We are sailing out of San Juan on the Galaxy in February, we liked the itinerary and we liked the price. I am concerned however about the comments regarding "Celebrity slipping". This will be our first Celebrity cruise but have been happy with Royal Carribean in the past. How concerned should I really be?

Dawn- You should have a terrific time on the Galaxy! WE have done the Zenith, the Century and the Millennium- the only one we are not crazy about is the Millennium-<BR>Food on Century was superb, as was Zenith-entertainment was fabulous on all 3 ! Have a great time

<BR>Hi Dawn,<BR><BR>You should not be the least bit worried. There is no comparison between RCCl and Celebrity.<BR><BR>Have fun,<BR><BR>Paul

Thanks for the reassurance!1 I can't wait! Should I be booking shore excursions before we go? The snorkeling excursion to St. John appears to be very close to the price we would pay if we got a cab, a ferry, a cab and rented snorkeling equipment on our own. On Barbados, we will probably just get a taxi and do that on our own however. Any suggestions will be more than appreciated. Thanks again, Dawn

no.

Dawn- In St.THomas,currently you have to undergo security on board ship where the CUSTOMS people come on and check your passports-- If you are lucky enough on your ship to have EVERYONE show up as requested ( ie the passengers) , then you would only be about 1/2 hr late getting off the ship----but THAT is NOT the case in St. THOMAS--do NOT schedule any MORNING excursions as no one is on time to the Customs/Passport/Security check on board the ship, which make CLEARING the ship for disembarking a LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG nightmare----schedule all excursions for the afternoon---and do it via the ship==If you are late in getting back to the ship from the St.John Ferry and the cruise leaves without you, it is at your cost to catch up to the ship in the next port.....All of these security measures have been installed since 9-11.......... we went on the Millie over Thanksgiving and ran into this problem concerning getting off the ship in time for early excursions.

I would recommend buying your own snorkeling equipment. It isn't very expensive.

You're right Barbara. The antisceptic in the bucket does not do the job with so many pieces of equipment being dipped. Just rent the fins.<BR><BR>Paul

Hope what I'am hearing isn't true. I have been on the Celebity line New york to Bermuda 8 or 9 years ago it was great I was on the Grand Princess in 1999 to the med. that was great also I have just booked the Constellation the new ship for Celebity for a May cruise Spain to England.I'am traveling with 6 others do hope what you say isn't true.

Terrence, Carson, or anyone else...<BR>Thank heaven you people are so diligent with your comments! Can you help me?<BR>I sent my parents (seventies-but-spry) on their first cruise--Celebrity's Infinity to Alaska--last year and they loved it. I am looking at Mexico this time, on HAL or Princess. HAL doesn't seem like a great line, but I thought it was supposed to be a step above Celebrity and that Princess was more like Carnival. Obviously, I am new to all of this, but I would be so grateful for some input. Thank you again and again!!!<BR>p.s. Have to do something with a west-coast embarkation. My mom is uncomfortable flying.

<BR>Hi Kim,<BR><BR>It is a well known fact that HAL is a step above Celebrity.<BR><BR>Paul

I just got back from a Celebrity cruise in the Carribean on the Zenith, which is one of their older, smaller ships, and my experience was different than most of the postings here. The service was 5-star all around, and the food, especially dinner in the formal dining room, was excellent! Our stateroom attendant even made sure we didn't miss dinner when we were running late the very first night! Overall, a great cruise.

James,<BR>You said that you are going to sail on the Celebrity Summit soon.<BR>When you return could you give me a report on how the ship is, food, service etc.? <BR>We are considering sailing on it also.<BR>Thanks,.

Princess is nothing like Carnival.<BR><BR>And I prefer Princess to Celebrity.

I was relieved to hear that Karen liked the Zenith. We are taking our four kids on this ship in March...spring break. I hope we will enjoy it. I am a bit worried about the kids and some comments about Celebrity and children.

<BR>The negative posters on these forums tend to scare future passengers. I have sailed on every Celebrity ship except the Summit and find the service, food and children's program just great. And the spas - wow. Also the county-club experience can not be beat.<BR><BR>Just ignore the minor glitches and do not worry.<BR><BR>Paul

We're about to sail On the Infinity--for the second time. Loved the cruise to Hawaii in March, now doing the S. Caribian. Sailed Ocean Princess to Alaska in July, terribly disapointed. Food was not good, staff was pushy. Came home on Regal Princess, much nicer. But I'll take Celebrity over Princess anyday.

We sailed on Infinity June/July of 2001 and were absolutely impressed! Having been on 3 other cruises before, this was by far the best! The food was excellent. The cabins and ship were so beautiful, and we can't wait to sail on Celebrity again real soon. The staff were friendly. No complaints at all,<BR>and the spa...agh....that was the best part of the trip. The Alaskan itinerary wasn't so bad either. Beautiful glaciers. I wouldn't hesitate to go on board Infinity again. Would love to try the Mercury next.

We were on the Summit in Nov last year and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The food service and entertainment were all first class.

<BR>Now we are getting some good reviews as it should be with Celebrity.<BR><BR>Paul