First X Cruise:SILHOUETTE JAN 17 2016

[ClaudiaB]

So it took 3 days, and I am officially caught up. I have been re-allocating my Facebook time and general CC browsing to reading your highly engaging review. Does X offer anything like the Ultimate Ship Tour on Princess? We took it on our Caribbean Princess cruise 2 weeks ago, and I just loved it, especially the time up on the bridge (and having our own security officer escort...who knows what mayhem may have otherwise ensued?)

 

There IS something like that, but since he's in a suite, better to ask the Michael's Club concierge who can make things like engine room control room tours, very private galley tours, bridge tours, backstage tours, dinner with the captain or his staff -- happen. Gratis. With smiles and bells on. Better tours than the very large ones that are given to everyone. We had a galley tour with 6 people and it was over an hour with one of the head guys. Midway through he transferred us to another head guy. You've already paid for this essentially with a suite so no need to pay again for the "ultimate" tours or whatever. We've never sailed Princess (never actually sailed anything but X) so not sure what that is but assume it's the same basic thing. $100 or $150 which might include a meal in a restaurant ??

[mit429]

Does anyone know if I can reserve the Alcove ahead of our cruise?

 

Thanks

 

 

Yup, it can be booked via X's website or the phone - just like an excursion!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[luv2cruisemore]

Norris, thanks for your wonderful review (so far). We were on your cruise and the one prior (B2B Western and then Eastern). Your pics are beautiful and provide great memories for us. My wife loved the same area outside the Lawn Club that your wife did.

 

As you can see below, we are long time X cruisers and have converted some of our Princess friends to "abandon ship". We were on the Silhouette in Europe on it's second voyage 4 1/2 years ago. More recently, we've been on Solsitized "M" Class ships (Infinity & Millennium) in South America and Asia. The "M" ships are beautiful as well, smaller and have different specialty restaurants.

 

Keep up the good work!

[5:00_Somewhere]

Yup, it can be booked via X's website or the phone - just like an excursion!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

True, but when we tried shortly after excursions became available online, all the alcoves had already been booked up for all 7 days. If we sail an S-class again, I'll be jumping on this particular reservation the day they become available online ... hovering over my keyboard at 12:01 a.m. like a teenager trying to get Justin Bieber tix. ;)

[G&Gcruisers]

Post 748...Beatles

749... "Mary Poppins" with poetic license

 

Still sailing along and enjoying.

Mj

[pretty princess]

Thank you for this wonderful comprehensive review. It brings back such fond memories for me when I sailed on the Silhouette. She is beautiful. As we are having snow and cold temperatures here in Cleveland, I am packing my bags. Will be boarding the Reflection on Saturday. So glad you enjoyed your trip, I love your pictures. You are quite talented with a camera.

[Bimmer09]

The story continues...last day on board....about 7 a.m or so. Sun not yet risen so I make my way through the pool area, noticing this artwork I hadn't seen before..

 

 

I press on for at 7.30 the buffet will be fully open and there will be people in the way of my photo mission-to Boldly Go and photograph the art vignettes that have caught my eye during my lunchtime visits. I have to shoot fast when I get there.

 

 

Purell stations are all over this ship

 

 

We always dab some Purell where it's offered but we start our day with a spray of a product called Zylast in our cabin.

 

This art doesn't have to be below the counters-plain wood would do-but this is an S Class ship and the intention is to WOW and fill the ship with visual interest.

 

 

 

Art like this (and the smell of Napalm of course) makes me smile first thing in the morning.

 

 

More....

[mit429]

True, but when we tried shortly after excursions became available online, all the alcoves had already been booked up for all 7 days. If we sail an S-class again, I'll be jumping on this particular reservation the day they become available online ... hovering over my keyboard at 12:01 a.m. like a teenager trying to get Justin Bieber tix. ;)

 

I may have snapped one of those up :X

So you'll have to stop by and say hello!

