Just Back from the Mercury--Mini review

[kelmac]

Hello everyone!

 

My wife and I just completed the March 20th -- March 30th sailing of the Mercury. Superior cruise in most respects!

Below is a review list:(by our priorities:rolleyes: )

1) Food--excellent cuisine! The dining room cuisine was as good as any Celebrity cruise we have been on (this was cruise 18; number 8 with Celebrity). Best cuts of beef I've ever had on a cruise! Fish, bread, desserts were all excellent. The buffet was very good (I'm not much of a buffet fan); pasta, omelet and waffle stations are a nice touch! They are still using the 2001 menus; so we have tried just about every item.

2) Service--superior! The crew was very friendly; everyone had smiles and would say hello. Carlos and Cepfido were as good a dining room team as we have ever had. Sasa, the asst' Maitre'd in our section, had special cheeses and Proscuitto to go along with our breads. Yolanda kept our room perfect, and not once did we run into her in our cabin. WOW!

3) Cleanness--excellent! The public restrooms were perfectly kept. The ship is eight years old, but we felt it was in great shape! We toured the Galley just before the last formal night and it was very impressive. Clean, organized, and the crew was very proud of their product.

4) Entertainment--well okay I guess. After 18 cruises the production shows all seem to run together. The pool and party band "Top Secret" did a wonderful job! The Capella Sensation--Vinyl 4 --didn't see, sorry. Hanna Starosta--sorry, didn't see. David Meyer--sorry, didn't see. Do you see a pattern here? We are ready for something different in the Entertainment area. Don Sherman--old school comedy, but he was fast and funny! Jordan Bennett--missed it! Jeffrey Harris--action Comedy--mostly juggling, but okay. We have seen some of these people before on other cruises. Hope someone else from this cruise can give you a better review!

5) Shore excursions-- Did Randi's Happy horses in Mazatlan--great time; Randi is a piece of work--but the greatest! How many times will you see your wife ridding an a horse at a full gallop, on the beach (you know, where the water meets the sand)? Special visual image:rolleyes: !!

My brother and his family were on the NCL Star and we had two common ports. So we did a bunch of family stuff...., I didn't bring my golf clubs, but this would have been a great golf cruise; Poppy Hills, Monterey, Catalina Island golf club, Estrella del Mar Golf/Beach resort, Mazatlan, El Tigre Golf, PV and Cabo del Sol, cabo. Golf pro escorted each stop. Around $700 worth of golf. We did rent a golf cart and tour Catalina.

6) Dress--three formal nights; three informal nights; and four casual nights. Many first timers on this cruise, so it was hard to spot much difference between casual and informal dress. About 40% in tuxes on formal night. We like to dress up, but don't care what others wear.

7) Passengers--I guess 150 kids and 150 teenagers. Seemed well behaved and no problems. Nice mix of people.

8) CC "connections party" -- great turnout! Everyone was very nice and we had a great time. Dru Pavlov (cruise director) showed up and was very informative. Nice to put a face on the great people you meet online! Hi to Jeff, Laura, Andrew, Dorthy, Bill, Steve, Ashley, Sandie, Mike, Phil, Paul, Lea, Jessica, Christina, Jeremy, Michael.... and everyone else!!!

9) Did one night at the Captain's table with the Hotel Director Christos Hadjipetris. Super evening! We have done this many times before--I think it has to do with my tall, blond wife???? :rolleyes:

10) No social hostess anymore; combined job is now of Captain's club/Social hostess. Camilla was wonderful; professional and happy!!

11) Tenders--a bit slow, but organized.

12) Embarkation/Disembarkation --a little "goofy" It had more to do with the fact that San Francisco gets so few ships, they really don't have any "flow" and experience. Little slow, but what the heck?

Sorry for the format--Let me know if you have any questions? Once again, an excellent cruise and I know why Celebrtiy continues to be our number one cruise line!!

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[tdebolt]

Thanks for the review...were their any golf excursions offered through the cruiseline? My DH may want to go golfing but I didn't see any on the X website.

 

 

Thanks! ~Tiffany

[Andy]

10) No social hostess anymore; combined job is now of Captain's club/Social hostess. Camilla was wonderful; professional and happy!!

Enjoy!

Kel

 

Hi Kel !

