Mercury/Galaxy refurb?

[lysolqn]

I apologize in advance if this topic has been addressed before, but has Celebrity made a definitive decision regarding whether it will be refurbishing Mercury and/or Galaxy as it did Century, or is the issue still just a matter of speculation? We've sailed both Mercury and Galaxy multiple times but not in the past two years or so. Repeated comments on Cruise Critic seem to indicate both ships, though still lovely, appear to be a bit tired. We're looking at X's '08 schedule but are hesitant to consider either of the ships if they're showing signs of age and something more than usual wear and tear, as did Century prior to its re-build.

[dkjretired]

Mercury was done last week, no committment on Galaxy as of yet.

 

Below is a link to the press release for the Mercury.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/aboutceleb/pressDetails.do;jsessionid=0000NVN7i0SVwvjy_95XPNRbCB8:1028etni0?pagename=press_room_details&event_date=2007-04-05&event_type=press_release&sequence_code=A

[CdeFabio]

What they did to the Mercury was just a minor fixing up. I was told by a Celebrity rep 2 weeks ago that they were going to update the Mercury just like the Century but not sure when that will be. :confused:

[tom_uk]

I hadn't regarded last week's work on Mercury as being a full-scale refit like Century's last year - more as 'wash & brush-up'. Don't forget that Century's refit included not just the new balconies but also the creation of a new specialist dining venue (Muranos) and a completely rebuilt aqauspa. Last week's work on Mercury didn't include those last two.

 

Going on comments published by Celebrity I believe they've spent the last year reviewing Century's financial perfomance since the refit in order to judge whether the work has been financially worth-while on her, and whether a similar job could therefore be expected to be so on Galaxy & Mercury. They have still to make an announcement on their conclusions. However, there is a gap in Galaxy's schedule of several weeks in May next year (after the 2008 eastbound TA but before the first 2008 Med cruise). My assumption - nothing more - is that the gap has been left to permit a refit if they decide to go ahead. If they don't, they'll announce additional cruises to fill the gap.

[lysolqn]

Thanks for the link to the press release and for the other information you've all provided. Mercury's recent "wash and brush-up," as tom_uk so aptly describes it, clearly falls short of Century's re-build; nevertheless, I look forward to feedback from post-drydock passengers.

 

I guess the jury's still out on whether or not Celebrity will make the same investment in Mercury and Galaxy as it did in Century. For whatever it's worth, I'd like to see similar re-builds for those ships. In an industry where new ships are entering the market at an almost frenetic pace, breathing some new life into aging ships (such as was done on Century) can go a long way.

[chessbriar]

Century's big do over was more to add balconies than anything else. More revenue. The other items added we also for revenue Both Mercury and Galaxy have balconies. Mercury just came out of drydock where they spruced her and added balconies to the FO cabins. They will add a specialty restaurant and change over the spa at a later date

 

I was on Galaxy in March and they are doing a wonderful sprucing her up on the fly. Painting, upholstering, painting. She looks better now than she did when I sailed on her in 2005. They are also planning a drydock for her for April 2008.

 

Comments about either ship being worn are out dated.

[DC2OC]

I believe Mercury is getting further updates in the spring of 2008 b4 Alaska.Their website gives 2 different ship layouts ,it changes in April 2008

[tromvest]

I believe Mercury is getting further updates in the spring of 2008 b4 Alaska.Their website gives 2 different ship layouts ,it changes in April 2008

 

The only difference I see is that they call the 2A's, SV's.

[Rev22:17]

tom_uk,

 

I hadn't regarded last week's work on Mercury as being a full-scale refit like Century's last year - more as 'wash & brush-up'. Don't forget that Century's refit included not just the new balconies but also the creation of a new specialist dining venue (Muranos) and a completely rebuilt aqauspa. Last week's work on Mercury didn't include those last two.

 

Don't forget that MV Century really does not belong to the same class of vessels as MV Galaxy and MV Mercury. IIRC, Celebrity originally ordered three substantially identical ships then decided to make the last two about 10% larger, with substantially reconfigured superstructures, after construction of MV Century had begun. Unfortunately, the line's marketing materials never caught up with the change in design. In proper maritime usage, MV Century is a "one of a kind" and thus not part of a class while MV Galaxy and MV Mercury constitute the Galaxy class.

 

I should also mention that the changes to the design of MV Galaxy and MV Mercury cantilevered the superstructure out to the full width of the hull on the level above the lifeboats, which is where the shipyard installed the new balconies aboard MV Century. Thus, it would be impossible to add balconies in the same manner to MV Galaxy and MV Mercury.

 

Going on comments published by Celebrity I believe they've spent the last year reviewing Century's financial perfomance since the refit in order to judge whether the work has been financially worth-while on her, and whether a similar job could therefore be expected to be so on Galaxy & Mercury. They have still to make an announcement on their conclusions. However, there is a gap in Galaxy's schedule of several weeks in May next year (after the 2008 eastbound TA but before the first 2008 Med cruise). My assumption - nothing more - is that the gap has been left to permit a refit if they decide to go ahead. If they don't, they'll announce additional cruises to fill the gap.

