Some Comments about the Millennium

[Boo's Mom]

So, is there an official DryDock date for the Millennium?

[Tos]

The Millie was in Caribbean service for only about 6 months the first time my wife and I sailed on her. During my anxious sprint to the gangway while boarding, I slipped and broke my ankle and 3 bones in my foot. While others were organizing their cabins for a week of fun, I laid on an examination table in sick bay waiting for the medical staff to arrive back on board. Unable to repair the compound fracture which required surgery when I returned to the states, I was put in a wheel chair and placed in a temporary cast. By day 2 and infection started and I ended up having antibiotic IV's twice a day for the remainder of the cruise. Because of the antibiotics, I had to stay out of the sun. With that being said, I still had one of the best cruises in the 30 or so that I've taken.

 

You get out of cruising exactly what you put into it. If you want to find fault with the decor....you will find it. If you want to find fault with the food...you will find it. If you want to find fault with the staff....you will find it. On the other hand, if you go looking for beauty on a ship, you will find it all over the place. Some of it is right in front of your nose...some of it you'll have to do some exciting exploring to find. If you watch the majority of the staff, they will be picking up dishes from your breakfast table in the morning, wiping tables at lunch and taking your dinner order with a smile at the late seating. And while you head off to the casino or to a show, they are cleaning and resetting the table where you just finished stuffing your face with food that is better prepared than most of the meals you eat the rest of the year.

 

I'll be back on her on Easter Sunday for the week. I look forward to walking (not hobbling) into the elegant atrium again. I know that there will be 7 days of people waiting on me and making sure that I'm having a great time. I'll eat to my hearts content and never use the elevator the entire week. I'll head down to the medical bay with pictures from my last adventure and share a few laughs. I might even find a faded carpet, or a chair that's in need of repair or a towel with a hole in it or a piece of toast that's cold or burnt. But if you think for one moment that someone who posts negative comments about this ship or any other is going to influence my week of fun starting on March 23....think again.

 

Millie....I'm comin' to see ya. Get ready for a week of fun.

[bobbyleduck]

I was going to avoid jumping back into the Millennium problems pond, but after reading the various responses that seem to indicate that the only reason someone would mention anything negative is because he or she is pre-disposed to be negative, I couldn't resist.

 

I too was on the December 2, 2007 Trans Atlantic, the one George was on, and I was also on Infinity last March and April when George was on Millennium's Sister ship.

 

We stayed in different cabins on each of the cruises, but I found the condition, service and food aboard Infinity to be so much better, and at times I found it difficult to believe we were on the same class of ship.

 

I enjoyed both cruises, but I can say in all honesty, that the reason I enjoyed my cruise aboard Millennium was based totally upon on the wonderful Cruise Critic friends we shared the trip with. That and the wonderful T-Pool.

 

If you have good friends, family, or both to share your cruise with, then even though the ship may add or detract a little from the experience, the cruise will be enjoyable.

 

None of that is said to let the cruiseline off the hook. I don't think everything is being done, that can be done to maintain this once excellent ship.

 

Happy cruising to all!

 

Bob

[Sailfish]

You get out of cruising exactly what you put into it. If you want to find fault with the decor....you will find it. If you want to find fault with the food...you will find it. If you want to find fault with the staff....you will find it.

 

I take what people say in reviews (both the good and bad) with a grain of salt and encourage others to do the same. I for one appreciated the input I found on the internet about the Millennium before our cruise. Much of what I was reading both here at Cruise Critic and elsewhere was positive, but there were enough issues raised in reviews about the condition of ship that made me understand that the Millennium was an older ship in need of a facelift. Knowing this made me have more realistic expectations. It also didn't have much of an effect on my trip, but it made me realize that one cruise on the Millennium was enough.

 

It's just my opinion, but a lot of people who have a sentimental connection to a ship or cruise line tend to overlook minor problems and often downplay more serious ones. There also are people who let little things bother them to an extent, that they are incapable of having a good time. I agree that there are a lot of people out there who have unrealistic expectations of Celebrity Cruises - expectations built on input from misinformed travel agents or from people who last cruised on Celebrity five years ago, for example. Celebrity was a different cruise line five years ago! It still ranks pretty high up there for me, when I compare it to my other cruises; but I think people, who notice things like the condition of the Millennium, expect more of a "premium" cruise line.

