Sort of LIVE Celebrity Millennium Nov. 28 and Dec. 3rd B2B's

[dmwnc1959]

P.S. this evenings MDR followed Menu D from the menu thread.

[dmwnc1959]

Updates on this last evenings entertainment:

 

- I thought the group 'A Capella' were very good, quite entertaining, and at times delightfully humorous. Catch these guys, it really is worth your time!

 

- The show in the Celebrity Theater titled 'iBroadway' is the same one I believe I saw last year on Celebrity Mercury? It was only my third ever show and don't have much to compare it by. The entertainers were very energetic, sang well, and the dance routines not too over the top. The attending audience apparently loved it. Overall from this novice it is not a do-or-die 'must see', but entertaining enough to end the evening.

 

- A side note: The Comedian from Wednesday night, Fred Clett, has received high praise from quite a few passengers. I missed his show on Wednesday, but he has another one tonight and I do plan on catching it. I talked with him briefly in the Cova Cafe last night and unfortunately he is leaving the ship upon our arrival in Miami (just for the holidays) but should be back after the New Year.

 

When I got back to my cabin I was quite surprised and thrilled to find a personal Bridge Tour Invitation. THANKS Tony! :) Details later....

 

Now about today -

Friday Dec. 2, 2011....last full day and a sea day before returning to Miami for my Turn-Around Day:

 

5:15am

Wide awake. My body clock is officially screwed up; from trying to flip my sleep/awake cycle from working midnight shifts, and now two clock changes, it's taking longer than I thought to adapt.

 

We are now in the Gulf of Mexico just due north of the very western tip of Cuba and have exited the Yucatan Channel.

 

After a quick shower, I headed upstairs to catch the sunrise, which didn't happen as advertised in the Celebrity Today (they listed 6:02 and it's still pitch black outside), then spent some time downloading pictures from my digital camera to my Netbook. I've taken just over 720 pictures since leaving home Sunday, so downloading them and re-sizing them now will make it easier to later download them to Flikr and post at the end of the cruise in a final review of the 10-nights.

 

At approximately 6:35am I believe I saw what would have been the International Space Station nearly directly overhead and to our starboard side. It was as bright as a small star and moving quite fast. I have seen it before from where I live in West Virginia, knowing its schedule from a website I have earmarked.

 

7am

Cuba is again visible off of our starboard side as the sun rises. The Celebrity Today was an hour off due to our time change? The seas are again rather calm, 3-5 feet and the skies are partly cloudy. Way up ahead of us it's looks a bit dark and ominous.

 

I'm having the same breakfast as yesterday in the lido cafe. Have yet to try one of the smoothies offered in the AquaSpa Cafe. They are $4.50 and if I had bought a drink package I'd had them every morning. Maybe I'll have one for 'second breakfast' around 10am.

 

The big sea day BRUNCH is scheduled for today in the MDR from 10:15am-1pm. Photo ops from 9:45-10am. I'll try an catch the photo op before meeting up at the designated (secret) place for the Bridge Tour.

 

More later after the Noon Day announcement from the bridge.

 

Pictures of sunrise this morning:

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

Ok. A word of advice, then I'll be back later. Don't eat the Almond Croissants at the Cova Cafe. Seriously. If you do the next thing you'll know is you're craving them every morning and dreaming about them as you drift off to sleep every night. They are addictive! Seriously, someone take this almond croissant out of my hand! Is there a post-cruise ACA? Almond Croissants Anonymous? Rehab? 1-800 hotline for addiction assistance? Once you eat one, there's no going back....

 

A quick word about my waiter in the MDR: he has been extremely helpful in his recommendations from each evenings menu in regards to my special digestive issues. He has also been kind enough to bring dairy free desserts and double scoops of sorbet at the end of each meal. Even though I have delighted in the delicious almond croissants I pay the price, to some extent, hours later as my body's system reminds me it was against the 'rules'. Oh well, live and let live. And pass me another almond croissant please. ;)

 

And a quick note about tomorrow morning:

 

Looking forward to Miami and the new group of CC members as we have about 40+ for our Sail Away group!

