Jim_Iain

Oceania is definitely on the top of our list to consider also . Hear good things about them.

Will update you on that shortly. From other blogs they say it can be chilly on the first day and 1/2 while at sea and then 70-80's We are having some cold front coming through and even LA is hitting lows of 50 at night. While on my walks I usually only wear a sweatshirt or sweater and usually have to pull it off as the day warms.

Our shortest flight is 21 hours SFO to EWR and non-stop to Johannesburg but connections can go up to 35. As you said $$$$$$$$

Incredible. California is so variable we have a cold storm coming in today and the Sierra's which are 4 hours away are expected to get 5 Feet of snow today. Just think Donner Party. The Bay area is suppose to get 1/2" of rain but Sunnyvale was named that for a reason as the rains break around us due to the shadow affect of a peak on the Costal Range.

Will definitely keep you updated. Our friends that did Antarctica on Ponant loved it. They are small ships and use Zodiacs for going ashore. Unlike many larger lines they actually were able to set foot on Antarctica.

I've heard about the noises (ghosts) on board. Surprising since I've not heard the same (so far) of the other E-Class. We were on Edge after she began service and was hit with a huge wind storm - enough to cause 40-50 ceiling panels being ripped off. I don't remember hearing any unusual creaking. I'm laughing about the Bose Sleepbuds. I just tossed mine in my suite case 10 minutes ago. The product that saves so many marriages.

I had a feeling it would be still there.

When in Europe in April it was really a hopping place as heavy British and European passenger load they had Soccer Matches playing on multi screens.

We were on her last April on the TA and Spain Portugal. Unfortunately I caught Covid and spent one day in quarantine before being tossed off in Southampton and cancelled my 3rd segment to Norwegian Fjords. I agree Cellar masters was not really inviting. By the way we celebrated hitting Zenith on Silhouette. The Captain gave me a model of the ship and sits on the dresser in one of the guest bedrooms.

We are really not ready for this cruise. Our daughter has been in the Hospital for a week and really threw our planning to the wind. Good news is she it doing well and back on her own. Luckily we are Zenith and get free laundry as we will be using it for sure. We didn't get our dry cleaning and pressing to the laundry so will be taking it as is and have it done on the ship. I get asked often on how we pack for longer multi segment cruises and have to say we have evolved to a system that works for us. We pack for 7 days regardless of the length that we will be away and then send out laundry almost daily. I will admit we have an advantage to many of you in that we are about the same size and can swap off to keep our wardrobe fresh. 4 short sleeve and 3 Long sleeve T's 2 pair of jean 1 dress pants 1 Dinner Jacket 8 Bow Ties since I can neve plan what I'm in the mood for 7 pairs of socks 6 Dress Shirts with Collars 1 Tuxedo Shirt 1 Dress Shoes 1 Walking Shoes 2 Sweaters and 2 Sweatshirts 1 puffer

Seven Seas is on the top of Iain's list and we will have to compare with Ponant. What i really want to do is a sailing to Africa or South Africa. Would really love to do a Safari as a side trip.

Our friends love Ponant and the size of their ships. It allows them to get into places that larger ships just can't do. I've been looking at their Great Lakes cruises during the summer as a possible trial. The Norwegian and Scotland sounds really interesting.

LOL -- I can only imagine. We were in Chicago for a Week in May for the Ring Series. In one day we had sun, warmth, rain, thunder, hail and snow.

Yikes... I can't even imagine of making the commitment to read one of my live posts. That may be a lot of reading.

I'm getting excited. I do have to get off my rear reading CC or I will never get packed. Oh well... one more cup of coffee.

Vicky - I would say it was definitely worth the price. A great day and the Lobster was the highlight. What part of Upstate. I lived in Upstate for my last couple years of High School. We were in Balston Lake - I can tell you I don't miss those winters. We were above the 100 inch belt and the ground was covered from Nov to March.

Can't wait to see what's changed and what's the same. Cellar Master was another failed experiment. I'm hoping they serve food in Craft Social.

As you know California is a huge state and has 1,000's of micro climates. In Silicon Valley over night hit 34-35 but should warm to 60. We are suppose to have a heavy rain on the whole coast tomorrow. LA currently 58 with a high of 62. Cabos - 70 - 78 Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan 67-83 Perfect in my opinon

Abby - Will let you know all the staff once aboard. So far I've been monitoring the flight for the last month and only 2 delays of 15-20 minutes. Looks reliable. Not sure if you stuck your head out today yet but it's cold out there. May have to get my puffer out.

I just received a message from a friend who's daughter works for the activities staff on Reflection and said her CD is on Equinox now and is a really good one.

Please drop in often and when you have a free moment post about your experience. There is so much on the ship that we don't partake in because we cruise so much. Shows are one thing that we just don't go any longer as we've seen all of the production shows an usually conflicts with pre-drinks and dinner schedule.

I'm looking forward to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan as they are new ports for us. Everything I've read is positive.

It is really nice having a ship on the West Coast. It is so nice not to spend a full day traveling to join a cruise.

I'll do my best int taking lots of photos. I know Michael's Club still exists for Suites with the original paneling and no Retreat Sun Deck. What I've been told is they don't have a buffet in Michaels Club and they have Breakfast items per-plated and delivered by a wait staff.

We really thought we had sailed Solstice before and only recently learned we had never sailed her before. From the posts I've followed she looks like she has been well maintained and while not revolutionized still is in good shape. I'm sure she has some rust, dings and scrapes but then again so do I.