Century Review 11 night Med 10/1

[Gypsea]

Enjoyed another great cruise aboard the Century and muddled through it all in an inside cabin on deck 12. Not my first choice but it did not diminish this vacation one bit. Upgrades were just NOT available though lots of space was left a few days before the sailing. Oh well, it proves the point that it was just not essential to spend extra here if it doesn't fit the budget. The money was (quickly)spent with the port intensive days ahead. We were not long in our room except when exhausted or it was dark. The funny thing was we overslept on disembarkation day waking at 8:22 am. Easy to do without sunlight. I had ordered room service for 6:30 but it did not arrive. Maybe I ordered after 12 and it was too late. Anyway, off we went with no fuss and plenty of sleep, of course, no breakfast either.

Not a problem, in Barcelona there is a fabulous cafe/wine and pastry shop at 83 Rambles called Escriba. Check it out. We went there on our pre-cruise day and before heading to the airport for breakfast. They have two other locations in the city as well. We stayed at Hotel Jazz in this area and highly recommend it. Rates are about $230 US per night including tax, double occupancy.

 

Food was very good throughout the cruise. Lunch was almost always off the ship in a sidewalk cafe which was great fun. We managed to make the time for this luxury each day(except in Tangiers when we didn't leave the ship before 1:30) The buffet was standard fare but never my favorite way to enjoy a meal. Dining room breakfasts were just not easy with so many early ports. I did eat there every evening and sea day and have three extra pounds to prove it.

 

Service was above average as usual in most areas. Our steward was not as fabulous as I have come to expect but I attribute this to the fact that I was in a lowly inside across from sky suites. Not that we didn't have clean towels, ice etc. but I thought we got the bums rush from our guys. Other than this I found service and staff to be excellent.

 

Entertainment was not something I can remark on except for the fact that we had only one night of comedy. This is the one thing I really look forward to. Luckily Kevin Devane was great but I thought he would perform once more before leaving us and he did not. This was a disappointment. The band that played by the pool and other hot spots was enjoyable and versatile. We had a good time at the 50's night party. The casino was always hopping and I love roulette. Staff here were welcoming and fun.

 

Indulged in a stone massage at the spa which was a first for me. Talk about a great way to unwind. Look for the specials and take advantage of them. They are more affordable late at night and on port days.

 

Overall the ship looked very nice and I was happy to see all the improvements that had been made since my last cruise on her. There are a few buttons on one elevator that are a little finicky but I did not notice anything else that was an issue. The Century is getting on in years but I like her smaller size and think it is easier for the crew to take care of it and her guests because of it. I never noticed more than a few pieces of litter on the pool deck in my 11 nights on board. She positively gleams.

 

Weather was absolute perfection for our entire sailing. It rained for a few minutes on the last day while in Valencia but that was it. We were truly blessed with 75-80 degree temps each day. October is THE time for the Med.

 

I will post part two about the ports of call in a day or so. Jet lag recovery is not as easy as I'd thought it would be.

 

Tip: Avoid Heathrow .......... our plane was delayed almost 5 hours between weather, terminal evacuation due to smoke and maintainence issues on the plane. A bus between terminals also slows down the process here.

[LKN-NC]

Gypsea, I am looking forward to your port reviews as we will do the same trip next year on September 29. Glad you had a great cruise!

[Donnaluv2cruise]

Gypsea,

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. One question, you said there were a lot of cabins available right before your cruise. Did you ask to be upgraded? Did you notice if those cabins were empty all week?

[C 2 C]

Enjoyed another great cruise aboard the Century

 

Great to hear you had a wonderful experience on our favorite ship.

 

Could you also post the names of the Captain, Cruise director, CC Hostess and future sales manager for the Who's your Captain thread?

[Gypsea]

Port reviews will take some serious time but I promise I'll get to them soon!!

 

The better cabins were filled I am sure because everyone was requesting upgrades. There were about 20+ travel agents onboard and all were assigned insides so all of them were looking to upgrade and I heard none were allowed. So, the full-fared guests must have got them. I am sure that no oceanviews or better were empty.

 

I'll have to research the names. Alex was the future cruise agent..I'll work on this.

[joelmarj]

Gypsea - thanks for the review. I'm leaving this week for the same trip. We still have Casablanca on our itinerary (though it was removed for about a week). Did you make it there?

 

Look forward to your review of the ports!

[Texed]

I'm leaving this week for the same trip. We still have Casablanca on our itinerary (though it was removed for about a week).

 

Marj,

I hope y'all have a great cruise. :)

[Gypsea]

No Casablanca was not possible due to the safety issue. I sort of doubt you are going there. I posted a letter from Celebrity I received shortly before traveling which you can find if you look back a few pages. Alternatively...

 

You may find Tangiers nice but I was not a fan. Right outside the ship you will find a dozen vendors hawking their wares. This is exactly the same stuff you will find in practically every other shop in the town when you get there. We hired a guide and it does make you feel a bit safer but keep in mind that these guys are getting commission from all the places they bring you and the hard sell is on. The whole thing turned me off in a big way. Their pricing starts so high it is ridiculous and they then end up chasing you down the street. If not they say "Go away".

 

Our guide did take us to the Kasbah area first and this was the highlight of the trip. We hired a guide we met right near the ship so we avoided the shuttle charge at least ($6 pp or thereabouts). He walked us to a taxi that dropped us off at the Kasbah. When we were done touring this area we walked to the shopping district after which he walked us down a hill and we were close to the ship, not needing any return shuttle or taxi. Hmm, strange, I thought.

