Elizabeth0829

Thank you for the information Porsena.  I am also surprised that the Lido closed early, especially on embarkation day. I am embarking at Vancouver (on July 11) and would like to know about the antigen tests.  Are they to be done within one day of embarkation (as stated on the Cunard website) or were they possibly allowing antigen test taken within two days of embarkation (per Canadian government regulations).  Also I am somewhat confused about testing sites. Are there testing facilities at the pier? or at the Cunard check-in desk?  

I thank you for any information you can provide.

14 hours ago, elmsliebev said:

Shampoo is separate from conditioner; And all the toiletries are replaced by your room steward as you get low, no need to take them ; afternoon tea is sort-of dress up (that is:  I've never seen anyone in jeans a/o t-shirts; The hot tubs open/close times may depend on where your cruise is going; they are pretty much open all day, but it may be chilly on an Alaska cruise but lovely elsewhere.  Enjoy.

Dear gfs1ram;  I don't have any recommendations about San Francisco - that being said - when I was there with my daughter (she lives in San Diego) we did have the Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista, we did ride on the cable cars, and explored the Ferry Building (and getting there using the old refurbished trolley cars that San Francisco brought in from all over the US - these trolleys travel all up and down Market Street. You might want to take the trolley from the Embarcadero (where the Ferry building is located) to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Drivers do not have change - fares are: Adult streetcar fare $2.75; Senior streetcar fare (and 65+, valid ID) $1.25 .The trolley's are a part of the SF Muni's historic F-Line. The Ferry building has restaurants. wineries, high-end crafts, candy, well worth visiting. 

However, I signed on to apologize about my TA's contacting the Purser on the QE about the Yellow Fever vaccination.  My TA didn't believe me when I spoke to her about your research - and sent an email message to the Purser before I even know what she was doing - it seems, having worked for Cunard for some 20 years, she knows the Purser well.  While I was still on the phone with her the Purser sent back the message confirming the information you had researched and posted on CruiseCritic.  I just didn't want you to think I was questioning your in-depth research - thank heaven you found out and let all of us know.  Thank you.

See you on board - have a wonderful time in San Francisco.

Good Afternoon All, and thank you Norfolk Brit for your expertise. :) In your "US" site, I'm sorry that you are seeing a higher price - I wish I could sign on the UK site so I could get a lower price. :o

Meanwhile, I am trying to get ahold of the Hotel Manager "Hamilton". I think I have met him on past cruises/crossings. I was told (by phone to Cunard this AM) that I should write a note to the UK office. My problem is: in the "US" website, we only have a US postal address. :confused: Perhaps you can provide me with the UK postal address (that is, as soon as you get your UK site back). Many thanks for your very helpful response. elizabeth0829 :D

Thank you Underwatr. :) Cunard is having their usual website problems, and that address you provided is not operational at this time. :( However, looking at my booking, the Voyage Personalizer, and sub heading: "Little Luxuries", there is the listing of several wine packages, by the bottle, (no single drink packages which is better for a solo traveler like me). Thank you for your skill and knowledge. :D elizabeth0829

Hello all you wise Cunarders, I hope this finds you well. I am a "diamond" World Club member, but haven't been aboard for a few years. :o I'm booked on the W. to E. Panama Transit in the Spring of next year. Do any of you know whether Cunard has an all inclusive drink plan? :confused: Some cruise lines do a "classic" or "Premium" Wine Package, and I'm wondering if Cunard, in the few years since I've been on a crossing or a cruise, initiated such a service. Thank you for your expertise. Elizabeth0829 :D

Hello Colorado Buffalo, :) we met on the pre-cruise boards - I was the one who was bringing the name tags and the Sharpies to the Sailaway.

