Jim_Iain

Dreary morning.at San Pedro

It will be interesting to explore the ship more. We have 2 sea days ahead of us. With the colder weather yesterday I was just doing my walking in the hallways.

I didn't see the menu but a guest I spoke with said it was a bit disappointing. Everything was served on a tray at one time in lieu of in courses. It has disappeared from the next cruise. I'll see if I can find out more.

Was really a joy to sail with you I agree with you 100% I was really expecting Solstice to be a bit rough around the edges from some of the reviews that called her a Rust Bucket. In my opinion she is looking much better than some of the ships that have gone through the Revolution. Safe travels home. I can't wait to get back to warm sunny skies.

It is chilly out there. Jeans came back from laundry yesterday and have a puffer out if needed.

With the exception of the Captain's Toast and Top Cruiser there have been ZERO events or recognition of Zenith's. I was rather put off that we received a not to show up 15 minutes early and no one even came out to bring us in. By the time we got in other CC members had taken all the reserved spots. I'm not usually one to complain but felt compelled to write Andrea and let her know my feelings about the liquidation of Zenith recognition. Within 30 minutes the CC host called me acting like she hadn't heard from Andrea. She acting like a white elephant in the room and was apologetic saying she couldn't find us. She is on her second cruise and is new to Celebrity. She told me they only have lunches and events if there are 16 Zenith's or more. I told her she needs to check with other ships as many of us have been to lunches with as few as 6. Andrea did respond with a nice letter of apology and a nice bottle of wine and strawberries to the room. After that suddenly the Excursion Manager Called me and personally greeted us on our first excursion, The Hotel Director dropped by Luminae to welcome us aboard, followed by the Restaurant Manager and the Maitre' d. It was very uncomfortable as no one mentioned the issue and just pretend like I had not written her. I didn't expect anything but felt they should have just acknowledged their mix up and move on. As usual I wrote to Mario, HD and complimented crew members that made our trip memorable. That night he again dropped by with a parade of the other management team but again nothing mentioned. Happily when I returned to our room there was yet another bottle Mum's and a nice hand written note from Mario thanking us for our compliments an apology for the missteps and hoped he could win us back as a valued loyal guest. It was nicely done. With the changes in the Zenith program we have decided after 22 years to try some other cruise Luxury cruise lines. We of course have about 9 cruises already booked with Celebrity but right now unless we cancel will be trying out Ponant.

Up early and the ship is vibrating as they use thrusters to dock in Port of San Pedro. It's a chilly morning and looking misty.

meandering around the ship

They may be ramping up things - The next cruise (after ours) is expected to have 500 Kids and a total of 3,200 passengers (Xmas). It will be the highest passenger count they have had since she began sailing again.

Gerry, It took me 18 years to talk Iain into an Eastbound. He even admitted it wasn't too bad. The reality is you can sleep in each morning and sure is a lot better to the 8-9 hours in one day we experience when we fly to Europe. We found we arrive in Europe rested and relaxed.

Yup - Jeans are on today. Really cooled quickly. While we will be staying on the ship we will have to go ashore for B2B. We kept our Puffers out just in case. Looking like the first two days our of San Pedro may be windy and rough. Amazing how things change week to week.

Sounds like so much fun. Have a great cruise.

Yes they had it on Day 5 at 7:00 PM They also had a Chef's Table at Murano I don't recall the day and a Special Seafood Shack Lunch on Day 7 (today) at 12:00 pm

Should check in on Roll Call - We are having a slot pull on day 2 at 10:30

Actually not as difficult as we had imagined. We've done a couple and one in April planed. The problem with this cruise is back and forth and back and forth.

Thanks for posting the Bar Menu. We are considering Ponant and while I don't have any experience with. I'm don't drink but my husband enjoys Grey Goose and Tonic. Would that be under the premium which I understand from the fine print would be applied to both of us regardless that I don't drink. A quick question. Are Cappuccino's included under either package?

