Live from Celebrity Millennium Panama Canal Oct. 27 (15 night) aka “Let’s Just Leave the Lifeboat”

[janetmojo]

Ok let’s start back at the beginning (a very good place to start…)

 

I’m Janet and my husband Leslie and I live in Deland, FL.  We are booked through the casino for this, our first Panama Canal trip.  Our original room was a Sunset center room on 9 with the Always Included perks (that isn’t where I am typing from now, more on that later.)

 

Embarkation-San Diego.  We had a check in time of 11:30 and stayed pre-cruise two nights at the Embassy Suites, which I highly recommend.  Since we have cruised on this ship twice since June we brought quite a few gifts and things for the crew, an entire suitcase worth including over 30 lbs of candy.  So we actually ended up walking to the pier which I wasn’t so sure about but it wasn’t far and all three of the suitcases rolled.  We arrived right at 11:30 and no one was checking to see what time your check in actually was.  We were all kind of entering together with them sending Disney cruisers one way to drop bags and Celebrity cruisers another way and it was a little chaotic.  Despite the chaos we got on the ship in maybe 15-20 mins.  

 

We were headed up to lunch in the Oceanview even though we had a Concierge Class room bc up until now they have been doing the CC lunch on the first sea day and not on embarkation day due to the staggered arrivals.  Well I’m glad we stopped by the hostess stand to see a friend bc they were doing the lunch on the normal day.  Only problem, we were both in tank tops.  We had just bought them that morning so we could wear matching shirts to board (yeah hubby is a good sport.). Since our luggage wasn’t to come for awhile we just said we would go to the Oceanview since we were not dressed properly but they pulled a few strings and let us eat lunch way in the back of the dining room which was pretty funny.  It was like we were in exile.  That menu isn’t one of my favorites but it is still a nice way to start a trip, especially with a couple glasses of wine.  

 

Next stop was to upgrade our beverage package down with our friends at the Martini Bar.  Honestly this probably wasn’t necessary but I like Patron silver and I can be picky about wine.  It wasn’t cheap but it is cheaper to upgrade onboard I believe.  I was quoted a price online of $12 per day and onboard it was $10 per day pp.  But still 2 people, 15 days plus gratuity…$$$$. Worth it for our premium drinks ;). 

 

Our room steward knew us and we enjoyed seeing him again.  We kept watch over the door to the Aft corner family sunset room to see if it looked like anyone was checking in.  It is our favorite room and we thought it might be especially nice for the Panama Canal but it showed as unavailable online prior to the trip.  I inquired about guest services before we sailed but was told they couldn’t offer any upgrades to that room prior to sailing bc the passenger manifest was set or something weird.  She nicely said to check back after sailing so even after our luggage came we decided not to unpack with the hope of moving to the new room.  

 

Sail away was delayed by about an hour if I remember correctly, which was fine except it meant the casino didn’t open until later in the evening.  

 

We skipped the comedian (sorry comedian) and after we finally sailed I checked back about the room.  At first they said I could upgrade to the new room for $600pp.  We thought that was a little high so we offered $400 pp and they said no.  So we left and came back to the room and finally unpacked.  We went to dinner.  We had the same waiter (by request) that we have had the last few cruises and he and his team do a great job.  I find the food on this ship to be very good.  Far better than Royal and it always comes hot, which is a huge plus in my book.  The menus get slightly repetitive on a 15 night trip but that’s to be expected.

 

We played in the casino a bit and to be honest the rest of the evening is a bit of a blur (drink package plus casino plus tired and that’s what you get.).  I know we lost lol.  A trend that was to continue… 

 

Now let’s see if I can actually get this to post.

[kluv2cruz]

2 hours ago, janetmojo said:

Next stop was to upgrade our beverage package down with our friends at the Martini Bar.  Honestly this probably wasn’t necessary but I like Patron silver and I can be picky about wine.  It wasn’t cheap but it is cheaper to upgrade onboard I believe.  I was quoted a price online of $12 per day and onboard it was $10 per day pp.  But still 2 people, 15 days plus gratuity…$$$$. Worth it for our premium drinks ;). 

Did you end up paying extra land tax on the upgrade given you were still docked?

[Barwick Cruiser]

I believe it’s $10pdpp whether you upgrade precruise or onboard plus the mandatory service charge of 20%. You might want to check your onboard account to see whether you’ve only been charged the $10 per day or a bit more as they’d be adding that service charge to your account as well.   The advantage to upgrading precruise is you can apply your loyalty discount. OTOH, some like to upgrade onboard at their fave bar to possibly get better future service from the bartender who gets to keep the service charge but either way it’s still $10 plus 20%. 
 

Enjoy the rest of your holiday and thanks for doing this live review!

[Essiesmom]

Here you are, passing by Cocoli Locks on the way to Miraflores Locks.  

