August 8th sailing----British Isles Cruise

[Johnno3c]

What date are you due into Liverpool please would like to see you sailing up the Mersey. Is your ship the same class/size as the Eclipse? Due to go on Eclipse in a few weeks time.

[flames9]

tried posting pics of the Daily Celebrity newsletter, bt keeps giving me an error..sorry

[flames9]

What date are you due into Liverpool please would like to see you sailing up the Mersey. Is your ship the same class/size as the Eclipse? Due to go on Eclipse in a few weeks time.

 

Aug 19th arrive Liverpool around 6 am....yep same class: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice-class_cruise_ship

[Edgewater601]

Were in Aqua class, and were not elite or above, so no priority tickets for us. One had to pick up tender tickets....believe it was on deck 4, in 1 of the forward lobbies....just had to walk up and ask for as many tender tickets as 1 required.....so if u have a tour, one could grab as many tender tickets for ur whole group...did not ask to see a room key!

 

We were in tender group 7.....and off the boat at 0900 (think they started at 0730, and of course those in Suites, eleit and above and Celebrity excursions, got priority)

 

I was told by another guest that many seemed to have the same plan....take it easy..sleep in and go into town a bit later.....also figuring mnay woul dbe off the boat early and no issues getting off the boat. I was told around 10am or so, it did get busy and lines started to form in getting off the ship.

 

Guernsey is a nice little town.....We didnt do much...caught the bus for 1 pound to the german Occupation Museuem....which is extremely well done and then caught the bus back into town..walked around a bit...had a very nice fish/chip dinner (15 pounds for 2 meals and 2 cokes) and then went back to the ship! One did have to wait in line to catch a tender back..Maybe 20 min or so...in the drizzle!

 

U can take bus 91 or 92 all aroudn the island for 1 pound..it takes approx 90 minutes! We just took bus 91 ( i think) to the museum and bus 92 back....We had thought of taking the bus all the way around.....but didnt really see a whole lot besides houses from downtown to the museum! Not sure what else 1 sees the rest of the route (besides houses) I htink buses come around every 25 minutes!

 

Celebrity is using their lifeboats as water taxi's and the did hire 1 local boat to assist in the transport......I think the tendering has gone fairly well..as someone in line stated..ur on a cruise..so some line standing is expected!

 

Norovirus precautions in affect.....no serving urself in the cafetaria....good times. Watching people wash their hands...most don't do it properly..they just get their hands wet..bit of soap..and a quick rinse! Which does not accomplish much! Take ur time, at least 20 seconds, hot water , soap and lots of friction, and rinse off with hot water! My RN message of the day,lol I prefer not to shake hands or touch railings.......

 

Time for a nap..or to the gym????

 

If I am understanding you correctly, even though you are not Elite status, they were still giving Elite and above priority tender tickets. Is that the case? The reason I am asking is that I am trying to arrange a private tour on a future BI cruise and I want to make sure that the priority tender option for elites is possible in order to get my tour passengers off the ship early. Thank for all the information you are providing to us!

 

Connie

[flames9]

If I am understanding you correctly, even though you are not Elite status, they were still giving Elite and above priority tender tickets. Is that the case? The reason I am asking is that I am trying to arrange a private tour on a future BI cruise and I want to make sure that the priority tender option for elites is possible in order to get my tour passengers off the ship early. Thank for all the information you are providing to us!

 

Connie

 

Im not elite..only our 2nd Celebrity cruise....so in reality I have no clue if Elite and above got priority tender tickets......

[ecslady]

If I am understanding you correctly, even though you are not Elite status, they were still giving Elite and above priority tender tickets. Is that the case? The reason I am asking is that I am trying to arrange a private tour on a future BI cruise and I want to make sure that the priority tender option for elites is possible in order to get my tour passengers off the ship early. Thank for all the information you are providing to us!

 

Connie

 

Elites and above got priority tender tickets on the June 2015 BI cruise.

[Johnno3c]

Ooh! How exciting flames9 can't wait to see her. I hope the weather is kind to you in Liverpool there is so much to see and do and if you like museums they are usually free to enter and have recently been modernised. The newest one at the Pier Head is like a black box but has some interesting things in it like the overhead railway that used to run in Liverpool.

