GoGoTraveler

Spirited Away
Nassau, The Bahamas
My wife and I returned from our 7 day cruise (our first) on the Norwegian Spirit yesterday. Let me "bullet" our opinions while they're still fresh: the ship was spotless, a balcony is a "must have." The room was roomy enough; bathroom facilities more than adequate. Staff was extremely friendly and engaging. Couldn't have asked for a more pleasant experience. The buffet was what you'd expect - a buffet for 2,000 people. Embarking and debarking was a breeze; everything was pretty organized and went smoothly. Overall, our experience was a good one. I would definitely cruise on the Norwegian Spirit again, but would first research other ships and lines and maybe try something different. (In fact, now that I think about going to work tomorrow morning, I'm going to start planning my next vacation.)
written by  GoGoTraveler on May 7, 2006 from Nassau, The Bahamas
from the travel blog: Bahama Spirit

Royal Celebration
Haiti, Cuba
We were overwhelmed with the beauty and the elegance of this ship. Whoever designed this vessel should be given an award. Everything was done in such good taste, with many innovations we have not seen on any other ships, such as the daily changing of the carpeting in the elevators, reminding what day it is. Many little things like this that are to numerous to mention. The cabin was done in excellent taste, right down to the choice of material for the drapes and love seat. All the side cabinet doors by the desk area were mirrored on both sides of the doors as were the cabinet doors in the bathroom. It allows the women [and men[ to fully view the back of their heads. The workmanship of the cabinets and closet doors was superb. The cabin door was made of the heaviest material I have seen on any ship. You could of had a brass band playing in the hallway and you wouldn't hear them. The food was much better than we anticipated. In fact it was excellent. [I am a retired and the former owner of an award winning restaurant on L.I., New York, which was noted for service.] Our waiter and bus-girl, wine steward and bar man, were everything dining room personnel should be. They were friendly & attentive to our every need without becoming overbearing. We couldn't be served any better in any top notch restaurant in the states. They did a superb job. The after dinner presentations by the dining room staff were received very well, a nice friendly touch. Entertainment: Ken Rush, the cruise director was outstanding, as was his staff. He won over the guests on the first night and had then in his corner for the rest of the cruise. hey have two pool areas. The large pool, surrounded by four Jacuzzi and the Solarium pool, with two Jacuzzi. We have tried to give you a good idea of the ship and what we experienced. We had a wonderful cruise, a memorable experience. We have made a number of cruises with Celebrity Cruise Line and have sailed on all their ships. Until this cruise we have always rated Celebrity as the best by far. Although we still think they are excellent, we think Royal Caribbean might be just a tad better because of the friendliness displayed by the entire crew. They show their guests in so many ways and by the little things they do, that the number one thought in their mind is to make your cruise the absolute best that is possible, and that they do. That kind of attitude is going to afford them well in the future. Go to www.SmartCruiser.com to get a good deal on your next cruise.
written by  GoGoTraveler on May 2, 1999 from Haiti, Cuba
from the travel blog: Enchantment of the Seas

The Closer
Juneau, United States
For "Openers" we had a wonderful cruise! It was only 7-days in length, but we had a relaxing and picturesque journey to the glaciers. The "Infinity" is the largest ship we have cruised aboard - over 2,000 passengers, but the quality was one of the highest levels we have experienced in 13-cruises. The food, entertainment, care and concerns by the crew, plus the cleanliness were superb. The activities provided are almost non-stop, with programs by a terrific "Naturalist," art exhibits and auctions, a constantly changing shopping "mall," music, food, dancing, and more exotic food! This ship and this cruise line have been underrated in my estimation. Our suite came with a Butler, and was spacious, clean, and well-located mid-ship. An experienced "cruiser" will pick up on the endless amenities and courtesies that I never take for granted. We didn't have time to take in all the activities provided - we "hit the hay" relatively early, but the after-dinner night life, from what we heard, was excellent. The entertainment was shockingly superb!!! The dancers, singers, comedians, musicians, and choreography were wonderful - how this level of entertainment can be provided at sea is truly surprising and a great achievement. The specialty restaurant, the SS United States, was truly a treat. I had the finest rack of lamb from New Zealand that was so tender and beautifully cooked and presented - this was "world-class" dining! The Caesar Salad was absolutely great!! A sight no one alive would want to miss. A tip of my hat to "Celebrity Cruise Line" for an unexpected, high quality cruise, and at a price that was surprisingly low in comparison to competitive cruise lines that we have sailed. United States is a destination that a "traveler" should never miss. It is a part of this planet that dodges description - words alone fail to describe the beauty of this land. The natural sea life is testimony alone to it's uniqueness. The embarkation in Vancouver is amazingly well done. The huge and beautiful terminal indicates the forward thinking and pride of the Canadians - this terminal puts U.S. port facilities to shame! The logistical problems in handling so many passengers flawlessly boggles the mind. But, it's a sharp indication to you, a passenger, that you are in for superb experience - and it was. The genius of "Celebrity Cruise Line" is quite obvious - I can't wait for a reprise of this outstanding cruise experience. In my estimation, Celebrity Cruises has "raised the bar" of cruising, and we are the beneficiaries of all this cruise line genius we have been enjoying for years. But before you go, you should all go to SmartCruiser.com and buy your trip their. They have the best deals and including free trip insurance or onboard credits with every purchase.
written by  GoGoTraveler on January 13, 2006 from Juneau, United States
from the travel blog: For Openers

A Alaskan Paradise
Juneau, United States
With this being only my second cruise, I have to say that it was the best. For several weeks prior to departure, I would checked the internet daily for the weather report. On the day of departure, rain was predicted for the entire week. Like most weather services, the Internet was wrong. Wee had sunny days in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan with only slight overcastting at the Hubbard Glacier. If you are into fishing, you should plan your trip for the second, third, or fourth week of July. That is when the Salmon start to run and as told by our guide in Ketchikan; "the rivers are so full of fish that one could walk from one side of the river to the other with out getting his feet wet." The Infinity is a beautiful ship. With over two thousand passengers on board, I never felt crowded. There is so much to do and with so many staterooms having their own verandas, one can watch the world glide by in complete privacy. The entertainment was excellent. The Celebrity Dancers and Singers were very energetic and talented. On the last night, they performed a song from Les Miserable, (I Hope I got the spelling correct), by the time they were finished, I was feeling very patriotic. The food was excellent, although I wish they would have had an all night buffet for those of us that can't sleep. The Casino on board looked like it was taken from the Luxury in Las Vegas. I spoke with several passengers that actually won some money. I myself one over one hundred dollars from a five cent slot machine. I can see why Celebrity is rated a five star cruise line and why the Infinity is rated the number one ship of all the larger cruise ships (an award that the members of the Infinity are very proud of to the point that I got tired of hearing about it) If you don't mind paying a little more, cruise Celebrity. You will love it. I said it would be expensive, but If you want to pay a less than I recommend you go to SmartCruiser.com. They gave me a great deal which included free trip insurance and an auqa spa experience valued at $100 for FREE.
written by  GoGoTraveler on July 4, 2003 from Juneau, United States
from the travel blog: What a wonderful cruise can do to you.

