"LIVE" from the*NEW*Century 01/27/07

[wrp96]

Looking forward to another great Live from thread from you Radio!!

 

BTW, which terminal is Century using?

[slotaddict]

Bon Voyage Radio. After you and Andy have a waffle for Texed, have one for me as well. Looking forward to your postings, you are on my favorite ship. I think I am going to have to jump back on the Century very soon.

Have a great trip.

[Radio]

Hello everyone.... I am on the ship, and the ship has just left Miami. (5:15PM) the first ship out was the Carnival Triumph, we were 2nd. The Voyager and Explorer are still at the dock.

OK...here's how things went today. I left the hotel at about 11:15m, and arrived at the Port of Miami and parked my car by 11:45. I walked in to Terminal 10 (next to the NEW unfinished NCL Terminal). I couldn't believe how fast I was checked in. There were maybe 10 passengers for about 40 Check In reps...It was very quick. I was on board Century at 11:55!! Wow.....

I will discuss details of the new work throughout the week, bet my very first reaction was "This is breath taking".

In the "Dawn of a New Century" Publication, (I received last March on a Celebrity Seminar at Sea) Celebrity writes" The revitalization will not only enhance guests' voyages, but also offer a more consistent experience across the fleet" This is an understatement of the whole deal. The ship feels like the Millennium. I am not saying that the Century was bad in any way, because I have written previously about how beautiful she is. It is just that the makeover of Century will make her typical of the amenities found on the Millennium Class, that I think is truly what Celebrity wants to be.

The Spa refurbishment was spectacular with all the treatment rooms, pedicure thrones, and even a Barber Shop!, and I think that the Galaxy and Mercury will be soon to follow...... But that is just the opinion of Radio.... (I thought the same thing about the work done on Enchantment that would soon be followed with a stretch on Grandeur....Oooops)

My connection is not bad, it is about 220kps….Not cable, but not to bad…

We should be in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on Monday at 10AM.

Thanks for tuning in...

Radio

I made it to the Port of Miami

 

 

 

There is the CENTURY !

 

 

 

 

Almost on board. . .

 

 

Ahhh... I Made it to my Cabin...Very Nice

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Here are a few more pics... I will be able to post tomorrow, while we are at sea...To see many more pics, just click on my Cruise Photo Page below...

 

I should be able to post some menu's tomorrow...

 

Radio

 

Grand Foyer

 

 

 

 

New Sunset Bar

 

 

 

 

 

Pool Deck

 

 

 

 

New Spa Salon

 

 

.

[Ma Bell]

Radio, thanks so much for the great reporting and wonderful photos.:) Relax and have a terrific cruise.

[lcds1]

AH! Thank you for posting this....We are on her Feb. 10th..and right now

are under a snow blizzard warning! So seeing your pics makes me know

we WILL be out of the S stuff soon. Thanks again!

[FLAgator]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing! We didn't get a chance to see the spa when we were there last week.

 

Have a great cruise!

[emcee207]

We just booked the same cruise for 2/10, can't beleive how lucky we are to have stumbled on this thread!! Thank you Radio!!

We are a 3 time Celebrity cruise couple, all on Constellation. We were looking for a last minute 7 dayer but after almost going the RC or Princess route we decided we just had to stay with Celebrity. Thrilled to be going on Century!!

We too are interested in the menu's and info on Murano's.

I'll be waiting anxiously for any and all info.

Thanks again

[Radio]

Hello everyone! Today is our sea day on board Century. We are very close to Cuba on the NE side, near Cayo Ramano. The ship was alive yesterday with anticipation, about the cruise. There are many first time cruisers, with a lot of veterans as well. (The Captains Club Hostess told be there are 50 elite members on board)

I went to the Welcome Aboard show last night, and the “Cat’s Pajamas” were the hit of the night. They were truly loved by all passengers. The Celebrity singers and dancers were OK, but it was the first night, and we’ll see how things go for them….

