New to Celebrity

[Georgetown Mike]

Just booked our first Celebrity cruise on the Millenium on February 11. We have four prior cruises two on HAL (Zuiderdam, twice) and two on Priincess, one on the Grand and one on the Star. I did book an FV cabin (8181) and from the threads I have seen that appears to be a wise choice. For those who have sailed HAL, Princess, and Celebrity what should we expect to be different - better or, perish the thought, worse?

 

Also, are any Cruisecritic gatherings planned for this cruise?

 

Thank you for your help.

[mii]

Mike: Yes there is a roll call for your cruise. Just go back to what I call the Table of Contents and scroll down to the roll call section then follow the links of your ship and find your date. It is there and you a few cruisers who are on your cruise.

 

Second I have sailed both Princess and Celebrity and in my opinion they are similar in many ways. Now Princess does some things better than Celebrity and on the other hand Celebrity has their good points over Princess. I have thoroughly enjoyed sailing on both lines. Next Nov. I will have sailed Princess 8 times and Celebrity 3 times. Have a great time on youra cruise.

 

marilyn

[usha]

Personally, I like Celebrity a little more than I liked HAL,

and a LOT more than I liked Princess. IMO, you made a very wise choice!:D

I'd suggest you also pose this question on the HAL & Princess boards.

[agabbymama]

Just booked our first Celebrity cruise on the Millenium on February 11. We have four prior cruises two on HAL (Zuiderdam, twice) and two on Priincess, one on the Grand and one on the Star. I did book an FV cabin (8181) and from the threads I have seen that appears to be a wise choice. For those who have sailed HAL, Princess, and Celebrity what should we expect to be different - better or, perish the thought, worse?

 

Also, are any Cruisecritic gatherings planned for this cruise?

 

Thank you for your help.

 

Georgetown Mike,

 

My comparison really wouldn't be fair as my HAL cruise was on a much smaller ship (the old Noordam) at about 46,000 tons I believe, whereas the Constellation (sister ship to Millennium) comes in at 90,000 tons. Your cruise (Feb) is before mine (August), I would be very interested in hearing your comparison of Millennium to Zuiderdam.

 

That being said, Constellation was a lovely ship, but it is huge. The largest I've sailed on. Takes a long time to make it from the Theater to your cabin if it's at the opposite end of the ship. Decor was really interesting if somewhat odd for my taste. One looked like a shrunken

person (from the "Little Shop of Horrors" movie). I really preferred the wood and brass from HAL ship with the Teak promenade (all the way around the ship). I think HAL is the only one that still does this. They rang chimes to tell you it was dinner time. Little deck boys in uniforms to make sure you had everything you needed. Wooden deck chairs with cushions and wool blankets. (Alaska cruise). Just an overall more elegant ambiance. Made me think at least for a little while that I was part of the elite that used to cruise the ocean liners.:p

[MacDuff]

Just booked our first Celebrity cruise on the Millenium on February 11. We have four prior cruises two on HAL (Zuiderdam, twice) and two on Priincess, one on the Grand and one on the Star. I did book an FV cabin (8181) and from the threads I have seen that appears to be a wise choice. For those who have sailed HAL, Princess, and Celebrity what should we expect to be different - better or, perish the thought, worse?

 

Also, are any Cruisecritic gatherings planned for this cruise?

 

Thank you for your help.

 

I have sailed on all three several times and prior to this year would have ranked them as Celebrity (first), Princess (second) and then HAL (third). After the on-going mechanical problems from this year alone, IMHO would move Celebrity to last on my list. That said, the Millennium was the last M-class ship to have this problem and is just out of dry dock so you should be alright. All three offer about the same quality of food and entertainment and good service.

Have a great cruise.

[RLM77]

Here is the link to your Roll Call: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=354517

 

Have a blast! :D:D

[Host Anne]

Mike ~ I have been in cabin 8181 twice on M-class ships. In my opinion, it's the best cabin for the money. I'll be surprised if you don't love the room and the balcony.

 

We have sailed Celebrity and Princess many times. We like both lines and have never had a bad cruise on either line. I'm not a fan of personal choice dining and we enjoy things like dressing for dinner, taking two hours to enjoy dinner talking with our tablemates, etc. Meeting others and enjoying their company is one reason we really enjoy cruising. We've done this on both lines and have made many wonderful friends from around the world.

 

I also much prefer the M-class ships to the Grand class ships. There are a lot of quirky things about the Grand class (like not being able to go all the way down the aft stairs) that made navigating a bit tough. And Millennium carries fewer passengers (we like smaller ships). Princess does have much better pizza, though (I'm a pizza person :) ) but I'd give the nod to Millennium on the specialty restaurant (be sure you try it ... and don't miss the goat cheese souffle!!!).

