Jim_Iain – Edge Live Post – B2B – Greek Islands and West Bound TransAtlantic

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

10 hours ago, VitaminSea53 said:

Thanks for the virtual cruise- we will be on the same trip next May. Good pic of the donkey trail / cable car at the port. Did your bus take you back to the tender port? How was lunch in Fira? Any good restaurant suggestions? Cheers.....

Yes the tour we took returned us to Athinos for a return tender to the ship. It was interesting that a bus came back and one of the passengers was an elderly man that had mobility issues. The dock works were very obliging and went to their shop and returned with a chair. They seated him in it and 4 men carried him aboard the tender.

There were a lot of nice looking restaurants but unfortunately we did not try any of them. The prices seemed to increase with the view.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

7 hours ago, TeaBag said:

Our very first cruise in '92 took us from Southampton to Athens. Then we flew to Santorini where we spent a week. Your wonderful pictures brought it all back. Those blue and white vistas are so beautiful.

It is a beautiful area. Love the color of the water and all the white painted homes.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

6 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Funny how the photos could have been taken 20 years ago! Things just don’t change

in the Med countries like they do in the U.S.

I agree. While I have seen many pictures, a picture can't pay justice to the beauty in every direction.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

5 hours ago, eyecantwait said:

Your photos are fabulous and I'm really enjoying your "eye"!

Angela

Angela - one thing I love about live blogs is the perspective each person brings.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

Daily for October 25

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

Drink Menu from Oceanview

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

Yesterday we took a nap after getting back from our tour. After getting up at 5:45 we were definitely in need of one.

I haven't mentioned one of the most important aspect of our cruise - the food.

I decided to hold off posting pictures of the new Menu's for Luminae until the second cruise.

I have to say we have been impressed with the food everywhere on the ship from the Ocean View to Luminae. One aspect missing from Luminae is the ability to order from the main dining menu. On the first day we were told by the Luminae Manager that we were welcome to visit any of the regular 4 restaurants and Blu. I am sure we will try out some otheres.

Celebrity recently started rolling out new menus for Luminae with many changes. I have to say it is nice to see some of the new items. One thing that is very noticeable is that having the kitchen near by insures your meals can be quick and hot off the grill. In fact the first night the service was so fast we were done in an hour. We mentioned it to the Asst. Manager and he siad he would direct the waiters to slow the service down to our pace. He assigned us one of the best waiters in Luminae and since then every thing has been perfection. Last night we both ordered the Chicken Liver starter which is always delicious. For main courses Iain had the Chicken Breast covered in Prosciutto and I had the Peppered Tuna. Iain said it was the best chicken he had ever had. I always enjoy the Tuna and wasn't disappointed.

We stopped by and saw a bit of the show. I have to admit that we generally don't go to the shows but was interested in the rounded stage. They had a Tribute to the Beatles which was pretty good. Theater is well laid out and acoustics are good.

After dinner we stopped by the Martini Bar. At 10:00 pm it was empty. For some of the older cruisers. Peter, a well known Martini Bar Waiter is aboard.

Edited October 25, 2019 by Jim_Iain

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

Arrived at 7:00 am today into Piraeus today. It is amazing that with our room on deck 11 Forward. We didn’t hear a thing and we slept until 8:30. We had breakfast in our room

we have been to Athens before so will be concentrating on Piraeus today.

No need to wait for taxis at this port.

abbydancer2003 · October 25, 2019

19 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I decided to hold off posting pictures of the new Menu's for Luminae until the second cruise.

I have to say we have been impressed with the food everywhere on the ship from the Ocean View to Luminae. One aspect missing from Luminae is the ability to order from the main dining menu. On the first day we were told by the Luminae Manager that we were welcome to visit any of the regular 4 restaurants and Blu. I am sure we will try out some otheres.

We talked to the Luminae staff about the main dining menu thing. The reason, of course, is that Luminae is miles away from the main dining room (ok, maybe not miles, just decks). So, they don't have easy access to the main dining kitchen. I was told that if you didn't want the Luminae menu, they'd call down to the main dining and you could go there. Not the best solution, but understandable.

They were less clear about special requests made the day before. I suspect at that time they just didn't know.

Enjoying your reports - it's fun to revisit our cruise of 2017.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

1 hour ago, abbydancer said:

We talked to the Luminae staff about the main dining menu thing. The reason, of course, is that Luminae is miles away from the main dining room (ok, maybe not miles, just decks). So, they don't have easy access to the main dining kitchen. I was told that if you didn't want the Luminae menu, they'd call down to the main dining and you could go there. Not the best solution, but understandable.

They were less clear about special requests made the day before. I suspect at that time they just didn't know.

Enjoying your reports - it's fun to revisit our cruise of 2017.

Currently they are telling us just show up at any of the other main restaurants or Blu and no advance reservation required. We will probably try out some of the main restaurants later in the cruise.

I don't think it will be a problem on this cruise as many seem to be preferring Ocean View for dinner than standard dining.

