Silhouette LIVE (1/12) w/ Side by Side: A Royal Week on Celebrity and MSC

[hcat]

glad STOP is over..hope they can catch  up quickly..flying is not what it used to be..too many variables we cannot  control

 

good luck Gen X

[FLCruiser97]

I am so looking forward to your reviews. You will be a busy girl posting for 2 different cruises, different lines. I really like your evening ensembles. Lovely. You'll be in the air in no time. 

[GenerationX]

Ok guys I have good news and bad news.

 

The good (and most important) news is that I am currently 30,000 feet above Tennessee headed south to Miami!

 

In other somewhat good news, after more smoked salmon bagels, dry turkey sandwiches and fruit platters than I can count (I know, first world problems) AA has FINALLY brought back hot meal service in first class for this route.

 

The bad news is that my Tex-Mex omelette is way overdone and I hope to heaven that there aren’t any British passengers in first class, because these so called “scones” are not doing my country’s reputation any favors.
 

In fairness to the omelette though, sitting in a warmer for 3 extra hours probably never does an egg dish any favors.

 

Nevertheless, I’m not gonna be too salty about any of it  because I’m just glad to be in the air and on my way!

 

Last word from Red in Indy was that her plane was also boarding and cleared to fly by FAA, they were just waiting for a takeoff position in line from the tower.

 

More to come from Miami in a couple of hours!

 

 

[FLCruiser97]

Well, one consolation is, that fruit looks good and so does the Tito's. So not a complete loss.

[lola2013]

Side by side cruises…royal suite…first class air…handsome husband…adorable daughter…

I want to be you when I grow up 😉

[FLCruiser97]

9 minutes ago, lola2013 said:

Side by side cruises…royal suite…first class air…handsome husband…adorable daughter…

I want to be you when I grow up 😉

...and most likely a darn good lawyer too!

[Jim_Iain]

On 1/9/2023 at 4:05 AM, GenerationX said:

Thank you Jim! And thank you again for the wonderful live report from Solstice.  I will admit, the recent negativity started to get to me for a bit. Then I remembered a few years back Jeremy and I were coming up on a cruise on Reflection and there had been quite a few poor reviews of food, service, ship condition, etc. that had us considering canceling (back when cancel for any reason insurance was actually affordable).  We decided to go ahead and sail and ended up having one our best cruises.
 

Since it sounds like there’s folks also interested in the MSC leg, I think I’m leaning towards keeping the reviews in one thread after all.  
 

Mostly for selfish reasons. I think you’re right that once I switch ships, if I start a new thread on the MSC board, keeping up with two threads is likely to become a heavy lift and I don’t want to end up spending my whole second trip on CC (or the whole month after catching up)!

 

Perhaps I’ll post a link over on the MSC board though so folks there who are interested can come to “our house” and follow along.

 

I’m very jealous of your 3 in a row spring cruising plans, but also very much looking forward to all the review reading material!

 

I can understand the heavy lift of keeping two threads going.    My situation is hugely different.   I'm just about to book Ponant which is a small exploration type ship.   Their CC Board is very small with maybe 1 or 2 posts a week.   I'm reluctant  to post there and totally take over their board. 

 

Having said that when someone does a live post there pretty is not anything else posting for days or weeks.

[ZiggyGA]

On 1/9/2023 at 4:50 PM, GenerationX said:

Her email also included instructions for embarkation stating that upon arrival at the terminal I should look for a banner that says “Priority Curbside Drop Off” and leave my bags there for prompt delivery to my room and someone will meet me there and personally escort me through security, check in, and onto the ship.  I’ve heard that these instructions from the concierge can have varying accuracy with regard to what the set up actually is at the terminal so will be sure to report on how my embarkation experience actually plays out.

Erin's instructions for Retreat guest boarding in Miami are accurate.  My wife and I have sailed from Miami as Retreat guests on both Summit and Silhouette a number of times since sailing has restarted.   Silhouette will be using terminal "G".   
The “Priority Curbside Drop Off” will be at the far end of the baggage drop off area.  The banner is a tall sign but is some times hard to find because of all the people.   At this drop off area there is a small podium and sign for Retreat guests where staff will great you and escort you as Erin described.   If there is no one at the podium don't panic...  they are taking care of earlier arrivals and will return shortly and take good care of you.   
Embarkation is rather hectic as you probably know, take your time,  your guide will get you through all the check in steps.    Enjoy the Silhouette and have a great cruise

Edited January 11, 2023 by ZiggyGA

[hcat]

Gen X

You are on your way.. Glad it worked out.

[Lena11033]

2 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Ok guys I have good news and bad news.

 

The good (and most important) news is that I am currently 30,000 feet above Tennessee headed south to Miami!

 

In other somewhat good news, after more smoked salmon bagels, dry turkey sandwiches and fruit platters than I can count (I know, first world problems) AA has FINALLY brought back hot meal service in first class for this route.

 

The bad news is that my Tex-Mex omelette is way overdone and I hope to heaven that there aren’t any British passengers in first class, because these so called “scones” are not doing my country’s reputation any favors.
 

In fairness to the omelette though, sitting in a warmer for 3 extra hours probably never does an egg dish any favors.

 

Nevertheless, I’m not gonna be too salty about any of it  because I’m just glad to be in the air and on my way!

 

Last word from Red in Indy was that her plane was also boarding and cleared to fly by FAA, they were just waiting for a takeoff position in line from the tower.

 

More to come from Miami in a couple of hours!

 

 

As a British person I’m offended that is considered a scone 😆

more like a tea biscuit. 
 

but glad you are on your way 

[Jim_Iain]

On 1/9/2023 at 10:58 AM, mikeysed said:

Hello,

 

For a King bed in a regular veranda room- are the pillows king size or are they more standard/queen size?

