Millennium LIVE Suite Review w/ Kid (3/3-3/7)

[GenerationX]

Sharing some info in our room about captain’s club and retreat activities as well as the Camp at Sea schedule.

 

 

 

 

[Chriskoo]

@GenerationX I’m loving your review/updates as usual! Especially interested in your unique perspective travelling with your daughter. My husband and I leave our kids with their grandparents when we cruise (that’s why it only happens once every two years lol), but I love the idea of a mother/daughter getaway - you make it look so fun!

[GenerationX]

Well I must say, Mini Me is going to be quite spoiled by this cruising experience.  Staying in a Celebrity Suite and now the ship so empty that she has both outdoor pools all to herself.

 

While we’re relaxing, sharing some more info on kid-specific experiences onboard.

 

When we got to our stateroom yesterday there was an envelope with Gen Z’s name on it that had her wristband to wear throughout the cruise with her muster station on it.  On the stateroom tv’s there’s a kid-friendly version of the safety instruction video that uses animated characters and kid-appropriate language to teach what to do in the event of an emergency.  I don’t think it was required that Gen Z watch the kid version but if you’re sailing with kids I very much recommend it.  It conveys the important messages in a way kids will remember without scaring them.

 

On the first day there was an open house from 2-4pm at Camp at Sea where we got to have a tour, meet the full staff and complete her camp registration form.  I remember sticking my head in the camp area on Infinity on Jeremy and I’s wedding cruise and thinking the place looked kind of dark, run down and not much fun.  It looks like as part of the revolution the camp facilities got a much needed upgrade.  The place was spotless, very colorful and all the furniture, toys and carpets looked brand new.  There are areas within the club for the 3-5, 6-9 and 10-12 age groups, but again with so few kids aboard, Gen Z has had her pick of areas and activities.  As someone mentioned, there’s a large STEM component to the activities offered. Gen Z was very excited about the robotics and coding toys and the science mystery games.  

 

The staff were all very warm and friendly.  When I spoke with the head of the kids program she told me that all crew working in the camp are required to have child care experience, are fully background checked and go through extensive training including on working with children with special needs. As we went in and did the tour, I noted that the kids club area is well covered by security cameras and even as an admittedly overprotective mom, I felt very comfortable leaving Gen Z there.

 

At camp check in each child is temperature checked and required to wash their hands thoroughly.  Right now, the camp requires the kids to wear masks at all times in the club, regardless of vaccination status.  Mini Me has that rule at school as well so it didn’t bother her.  The camp staff even had a kids’ celebrity mask delivered to our stateroom for her.  There weren’t many toys out on the shelf when we toured because apparently everything is thoroughly sanitized between cruises and after being used/touched by each kid (much easier to keep track off when you just pull things out as needed).

 

Each night it looks like in addition to the regular daily, a separate flyer is left on our bed with more info on the camp activities for the next day.

 

I’ll continue to report on Gen Z’s adventures throughout the cruise but of course if anyone has any kid-related questions or things you’d like me to investigate, just let me know!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mchell810]

Dragging Mini Me off the dance floor at 10:45pm ---- the apple definitely does not fall far from the tree! 🤣🤣

[GenerationX]

2 hours ago, Chriskoo said:

@GenerationX I’m loving your review/updates as usual! Especially interested in your unique perspective travelling with your daughter. My husband and I leave our kids with their grandparents when we cruise (that’s why it only happens once every two years lol), but I love the idea of a mother/daughter getaway - you make it look so fun!

Thank you!  I love our annual mother daughter trip.  It’s a nice chance to spend some time really focused on enjoying each other without all the other work/school/life stuff distracting.  
 

So far I’m really liking the experience cruising with her.  Jury is still out on whether I think Celebrity would have enough to keep her entertained for a full 7 day itinerary.  But on the other hand we’d probably have better ports and more shore activities to keep her amused on a longer cruise. For right now I’m thinking a 4-5 day cruise is the sweet spot on Celebrity with a kid, but we’ll see how restless she seems by Nassau.

[MarKay525]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

Beautiful. Colorful. Perfectly composed. Christmas-card-update-letter worthy for sure.

[jcpc]

51 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Thank you!  I love our annual mother daughter trip.  It’s a nice chance to spend some time really focused on enjoying each other without all the other work/school/life stuff distracting.  
 

So far I’m really liking the experience cruising with her.  Jury is still out on whether I think Celebrity would have enough to keep her entertained for a full 7 day itinerary.  But on the other hand we’d probably have better ports and more shore activities to keep her amused on a longer cruise. For right now I’m thinking a 4-5 day cruise is the sweet spot on Celebrity with a kid, but we’ll see how restless she seems by Nassau.

