flames9

Blu opens for supper at 1745 (was 6pm on our Med cruise in 2013) And breakfast hours seem to vary, depending on what time we get into port.

Liverpool: Ship is docked right downtown, right by the museums. The rain found us today, along with the wind! Its not that bad, wear a light rain jacket and 1 is fine! Lot of great and free museums right by the ship, good way to kill the day.....Now 2 sea days and back to Amsterdam....thanks to the tall ship festival we are docking at a different pier: Amsterdam Marine Terminal, Corsicaweg 10, Harbour No. 5035..wonder what kind of nightmare is awaiting us,lol We have a taxi reserved, as they say taxis may be in short supply!!

Hi,

 

for breakfast in Blu restaurant there is a little buffet also or only à la carte?

Breakfast in Blu is a sit down, order from a menu and they serve u. Same breakfast menu every day..exact same menu frm our 2013 cruise! Very good breakfast, no complaints at all

In most of the private tours I have been on....when the situation allows (which is often the case) most of us do go our separate ways and agree on a time to be back at a meeting point.

Sailing on the Silhouette right now (British Isles cruise) and we are in Aqua..love Blu....For the most part, people are nicely dressed....yes one sees blue jeans..black jeans.....I have even seen a few women in black sweat pants! Don't think anyone really cares.....

On formal night, many people in suits, maybe saw a tux or two in BLU, but really didn't pay much attention. No suit for me, just slacks, and a long sleeve shirt and didn't feel out of place! I have noticed a fair # change into more comfortable clothes for the show.....I really don't think anyone cares..it is just bored people on CC that like to stir up others with their opinions, lol No clue what is happening in the MDR.....

Greenock Scotland! Another perfect day weather wise!! Nothing but sun!! Everyone keeps telling us how lucky we are! In other words expect rain,lol And if u get sun, u are fortunate!

Private tour today with Scottish Terrier Tours..set up by a fellow CC member. Tour guide was very good, very informative. One does have to keep in mind that vans here are a bit smaller....we had a 8 passenger van..6 in the back, 1 in the front and of course the driver....it was kind of snug! Fairly new Mercedes van.....To get to the rear row (3 seats) u had to be a bit flexible....might be an issue if one is not flexible..hip or knee issues! I have noticed the vans are on the smaller side...when they say 8 passenger, they really mean 6, and if they say 6..4 may be a better #.....On our Cork tour..we had 6 of us..3 sat in the middle and 2 of us in the back and 1 in the front.....it was very difficult to get to the rear...something to think about when forming tours. I had actually asked for a 8 person van for the six of us (cork) but I guess when I told them we were going with 6, they gave us a 6 person van (which was a Taxi)

1 celebrity bus was late today..Captain came on and mentioned that..and we watched them pull up while we ate in BLU....

Liverpool tomorrow..arrive 0730..and now depart 5 hours later..2300.

As mentioned earlier,norovirus precautions are off......Another super day onboard the Silhouette.

Belfast: Taxi Trax was awesome!! Gerard Rooney our driver/guide was simply awesome! Saw a lot and even had time to take in a short political tour.. Too tired to jot down all that we did today. Will do that when i do the full review of the cruise when we get back to Ecuador. A great day and we managed not to get rained on...well the car got rained on for a bit, but not a drop at any of the stops!! Awesome day

And norovirus precautions are now OFF....back to normal!!

Belfast: I see we are near the airport..and the Ikea is off our beam....doesnt appear much is around us. Huge empty parking lot with buses and tour group vans/taxis awaiting us.

As promised....the sun is shining in Belfast....enjoy your cruise down Belfast Lough!

I am...sitting outside chilling with an ice cold beer. Ty for the sunshine

Thanks - this will be 3rd time on the Silhouette and really looking forward to it. It is an amazing ship and the staff should be proud of it - they do an amazing job.

 

Let us know how you get on tomorrow

Appears the day is off to a good start..I can say that as I have done my work out for the day and can go back to being a slacker....appears to be a nice day outside....

And I believe the Norovirus extra precautions are now OFF....as I was able to serve myself a coffee at the Aqua cafe (just outside the gym)

Taxi Trax emailed me this morning...all is well.....

Northern Ireland, Scotland, England - British Pound

Republic of Ireland - Euro

TY again......

Whats the most common (preferred) currency? pounds or Euros?

ty for the info Needstocruise soon.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the murals....it is part of the past and not something that is helpful as we move on. Not a highlight in my opinion.

 

The tour you listed above is basically known as the 'North Coast' and has some of the finest scenery in the world (ok I am bias). My phone app says sun all tomorrow afternoon and sunset isn't until almost 9pm so you will have lots of daylight hours to enjoy it all.

 

Giants Causeway is the big attraction on the list although I wouldn't waste too much time in the visitors centre...just go down to the rocks.