 

I sailed on the Eclipse a few years back and was obsessed with the lawn, one of my criteria for this cruise was that it be the Silhouette or the Reflection so we could give the Alcoves a try!

[Bimmer09]

Norris

 

I'm so sad this is coming to an end. I've looked forward to it every morning. I think the CC community should club together to send you on another cruise so that we can share the vicarious pleasure of your enjoyment

 

Debbie

 

Debbie, thanks for the kind words. I am all for a whip-round to get me on another ship ASAP! LOL!

 

Two cruises a year max is our lot. In 2013 we had one as we cancelled the 2nd to go to Germany. Truth be told we like our land vacations just as much so will never be "Most traveled passengers" on any line.

 

Norris

 

[Bimmer09]

There IS something like that, but since he's in a suite, better to ask the Michael's Club concierge who can make things like engine room control room tours, very private galley tours, bridge tours, backstage tours, dinner with the captain or his staff -- happen. Gratis. With smiles and bells on. Better tours than the very large ones that are given to everyone. We had a galley tour with 6 people and it was over an hour with one of the head guys. Midway through he transferred us to another head guy. You've already paid for this essentially with a suite so no need to pay again for the "ultimate" tours or whatever. We've never sailed Princess (never actually sailed anything but X) so not sure what that is but assume it's the same basic thing. $100 or $150 which might include a meal in a restaurant ??

 

Claudia, thank you. I will now make it a point to introduce ourselves to the Concierge on the first day and enjoy Michael's Club daily. I didn't know the concierge could make things happen like this. It's a great icing on the Suite cake!

 

The $150 UST on Princess has hors d'ouvres in the galley with the Head Chef and some bubbly. Tour is 3 hours long and limited to 12 people (first come....)

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Thank you for this wonderful comprehensive review. It brings back such fond memories for me when I sailed on the Silhouette. She is beautiful. As we are having snow and cold temperatures here in Cleveland, I am packing my bags. Will be boarding the Reflection on Saturday. So glad you enjoyed your trip, I love your pictures. You are quite talented with a camera.

 

Thanks for the compliments on the photos and welcome!

 

As time goes by I hope to learn the camera more fully- the manual is like a small phone book.

 

Luckily for me there are loads of Youtube videos by photographers who know what they are doing before they lift the camera to their eye. They are very good teachers.

 

I'm a happy amateur but mean to improve.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Thank you for this wonderful comprehensive review. It brings back such fond memories for me when I sailed on the Silhouette. She is beautiful. As we are having snow and cold temperatures here in Cleveland, I am packing my bags. Will be boarding the Reflection on Saturday. So glad you enjoyed your trip, I love your pictures. You are quite talented with a camera.

 

Sorry- I forgot to wish you Bon Voyage on the Reflection!!

 

Take lots of pics!!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris, thanks for your wonderful review (so far). We were on your cruise and the one prior (B2B Western and then Eastern). Your pics are beautiful and provide great memories for us. My wife loved the same area outside the Lawn Club that your wife did.

 

As you can see below, we are long time X cruisers and have converted some of our Princess friends to "abandon ship". We were on the Silhouette in Europe on it's second voyage 4 1/2 years ago. More recently, we've been on Solsitized "M" Class ships (Infinity & Millennium) in South America and Asia. The "M" ships are beautiful as well, smaller and have different specialty restaurants.

 

Keep up the good work!

 

Hi and welcome. I am happy to find you following along. I'm glad you liked the pics and that they remind you of that excellent cruise.

 

You were on the same cruise? But didn't say hi? The nerve! LOL

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

 

[Bimmer09]

Post 748...Beatles

749... "Mary Poppins" with poetic license

 

Still sailing along and enjoying.

Mj

 

Well spotted MJ!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Still to come...

 

Sunrise color spectacular

Places I haven't been before (MDR, library, Casino, Cellar Masters etc)

Officers vs Passengers water volleyball in photos and videos

First MDR dinner following a great comedy show

 

In the meantime I am crouching down in the Oceanview Cafe taking pictures before the diners arrive....

