The Galaxy: Celebrity's encore to the Century A Review
BarryM123
The Galaxy- Celebrity’s Encore to the Century: A Review
O.K so this was my 40th something ocean voyage. The 32nd with my
wife. And the 7th with our 10 year old son. So what else is new? The
Galaxy. That’s what. After reveling over the Century last January, we just
couldn’t wait for the Galaxy to debut. And after letting the first few
cruises work out any maiden voyage kinks (heard there were very few), we
sailed on the January 19 Western Caribbean itinerary.
As in our past Celebrity cruises, the first day went almost
flawlessly.
Celebrity Cruise Line does many things extremely well. One of them
is embarkation. The courteous and helpful staff met us in the Ft.
Lauderdale Ship Terminal and supervised every easy going aspect of our
send off. James, a Celebrity staffer entertained with a comedy act and
short quiz. Unlike many first day’s of old with late afternoon boardings,
Celebrity announces a boarding time of 1PM, but actually begins accepting
passengers earlier. (Last year we were on at Noon. This year a few minutes
later.)
We were met and escorted to our cabin, a category one suite. The
balcony portended many happy hours of breakfast and reading at sea on our
private verandah. The size was smaller that a comparable suite on the
Zenith. But what the heck, we had a balcony this time! The walls were
paneled richly with blond wood and appropriate graphics. The bath was
exactly that: a bath with Jacuzzi and marbled walls and floors.
Standard cabins measured the usual 172 Sq. Ft. And were cramped with two
and impossible for three. The rich woods still make them quite attractive.
There is also a category called mini-suite: a square configured room with
a double bed, small sofa bed with a small verandah. It’s not really a
suite. And designation should be changed.
Celebrity provides a full buffet lunch for first day cruisers. As does
Holland America. Several years ago I recall scrambling for something to
eat between the time we boarded and the first dinner. Nice touch.
Anyone who has sailed the Century cannot help comparisons. The Galaxy is a
ship that definitely has to grow on you. It’s impact is nowhere near as
dramatic or spectacular as it’s year older sister. While the Century has a
bold and beautiful grand foyer boasting broad expanses of luxurious
maritime design that simply stuns the senses, the Galaxy is considerably
more modest by comparison. Celebrity has decided to use its space quite
differently. The shops are more sensibly arranged in a shopping area which
featuring restrained light wood decor instead the Century’s bi-level
design.
Exploring the Galaxy is more of an awakening to its beauty rather than the
astonishment of the exquisitely rich woods of the Century that evoke the
bygone era of the great liners. The Galaxy’s more muted tones and subtle
veneering are more reminiscent of a combination of the Art Deco age and
the Fifties. The carpet of bright colors that runs through the public
areas is just plain fun. (If you like the bold designs of those eras.)
There are also some wonderful surprises. The Stratosphere Room, a large
bar and lounge that serves as a public room and party facility by day and
disco by night is quite simply the most beautiful room I have seen at sea.
The graceful stately columns with art deco capitols provide magnificent
design elements to this multi-level lounge. One can gaze out at the
horizon or any nearby ship with the powerful mounted telescopes provided
in each corner. It was one of two public rooms that reminded me of the
great Normandie, the French Line’s 1936 crowning achievement.
The other was the indoor/outdoor pool aft. It’s retractable roof and
passenger area accented by many indoor plants seemed like those glorious
old publicity stills from the great liners brought to life. (I suppose
it’s the reason I was so smitten by the classical magnificence of the
Century.
The Oasis Cafe, the ship’s pool level buffet dining room is lovely and a
more traditional dining area than most of it’s kind...including the
Century. The inclusion of dark, rich paneling gave the impression of a
fine French 3 star restaurant (sort of) rather that a place to grab a
quick breakfast or lunch. The room has character.
Last year when I reviewed the Century I asked, "What can you say
about an experience that one only dreams about? I had long since given up
hope of experiencing a shipboard dining room with a magnificent grand
sweeping stairway entering a spacious multi-level restaurant? If this
doesn’t satisfy the most ardent ocean going nostalgia buff, than what
will?"
Well, ditto! It’s just as wonderful and spectacular. The panoramic
views are a treat. And this year the somewhat cumbersome heavy dining
chairs have been replaced with lighter, more maneuverable models.
