Why so cheap? Am I missing something?

[TeacherSus]

Okay, now that I've booked I'm getting nervous! Why are the 5-night Century cruises so cheap? I've found as a teacher that February is an expensive time to travel because of all of the schools (like mine) that have mid-winter breaks. I've read that the Century was in dry dock and had a ton of great improvements, so what am I missing?

 

(Please just tell me that I got a great deal on a great cruise and I can relax! :D )

[Gypsea]

People don't realize what a great ship she is because she's older, I bet. The size is comfortable and even before dry dock she was beautiful. YOU got a great deal, relax. I will be surprised if you don't love her. I sail her Monday for the second time. Look for my review.

[gwrod]

Don't worry, Century is a great ship. We were on a 5 nighter in November and are booked for one in January. The prices certainly are good, the only downside is that 5 nights isn't long enough.

 

Bill

[TeacherSus]

... the only downside is that 5 nights isn't long enough.

 

Bill

 

SO TRUE! :)

[Dale Jr]

The short hops on Century are not a typical Celebrity cruise. The dress code is somewhat relaxed (definitely not enforced) and there are more young passengers than older passengers on board. The casino is always 150% full and there is a heck of alot more drinking.

 

If you like more of a party atmosphere you will enjoy this cruise. Think of it more like you would a Carnival cruise. You will also find alot of South Floridians on board as there are not many who are willing to fly in for such a short cruise.

[Ships R Great]

Don't spend one minute worrying. Century is a beautiful ship. They spent millions on her when she was in dry dock. We sailed on her for our first cruise in 2000. We sailed on her again in 2003 and 2004. We did a B2B in 2006, after the refurb. We are booked on another B2B in January, 2008. We have never been disappointed. And, she has a fantastic Captain and Cruise Director. You will have a ball! But, as posted above, you will find 5 days just ins't enough.

 

As to your original question of "why so cheap?"---I don't know, bur aren't we lucky!

[Susan-M]

I've read that the Century was in dry dock and had a ton of great improvements, so what am I missing?

 

 

Century receives good reviews from most CC members who post in the review section - http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=15

 

Enjoy your cruise! :)

[jerseygirl3]

The short hops on Century are not a typical Celebrity cruise. The dress code is somewhat relaxed (definitely not enforced) and there are more young passengers than older passengers on board. The casino is always 150% full and there is a heck of alot more drinking.

 

If you like more of a party atmosphere you will enjoy this cruise. Think of it more like you would a Carnival cruise. You will also find alot of South Floridians on board as there are not many who are willing to fly in for such a short cruise.

 

We did not find this to be the case at all. I actually worried it would be a Carnival atmosphere as we cruised the 5 nighter on Century last Easter week. It was a typical Celebrity experience. Couldn't have been further from a Carnival cruise.

 

You will definitely not regret your cruise. We'd do it again in a heartbeat. The ship is stunning since it's refurb. If the Sky Suites are a good price, try to go with one. They are really nice.

[satchiesmom]

I was on the Century last February and most definitely did not find it to be a "Carnival atmosphere". It was a typical Celebrity cruise with, although with more children aboard than normal because of the President's day holiday.

[Cruisenouvelle]

We were on Celebrity in April this year, a 5-nighter. There was a good mix of seniors, retirees, families. Saw no incidents of drunk collegians or bratty kids running around. Dale Jr said "Think of it more like you would a Carnival cruise"... NOT even close. There were plenty of tuxedos and dark suits on formal night, people behaved, yada yada.

You can relax. Your ship is in fine shape, and you wiill have a wonderful cruise. Enjoy!!

[d&a Delaware]

We were on Century this past April for a 5 night Western Carib. Loved it. Lots of kids and teachers (including Allen) because it was spring break, but atmosphere was refined, relaxed, elegant in a way. Kids well behaved. Great food. This year we are on a 7 night spring break/Easter cruise on Millennium. I suspect the great rates on the Century 5 nighters may be a way to get new pax who will move up to more and longer Celebrity cruises. Worked with us. And Jerseygirl 3 was absolutely right about the sky suites, especially on deck 12. If the price is at all right for you, grab it. Either way, enjoy your cruise.

 

David

[Jade13]

Okay, now that I've booked I'm getting nervous! Why are the 5-night Century cruises so cheap? I've found as a teacher that February is an expensive time to travel because of all of the schools (like mine) that have mid-winter breaks. I've read that the Century was in dry dock and had a ton of great improvements, so what am I missing?