This is a long review. I relived some of the wonderful memories as I wrote it. I hope you all don't get bored with it. (And you can tell, I like smilies). I am a solo traveler. I flew in from Boston on the morning of 6 April and took the transfer bus from Fort Lauderdale Airport to the Celebrity Silhouette. Processing at the pier was quick and I was onboard within a half hour. As I had missed the lunch in the main dining room, I went to the cafe on deck 14 for the buffet. There were many choices. Chinese, Italian, Grill, Standing rib roast, sandwiches, pastries & ice cream. I went back to my cabin (a large balcony on deck seven, port side) and unpacked my carry on. There was plenty of space for storage, but, of course, I only had my carry on at the time. When I travel, I make sure I have a change of clothes, toiletries, reading material, and a scarf in my carryon. After unpacking, I went to Customer Relations and mentioned that my other bag was not in my cabin, and I was told that bags were still being delivered to staterooms. I decided to explore the ship, I saw the library, and the pool deck. Then it was time for muster after which there was a sailaway party in the Sunset bar up on the same deck as the lawn. I had a premium drink package, and, I must admit, it was nice to just present my card and not have to sign anything. After the sailaway, I went to visit the shops (on both decks 3 and 4). As I passed by, I saw that the Casino and all the bars were crowded and lively with conversation. It looked like passengers were having a wonderful time. The shops had the usual logo t-shirts, jackets, but also had dresses and tunics for ladies. That proved to be valuable for later. More luxury items (fine jewelry, watches, fashion-house shops) were available on another deck. I went back to my cabin, still no luggage, so I went back to the Customer Relations desk. I reported that I had no luggage and the folks there were most gracious, providing me with a full "Dopp kit" with toiletries and T-shirts. They provided hairspray, and offered to pay for other things I might need to buy at the shops. One of the CR agents even went to her cabin and found me some talcum powder. The CR folks suggested that they were still hunting for the luggage and they hoped it would be found in the luggage area of the ship. That night, dressed in one of my alternative dresses from my carryon, I went to the speciality Restaurant ( Murano) and had a fine dinner paired with wines. This speciality restaurant is an experience I enjoy each time on Celebrity.

It was the next morning, when I visited Customer Relations again, that they said they had put a $200. OBC on my account so I could buy necessary clothes etc. By now, they greeted me by name, and updated me on the luggage search. So far, nothing had been found on the ship. They were now tracking where the luggage might have been left on the way from the airport to the ship. I went to the shops and bought a lovely full length dress and a stole to wear at that night's formal dinner. I went to the excursion desk, cancelled my tour to swim with the Dolphins in Cozumel and the manatees in Grand Cayman (as I had no bathing suit). I spent the day trying to find suitable shoes for that night's formal dinner (not an easy task, they had flip flops, but no shoes). Back to the CR desk, another update: they had found the luggage in Fort Lauderdale and were attempting to fly it into Cozumel. That afternoon I went on an onboard excursion, a galley tour. There was a presentation with some amusing stories. I met the executive chef, Tony, and suggested that his sense of humor probably assists him in his executive duties. I asked him about the star he wore on his lapel, and he reported that it was meant to remind staff to smile when he greets passengers. Then he gave me his star. :D WOW, how nice. After the tour, I went back to the CR desk, and they noticed my star (every staff member wears the star, presented to them after training). Because it was so unusual that a passenger wore a star pin, staff members asked me how did I get my star. I told them Tony gave it to me, and they all said that Tony is a wonderful person. Many staff spoke to me, noticed my star, and I had memorable conversations with many CR agents and other staff.

The evening of the first "sea day" was the formal dinner. I chose a late seating and enjoyed seven wonderful table mates, it was an International group from Denmark, Ireland, and Germany, all were full of witty stories.

Next day, in Cozumel, which was warm and pleasant, I met up with a Tequila tasting group. We had a tour of the Cuervo tasting room, and, at the same site, an art museum, tacos for lunch, and the gift shop. When we got back to town, the sky opened up it poured, it wasn't just rain, it came down in buckets. :( We had to walk back to the ship on what seemed like an endless pier. We all got soaked. I begged for a large plastic bag from one of the vendors, and, under that cover was able to get back to the ship only slightly less drenched than others. When I reached my cabin, there was my suitcase. TAA DAA. :D

I was able to change into dry clothes and go to dinner with my new International friends. Each had stories to tell about their day and the pouring rain. The Dutch couple had gone on the excursion to the ruins on the mainland, and they, too, were drenched as well as well as frozen in the very efficient air conditioning on the ferry on the way back to the ship.

Next day we were to visit Grand Cayman. Alas, in the morning, I heard the captain's announcement that the harbormaster had closed the port of Georgetown due to bad weather. It seems the Silhouette was traveling the same path as the storm we had in Cozumel. Another enjoyable day at sea. I found that I could return the clothes (I no longer needed) for credit to my OBC. The day was overcast but warm so I was able to sit by the pool and read. The CR folks had chocolate covered strawberries and a wonderful bottle of red wine delivered to my cabin. That night, another wonderful dinner with my amusing International friends.