The Jet Lagger’s Party was held in the Hemisphere Lounge at 11PM, but this guy was unable to stay up for that ….. Yesterday was a long day, and I was down by 10PM. The Casino was very nice to Radio last night, and I hope that will be a preview of things to come. For all of the Coffee lovers out there, I can highly recommend visiting the Cova Café. I had 2 Café Americano’s last night, and I can suggest that might have been one of the best cups of coffee that I have had. . . ever! I must find out how to purchase that coffee. (Maybe I can order On-Line) I will be a regular at the Cova Café.

Today there will be many activities, starting with the Discover Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman Shopping Show in the Celebrity Theatre. There is a Culinary Demo in Rendez-Vous Square. A Slot and Poker tournament will be held today, as well as an Acupuncture Lecture. Pool Olympics will start this afternoon, and the Enrichment Lecture will be held in the Cinema. Tonight is formal night, and the Production show will be “Shout” Hosted by our CD, Dru Pavlov. (He is very entertaining, and seems to be loved by most of the passengers. The Formal Dining will include Farafelle, Halibut, Gulf Shrimp Marseillase, Roasted Pork Loin and Tornedos Forestiere. Tonight will also offer Casual Dining in the Island Café ($2 PP), and Sushi Bar (NC).

There are many, many more activities scheduled for today…I will post all of the Celebrity Today guides when I return.

The TV programming is discussed on the Cruise Critic Boards frequently, so I thought I would post the selection guide for you…Here it is:

14 TV Guide

15 Celebrity Channel (Celebrity Today (Daily Show w/Dru Pavlov) and Onboard Shop Ad’s)

16 Shore Excursions

17 Celebrity Info Channel

18 Port and Shopping Channel

19 Ship Cam

20 CNN / CNN INTL

21 ESPN / ESPN INTL

22 Cartoon Network

23 Sea TV

24 National Geographic Channel

25 Movie Channel

26 Celebrity Classics Channel

27 CBS Eye on Celebrity Cruises

28 Headline News / Discovery Channel

29 TNT Movies

30 Country Music

31 Easy Listening

32 Comedy Sitcoms (Reba, Raymond etc.)

33 Navigation Channel

43 Preview Channel (Pay per View Films)

Today’s (In Cabin) Movies are Chicken Little, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Dreamer, Just Friends, Separate Lives, Just Friends. The Cinema will feature The Family Stone, and An Unfinished Life. For those who have wondered. . . The Flat Panel (Samsung)TV’s in the cabin are unable to accept inputs cable from your favorite device (Laptop, Vid Games etc) you can connect cables, but the Input select has been disabled.

I first sailed Century in March of 1996, while Century was brand new. She was the Flagship of the fleet back then, and passengers were amazed about what Century had to offer. She was the first Celebrity Ship with Balconies. The Images Sports Bar was something everyone loved, and Celebrity celebrated SONY products with a dedicated SONY Shop on Board the Ship. The In Cabin Casino Channel was ahead of its time. Things have changed, like the purchase of Celebrity Cruises by RCCL, a new Brand Logo, and cuts seem to be everywhere but the ambience of Celebrity Cruises remains to be a step above some other lines. There are some things that I think Celebrity could do better, like Captains Club Benefits for one. But I think that it would be very hard to purchase a 5Night Cabin to the Caribbean on Century in 1996 for $349!

I will try to post pics to Cruise Critic a little smaller, due to the Bandwidth and connection speed. You can view many more pics on Radio’s Cruise Page (Just Click below)

I will post more later today. . . Thanks for tuning In.

Radio

 

 

 

Sail Away Saturday w/ Flags and Moon

 

 

 

Miami Beach / South Beach at Sail Away

 

 

 

Aqua Spa Barber Shop

 

 

 

Island Cafe / Early Sunday Morning

 

 

 

Pool Deck / Sunday Morning

 

 

.

[JWJs]

Radio ~ WOW! I can hardly wait for your next "Live" From the *New* Century installment. Love your cruise notes, pictures and your timing of getting them posted. BTW...the Auto Train sure looks like a fun way to get down the coast to Florida. If you get a chance could you post a picture of the waffles? I heard about the fabulous X waffles prior to our 12/17/06 Millennium cruise but didn't get a chance to get them.

