Galaxy - First Cruise

My friend and I are sailing on the Galaxy (Southern Caribbean) in March, this will be the first cruise for both of us. We are both in our mid-twenties. I am wondering what people think of this line/ship and if you have any suggestions on cruising and what to do or not do while sailing and/or on shore excursions. Thanks!

[Donna]

Hi Cairlin.
I did find an older members review of Galaxy doing the Southern Caibbean, like U, hope you find it interesting. Hope you really enjoy this first cruise, think you'll love it, like the rest of us addicts:

<http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/cruiseguide/shiptour/memreviews/mr_celebrity/galaxy1.html>

There is also a lot of great information for first time cruisers in this section, check it out:

<http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/cruiseguide/first-time/index.cfm>

Donnassei

Caitlin--

We sailed on the Galaxy twice no less--once in S. Caribbean and once in Alaska this past August. It's a wonderful ship. We are 30-somethings and found it active enough for us but staid or fussy. It's a beautiful ship and we've had nothing but good service on board.

Jeff

Caitlin:
Galaxy was my first cruise also.......what a great choice. From the minute we drove up to the pier I was in love. Celebrity does an excellent job in my opinion.
I have a 23 year old daughter and although she did not accompany us on this cruise, there was plenty that would have get her busy.
Have you checked out the shore excursions that Celebrity offers? Go to the Celebrity link in the CruiseMates site and I believe there is a section on the excurisions there. Happy sailing, and I am sure after this cruise you will be addicted!!!!! Have a great time.

We were on the GALAXY in March, 2000 on the Southern Carribean route. They have scratched Martinique from the itinerary, and almost anywhere else may be better. Otherwise, our biggest complaint was that there were too many islands. With only one "at-sea" day, the cruise seemed somewhat busy. The ship itself is outstanding and a 7 day cruise is just too short. Mary Lou hit it on the numbers. There is a lot to love.

Galaxy S. Caribbean was our first cruise together last February. We had an absolutely fantastic trip. We are now addicted to cruising. We sailed on Radisson Seven Seas Navigator this past summer – an even better trip. We sail on Millennium this February. We may sail on Navigator again next summer in Europe. Some advice. 1) Relax and take everything in stride – you will be on the best vacation of your lives. 2) To help with #1, arrive in San Juan at least a day early if you can (We stayed at the El San Juan Hotel – great dining options – great fun). 3) Board the ship as early as you can (we boarded before the posted time). 4) Decided on shore excursions before you board – book them on your TV upon arrival (note, you can book your own shore excursion independently if you want – they may be better – they may be cheaper – but for first time cruisers it is less stressful to book them with the ship). 5) Visit the spa after booking your shore excursions – book then any treatments you want to try later on the cruise – they sell out fast 6) Always be friendly to the staff and crew – get to know your cabin attendants, waiters, etc. – it will pay HUGE dividends. 7) Be gracious and courteous to all other passengers – some will be jerks to you and the crew – they don’t know how to enjoy cruising - ignore them! 8) Don’t be shy about registering complaints – but be polite and constructive in your criticism (our waiter on Galaxy was not up to par – we mentioned our specific concerns to the maitre d’ and he helped serve our station the rest of the cruise!). 9) Get up early and be on deck to be a part of arriving into port each morning – the Caribbean is at its most beautiful in the morning (especially St Lucia, Antigua, and St. Thomas) – and the ship is quite then too. 10) There will be people your own age on the ship – but get to know the older passengers on board – they will undoubtedly be more interesting and well traveled than the younger passengers – we are in our mid 30’s and have generally have had more fun with passengers in their 50’s and 60’s than those in their 20’s and 30’. ENJOY

[Donna]

Wow Max1,
What great rules to "cruise" by, thanks. I will certainly remember all of them :-)

Donnassei

Max1,
Thank you so much for those rules of cruising...they are great and i will definitely remember them on the cruise. I am sure they will make the trip that much better! I am so excited and really appreciate your sharing your rules!
Caitlin

Thank you for your advice everyone - it has all been so helpful! My roommate and I keep checking the message board and each response has given us new ideas. We are so excited and can't wait to go! Thanks again!
C.

[Janice]

Hi Caitlin
My husband and I just returned from our first cruise this week. It was totally fabulous. The islands were terrific and the service and food spectacular. I wrote a new message today with some tips but would be happy to say more.
I really liked the exercise classes at the spa offered twice a day, to keep in shape. We read in advance (Frommer's guide to Caribbean from cruise ships and also these message boards) and identified our own beaches to go to, since we wanted to do a lot of snorkeling. If you like snorkeling, buy a mask and snorkel and carry it with you--then you can go anywhere.
We only did one shore excursion--the all day trip around St. Lucia and loved it. The catamaran was really fun and beautiful and the island lush and scenic. Our tablemates went on the cave tour in Barbados and loved that too. Don't know about any of the other ones. Our favorite beach was Galley Bay on Antigua, which was totally empty. It has a fancy resort at one end, but we just brought fruit with us from the ship and stayed the day on our own.
Cabs are very available at the pier, and drivers will pick you up if you go off on your own. Most of the places we went had cab stands right there, so we had absolutely no problems.
Although I am married and "over the hill", if I were single and in my 20's, I would enjoy the abundance of very cute waiters and staff.
I couldn't imagine nicer ports or a nicer ship.
The only thing I would do differently, is that our last day, we had a 5 pm flight from San Juan and spent the day on our own in old San Juan. It was very hot, and hard to know what you were seeing on your own. I would book at least a two hour tour (make sure it is in English--few people spoke English I found), if I wanted to see the city. I was also very tired by then, so spending the day at one of the available "day hotels" would work too.
I second the opinion about booking shore excursions when you get on. Our interactive TV didn't work the first day, so we had to go stand in line at Guest RElations. When we got there at 4:30 pm, only the tour to Buck Island for the next day was filled--everything else was available, but I wouldn't wait long if there is something you really want to do.
The band Xtasea is very fun--go listen to them when you can. Also don't worry about clothes--I found the ship to be VERY casual. Other than formal nights, don't fret about clothes. It totally doesn't matter.
You will have a ball, I am sure.

Janice,
Thanks for sharing your advice and review of your trip. I am sure I will use your suggestions. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. We are so excited to go....we have started our countdown! Thanks again!