Journey Drydock

[editor@cruisecritic]

I got an email, Mary Jean, from one of the on site Celebrity Journey "refurbishment masters" and he said, as of yesterday, that on his daily walk through the ship...that it was finally starting to look like a ship". That's good!

I for one am excited about Friday (stay tuned; the story -- a sneak preview -- will be posted around dinner time and a before and after photo piece will go up on Monday or Tuesday). The ship is on its way as we speak....

Carolyn

 

Carolyn, thanks for the great article and photos. I am happy to say that we will be on the first sailing. It sure looks like they have a lot to do between now and next Saturday when we will be boarding her.:)

[editor@cruisecritic]

hmmm, you are sharp! Royal Caribbean doesn't do 'em (laundry rooms; I suspect there's not enough of a profit center there, ugh). I frankly find it a downside to recommending them as a family-oriented line when they don't offer DIY laundry. Alas.

I'll ask.

Carolyn

 

 

 

Carolyn,

I'm a dummy and can't figure out how to email my Journey question so I'm hoping you are still checking this thread before Friday.

I'd like to know if Celebrity removed the self-laundry room on Deck Seven. It was there as a Ren ship and it would be nice to know if you can count on doing your own laundry if necessary. Thanks!

[icecreammama]

hi carolyn

we are on the maiden voyage on may 5th. We have a royal suite. While you were on the ship, did you see these rooms? Are they a nice size for 2 people? How is the balcony? Can't wait for this cruise. Just hope they spruced up the decor in the rooms. thanks

[Conraddad]

Hello fellow Journey cruisers,

 

We are sailing 5/19 in PH suite 8088. Can't wait. We kept wondering (before Carolyn's great pictorial) why there was a hole cut out of our balcony. I thought, "great, a better way to get sun..just don't fall off."

[1cruiselvr]

I have stayed in both when these ships were Ren owned. I know they are redoing deck 8 which probably means the SS will be even bigger. I agree with Carolyn that SS is much bigger and if money is not a concern, then I would definitely pick it over 1/2As. However, for our Quest trip that means spending an additional $2000 and as much as I'd like the extra room and a bathtub vs. a shower only, I'm going to stick with the 1A guarantee we have booked. It's small but not as small as the RCI inside cabin we had once - 2 steps after entering the cabin and you were at the edge of the bed. It was like somebody put a bed in a small walk-in closet. We still had fun. Happy Sailing!

[dabear]

Having been on the Tahitian Princess, thank god there covering the pool deck w/ teak (to avoid hot foot). Having been on the Regatta, glad there copying many O traits w X touches. I'm also glad they are expanding the casino and hoping for a craps table One other comment re balcony room sizes, they are comparable to the size of non cc class balcony rooms on the Millie class ships, but the bath rooms are smaller.

[JORAY]

Conraddad Hello fellow Journey cruisers,

We are sailing 5/19 in PH suite 8088. Can't wait. We kept wondering (before Carolyn's great pictorial) why there was a hole cut out of our balcony. I thought, "great, a better way to get sun..just don't fall off."

 

I hope you will post pictures and a report on 8088 as we have it booked for the 2-27-08 Antarctic 18 day cruise and one of our friends have 8091 and another has a SV between us.

 

Ray

[JORAY]

I felt guilty. Sue (the winner, a friend of Ray's) felt guilty. So we had two winners, LOL.

Your excitement about this ship, added to my own, is just wonderful and inspiring.

Carolyn

 

Thank you! :cool: Carolyn

 

You don't have to do that and it is very nice of you.

 

Of course, now I can't blackmail my friend into buying me a drink :( LOL

 

Ray

[hiseas5]

I will be on the July 7 sailing of the Journey. After reading the discussion on the kids programs or lack thereof I sent an email to Celebrity. I received a reply from a Deborah Chau, Customer Service Representative. She said that the Journey will have a kids program in place. Details are supposed to be placed on thier website soon.

[editor@cruisecritic]

No, I didn't get any sense of cabin refurbishment because, on my visit, it just hadn't gotten started. You'll have to wait until May 4th! Except that of course you're cruising the next day!

I imagine -- again, can't promise -- that the Royal Suites are one of the newly constructed ones so they should be gorgeous.

Regardless, all cabins will get spruced up decor. As you could see from the A Closer Look -- the reupholstered loveseats being stored all over the place -- are just indication of upgrading; others include new color schemes and soft goods, tech toys (flat screen tvs and fridges), and new beds.

Carolyn

 

 

hi carolyn

we are on the maiden voyage on may 5th. We have a royal suite. While you were on the ship, did you see these rooms? Are they a nice size for 2 people? How is the balcony? Can't wait for this cruise. Just hope they spruced up the decor in the rooms. thanks

[editor@cruisecritic]

And that was your cabin! The answer to the question has been added to the story intro (look for our "editor's note"). Conraddad, you'll have to let us know if you can see where they cut the steel on your balcony -- and where they sewed it back up.

Carolyn

 

 

Hello fellow Journey cruisers,

 

We are sailing 5/19 in PH suite 8088. Can't wait. We kept wondering (before Carolyn's great pictorial) why there was a hole cut out of our balcony. I thought, "great, a better way to get sun..just don't fall off."

