First X Cruise:SILHOUETTE JAN 17 2016

[Corgi Girl]

Thanks so much for posting her picture. Our cat goes through the same personality change. Leaving her behind is the only reason I don't like cruising. Wish we could take her aboard.

[perfect match]

Snowy is adorable. :D

[Walt fan]

Little Snowy is a real calendar kitty - she is adorable. Did you use to have 2 kitties? My oldest diva kitty we lost to cancer in January; so sad. I have one other kitty who is spoiled rotten, and a grandkitty who has lived with us about 2 years and will be moving out in June. I have a wonderful pet sitter a/k/a sister-in-law when we go on vacation. It's hard to find someone you trust with your animals. Thanks for sharing Little Snowy with us.

 

Have a great week Norris.

 

Carol

[Bimmer09]

Little Snowy is a real calendar kitty - she is adorable. Did you use to have 2 kitties? My oldest diva kitty we lost to cancer in January; so sad. I have one other kitty who is spoiled rotten, and a grandkitty who has lived with us about 2 years and will be moving out in June. I have a wonderful pet sitter a/k/a sister-in-law when we go on vacation. It's hard to find someone you trust with your animals. Thanks for sharing Little Snowy with us.

 

Have a great week Norris.

 

Carol

 

Carol, we had three at one time, after taking Snowy in to join Lucy and Sweet Pea (The Juice and The Pea were their nicknames.)

 

Here's Snowy and The Pea. The Pea died in May 2013. She was the cat I have spent most time with. She was with us for 11 years and we didn't stop laughing for a minute.

 

 

Here is Box Lid Lucy.

 

 

Snowy and Lucy. Lucy died in September 2015 after 13 years with us. She was Carol's constant sidekick.

 

 

Lastly and not least was the cat who replaced Lucy 2 weeks before our Emerald Princess cruise. She was in a cat shelter for 3 months and was skinny and forlorn.

She was 1 year old and already had given birth to kittens. Her cage was on the bottom at the end of a row so she wasn't getting enough attention to find a home. She looked sad....until I opened her cage and let her out for a walk around. Super friendly and Carol fell in love once she jumped into her lap and turned the purr motor up to 11.

 

Lucia

 

 

All of the cats loved this tree....

 

 

Lucia was a Cat Circus with shows 24/7. Just a fun, energetic animal.

She died in Early November 2015 after enjoying the good life with us for only two months.

 

So a lot of deaths in the past 3 years and we are just going with Snowy for now as she likes being the only cat.

 

They don't last long but while they are in your life they give such joy and make a deep impression. They're always in good spirits and each are their own character.

 

We always get them from shelters as they need a home and deserve every toy and treat and catnip pillow that comes their way. We give each cat it's own signature song (just a couple of lines, if that) and sing it to them. They perk up and pay attention.

 

Thanks for asking. I 'm sorry you had a cat leave you...I obviously know how that feels.

 

Norris

[Walt fan]

Thank you for sharing your kitties Norris; they are all so beautiful; and yes, all of my cats have been shelter kitties or rescue kitties; we have had rescue Labs as well but it was so hard losing them we said we will stick with cats; I lost my first love, a kitty abandoned at an apartment complex, after 12 years with her, brought her into my marriage and my husband fell in love with cats; the cat we lost in January we had had for 10 years; she was around 3 when we got her; I have a very soft heart and love my cats; they are all unique and just make life better; the tree looks awesome! Thanks again for sharing.

[Buckcruise]

Just back from this itinerary on the Silhouette. Must admit at first glance it looked a bit shabby compared to the Reflection last year. However, once it filled with people never noticed it. The smiles on the staffs faces from the Captain to the guy sweeping the corridor was a pleasant surprise over last year? Later in the week we worked it out...it was the Captain and the Cruise director( and team) that really made it! Everyone really seemed to enjoy their work. Could not fault a thing!

[shipshape sam]

Thanks for a great cruise!

 

We are on Silhouette in less than 2 years!!

 

Our first port of call is San Juan and thinking of Segway tour. A couple of quick questions:

 

How long was tour?

Cost?

What time did tour start?

 

We sail in mid January 2016, so sun sets pretty early then.

[Bimmer09]

Just back from this itinerary on the Silhouette. Must admit at first glance it looked a bit shabby compared to the Reflection last year. However, once it filled with people never noticed it. The smiles on the staffs faces from the Captain to the guy sweeping the corridor was a pleasant surprise over last year? Later in the week we worked it out...it was the Captain and the Cruise director( and team) that really made it! Everyone really seemed to enjoy their work. Could not fault a thing!