There is also a sightseeing bus that you can hoho, from the commentary I have heard you will get a taste of the Scouse humour!

Keep on enjoying your cruise.

[Edgewater601]

Elites and above got priority tender tickets on the June 2015 BI cruise.

 

Thank you so much for that piece of information, ecslady!

 

Flames9, if you happen to run into any elite members on your current cruise, would you mind asking them if they were offered priority tender tickets for your tender ports?

 

I have been hearing that they were not being offered on all sailings on all ships like I anticipated. I am so hopeful that they are on all Silhouette BI sailings. That would make my life so much easier when trying to book a private tour! Thanks for your help!

 

Connie

[flames9]

Thank you so much for that piece of information, ecslady!

 

Flames9, if you happen to run into any elite members on your current cruise, would you mind asking them if they were offered priority tender tickets for your tender ports?

 

I have been hearing that they were not being offered on all sailings on all ships like I anticipated. I am so hopeful that they are on all Silhouette BI sailings. That would make my life so much easier when trying to book a private tour! Thanks for your help!

 

Connie

 

I detest tendered ports..rather not do tours on the tendered ports......They called 2 people over the PA system after the time everyone was suppose to be onboard--1630---- around 1703 (ship was leaving at 1700) the hired local boat brought them back!! They were very lucky!!

[Guernseycruiser]

Were in Aqua class, and were not elite or above, so no priority tickets for us. One had to pick up tender tickets....believe it was on deck 4, in 1 of the forward lobbies....just had to walk up and ask for as many tender tickets as 1 required.....so if u have a tour, one could grab as many tender tickets for ur whole group...did not ask to see a room key!

 

We were in tender group 7.....and off the boat at 0900 (think they started at 0730, and of course those in Suites, eleit and above and Celebrity excursions, got priority)

 

I was told by another guest that many seemed to have the same plan....take it easy..sleep in and go into town a bit later.....also figuring mnay woul dbe off the boat early and no issues getting off the boat. I was told around 10am or so, it did get busy and lines started to form in getting off the ship.

 

Guernsey is a nice little town.....We didnt do much...caught the bus for 1 pound to the german Occupation Museuem....which is extremely well done and then caught the bus back into town..walked around a bit...had a very nice fish/chip dinner (15 pounds for 2 meals and 2 cokes) and then went back to the ship! One did have to wait in line to catch a tender back..Maybe 20 min or so...in the drizzle!

 

U can take bus 91 or 92 all aroudn the island for 1 pound..it takes approx 90 minutes! We just took bus 91 ( i think) to the museum and bus 92 back....We had thought of taking the bus all the way around.....but didnt really see a whole lot besides houses from downtown to the museum! Not sure what else 1 sees the rest of the route (besides houses) I htink buses come around every 25 minutes!

 

Celebrity is using their lifeboats as water taxi's and the did hire 1 local boat to assist in the transport......I think the tendering has gone fairly well..as someone in line stated..ur on a cruise..so some line standing is expected!

 

Norovirus precautions in affect.....no serving urself in the cafetaria....good times. Watching people wash their hands...most don't do it properly..they just get their hands wet..bit of soap..and a quick rinse! Which does not accomplish much! Take ur time, at least 20 seconds, hot water , soap and lots of friction, and rinse off with hot water! My RN message of the day,lol I prefer not to shake hands or touch railings.......

 

Time for a nap..or to the gym????

That's a shame that you did not take the round the island bus, as there is much more to see than just houses on the full route. I am sorry that you did not have sunny weather today, anywhere in the world looks so much better with good weather. Hope you enjoyed your day.

[flames9]

That's a shame that you did not take the round the island bus, as there is much more to see than just houses on the full route. I am sorry that you did not have sunny weather today, anywhere in the world looks so much better with good weather. Hope you enjoyed your day.

 

Was a very nice city with such an interesting history.....only sprinkled with rain, so it didn't ruin anything...