 

Glad to hear you had a great time on your Cruise. Mercury is a wonderful ship !

 

Quick question... there used to be a Social hostess at Celebrity... her name is Camilla Sullivan. I had heard she left the company last year.

 

Would you happen to know if Sullivan is Camilla's last name ? She was our social hostess on Summit a while ago, and she was incredible. It would be great to hear that she is back with Celebrity !

[Lois R]

Kel, thanks for the review:) sounds like you both had a wonderful time.

 

I remember seeing Don Sherman. He used to be a writer for the tv show "Night Court". A VERY FUNNY guy:D.

 

Andy~wishing you a fantastic cruise.....I know you leave today:D

[donnalroe]

Thanks for the review. It is very helpful for us who have never sailed celebrity to have a handle of what to expect. Were there any golf excursions? I will take my clubs if there are......Now I'm REALLY excited......

 

tx again

 

Donna

[kelmac]

Hi Kel !

 

Glad to hear you had a great time on your Cruise. Mercury is a wonderful ship !

 

Quick question... there used to be a Social hostess at Celebrity... her name is Camilla Sullivan. I had heard she left the company last year.

 

Would you happen to know if Sullivan is Camilla's last name ? She was our social hostess on Summit a while ago, and she was incredible. It would be great to hear that she is back with Celebrity !

 

Hi Andy,

 

I'm not sure about Camilla's last name?? But she was on the Summit, and she did five years with Crystal Cruise Lines before coming over to Celebrity. I think she said she has been with Celebrity for two years?? Maybe some of the others will know her last name?? Just checked with my wife and she thinks it is Sullivan--she's from Newfoundland, Canada.

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[kelmac]

Thanks for the review. It is very helpful for us who have never sailed celebrity to have a handle of what to expect. Were there any golf excursions? I will take my clubs if there are......Now I'm REALLY excited......

 

tx again

 

Donna

 

Donna and Tiffany,

 

When you first board the ship, in your stateroom will be the first copy of the "Celebrity Today", the daily sheet. Inside will be an intro sheet from the golf pro Nicholas LeBlanc. He had an open house from 2:00pm--4:00pm where you could sign up for any, or all, of the golf excursions. Except for the Catalina Island Golf Course, all the excursions seem inline with current golf rates. ($105.00 for Catalina seemed a bit much for a "short course.") I thought $160 for Poppy Hills Golf Club was a pretty good rate for the Monterey area. If I did this cruise again, I would do four of the courses listed. Nicholas escorts all of these excursions.

Does Celebrity have a special area of their main website for Golf?? Might look that up.

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[Andy]

Hi Andy,

 

I'm not sure about Camilla's last name?? But she was on the Summit, and she did five years with Crystal Cruise Lines before coming over to Celebrity. I think she said she has been with Celebrity for two years?? Maybe some of the others will know her last name?? Just checked with my wife and she thinks it is Sullivan--she's from Newfoundland, Canada.

 

Enjoy!

Kel

 

Hi Kel !

 

That is DEFINATELY her. This is Wonderful news. I had heard that Camilla was hoping to come back to Celebrity, and apparantly she has !!! I hope we will see her on a future Cruise. She was a huge part of making our Summit sailing awesome last year. I wish I knew how to email her, to welcome Camilla back. Camilla is one of Celebrity's VERY best.

[eandee]

"6) Dress--three formal nights; three informal nights; and four casual nights. Many first timers on this cruise, so it was hard to spot much difference between casual and informal dress. About 40% in tuxes on formal night. We like to dress up, but don't care what others wear. "......

 

Kelmac, thanks for the wonderful review!

You wouldn't possibly remember where you were on the formal nights.

Last report from Mercury was Monterey was first formal night.

Just trying to plan ahead here.

Does the Celebrity paper tell you this ahead of time?

Just trying to think about hair appt schedules!

 

Thanks,

Liz again..

[chessbriar]

Andy,

 

You'll be happy to know, I just e-mailed Camilla and welcomed her back. Unfortunately, I am no able to give it out, nothing personal. It's just so happened we had the internal e-mail address from a previous CCH. They don't change the address, the next one just takes it over. I'll let you know if I hear back. If you would like, I can pass along your e-mail address to her and see if she is able to get back to you.

 

You can e-mail it to me at cpcrickp@aol.com. Also e-mail the dates you sailed and a picture if you have it to stir her memory.