Thursday in Jamaica I had arranged a private tour with Patrice Bailey (high ratings in TripAdvisor). Rather than a regular tour of the Falls, The White Hall, or other Jamaican Tourist sites, our itinerary took us to a several small farms: coffee, papaya, and coconut. We talked with the farmers, learned about raising the crops, how to rid them of pests, and how to know when they were ready to harvest, At the coconut farm, the farmers chopped off the ends of the nuts and we drank the water. Then they halved the nuts and we were able to eat the soft coconut meat. Patrice took us to have lunch at a local place called "Scotches" where they grill the chicken, BBQ, or fish over a HUGE open grill fired by logs and it is served with beer or soda and a fried bread called Paradise (a little like a large hush puppy). She took us to the "White Witch" golf course and we were able to take pictures of the beautiful landscaping and multi-hued Caribbean sea. This was not a typical tourist excursion, this was a tour of local Jamaica. We stopped at a local place for shopping and Patrice was able to get us Blue Mountain coffee at a much less expensive price than typical tourist prices.

The next day was Labadee. The storm had moved past us and the day was sunny and hot (95 degrees F.) I went out to the pier, but it was so hot, I decided to turn around and stay aboard for the day.

My dinner companions and I enjoyed a bottle of Champagne (which CR delivered to the table) and the red wine as well. They described their day in Labadee, the beaches, the shops, and even on the zipline. They all described their days as exciting and fun, hot in the sun but cool in the shade, especially with the tropical breezes.

The last day on board was relaxing. I packed and put the requisite numbered labels on both my suitcase and carryon. Per instructions, I left the my suitcase (with two labels, just-in-case) outside my door by 11 PM. The next morning I enjoyed an express breakfast in the main dining room. One does not need to order, express breakfast means, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, croisssants, and coffee or tea. The plate comes quickly, hot, and ready, The condiments (butter, jam, milk/cream) were on the table. Absolutely perfect!

Disembarkation was very organized. We were instructed to go to the theater at specific times, and we disembarked when our number was called. On the pier my porter could not find my suitcase, (but after about a half hour he finally did, using my nametag, as the two number tags had come off. (What are the odds that my suitcase would become "lost" twice on the same cruise?) The bus to the airport was well organized as were my flights (all arranged by CruiseAir).

Concerning Children's clubs and Entertainment, I travel solo and had no experience with the Children's Clubs. I did not go to the evening entertainment as my dinner companions and I were all having such a good time, chatting at the late sitting dinner.

Overall, this cruise was second to none. My previous experiences have been multiple crossings, cruises and trans-canal as a diamond level passenger on Cunard, as well as many cruises on Holland, NCL, Carnival and other cruise lines. Because I was greeted so warmly, my "lost luggage" had been taken care of with such generosity, my wonderful table companions, and great excursions, I think that Celebrity will become my cruise line of choice. Thank you for all the wonderful times and days on this vacation. It was wonderful.

This thread is magnificent, thanks Cruisetrail. :D Great to see the pix and read the info on these cabins. Are the S ships laid out pretty much the same? If I looked at 7253 on one of the other S-class ships, would it be the same as the Silhouette? :confused: I'm going on the Silhouette in April in # 7253, anybody got info or pix of it? I'd especially like to see one of those pix of the outside of the ship detailing where the cabin is located...:) thank you all for your posts, I am learning so much by reading for the past couple of hours. /Elizabeth0829 :D

I made a mistake in the number of my last post inquiry....:o

"I hope this finds you well. Cruising in 7263 Silhouette on 6 April 2014. The only reviewed cabin close is one that has a bad reputation....

I am actually sailing in cabin # 7253. Do you have any information about that cabin? :confused:

Thank you for all your hard work. :D It's invaluable. /d. :D brose0829@yahoo.com

I hope this finds you well. Cruising in 7263 Silhouette on 6 April 2014. The only reviewed cabin close is one that has a bad reputation (crew door across the hall with much noise early in the AM). :confused: Does anyone have any details on 7263? The spreadsheet is awesome. :) Thank you for all your hard work. It's invaluable. :D /d. brose0829@yahoo.com

Hello,

I hope this finds you all well and warm. (I'm in the Northeast and we are in the middle of a snow storm).

All the reviews and Pix are of balcony cabins. So far, there seems to be little (if any) Feedback on Silhouette Inside Cabin? I hope to upgrade as the departure date is closer. Now I am in 9320, slightly aft. Can anyone give me some feedback on this?

Thank you for any assistance, /e. elizabeth0829