The food quality and presentation was outstanding, what we remember from previous Celebrity cruises. In our opinion, we feel Celebrity remains a definite cut above what one would find on Royal Caribbean, Princess and Renaissance. No reasonable person should be disappointed by the food.
The Ocean Café which is the buffet on the 10thdeck can get crowded at certain times, such as when everyone comes back from a half-day tour at the same time. However, the operation runs very efficiently, there are ample serving tables, and many waiters around to conduct you to an empty table. The buffet food was good, with an additional selection of hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza.
The Olympic Restaurant:
My wife an I dined in the Olympic on the night of our wedding anniversary. We thought it was a terrific meal and a grand experience. Even though it was a formal dress night elsewhere on the ship, the Olympic advised us in advance that their dress code was jacket and tie only.
Celebrity charges $12 per person for the experience, a trivial sum really. The room is beautiful. The service is impeccable. The meal requires a three hour investment in time in order to enjoy it properly.
There is only a single table turnover each night, and they will accept reservations (as I recall) at any time in a 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM window. I believe the largest group they can seat is six people. The room isn't very large.
The waiters (and there are several) serve dinner wearing white tie and tails. These men are a cut above even the excellent staff in the main Metropolitan Restaurant. Friendly, forthcoming and helpful, just great. They work on salary, and no tipping is allowed nor expected.
Like most fine restaurants, wine is a major component of the experience. The menu features premium (i.e., relatively expensive) wines. The menu recommends wine by the glass or by the bottle depending on the meal you select.
I should emphasize that they make it clear from the outset that it is not necessary to order wine, and if you do, it is not necessary to order what they recommend. There was absolutely no push to order wine.
They have available the same wine list used in the Metropolitan if that's what you prefer. We ordered a bottle of mid-priced wine, and it was presented with great ceremony. We enjoyed this even though, again, we are not serious wine drinkers.
There are four choice-columns on the menu, and wherever appropriate, the food is prepared tableside. First you choose an appetizer or soup or salad from one column. Then an entrée from another column. There are many choices in each column. After the entrée, a cheese cart is wheeled over. Finally, a dessert choice and petit fours.
Don't miss it.
Celebrity plans to continue this concept on the Infinity, the next ship in this class. The name of the restaurant will be different as well as the décor, but otherwise it will operate in the same manner. They have been satisfied with the passenger reception thus far.
The Crew:
Just about all of the 1000 crew members on board transferred over from other Celebrity ships. We heard that many of them were called in early from their annual vacation. These people were all experienced and knew their jobs well. By the time of this, the third cruise for the Millennium, we saw very few signs of things not running smoothly.
We learned that drug checks occur daily on five crew members chosen at random. If the crew member fails the test, he or she is put off the ship at the next port.
Entertainment:
We attended a number of shows in the 3-deck high Celebrity Theater. The theater was the largest and nicest shipboard showroom we had ever seen. It is absolutely magnificent, with never a problem getting a seat. The ship's entertainers were quite good and the headliners who performed were equally entertaining. We attended about half the performances.
In our opinion, one does not take a cruise for the live entertainment. It's there, and after a day of touring and running around in general, if you want to be entertained that way, you go to the showroom. However, Las Vegas it is not and will never be. After all, it's still a cruise ship with a dozen other things to occupy your time.
The Celebrity Orchestra that played in the showroom as well as for dancing on occasion was first rate. I must especially commend the "Caribbean" band, Onyx. They were about the best we have heard in any ship.
