Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver

[hcat]

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

Unfortunate accident with a shuttlebus at the Honolulu pier. All the injured were from a Carnival Cruiseship that had just docked and passengers were disembarking and going to sightsee. 

 

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/04/12/12-people-injured-including-one-critically-after-shuttle-bus-loses-control-near-honolulu-pier/?outputType=amp&fbclid=IwAR3Hv4mPoUmMg1McGZsfIlFIIb1nQVV6op3en91rGnfgKzOotIb1LLICy38_aem_AYo-2LNFwAsqXgIK8vRJOCb2YXKzUAaysU6V6NG67_-BEDqy5DNK17YA6rGuLgYVlTU-TFH4ZoIkHrFtirF37ATj

very sad news indeed!  Prayers!

[rinshin]

16 hours ago, Cruising Is Bliss said:

 

Mercury was my first Celebrity ship too. We sailed on her twice and have very fond memories.

Our first two on Celebrity were on Zenith, followed by few cruises on Summit and Infinity.  Haven’t cruised on Celebrity for over 10 years.  A little concerned with one coming up on Silhouette in little less than 6 weeks as so much has changed with Celebrity since our last one with them.  

[Jim_Iain]

Had the Opportunity to meet Erin from Idaho - one of the activities staff on Solstice.   I've known her mother via cyber for over 10 years and never met her.

 

At one time we were recruited from CruiseCritics to be pop up Advocates for Celebrity on Celebrity's website.   There were 5 of us that got to be friends.   I've been able to meet 4 of the 5 and hope to meet Mickey face to face one day.   

 

Erin is high energy and is so much like her  mother.  

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, StopTheWorld said:

A nice gesture. And I think the wording hits the right tone. However….. I do think that the same OBC should be offered to everyone regardless of cabin. Everyone has had the same inconvenience and disappointment whether in an inside room or top suite. Just my thoughts! 

 

Unfortunately it is they way it almost always work.   One cruise where we had multiple ports cancelled they gave us a 1 day FCC at the rate you paid for your room, so I can somewhat understand their logic (% of what you paid).   

 

Iain of course said -   They should have given more for Upper Suites.... I'm on the other hand grateful that they just acknowledged the loss of 2 ports.

 

Within 1 hour of receiving the letter the Specialties and Spa went from 10% booked to 100% booked on some days.     I guess Celebrity gets their money back one way or another.

[Jim_Iain]

10 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

 

Reflection's Luminae IS busier because of the increased number of suites, but still FAR less than on Beyond.  And, yes, since you are in a RS you will be fine.  We prefer Silhouette, Equinox & Eclipse but did enjoy our one Reflection cruise. 

 

I've really noticed a huge difference in food quality and preparation on Solstice than Apex and Edge.    Every meal has been cooked to order and perfect,  while on Edge it is obvious to me that they are cooking banquet style in advance.  

 

The staff also have much more time to socialize and check in with you. 

 

Last night the F&B Manager stopped by our table.  We have known him from other cruises.   He socialized a little too long and the waiter finally just started serving us as he didn't seem to be moving on.    Nice man. 

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 We had excellent service in the Retreat on Millennium, then again, we are not overly demanding.  Usually a cocktail for me and a hot tea for my wife.  

 

 That being said, we much prefer the ambiance of Michael's Club over the Retreat.  The furniture in the Retreat is no where near as comfortable.  Although brighter we think it is less welcoming. 

 

 

We were talking about that yesterday.    The Kelly design in my opinion was a real miss and she must have laughed all the way to the bank.   I was explaining to the morning server how on the Retreat you can't even fit 2 tea cups and a tea pot on the small little tables.   She with a puzzled look said,   why didn't they just replace them with larger tables.... we all laughed as so was way too logical as oppose to Celebrity Executives.

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

I think the compensation varies based on the amount one paid for the cabin.  Those who purchase suites pay a lot more than those who purchase insides.  I was on a cruise once and Freeport was devastated by a hurricane.  The captain decided to skip Nassau and go to Freeport to share water and food with them.  We were reimbursed for one day's cost of our cabin.  I was happy to be paid good money not to go to Nassau since I never get off there!

 

 

Linda -  you are very logical.    In retrospect it is very similar logic to how much OBC you get while booking on board for both length of cruise and type of room.   I think they see it as a percentage related to what you paid.

 

As Orwell said “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Unfortunately Live results in a larger size file and I have had difficulty posting photo's taken in Live mode from shipboard WiFi, especially on our last cruise on MSC Divina.  YMMV but for now I have turned off Live mode. 

 

 

The WiFi has been really solid on this cruise.    We have been streaming via YouTubeTV all the time and hasn't stuttered at all.   YouTube really has good compression

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Sorry, I misread what you wrote. 

