Jim_Iain

What a wonderful live report. It has been my companion every morning while sipping coffee and counting the days to our next cruise. Your photography was incredible and brings back so many memories.

I'll will also say the Bagel are really not good at all. Very small and the texture just isn't right.

I have a feeling it is Celebrity Site. I was looking on one of the airlines cruise booking sites and all of the cruises in the date range are showing and are was able to do a mock booking including picking room

I chatted with a Casino Manager and learned it may be different of different classes ships and the technology available on a ship. On Solstice (Not revolutionized) you have to go to the Cashier and buy a Credit Slip which was charged to our room key. My experience on many of the E and S class ships is that you can take out money by creating an account via the Slot Machine and then transfer money to the slot machine. You can then play or cash out for a credit slip. Usually after a withdrawal you account is locked for about a day or until you play 50% of the amount through the machine - Then it automatically resets.

Instead of standing on line often you can call Guest Relations and let them know you didn't receive you Transit Pass or ask you Stateroom attendant. Both can take care of it for you. The good news on the next segment you will have the Retreat Concierges handle most anything you will need.

It was in both Luminae and Blu - Would assume if you approached the Maitre'D he could accommodate. After all they do accommodate Kosher, Muslim and many other special menus.

I think you will find that even in the large dining rooms on E-Class many tables are better spaced than MDR but close enough that conversation often pops up. Often you also meet many in the Retreat Lounge and they stop by for a chat.

Happy 10th Anniversary --- The norm for a special occasion is usually a a nice Opera Cake. Often the celebration is enhanced depending on room classification. I'm sure some can be that we travel in upper suites and are Zenith but have often Received Flowers, Wine, Room and Door decorations and special hors d'oeuvres. If dining in Specialty you will normally get a cake and another the next night in you dining room. Make sure you let the Maitr'd's know and you should not be disappointed. No reason to spend lots on bottles of champagne. There are many decent ones on the Drink Package and if you want a better on probably a small up charge.

Looking forward to you Live. Definitely on my bucket list.

I wish you had interrupted. That was indeed a fun cruise.

From previous cruise, someone we were traveling with wanted Indian Food for dinner. He spoke with the Maitre'd and was told if he was given 24 hours notice he could accommodate. The next night he personally delivered it and brought a different selection for the table every night. Worth a try. The worst they can say is no and then you can take one of the many good recommendations that have been made.

They do have the best pastries in Amsterdam. My favorite is Winkel Apple Pie.

The pear-Nutella sounds wonderful. We usually go to Retreat for Petit dejeuner. On our past cruises they have had the regular size croissants instead of the mini ones they have had in al Bacio recently. Iain is a late sleeper and we have never made breakfast in Lumina.

I have done it in the past. You need to go to the shore excursions desk and ask them to change it for you. If the one you want is sold out they can put you on a waitlist. If in a suite the Concierge may be able to take care of it for you.

My only complaint is that all the cakes I've tasted ---- look far better than they tasted. Especially the ones with the shiny frosting. I've gotten to the point I don't even try them anymore.

I love the lemon ones. A while back they had a Honey filled one. It was impossible to even try to eat.

I find it to usually be a shell game. They up the price then up the discount. The real proof is in the pudding when you do mock bookings before and after a sale to see if it's really a sale or just another shell game. Having said that - I have found some sales that saved me money. Also a good time to see if they put Excursions, Drink Packages and Internet on sale.

I've had both happen. Celebrity will continue to try to sell rooms until the last minute. If someone pays for the upgrade as oppose to bidding they will get the room. I have alerts set on my phone and usually the first clue I had that I won is when the credit card is charged. It may take a couple hours before I get the notification. I have also had a bid show pending and other expired and then at last minute advised I had not won.

I'm sure it would be prepared to your desired temperature. I would be happy with the way it was prepared but would probably like it better a bit more on the Rare side.

Thanks for the well written and balanced review. I was disappointed to read of your experience in Murano.

Keep checking on the sales. You may snag a deal.

The Sirloin En Croute looks delicious. On a scale of 1-10 - how would you rate the food up until this point.

Use to be called "The Upgrade Fairy" - not common any more but they do it when they are oversold in a certain classification. Congratulations ---

You might be able to get a good idea by selecting an earlier or current cruise on Summit. All the bar menus are showing for my Edge November 25 cruise.

I would check periodically - It is often discounted during sales. On my cruse planner for November 25 Edge cruise is showing Regular Price 47.19 and on sale for 36.99 If you are a member of CC there are discounts that can't be stacked. Elite 30% discount and Elite Plus 35%. You have to call in to have these applied.