 

Glad you enjoyed the Silly. It's hard for me to imagine her looking "a bit shabby" compared to the Reflection. I'll see the Reflection for myself next January.

 

Thanks for reading the review!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Thanks for a great cruise!

 

We are on Silhouette in less than 2 years!!

 

Our first port of call is San Juan and thinking of Segway tour. A couple of quick questions:

 

How long was tour?

Cost?

What time did tour start?

 

We sail in mid January 2016, so sun sets pretty early then.

 

The tour started around 4.30 and we were back at 6.30 (in the dark). Another tour set out just after we got back but I wouldn't want to do the whole thing in the dark as the scenery is spectacular and the El Morro fort closes around 5.30.

 

Regarding the price it was either $100 or $150....I can't recall exactly but your booking should show you. Whatever it was it was worth it. We are now Segway fans and will look for them wherever we go.

 

You'll love the experience! Thanks for reading!

 

Norris

[TheCount]

Hello Norris

Thanks again for the detailed report. It was very helpful for our first trip to Celebrity and the Silouhette at the beginning of March. We were on the west route, but had a great time.

As we commented before we have many many nights on Royal, this experience was not worse or better in comparison. It was simply a different experience and enjoyed it as "the boomer generation" we are.

We booked a few more Celeb trips for the future, since we had a relaxing and enjoyable vacation experience. My only challenge was difficult to enjoy an evening cigar in a conisseur longe or the like. Did do so on the sunset bar with either a fine port, Zacappa or delectable single malt.

 

Your comments opinion the report helped us get our ship bearing very quickly and settled in for the 7 days quickly.

 

Thanks,

The Count

[Bimmer09]

Hello Norris

Thanks again for the detailed report. It was very helpful for our first trip to Celebrity and the Silouhette at the beginning of March. We were on the west route, but had a great time.

As we commented before we have many many nights on Royal, this experience was not worse or better in comparison. It was simply a different experience and enjoyed it as "the boomer generation" we are.

We booked a few more Celeb trips for the future, since we had a relaxing and enjoyable vacation experience. My only challenge was difficult to enjoy an evening cigar in a conisseur longe or the like. Did do so on the sunset bar with either a fine port, Zacappa or delectable single malt.

 

Your comments opinion the report helped us get our ship bearing very quickly and settled in for the 7 days quickly.

 

Thanks,

The Count

 

Thanks Count. I'm glad you enjoyed the Silhouette and that Western Caribbean route is now our choice for the Reflection cruise in January.

 

I was surprised that it didn't seem a step-up from your RCI cruises as I thought the food and service and demographic (less kids) was the lure of X over Royal.

 

Agreed that a cigar smoker has no comfy indoor retreat as is found on the Princess ships I have sailed on-some, such as the Caribbean P and the Diamond have a bar in the smoking lounge with bartender in residence, while others like the Ruby have visits from a Casino bartender.

 

Still, on a warm Caribbean itinerary you are welcome at the excellent Sunset Bar which is where I spent a lot of time.

 

I will now go and look up Zacappa to see what you were enjoying up there.

 

Did you enjoy all the ports? I would be curious to know what excursion you took in Falmouth. We imagine we will get away from the manufactured port area.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

[TheCount]

Thanks Count. I'm glad you enjoyed the Silhouette and that Western Caribbean route is now our choice for the Reflection cruise in January.

 

Still, on a warm Caribbean itinerary you are welcome at the excellent Sunset Bar which is where I spent a lot of time.

 

I will now go and look up Zacappa to see what you were enjoying up there.

 

Did you enjoy all the ports? I would be curious to know what excursion you took in Falmouth. We imagine we will get away from the manufactured port area.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

 

Good day Norris

Zacappa fine rum, very nice on ice.

Silly experience, was a positive. Don't confuse my comment as a poor experience. It was as I noted, different and a welcomed difference. We certainly did like the fact that the "kid count" was much lower.

 

Your question about Falmouth;

Since we have done the West Route many times, we actually only stayed in port, had some wonderful Jamaican Patties from the port vender and picked up our supply of Jerk Spice to bring home. ROYAL Indy was in port at the same time and was clearly a SPRING BREAK 21+ passenger trip.

 

So the port and shops were overflowing with Colleague kids and excessive drinking and behaviour. We were thankful we did not go on RCCL that week (was a thought when we were booking), as reports from the Indy that week, are it was spring break gone wild! .

 

Enjoy your next trip! The Count

[Bimmer09]

Good day Norris

Zacappa fine rum, very nice on ice.

Silly experience, was a positive. Don't confuse my comment as a poor experience. It was as I noted, different and a welcomed difference. We certainly did like the fact that the "kid count" was much lower.