 

If anyone is interested the Biscayne Bay Pilots website has the order of the ships arriving as:

 

- Celebrity Millennium

- Celebrity Eclipse

- Norwegian Epic

- Carnival Destiny

- Carnival Liberty

 

We should be at the ship channel entrance by 4:15am alongside Miami Beach and probably moored by 5:00am. All of us will be starboard side to Dodge Island except the last ship, so maybe I can get some pictures of the ships all lit up as they pass us coming and going from the turning basin.

 

The order of the ships leaving Saturday starting at 4pm:

 

- Norwegian Epic

- Carnival Liberty (to turning basin)

- Carnival Destiny

- Celebrity Millennium

- Celebrity Eclipse

 

More later...

[dmwnc1959]

9am

The ship is a bit chilly this morning in the public spaces. Glad I brought a light jacket with me.

 

10am

Just made it to the pre-brunch photo session. Lots of food warmers filled with meat, tons of deserts, sushi, sliced meat carving stations, omelets to order, all sorts of great food. Them I rushed off to...

 

10:30am

There was a group of about 30 people for the bridge tour including 3 children. We were instructed to meet @ 10:20am then were escorted to the bridge.

 

Some info passed down before we went up and obtained during the tour:

- 12 inches of clearance for this Panamax classified ship in the Panama Canal

- 950 crew total

- from 50 countries

- speaking 23 languages

- 350 of the 950 crew work below and we never see them

- length overall 294 meters (964ft)

- Breath 32.2 meters

- gross tonnage 90,228 metric tons

- air draft 180 feet (55 meters)

- fuel usage: gas turbine engines burn 'premium' diesel fuel, 88,000 gallons a day at a cost of $210,000 per day

- the ship has 2 gas turbine, 1 diesel, and 1 steam engine

- entered service in 2000

 

We got stickers to ID us so no one can sneak into the group and then a metal wand security check before being stepping onto the bridge.

 

11am

After the Bridge Tour I rushed down to the Celebrity Theater for the crew talent show. This was truly a wonderful show with some really great talent, hilarious acts, and was a LOT of fun. Don't miss this!

 

11:45am

Went back to my cabin and my Turn-Around Day info packet was on the door with a Transit Pass. More details on this later after I get a chance to read it.

 

12pm

The Captain's Noon Day announcement from the bridge:

 

Position -

- Latitude 23 15.1 north

- Longitude 083 34.5 west

- 21.5 miles off the northwestern coast of Cuba

- course is 065 at 15.5 knots

- distance travelled since Cozumel is 250nm at an average speed of 13 knots

- distance to Miami 272mm

- arrival at Pilot station 3:30am and docked no later than 5am

- current depth of ocean 6900 feet

- current air temp is 75, sea temp 81, seas 10', winds 13 knots from NNE

 

12:30pm

Had to run eat at the brunch buffet since it closes around 1pm. It was an amazing amount of food!

 

Some pictures from the pre-brunch photo session and bridge tour:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

 

 

 

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

And of the Bridge Tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to come later....

 

.

[dmwnc1959]

2:00pm

You can tell it's the last day of the cruise for most people; the Solarium and Thelassotherapy Pool is absolutely packed, the latter with about 25 people in it, not counting the dozens of people on the surrounding solarium raised wooden deck platform, chairs, and in the jacuzzis.

 

Most of the tables at the AquaSpa Cafe are taken up by people playing cards, reading, and playing majong. No real place to sit for those wanting to eat here.

 

And it's very, very loud. Did I mention it was LOUD?

 

The loungers along the Solarium edge facing the sea are all full, most people sleeping or reading.

 

Most of the main pool jacuzzis are full of kids. Yes, kids. Maybe 5-10 year old kids. No parents around. Just kids.

 

The skies are mostly overcast and the seas have kicked up quite a bit with small white caps. The ship is sailing head-on into the coming seas.

 

3:00pm

Due north of Havana about 30 miles off the coast of Cuba.

 

Emporium shops are now packed. Lots of last day sales here and on the temporary tables set up on Deck 10. There's a 'Watch Extravaganza' sale.

