Cheshire Blue

Thanks for this - so far. Am looking forward to hearing more of the cruise

Great - Thanks for the confirmation. Did you happen to notice what champagne was currently available on Silhouette within the premium package ?

I certainly will. Assume the guidelines on the door simply refer to it being a "relaxation" area - hence a quiet zone (which is good for me read my book in peace). Pleased to hear it's not a reserved area - so everyone can enjoy the peace and quiet (regardless as to whether they are using the Spa).

Thanks for posting this - I think that settles it. I will be checking it out on my next cruise.

Thanks for all the helpful responses. I will bring the travel adaptors. Shame they didn't see fit to add USB charging points in all the cabins when the ship was "revolutionised" . Reference was also made to getting an extension cord - but had understood these were not permitted on board ? Is that correct ?

Thanks for all the responses - really helpful. Getting back to the original question - it appears there is a difference of opinion - some believing it to be available to all (as I think is probably the case) and others who seem to think it might be "reserved" for Aqua or Spa guests. If it were Aqua I think it would be clearly included in the Aqua benefits (Blu / Persian Garden etc) which it isn't. Appreciate it is convenient for those having Spa treatments - but don't think that precludes anyone else from using. "Traditionally this area is Reserved for AQ Class guests, and those waiting for spa treatments,...The rooms are small on most ships, Some folks are not aware of the guidelines, and others just do whatever they want..." Could someone point me to these "Guidelines" - which would indicate this is a reserved area for Aqua / Spa ? If so, fair enough - but otherwise it seems to be an open space for all (same as the Library).

Thank you - appreciate the response looks like they have most things in that box so maybe won't need too many adaptors

Am sailing on Silhouette in September (from Southampton) in a normal balcony cabin (not Concierge or Aqua). What sockets are on the ship (so I can bring any required adaptors) ? Am from the UK (so three prong plugs and sockets are the norm - but doubt there will be any of them). Anyone know if the sockets are US or European style ? Many thanks for any insight

As from 5th September, it appears the requirement for a supervised test has now gone - so we will just do a lateral flow test at home a day or so before the cruise (later in September) and take a picture of the result. Hope you enjoyed your cruise

Am sailing on Silhouette in September (from Southampton) in a normal balcony cabin (not Concierge or Aqua). I noticed on the deck plans a "Relaxation Lounge" at the front of the ship on deck 11. I see this is close to the treatment rooms for the Spa. Question : can anyone use this lounge (and what exactly is it) or is it reserved for those having treatments at the Spa ? Many thanks for any insight

no worries about that - I certainly won't be attempting to scam them. Just pointing out the flaws in the "new" system - hence reference to it now being a bit of a farce

Yes - I think you are correct. I doubt they will check the photo properties (so in theory you could perhaps show an old photo of a test / result) or even produce an actual (old) negative test ! As far as I'm aware - there are no dates on them. It's become a bit of a farce - may be time to drop the requirement to produce the tests / results completely and simply have people declare they have no symptoms etc (as is the case with other illnesses)

Thanks - i'd appreciate that. Am due on Silhouette next month so interested to know

Could you advise what champagne is available on Silhouette (by the glass within the Premium package) at present ?

OK - so on the basis of a Southampton sailing, the limit on the Classic Package is $11 (which I appreciate includes the gratuity). How much is the equivalent limit on the Premium package ? I assume this will be $18 (inclusive of the gratuity) but would welcome confirmation from someone who knows. At $18 - I assume I can get pretty much anything - including champagne (but again would welcome confirmation from someone who knows.

That is correct. Cunard (and several other lines) no longer require proof of a "supervised" test. I appreciate this will give rise to some people not declaring a positive test but self declaration seems to be the way forward - as with any other illness / condition that should be declared pre cruise. Waiting for Celebrity to follow this lead

Thanks for all the advice - very helpful. Trick now is to get an early boarding time !

Sadly - worrying is part of my nature - hopefully will relax on holiday ! Thanks to all for the advice anyway.