[gkm]

Carolyn, reading your posts have made me nervous enough to change my cabin on the Quest. We had a SV but get the impression it's rather small so have upgraded to a Sky Suite. I think for a spring transatlantic cruise we'll be more comfortable.

 

Thanks for all the valuable information you're sharing with us about these ships. I'll be waiting with anticipation for feedback from the Journey's first sailing.

 

Garry

[Jancruz]

Hi Carolyn,

I am on the last day of a 35 day trip on Nautica and everyone sends regards from here!!!

I loved your article about Journey..and seeing pictures of my friend David Kelly was treat..

I have heard a few more things via email about Journey..Smoking policy will be the same as Oceania...only in the Looking Glass Lounge in one area and on the pool deck in one area..it seems to me that since this is a new policy for Celebrity they may have a problem enforcing this since so many passengers were booked on it as a smoking ship..also..Suite Passengers will have 2 free dinners at the alternative restaurants..basic menu only and any other passengers will get 1 free dinner..

I will be on Journey myself on 9/1 so will be happy to come back and give a full report..If you see David Kelly on Fiday, please send regards...

Jan

*****

[1cruiselvr]

Good decision. SV is the same size cabin as a 1/2A only slightly bigger balcony with a forward or aft view. You will love a SS and be very happy that you upgraded. Happy Sailing!

[Mr. Tucker]

I have heard a few more things via email about Journey..Smoking policy will be the same as Oceania...only in the Looking Glass Lounge in one area and on the pool deck in one area

 

I'm all for it but if they try and start this on the first Journey cruise there will be a mutiny. I imagine this will come as quite a shock to people already booked if they find they can only smoke in two locations on the entire ship.

 

Encouraging news but somehow I doubt that Celebrity will be able to pull this off without first giving prior notice.

 

It is rather strange in this day and age that most cruise lines still allow smoking in all rooms. If hotels can do it, surely Celebrity can come up with non-smoking rooms.

[pepsicruiser]

Thanks for this thread. I have learned alot about Journey and am now changing my reservation from RCCL Empress to Journey for Bermuda cruise in Sept. Right now the only question I have is what is this "Butler" I read about. Is he a glorified cabin steward? Will he do anything else out of the ordinary? TY and looking forward to more info on this new ship.

[LHT28]

I guess all will be revealed in a few more days!!

:D

[1cruiselvr]

Nobody really knows Maybe it's the title given to the sr. cabin steward. On some CLs, you have an assistant cabin steward and the sr cabin steward. So I could see X calling the sr CS a butler instead. Happy Sailing!

[bondy]

I understand that the Journey and Zenith were berthed next to each other in Nassau

[cjgrammy]

I met someone tonight whose grandchild is in a local school band and is playing tomorrow night in Bayonne for Celebrity cruises. Must be the Journey.:D

 

Arlene

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Jan. And please, my regards to the folks on Nautica. I loved that ship and I love the line....

Frankly, I'm such a fan of Oceania that to see any other cruise line attempt to compete...well, that's great. Just reinforces the fact that Oceania has a uniquely successful recipe, so to speak. And the more folks who get turned on by great food/great service/ideally sized ship... means there's more business for everyone, right?

But of course Insignia and Nautica have an extra special place in my heart :)

And I hope you are well....

Carolyn

 

Hi Carolyn,

I am on the last day of a 35 day trip on Nautica and everyone sends regards from here!!!

I loved your article about Journey..and seeing pictures of my friend David Kelly was treat..

I have heard a few more things via email about Journey..Smoking policy will be the same as Oceania...only in the Looking Glass Lounge in one area and on the pool deck in one area..it seems to me that since this is a new policy for Celebrity they may have a problem enforcing this since so many passengers were booked on it as a smoking ship..also..Suite Passengers will have 2 free dinners at the alternative restaurants..basic menu only and any other passengers will get 1 free dinner..

I will be on Journey myself on 9/1 so will be happy to come back and give a full report..If you see David Kelly on Fiday, please send regards...

Jan

*****

[pilewski]

ok, some 24 hours before she is set to sail and we still have nothing from celebrity about journey. not one little picture or tidbit of information. if i were booked on her maiden voyage i'd be pretty mad. this is poor planning on the line's part.

[PSCruiser]

Wondering if the Journey is even at Cape Liberty right now? Just watched the CBS Early Show, where the weather guy was broadcasting live from the new Liberty OTS that had just arrived. In the helicopter shots there did not appear to be any other ships close by.

I'm hoping that the Journey will still be going to Bermuda, and not pressed into service as the dingy for the Liberty !!!

[mringenoldus]

This may be a fairly clever marketing approach since they have everyone talking about the ship. Maybe the mystery is peaking interest even more?

 

Information on the amenities, staterooms and public areas is available - just not photos of the finished product.

[SueM.]

Wondering if the Journey is even at Cape Liberty right now? Just watched the CBS Early Show, where the weather guy was broadcasting live from the new Liberty OTS that had just arrived. In the helicopter shots there did not appear to be any other ships close by.

 

A friend of mine went to Bayonne on thursday to get some pictures of the Liberty OTS and said he "thought" he saw the Journey docked further up the channel.

 

sue