Things to ask first Journey Cruisers

[icecreammama]

Joe,

 

I will be in suite 7005. Will update every detail about it.

[Dolphins]

Menus for each night so people can choose the right nights to try the alternative restaurants...

 

I would expect that your butler would be able to provide this information?

[JPH814]

Here are our Journey questions so far....I used some discretion in organzing and eliminating some similar ones. Please feel free to add more - I will update when I see new ones.

Questions about the Journey:

1) How smooth were the embarkation & debarkation processes?

2) Does the Journey handle well in the Atlantic?

3) How does quality of service compare with M-class ships? Crew/staff attitude and expertise

4) Was there a Captain's cocktail reception? Which night? How formal was it?

5) Dining Room: Organization of open seating in dining room - crowded times, can you request a specific waiter or time for entire cruise? tipping experience for waiters? How is country club casual interpreted? How did folks dress for dinner? How easy is it to make "friends" if you are not sitting with the same folks each night? Although there are no formal nights, do they serve lobster one night? What are the menus for each night (so people can choose the right nights to try the alternative restaurants)

6) The specialty restaurants: How would you rate experience (cost, food, service)? Sample menus? What will be the price points and or upgraded choices? any half-price nights? How easy or difficult is it to get reservations, and can Captain Club members make them in advance?

7) Where is the equivalent of the Martini Bar? Cost of drinks onboard

8) Does the ship feel as though it just had a multi million dollar retrofit? What were the 3 most impressive things about the Journey compared with other cruise ship that you have been on?

9) Did the verandah cabins feel roomy? What was storage space like? Can the partitions between balconies of adjoining stateroom be opened? What kind of furniture do they have on the verandas?

10) Comfort of the bedding

11) Since everyone has butler service, is it anything special? If you didn't use the butler is the tipping still expected? Do you tip both the room stewart and the butler? How does the butler service in a suite compare to that in an M or C class suite? We often stay at sandals resorts with fantastic butler service, can anyone compare land to ship butler service?

12) Perks for suite passengers? DVDs in suites? New sky suite, if anyone stays in one, please let us know comments and pics if possible.

13) Entertainment? Ballroom Dancing venue? Big Band Night?

14) Is there a disco on board? (oh please say YES!)

15) Aerobics classes in fitness center? fee and no fee?

16) Was there a craps table in the casino and, if yes, what are the minimums and odds?

17) Just read on the Quest post that the library will only be a bar at night and still used as the library during the day. Is smoking allowed in that room then? If so, did it reek with smoke during the day?

18) What kind of activities do they have on sea days? What are some activities, places on the ship not to miss?

19) Swimming pool hours? Are there enough chairs by the pool for everyone? How was the pool area during the day as far as stupid intrusions go, ie daft games!!! Hopefully they leave folks in peace apart from...do they still do a sorbet parade?

20) How were the shore excursions?

21) Number/type of onboard shops

22) what 3 things would you do differently if returning on the Journey

23) Are any of the crew from the original crew or are they all new?

24) Names of Captain's Club host/hostess, future Sales Director, CD, etc.

[iliv2cruz]

Folks, here's a link to the Journey before Celebrity bought it. There's a video and layout of the ship along with some decent photos of the rooms.

http://www.pullmanturcruises.com/r6.html

Enjoy!

[nlvc12]

If the set up is Open Seating in the Restaurant. Are waiters assigned the same tables each night? So is there a possibility of securing the same table, and same waiters, may the diner reserve this table; and/or moving on yo a

[nlvc12]

If dissatisfied with waiter or table initially assigned, I'm hoping we can transfer to another later; a couple of times if necessary,

 

Are we docked in close to downtown Bermuda?

 

Thansl

[Dolphins]

If dissatisfied with waiter or table initially assigned, I'm hoping we can transfer to another later; a couple of times if necessary,

 

Are we docked in close to downtown Bermuda?

 

Thansl

 

Under Open Seating dining, there are no tables initially assigned. Upon entering, you request the size table you want. If you like a particular waiter, you should be able to request him or her on subsequent nights.

 

The ship docks in Hamilton right on Front Street, in the heart of Hamilton. In St. George, it docks close to downtown (Visitor's Center, Post Office etc.)

[sueclark]

Hi all,

 

This is a great post. We are booked on the Feb 9, 2008, Journey; Antarctic and S. America - 18 days. I'll really look forward to reading the answers to the questions.

 

We do need to keep in mind that all new ships need a few sailings to get all the kinks worked out as the staff and crew learn the new ship.