 

Have fun on your cruise.

[Amagamma]

Thanks for the great review. Will be on the Mercury May 4th. Can you tell me, how was embarkation? What time did you get there? Were there lines?

Was it easy to catch a cab after you left the shipfor debarkation?

Who was the cruise director?

Thanks

[eandee]

Thanks for the great review. Will be on the Mercury May 4th. Can you tell me, how was embarkation? What time did you get there? Were there lines?

Was it easy to catch a cab after you left the shipfor debarkation?

Who was the cruise director?

Thanks

 

bbmdschmidt,

 

Are you on the Mercury Marineros roll call?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=84275&page=17&pp=25

I don't see your name?

 

Word is Dru the CD will be on vacation for our cruise unfortunately.

 

Liz

[kelmac]

"6) Dress--three formal nights; three informal nights; and four casual nights. Many first timers on this cruise, so it was hard to spot much difference between casual and informal dress. About 40% in tuxes on formal night. We like to dress up, but don't care what others wear. "......

 

Kelmac, thanks for the wonderful review!

You wouldn't possibly remember where you were on the formal nights.

Last report from Mercury was Monterey was first formal night.

Just trying to plan ahead here.

Does the Celebrity paper tell you this ahead of time?

Just trying to think about hair appt schedules!

 

Thanks,

Liz again..

 

Hi Liz,

 

Let me give it a shot:

1st night-------casual----------SanFrancisco

2nd night-------formal----------Monterey

3rd night--------informal--------Catalina Island

4th night--------casual----------at sea

5th night--------formal----------at sea

6th night--------informal---------Mazatlan

7th night--------casual----------P Vallarta

8th night--------informal---------Cabo

9th night--------formal-----------at sea

10thnight--------casual----------at sea

 

Yes, the first "Celebrity Today" will be in your stateroom and has the entire Itinerary w/evening attire.

 

Hope this helps!

Kel

[kelmac]

Thanks for the great review. Will be on the Mercury May 4th. Can you tell me, how was embarkation? What time did you get there? Were there lines?

Was it easy to catch a cab after you left the shipfor debarkation?

Who was the cruise director?

Thanks

 

Hi bbmdschmidt,

 

Lauren and I walked from our hotel to Coit Tower the morning of departure to get a few pictures of the Mercury.(Excellent View point by the way!) We were a little concerned that the ship was no where to be found at 8:30am; the ship was due in at 7:00am:eek: ! We waited around, and at 9:15 we could see the ship approaching the golden gate bridge; it was docked at about 9:35am. We walked down to the ship (neat paths down this hill!!!) and spent some time in the FW area. People didn't start disembarking until around 11:00am. They told the people waiting to embark to drop off their luggage and return to the ship at 3:00pm. We headed back to our hotel; checked out a 12 noon and headed back to the ship. Stayed in line until 1:15pm and we were one of the first to enter the ship. This is not a real "smooth" process, so just be patient and keep the smile going.

On disembarkation, the customs people board the ship and everyone must be cleared before anyone can leave the ship. Once again, not a real "smooth" process and people with early flights started freaking out. We were in the first group off at 9:45am (ship arrived at 7:00am). Taxi service is right outside the door, no problem. Yes, Dru Pavlov is the CD. Captain is Anastasios P. Salessiotis, and his English is weak and that keeps him from much interaction with passengers. He relies on Dru to communicate for him. Not the usual upbeat Greek officer.

 

Hope this helps!? Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Kel

[tdebolt]

I have one more question (and thanks for your answer about golf by the way)....On the night we disembark at 8pm, we have late dinner...do you know if it will work to go to dinner and catch sail away under thw GGB? I really don't want to miss sail away, but then again son't want to miss meeting table mates and first night in dinning room either..

[kelmac]

I have one more question (and thanks for your answer about golf by the way)....On the night we disembark at 8pm, we have late dinner...do you know if it will work to go to dinner and catch sail away under thw GGB? I really don't want to miss sail away, but then again son't want to miss meeting table mates and first night in dinning room either..