Princess
Acapulco, Mexico
As most know, this ship is HUGE! What impressed us the most was that you never felt "crowded" at any times. They designed the ship and passenger flow very well. I have sailed on Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean, NCL, and Holland America and I was very satisfied with the Princess experience. While each line has their respective strength and weaknesses, I would offer that none of the differences would impact our satisfaction with our vacation in any way. In short, unless you are a very critical person, I think you'll enjoy Princess very much. One thought, however, was that I noticed the staff throughout were not as "customer oriented" as other lines. Specifically, we would walk down the stateroom hallways and cleaning staff would not move out of the way for us as on other lines, but would expect us to move around them. Lido deck staff were not aggressive in offering drinks, service, etc. This didn't affect our satisfaction, however, it was noticed. The ship, although new, was spotless. The drinks along with their prices were quite tasty, and the food was well-varied, fresh and was not recycled in any fashion...even the next day on the Lido Deck. They didn't pressure you to buy drinks or shore excursions and the TV programming was good. This is an excellent ship, line, and a good cruise for all ages and family. I went to www.SmartCruiser.com and found a great deal which included free trip insurance. They also had much other great deals and specials. If your looking to go on a cruise anytime soon you should go there. You won't regret it.
written by  GoGoTraveler on March 23, 2002 from Acapulco, Mexico
from the travel blog: Mexican Extravaganza

French all the way
Papeete, French Polynesia
Our family, grandmother, grandfather (me), daughter, son-in-law, grand son (age 20) and grand daughter (age 18) were all booked in minimum guarantee cabins, category F, but we were all moved (three cabins) to category C which is outside with a balcony. Beautiful facilities but even the category F with portholes are much better than most lines. They all have full baths with tub and shower, VCR's, fully stocked refrigerators, queen-sized beds, etc. Everything you would expect in a six star ship. My wife and I flew from Boston to Los Angeles on United using senior coupons plus mileage plus coupons to up-grade to first class. We spent the night in Los Angeles and then took the ship line's package on Air Tahiti for the eight hour coach flight to Tahiti. Our kids and grandchildren flew from Cleveland to Los Angeles, spent the night there and joined us on the Air Tahiti flight. The ship is as deluxe as they come but really understated. Most everyone would be comfortable with the surroundings and the service was outstanding. The food was a little too gourmet for our plebian taste but we could always rough it with nightly choices of filet mignon, pasta, chicken, etc. Wine is served with lunch and dinner without charge and there were enough free cocktail parties, open bars, etc. to keep most of the passengers in a fine mood. Gratuities are included and we didn't have trouble using up the $200 on-board credit that we had received.The ship provides snorkel equipment, water skiing, kayaking, wind surfing, all without charge. Our kids and grandchildren took advantage of several tours including night scuba, petting sharks, etc. We were content to rent a car in Moorea and enjoy the island parties provided by the ship. All arrangements on the ship were handled with professional skill and we were always treated as honored guests by a highly skilled staff. We Hope to take further cruises with Radisson (this was our second) but we felt that we had seen the islands, which are beautiful, but would like to explore other areas before returning to Tahiti.
written by  GoGoTraveler on May 22, 2002 from Papeete, French Polynesia
from the travel blog: Radisson Surprise

Dramatic Symphany
Barcelona, Spain
This "Wine and Romance" 12 day cruise had stops in Cannes, France; Cadiz, Spain; Gibraltar, U.K.; Lisbon, Portugal; Le Verdon, France; Bordeaux, France;. It is truly difficult to describe any negative aspect of this cruiseship, its staff or the administration of procedures. >From embarkation to the end, we were treated incredibly well and we were called by our names by much of the staff. The design allowed for easy walking from bow to stern and port to starboard. The ship was spotless and kept that way from start to finish. A spacious 8th deck room with verandah had a double sink bathroom with tub and shower; plenty of closet & cabinet space; stocked fruit basket and refrigerator with free refills of water, perrier and sodas. The bed had rounded corners and selection of linens. Room service was prompt and the food delicious. Food: great taste, great variety in the main dining room, lido buffet deck, specialty restaurants, and grill-BBQ & ice cream stand on the pool deck. The shows and music were plentiful and full of energy. The talent was Las Vegas quality or better. The cruise director was great. Also, a 50's-60's theme night was a big hit with all passengers and crew. Excursions -- reasonably priced and a good selection. Also, Crystal supplied free transportation to city centers in ports where docks were distant. They also always had a representative on tours and they provided water. Staff -- sincere and happy employees that went out of their way to insure that we were happy. There were no loud announcements, no pushy bar staff or photographers. Overall -- Crystal both earned and deserved their "six-star" rating on this cruise. If you are seeking a semi-personalized and relaxed atmosphere with great food, people and amenities, we can recommend Crystal. We found a great special at www.SmartCruiser.com with Free Trip Insurance included.
written by  GoGoTraveler on February 5, 2002 from Barcelona, Spain
from the travel blog: Crystal Gazing

Trans Royal
Cornwell, United Kingdom
This, our 28th cruise, was a really pleasant surprise. I balked at going on a Royal Caribbean ship as I recalled the miniscule cabins on the Nordic Prince and the Song of Norway. However, although we had an inside cabin, it was quite adequate. Plenty of storage space and very good bathroom. The shower was comfortable and the fixtures were all state of the art and quite efficient. The ship is magnificent. Beautifully decorated (not glitzy) and the atrium is a sight to behold with waterfalls, etc. The dining room is two tiered and really lovely as you can see out on all sides. The waiters and assistants were cheerful and helpful and the maitre d' was so charming and attentive that I must admit it is the first time I felt the necessity to tip him. The shows on this ship were exceptionally good. I had seen two of the acts years before but they were great. Benny something an his wife Shirley Harmer - he is a very funny comedian and she sings well. Also an Italian tenor (Renato) who we saw years ago but very entertaining. The WAVE REVIEW of singers and dancers in production numbers were absolutely sensational. Also, several other good acts. The food was adequate, but although presented nicely and of course the descriptions on the menu made you expect better - it was not 4 star by any means. The beef was good - and they served l/2 rack of lamb (a little tough) and we had lobster one night but you could have seconds. They have a nice cafeteria style room (Windjammer) open all the time for ice-cream and snacks. The pools are nice. One has a retractable roof and was warm but although the weather was lovely, it was quite windy - so much so in fact that the captain announced it was holding us back and we were late arriving in the Canaries. There is an excellent library on board too. Now we are home and exhausted from the jetlag. Delta is to be commended for on time flights and they have more legroom and fed us all the time. I would deffinitly go on the ship again. The price was also incredible at www.SmartCuiser.com. I got Free Trip insurance and an Auqa Spa Experience Free also. It was great!
written by  GoGoTraveler on May 15, 2000 from Cornwell, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: What to do next

