Mercury March 21-28....Part 6

[Lois R]

I found out early that there were a bunch of Travel Agents on this sailing, along with a few "Head Honchos" from Corporate.

 

Ramon Santos and Luis Ortega "Supervisor of Wine and Spirits". Not supervisor of the ship...but of the entire Celebrity Fleet!

Both men invited us for drinks pre-dinner one evening and bought us 2 bottles of wine on 2 different evenings. A lovely gesture. I had 4 new wines in one week!...actually more than that and normally I don't even like Chardonney but this was spectacular. And it was a California wine too..but not from Napa or Sonoma but if I recall we were all surprised it was a Santa Barbara Label! Now I know you are going to ask..what was it..I cannot remember the label. Maybe someone out west may know the answer.

We had a Chardonney...Pinot Grigio, Cabernet, Chianti, oh those are just 4! I cannot remember all of them.

 

If I am repeating myself on in this particular section, I hope you will forgive me. I feel like its deja vue...

 

I know I haven't written about the Captain's Club Cocktail party though. We all attended and sat together..Phil, Marti, Ken, Lisa, Virginia and myself.

It was held in the Pavillion. Probably 250 people. It was held pre-dinner on the 2nd formal night. We were all talking and one of my friends said..."Where is the Captain"?...he was on the other side of the room. I decided to say something to one of the staff and 2 minutes later she walked over with the Captain next to her..."Ask and ye shall receive".

He was quite nice. I cannot recall his name but as I stated earlier, they love it when you tell them you have sailed Celebrity before. He shook all our hands and said a few niceties.

 

They served all kinds of appetizers and had free drinks...red wine, white wine, bubbly a few fruity drinks as well.

They also introduced a few people...there was a man who was on his 16th Celebrity cruise. They gave him some sort of certificate on stage. The Captain was introduced, of course and the CD..Julian and the "future cruise consultant also spoke. Overall, it was very nice.

We then went to dinner...fabulous as usual! And of course this was the 2nd formal night so the Baked Alaska Parade took place and the introduction of all the "Head Wait Staff". Ali was the Restaurant Manager, Asst Maitr'd... Larry, Sasha...Nelson....can't think of the others.

Its always so neat seeing everyone....and the applause they received was definitely genuine.

 

After dinner I believe we went to dance to the band and had a great evening!

 

Part 7 and all my final thoughts to follow......

 

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

 

[This message was edited by Lois R on 04-01-04 at 07:49 PM.]

[catmand]

Lois , you are doing a great job with the review. The Captain was Anastasios P. Salessiotis......he was Greek.... [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Star Princess 9/03 Alaska
Celebrity Mercury 3/04 Mexico
Next: Sapphire Princess 10/2/04
Mercury Cruise Pic's 3/13/04
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/catmand100"]http://community.webshots.com/user/catmand100[/url]

[Lois R]

Hi Cat..yes...that was who it was....short and bald, nice man!

The Captain on both my Century Sailings was Captain Terry.....long Greek last name too [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

[kelmac]

Lois,
Good stuff!! My wife and I are doing the same cruise on the 20th of March, next year. The only thing is, they called us and changed this cruise to a 10 day sailing; same price, and added $100 ship board credit for the change. What a deal. The Infinity, Mercury and the Summit are the only Celebrity ships we have not sailed, and we are doing the Summit this summer and the Mercury next spring!
Enjoying your reviews!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Kel

[Lois R]

Hi Kel[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]..wow...you will only have the Infinity left....one day I hope to sail on the Celebrity ships...after this year I will have been on 3 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]not bad in less than 2 years!
Century, Mercury and Horizon in September.
I want to try an M class...for some reason the Millie is calling my name......

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

[Texed]

Lois,
I am enjoying your review. How about going on Century again, at Thanksgiving? We need you to lively up the ship! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Texed

[yanceycruiser]

It continues to be a wonderful review and it is sad to know that we are nearing the end. Now for the finale - part 7.

