Celebrity Cruises, which last September launched a test program on Millennium that focused on onboard enhancements, has tweaked and honed the initial concept and is beginning to expand it to other ships in the line.

The program, which originally toyed with some 100 different small-and-larger-touch items -- ranging from frosty towels at poolside to adding dinner service to the Aqua Spa Cafe -- has, based on passenger feedback, narrowed down the list of offerings.

Travelers can expect poolside sorbet service and fee-based massage, an evening "casual dining boulevard," featuring pasta, pizza and a new Sushi Cafe, and "happy hours" at ship lounges which come complete with pre-dinner hors d'ouevres. Michael's Club, formerly Celebrity's cigar bar, has been transformed into a piano club.

The AquaSpa is extending its hours to 11 p.m. and will hold yoga and Pilates workouts on deck at sunset. Finally, the occasional theme-oriented midnight buffet will be moved to lunchtime (though Celebrity's Le Grand Buffet one-time-per-cruise event will still occupy its regular late evening time slot).

Currently, in addition to Millennium, the program's already been installed on Mercury and is in the process of introducing it on Constellation. A Celebrity spokeswoman says the line anticipates a full-fleet presence by July.

Source: Net/Celebrity

Malcolm says: A midnight buffet at lunchtime? Whatever next?

The midnight buffet is traditionally an ADDITIONAL meal at (or near) midnight, for those who can not go without food for a couple of hours. It is NOT supposed to replace lunch!

I wonder if you can smoke cigars in the Piano bar? Not that I even smoke!

[ 02-18-2003: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Regarding the lunch buffet.... it in no way replaces lunch in the dining room. This still exists as does informal dining in the poolside restaurant. In fact, the specialty restaurants like NORMANDIE and ssUNITED STATES are considering opening for lunch as well.

Midnight buffets... well who cares, and no one really needs to eat at midnight anyway. Celebrity has been slowly doing away with this anyway, replacing it with Celebrity Bites, which is basically very nice selection of hors d'ouevres that is presented in all lounges during the late evening. A better use of food to be sure.

I'm very much looking forward to trying out all the new enhancements when I sail the INFINITY on March 23. 11 blissful days to Hawaii (including four at sea). It has also been confirmed that INFINITY will indeed sport the new Celebrity paint scheme, which I much prefer over the blue, white, yellow, and red current scheme.

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Originally posted by Barryboat:
Cigar smoking was a nineties activity...it's really faded out in popularity across the country...I wonder why Celebrity maintains this feature? From what I heard..even on the Celebrity ships the Cigar lounge was more for lounging rather than smoking cigars.

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Celebrity is no longer maintaining this feature... at least not in the bar/lounge it was designed for. Michael's Club is being transformed in to a Piano Bar. The only cigar smoking permitted in the future will be during certain evening hours at the topside Sky Bar. This is the same policy that RCI has.

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Originally posted by CGT:
Even though I thought it completely rediculous, what happened to the topless sun bathing? I guess they got rid or it. I thought it was a little daft.

CGT

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No, I believe they will still offer it. Many Europeans prefer topless sun bathing, and don't consider it ridiculous at all. Just a different culture then America. Celebrity attracts many Europeans so I assume this feature will appeal to many of them.

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Originally posted by Thad:
Ernie,
Do you know if Celebrity is planning on keeping the Sky Bar open longer at night? I was on the Millenium in the Med, and never understood why it closed so early. On beautiful nights, it would have been nice to be able to sit outside and have a drink.
Thad

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Hi Thad,
Sorry, I can't answer that question.... but I think the answer will be yes. The reason is since the bar will become the Cigar Bar, it seems only logical it would be open later. If the enhancements are on my sailing next month, I'll be sure to let you know for certain.

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Originally posted by Ernie:
No, I believe they will still offer it. Many Europeans prefer topless sun bathing, and don't consider it ridiculous at all. Just a different culture then America. Celebrity attracts many Europeans so I assume this feature will appeal to many of them.

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Originally posted by Keitaro1:

Is there a special deck which is only for topless sun bathing like the ones found on Carnival's ships?I would not like to walk around on deck seeing people naked. Does anyone know why Carnival even built the "nude deck" anyways?

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As mentioned earlier, many non-US citizens* are more comfortable with nudity than those from the U.S.A. A separate area allows cruise lines to appeal to that market. If you don't like it, you don't have to go there. Similarly, I don't like gambling, so I avoid the casino.

I gotta tell you, from all the moaning and whining and nastiness on a certain Celebrity board... one would think the cruiseline is now making them clean up after themselves and cook their own dinners.

This was my 27th cruise with the line... the 11th in the past 22 months...hey... I like to take advantage of the low prices as much as anyone - LOL. I segued into Celebrity from Fantasy and Chandris... so I've been around awhile.

This Mercury 2/21 sailing.... was a horse of a different color. So unlike any of my past cruises with the line... since... oh I'd say around 1993.

For some reason.. and I don't really understand it, Americans have a problem with dress codes.. and as they relate to overall cruise ambiance.

Perhaps some Celebrity cruisers really don't fit the intended "ideal" model the line will be attempting to attract... and have only sailed with them because of the bargain basement prices....The thought of a true premium cruiseline... delivering a true premium product... along the lines of Home Lines... Sitmar.. and P&O.. and with accompanying higher prices .. strikes fear into their hearts.

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Originally posted by ocngypz:
...on rebranded vessels, the dress code is no longer requested.... but REQUIRED in the dining room and all public areas of the ship after 6 pm.... except for the previously mentioned "Casual Dining Boulevard" which is located on the Resort Deck (Pool Deck). And guests are EXPECTED to follow the dress codes....
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Hooray! This makes perfect sense. Those looking for a more casual experience can cruise their Royal Carribean brand. It looks like Celebrity is finally trying to differentiate themselves again, and move back up market.