Jim_Iain - First Non-Celebrity Cruise in 22 year - Ponant vs Celebrity Comparison

[alfiemom]

Jim - where are you going out of Milwaukee?  And yes, the rain did come south.

[Jim_Iain]

2 minutes ago, alfiemom said:

Jim - where are you going out of Milwaukee?  And yes, the rain did come south.

We depart from Wisconsin Pier adjacent to Discovery World.   The rains have passed and comfortable temperatures. 

[Jim_Iain]

We found the Fonz.    Thanks for pointing it out. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

Come along for our walk to the pier to figure out the logistics of boarding. 
 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

The pier is blocked off by security but and a chat with the Guard.  He said at 4:00 the will open and allow cars to drive right up to the ship for embarking. 
 

 

[hcat]

following

[Whinenowine]

15 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

The pier is blocked off by security but and a chat with the Guard.  He said at 4:00 the will open and allow cars to drive right up to the ship for embarking. 
 

 

drumroll please!

[Jim_Iain]

Correction 

 

Earlier I mentioned the Ponant app had no active content. 
 

When sitting next to the ship it pulled up links for newspapers, Menus etc.   They say the links are active once logged onto the ships WiFi. 

 

 

[Ciaranaman]

Very sleek looking ship!  Can't wait to read of your first impressions on board!  Heading to the webcam to check that out.

~Bernadette

[mjmagee]

Beautiful ship!

 

[hcat]

https://www.lakefrontcam.com/

[juanrod]

Can’t wait to see pics of the ship bon voyage 

[theopup]

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I really do enjoy doors and have taken pictures of 1,000's of them worldwide.   I got started while living in Dublin.   Someone gave me a gift of a cocktail table book -  Doors of Dublin.     Evey door in Dublin, is a different brightly painted ornate door. 

We are heading to Dublin in November ( non cruise trip), and am really looking forward to seeing all the colourful doors

[Jim_Iain]

54 minutes ago, theopup said:

We are heading to Dublin in November ( non cruise trip), and am really looking forward to seeing all the colourful doors

You will love them.  Possibly because of the grey skies they paint their doors bright. 

[Jim_Iain]

Ok.  We are aboard and internet is finally operational.    We will see how things go. 
 

Boarding began at 4pm but we decided to arrive around 4:15

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

The cruise director met our car and had our bags tagged and X-rayed.   The port has a portable X-ray machine. 
 

Security is a bit more relaxed than on Celebrity.  I was going to put my back on the XRay but told don’t worry.    1 minute later we were climbing the Gangway. 
 

 

Greeted by Hotel Director 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Wow.  So far so good. Internet isn’t too bad so far. 

[Barwick Cruiser]

Very excited for you both! Hope this voyage is everything you’ve hoped for and I’m very much looking forward to seeing your amazing pics! Bon voyage 🛳️🥂

[Jim_Iain]

We were next directed to a short line to register and surrender our passports. 
 

Key in hand we next stopped by reception for a photo and credit card swipe. 
 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Check-In complete we were free to go to our room where our luggage had already been delivered. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[alfiemom]

Jim,

 

Bon voyage to you and Lain.  My grandparents had a jewelry store in one of the buildings downtown and both parents were born there.  It’s been many years since I visited the lakeshore and was shocked to find you were boarding a “cruise ship” in Milwaukee.  Is it doing the Great Lakes or up and out the St. Lawrence to who knows where,

[Essiesmom]

25 minutes ago, alfiemom said:

Jim,

 

Bon voyage to you and Lain.  My grandparents had a jewelry store in one of the buildings downtown and both parents were born there.  It’s been many years since I visited the lakeshore and was shocked to find you were boarding a “cruise ship” in Milwaukee.  Is it doing the Great Lakes or up and out the St. Lawrence to who knows where,

There’s an itinerary some dozens of pages back.  EM

[Stem to Stern]

Bon voyage fellas!  Don’t forget to buy some fudge on Mackinac Island.  Remember to watch your step while walking around. 😁

[carolyn22]

I went to Mackinac for several days last year at this time. What a lovely place!  I had met someone from a Michigan before I went to Mackinac, and he told me that the locals refer to the tourists as “fudgies.”  It really made me laugh!

 

Jim, I hope you have a wonderful trip. I love the cabin! 

[Rina155]

12 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

@phoenix_dream   We had to try your recommendation.   We were a little apprehensive as their portions look so HUGE and they were. 

 

It was incredible but we could only eat half our portion in order to save room for desert.

 

Iain had the Wiener schnitzel and I had the The Beef Strudel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh my I have eaten here when I was in Milwaukee for a work conference!  So good!  Thanks for sharing pictures brings back the memories of such a good meal!  Hope you enjoyed.