Day One on the Celebrity Century cruise to Alaska, and back. As we boarded the ship a very lovely young lady handed us a glass of Champagne. I now realize this is likely the last free alcoholic drink I will find aboard this ship, although I will not stop searching.
Once aboard the ship we were encouraged to head to the pool deck. (photo of pool) Like all the other passengers, we eventually found our way to the pool deck. No sooner were we on the deck than a very suave young man swooped down upon us and asked if we wanted a rum or vodka drink in a souvenir glass that we could keep. Still swooning after our free glass of Champagne, we readily agreed, grabbed a drink each and sat down.
The suave young man then asked who was going to pay for the drink, and could he please have our room card to bill us. Ah ha. $20 for two drinks, however, keep in mind you get to keep the cheap plastic Celebrity glass. Lesson learned.
Off to the Islands Café, a buffet by any other name is still a buffet. The people walking around here were like actors in role from the set of the Walking Dead; zombies in a post-apocalyptic world. All carrying food trays and looking lost.
I have to admit, I grabbed a tray and helped myself. Being a first time cruiser it was a little disconcerting taking food and not having to pay for it. (I have acclimatized myself since then).
Our dinner time was set for 6pm so we made our way to the Grand Restaurant (photo). Having assigned seats and dinner companions was another odd feeling. You are seated at a table with four or six other people who you do not know. I can only imagine what the conversation was like at the table nearby where a five hundred pound biker was seated. Alone.
Our tablemates are two elderly Japanese ladies. Dinner conversation was basically limited to hellos and lots of smiles and stiff sorts of bowing while staying seated.
Once our dinners did arrive, the Prime Rib listed under the chef’s recommendations, the conversation grew to include words I am roughly translating to be “Holy Crapola”. The slice of prime rib was, well, massive. And delicious. (photo) Sadly, our tablemates left more than 90% of their meal on their plates. Which got me to wondering what the ship does with all of the leftover food.
Later on that evening, after our prime rib had settled and digested we headed back up to the Islands Café buffet. Pizza, pasta, quiche, stir fry, sushi rolls, pastries and all other sorts of desserts…whatever moves you was there for the taking.
Other than the food (really though, what else is there on a cruise?) some random observations…
The two most noticeable groups of people working on this ship that we have seen on this ship are the people offering alcoholic beverages and people cleaning or polishing anything that does not move.
There is a serious shortage of electrical outlets on board; in our room there is one outlet. One. Well, there is a second one in the bathroom. Other than that, you are out of luck and out of power.
Which brings me to my next random observation; the shower, although my initial observation was that it looked like an upright coffin, is actually the nicest part of the room we are staying in. The water pressure is magnificent and the water gets as hot as I want. And hotter. Awesome.
And then it was off to sleep. Sleep.
Ah you fell for the drink in plastic glass trick, lol. So many do. Some even light up so if you are weak around shiny plastic objects avoid! The uneaten food is dehydrated, then ground up and taken off the ship for fish food and fertilizer. Some newer ships dry it then burn it for extra power.