Zenith review 1/23-1/28

[slotaddict]

Just returned from the Zenith, here is my review mostly positive, very few negatives.

Embarkation - a breeze - we arrived at the port about 12:30pm, went directly to check in and were on the ship in less than 10 minutes, there were 6 of us, that why it took so long.:rolleyes:

 

The ship is 13 years old, but except for the bathrooms, a little shabby, some marks in the sink and worn tiles in the shower, it is in remarkable condition. the rooms were not ready until 1:00 pm, so we went to the Windjammer for a leisurely lunch. When we got to the cabin we were greeted by Silvino our cabin steward. I made two immediate requests one for two more towels and an ashtray. They were in the room in less than 15 minutes. Silvino was attentive the entire cruise. The room was immaculate.

 

Food: The food was exremely good. Well presented and cooked to your liking. I had read previously that when on the Zenith, you could only get Beef well down. ON this cruise, you were asked how you wanted your meat cooked, and thats the way it was brought to the table. Shrimp cocktail the first night, and any other night that you wanted it. The staff on the Zenith goes out of their way to please.... When the maitre d came to our table the first night (he came every night). Dh requested the tomato bisque soup every night, as well as several others at our table. My friend and I requested Creme Brulee on another night. He made sure that we had those food items on the nights requested. The maiter d's name was Paulo. Our servers were Shaike and Alit, they were wonderful in everyway. They even did magic tricks and brain teasers with us when the meal was over. The lobster was cooked to perfection and plentiful.

Ports of Call

Key West - always a favorite stop of mine, the weather was perfect about 86

Cozumel - The dock was completely destroyed, it will be a long time before any ships dock here. The mall at the end of the dock was completely destroyed and the small military barracks that was next to the mall was leveled. We ventured further into town where everything appeared to be business as usual. We were happy to spend a few dollars there. On the way back to the ship the seas started to get rough and boarding the ship off the tender was very sticky to say the least. It was difficult for the older people and disabled to get aboard. It was the worst I have ever experienced.

Costa Maya - As we arrived there was a blinding rainstorm, wind, rain, generally miserable. It started to clear up around 11 am so we went ashore and did some shopping we were supposed to go to a beach party, but non of us wanted to because the weather was so iffy.

This was a very enjoyable experience, the Zenith is a wonderful ship with a wonderful crew. Our room had been refurbished and was quite comfortable.

The casino on the ship was a major disappointment, as I do spend alot time there. The machines were old and antiquated and I saw no real jackpots being paid. In fact the most I saw anybody win was $ 800.00 and that was just one night. It had no pizazz no excitement, not like the other casinos at sea.

Two negative comments and then if anyone has any specific questions I will be happy to answer.

This was the first cruise where you could put tips on your sea pass card, however there were no vouchers to give your servers only a note in your stateroom stating that the attendants had been properly notified. I felt compelled to talk to each of them and tell them that the tips were on my room charge. It was a very uncomfortable situation. I did go to guest relations and tell them how I felt.

The next thing was we had to purchase transfers to go back to FLL airport, well they took our money and gave us tags for our luggage but nothing else, my Dh called guest relations and asked if perhaps we should have transfers, he was assured that was not the case. Until we were off the ship and the person at the bus wanted our transfers. After trying to convince him that we had paid for them, showed him the receipt, he allowed us on the bus albeit reluctantly. Also I have to put this in here, we thought we could purchase transfers at the airport when we arrived, as we had done so before, they just take your name and bill it to your shipboard account, but apparantly Broward County had passed some kind of law and that is no longer allowed.

The only two negatives on the entire cruise. All in all a wonderful trip.

 

Disembarkation - we were off the ship by 9:00 am, for a 1:30 flight.

 

I have photos and as soon as I can figure out how to post them I will.

Andy, I told Camilla that you said hello, she said Cruise Critic was her best advertisment.

