Best For People Who Want:
A quality cruise at a bargain price; good food; adult-oriented atmosphere; polite service; quiet times
Should Be Avoided By People Who Prefer:
Lots of children's & sports facilities; many alternative dining venues.
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Onboard Experience: The 1,870-passenger Galaxy is a second sister ship of Century. The atmosphere is warm, and friendly, while the decor is cool and classy. Galaxy was once in the mega-liner category, but at 77,000 tons she is now considered small. Therefore, she is easy to navigate and you are not likely to get lost. The food and service are very good, especially in this price range of ships, the cabin amenities are extensive, and the spas are scrumptious! One little problem, however, is the vibration problems in the aft end, where the main restaurants are located. At times the sound of glasses knocking together sounds like a handbell chorus.
Decor: There is plenty of modern art, hand-picked throughout Europe by John Chandris' own wife back when the couple still owned the cruise line. Some of is striking, while some of it, "what was the artist thinking?" The rooms are classy with marble floors and columns, dark glass panels and smoky chandeliers in some places, with full-lengths windows to the sea and chrome and glass accents in other places. Whatever it is you like, you will eventually find it.
Public Rooms:
Up on Sports Deck the spectacular Stratosphere forward-looking observation lounge features yellow maple-paneled walls and plush aqua bucket seats, with windows to the sea in the front and mirrored walls on the rear, it is one of the most striking rooms at sea.
The beautiful, indoor Oasis Pool (under a magrodome) is a warm and peaceful spot where the sunshine filters in but your book doesn't blow away. This is one of the most zen-like spots on the ship. Words is the library, hidden away amongst the cabins on Panorama deck. It is a gorgeous two-level room with plenty of books and movies to check out.
Entertainment Deck starts with Fortunes casino, an old-style gambling parlor with red and gold brocade trim and plenty of ornate, old style slot machines. In the Martini bar, crystal chandeliers illuminate a colorful mural behind the piano player. People here get their voice boxes sufficiently lubricated every night for hours of sing along fun. Just don't look down and the carpet, it might make you dizzy. For a more classy atmosphere, head to the Savoy Nightclub where grouped banquettes make conversation more conducive.The Galaxy Shops and Internet Cafe round out the Entertainment Deck, for those who don't feel like drinking but want to spend money.
On Promenade deck, the Cova Cafe, with its cool silver columns and teal carpet, is own of the most tastefully cappuccino rooms anywhere. The Celebrity Theater (showroom) offers the proverbial "Las Vegas-style" production show, the seats are muted tones of beige and gold. Get a cappuccino and settle in for people watching over the rails of the atrium. Or try Michael's Club, formerly a smoking room, now just a nice lounge for spending time. Or take in a movie at the Cinema, shown twice daily.
Cuisine:
Celebrity Cruises' just ended its 15 year relationship with renowned Michelin-starred French Master Chef Michel Roux, who had hands-on involvement from designing the ship's galleys to creating menus and even sailing aboard the vessels for spot inspections. For now, the menus remain unchanged and Celebrity has not announced a replacement, however it could happen soon. In any case, outstanding cuisine has always been a part of the Celebrity legacy and one would expect the line not to tinker with a good. If a replacement is named, expect it to be someone with a good deal of panache.
Restaurants:
Century's dramatic, two-level "Orion Restaurant" offers gourmet cuisine with ocean views, fine china, fresh flowers and unobtrusive service. It has a sweeping staircase at one end and two-deck-high glass windows for natural light and sea views at the stern. The wide classic columns and cherry wood finishes offer a more intimate feel than one would expect of a dining room this size.
While at the Oasis Cafe, located next to the pool, two buffet lines means very little waiting, and waiters frequently take your tray to the table. Be sure to try dining on the back deck, where the only sounds are the sea below.
Service: Cabin service is provided by a multinational crew, and dining room staffers are professional yet friendly. A nice Celebrity touch at the buffet is the friendly staff person waiting at the end of the service line to carry your tray to an open table. Throughout the ship, from cabin attendants to bar servers to guest relations desk, service is professional and efficient.
Tipping:
Celebrity suggests a per person per day gratuity of $3.50 for the waiter, butler (Suites only) and stateroom attendant; $4.00 for stateroom attendant in Concierge Class; $2.00 for the Assistant Waiter; $.75 for the Assistant Maitre d'and the Assistant Chief Housekeeper.Children under 12 years tip "half price." Passengers have the option of billing gratuities to their onboard "Sea Pass" account and receiving vouchers to put in the gratuity envelopes at the end of the cruise.
A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all beverage tabs. Gratuities for room service, spa, casino and other staff are at your discretion.
Entertainment:
The Celebrity Theater offers the standard cruise ship production show by producer Jean Ann Ryan. It is the usual array of medleys, dance steps, costume changes and an adagio couple doing graceful dance moves. Pleasant enough, but not exactly original. Fortunes Casino is normally quite full at night, and has the major games of chance and plenty of slot machines. There is nightly entertainment in Rendezvous Square, where people often meet to dance. Michael's Club, the piano bar, was generally quite full in the evenings as well, of a cigar bar, it is now a no-smoking room. The much larger Crystal Lounge, aft on Deck 7, had a quartet playing most evenings. There is also a dedicated movie theater for near first-run feature films. This is also the spot for enrichment lectures and computer classes. Shipmates Fun Factory is the generous playroom for the kids with ball rooms, tunnels, toys and games, and climby things everywhere.
Cabins:
Galaxy cabins offer wonderful amenities including TV with close circuit movies, CNN and pay-per-view first run movies; radio, direct dial phone, bathrobes, mini-refrigerator plus large bathrooms with showers, vanity and hair dryers. One may dine in-cabin at night and order from the dinner menu and massages may also be scheduled in staterooms. Standard inside and outside staterooms are 171 and 172 sq. feet, with good storage space. Galaxy has lovely cabins with private verandah at 214 square feet. There are 50 suites with private veranda in four categories: standard (316 sq. feet); sky suites (425 sq. feet); royal suites (631 sq. feet) and penthouse suites (1,219 sq.ft.), all with large private balcony, butlers, marble bathrooms and additional perks.
Fitness/Spa:
AquaSpa is operated by Steiner's of London, and it has been recently upgraded to include Spa Meals and larger facilities for massage, facials and even thelassotherapy (water under pressure) treatments. The separate fitness are has new machines, all with a sea view, with aerobics and stretching classes scheduled during the day.
Attire: Two formal nights on a seven-night cruise and three on 10-day or longer cruises; most men opted for suits instead of a tux, while women wear pantsuits, or short dresses. Two nights are designated informal; jackets for the men.
