Esprit

Despite numerous visits to Santorini we decided to leave the ship later in the day knowing the last tender wasn’t until 9.15 pm. We got to the cable car entrance at about 12.30 and there was no queue at all. Celebrity claimed there would be five cruise ships but there were only three. The Viking ship left mid afternoon and Celestial one came in soon after. With a successful shop done we found our favourite bar.

Currently on Reflection and I would say the Pizzas we had on Regal Princess last year were far superior to what is being offered right now. Food in the MDR is of equal quality to Princess. We will most definitely cruise with Princess next year.

I’d rather not say but we are on Deck 8 port side forward of the lifts. The only vibration I have so far felt was today when the ship used its bow thrusters to do a 180 and dock port side so a large pane of glass could be replaced adjacent to the Spa.

A couple on our MDR table were reunited with their cases in Athens. Celebrity gave all the affected passengers $100 OBC but no free transportation to the airport and back. There were 50 passengers without luggage and a further 40 odd sailing on Beyond. As you rightly say there are still a dozen or so that still haven’t got their cases!

Last night in the MDR the special meal of the night was fish & chips with mushy peas! Have to say Princess do it much better. Regarding Santorini we’ve walked up the 588 steps and it was quite an experience dodging the donkey trains and what they leave behind! If the queue is ridiculously long coming back down we may take the steps option.

We did much the same as you @Les43 today. Each time we return to Mykonos I keep hoping to see the two white pelicans we saw over 10 years ago but wonder if age got the better of them. They would wander around the streets and try to sneak into restaurant kitchens! The ship was indeed quiet last night after the pool deck silent disco. I think the Athens heat took its toll.

Last night’s pool deck silent disco. IMG_7075.mov

Not your usual Piraeus harbour sight!

Spoilt for choice😂

Sorry to read your dining experience wasn’t good last night @Les43 we ate in Murano and the food was wonderful as always. Service was impeccable too. We’ll be back there next week sitting at our favourite table once again. Not sure if this common knowledge but we asked our room steward for a kettle and he happily obliged. Proper hot tea first thing in the morning, starts the day perfectly. Looking forward to our day aboard an empty ship. Been to Athens loads of times so we’ll chill and max out our premium drinks package🤪 btw no vibration where we are situated. We don’t even feel the bow thrusters when docking!

Haven’t seen Chandon on this cruise. I’d avoid it if offered.

They definitely are making omelettes to order as that’s what I live on for breakfast. Everything else is never hot enough for me hence why I avoid the buffet other times of the day.

But this is not a U.K. out bound sailing. We sailed from Civitavecchia in Italy. U.K. rates have nothing to do with this cruise!

No it is not. We had champagne last night priced at $17 in the menu. Nothing extra charged to our account!

Just a “heads up” for those on currently on board. They no longer have fresh squeezed orange juice in the Ocean cafe. You can only get it in the Spa cafe. My “go to” beer is Peroni but they palm you off with the red label bottles. I found out today they have cans of the stronger blue label Peroni. I’m not telling too many people though😂

Yes opposite the Martini bar.

$17 on Reflection right now

From the Murano menu

Michael Karatzas. Seems friendly and personable. He and his fellow officers lined the corridor to the Martini bar to greet the passengers.

😂

Currently on Reflection and if you don’t ask specifically for “French Champagne” you are automatically given the fizzy wine that the crew nickname “Chateau de Gangway”.

We are on deck 8 port side forward slumming it in a standard balcony cabin😂 We too have had a chilled day. Mostly up in the sunset bar. The two musicians play great relaxing music compared with the band down by the main pool. Looking forward to the Chic night and silent disco

We are on board too. No dramas for us but people on a flight from Manchester never got their luggage. Airport staff on a go slow. We waited ages for ours so didn’t get on board until 4.30 pm. Those affected can’t get their luggage until day 4 when we dock in Athens. They then have to make their own way to the airport to claim it in person. Celebrity have said it not their problem! Sail away was different. Sitting in the Sunset bar we were showered in what we thought was rain. The black spots on our clothes confirmed it was soot! Ship is no different from 5 years ago and NO vibration whatsoever even when travelling at 16.9 knots.

We stay at the Premier Inn hotels just outside Southampton near the M3 and M27. Just a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride away from the dock.