funatseascott

On 3/2/2022 at 12:17 PM, funatseascott said:

• Ship:  Eclipse
• Length of Cruise: 7 Nights
• Cruise Sail Date: May 15 2022
• Date email offer received: 3/2/22
• Captain’s Club Tier  Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: Direct
• Current Cabin:  Sky Suite - Rear Corner
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes

 

If YES -  Bidding Details:

 

Penthouse Suite - 1,000 to 4,000

Royal Suite - 600-2,400

Celebrity Suite - 400-1,000

 

We didn't bid on the Celebrity Suite, even though we love them.  We like the corner suite for a great view during an Alaska sailing.  We put bids for the Royal and Penthouse (can't beat sitting in a hot jacuzzi tub on a private balcony while looking at snow/glaciers), but doubt they will be accepted.

 

I wasn't expecting nor really wanted an upgrade from the rear corner sky suite, but my RS bid has been cancelled and my PS bid shows pending without being able to modify.  As we have never been in the PS, I bid 10% above the minimum to get a slightly better chance then the minimum bid.  I guess I will suffer sitting in the hottub watching glaciers pass me by.  🙂  Good luck on everybody's bidding.

• Ship:  Eclipse
• Length of Cruise: 7 Nights
• Cruise Sail Date: May 15 2022
• Date email offer received: 3/2/22
• Captain’s Club Tier  Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: Direct
• Current Cabin:  Sky Suite - Rear Corner
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes

If YES -  Bidding Details:

Penthouse Suite - 1,000 to 4,000

Royal Suite - 600-2,400

Celebrity Suite - 400-1,000

We didn't bid on the Celebrity Suite, even though we love them.  We like the corner suite for a great view during an Alaska sailing.  We put bids for the Royal and Penthouse (can't beat sitting in a hot jacuzzi tub on a private balcony while looking at snow/glaciers), but doubt they will be accepted.

• Ship:  Eclipse
• Length of Cruise: 11 Nights
• Cruise Sail Date: May 4 2022
• Date email offer received: 2/19/22
• Captain’s Club Tier  Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: Direct
• Current Cabin:  C2 Concierge
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes

If YES -  Bidding Details:

Royal Suite - 1,500-6,000

Celebrity Suite - 1,000-3,000

Sky Suite - 600-2,400

Aquaclass - 50-175

Comments - We don't like any sky suites unless they are the rear corner suites, so we don't make an offer on general sky suites.  We prefer Concierge over Aquaclass, so no offer there.  We love Celebrity Suites, so would be happy if they accepted.  We submitted one for a Royal Suite, but probably won't be accepted.

16 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Interesting indeed.    I've been looking for the 3rd menu but have not been successful so  far.  If you have it would appreciate seeing it.   Otherwise I'll try to shoot a picture of it while on the Cruise.

I didn’t take pictures of the whole menu but have pictures of the food and some parts.  The theme was 4 seasons.  Salad to start (I don’t eat salad so they brought me French onion soup), pasta for 2nd course (truffled 5 cheese ravioli), steak for 3rd course (Steak Frites) and Green Tea Matcha Cake for dessert (ice cream for me).

On 10/5/2021 at 3:24 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

I know they have at least 2 menu's and and shows.    The one I went to had Lobster or Filet,  

 

 

I noticed they have a video of the new menu -  Called 4 Seasons

 

 

 

 

 

Correct, there are 3 shows.  Each one is enjoyable as we saw all 3 this year.

On 10/3/2021 at 11:57 AM, Jim_Iain said:

We are currently in a Suite Guarantee and no room has been assigned.    I've bid on all the move ups available so will be interesting to see what happens.

 

I've been trying to book the Guarantee category with no perks as we already have most of those with Zenith.   

 

I will be interested to see how Milli looks also.    We were on her the next to last cruise before she went into dry dock for the Revolution.  

The Milli looked great in June!!  With us enjoying in June, everybody talking highly about it and you both mentioning it's your favorite ship, we booked her for a b2b in December.

On 10/3/2021 at 11:09 AM, Jim_Iain said:

A good resource is the Celebrity App.   I had to look it up because I never went up there at night. 
 

For the upcoming cruise it is showing open even for late dining. On Equinox they had no self service and staff to place items on your plate. 
 

 

We were on the Millenium in June and the buffet was open for dinner.  They did serve us, just like the Equinox a week ago.

9 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

We left ship at 9:15 (last call)

 

when we arrived at luggage one bag was missing.    The agent quickly located it.  Someone accidentally picked it up and was on other side of Customs. 
 

customs was quick with no line and facial recognition.   No passport or Or customs forms required.    Took maybe 1 minute. 
 

 

This was so painless.  Left ship at 8:15, on shuttle bus to airport at 8:30.  In Delta lounge by 9:45.  No lines for anything at the cruise terminal, just the walk.  Facial scan for customs was great, quick and easy!!  Typical lines to check in at the airport and security, but no stress.  This was great interacting with everybody and was able to say goodbye to Jim in person.  Best wishes to everybody!!

1 hour ago, TommyD3 said:

What was this taken with?

iPad pro 3rd generation.

Sunset on the last night summed up these cruises very well, Spectacular!!

31 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Are you going to be on Port or Starboard?    We are in 1611 (Port).   Glenn is on Port side.   Scott may be able to give you the name of Starboard side since he was in the RS that side.

Orlando is on this side and was great as well!!

Enjoying the last day on the retreat sun deck.  Thanks soooo much Jim and lain for sharing this journey with all of us!!  We look forward to the next blog and hopefully see you both again.

Foodie pics from the last few days.

10 hours ago, crimsonbird said:

We will be on the equinox in November.   Any special events for elite and elite plus?  Thanks.  

