Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver

[cachouonacruise]

Thank-you very much, once more, Jim and Iain, for bringing us along on your cruise explorations around the planet! It's always educating and very interesting to learn through your voyages!

Have a safe journey home and until next time! 

[chemmo]

My morning coffee won’t taste the same….I have so enjoyed your trip. It is 10 years in October since we did our Hawaii stay and TP cruise finishing with time in Australia. Not only have I enjoyed reading your adventures I have been reliving our own.

 

Doing live reviews takes time, thought and reflection. Thank you sooooo very, very much…

[Jim_Iain]

Took a bit longer to get home than expected.   After we departed we had a 1 hour hold on the runway.   SFO is having construction done on one of their runways and instituted 1-3 hour origin holds.     The Captain shut down the engines and we just sat. 

 

We did get home albeit later than expected to view one of the best approaches into SFO possible.   Right over San Francisco with 50+ mile views.     Even the pilot pointed it out.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Glad to hear you made it back to California and that Iain apparently survived his encounter with the security folks.  Thanks so much for doing another great trip report; I appreciate the time and effort you put into these reports.  Looking forward to your next adventure!

[DUTRAVEL]

Welcome back to a beautiful day in the Bay Area. Thanks for taking the time out of your vacation to take us along.

 

Dianne

[fliprcruiser]

Appreciate your post, enjoyed the posts. Thanks

[rinshin]

On 5/5/2024 at 5:23 PM, Jim_Iain said:

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

 

 

Not looking good for sure.😑

[CruisinBanka]

Thanks Jim once again for sharing your cruise adventure! It’s always must reading and you never disappoint. Glad you and Iain are home safe and look forward to your next post! 

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Glad to hear you made it back to California and that Iain apparently survived his encounter with the security folks.  Thanks so much for doing another great trip report; I appreciate the time and effort you put into these reports.  Looking forward to your next adventure!

 

Ended up not being too bad ---- except for some reason a yellow spot was showing up on his groin and the inspector had to go into a more intimate feel than normal.    Only delayed us about 10 minutes

 

For those that have Chase Sapphire and Priority Pass.    They have a nice lounge in the Departure area.   Rather busy but when filled they would find open spaces for those waiting.    There is a pretty regular flow keeping seating available most of the time.

 

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

Welcome back to a beautiful day in the Bay Area. Thanks for taking the time out of your vacation to take us along.

 

Dianne

 

It was indeed a beautiful day.     With all the rain this year I'm blown away that everything is in bloom.     The double Kumamoto trees are in full bloom in our front yard.    I was half expecting to have missed them this year. 

 

I took my full walk today and really enjoyed it.   It is nice getting back my regular routines again.

 

There's no place like home ---

 

[hcat]

Amen!

[kluv2cruz]

On 4/27/2024 at 9:30 PM, sonnycruises said:

"House Without a Key". Their Haupia Cake is to die for.

Had an amazing iced haupia latte at HiCO coffee both Kailua-Kona days. Fantastic. Also had the Thai Spring toast day 2 after thinking about it overnight! Very good. Going to try to recreate at home! (Also enjoyed former Miss Hawaii dancing at House Without a Key one of the Waikiki days. So graceful and lovely music too.)

Edited May 8 by kluv2cruz

[ecslady]

Thanks for anther great live thread.  I can't believe it's over already.  Glad to see you safely at home.

[MyView]

Jim, we are considering our first cruise back with Celebrity since the Pandemic and are considering the Edge classs Sky suite.  If you don't mind could you speak as to why you don't seem to care for this class?  We have always enjoyed Celebrity but am now feeling a little nervous about booking after reading a number of fairly negative comments.  Would certainly appreciate your perspective.  Also why are you not as satisfied with Celebrity and booking other lines.  Thanks so much and always enjoy following your travels.  Catherine

[venicecruiser]

Can't believe this adventure is over already!  

 

Thank you for taking the time to take all of us along with the 2 of you.  Guess I will have to be patient and wait for the next trip!

 

Claudia

[Mike981]

14 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

It was indeed a beautiful day.     With all the rain this year I'm blown away that everything is in bloom.     The double Kumamoto trees are in full bloom in our front yard.    I was half expecting to have missed them this year. 

 

I took my full walk today and really enjoyed it.   It is nice getting back my regular routines again.

 

There's no place like home ---

 

 

Funny you just put those shoes on here Jim. I just finished a six part documentary called The Power of Film, if you like movies I think you will enjoy it. It breaks down the formulas used to create the movies and helped me understand some of the classics better.