Celebrate?
Skagway, United States
My husband took me on the cruise to celebrate (?) my 50th birthday. We had the best vacation of our lives! The staff were all very pleasant and gracious. Our food was outstanding. We had a magnificent view. Our room was at the end of the ship, right in the middle with a large balcony. Every view at every port was like a postcard! The bed was sooooo comfortable. The shows were first rate every night. My husband won almost $700.00 on a slot machine! We prebooked our excursions and prepaid the gratuities. All in all it was a fabulous trip. We would go again and would travel again on RCI !!! Oh and if you would like to know where we pre booked it , it was at SmartCruiser.com. They had the best deals and we got Free Trip Insurance with our cruise.
written by  GoGoTraveler on July 13, 2003 from Skagway, United States
from the travel blog: Birthday Time on RCI

Crowded Rooms? Never! → Too many girls? Definitly Not!
San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
This was my first cruise. I took this trip with 5 ladies. We had a blast! The ship was beautiful. We had an interior room on the 8th floor. I would not recommend squeezing 4 girls into one room (which is what they did). Two people fit in the interior rooms nicely. I have read several bad reviews about the ship’s service. I must say I did not encounter one rude employee on the ship in seven days. I spent most of my days when we were at sea on the Lido deck and the service there was outstanding! Boris who is one of the many waiters on the Lido Deck was exceptional. The dining room service was great. Our two servers Victoria and Tanya were excellent. The food was okay. Ports. Jamaica is definitely something to see. I didn’t realize how poor the people are there. We were not offered drugs like you read in most of the reviews. Although I would not doubt that it happens often. We hired a private tour company called Barrett Adventures. Our tour guide Chester was very nice. I would definitely recommend using Barrett Adventures. They took us places that were not crowded with cruise tourists which was nice. Make sure to book an excursion for Grand Cayman. We decided to just do some shopping there and it was a total bust. Many of the people on the ship recommended the sting ray tour and 8 mile beach. Cozumel was by far the best port! We did the sail snorkel and beach party excursion. They take you snorkeling, then you take a ride over to a private beach where they have kayaks, volley ball and other fun beach activities. It was so much fun. If I go to Cozumel again I will definitely do it again. Not an excursion for kiddos...as beer and margaritas are included. We met a lot of nice people and I would recommend this cruise to anyone. We got a great price at www.SmartCruiser.com with Free Trip insurance included.
written by  GoGoTraveler on April 23, 2006 from San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
from the travel blog: Ladies Room

If you don't go on it you'll slap yourself.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
I feel that I owe it to everyone who may want to cruise on this ship to write this review. I read around 15 reviews before we cruised, and it helped tremendously. First of all, the Conquest is a gorgeous ship. Large, yet manageable, the ship has every feature and amenity possible. The food, shows, activities, shopping, cabins, etc. exceeded my expectations. We booked a category 6A “guarantee”, which means we would be given a cabin on the 6th level or higher. These are ocean-view rooms with windows. We were automatically upgraded to a verandah cabin, with our own balcony on level 8. What a surprise! Our room steward, waiter and assistant waiter, our cruise director, and everyone on board was fantastic. If you are looking for fun, this is the place to be. Activities around the clock, or secluded places to just relax. This boat has it all. The ports were great, also, with Grand Cayman being our favorite. I would highly suggest booking your shore excursions once onboard. It was an awesome experience and I can’t wait to go again. See you onboard! Oh! and you can also save money on your cruise by going to www.SmartCruiser.com and get one of their deals with free Trip Insurance, Onboard Credits, or an Auqa Spa experience if you can. The site is great!
written by  GoGoTraveler on February 8, 2004 from Montego Bay, Jamaica
from the travel blog: The Conqeust of the Century

Fun Fun Fun
Bridgetown, Barbados
Great Cruise All the way around! Great islands! We highly recommend getting a Balcony Suite! You won't regret it! The views are great coming and leaving port! This was our 2nd cruise on this same ship. We went last year for our Honeymoon and this year for a "Family Cruise"! Food was good! Entertainment was the same as last year! It was nice going on the same ship because we knew our way around and didn't lose a day or 2 trying to figure out where everything was like the 1st time! Carnival is the best all around cruise line from the price, to itinerary, food, entertainment and FUN FUN FUN! We recommend to also get the complete package deal with you flight and cruise together! Allot less worries! And don't forget to buy insurance just in case! Embarkation and Debarkation aren't much Fun but it's for our own safety and security! Also Snorkel, Snorkel and Snorkel some more! This itinerary offers some of the best snorkeling in the world! Barbados-Sea Turtle and Ship wreck Snorkel, Aruba-DePalm Island Snorkeling, Dominica-Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling, St Thomas-Just Snorkel! Can't wait to go on our next Carnival cruise! When we do book our next cruise with carnival we are going to go through www.SmartCruiser.com because they have really good prices and they come with great extras like free trip insurance.
written by  GoGoTraveler on April 30, 2001 from Bridgetown, Barbados
from the travel blog: Adventures to Conquer

Wait an see
Halifax, Canada
We just returned from a great cruise on the Victory. I was concerned after reading some reviews of past cruises. We had a wonderful time. The ship is lovely and so spacious. We were fortunate enough to get a cabin with a balcony. What a great way to see and enjoy all the ports of call. The room was so big and there was much storage and closet space. The food was very good. Everyone should be able to find something they like on the menu each night. The beef dishes were excellent. We ate at the grill upstairs several days and the hamburgers were delicious and well done. I saw many people enjoying the deli sandwiches, the pizza and the very large buffet. Service by all staff was very warm and friendly. I did not encounter one person who had a bad attitude. The staff seemed to enjoy their jobs, this includes the bar staff, the dining staff, the photo staff and the entertainers and cruise director staff. Our ports of call included Boston, Portland, Sidney and Halifax. We had a great time in all ports but Sidney. The weather was drizzly and this port really does not have alot of attractions. We took the trolly bus in Boston. We did this trip on our own. It was a great way to see a great city. In Portland, we again opted to not take any tours. We could see alot just walking. Halifax is a great place and I would highly recommend the Halifax/Peggy's Cove tour. It is 3 hours but you see everything!!! One great thing about this cruise is that at the end, you can opt to carry off your luggage yourself rather than going through the mob scene in the NY terminal. We were off the ship by 8:15AM. Debarkation, carrying your own luggage was a breeze!! Embarkation was terrible but that was because the hurricane caused rough seas and the Victory was late getting into NY. I will not fault Carnival for this. The ship arrived safely and that is the main thing. Another plus side was that we got a good price with www.SmartCruiser.com which included free Trip Insurance and an Auqa Spa experience which was incredible. Thanks www.SmartCruiser.com.
written by  GoGoTraveler on September 20, 2003 from Halifax, Canada
from the travel blog: A Victory for All

