Mercury???

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MortgageChick

Guest
Hubby and I have been on a number of cruises with #12 coming up in November. We have always heard that Celebrity is a premium brand and have wanted to try them. In Feb we are considering flying to California and doing back to backs on the Pride and perhaps the Mercury( 1 day between for travel LA to San Diego)

I know that the Mercury is not the biggest or newest of the Celebrity Ships, but it is not exactly ancient. We have however, read some mixed reviews.

Here is my dilemma. We know what to expect from the Carnival Pride- decent food, high value for your $, large new ship with good to very good entertainment. By Feb 2005, we will have cruised in the past 20 months on HAL 3 times(Rotterdam,Oosterdam and Westerdam) We have found the food , the service and the Ships of HAL, to be the best we have sailed on.
How will the Mercury stack up to HALS flagship and the VIsta Class Ships-Oosterdam and Westerdam. We are both in our 40's and usually in bed by 11.30am. Food quality, service level and entertainment are the most important things to us on a ship.

Our other option is to go round twice on the Pride, but I thought some variety would be good.

Oceanbreeze -October 1995-5 night W. Caribbean
Destiny -May 1999-7 night Eastern Caribbean
NCL Majesty- August 2000 -7 night Bermuda
NCL Sun-November 2001-13 night Repo Boston to MIA
Paradise-May 2002- 10 nights S Caribbean
Carnival Legend-Sept 2002-15 night Transatlantic Crossing
Royal Olympia Voyager-Feb 2003-15 night Amazon River
Rotterdam- June 2003-7 night Canada-New England
Enchantment of the Seas-Sept 1 2003-5 nights Cozumel and Belize
Costa Mediterranea- December 14 2003 Western Caribbean
Oosterdam-March 14th 2004- 7 nights Eastern Caribbean
Westerdam Nov 12 2004- 17 nights Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale
 
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randy

Guest
We really like the Mercury. The food, ambiance and cabins are very nice. I have not been on it since the lash-up with Circ du Soleil, so cannot comment on the current entertainment. However, the theater is very much state-of-the-art, and will doubtless impress, but you should know that Celebrity is not the thong and feathered headdress kind of entertainment we experienced on our Carnival cruises if this is a deciding factor. If I were in your shoes, I'd go for it--just for the difference. I envy your back-to-backs regardless of your choice! Have fun!
 
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sailingrose

Guest
Wish I could give you an immediate answer but I'll be booking the Mercury 9 nighter for September 24 in the next 2 weeks. I've also heard alot of what you have and have always been interested in giving it a try. DH and I are going without our kids for the first time so we thought it would be a great opportunity to give it a shot.

Goo dluck with your decision.
 
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SueClark

Guest
We prefer Mercury to Zuiderdam (we've sailed her twice). Mercury is smaller, but more elegant and "ship-like". Both HAL and Celebrity offer a premium cruise, but we prefer Celebrity's style of service and ambience. The differences are slight, but noticable.

You will get good food, excellent service and a cruise without the annoying announcements of some of the lines.

Sue
 
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marvholly

Guest
I sailed the Mercury 6/03. I have sailed Carnival 3x (Triumph, Victory, Spirit) I have not sailed HAL. Inside cabin on Mercury was MUCH nicer than Victory and had a fridge. Room service menu is MUCH better on Mercury. Preferred entertainment on Carnival & NCL, late diners have to go to show b/4 dinner most nites on Mercury. If I wanted to shower and dress that early I would book early seating. MUCH preferred buffet options and dine room meals on Carnival. Mercury did have sushi every nite about 5 in the Horizon court, Carnval only had 1 or 2 times. Carnival has 24/7 drink stations, pizzia and soft serve. Celebrity does not. Carnval's pizzia is the best I've had at sea so far and I have Unos, Malnattis and Edwardos in my area. Cabin/dine room service is fine on all but Carnival was the best, frienliest in dine room on 2 of 3 trips with them over 10 cruises over nearly 35 years.
 
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GTVCRUISER

Guest
I sailed on the Mercury last Nov. loved it ,I will cruise on her again Nov.26 2004
 
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ROSS

Guest
HI MORT. CHK.!!!

Try Celebrity...You will love it. You sound like a Celebrity type..."food and service".

GO FOR IT!!!

ROSS
 
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runner15km

Guest
I have sailed Mercury, Zenith, NCL Majesty and SS Norway. The Mercury is the cream of the crop.
 