 

 

 

So whimsical!

 

 

 

 

 

More...

[Bimmer09]

Yikes-food is starting to come out so I have to hustle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All this food looks and smells delicious but somehow I resist the urge to grab a plate and have at it.

 

My goal is to lose weight before my next cruise so that I can get back to my 2 breakfasts regime although this buffet opens a couple of hours later than I am used to.

 

I'll find a way.

More...

[Bimmer09]

 

 

A carvery! At breakfast! Wow wow wow!

 

 

Just then I spotted my new friend from Northern Ireland who lives in Canada and he asks me why I am photographing everything but the kitchen sink (damn! I forgot to photograph that!!). I explained CC to him.

 

While we talked the breakfast people began to arrive so I bid adieu to Ronald and left the buffet on a new Mission- Operation Sunrise.

 

Norris

[jagoffee]

True, but when we tried shortly after excursions became available online, all the alcoves had already been booked up for all 7 days. If we sail an S-class again, I'll be jumping on this particular reservation the day they become available online ... hovering over my keyboard at 12:01 a.m. like a teenager trying to get Justin Bieber tix. ;)

 

That is amazing. I have never seen too many of them being used. Did you notice if they were all occupied on the cruise?

[emelle]

Agree about asking Michael's club concierge if you want tours, etc and you are in a suite.

 

We did not know to ask, being sailing newbies, but got invited to engine room tour, bridge tour and were told we could have galley tour too--small group, maybe 8 or so went to bridge and engine room. Never made it to the galley tour (realized I would have hated the big tour with so many people going I would have been unable to see much since I am so short/small). Also got invited to Captain's table for dinner in Tuscan Grill (saw similar happening in other restaurants while on board). So if you are interested I would ask. Never hurts.

 

emelle

[Bimmer09]

Agree about asking Michael's club concierge if you want tours, etc and you are in a suite.

 

We did not know to ask, being sailing newbies, but got invited to engine room tour, bridge tour and were told we could have galley tour too--small group, maybe 8 or so went to bridge and engine room. Never made it to the galley tour (realized I would have hated the big tour with so many people going I would have been unable to see much since I am so short/small). Also got invited to Captain's table for dinner in Tuscan Grill (saw similar happening in other restaurants while on board). So if you are interested I would ask. Never hurts.

 

emelle

 

Indeed Emelle I am interested. We didn't do the free galley tour as there would likely be a few hundred takers and you have to wait until your group number is called. We always have questions and in big groups that often doesn't work .

 

So now I am looking forward to my next X suite cruise even more!

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

I'm up on deck 15 aft by the Sunset bar. It is windy so I sometimes have to lean against a structure or rail to stay steady enough to take pictures.

 

 

 

 

That's the Eclipse on the Horizon

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

 

.

The Oosterdam or maybe the Nieuw Amsterdam is also heading back to Florida

 

 

I'm joined by a gentleman I talk to on a daily basis. An excellent fellow called Lyle from Colorado. He's enjoying a free cruise as a guest of Park West. He usually sails Carnival but is loving X.

 

 

We part ways-he to the buffet and me to go inside and take more photos before breakfast in Blu. I pass by Carol's favorite spot.

 

 

and the Art Studio where I saw many people enjoying classes this week

 

 

I'm heading down to deck 4 to see what I have missed there

 

[Bimmer09]

If you want to avoid the crowds at the Martini Bar then 8 a.m is a good time to visit.

 

 

Cool Decor

 

 

and as always....distinctive art

 

 

 

 

A table with an ice trough down the center- for Vodka shots I guess?

 

[need2cruisesoon]

Norris, did we miss a drink with you at the infamous Martini bar?

 

[Bimmer09]

Norris, did we miss a drink with you at the infamous Martini bar?

 

 

Sadly that didn't happen but...NEXT TIME!!

 

I know there's a show going on there so it goes on video on my next cruise on X.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris, looking forward to his first Martini.