Live From Silhouette – 11/5 TransAtlantic

[Jim_Iain]

This is my first live posting of a Cruise so bear with me. I will try and answer any questions in a timely manner.

 

Introduction - I am Jim and my partner is Iain and we are from the Sunnyvale, CA about 1 hours south of San Francisco in the middle of Silicon Valley. This is our 20th cruise and our 7th TransAtlantic on Celebrity, as a matter of fact we have never sailed another line. We love the Celebrity product and have never found a reason to shift to another line.

We booked this cruise about 2 years ago. Normally I book the first day the new cruises are announced in order to get the best selection of cabins. We always travel suites and booked Celebrity Suite 1615 a nice hump cabin for this cruise.

Lesson One - Make a check list and make sure you read it before leaving the house!

I wanted to start my posts with a lesson I learned the hard way. This comes from a seasoned traveler who has traveled over 2 million miles by air on business.

We started our trip rushing to make a 8AM flight out of SFO. I had everything planned and on a checklist. Suite cases were by the front door everything was checked off my check list and by backpack was next to my living room chair with all my electronics and travel documents. I loaded the rental car up and off we went. We dropped the car at Avis and was on the SkyTrain to the terminal when I looked down and said to Iain - where’s my backpack? Panic time as I remembered I had not put it in the car. Luckily Iain had his travel documents and passport with him. I had Iain take the suite cases to check in and I booked an Uber to try to run home and back again.

Of course I was delayed further by my credit card on Uber expiring and having to update my profile and then the driver going to the wrong terminal to pick me up. I texted the driver and he finally circled around and grabbed me burning up 15 minutes of precious time. Of course the San Francisco traffic started building up by that time also. I didn’t get back to the house until 7:30 knowing there was no way I could make it back in time to make the flight.

Iain is not a techie and hates cellphones so of course he didn’t have his phone with him (another lesson learned by both of us). I had him paged at SFO and told him to take off and I would get to Rome somehow.

I immediately called ChoicAir and was hoping that their “Guarantee” would be helpful. They tried all types of things but AmericanAirlines didn’t have any connections that could get me there until at least Sunday (a day after the ship sails). The did find a Lufthansa flight but said it would cost me $900 for a coach seat. The reservation I had was in Business Class L. Luckily I remembered I had taken out Insurance and called my agent. She told me not to worry and make a claim prior to booking. Great idea.

Thinking out of the box I checked United Airlines and found SuperSaver Points flight out of San Jose Airport only 10 minutes away that would leave in 2 hours. I immediately booked it for 30,000 miles. The flight was San Jose to Vancouver to Frankfurt and then on to Rome. I would arrive just 2 hours after Iain.

The next task was to try to reach Iain. His flight was already airborne and by schedules I saw I had a 1 hour window after I got to Vancouver before his PHL-FCO flight departed. Tried as I may, having him paged 3 times and no response I finally sent him an e-mail in hope he would somehow check his e-mail.

I then remembered that the hotel booking was in my name. I called Hilton and had them add his name added to the reservation so he could check into our room.

To make a long story short - I arrived safe and sound. Iain remembered he had his Ipad with him and was able to retrieve the message and we were joyfully reunited at FCO Airport Hilton.

Let’s hope the rest of the trip is relaxing.

[cruzzzinma]

I hope the rest of your trip is amazing, you deserve it.

 

Please add an extra carriage return after your paragraphs. For some reason cruise critic seems to strip one out.

 

I look forward to,hearing about your journey.

[Kmangel]

Wow! The rest of your trip should be effortless. You got all the snags out in the beginning! Glad it worked out for you. I can imagine how stressful it was for the two of you!

 

I had gotten too relaxed myself this summer in London. I have a Pacsafe backpack which helps to deter thieves. However, I failed to latch the zipper. Big mistake. I was in Paddington Station waiting in line to get sandwiches before taking a train when a young man told me my bag was wide open. I took it off and sure enough both zippers were pulled completely open. The good thing is that my valuables were in my purse in front of me! The thief had no interest in my book or toiletries! I was lucky. I have never left valuables in my backpack such as money or passport. Sometimes I have traveled with my IPAD in my backpack though so I am sure it would be gone now had I chosen to bring it along rather than the book I brought. Never let one's guard down!

 

I hope you have had a chance to breath again after such a harrowing beginning. Time to enjoy yourself!

[kencr]

I have used a money belt since 1962 and never had any problems. I keep my passport, extra credit cards, money and other documents (only carry $100 in local currency and one credit card in my wallet) in money belt (got new one last year RFI type).

[charlielinda]

I'm a few decks below you and happy you made it. My husband won't carry a phone unless under duress so read your post and laughed. Safe travels and maybe we'll run into you.

[FlorenceItaly]

WOW!!! So happy to hear you made it. I hope the rest of the trip is effortless and wonderful.

 

 

 

 

Marie

[Turtles06]

Glad it all worked out, and I hope the rest of your trip is less eventful!

 

Our westbound TA on the Silhouette two years ago remains one of our favorite cruises. Such a terrific itinerary, and a stunningly beautiful ship.

 

Have a great time!

Edited November 5, 2016 by Turtles06

[Tiggertastic]

Glad you made it. I recommend a martini when Ou get onboard, say hello to Sreejesh and Imade and Ida Baghus who are all working the bar.

 

 

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[karena1]

Love that ship-Enjoy!!!