I think Celebrity would have enough to keep your daughter busy on a 7-day cruise if you cruised during the summer months or during February/April vacation weeks (not sure if your school system has a February or April week-long break.  We have such breaks here in the Northeast).  If you take Mini-Me on a 7-night cruise in July or August you'll find that the ships are loaded with families and children and that the Children's Programs are really full.

[GenerationX]

Friends, I regret to inform you that I have been ditched for Camp at Sea this afternoon.  I’m having some me time on the veranda with a Pinot trying not to take it personally.

 

After spending our morning at the pool, Cami and I went to the pool grill for lunch where she consumed two plates of hot dogs and fries then we went to the gelateria for dessert.

 

The gelato place is an additional charge but I think Captain’s Club members at a certain level get 1 bowl free per cruise, so we didn’t have to pay.

 

If you go, I suggest a scoop of the dulce de leche flavor with a scoop of vanilla to cut the richness some.  Delicious!

 

I’ll sip my wine and read for about an hour then I’m going to stop by the Retreat lounge to make Sushi on 5 reservations for us, Red and Indy for tomorrow’s sea day lunch.

 

Then I’ll pick Gen Z up from camp and we’re off to the Retreat guest helipad sail away from Key West.  Tonight we’re having dinner at Le Petit Chef followed by the poolside production Latin dance show.

 

 

 

 

 

[jcpc]

Being ditched for "Camp at Sea" sounds all too familiar to me.  A few years ago we did a family cruise.  At dinnertime, we had to pry my niece's then 6-year old daughter away from the Kid's Club to have dinner with us.  She rushed through her Luminae dinner (chicken fingers and fries) so she could re-join the Kid's Club. 

 

My prediction is that your adorable little Mini-Me will be hooked on cruising after this mini-vacation.  But methinks you should have started off "small"......not with first class flights and a Celebrity Suite. Maybe you could have started off with "premium economy" and a balcony cabin.   You have nowhere to go but "up" now......Royal Suite or Penthouse is next! 

[GenerationX]

In today’s edition of Things I’m Glad I Don’t Have to Do to Make a Living:  Just watched as the Key West local harbor pilot made the climb on a suspect looking rope ladder from our swiftly moving ship onto that tiny rocking boat bumped right up against us to get his ride back to port. You could not pay me enough.

 

 

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

1 hour ago, jcpc said:

Being ditched for "Camp at Sea" sounds all too familiar to me.  A few years ago we did a family cruise.  At dinnertime, we had to pry my niece's then 6-year old daughter away from the Kid's Club to have dinner with us.  She rushed through her Luminae dinner (chicken fingers and fries) so she could re-join the Kid's Club. 

 

My prediction is that your adorable little Mini-Me will be hooked on cruising after this mini-vacation.  But methinks you should have started off "small"......not with first class flights and a Celebrity Suite. Maybe you could have started off with "premium economy" and a balcony cabin.   You have nowhere to go but "up" now......Royal Suite or Penthouse is next! 

I think you’re probably quite right!  In retrospect, that minimum move up bid I was so proud of winning will in the long run likely end up costing me thousands more!

[GenerationX]

It’s been a fun afternoon on Millennium!

 

When I stopped into the Retreat lounge to talk to Milca about sushi reservations, I caught the end of afternoon tea.  I don’t think I’ll ever pass up a crab salad roll and/or warm scone when it’s offered.

 

After my afternoon snack I picked Gen Z up from camp (where she actually had a 7 year old playmate this afternoon!) and we went to the Retreat guest helipad Sailaway.  The crew were passing out different flavors of margaritas and we got to mingle with some of the ship’s officers and directors. On the way back to our room, Gen Z discovered the wonders of the free dessert case at Cafe al Bacio.

 

While she ate her red velvet cupcake (which she gave 2 thumbs up) we watched the harbor pilot stunt show.

 

Looks like we’re going to have quite a sunset tonight.  Time to start getting ready for dinner!

 

 

 

 

 

[39august]

So, you were docked in Key West today?  Guess some ships are going back there. We are scheduled in May , but didn't expect to actually dock there. 

[maggieq]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

It’s been a fun afternoon on Millennium!

 

When I stopped into the Retreat lounge to talk to Milca about sushi reservations, I caught the end of afternoon tea.  I don’t think I’ll ever pass up a crab salad roll and/or warm scone when it’s offered.

