Celebrity Millennium Cruise Reviews - Reviews

After the April Hong Kong to Shanghai cruise on the Millenium (see other review) we took the ship from Tokyo to Vancouver.  Some improvements on the Trans-Pacific route.   Cabin ventilation wasn't a problem since we took a balcony cabin and had the door open most of the time - didn't have to sweat all the way across the Pacific.  Since there were a lot of sea days the onboard activities improved a bit - there was more variety each day.  The entertainment improved with a good classical component - a young violinist and Brooks Aaron.  Standing room only concerts and standing ovations.  People were starved for good entertainment and thank goodness we were given this.  It was the highlight of the cruise. 

The food continued to disappoint in its lukewarm, limp, overcooked, underspiced, mass produced way.

All the same cuts in amenities as discussed in my other review which give Celebrity a bare bones feel now instead of a luxury line.

We were really excited about returning to Celebrity after several years on other lines.  We had fond memories of fine dining, interesting onboard activities and overall a luxury vacation.  Talk about  disappointned!  What used to be an upscale cruise line is no longer.  The food is usually overcooked and dry and often lukewarm.  Crappy green goop on the escargot instead of a garlic/shallot butter, the creme brulee is a cornstarch pudding not an egg custard.  It all tastes like cafeteria food and not individually prepared fine dining.  The buffet is even worse.  Nearly all desserts are geletin based crud.  They even stick the stuff inside layer cakes.

The cabin heat couldn't be controlled.  We like it cool at night and warm during the day.  Had engineering down 4 or 5 times in 13 days and finally gave up and just sweated.

Some of the entertainment was good, but other than the regular staff musicians the only entertainment is the theatre.  There is no secondary venue with good acts.  No cruise day activities that appealed.

The staff soldier on, trying their best in the midst of all the service and amenity cuts and penny pinching measures.   It feels like a bare bones cruise.  If we ever take Celebrity again - which we definitely don't plan to do - we would not be surprised if they handed us oars as we boarded and told us to row!

Great ship had loads of fun!!! The crew and staff took great care of us. Plenty of activities for young and old. Excursions were phenomenal. Definitely would sail again with them.

I was no impressed with the Millenium. It was my first time on Celebrity and was not impressed.

They use giant electric motors connected by wire to the Diesel Engine, presumably because they can rotate 360 degrees and obviate the need for tugboats. The trouble with these "Azipod" engines is that they tend to get water in them and Blow up! What makes this more unforgivable is that this same thing happened on the Southbound voyage, so what do they DO?? Herd us into the boat like Noah, and, traveling from the first destination, Ketchikan, to Icy Straight point, it happened AGAIN!  The captain kept saying that "out of an abundance of caution, we are turning back." They lost one motor out of two, so, of course, this is what he did. Then, every twelve hours or so, on the PA system, while we were marooned on Ketchikan like Gilligan, he kept repeating that they were working to diagnose the problem. After three DAYS of this, the Other shoe dropped, and they announced that they were chartering us off by plane. Many of us asked to go to various destinations, such as Anchorage, in my case, and were promised this. But at midnight, our ticket itineraries ALL were to Vancouver $#!#@. that provoked near riots on board. They put us up at fancy places like the Fairmont in Vancouver for two nights, and said they would pay seventy five dollars per diem. Later, we found out that they needed the specific restaurant receipts, to prove we had not spent the money on liquor. Like-who CARES what we spent it on?!? They also refunded the money back on our credit cards and offered a "voucher for a cruise of equal value" but the voucher was only nine hundred bucks. It expires, and, since I care for an elderly parent, I could not  use it. Furthermore, there were two hundred dollars in incidental charges on my Cruise Card, and this was NOT explained to me. I do not drink or gamble that much.

The  Verdict?? AVOID them and their parent company, Royal Caribbean-or at Least, the Millenium. There is NOT that much to do in Ketchikan, just a forest ranger hike, and a lumberjack demonstration. I did not get Icy Straight, Hubbard Glacier, or Juneau off  the ole Bucket List, although I DID finally get to Anchorage, and took the train to Denali Park, which was Awesome. This was booked independent of the Cruise Line.

I really enjoyed the ship. The accommodations were very nice. Staff was excellant. We made a mistake by choosing the late dinner. It was to late and we never used it after the initial night

The ship was massive and very impressive. Lots to do. Great crew. Really enjoyed myself, despite being a \"cruise skeptic\" before boarding.