 

Ballintoy harbour is a small fishing harbour...pretty and there is s lovely little cafe in a stone cottage if you want a quick coffee.

 

Carrick-a-rede rope bridge is a narrow bridge across to a rock....little scary if you don't like heights but beautiful scenery.

 

Expect it to be busy as the school holidays are still on and these areas are popular with locals.

 

Wish I could join you all....but have to work....need to pay for our cruise on the Silly in October!

You will enjoy the Silhouette..it is our 2nd time on it...did the Med on it back in 2013..beautiful ship, and the staff have been superb.....the only downside may be the cafetaria..food is so-so....if thats the worst thing 1 can say about a cruise, u know one is having a good time,lol

We have the classic drink package...Im a boring cold beer..rum/coke guy, and very happy with the pkg....service has been great with it.....rum/coke stays full at supper....Enjoy ur cruise and ty for the info

Are you going to the Giants causeway?

our spots:

(G.O.T. = Game of Thrones)

(1)DARK HEDGES:KINGS ROAD G.O.T Location

(2)BUSHMILLS WHISKEY DISTILLERY

(3)DUNLUCE CASTLE:PKYE CASTLE G.O.T Location

(4)GIANTS CAUSEWAY

(5)DUNSERVICK CASTLE

(6)DUNSERVICK HARBOUR

(7)WHITE PARK BAY

(8)BALLINTOY HARBOUR: G.O.T Location

(9)CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE: G.O.T Location

May disregard a few stops as the wife really wants to see the graffiti in town......Most important thing to see is the Giants Causeway....But were open for suggestions,lol

Just looked them up - they appear to get good reviews on trip advisor....I hope you have good day and everything goes smoothly.

 

Northern Ireland is a small place and Belfast is compact so don't hesitate to just stop someone on the street and ask directions or assistance.

Yes, they have great reviews..and answered all my questions..very professional, just in a few cases it has taken a few days to get back to me....not overly concerned....200 pounds for a full days tour, is pretty fair.....

I hope you all have a great time in Belfast- we have ordered some sunshine just for you!

 

I will look out for the ship cruising down the lough. For anyone who still doesn't have plans for the afternoon...Titanic Belfast is close to the docks and you could happily spend a few hours learning more about our great city and the tragic story of the Titanic. If you want to explore the shops, the best shopping centre is the Victoria Centre which is in the city centre. There are nice cafes and restaurants around City Hall if you just want to explore.

Whatever you do....enjoy our fine city!

We have a full days tour with Taxi Trax all planned out..hopefully it goes smoothly....they have not been the fastest to reply to my emails, so we shall see...

Another very nice day here Dublin! Overcast, but no rain..perfect day for walking around.

Noticed todays taxi had a different starting rate than yesterdays taxi...And he charged us an extra 2 euro..where the taxi yesterday only charged us an extra 1 euro. We went a tad bit further....todays fare was 15 Euro, yesterdays was 10.

Did the hop on/off bus again.....Went to the Kilmainham jail right away..well we got there at 10 am and a line already had formed. We got into the 1030 guided tour. All tours are guided there. Excellent tour.....get ther early, as when we left at 1130, the line was very long, betting at least a few hour wait. Your Dublin Pass tickets do not allow you to skip the line

But th Dublin Pass tickets do allow you to skip the line at Jameson. Even so we still had to wait just over an hour for the next tour. So got our tickets and went and had lunch at Jo Burgers which is right by the entrance to jamesons! Very good burger and onion rings! The tour itself was very good. You get to compare the taste of jamesons to a Scotish and American Whiskey..and at the very end u get a full jameson to sample, have it with ginger if u wish, and if u dont drink, have a coke! Was a good tour, but the Guiness tour was much better.

Walked back to the ship again..need more exercise as the food in BLU has been superb. Wife can always find somethign to eat...I'm happy to stick with my Steak if nothing else sounds tempting.

Dublin Pass was well worth it..so was the hop on/off bus, We were happy with the Green one....especially since they were not as busy as the red ones!!

BLU: 1 can always get caesar salad, french onion soup, shrimp cocktail and a few others..even though they ar enot listed on the menu..waiters mention that the 1st few nights......As well there are 3 main courses that are always on the menu..1 is the newyork grilled steak, a chicken breast and salmon! So much food....believe me, one will not starve in BLU....way tooooo much food.

Still seeing them soak down the bulkheads (walls) with disinfectant....not sure if they are still serving in the cafetaria (norovirus precautions) but my guess is yes. Guess I will find that out tomorrow morning after my workout...see if I can get my own coffee at the Aquacafe or if they are still serving it.