Great things to see
Barcelona, Spain
This was our first cruise on Princess. After having cruised on RCCL, Norwegian, Celebrity, Renaissance 14 times we were looking forward to the Golden Princess. The lines reputation is exemplary. This was our second Trans Atlantic. It was a seventeen day cruise. The first was on the Splendour of the Seas and was wonderful. Naturally we continued to compare everything on the Golden to all the other cruises we did in the past. The ship was superb. The service was first rate. We had a cabin with a balcony and that was delightful. We really enjoyed the open seating for dinner which gave us a great deal of flexibility in scheduling our activities. There was always somewhere to dance and since my wife and I dance pretty regularly we really took advantage of that opportunity. The ship was superb. The service was first rate. We had a cabin with a balcony and that was delightful. We really enjoyed the open seating for dinner which gave us a great deal of flexibility in scheduling our activities. There was always somewhere to dance and since my wife and I dance pretty regularly we really took advantage of that opportunity. The entertainment was great on all these ships, with the mix of staff singers and dancers and some guest performers. It wasn't good, it was excellent. And it's all thanks to www.SmartCruiser.com. They have great specials. You should check it out.
written by  GoGoTraveler on August 30, 2002 from Barcelona, Spain
from the travel blog: A princess not to miss

Spectacular in every way
Naples, Italy
If you are planning a cruise vacation, you can stop reading about all other ships and focus on Golden Princess. I have cruised a number of times and always on a different ship to to find the right one and now my search is over. Golden Princess set the trend, it was clean, the staff was friendly, food was good and entertainment was more than you could imagine, the only bad thing I could say is there is so much to do that you do not get a chance to do all that you wanted to do. I was on RC last year and I was impressed but nothing compare to Golden Princess. I had a room with a balcony and it was great, but we did not use the balcony as much as we wanted to, there was too much to do, whatever you wanted to do it was on the ship. The time I took my vacation in November school was still in session and I think thats the best time, less kids running around so it was a more mature group of people. I just want to help other to know GOLDEN PRINCESS is the only ship you ever want to cruise on, I am just trying to help you not to loose time looking at all the cruise line, any thing negative you read about Golden Princess cancel that from you mind, nothing is perfect but this is as close as it will get and remember you have those nag, nag people that looks for problems, you just omit them and go right ahead and enjoy you GP vacation. And don't forget to get your cruise at www.SmartCruiser.com because their deals come with free trip insurance, onboard credits(up to $500), and/or an Auqa Spa experience(valued at $100). Thats up to $600 you can save just right there, not including the great prices. So go to www.SmartCruiser.com(For all the people who were thinking it. No! I do not work for a travel company, I just really think this site has great deals.). Thanks for reading my review and have a great cruise.
written by  GoGoTraveler on April 26, 2006 from Naples, Italy
from the travel blog: A Golden Palace

Time goes buy but Magic stays forever
Nassau, The Bahamas
Move down all other cruise lines....Disney has done their homework and makes the 3-day cruise a classy, fun and exciting time! From the moment we met the airport personnel to the time we got back on the bus to go home, Disney was a 4 star example of what the other cruise lines should be! We have taken many cruises on the other lines but none have compared to the service and entertainment that we received on board the Disney Magic. The 4 of us (two kids, ages 14 and 10 and my wife)enjoyed a spacious indoor cabin that came with bunk beds for the kids AND a queen bed for my wife and I. The room was huge compared to the smaller rooms on the other cruise lines. Every night you ate in a different restaurant (Animator's palate-where the room changed from black in white to full color pictures of Disney animated characters; Lumiere's-a classy and elegant dining experience; and Parrot Cay, a tropical garden with pirate parrots). Characters were available at different times for photos and autographs, which was nice (no the same ones all the time). There were pools for the family, alduts only or just for kids. Every night was a Broadway-type musical (thank you for not having another dated Las Vegas show!). The teen center (Common Grounds) was teens only (I was met at the door and an employee went and got my teen; no adults allowed). My youngest was always up in the kids center and made Flubber, helped in other science projects and we always knew when to find him. We only walked around Nasau for about an hour (we've been there before) and then hurried back to the ship for more fun. It rained and thundered when we docked on Disney's island the next day, but the sun came out and we played in the water until the storm came. The barbecue was a feast and we sampled a little of everything. Snorkeling was fun and the man-made reefs attracted a lot of fish. The sunken ship (Seaworthy Sue) was great, including the Mickey figurehead (you'll need an underwater camera). The two hour wait to disembark the ship....forget it! Once we cleared immigration, you could get off at your leisure. Looking for your suitcases....Disney lines them up so you can find them quickly. We were off the ship and on the bus in 15 minutes. Other cruise lines, take note! We're already talking about taking the 7-day cruise that starts in August 2000. Thank you, Thank You Disney for making this the best cruise ever!!!!! P.S. If we do go on another , we book our cruises on www.SmartCruiser.com. they have the best deals. I got Free Trip Insurance with my purchase.
written by  GoGoTraveler on June 14, 2000 from Nassau, The Bahamas
from the travel blog: Magic is a Second away

Disney
Nassau, The Bahamas
I sailed with my family for a seven night cruise aboard the Disney Magic in August 2002. I must admit I was a bit reluctant to return to a Disney cruise after being very disappointed by a four night cruise in 1998. The first cruise was boring with very dull ports of call, but, as we are members of the Disney Vacation Club, we thought we would try out the new seven night cruise. I was pleasantly surprised by the improvements not only in the selection of ports of call, but also in service and food quality. The ship itself is a stunner – beautiful, sleek lines reminiscent of the golden age of cross-Atlantic cruises. A white top structure and yellow lifeboats complement a dark blue hull. A real beauty! Inside, the décor is subtle but elegant. Rooms are certainly not spacious, but comfortable. We had a Category 6 room – which includes a verandah. This was a great place to go to get some fresh air, and a little elbow room. Food at all of the meals was excellent – for breakfast and lunch you have the option of buffet or table service; dinners are rotated among three dining rooms with different themes each night. Both our server and assistant server were wonderful. The entertainment fell into two general categories- very good and embarrassingly bad. OK, it’s Disney, so I’m not expecting Vegas style entertainment – but “Morty the Magnificent” was horrible – a script that was so bad I found myself cringing, and songs that wouldn’t have made the cut into a Saturday morning cartoon. On the flip side – “Hercules” was excellent with a terrific cast and great topical humor – Hades stole the show. This show, with some additions, could follow “The Lion King” to Broadway. The lounge entertainers were quite good – particularly as they are limited by Disney language and subject restrictions. The ports of call this time around were much more interesting – Key West, Cozumel and the Cayman Islands, as well as the mandatory stop at Castaway Cay in The Bahamas. I have only one major complaint about Disney cruise ships– for God’s sake, add a casino! The ESPN sports bar on the top deck was deserted for the entire cruise; convert it into a small casino. I understand Disney’s desire to present a wholesome family image, but c’mon, it’s 2002 – gambling isn’t exactly a sin anymore. On a final note, Disney has the best service in the hospitality industry. No request is unreasonable, everyone is ready to help at any time. They really do make a traveler feel as though he was the only one on board. I have to go to www.SmartCruiser.com to book my next cruise and get Free Trip Insurance again.
written by  GoGoTraveler on August 3, 2002 from Nassau, The Bahamas
from the travel blog: Vacation Club