 

Found out why the Solarium is so packed. The winds on Deck 11 up above the main pool must be 35mph or more. There is not a single soul in the deck chairs on Deck 11. I can't even hardly stand up the winds are so strong!

 

The ship is also starting to rock a bit as we bounce head-on into the swells.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

It was asked about sushi in the evening. Tonight's 5:30 sushi lineup in the lido cafe:

 

- Vegetable Roll

- Eel sushi

- Kappa Nigiri

- Yellow Tail Nigiri

- Spicy Tuna Roll

- Salmon Nigiri

- Kani Kama Roll

- Tuna Nigiri

- California Roll

- Shrimp Nigiri

- Spicy Salmon w/creme cheese

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

 

 

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

And tonight's sunset

 

 

 

 

 

[dln929]

Those are wonderful sunset photos! I was inspired to look up all the sunset times for when we cruise on the Silhouette. I want my photo album to look as good as yours. Thanks!

[Lois R]

A couple of quick notes on my room at the Intercontinental:

 

- I have a two bed room, it was the only one left at check-in that faced the cruise ships, I'm on the 13th floor and the charge was $20 to upgrade from a standard room (supposedly one that faces elsewhere). And so far the extra charge is WELL worth it.

- the bathroom is large and separated into two spaces; shower and toilet in one with a door the closes and locks, the other space is the single basin sink with vanity mirror (magnifies) and hair dryer (1200/1600 watts). In this space is also a large closet with an electronic safe and another small counter above a four-drawer cabinet deep enough to hold clothes.

- the products used in the bathroom are Elemis; a small 1.4 ounce bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion as well as two small round bars of soap.

- there is an In-room Bar set up with snacks that will cost $6 for a soda, $7-9 dollars for a beer or alcoholic drink, $2.50-$13 for candy bars to cashews.

- there is an excellent Room Service menu for breakfast with everything you can imagine at a price that reflects that. There is also a small 4 cup coffee maker.

- there is no free wifi: it cost $11-14 depending on the speed you choose.

-the room has a large flat screen Samsung TV looks to be about 42" with remote control

-there is a small sitting area next to the large window that overlooks Dodge Island.

- there are plenty of outlets beneath a large very writing desk

- there is also a quite stylish alarm clock but I didn't use it.

- there is a small closet space next to the temperature control for the room that houses an ironing board and iron.

- the room itself has literally no drawer space, it's all in the bathroom.

- there is space in the TV stand to store stuff. Enough for lots of folded clothes or electronics.

 

Overall VERY pleased with the room and the beds were very soft but not so much that you sank into them. Plenty of pillows, also very soft.

 

Hi,:) I am enjoying your thread. I stayed at the IC as well last month.

It was my 3rd time staying there and I didn't remember it is all

feather/down pillows....too soft for me:rolleyes::eek:....I should have called

the front desk and had them bring me foam but for some reason

I was just too tired to make the call.....

 

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time and your pictures

are terrific:)

[martiniren]

Thank you for your LIVE FROM report. I'm envious-we were on Millennium B2B 31 Oct-10 Nov. I feel like we are cruising again. Enjoy!!!!! Please read my review when you return.

[KangarooCruiser]

And of the Bridge Tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to come later....

 

.

 

G'day Mate,

 

Glad to see you took in the bridge tour, would you believe we had the same crew member as our host.

 

Keep it coming - great live from.

 

Tony

[dmwnc1959]

Attended the Fairwell Variety Show at 7pm. Lots of fun. Included previous acts that performed during the cruise, a couple that I had missed:

 

- The Celebrity Orchestra

- The A Capella Group (Metropark)

- Mike Price (juggler)

- Fred Clett (comedian)

 

There was a 'Surprise Performance by your Sr. Officers' in the Grand Foyer at 8:15pm. I was in the Celebrity Today, so how much of a suprise could it have been? Turned out to be them doing the Macarena on the grand staircase.

 

Listened to Metropark a little while longer, did some last minute shopping (shot glasses, refridgerator magnets, post cards), then will head down in a few to close my shipboard account.

