Background Information: We chose this cruise as a quick break from winter. Others in this price range included 3 and 4 night NCL sky, which, while a good value, is not great for ballroom dancing and had more impersonal service. We have cruised on Holland, RCI, NCL, and wanted to try Celebrity. In tow was our 22 month old toddler with her own newly found opinions and expectations. Hotel Info (if any): Stayed pre cruise at Hyatt regency, booked on price line for less than $100 total including tax and fees. Ship Info: The Century is a smaller ship. We were afraid to book due to her age, but with the exception of a few spots with visible wear, she was very contemporary and elegant. The ship was incredibly well maintained. She did have a smaller foyer... which did make the ship feel a bit more enclosed than some of the previous ships we have been on. The pools were a bit small and the children's club was a cave (in this regard we actually liked the NCL sky better, especially since the Century lacks a small children's pool and sun lounging area). Our room was contemporary with a bowl sink and a nice flat screen, more like a boutique hotel. Dance floors were small, but overall the ship was a pleasant surprise. The area by the pool was a huge disappointment due to chair hogs and non confrontational pool stewards- half empty all day it looked like a sea of yellow towels. My poor daughter couldn't understand why she wasn't allowed to sit in all the empty chairs. Felt like half a day was wasted. It did lack a proper promenade and there really wasn't anywhere to jog other than the treadmills- 14 times around the smokestack that was also used by walkers does not make a good running area. The treadmills had belts that were too narrow for the machines. I almost flew off when the boat rocked from a wave and my foot hit the area where a belt should have been (almost no treadmills with an ocean view, my favorite luxury at sea). Smokers were also allowed in the hemisphere, which made what should be the best view in the house uncomfortable.
Activities: Dance lessons, Yoga, ballroom dancing, movies (that I hadn't heard of or didn't really care for), and all your generic cruise activities sans hairy chest contests. Service: Excellent service with only one or two exceptions (see pool comments above). Easily approaches or surpasses our favorite line, Holland. Constantine was an excellent waiter and in tandem with Wiarta, kept my Daughter highly amused with mice, frogs, talking ducks, and flying birds created from paper and cloth napkins. We originally wanted to swap to early dining for our daughter's sake, but were so impressed by the waiters that we didn't want to risk getting waiters that we wouldn't like as much. Our room steward was excellent, ice was always in supply and he kept our room clean and tidy (sadly no towel animals to discover in the PM). The ice cream lady, Betty, was a joy to talk to. Nice touches included a chilly snack offered poolside and chilled wet washcloths available in the gym after workouts.
Port & Shore Excursions: See notes below. Did not book through the ship.
Quiet location close to stairs. Hall small for wheelchairs or strollers when others passing.