Thirds a Charm
Having read others reviews, I decided it was my duty to provide my two cents worth. Past cruisers have said, "once you cruise, you won't want to vacation ANY other way" and, quite frankly, I can now say I agree 110%. My Wife and I took our 1st cruise with our daughter, 12 and son, 8 in Sept 2002. Wanting a wholesome atmosphere and a fairly predictable lot of fellow cruisers, we invested what I considered a small fortune in our choice of a 7 night W. Caribbean Disney Cruise on the Magic. I must admit I was concerned it might not be as "magical" as the promotional video and brochures lead to believe . . but I was so, so wrong. It was better!!! It was worth every penny and these memories will DEFINITELY last a lifetime. From the moment we boarded, we were treated like royalty. The ship was immaculate. The room adorable. Beds incredibly comfortable . . I slept like a baby . .lulled by the gently wave motion perhaps. I thought I'd feel trapped/confined, but no. So much space, many places to call your own. The attention to detail was incredible. The kid's program was phenomenal. The counselors were so patient, nurturing, considerate. They truly gave their all to make this the vacation of the kids AND the parents' lifetimes. The pagers provided gave that added reassurance, esp. when my husband and I left the ship to explore St. Thomas with the kids onboard. Our hostess Lily was sweet and attended to our room not once or twice, but what seemed numerous times a day when we were out . . . picking up after us, replacing the constant barrage of towels from swimming or single tissue thrown in the trash. Whether it was the towel animals at turndown or her gentle, unobtrusive manner, we could not have been in better hands. Unless . . by our servers in the dining rooms who attended to us throughout our cruise. They knew our desires before we could communicate them! Carved my daughter's steak, tucked my chair in nightly, and would never settle for bringing ONE extra roll rather than a basket! Our servers, Jean from France and Marvin from Honduras, became part of our family before the week was out. How we still smile and miss them! My expectations were for fairly patronizing, tip hungry, servers and room attendants . . FAR FROM IT! These people aim to please. I never sensed for a moment any wrongful motives, though they worked so very hard and were certainly most deserving of our gratuities. The shows were incredible, worthy of Broadway. Not one night was I disappointed. The food was equally pleasing, from the posh Palo to our regular 3 dining room choices. Topsiders is a great choice for breakfast, but don't waste your time (settling for ho-hum) at other mealtimes. Our trip was only the 2nd time the Magic visited the port of San Juan. Hurricanes prevented us from taking our planned itinerary. Many were disappointed, but we credit Captain Tom for taking us to pretty, sunny weather . .wherever that might be. And how could we complain about enjoying not 1, but 2 days at Disney's wonderful Castaway Cay where I swam with Sting Ray and held a starfish, sea urchin and sand dollar that I'd found on the ocean floor. By the way, if you have not visited the Caribbean and wonder if that water could be as wonderful as it looks, IT IS! Soft sand, warm, turquoise colored water! It was heavenly and time stood still. I could write so much more, but will conclude now. We cannot wait to return. After 12 yrs. of being a SAHM, I've started a part-time job just so we can cruise again some day. Thanks for reading this far and if you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to try to help. P.S. Get a verandah room, it is worth it!!!! P.S.(2) Go to www.SmartCruiser.com when you purchase your cruise. They have the best deals. I got Free Trip insurance and Onboard credits with my purchase.
written by  GoGoTraveler on September 28, 2002 from Nassau, The Bahamas
from the travel blog: The Caribbean is a Magical Place

Eye Popping Fun
If you had to come up with one word to describe the cruise experience on the Disney Wonder it would have to be “Superb”. This was our second cruise, both being on the Disney Wonder. We enjoyed our first cruise in December 2001 that we knew we just had to return in December 2002. The second time around however we had 4 other family members join us. Disney takes every effort to provide you with information well in advance of the cruise. This information includes necessary documents, clothing, etc. They also were very good about informing us of the various shore activities available in Nassau. Those activities can and should be reserved prior to boarding. That way you will avoid the possibility of some functions such as the Dolphin Encounter being booked up. I found the Disney maintenance staff to be amazing. Castaway Cay is so relaxing. Part of that comes from splitting the island up into sections, thereby allowing adults to be alone. There are numerous activities available for a fee, but the beauty of the island can best be enjoyed by simply floating in the water or basking in the sun with a cool tropical drink close at hand. Like many cruise ships, the Wonder offers a soda mug program. For $15 on the 3 night cruise you get unlimited refills. To me you really have to drink a lot of soda to make it pay off. The other option is to buy one soda at a time for $1.50. Bottom line is this is a great ship that is part of a great company. Our December 2002 trip to United States was our 28th trip to Disney World and our second cruise. We returned to United States and have greeted with 10 inches of snow. So we are already planning trip #29 to Orlando and probably cruise #3. Bon Voyage. P.S. www.SmartCruiser.com is the place to go to buy your cruise tickets. They have great deals(I got Free Trip Insurance).
written by  GoGoTraveler on December 5, 2002 from Nassau, The Bahamas
from the travel blog: Wonder of the world

We'll never stop
There is one word to describe the Disney experience and that is Incredible. We had all of our documentation in order and boarding the ship was quick, smooth and went exactly as described to us. In fact, we were allowed to board 1 hour prior than scheduled. The ship is beautiful and clean. And although we saw a larger ship in The Bahamas, all eyes seem to be drawn to the Wonder. We actually booked 4 days at Disney's Pop Century Resort prior and drove to the terminal the morning we salad. It took less than an hour and parking cost $10 a day. The lot is right across the street from the terminal (we actually carried all of our bags when we disembarked). If you book the land/sea vacation combo through Disney you sail 1st, then go to Disneyworld. Plus, they automatically book you in a moderate priced hotel. We proffered to save the cruise for last and stay at the Pop Century and that worked out well by booking separately. While at sea, the shows were fantastic and the rooms impressive too. Make sure you get a room with a veranda. It's the best investment you will make on the cruise. There were nice surprises throughout, such as the fireworks display at sea! The restaurants we nice as well with varied menus and great service. My only complaint about the whole cruise is that only 1 location (deck 9) serves the free food and drinks. So even if you just thirsty you have to schlep there to get a drink no matter where you are on the ship. Finally, disembarking was much easier than I could have imagined. To get an early start we skipped the restaurant service and ate at the buffet at 6:30 am. We were allowed to leave the ship 7:30 and was loading the car by 7:45. Start saving you pennies, quarters and twenties now and why not plan a cruise. Oh, and a little advice is to go to www.SmartCruiser.com(They have really great deals like Free Trip insurance).
written by  GoGoTraveler on June 9, 2005 from Nassau, The Bahamas
from the travel blog: Yet again