 

I have two questions:

 

1. For the forward Royal Suites and SV cabins - Is the balcony very windy when the ship is actually sailing?

 

2. For the aft Penthouse Suites and SV cabins on Deck 8 - Can you hear noise from the restaurant above?

 

and for both Royal and Penthouse suites.... did Celebrity maintain the old Ren decor or have they completely done away with it. (Such as the little canopy over the bed) I guess that actually made three questions :D

 

Bon Voyage to all of you on the May 5 sailing!

[MaryJean56]

Hi there. I will also be on the May 5th sailing of the Journey. I will be happy to answer as many of the questions as I can when I return, but you guys really have quite a list.:)

[SheilaNC]

Mary Jean,

I don't think any of us would expect ONE person to attempt all of the questions. We'll be thrilled with any information you're willing to share. Thanks for responding and ask your fellow passengers to chime in with their opinions when you return!

[houstontx]

Hi Folks,

 

We've just booked this itinerary on the Quest for the Nov 24th 2007 sailing.

Looks like an active and inquisitive group here :D .

Of course, I don't blame you, I am too. I've been reading as much as I can about the old Quest (Ren4, I believe). Guess since it'll be it's maiden voyage with X there's a lot to discover. I suspect much difference from the large X (and other) ships.

 

We have been booked on the Mercury for it's Nov 2007 sailing from Honolulu to Tahita to New Zealand. The air travel has just been too difficult for us to work out. We did not want to fly coach from the other side of the world and our FF airmiles just wouldn't work, not many airlines that fly out of New Zealand. So, we decided this weekend to look for another trip and we saw this one. I booked it today.

 

So, add another cruiser that is looking forward to your reviews and pics from the Quest.

 

Talk to ya later,

Alan & Regina

[mari10]

Hi Joe,

Great list!

My DH would like to know any and all about the golf program for Bermuda. I was told by Elite Golf that they will not be handling the golf programs for Journey and Quest. Journey/Quest are suppose to have enhanced programs, but I guess so far they are keeping it a secret.

Thanks,

Mari:)

[JkyLovesRuss]

Hi there. I will also be on the May 5th sailing of the Journey. I will be happy to answer as many of the questions as I can when I return, but you guys really have quite a list.:)

 

Hi MaryJean! I'm so happy for you, you have a little over a week left! You are our eyes and ears! Looking forward to hearing (reading :rolleyes:) what you have to say (write);)!

 

SPENGLE, we look forward to your review as well! Didn't you begin a thread (a few months ago) for Journey questions? I'm almost positive I saw it under Roll Calls...

 

Happy cruising to you all! :)

[KLG]

Thanks for creating this list. I'd like to know if there are any yoga classes on board, free or for a fee.

 

We're on the July 28th sailing to Bermuda, so there will be quite a few answers before our trip!

Karen

[JPH814]

Here are our Journey questions so far....I got tired of renumbering them so I just started adding decimals to related questions. Please feel free to add more - I will update when I see new ones. The first cruise is less than 2 weeks away; I'll be finalizing the list soon!!!

Questions about the Journey:

1) How smooth were the embarkation & debarkation processes?

2) Does the Journey handle well in the Atlantic?

2.1) IS there anything special about coming in to port in either Hamilton or St George? Is it worth setting an alarm to get up early in the moring to see coming into port?

2.2) Are we docked in close to downtown Bermuda? (Hey, someone asked the question...I just put it on the list :)

3) How does quality of service compare with M-class ships? Crew/staff attitude and expertise

4) Was there a Captain's cocktail reception? Which night? How formal was it?

5) Dining Room: Organization of open seating in dining room - crowded times, can you request a specific waiter or time for entire cruise? tipping experience for waiters? How is country club casual interpreted? How did folks dress for dinner? How easy is it to make "friends" if you are not sitting with the same folks each night? Although there are no formal nights, do they serve lobster one night? What are the menus for each night (so people can choose the right nights to try the alternative restaurants)

6) The specialty restaurants: How would you rate experience (cost, food, service)? Sample menus? What will be the price points and or upgraded choices? any half-price nights? How easy or difficult is it to get reservations, and can Captain Club members make them in advance?

7) Where is the equivalent of the Martini Bar? Cost of drinks onboard

8) Does the ship feel as though it just had a multi million dollar retrofit? What were the 3 most impressive things about the Journey compared with other cruise ship that you have been on?

9) Did the verandah cabins feel roomy? What was storage space like? Can the partitions between balconies of adjoining stateroom be opened? What kind of furniture do they have on the verandas?

9.1)For the forward Royal Suites and SV cabins - Is the balcony very windy when the ship is actually sailing?

9.2)For the aft Penthouse Suites and SV cabins on Deck 8 - Can you hear noise from the restaurant above?