[Janet524]

Oh, Jim! I was biting my nails reading your post! Glad it worked out. We are booked on Zillow a couple of weeks after she returns. Have a wonderful cruise. Looking forward to reading all about it!

 

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[TeaBag]

So glad you made it safe and sound. I, too was biting my nails. I can hardly imagine the stress you were under. Have a great relax onboard Silhouette. I believe we were on the same TA as Turtles06 Wish I were back on again.

[jimbri]

So glad you made it. Quite an adventure!!

[Texed]

Jim_,

 

Thanks for posting. :)

[Jim_Iain]

First day in Rome Area

After a wild day of travel we settled in at our hotel. Having stayed in Rome a number of times we chose the Hilton Fumichino Airport Hotel. It is conveniently located across from the terminal and has a nice covered tube that connects from the airport to the hotel. I booked an Executive Level room which was well worth the extra cost. It included free-wife, breakfast, access to the executive lounge with cocktail and light buffet hearty enough to serve as an evening meal. The wine and beer was free flowing and the attendant was walking around keeping every ones drinks topped up.

We stayed awake until 9PM and finally hit the bed. I was so tired that I fell into a deep sleep for 12 hours.

Day 1 - Silhouette here we come

We got up and had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, then checked out of the hotel at 11:00. We had booked Rome Cabs for a transfer at 11:30. Just as we finished checking out I noticed a Mercedes pull up and park. The driver was walking up to the door so I asked if he was our driver.. Bingo. We took off earlier than expected and arrived at the ship by 11:30. Check-in was very efficient and we were in Michael’s Club by 11:45.

We had a light lunch in Luminea. Iain chose a lobster bisque and I had the Luminea Burger that many rave about. I have to admit it is pretty darn good. I was good and only ate half of it. I am trying to maintain my weight on this cruise. We will see how long that lasts. I’ve been working out for about 9 months and lost 30 pounds and sure don’t want to put it back on.

Rooms were ready by 1:00 and all on-board seemed very pleased.

We had drinks in Michael’s Club before dinner and bumped into a couple we had previously sailed with. It was really nice to see the.

We ate a late dinner at Luminea. We both chose the Turbot for dinner and it was cooked to perfection and piping hot right off the grill.

Before I forget - Here’s the roster of the Ships Executive Staff:

Master: Captain Athanasios Peppas

Chief Engineer: Yannis Chazandroulis

Guest Relations Mgr: Jon Pilling

Hotel director: Christophe Balaubre

Cruse Director: John Grantham

Food and Bef Dir.: Danuta Nosidlak

Executife Cchef: Victor Manchilla

Michaels Club Conc. Niko Balla

 

Upon boarding the ship we were informed because of a storm coming in we would be switching our first port from Livorno to La Spezia. Obviously there was a lot of disappointment as many of the Cruise Critic Member excursions had to be quickly cancelled or modified. The group we were traveling with chose to cancel as the weather was not to be good. It was a wise decision.

[Jim_Iain]

 

It was warm and overcast for arrival in Civitavecchia. Predictions are for the temperatures to drop and stormy tomorrow. Our first port was changed to La Spezia.

 

Three Costa Ships, Crystal and Queen Victoria are in port today.

 

 

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Edited November 6, 2016 by Jim_Iain

[absolutboy20]

 

 

 

It was warm and overcast for arrival in Civitavecchia. Predictions are for the temperatures to drop and stormy tomorrow. Our first port was changed to La Spezia.

 

 

 

Three Costa Ships, Crystal and Queen Victoria are in port today.

 

 

 

 

 

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Have a great cruise and thanks for posting. Sorry about your first port being cancelled.

[Bo1953]

Jim - thank you for posting and I look forward to your diary as it progresses.

 

bon voyage...

[Wayneair]

Thanks Jim for your postings and will be following your future post. I Did the crossing on the Silhouette last year and it was great. Booked for the crossing next November. Happy crossing.

[Mickey22]

We are also on the Silhouette for next November's crossing so we will be following your journey with great interest. Sorry to hear you had such a stressful beginning, hope you can relax and enjoy your time on board.

[Champagne Cruiser]

I am looking forward to cruising along!

[drychi]

Thanks for taking the time to live post. My wife and I are on Silhouette's December 30, 2016 cruise and hope you have a wonderful passage! Happy Cruising! Bob and Linda

[cma2008]

What a small world, I am from Sunnyvale, too! (my boyfriend and I). We live off Wolfe, very close to the Cupertino border. Just curious, but do you rent a car one-way to SFO? I would've never thought of doing that! Do you find that is cheaper than a taxi or Uber?

Have a wonderful cruise!

I think our next one will be South America and Rio for Carnival in Feb 2018 for my 50th bday. It will be our first time on Celebrity.

[Xyla]

We got off the Silhouette on the day you embarked but there were so many passengers continuing on the B2B that we half-wished we were continuing on as well. :)

I'll look forward to your continuing review.

[IrishLassie]

Thanks for posting & WOW, what a way to start your trip!!! :eek: But happy that it all worked out for you.

 

If you get a chance, would you check at the Martini Bar to see if there is a waiter named Taz still on the ship. He is from Turkey & he was so nice to us on our cruise, so hoping he's still on when we sail again in March.

 

Have a great trip & looking forward to more of your review. :)

[easyboy]

Great start. Will be following along.