Galour
San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
We chose this cruise as our honeymoon, our first real travel adventure, and for the itenerary. We loved it! In comparison to another cruise we've been on, this is our favorite so far. It was a nice older crowd, few children, the ship was clean and nicely decorated. The staff was very helpful and handled our every request. The ports were all a great time. Cozumel-we did the underground caverns, we were surprised to find that it also included a visit with the cutest baby monkeys, and afterwards a nice lunch on a beautiful beach. I would highly recommend this tour. In Grand Cayman we did the Jolly Roger Pirate ship, don't do it unless you have kids. It's not really geared towards adults. In Costa Rica we went river rafting, the best time we had on the trip by far. Anyone that is up for a little adventure should try this without a doubt. We enjoyed the Canal and did the train over to the other side to the Pacific. This was nice and relaxing as it was the 4th port day in a row, opting for the deluxe one as opposed to the regular one was nothing special. In Jamaica we did the canopy tour. For those wanting to adventure out but are afraid, try it. It was not as 'extreme' as you think it would be...quit slow, easy, safe, and fun. We had very few complaints on our trip of any significance and we would do this same itenerary on this same ship all over again...and try other fun excursions at the port that we didn't get to do. If you are young and looking for a buise cruise, this one is not for you. But if you are looking for a relaxing, fun, older crowd, dressing up 'every night', and great food...then give this one a try! Do your self a favor and go to www.SmartCruiser.com and take look at their deals that include Free Trip Insurance and Onboard credits(up to $500!!!!).
written by  GoGoTraveler on November 14, 2005 from San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
from the travel blog: Adored

East We Go!
Georgetown, The Bahamas
My wife and I were part of a large group (60) for a Marriage Enrichment Seminar featuring Dr. Alan Zimmerman. As we arrived at Port Everglades by private charter bus as we were coming from Bonita Springs Florida, we were processed by customs in what I thought to be the most efficient and polite bunch of people. The total time from bus to cabin to lunch buffet was a mere 30 minutes. Free Champaign was given to us as we entered the vessel Upon entering our stateroom which was on the 8th floor cabin 8135 with ocean view out a large but somewhat fogged window we discovered that the water was running in the bathroom sink which was virtually black with filth. We were with our cabin Stewart and he immediately notified the plumber who advised us that it was common while at port all water is turned on and flushed with a Chlorine solution to purify all onboard lines. The cabin was small but adequate with plenty of storage. It is important that you try to bring luggage aboard that will fit inside each other we did this by accident but even accidents can be good. Oh! I forgot midship cabins are great. They are usually smoother more on that later, also very convenient to all onboard facilities. After moving nearly everything out of the mini bar and replacing the items with water we brought with us (1) case plus some sodas which probably saved us nearly $100.00 and freed up a suitcase for future shopping. Now off to the lunch buffet. This was our first cruise but boy were we impressed, presentation service and good quality awaited us. Did I mention the Free Champaign? well, from now on forget the word free did you hear me? Bahamas Mamas were flying off the trays everywhere in the dinning room and after the waiter asked for your onboard charge card smiles quickly were replaced by puzzlement. The Century is now 11 years old and it shows, the sinks are stained, the showers show mildew and the toilets are defiantly worn however, the rest of the ship although used was always immaculate I don't think I ever saw a napkin blowing on the deck nor trash in the common areas and nearly no fingerprints anywhere. The staff is friendly and professional. At no time did I ever have to wait on any service it was always offered before you could request it. Bruce the Cruise director was amazing and very personable Celebrity was everything we had heard it would be. The onboard activities were relevant and plentiful and the onboard entertainment out of this world. We visited Ocho Rios on our first stop the weather was lawful and the seas were very rough. The people of Jamaica were very aggressive and annoying, everyone is trying to get your money and they care how they get it. This is a place where bartering is a must. Shore excursions are cheaper on land and you can see the island quite cheap. Make sure you negotiate a price before entering a RED TAG TAXI. We were late leaving port by two hours because the waves were so strong the ships engines weren't strong enough to push us away from the dock. We did arrive at our second port Grand Caymans on time however we were 3 hours getting ashore because apparently the weather also like the CENTURY and followed us there we used onboard tenders (boat taxi's) as the port tenders refused to operate because the seas were to rough. I must say that we had a great Captain he ran several empty vessels back and forth to the pier before allowing the guest to leave the vessel, had it been deemed unsafe we would only be able to say we saw the coastline because he was sincerely concerned of our safety and I'm sure his job. Shopping was great no pesky sales people no cabbies trying to shanghais you. Next was Cozumel beautiful weather wonderful shops, bartering encouraged. We used tenders here also very efficient and timely. Last stop Key West, wonderful America is Great. Beautiful shops, great excursions and very affordable. The return trip to Ft Lauderdale was even smoother than the embarkation. In April the CENTURY goes in for Dry Docking and I can't wait to sail on her again and see how she looks. I give this Ship, Crew, and food 5*****'s. I went to www.SmartCruiser.com and got Free Trip Insurance and Onboard credits.
written by  GoGoTraveler on February 11, 2006 from Georgetown, The Bahamas
from the travel blog: Time of a Century

Highly Recommended
Barcelona, Spain
Based on our experience, we would cruise with Celebrity again. The embarkation process was flawless, and took about 5 minutes. This is in sharp contrast to the hours it took on our first cruise. Our room (outside, 9th deck) was spacious and well laid out. The food was excellent---the highlight was that there were always options. Breakfast--the formal dining room, buffet, an omelet bar and a waffle bar. Each evening there was a sushi bar that was not well-attended, but was very, very good! For dinner, there was always pizza and pasta available, informal dining in the sky bar as well as the Grand dining room. Also, room service was available 24 hours, and items on the dining room menu could be included in room service. On 2 nights there was a midnight buffet, which we couldn't even consider----who could be hungry after eating all day! The size of the ship suited us well--big enough. I don't know that we would want it any bigger or we would forever be making long walks to and from places. We enjoyed the activities on board and took part in as many as we could. The staff was consistently courteous and did an excellent job. For those who complained about not enough on TV---who goes on a cruise to watch TV? It was so nice to turn it off for a week. There were so many other things to do, that we didn't miss TV at all. Overall, I highly recommend Celebrity--they do a great job of meeting the interests of everyone. We went to www.SmartCruiser.com and found a deal that included $500 Shipboard credits and Free trip insurance as a packaged special. It was very useful.
written by  GoGoTraveler on February 15, 2002 from Barcelona, Spain
from the travel blog: Celebrity Again