 

After my afternoon snack I picked Gen Z up from camp (where she actually had a 7 year old playmate this afternoon!) and we went to the Retreat guest helipad Sailaway.  The crew were passing out different flavors of margaritas and we got to mingle with some of the ship’s officers and directors. On the way back to our room, Gen Z discovered the wonders of the free dessert case at Cafe al Bacio.

 

While she ate her red velvet cupcake (which she gave 2 thumbs up) we watched the harbor pilot stunt show.

 

Looks like we’re going to have quite a sunset tonight.  Time to start getting ready for dinner!

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing your vacation with us again!   Beautiful young lady!  She will have wonderful memories.     Enjoy every second.  😊  

[GenerationX]

Good morning from the open ocean!

 

It’s been a recurring issue for me that wifi on this cruise is terrible in the evenings, so while Mini Me is sleeping off yet another night of fun, it’s morning veranda tea and catch up posts time.

 

After Gen Z and I got dressed in last night’s ensembles (she picked these dresses from a catalog herself!), we went on a pre-dinner walk around the ship.  

 

She was fascinated with the small historical exhibit tucked away outside of the casino on the White Star Line Olympic ocean liner (sister vessel to the most famous/notorious cruise ship ever).  I stumbled upon it when I got turned around on my way to the retreat lounge earlier in the day and couldn’t wait to show it to Gen Z, who’s favorite subject is history and who has a particular interest in The Ship That Shall Not Be Named While I’m on a Ship.  (Yes, I’m aware there’s not a huge iceberg problem in the Caribbean Sea.  I’m just superstitious and prefer not to jinx things.) Anyway, Gen Z’s reactions to the photos and artifacts did not disappoint. At one point she spotted an awesome picture of two lady passengers and said “Look mama, they were on a girls cruise too!” and started mimicking their very period photo pose.

 

We still had some time to kill before dinner started at LPC (separate dinner report post to come), so we went to Cafe al Bacio where she got a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream (and ANOTHER cupcake from the dessert case) and I got a French Kiss and we sipped them while watching the onboard strings duo perform in the grand plaza.

 

After dinner where, spoiler alert, GenZ and I had a BLAST, we got back to the room to find a surprise that put the cherry on top of Gen Z’s night. Her favorite animal is the elephant and she made several pieces of art in camp featuring it which have been sitting on the desk in our suite. Tonight at turndown, our awesome stateroom attendant Arnel must have seen the artwork and left a towel animal elephant on her bed, and arranged her stuffed animals to have a Pokémon reading party. 

 

Somehow I feel like at some point today I’m going to have to make an appointment with future cruises to get something booked for Gen Z and I’s sailing. 

 

Agenda for today: 

 

-Breakfast in Luminae

-The ship’s behind the scenes galley tour

-Check out the Retreat deck and read by the pool 

-Lunch with Red and Indy at sushi on 5

-World wine tasting for GenX and a kids club paper airplane building & decorating class for Gen Z

-Retreat Lounge senior officer’s party

-Dinner in Luminae (they finally updated the menu to include lobster, yay!)

-Magician show in the theatre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

A quick suggestion for the parents following who are considering sailing Celebrity with your little ones:  budget for extra cash tipping funds.

 

I say this for 2 reasons that I’ve learned on this trip:

 

1) I always try to show my appreciation for the crew members who go the extra mile to give me excellent service and make my cruises special.  However, this mama bear has learned my mindset is also: Go above and beyond for me and I want to tip you generously.  Go above and beyond for my kid and I want to like buy you a house. 

 

2) I’ve noticed that sailing with Gen Z with me, the crew open up to me a lot more about their own children back home.  For example, we got outstanding service last night in Al Bacio from a server named Vita.   She was so good with Gen Z and it turns out it’s because she has a 4 year old daughter at home…who she won’t get to see for another FOUR MONTHS.  In Tuscan the first night we had an excellent assistant waiter (I need to go back and get her name for my post cruise survey) who has a daughter at home who is only TWO.  Our waiter had just recently started his contract and has a 7 year old at home.  My working mom guilt is very real and I often get very hard on myself for all the school plays, field trips, etc. that I have to miss and the times my child has to be at after school care till close or left behind as I jump on a plane for a last minute work emergency.  But it sunk in for me this cruise that my sacrifice is NOTHING compared to what the parents on the crews are doing, also so that they can give their kids the best life and education possible. I can’t even imagine what it’s like for these folks working away from their young kids for months on end.  I want to tip every one them who’s gone out of their way for Gen Z and I like 5 grand and a first class upgrade for their next flight home (if I get SUPER lucky in the casino this cruise I’ll seriously do that).

