Jim_Iain

We also found out our waiter loved Potato Chips -- so when in port we would always find some chips for him. During Covid we would always ask crew if we could bring back anything for them. At the time they could not leave the ship for their entire contract. We got some strange requests but always fulfilled them --- items included - Cans on Sardines, a Tie Clasp, Toothpaste and Deodorant and KitKats.

I'm wondering if they are now dropping Vigo, Spain. The are still in Lisbon and it's 1:30 AM. Looks like the storm will pass in the Bay of Biscay by Friday afternoon. By Cruisemapper they look like they may be anchored just outside the port. Just a guess from the map.

Silhouette is currently in Lisbon and looking at Windy looks like both High winds and seas off the coast of North West Portugal / Spain. I would expect they will try to hug the coast and go through the Bay of Biscay. Going to be a rough ride. I was on a rough TA to Southampton to Boston a couple years ago and we had to divert south of the Azores putting us in a day late and elimination one port and shifting all others by a full day. Waves -- in white area in the 30 foot range Winds 40 Knots

I had the same assumption but in many ports the signal is blocked for whatever reason. A couple ports I've noticed this is Encinada and had to use my TMobile connection instead. Another that was surprising was when we were tendered at Catalina Island. Even with Long Beach in sight and 29 miles away had neither ship WiFi (Starlink) nor Telephone reception for the entire day. Personal experience and may be different than other have never had connectivity issues with StarLink or the Satellite prior in the Med and only occasional disconnects doing Transatlantic.

Yes you can get black coffee. It is called Americana and is basically espresso and 50% water. The barista can also add or reduce the amount of water depending on your taste. Another option that I do in addition to drinking lots of al Bacio coffee is bring my own preferred coffee and a travel plunger (french-press). Put the grounds in fill with hot water from OVC and plung once back in my room.

Last year we did a B2B Pacific Coastal - so had two overnights in Cabo. It was great because we scoped a lot of things we wanted to do on our second visit. On our cruises they ran tenders 24 hours but frequency was reduced to something like once an hour after midnight. I can't confirm further as we did not go back ashore for an evening out. The crew loved it as they could go a ashore for some party time after their shift. The had the schedule listed on a sign at the pier as well as where you board the tender.

I tried on my Motorola Android and it fails like an iPhone. Do you need a rooted android.

Curious if the shared wifi works on all Android phones? I've been an iPhone user since iPhone 1. I have a Motorola Android phone I was recently using it for a client for some security testing. I just pulled it out o the drawer and trying it out. Like John I always travel with a Travel Router.

We are at 38 days prior to our Singapore cruise and it is still not open. Really not sure if it matters as all the suites above CS are booked. They usually still let you bid even for categories that are sold out. and often there are cancellations for whatever reason.

I keep hearing so many nice things about MSC Yacht Club. Still working on Iain but he wants to try Silverseas, Regent or Seabourn first.

Another thing we have done especially for a Host in Retreat is buy a nice local artisan silver or gold necklace from one of the ports. They have always loved the special gift. One which we have sailed with many times, pulled it out of her blouse when we arrived and said did you see the lovely necklace one of my favorite guests gave me.... Then gave us a big hug and said she always thinks of us when she puts it on.

There may be a couple reasons you did not receive an offer. 1. You have to opt in to receive Celebrity Promotional e-mails 2. You will not receive an invite if booked with the Big Box Store. (they do not participate). 3. Celebrity inept IT Group. I only receive move-up invites about 50% of the time. You do not need an invite to bid - Just go to https://www.celebritycruises.com/bid-on-cruise-room-upgrade All you need is last name and reservation number. Once it is open for your cruise it will show you your bid options. Often others on your roll call will post when it is open.

I've been searching around and what I received when I ordered a Rib Eye Steak (April May of this year) was actually an Eye Round Steak - Very little flavor, on the tough side an never ordered since

While I regularly use Zoom with little problem, I think I would really be nervous if I was the sole Teacher (presenter) to a classroom without a designated backup that can take over if the OP were to loose connectivity. I would definitely have a backup plan in place even if it is a per-recored presentation someone could flip on. I had a problem once when my boss was anxiously waiting for my final financial consolidation for the Board of Directors meeting that was an hour away. The Internet went down and I had no way to contact them. Luckily it came back up with 5 minutes to spare - I almost had a heart attack.

