LIVE FROM THE DECK OF MERCURY 10/18 & 10/29/10 b2b

[cruzeluver]

Gail,

 

I too would like to thank you for your reports. We were on the Mercury sailing immediately following yours in March and it is disheartening to read about the decline in service and dining in such a short amount of time. Our Mercury cruise was particularly exceptional and it saddens me to think they are not maintaining the high standards we experienced. Those menu changes do not sound very appetizing. I'm glad you are still enjoying your cruise and look forward to the rest of your report.

 

Ryan

[tomatopa]

Gail,

Hi back at you....We will be sailing with Donna and Joe next week....Hope all of your ears aren't ringing too badly.....lol

 

enjoy the rest of your cruise...

 

Judy

[TourDeCruise]

Gail,

 

Thanks for sending the message through Alina to Mettin, only do it if you have time though. We will be onboard tomorrow to greet Mettin & Alina in person. Like a mother, I have to scold him for not answering my email!

 

We tend to use our free Elite Internet minutes (& laundry bags), especially since we will also post on your thread too (maybe we can help you answer questions or get answers) but I'll let you know if we have any extra minutes on the 10/29 cruise that you can use.

 

Thanks so much for all your updates. See you tomorrow or the next day when we are on the ship! Elite lounge & CC party here we come!

 

Kathy

[ChucktownSteve]

Gail,

If you don't mind, I'll share how I saved enormous minutes when I did my live report from Mercury last April.

I would log on and use my already bookmarked favorites to the thread. Once it downloaded the postings, I would log off. Usually took no more than 3 or four minutes.

I would read the messages offline (leaving the browser open). I would compose my next posting in word and save it to my desktop after running the spell check. Then I would log on, click on the bookmark, click on post message, and copy/paste the word doc into the Cruise Critic reply box. Then I'd sign off again.

Viola, only a few minutes logged on. I Hope that helps.

Steve

[cruisecluestoo]

Gail thanks for being so honest.We had such great food in Feb and March on Mercury that is why we wanted to go again . It is hard to believe they would go down so fast . Do they have the same chef as before or did he leave? See you tomorrow :)

 

Diane cruiseclues

[starlake]

Gail,

I have enjoyed reading your reports. We got off of the Mercury as you got on.

We always had a dessert menu, but our waiter also always showed the three dessert options. I agree with you, that they should also show the sugar free. I usually find them the best dessert.

 

If you happen to see bar waiter Ketut, tell him hello from Patti and Bud.

[atb]

Gail,

Thanks for the updates - we are so looking forward to getting on tomorrow - a cruise for all it's bumps and lumps is still the greatest value for us. :D

[donnaw]

Hey GF, as long as you and JoAn are having fun and staying healthy, then it is a great cruise!

 

Getting ready to head over to BCN on Tuesday hasn't left much time for anything beyond lurking. I for one prefer being forewarned and am glad to hear both sides.

 

Terri, Hey we miss you too! Cute little chubby guy said to send a hug and say we'd better arrange something soon. Emailed Gail that we will be in Charleston/Savannah in March. Maybe?

 

Claude, Hmmmm, you make that sound good! Just might have to try it!

 

Judy, See you in 9 more days! Safe travels!

[kr1st1nm]

Sorry to hear about the decline in the quality of food (and service!). We haven't sailed X in a number of years and have been looking forward to "top notch" in both categories. Maybe they'll get it together by next week!?!

 

The only upside? Maybe I'll only gain 5lbs instead of 10!

 

Thanks to Gail for the posts - we really do appreciate the honesty!

 

Kristin

[CaroleSP]

Hi Gail,

 

I just saw your post and haven't had a chance to read it yet. Wanted to just drop in to say hi. I hope you are well.

 

Al & I will be boarding when you disembark. Are you sure you don't want to do a b2b2b?

 

Looking forward to reading your reports; lunch time is too short to relax and have a good read.

 

Take care of yourself and enjoy the rest of your vacation.

