Lynn

Age: 46
Occupation: Advertising
Number of Cruises: 1
Cruise Line: Celebrity
Ship: Century
Sailing Date: March 27th, 2004
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

In short, thanks to all who write these reviews. I used them extensively for information. My husband and I chose the Century and could not have been more pleased. The ship was spacious and beautiful. The staff was very attentive and knowledgeable. We met people from so many different nationalities who speak English, as well as their native languages. The food was top notch, plentiful and had great variety. My only complaint was that the pork chops were a bit tough.

We had an inside stateroom with plenty of storage. The bathroom was adequately sized and very clean. We loved the shampoo and lotion they provided. Although the outside stateroom windows were lovely, we never missed them because we spent so little time in the room.

I had a nasty bout of seasickness that was cured at the infirmary. Prior to going there, I was offered advice and medication from most folks who commiserated with me. My stateroom attendant, Melody, was wonderful. She brought food and tea to the cabin for me when I was ill.

We booked excursions online prior to cruising. In Ocho Rios, we toured Jamaica with Phil Lafayette, of Exquisite Tours. We climbed Dunn’s River Falls, shopped at the Island Market and ate at Marguerittaville. It was a great day, the only complaint was that the island folk are a bit insistent on being tipped and selling you their wares. Beware of the name carving coconut men. I was aware of this but it happened so fast, I ended up with a carving anyway, but not at the original price.

At Grand Caymen, we toured Stingray City and snorkeled with the folks from Native Way Water Sports. Stingray City was a zoo but the Native Way folks kept our group together and were very helpful and watchful of us. My husband and a number of others were very nervous of the stingrays just swimming all around. I ended up feeding one. It was a strange sensation I just wish my vacuum could produce that kind of suction. The highlight of the trip was snorkeling at the Coral Reef. It was just beautiful and both of us felt we could have spent more time snorkeling and less with the rays. The Native Way folks had nice buses, boats and friendly tour guides. The bus driver sure knew how to avoid traffic! Shopping here was hectic, five cruise ships were in port and Georgetown is not a big place. Jewelry here was gorgeous but pricey. It was a hot day and Celebrity provided us with cold towels as we stood in a line to board the tender boats. It was thoughtful of them.

At Cozumel, we rented a convertible VW and found a great deal at the all-inclusive Reef lub. We paid the salesman out front $10 and paid another $15 at the Club gate, per person. We had the use of their beach, their two pools, all the food and drink we wanted, and their beach towels and chairs. We drove around prior to getting there. The other beaches were more expensive and more crowded. Shopping in Cozumel was fun. Haggling was prevalent and deals could be had. I enjoyed practicing my Spanish.

The Island Party on Deck 11 was great fun. There were melons on parade, a large conga line and line dancing, devastating “Coco Locos” and yet another late night buffet.

The shows were also very well done. We saw the “Sock Hop” and the “Broadway” reviews as well as a comedian and a Jerry Lee Lewis-type piano player. Our only regret was that we were tired and full of food by show time. We found it hard to stay awake.

Key West was beautiful. We shopped, walked to the Southernmost Point, visited Mel Fisher’s Atocha Museum, a clothing optional bar called the Garden of Eden and had a great lunch at Marguerittaville. We wanted to spend much more time here. We were cleared through immigration in Key West so we didn’t have to do it on Saturday during disembarkation. Disembarkation went smoothly and quickly. We were bused to Miami Airport for the flight home. Since we had a large layover, we took at taxi to South Beach and spent another super day there, checking out the Art Deco architecture, the wonderful beach and the food at Finnegan’s Way.

We were sad to leave our short term home and the great people we had befriended. We were treated famously aboard the Century. We look forward to our next cruise experience and would recommend the Century for its excellent staff, the food, the wide range of ages and interests of its passengers, its cleanliness and its overall commitment to a quality cruise experience for it’s passengers.

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