Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruise Line
Ship: Century
Date of Cruise: August 24 - August 31, 2002

Eastern Caribbean on the Celebrity Century
By: Steve David
sdavid@glgrlaw.com

In August 2002, we took our first cruise on board Celebrity's Century from Fort Lauderdale to the eastern Caribbean. We have sailed with Celebrity twice before on board the Horizon to Bermuda, but since 9/11 the prospect of sailing out of New York past the empty space which once was the Twin Towers was too depressing, and we wanted a change of venue anyway. We have also cruised before with Royal Caribbean in 1995 and Holland America in the 1980s.

While we have enjoyed all our cruises, the Century was to date our best experience. I have a high-stress job, so I go cruising mainly to relax and eat. In those two respects I got my money's worth. My wife and I are devoted to physical fitness and all year we eat a healthy low-fat low-calorie diet, except for the week when we cruise and eat everything not nailed down, usually in multiples of at least two.

We also know good food when we taste it, and the food on board the Century was generally outstanding. Dinners in the magnificent dining room were wonderful. Our waiter and his assistant were the best we've encountered on any ship. By the third night they knew exactly how I liked my beef cooked, and could almost anticipate what I would order. The menus were extensive and each evening featured entrees of fish, pasta, beef, veal, lamb or pork, and fowl, in addition to numerous appetizers, salads, soups and desserts. I don't remember eating anything which wasn't delicious. The filet mignon on the dinner menu usually made its way to burgers on the grille by the pool the next day. The pizza on deck also was made with top-notch ingredients and was about the best we've ever eaten. Was all the food on board the best I've ever eaten in my life? Maybe not, but it was close; and certainly as good or better than you'll find on any cruise ship anywhere.

The Century housed a large and well-equipped gym with floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the ship, and I never had trouble reserving a treadmill. I run 10K a day everyday (to relax my mind and for physical fitness), and I don't think I've ever enjoyed running more than during my cruise. My wife liked to power walk 4 miles a day on deck, and although she found the designated "jogging track" too short, she was happy walking on the larger aft deck. I have heard people complain about difficulties finding deck chairs by the pool, but we never had a problem. I also managed to find a quiet shaded deck lower down along the side of the ship which was perfect for reading.

Although an "older" ship, the Century was polished and shining. The entire ship was immaculate. The public rooms were tastefully decorated, very comfortable and never too crowded; except frequently the gaming tables in the casino were filled to capacity. My wife enjoys playing blackjack and just waited her turn for a place at a table. It was never a problem.

Our cabin was adequate in size, lacking only enough electrical outlets. Our cabin attendant was unobtrusive and discrete. He kept our cabin neat and spotless, although we almost never saw him. All told, the service on board was impeccable. The staff all over the ship was friendly and all week, all I heard from everyone was "Sir, it's my pleasure to serve you". I don't think the word "no" was in their vocabulary.

Some random thoughts: The on board entertainment was good, but not exceptional. I didn't expect Broadway-quality productions and I wasn't disappointed, but the shows were still entertaining and the performers were enthusiastic. The ports were standard for any cruise line, so there's no point in complaining about them. I found them by and large to be indistinguishable. We traveled the week before Labor Day with our sixteen year old, who met a dozen kids his age on board. We hardly saw him all week, so no complaints there.

Celebrity is a cruise line noted for its cuisine and service, and I don't think you can find better in the industry for the price. I would sail Celebrity again without hesitation to any destination. In fact, we're booked on board the Century to sail the western Caribbean this August. I can hardly wait. Read about Steve's 2003 cruise on the Celebrity Century.

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