Celebrity Century

[jennaschoice]

Has anyone been on this ship? What is it like? My husband and I are thinking about going mid March to western caribbean, but the price is so much cheaper than other similar cruises at that time. Is there a reason for this or is it just our lucky day? Neither of us has cruised before, so we have nothing to compare it to.

[Reese1717]

It is probably cheaper because it is an older ship compared to the M-class Celebrity ships.

 

 

We went on it last year and loved it so much we are taking it again this year. It is a lot more expensive if you want anything other that inside cabin or oceanview.

[Guest Cookiegirl]

jennaschoice, you'll love the Century. This was our very first cruise too in March '04. Great itinerary, you'll love the ship, the people, the food, the spa... everything was beyond our expectations. Book it!... go... and have fun!!!

[luv2bcruzn]

Going on it next Saturday for western Carribean cruise, I'll report back to you. I've been on 4 other Celebrity ships and all have been great!

[sammiedawg]

We had received many emails the last couple of years for great deals on Century. We're experienced cruisers on other lines and we are not difficult customers. The ship we really wanted ( another line) was waitlisted so we took the bait and booked the Century in December at a good price . Food and dining room service is excellent, other than that we were very disappointed. The ship had just flunked the CDC inspection. our cabin carpet and upholstery was very shopworn, bathroom fixture was gross. Cabin phone didnt work The open deck carpeting was worn and dirty, all the way forward it was black with dirt. Only one salt water pool area. No promenade deck. Loose floorboards on the staircases. Loose frayed carpets around the ship. Dirty upholstery seats in the buffet area. Entertainment was average to below average other than the pool band which was great. Lots of smoking on board, evidently you can smoke anywhere on the left side of the ship. Much more smoking than on other lines. There was actual noisy construction all week, probably related to the poor CDC report. they were tearing out eating areas top to bottom , it was noisy. Our tablemates were old time loyal customers and one couple brought up the subject of how the ship needs drydocked and totally made over. Celebrity loyalists will dispute what I've just told you but believe me it was all true.

[tlm]

Sorry, I totally disagree. We just got off the Century last week and were very impressed. After reading many of sammiedawgs prior posts I was determined to scrutinize this ship very carefully. I saw no wear or tear, stained or dirty carpets, loose floorboards etc.

The only place smoking was heavy was in the casino when it was crowded. I am an asthmatic and believe me I notice smoke.

We were in a Sky Suite and we were more than satisfied with our cabin. In fact the railings on the balcony had been freshly stained prior to us boarding. The bathroom was spotless, no black or mould to be seen.

 

The food was terrific and the service outstanding. We would sail this ship again in a heartbeat.

 

Toni :)

[MizzCard]

The Century was our first cruise/ship...We're seriously considering taking her again on an extended 9 day Western Cruise next year.

[RodPat]

Was just on Century Nov 20 and Nov 27 sailing. What Sammiedawg said was true. November 20 was just a week after it failed its CDC inspection. There were alot of Europeans on board and they do smoke more than any Americans I ever knew. Century has just passed its latest inspection with a 97, so I am sure that there is nothing wrong with her now. The food and service is excellant and tho it did not live up to my other trips on Celebrity ships I would still travel her again. She is a fine lady just showing her age. As I get older I know that it is experience that counts and not age.

[Andy]

Hi Jenna !

 

I have been on Century several times. I would suspect the lower pricing is due to the fact that the ship is nearly 10 years old. However, she is a wonderful ship, and I would not hesitate to go on her again. I would highly recommend Century. She is a real Gem !

[Lois R]

Hi:) I have sailed Century twice and will be going again next month.

 

There have been various reports about her "downfall" but if you do a search, you will also find MANY MANY people who have had wonderful cruises.

 

I will try a search and bring some of those posts back up front.

 

As you can see, even on this thread.....some people did not enjoy their sailing on her, and others had a wonderful time.

[anjnshelly]

We just sailed her on 1/8/05 for our honeymoon and had a fabulous time. My husband had never cruised before and we have already booked another on Celebrity for November. We chose another ship this time just for a different experience but would sail on the Century again with no hesitation.

 

Obviously there is some wear and tear since the ship is older but nothing that took anything away from our experience. The food was wonderful, the service outstanding and we met some really great people.

[geoherb]

We were on the Century for Christmas and New Year's. We had a great cruise. I did notice some of the wear and tear on carpet and upholstery. Our cabin's sink was badly stained. The pool area is small and crowded. We ended up enjoying the thalossotherapy pool instead. (It was $66 for the pass for the whole cruise.) Smokers weren't an issue for most of our cruise. I did have a confrontation, however, with one while waiting to disembark. There is a promenade deck. I don't know how Sammiedawg missed it. The food and service were excellent. Entertainment wasn't great--but the shows we saw were mostly good.