[Cachecara]

I love your name-- "Slotaddict". I was on Zenith last Sept and had a wonderful time, but do agree with you on the casino. I like to play the slots while DH does the "serious" :rolleyes: gambling. LOL Normally I would have dropped a lot more in than I did on that cruise. So maybe I was done an indirect favor! I think we are going to Bermuda this summer on Zenith and hope they are updated by then.

[newmexicoNita]

Just returned from the Zenith, here is my review mostly positive, very few negatives.

Embarkation - a breeze - we arrived at the port about 12:30pm, went directly to check in and were on the ship in less than 10 minutes, there were 6 of us, that why it took so long.:rolleyes:

 

The ship is 13 years old, but except for the bathrooms, a little shabby, some marks in the sink and worn tiles in the shower, it is in remarkable condition. the rooms were not ready until 1:00 pm, so we went to the Windjammer for a leisurely lunch. When we got to the cabin we were greeted by Silvino our cabin steward. I made two immediate requests one for two more towels and an ashtray. They were in the room in less than 15 minutes. Silvino was attentive the entire cruise. The room was immaculate.

 

Food: The food was exremely good. Well presented and cooked to your liking. I had read previously that when on the Zenith, you could only get Beef well down. ON this cruise, you were asked how you wanted your meat cooked, and thats the way it was brought to the table. Shrimp cocktail the first night, and any other night that you wanted it. The staff on the Zenith goes out of their way to please.... When the maitre d came to our table the first night (he came every night). Dh requested the tomato bisque soup every night, as well as several others at our table. My friend and I requested Creme Brulee on another night. He made sure that we had those food items on the nights requested. The maiter d's name was Paulo. Our servers were Shaike and Alit, they were wonderful in everyway. They even did magic tricks and brain teasers with us when the meal was over. The lobster was cooked to perfection and plentiful.

Ports of Call

Key West - always a favorite stop of mine, the weather was perfect about 86

Cozumel - The dock was completely destroyed, it will be a long time before any ships dock here. The mall at the end of the dock was completely destroyed and the small military barracks that was next to the mall was leveled. We ventured further into town where everything appeared to be business as usual. We were happy to spend a few dollars there. On the way back to the ship the seas started to get rough and boarding the ship off the tender was very sticky to say the least. It was difficult for the older people and disabled to get aboard. It was the worst I have ever experienced.

Costa Maya - As we arrived there was a blinding rainstorm, wind, rain, generally miserable. It started to clear up around 11 am so we went ashore and did some shopping we were supposed to go to a beach party, but non of us wanted to because the weather was so iffy.

This was a very enjoyable experience, the Zenith is a wonderful ship with a wonderful crew. Our room had been refurbished and was quite comfortable.

The casino on the ship was a major disappointment, as I do spend alot time there. The machines were old and antiquated and I saw no real jackpots being paid. In fact the most I saw anybody win was $ 800.00 and that was just one night. It had no pizazz no excitement, not like the other casinos at sea.

Two negative comments and then if anyone has any specific questions I will be happy to answer.

This was the first cruise where you could put tips on your sea pass card, however there were no vouchers to give your servers only a note in your stateroom stating that the attendants had been properly notified. I felt compelled to talk to each of them and tell them that the tips were on my room charge. It was a very uncomfortable situation. I did go to guest relations and tell them how I felt.

The next thing was we had to purchase transfers to go back to FLL airport, well they took our money and gave us tags for our luggage but nothing else, my Dh called guest relations and asked if perhaps we should have transfers, he was assured that was not the case. Until we were off the ship and the person at the bus wanted our transfers. After trying to convince him that we had paid for them, showed him the receipt, he allowed us on the bus albeit reluctantly. Also I have to put this in here, we thought we could purchase transfers at the airport when we arrived, as we had done so before, they just take your name and bill it to your shipboard account, but apparantly Broward County had passed some kind of law and that is no longer allowed.

The only two negatives on the entire cruise. All in all a wonderful trip.

 

Disembarkation - we were off the ship by 9:00 am, for a 1:30 flight.