Not all is perfect in paradise. The ship has a decided noisy
vibration. In fact while leaving a port and using it’s thrusters the noise
and vibration is so intense one literally cannot hear as dishes and
silverware litter the floor. If you’re unlucky enough to get a table on
the first level aft near the large window, bring earplugs and be prepared
to speak loud to be heard. Our first night out, we were assigned to such a
table. It was changed the following morning.
We noted previously that Celebrity offers fine service. This trip
was no exception. Our waiter, Dominicos was superb, offering polite,
prompt attention without being overly solicitous. The matre’d was
professional, friendly, and helpful. Our one small gripe was with the
busboy who seemed chronically confused and never around when we needed
him. The waiter ultimately did much of his work rather than waiting.
Celebrity is known for it’s gastronomic treats. Overall the
Galaxy’s food is good....very, very good when compared to other cruise
ships. While the Century offered OK main courses and spectacular soups and
appetizers, Galaxy’s main courses were actually a bit more consistently
good, but the soups and appetizers were a just little better than average
but not on the level of last year’s Century cruise. The presentation was
wonderful! A feast for the eyes. And indeed quite a few meals were
memorable.
The midnight buffets were fun, and different. Quite a few were
held on the pool deck and featured a party. Caribbean night was Makarena
till you drop with fresh fruits. The last night was passed finger
food....not real good...but who cared. We were all stuffed anyway. The
luncheon buffets were typical ship’s fare. (Although we usually ate
breakfast and lunch in the dining room. I still can’t understand why one
would rather stand in line for a berger than dine in an elegant setting
with wonderful service. And boy those breakfast kippers were great.) The
Galaxy offered pizza almost round the clock and it was really good pizza!
The Grand Buffet was typically impressive for the first time cruisers and
just typical for experienced cruisers.
My one major disappointment was Michael’s Room, the ship’s cigar
club. The Century has perhaps one of the most exquisite rooms at sea, a
gentlemen’s cigar club (ladies welcome of course) which sent your senses
careening back to the era of luxury liners with rich wooded panels and
antique furniture reminiscent of an exclusive English club. By comparison,
the Galaxy’s version of Michael’s Club was stark and totally devoid of
character. It tried for an art deco feel but missed the mark. Of course if
you’re not a cigar smoker, it won’t matter.
Celebrity trotted out it’s usual mediocre production show
entertainment. They just can’t seem to get it right. Although the
production shows are lavish and technically impressive, the content is
often avant guard or just out of sync. One show featured modern dancing
with hi-tech backgrounds. Another took a try a the Goldman Years without
much toe tapping singing. The Galaxy employs multi-screen TV monitors as a
production background on stage and sometimes, while covering the live
action on stage, it was impossible to concentrate on the talent because of
the incredible distraction.
The shows featuring individual performers were much better. One starred
noted comic pick-pocket Bob Arno who was wonderfully entertaining. And the
female singing star, a former Broadway Evita, held the audience in her
hand as she sang through Les Miz, Evita and an all star lineup of past and
current Broadway favorites.
According to Josh, the kid’s program it was good. And there were lots of
fun video games, computer games and scavenger hunts to keep a ten year old
occupied.
The Aqua Spa was a duplicate of the Century’s. And like the Century’s, it
was wonderful featuring rich wood paneling and a complete gym, spa and
massage staff.
All in all, we’re still big Celebrity fans and had a great time. They give
you your moneys worth and more, and the line is still one of the very top
performers in the cruise field. We’d certainly go back Maybe the Mercury,
Celebrity’s new ship scheduled to debut later this year, next time.
I’ll be happy to answer any questions: Bary...@aol.com
Ray Goldenberg
barr...@aol.com (BarryM123) wrote:
>There is also a category called mini-suite: a square configured room with
>a double bed, small sofa bed with a small verandah. It’s not really a
>suite. And designation should be changed.
Hi Barry,
Thank you very much for the excellent review. You really wrote a
complete review of the ship. I am sure others appreciated it as well.
Celebrity heard the complaints about the designation of the category
2 "mini-suite" and no longer refers to them as mini-suites. I had one
of these staterooms on the pre-inaugural and would love to have one on
a 7 day cruise to Alaska. (hint to DSM Mark if he is reading this).<g>
Best regards,
Ray
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