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Lizaluu

Guest
I am a social butterfly and love the Mercury!!! This ship attracts very interesting people. I have been on it 3 times. I was on a 12 day cruise from Hawaii to Ensenada. I went to Alaska for 7 days. I went on to the Western Carribean for Thanksgiving. I had a great time each time. I love the cabins, the food, and the service is fantastic. They aim to please. But... most of all... I love their inside tallasotherapy pool. I would love to go back just to use their therapy pool.
People love to dress up really nice in the evenings. Some women wear beautiful formal gowns and some women dress in Sunday clothes for evening wear. Depends on your personality. That ship attracts classy people.
 
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sailingrose

Guest
Mortage Chick I did book the Mercury for the 24 of September. Looking forward to the new experience on Celebrity.
 
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lstrong

Guest
Re booking rooms on the Mercury - are there certain areas with more engine noise/vibration than others??? Really want to book the 11-day Mexican itinerary. Thanks
 
D

dana

Guest
hi, what cabins should i stay away from with the enginie vibrations?

thanks

dana
 
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paljoeysmom

Guest
I have been on the Pride, Zuiderdam & Mercury. I would rate the Pride and Zuiderdam higher than the Merc. Just so you know we had a balcony cabin on the Mercury, and were on her for 14 days so I figure I can give you a true assessment. The Mercury is a nice ship, but not outstanding by any stretch of the imagination. The food was fine, I like RCCL's eats the best. BTW, I am booked on cruise #17 for October also sailing out of SF.
 
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LovetheSea

Guest
I have been on 18 cruises. Six on the Mercury. She is still my favorite. I have been on the Infinity, Millennium, Mariner of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Sea Princess, Norwegian Sky, Jubilee, and Elation.. Some of the ships were flashy with their grand atriums and outside elevators. But when I think of what I like to do on the ships and what fits best with my personality. I like the Mercury.
We have booked the ten night to Mexico in Feb. 2005!
Have a great time!
 
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Lizaluu

Guest
I have also been on 18 cruises. Three times on the Mercury. I fell in love with the ship on the first time I was on it. I liked it soooo much that I was back on the ship 6months later.
Then a special came up at Thanksgiving and I went on it again and had a great time too.

I have been on a lot of beautiful ships but I think the Mercury had the most interesting people especially since I am single. I had a great time dancing with other singles.

The food is great and they give you large portions at dinner time. Some people on cruise ships are chow hounds and only live to eat on cruise ships. They don't want to talk but just eat. I have been on ships like that. I love to eat but I also love to socialize and love the personal attention from the cruise personnel.
 
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Topman

Guest
I am certain you have heard/read about how some people like to categorize the "type" of people who sail on various cruise lines. One of the most interesting "reviews" I read on this sight was by someone who had sailed on a Carnival cruise and described the other passengers as being the type of people "you see at Walmart" and who "live in trailers" and who "look like waitresses."

My point is those "mixed" reviews you've read are like all other reviews to INCLUDE your own asasessment of the ships you've traveled on...OPINIONS and all subjective.

I don't disagree with asking this sort of question on a message board, in fact I think it is an excellent idea. What I would caution you about is to take all the answers, including my own, for what they are worth.

We aren't you, don't have any idea about your value judegements, etc.

My advice: GO FOR IT..depite the "mixed" reviews (just assume that the positive reviews were from people like you and the nagative ones weren't) and decide for yourself.

And have a GREAT cruise, too!
 
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MortgageChick

Guest
We have encountered"Walmart" and "Saks Fifth Avenue" types on all cruiselines we have sailed. LOL. We are more like JC Penney- chuckle!!

Oceanbreeze -October 1995-5 night W. Caribbean
Destiny -May 1999-7 night Eastern Caribbean
NCL Majesty- August 2000 -7 night Bermuda
NCL Sun-November 2001-13 night Repo Boston to MIA
Paradise-May 2002- 10 nights S Caribbean
Carnival Legend-Sept 2002-15 night Transatlantic Crossing
Royal Olympia Voyager-Feb 2003-15 night Amazon River
Rotterdam- June 2003-7 night Canada-New England
Enchantment of the Seas-Sept 1 2003-5 nights Cozumel and Belize
Costa Mediterranea- December 14 2003 Western Caribbean
Oosterdam-March 14th 2004- 7 nights Eastern Caribbean
Westerdam Nov 12 2004- 17 nights Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale
Mercury Feb 7 2005- 11 nights Mexican Riviera
Summit Sept 16 2005 – 14 Nights Vancouver-Alaska-San Diego
 
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aldesonia

Guest
When, You go on a cruise it's to have a good time. If you are doing that why should you worry about what other people look like they are probably trying to have a good time also. There are Rude & Obnoxious people every where you go but just ignore them and Enjoy yourself. Just remember you are there to have a good time & relax. Thats just my opinion AL.D
 
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