 

I have photos and as soon as I can figure out how to post them I will.

Andy, I told Camilla that you said hello, she said Cruise Critic was her best advertisment.

interestng review and comment about the tips: we were quite diasppointed last month when we could not put tips on our sea pass card, the last 2 Celebrity cruises we have taken, as well as NCL we could. This really was a hard one for us as we had become accustome to not having to deal with al those bills.

[skyview851]

DH & I were on this cruise & I have to agree with Slot's assessment of things. We too, were concerned about the tips being added to the room charges & talked to customer service about it. The information that we go was that X was trying this method for the shorter cruises as a trial. They assured us that our Galaxy sailing would allow for tipping via the envelopes. I can't help but wonder if they have had problems with non-tippers on the shorter cruises.

We had transportation problems too, but not of celebrity's making. We had transfers to FLL, but because of a cast on my leg, I couldn't sit on the bus. We ended up taking a taxi from the pier in Miami, to FLL. An expensive taxi ride...$75...but what else could we do?

This was our first time on Zenith, but found her staff to be wonderful. I would sail her again in a heartbeat.

[gone_cruisin]

I know Carnival puts the standard tips on your room card (which I like) and we never had any problems. But you raise a good point.......do the employees get the full amount? I would hope the cruiseline would be honest. Whenever we opted to give above the reccomended amount, we just gave cash directly to the employee.

 

From what I understand, passengers would end up spending a lot more of their cash on hand than expected and unfortunately the employees were the ones who got shorted.

 

Hopefully this will become a permanent thing with all cruiselines. I'll never have to worry about buying that little extra souviner on the islands for fear of dipping into the tip money. :D

[slotaddict]

WE did tip everyone extra, my concern was that they would think that was all they were getting. Our waiter told us that they would get a list after the cruise of the room numbers and corresponding table numbers. I hope this works okay for them, if anyone is going on a future cruise, ask you waiter if they are getting their proper tips. Our waiter wrote down our room number because we were so concerned. Not that I will ever find out the outcome. I prefer the envelopes and the vouchers, but perhaps because the cruise is so short, it is just not cost effective. I would sail the Zenith again, but the intinerary would have to be different. I have been to Western Carribbean several times, its time to go the other way.

[gone_cruisin]

Slotaddict, I am going in a few days and will ask the staff how the new system is working for them.

[slotaddict]

I love your name-- "Slotaddict". I was on Zenith last Sept and had a wonderful time, but do agree with you on the casino. I like to play the slots while DH does the "serious" :rolleyes: gambling. LOL Normally I would have dropped a lot more in than I did on that cruise. So maybe I was done an indirect favor! I think we are going to Bermuda this summer on Zenith and hope they are updated by then.

I don;t know what they would have to do to update them, I thought maybe they would have stuck a few new ones in during drydock, but I don;t think so. I did make mention of them on my comment card, said the casino lacked excitement of other ships and I said the machines were old and antiquated. I'm sure they don;t act on one persons comment but I couldn;t let it go. The last two cruises I was on The Voyager and Norw Dawn, we had a great time in the casinos, even won money, more importantly alot of people won money. This was just the dullest no pay casino on a ship that i was ever in. I did win a couple of hundred bucks but thats about it. My name fits my personality. :D

[slotaddict]

Slotaddict, I am going in a few days and will ask the staff how the new system is working for them.

 

Thanks I appreciate it, Have a great time. The Zenith is a great ship and besides the bathrooms in the cabins, you would never know how old the ship is.

[slotaddict]

DH & I were on this cruise & I have to agree with Slot's assessment of things. We too, were concerned about the tips being added to the room charges & talked to customer service about it. The information that we go was that X was trying this method for the shorter cruises as a trial. They assured us that our Galaxy sailing would allow for tipping via the envelopes. I can't help but wonder if they have had problems with non-tippers on the shorter cruises.

