Hi - I'm new to this...i need your advice

[puppyjake]

HI All,

My husband and i are very tempted to try a cruise - April time this year.
We are torn between 3 nights with NCL around the Bahama's or 4 nights with Celebrity - Key West, Cozumel.
Basically we are an early 30's couple - looking for good food and relaxation. We don't want a party boat - i mean i enjoy a few drinks and stuff - just don't want to be constantly surrounded by loud music - is this the case at the pools??
I think i like the look of Celebrity's product more - BUT - the dining is the one area that bothers me - we don't mind having a set time to dine - but we do want a table for 2 - are these possible on celebrity?? What about at the other specialty restaurants - when do you need to book these? Are they good?
My other concern is the sound proofing in the cabins - is there any?? I'm a very light sleeper - so i need to know if I'll be needing ear plugs.
Sorry for all the questions - but i appreciate anyones thoughts.
Thx

 

[Calgon1]

First off .... Ahoy There PuppyJake! Welcome to our virtual ship. Always happy to hasve a new crew member join us. I think you'll find us a fairly congenial group.OK. Your questions -

My husband and i are very tempted to try a cruise - April time this year.
April is good. Spring Break is over and you'll have much better weather.

We are torn between 3 nights with NCL around the Bahama's or 4 nights with Celebrity - Key West, Cozumel.
If those are your only two options, I'd say, go with the 4 night Celebrity. Better product. Better itinerary. Longer cruise. Personaly, I consider anything less that 7-days to be a "teaser", but we all started somewhere.

Basically we are an early 30's couple - looking for good food and relaxation. We don't want a party boat - i mean i enjoy a few drinks and stuff - just don't want to be constantly surrounded by loud music - is this the case at the pools??
You'll experience less with Celebrity, than with NCL.

I think i like the look of Celebrity's product more - BUT - the dining is the one area that bothers me - we don't mind having a set time to dine - but we do want a table for 2 - are these possible on celebrity??
Yes, you can request a table for two. The earlier the better. But, if they can't give you a private, take what they book. I think you'll find it a great way to make new friends. If you are totally incompatable, the Matre d' can change you.

What about at the other specialty restaurants - when do you need to book these?
I would book a specialty restaurant the day I board, if not earlier.

Are they good?
Yes.

My other concern is the sound proofing in the cabins - is there any??
Yes. You usually won't get much noise betwen cabins, but location is important. Too near the bow and the sound of the anchor droping will certainly wake you up! Directly over a disco can be noisy at night. Directly under a jogging track or even a sun deck can also be noisy; but, usually only during the day. And, since you're not really in your cabin during the day, this is a moot point.

I'm a very light sleeper - so i need to know if I'll be needing ear plugs.
Bring 'em anyway. They are fairly light-weight and don't take up much room. Come in VERY handy on the plane too (noisy children)!

Sorry for all the questions - but i appreciate anyones thoughts.
Thx[/quote]
No problem. We love questions. Gives us a chance to show off how much we know, how much we don't know, how opinionated we are, meet new people .... Keep asking. It's the only way you'll get ideas.

 

[puppyjake]

Thanks very much for your help....didn't mean to sound anti social with the table for 2 - its just our preference.

A couple more questions if i may.....does the century have the sushi bar as an option for dinner? We love sushi.

You mentioned not directly above the disco - which "lounge" is the disco lounge on the century i see a couple which mention music, dancing and karaoke - and would 2 floors above be enough??

Can you advise me how much more you pay for the specialty dining room?? and is it worth it??

We are very excited about this - bit concerned about sea sickness as well - any recco's on where to be in the boat to avoid that??

What time should i emark to avoid the crowds?? and when you pull back into Miami - do you all get woken up and have to get off at the same time or can you take your time?

What else do i need to know as a newbie to this??

 

[Mbandy]

We really enjoyed the Century.

For a nice quiet cocktail try the Martini Bar or Michael's Club.

I believe the specialty restaurant is $25 dollars and yes, it is worth it. It is a wonderful experience.

You refer to location on the "boat". Remember, it is a "ship". The "boat" is what to get in to when the "ship" begins to sink =sinking (Just kidding with you) Technically the lower deck and mid ship would produce the least motion but in reality you'd have to be super sensitive to be able to notice a difference based on the location.

I could go on and on but Calgon has pretty much said everything I would say. He has given you great advice.

 

[Calgon1]

A couple more questions if i may.....does the century have the sushi bar as an option for dinner? We love sushi.
Aft on Resort Deck.

You mentioned not directly above the disco - which "lounge" is the disco lounge on the century i see a couple which mention music, dancing and karaoke - and would 2 floors above be enough??
Yes, 2 floors will provide plenty of sound distancing...

What time should i emark to avoid the crowds??
The 'crowds' will be there from about 10:30 on. However, processing usually only takes between 25 and 40 minutes, then you'll be on-board and grazing at the buffet. Cabins usually aren't ready until around 1:00 or 1:30.

and when you pull back into Miami - do you all get woken up and have to get off at the same time or can you take your time?
Debarcation usually begins around 8:00. Those with earlier flight are off earlier. Those staying over, or driving on their own can usually hang around till (maybe?) 10:00.

What else do i need to know as a newbie to this??
To keep an open mind. Go with the mindset of looking for the good things. Experiment and try new stuff. Meet, mingle, socialize, relax, and leave the cell phone turned off...

 

[daysatsea]

The specialty restaurant is Muranos and the basic price is $30 per person with a menu Exceptionnel (includes wine with each course)at a much greater cost. It is definitely worth it. Plan on the dinner taking at least 2 or more hours - probably closer to 3 hours.
There is also alternative casual dining for dinner in the buffet area (Celebrity does not offer a buffet dinner) with menu and waiters. This is a great place to eat - the service is excellent as it is used for training waiters for the main dining room. So the wait staff is outstanding as they want to be promoted to the main dining room. Reservations are requested (can be made that same day), however if there are openings, they will take walk ups and there is a $2 per per person charge (covers the tip). Besides sushi, which is served aft in the buffet area, there is also pasta, salad, and pizza stations.

 

[Honbun26]

Just wanted to add that in April, spring break is definately in, well, full spring! I'm an sailing on the Summit with my DD (11 yo) on their 4/11 cruise because of her spring break. So, you may be avoiding the college-age spring breakers, but you are sure to run into the younger set. It really depends on your tolerance level, though. I've been on cruises pre-motherhoold with a lot of kids. However, once the cruise got underway you never really saw the kids 'cause they were so tied up with the kids club. I remember my first cruise where I was geniunely shocked at how many teens there were onboard 'cause you just never saw them. I only got a real sense on the last day when they were all saying goodbye to each other.

As for Celebrity versus NCL, I've sailed on both. Celebrity is much more layed back and more, uhm, old-fashined cruising. And, I don't mean that in a bad way at all. Celebrity gives you a feel of the way cruising used to be - a lot more "white gloved service". It has a reputation for being geared towards an older crowd but I think that's unfair. It really is geared towards a crowd that wants a little bit less of the hectic feel (which has its place and lovers). There are less public announcements and less of the wild pool games.

I used to be a travel and agent and have sailed of many of the cruise lines

 

[Honbun26]

Sorry, my dog clicked the "post" button! Anyway, as I was saying after my years of cruising and being a travel agent - Celebrity is our favorite in this level of cruising. I know you will enjoy!