My husband and I have sailed with Royal Caribbean 3 times and have enjoyed the large ships immensely. We now are considering a cruise with Celebrity because of the departure port (Charleston, SC). To those of you who have travelled on small and large ships, do you think we will enjoy a smaller ship as much as we did the larger ones? I know it's hard for you to answer because tastes vary. We do like to be entertained if that helps any. Thanks for your help
On Mercury the production shows will be about the same as on the Millennium and Solstice class ships.
There may be a less in the terms of Spa options but Mercury's Thalassotherapy pool is one of the most enjoyable things at sea and is far better than the ones on Millennium class ships.
Otherwise you will find most of the same options on Mercury as other ships but on a bit smaller scale.
Mercury was my first cruise and I love this ship. I have cruised her twice now. She is older and may have a few age related things but others will have to comment on this since I haven't been on her since 2004. At that time she was still beautiful.
Take care,
Mike
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Mercury does not have a specialty restaurant if that is important to you. It is a great ship with a great crew. Everything is relative, I remember when Mercury was considered a large ship.....
We have sailed on Mercury three times and they were all great cruises.
first class service and great food in a beautifull, well designed ship.
TM
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CRUISES
Century 4/1998
Mercury 4/2000+4/2006+7/2007
Sensation 4/2002
Infinity 4/2003
Summit 4/2004+4/2005
Carnival Liberty New Year's Eve 2007
Liberty of the Seas 5/2008+11/2009
Solstice 4/2009
Oasis 4/2010+4/13/2013
Allure 1/16/ 2011
Equinox 4/11/2011
Thanks guys for the replies. We booked yesterday and leave out of Charleston, SC on April 9 for a ten day cruise. This will be our 4th cruise but first with Celebrity. We live in West Virginia and with all the snow we have had this winter we are more than ready for the Caribbean!
I was going to say I personally love Celebrity ships, but I really prefer the Solstice class. They are magnificent ships. I sailed on Century (for our CruiseMates cruise, right me droogs?) and personally I just thought it was too small.
My neighbor just asked me yestaerday about an east coast cruise for Kids and she asked "Mercury or Explorer of the Seas" and I said, "for kids, definitely Explorer."
Big ships have advantages - like a lot more space for more public rooms, bigger entertainment, more modern technology, etc.
I really hope you enjoy your cruise. You will find it quiet compared to your previous cruises, but if you are happy then I don't see a problem.
A lot of people definitely prefer smaller ships and you may end up being one of them. Have a GREAT cruise!
PS: Here are some Solstice Pictures...
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One size does not fit all. I remember seeing an older gentleman from England, who was walking with a cane, saying this about the Mercury. ( If they could cut this lovely ship in half it would be perfect ).
That is why they have ships of different sizes. I have enjoyed the Liberty OtS as well as the smaller Celebrity ships, but in a few years I will have to do only the smaller ships.
TM
__________________
CRUISES
Century 4/1998
Mercury 4/2000+4/2006+7/2007
Sensation 4/2002
Infinity 4/2003
Summit 4/2004+4/2005
Carnival Liberty New Year's Eve 2007
Liberty of the Seas 5/2008+11/2009
Solstice 4/2009
Oasis 4/2010+4/13/2013
Allure 1/16/ 2011
Equinox 4/11/2011
We were on Mercury last Dec. and it looked as good or better than when we were on her in 2004. I think it was refurbished in 2007. For us, it is the perfect size. The food and service were excellent bar one dinner out of twelve. The entertainment was fair to good-everyone seemed to be in the casino which is now non-smoking. If you smoke, you might find the smoking policy a little restrictive. The only other problem I can think of is the elevators which are very small-use the stairs if you can! This ship has an intimacy that I can't imagine being on a 4000 passenger mega ship but then I've never cruised on one The thelassotherapy pool is awesome -well worth the extra $. Have a great cruise!!
(Hope the pictures come thru-this is the first time I've tried to attach pics)
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Oceanus 1987
Splendor of the Seas 1997
Regal Empress 1998
Horizon 2000
Summit 2001
Sovereign of the Seas 2003
Noordam 2003
Zenith 2004
Mercury 2005
Princess Sun 2006
Princess Sea 2007
Constellation 2008
Mercury 2009
Constellation 2010
Well, obviously I need to read Pauls directions on attaching pictures....again. Be patient-I'll get it!
__________________
Oceanus 1987
Splendor of the Seas 1997
Regal Empress 1998
Horizon 2000
Summit 2001
Sovereign of the Seas 2003
Noordam 2003
Zenith 2004
Mercury 2005
Princess Sun 2006
Princess Sea 2007
Constellation 2008
Mercury 2009
Constellation 2010
__________________
Oceanus 1987
Splendor of the Seas 1997
Regal Empress 1998
Horizon 2000
Summit 2001
Sovereign of the Seas 2003
Noordam 2003
Zenith 2004
Mercury 2005
Princess Sun 2006
Princess Sea 2007
Constellation 2008
Mercury 2009
Constellation 2010
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Smaller ship v. larger ship
The thelassotherapy pool is awesome -well worth the extra $. Have a great cruise!!
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