[illusion]

Can't believe the Century bashing still continues although it seems to be by 1 person now. Yes there are some worn leather couches, sat on it once who cares. Never noticed stained carpet around pool to busy trying to find a chaise that the chair hogs had. The band Voltz was good although would have liked to have heard more Caribbean music. Our nite life was fairly quiet except for a few nites but I think March would be a better time to go as you would have more families with younger parents dancing at night. I know I found this to be true when we were on the Mercury in March a few years back.

 

Have never been interested in the pools except for the T-Pools. That whole spa area was nice.

 

The service, the food, can find no fault. Although I prefer the larger

M-class ships I would certainly go again on the Century. Go ahead you will not be sorry.

 

Signed a Celebrity lover.

[pjsugg]

We were also on the Jan 22 cruise with Toni and we had a SS. It was really great. There is some wear and tear...but remember she is 10 years old. We have been back six days and just booked Century again for 4/06 in the same SS. When I called Celebrity this weekend they advised me that it would have some drydock while in Europe this summer. If so, that makes it even better.

 

But, I would have to agree with Toni, and it may be because of the poor CDC score back in November........the ship was CLEAN! The food and service was excellent and the entertainment for us was great (we gambled in the casino every night and never sent to a show). LOL

 

It is pretty pricey for April, so we may find something else in the next few months. But, we both loved the Century, so we may just bite the bullet and go for the 10 days.

 

Patti

[dougnewmanatsea]

When I called Celebrity this weekend they advised me that it would have some drydock while in Europe this summer.

Interesting. Looking at her schedule, between the time she departs Ft. Lauderdale on her Eastbound Transatlantic on 07 May and the time she departs Civitavecchia on her Westbound Transatlantic on 14 October I don't see any gaps where she could be drydocked. I don't have the patience to look through her entire schedule to see if and when a gap shows up, but she looks to be fully engaged at least through the end of 2005.

 

The CDC inspection score did not bother me much but I am not particularly thrilled with all the reports of wear and tear (not particularly worried either, just would rather not have them, obviously ;) ) and I would be interested to know when her next drydock is.

 

Quite frankly, unlike the 7-day Caribbean cruises she's deployed on at the moment, these Europe cruises are not exactly inexpensive, which brings my personal expectations up a notch.

[pjsugg]

I was wondering if they were giving me correct information regarding drydocking. I wonder how we could find out, other than calling them again only to get incorrect info. The ship does need some work, but we still have it booked for April 06 for now.

 

Patti

[SeaGams]

Hi Pat,

 

We too were on the November 20th sailing, and although there was some wear and tear I found Century to be very clean and neat. And this was the week after the not so flattering CDC report was released. We did have some plumbing and telephone problems in our cabin, but had a great cruise. The food, staff, and service were wonderful. I was told by the future cruise consultant Natalie that Century would go into drydock sometime ealy 2006.

[sammiedawg]

Geoherb, when I said "no Promenade deck" I meant there is no 360 Degree wrap around walking deck like the newer ships have. We love to walk the circumference of cruise ships. We did not see a 360 walking deck, we asked and were told there is none. The overall comments I made are a truthful response to a newbie cruiser asking why the price on the Century seems so cheap compared to other ships. Bottom line the physical plant does not compre to the competition, amenities are lacking and the condition of our cabin was comparable to an airport Holiday Inn. I gave truthful information based on our experience. Bottom line, the marketplace seems to agree with me because Celebrity is pulling this ship out of the Caribbean, it is not competing well with newer nicer ships . My travel agent friend told me they are having too dump more Century inventory at cheap prices compared to the other Celebrity M class ships, HAL Princess and RCCL ships sailing out of Florida.

[Amagamma]

While on the Century this Jan, we were trying to book another cruise on the Century, and were told by the Future Cruise Consultant that it will not be drydocked until after Europe. And it was being sent to Europe because of the demand of European cruises, not to DUMP it somewhere.

I sailed on the Century the week before the "ill-fated" inspection in November and found it to be very clean. I know it was all behind the scenes that was the problem. We sailed her again Jan 2nd, and was on the ship for the re-inspection on the 8th in Ft Lauderdale. All is well again as it passed with flying colors.

We got a great deal on both sailings. We have cruised over 25 times, and when you get a better than average deal, you take it. We took a couple cruises on the Norway at great deals also, and found that ship to need many updates, but didn't let it spoil our vacation.

However, the Century is wonderful. Yes, it is older, and yes it is ready for some updates, but I found it to be very clean, and didn't see all that SD saw.

