Alushar

5 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

thats odd. if they dont swipe, then they dont get credit for making a drink?

thought a tiny portion of the mandatory tips on the drink package goes to the bartender for each drink?

Just because they don't swipe doesn't mean it's not recorded they just know who you are and can call the number up from their records

4 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

The Retreat is on the deck above the Sky Lounge.  You can look all you want from the Sky Lounge.  Although I prefer to be on deck as one can move from side to side, depending on the scenery.  I've done three Alaska cruises on Celebrity and they were all excellent.  About to embark on my fourth.

That was my thinking that I'd reather be on deck

Was musing over the weekend, again, that I must do an Alaska cruise. Thinking about this it occurred to me that surely the front of the ship must be a popular vantage point went scenic cruising and as this is being closed off for The Retreat maybe I need to look at another line?

8 hours ago, Aralim said:

 

After reading so many posts describing Cellar Master as dark and stuffy, this looks nice and bright and airy! it's a darned sight better than the Vintages bars on Royal's ships; those are a textbook definition of dark and stuffy!

We spent a lot of time in Cellar Masters on our recent cruise and thought it was the best change on the ship making it light airy and usuable

On our Millenium cruise last week we spent a lot of time in Cellar Masters which offered a full range of drinks and great service and often had live music on. 

8 hours ago, jkgourmet said:

 

VERY disappointing.  Two of the three specialist restaurants are Asian themed.  Especially since we're on a Japan/S Korea cruise where we can get better Asian in port.    (and three out of four don't eat raw fish).

 

Also - they have reduced the size of Tuscan, correct?  Isn't that going to make it even harder to make reservations?  We can't book ahead because we all purchased a 3 night dining package.  And right now, I'm feeling like that may have been a bad idea. . .

We had a 4 night package plus the first night. We went to Tuscan 3 times and it wasn’t full but there was more pressure on Qsine.  We booked on first day and got all the slots we wanted 

10 hours ago, SF said:

What a great thread ...so much information. We are doing the same itinerary on Millenium in December so will definitely be following along on your adventures. Thank you so much for taking time out of your vacation to post, answer questions and share your experiences with us. 😀

 

Would love to know what type of evening entertainment is onboard.

 

I read on other threads that Celebrity provides the visas (at a cost) could you provide a little bit more information in regards to this?

 

I also noticed on some other threads that people said to bring some extra passport photos and an extra copy of your passport page, is this something that you found is necessary?

 

Did you take any shots prior to visiting these ports?

 

Thanks again and enjoy your cruise. Looking forward to seeing more photos.

 

 

 

 

There were obv 2 shows a night with about 3 production shows and a mix of singers, tribute groups, acrobats and magicians.

we really loved the music around the ship. The house band Bristol fashion were good but there were two individual guitarists/singers Shanty and Ethan who were superb as were a string duet Sea Breeze. There was also an Argentinian jazz quartet.

There was usually music through the evening with the house band playing until late in the Cosmos Lounge and a set around 10pm in Cellar Masters by one of the individuals.

You'll get full instructions but we had to take 2 passport copies. On boarding we had to give in our passport and one copy and Celeb sorted visas etc and delivered visas, landing cards, and passports as necessary at each port and took the passports back after. There was no charge for UK don’t know for US. 

We didn't have any shots 

Murano went quite a while ago I thought

15 hours ago, jkgourmet said:

Can you tell us what speciality restaurants are On board at this time?  AND if Q'sine is still there, has Le Petit chef been added and/or have the menus changed?

 

thanks much!

Tuscan, Qsine and Sushi on 5. No LPC normal Qsine menu. Tuscan is smaller 

26 minutes ago, jo-b said:

Now you need to book another cruise to wear it on!

2 already booked lol

For those interested my stuff from Sam’s Tailors in Hong Kong has arrived (actually it had been with a neighbour for “a few days”).

I’m really happy with the blazer and 2 trousers. It was quite an amazing feeling as they fit completely. First time I’ve probably had a jacket that fits shoulders, arms, back, length and the dreaded tummy! 

Looks great and feel great on. 

14 hours ago, Wine-O said:

This thread is great if you are staying in a suite.  