Not a problem...  I miss words all the time...   The sight lines are great on the E-Class but the shows really need to be refreshed.  

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, dsa181920 said:

Looks like a very nice place to stay with a decent size patio. 

 

It really was...but really didn't use the patio as much as I thought we would... It was up one floor and there were Zero Views.... the Views were from the balcony in the front of the unit.  

 

It was one of those places that we felt at home the minute we walked through the front door. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, hcat said:

Our first X ahip as well and our favorite..like cruising on a big yacht!

 

We have enjoyed EDGE( 2x), BEYOND ( Only SS suite ever), ASCENT  and have APEX booked.  Usually in BLU but also SVs.

 

I find the  E ships themselves are  great..lots of room, nice spaces and dining,  great theater high tech photos. Best dining on Ascent ..BLU and specialties.

 

Our  issue on Ascent was that  it was loud and shouty ALL DAY/NIGHT, or taken over by daytime sports, in places orginally intended to quieter venues!

 

we are booked on Silho and APEX in 2025,  but stumped for Carib 2026.  Do not want any old, aging ship..and  nothing that goes to Coco Cay. 

 

 

 

 

I don't mind older ships but not interested  in Caribbean (but would do ABC's again) and Definitely not in to Labradee and Coco Cay.     I'm sure Coco Cay is great for Celebrity's bottom line, but would probably just stay on the ship.   Just not our thing.

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Unfortunate accident with a shuttlebus at the Honolulu pier. All the injured were from a Carnival Cruiseship that had just docked and passengers were disembarking and going to sightsee. 

 

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/04/12/12-people-injured-including-one-critically-after-shuttle-bus-loses-control-near-honolulu-pier/?outputType=amp&fbclid=IwAR3Hv4mPoUmMg1McGZsfIlFIIb1nQVV6op3en91rGnfgKzOotIb1LLICy38_aem_AYo-2LNFwAsqXgIK8vRJOCb2YXKzUAaysU6V6NG67_-BEDqy5DNK17YA6rGuLgYVlTU-TFH4ZoIkHrFtirF37ATj

 

Saw that on the news.   Bad day for news..

 

The stabbings in Sydney were also very upsetting.   We had just been to the Westfield Mall on Oxford Street in at Bondi Junction last week.   So sad for those in both incidents.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, hcat said:

thoughts and prayers go out to victims in  Sydney Mall incident  Shocking!... was anyone at  that mall recently?  

 

"Seven people died and others, including a 9-month-old baby, are left in critical condition after a man attacked shoppers with a knife at a mall in Sydney on April 13.

 

The individual fatally stabbed six people and injured several others at Westfield Shopping Center in Bondi Junction in Sydney in the afternoon, New South Wales Police Force confirmed in a press release. The attacker was shot dead at the scene."

 

So sad, especially having just been in the mall last week.    Really does show how we need to embrace each day to the fullest as life changing events can happen so suddenly.

[MicCanberra]

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

So sad, especially having just been in the mall last week.    Really does show how we need to embrace each day to the fullest as life changing events can happen so suddenly.

So true, tragic events like these remind us that life is to be lived and danger can happen anywhere, anytime. I feel for all those injured and those who have lost loved ones.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

44 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We were talking about that yesterday.    The Kelly design in my opinion was a real miss and she must have laughed all the way to the bank.   I was explaining to the morning server how on the Retreat you can't even fit 2 tea cups and a tea pot on the small little tables.   She with a puzzled look said,   why didn't they just replace them with larger tables.... we all laughed as so was way too logical as oppose to Celebrity Executives.

Did you see this note about refit of the Connie 🤣

[Ex-Airbalancer]

1 hour ago, rinshin said:

Our first two on Celebrity were on Zenith, followed by few cruises on Summit and Infinity.  Haven’t cruised on Celebrity for over 10 years.  A little concerned with one coming up on Silhouette in little less than 6 weeks as so much has changed with Celebrity since our last one with them.  

Don’t worry about your cruise , 

the whole world as change in 10 years 🤣

 

[mac_tlc]

41 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

I don't mind older ships but not interested  in Caribbean (but would do ABC's again) and Definitely not in to Labradee and Coco Cay.     I'm sure Coco Cay is great for Celebrity's bottom line, but would probably just stay on the ship.   Just not our thing.

I think we are about to book the Silhouette for March 2026 to go to the ABC islands. Would you like to join us ? 😏😏.

 

We are “lone wolves” on this thread . We actually really enjoy the E class Retreat experience 😂😂😂. Of course there are a couple of things we would change, but for what we like — fabulous shows, game shows, trivia, casino — they are excellent. The theaters are second to none. We love the ocean views from the Retreat Lounge. Even in our early years, we have never sat at a bar for a drink so the lack of bar seating is not a negative for us . The sunset bar, particularly on Beyond and Ascent is stunning —- maybe they should have let Nate Bermuda design the Retreat Lounge😂. 