We have sailed on RCCL, and would rather sail on Celebrity everytime. The service on RCCL leaves alot to be desired, the food can't come close to the quality you receive on Celebrity, and the smaller ship feel is not there either.

I am a Celebrity "junkie", but have sailed 9 times and have had fabulous times each and every cruise, Century included.

Go ahead and book your cruise, you won't regret it.

[cechase]

I have been reading this thread and one other concerning Century, and Sammiedawg appears to be a "minority of one".

 

A lot of variables go into whether or not a cruise is an enjoyable and wonderful experience for each particular person. Some people are much more particular, and one minor happenstance can ruin the entire experience for them. Then there are people who have a perspective with respect to the overall experience, and do not let their enjoyment and pleasure be measured by a frayed carpet, or some rust on a railing [imagine rust on an ocean going vessel!]. Then other people who have developed a negative view of their vessel, their cruise and their experience, seem to have to assume the role of an evangelist and broadcast their displeasure - and this appears to be the journey that Sammiedawg has taken.

 

We had RS1029 on Century in May, and we loved our cruise, loved the ship, and most particularly were absolutely floored by the wonderful staff on this particular vessel. We had been forewarned when we sailed on Mercury in March, as the Head housekeeper raved for an hour about the wonderful staff on Century [my dear Nedra was quite ill, and she stopped by to chat with her]. It turned out that she was absolutely right.

 

So in 10 days, we board this elegant lady again, but in RS1028 on the starboard side. We look forward to once again finding the secret little really neat but hidden martini bar, maybe another dinner with the Captain, but most of all - being around and with a wonderful staff who work so hard to please us.

 

Of course, we are like the little boy who wanted a pony and was led into a room with a 6 foot pile of horse manure. We make our own good time.

[Lois R]

Charlie:) I hope you will post a review upon your return.....I value your opinion.....I think you sailed with Cat and Wanda last year? Ya'll were on Mercury the week before I sailed her.

 

I am going back on Century next month:D ........last time I sailed her it was January 2004....seems like it has been longer than 13 months.......and I cannot wait to step back on her:)

[benjamins]

It is probably cheaper because it is an older ship compared to the M-class Celebrity ships.

 

 

I don't think that is the case at all. Lots of times ships sailing out of New York City are more expensive than other cruises. Usually, the ships sailing out of New York City are Celebrity's oldest ships, the Zenith and Horizon.

 

Century is, for many Celebrity fans, Celebrity's finest ship. It is just a great ship and it is hard to put into words why. I think she is a considerably better ship than any M class ship but I'm a cruiser who is into the social aspects of cruising and into the more classic feel that Century has over the newer batch of ships. She has arguably the most elegant dining room at sea and of Celebrity's WHOLE fleet of ships, many elegant public areas, is a size that many find comfortable, is modern in some areas, has plenty cozy spots both interior public areas and deck areas. It is a ship that many of Celebrity's crew members request and enjoy serving aboard.

 

There are different types of cruisers. Some here represent that the newer ships are better and some just like bigger ships with the latest trendy content. Others, like me, find that a great ship is made whenever and deal with what was in vogue at the time the ship was put into service. For me and others like me, the Century is a brilliant ship and will be for years to come. Her age (in a sane time she's going on middle age for a ship, which should have a lifespan of 25-30 years) is a nonfactor.

[benjamins]

We were also on the Jan 22 cruise with Toni and we had a SS. It was really great. There is some wear and tear...but remember she is 10 years old.ti

 

 

Technically, the Century is 9 years old. She went into service in, I believe, November of 1995. Her "birthday" is in November of this year.

[benjamins]

Geoherb, when I said "no Promenade deck" I meant there is no 360 Degree wrap around walking deck like the newer ships have.

 

360 degree promenade decks have absolutely Nothing to do with newness of ships. HAL ships have them, dating back to the 30s.

 

No Celebrity ships have 360 degree promenade decks and, if anything, it is Worse on the Millennium ships. They don't wrap around the back nor the front. The Century and Zenith ships at least wrap around the back of the ship (though you have to climb up stairs to get to the continuation of the prom deck), the Millennium class ships, yes newer ships, only have a promenade deck on the side of the ship, where it comes to a set of stairs that go up to the next level and then goes inside.

[alpal1993]

I don't agree with sammiedawg's account on why Century is leaving the Caribbean.I was booked on her for the June 2,9day Caribbean cruise.This was back in November and we had a pretty busy group corresponding.

I am still booked on this cruise and eagerly awaiting our Scandinavian/Russia 12 night.I got a really good deal,but I don't think it is because the ship is 10 years old.It is because I have a great T/A who has a really great relationship with Celebrity.This will be my 3 time on Century,I have also been on Millenium and Summit and have been given some very reasonable fares.