 

(Please just tell me that I got a great deal on a great cruise and I can relax! :D )

 

Have you looked at the cost of flights (assuming you do not live in FL)? We have booked one of these but with 4 persons it has become very expensive. The problem is in the travel costs. But I do agree that all of the weeks are cheap prob because there are 3 or 4 vacation schedules. NY, MA, and NH are all diff dates.

[TWELVEOHONE]

Okay, now that I've booked I'm getting nervous! Why are the 5-night Century cruises so cheap? I've found as a teacher that February is an expensive time to travel because of all of the schools (like mine) that have mid-winter breaks. I've read that the Century was in dry dock and had a ton of great improvements, so what am I missing?

 

(Please just tell me that I got a great deal on a great cruise and I can relax! :D )

 

February is not always an expensive time for cruising usually the summer months are. Mid-Winter break will vary across the country. I know out in my area of the Northeast winter breaks are usually between Christmas and New Years. Spring break is mid to end of March.

Of course this will vary by school district but I know of none that is February

 

The cheapest time for cruising is the first 2-weeks of December. Many seniors book this time of the year

[Susan-M]

The short hops on Century are not a typical Celebrity cruise.

 

Dale, did you experience this on Century, or is the information in your post above from another source?

[Dale Jr]

Dale, did you experience this on Century, or is the information in your post above from another source?

 

I have been on four of these cruises. They are a poular gambling junket here in South Florida. The casinos rate serious gamblers and offer discounts and upgrades for future cruises.

 

And how about you Susan-M? Are your thoughts based upon your personal experience or other sources?

 

Now for what it is worth I did not say it was a bad experience, I just said it was different from what I would call a typical Celebrity Cruise. I also did not intend to liken it to a cruise on Carnival, but rather to state that the "party" atmosphere was like what you would find on Carnival. The ambience, service, etc is all typical Celebrity.

[Sky Sweet]

I have not sailed on Century since its major renovation a few years ago, but it was one of my favorite ships before that time.

 

At first I couldn't understand why Celebrity would use one of the nicest ships in their fleet for short Caribbean Cruises with low per diem rates.

 

However, it appears that they made that decision to attract a younger demographic that will spend more on alcoholic beverages and gambling than their typical cruiser.

 

I think it is also a component of Celebrity's new strategy to attract a greater share of the cruising market by being all things to all people since Century offers short inexpensive cruises, Azamara was created to attract a more upscale demographic, while they are building mega ships that will appeal to families, in addition to their traditional clientele.

[mydogs]

We are on the Century for the third time this Feb. The ship is wonderful. The crew great. Not Carnival at all. People of all ages were aboard. On the Dec. cruise there were more young children but it was the week before Christmas and the ones we saw were well behaved. The only really obnoxious and loud drunks we encountered seemed to be in the Sky Suite next to ours. You made a good choice with Century and should have a great time.;)

[Dale Jr]

And how about you Susan-M? Are your thoughts based upon your personal experience or other sources?

 

Susan-M: Cat got your tongue?

[Susan-M]

 

Susan-M: Cat got your tongue?

With the number of posts that I have, you should know that I don't have that problem.;) I responded yesterday, but the boards went into freeze mode when I hit 'submit'.

 

And how about you Susan-M? Are your thoughts based upon your personal experience or other sources?

 

Just as most people do on these boards, if I am offering an opinion on a cruise, I will indicate that I have been on the cruise so that the person looking for information will realize that I am speaking from experience.

 

My post above (which I believe is the one you are questioning) is simply a referral to the CC Review Section ... I did not offer opinions on Century (haven't sailed on her...but this is evident from my signature). I did include an opinion on the reviews "most of them good" as many were 4 or 5*. I often post referrals to reviews and to other threads because some people aren't aware of how to search, or that the Review section is a good source of information from those who have cruised on the ship that they are interested in.

 

Now for what it is worth I did not say it was a bad experience, I just said it was different from what I would call a typical Celebrity Cruise.

 

No you did not say that it was a bad experience, and some may find your description of Century passengers being comprised of "a lot of young South Floridians, not adhering to the dress code, a party atmosphere with lots of drinking and packed casino and more like a Carnival cruise" to be exactly what they are looking for. But judging from the responses that follow your post, I gather that most who sail on Celebrity are looking for something a little more typical of Celebrity and that those who have done this cruise had different experiences than you did. (That opinion was based on what I read above.;) )

 

Dale....we spar about this on a regular basis & I wonder if you've had a bad experience on Celebrity? I notice that you've enjoyed a couple of Regatta cruises but that most of your posting is on Celebrity boards and that few discuss the merits of Celebrity.

