Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Celebrity

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Cruises (https://www.fodors.com/community/cruises/)

- - Celebrity - Mercury (https://www.fodors.com/community/cruises/celebrity-mercury-39572/)

Celebrity - Mercury

Going on Celebrity's Mercury to the Western Carribean (Key West, Grand Caymen, Calica, Cozumel) in April and would appreciate any advise/feedback on the ship/ports. Thank you.

Carolyn, I have spent most of the last year and a half on the Mercury. e-mail me a list of questions and I'll give you the scoop from my point of view. You have chosen not only an excellent cruise line, but an excellent ship.

I am in the process of booking a cruise as well - trying to decide between the Mercury and RCCL Majesty of the Seas. The previous comment sounds like a big plus for Celebrity. I'd love to hear any comparisons on these two ships.

Hi Bob My husband and I went on the Celebrity in Jan . We have been on 13 cruises. This was the best. The cabin, food, ship, and service is top notch. We loved every minute and will book again. I hear the Galaxy is great also. On one of the islands on a jeep tour to a beach the ocean is rough and undertow bad and they dont tell you. I also drowned there. 3 men had to pull me out and I was in shallow water. Pat

There is no doubt in my mind (we have cruised 10 times) that Celebrity is far superior to anything RCCL has to offer. The food is excellent as is the service and the cleanliness is not to be believed. The entertainment is better on RCCL. Having said that, if you are not too finnicky, then you can enjoy RCCL. We have sailed on them and had enjoyable cruises but again, when you compare, Celebrity wins hands down! As for ports: Key West is a lot of fun and we enjoyed it immenseley. Easy to walk around and see everything. Grand Cayman has wonderful beaches and we felt quite safe there. Don't go to the beach where the ship takes you. Instead, go to the Hyatt Hotel by cab (take towels to sit on). We have not experienced Calica but were told the beaches are not terrific. Cozumel was OK. We go to the Chancanab (spelling?) park by cab. Nice snorkeling opportunities there and the park is quite pretty. The washroom facilities were horrible though!

I was on the Mercury last December. It was great. Don't miss the Eco Park and the Mayan ruins @ Chixxxxx. (sorry for the spelling). Food was 5 star and the room was spacious for 4 people. This was my 7th Carribbean cruise.

We are giving strong consideration to a Celebrity cruise Feb./March '00. We are currently booked on Splendour, as we prefer an 11 night cruise in the winter and this will be the third yr./same ship/cabin/itin. Can anyone tell me if Celebrity does 11 nights, and if the ship has cabins w/balconies? I've been to Celebrity webpage, but pricing was 'unavailable'. We do enjoy RCI, but think there are other options for the price [cat 'C']. Any/all info. from past cruisers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! Elaine

We've sailed Celebrity 3 times - each one better than the next. Last one on Mercury, same itinerary as you. Ship is immaculate, gorgeous, upscale. Crew is great. Food is really very good. They have some difficulty with veal - ask your server if he recommends it. The food is beautifully presented and you'll marvel at the high quality when serving thousands at a time! Key West - take the trolly tour if it's your first time - otherwise just walk around. You don't have a lot of time there. Calica - only place to go is Xcaret Ecological Park - gorgeous, good food, great snorkeling through underground caves and caverns for all ages. Cozumel - we've been twice. Both times we rented a day room at the Intercontinental Presidente Hotel right on the beach. It was terrific. A private beach, your own room to rest, change, shower, etc. Food right on the beach - lovely restaurant or hut snack bar. Also dive hut right on the beach - for parasailing, scuba, snorkel and jet ski. A great way to spend the day. Reserve in advance. Grand Cayman - skip the trip to Hell. Go on the Stringray snorkel trip, and then walk/shop around town. Or go to 7 mile beach. You will love the Mercury. We've been spoiled by Celebrity and know that we'll only be disappointed going on another line (except, maybe the super expensive Crystal, Radisson, etc.) Our experience is that Celebrity gives you the most upscale experience for your money. Go with confidence. Caveat: Avoid the huge lines to board. Wait until 2:00-2:30 and you should be able to waltz right in, and avoid a throng of hundreds of tired, cranky people waiting for two hours.

I have a cruise scheduled on the Mercury in January, 2000 and I thank you for your replies to this original post as well. JM, I am interested in hearing more about this "day room" that you booked in Cozumel, can you please tell me how much this was, and how to arrange it? Did you just take a cab to the hotel first thing after docking? This sounds like the perfect way to spend a day in Cozumel, I'd love more information. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone know if basketball is available on the Mercury. Are the courts of adequate size? Are there pick-up games? 10 foot nets? Are the balls decent or should I bring my own? Thanks.

Just phone the Intercontinental Presidente Hotel in Cozumel and arrange for a dayroom. Ask for a room on the ground floor with a patio on the beach near the dive hut. If you want to naje arrangements for diving, have then give you the number for Scuba Du. They have a web site. Check at www.search.com and search for scuba du cozumel.