Mini review of Century 2 nighter to Coco Cay 1/12

[flashdog_1]

Boarded as soon as we got to the pier. There was a sign saying "boarding at 10:30" but our documents said 1 p.m. It was before noon when we arrived. Xpress check in a breeze.

 

This time there was champagne (had been none on the Millenium 2 nighter Dec 2). The greeter suggested we sit in the lobby to wait until rooms were ready if we didn't want to go to the buffet immediately. I couldn't believe I heard myself say, "that's what we'll do if you'll bring us another glass of champagne" and he did!

 

Never having been aboard Century before it was a nice opportunity to look around while we sat and took very short walks to see where the various desks were located. Very few people were aboard yet.

 

Oh, and our bottle of rum passed the security scanner without a hitch.

 

We got hungry so went up to the buffet. Not a huge selection of items, but sufficient to ward off hunger for sure. Explored the staircases to deck 12 and 10.

 

At one point I'd thought of getting a cabin near these staircases so i could smoke, but saw that there was a no smoking sign at each landing. Beautiful teak decks.

 

I'd thought the Millenium class ships were beautiful, but have to say that Century was gorgeous, regardless of her age. Stepping out from the center elevator onto deck 12, with the stars in the carpet perfectly centered amid the silver railings, to the art work on the landing made me rush for my camera. However, the camera could not capture what the human eye did. Spectacular!

 

Our disappointment in the size of the sky suite balcony in 1201 was short lived. The deck plans show all the cabins on deck 12 to be the same size, but 1200 and 1201 are set back and the balcony size is compromised. We loved the size of the cabin.

 

We had a short lived scare when we saw that there was no shampoo in the bathroom so called Guest Services when we did not see a steward on the hall. She said to use the wall mounted shampoo dispenser until they'd brought the bottled variety. But there was no wall dispenser in the suite! We thought we'd have to do room service if we could not wash our hair!

 

So we went to the T pool. YES! It is much more magnificent than on the Millenium class ships. Smaller, yes, but powerful and fun. At no time were there more than 3 of us in the pool at any one time except the time we did not go in because it was full. There is a hair dryer, and actual private changing rooms (unlike the Millenium class).

 

Notice the superlatives I'm using. I really was impressed by Century.

 

We took the ship's tour and noted one, only ONE, chair in a lounge that had a worn spot on it. There seemed to be many more lounges and places to sit comfortably than on other ships.

 

When we returned to the room there still was no shampoo, and there were no special invitations or the captain's club ammenity, either. The next time I was on deck 5 I asked about the ammenity and they said they decided not to give it. I checked the leather bound information book in the room, and it definitely said this is one of the perks of joining the Captain's club. Wanted to use the buy one get one free drink coupon for sure. Instead we just took advantage of the B1G1F cosmopolitans (ladies night) in the Crystal room at 10:30 p.m. for karaoke, so I didn't feel too cheated.

 

We WERE able to put our gratuities on our sea pass card (unlike the Millenium where we had to pay in cash, necessitating a trip to the casino).

 

Saw an assistant steward in the hall who immediately gave us shampoo. Whew. Listened to Prodigy at the sail away (from the adjacent balcony) while our hair dried and we drank the champagne that came with the cabin. The canapes were delicious. None of those strange ones they give you in concierge class.

 

Attended the spa drawing so missed the Martini bar get together of our cruise critic bunch. Used the exercise machines a little bit before the 10 minute bingo, then straight to dinner. Very enjoyable tablemates. My daughter and I were traveling together, and there were two single girls about her age at the table as well as a married couple. Doesn't the assistant Maitre 'd do a great job at matching people for seatings?

 

I noticed a strange thing on this trip. Alcohol did not have an effect! Maybe it's all the walking we do that burns it off before it can take effect. Or maybe it's the warm weather in ft Lauderdale that makes us drink more water. Or we sweat if out. Don't know. any theories?

 

Don't know if I was just excited or if I got a caffeinated coffee or capucchino (I ordered decaf), but I was up til about 2:30. Didn't order coffee with dinner the second night in case that was the problem.

 

The tender used to transport us to Coco Cay was quite large and the trip was quick and smooth. The food was delicious. It got hot so we returned to the ship to take another dip in the Tpool and take a nap on the balcony.

 

The butler brought a huge tray of canapes (he had made them for us. There was no charge) for our get together, a couple of carafes of fruit punch from the buffet, two buckets of ice, and at our request, plastic glasses since he said the bars did not like to part with so many glass glasses at one time.

 

The second night we attended the pre-dinner show, Shout, which was very energized and very entertaining. We gave them a standing ovation. Much talent in the group.

 

Menus were identical to those since Nov of 2004 (although they are now enclosed in a leather binder), and everything was delightful. I did a test for cruise critic. I ordered shrimp cocktail as my appetizer AND as my salad one night, and received them. I did note, however, that when the waiter introduced himself he told us that any night we could have baked chicken breast, salmon steak, NY strip steak, and Casesar salad, but did not mention unlimited shrimp cocktail.

 

We teased him one night when he repeated an order to someone "and your two desserts..." and we all said, "Shhh. We don't want everyone to know we are eating two desserts," so he repeated it in a whisper. Very charming fellow.

 

Both the Assistant Maitre 'D and the sommelier were attentive and personable.

 

The last morning the dining venues were open VERY early. 5:30 in the buffet and 6 a.m. in the dining room. Both closed at 8 a.m. Even so, with everyone in the dining areas simultaneously, they did not run out of any foods, and were somehow able to serve the omelettes and waffles without creating a long line.

 

We had time to return to the cabin, use the bathtub with jets, dry our hair and get off the ship by 9:45.

 

I called our limo service and told him we were off the ship 45 minutes earlier than anticipated, and he came straight away to take us to West Palm Beach International airport since we'd been unable to get seats out of FLL at the time we booked. I attributed this to Delta's consolidating and cancelling flights, but I noted closer to sail date that they'd opened new flights FLL-ATL. Palm Beach airport is the way to go if you have time to get there. NO congestion. You could actually shop in peace, eat lunch, and unhurriedly go thru security. Our plane was smaller than most and had all leather seats, even in coach.

 

I booked another cruise while on board, and am thinking of booking another on Century I enjoyed it so much. but I'll miss that T-pool since it won't be free if I book an inside! They were charging $35 for the two nighter, so it's expensive.

 

any questions? pgauker@bellsouth.net.

[greydog]

Thanks for mini-trip report - you highlighted features that make Century so popular.:D

[aloanldy]

Phyllis - We did look for you at the Martini Bar, Sorry we missed meeting you. We had a great time and met some really nice people.

 

Your review was nice and accurate. We also had a great time and enjoyed Century.

 

Charlie