 

Thanks for sharing your real time cruise notes and pictures. I'm in awe.

[eroller]

Thanks for your posts and pics Radio! I'm really enjoying it as I embark CENTURY this Thursday as you disembark. Like you, I sailed on CENTURY in 1996 during her inaugural year and just loved the ship. From what I have seen, she looks better than ever (especially those beautiful cabins!). Please keep the posts and pics coming .... very enjoyable!

 

Ernie

[ChesapeakePaddler]

Ditto on the thanks Radio. We are booked on a B2B on the Century on 2/1/07. Reading your post has us talking more about the cruise. What makes the waffles so good people are talking about them? Have a great time. Looking forward to your updates!

[Host Anne]

Radio ~ you're reports are making me want to be right back on board with you!!! You're reports are wonderful. Thanks so very much for taking the time to "report" and make us feel like we're sailing with you.

 

ENJOY!

[signman]

Mark,

I just returned home at midnight from my Century 5 nighter. I just wanted to quickly check in with you; now I'll go back and read the thread. Debark was the absolute easiest ever. Since I was renting a car I didn't mind a late time. I was scheduled for 8:40 AM which allowed plenty of time for breakfast in the dining room, and leisurely final packing. When I arrived at the Celebrity Theater about 8:45 AM my color had alread been called, so I was allowed to immediately proceed to the gangway. Turns out about 80% of luggage was already gone from the shed, so very easy to locate mine and exit the building. I was renting a car, but both pier staff (my counterparts) told me to wait where the cabs were, for the rental shuttle. They were wrong, as the shuttle loads about 25 yards to the right of the cab area, alongside a chain link fence. No big deal, but they should have the right answer. Waited about 9 minutes for the Alamo bus, then quickly to the rental facility and my frequent rental status allowed me to go in front of everyone else waiting in line at Alamo facility. I always book the last flight of the night from FLL (8:50PM on SWA) so I more or less have a full day in South Florida. The airport is very quiet on a Saturday evening. Absolutely no one ahead of me to go thru security and when I arrived at my gate with an A group pass about 30 minutes before the schedule departure time, they were already boarding and I was one of the last of the 77 pax to board. Flight departed gate right on the dot and arrived BWI about 30 minutes early. So a very easy end to a nice cruise.

[signman]

Paddler, just back from the Key West Grand Cayman itinerary. Only negative to the B2B is the menus and entertainment will repeat. Be sure to book your next cruise with Melanie Pavlov. She is a sweetie; CD Dru Pavlov is a lucky guy.

[signman]

Have a great time Radio! We are on the 5 night Key West - Grand Cayman Route in April. Could you find out the menus for us? We are debating going to Murarno's or not.

 

Harding, I have the menus. My party went to Murano on Wednesday night. It really was a no brainer. Tuesday is formal night and the filet mignon (tournedos) was superb. Thursday is lobster night, and do you really want to go on the first or last night?

 

Dominique was wonderful. Although we had pre-booked for a party of 11, met him on embarkation day outside the restaurant. Turns out he totally moved tables to accommodate us with a round 5 and 6 top next to each other. I'm not a cheese lover, so I only sampled the fabled Goat Cheese Souffle, but I was won over. I did enjoy my asparagus though. I had the lamb and it was great; other dishes that I would choose are the Steak Diane and the Dover Sole or Chilean Sea Bass.

[signman]

Radio, forgot to add that I got up on deck at 5:20 AM hoping to see us sail into Miami for 7 AM arrival. WE WERE ALREADY TIED UP. Better be there by 4:30. Century was first in, then Navigator, then Voyager. All used the turning basin in the morning.

[JACJAM]

Radio, thanks for the report, I'm loving it. I board 2/1 and can't wait!

 

Signman, As I said I'm on the 2/1 cruise and we have about 20 people from MD on it! Small World. Thanks for the taxi imput also. Were flying into MIA and taking a taxi to the port. Thanks for your info, I'm going to find your thread now.

 

J

[JACJAM]

Radio, thanks for the report, I'm loving it. I board 2/1 and can't wait!