It may be due to the demographics. On this cruise I would say 50% over 60, 25% in their 50's and the remainder under 50. There is a good mix of Americans, Canadians, Australians, French, Spanish, German and Italian passengers.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

We left the ship around 10:00 for our day in Piraeus.

Piraeus is a port city and as you would expect of a port city. We walked down to the area around the train station which is very vibrant and full of energy and about a mile from the ships port. Edge docked at Terminal C which is the furthest from twon. The fish and meat mongers are fun to watch.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

vtcruising · October 25, 2019

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

One aspect missing from Luminae is the ability to order from the main dining menu.

Thanks for the Luminae overview. Are they still offering the MDR everyday items (escargot, Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, Fr onion soup, chicken, steak, salmon, choc cake, cheesecake) in Luminae as they were in January? That helped our table mates, who seemed to have a harder time finding something they wanted on the Luminae menu - they ordered the escargot, shrimp, salmon and my DH had the MDR chocolate cake whenever they didn't have a chocolate dessert of their own.The M'D there told us that the Luminae galley is quite small so they could not have a lot of extra items. I tried the Caesar salad once and realized that the Luminae salads were more to my liking (wilted - probably less fresh since brought up earlier from MDR). Never tried the MDR items again. Hope they continue with those options, though, for those who enjoy them.

Edited October 25, 2019 by vtcruising

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

1 minute ago, vtcruising said:

Thanks for the Luminae overview. Are they still offering the MDR everyday items (escargot, Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, Fr onion soup, chicken, steak, salmon, choc cake, cheesecake) in Luminae as they were in January? That helped our table mates, who seemed to have a harder time finding something they wanted on the Luminae menu - they ordered the escargot, shrimp, salmon and my DH had the MDR chocolate cake whenever they didn't have a chocolate dessert of their own.The M'D there told us that the Luminae galley is quite small so they could not have a lot of extra items. I tried the Caesar salad once and realized that the Luminae salads were more to my liking (wilted - probably less fresh since brought up earlier from MDR). Never went back. Hope they continue with those options, though, for those who enjoy them.

Yes they still have the options you mentioned. Even though not listed on the menu the waiter reminds you each evening. They also have the Chef Daniel 3 course options.

I can tell you I have never gone hungry yet.

vtcruising · October 25, 2019

Just now, Jim_Iain said:

Yes they still have the options you mentioned. Even though not listed on the menu the waiter reminds you each evening. They also have the Chef Daniel 3 course options.

I can tell you I have never gone hungry yet.

We sometimes don't see anything we think we will like on the Luminae menu, but try something we wouldn't have and then have a new favorite. Things are prepared with superior ingredients and have so much flavor - it makes up for the lack of choices for us.

hcat · October 25, 2019

46 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

We left the ship around 10:00 for our day in Piraeus.

Piraeus is a port city and as you would expect of a port city. We walked down to the area around the train station which is very vibrant and full of energy and about a mile from the ships port. Edge docked at Terminal C which is the furthest from twon. The fish and meat mongers are fun to watch.

We enjoyed Piraeus as much as visiting the special ancient sites. The city is very genuine and had a great vibe...

Enjoying your photos!

eyecantwait · October 25, 2019

Note to self....DO NOT check in on this blog before heading out to work.....now I'd much rather go to Greece than Sanford...😉

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

1 hour ago, vtcruising said:

We sometimes don't see anything we think we will like on the Luminae menu, but try something we wouldn't have and then have a new favorite. Things are prepared with superior ingredients and have so much flavor - it makes up for the lack of choices for us.

We also have had them make a dinner portion from an interesting starter. You make like some of the new items on the menu. The restaurant manager indicated they are adding a number of new things. The Amuse-bouche have been much nicer to some of the ones of the past.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

43 minutes ago, hcat said:

We enjoyed Piraeus as much as visiting the special ancient sites. The city is very genuine and had a great vibe...

Enjoying your photos!

You are right. There is so much real life energy here. The ancient ruins are wonderful to see but can also be packed with tourists.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

Yum - Sheep’s Heads.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

Had a light lunch today at Aqua Spa Cafe

I had a delicious Caprice Salad and 1/2 a sandwich.

grabbed a self serve Soft ice cream at Mast Grill.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

A couple pictures of the bathroom for the CS. It has two room which are connected. The only real failure is there are no hooks on the wall for towels. Bath Towels are on a bar inside bath enclosure while hand towels are on shelves.

The do however have a hook on door for robes.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

I’m out exploring this afternoon while Iain naps.

Currently sipping a coffee in Eden. Very quiet and I’m the only one in the lounge.

Here’s the Drink Menu for Eden.

How can I forget - The Library

the shelves almost completely empty.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

Non-package rates for Internet.

Jim_Iain · October 25, 2019

I’m sure about the rest of you. I was expecting to hate Eden from the reviews of the Edenets. Haven’t seen them yet but the lounge is beautiful, quiet and a great getaway spot.