sbcs5390

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Would love to hear the price that Celebrity charges for the shuttle. 

 

It's $35 pp each way. I'm doing it when my Mom and I get off the Solstice and head to LAX on 10/29. For a brief period I was going to do the tour of LA with airport drop-off that Celebrity offers but United changed our flight such that it was no longer possible without a redeye home and a long wait in the airport after the tour. Instead we'll do a private tour on 10/14 before the cruise. 

14 hours ago, roxette said:

On Solstice in April it was $15. Make your own sallad as appetizer, as main you could choose between quite a few hamburgers. It was empty most days. We had some obc to spend, we enjoyed it. But would not do it again without obc.

Solstice unfortunately doesn't have LCG. Silhouette maybe? 

I've used VPN before on Millennium with the upgraded internet in March/April/May. No issue. I think I took off the days we were going through the canal and going to the ports on the Pacific side, so probably didn't work those days from that area. I'll be doing same on upcoming Solstice cruises 10/15 and 10/22. Will try to report back or you can remind me if I forget. 

Also, the FBC $100/$200/$500 off has gone away recently - bummer as that was the main benefit of using them especially for uncomplicated itineraries like Caribbean. 

Presuming this will be in a checked bag, maybe you could include a note visible when they open up the bag explaining the situation so they don't get too excited thinking they've found the greatest cache of banned items all together. Just an idea. 

3 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Interesting, thanks, no worries here, I'm sailing solo and I'll just be sending out my own.

Yes, just want you to know - maybe it's better to send things out in smaller loads but more frequently. Your butler will help clarify 🙂

On 9/23/2022 at 3:25 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

What is this?

Here's more info on President/CEO cruise: https://www.celebritycruises.com/specialty-cruises/presidents-cruise

7 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

You asked in the Solstice thread which is the reason for my answer.

FLL -

Terminal 25 Suites can arrive any time after around 11:00 -   There is a separate door to enter with no lines and they zip you through security and up to a private lounge where you sit down and they check you in.  As soon as the ship is released you are invited aboard or escorted if in an upper suite.

 

Even if you were to leave from the other terminal in FLL they have it setup so Suite Guests have no delay.

 

yes, Jim, we are on Solstice as well and looking for info now that the season is starting from there. I'm expounding upon what I said as @Georgia_Peaches requested - by "there's not a lot of history on Celebrity departures from LA" - what I mean is that there's tons of info about FLL but not much about LA! I'm good on FLL! 

21 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I've never sailed out of Port of LA either so looked at a couple YouTube Videos.  While not Celebrity I suspect it will be as chaotic.   Looks like there is no priority or checking of times to get into the terminal and the security lines but from what I could see they then have different area for different priorities and Suites.

 

I suspect that 11-11:30 will be very chaotic and then may calm down.

 

We are on a B2B so will be able to give a last minute update after we board for the 12/3 cruise.

Too funny - a couple weekends ago, my Mom and I put these same two videos up on the TV at my place and watched them as well to try and figure out what to anticipate. I keep telling myself that these are bigger, much more full ships. The poor sales on the Solstice itineraries will only help us. My mom's mobility challenged so we were trying to strategize on what we do as far as wheelchair, rollator, etc. We were hoping to get there ahead of the wave but maybe that's not such a good idea. 

51 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We are doing this sailing in March.  I hope you will report out on your experience.  I am so looking forward to the Mexican Riviera!  I'm not familiar with Celebrity's history with LA departures.  Do you mind expounding on that?

What I mean is that it's easy to ask "when should I arrive in Fort Lauderdale if I'm leaving form Terminal 25" or similar because there's constantly cruises going from there. Conversely, I don't think there's been a post-pandemic regular season in/out of LA for Celebrity. When we went through the canal on Millennium last spring, we disembarked in San Diego. I will definitely report back here - we are B2B 10/15 and 10/22. 

I think today's the first LA departure for the Solstice. I'll be really eager to hear how check-in is going and especially when check in-starts so I know when is too early to arrive for Retreat. It'll be our first time 10/15 and I know there's not a lot of history on Celebrity departures from LA. 

Looks like the port webcam is down, unfortunately. 

Are the costs doing air through PG wildly higher than booking on your own? Thinking about doing PG for the first time and not sure which way to go - haven't spoken with them yet. 

I've not been on this class of ship yet, but I would think those might get less sun. I love the sun so wouldn't pick a deck 7 one. Some people also like to have a better view down and your immediate view down here is to the glass structure. 

4 hours ago, Lisah101 said:

There is a huge gap in the schedule for the Solstice.  It looks like May 26th is the last cruise, then nothing scheduled until Sept 15 so it looks like maybe it's finally going in for refurbishment and your cruise might be the last if not close the last before that.  

The CEO Cruise is  announced for June 23, 2023 

4 hours ago, LGW59 said:

A quilter after my own heart.  I’m sailing in a couple of weeks, for 14 days, bringing only carry on luggage and my backpack.  I’ve got laundry included in my suite (2 bags) which I will no doubt use and I’m not one bit worried about the amount of clothes I’m packing.

If you’re in a suite with laundry you should know that functionally most people find it’s actually unlimited. The limit of two bags is just mentioned in literature because of abuses with sending out items from other cabins for them, as I understand. 

3 hours ago, peanut head said:

Does Sushi on 5 still offer the seafood tower?  I don't see it listed on the menu anymore.

I don't think they ever have. On Silhouette and Reflection, the Porch has it. I love that venue and really wish all of the S-class had both it and Lawn Club Grill. 

I think on E-class they offer it at Raw on 5?

