Say Goodbye To Horizon And Zenith

[CaribbeanBound]

Interesting rumor.

 

Another thread, just posted, indicated that the Horizon is being drydocked in October. Major refurbishing: ne carpets, balconies across the Atlantic deck, Millie-class decor in all cabins, a disco, Zodiak being changed to an alternate dining location, and the possibility of a 50-foot extension to the Bridge. This info is from the CD, and other ship personel.

 

Well, maybe both are right. You can get a good 3 years out of a refurbished Horizon before the 2007 deliveries take place. And by then, they might decide she's a keeper!

[tbelian]

This info is from the CD, and other ship personel.

 

Honestly, I don't think that staff at 'this level' REALLY have the true scoop on what will happen. Those decisions are probably guarded, and kept quiet until completely finalized.

 

In the corporate world, the line level staff (which in this case, I think, includes CD's, even ship's captains) are NOT the first to know, and probably are some of the last to know.

[dkjretired]

Based upon all the rumors that have come out in the past year or so on the Horizon, Zenith and Century supposedly from people in the know, I won't believe a thing until Celebrity issues a press release. These rumors have come from posters who have quoted Captains, Hotel Managers, CDs, Social Hostesses and just about every crew member on the ship. Believe it when they announce it. Unfortunately some will take it as Gospel and book their cruises based on rumors such as some people did with the balconies on the Zenith and Horizon. At least you can't book a cruise on a ship that does not yet exsist.

 

Also, the Horizon has a full schedule for October of sailings. Doubt they would cancel it now unless there was an emergency.

 

Don

[CaribbeanBound]

The calender is certainly the kicker.

[tuggers]

and the others who don't enjoy sailing Horizon and Zenith. Here's an idea. Don't sail these ships. Go on the C and M class. There are plenty of us who still enjoy these ships and will sail them as long as we can. Why do you have to constantly say they have to go? To each his own as long as X has them around.

 

And frankly, these rumours are always out there. Sometimes I think it's a little passive agressive thing they run on us!:)

[hdawson]

Maybe this reply from Celebrity received yesterday will settle the arguments.

 

Dear Guest:

 

Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.

 

The last dry dock for the Horizon was from March 22, 2002 to March 29, 2002.

Her next dry dock is scheduled for October 29, 2005 to November 10, 2005.

 

This date is subject to change.

 

Thank you for choosing Celebrity Cruises.

 

Tula Khabeer

Customer Service Representative

 

Then, maybe not.

[hdawson]

Note that is a two week dry dock. I would think that it involves alot more than simple refurbishment.

[Hilary]

Note that it is over a year away and not THIS October/November.

[campingman]

Loose lips sinks ships.

There is nothing worse than shipboard rumours.I sailed in the Australian Merchant Navy for 17 years and there were many examples of ships captains not knowing whats happening.

Expensive Buildings of new ships get decided in board rooms and such decsions are always released to the shareholders and public with great fanfare to get the greatest mileage out of public relations etc.

[joramrose]

My favorite ship is the QE2. She has class, comfort, amenities that I have not found on other ships in other lines.

 

I sailed on the Constellation this past June. Nice big ship, but a little glitzy for my taste. New is not necessarily better.

 

Next cruise coming up -- the Horizon in October, when she will NOT be in drydock.

 

love

joan

[toniwoods]

Tried to e-mail you but couldn't. Just wanted to say thank you for all of the wonderful tips you posted on the boards regarding your 8/3 cruise on Milllie in the Med. I had printed your review last year and saved it. We followed along with many of your suggestions and they were great. We particularly want to thank you for the tip on the Tuscan Countryside tour. Absolutely fabulous. Couldn't have had a better day if we had planned it ourselves rather than letting Celebrity do the work! Also thoroughly enjoyed the Capri/Sorrento/Pompeii tour that you suggested. We have now passed along these great tips to those who will go after us!

 

Happy Cruising!

 

Toni

 

P.S. I did the British Isles/Norwegian Fjords cruise last year. It is absolutely lovely. You will really enjoy it.

[eroller]

Honestly, I don't think that staff at 'this level' REALLY have the true scoop on what will happen. Those decisions are probably guarded, and kept quiet until completely finalized.

 

In the corporate world, the line level staff (which in this case, I think, includes CD's, even ship's captains) are NOT the first to know, and probably are some of the last to know.