 

Your question about Falmouth;

Since we have done the West Route many times, we actually only stayed in port, had some wonderful Jamaican Patties from the port vender and picked up our supply of Jerk Spice to bring home. ROYAL Indy was in port at the same time and was clearly a SPRING BREAK 21+ passenger trip.

 

So the port and shops were overflowing with Colleague kids and excessive drinking and behaviour. We were thankful we did not go on RCCL that week (was a thought when we were booking), as reports from the Indy that week, are it was spring break gone wild! .

 

Enjoy your next trip! The Count

 

Ok I am ordering a Zacappa on my next cruise. Too good to mix with Coke?

I usually order Myers and Coke with ice and a slice of lemon (luxury!).

 

Sorry to hear you didn't get off the ship in Falmouth. I have to get off even if there are explosions, rabid dogs and wild beasts on the dock. I'm sure we will take an excursion to Ocho Rios or such- I don't intend to climb Dunns River Falls but the base of it, in the shade, is nice and there's an excursion which includes that and a river raft for an hour, which we want to do as it looks restful and not an experience we can get in Chicago.

 

I avoid any hint of Spring Break- I give juvenile behavior a wide berth and did when I was their age. If you can only have fun when you are wasted....you're probably not a fun person deep down.

 

I can eat my own weight in Jamaican Patties!

 

Thanks, as always for the response!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

just binge read your review Norris! another great one! now I'm off to binge read your Crown Princess review again. can't wait for my 10days on her in September.

 

Congrats on the binge! I haven't read it yet myself but have 2 days off this weekend to catch up.

 

The Crown Princess one should be a quick read (by my standard) but was an itinerary I'd be happy to repeat.

 

Here's a video that whetted my appetite and introduced me to the Grand Class ships of Princess. I sailed on her in January 2012.

 

[YOUTUBE]HYpvoTBdOlg[/YOUTUBE]

 

Enjoy!

 

Norris

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

Whew! Just finished my second Norris review in 2 days. 113 pages is a lot of material, but well worth the time investment.

 

I loved your review, Norris. As a "Princess" person, it is great seeing the other lines. Your review has given me some options for the future. I go on a cruise to relax and recharge, and it looks like X offers plenty of that.

 

I went to go do some research on their website, but apparently, they don't want to sell cruise vacations to the public.

 

One question I have though. When I go on a cruise, I don't want to feel like I am being nickel and dimed to death (this rules out any NCL cruise for me). I noticed quite a few upcharge venues during your review, is the whole ship like this or were you trying to burn through the generous OBC that you got with your booking?

[Buckcruise]

We had 2 free perks...basic drinks and gratuities and had no bill to pay and no OBC! It is possible to have a perfectly good vacation without the extra costs

[Moonlitherial]

Ok I am ordering a Zacappa on my next cruise. Too good to mix with Coke?

I usually order Myers and Coke with ice and a slice of lemon (luxury!).

 

 

Zacappa is lovely with coke. I'm gradually being educated that all of those drinks I thought I didn't like - I just don't like the cheap version of.

 

For Hoosier-Cruiser, it's very easy to have a great vacation on a Celebrity ship without spending extra cash but given my new drinking status we tend to buy the premium beverage package. I think we tend to break even but it makes for a much more relaxed vacation. I rarely sign drink slips and just get to enjoy trying new drinks with no worries.

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

For Hoosier-Cruiser, it's very easy to have a great vacation on a Celebrity ship without spending extra cash but given my new drinking status we tend to buy the premium beverage package. I think we tend to break even but it makes for a much more relaxed vacation. I rarely sign drink slips and just get to enjoy trying new drinks with no worries.

 

Thanks! I figured as much, but it seemed like there were quite a few more upcharge venues and wanted to verify.

 

I don't get a drink package, as they don't really make sense for me. I'm a coffee in the morning, water in the afternoon and Crown and Coke the rest the day. I order a bottle of Crown Royal from room service and bring my own coke on board. Works out cheaper and I control the pour. :)

Edited June 16, 2016 by Hoosier-Cruiser

[Bimmer09]

Whew! Just finished my second Norris review in 2 days. 113 pages is a lot of material, but well worth the time investment.

 

I loved your review, Norris. As a "Princess" person, it is great seeing the other lines. Your review has given me some options for the future. I go on a cruise to relax and recharge, and it looks like X offers plenty of that.

 

I went to go do some research on their website, but apparently, they don't want to sell cruise vacations to the public.

 

One question I have though. When I go on a cruise, I don't want to feel like I am being nickel and dimed to death (this rules out any NCL cruise for me). I noticed quite a few upcharge venues during your review, is the whole ship like this or were you trying to burn through the generous OBC that you got with your booking?