Belfast tomorrow. Arriving at 1300. 1 item Celebrity has sucked at is passing of information. We were originally suppose to get into Belfast at 0800. Those that went to the CC get togetgher, put on by Celebrity, were told about the tiem change.....And that was it. I was told it as also in 1 of the early Celebrity Dailies..but did not see it.....I was told that one could goto Guest celebrations....give them ur private tour companies phone #, and they would phone them and notify them of the time change.

Great cruise.......

At 1645, the ship is getting close to sailing, right? Or are you there late? That would explain a lot.

We are staying overnight in Dublin..so not late or anything....

I would not say there was a steady flow of taxes this morning when we left the ship at 0945.....only 1 by the ship (which we took) and 3 just away from the ship.....When we walked back to the ship at 1645..there were no taxis at all.

Dublin: We are at ocean pier 33.....The ship has a shuttle on which is $14 usd a person a day......We took a taxi from the ship to around Trinity College and it was 10 Euro...

We bought a Dublin Pass (online) and it is wel worth it...With it we were able to pass the long lines at th Guinness beer tour!!

We bought the Green hop on/off bs tickets (online) has worked out very well, but it appears theire are more of the red hop on/off buses!! Not sure what their route is like.

We walked back to the ship from downtown (near a starbucks) and it took us around 1 hour..at a slow rate!

And for my fellow Canucks....found a TIM HORTONS!!! they are in some of the convenience stores!! The coffee comes out of a machine, and does not taste the same as the Timmies back in Canada.....but since I reside in Ecuador....I miss my Timmies so was nice to just hold a cup,lol

I guess they brought in more cleaners today....and the norovirus rates are going down.....hopefully that continues!!

BLU was busy tonight..guess they figured more people would be ashore...nope..it was packed and the staff were running around..felt bad for them....but a few cruisers didn't care....I guess they mixed in with the rude people at the early show (2045) Theatre was packed for the show, and people figured they could stand anywhere, and block the view of people that had seats...not sure where the staff were, as they should have been the ones moving people. Great show....Local Celtic dancers and a singer....was excellent!!!

Great weather, and the great cruise continues.....

We are at ocean Pier 33.....Celebrity has a shuttle...$14 usd a person each day. Yes there are taxis..as 10 Euro from the ship to the area right by Trinity College!

We walked back to the ship and took around an hour....we took our time!. I as told it was around 3 miles!

Green hop on hop off bus has worked great seeing the city....There is also a red one (different company) and they seem to come around more often!

Highly recommend the Dublin Pass....huge line at the Guinness Beer stop..we bypassed it!!

Thank You flames9! I appreciate hearing about your tendering experience in Holyhead. I assume that was supposed to be a docked port but they decided to tender instead? I am glad it all went smoothly for you. Which tour did you go with in Holyhead? I hope my tender experience on our future BI cruise works as well as yours has!

 

Connie

Was a private tour set up by another CC member....when I get back to Quito in just over a week I will do up a full review of each port.

I'm surprised they allowed no tender tickets....I know when we did the Med in 2013 on the Silhouette, they issued tender tickets right from the start....but I guess people wanted to get off the ship right away.....people on this cruise seem to sleep in and get a later start.....Dublin tomorrow..stay overnight and leave late Sunday night around 2245.

Yes we were originally supposed to dock..then it switched to a tender......Believe the same thing happened to the July 15th British Isles cruise..except theirs ended up being cancelled..so make sure ur private tour companies give 100% back in case of cancellation!!

Open tenders again this morning in Holyhead.....No clue when they started with the tickets.. The private tour I was on, met at 0745 at deck 5 by the coffee bar..and a few minutes later they opened up the lines! We were on the 1st tender across. I believe those that were on Celebrity excursions, met in 1 of the theatres and disembarked in the tenders that were on the aft of the ship, but dont quote me on that, as I have never taken a celebrity excursion.

Was somewhat of a misty day today here in the Holyhead area. Was still very acceptable weather in my opinion, but the mist did hid some of the beautiful scenery. But by mid afternoon it was sunny and dry! We were back by 1630..no line ups at all to get on a tender!!

Blu was empty at 1745....but eventually started to fill up

Waiter told me at supper..when they get 3 suspected Noro cases they start Noro precautions.

Service in Blu has been superb....have the classic drink pkg...rum and coke remains full,lol Superb cruise thus far

Hello. Onboard Celebrity Silhouette and coming to Ocean Pier 33. I have heard that 1 pier in Dublin is quite far away and no taxis are available. Celebrity has put on a shuttle that is $14 usd a person roundtrip. Curious if there are taxis near Ocean Pier 33..if so how much were they? TY

I would think it would be a lot more as well....and its not a # the ship really wants to let out....Our room attendant told us no more new cases..yet 1 on our groups FB page had become ill that day.....

1 needs warm water with soap and friction...no warm water in the bathrooms throughout the ship....Seems to come out cold at the bathrooms I have visited....let guest relations know....