 

We've sailed three times on M-class ships and three times on Grand class ships. Given a choice and similar itineraries, I'd pick the M-class ship. And with cabin you have in hand, I think you'll be assured a great cruise!

 

Visit your roll call and sign up for the Cruise Critic party (let me know if you need help with that).

 

Have a fantastic cruise!

[Rev22:17]

Mike,

 

Just booked our first Celebrity cruise on the Millenium on February 11. We have four prior cruises two on HAL (Zuiderdam, twice) and two on Priincess, one on the Grand and one on the Star. I did book an FV cabin (8181) and from the threads I have seen that appears to be a wise choice. For those who have sailed HAL, Princess, and Celebrity what should we expect to be different - better or, perish the thought, worse?

 

I agree -- you have made a great choice!

 

Compared to Holland America Lines, you probably will find a much younger crowd. The median age probably will be fifty-something rather than eighty-something.

 

Compared to Princess, you will find a more traditional cruise experience with "informal" evenings in additon to the "formal" evenings, and thus fewer "casual" evenings, and this tends tro draw people who follow the dress code and expect others to do so, with the consequence that the few who don't really stand out. Celebrity also is noted for French cuisine, which may or may not be your preference. Also, Celebrity's buffet area is NOT open around the clock (but room service is always available if you wake up famished in the wee hours). There's also a pizza and pasta bar that's open from noon to 1:00 AM in the buffet area. Celebrity's specialty restaurants really are "above and beyond," but with a corresponding price -- $30 ABOVE the meal that you ar enot eating in the dining room, plus a premium wine list. And Celebrity's "Alterntive Casual Dining" is in the buffet area, but it's full table service with a menu different from that of the dining room, and it also carries a service charte. And, of course, Celebrity does not charge for ice cream at the ice cream stands in the buffet area.

 

Finally, Celebrity's "Cova Cafe di Milano" sells premium coffees and teas at premium prices. If you want either beverage, get it in the buffet area, where good quality is complementary, isntead.

 

Also, are any Cruisecritic gatherings planned for this cruise?

 

Yes, but only if at least twenty-five (25) passengers register for it here.

 

Thank you for your help.

 

You're welcome!

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Norm.

[rebeccalouise]

I love the Millenium Class ships. They are large and sprawling and very easy to Navigate in my view.

 

I love the indoor heated adults only pool (free) and the cuisine in this pool area is very good too.

 

I love the buffet on Celebrity- although you get different opinions here. I like the layout of the buffet area. Even though you stand in lines, it is easy to find what you need and the beverage selection is good. The staff dresses formally here and are eager to help you with your tray or refill your coffee.

 

Another thing I like is the walking track on the top deck. I walked across the Atlantic on that deck. Very nice place to be.

 

The Bar at the Edge of the Earth is a very interesting space. They have dance lessons there that are very good.

 

I like the main dining room at dinner- very pretty and great staff.

 

If you go to the spa, get a reflexology foot massage- way better than a swedish or deep tissue massage.

 

I have sailed on Celebrity five times and the passengers all seem very happy. Don't see many people complaining and the crew are very nice and are trained well.

 

Little things I like about the Millenium- the glass elevators midship and the cinnamon rolls in the buffet (look for them, they aren't available everyday). I also like the afternoon sorbet that they serve in an orange peel out by the pool.

 

In comparison to Princess- the staff is better trained on Celebrity IMO.

Also, I don't like the layout of the Princess ships- too compartmentalized.

I haven't sailed on HAL in years- so can't compare.

 

I am going on Mill. myself in July- can't wait.

[caviargal]

My cruise on ZUI this spring was excellent and the average age was 50s, not 70s by any means.

 

What I liked better about HAL:

 

The bedding is surperb, IMO much better than the new bedding on X.

 

The staff was outstanding and we received excellent service. I was escorting a group of 200+ and interfaced with all levels of personnel. The HD was excellent and always there to make sure things were running well.

 

The rooms are well appointed and spacious and everything above an inside gives you a full bathtub and good size bath.

 

The buffets included yummy and unusual items, like the daily Indonesian section.

 

Wine service is excellent.

 

What I like better about X:

 

The decor on the M class ships is more elegant than on Vista class.

 

The food and service in the main dining room was better.

 

The Aqua Spa cafe is my top choice at sea for breakfast and lunch.

 

Live music and entertainment is quite a bit better on X.

 

I think they both have a lot to offer and are the best of the mass market lines out there.