Help! New to X, should I book Millenium for anniv.??

[rosie40]

I want to "upgrade" the cruising experience for my DH for our anniv. He's never been the cruise addict the rest of us are, & we're still trying to convert him ;) We've always done RCI w/ the family in the past. Would love to do Regent, but I don't think I can convince him to invest those kind of $$'s just yet. He really appreciates (as do I) great service, great food, no lines. We've done the Voyager, Freedom class previously, so crowded... and it's just hard to get really good food/service on a ship that large. It was, however, perfect for traveling with the kids. Thinking of maybe doing the Millenium in Jan., just the two of us. Is there really that much of a difference btw X and RCI to make an impression on him? What do you think of the Millenium comp. to RCI's Mariner, Freedom, etc.? Thanks for any info. you can pass along :) Also, although we love kids (have several of our own:)) would like to find a cruise/line that caters less to families for our anniv. trip.

[motherchic]

Hi Rosie,

Now this is only my opinion.....

I love the M class ships, as does my DH. Our first cruise was on RCL, we had a nice time but it was busy, pool over crowded, lot more children and noise etc.. Since then i have cruised with my aunt and friends( Celebrity everytime )and my DH was always very encouraging for me to go and enjoy.

Finally, several years ago i convinced him to go on another cruise with me but on Celebrity. we sailed on the Connie. He has to be the most easy going person on the planet and would never complain but after only 1 day on the Connie he told me he would now cruise with me ANY time that i wanted to. He LOVED it! That is when he finally told me that though he liked the cruise on RCL, if he never had cruised again after that it was ok with him.

We have 4 children, but when we cruise ,by ourselves, we prefer a more adult ratio. If you are able to cruise on the off season, or for more then 7 days you will see less children.

There is not as much onboard activity as RCL. But there are still things to do.

I suggest you join your roll call, meet fellow passengers. We have made some wonderful friendships.

The thallo pool and area is wonderful! We love the champagne as you board. Waiters offering to take your tray and help seat you at your table for lunch. The dining experience is wonderful. Food, very good. Service excellent. We enjoy having breakfast at the far aft of the ship. Sushi in the evening. Afternoon tea. Smiling crew, everywhere.Sitting pool side, listening to music.When re-boarding the ship after a day on the islands celebrity staff is there with a smile and cold towels for your face and hands, on silver trays, Always being able to use the pools or hot tubs.

For myself and my husband, the difference was like day to night. We have sailed all the M class but the Millie but that will be the same, i am sure.

Have a wonderful cruise ( instead of Jan, can you join us on the Summit on Feb 17, Panam canal cruise??? )

Nadine

[rosie40]

Nadine,

All of that sounds wonderful.... I would love nothing better than to join you for a Panama Canal Cruise! What a great itin. we have yet to do. The carib. is becoming a bit tired for us... the same ports. We really just have that 7 day window in Jan. to travel, so this Millenium sailing seems to be my best option so far. That's why I'm particularly interested in the cruising experience itself, not so much the ports to really make it a romantic, relaxing, memorable trip. I was really trying to get a handle on just how much more of a "step up" the cruising aspect would really be. I also wondered about the Concierge Cabins... is it worth upgrading? Do they really provide many more amenities than the standard balcony cabin?

[pattyj 1204]

We celebrated our 38th Anniversary on the Millie. We were served a delicious cake Chocolate creamy cake with candles and the waiters and tablemates sang to us. It made our day. Of course it was formal night and Lobster night, We were offered 2 small tails and it was delicious. You will not be disappointed in either the service, food, ambiance, or accomadations if you choose Celebrity. We have only cruised on X so I can't compare with other ships, but we are so satisfied with everything that I hated to take a chance on another line. My husband never thought cruising would be the vacation for him, but he was more than happy with X. We have only taken 3 cruises, but all were suggested by him. In fact my Med. cruise on the Millie was a Christmas gift from him,. Couldn't believe it. Have fun on your cruise.

[motherchic]

Rosie,

The CC class is very nice. Worth the price? I guess that is a personal opinion. For this cruise, the difference b/w a balcony and an aft balcony CC, for a 14 day cruise was $150/ person. For that cost it was a no brainer. I remember a fellow CC talking about should she or shouldnt she-- the cost was $350/person. For me, that would be way too much to spend on the "extras".....

The flowers in the bedroom, a bud vase in the bathroom, the frette bathrobes,bath mats, extra thick towels, nice linens and duevet cover, also a pillow menu selection, full breakfast menu offered from room service ( including fruit smoothies and granola and yogurt parfaits "very good" ), fruit basket, a welcome bottle of sparkling wine, daily appetizers delivered to your room....all lovely little touches that make you feel pampered

Oh ! another nicety on Celebrity. ON sea days the waiters offer homemade sherbet on silver trays to all the sun worshipers on deck. Very nice, In the evenings waiters walk thru the casino and bars with trays of gourmet "bites"

They always look very good, but we dine at the late seating so that is probably the only food we have not sampled.

At the spa there is a couples ritual offered. You go together and rub each other with "mud" and lotion- then shower together and steam room together. ( i just described that really badly ??!! ) but... it is nice

[rosie40]

Rosie,

The CC class is very nice. Worth the price? I guess that is a personal opinion. For this cruise, the difference b/w a balcony and an aft balcony CC, for a 14 day cruise was $150/ person. For that cost it was a no brainer. I remember a fellow CC talking about should she or shouldnt she-- the cost was $350/person. For me, that would be way too much to spend on the "extras".....