Continued
My wife, 7 yr. old son, and I couldn't have been more pleased after we finished this cruise. We understand that what is bothersome for some might not effect others. I suppose we are easy to please but at the same time, expect to get our moneys' worth. Let me start with why we rate this ship and cruise a 5 star experience. We enjoyed a Sky Suite (6145, which was all we needed and some). Our concern that a butler was not very necessary was in error. After 1 day with Carlton, we knew we were in excellent hands and enjoyed the many duties he fulfilled for us. If you are undecided about the need for a butler, let me put it this way...You can do many of the tasks for you self, and if that is what you want, go for it. We were on vacation and having Carlton treat us with genuine, considerate service was one of the main reasons( along with our housekeeper, Rebecca) for booking our next cruise to Quebec in fall 2004. About the ship and cruise now. The public rooms on the ship were very clean and elaborately decorated. We were not the pool crowd type persons, but these areas looked well kept. The lounge's on board were staffed by very kind people with real personality. The shows on board were sedating, as were expected. And the food outside of the dining room was regular at best. There is a saying on the ship.. " hurry and finish eating because it will soon be time to eat". If eating is your style, you should be satisfied. Now to the best aspects of this ship and cruise. Service is most important and it shows through the staff. If you are open to a great time onboard and can let your hair down, you will enjoy all this cruise has to offer. The ports of call were excellent and accommodating. We wanted to go our own way on some of these islands and were glad we did. Through the internet, we did our homework on secluded, kid freindly beaches. And after learning the cab game tricks, we were rewarded with some fantastic beach experiences that are not offered by the ship (and less costly). The number one reason we loved this ship is the "FUN FACTORY" and staff. As I mentioned before, we have a 7yr. old boy who is very behaved and respectful of others. After some apprehension about leaving him somewhere with whoever, we soon discovered that not only did he love the staff and itinerary, we saw for ourselves the fun and caring they add to the program (check out Sara's personality) He ate with them at 6:00 p.m., went to their evening program, and even stayed each night for the slumber party! Summing up this cruise was easy for us...1. Service is genuine with a smile. 2. You can't possibly get bored on board. 3. Fun Factory was professional and fun. 4. Captain was funny and approachable. 5. Staff and crew are there for you. (be open to them) Loosen up, meet people, enjoy yourself. 6. Don't let you kids run wild and disturb others. 7. Share the pool chairs. 8. There are at least 3000 persons on board, but you will never know (except at life craft exercise, boring). 9. See you in Quebec (Oct.11th, 2004). Happy Cruising! And also you should go to the site we went to. www.SmartCruiser.com is the site that we went to. It had really good stuff. We got Free trip insurance and some ship credits to use on board. it was great. We loved it.
written by  GoGoTraveler on March 27, 2004 from Nassau, The Bahamas
from the travel blog: In the South

All the time in the World
Skagway, United States
My partner and I booked this cruise to celebrate our 20th anniversary and we are not sorry. The ship is beautiful and the crew was very efficient and friendly (and attractive!). Embarkation didn'y take very long. Once onboard we were surprised by Bon Voyage gifts in our cabin from family and friends. This was a nice surprise and easy to order from the Celebrity website. The ports were varied and interesting. Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan with a day at the Hubbard Glacier (beautiful). Juneau was like a Caribbean port, all the same shops, etc. We took the tram to the top of Mount Roberts for a scenic view and took a bus out to Mendenhall Glacier. No need to book these through the ship, they can easily be obtained at the dock for a much lesser cost. In Skagway we did take the White Pass Railway excursion which was a great trip. In Ketchikan we didn't book any excursions and just wandered the town. Great shopping and had lunch in town at the New York Cafe. Very good lunch and reasonable price! Save all your shopping for Ketchikan. Very scenic and good prices. The service was always excellent. Asst. Matre'd Martin took good care of us. Had dinner in the SS United States the last night for $25 extra per person which was well worth it. For a little something special, that is the place to go. Entertainment was great! We had an outside cabin with a balcony. Nicest cabin we've had and the cabin was a nice plus, especially for viewing the passing scenery. We were in cabin 7129, Vista Deck, mid-ship. Most activities seemed geared toward the "main" seating guests. We were at the late seating and many times there was nothing going on while the main seating people were having dinner. Almost every day in the martini bar we were the only one's in there before dinner, but Rose Marie took good care of us! We actually had to hunt down photographers to take our formal pictures since most of them shut down when the main seating was started. ll in all this was a great cruise and we're ready to go again. I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend that you go to www.SmartCruiser.com and take a look at some of their incredible deals like an Auqa Spa experience for free.
written by  GoGoTraveler on July 25, 2003 from Skagway, United States
from the travel blog: How much time? Infinity

Southern Celebrity
Bridgetown, Barbados
What a delightful experience spending a week on the Millennium! First and foremost, the staff was very attentive, friendly and uniformly helpful throughout the cruise. The experience felt like a floating four star hotel with great views and ports of call. I also liked the fact that the staff was so diverse from Croatia to Indonesia, France, Germany, the Philippines and so on. Secondly, the ship was very clean, well maintained and extremely comfortable with many places on board where you did not feel crowded and could just stretch out and relax. Lots of deck space and indoor venues. The food was very good but with that I recommend both a dinner at the Olympic restaurant.. better then any dinner I have had at an expensive New York City restaurant...and in contrast the low calories breakfast and lunches at the Aqua Spa were delicious.. you won't go wrong there and it is not crowded! Moving along the salt water pool for adults only in the huge glass enclosed aqua spa area was a treat. The water was like a huge hot tub and as you float you can feel the months of stress float away. It was my favorite spot on the ship. The entertainment led by an a very energetic, seasoned director by the name of Simon provided fun with enough varied shows and contests ("name that tune", "newly weds and not so newly weds") as well as musicals, comics and a wonderful violinist Dominique) to meet many tastes. Other little touches such as little snacks served by waiters carrying trays around the ship later in the evening, having your cabin spruced up at least three times a day when you are out for example leave one with a distinct feeling of being pampered. Now that I have been to the Caribbean on this ship I am saving for my next trip (I figure in two years) to the Mediterranean on the Millennium! When you get a chance take some time to go and look www.SmartCruiser.com and see their specials. They are very good.
written by  GoGoTraveler on April 2, 2006 from Bridgetown, Barbados
from the travel blog: A new Millennium

Seasons Change
Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
This was our fourth and best cruise with Celebrity. Millennium is a big and beautiful ship. The artwork is stunning and everyday we found new pieces to enjoy. We were particularly pleased to see so many faces of crew from previous cruises. Our bus boy from two years ago even remembered our names, it was a real pleasure and made us believe Celebrity is good to its employees. The gas turbine engines on the ship are amazing, there is no vibration or rumbling, even when pulling into port or on lower decks. Engine noise is virtually non-existent. I didn't think I would notice such a thing but it truly is incredible. The ship is beautiful to look at, immaculately clean (which is should be given its age) and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. The addition of the Emilio Robba floral designs throughout the ship was particularly impressive. Other vessels in port pale in comparison.As this was our fourth Celebrity cruise, we've become quite accustomed to the food. I must admit it's becoming somewhat repetitive and we could almost predict what each night's featured entrée would be. The Olympic restaurant is a true delight and I highly recommend it even though there is a $25 per person gratuity added on. The waiters are amazing, food is prepared tableside and each dessert is prepared from scratch after you order it. We were very impressed with the wine selections and knowledgeable wine steward. These are the best of the best of the wait staff - specially trained alongside Michel Roux at his restaurant. The décor is also stunning. It's a special experience, well worth it. Tip: Make reservations early or stop by the restaurant the day you want to eat and they can probably get you in. Ports were fine, we tend to not be port intensive cruisers. Opting mostly to use the opportunity to get on dry land and stretch our legs, do some shopping and then get back on the ship. We did, however, participate in a tour of Ft. Lauderdale when we disembarked to kill time before our plane left and it was great. We didn't expect it to be so enjoyable. We've already booked on the Summit for next winter on www.SmartCruiser.com and are counting the days. When we did book our cruise, we got Free trip insurance and $150 Onboard credits to use on anything on the ship including booking excursions on the ship. If you plan to cruise Celebrity more than once, we highly recommend joining the Captain's Club. Only $35 and worth every penny!
written by  GoGoTraveler on February 4, 2001 from Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
from the travel blog: Groundhogs Trip