 

Suzi

The OP

[mafig]

Just because people do not post doesn't mean they are not reading your post.

 

Thank you for posting. I did not enjoy my one Celebrity cruise, nothing that made me want to come back....I put it one step above COSTA.

 

I was made to feel that Celebrity was IT! Well, my expectations were too high, I guess.

 

• Remember when you HAD to sign up for Celebrity's past passenger club. Used to be $35, then it was free. I did not sign up when it became free. Why? because I thought it was very much an over-reated cruiseline....there's a lot better out there.:D :p :rolleyes: I knew I would never cruise Celebrity again.

[wolfshadow]

Well, as they say, everyone is different. With the list I see that you have traveled on, I see only one that I would even consider outside of Celebrity. I haven't been as fortunate to have cruised as much, but I do know a lot of people that do and from what I've heard from them and many on this board, Celebrity is still among the best. But, like I said, to each their own.

[TRadle]

Toss, come join the roll call for the Easter Cruise on Millie.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=548577

 

We don't bite!!!!;)

[ORV]

Just because people do not post doesn't mean they are not reading your post.

 

Thank you for posting. I did not enjoy my one Celebrity cruise, nothing that made me want to come back....I put it one step above COSTA.

 

 

Well I felt Costa was a step above Princess so I guess I'm going in the right direction.

[jackdiamond]

mafig-With all deference to your views, I would personally give more credence the the assessment of Berlitz as to the quality of the Millennium as compared to the quality of the other ships upon which you have cruised. Simply stated, the Millennium is coming in to home plate while the others are struggling to reach first base. By the way, we cruised Millennium twice in 2007; and, will do so again next month. Our personal experiences corroborate the assessment of Berlitz.

[caviargal]

I have not been on Millie so cannot offer a personal opinion.

 

However, I trust the feedback from certain posters on this and other forums, as well as opinions from friends and travel professionals I respect, far more than any published guide or poll.

[LW BOATER]

:) We sailed in Feb. 08, after reading many negative reviews about the ship I was prepped for the worse. Although I would agree that she is ready for a freshing up I would also say that we did not find her nearly as bad as some reviews state. Yes the carpet is faded, some chairs in the rendezvous lounge are worn and stained but overall she is clean and well kept. The staff was replacing the hand rails in the cabin hallways during our cruise. We found the food quality and the service all througout the ship to be excellent and up to past Celebrity standards. It is our understanding that she is scheduled to go into drydock for a refurb after tha Alaska season and prior to going to Australia. We have always been pleased with Celebrity.

[Nordnog]

Posted said that Millie was going to Australia? No, we're scheduled on her to Alaska the end of May into June.

[TC Cruiser]

If you have a cruise coming up on the Mille and are reading these posts I want say that the ship is not a dump and you'll have a great time. We saw some paint peeling in the Aquaspa, a broken chair in Cosmos, a wobbly table in the theater, and the hair dryer in our room was held together with tape. Other than that nothing really stood out all week and we thoroughly enjoyed the ship. We saw them lay new carpet in the Olympic restaurant while in port and on the last day a worker was painting the entire back wall in the Aquaspa. I'm sure they are doing their best to stay on top of things.

[judyfssw]

This is an interesting thread. We are sailing on the Millie in August in Alaska. This will be my first cruise on her and I'm looking forward to cruising on her to complete my cycle of the M class ships.

I would like to make a couple of comments. As you can see, I've sailed mostly on the Constellation and Summit. I agree that there has been cuts in personnel and that does create some service problems. I also feel (even after my cruise on the Connie) that Celebrity must have changed the companies that provide them especially with their meat (sirloin steak). And, I do think that the portions are smaller but that's okay with me. But, I feel that Corporate is using the Constellation to begin their Elizabeth Blau changeover. Now, it was great that I was able to experience it while I was on the ship but I wonder if it wouldn't be better to start the changeover with the oldest ship and work up?

Also, I do feel that having less personnel means that the railings aren't varished as frequently or the windows/decks not washed as frequently. And, as with any good timeshare, there should be a more frequent changeover of the furniture.

These are just my opinions. Thank you for reading.

[LustforLife]

This is an interesting thread. We are sailing on the Millie in August in Alaska. This will be my first cruise on her and I'm looking forward to cruising on her to complete my cycle of the M class ships.