 

I found it on MAX/HBO, my wife said it was a little to much like going to college and I explained that the host is a professor at UCLA (I believe) and that would make sense. They ended the documentary talking about The Wizard of Oz, and it really is an easy watch.

 

14 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

except for some reason a yellow spot was showing up on his groin

 

Ummmm, I just let my cartoon bubbles float away and leave it at that. 😉

 

Glad you two made it home safe, now Iain can make you that dinner you were looking forward to.

 

Take care friends and thanks again for such a fun trip review, although, I feel your reviews are more of being let into you and Iain's life. And it is very special.

[awhfy]

Thank you for another wonderful ‘live’ review. I appreciate your keen eye for photos & the witty repartee. Thanks again. Looking forward to your next adventure of Jim & Iain. Melody

[bluwes]

Phew ! What a thread that was ,thanks for such a great review, and glad you’re safely back home

[Oville]

👏👏👏, thanks.

[Jim_Iain]

On 5/7/2024 at 5:52 AM, Liao said:

I’m curious, other than the standard post cruise survey, has Celebrity ever contacted you directly to follow up for more detail?  Wonderful review, thank you for sharing this!

 

In all my years I have never been contacted for further details.     I have however both spoken to Laura and written her.    She agreed with my comments and indicated changes were coming and hoped to win us back as dedicated Celebrity Cruisers.

 

[Jim_Iain]

On 5/8/2024 at 5:35 AM, MyView said:

Jim, we are considering our first cruise back with Celebrity since the Pandemic and are considering the Edge classs Sky suite.  If you don't mind could you speak as to why you don't seem to care for this class?  We have always enjoyed Celebrity but am now feeling a little nervous about booking after reading a number of fairly negative comments.  Would certainly appreciate your perspective.  Also why are you not as satisfied with Celebrity and booking other lines.  Thanks so much and always enjoy following your travels.  Catherine

 

Our main decision is related to the food in Luminae.   While they have the same menus we get the feeling the meals are being made banquet style and were often over cooked, missing items or cold in the middle of numerous entrees.   On the M and S class ships they cook all dishes to order -  there may be a slightly longer wait time but was very pleased with all meals I've ever had on M and S Class ships.

 

The other thing we don't like is the sheer number of additional people.   While it usually doesn't affect Suite Passengers --- Disembarkation at some ports cold take 2+ hours and even leaving the ship as a Suite Passenger with escorts was delayed and of course the glares you get as you are escorted to the front of the line can be uncomfortable.

 

The other thing we don't like is that all of the specialty restaurants are open air (no walls) and very noisy.    Finally there is not Tuscan Specialty or Murano.     Final Cut's just doesn't do it for us.

[Jim_Iain]

On 5/8/2024 at 8:52 AM, Mike981 said:

 

Funny you just put those shoes on here Jim. I just finished a six part documentary called The Power of Film, if you like movies I think you will enjoy it. It breaks down the formulas used to create the movies and helped me understand some of the classics better.

 

I found it on MAX/HBO, my wife said it was a little to much like going to college and I explained that the host is a professor at UCLA (I believe) and that would make sense. They ended the documentary talking about The Wizard of Oz, and it really is an easy watch.

 

 

Ummmm, I just let my cartoon bubbles float away and leave it at that. 😉

 

Glad you two made it home safe, now Iain can make you that dinner you were looking forward to.

 

Take care friends and thanks again for such a fun trip review, although, I feel your reviews are more of being let into you and Iain's life. And it is very special.

 

Thanks Mike.... hope you enjoy your upcoming cruise.

[Jim_Iain]

Well we are getting back to normal -   I had a big surprise in the Mail --- Got summoned for Jury Duty on the week of May 20th... ugh.

 

I had accidentally tossed it in the  junk mail stack, luckily Iain went through the stack and said ---you've got mail.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

I have to share the joy of getting back to California.   Due to the went winter and spring the wild flowers are in full bloom and much more abundant than normal.

 

Due to our usual drought conditions many homes have natural landscape and are incredible.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 9 by Jim_Iain

[maggie.1008]

Welcome home Jim. As always, I enjoyed your travels and beautiful pictures. 

I just came off the Explora 1 and was at the YVR airport the same day as you and Iian. 

We had two legs home and both flights were an hour late. 

I just posted a review about our cruise that I think you will be interested in. 

Cheers, Heather