[jcpc]

I'm not happy to hear about the decline in food. I read your menus to some of my friends who are boarding the ship with me tomorrow. 12 of us are sailing and all but 2 are repeat Celebrity cruisers (some of us have 8 Celebrity cruises......some of us have 58 Celebrity cruises).......the thing that always kept us coming back was food and service. Everyone is not happy with what you are reporting regarding dinner selections. The majority of us were on Mercury last November and were happy with the food (nowhere near the past when they used Michele Roux menus, but happy nonetheless.) As I was reading all your postings I thought to myself "oh well, I guess I'll have a fruit appetizer most nights and that dried-out chicken that's on the every-night menu !!" I guess I'll find out for myself tomorrow night at dinner. Thanks for posting so much information.

[tuggers]

Mercury 10/18 and 10/29/10 B2B Day 10

Sea Day! Love them! I plan to spend most of the day by the pool. My favorite kind of day on a cruise ship!

Today’s activities: Smithsonian Journeys Coastal Processes and Conservation, What Will Be Left For Future Generations? Secrets of Ship Navigation and How Our Ship Moves. Let’s dance the Tango. Mega Jackpot Bingo. Tonight’s Show, A Touch of Broadway. Late, Celebrity’s 20th Anniversary Party. Food & Wine Pairing, $15. Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments. Morning, Noon and Afternoon Trivia, Name That Tune and Opposition Wars. Ice Carving. Scrap booking. Scavenger Hunt. Movie, My One and Only.

Things you’ve asked that I’ve learned: Interactive Trivia involves slides being shown that you must answer questions about. One example I was given was pictures of animals along with a country named. This was called ‘Feed It or Eat It’. Based on where the animal lived would you feed it or eat it. Guess they are trying to come into the world of technology, albeit, slowly.

Only real specials today are bar specials. /two glasses of selected wines for $9.95. All house wine $4.50. Non-alcoholic cocktails 2 for $6.00.

Lunch had Key Lime Pie for dessert. Yummy! Only time we’ve had it this cruise.

I had spent so much time in the sun that I was exhausted so I stayed in tonight. I kind of lost interest in the formal night dinner when I heard the Lobster was going to be served like RCL does it. A small lobster tail, 3 shrimp and 2 scallops. Then I saw that the chef’s recommendation was for ‘Mama’s Pork Chops’. Heard several people say they weren’t going to get all dressed up to eat pork chops. I know there was no Filet or Prime Rib on the menu. Hopefully JoAn will bring me a menu. If she’s not too mad because I didn’t go to the dining room. J

I ordered a club sandwich on wheat bread with fries. Sandwich (small) and fries were good, chocolate cake not so wonderful. Came hot and pretty fast. However, as I’ve said before about other food, the portions are smaller than what we are used to on X. The sandwich was fine for me but a man or someone with a bigger appetite might want to order two.

For those needing a quick refresher on what’s available in the Captain’s Club Loyalty Lounge, here goes:

Celebrity Vintages Sparkling Wine

Chardonnay, Tormaresca, Antinori, Italy

Red Diva Bordeaux A.C., Haut-Medoc

Skyy Vodka

Beefeater Gin

Bacardi Rum

Jim Beam

Dewar’s White Label

Courvoisier VS Cognac

Heineken and Bud Light

Sodas and Juices

Cocktails

Kir Royale

Mimosa

Vodka or Gin Martini

Apple Martini

Cosmo

Manhattan

Screwdriver

Cuba Libre

Formal Night Dinner

Appetizers

Batonet of Pears and Apple

Steak Tartar

Salmon Gravlax

Wild Mushroom Vol-Au-Vent

Soup

Chicken and Corn Chowder (JoAn said it was good but a tad sweet)

Duck Consommé

Smooth Green Pea and Mint

Salad

Mediterranean Baby Greens Salad

Seasonal Mixed Lettuce

Entrees

Barolo Braised Short Rib Lasagna

Momma’s Pork Chops – Chef’s recommendation

Lobster Mélange – Roasted half lobster tail (dry), one or two shrimp and a scallop served on risotto (this is description from two different people who ate it and were not impressed)

Mediterranean Cornish Game Hen

Tournedos Rossini

Grilled Eggplant Ratatouille Napoleon

Dessert

Only Baked Alaska was offered

This is almost it! Just one more night on this cruise!