Share your belief's 100%. I have never pre - tipped - to me that seems like a bribe and expectation of something above and beyond. I can say that with our butlers it is more of an effort to have them not do things like leaving extra food and nibblies unless we specifically want them. I'm a grazer and if food is there it somehow ends in my stomach whether I wanted it or not. On the other hand if someone feel they get better service by pre-tipping I support their decision 100%

I do not want to incite a big debate but instead will share our personal feelings and practice regarding tipping. As part of our booking we are already paying paying $42.00 per day in gratuities. If someone is just doing their job and nothing more we do not feel they warranted additional gratuities. If however a crew member goes above and beyond what their normal service is, we give additional gratuities. The age old debate on CC as whether tips are pooled or go to the individual weighs on us as we want the gratuity to go to the individual. After discussing with many Officers and Restaurant Managers I've found what works to direct a tip to an individual. As relayed by a HR Manager who actually apply the additional tips from the additional tip form - If you designate an amount to a position - waiter, Butler etc then it goes to the Pool. If however you write on the back the Person's Name, Location and Position they apply it directly to the person and send them a notice of the tip. Speaking to a couple Restaurant Managers I was advised that if I give the tip to a waiter or assistance waiter or the Restaurant Manager it goes to the Pool - e.g Luminae Pool. If you however put it in an envelope with the person's name on it they are free to keep the tip. We had an especially good waiter on a B3B and wanted to make sure the tip went directly to him (we had already left additional gratuity) to the dining room. I told him I wanted to make sure it went directly to him, he chuckled and said yes It it is cash or pooled tips it goes in this pocket but if someone tells me it's for me only it goes in his other pocket. One other thing I learned from the Maitr'd from Murano. I was dining there free as a RS benefit and at the end of the meal asked the waiter if I could have a blank invoice. The Maitr'd came over and said just wanted to let you know if you charge the tip to your seapass it goes to the pool of all restaurant staff in the ship but if I leave cash it is shared between Murano staff only.

I've both booked and canceled specialty dining on the app once aboard and was easy and effecient. The app even sends you a reminder of your reservation.

We love Lamb and the lamb Luminae has always been good. I know what the OP was meaning by the chunk of meat they served as when a table mate ordered the Rib Eye and looked nothing like a Rib Eye I've ever seen before - Looked like a loin from some portion of the cow with no marbling or fat either within the meat or around the edges.

Thanks Terry - I think we were looking at the same pictures at the same time.

Another find - She’s here for a 2 week drydock as she prepares to depart on 30 Oct 2023 from Rome, Italy for her inaugural repositioning cruise to her new homeport of Sydney, Australia via Dubai and Singapore! Will you be sailing on Celebrity Edge soon? We can’t wait to welcome her into Singapore! Photo: h.ricardosouza

Credit to Kostasway Theodoris for this wonderful picture.

See you aboard we are on the Singapore to Sydney and Sydney December 9 also. I'm searching daily and so far haven't found any more mention or pictures of dry dock. Usually the crew, dock workers or captain post some pictures.

Living in Silicon Valley and being a techno nerd I always find a way to get things to work. I do use VPN and found NordVPN works best for me. If you get the message that you are out of Country either VPN not turned on or they have blacklisted the particular server. If you go to Nord's site and in the help pop up type YouTubeTV it will popup 3 servers that have been validated as working. In the past year, Celebrity has also included a selection for Streaming to your TV for Computer, Tablet or Phone on the main menu- Very easy to follow instructions.

I have not taken either going to a cruise but have used both when on B2B for a day outing. The Bus Terminal is about 1/2 the distance to the port as to Train Station. We took the train to Windsor and was very efficient. If I recall it was about 1 1/2 comfortable walk. Cabs and Uber are readily available for both. I would check the timing of both and choose the most convenient location and shortest transit time

Surprised to hear. What ship where you on. I've been able to use all ports on all classes of ships. In the older days you could use a Samsung Remote to change the source but no longer you have to use the room remote and follow the instructions given to me by IT.