Beyond Beauty
San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
We traveled on Celebrity before and was disappointed when we traveled on Princess and Carnival. This time we did 11 days on Summit, and we were not disappointed in the least. Celebrity delivers!! That's all there is to it. The service was fantastic. The meals were incredible. In fact, we didn't do the pay restaurant (as a lot of cruise ships are doing) because we did not have a bad meal. Breakfasts were fantastic (not the same everyday), lunches were wonderful as were the dinners. Two of the sea days were very hot. The waiters came out with free beverages for those sun bathing. The free drinks (tea, punch, lemonade and water) were thoughtful. It was nice that they didn't push us to buy drinks. Twice, the waiters came out in a grand celebration with long white sleeve shirts and gloves to offer everyone sorbet and sherbet. I felt bad for the waiters but I enjoyed a cool, refreshing treat. The cool towel is something new. On hot pool days, & after your excursions, you are treated with a nice cool small towel. On the Panama Canal, we did the ferry boat into the canal; and that was extremely interesting. Aruba, we took a local taxi for $10 bucks and got an island tour. Costa Rica was the ski lift tram thru the rain forest. We were fortunate to get a guide that loved his job. He pointed out everything to us. The meal at the park was very good. In Cozumel we took the Passion Island escape and walked around on our own in Grand Cayman. Key West was lots of fun, and what a treat! But the best part was the cruise itself. We felt everything was perfect. This was our first time to have a balcony. Although we thoroughly enjoyed it...we didn't use it as much as I thought we would. We like to rise early and get our coffee on our own and watch the Sunrise on the decks. You never saw any dirty dishes laying around anywhere! (Carnival, trays lay around outside cabins all day. You saw room service trays in the hallways all the time.) Everything was immaculate all the time on Celebrity. On the last sea day, the waiters served lobster and baked United States and they did a big presentation. We found the waiters were very proud, and ours told us that Celebrity treats them well. This was important to us because we had heard that some cruise ships do not treat their staff too well. Tips are done on the last day and not added to your bill. I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not; but the service was fabulous. We are definitely travel on Celebrity the next time. It felt like being back home again. In fact we have already booked our next cruise on www.SmartCruiser.com and got a $300 Shipboard credit and Free Trip Insurance. I love that site. they are the best.
written by  GoGoTraveler on October 20, 2003 from San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
from the travel blog: The Beatiful Summit

Something Cruises Twice
George Town, Cayman Islands
My wife and I have sailed on 19 different cruise ships. Never the same ship twice although we have sailed with a Cruise Line more than once. We had previously sailed on the Celebrity Century and Mercury. We just completed a cruise on the new Norwegian Sun last October. Now we believe that Celebrity is our favorite cruise line and the Summit is our favorite ship. She is beautiful outside and in. We were at anchor in Grand Cayman with 5 other large ships and the Summit was easily the most beautiful. The food was excellent. The service in every area of the ship was perfect. The crew and staff are friendly, attentive and professional. There are some extras like robes in the room, very nice towels for the beach shore excursions. My wife is a dancer/choreographer and she has choreographed over 45 shows over the years. We always like the Production Shows. Until the Summit we thought the Jean Ann Ryan company on the Norwegian Sun was the best. Until we saw the Celebrity Singers and Dancers on the Summit. Exceptional in every way. Every member was exceptionally talented. The Dancers were mostly from the UK and obviously well trained. The music arrangements were superb. We have been on 4 ships with the Jeff Hughes Orchestra and we think that his is the best. Our itinerary was not the greatest and we thought that the shore excursions were overpriced so we only took 2. The beach in Aruba and snorkeling in Grand Cayman. We will definitely choose Celebrity again on one of their Millennium class ships. My wife has already booked our next cruise on www.SmartCruiser.com with Free trip insurance. She booked the cruise on the Infinity to United States in September.
written by  GoGoTraveler on January 12, 2002 from George Town, Cayman Islands
from the travel blog: Alot of Cruises

Celebrating
Key West, United States
I selected Celebrity's Zenith to celebrate my 40th birthday, and I'm glad I did. The ship was immaculate, and the crew was fantastic. Never have I met so many kind people who truly want to provide the best service. Some crew members were actually startled at the deliverance of a tip - they were genuinely grateful. In my opinion, they went far out of their way to please...and seemed to expect nothing. No pressures whatsoever. We spent a lot of time with the crew, learned about their home countries, their families, and we particularly enjoyed learning to speak their languages. Obviously, there was no shortage of laughter and good times. Every time a crew member saw you, they smiled bright smiles and welcomes you to the day, and then asked if there was anything they could do for you. Nothing was out of reach. They just wanted us to be happy. The food was to die for, with fresh sushi every evening, outstanding pasta and sauces, great sandwiches, and more. We particularly enjoyed the "alternative dining" where we could dress up or down, and we enjoyed meals prepared especially for us (rather than for 300+ other people in main dining). The "alternative dining" area is quaint, not enormous like main dining. It was exactly what we were seeking. Every meal was prepared with such care. The presentation was lovely. Atmosphere was very relaxed, which was what I was seeking. Zenith is a little smaller than some of the other ships out there, but again, that's what I was seeking. She felt the waves a little more than perhaps the larger ships would, but it was never too much for us - we just kept on sunning ourselves, or we slept through it. The shore excursions were FANTASTIC in Grand Cayman and Key West. I could go on and on, but I assure you that if you travel on Zenith, you'll not be disappointed. PS - purchase one of their high-end robes. I guarantee you'll look forward to getting in it every night. In fact, we walked around the ship one evening in our elegant, plush robes - simply because we could...and because it made people laugh. This ship is full of good humored crew and passengers!!!! I went to www.SmartCruiser.com and got a great deal which inxcluded Free Trip Insurance and $400 Shipboard credits.
written by  GoGoTraveler on December 3, 2005 from Key West, United States
from the travel blog: 40th Birthday

Riding on Costa
Progreso, Mexico
We cruised with Carnival and NCL before. We booked this cruise less then 2 weeks before sailing. So we found a great deal (under $400 a person for a seven day cruise/ocean view room) at www.SmartCruiser.com and we also got Free Trip insurance and $300 Shipboard credits with the booking. I thought embarking went fairly smooth. The waiting room was full of helpful staff and lots of seats and was air conditioned. I personally would rather sit and be comfortable to wait to board then to have to stand around with my luggage. This ship was probably the largest we had been on. It was very fancy and elegant. The pool was big and there were plenty of deck chairs all around it. Our room was very nice and big. The staff was very nice and friendly and helped us out all over the ship. They were wonderful. The food on this ship was excellent. There was plenty of things to choose from and everything we had was great. The entertainment was very good. The best out of all our cruises. We stopped at Key West, Progresso, Cozumel and Grand Cayman. The islands were great. Overall we enjoyed the cruise very much.
written by  GoGoTraveler on February 9, 2003 from Progreso, Mexico
from the travel blog: A Victory