My posts are about my balcony cabin and the ship generally fro when I was onboard the lst couple of weeks as is the blog I wrote on here

I've booked last few cruises direct with Celebrity and have always had the Celebrations box shown. I haven't completed it but on our last cruise they delivered a cake from Guest relations and a tray of chocolate strawberrys from Captains Club

So happy you are doing this thank you! Can relive the last 2 weeks (in reverse) whilst chained to my desk!

Lovely to see the S2 pics looks like the wardrobe is same as in our veranda but at least you don’t have the dreaded bedside light that can’t be reached without getting out of bed! 

Hope you have as great a holiday as we did. 

1 hour ago, villauk said:

Alushar,

 

What was the state of the lounge area like at the airport in Singapore? We thought the Qatar Business Class Lounge at Changi had furniture which was very stained and the area wasn’t the best we’d experienced - quite a disappointment compared to other lounges we’d visited. Wondered if your experience was any better?

We are in the Dnata and quite happy with it. The seating is nice and doesn’t appear stained some of the wood is chipped slightly but you have to look for it. 

The food is good and has been changed whilst we are here and there’s a decent drink choice. 

There are great shower facilities. 

We would definitely use again 

Day 15 Last Day

Up early and down to MDR for breakfast very surprised to see a full menu being offered rather than the usual express breakfast. A very quiet dining room. 

With an horrendous 23:15 flight this evening we had booked a trip leading to drop off at the airport which worked pretty well. 

Our first stop was the Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden. As we arrived we heard some music playing and found 3 American girls playing top quality folk music sponsored by the US Embassy. You’ll have learnt my love of live music and in particular singer songwriters and folk musicians so this seemed a lot better way to spend half an hour thank trekking around the garden in the heat! Harpeth Rising are well worth looking out for. 

Next was a drive encompassing Orchard Road, Little Indian etc and a walk around the new Victoria Theatre Complex. Then it was off to Chinatown for last minute shopping. 

Dropped at Terminal 3 we made our way to Terminal 1 and managed to get early check in and bag drop ( after some weight issues - how does the same stuff weigh more?). Quickly through security and some duty free shopping. 

Knowing we had had a long wait we have booked a lounge for 6 hours which is very nice. 

Thanks everyone for the the kind words and support I hope I haven’t bored you too much with my ramblings. 

That’s all Folks!! 

Day 14 Last Day 😢

Where did those 2 weeks go!

Woke up early so it was off to MDR for breakfast followed by a leisurely coffee in Cafe Bacio. Then back to the room for the dreaded packing. With a late night flight tomorrow some juggling to be done but eventually all sorted. 

We docked at Singapore about 1:30 next to Voyager of the Seas. We know we will be spending some time here next year so we decided to only do a short tour. 

We did the Taste of Singapore tour and I don’t think anyone had read the small print. First off was a great bit ride around the harbour seeing much of the sites and a welcome breeze in the heat. Unfortunately the Merlion was covered in scaffolding, never mind next year!

After that there was a trip to the imperious Fullerton Hotel for tea and cakes the taste but really did mean that. 

This was immesiately followed by a trip to a food hall. This was a superb place full of stalls selling food from all over the world and clearly loved by locals and very cheap. We tried the char Sui chicken rice and wanton soup with Lemon and Mango drinks and they were lovely. 

Aftwr that it was back to the comfort of the ships air conditioning. A quick drink in cellar masters then change and up to the Oceanview to watch the lights. 

We has dinner in Tuscan which was quiet though Captain Alex was on the next table. We had crab cake and beef carpaccio to start followed by the buretta and then lemon brick chick and the short rib parpardelle. All lovely. 

A quick drink in Cellar nasters to say goodbye to Maria who has looked after us so well and then off to Cafe Bacio to say goodbye to wish Dawn and Carl who have been superb goodbye. 

Ams so to bws long day tomorrow 

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Is there a headboard also or do you prop your pillows against the new piece.

The headboard has remained as before 

Today’s Refurb fairy installed a panel above the bed!!

Day 13 - Last sea day

The End is nigh!

We lost an hour overnight so a relatively late get up though not really! Breakfast in Oceanview was nice. We then went to Cafe Bacio for a real coffee and sat there for quite a while chilling and talking. 

