breezepark

I enjoy cruising, but am very sympathetic to Op's comments. After a few cruises on different lines, there are some strategies I use to avoid the things that bother me the most. At ports, especially if tendered, i avoid planning excursions when the initial crush of passengers are trying to get off. For dinner, waiting until a few minutes after they open the doors to seating keeps me out of standing in the crowd, or if my time dining then I eat first (shortest wait). If lines are too long for a show etc I just don't go. Disembarkation is awful I agree, but put up with it so I can have my cabin asap the next time I cruise :) However, when Celebrity's Reflection came out with decreased public space in favor of more cabins, I found myself avoiding that ship when shopping for my next cruise. So much depends on how much money you want to spend - yes premium lines are wonderful, but until I win the lottery I choose to go more often on the mass market lines. I know I can't 'have it all' so i take what I can get and make the best of it. Lots of ways to have fun.

considering the same question myself, looking at first trip on Navigator. But really like the magic's spa area (always get a spa inside room). we also enjoy the comedy club more than production shows. probably time to try something new again. Magic can get crowded feeling.

Hi Everyone,

 

Here's the latest on Century. With this wonderful news, we can put the rumors to rest. My sincere thanks to Celebrity for sharing the information with us !

 

==========================

 

In order to incorporate a series of new guest-inspired enhancements – including new staterooms, new luxury suites, and a new look reflective of Celebrity’s award-winning Solstice Class fleet in the restaurants, bars and lounges on Celebrity Century -- the ship will enter a drydock period beginning February 4, 2014. The sailing previously scheduled on that date, as well as three successive sailings – February 19, March 6, and March 21, 2014 – have been canceled, in order to allow for the four-week drydock and to modify the latter itinerary to offer two Coastal cruises, based on guest demand.

 

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, and are pleased to offer the following:

 

Guests on all impacted sailings are welcome to re-book on select Celebrity sailings in like accommodations at the lowest available rate, or on any Celebrity sailing at the prevailing rate.

 

Guests booked in stateroom accommodations on any of the four canceled sailings will receive a $400 per-stateroom onboard credit for use on the cruise on which they’re re-booked.

 

Guests booked in suite accommodations on any of the four sailings will receive a $600 per-suite onboard credit for use on the cruise on which they’re re-booked.

 

Guests who incur air-change fees will be reimbursed in full for the fees, providing they submit a faxed copy of the air-change fees incurred.

 

Any guests who may choose to cancel their cruise will receive a full refund processed to their original form of payment. The above-listed compensation does not apply to cancellations.

 

Celebrity has established three special toll-free lines to assist guests on impacted sailings:

For Individual Reservations: 1-888-281-9343, ext. 48846

For Group Reservations: 1-888-381-9343, ext. 48923

For Consumer Outreach: 1-866-521-7245, ext. 18881

 

We look forward to sharing further details in the coming weeks about the enhancements that will be incorporated onto Celebrity Century in 2014.

Hey Andy - Just received an offer from a travel agent to book the feb 15 century sailing. and it is also on celebrity's website. what's up? have the drydock dates changed?

I'm going to have to re-think this. I wasn't going to do the package - haven't in the past but I've also been careful about my consumption.

 

It would be nice to not have to worry about it but it could also be dangerous :rolleyes:

I have cruised both without a package and with one for part of the cruise. Very dangerous for me, as when I had the package I did drink more than usual to 'get my moneys worth'. But I love not signing all the slips. So this next cruise, I think I will do a premium non alcohol package, and pay for drinks. May be the best of both worlds and a 'wash' cost wise.

my new sprint smartphone also does not work in europe, but would on the cruise ship at very high rates (think was near $3 min). look at http://www.telestial.com for a prepaid global phone package you can get before you go. I can't report yet on if they are any good, but will know in a few weeks :)

For those who keep asking where their ship will dock, I figured out how to check it out myself using Dubrovniktravelady's link here:

 

http://www.portdubrovnik.hr/?lan=en&action=port_dubrovnik&kat=103&pdl=103

 

Look at the menus on the left and click on Cruising, third one down. That will expand the menu, then choose Arrivals/Departures and a separate window will pop up in Croatian, but you can figure out those are months, and you check the number of your month. (If you have pop-ups blocked, you might have to do something with your browser to unblock the pop-up for that page) You may have to do some scrolling down on the page to see the Search button, but it looks like a Search of Submit button, even in Croatian. This will take a few seconds but will eventually open a chart of dates and ships in English. Click on the chart and use your page down buttons to advance the chart to your arrival date.

 

Dubrovniktravelady, feel free to re-write this instruction and paste it into your post every time somebody asks where their ship is arriving. I figure if folks are savvy enough to be posting on CruiseCritic, they are savvy enough to figure out the chart and also savvy enough to locate both the port and old town on the tourist map you reference. I feel sort of bad about you having to look up everybody's berth for them.

 

Thanks for all the good stuff you have posted in these and other threads. I feel like I am ready to tour Dubrovnik on my own with all the help you have provided, and I have not even begun to read all of your threads. And I am also like you visiting right now in northern California, Marin County, and we had a just gorgeous day today here, as you probably did as well.

Thank you!! I had gotten as far as the chart but didn't know to click on it to get the full month. Found my ship at last.

Can anyone tell me the difference between regular craps and mini-craps? I assume some of the board is missing in the smaller version, but what?