Yanceycruiser

Dreamward 1/95
Norway 1/97
Grandeur of the Seas 1/99
Grand Princess 2/01
Carnival Pride 2/03

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;08;22;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

Until the Infinity on
August 22, 2004

[kelmac]

Lois,
I think the M-class Celebrity ships are the best afloat! Did 14 days on the Constellation and 12 days on the Millennium! Can't wait for the Summit!
Enjoy! Kel

[kelmac]

Lois,
oops! I forgot to mention--the Horizon was our first Celebrity ship (back in 1994) and it will always have a special place in our hearts! Only three Celebrity ships back then, Horizon, Zeinth and the Meridian. The Meridian was sold off when they started construction on the Century. The Horizon is like the "sports car" of the fleet. I still like all of the great teakwood decks found around the ship. Andrew was our first waiter, and now he is one of the Asst' Maitre d's -- we have run into him on four cruises. Part of that Celebrity family thing. Can't wait for part 7! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Enjoy! Kel

[safein]

Great work!!!!

You know,Lois, you're going to be very much in demand for future cruises!!!! Now, can I entice you to book the Infinity for May 2005,sailing from Hawaii to Canada????

Anita

And now Infinity 2005!
Millennium 2003
Century 2002
Summit 2001
Century 2000
Zenith 1996
Horizon 1994
Horizon 1993
Sunward 1992
Star Princess 1990
Maxim Gorky 1974 & 1975

[excitedofharpenden]

Hi Lois! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

I am glad you had such a good time on Mercury, but then we knew you would!

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I had 4 new wines in one week <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Are you sure that shouldn't read in one evening [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]. We'll put it down to first night nerves [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] We all get them!

Phil

Mercury Western Caribbean November 2002
Galaxy Eastern Caribbean November 2003

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;13;18;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Until Galaxy Panama Canal Out Of Galveston November 2004

[Lois R]

Hi Phil[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] missed you!..haven't seen you on here this week.....

It wasn't nerves my friend.....It was stupidity [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]mixing vodka....all kinds of liquors and white wine....

So, when are you coming to Florida? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

[excitedofharpenden]

Lois - I've been lurking! As it was April Fools day yesterday, I thought that was the safest thing to do [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Duck nearly got me, I was in the middle of posting, and then it clicked! Duck, you are a very bad birdy [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Booked my flight to Orlando on Monday. Yippee!!! I'll e-m you separately.

As for your explanation, I buy it. I have been there too. They call it over-excitement, I think [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Phil

Mercury Western Caribbean November 2002
Galaxy Eastern Caribbean November 2003

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;13;18;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Until Galaxy Panama Canal Out Of Galveston November 2004

[Lois R]

Hi Anita...Hawaii to Canada in May?...I would love to do that but not sure about the $$ and the timing at this point. Thanks for your offer though and I will keep it in mind[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Phil....will look for your email from home [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]..I would love to meet you and your friends!

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

[gkm]

Lois,

I loved your review (all 6 parts of it). I'm glad you had such a wonderful cruise. It's amazing how the people you meet and share with make the experience special, isn't it?! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I think that's what makes cruising so fun--the people!!

Garry

[Lois R]

Garry...you got that right[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]...the people on this cruise made it ALL very special for me.

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

[MISSYLOU]

Lois, Did you happen to meet the Captain's Club rep, Manuel? He is such a nice young man and treated us so well. A true asset to Celebrity.

Karen & Paul
[img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_3_23.gif[/img]

Galaxy B2B 10/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;10;16;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Mercury 03/04
Radiance 01/04
Summit 09/03, Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03,Infinity 10/02,
Maasdam 07/02, Sun Princess 03/02,Maasdam 11/01,Statendam 07/01,Dolphin 1990?

[Lois R]

Hi Karen[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] yes I met him...really nice guy. I was trying to figure out what to book for 2005...he told me since I am sailing the Horizon in Sept to wait until I am on board there and they may have some better pricing for me since it will be closer to the New Year...talk about a classy guy[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img].

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

[Lois R]

6.....

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising"]http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising[/url]

[cruiseclues]

Lois R,

Great review. Going to tie them together. Here's Lois's 7th Part and Final Thoughts [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=147097554&m=797106501"]Mercury March 21-28...7th Part and Final Thoughts[/url].

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Happy Cruising, Buil, [url="http://cruiseclues.com"]http://cruiseclues.com[/url]
Sitmar, RCCL, Costa, HAL, Princess, Royal Cruise Line, Celebrity, Renaissance, Disney, MSC Lirica
"We cannot change the direction of the wind... but we can adjust our sails"