 

I had to message my husband this morning and give him a heads up that there would be another withdrawal from the joint account showing up in the next day or so.

 

Ok, sorry for waxing emotional there.  This just struck a chord for me.  Next up, all about LPC!

[TPCRUISER2]

Gen X: Your Mini Me is adorable. And yes, I can already guess Gen Z will not longer settle for land base vacations with you or both of her Parents.

And thank you for mentioning the crew, a lot of passengers have no clue what their lives entail and what they sacrifice to make a dollar. 

Will be following for more fun festivities!

 

[GenerationX]

Gen Z and I are settled in on the breezy pool deck after an excellent breakfast in Luminae. Gen Z said her French toast tasted even better than it looked and I forgot how good the Luminae eggs Benedict are.

 

We briefly tried to go up the Retreat Sundeck but with the ship at sea it was far too windy up there to even come close to being enjoyable.  I was scared my tote bag would blow right off my shoulder into the ocean.

 

Before we even got our towels set up, our pool server from yesterday, Chalee was next to us handing us cold waters and offering to get me a mimosa.

 

While I drink it and Gen Z swims, a report on dinner at LPC:

 

There are several different LPC shows/menus across the Celebrity fleet and the night I booked was the last show/menu I hadn’t done before.  I think this one was the best menu and food out of all the shows I’ve done.  The first course in the show was a tomato and pine nut salad but due to Gen Z’s nut allergy we did the alternate option of the French onion soup (FYI when you pick the alternative, the show still shows the chef cooking the regular option).  The soup was just as good as the French onion soup in the French bistro on Edge.  

 

The next course was a cheese and mushroom ravioli in creamy truffle sauce.  Mini Me doesn’t like too much mushrooms so she had the roasted an alternative of the roasted chicken.  That ravioli was sooo good! I think it was like the best thing I’ve had on this ship so far.  Gen Z also raved about how good her chicken and the sauce it was served with were.

 

Course 3 was one of Gen Z’s favorite meals: steak frites.  The filet was super tender and well seasoned and I’m pretty sure they fried those frites in duck fat and I was all for it!

 

Dessert was a green tea matcha cake with white chocolate “chop sticks”.  I thought it was just ok, kind of reminded me of some of the oceanview cafe cake offerings, but Gen Z declared it the best dessert ever, so maybe I’m just aged out of the target audience.

 

I really missed the option of purchasing a set of designated wine pairings for each course like LPC had on Equinox, but the sommelier brought me a Sauvignon blanc to go with my first two courses and a Shiraz to go with my steak.

 

Our server Apong was also fantastic.  Gen Z’s chicken course was served bone on and she was struggling to cut it with her fork and knife (she has some fine motor skill delays that she goes to physical therapy for).  I was reaching to pull her dish over to help cut it for her but Apong swooped in and told me to please enjoy my entree and he carved everything up for her lightening fast.  Then he made sure to come back as soon as the steak course dropped to cut that for her as well.

 

I’d say the animation and story components of the LPC experience is the most kid focused thing Celebrity offers and I was anxious to hear what Gen Z thought.  I could tell from her expressions during the meal that she was thoroughly entertained.  She enjoyed it so much in fact that she begged to go back for a different show and menu on the last night of the cruise.  Guess we gotta spend that Retreat booking OBC somehow!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RickT]

I know everyone’s taste is subjective but wondering what you and Mini-me think of the musicians?  Love listening to the house band and guitar players.  On the Millie in about 2 weeks and can’t wait.

[Reel Love]

4 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Good morning from the open ocean!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are these the dresses that your darling daughter chose for both of you?  They are absolutely fabulous!!!!   As always, thoroughly enjoying your review :)   

 

[maggie.1008]

Mini me is so darling. What a lucky girl 

[Azulann]

I am so enjoying your posts on your mother/ daughter's first cruise, report. 

As a mother of two grown sons, I imagine I would have done the same trip if I had a daughter. 

 

[travelwide]

Glad to hear both of you are having a great time. 

Can you please inquire as to how many passengers will be boarding on Monday. I know numbers are fluid but would like an estimate. Have 1 for me. 🥂

[weacat]

I have really enjoyed reading your posts and have read most of your others for the last few months.  We have an 8 year old who we take on our cruises and she loves Celebrity.  Much like your mini me - she is a very adventurous eater and enjoys the camp even when she's the only one there.  I might have to consider a Mom & daughter cruise now - sounds like a lot of fun!

 

Enjoy the rest of your time.

[GenerationX]

It’s Evening Chic Night on Millennium!  Gen Z even got a photo with the senior officers from her first cruise.
 

Full report on the evening to come!