The ship and accomodations were excellent, however because the cruise was altered because of mechanical problems our experence was not as expected. We sat in Seward for 4 days while repairs were being made. Many excursions were available and we did them all! Once under way we went straight to Vancouver without any of the scheduled stops. The good news was Celebrity refunded our total cost plus a voucher for a future cruise of the same value.

Most of the ship was clean, attractive, and easily accessible. The crew were helpful and friendly. We enjoyed eating in the main dining room. The Celebrity Singers & Dancers were outstanding.

I had experience with Celebrity before and this time was as good as what I have before. The ship was very clean, the service was very nice and friendly, and the dining quality was excellent as expected. In addition, this time the entertainment activities was much impressive than before, especially the evening shows in the theater.

nice, cut getting old.. some overhaul is needed

The staff, all around, were very helpful and made the to be remembered. The food was excellent and the ship was very clean. This trip should be on everyones bucket list.

The ship was absolutely beautiful. First time on Celebrity and definitely won't be our last. Everything was clean - loved the Sunset Bar. Staff were very friendly (except one on the 2nd to last day that I really just believe was having a bad day) and made several week-long friends. Only complaints: room window was dirty and obscured views, and two of the mornings we were without hot water for our showers.

My advise - save some money, book a veranda stateroom or even an Ocean view room. The \"extras\" of the Concierge Class or higher is not worth the extra dollars.

We have been on the Infinity twice and the Millennium was just like it, same floor plan pretty much. The shows were great! Loved the Comedian! Glad you had him on a second night. We loved the ports of Alaska that we went to. It was all GREAT!

Fourth time to go on the cruise, this one is he worst one, lack of service, swimming, hot tub, food service closed at 11pm. Most of the ship I went are lower in price, longer fun hours, better food. This is the most boring ship. Even food are the worst, dry, tasteless and limited of choice. Only 1 breakfast buffet served vs at least 2 buffets. No games or other creative activities, it was just boring !

Took 3 hours to board the ship. Stateroom lacked nearly every promised amenity, took multiple calls to get any satisfaction. Buffet food barely edible when it was even made available. Entire ship seemed to be running with about 50% of the staff it needed. Promises of expedited exit from the ship were false, almost caused us to miss our flight home. Luckily, we sailed to Alaska, which was gorgeous. Next time I'll just fly to Alaska and skip the cruise.

The Southeast Asia cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore with stops in Hanoi, Da Nang/Hue, and Saigon (HCMC) was an outstanding experience for me, who served in Viet Nam back in 1970-1971 with the Marine Corps. I would recommend this cruise to any Viet Nam veteran who ever wanted to go back for a look-see as the best way to go back. It is easy, convenient, and the best bang for the buck. I was able to among other things, locate my old helicopter base at Marble Mountain. I was amazed at how much the entire area improved and how nice and friendly the people are. It is almost paradise compared to the war days. For Viet Nam war veterans, you can get to many areas of operations from this cruise. On the Hanoi stop, pilots and crew members who operated over the North can get a good look from the ground at what they had been flying over. From the Chan May stop, you can go for a day trip north from Hai Van Pass to Phu Bai and Hue and surrounding areas. This was mostly Marine areas of operations during the war. You can also go south for a day to Da Nang, Da Nang Air Base (now the Da Nang International Airport), Red Beach, China Beach, Marble Mountain helicipter base, Marble Mountain (you can go in and explore the one that housed a VC hospital during the war, etc.), Hoi An, and surrounding areas, then back via Hai Van Pass. This is what my wife and I did and we covered it all in a day. This was mostly Marine and 101 Airborne areas of operations during the war. At the Phu My stop, you can spend a day or two in old Saigon, Cu Chi, and surrounding areas. There is a lot to see and do relating to the Viet Nam war (mostly from the communist point of view--the winners get to tell the story I guess). For those who took R&R in Bangkok, there is a two day stop for Bangkok. Again, this is an outstanding cruise for U.S. Viet Nam war vets who always wanted to go back. I highly recommend it. Other than a communist form of government, I think that you will feel good about the state of affairs and the people of Viet Nam.

The ship is tired and run down. State room (Aqua Class on Deck 11) was clean and spacious.

Service was very good, especially in the dining areas. Passport and visa processing was poorly handled in Thailand, and resulted in additional delays before disembarking. It may have been a learning experience for the crew members in charge.