10) Comfort of the bedding

11) Since everyone has butler service, is it anything special? If you didn't use the butler is the tipping still expected? Do you tip both the room stewart and the butler? How does the butler service in a suite compare to that in an M or C class suite? We often stay at sandals resorts with fantastic butler service, can anyone compare land to ship butler service?

12) Perks for suite passengers? DVDs in suites? New sky suite, if anyone stays in one, please let us know comments and pics if possible.

13) Entertainment? Ballroom Dancing venue? Big Band Night?

14) Is there a disco on board? (oh please say YES!)

15) Aerobics classes in fitness center? fee and no fee?

15.1) Any yoga classes on board, free or for a fee.

16) Was there a craps table in the casino and, if yes, what are the minimums and odds?

17) Just read on the Quest post that the library will only be a bar at night and still used as the library during the day. Is smoking allowed in that room then? If so, did it reek with smoke during the day?

18) What kind of activities do they have on sea days? What are some activities, places on the ship not to miss?

19) Swimming pool hours? Are there enough chairs by the pool for everyone? How was the pool area during the day as far as stupid intrusions go, ie daft games!!! Hopefully they leave folks in peace apart from...do they still do a sorbet parade?

20) How were the shore excursions?

20.1)Any and all information about the golf program for Bermuda on board?

21) Number/type of onboard shops

22) what 3 things would you do differently if returning on the Journey

23) Are any of the crew from the original crew or are they all new?

24) Names of Captain's Club host/hostess, future Sales Director, CD, etc.

[eph89]

I'll also be on the 5/5 cruise, so perhaps MaryJean, icecreammama and I can all meet up and divvy up your questions. It will be my first cruise ever, so I'll probably be lousy on the comparison questions, but I'm pretty good with video and the internet, so I can try to give you all a good feel for the ship, especially knowing your questions in advance. Great idea that JPH814 had - and while I won't be able to benefit from the answers myself, it will be fun to discover it all while it's brand-new.

[MaryJean56]

Even though there aren't many of us on this first sailing, it seems like we will all have a different perspective due to past experience and different types of cabins. We are only in an outside cabin because when we booked the Zenith there weren't any verandas of course. I tried to book a cabin on the Zenith on the same deck that had the exit into Bermuda. I so wish I had booked one cat higher because we would have gotten a veranda, but who knew? Anyway, we have been on many Celebrity cruises, so at least I can weigh in on comparing the food and service with past Celebrity cruises. It's hard to believe we are only a week away. Can't wait!

[Mr. Tucker]

I am curious to know if they are going to allow smoking in Michaels Club.

 

Since, as Carolyn indicated, it is a dual purpose venue serving as the library during the day and a piano bar/club at night I would think it would be pretty nasty to spend time in the library if people have been smoking in there. She indicated no cigars but left it open as to cigarettes.

[celebrityfan65]

I am interested in the kids program. I know that this ship is not for children but I was originally on the Zenith which did have a kids program. That ship did not have a designated kids club they did organize kids activities in the cafeteria or close down one of the lounges for a few hours each night for a place for the teens to go to. I am sure that being on the first sailings you will not see children since it is not the time of year for them to sail but once school is out I would imagine there will be lots of children since most of us were booked on the Zenith. We were promised a youth program on this ship but now I am hearing there will not be one. Also, if there is open seating how do you tip the waiters if you don't have the same one each night?

[Mr. Tucker]

Also, if there is open seating how do you tip the waiters if you don't have the same one each night?

 

I'm sure it will work the same as Oceania and other open seating ships in that you pay your tip into a pool and all the waiters share it. If you find a particular waiter that you request several times then you can always augment your prepaid tips by giving him something extra.

[hudunnit]

DH and I are booked on the Dec. 8 14-day Panama Canal cruise on the Quest (our Christmas gift to ourselves):) . I'm looking forward to reading answers to the questions about the Journey, because I am assuming most of them will also pertain to the Quest. This will be our 11th cruise, but only our second with Celebrity. We prefer smaller ships and these two ships sound like they'll be exactly right for us. From some comments I've read, I assume there are no formal nights, like on Oceania. Am I correct in this? The Celebrity brochure I have doesn't even have these two ships in it. Can someone tell me which Ren ship the Quest was originally?

[JPH814]

Here are our Journey questions so far....I organized them a little bit.

I think we should give this another day or two and then call the list final. I’ll post the final list on the strings for the 5/5 and 5/12 cruises and hope these folks will be kind enough to provide some answers to us all. I am also going to start a new thread with this list on May 5th titled “Post Journey Answers Here” to get the answers in a nice clean thread away from some of the rumors of the past.

