Location : Cleveland, OH
We just got back from a cruise in the Western Caribbean, as it was the kids' Spring Break last week. This was our first cruise, and we went on a Celebrity Cruise. It was spectacular. I can't believe that it took us so long to go on one, given all of the times that we have talked about it. Ports of call were Ochos Rios, Jamaica, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Key West. The kids really enjoyed the Turtle Farm on Grand Cayman. I think that since neither my wife nor I were looking for liquor or jewelry, Key West was our best port. It is a lot like Put in Bay but with much better weather.
The cruise ship itself, Century, is unbelievable. Comparing it to other ships that we saw in port, this one is a lot more open than newer ones. That is, you can go from the bow to the aft without having to be enclosed in glass or something. I never really thought about that, when we were looking at the possible ships, but I think that it made a big difference to us. The service was exceptional, which is what I had heard about cruise ships in general. But you have to actually experience it, to appreciate it. Erol, the bartender in the Rendez-Vous bar was probably one of the best bartenders I have ever met. By the second day, he knew what we were drinking and addressed us by name. Think about that. The guy has about 1,800 people on board every week, and yet he remembers your name and drink. And then he will do it for the next group the following week. It is amazing. He did some great magic tricks, and kept the kids wanting more. I will have to find them on Google and see if I can't show the kids the tricks.
And then there was Diego, our head waiter in the Grand Restaurant. We didn't bring clothes for the formal nights, since we figured that our kids wouldn't be up for dressing up. We told Diego that we were not going to attend the second formal night, since we didn't have the clothes and we were travelling with children (plus, as I am on 'vacation,' I don't feel as though I should have to dress for a formal). Diego says that we are making a mistake, and as long as we are comfortable, we should attend. No one really cares what you are wearing. How right he was. We went (we did dress a little nicer, though). He was very happy to see us. And we enjoyed an excellent meal of lobster, prime rib, and Baked Alaska. If it wasn't for him, we would never have eaten in there that night. He made it clear that when he is on vacation, he loses the tux and tie as well. All in all, it was an incredible time in the Caribbean.
If you head over to Cruise Critic, you will see that it is a pretty highly regarded cruise ship. I agree, although I have no other ship to base it on. It is a great ship, made better by Erol and Diego.
The cruise ship itself, Century, is unbelievable. Comparing it to other ships that we saw in port, this one is a lot more open than newer ones. That is, you can go from the bow to the aft without having to be enclosed in glass or something. I never really thought about that, when we were looking at the possible ships, but I think that it made a big difference to us. The service was exceptional, which is what I had heard about cruise ships in general. But you have to actually experience it, to appreciate it. Erol, the bartender in the Rendez-Vous bar was probably one of the best bartenders I have ever met. By the second day, he knew what we were drinking and addressed us by name. Think about that. The guy has about 1,800 people on board every week, and yet he remembers your name and drink. And then he will do it for the next group the following week. It is amazing. He did some great magic tricks, and kept the kids wanting more. I will have to find them on Google and see if I can't show the kids the tricks.
And then there was Diego, our head waiter in the Grand Restaurant. We didn't bring clothes for the formal nights, since we figured that our kids wouldn't be up for dressing up. We told Diego that we were not going to attend the second formal night, since we didn't have the clothes and we were travelling with children (plus, as I am on 'vacation,' I don't feel as though I should have to dress for a formal). Diego says that we are making a mistake, and as long as we are comfortable, we should attend. No one really cares what you are wearing. How right he was. We went (we did dress a little nicer, though). He was very happy to see us. And we enjoyed an excellent meal of lobster, prime rib, and Baked Alaska. If it wasn't for him, we would never have eaten in there that night. He made it clear that when he is on vacation, he loses the tux and tie as well. All in all, it was an incredible time in the Caribbean.
If you head over to Cruise Critic, you will see that it is a pretty highly regarded cruise ship. I agree, although I have no other ship to base it on. It is a great ship, made better by Erol and Diego.
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