 

Signman, As I said I'm on the 2/1 cruise and we have about 20 people from MD on it! Small World. Thanks for the taxi imput also. Were flying into MIA and taking a taxi to the port. Thanks for your info, I'm going to find your thread now.

 

J

[madelinerose]

Mark & Howard...thank you thank you thank you! ;)

[signman]

Radio, thanks for the report, I'm loving it. I board 2/1 and can't wait!

 

Signman, As I said I'm on the 2/1 cruise and we have about 20 people from MD on it! Small World. Thanks for the taxi imput also. Were flying into MIA and taking a taxi to the port. Thanks for your info, I'm going to find your thread now.

 

J

 

 

I don't have a separate thread, I hope Radio won't mind my comments on his thread. Taxis from MIA to the pier charge a flat rate of $24 and there might be a $1 fuel surcharge, although my friend who took a taxi said it was just $24. I don't know, for 20 people you might want to look at van companies, although there are mini van type taxis which might work for you.

[DancerOT]

The shrimp tonight are also fantastic!! I would do Murano's on the last night...I found the menu weakest that night. But then again, I hate missing the last night in the dining room. I can certainly say I never went hungry any night.

 

Are you tasting nutmeg in a lot of foods? We found the seasoning in many foods where it normally is (sweet potatoes, etc.) but also in foods where I wouldnt expect it (pancakes).

 

Happy cruising!

[Radio]

Hello everyone! We are still heading towards Ocho Rios at a speed of 20 kts. We are still about 333nm from our port in Jamaica. The weather however is beautiful. There are clear skies and calm seas. The temperature is 87f. This is a very lovely sea day.

Here are a few more observations from the ship…..

The Cabins are most likely the biggest thing that passengers will notice. Every one has heard that there were many changes to the cabins. 314 New verandahs were added to decks 8, 9 and 10 for a total of 393 cabins with verandahs. There were also 10 new Ocean View rooms added and 14 new Sky Suites on deck 12. I will try to get some pics of the new Sky Suites when we dock in Miami. With the Cat 2 Cabins, they all were provided with new flat screen TV’s on the wall, and a new desk/ Make up area, Bathroom improvements including new surface mounted sinks, new carpeting, new storage areas as well as the new Beds, and Bed coverings. Now all cabins have the new bedding and linens.

The new High Seas Computing now has a new and permanent home. It used to be in a small room between the Cinema and Accupuncture area. It no is located next to the Martini Bar (Ice Bar) where the old “Images” used to be.

The internet pricing is:

.75 per minute with no package

100 Minutes for $70.00

200 Minutes for $120.00

500 Minutes for $250.00

A Captains Club member will receive a discount coupon for Internet Packages (My coupon was 20% off)

More Pics Later…Time for lunch and a swim!!

 

 

Signman... You can post on my thread at any time..This after all is a Cruise Critic thread ! !

 

Thanks for the nice comments, and thanks for tuning in !

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

Murano

 

 

Cabin Turn down Saturday Night

 

 

More Cabin Pics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GPS Location of Century at 1:30 PM Sunday

 

 

.

[TPKeller]

Radio, forgot to add that I got up on deck at 5:20 AM hoping to see us sail into Miami for 7 AM arrival. WE WERE ALREADY TIED UP. Better be there by 4:30. Century was first in, then Navigator, then Voyager. All used the turning basin in the morning.

I'm not much of a morning person, so perhaps that is why I never thought of this... but this is the perfect application for GPS receivers with a proximity alarm!

 

Set a waypoint to the entrance to the channel or harbor you are headed to, and set it to sound an alarm when you get to within a certain distance, maybe a mile or two, or even more if you want to have more notice. Leave it in the window, and with good luck (and satellite constellation) you will be alerted when you get close! Of course if you're in an inside cabin... guess you're outta luck.

 

Mark, I don't know if your setup will do that, that is something built in to my Garmin handheld receivers.

 

Theron

[signman]

Radio, what cabin are you in?

 

I had a delicious cold poached salmon from the Aquaspa Cafe one afternoon. Be sure to check it out.