The worst Captain's Club Host "Chandhu" EVER!!!!

 
Reviewed By: Mark, hanworth on 8th Mar 2010
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises Times cruised before: 3-5
Cruise Ship: Century Sailed: November, 2009
Destination: Transatlantic Age: 26-35
Cabin: Outside
Celebrity CENTURY- TRANSATLANTIC

We have sailed on Celebrity a few times now and I really like them. Although saying that I haven't tried many other cruise lines as I am trying to get to Elite status on celebrity.

This was my first Celebrity experience that I didn't quite enjoy.

Had an ocean view cabin, which was a little tired to say the least, but acceptable.

As this was a Transatlantic from Barcelona to Miami I expected a fairly slow pace, which is what i got. Guest Entertainers were shockingly bad...really really bad.....Many times saw people leaving through the shows!! I would love to meet the person who hires these people, perhaps they get a good kick back from these entertainers.....?

I am well aware that this is a ship.....and can't expect west end shows...however the standard should be a little higher. Te ships on board singers and dancers are good tho.

As always food was very good and a good choice for most but cutbacks on food buget are getting obvious tho.

Drinks are getting to be a little expensive on Celebrity, esp. with the additional 15% grat. I ran up a HUGE bar bill by the end of the 14days which i guess is expected. I did buy a wine package, but it did not make a huge difference in price.

I LOVE the fact that tea and coffee are available 24hrs a day, as is water (not bottled)

The staff on board this ship not all of them...but a very high percentage just seemed not interested or not friendly as previous cruises. It seemed that this was a training ship where staff train before going to the Millenium ship classes.

Entertainment director was good and was visible around the ship.

Excellent Martini Bar which was a great place to go before dinner...got VERY busy, which was great!! Michaels bar was brilliant for a tot or two....of whisky before dinner. And the pianist in there was Brilliant!!!!

The "Captains Club Host" "Chandhu" has to be the MOST patronising and self absorbed person that I have EVER come accross. He had taken an instant dislike to us for no reason whatso ever. Not only was he always rude to us all the time, he just wasn't interested in anything except himself, even at the Captain Club gatherings every night he asked us how we were then turned around not even waiting for an answer...totally un interested and said he was far too busy to wait for an answer.......

He only was nice to us once and that was in front of the Cruise Director. He was inviting everyone to his house in India, and said he would pick then up from the airport giving out his address on bits of paper...Very unproffesional unless of course you bond with someone...not all and sundry. A horrible man that made us feel awful. To make matters worse his best friend was our somelier...who then in turn just ignored us the whole time...we had to get our wine from another somelier. He also introduced himself every night at the gatherings as everyones FAVOURITE CCH. He was so intrusive at the CC Gatherings that when people were having drinks he was practically on top of them....kept on inviting everyone to India..........awful!!!

Apart from that....overall very relaxing ship with pleny of outside space. I would most def go on Celebrity again, perhaps on a diferent ship.

I done all my own tours etc..as the ships ones were far too expensive.

Loved the cinema...great!!!

And that was my cruise..