 

Rob, thanks for taking the time to read the Silhouette review.

 

No nickel and diming that I found.

 

There are more specialty dining options with a fee vs Princess- that is true but they are worth the spend in our opinions. You can eat in all of them or none of them and enjoy the MDR and buffet (excellent there) or pick up a burger and fries or some free pastries at the coffee bar- all included in your fare. We have $550 OBC on our next X which will cover a lot of good dinners. Free internet. Gratuities and drinks paid via the Premium Package. Great value for money.

 

It's all good. You can get discounts on the Specialty restaurants while on board or buy a dining package and save.

 

Norris

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

Rob, thanks for taking the time to read the Silhouette review.

 

No nickel and diming that I found.

 

There are more specialty dining options with a fee vs Princess- that is true but they are worth the spend in our opinions. You can eat in all of them or none of them and enjoy the MDR and buffet (excellent there) or pick up a burger and fries or some free pastries at the coffee bar- all included in your fare. We have $550 OBC on our next X which will cover a lot of good dinners. Free internet. Gratuities and drinks paid via the Premium Package. Great value for money.

 

It's all good. You can get discounts on the Specialty restaurants while on board or buy a dining package and save.

 

Norris

 

Thanks Norris. I get one good vacation each year, at least until the kids are grown and gone, so I am always looking at the total cost of things. With that much OBC, even I might pay the upcharge.

[Bimmer09]

Thanks! I figured as much, but it seemed like there were quite a few more upcharge venues and wanted to verify.

 

I don't get a drink package, as they don't really make sense for me. I'm a coffee in the morning, water in the afternoon and Crown and Coke the rest the day. I order a bottle of Crown Royal from room service and bring my own coke on board. Works out cheaper and I control the pour. :)

 

Rob, I like your Crown and Coke idea as I always find on Princess that rum and Cokes become Cokes and rum. I am not a lush but really like the taste of Myers rum and consequently now drink beer as I know what comes from the bottle won't be diluted to pad the margins. I don't think I even tried a mixed drink on X, fearing disappointment. X drinkers can maybe allay my fears on this one?

 

Still with a beverage package I can always pour it down the sink or down the neck of the bartender's shirt if it is too weak.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

 

[morbihan]

I can't believe that I read your review in January.

 

Excellent it is too. Read the others too.

 

We are back from Silhouette recently. Three weeks? Anyway, we splashed out on upgrading to premium drink package. Some of the mixed drinks on the classic were a bit 'rough' on our last trip on Connie so it was planned. They may have been using better quality fire water but every single bar person had their own special recipe for the same drink. Most of which were nothing like what I know as a cosmo. I complained as I drank it courageously but I left the one in the Martini Bar after a sip. I would have drunk it if I had paid for it:D:D Finally found someone who made it how I wanted and went to him every night.

 

I had planned to try a new drink every day but didn't. I did, however, try an Appletini on the advice of a almost table mate. That was half a sip. Blimey!

 

X bar people are not the only slap dash measurers.. Cunard were the same.

[Moonlitherial]

Rob, I like your Crown and Coke idea as I always find on Princess that rum and Cokes become Cokes and rum. I am not a lush but really like the taste of Myers rum and consequently now drink beer as I know what comes from the bottle won't be diluted to pad the margins. I don't think I even tried a mixed drink on X, fearing disappointment. X drinkers can maybe allay my fears on this one?

 

Still with a beverage package I can always pour it down the sink or down the neck of the bartender's shirt if it is too weak.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

 

 

We never had issues with diluted drinks, in fact once you got to know a bartender or two I've often had to ask them to scale back because I need mix for more than just the touch of colour!

 

If you ever have an issue just ask them to amend it and they're happy to do so.

[Damaniadc]

Fantastic review. I was engaged from the beginning. Thank you for taking the time to do a fabulous review, gratis, for the CC community. I almost feel as if I do not need to go on the Solstice in a couple of weeks!! Actually, just kidding about that ;)

 

My favorite line: "There is a wrong way to make tea, just ask the butler...."

 

 

Pure awesomeness!

[Bimmer09]

Fantastic review. I was engaged from the beginning. Thank you for taking the time to do a fabulous review, gratis, for the CC community. I almost feel as if I do not need to go on the Solstice in a couple of weeks!! Actually, just kidding about that ;)

 

My favorite line: "There is a wrong way to make tea, just ask the butler...."

Pure awesomeness!

 

Thank you-glad you enjoyed the read!

 

Enjoy the Solstice and pop in again when I do a Reflection review in Mid January.

 

Norris