Here is where we can post reviews of the cruise. That said, we have a "pre-cruise" review from Jeff Parham who was on the 5/14/05 sailing of Horizon. Jeff dropped me a note some time back about the site and his contribution is deeply appreciated.

Monday, 5/23/05
Good Morning, Robert. Cliff with info you perhaps can use. Some will confirm that which you know, hopefully the redundancy is minimal. Just back on 5/21 - no sea legs (got rid of them working w/Golf Channel folks yesterday here at the Nationwide Tournament in Richmond!).

Parking: Dropped off the wife, checked the luggage w/porter at Nauticus and left to park the car (took 5 min max). As you exit the traffic circle (small) at Nauticus - cross Boush St and continue to St Paul's Blvd. Caution: Do Not follow Blue & White Parking Signs with arrow as you traverse towards St Paul's Blvd. Left on St Paul's and follow your nose to Cruise Ship Parking. Another caution: "Cruise Ship Parking" signs do not appear until a few (4 or 5) blocks along St Paul's Blvd, then they become frequent. The parking was easy and they accepted Amex, MC & VISA. I asked about the change, - "We're experimenting". Saved the cash for the casino! (Bad move!!). Porters available for those opting not to drop off luggage at Nauticus. My preference: drop off the luggage! Jump on one of the buses and it's a 5-10 min ride back to Nauticus, pick up wife and begin the embarkation process. NOTE: We arrived 12:45 ish and had no traffic problem at Nauticus - drove right in, unloaded and back out. However, on our 5/21 return, Nauticus was a little congested w/buses and cars (not overly so - but more than our 5/14 experience - may have been attributed to our delayed debarkation 10:45 don't know why).

Embarkation: Have the pre-cruise forms (2) filled out and ready; Passport ready, get in line and follow your nose again! Your turn w/Celebrity person will register you, require your Credit Card of choice to be used - if applicable, a few questions, then a picture taking and on to the ship. Took about 30 minutes waiting which we did not find objectionable. Note: Captain's Club and Suites Pax were escorted to another entrance and to "the front of the line". A crewmember will escort you to your stateroom avoiding the "wandering and wondering" concern many have. Stateroom attendant - outstanding and congenial - met us before the key was in the door. Lunch was ready and very good - buffet style. Life boat drill - pre-departure.

Departure: A little late - seems there was a dockhand(s) goof up. Ships' Officers on the dock and on the Bridge using hand expressions (Italian style - tho Greek) to express concern w/lateness!! Entertaining. Watch the Norfolk Police boat - they'll escort the ship for quite some time running off all sorts of pleasure craft could be humorous and entertaining as well. There was a Festival at a park adjacent to Nauticus and we had a royal send-off, again entertaining - appeared as though some had much to drink!!. About an hour and a half to Bay Bridge Tunnel complex and shortly thereafter you think the ship is breaking apart - it slows to a crawl to let the Pilot off!! Then continues to St George. Dinner - outstanding. We had late seating, table 31, Say hello to Henry and Sam if you should have them as a team, both entertaining and efficient. Have Henry make a ring for you using a dollar bill, along with his toothpick tricks!!

Enroute to St George. BLUE WATER - wow! And I do mean blue. Really blue - not Bermuda Blue. Refreshing to to see clean water again. Suggestion for those thinking Bus/Ferry Passes. Buy them if you want to see a lot inexpensively or, just to get around ($28 -3 day unlimited bus & ferry). Purser's Desk should have them (tho sold out (3 day pass) when I inquired - buy early). I believe the pass begins the day of your first bus/ferry trip. Caution: By using the pass in St George the first day, you will be unable to use it your last day in Hamilton. EVERYBODY should take one, at least one, bus ride in Bermuda. The most distant trips away from Hamilton going back into Hamilton are the best experiences! Better than any carnival ride I've been on! The drivers are extremely skilled. Check out the exterior side of the bus opposite the driver's side for evidence of their skill. Plenty of maps and stuff on board.

Room Service: Quick response, but, a limited menu.

Excursions: If you know what, when, where and how - book early!! We thought of two as an after thought - sold out! Limited inquiries found no difference in "street" prices and ship prices, though length of tours may have varied.