 

MV Galaxy is going into drydock during the gap that you identified in her schedule. The open question is what additional work will happen while she is in the shipyard. She probably will get a specialty restaurant, new cabins if they can find a place to put them, and some additional reconfiguration of existing facilities.

 

Norm.

[dkjretired]

tom_uk,

 

 

 

Don't forget that MV Century really does not belong to the same class of vessels as MV Galaxy and MV Mercury. IIRC, Celebrity originally ordered three substantially identical ships then decided to make the last two about 10% larger, with substantially reconfigured superstructures, after construction of MV Century had begun. Unfortunately, the line's marketing materials never caught up with the change in design. In proper maritime usage, MV Century is a "one of a kind" and thus not part of a class while MV Galaxy and MV Mercury constitute the Galaxy class.

 

I should also mention that the changes to the design of MV Galaxy and MV Mercury cantilevered the superstructure out to the full width of the hull on the level above the lifeboats, which is where the shipyard installed the new balconies aboard MV Century. Thus, it would be impossible to add balconies in the same manner to MV Galaxy and MV Mercury.

 

 

 

MV Galaxy is going into drydock during the gap that you identified in her schedule. The open question is what additional work will happen while she is in the shipyard. She probably will get a specialty restaurant, new cabins if they can find a place to put them, and some additional reconfiguration of existing facilities.

 

Norm.

 

I don't want to see anyone get confused when selecting a cruise but it is just Norm's educated opinion that these ships are not in the same class. Just as a correction and for the regular cruiser selecting a ship, Celebrity cruises considers Century, Mercury and Galaxy to be in the same class and it has nothing to do with them not updating their web site.

[SmartTraveller]

I am booked to sial on Mercury from Auckland to Honolulu on 2nd Mar 2008. My TA has booked me in Stateroom 1161, which used to be a FOV, now 2A. I had a requested a cabin with balcony. She swears it has had a balcony added during April 07 but this seems to be at odds with the information on the Celebrity web site which suggests this will not happen until AFTER this cruise, in April 2008.

 

Can anyone clarify for me? I'm very confused and I'm tired of arguing with the Travel Agent.

 

Thanks!

[chessbriar]

All the FV cabins had balconies added during the drydock

[Karynanne]

I am booked to sial on Mercury from Auckland to Honolulu on 2nd Mar 2008. My TA has booked me in Stateroom 1161, which used to be a FOV, now 2A. I had a requested a cabin with balcony. She swears it has had a balcony added during April 07 but this seems to be at odds with the information on the Celebrity web site which suggests this will not happen until AFTER this cruise, in April 2008.

 

Can anyone clarify for me? I'm very confused and I'm tired of arguing with the Travel Agent.

 

Thanks!

 

We were just on Mercury last week, and did have one of the newly balconied aft cabins.

 

They were still working on different areas of the ship, but the balconies are complete...and just great!

 

We''re also on Mercury again 2/17, and 3/2...see you then.

 

Karyn

[hcat]

Hope they do not make big changes on Mercury or Galaxy--esp like century.

PLease keep the T pools--

We were just on Century & did learn it differs in many ways from Mercury. We had a great time but learned that: Century does not have as nice a pool deck--they left the old pool with fairly nasty coping around the inner edge, no outdoor dance floor area, poor interior flow out of the dining room--have to climb up & down to get to other floors, the interior Cova area is pretty but not good flow either. While we enjoyed the ship & service & had a great cruise & have one more booked on her in the fall, we are looking forward to going on Galaxy in 08 & back to Mercury as soon as we can! The places we liked the best on century were not changed --like Michaels club & the crystal room. The flat screen TVs were nice but who needs that at sea!

[bububr]

From what I'm understanding, and just checking on the X website, the Galaxy WILL be doing something other than cruising between April 18, 2008 and June 9, 2008.

 

I guess the big drydock is officially unofficial.:confused:

 

I am booked on the June 9th sailing...not sure if this is a plus or minus given the delayed embarkation of the Journey...( Of course a FREE cruise would be nice, and one day wouldn't ruin my vacation at all :D ).

 

Of course we're travelling with a group, DH (John's) family.....and they can definetly be a pain in my neck in situations like delays and cancellations ( they don't roll with the punches well ). :(

 

Great. A year full of wondering lies ahead for me. Martini anyone?

 

Dave:eek:

[SmartTraveller]

Thanks for your replies, Rick and Karynanne...your "eye witness" was great!

 

See you on Mercury in March!

 

Julie

[c-legs]

:) Good evening,

So far, events and comments seem to point towards '' major'' yard time for Galaxy Spring '08, same for Mercury spring '09;; main menu being a major rejuvenation '' a la Century'' , but not necessarily with the same additions.

The Galaxy spring'08 is pretty well '' unofficially '' confirmed as a previous poster correctly puts it.

 

Cheers

;)

[ACJV]

We were on the Summit in March. While on board we booked a cruise for next year. The future cruise hostess informed us that the Galaxy is going into dry dock next spring. We specifically asked the question, because we booked a European cruise for fall 08 on her. Of course, things can always change. Am hoping her information is correct.

Vicki