I would like to make a couple of comments. As you can see, I've sailed mostly on the Constellation and Summit. I agree that there has been cuts in personnel and that does create some service problems. I also feel (even after my cruise on the Connie) that Celebrity must have changed the companies that provide them especially with their meat (sirloin steak). And, I do think that the portions are smaller but that's okay with me. But, I feel that Corporate is using the Constellation to begin their Elizabeth Blau changeover. Now, it was great that I was able to experience it while I was on the ship but I wonder if it wouldn't be better to start the changeover with the oldest ship and work up?

Also, I do feel that having less personnel means that the railings aren't varished as frequently or the windows/decks not washed as frequently. And, as with any good timeshare, there should be a more frequent changeover of the furniture.

These are just my opinions. Thank you for reading.

 

Thanks, Judy. What were some of the new menu offerings from E. Blau?

Was the food good?

 

Thanks for the info...

 

Tammy

[katiebeth]

We have sailed on the Millennium, Infinity, and Constellation (twice). Our first time on the Constellation was in 2003 on the British Isles and Norwegian fjords cruise. The Constellation was only 10 months old at the time and in pristine condition. Our next cruise was in 2005 to Alaska on the Infinity. The Infinity too was in terrific shape.

 

In 2006 we enjoyed a terrific (and our favorite cruise in terms of the itinerary) on the Millennium Barcelona to Venice. The ports were incredible and the Med. in generally is fabulous (the history, scenery, food, wine, etc.). However, our stateroom (a Royal Suite) did appear a bit shabby. The bedding, curtains, carpeting, couch all needed to be replaced. The bathroom was a very nice size but needed some TLC. The shower and tiles needed a thorough cleaning. (mold and mildew). Our balcony and the tables, hot tub, and chairs were all somewhat dingy. The hot tub did not look particularly clean so we never used it. Although the Millennium is the first in the "M" class ships, it is not that much older than the other "M' class ships. It is hard to understand why it would not be in as good of condition as the others.

 

This past summer (2007) we cruised on the Constellation on a Baltics itinerary. The Constellation was in perfect condition (as fresh as our first sailing on her in 2003). We had a Royal Suite and it was in perfect condition. I really don't understand why there is such a difference between the two ships in terms of maintenance issue. Don't get me wrong, the Millie was not terrible, but the Constellation seems to be in much better condition. (so was the Infinity).

 

These are just my observations. We are trying the Azamara Quest this summer in the Med. The itinerary is terrific and we are hoping that it is a little step above Celebrity. Although, the verdict seems to still be out as to whether it really is a "deluxe" cruise line as they are advertising.

 

Happy Sailings,

 

Nancy

[Wineguys]

The Millie was in Caribbean service for only about 6 months the first time my wife and I sailed on her. During my anxious sprint to the gangway while boarding, I slipped and broke my ankle and 3 bones in my foot. While others were organizing their cabins for a week of fun, I laid on an examination table in sick bay waiting for the medical staff to arrive back on board. Unable to repair the compound fracture which required surgery when I returned to the states, I was put in a wheel chair and placed in a temporary cast. By day 2 and infection started and I ended up having antibiotic IV's twice a day for the remainder of the cruise. Because of the antibiotics, I had to stay out of the sun. With that being said, I still had one of the best cruises in the 30 or so that I've taken.

 

You get out of cruising exactly what you put into it. If you want to find fault with the decor....you will find it. If you want to find fault with the food...you will find it. If you want to find fault with the staff....you will find it. On the other hand, if you go looking for beauty on a ship, you will find it all over the place. Some of it is right in front of your nose...some of it you'll have to do some exciting exploring to find. If you watch the majority of the staff, they will be picking up dishes from your breakfast table in the morning, wiping tables at lunch and taking your dinner order with a smile at the late seating..

 

OK, let's call a spade a spade. While on the Century TA last year, I broke my ankle in England on the last land day and got treated on board by X's great medical staff (cheap too! - hey, while your x-raying my foot would ya take a look at this mole?). The put me into a soft cast and pumped me FULL and gave me a bottle of pills to last me the trip home! When we docked in Amsterdam, city of legal "coffeshops", it was almost like "SO WHAT!" Anyway, my point is I think perhaps yee was a bit punped full o' more than antibiotics, hence the wonderful time....