I didn’t notice anything special being elite, but was also in a suite.  I think the helipad experience on this 9-day was for suite passengers, but could’ve been for others.  Let’s see if Jim knows.

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I agree those were really small.    I was surprised on how undeveloped the South of the island is. 

Not only small for us but up to 6 slaves shared them back in the day.

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

It was really fun day.  We did the full South Route and then as far as the 1,000 steps on the North Route.    We opted to then turn around and get back to the ship by 1:30 PM. 

 

I would say it is one of the best bargains  you can book.    It didn't take long to get used to driving the thing after passing a couple on-coming tour buses.   

We also enjoyed the island.  Very nice and can see coming back to stay, just not in the slave huts.

Pictures continued 

We took a private tour and went north and south, basically drive the entire island.  We saw golf carts in plenty of places but that had to be a dusty drive today.

7 hours ago, Z-Bird said:

Thank you for the great photos and descriptions.  Do you mind to share how you got back and forth to the beach?

Yuliia, one of the retreat hosts, arranged the “private journey”.  We met at the retreat lounge and then were escorted to our private van.  Sherwyn gave us background of the island and answered all the questions we threw at him as we drove to the beach.  He was then waiting at 4 when we left the beach.  He went a different way back to show us more of his home.  We usually don’t do private tours, but trying to social distance, so I was fine with expense.  Money well spent, in my opinion.  I think it was around $170 total for both of us.

Snorkeling pics for those interested 

We had a private drive to a great beach today, Playa PortoMarie.  Passed Williwood and the Flamingos that Jim posted to get to the beach.  Added a pic of the area along with the nice church.  It is really out of the way, but well worth it.  Snorkeling here was fantastic.  Lots of corals, similar to Aruba stop, but the quantity and quality were so much better.  Even had anemone’s and fans here.  I like watching flowing corals, so this was great to me.  Some of the brain corals were huge, probably bigger round then our table on our balcony.  There were plenty of fish and the variety was similar to Aruba.  I went out 3 times and Sophia 4, if that gives an indication of how good it was.  As for the beach, a few dollars to enter and a few more for chairs.  Come early or you might have to sit under trees for shade.  We got to the beach at 11 and got the last chairs under an umbrella.  We went to the far right as had heard the snorkeling was better there compared to the middle.  Spot on.  Be careful not to go  around the corner to the right, much more current and why risk it when plenty of good stuff in the main area to see snorkeling.  Pictures of snorkeling don’t do it justice as we didn’t bring the GoPro, just used our phones.  Had a great view of the town and ship on the way back.

4 hours ago, Blue_Flame said:

We'll be sailing Equinox this November (hopefully). We're hoping to buy some Apple merchandise with OBC and wondered if you've noticed whether or not they have Air Pods and Air Pods Pro (the bluetooth earphones) in inventory. We realize that their merchandise offerings change, but we're curious as to whether or not they are currently in stock.

Thanks and continued safely in your travels.

I stopped by the ilounge when heading back to our cabin tonight.  Here are pictures of the sales cabinet, but I didn’t see AirPods.  They might have them, just nobody in the lounge at this time.

3 minutes ago, hcat said:

My taste would be two spoonsful...just to avoid feeling deprived! Same goes for sherbert, sorbet, gelato and ice creams!

I won’t list out all the desserts I “try”, sometimes multiple tries.

5 hours ago, Catlover54 said:

Jim, or any X veterans:

Other than Lumiere for suite pax, do Celebrity ships have any upscale lunch venues where you can  sit and get unhurried lunch table service with  at least a partial ocean view ( inside or outside, with or without an upcharge)?

 

I will be in a Sky Suite on Edge, first X cruise, in November.  I am not much of a breakfast eater ( usually just get something light delivered to the suite preceded by my coffee) and instead prefer a calm, sit-down, unhurried early 3-course lunch. I have been studying the dining options online and they are a bit overwhelming.  My guess is Lumiere will be my best bet, though it does not open for lunch until 12?

 

Thank you in advance.  I appreciate everyone's practical advice, input and enthusiasm.

I don’t know of a place open for early lunch that will serve you a nice, sit down meal.  Tuscan and Murano had a special lunch once but started at 12.  Luminae lunch is only on sea days starting at 12.  Sushi on 5 opens at 11:30 or 12 depending if in port or sea day.  Main dining starts at 11:45 for lunch on sea days.  These are the only restaurants that serve that I know about.

We took a private bus to Baby Beach today, so we could take a tour of the east side of the island.  Drove by the prison near baby beach.  How many prisons have oceanfront views???  Baby beach gets its name from being so calm and shallow that families and babies frequent there.  Not sure if true or not, but it was calm near the shore and shallow for a long distance.  We snorkeled but not nearly as good as Arashi yesterday.  Very little coral and mostly the same fish.  There really are only a few good spots and seems to have more people at those spots.  I only went once today for 30 minutes as it didn’t interest me enough to go back out.  The further out you go, the more current you have, so keep this in mind.  As the day progressed, the beach became very active with no social distancing.  There were plenty of loud people yelling from the water to the people on land and vice versa.  Lots of drinking only got the voices louder as the day progressed.  If you like the louder and more active beach with drinking, this will be great.  For us, we won’t be back here.  It was more expensive to get there, beach chairs and shade for $60, have to pay $2 to use a bathroom, no Wi-Fi and not peaceful has no comparison to other beaches.  After leaving the beach, we ran into wild mules getting handouts.  Best stop was on the way back to the ship.  As we like looking for jerk chicken, our driver said he would stop to let us get some on the way back, so we didn’t get any lunch at the beach.  We picked up 2 orders of jerk wings from O’neil Caribbean Kitchen.  We had them finished before getting back to port.  Very tasty but not very spicy.  We are glad we stopped and would go back but not out of our way though.