[flames9]

Great day in Cork yesterday..hot and sunny!! Driver stated it was the best day of the year and they dont get many like that!

 

Decided to stay on the boat today for th Waterford stop..its a tendered port..then 1 has to get a shuttle or taxi to Waterford, which is about 30 minutes away...sounded like a lot of time waiting and being in lines,lol so just chill on the boat. They did say on the Celebrity TV program that many seemed to sleep in during our last tendered port (guernsey) and they couldnt fill the early tenders, but by 10-1030m their were huge ines to get off the ship....not sure if that was the case today....appears to be another sunny day!

 

Still Norovirus precautions and don't think they are going away anytime soon!

[barney50]

Thank you Flames9 for all the information. I was on the Scandanavia and Russian cruise which finished Saturday 8th August. Your cruise will be in Belfast on 17th August and I was wondering if you had met Jorgie and Mellanie in the MDR tables 555 etc on Deck 4.

I work in Belfast a short distance from the docks and I would like to meet some of the crew if they were free on port day.

Umesh, Corsino and Regulas from the Lawn Club Grill.

I do not have any contact info but if you find out anything could you please email me at brian@mccluskey7ashbrook.fslife.co.uk

Thank you.

[flames9]

Thank you Flames9 for all the information. I was on the Scandanavia and Russian cruise which finished Saturday 8th August. Your cruise will be in Belfast on 17th August and I was wondering if you had met Jorgie and Mellanie in the MDR tables 555 etc on Deck 4.

I work in Belfast a short distance from the docks and I would like to meet some of the crew if they were free on port day.

Umesh, Corsino and Regulas from the Lawn Club Grill.

I do not have any contact info but if you find out anything could you please email me at brian@mccluskey7ashbrook.fslife.co.uk

Thank you.

 

sorry do not eat in the MDR...and I'm one of those odd cruisers that don't chat with many onboard.

[barney50]

Thank you Flames9 for all the information. I was on the Scandanavia and Russian cruise which finished Saturday 8th August. Your cruise will be in Belfast on 17th August and I was wondering if you had met Jorgie and Mellanie in the MDR tables 555 etc on Deck 4.

I work in Belfast a short distance from the docks and I would like to meet some of the crew if they were free on port day.

Umesh, Corsino and Regulas from the Lawn Club Grill.

I do not have any contact info but if you find out anything could you please email me at brian@mccluskey7ashbrook.fslife.co.uk

Thank you.

Is there anyone else on board who can help with this?

[BoyntonNancy]

NOROVIRUS!!!! guess a small % of people have shown gastrointestinal issues! So they have started to condict an advanced sanitization procedure onboard!! Good times!!

 

Normandy and the Canadian Sectors with Label West was superb!!

 

1st tendered port tomorrow.....will find out tomorrow how it is handled..as were just walking around, so not overly concerned...

 

Great food and service continues!!

 

I called Celebrity and they are telling me there is NO NOROVIRUS. Do you have any updated information?

[3girlsmom]

We are onboard now. I was told by a crew member that there are 8 people sick. I've seen no sign of illness just the precautions such as no self-service in the cafe's, no library books, the butter on the table is wrapped, the captain is making a daily "health update" just before we sail asking us to wash our hands, go see the doctor if sick, etc., and there's lots & lots of railing cleanings going on!

So far we've had great weather, a few showers in Guernsey but bright sunshine yesterday in Cork & today in Waterford.

To answer someone's question about priority tender tickets, we have not gotten them on our bed the night before as I'm used to. Instead we meet the captains club hostess in a lounge & she escorts us down to the next available tender. It appears to be working well.

This is a wonderful itinerary, only change so far is that we aren't getting into Belfast until 1:00 now because of tides. This messed up our plans for the day, but I'm sure we will find something else interesting to do.

[need2cruisesoon]

Is there anyone else on board who can help with this?

 

We had them one night on the cruise before yours (BI 7/15), they were great and awesome service.

[need2cruisesoon]

That's a shame that you did not take the round the island bus, as there is much more to see than just houses on the full route. I am sorry that you did not have sunny weather today, anywhere in the world looks so much better with good weather. Hope you enjoyed your day.

