Just got off the Celebrity Horizon yesterday after a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise. Feel free to contact me via e-mail of through the forum with any questions.<BR><BR>Ken

What shore excursion if any did you take in Cozumel? Do you know anyone who went to the Passion Island Escape or the Ecaret Eco Park? Also any suggestions for excursions in Key West?<BR>Thanks,<BR>Regina

Message to Regina:<BR>Take the Trolley in Key West. Gives you a very good tour of the main points of interest in both the city & suburbs.<BR><BR>Gerry

Regina,<BR><BR>In Key West, the trolley is a good idea as it gives you an idea of where to go once you are done.<BR><BR>In Cozumel, we did the Beach Break and took a cab to Playa Sol. I am not one that likes to sit on the beach, but my wife loves it. It was a good facility and the drinks were included in the cost of the admission.

Also interested in Horizon ports of call. We are trying to figure out Progreso. We are sailing 1/11/02. Anyone else on the same cruise?

Regina, I went on the Passion Island Escape when we wnet to Cozumel on the Majesty (RCCL), I'm assuming it's the same tour offered through Celebrity. The tour is definitely meant for couples but I found that several singles decided to take it as well. The 'lagoon' you cross by either canoe or pontoon boat (your choice) to get to the island is situated next to a sewage treatment facility. Once passed that, however, you'll find this area quite beautiful. There's a pavillion where lunch is served as well as an open bar for the usual rum punch, and loads of Corona on ice. The beach is excellent and rather isolated. My only gripe is that they could drop the price and set a limit on the free alcohol. Some of the 'yahoos' on our tour could not hold their alcohol very well and proceded to vomit on the shrubbery outside the pavillion. They also made the bus stop on the return to town so they could urinate/vomit on the roadside. Quite an attractive site, but otherwise it was a great time. They only allow a limited number of people, so if you want some time alone, there is plenty of space to do so.<BR><BR>

Ken,<BR><BR>We're taking that cruise on March 22. Please comment on the ship, the food, the service, and Progreso. We've cruised on Carnival and RCCL and would appreciate your feedback.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>PCA

Regina,<BR>Xcaret is a great place. There is a lot to do, don't miss swimming the Underground River.<BR>I have been there Several times.

PCA,<BR><BR>We have been on two Celebrity cruises. First was on the Millennium to the Mediterranean in 2000 and the second was the recent one. There is a contrast between to two ships in that the Millennium was the newest in the fleet and, I believe, Horizon is the oldest in the fleet.<BR><BR>If this is your first cruise on a smaller (less than 1,800 people) ship, you'll notice some of the things missing from Horizon such as the internet access and the additional pool and hot tubs. There is enough deck space to layout while the ship is at sea and, if you have late seating for dinner, there is sufficient time to use the pool or hot tub if you go later in the day.<BR><BR>The ship is just fine. You can tell that it is 11 years old, but that is not a bad thing. There is plenty of closet and drawer space in the rooms. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. We had a Category 7 room which was on Deck 9. Our view was obstructed, but it was not that big a deal. In the past, we have had balcony cabins and we missed it this trip, but you adjust.<BR><BR>The food was good to very good. Our favorite place for a quiet drink was the America's Cup lounge forward on Deck 11. There is only one port which you need to use a tender and that is the Grand Caymans. They operate those regularly enough so it is not much of an inconvenience.<BR><BR>The stark contrast between this and the other three cruises my wife and I have taken is the age of our fellow passengers. We are in our mid-30's and a large percentage of the ship was 60 and older (mostly older). It was not a big deal to us as we mostly keep to ourselves.<BR><BR>I think you will be very happy with the Horizon. We liked the fact that it was smaller (1,700 passengers vs. 2,200+ on the other ships we've sailed). <BR><BR>Can't say much about Progresso as the pier is in the middle of no where as they are attempting to build up around it. We got on a bus, went on our shore excursion, got back and went right on the ship...that was our Progresso experience.<BR><BR>Go and enjoy and feel free to contact me with other questions.<BR><BR>Ken<BR>

What ,please, were your experiences with security--delays or not?

Jessie,<BR><BR>We got to the port early on departure day (about 1:30) and experienced no lines at check-in and no lines at the security check point. We got off the ship around 3 to walk around a bit and then had to stand in a long line at security. But, I am sure that is normal.<BR><BR>There were no delays, no lengthy lines, no real changes in the security procedures and nothing discernibly different from the cruises I have taken before this year. They x-ray all bags when returning to the ship and there is an additional ID checkpoint before being allowed onto the pier in several ports. Make sure you carry your cruise card and picture ID on and off the ship.<BR><BR>Ken