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Celebrity Cruise Line

MV Mercury

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:M. Eger
# previous cruises: 0
Date of Trip: May 12, 2000
Itinerary: Alaska-Inside Passage

This is a two-year new, well maintained, fully equipped 75,000 ton cruise ship. The itinerary is routine. Food is plentiful and nice enough. The room is cabin-sized with a covered balcony. Service is reasonable. The "low season" fare, at C$1200 (US$800) including port charges is simply fantastic! It is more than its money's worth.

Other than the fact that there are two pre-assigned seatings for meals and shows (alas!), public areas are quite adequate. Crowds and queues are unavoidable on large ships. There are a dozen well supplied variety shops / duty free stores in the promenade, numerous public lounges, library, and plenty of deck space.

Food is plentiful. There is one main restaurant, plus several buffet/cafe/grill/poolside parlours. Dinner is regular five course, with king crab legs (once) and lobster tail (also once). Service is reasonable. Room service is also available, but with a restricted menu.

Our "premium outside stateroom" (a standard 172sqft room with a covered 47sqft balcony and 7' ceiling) has two single (32"x78") but combinable beds. The washroom (with shower) is 4'x7'3". There is no closet space for luggage larger than carry-on size. The room feels like a cabin - tight for two people. The balcony is well appreciated.

There are nightly floor shows in a two storied high-tech theatre. Some shows are better than others. There is also a cinema. The casino is huge, with just about a hundred slot machines. The spa/pool/exercise rooms are large, well maintained and fully equipped.

We stop at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, all small tourist resorts. We also sail by Hubbard Glacier, with fantastic views out of our own balcony, listening to harmonious sea waves. Since we remain close to shore, the "ride" is on a par with a jet plane. Take your cell phone with you if you wish to call home. Ours work the majority of the time.

Most passengers are middle aged and up. There are some young people and a few children. They are average, everyday type of people. The atmosphere is casual. You dress up only if you want to join the captain's dinner and the farewell dinner. Otherwise it is like a resort vacation on a ship with three resort town stopovers of 5 to 8 hours each.