Dueling Cruise Reviews--Millennium, Dec 16, 2007

[Coco Creek]

NOTE: Larrony has given one view of the Dec 16 Millennium cruise from her vantage point. Here is another view from my vantage point.

After wondering for the better part of two years whether cruising was for me (my life has been filled with adventure vacations), I planned and booked a cruise on Celebrity Millennium, along with my sister, with four Eastern Caribbean stops (San Juan, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Campos de Camp in the Dominican Republic and Labadie, Haiti.

I live in Broward County, Florida so getting to the boat was as simple as asking a friend for a 15 minute drive. Embarkation went slower than normal (according to cruise veterans), in large part because the Millennium had just crossed the Atlantic and as a result Immigration, Customs and Coast Guard inspection took a big longer. Nevertheless, we were on the ship within 90 minutes of arriving at the terminal, feeling positive and ready for my new adventure.

Things were going right from the start. My sister’s pre-booked Spa times were in place, our excursion tickets were in our room, so we have plenty of time to explore our new ship (home) of the next seven days and have a buffet lunch up on Deck 10. The muster drill went well and I am sure by the second cruise will be a big bore. Now, on to the particulars:

Ship: Millennium looks good. The various art offerings around the ship were really amazing and often thought provoking. There is normal wear and tear. During the ship, the wood rails on Deck 11 were sanded and varnished so it appears that there is ongoing maintenance.

Stateroom: We were in a CC room on the 8th Deck. Immediately, my sister fell in love with the veranda and spent many a restful hour enjoying the sea rushing by. Rooms are a bit small by hotel standards, but there is plenty of space to storage and after all, we did not go on the cruise to sit in our room (veranda excepted).

Dining: We expected this to be one of the highlights and it was. Our tablemates were Celebrity veterans returning to cruising after being part of the famous Princess “tilt cruise”. Their experiences and advices were a highlight of dining. The food was really good. (NOTE: The appetizers and soups were absolutely gourmet). The Olympic Specialty Restaurant offered one of the best meals of my life to celebrate my 65th birthday and the harpist played Happy Birthday on the harp—a real first.

Entertainment: The Entertainment was surprisingly good. The Celebrity Dancers and Singers put on three wonderful productions and two of their singers (a soprano and tenor) were absolutely outstanding. A pianist, Antonio Salci, put on a first rate, audience interactive concert. A guitar playing comedian, John Charles, was not my cup of tea, but others in the audience seemed to enjoy his show. Finally, two gymnasts put on feats of flexibility and strength that were truly amazing.

Excursions: One of our excursions, a sunset cruise in San Juan was cancelled—bummer. Instead I went on a short tour with a street side vendor whose color and personality made up for the lost excursion. In Tortola, I took the Sea and See excursion which from which I have some beautiful photos and in Casa de Campo, I took a trip down the Chavon River which turned into Salsa dance lessons—unexpected, but absolutely fun.

Service: The service was an absolute highlight of the trip. Staff always offered a friendly nod as we passed. Our waiters, Jon A and Mauricio, were a wonder—coordinated, efficient, and always smiling. They definitely added to our dining. Our housekeepers kept our room spotless and the assistant housekeeper often spotted me in the hallway and went over to unlock the door for me. Even in the Aqua Spa, the services were excellent and one of the young ladies, Renee, helped my sister with a knee problem throughout the week.

The future: Yes, more cruising. Next trip is back on the Millennium for a northbound Alaska trip on 27 June, 2008. I cannot wait to for some once in a lifetime excursions.

[Susan-M]

What a nice review to read ... and glad that you enjoyed your first cruise so much! :)

 

My Millennium cruise (Med) was my fifth cruise and I too had a very positive experience. We also had a CC cabin on deck 8 which made the cruise quite special.

 

My focus when cruising is also on sightseeing in ports vs. shopping, which made your review more meaningful to me.

 

Enjoy Alaska in June! :)

[TRadle]

Thanks for balancing things out! We are booked on Millie in March and I was getting a tad nervous.

[d&a Delaware]

Coco Creek --

 

Thanks for posting this review. It's good to be reminded over and over again how one cruise can be experienced very differently by different cruisers. Allen and I will be on the same spring break cruise as TRadle, and yes this review heightens our anticipation.

 

David

[TRadle]

When I read reviews I look for the things that are important to me and service is one of those things. I was so glad to read that service is not all bad!!!!

DH and I cruise for R&R. We love the water and beaches and don’t care for shopping. We booked the Easter cruise for time and departure port! As long as the sun is out and the sand is warm we will be happy cruisers!!!!

[Xcruiser]

Thanks for posting your review. I’m glad to hear you had a great first cruise experience on Millie. Birthday at the Olympic restaurant I bet was very special. I personally feel the specialty restaurants onboard Celebrity ships rival the best dinning experiences I’ve had anywhere and are the most memorable. I’ll be onboard Millie in a few weeks so your review was very welcome.

 

The two years prior to last year we sailed on HAL because of ship positioning. After returning to Celebrity on Connie in March after two years away I had the feeling of coming home again.:) After reading some of the posts on these boards I would have to say in a twist of the famous words of Mark Twain:

 

“Reports of Celebrity’s decline have been greatly exaggerated”

 

Can’t wait for my turn on Millie in a few weeks and dinner in the Olympic, Thanks again.

[Squirrel's Mom]

Thanks for your review and your perspective.

 

Hope your Alaskan cruise exceeds your expectations. I know that ours on the Summit in August did.

[Cathy Laz]

What a Happy way to start off the New Year. Enjoyed the review as I smiled all the way through it. I could almost feel your excitement. May I also wish you belated happy birthday wishes. May you have many more (birthdays and cruises).

 

I noted that even the bad or little inconveniences did not spoil your trip.

I think that most will review the ship and offer both good and bad points, and I still feel that most enjoy the cruise. The first time cruiser is just so much more fun to listen too.

 

May we all experience the excitement of a first cruise, over and over again.

 

Cathy

[Amlee]

Thanks for the review. I read the other and thought YIKES! :eek: My mother and I are sailing on the Mille on Feb 3rd. I have been on the Century and the Constellation, but this will be her first Celebrity cruise. She is a Diamond member on RCCL, plus sailing on Carnival, NCL, and Disney. She escorts groups on cruises and I'm really hoping to move them up to Celebrity.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Thanks for the review. I read the other and thought YIKES! :eek: My mother and I are sailing on the Mille on Feb 3rd. I have been on the Century and the Constellation, but this will be her first Celebrity cruise. She is a Diamond member on RCCL, plus sailing on Carnival, NCL, and Disney. She escorts groups on cruises and I'm really hoping to move them up to Celebrity.

 

Amlee, come join us on our roll call. There will be a cabin crawl after our meet and greet party and your mother can get a look at some of the different types of Concierge Class cabins.

 

Thanks, Coco, for your review! Glad you had such great service--that really does make the trip! You will love Alaska!