We had transportation problems too, but not of celebrity's making. We had transfers to FLL, but because of a cast on my leg, I couldn't sit on the bus. We ended up taking a taxi from the pier in Miami, to FLL. An expensive taxi ride...$75...but what else could we do?

This was our first time on Zenith, but found her staff to be wonderful. I would sail her again in a heartbeat.

 

How did you make out when you were leaving. You had said something the day before about an ice storm. We left from NJ and it was raining buckets.

[signman]

Slotaddict, What cabin were you in. I sail this week on 4 Deck, wondering if it has been refurbed.

[patrickc]

We're booked on Zenith in June to Bermuda-- we can't seem to get a straight answer if the casino is open while docked (we're docked 4 of the 7 days)-- X Capts Club told me that they take the ship to Int'l waters in evening for gambling-- I know that is not true! But, seriously, do they pay a fee to open the casino at night? RCCL does when they traverse the Chesapeake (which is so wild to me!!) Just wondering. And, also hoping they stick some new machines on this vessel! ha-= thanks for the review

[patnjohn]

We were on Zenith last September & the casino was not open while in port. They did not take the ship out into international waters during port times. The ship was docked ALL NIGHT!

[colmil]

Hello,

 

My partner & I live in England, and a travel agent here is advertising a 16 night Carribbean cruise on Zenith in November this year for £1359 in a sea view stateroom. This includes flights to Tampa and return.

 

Do you think this is good value?

 

How much is their service charge and are their drinks prices reasonable?

 

We have been on two cruises with NCL, both maiden voyages, and I don't think we would be happy with anything that is looking well worn, any comments?

 

Finally, do they cater for vegetarians?

 

I look forward to your replies.

 

Many thanks.

[slotaddict]

I was in cabin 6030, I don;t know if the 4th floor is completely done or not. But everything is ship shape (pardon the Pun).

 

As for Bermuda the ship is docked in Hamilton, it does not move and the casinos are not open.

[slotaddict]

Hello,

 

My partner & I live in England, and a travel agent here is advertising a 16 night Carribbean cruise on Zenith in November this year for £1359 in a sea view stateroom. This includes flights to Tampa and return.

 

Do you think this is good value?

 

How much is their service charge and are their drinks prices reasonable?

 

We have been on two cruises with NCL, both maiden voyages, and I don't think we would be happy with anything that is looking well worn, any comments?

 

Finally, do they cater for vegetarians?

 

I look forward to your replies.

 

Many thanks.

 

If you are a vegetarian, either make the arrangement through your travel agent, or just let the maitre d know on the first day that you have special requirements and they will take care of you. The drink prices are okay, however if you are a Martini drinker like myself, that was about $ 11.00 a drink. I don;t mean to be ignorant but is that $ 1359 in American dollars, if it is, I would think you got a great deal for a 16 night cruise and airfare, if not than translate it into dollars for me. By service charge, I do not know what you mean. On drinks there is an automatic 15% gratuity put on the bill.

[colmil]

Thanks for your reply, Slotaddict.

 

The UK cost translates to about $2500 dollars.

 

By service charge, I meant the gratuity.

 

I certainly won't be drinking Martinis at that price!

 

Did you come across any problem taking your own drinks supply on board when you had been ashore?(spirits I mean, not beer!)

[slotaddict]

Funny you should ask that, my friend bought tequila in Mexico, it was a very expensive tequila, even by Mexico standards. She was buying it for her eye doctor. We had never even heard of it. When we tendered back to the ship, the water was so rough we really had a terrible time. I told her that they were going to take it from her, and when we finally boarded, they were trying to move us so fast that she told security that she had a bottle of liquor and they said just take it with you. I did notice on several occasions that people were buying liquor in the duty free shop and just handed it to the people who proceeded to take it back to their room.

I really don;t think that $ 2500.00 for 16 days and air is not a bad deal. 16 days is a long time, I wish I could go on one that long. When are you going? As far as the gratuity, an automatic 15% is added to your drink bill.