St George arrival: Tho early in the a.m. your arrival at St George is truly an experience to remember. Preferably go forward on Deck 12 and view the"cut" that the ship will traverse - you'll say "no way", then as you become convinced you will see the "town crier" dressed in period dress waving his hat, ringing a bell and shouting "Welcome to St George"; cannon nearby fires one shot, ship blows its horn one blast and I said what a heckuva way for the locals to start their workweek!! It is a great experience - don't miss it! If you do miss it you can see navigating the "cut" Tuesday am on the departure for Hamilton, minus the fanfare.

Port Disembarking: The ship sells ($9.95 + 15% gratuity - $11.44 total) a good quality fanny pack w/water. A 1 liter water bottle canvass pouch w/adjustable strap w/water for same price is also available. Save the bottle and refill on the ship. We found both to be good buys. Disembarking - a no brainer - just need your Sea Pass card to get off and on.

Entertainment: On Board: Daily Celebrity Today has an insert w/daily events schedule. Good to have with you. Joe Mulligan - Good entertainer. Dancers/Singers were impressive for all they do with just so few! Illusion band group I enjoyed - they play it all - reggae to 50's. Island Party Monday pm was great w/them. Together for only 4 months!
Hamilton: Lotsa places for partying. Don't miss the Street Festival in Hamilton, tho having a late dinner seating cramps the schedule. We took a lot of it in from Deck 12. Goombey Dancers interesting to watch even from afar on deck 12. Bus #10 or #11 takes you to Swizzle Inn - ask driver to let you off. It has its own Bus Stop!! Very popular, good food, fairly expensive, neat experience.

Alcohol - Duty Free: Good buys, bought late - no Grand Marnier nor Drambuie - could have bought ashore, but didn't - thought about it too late. Caution: Do not waste your time going to the Card Room / Library area to visit w/Customs (for payment of Duty for those Duty Free overages you may have) until the ship docks and the gangway is in place!! It could be a very long and boring wait!! Customs cannot board the ship 'til the gangway is in place!! Many folks did not know that. Some folks thought that it was inconsiderate of the CREW to take so long getting to the area to clear the customs formalities!! Honest. When customs did arrive, they were fast, courteous and from all of the folks I observed, Customs was disinterested in collecting Duty - me included as I had 4 liters, limit is 2 duty free and I paid nothing. Hopefully your experiences will be the same.

Formal Nights (men): An observation while waiting for elevator: 3-tux; 9 dark suits; 4 other than tux/suit/coat & tie.

Shopping: Plenty of it in Hamilton for sure. We liked Crisson for jewelry. Upscale and a pleasant experience. Trimminghams - Going Out of Business Sale (after 125+ years). Wasn't that invigorating for us, but it's there.

Food: Starlight Dining - Excellent choices, good quality, outstanding service. Buffet - Outstanding overall selection (lox and herring on alternating mornings!), very good food for a buffet. The Grill - pizza fair to good; burgers and hot dogs - good; french fries - McDonalds style - if not better than.

Debarkation: Not quite as smooth as embarkation. Arrived Norfolk 7:00 am. You will receive a letter advising you as to where to go and at what time to await debarkation (Rendezvous Lounge, etc) Don't know what the delay was, but, color "Blue" tags were off at 10:30am. There was an "apology for the delay" type announcement. Caution: Not all Blue luggage (and others too) was in the right place in the terminal luggage area, caused, I'll bet by pax realizing they had wrong piece and just dropped it rather than returning it to the right location. Two of ours, Blue, were with the Orange folks!! Next challenge is grabbing a porter to take you and your luggage through customs. Tip: Look towards the right front of the luggage area to see porters returning - go to that area for a porter w/cart rather than wait for them to penetrate deeper into the luggage area. Customs was a breeze. Me: "You need my Passport", Customs: in a very friendly and polite manner "Naw, have a nice day and a safe trip home!" I felt sorry for those who may have paid $300+ for a "not enough time left passport!!!

A most enjoyable cruise - weather was mid to upper 70's - gorgeous. No rain until Friday night. Sorry the Horizon is leaving the fleet. I would enjoy being with her for another Bermuda Cruise.

Robert, I know this is lengthy, but I thought I would share my notes with you, understanding so much of it is subjective, but, pick and choose or use it all for you and your 6/4 cruisers. E-mail with any questions.

Bon Voyage!!