Jim_Iain

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.

Hi Phyllis - I hope I make it to the Slot Pull I will have to put in a calendar reminder. I often go into cruise amnesia and forget about events. Do you know which type slot machine will be used? We seem to have done our best on wheel of fortune.

Yea ...agree. Your ears must have been ringing, Joan @jelayne and I were saying how much we missed you when you cancelled this cruise. I was really surprised by how many gifts they gave away. I of course didn't win anything.

If they are available. I've had some as far out as a year that had some available. Others nothing. Yes you can use celebrity OBC shown in your online account. Usually shows at top right corner of Plan My Cruise. Once booked with Celebrity or any agent you can book yourself.

I did that on the current cruise and actually ran our 600 up to 750 before cashing out. The only reason I purchased the packages is that when you Pre-Purchase you receive a 10% free play bonus. My understanding is that for the free play you have to play it but can cash out the win. As antiquated as the slots are on Equinox I can't imagine they would have the technology to track. Maybe just put it in a machine and then just cash out or play . I 'll come back a report my finding on Sunday.

I've done the same in a number of ports including Yokohama, Singapore and Buenos Aires. I let Celebrity know of my desire pre cruise. I also followed up with the Retreat Concierge. The ship will work with local authorities to facilitate. They will need to know approximate time you wish to leave so they can arrange for a customs agent to be available. Personally I would check early as Indian Customs can be more difficult that some locations.

I had that on the current cruise I'm on. Received the Rejection notice at exactly saiing time 4PM 48 hours before the cruise. It was a Saturday Cruise and was notified at 4PM Thursday. The next cruise (B2B) it was kinda weird. Sunday Departure - On Tuesday my bid showed expired for one bid and Pending on another. The next day all the suites and Blu showed booked. I checked my bid and both were open for Modification and Cancellation. Two days later I was awarded an upgrade. First notification of my upgrade was when my watched buzzed from my credit card alerting me of the CC charge.

We aren't big gamblers but because of the amount of OBC decided to purchase a couple Slot Packages. The package says that the Free Pull will be credited to your card. Curious if anyone knows how this works on Solstice (not revolutionized at all and old slots). The slots don't have the reader and ability to access your account. They have a slot that you put your card in and then have to remember to take it out and bring with your. To transfer money from card you have to go to the cashier and they sell $100 casino slips.

The covid restrictions have been dropped and they are again accommodating dining with non-party members. I agree. Let them know in advance to have a table setup.

We had our B2B meeting this morning. Real quick and not many questions. Mario handled it really well. He had the head of each department come up and say a couple words and gave away gifts and offered many promotions. Shore Excursions - 15% off all tours booked the first day Spa - 20% treatments booked on first day Specialty Dining 1st night 30% off and 20% for remainder of week Free Specialty Dining for 2 Certificate $100 OBC Certificate Bag of Laundry MDR - Free bottle of wine and all invited to B2B lunch in MDR Bottle of Champagne.

Love Mr Singh. He was extended and extended. He then requested to extend beyond the end of this sailing so he could return home when his wife does but this time they said no. Geez you would think they would work with him after he bent over backward for them. We haven't seen him in a couple days as he is usually at dinner when we go down for drinks. Herma has been take care of us for sure. I'm impressed with the whole staff on this ship They really work well together and compliment each other.