 

We loved Guernsey, we were on the previous BI cruise (7/15) and in port on 7/25 Saturday. We didn't take the bus around the island, but had a couple pints at Mora Restaurant then lunch at the Boathouse. Our weather was great, heck I even think I git a little sun burn.:D

[barney50]

Thank you 3girlsmom for all the information. I was on the Scandanavia and Russian cruise which finished Saturday 8th August. Your cruise will be in Belfast on 17th August and I was wondering if you had met Jorgie and Mellanie in the MDR tables 555 etc on Deck 4.

I work in Belfast a short distance from the docks and I would like to meet some of the crew if they were free on port day.

Umesh, Corsino and Regulas from the Lawn Club Grill.

I do not have any contact info but if you find out anything could you please email me at brian@mccluskey7ashbrook.fslife.co.uk

Thank you.

[Presto2]

Hi from the UK. Have just seen the weather for tomorrow when you are due in Wales. Get those brollies and wellies out.

 

Seriously, what a shame as this part of Wales is one of my favourite places in the world. I hope the sun shines a little for you all. :)

 

We were thinking of travelling up to see the Silhouette dock but would be far too depressed not to be on board. :D

[Edgewater601]

We are onboard now. I was told by a crew member that there are 8 people sick. I've seen no sign of illness just the precautions such as no self-service in the cafe's, no library books, the butter on the table is wrapped, the captain is making a daily "health update" just before we sail asking us to wash our hands, go see the doctor if sick, etc., and there's lots & lots of railing cleanings going on!

So far we've had great weather, a few showers in Guernsey but bright sunshine yesterday in Cork & today in Waterford.

To answer someone's question about priority tender tickets, we have not gotten them on our bed the night before as I'm used to. Instead we meet the captains club hostess in a lounge & she escorts us down to the next available tender. It appears to be working well.

This is a wonderful itinerary, only change so far is that we aren't getting into Belfast until 1:00 now because of tides. This messed up our plans for the day, but I'm sure we will find something else interesting to do.

 

Thank you 3girlsmom. Do you think if I talked to the Captain's Club person upon boarding that I would have any luck getting a priority tender position for my tour group, the majority of whom are elite? I am organizing only one tour in the tender port of Waterford, but I have some non Elite people on our tour that I am trying to get off the ship early with the rest of us. How difficult was it to get off the ship early on the Waterford tender, do you think I would have any problem getting my whole group off, and how long were the lines to get back on the tender in the late afternoon?

 

I would appreciate any information you could provide me! Thank you!

 

Connie

[flames9]

I called Celebrity and they are telling me there is NO NOROVIRUS. Do you have any updated information?

 

Celebrity phone people tend to be clueless,lol Norovirus precautions still in effect.....Captain has briefed the ship the past 2 nights..... Only area we notice it is in the Cafeteria, which we normally do not visit.....

 

We didn't go ashore today in Waterford, just chilled on the boat....didn't want to deal with tenders..then another 30 minute bus ride to Waterford....Deal with tenders again tomorrow in Holyhead.

[ORV]

We are onboard now. I was told by a crew member that there are 8 people sick. I've seen no sign of illness just the precautions such as no self-service in the cafe's, no library books, the butter on the table is wrapped, the captain is making a daily "health update" just before we sail asking us to wash our hands, go see the doctor if sick, etc., and there's lots & lots of railing cleanings going on!

So far we've had great weather, a few showers in Guernsey but bright sunshine yesterday in Cork & today in Waterford.

To answer someone's question about priority tender tickets, we have not gotten them on our bed the night before as I'm used to. Instead we meet the captains club hostess in a lounge & she escorts us down to the next available tender. It appears to be working well.

This is a wonderful itinerary, only change so far is that we aren't getting into Belfast until 1:00 now because of tides. This messed up our plans for the day, but I'm sure we will find something else interesting to do.

 

I'm pretty sure more than 8 people would have to be sick for these precautions to be taken. I would think 8 or more people would have stomach issues every day on a ship of this size.

[flames9]

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....

Edited August 13, 2015 by flames9