Overall Score
| BERLITZ'S RATING |
| |
Possible |
Achieved |
| |
| Ship |
500 |
443 |
| Accommodation |
200 |
180 |
| Food |
400 |
326 |
| Service |
400 |
323 |
| Entertainment |
100 |
76 |
| Cruise |
400 |
318 |
| |
This was the first Celebrity Cruises ship to be fitted with a “pod” propulsion system coupled with a gas turbine powerplant. Indeed, this is the first cruise ship in the world to be powered by quiet, smokeless, energy-efficient gas turbines (two GE gas turbines provide engine power while a single GE steam turbine drives the electricity generators). The ship was dogged by technical problems in its early days.
One delightful feature is a large conservatory located in a glasshouse environment and spreading across a whole foyer. It includes a botanical environment with flowers and plants. It is directly in front of the main funnel and a section of it has glass walls overlooking the ship’s side. Facilities outdoors include two outdoor pools, one indoor/ outdoor pool, and six whirlpools.
Inside, the ship has an understated elegance, with the same high-class decor and materials (including lots of wood, glass and marble) and public rooms that have made other ships in the fleet so popular. The atrium (with separately enclosed room for shore excursions) is four decks high and houses the reception desk, tour operator’s desk, and bank. Four glass-walled elevators travel through the ship’s exterior (port) side, connecting the atrium with another seven decks, thus traveling through 10 passenger decks, including the tender stations – a nice ride.
Other facilities include a combination cinema/conference center, an expansive shopping arcade, with more than 14,450 sq. ft (1,300 sq. meters) of retail store space (including some trendy brand names, a lavish four-decks-high showlounge with the latest in high-tech staging and lighting equipment, two-level library (one level for English-language books; a second level for books in other languages); card room; CD listening room; art auction center (with seating that makes it look more like a small chapel); Cosmos, a combination observation lounge/ discotheque; an Internet Center with 19 computer stations (with custom-made wood-surround flat screens).
Gaming sports include the ship’s overly large Fortunes Casino, with blackjack, roulette, and slot machines, and lots of bright lights and action. Michael’s Club, originally a cigar smoker’s haven, is now a piano lounge/bar.
Families cruising with children will appreciate the Fun Factory (for children) and The Tower (for teenagers). Children’s counselors and youth activities staff are on hand.
Celebrity Millennium delivers a well-defined North American cruise experience at a very modest price. The “zero announcement policy” means there is little intrusion. My advice is to book a suite-category cabin for all the extra benefits it brings – it really is worth it. The ship’s two seating dining and two shows sadly detract from an otherwise excellent product, and this ship (together with sister ships Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Summit) can be said to provide the very best of the ships in the Premium segment of the marketplace.
There is, sadly, no wrap-around wooden promenade deck outdoors. There are cushioned pads for poolside deck lounge chairs only, but not for chairs on other outside decks. Passenger participation activities are amateurish and should be upgraded. Although the officers have become more aloof lately, with far less contact with passengers than when the company first started, new management has done much to restore the art of hospitality. One thing is certain: cruising in a hassle-free, crime-free environment such as this is hard to beat, no matter how much or how little you pay.
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2010
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008