 

This was my least favorite day I am sorry to report. Everything about it gave me a bad feeling. I did not buy anything other than the guide which we paid 25 euro for. My friend gave him a massive tip at the end and he was as ungrateful as can be. She was mad but felt compelled to tip feeling badly that she hadn't spent enough to please him. Ay yay yay. I did not feel bad at all just disappointed.

 

If you are all thinking I am just an odd duck (you may be right) but all the folks I talked to about Tangiers agreed that it was awful and they may take it off the itinerary by next year. NO flaming please just MHO!!

 

TIP All the leather stuff smells bad to me. Guess I'm just not in harmony with nature or something.

[joelmarj]

No Casablanca was not possible due to the safety issue. I sort of doubt you are going there. I posted a letter from Celebrity I received shortly before traveling which you can find if you look back a few pages. Alternatively...

 

You may find Tangiers nice but I was not a fan. Right outside the ship you will find a dozen vendors hawking their wares. This is exactly the same stuff you will find in practically every other shop in the town when you get there. We hired a guide and it does make you feel a bit safer but keep in mind that these guys are getting commission from all the places they bring you and the hard sell is on. The whole thing turned me off in a big way. Their pricing starts so high it is ridiculous and they then end up chasing you down the street. If not they say "Go away".

 

Our guide did take us to the Kasbah area first and this was the highlight of the trip. We hired a guide we met right near the ship so we avoided the shuttle charge at least ($6 pp or thereabouts). He walked us to a taxi that dropped us off at the Kasbah. When we were done touring this area we walked to the shopping district after which he walked us down a hill and we were close to the ship, not needing any return shuttle or taxi. Hmm, strange, I thought.

 

This was my least favorite day I am sorry to report. Everything about it gave me a bad feeling. I did not buy anything other than the guide which we paid 25 euro for. My friend gave him a massive tip at the end and he was as ungrateful as can be. She was mad but felt compelled to tip feeling badly that she hadn't spent enough to please him. Ay yay yay. I did not feel bad at all just disappointed.

 

If you are all thinking I am just an odd duck (you may be right) but all the folks I talked to about Tangiers agreed that it was awful and they may take it off the itinerary by next year. NO flaming please just MHO!!

 

TIP All the leather stuff smells bad to me. Guess I'm just not in harmony with nature or something.

 

 

Thanks Ed!!!

 

Gypsea - Thank you for your input. We booked the ship excursions because we wanted to be in a controlled environment. Not wanting to deal with the harrassment, but still wanting to get the flavor. Even if they do take it off the itinerary we are fine with that. They removed it for a week and put Malaga in, but now it is back on for Casablanca. Either way, we're prepared to just "roll with it":D

[PSP]

I will be on the Century TA crossing in December. What is the currency in North African ports? Do you need cash or do they take credit cards. Although after reading your post, not sure if shopping will be on the agenda.

[Gypsea]

Euros work in Tangiers. I forget what their currency is called but it starts with D....oh, Dirham. 6.2 Moroccan Dirhams to a US dollar. You'll need cash for many places though the modern shops may take CC's.

[judie43]

Gypsea Hey...it's nice to read your review....I am so sorry we didnt get to meet you on board. I was checking the internet from time to time (checking on the new gradson) hoping there would be a message so we could make a meeting point. Boy do I ever agree with you review. I wouldnt care if I ever saw a place like Tangiers again. We walked to the Medina for the "color" of the country. We looked around and headed back to the shuttle bus. I didnt go to Morocco to buy Calvin Klein underwear from a street vendor!

For whatever reason Jim & I were invited to an officer table,I guess not as good as the Captains but it was very enjoyable. Met some lovely people for Scotland and another couple from our hometown...small world.

I look forward to the rest of your review...I am sure I will ditto what you say.

One other thing Gypsea...grandson was finally born 10/8..very late but worth waiting for. In fact we are at his house right now. I love him to death but I want to go home!!! We left Buffalo 9/20 and we are staying until 10/24.

[Gypsea]

Hi Judie:

 

I am so happy for you and your family. I'm glad the baby and mom were fine in your absence. My three kids all have bdays in OCtober.

 

We didn't end up on your flight after all. We were so early to the airport we flew out on the earlier one. Of course, that didn't really make up for the five hour delay in London on the way home but we couldn't get upset about it because otherwise it was a perfect trip.

 

It was unfortunate that the thread died and there wasn't any interest in an unofficial meet and greet. Anyway, it sounds like you enjoyed yourself. The weather was perfect wasn't it? I'd be interested to hear what you did in each port.

 

You are too funny about the underwear. I missed that salesman. How about the kids with the bracelets..wasn't that in Tangiers? They must get them for a dime a piece. The good thing about Tangiers was that after going there I couldn't be too upset about missing Casablanca!

 

Hope you're home by now..

[irishgram]

Hi Rita......still not home! should be home by Wednesday......love the baby but way too old to be away from home for over a month.

We cruise quite a bit so I may be contacting you some time soon about business.

My e-mail is hayjude825@gmail.com

[irishgram]

Hi Rita...sorry the message shown up as from Irishgram...that is my sister in law and I am using her computer

[Gypsea]

Hayjude:

 

I knew it was YOU!! Your own bed will feel so good by then.

 

I would love to hear from you sometime.

 

Safe home,

Rita