The flowers in the bedroom, a bud vase in the bathroom, the frette bathrobes,bath mats, extra thick towels, nice linens and duevet cover, also a pillow menu selection, full breakfast menu offered from room service ( including fruit smoothies and granola and yogurt parfaits "very good" ), fruit basket, a welcome bottle of sparkling wine, daily appetizers delivered to your room....all lovely little touches that make you feel pampered

Oh ! another nicety on Celebrity. ON sea days the waiters offer homemade sherbet on silver trays to all the sun worshipers on deck. Very nice, In the evenings waiters walk thru the casino and bars with trays of gourmet "bites"

They always look very good, but we dine at the late seating so that is probably the only food we have not sampled.

At the spa there is a couples ritual offered. You go together and rub each other with "mud" and lotion- then shower together and steam room together. ( i just described that really badly ??!! ) but... it is nice

 

Nadine,

Thank you for your comments.... After reading my husband your posts, his immediate response was "book it!!" :D I do think CC would probably be worth it to us. Do you know if CC would, in fact, qualify for 2 RCL cruise credits as the suites generally do?? Now it's just a matter of figuring out which would be the best cabin (no balcony obstructions, etc.) since I'm not at all familiar w/ the X ships. I generally prefer mid ship 7th-8th floors close to elevators... Although that was b/c the Voyager class ships were so large, it was a haul to get to the elevators if your cabin wasn't close...

[motherchic]

hi Rosie,

I copied this response awhile back, hope it helps:

there are some balconies that are larger than normal:

2A: 8160,8146,9173,9138

2B: 7049,7080,7163,7166,7171,7173,7175,7177,7174,

7176,7178,7180

2C:6016,6018,6020,6021,6022,6023,6024,6025,

6026,6027,6029,6030,6031,6033,6034

CC: 9043,9038,9201,9164,9162,9160,

8045,8046,8185,8176,8172,8170

6135,6136,6143,6144,7023,7212,7208,7206

Nadine

[motherchic]

Here is a copy of a response regarding the cabins to avoid :

I keep a record of my personal observations and all posts on the CC message boards regarding good or bad cabin experiences for the Celebrity M Class ships. Here are my bad boys. Unless otherwise noted the problem was usually noise and of course others would differ with me, but here goes:

 

Anything immediately under the pool grill area

Aft cabins on the Sky Deck (unless you like being observed by patrons using the cocktail bar above you)

8108 - There's a picture of the miniscule balcony somewhere on CC

8039 - Obstructed view from window washing device

8041 - Same

8043 - Same

9125

9151

9173 and possibly other cabins nearby - Horrible noise from cafe setup in the wee hours of the morning

7163 - Absolutely no privacy on this deck, completely visable from balconies above

7161 - Same

7159 - Same

9185 - Obstructed View from window washing device

9189 - Same

9193 - Same

Any balcony cabin midships on deck 6 - Amazing view of the lifeboats.

 

Best luck with your choice

Nadine

[rosie40]

hi Rosie,

I copied this response awhile back, hope it helps:

there are some balconies that are larger than normal:

2A: 8160,8146,9173,9138

2B: 7049,7080,7163,7166,7171,7173,7175,7177,7174,

7176,7178,7180

2C:6016,6018,6020,6021,6022,6023,6024,6025,

6026,6027,6029,6030,6031,6033,6034

CC: 9043,9038,9201,9164,9162,9160,

8045,8046,8185,8176,8172,8170

6135,6136,6143,6144,7023,7212,7208,7206

Nadine

 

Thanks!! Is that for the Millenium in particular, or their ships in general??

[rosie40]

Here is a copy of a response regarding the cabins to avoid :

I keep a record of my personal observations and all posts on the CC message boards regarding good or bad cabin experiences for the Celebrity M Class ships. Here are my bad boys. Unless otherwise noted the problem was usually noise and of course others would differ with me, but here goes:

 

Anything immediately under the pool grill area

Aft cabins on the Sky Deck (unless you like being observed by patrons using the cocktail bar above you)

8108 - There's a picture of the miniscule balcony somewhere on CC

8039 - Obstructed view from window washing device

8041 - Same

8043 - Same

9125

9151

9173 and possibly other cabins nearby - Horrible noise from cafe setup in the wee hours of the morning

7163 - Absolutely no privacy on this deck, completely visable from balconies above

7161 - Same

7159 - Same

9185 - Obstructed View from window washing device

9189 - Same

9193 - Same

Any balcony cabin midships on deck 6 - Amazing view of the lifeboats.

 

Best luck with your choice

Nadine

 

Wow, what a wealth of information!! I can't thank you enough :)

Rosie

[motherchic]

good question !!??!!

I know i can say M class for sure, all 4 of them. Not sure about the others.

Its funny-the questions you have i ahve also had for the smaller ships. I love the M class and always wondered if i would be dissappointed in the smaller ships..........

[rebeccalouise]

I have been on the Zenith, Galaxy, Millenium and Constellation. Just when I thought that no ship could surpass the Millenium, I went on the Constellation! Of the two, Constellation is my all time favorite. Having said that, I am sailing on the Millenium next year in Europe and am sure it will be wonderful.

But if I had the chance- the Constellation is the best ship I've ever been on (been on 17). Go, you will LOVE it!