April 9 - Millennium Review - Part II Embarkation

[CaribbeanBound]

Part II - Embarkation

A. Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale

We drove from Charlotte, NC to Port Everglades, FL on Saturday, staying at a local hotel. We then drove to the port on Sunday. We arrived at 10am which was too early as passengers were still disembarking. We returned at 11am, dropped off our baggage and parked the van in the nearby Port Everglades parking lot at a cost of $12/day (credit cards are accepted). Not cheap, but they do provide covered parking, security, and a free round trip shuttle which was waiting for me on both ends. Other than the cost, the worst I can say about the spacious garage is that the elevators are really slow.

 

Celebrity Millennium was berthed at Pier 18. (Of interest to some, the port is really close to the airport --- no more than a 10 minute cab ride). While I was parking the van, my wife tipped our baggage handler $1/bag. (I usually tip $2/bag. You want to make sure the bags reach your room). If you don't offer the tip quick enough, the handlers will let you know, with their hand held out, that they will not refuse a tip if you wish to tip them NOW.

 

B. Security Processing and Boarding

We were in the terminal by 11:10am. It was very disorganized, but a method ensued through the madness. It was clear that they were a little short on personnel. All of the Celebrity personnel were pleasant and kept their cool. There was a pileup of folks attempting to get a numbered ticket which would allow you entry into waiting room number two. The first waiting room was just inside the terminal. You were to wait here until your number was called. After a short wait (5 to 15 minutes) in each room, you were allowed to go through security screening and check-in. Both rooms were reasonably comfortable. Fruit punch and water were offered in room two.

 

There were separate lines for suites, and non-suite, passengers. All lines fed into a very long table of friendly folks processing your boarding documents. We were in line about 15 minutes. Assuming you had already completed all the documents requested, signing in and getting your ship credit card (which is also your cruise ID and cabin key) took no more than 10 minutes for us to get processed. They took your credit card for charges at this point. After check-in we preceded towards the ship. There was a quick wait for the cruise photo (which can be skipped), and then a very short wait to get your cruise card data encrypted with your image at one of two stations. We boarded Millennium and were greeted with a glass of champagne or orange juice. Cabins were to be ready at 1:00pm, so we were directed to the Ocean Cafe on the Resort Deck - 10 for lunch. Hint: locate the Riviera Grill near the Riviera Pool for a grilled hamburger, blackened fish sandwich, or other daily special. While everyone else is in line at the buffet, you could be enjoying a great sandwich with no lines (the first day). The grill will get discovered by day two when folks take to the pool.

 

C. Explore The Cabin

We were in cabin 7101 and 7093, an interior category 9 cabin with 170 square feet. We were located slightly forward of amidships, in the middle of the ship, on the Vista Deck - 7. Interior cabins on this deck are accessed from the Port hallway (which by definition would mean the Starboard exterior cabins had less noise in the hall and would afford a little more privacy than the exterior Port cabins). The cabin was extremely well laid out. Lots of drawers and enough room in the closets for our clothes. The bathroom has lots of room, storage, and a shower. There is a large mirror covering the entire far wall which helps create the illusion of extra spaciousness. Our cabin also had a desk and loveseat-sized couch/hide-a-bed. Hangers and robes were provided. Hint: you can secure additional wire hangers from your cabin attendant. The desk featured a number of informational brochures including Sunday's event newsletter "Celebrity Today". Being Cruise Critic members, we received an invite to the following day's gathering, along with a CruiseConnections pin and a couple of name tags. Our stateroom attendant did a wonderful job throughout our cruise. Of note, we found the inside cabins really easy to sleep in. Since there is no window, the room stays dark --- making it really easy to sleep late or take a nap any time of day. Our kids tuned the TV to the ship's "front of the ship" cam at night. The channel is pitch black of course at night, but will slowly light the room as the sun rises. You can see if you're at sea or in port with a quick glance.

 

D. Tour of Ship and Search For Food

We found sustenance in the Ocean Cafe on the Resort Deck - 10 for a noon buffet lunch. The ship is well laid out with ample sets of stairwells and elevators. The entire week, without exception, we always took the stairs (and pretended that this was sufficient exercise to cover our food intake).

 

E. Lifeboat Drill

About 30 minutes prior to leaving port, we participated in the mandatory lifeboat drill. If you've never been through this drill, a loudspeaker announcement is made for all guests to don their orange life vests and gather at your assigned muster station (as directed by the sign on the back of your cabin door). After waiting for all passengers to arrive, you are directed on the proper use of the vest, and then directed to your assigned lifeboats for additional instructions. You do not board the life boats. A final announcement dismisses all passengers to return the vests to their cabins. The drill went smoothly and lasted about 20 minutes.

 

F. Dinner - 6:30pm First Seating

We were seated at a table for 4 (by request) in the upper level (Entertainment Deck - 5) of the Metropolitan Restaurant, next to the rail overlooking the lower level. A two-story window covers the back of the restaurant (and the ship). Our server, assistant, and Maitre'd did a very good job throughout our cruise.

 

Complete review can be seen on one page at: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/millennium.html