 

[Essiesmom]

Looks like a few are out on the helipad...

 

[gerelmx]

At Miraflores, you can see the missing life boat

[Valentin53]

On 10/30/2021 at 4:33 PM, janetmojo said:

Howdy from the lovely Celebrity Millennium!  I’m lucky that this is my third cruise on this ship since Covid so I thought I would do some general postings from what I believe is the longest revenue cruise on any line since Covid shut things down.  
 

Before I start I have to relay something kind of funny that happened last evening after our first port stop in Cabo San Lucas.  Being a tender port they used some of the lifeboats to taxi us to shore.  It was a very nice (although hot) day in town and fairly busy with 4 ships in port.  I was a little surprised.  Well at the end of the evening after getting everyone back onboard they were loading the lifeboats back onto the ship.  While I’m not sure of the exact failure I believe the hook and clip that are used to attach the cable that is used to hoist the boat back up broke and the lifeboat, as the Captain said “it crashed back to the sea”.  Of course no one was on it and it appeared to be generally undamaged.  
 

I was watching for awhile, at first a bunch of engineering types were on deck looking like they might fashion something of a repair but then after an hour or so they just sort of stood around looking down at it.  In the meantime we couldn’t leave bc I mean you can’t just abandon the large lifeboat?  At half capacity it’s not needed but Millennium isn‘t coming back to this port until next April on the next Panama Canal crossing.  
 

As my husband and I enjoyed our cocktails watching the slightly panicked folks trying to figure out what to do we debated a couple things.  Could we tow it?  Doubtful.  Could someone drive it to our next port and then figure out how to fix it?  Unlike reality tv I don’t suppose there is just a spare part laying around ready to make the repair.

 

Well finally we saw them start removing everything from the lifeboat.  The life jackets, the paddles (paddles???), first aid kits, I mean everything that wasn’t nailed down and maybe some stuff that was was removed from the boat.  The captain came onboard and announced we were leaving it in the Marina in Cabo.  Really????

 

So about 45 mins later or so after the driver of the empty boat was returned to the ship via water taxi we left and we waved goodbye to the lifeboat.  Luckily we are booked on the return trip next April so I’ll let you know when we pick it back up in 2022.

 

I’ll be posting some additional info as we go along but I just wanted to start with that interesting story live from the ship.  I also welcome questions!

Thank you for the information you post. We have reservations on Millennium from 21.02.2022 - 03.03.2022 and Apex from 05.03.2022. I would like to ask you to ask at the Guest Relations whether it will be possible to do an antigen test for the second cruise on 03.03.2022 before we get off the Millennium. This information is very important to us because as non-US citizens it may be very difficult for us to find where to take the test for the second cruise. I wish you good weather and many pleasant emotions. Sylvia

[Essiesmom]

These next two are to show how much the ship rises in the lock:

 

 

 

And off you go, heading for Pedro Miguel locks

 

 

Time to go get some breakfast!  EM

[gerelmx]

13 minutes ago, Valentin53 said:

Thank you for the information you post. We have reservations on Millennium from 21.02.2022 - 03.03.2022 and Apex from 05.03.2022. I would like to ask you to ask at the Guest Relations whether it will be possible to do an antigen test for the second cruise on 03.03.2022 before we get off the Millennium. This information is very important to us because as non-US citizens it may be very difficult for us to find where to take the test for the second cruise. I wish you good weather and many pleasant emotions. Sylvia

 

In case you need a testing site you can use https://fasttestnow.com/

[mahdnc]

Looks like a very nice day for a Canal crossing!

Edited November 6, 2021 by mahdnc

[Essiesmom]

Crossing Miraflores Lake

 

[Essiesmom]

1 hour ago, Valentin53 said:

Thank you for the information you post. We have reservations on Millennium from 21.02.2022 - 03.03.2022 and Apex from 05.03.2022. I would like to ask you to ask at the Guest Relations whether it will be possible to do an antigen test for the second cruise on 03.03.2022 before we get off the Millennium. This information is very important to us because as non-US citizens it may be very difficult for us to find where to take the test for the second cruise. I wish you good weather and many pleasant emotions. Sylvia

Your first ship will likely be testing those that have to fly internationally after their cruise, just as they will for you on your second cruise.  EM

[Essiesmom]

Waiting to enter Pedro Miguel Locks

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Valentin53 said:

Thank you for the information you post. We have reservations on Millennium from 21.02.2022 - 03.03.2022 and Apex from 05.03.2022. I would like to ask you to ask at the Guest Relations whether it will be possible to do an antigen test for the second cruise on 03.03.2022 before we get off the Millennium. This information is very important to us because as non-US citizens it may be very difficult for us to find where to take the test for the second cruise. I wish you good weather and many pleasant emotions. Sylvia

It is not clear from you message if you are doing a Back to Back (Second Cruise on Same Ship).   If so Celebrity arranges the test aboard for you as part of the B2B process.    On the cruises we have been on in the past month they also did test aboard for those requiring tests to return home to international destinations.   I would advise contacting engagement center for verification.