 

Tiffany,

 

The ship may, or may not, leave on time. Timing will be difficult--but when we left it was very dark and the Golden Gate Bridge is not really "lit" up. It was neat, but you really couldn't see the bridge that well (very dark and windy). Pictures we took are so so. You may be cruising after Daylight savings time, and later this spring, so could be different?? We had early seating, so no problem. I would try getting up early the day you return to port and check out the bridge coming back into the bay. You could also try leaving the dining room for just a few minutes as you approach the bridge??

My wife and I thought about walking out on the Golden gate bridge very early the morning the ship was due in. Good thing we didn't as the ship was very late returning. Coit tower(the parking lot, as the tower doesn't open until 10:00am) is a great place to view the ship docking!

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[eandee]

Kelmac,

 

everyone seems to say on the boards here that no matter when you sail to the Mexican Riviera all 4 of the sea days are too cold to sun out by the pool.

 

Would you agree?

 

Liz

[tdebolt]

Thanks Kel !

[kelmac]

Kelmac,

 

everyone seems to say on the boards here that no matter when you sail to the Mexican Riviera all 4 of the sea days are too cold to sun out by the pool.

 

Would you agree?

 

Liz

 

Liz,

 

It depends:rolleyes: -- During our cruise the wind was out of the NNW; so southbound the ship was moving at about the same speed as the wind was blowing--nice because there was no breeze onboard and it felt warm. We were on deck the two at sea days southbound and it was wonderful. Temp's were in the high 60's,. but with no wind, it felt great. We did many hours on deck! Coming back was just the opposite; ship was moving at 19 knots northbound and the wind was still out of the NNW. Sooooo--that 67 degrees felt pretty cold with the 30 mph breeze--no problem though, because we went to deck 10 aft and there is a great teakwood deck area with no breeze and plently of sun. About 25 people discovered this area on our first at sea day coming home. Great place!:D Not Caribbean warm, but coming from our mountain climate, it felt pretty good. To me, the real shock is the water temperature--I like my snorkeling to be Hawaii, or Caribbean, warm!!

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[DeePee]

Hi Kel, We just returned today after the wonderful cruise and three days in San Francisco. I agree with all you have said about the cruise. Although we did find the four days at sea cold. We had a wonderful balcony and only used it about four or five of the ten days at sea. Understand we are from a warmer climate than you and that may be the reason that we were cold.

To all of you that are going on this cruise, we strongly recommend it. If you haven't signed up for the cruise connection party, do so. You will then have people that you meet and make friends with. As Kel said, Randieshappyhorses are a ball. Randy has some good horses and tries to fit the horses to the people and their experence. I had experience riding althought it had been several years, and they put me on a horse that they generally use for children, so I had a harder time getting her to move on.

Good luck to all that are planning this cruise and have fun!!!

[Cruisin Rick]

We were blessed. the first two days were chilly but there were many good sea days at the pool after that. Better than I had hoped for, Every cruise is differebt weather so you may just get lucky.

Happy sailing, check some of the pictures and see the folks enjoying the pool.

 

Cruisin Rick

[babyg]

Kel

Thanks for the review. We' ll be on the Mercury 6/10 to Alaska. I believe we were on the Volendam on 12/30 with you.

Babyg

Phyllis

[stormyc]

Thank you so much for sharing your cruise experience with us! Full of good information, and I liked the format you used just fine.

 

So glad you had a great time!!

[kelmac]

Kel

Thanks for the review. We' ll be on the Mercury 6/10 to Alaska. I believe we were on the Volendam on 12/30 with you.

Babyg

Phyllis

 

Hi Phyllis,

 

Yes, we were! Both ships are great. I give the Mercury a slight edge in dining room food, but the Lido on the Volendam was a bit better. We are doing a BtoB with the Caribbean Princess and the Zuiderdam the same time you will be in Alaska. Have a great time, and I'm sure we will cruise together again some day!

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[kelmac]

Thank you so much for sharing your cruise experience with us! Full of good information, and I liked the format you used just fine.

 

So glad you had a great time!!

 

stormyc,

 

Thanks! My wife and I fly back and forth between Phoenix, Tucson and Albuquerque almost once a month. We like to build up all those SWA points--we've got four free tickets to use to fly to all those cruise ports. My wife's parents live in Tucson (great golf!!) and I fly to Phoenix to play golf/watch the Phoenix open..., It's 20 degrees warmer in Phoenix/Tucson than ABQ all winter long.

 

Enjoy!

Kel