Zenith Review - Apr 22 Cruise

[Up North Cruiser]

I am going to give you a somewhat lengthy review, only because I really enjoy them myself. It helps me to understand the whole cruise experience. Here goes.

 

Embarkation was a breeze. Dropped our luggage off at the designated area, not crowded at all, about 11:30. Parked our car and took a shuttle from the parking lot to the ship entrance building. We had our Express Passes previously filled and printed out and handed them in along with our passports. Being a non-U.S. citizen they kept our passports and gave us a receipt. Make sure you keep that receipt in a safe place because you need to hand them in at the end of the cruise to get your passports back. There was hardly anyone there embarking at that time.

We got our ship pass, got on another shuttle and that shuttle took us to the boat. We were on the ship by 12:00 noon at the latest being handed our glass of champagne and escorted to our room by our stewart.

 

Went and had the buffet for lunch and walked around the ship to familiarize ourselves. We were on Deck 4, inside cabin. We had had balconies on our previous 2 cruises and weren't sure if I would feel a little closed in with no window. Didn't feel that at all. It made us go out more to enjoy the ship.

 

Pros about Deck 4 - Florida Deck

More reasonable rate. Daughter getting married in July so we just wanted to get away at a good rate. We were mid ship and were very pleased with the room. The floor was quiet, never heard anything. There were actually four in our room. Last minute decision on the part of my brother and sister-in-law. The beds come down from the wall on each side of the two singles pushed together so they don't take up any more room in the room. Certainly had to organize our timing for dressing for showers, formal night, etc. but can't say it was difficult. We were still talking at the end of the cruise.

 

Cons

Far from the facilities. Dining room on Deck 7, Showrooms on Deck 7 and 8 and Buffett and pools on Deck 11, spa and hot tubs on Deck 12. Elevators are a bit slow but we managed. We always walked down and sometimes up.

 

I didn't know what to expect reading all about the Zenith, mold in the bathrooms, tired decoration, etc. and yes you can tell it has been around for a while but the beds were comfortable, the room was spotless, didn't really smell anything ie musty, etc. The furniture is dated, just a couple of ordinary chairs but served the purpose. I read that the staterooms were the largest of the bigger ships but I didn't feel that. I thought the rooms were about the same size. Lots of closet space, bathroom just big enough.

 

We had been on two larger ships previous so wasn't sure how that would work out. Didn't necessarily "feel" the difference. We certainly had rough seas going and coming but I never felt threatened. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but everything I needed and more. You can't go on this ship and compare it to a ship over twice the size, you just can't do it.

 

Dining room was nice and comfortable. Food was excellent we found both at the buffet and the dining room. We tried breakfast and lunch in both the buffet and dining room and always had dinner in the dining room. We had late night seating for the first time. Liked it better than early. Have more time to wind down from your day before getting ready for dinner. The entertainment shows were usually at 7:00 for the late sitting and then you ate afterwards. Unfortunately eating so late there wasn't much room left for the trays of "bites" that came around at 11:30 or the midnight buffet. Don't miss the midnight buffet even if just to see. There is just picture taking for the first 1/2 hour.

 

Entertainment

We really enjoyed the entertainment on board. There were two broadway shows, excellent, a comedian who was very good and an australian entertainer of the year who was also good. They also have lounges where you can go to listen and dance as well as a piano bar with a singer at the piano, we loved this. At night they have a fireplace going, nice setting (Michael's Bar). They had a guitar player in the Fleet Bar, but it seemed to be always very cold in there, probably because the weather was cool outside. All in all a fun time.

 

Service

Best ever. I'm not sure if they try harder because of the age of the ship and less amenities but couldn't ask for more. The waiters take your tray at the buffet line and walk you to your seat, they keep your stateroom spotless, they are always working somewhere. The waiters in the dining room were very personable and enjoyed them very much.

 

I really enjoyed this trip. I like the fact that the ship docks and you stay there for a few days. It takes the pressure off to get back in time before it sails and you can come and go 24 hours a day if you wish, eat where you want, when you want. I wish they would do this for other cruises as well. I find by the time you sort of find out where you are going you are leaving and going on to another place. Got a bus pass and we made our way around the island ourselves. Liked St. George the best. It was smaller and easier to get around on foot. It was cool this time of year and would like to go back and try the water and snorkeling. It was great for sightseeing.

 

We arrived about 2 hours late back in NJ because of the weather so disembarkment was late. Because we weren't flying we didn't get off the ship until about 11:30. There were people getting ready to come onto the ship as we were leaving. It was very smooth as well. Went to a room to get back our passports and declaration of goods and then waited until our colour of our bags was called and away we went. There were porters there to take our bags for us to where our car picked us up. No hassle at all. Can't wait to go again.

 

Hope I haven't gone on too long. I know I appreciated all the info I got here before I left. Thanks again for all your help and I am sure I will be off again in the next few months. Cheers,

 

Sue

[BratDet]

for sharing your trip with us.