 

One of the main reasons we will hop back to S-class is so we can have access to the MDR menu in Luminae. 
 

It’s all good, we enjoy them all —- choice is good.

 

 

mac_tlc

[Gracie115]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I've really noticed a huge difference in food quality and preparation on Solstice than Apex and Edge.    Every meal has been cooked to order and perfect,  while on Edge it is obvious to me that they are cooking banquet style in advance.  

 

The staff also have much more time to socialize and check in with you. 

 

Last night the F&B Manager stopped by our table.  We have known him from other cruises.   He socialized a little too long and the waiter finally just started serving us as he didn't seem to be moving on.    Nice man. 

 

I am so encouraged by your reports on Solstice thus far.  It sounds like Luminae back in 2015 when it first began.  I remember we were so pleased back then we hesitated to book any specialty restaurants because we enjoyed the food & especially the service in Luminae. 

 

I'm glad you are enjoying a bit of Celebrity as you (and I) remember it....hopefully it will continue through your cruise(s)!!!

[Gracie115]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Did you see this note about refit of the Connie 🤣

Wellll it appears someone at Celebrity might finally be getting it......... 😀

[Poconolady]

Wow- I finally made   it- 29 pages and you haven’t even dropped anchor at the first port!  It was a great way to spend a Saturday laying on the couch recuperating from a case of post cruise “crud”, coughing and sneezing my head off. Just got off the Millennium on Tue., 12 night in Southern Japan for cherry blossom season. Great  cruise, even in Okinawa when we experienced the tsunami warning following the earthquake in Taiwan. It was a very unreal feeling,:standing on a high hill and watching our ship sail out of the harbor without us! Luckily all was ok before the end of the day.

[hcat]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

I don't mind older ships but not interested  in Caribbean (but would do ABC's again) and Definitely not in to Labradee and Coco Cay.     I'm sure Coco Cay is great for Celebrity's bottom line, but would probably just stay on the ship.   Just not our thing.

not our thing either..we loved Coco cay when it was mostly undeveloprd..did our first snorkeling there..was great for beginners.  

 

We are thinking Bermuda  again or Charleston as possible ports !

[MicCanberra]

17 minutes ago, Poconolady said:

Wow- I finally made   it- 29 pages and you haven’t even dropped anchor at the first port!  It was a great way to spend a Saturday laying on the couch recuperating from a case of post cruise “crud”, coughing and sneezing my head off. Just got off the Millennium on Tue., 12 night in Southern Japan for cherry blossom season. Great  cruise, even in Okinawa when we experienced the tsunami warning following the earthquake in Taiwan. It was a very unreal feeling,:standing on a high hill and watching our ship sail out of the harbor without us! Luckily all was ok before the end of the day.

That would have been scary

[Lena11033]

1 hour ago, mac_tlc said:

I think we are about to book the Silhouette for March 2026 to go to the ABC islands. Would you like to join us ? 😏😏.

 

We are “lone wolves” on this thread . We actually really enjoy the E class Retreat experience 😂😂😂. Of course there are a couple of things we would change, but for what we like — fabulous shows, game shows, trivia, casino — they are excellent. The theaters are second to none. We love the ocean views from the Retreat Lounge. Even in our early years, we have never sat at a bar for a drink so the lack of bar seating is not a negative for us . The sunset bar, particularly on Beyond and Ascent is stunning —- maybe they should have let Nate Bermuda design the Retreat Lounge😂. 

 

One of the main reasons we will hop back to S-class is so we can have access to the MDR menu in Luminae. 
 

It’s all good, we enjoy them all —- choice is good.

 

 

mac_tlc

 

I haven't done retreat but I do enjoy E Class, I prefer the look and style myself.

But then the service I received on Constellation in Luminae was about as good as what I had in MDR on Beyond or maybe worse, I never had items missing from my order on Beyond

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We were talking about that yesterday.    The Kelly design in my opinion was a real miss and she must have laughed all the way to the bank.   I was explaining to the morning server how on the Retreat you can't even fit 2 tea cups and a tea pot on the small little tables.   She with a puzzled look said,   why didn't they just replace them with larger tables.... we all laughed as so was way too logical as oppose to Celebrity Executives.

 

I've decided Ms. Hoppen is the queen of uncomfortable chairs.  Her tables aren't much better.  And yes, I'll bet she laughed all the way to the bank after she sold all this junk to Celebrity.

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

3 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Did you see this note about refit of the Connie 🤣

 

That's hysterical.  Perhaps they have realized the error of their ways.  Or, the new designer could be worse?  Hard to imagine, but I suppose it's possible.  What a laugh that it's a selling point that it wasn't designed by Kelly Hoppen.  I'll reserve judgment until I see the actual new designs.