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Everything posted by Jim_Iain
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Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I need to hire you as my social secretary. You are of course correct -- Silhouette in November 16 from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale. In 2025 will be Equinox Nov 21 to Buenos Aires --- That one is really going to be an interesting trip. Triple hitter --- Cunard, Oceania and the Celebrity. That should be an interesting comparison. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I think we have that one booked. With their new pricing we have a OBC that can only be used on excursions. We booked our once they became available. Really looking forward to see Alaska from a smaller ship. I suspect the inland passage will be a real treat. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We have been eating light and trying things we have never tried before. Last time we just had the Soups --- I had White Bean and Iain had the Minestrone. I've had both in the past but think Minestrone is better. Instead of a big dinner we had the Pizetta. We were dining wit h Bill and Linda - It was Linda's second Birthday. They brought out a beautiful angelfood and strawberry cake to top off the evning. We are back off to Tuscan tonight.... Will update later. We rarely order steaks as I fell I can cook a better steak than any restaurant. I use to work the grills in a steak house when in University. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Definitely will be posting . That is also one reason I started our Facebook channel - Right after our Oceania in September we will be doing another interesting itinerary. October East TransAtlantic on Cunard to Southampton - 5 days at our favorite AirBnB in Lymington (where we rode out Covid) with a road trip to Scotland. We will be completing the journey with a TransAtlantic on Equinox back to Florida. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Yes. I will probably do a Comparison of Oceania to Celebrity. I'm a little reluctant to do it on the Oceania thread as I don't want to be a rude guest. There are very few long Live Posts on their thread. -
Interesting to read you perspective. We all experience a cruise in a different way and enjoy life differently. We have sailed Celebrity exclusively for 23 years in upper suite and so looking forward to our First Oceania Cruise in September. Even though we hit Double Zenith on the cruise we are now on - Since January I have booked 1 Celebrity, 2 Oceania, 2 Silversea and 2 Cunard Even though we have not sailed Oceania yet I really believe they will be our new cruise line of choice, mostly due to the warmth of the members of this thread and so many Celebrity Refugee recommendations.
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Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
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Many of the ships have RFID. Currently on Solstice - Not Revolutionized and they use magnetic strip still. Even the Casino you have to insert the card into a slot and leave it. Rooms you have to insert and pull out quickly. Most of the ships are RFID and you can just tap. You will need to hand it to security when leaving the ship and when you enter ports and the ship.
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The Magic Carpet is not going up and down like an elevator. It only goes down occasionally when there is a tender port and sometimes moves up one floor or down to Sushi on 5 for a special dinner like the Taj dinner. On the Singapore to Sydney leg of the world cruise there was some damage and they didn't use it for tendering until it was repaired.
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Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Had a couple spins on Wheel of Fortune and doubled my Money so cashed out. Only put in $50 Stopped by for a Cappuccino and . . . My favorites -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Today has been a really relaxing day at sea. The winds are really high at about 35 knots and the ship is rocking. We had our final timezone change for this cruise last night so have been dragging a bit. I did a little gambling this morning and then just hung out in the room reading a book. We had a nice lunch at Luminae followed by a double scoop of Gelato. That of course made us drowsy and took a nice nap. I've never figured out why long sea days make one so tired. Maybe it is like being lulled to sleep in a cradle. Iain could sleep half the day and is still conked out. I may slip back down to the Casino. Hmmm... am I feeling lucky? -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We had similar experience in the first year or so after resumption of cruising. I have to say I've been very impressed with them again as of late. It does help having unlimited free dining. We do not feel compelled to go all out and over eat. Instead we just have smaller (sometimes half portions) and just enjoy the incredible service. Our first visit was before they have out OBC for the mixed ports. One the first visit there were only 4 tables and of course plenty of time for the servers to socialize. After the OBC's were issued the Specialties booked out solid for the remainder of the cruise. There are still some opening at 8:30 which is our desired dining time. We were originally booked for the last night in HNL but changed it this morning to the night before. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Next up is something new for us. September 14 Oceania Cruises --- 12 night Alaska and Canada. We wanted to try and have booked two cruises with them this year. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Hitting Zenith is much easier these day depending on the category of cabin you sail Point Structure - If one happens to travel Solo then you get double points. We mostly sail in Celebrity and Royal Suites --- So Zenith would take 250 Nights - The cheapest locations are probably the Caribbean at about $750-$1,000 per night. I'm sure many others may have better costs per night. That would come to $200-250 Thousand dollars. It is really hard to tell totally because that is just the cruise fare and Business class has gone up to $4,5,000. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We take a Suitecase, an oversized suite bag, a back pack and a hand carry for Iain. The suite bag is increible and can fit two suites, 20-25 shirts on hangers, sweaters, undergarments, sweatshirts and 3 or 4 pairs of shoes. Our regular strategy is to pack for 7-8 days and then have laundry done along the way. It is easier for us as we get a Zenith perk of unlimited laundry and dry cleaning. Another advantage is that we are about the same size and can mix and match our shirts and t-shirts. Our longest trip has been 2 months and we do pick up Tshirts, hats and sweatshirts along the way -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
John, We had the same experience with Tuscan for many years and quit going. I've been very pleased with Tuscan in the past couple years. Iain seem to enjoy Tuscan more than Murano as of late. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
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Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I’ve seen 3 posts so far but not a word from staff. While out walking have noticed at least 6 tables outside rooms to leave meals. One wrote me she gets out of quarantine this afternoon. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Safe flights. Always so excited for the next cruise. There are 300 B2B’s. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We went to Murano for the 3rd time last night. I had to share a picture of the Heirloom Tomato Salad. So fresh and beautifully presented. After 23 year finally talked Iain into the Chateaubriand for 2. It was way too large but did eat about 1/2 of it. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I've never been much of a FB person but the Roll Call for this cruise has been as active as CC in years past. There are a number of people reporting that they are confined to their cabins with Covid. Obviously there are many more that are running around and not isolation. While there is a lot of coughing all over the ship it is much less than we were on Edge in December. Right after the CDC recommended another booster for Seniors if it has been 4 months since the last injection, we got our booster a couple weeks before the cruise. Hope it keep sus well. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Just after the pool celebration yesterday it began raining and the winds picked up. Today is beautiful but can hear the wind whistling a bit through our veranda door. -
Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver
Jim_Iain replied to Jim_Iain's topic in Celebrity Cruises
This video took me a long time to render as it was a Gig in length. Crossing the Equator Celebration