I will be on the Zenith in June & love reading all about those who have sailed before me..

Bernadette

[cruzin4us]

Reviews like yours is what makes me start counting the days til my cruise!

 

Thanks for a great review on a smaller overlooked ship.

[Vic The Parrot]

Thanks for your input on the finest ship in the fleet.

 

 

I was wondering what happened to the other cruisers sailing on 4/22. :D

 

Reading the nice comments on her 1st Bermuda voyage is making me get even closer in booking a cruise in June. Ahhh..... decisions,decisions

[lesliehr]

Sue,

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to post your detailed review of the Zenith. I really enjoyed reading it.

 

Debbie

[BellaBaci4]

Hi Sue,

 

Thanks for the review! I am so glad you had a good time. We are booked in June on the Zenith. I guess some of the reviews had us a bit apprehnsive. Happy to hear all is well.

Thanks,

Bella

[signman]

Vic, I did a B2B on Zenith in February. Let me know if you have any questions.

[sunandsand23]

Thanks for the great review... counting the days untill Bermuda in June :)

[Lois R]

Glad you had such a good time:)

The service really is outstanding. I leave in 2 weeks for Mercury to

Alaska...lets see how the service on this one compares.

 

Vic, I sailed Zenith in Feb and again in April...if you have any

questions I will be glad to help too:)

[ChoirMom]

Dear Sue,

 

Thank you for your review. Can't wait until 06/03 when we head off to Bermuda on Zenith!

[karensi]

Can anyone please tell me if there is a spa (Sweedish massages, reflexology,etc) on the Zenith? TIA, Karen

[Lois R]

Hi Karen, all the ships have spas on them:). I cannot tell

you if the Swedish Massage is offered on Zenith or not as I didn't

use the facilites but there is a definitely a spa.

[NextOne]

Thanks for the great review! We're really looking forward to our May 27 cruise!

One question - does the Zenith stay on East coast time in bermuda or do they switch to Atlantic time while they're docked?

Thanks!

[pezarino]

Sue -

 

Thanks for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. I love reading all the details. Makes me look forward to our cruise. We'll be leaving for Bermuda on June 10th on the Zenith and are very excited!

[spalady]

Karen

The spa on Zenith is small but very nice

They do all the massages (I have had the Swedish and the seaweed wrap)

I will not have the seaweed again - it is too messy and the shower is too small to clean it off properly

There is not a t-pool on Zenith but all the other spa amenities are

I don't know why but the masseuse (spelling:eek: ) only gets a 10% gratuity. I had her increase it because she did a wonderful massage.

I do ask them not to give me a sales pitch about the products they use because I have a cabinet full of products and don't intend to buy more.

[spalady]

Sue

Thank you for the review

We are leaving 5/20

Friends of ours were on your cruise and told us about the crossings

We were with them last April and the seas were so rough going over many people flew home on Thursday instead of taking a chance on the ship. They were right to do that because the return was a little rough too.

We have our cruise docs and are really getting excited now that it is "official". We love Zenith so much I have already booked for next year!

Thanks again for the review.

Kerry

[Radiance1]

Sue - Thanks for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. I love reading all the details. Makes me look forward to our cruise,but unfornately it is not til May 2007. And that will be our first cruise on a Celebrity ship.

[Up North Cruiser]

Hi Bella: I have been on two bigger ships. You just can't compare them. Take the Zenith for what it is. With the rough seas I never felt frightened just wobbley underfoot. We didn't have storms just very strong winds. Friends of ours wore seabands and they were fine. The ship is wonderful for what it is. People tended to talk more, share your table more. Places to have a quiet read like the library and Michael's Club during the day. It can be more relaxing rather that go, go, go even though we couldn't possibly do all the things there was to do. Afternoon tea every day I think from 4-5 in the buffet restaurant. All kinds of desserts and tea or coffee. Room service around 5 with a plate of cheese and crackers or cookies or both. It can't get any better. Have a great time.

 

Sue

[Up North Cruiser]

The first night you are asked to set your watches ahead 1 hour for Bermuda time. So depending where you are from. If you are on the east coast you would be setting your watch ahead.

 

Sue

[Joanandjoe]

The first night you are asked to set your watches ahead 1 hour for Bermuda time. So depending where you are from. If you are on the east coast you would be setting your watch ahead. Sue

 

Thanks for the info., Sue. We've just added a note to our emergency contact list telling them about the one hour time difference.

[Becky_Mac]

Sue -

 

Thanks for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. I love reading all the details. Makes me look forward to our cruise. We'll be leaving for Bermuda on June 10th on the Zenith and are very excited!

 

 

I am going to be on the June 10th cruise as well. I can't wait!!!!

[tonyjonj]

Thank you for your review. It was helpful. We will be on the Zenith June 10th. Hope we have as good a time as you did. Thanks