don't take a cruise to spend a lot of time in our cabin, and maybe we'll be tired enough to not really notice.

I am expecting lots of great things from what I've read! Especially the food!

 

We were on the 6th floor and there was no toilet problems on that floor. I read that it happens when the seas are rough and we had two very rough days.

[dmarch@islc.net]

Thanks for all the info, but I'm still asking

1) about noise/vibration in the very aft cabins, whether cat 4 on deck 9 or CC on deck 10. No one has addressed this.

 

I stayed in a CC below the waterfall cafe on Millenium. deck 9, and the chairs etc. being scooted early in the a.m. did awaken me.

 

2) mini bars in CC on Zenith. What a pleasure. Sure? That's the first time I've heard that. I thought only suites had them.

 

3) Looking at both deck plans and photo of Zenith, there is something happening aft that I haven't heard addressed. The photo shows a dark portion that corresponds to a "lip" shown on the deck plans for the last aft cabins on decks 9 and 10 off the public deck at the rear. I'm wanting to know if that is walking space so that the windows are not private? Do you know what I mean?

 

4) I thought being near those aft decks would be convenient for catching a smoke, almost like having your own balcony. Is smoking allowed out there?

 

Reason I ask is that originally that's where I was going to book on Century, but when I got there I saw no smoking signs at those stairwells.

 

If there is no vibration that far up, there is smoking on the aft deck, then i can get a CC immediately off that deck. If there IS vibration and no smoking then I can get a midship CC for a smother, quieter ride.

Opinions, please.Thanks.

 

1) Sailed in 1090 twice (4 weeks total), no problems for us but have heard a few others complain about chairs being moved.

 

2) Yes you'll get one in CC, in fact I think they all may have one. Not the coldest fridge though.

 

3) Are asking if there is any access to the other side of the windows of aft cabins? If so, no there is not.

 

4) Bingo! It is like having your own balcony. Try to get as far aft possible on 9 or 10. Yes, you may smoke on the proper side (starboard?) of the ship.

 

David

[BrooklynGirl2]

We cruised on Zenith twice this past summer. Both time we were on Florida Deck (deck 4). We never had any toilet problems and on our September cruise we had some rough seas one night due to an approaching hurricane.

 

We absolutely loved Zenith. The food was always delicious. I especially enjoyed the soups and the appetizers. Rack of lamb was yummy. We enjoy Zenith's size and quiet elegance and met lots of wonderful people on board. The best part of sailing Zenith is her magnificent crew. They are fantastic, warm and efficient. On our second cruise it was like coming home to a welcoming family. We are looking forward to sailing Zenith again this summer.

[flashdog_1]

Some with reduced air to Bermuda and a 15% future cruise credit on one website.

 

Immediate sailings $290 inside, $360 ocean view Check it out if you were contemplating sailing Zenith.

 

One more question. I'm used to the Millenium class, and think I see on the deck plans that you can not get to the pool deck from midship, only foreward and aft. Is this correct? I guess it is the fact that the two pools take up the midship elevator area.