Bye For Now!

[tuggers]

Mercury 10/18 and 10/29/10 B2B Day 11 The End of Cruise Number 1

Final day and its not been a good one for me. I did not sleep at all last night. No reason, just my insomnia. Went to the Elite Lounge for some juice then went up to deck 11 to lay in the sun. Immediately fell asleep and slept till the rain started about 11 AM. It came down in buckets!! Everyone was heading into the buffet so I called Cil and Roger and asked if they wanted to go to the restaurant for lunch.

We got right in and Roger was happy because he has been wanting the meatloaf and it was on the menu. Barbeque meatloaf. I tried it but wasn’t too wild about it.

Had an eggplant and onion empanada and that was good. Ordered Broccoli Cheese soup but I forgot it and so did the waiter. No big deal, I didn’t really need it.

Went down to Guest Relations and about lost the lunch I had just eaten. Was told that I have no reservation for the 10/29 cruise, that it was canceled in July. Naturally I was losing it. I had no plane reservations for tomorrow, no hotel if I needed to stay over a night, etc, etc. I was very, very upset.

Thank God for great travel agents! Got Amber on the phone and she talked to Miami who talked to the ship (all within an hour but it felt like forever!) and told them I was indeed on the 10/29 cruise even though I wasn’t on the manifest they had received. The ship said I was originally in 1227 or 1224 but I’ve always had cabin 1137. I’m just so glad Amber got it straightened out. Like I’ve always said, you never need a travel agent until something goes wrong. And since the ship was going to be putting me off tomorrow, I’d say that was something going wrong.

You guys know they turn the Internet off early tonight so this may be my last posting until the new cruise starts.

I’ll be looking for those of you boarding tomorrow. And praying for warm, dry weather in Baltimore!

Bye For Now!!

[ChucktownSteve]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how many dinner menu dishes have pasta? Wow, that's pretty chincy.

 

If they keep squeezing profits from the food, I hope it don't get to bread and water by the time we cruise. :eek:

[alwayshappytocruise]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how many dinner menu dishes have pasta? Wow, that's pretty chincy.

 

If they keep squeezing profits from the food, I hope it don't get to bread and water by the time we cruise. :eek:

 

Yes, I noticed. I haven't been impressed with any of the menus...pork belly, pork chops, rib lasagna??!!

[cruzeluver]

I'm not too thrilled with some of these menu choices either, however, DH had the Mama's pork chops back in March and they were exceptional! (and this is coming from someone who is so-so on pork chops usually)

[donnaw]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how many dinner menu dishes have pasta? Wow, that's pretty chincy.

 

If they keep squeezing profits from the food, I hope it don't get to bread and water by the time we cruise. :eek:

 

Princess is known for their pasta and will definitely be a tough act to follow even though they no longer do table side prep! X bread sticks and water, I just might be able to live on! Please tell me they haven't messed with the break sticks!

At this rate, I'd better not delete those HAL offers I keep getting in my email.

[ChucktownSteve]

I'm not too thrilled with some of these menu choices either, however, DH had the Mama's pork chops back in March and they were exceptional! (and this is coming from someone who is so-so on pork chops usually)

 

Yes I agree. I had the ribs last April even though I'm not usually a rib man. I’m more a thigh or breast man. ;) (That's a chicken reference :p) They were exceptional or as I reported in my live report, "ta die for."

However even Gail has pointed out how disappointing the food on Mercury has become compared to when we cruised on her. You know she’s not a complainer.