Thank you for your quick reply. 1. I chuckled when I read your response about someone you couldn't stand. I was trying to say that diplomatically. When Iain brought up that possibility I said well it would be no difference than someone we found disruptive in Celebrity's Suite - Ship on a ship concept. Their Luminae Dining room is probably the same size as Ponant. Having said that - there were two ladies that were rather noisy and I may have made a disparaging remark about them. They were seated next to us last night and we had a very fun evening chatting and found them very interesting. I said to Iain that we had really misjudged them. Mia Coppala time. 2. Walking... I can be quite happy walking the floors and stairs and also as port intensive as the cruise is will have to opportunity to do it ashore. I agree I don't like treadmills but do enjoy an elliptical if nothing else available. 3. What you just reminded me of was the included tours. Are they all early morning tours? I'm assuming they are in ports early and off the ship. I'm an early morning person while Iain is one that does not like getting out of bed before 9:30. Last port I scheduled a 8 AM tour which also coincided with a loss of an hour time zone. While he did go along he grumbled about it.

Iain is a big tea drinker but brews it as dark as coffee. I enjoy ice tea but never drink hot tea.

Last night was last Chic night. I had the the Rack of Lamb and Iain the Lobster

We have some friends from Australia who are great Ponant fans and trying to convince us to jump ship from 22 years of only sailing Celebrity in Suites. We usually spend 3-4 months a year at sea. We understand the small ships and find the ability to visit ports not possible on a larger ship. We love just being at sea and not really into needing to be entrained and usually don't participate with casinos, large theater shows etc. I will have to say that French food is my favorite. Couple Questions - Is Internet Included or is it an add on? Drinks - I don't drink but my husband does. Are all drinks included or are there package add on's for better wines The small ship idea - On any cruise there is always the possibility of a loud disruptive guests. We are somewhat worried on a small ship on how that might affect guest on a really small ship. Any thoughts appreciate. Finally - I'm a walking maniac and walk 10 miles a day even when on a ship. Are their decks where walking would be possible? As an introduction we are considering the Great Lake Smithsonian on Le Dumont-d'Urville

SHIP NAME Solstice CABIN # 2132 DECK # (3-14) 12 CATEGORY: 7-12, 1A-1C, 2A-2D, A1-A2, C1-C3, CS, FV, PS, RF, RS, S1-S2, SG, SV S1 - Accessible LOCATION ON SHIP: Port (left), Starboard (right), Bow (front), Stern (back) or Inside and Forward, Midship (between the forward and aft elevators), or Aft (For example: Port-Midship, Bow-Forward or Inside-Aft) AFT BED NEAR (Bath, Balcony, Window, N/A) Window QUIET? (Yes/No/Usually) NO - underneath entrance to OVC service area. Carts start rolling at 6:00 AM and sounds like subway train passing BALCONY VIEW (Good, Great, Obstructed?) Obstructed b deck overhang BALCONY SIZE (Standard, Oversized, Other) Seems oversized - quite wide possibly due to being accessible. WIND A PROBLEM? (Yes/No/Sometimes) No SOOT A PROBLEM? (Yes/No/Sometimes) No PROBLEMS/COMMENTS (Explain all Noise (including crew door issues), Wind and Soot Problems here, plus all comments and information regarding things like connecting or accessible cabins) Definitely the noisiest cabin we ever had. Under Service area of OVC PICTURES (Attach pictures in your review) DATE OF CRUISE AND "REVOLUTION" COMMENTS

I've been told that if not on the menu and you stop by and get the Gelato they will make it for you. Also the Retreat bartender said she would make one for me.

Unfortunately on the non-revolutionized Solstice the machine is behind the bar and not turned on until the bar tender and servers arrive. I know I cold have gone to Ocean View but that battery acid is not kind to my stomach.

New discovery yesterday (only take me a week). I checked the Menu at al Bacio an they still have Affagato on the Menu. Will definitely have to get my first this afternoon.

These time zone changes really have gotten me out of sync. Not only the time zone but the sun started coming up at 5:30. The small ray of light kicked my body into awake time. Unfortunately I had to wait until 6:30 for Al Bacio to open.