Jim_Iain

Will be interested to see how it turns out. I recently bought a GoPro and while I enjoy it, there is a learning curve. I've done a couple time laps that came out pretty good but have tossed out more footage than used so far. Maybe I'm a slow learner.

Following along on your next adventure. Great itinerary and enjoying your Live Post.

Good Morning from the Equator. We passed the equator at 6:40 last evening. There were many post on our Facebook Group with actual compass and GPS locations as many were watching for the exact moment. About all we have planned for today is an invitation to the Bridge for a friends Zenith initiation - Bill and Linda. That will be followed with the Neptune Party, which is a tradition of all sailing vessels when they cross the equator. Those that are crossing are initiated with food being dumped on them an kissing a fish.

Really doesn't matter. If you recall, we did the trip last year and arrived Rotterdam and departed Rotterdam. Both are very easy to reach via train and about equidistant from AMS. The train comes right into AMS terminal.

I had the Vacheron the other day. It was nicely plated and really tasted good. Safe time home

At least in Luminae they have had lots of lobster.... Lobster roll, first day, a poached lobster starter on one night and Lobster night that I remember. I had the starter but passed on the Lobster night. I enjoy Lobster but much prefer New England Cold Water Lobster.... So much sweeter and tender.

In ways it is better than the butter. Iain would have to drop the butter in hot water to soften in order to put it on his bread at lunch. I had a baked potato for lunch yesterday and noticed it melted quickly.

It's really difficult to wrap your head around in advance but was really painless..... well kinda. There were problems booking excursions as you would get rejected due to already having an excursion booked. The app was really screwed up. We had a reminder that we had a reservation at Tuscan on the first 18th but was on the second. When in Pago Pago the app said we were at sea. Oh well just have another drink and all worked itself out.

I've been reading Janet's @81Zoomie wonderful Live report on Edge. We were lucky enough to meet in Sydney when we arrived in Sydney. Her month long cruise has come to an end. She is an incredible photographer and puts me to shame. She just posted a comparison of E an S class from her perspective... She is so organized thought I would steal it and come back and compare later. So far I do have to agree with the Pros and Cons - So many of the Pros I seem to have forgotten about. Like Anthony pointed out some of the Pros to one passenger may be a Con to another ---- e.g. if one were not in a suite the lack of forward looking space is a big Con while those in suites consider it a Pro. Take some time and have a read of her review. She is so organized... not like me that rambles and all over the place. Shoreside Concierge - This can be summed up in one word, FAIL. I am not certain why Celebrity sends out the emails and/or calls asking for your requests. I filled it out for both our cruises and not one of the requests was met. Special event - Ignored. Extra Hangers - Nope. We finally received a handful of wire hangers. Choice of wine - Nope. Additionally, I requested a mattress topper - Nope. The cabin attendant did bring one upon request. Thermostat - Seems silly as you can adjust on your own. E Class - Pros - Magic Carpet as a tender platform - Retreat Sun Deck - Walking track - Eden (all the old creepy aspects are gone!) - Sky Suite bathrooms - High ceilings in Oceanview Cafe - Motion activated touchless doors in public areas - Clean contemporary decor. Some of the uncomfortable Hoppen seating has been replaced. - Cons - No open atrium - Tends to be priced higher than M and S Class voyages - Higher number of suites - Slow tendering and disembarkation in ports of call - No views in Martini Bar and The Club Bar - IV Verandahs. Not to our liking. More like a panoramic oceanview. - Undisclosed noise issues in many cabins in rough seas. - Lack of shade outside - Lack for forward view public spaces. No forward view lounge. No forward view except for Retreat Sundeck, Thermal Spa Sundeck, and the gym 🏋️‍. - Lack of overhead space heaters and protection from rain in outdoor bars and restaurants.

One thing I've noticed is that on Edge they have the same Daniel B menu every night. On Solstice they have 7 days original and 7 day new. So the Chocolate pill is replaced with the Pistachio Vacheron on the second half of many cruises.

It is based on the amount of money you gamble... e.g. if you put in $100 and won $500 you only get credits for $100.