[LoveLhasa15]

Thank you so much for your reviews of your cruise and I look forward to reading those of your continuation cruise. I was wondering which Cruise Director is now on board the Mercury. I will be on board the Mercury the 29th of November. We sailed the Panama Canal cruise on the Mercury last October and thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. I felt the food was not as good as in other cruises we have been on with Celebrity. It sure has changed since they don't use Michael Roux's recipes any longer.

[terrytallent1]

Since I will be doing b2b Nov 20 and 29 and then Dec 20 for 14 days your insight is especially welcome. I THINK my wife and I will be elite starting Nov 29. Unless they try to put us off the ship!! ;) Our connections groups are fairly active. As we get closer to sailing they are getting more active. I look forward to the next installments on your b2b. Terry

[buffi001]

I'm new to cruise critic, but since you guys seem to have some clout

with Celebrity, do you ever forward consensus opinions (like the rapid

decline in quality, variety, and quantity of food)to them for comment.

It would seem that an opinion shared by a multitude of their most loyal

and valuable customers might have significant sway. Perhaps a summary

posted on cruise critic,with a list of passengers who agree with the analysis,

forwarded to customer relations might exact some desired change.

 

Like I said, I'm new and maybe my approach is naive...just let me know.

[drwong]

Enjoyed reading your posts (yes, I'm a lurker) and we're looking forward to joining you aboard the Mercury tomorrow, instead of waving bye-bye to you on the pier because Celebrity put you off their ship!!! :D

[Cathy Laz]

Gail,

 

Thanks so much for the information. We did settle on $15 so we are right in the middle. I will heed to your suggestion and check in when the casino opens. Your help is very much appreciated (on all reports and suggestions you have made).

 

I hope you just got a bad steward, but I am wondering if they are staffing the ship with all the new people when someone goes on vacation. They have to start somewhere and what better time to do it then now. It is more difficult to move the seasoned people from ship to ship.

 

As for the food, well....I usually can find something, but this sounds a bit rough. I am sure they are trending toward the additional restaurants on the other larger ships so they probably feel justified in serving sub-par food in the MDR. Don't agree with it, but it is probably the sign of things to come. If you want the old, exceptional food and service that we have come to know, we are going to have to pay for it! Just look at the Oasis with 26 dining venues - most for a fee. I heard that Carnival is going to add a fee in their MDR if you want to order the prime steak rather than the skirt steak they serve. So sad. But I don't think I willl stop cruising because of it, either.

 

Enjoy your next trip. One of these days we will be on the same cruise.

[Katie H]

Hi Gail-

It is the names of the activities staff that I am looking for. I have seen your posts listing the activities. Just hoping to see some familiar names. Thanks.

[tuggers]

Denni, Thanks!

Robin, No, it’s different stations now: Stir-fry, Curry, Pasta, etc. You get your own. We have done the sit down upstairs before and enjoyed it. Small ship, no Aqua Spa food venue.

HeidiKay, I have closed three X ships and the standards, in my opinion, never wavered right through to the end.

Ryan, even with all the challenges in the March B2B the food was definitely better.

Judy, jealous that you guys are sailing together!

Kathy, me too, I just thought it was great of him to do that and realized there are people out there who do not use the Internet. Can’t imagine it personally as I’m tied to my computer! J

Diana, I think it is the same one. Walter, and he was very outgoing. Just think maybe its what he has to work with now.

Patti, sorry, haven’t run into him but I’ll look.

Atb, AMEN!

Donna, love you guys! Have a great time!

Kristen, so funny you mentioned that! I have heard that weight gaining comment more than once on this cruise!!

Hi Carole and Al! We did have a good time in the Martini Bar didn’t we?? J

Jcpc, I was on in March and I can see the difference. Hoping they’ll see the error of their ways and give us back a little food quality!

KatieH, I know Michael is still here and Zach was due to come back but is nw on Infinity. Sorry, that's all I know.

Just an aside, the CS just walked in on me undressed again!! It’s 8 PM! Heloo, I’m getting dressed! Anyway, I gave him my schedule of breakfast, dinner, nap, etc. Maybe this will help????

See most of you soon!