Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver

[larry_s_taco]

45 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Over the years we have modified from traditional Lamb and/or Beef and now use a combination ground Chicken/Turkey ---- Besides that it is pretty basic -    Onions, Carrots sometimes Celery Chicken/Turkey -   and Bisto to thicken.    Just good old comfort food.   

 

He serves it with Bachalor's Marrow Fat Peas. 

 

Stock Photo of what we are talking about -

You got me thinking about it, now I'm making it for supper tomorrow. Lol

Edited May 4 by larry_s_taco
Added info

[OrtonPark]

Ah, yes. Simple home cooking tastes remarkably delicious after a vacation filled with restaurant meals! That, and sleeping in your own bed: two delights that help take the sting out of vacation being over! 
 

I kind of hope roaming photographers are back. I’ve mentioned this before, but my husband has a knack for getting slightly tipsy and sentimentally purchasing a photograph or two. It’s endearing. 

[maggie.1008]

We are on day five at sea on Explora 1, arriving tomorrow at noon in Victoria.

Haven’t seen another ship. 

[DaKahuna]

On 5/4/2024 at 8:36 AM, Jim_Iain said:

Photographers may be back---

Noticed that on Chic night they had roaming photographers back on Solstice.   They even were back roaming around Luminae offering to take pictures.

 

Wonder if this is being seen on other ships?

 

Jim,  we’ve seen the lights set up but have not noticed any photographers but will keep a closer eye out.  Last night was our first evening chic night and no photographer in Luminae while we were in there. 

 

[FeebeeH]

On 5/4/2024 at 12:46 PM, Jim_Iain said:

What I would give for a plate of Iain’s Mince and Tatty  
 

 

That makes me feel nostalgic.  I'm originally from Glasgow and my mum used to frequently make mince & tatties, I still love it.

[Jim_Iain]

14 hours ago, maggie.1008 said:

We are on day five at sea on Explora 1, arriving tomorrow at noon in Victoria.

Haven’t seen another ship. 

Hope you enjoy Explora -- she really looked beautiful.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Jim,  we’ve seen the lights set up but have not noticed any photographers but will keep a closer eye out.  Last night was our first evening chic night and no photographer in Luminae while we were in there. 

 

 

Last night I didn't see any in Luminae but did see some at various staircases --- as well as the green screen in front of the Casino.

[Jim_Iain]

Further cutbacks are being noticed in Lumina.   It tastes like the have changed the butter to a butter / spread mix and have recently cut down the size of the butter mold.   The more they cut back "standard" items the more they are shifting away from Luxury to Denny's attention to detail and quality.

 

THE FIRST RESORTS AT SEA STAR RATED BY FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE -

 

Celebrity’s sleek, contemporary ships embody everything you’d expect from a high-end resort. In fact, Celebrity is the world’s first cruise line to be Star Rated by Forbes Travel Guide.

 

Edited May 5 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Last night was Chic - Lobster

 

I had the Trout and Iain the Salmon 

The lobster was really small, which was fine with us.   It was sweet and tender but kinda is watery which is common of frozen lobster. 

I had the trout as a starter.  Iain had the Salmon fro MDR

 

 

 

Here’s the Lobster in a hollandaise based sauce. 

 

 

Poached pear from MDR 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[maggie.1008]

I also was born in Glasgow and my mum made the best mince. Miss her so 😪

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, maggie.1008 said:

I also was born in Glasgow and my mum made the best mince. Miss her so 😪

Know the feeling .... today would have been my mother's 101th birthday.  Ciquo de Maya

[NMTraveller]

On 5/3/2024 at 7:15 AM, hcat said:

a bit off topic now.. but another current live from  showed what that poster uses for hydration..so I am sharing here!  maybe helpful??

 

 

Here is what I use.  It worked for a 12 mile hike up and down hills.  I hiked The Wave and scenic areas around.  My muscles were super tired but never cramped for such a strenuous day.  That was my first real hike for that far ...

[DaKahuna]

7 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Last night I didn't see any in Luminae but did see some at various staircases --- as well as the green screen in front of the Casino.

 

There was a green screen set up just out side of Luminae at the photo shop area on Millennium.  They were breaking it down when we went to the theater for the Taiko Drum performance around 0845.   Otherwise, have not seen a lot of photographers or sets up so far this cruise. 

 

[Maui4us]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Know the feeling .... today would have been my mother's 101th birthday.  Ciquo de Maya

Happy Heavenly birthday to your dear Mom🙏

-Kelley

[kwokpot]

On 5/4/2024 at 10:57 AM, JackE said:

Somewhat off topic admittedly, but how do you guys like the casino on the Ovation OTS? 