We have already had some very nice volunteers from these sailings promise to report back (Thanks MaryJean, Icecreammama and eph89 !!!)

 

Cruising and the ship in general:

1. How smooth were the embarkation & debarkation processes?

2. Does the Journey handle well in the Atlantic?

3. Is there anything special about coming in to port in either Hamilton or St George? Is it worth setting an alarm to get up early in the morning to see coming into port?

4. Are we docked in close to downtown Bermuda? (Hey, someone asked the question...I just put it on the list )

5. How does quality of service compare with M-class ships? Crew/staff attitude and expertise?

6. Are any of the crew from the original crew or are they all new? Names of Captain's Club host/hostess, future Sales Director, CD, etc.

7. Number/type of onboard shops

8. Does the ship feel as though it just had a multi million dollar retrofit? What were the 3 most impressive things about the Journey compared with other cruise ship that you have been on?

9. What 3 things would you do differently if returning on the Journey

 

Food and Drink

10. Was there a Captain's cocktail reception? Which night? How formal was it?

11. I assume there are no formal nights, like on Oceania. Am I correct in this?

12. Dining Room: Organization of open seating in dining room - crowded times, can you request a specific waiter or time for entire cruise?

13. Tipping experience for waiters- do you tip the waiters if you don't have the same one each night?

14. How is country club casual interpreted? How did folks dress for dinner?

15. How easy is it to make "friends" if you are not sitting with the same folks each night?

16. What are the menus for each night (so people can choose the right nights to try the alternative restaurants) Do they serve lobster one night?

17. The specialty restaurants:

a. How would you rate experience (cost, food, service)? Sample menus? What will be the price points and or upgraded choices?

b. any half-price nights? How easy or difficult is it to get reservations, and can Captain Club members make them in advance?

c. What are the best nights to go to the specialty restaurant on a 7 day Bermuda cruise

18. Where is the equivalent of the Martini Bar?

19. Cost of drinks onboard

20. I am curious to know if they are going to allow smoking in Michaels Club

 

Cabins

21. Did the verandah cabins feel roomy? What was storage space like? Can the partitions between balconies of adjoining stateroom be opened? What kind of furniture do they have on the verandas?

22. For the forward Royal Suites and SV cabins - Is the balcony very windy when the ship is actually sailing?

23. For the aft Penthouse Suites and SV cabins on Deck 8 - Can you hear noise from the restaurant above?

24. Comfort of the bedding

25. Since everyone has butler service, is it anything special? If you didn't use the butler is the tipping still expected? Do you tip both the room stewart and the butler? How does the butler service in a suite compare to that in an M or C class suite? We often stay at sandals resorts with fantastic butler service, can anyone compare land to ship butler service?

26. Perks for suite passengers? DVDs in suites? New sky suite, if anyone stays in one, please let us know comments and pics if possible.

 

Entertainment and activities

27. Entertainment? Ballroom Dancing venue? Big Band Night?

28. Is there a disco on board? (oh please say YES!)

29. Aerobics classes in fitness center? fee and no fee?

30. Any yoga classes on board, free or for a fee.

31. Was there a craps table in the casino and, if yes, what are the minimums and odds?

32. Just read on the Quest post that the library will only be a bar at night and still used as the library during the day. Is smoking allowed in that room then? If so, did it reek with smoke during the day?

33. What kind of activities do they have on sea days? What are some activities, places on the ship not to miss?

34. Kids program. Do they have one? Is there any kids designated lounge or activity area? (Counterpoint – Are kids annoying in this cruise?)

35. Swimming pool hours? Are there enough chairs by the pool for everyone? How was the pool area during the day as far as stupid intrusions go, ie daft games!!! Hopefully they leave folks in peace apart from...do they still do a sorbet parade?

36. How were the shore excursions?

37. Any and all information about the golf program for Bermuda on board?.

[lisiamc]

Thanks for co-ordinating this, Joe. I'll be looking forward to the answers!

 

Lisa

[jumponboard]

Thanks Joe for the great recap. Looking forward to the answers.

 

And thanks in advance to those great folks on the first 2 - 3 cruises who have volunteered to help answer the questions.

 

jumponboard

[SheilaNC]

Joe,

Your efforts are much appreciated. I look forward to those kind enough to try to answer our questions and will certainly add my perceptions after our May 26th cruise. Your idea of staying a new thread just for responses is a good one and, I predict, will become a very popular thread. One suggestion is that those of us, waiting with bated breath for the answers, refrain from posting brief thank you messages on that thread to keep the thread just for information....not sure this will work but worth a try :)