 

There can also be problems with each cruise. We all have different priorities and not all of us have Vicodin coursing through our veins. The OP is providing a service. She is totally screwing with the heads of those us who have paid for and are about to sail on the Millenium in the next few months before drydock in September.

 

Time for some Xanax and a Bloody Ceaser....

[PZetz]

Just returned yesterday from the Millennium...forth time to sail on her. I have to agree...she is ready for a makeover. No major complaints...mainly cosmetic issues. We also noticed some heating/cooling issues at times througout the ship. Food was also a notch below what I remember from previous Celebrity experiences. Food seemed more on a par with RCL now....still good but nothing special. That being said, we still had a fantastic cruise....just hope they can send some TLC her way!!

[caviargal]

However, our stateroom (a Royal Suite) did appear a bit shabby. The bedding, curtains, carpeting, couch all needed to be replaced. The bathroom was a very nice size but needed some TLC. The shower and tiles needed a thorough cleaning. (mold and mildew). Our balcony and the tables, hot tub, and chairs were all somewhat dingy. The hot tub did not look particularly clean so we never used it. Although the Millennium is the first in the "M" class ships, it is not that much older than the other "M' class ships. It is hard to understand why it would not be in as good of condition as the others.

 

 

When I read these comments, I find it interesting that some cruisers find this acceptable and that it does not affect their vacations. For me, they are not, but to each his own.

[tprime76]

Emily and I recently cruised on Millennium to the Eastern Caribbean (12/16/07 - 12/23/07) and thought the ship was pretty well taken care of. Granted, the ship is a few years old and the carpet looks a little worn in some public high traffic places, but the carpeting in our room (6143) was pristine, the fake wood floor on the verandah was perfectly clean and the room was always sharp. Throughout the ship, we constantly saw crewmembers restaining worn railings and replacing carpet and equipment that that was, for lack of a better term, past its useful life. Maybe some people spend time on the ship in places where we don't so they may have witnessed a greater level of disrepair, but we loved the ship. Em and I have been on Millennium twice and Constellation once and wouldn't hesitate to go back on either. In fact, we have a Southern Caribbean cruise on Summit scheduled for next year.

[Sailfish]

The OP is providing a service. She is totally screwing with the heads of those us who have paid for and are about to sail on the Millenium in the next few months before drydock in September.

 

Time for some Xanax and a Bloody Ceaser....

 

I have not been on the Millennium nor have I cruised as many times with Celebrity as have many of you. So, I very much appreciated the input I found here at Cruise Critic prior to my voyage on the Millennium. I am sorry to say that had I not been aware that the Millennium was an older ship and not operating up to Celebrity's "high standards", I probably would have gone on my cruise expecting something else. Thanks to the recent comments I read about the condition of the ship (which I know to some appear to be overly criticial) I knew to go not expecting perfection.

 

I had a very nice cruise vacation, and really didn't let the issues with the Millennium affect the outcome. But with all the hype out there about Celebrity, I am glad I had realistic expectations so I could better focus on other aspects of my vacation. Like those of you with an upcoming cruise on the Millennium, I embarked on the ship somewhat concened; but none of the issues I and others here described had any effect on my cruise vacation.

 

It's just a little suprising that a company like Celebrity would allow one of their ships to show so much obvious wear and tear. I agree with everyone that repairs are ongoing and much of the flaws are very minor indeed. This experience will not deter me from cruising with Celebrity again and it should not deter you either.

 

The issue for me and others (I think) has a lot to do with Celebrity's reputation (for better or for worse) for having higher standards. A ship in Celebrity's fleet even in minor disrepair just can't warrent the higher prices the cruise line charges for it's product. I don't mind paying a little more for a higher quality cruise experience; but for me, that includes all aspects of the cruise, not just the food quality and service.

 

If you read my review (the link is in the first post), I was bumped off of a cruise scheduled to sail from San Francisco. I was given a choice of sail dates and ships - one was a newer ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, the other was the Millennium. I have no regrets in choosing the Millennium, but I did so because 1) I felt it would have fewer kids (which it did), 2) I thought it would have better food and service, 3) it was with Celebrity, the more expensive of the two cruises from which I had to choose.

 

Suzi

The OP