I’ve received a couple requests for activities with all the sea days. They have something going all the time.

Thanks for such a wonderful live post. Really enjoyed all of your photos.

I agree 100% Anthony. We each experience a cruise in our own way - thus it's important to read between the lines and determine for oneself what you enjoy doing. Like you many of the guests we spoke to on E-Class ships said they chose to eat in the MDR than in Luminae due to the better selection and better food prep. For us, I found the retreat experience was for both the Lounge and Luminae to be sub-par to that of the S-Class. I admit we have dined in Luminae about 50% of the time and been eating in Murano and Tuscan Grill 50% of the time. We have been taking full advantage of the unlimited specialty dining with the RS. For the first time I've also been taking advantage of the free gelato. One think I have noticed - probably the demographics is the Martini Bar which is almost always the center stage for many drinkers has been quiet and maybe 50% occupancy. I have to believe it may be the high percentage of Australian Cruisers without drink packages. The other night we went to the World Class Bar with friends. We normally drink at the Retreat Bar. It was so loud one could hardly hold a conversation. It really wasn't the norm, but Etsy was having a promo diamond giveaway an had loud music an a barker on the microphone for an hour prior to the big ticket drawing. I also need to point out that we don't go to the Shows, Comedy Club, Disco and many other things you young folks enjoy.

The slots have been good to me. Took the photo last night then realized I still had the final cash out of $700 still in my pocket. Slots on Solstice have been really tight. You are immediately locked out when pull cash off room charge until you play (not win or loose) 50% of the withdrawal. To make it easy. plus’s the amount I skimmed off for my pocket. Shhh don’t tell Iain. Must be my commission.

What a beautiful morning. I'm up sipping a a cup of coffee.... I'm going to miss the coffee machine in our room next week. We will be in a Celebrity Suite next cruise. Luckily Iain will be able to take his Tea Kettle with him. By the way the Royal on Solstice only has a Coffee Maker but we had requested a tea kettle and our every wish has been granted. The sun is up and the seas are as smooth as glass. I was surprised when I went out to take a picture that the temperatures are already are already HOT. We are approaching the equator and tomorrow, well at least we are having the Neptune Party tomorrow. Time for all newbies to Kiss the Fish. We are currently at -.3.75339 S / -166.73630 W sailing on a north westerly course

I agree ---- I've been a real 6itch complaining about little things ----- Back to Glass 3/4 full instead of 1/4 empty.

Yes --- Yesterday became today.....

LOL --- OK Bill... I was think they were treating you well Upstairs in the Penthouse and felt like we were downstairs in the service area like Downton Abbey. At least you revealed that the beautiful chocolate selection was fro SilverSea - What a treat. Looking forward to our first SilverSea experience. I would say that is more that a small difference between the two cruise line. I have a feeling they may just get consumed at sea instead of bringing them home for baking.

I have to say that Solstice has has brought back the joy of cruising with Celebrity. While many things have changed the ship the staff and the officers are outstanding. I was thinking this morning of how many things we are grateful for and the joy I have to spend such quality time with Iain while at sea. Even though I was noting things like Spread instead of butter and less expensive chocolates ---it really doesn't matter. I should have added --- at home we eat Canola Spread instead of butter and we never eat the chocolates anyway. Iain always brings them home and uses them for cooking or for treats for the kids. I also have to add that we have met so many nice people on this cruise. So many from Cruise Critics have come up to us and introduced themselves. It is so much fun to put a face and a real name against a handle.

Celebrity continues to advertise as a PREMIUM CRUISE LINE then replaces butter in OVC with a spread and cut pillow chocolates to 50% size - 4.5 grams. Really how do they dream thing up like this.

Today we were honored with a wonder Zenit Lunch. There are 26 aboard this cruise. Mario is the perfect host and had a Trivia competition. Each Zenith introduced themselves and they you had to answer a Yes / No question about Solstice. IF WRONG you temporary had to give up your Zenith card. team Iain - Jim and Val - Amy won and were presented with Metals.

Had a birthday dinner with Bill and Linda. Sine Linda’s birthday was the 19th she got 2 Birthdays this year.