Med. cruise
 

We are considering a Mediterrean cruise, 9/1 - 9/13, 2004, with Celebrity, ship is the Millennium. Have you been on this cruise? Did you encounter any problems? How formal is formal night?

We cruised Millennium about that same timeframe a few years ago. The ship was new, still working out the kinks, but we loved it.

Formal night is as formal as you want it to be -- Tux, dark suit, coat & tie. Tux/dark suit would be the way to go on formal nights. ((b))

We cruised the Millie in the Caribbean..
We did NOT like the ship as it has a stabilizer problem and even in CALM seas , it was rocking and rolling...

The dining room was huge and 2 story and by the time the waiters went down one flight to get the food, the people on the 2nd tier ( which was 3 floor for the waiters) got cold food...

Service was just ok-- I have had much better on Celebrity..

Some have been disappointed in the size of the ship (it's huge) but that can be said about Princess and other lines as well. You might want to consider how many passengers and the size of the ship you're comfortable with since many of the Med itineraries are very similar.

jwgibbs75:
We'll be doing the Med. cruise on the Millennium next month so I'll fill you in on our experience when we get back. After reading some of the comments regarding the rocking & rolling I'm a little worried. I hope it'll be a little smoother in the Mediterrean.

We were on Millennium shortly after she was commissioned. It was going into drydock right after our cruise for a vibration problem it was having at top speeds. Probably alignment to one of its shafts. I certainly didn't feel it, and it didn't have a stabilizer problem that I noticed.

It's a great ship, you will love it, and you will have an excellent cruise. We loved both Millennium and the Mediterranean. ((b))

We are booked to go on the Millennium in the Med. in October, 2004. I read on a couple sites that they fixed all the stabilizer problems. I'm sure you'll have a ball. Keep us posted when you return. Marianne

We were on the MIllie last October in the Med. We absolutely loved everything about it.
We had no problems at all - we were in the CC class on deck 9 (that I have read complaints about ) and it was wonderful with no noise and nice perks.
We sailed from Venice to Barcelona and I never recall rough weather, vibration, etc.
My husband rented a tux, and I wore a long skirt with different fancy tops. I don't recall anyone standing out as being too "under" or "over" !
We're sailing again this year in August on Celebrity again (on the Connie) and are expecting the same wonderful cruise.
Have fun!

I am not near as experienced as many of you cruisers who post. I've never been on a Celebrity cruise but am curious about the Millennium ship as I too have heard it was too large and not as personal as smaller ships with fewer passengers.

It's great hearing your good reports! I've cruised on the Navigator which holds around 400(?) passengers and found this to be just perfect. I really loved everything about the ship and especially the large cabin. Do you think the Millenium may feel too large and impersonal? Can you compare it to your experiences on ships that hold fewer passengers please.

Brahmama, Thanks for the reassurance of the Millennium being a great choice. We also took a CC cabin. We're booked in cabin 9104. I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra $$ for the concierge service but the cabin is a little bigger than the deluxe balcony. Did you see extra perks by being in CC?
NewYorkGolfer41, we've been on huge ships (2,300 passengers) and much smaller ones catering to 600 passengers and there definitely is a difference in the level of intimacy. We traveled on the smaller ship when our kids were young and the staff got to know them and catered to us every night with "special pastas" made at the table and other little extras you won't see on the larger ships due to the enormous numbers they must cater to. We actually prefer larger ships because we are nightclub goers, casino players and really like to be incognito....a way to be alone in a crowd! Which ever way you go, have a great time crusin!! Marianne

Marianne,
We were in 9102! But we didn't have a big balcony. It was fine. We really loved the perks. (I guess I'm a little shallow here!) In fact, the next one we are going on is all CC plus we will have a larger balcony on that one! We loved the flowers and the binoculars and the luscious towels and upgraded toiletries and the great pillow/mattress with no hump in the middle. etc. and the upgraded room service menu! Yes! I wish I were there right now - got so spoiled.
Well, I got a little carried away! Sorry.

NewYorkGolfer,
Gosh I can't help you on this one. We've been on all sizes of ships and I can't see much difference. The personal touch (imho) comes from the cabin steward(ess) and the great wait staff who know what you like by the 2nd or 3rd day. If you frequent one bar, you will get to know the bartender and the people who stay around there. We like the piano bar and always feel cozy and comfortable in that venue. I think the people on a cruise have a lot to do with your comfort level. If the majority and friendly, smiling and NON-COMPLAINING - that really makes a nice cruise.
The thing that can mar our enjoyment of a cruise is being around people who are not pleasant and who love to complain. I suggest you give them a wide berth! (Pardon my pun.)
Go with a smile - pass it around - you will have a great cruise.
Happy travels!

Thanks for your replies. I forgot to ask another question (since I haven't had the experience most of you have), is it true that some larger ships can take an hour (maybe more) to embark and disembark? I can only relate to the Navigator where it was such a breeze and took us less than 3 minutes to embark. I'm really opposed to the "hurry up and wait's" and standing in lines! On Celebrity do they charge for wine or cocktails at dinner? Also, are tips included in the fare or do you pay at the end of the cruise? Thanks....that should be the end of my questions.

newyorkgolfer41, 3 minutes to disembark 400 people??

Once the ship clears customs, disembarkation is based upon those who have immediate flight connections, Captain's Club members, etc. A ship of that size will take about an hour or so.

Embarkation will depend upon the time you arrive. We like to arrive early and get on board and have lunch -- may have to wait a couple of hours to get to your stateroom.

Sorry, no free wine or cocktails at dinner. The cruise line will give a recommended amount to tip (tips are not included). Usually, cabin steward 3.50 per person per day, waiter, the same, asst waiter, 2.00 per person per day. Wine steward -- at your discretion, depending on what he does for you. Give more/less based on service. Pay at the end of the cruise. Hope you have a nice time. ((b))

Brahmama,
I read that you were on the Venice to Barcelona cruise. We'll be going on that itinerary next month. Would like to know if you had any problems getting to the ship/port. We'll be arriving in Venice on the train; Celebrity does not provide transportation unless arriving by plane. Do you think it'll be fairly easy to take vaporetto or water taxi from train station to ship? Should I book some other kind of transportation? Any suggestions? Did you encounter a lot of delays in getting on and off the ship at the various ports-of-call? Any info appreciated.

Eobay,
I would be happy to share my (limited) knowledge with you about Venice etc, but perhaps you should email me. That way I can reply without boring everyone with all the details!
We have arrived in Venice by plane twice and by train once, so I can tell you what we did.
Write me at [email protected]
at your convenience.
Carol