rebeccalouise

I loved Madrid and yes, do the train.:)

I really enjoyed Liverpool. The hop-on-hop-off bus takes you to many of the sites you mentioned- including where the Beatles grew up and the music school that Paul McCartney attended. Then you see various churches and remnants of the damage done during the war.

I had a great time in Liverpool- did alot of walking also and found it to be a great tourist city.

I am sorry that you were disappointed in the condition of the ship.

I was on Millenium twice (5/05 and 7/07) and both times the ship was lovely. The pool did need attention- some of the mosaic tiles were loose or missing.

As for the hot tubs- if they were warm then the bubbles wouldn't have really made much of a difference. This is really a small complaint. If they were non operational and cold- that would be a big complaint.

As for my stateroom- it was lovely and clean but I agree that the bathrooms look dated and there is mold. I can attest to that. Nothing major- just not as nice as they could be.

The main diningroom food is definitely mass produced but better than Cunard (which I just got off). Celebrity desserts are flavorless. I usually don't bother (and my hips thank me).

The Olympic food and service is fantastic. It is a big step up from the main diningroom. I still like going to the main diningroom though. I like sitting with my new tablemates and have always had a wonderful time in the main diningroom. It is more about the ambiance than the food for me. In fact, I really go for the experience. I really am sick of eating by day two. But the food is really good on Celebrity- no complaints.

For anyone sailing her for the first time- fear not. You are going to love the ship, the crew, and the experience.

A cruise is the sum of all its parts. I think that Celebrity still delivers a great product.

Bermuda is a beautiful island but very expensive. I have been many places and I have to say that cruises are great for those with disablities. Having seen what i have seen, I highly recommend the Millenium class ships- with automatic doors, spacious corridors, handicapped cabins and itineraries that don't include tendering. For example- Alaska. These cruise are not as formal, the views are spectacular, you don't sweat, and it is easy to get off the ship and just putz around- with no excursions. I sympathize with the wheelchair dependent. My grandma was in a wheelchair for the last six years of her life.

I am a huge Celebrity fan.

I sailed on Oceania Regatta in January. This is the same ship as the new Celebrity Journey. I would not recommend Journey to those in wheelchairs or to those with canes or problems with walking.

There is a lot of motion on these ships- even in the Caribbean. Granted Journey will be docked for most of the cruise but the door to the pool area are very heavy. The hallways are narrow and there is a threshold between the corridor and the landing to the elevators and stairs.

I commented while on Regatta- that my grandmother (who was wheelchair dependent) would have had a really difficult time on the ship. By day there are only a few public areas- the buffet, a small interior bar, the Theatre, the main diningroom and the library. There might be bridge lessons going on in two upstairs restaurants. However, there aren't many places for people in wheelchairs to comfortably navigate and forget scooters- they won't work. Didn't see anyone with handicaps on board Regatta.

If you are wheelchair dependent or aren't sure-footed- choose a different vessel.

My son had the most fun on Disney and probably the least fun on Carnival (kids club was too crowded). Norwegian the kids club was too crowded in my view.

I love Celebrity. Even on the very popular Easter cruise in April (300 kids on board)- the kids club never seemed overcrowded and he had a great time.

I have the best time on Celebrity and the Fun Factory staff is so caring. We sailed 2 weeks on Millenium in May of 2005- there were 30 children on board. Then sailed on Constellation in April of 2006. Lisa, a staff member from Millenium was now on Constellation and remembered Marc, by name, right away. She remembered me too and was so excited to see us again. Those girls are FANTASTIC- remember to tip!

it definitely depends on the time of year. If you travel during the school year- there are going to be mostly pre-schoolers.

As for the kids program. It is excellent. My little one loves it and the nine year old girl who was at my table on the last cruise was afraid to jump in. Once she did- that was it. She only wanted to go to the kids program. They do a great job at the Fun Factory.

There is no dedicated pool for the kids, however.

rainbowdayz- if you have family member in the connecting rooms that won't be bad. I should have read your message more clearly. I thought you were deciding between the three.

Glad you asked this question. A. Don't worry about the elevator noise. Choose cabin 7039.

Don't take 7041 or 7043 because what you will hear is the people in the next cabin loud and clear. These are connecting cabins.

I was in cabin 6045 on Constellation. I had the best cruise yet BUT I could hear everyword from next door- fortuneately they didn't talk alot, yell or slam doors. I did get a whiff of their smoke everytime they went out on their balcony to smoke. This thru the connecting door. It would get an airpocket and open just a tad into my room. I was sailing with my little boy and they asked me if we could be quieter. We were just talking but I felt for them because little kids talk alot.

Anyway, this was a little annoyance and I made sure not to get a connecting cabin again.

Pick 7039!