Random thoughts from a tired mind...Century Feb17-27

[Danno]

I will do a review but here's some (really) scattered thoughts...

 

-food was very good to excellent. The wraps, in the buffet, were my favorite new addition!!

-Rolando our cabin steward...there was some conflict of opinion as to this person. We found him quiet, professional and very good. We really liked him.

-Zoran may well be the best waiter we have ever had...his assistant Tiger was also very, very good!! These guys never quit smiling, never complained about anything, worked very hard and were always concerned that we were happy with everything.

-beer is overpriced, wine is fairly priced.

-shows exibited marked improvement.

-the new menu is an improvement and the menus themselves (physically) are much nicer.

-Bruce Kidd was a nice change as a CD...new jokes!! Not the same old tired schtick (sp?). Very relaxed and approachable.

-Celebrity brags about it's "no announcement" policy, then goes on to announce, over the PA, when the bingos are :confused: during the mid-day announcements.

-While definitely due for drydock, Century is still in great shape and her "weak" points shouldn't take away from anyone's enjoyment.

-Our servers seemed to have been blessed with one large, empty, table on tip night :mad: ...I sure hope other arrangements were made.

-embarkation was fast...really fast...10 minutes start to finish.

-SMOKING RULES ARE NOT ENFORCED!!! Our friends may not cruise again for this reason...Dave spent a lot of time sneezing and suffering because of these a$$es..."over" perfuming is also a bit of a problem.

-America's Cup is a really great excursion ...best we've ever been on. It can get scary for those not prepared for the heeling, the spray, the waves...we had a couple on our (winning :) ) boat True North IV, that I'm sure won't agree with my endorsement.

-Dave said the diving in St.Lucia was the best he has ever seen.

-Widadly is a great beer...so is Banks.

-Dave, our friend, doesn't seem to grasp what a "Do Not Disturb" sign means :eek: ... Gotta love newbies!!

-Dear ESTER I love you!!! WOW!!! ;)

-loved the "ladder guy"!!

-the Bon Voyage package drink package is a good idea!! Orange rum and tonic is a great pre-dinner drink...really!! Bombay Saphire is also a very fine gin (thanks "C")

-some folks brought their own drink booze in thermal mugs, to the pool, got very drunk and noisy...riff raff. This is what can happen if booze is not controlled.

-Grand Buffet...wow again.

-love the fresh, soft pretzels!!

-heard Spanish Eyes, no less than 3 times...yukkk.

-forget the Captain's Club functions...WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE!! More than 60% of the pax had standing.

-few kids this sailing.

-The Sky Bar...I don't get it??

-To the lady at the Guest Relations Desk the final morning, the ship will roll, with or without, stabalizers, in 25' seas...it IS NOT the Captain's fault!! Next year, consider a hotel perhaps.

-chair hogs are alive, well and uncontrolled...what do you do about these rude people?? They had better solve this problem...some people almost came to blows.

-way too much "marketing" going on constantly...gets to be like cruising in a shopping mall. Every talk, by the CDs, ends in a sales pitch. Signs everywhere!!

-why does Toronto have the most expensive landing fees in the world and worn out, tired, equipment in the terminals?? Could the FLL terminal please indicate which baggage belts are unloading for which flights.

-noticed two other people reading Chester's book.

-it's zero degrees here, 4 feet of snow, and I ate lunch off the catering truck...our cruise is over.

[imacruizer]

What time did you get to the pier? You mentioned embarking took about 10 minutes. Good news! Thanks for all the additional information. Very helpful!

[Danno]

Got to the pier about 11am...in the cabin by 11:20...buffet by noon.

[hdawson]

Agreed. Widadly beer is great. Also the soft drink Ting.

[imacruizer]

Dan, thanks so much. We leave on the Century (our first Celebrity cruise) next week. Our information tells us check does not begin until 1 PM. We have always gone to the pier much earlier and usually gotten on ships earlier. Sounds like we need to continue with our plan to arrive at the pier before noon.