 

Once aboard the vaccinations are coordinated by the Documentation Officer.

[BettyCruiser]

2 hours ago, Valentin53 said:

Thank you for the information you post. We have reservations on Millennium from 21.02.2022 - 03.03.2022 and Apex from 05.03.2022. I would like to ask you to ask at the Guest Relations whether it will be possible to do an antigen test for the second cruise on 03.03.2022 before we get off the Millennium. This information is very important to us because as non-US citizens it may be very difficult for us to find where to take the test for the second cruise. I wish you good weather and many pleasant emotions. Sylvia

 

Celebrity does offer testing for passengers on side by side cruises. The problem with your plan is the time between cruises. Testing is normally done during the last full day of the cruise, in your case 02.03.2022, which would be 3 days rather than 2 days prior to your next cruise. I'm not sure they would test you on disembarkation day, but it is worth asking at guest services. I would recommend researching alternatives, perhaps at the airport?

[countess5]

Covid testing

We have researched this with our TA since we are doing 3 B2B on three different ships this winter so going from one ship to the next, sideways, Celebrity provides testing for the sideways as long as the Celebrity ship you are going to is no more than 2 days fro sailing.

 

Cheers! 

[countess5]

3 minutes ago, BettyCruiser said:

 

Celebrity does offer testing for passengers on side by side cruises. The problem with your plan is the time between cruises. Testing is normally done during the last full day of the cruise, in your case 02.03.2022, which would be 3 days rather than 2 days prior to your next cruise. I'm not sure they would test you on disembarkation day, but it is worth asking at guest services. I would recommend researching alternatives, perhaps at the airport?

Good Point, If they do the testing the last sailing date then that would be 3 days, however The verbiage on the website site says the next sailing is not more than two days, so I think they may take that timing in consideration. Will have to double check. 

 

Cheers!

[Benthayer Gonbak]

31 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

It is not clear from you message if you are doing a Back to Back (Second Cruise on Same Ship).   If so Celebrity arranges the test aboard for you as part of the B2B process.    On the cruises we have been on in the past month they also did test aboard for those requiring tests to return home to international destinations.   I would advise contacting engagement center for verification.

 

Once aboard the vaccinations are coordinated by the Documentation Officer.

those look like a side by side with a day in between. 

[countess5]

 

From Celebrity Website:

Vaccinated guests will be permitted to sail on back-to-back cruises. Guests who sail on back-to-back cruises must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and are required to take a COVID-19 test producing negative results between each sailing. This test will be administered by Celebrity Cruises at no expense to the guest, as long as your consecutive cruises are less than two days apart. Visit Guest Services while onboard to arrange this test ahead of your next cruise.   Negative COVID-19 test results acquired from a COVID-19 test taken aboard another Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean International ship will be accepted as long as the test is taken within two days of embarkation for vaccinated guests.

Guests who are not fully vaccinated; or who do not wish to show proof of vaccination; or are not eligible to be vaccinated, such as children who are younger than their country’s permitted vaccination age, are not able to sail on back-to back-cruises. We will continue to evaluate this policy as public health guidance evolves.

 

So if there is one day between the last cruise and the next cruise? More confirming to be done.

 

Cheers! 

[Valentin53]

2 hours ago, gerelmx said:

 

In case you need a testing site you can use https://fasttestnow.com/

Thank you very much for the information.

[Essiesmom]

Gatun Locks.  Looks like some of you are still out on the helipad

 

 

[GMoney]

39 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Gatun Locks.  Looks like some of you are still out on the helipad

 

 

I was!

[BoundForSea]

Awesome!!! A full voyage through the canal is a treat. Weather looks great as well. Appreciate all of you who have provided us a virtual ride through. I think you’re through now and on your way. Welcome back to the east and to the Atlantic! 

[Ipeeinthepools]

Just an FYI.  The Captain announced that we have had a passenger test positive for Covid on Day 15.  The passenger either got infected in one of the ports along the way or perhaps has been positive most of the trip.  Supposedly all close contacts have tested negative, so there is at least one group that will be taking a private flight home.

[Benthayer Gonbak]

11 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

Just an FYI.  The Captain announced that we have had a passenger test positive for Covid on Day 15.  The passenger either got infected in one of the ports along the way or perhaps has been positive most of the trip.  Supposedly all close contacts have tested negative, so there is at least one group that will be taking a private flight home.

Bummer!  Hoping everyone is safe now. 
 

Were there intermediate tests? 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Benthayer Gonbak