I think it may be important to understand that the "King" in a Standard Room is not really a King.   It is a UK or European King which is a U.S. Queen.   I've measured an they are 60"W x 80"L (many unrevolutionized and revolutionized) also are rounded at the corners.

 

I'm not sure if it's true post Revolutionized Ships but on Solstice only the RS and PS had the King size and CS and below were the U.S. Queen. 

 

I could be wrong bu I believe the pillows are Queen even if you have a True U.S. King.    On the Back to Back we had our Foam and Isotonic moved to our RS from a CS on a B2B and they appeared to have been same size.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Carla - Glad you made it.   I was worried when I heard on the news this morning about the FAA outage and all the cancelled and delayed flights.  

[mchell810]

22 hours ago, GenerationX said:

After an incredibly rough day, it is finally packing time!  Apparently my husband isn’t the only guy in the house who is less than thrilled that I’m running off without him. Who knew Labradors could be so judgmental?

 

So far my 5am flight is still showing on time departure [knocks wood] so after I finish packing I’ll make us a quick easy dinner in the Instant Pot then it’s off to bed for a 1am alarm to get up and head to the airport!

 

 

Your Labrador definitely knows what the suitcases mean and he isn't happy.

 

I am glad your flight finally got in the air. 

[jimbri]

Glad you made it!

 

[GenerationX]

Good evening from Magic City!

 

When we landed at MIA a little after noon local time, I got a glimpse of the mess that just the few hours of FAA shutdown had created.  The line for the rebooking counter stretched almost the length of the terminal. In baggage claim, there were several large corded off areas full of checked luggage from cancelled flights waiting to be reclaimed.

 

My luggage was the first 2 bags off the belt for my flight and I was able to quickly get a $12 Uber to my hotel in Brickell, the Hyatt Centric, where I found that Red somehow managed to beat me there and was already one passion fruit caiperhinia in at the bar.  

 

Early check in was no problem so I dumped my bags off and joined Red for a sangria and afternoon snack of some delicious shrimp tostones.

 

I’ve stayed at this Hyatt pre-cruise before and really like it. There’s a rooftop pool with bar, high thread  count sheets, good complimentary in room coffee machine (a must for me) and the rooms and bathrooms are spacious and clean. I wouldn’t call it a budget choice at about $350 a night. But it’s much lower than rates at comparable hotels on south beach and it’s an easy walk or short Uber to, in my opinion, just as good if not better (and much more affordable) night life and dining options.

 

Speaking of said dining options I’m currently on my way to have dinner at a restaurant that has been on my Miami Must Eat list for awhile now.  Full report to come!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

8 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I can understand the heavy lift of keeping two threads going.    My situation is hugely different.   I'm just about to book Ponant which is a small exploration type ship.   Their CC Board is very small with maybe 1 or 2 posts a week.   I'm reluctant  to post there and totally take over their board. 

 

Having said that when someone does a live post there pretty is not anything else posting for days or weeks.

Ah, I understand your concern. I’d likely feel a little weird posting regularly in that scenario too.  I will say though, while researching Antarctica sailings I recently read an American’s  live review of their expedition cruise on Ponant and it seemed like the “audience” following was very engaged and grateful for the detailed reports.

 

And perhaps you’d inspire others to get more active in posting!

[Luvmypups]

Glad to hear you made Charla!  Have a wonderful trip!

[cruzzzinma]

Love your hotel!

[Redking]

We're all packed for our cruise on Saturday so finally getting time to post.

 

Didn't know you were cruising again until I saw your insta!

 

Looking forward to your comparison. As for a solo in a Royal, I hope you totally max out and turn that place into your personal spa 🍸🥂👑🙏 Enjoy!

[LouChamp]

Aloha.  Always enjoy yours posts. As a fellow Juris Doctor, recharges are need almost daily lol.  We are much older than you and have been blessed to have seen the world and on various lines and ships.  We now divide our time between NY and Honolulu. In cold NY now caring for my mom who is 89 with dementia in long term care so cruising is out for the time being. Enough of me. Point being enjoy, relax and keep posting food pics!

[Susanb10567]

Looking forward to following along again and seeing your comparison to MSC…we are heading on the Summit next month and was looking to do a back to back at the last minute but it is chartered for a I think a nude cruise so we are thinking of doing a side by side with Virgin..

 

Enjoy your cruises!!!!

[karmamule]

Very much looking forward to reading this! We've been on 3 cruises in MSC's Yacht Club (on the Seaside, Meraviglia, and Seashore) and had a great time on all of them. MSC definitely has a different feel in comparison to other cruise lines but the Yacht Club experience has been excellent for us. We were in the Haven for the first time on the NCL Joy recently and, while very enjoyable, wasn't as good an experience for us. The Yacht Club's facilities are more comprehensive and their service was top-notch. (Especially on the Seashore)

 

We'll be on our first Celebrity cruise a week from Saturday on the Apex in an Edge Villa and will be doing the same as you but "in the other direction": since we're very familiar with the Yacht Club we'll be looking to see how the Celebrity Retreat compares for us. We'll be flying out to that cruise right around the time you'll be wrapping up the MSC portion of your travels so it'll be fresh in our minds as we fly out.

 

Hope you have a GREAT time on both cruises! 😊

[FLCruiser97]

Love tostones...any tostones. Were they as good as they looked?

[journeymore]

Glad you made it to Miami. I’m very interested in your comparison of the retreat and the YC. I’m a solo cruiser and I spent 2 weeks in the YC on Seashore in September but even though I’m elite plus on Celebrity I’ve never felt the need to book a suite because my balcony was great. 

[FLCruiser97]

Hope you got to enjoy some Miami night life last night.

Edited January 12, 2023 by FLCruiser97