 

 

This soooo true! Believe me, as a former Officer onboard a major cruise line I can tell you the staff onboard (including the Captain) are the LAST to know. They hear a lot of rumors and speculation, and there is a lot of talk amongst themselves, but nine times out of ten the scuttlebutt discussed is totally false. The staff onboard is very good at *appearing* like they know what they are talking about, but they really don't. Passengers believe the staff because it would seem to make sense they would know what is going on. The fact is they are far removed from where decisions are made and frankly the head office would rather keep the ships in the dark for as long as possible. Why concern them over future decisions when what is most important is running the ship they are currently on to the best of their ability.

 

Anything can happen, and this may all pan out to be true, but I would take anything heard onboard ship from the officer's, staff, and crew with a very large grain of salt.

 

Also, I don't believe that either HORIZON or ZENITH have been sold. If anything, one or both of these ships could end up at Island Cruises, which is managed by Royal Caribbean as an outlet for the UK market in Europe during the Summer, and Brazil during the winter. This is who the old VIKING SERENADE is sailing for, now known as ISLAND ESCAPE.

 

Ernie

[Barb C]

I am a hearty Zenith/Horizon fan. What I don't want compromised is the wonderful Bermuda cruise. Celebrity docks right in Hamilton and St. Georges. I like that. Yes, I'd love it if they had balconies but......sailing on Zenith/Horizon Bermuda run is an altogether different experience than the Caribbean cruise (and my favorite so far).

 

We just returned from RCCL's Grandeur of the Seas and LOVED it. Beautiful ship, helpful experienced crew. I think that Grandeur and Galaxy are about the same size and as big a ship as I want to sail. I just don't think I could take any more people! I hope that if the powers that be find they MUST sell Horizon/Zenith that they replace them with ships approx. the same size and with the same crew and class.....is that too much to ask? Celebrity....are you listening?

 

Barb C

[bweppner]

We just returned from RCCL's Grandeur of the Seas and LOVED it. Beautiful ship, helpful experienced crew. I think that Grandeur and Galaxy are about the same size and as big a ship as I want to sail. I just don't think I could take any more people! I hope that if the powers that be find they MUST sell Horizon/Zenith that they replace them with ships approx. the same size and with the same crew and class.....is that too much to ask? Celebrity....are you listening?

 

Barb C

 

Hi Barb,

I'd like to hear your side of the Grandeur Sailing. I read another cruiser's Four Part rant on the RCCL board and it was first a poorly written review but secondly also rather negative. (It was obvious that the negativity was due to the cruiser not the actual cruise...). I'm looking at doing a Grandeur cruise with my family in the not too distant future. Also (sorry to hijack here) my DW and I were on the Galaxy in March - could you tell me how you found the Grandeur similar?

 

Thanks!

[Bruin Steve]

Tried to e-mail you but couldn't. Just wanted to say thank you ...

 

Toni,

My pleasure...I always like to think I can be of help to others on these boards...

So many others have helped me out here over the years...It's great to have a sounding board where we can share our experiences and information...

 

...and glad you had a great time in the Med...

 

...and yes, we are really looking forward to that British Isles/Norwegian Fjords cruise...

 

ps. I tried to set my profile to ALLOW E-mails...I don't know why it won't allow them...

[Barb C]

bweppner,
We booked a balcony guarantee and we were upgraded to a suite (first good thing).....it was just beautiful cabin but under the windjammer cafe so a little noisy in the am -- we really weren't affected much because we are early risers.
I thought the Grandeur had VERY good food (don't miss the chilled soups). The dinners were exceptional and the level of service every bit as good as Celebrity. The Grandeur is a beautiful ship. It goes into dry dock soon but I thought it was in great shape, the carpets were a little worn on the stairs, that's all! (We were on the brand new Carnival Miracle in May and the carpet on the stairs was already stained and worn so this is just no big deal) I liked the layout of the windjammer and it has the same slanted windows all around just like the bridge. Our itinerary included a full day in Key West (we loved this too!). I heard the shows were good but to be honest, we didn't go to any! DH was in the casino, he actually won some! I felt kind of guilty about not going to any shows but I guess we just weren't in the mood and enjoyed the balcony. Very comparable to the Galaxy. We never do this but we've taken 3 cruises in 11 months. The Zenith to Bermuda (third time on this ship and itinerary) Sept 03, Carnival Miracle in May 04, very nice and a beautiful cabin (just a notch below RCCL/Carnival in the food department and they didn't polish/clean the ship as much -- IMHO) and the Grandeur, Aug 22, 04. Very impressed. This was my first RCCL cruise and I really thought it was on par with Celebrity. You will love the Grandeur and, if you go to Key West, stop and have a key lime pie on a stick (it's coated with delicious chocolate). Email me at [email]barbara.campbell@conocophillips.com[/email] if you have any more questions......Barb

[benjamins]

[quote name='joramrose']My favorite ship is the QE2. She has class, comfort, amenities that I have not found on other ships in other lines.