 

On 5/4/2024 at 11:00 AM, kwokpot said:

I'll let you know in a few days. Being in Hawaiian waters the casino wasn't open on any day until last night after departing Kona. We didn't go since we have 5 sea days until Vancouver. But we have $1,500 Freeplay to play through, so we do have some work to do to keep as much if it and hopefully exceed that amount!

The slot machines on the Ovation haven't been updated since the ship debuted back in 2016, so they are all old machines. Having said that although there weren't many of our favorite machines we enjoyed playing  the ones went on and out of $1,500 Freeplay we cashed out $1,877!!!. My husband vowed not to step into the casino again so he can bring that all home. I made sure I played all his Freeplay with him since I would hit 'cashout' after every bonus win or after every $20 or so of accumulated winnings. 

Edited May 5 by kwokpot

[Jim_Iain]

Did a quick video of afternoon tea in OceanView Cafe --- not real traditional and a bit sorry selection.

 

 

[JackE]

2 hours ago, kwokpot said:

 

The slot machines on the Ovation haven't been updated since the ship debuted back in 2016, so they are all old machines. Having said that although there weren't many of our favorite machines we enjoyed playing  the ones went on and out of $1,500 Freeplay we cashed out $1,877!!!. My husband vowed not to step into the casino again so he can bring that all home. I made sure I played all his Freeplay with him since I would hit 'cashout' after every bonus win or after every $20 or so of accumulated winnings. 

Congratulations on the big win! That’s awesome. Hide that money! How was the air in the casino? A lot of smoke? 

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, JackE said:

Congratulations on the big win! That’s awesome. Hide that money! How was the air in the casino? A lot of smoke? 

Thanks. There a smoking section and non smoking section. The non smoking section wasn't too bad. 

[DaKahuna]

Celebrity is not doing well with the casino on this cruise.  There are only four seas days on a 13-day cruise.  We are in port most of the time and the casino is closed.  I am going to see if I cannot get half of our remaining OBC out on the next sea day and then the rest on the one following that.  That would leave me one final sea day for any ‘left overs.’ 

 

[chemmo]

7 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Did a quick video of afternoon tea in OceanView Cafe --- not real traditional and a bit sorry selection.

 

 

Not the best!

 

As you are aware, we in the UK take our afternoon tea seriously! It is sad that in an attempt to ‘modernise’ or perhaps to save on costs recently we have had a few disappointments in establishments that one would expect better from. The afternoon tea that came out in a cup and shrimp paste sandwiches are two that spring to mind…

 

We used to love the butler bringing around the afternoon tea trolley at 4pm. Not only was it lovely to pick some tasty morsels as you recovered from an excursion on port days or a siesta on sea days it really was an opportunity to ‘touch base’ with your butler. Whilst we know a decent afternoon tea is available in the Retreat lounge we rarely bother going down. We have on some cruises (in addition to requesting a kettle and a tea tray) asked for a small afternoon tea selection. Not entirely successful as butlers seem to struggle with understanding the word small!

 

 

[DaKahuna]

@Jim_Iain I saw my first roaving photographer today.  He was on the Helipad for our sail away from Osaka. This was open to Elite guest and above.  
 

Tomorrow is the Retreat guest Helipad for our arrival in Hiroshima.

 

[upwarduk]

Just seen a picture of John Grantham on FB, saying it’s the last day of the crossing Sydney to Vancouver.

its a long time since we first came across John Grantham, possibly on our first Celebrity cruise on Infinity in 2003

[LouChamp]

11 hours ago, Maui4us said:

Happy Heavenly birthday to your dear Mom🙏

-Kelley

Aloha. Blessings and prayers

[Jim_Iain]

Well every adventure must come to an end. 
 

We arrived Vancouver at 5:00 AM.  Although the weather calls for rain looks beautiful.  Walk offs began at 7:09 and general disembarkation should begin shortly. 
 

I would like to thank everyone that has followed along and participated.   What a fun time we had. 
 

i still have to put a couple videos up.  Yesterday was Singh’s birthday and we had a fun party for him. 
 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Group 1 called at 7:45 and BART was kind enough to escort us to the departure gate.  
 

 

Out the door and turn Left.   Followed signs 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Tap on Tap off with ApplePay and was on the Subway by 8:19

 

We are now outside the terminal as we can’t check in until 9:20. (30 minutes)

 

Easiest departure ever. 

Edited May 6 by Jim_Iain