Quality of Food4
Entertainment1
Shore Excursions3
Staff2
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities3
Cabins2
Overall Rating3
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Question by SHARPLES, FLEETWOOD (23 Mar 10 07:53) about this REVIEW
Hi ,We have booked a transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami in October on the Century.Are there any good tips you can give us about this ship? What are the gratuities/ Did you pre pay or can one still choose to leave tips with whomever one chooses. Also flying back from Miami,did you have a direct flight back to the U.K.
Answer by BOBBY S, PLYMOUTH (06 Apr 10 12:09) to a QUESTION by SHARPLES (23 Mar 10 07:53)
IT depends on who you book with for flights some drop you in germany or france then on to uk if you were not told from the start and they said you will recieve details later,this is sure sign of changes.YOU COULD CANCEL AND REBOOK.This is a great ship if your a normal person,dont prepay tips wait and see, if the service is not good dont tip its up to you.If you have agreed to pay daily have it remove at the desk on day1or2,remember also if your husband as ever been arrested in his life for any reason WHATSOEVER HE NOW NEEDS A VISA TO VISIT USA.BEWARE 3RD time for me on this ship different folks different strokes enjoy.
Comment by sharples, FLEETWOOD (06 Apr 10 21:13) about an ANSWER by BOBBY S (06 Apr 10 12:09)
Thanks for your reply,as you said we have just informed that our flight to Barcelona from Manchester is going via Munich this we did not know .Also our return flight from Miami to Manchester is via Chicago which is disapointing.We have done these connecting flights before not with these airlines Lufthansa/AA and each time our luggage went missing .This is a big worry for us cos its been three times on the trot our luggage has gone missing so just hoping its 4th time lucky
Comment by BOBBY S, PLYMOUTH (08 Apr 10 00:29) about a COMMENT by sharples (06 Apr 10 21:13)
Yes did you book with cruise club by any chance we are going out in MAY via France C/D/G Airfrance then back from Barcelona VIA FRANKFURT WITH LUFTHANSA how nice, they dont want to help even Celebrity dont care.MY concern is the baggage the wife will go mad if they lost a case will have to split cloths just in case,NEVER COME ACROSS THIS BEFORE IT WILL BE ON MY LIST FOR NEXT BOOKING.
Answer by sammy, London-Uk (23 Mar 10 16:49) to a QUESTION by SHARPLES (23 Mar 10 07:53)
Hey!! Well...firstly...have a GREAT cruise...I LOVE the Transatlantics.... Well with the Gratuities as we did not pre pay them, they added a daily charge to our account. I think it was US$11.50 per person per day. That amount CANNOT be adjusted...so you cant say i only want to give $10.00 a day..you have to have the entire amound removed and pay cash to whoever you want, you can however increase the amount on your account! Even though we pre paid-the staff made a point of expecting more tips...they made it VERY obvious....lol. If you have good weather there are some Brilliant hide away spots on the ship we discovered...away from everyone else...the ship has alot of outside lovely space.....just walk around and you will find a nice quiet area....nice. We flew back the same day direct with BA. Although they were much more expensive... We dont do any American Carriers at all. The Martini bar is excellent for a pre dinner dring and Michaels bar for afters... The pool is an outdoor pool so depends what the weather is like. There is a GREAT sushi bar in the buffet area..but only opens at 5pm. As we were on late seating I always made a point and went to have a little nibble before hand.....thats if you like sushi.... The only point I would say is that I found the staff VERY dissapointing on my cruise.....but thats it really.. Have a GREAT cruise....!!!!!!!! take care x
Comment by sharples, FLEETWOOD (06 Apr 10 21:21) about an ANSWER by sammy (23 Mar 10 16:49)
Again thanks for taking the time to reply.we have never done a transatlantic cruise,so looking forward to it we have booked a balcony so at least we can sit in piece and watch the world go by.Just hope the weather is kind to us cos we both have trouble with motion sickness if the sea is choppy. i am a little concerned about the comments about the staff.Do you think this is because most people now pay tips in advance or put on their account? Ideally we prefer to just leave cash in envelopes to the people who have served us well.
Comment by sammy, London (07 Apr 10 20:49) about a COMMENT by sharples (06 Apr 10 21:21)
Hey! PLEASE dont let my comments about the staff put you off. There are so many staff on board. You might be luck and have some really good ones looking after you!!!! If at any time your not happy you should complain....dont be scared!!! Sammy Just have a FANTASTIC cruise.....and have a Brilliant time!!!
Comment by sharples, FLEETWOOD (07 Apr 10 23:05) about a COMMENT by sammy (07 Apr 10 20:49)
Thank Sammy we are hoping to have a pleasant cruise. This is our first Celebrity cruise .Previously we have been with Princess (Grand) RCI (Radiance,Splendour) Ocean Village two times plus several airtours cruises a few years ago.We have found the Radiance of the seas by far the best Cruise ship absolutely fantastic the Grand a close second. We have also done 4 Costa Cruises and these are the cheapest and good value cruises,only downside is the european connecting flights they use for Manchester passengers.We have had our luggage lost twice with Air France KLM the carrier WHICH Costa Costa often use. We are a little disapointed and concerned with Celebritys flights they have arranged.We fly Manchester to Barcelona via Munich (lufthansa) and American airlines on our return from Miami.This flight is via Chicago,so we are hoping that our luggage does not go missing.Also do you know if we have to re-apply for the esta form We have submitted one a couple of years ago when sailing from Miami on Grand Princess

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