[Danno]

If the ship encounters weather coming in...you may find check in pushed back...they work hard to make the ship ready ASAP, but sometimes circumstances don't allow it.

[Lois R]

Hi Dan:) glad you had a good time...even with the small

negatives.

 

Next time I step on her will be after her upgrade...I do hope that

her ambiance will still be palpable after the overhaul.

 

Welcome home:)

[Danno]

Thanks...and they are small, correctable issues...the smoking was worst I've ever encountered, and there's no blaming the Europeans this time.

 

another point...a great cruise starts with nice table mates...thanks to John and Shirley from the "lake head"...for putting up with us, Dave, and Saint Dale (you would have to know Dave to understand :p )

[more mangos please]

Danno: Ever sail the M-class ships? We noticed almost no smoke/smokers on our last trip.

[nparmelee]

"Danno: Ever sail the M-class ships? We noticed almost no smoke/smokers on our last trip."

 

Wow!!! You lucked out! We thought it was pretty bad on the Summit last April in certain areas. DH was really good at stearing me through those areas as quickly as possible. On that cruise most people were observing the side and areas to smoke, except in the casino.

[flamingos]

Thanks...and they are small, correctable issues...the smoking was worst I've ever encountered, and there's no blaming the Europeans this time.

 

another point...a great cruise starts with nice table mates...thanks to John and Shirley from the "lake head"...for putting up with us, Dave, and Saint Dale (you would have to know Dave to understand :p )

 

Where, specifically, did you find smoking to be a problem? We're sailing the Century in April, our first X cruise.

[Danno]

Smokers didn't stay in smoking areas, and they were not told to do so...it won't ruin your cruise, but it should be corrected. Do what non-smokers have done for years, just move to another spot.

[Andy]

Hi Dan !

 

I am glad you had a great time. Any comments on the new Menus ? I believe I heard they are on Century now.

[Danno]

I don't know if the new menu was a great improvement or a welcome change...either way it was very enjoyable. It was nice to look at the menu and see interesting dishes that made me curious...well done.

[Danno]

It just occured to me...I, as an Elite/Founder/Poobah/Elder/Lord High Priest, never got an invitation to dine with a senior member of the crew...couldn't be the SHEER NUMBER of Captain's Club members, could it??

 

I would have declined...we had a great table :D .

[woodofpine]

I wonder if your waiter was the fellow we had on Summit over New Years three years back... Thin, young (late 20's, 30-ish), short slightly spikey brown hair... from Hungary I thought, and at the time we had him a fairly recent acquisition from the floundered Renaissance Line. That Zoran was very personable and professional, friendly and polished...

[Danno]

Our Zoran was heavy set, about 5-9, never quit smiling...from Masadonia.

[Andym]

Danno,

Standing by Guest Relations can be the best entertainment you can get on a cruise ship.

[Andy]

Danno,

Standing by Guest Relations can be the best entertainment you can get on a cruise ship.

 

Hi Andy !

 

I know what you mean. I have seen a lot of Crazy stuff go on there. I feel the Guest Relations people have a very hard job, as they have to take a lot from the passengers.

 

I always like to go over to them, and tell them that we are having a wonderful time, and we appreciate their great service. I always try my best to make the Crew feel very appreciated, as I am SURE they do not hear it enough.

[floridacruisers]

As an Elite/Founder blah-blah member(First cruise on X in April'92), we have only recently gotten invitations to the "Captains" table. All in all, unless your with a group of deadheads ( not the Jerry Garcia type) you are better off at your own table. It is fun every now and then especially for all the flowing vino. I think the social hostess makes the choices. Don't have a clue as to her guidelines either. I think after what you posted, X will be looking for you on your next cruise. You have earned it.

[Danno]

I wasn't disappointed at all, I've dined at the Captain's table, it was a great experience, but one I would leave for those who have not done it...I just noticed that it's a Captain's Club "perk"...no loss.