Might be a daft question ! We have bought a package of 5 nights speciality dining and understand we need to book these asap after boarding the ship. OK The first night is provisionally allocated and I understand details of this will be in our cabin. On this basis I assume after boarding the ship - my very first stop is the cabin (to see what I have been allocated - place and time slot) and then hot foot it to one of the restaurants to change the above (if not happy with the allocation) and then to also book times and dates for the remaining (4) evening meals. Understand I can go to any of the Speciality Restaurants to achieve the above (or possibly elsewhere ?). This is my confusion. Where should I best go to achieve the above ? (i.e. which restaurant should i target first or is there some place else where I can best achieve this) ? I have seen references to the Speciality Dining stand ??? Where would that be ? Also to someone outside the OVC ? Apologies if the above is a daft question One further point - if we proceed as envisaged and eat 5 of our 9 evening meals in a Speciality Restaurant, this means that our fixed time (8.30) dining in the MDR will be only used for 4 of the 9 evenings. For five of the nine evenings the 4 person table will be empty. Would it be better / possible for us to change our MDR dining from fixed to Anytime (so releasing the MDR table for all 9 nights) ? If this is an option - again how would I achieve this ? Thanks in advance

I see that both Cunard and Virgin appear to have removed the need for supervised pre cruise testing (and will now rely on a declaration from the passenger that they have taken a test and it was negative) When do we think Celebrity will follow this ?

Welcome to cruising - can almost guarantee you will be back for more in the future. We did our first cruise (back in the early 90s) out of Miami when we were both just about 30 - and probably amongst the youngest on board (which we really enjoyed). We met a similar aged US couple (from Georgia) who immediately became close friends for life. Fast forward 30 odd years and about 15 cruises later, at 60 + we are probably now about mid age range for Celebrity - certainly some younger ones like yourselves and also some older - but always a good mixed crowd. You will fit in. Anytime dining is probably best - so suggest you keep that so you can choose daily, depending on what is going on. Only downside is that I always get the feeling of the meal being served fairly quickly (not really hurried as such but.........they do want the table for the next people). In comparison at fixed sitting - 6.00 / 8.30 - there is no one waiting - so service seems to be a little more relaxed (if that's what you want). I suggest you try to give up smoking 🙂 - but if not please keep to the designated areas only. have a great trip

Thanks for that - am hoping the requirement for testing may have been dropped by the end of September (but probably wishful thinking). Supervised test at West Quay (morning of the cruise) is a possibility - depending on time to get a result ? Do you know how quick the procedure is ? Not sure I want to travel to Southampton to then get a "positive" result and so be prevented from boarding - think I'd rather have that disappointment back home. If the worst happens - I assume we get "refund" in form of FCC - but still very disappointing 😞

Thank you - sounds like I should be able to at least secure an early arrival / boarding time for the four of us using the App and can then do the rest later (or even when we arrive at the Port on the day).

Will be sailing in late September on Silhouette from Southampton - our first cruise in 3 years. I note we need to check in (on line) from mid August. This is new to me - so can someone please advise : 1 what I will need to have to enable check in (my wife and I) - passport details / insurance details / covid vaccination details / anything else ? 2 we are traveling with friends - separate but linked booking - will we be able to check them in as well (so as to ensure we all get same boarding times) ? If so - what info will I need to check them in as well ? Or do they need to do their own check in ? I read somewhere on these boards that all we need to do is start the check in process (to secure the boarding time) and can then go back to the check in on a later time / date to finish off. Again is this correct ? I think we all need to get a fairly early boarding time if we can - as we need to book some speciality dining for the four of us (having reserved a multiple night package). Many thanks for any help on the above

Thanks for the responses on this. We are due to sail on a Friday so looks like we will test near to home (perhaps Manchester - will see what pharmacies offer LFTs) on the wednesday, travel down on the Thursday for 1 night and then onto the ship on Friday.