3 hours ago, patty1955 said:

I like wasabi but the ginger taste like soap to me. My husband loves it all. Here's his plate on Oceania:

Yum - is this in Red Ginger or I assume actually the Terrace? (Cheating on X with O in two months' time)

3 hours ago, quickpick said:

Just came off from Millenium, those Japanese beers seem only availabe in So5.  I did not see them generally available in other places. Maybe some sommeliers of the main restaurant would be able to get it for you?

Probably means you can get them at Cellar Masters too if there's someone friendly tehre. Cellar Masters makes the cocktails for Sushi on 5 so they connect in the back. Speaking of, is there a sommelier Marren still around? She was at Cellar Masters but was moving into the MDR when I was on in May. She was amazing and sorry to see her be moved. 

I do believe it goes by when the booking was made - i.e., open bookings made onboard inherit the date the open booking was made and that determines what policies apply. Maybe that’s the cause of some of the confusion. 

I boarded a Crystal cruise in San Juan (disembarked in Miami) and took a cab from the airport - yes the form was really easy and the taxi loader kept things moving and fair. I would probably get rid of the FBC transfers especially on your arrival since you’ll be tight on timing to get to the ship and start your vacation, and especially as you are not only one person as I was. At the time there was the horrendous COVID QR code to deal with, made worse because I could not load my code on my phone and had forgotten to screenshot it. It was hard to find help and someone who spoke English, but I later learned that “Verizon went out of business in Puerto Rico” so would put some caution on those planning on Uber (I use it all the time) that service might not be good at the airport. Service got better once I got to the hotel in Old San Juan. Just my experience from December 2021 - although with the recent storms, who knows what you’ll find. The probably with the transfers on the back end is then you’re waiting to stop at every terminal and waiting for buses to fill up. I could have swapped to an earlier flight (mine was horrendously delayed already) had I gone directly to the airport in a cab.

I was on Millennium for the Panama Canal cruise in the spring. I do think folks got a little more dressed up on this than on my 10 night Millennium sailings in the Caribbean the month before. The pace of the canal cruises is slower and people are generally bringing more luggage anyway since it’s such a long trip, especially with hotel stays either side if desired. There was also a demographical swing on this cruise to an older set, which might mean people who prefer to dress more traditionally or enjoy doing so more on vacation than those who are having to dress up for work each day and want to escape that when away (although that’s all a bit different now post-pandemic). 

We had two chic nights - the first sea day, and then Cabo which was out second to last night, the last day being a sea day and packing day. 

Curiously this cruise also chose not to run the evening seating in Le Petit Chef at all - only one early seating which was filling up regularly - perhaps suggesting they should have done the second as well like the month before. Not sure if staffing played into that, but where could those staff be going halfway through the dinner shift that’s useful? Also, Sushi on 5 seemed even more empty on this cruise and the Maitre d was quite eager to get folks in if at all possible.

Loved the canal, the favorite crew, and the refurbished Millennium. 

7 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Is this the package that has since been discontinued? The package that included mini bar? If so, yes you can ask for the bar to be stocked with what you prefer.
 

Most of the rest of the beverage packages do not include mini bar and room service. With those packages, you would need to stop at a bar to pick up the drink of your choice and bring it back to the minibar yourself

I believe elevate was between all-included and indulge when there were four options a few months ago. Had to look it up - “Drinks & More” was the fleeting minibar included option. 

2 hours ago, cdn_tbird said:

The attendants keep a stock of clear plastic bags that they put the fridge contents in and then store it underneath one of the beds next to their supply bag. At least that was what I've seen on all of our cruises.

That's what I told him too! 😆

1 hour ago, letsgogogo said:

On celebrity? Wow.

Yes. I happened to be there and told him that’s not the case as I’d been on four cruises B2B and never was a problem. He said no where to store it. When pushed on it, he said maybe he could put the contents on the countertop. I wondered later how that would go for someone in recovery from alcoholism? Kids in the cabin? Crazy. 
 

While searching for the missing bon voyage order I had sent my Mom each night at guest services, the GSO said their attendant should have picked it up. I said something along the lines (of course I had to put mom and dad to bed then go to guest services to keep up the surprise, after a night of truth serum from Cellar Masters) of “well that makes sense because thus far he hasn’t been very impressive….” and the GSO was aghast. The next day we were both visited by a housekeeping officer. Their stateroom attendant was relieved of his duties taking care of their cabin for the rest of the 15 day cruise and mine was sent down one deck each day to take care of theirs. (There were other issues too revealed in the first day or two that made it clear this just want going to work for 15 nights.) They’re very low maintenance and only want one servicing but I still felt bad for him. Was sure awkward running into the old one in the hall though. 
 

Definitely a juxtaposition because two weeks prior I was on solo and had the most incredible attendant in more than 30 cruises, the one helping me throw champagne parties. I had made a request to chief housekeeper if possible that he might be responsible for my parents’ cabin from the get go as I wanted the best for them but I guess they hadn’t wanted to move him around which I understand. When I first boarded on my B2Bs I made a request for him to stay (as an aside in a commendation form at guest services when I was amazed by how excellent he was) and he told me the manager had come to him to say he’d be staying on my section until I’d disembark. Unfortunately it turned out none of us got him for the canal. Can’t have it all!

14 minutes ago, letsgogogo said:

 

Good to know. Not in a suite here. I always front tip my cabin attendant on day 1, pretty substantially. I just didn’t think they were allowed to do this.  

Their level of helpfulness varies widely. In the same cabin type, on the same ship, I had a stateroom attendant wanting to know how he could help me throw parties on my huge verandah and would always bring a bottle of champagne or two to contribute to the cause. My parents had one that refused to unload their minibar for them.