[katscruise]

My DH and I did a 5 day this past March during spring break on the Century. I found the service and the food to be the same as a 7 day which we did a couple of years ago on Century. For the most part people did dress up on formal night. I guess I missed all the big parties people are talking about. Before we went we read some boards that made us think a 5 day is a bad idea, but we are booked again in April for the 5 night on Century. Also I live in Florida, I am not a big gambler and I cruise on Celebrity for their service, smiles and food. It would be easier for us to cruise on RC or Carnival since we are closer to Cape Canaveral but we drive to south Florida to go on the Century.

[friend of Eeyore]

February is not always an expensive time for cruising usually the summer months are. Mid-Winter break will vary across the country. I know out in my area of the Northeast winter breaks are usually between Christmas and New Years. Spring break is mid to end of March.

Of course this will vary by school district but I know of none that is February

 

The cheapest time for cruising is the first 2-weeks of December. Many seniors book this time of the year

The week of President's day will often be more expensive. Many states/school districts get off some or all of this week, on the east coast and Michigan especially. (It gives us a break during all that snow time, I guess.) This "mid-winter" break is in addition to Winter break and Spring Break.

[jerseygirl3]

I have been on four of these cruises. They are a poular gambling junket here in South Florida. The casinos rate serious gamblers and offer discounts and upgrades for future cruises.

 

And how about you Susan-M? Are your thoughts based upon your personal experience or other sources?

 

Now for what it is worth I did not say it was a bad experience, I just said it was different from what I would call a typical Celebrity Cruise. I also did not intend to liken it to a cruise on Carnival, but rather to state that the "party" atmosphere was like what you would find on Carnival. The ambience, service, etc is all typical Celebrity.

 

 

Dale, I can speak from exprience as we sailed Easter week and there were record numbers of children onboard (500, we were told). Not once did we experience loud, obnoxious, or rude behavior. The ambiance was classic Celebrity. Yes, there were definitely more children aboard, but they seemed well traveled and all that we encountered were very well manner (i.e., held doors open for people, waited their turn to board an elevator, etc.).

 

I was on the Celebrity Infinity in 2005 (not during spring break) and our experience on the Century 5 nighter was just as good, if not even better. My SIL, who hates cruising and had to be talked into this cruise kicking and screaming actually changed her opinion of cruising based on our Century cruise. Her previous cruises were on Carnival and she hated it. Her only complaint about the Century cruise was when she discovered how enjoyable cruising can be, she regretted doing a 5 nighter, as it was too short. Now her family is planning a 12 night Mediterranean cruise on Celebrity.

[Dale Jr]

Dale....we spar about this on a regular basis & I wonder if you've had a bad experience on Celebrity? I notice that you've enjoyed a couple of Regatta cruises but that most of your posting is on Celebrity boards and that few discuss the merits of Celebrity.

 

Had a wonderful experience on Constellation, followed by a mediocre experience on Galaxy and I have gone on four of the Century short hops that leave on Thursdays as you only end up missing one or two days of work. You are correct that I am not a big fan of Celebrity as a result of our Galaxy experience and as a couple we have moved to Oceania (I still take the Century "gambling" cruises with friends). I frequent this Celebrity board to gather any information I can on Azamara (Celebrity is still running the show in my opinion) since they are trying to mimic Oceania and it would be nice to have two additional options to the three ships Oceania is running.

 

Sparring is a nice terminology to our posting back and forth and hopefully potential cruisers are able to gain valuable knowledge by hearing both the good and the bad. I really don't think that I have painted any sort of horrible side of Celebrity but rather have just provided my opinion of my personal likes and dislikes (food to me is a big dislike on Celebrity and I make no bones about saying it).

 

As an aside I see you are from Ontario. I grew up in Montreal and Toronto, went to Queens in Kingston and have been down here in Florida for the last 25 years now. We are heading north in a couple of weeks to see the leaves in full colour so hopefully we have our time right this year.

[Jade13]

(food to me is a big dislike on Celebrity and I make no bones about saying it).

 

quote]

 

Sorry to hear this. We think the food on HAL is very good (soups excellant overall) and heard that Celebrity is even better. Is it a 4 course meal or are the soups and appetizers mixed together on the menu?

[Lois R]

Hi Jade, soups and salads are different courses.