I sailed on the Constellation this past June. Nice big ship, but a little glitzy for my taste. New is not necessarily better.

Next cruise coming up -- the Horizon in October, when she will NOT be in drydock.

love
joan[/QUOTE]

Thanks, newer is newer, and has nothing to do with how much of a "feel" a ship has. QE2 is incredible. Great deck spaces, excellent inside promenades, lots of cozy spaces, fantastic staircases, all sorts of interesting ways of getting to different spots on the ship.

The Constellation is a big disappointment, IMO. Lounges are too big and like thoroughfares, and the decor isn't anywhere near as rich as the Millennium, art not the standout it is on earlier Celebrity ships. Too many gold colored accents and glitzy casino. Not as understated and mature as previous Celebrity ships. Poor deck spaces. Very nice specialty dining room, but the only distinctive part of the ship. The newest Celebrity ship is my least favorite of the fleet.

Horizon is quite nice, but I want nothing to do with her if the Zodiac club is changed into a specialty dining room.

[Jacqueline]

I strongly disagree with the service issues raised in new builds. The first truly new ship in any series is typically somewhat improved on (mechanically and design wise). And there is generally a year or more between the introduction of these new ships.
I just sailed the 10th voyage of the Westerdam ,the third in a series of the Vista class ships. The service was excellent and the staff was all experienced brought in from other ships- not new. I would say that all the staff EXCEPT the cabin steward and the martini bartender(sudi) were not close to the service I recieved on HAL. It was superlative.
Only recently did Cunard make that BIG mistake with the QM2 hiring predominantly staff with no maritime experience for the first sailing. Duh. Something similar was done with the RCI Radiance as the first in that series which was a fiasco. I hope that management has bought a clue !

[Jacqueline]

Plus they cant take these ships out of service- I want to go to BERMUDA ~

[Wile1170]

Bermuda is a cash cow for Celebrity...to my knowledge, they have 3 years left on their "docking agreement" with the country. I can't see Celebrity giving up their docking rights for Hamilton and St George, which is what would happen if they move Horizon and Zenith to Island Cruises. You need ships of that size to accomodate these ports in Bermuda... That's the main reason why RCI keeps Empress of the Seas, for the Bermuda run...

Someone else asked what makes Horizon and Zenith so great to us? Well, I cruised Horizon on her inaugural year and at that time, she was the bomb!! Ships of her size have that certain intimacy you just can't duplicate on the larger ships...albiet Century comes close.

I've sailed Century twice and love that ship...but have also sailed Galaxy and Mercury and didnt' find them as appealing....

Come December, I'm going on Connie....and am looking forward too it...

I hope they don't transfer Horizon and Zenith...if anything, RCI should transfer the Sovereign class of ships to Island Cruises and use the Vision class ships for the high density 3-4 day cruises....

[Sea_Hag]

I'm just back today from Bermuda on Horizon. According to the staff on board, Horizon will be sold not stretched or put in dry dock. This makes me very sad as Horizon is an amazing ship:( .

[snidly]

My wife and I are booked on the Horizon for Jan. 31, 2005 so she better not be sold out from under us. We've always sailed on RCI but we had heard so much about the Horizon we wanted to give it a try. This is a eastern Carib. cruise for 11 nights.

[tuggers]

We have heard all sorts of rumours from 'staff on board' a lot of ships. 99% of it never happens. From all accounts the staff including the Captains, know less than we do! Book your cruises and enjoy them! When you get a notice from X that the cruise has been canceled due to sale of ship, worry then, not before.

Besides, X has 3 more years left on the Bermuda docking leases and only Horizon and Zenith ships of a size to use them. My bet is anything going to happen to these two ships will not happen for 3 years.

[chessbriar]

They are not going to canel any cruises. The X cruising schedule of Horizon stops at the end of October 2005. At that time she will go in for a refit and be transfered to join the Viking Serenade for Island cruises, a line created to serve passengers from Mexico, Central and South America

[FlorenceItaly]

[quote name='Sea_Hag']I'm just back today from Bermuda on Horizon. According to the staff on board, Horizon will be sold not stretched or put in dry dock. This makes me very sad as Horizon is an amazing ship:( .[/QUOTE]


Would love to hear more about the Horizon. I will be cruising on her the end of the month, for 12 nights...my first Celebrity cruise.

Marie