 

According to the map on the in-room TV we are abut 1/2 way up the Keys heading into Miami.

 

Kevin - It was great meeting you!!! Safe travels home.

 

And to my tablemates First Seating Table 507 thanks for a GREAT time. You were all wonderful.

 

And THANKS to everyone at Cruise Critic so far for cruising with me on this first half of my back-to-back. More to come tomorrow on the 5-night Dec. 3rd sailing to Falmouth and Grand Cayman. Hope to do another 'virtual' sail away!

 

Thats it for now. Calling it an early night. Want to be up at 4am to watch us sail into Miami. Should be beautiful!!!

[ammaoftheseas]

 

Last nights sunset.

Loved the sunset pictures.

Ok. A word of advice, then I'll be back later. Don't eat the Almond Croissants at the Cova Cafe. Seriously. If you do the next thing you'll know is you're craving them every morning and dreaming about them as you drift off to sleep every night. They are addictive! Seriously, someone take this almond croissant out of my hand! Is there a post-cruise ACA? Almond Croissants Anonymous? Rehab? 1-800 hotline for addiction assistance? Once you eat one, there's no going back....

 

A quick word about my waiter in the MDR: he has been extremely helpful in his recommendations from each evenings menu in regards to my special

digestive issues. He has also been kind enough to bring dairy free desserts and double scoops of sorbet at the end of each meal. Even though I have delighted in the delicious almond croissants I pay the price, to some extent, hours later as my body's system reminds me it was against the 'rules'. Oh well, live and let live. And pass me another almond croissant please. ;)

 

Thanks for the warring I will try to stay away from them.

See you tomorrow. :D

[viladda]

Ok. A word of advice, then I'll be back later. Don't eat the Almond Croissants at the Cova Cafe. Seriously. If you do the next thing you'll know is you're craving them every morning and dreaming about them as you drift off to sleep every night. They are addictive! Seriously, someone take this almond croissant out of my hand! Is there a post-cruise ACA? Almond Croissants Anonymous? Rehab? 1-800 hotline for addiction assistance? Once you eat one, there's no going back....

 

A quick word about my waiter in the MDR: he has been extremely helpful in his recommendations from each evenings menu in regards to my special digestive issues. He has also been kind enough to bring dairy free desserts and double scoops of sorbet at the end of each meal. Even though I have delighted in the delicious almond croissants I pay the price, to some extent, hours later as my body's system reminds me it was against the 'rules'. Oh well, live and let live. And pass me another almond croissant please. ;)

 

And a quick note about tomorrow morning:

 

Looking forward to Miami and the new group of CC members as we have about 40+ for our Sail Away group!

 

If anyone is interested the Biscayne Bay Pilots website has the order of the ships arriving as:

 

- Celebrity Millennium

- Celebrity Eclipse

- Norwegian Epic

- Carnival Destiny

- Carnival Liberty

 

We should be at the ship channel entrance by 4:15am alongside Miami Beach and probably moored by 5:00am. All of us will be starboard side to Dodge Island except the last ship, so maybe I can get some pictures of the ships all lit up as they pass us coming and going from the turning basin.

 

The order of the ships leaving Saturday starting at 4pm:

 

- Norwegian Epic

- Carnival Liberty (to turning basin)

- Carnival Destiny

- Celebrity Millennium

- Celebrity Eclipse

 

More later...

Thank you so much for sharing your blog....i cant wait to meet you tomorrow for our sailing away party. My friend and i will be wearing hawaiian leis. thats again for sharing

[dmwnc1959]

Entering ship channel now just off of Miami Beach!

 

[dmwnc1959]

Passing the breakwater and Miami Beach. Large condos on the right

 

[dmwnc1959]

Just coming up on the Causeway

 

[dmwnc1959]

About to enter the turning basin and passing the RCI terminals

 

[dmwnc1959]

Docked at 4:50am

 

[dmwnc1959]

Celebrity Eclipse already docked behind us. Norwegian Epic just passed us on the way to the turning basin. I'm sorry, but even in the dark that is an unattractive ship!

[dmwnc1959]

Very, very windy this morning!!!!