We eventually fought our way through the masses at the Captains Sale and decided to spend some time on our balcony which was very enjoyable. We planned to go back to Cafe Bacio to listen to some music but the refurb fairies struck just before we were due to leave. 

We scurried out and on return found that they had fitted a panel above the bed!

At the coffee shop we listened to Sea Breeze and had a long chat with an American couple before finally deciding to change for dinner tonight being Evening Chic. Regretting again not bringing a tux We dressed and went to the early showing at the Theatre. 

Tonights artist was Claire Maidin describes as one of the stars of the Celebrity artists. We had seen Claire 2 years ago on the Eclipse and whilst the show, disappointingly hadn’t changed much she has a great voice and stage preeence and it was enjoyable. It was nice the the Mysterons paid a visit too! 

Dinner in rhe MDR we were expecting and not disappointed featured Sharon’s favourite, beef wellington. I had the rack of lamb, I’m welsh and it’s my fav, and we both started with French onion soup as this would be our last dinner in MDR. 

Afterwards we headed for Cellar masters and were disappointed to hear there would be no late night music as there had been every other night. I can only assume Mr Gayda was trying to shepherd everyone to the Cosmos Lounge. We stayed and chatted in Cellar Masters followed by coffee and bed. 

As probably expected the finishing touches to the refurbishment is an on going scenario. We have regularly smelled turps when walking around the ship and yesterday our room had a visit and we had bars added to the dressing table shelves, a new grille for the aircon, new alarms/sensors and protection bars on the drop down bed. 

As we’ve wanders around the Millie it’s not been unusual to smell turps or see workmen. Talking to stuff it’s clear that whilst a lot, and the major work was done during the dry dock some finishing touches are needed and some of the refurbishment teams are travelling with her to do this. 

This was illustrated today when there was knock at the door and someone wanted to check the workmen hadn’t left any mess. We didn’t even know they’d be in. 

On checking retaining bars had had been added to the dressing table shelves, absorption bars to the overhead bunk, a new smoke detector and a new grille for the air con. 

Day 12 Thailand but stayed on board 

So after yesterday’s exertions we stayed on board today which quite a few people also seemed to do. A later start saw breakfast in a quietish Openview Cafe and then a day at the pool reading, swimming etc. The day was really hot reaching 38 on board so the pool was very refreshing. The flooring was too hot to touch without shoes on. 

All aboard was 3:30 but the queues to get on were massive and at 3:30 still stretches back into the terminal. Everybody was eventually onboard at about 3:50

We returned to out cabin late afternoon armed with coffees hoping for a quiet hour  or so but there was an almost immediate knock on the door. On opening we were presented with two platters from Captains Club and Guest Relations of a cake and chocolate strawberry’s for Sharon’s birthday. Very nice. 

Having devoured the strawberry’s  there was then another knock at the door. A maintenance manager wanting to check that no mess had been left when the work had been done in our room. Work in room? First we had heard of it. No mess had been left. 

So then we started checking. Retainer bars had been added to the dressing table shelf, a new smoke alarm fitted and some absorbers added to the roof bunk bed. A little later there was another knock at the door to fit a new grill to the air con. 

It hasn't been unusual to smell turps etc as we’ve wandered the ship. Talking to staff it was clear that the refurbishment hadn’t been completed in the 5 weeks whilst and immense amount of work was done some finishing touches were needed and the refurbishment teams were travelling with the boat. 

Once we had the room back to ourselves we got ready for the evening and went up to the Sunset Bar where Shanty was playing. 

Dinner was in Qsine and was wonderful. I ate too much! We actually tried to change our last Tuscan appointment to Qsine for the last night but they were full. 

After eating we went to Cosmos for another round of Bandeoke. Not a great crowd which wasn’t a surprise as they’d scheduled a silent disco on the poolside at same time! We stayed for a while before going to Cafe Bacio and bed. 

1 hour ago, dcac2 said:

I would also be interested in the dimensions of the safe, but we have 'always' left our iPads & Kindle readers on our bedside tables without hesitation.  We have always had trust in our cabin stewards.

As mentioned our iPad pros fit and our older iPad at an angle 

1 hour ago, Crannicky said:

When we were on the Solstice we loved the Molecular bar. Is there one on the Millenium? 

No Molecular Bar on the Millenium I’m afraid.