[colmil]

We're still thinking about it......I've just read a poor report about Zenith on this site, see what you think, it's just been posted.

 

Regards

 

 

Colmil.

[slotaddict]

Just read it, and read my reply. I have been on 12 cruises. Only one I can consider bad, but we still had a good time. That company went bankrupt and with good reason. The service on the Zenith is superb, the crew is very proud of their ship. I asked about the Zenith being sold also, and the crew members that I asked knew nothing about it, not even a rumor. Everyone has their opinion, but I think the good opinions about the Zenith far outweigh the bad. As far as I know the Zenith is scheduled to sail well into 2007.

[Michelle!]

I just found your thread - funny I had a challenge with tips but the other way around. Made me really cranky. I asked for them to be put on my bill - my roomie did not and we were both very clear with the purser. One hour before dinner, I received two sets of envelopes with no vouchers. Went to the purser's desk and they goofed, so I asked if it could be put on my bill still as they had forgot, they flat out said no, I had to scramble to get the cash and try and sort my suitcases - completely missed the illusionist's show. I was really disappointed about that one. Oh well.

[virgenia]

Michelle,

 

Too bad you missed the illusionist, if he was Jamie Allan. He was absolutely amazing,. Best I have ever seen.

 

We too found the Zenith to be just fine. Not glitzy, smaller than what is being built, no balconies. But as a whole the crew and servers were some of the friendliest we've seen and the food was excellent. I think the way to judge the quality of the food on a cruise is by the buffet, but it was the best quality of buffet food we have found. The waffles--I am still going thru waffle withdrawal two weeks later.

 

I am excited that we will be sailing Celebrity again in July to do the Baltic. I am looking forward to it even more now after sailing on the Zenith. It was our first Celebrity cruise.

[gone_cruisin]

Slotaddict,

 

Just got back from Zenith and the crews said everything worked out for their tips on your cruise. Unfortunately, our cruise they disabled the system and we had to go back to the cash method. :(

[slotaddict]

I wonder why, maybe too many complaints from the pax. I for one did not like the way it was handled. But if it worked out ok for the crew thats fine. I think they will impliment it again, but in a different way.

Thanks for getting back to me.

[flashdog_1]

Hello,

 

My partner & I live in England, and a travel agent here is advertising a 16 night Carribbean cruise on Zenith in November this year for £1359 in a sea view stateroom. This includes flights to Tampa and return.

.

 

Depends on the category of ocean view stateroom. Since there are no balconies on Z, everything from cat 8 obstructed view on deck 9 (currently $1530 per person) to cat 4 at $1580 ppp, up to concierge class on deck 10 which is sold out, are ocean view, and then the suites are also only ocean view, but categorized suites, & they are also sold out. So no matter where they put you, there is not a great difference in price for the various categories.

 

For us to talk reasonably about whether this is a good deal, can you get the travel agent to give you a breakdown of

 

cost of 14 night cruise/

cost of hotel pre- and post-cruise,

cost of flight, taxes for air

taxes for cruise came up as $90.10 pp

 

By "service fee" do you mean a travel agent's fee, or the gratuities of $10.50 per day per person? ($147 pp minimum). Did she/he quote an insurance rate, too?

 

Cruise at $1580 & taxes 90.10 & tips = 1670 pp. If she's including tips, that would be $1817 pp, leaving almost $700 for the hotel nights and air fare & taxes. Right now you can get a hotel in Tampa for under $90-100 for two, but that could change. That would mean about $600 for airfare.

 

Zenith is probably the most economical of the Celebrity fleet to cruise. No specialty restaurant, no balconies, no thalossotherapy pool, no atrium, no two deck dining room. But everyone loves her!

 

Celebrity's website shows one 14 night trip on Nov 3, out of Tampa, so your 16 nights must include a pre and post cruise hotel stay because there ARE no 16 night cruises on Zenith in November. There are also 10 and 11 night trips to Western (Panama) and Eastern Carib in later Nov, so no combination of any two cruises adds up to 16 nights.