Bretty

11 hours ago, Denny01 said:

Great, and one of these days, I’ll start using 21century words and work myself out of the 50’s! “And I bet having a spouse who is in their early 40’s helps!”. 

 

Being dyslexic or just waaaay to quick on the keyboard, i read ‘Betty’ instead of Bretty….Ha!  

 

Den

Don't worry about it. I haven't worn a dress in years 😉🤣 but I'm flattered you think I'm in my 40s!!

All good 😄

13 minutes ago, Denny01 said:

So much of it is attitude! And I bet having a wife in her early 40’s helps!!

 

den

Or in his case a husband 😎

But yes, attitude is everything.

4 hours ago, swjumbo said:

Never heard the DYKWIA phrase before but LOVE IT!

Plenty of them on every ship and aircraft I’ve ever been on.

You’ve only to go stand by an airline lounge such as Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow or the BA business / first lounges to hear the DYKWIAs wailing at staff to get special treatment and be let into the lounge without the proper credentials (i.e. a business or first class ticket or top tier status).

We’ve sailed HAL twice (actually our first cruise), and we like them for their strong focus on live music in their entertainment. However, it tickled me to no end on a couple of nights each cruise, the chic night or HAL’s equivalent, to see the very long procession of their top tier loyalty guests, Zimmer frames, walking sticks and all ceremoniously walking (or limping) through the ship to the MDR with their giant medallions and their worn out formal wear. Biggest bunch of DYKWIAs you’ve ever seen. Very important.

Now my hubby is in his 80s, but nothing like some of the HAL crowd 😉

2 hours ago, BestGuessed said:

Not on last weeks cruise but then there were less than 900 passengers and it wasn’t really required at our boarding time of 12 to 12.30.  
However once check in was complete we were waved straight through to board the ship which didn’t seem to be the case for everyone.
We had booked a Sky Suite and we sat down to dine in Luminae before 12.30 !! Our luggage had arrived by the time we had finished our lunch.  
A perk (we believe this was for suite passengers only 🤔) that we took advantage of, was that we had a dedicated luggage collection service which enabled us to put our luggage out for collection until 7am on the morning of departure. Luminae was open from 6.30am to 8am on the morning we disembarked.

59 minutes ago, delondin said:

I saw a priority luggage drop on Kerbside but I’m not sure which suites qualify. There was also a suite line in the terminal but my check in was 12 and it was very quiet. 

@BestGuessed and @delondinthanks. We’re in a sky suite also with 12 -12:30 check in time.

A question fir those who’ve sailed already re suite / retreat guests check in - is there a dedicated check in and luggage drop for suite guests at Southampton?

many thanks

Hey everyone, has anyone noticed that the OP checked out like, over 100 posts ago? 🤷‍♂️

8 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

Are these available in 3x width???

 

bon voyage

No idea!

1 minute ago, zitsky said:

 

I've had black sneakers before.  I think they're fine.

 

Edit:  Just no holes in jeans!!!!!

It should be noted that, aside from no bare feet in dining rooms and no flip-flops in the evening, other choices of footwear are not mentioned in the published dress code.

Whilst I will have some smart loafers I will also probably have these “smart sneakers” with me. And a towel to sit on of course 😉😉

3 hours ago, upwarduk said:

It’s held in Tuscan, Speciality coffees & Bloody Mary’s
My husband and I shared an Ultimate breakfast platter, he had the cheese, as I am Dairy Intolerant.There was also a fruit platter and cheese platter. 
For some reason, when I add photos, they display upside down. Sorry.

How on earth did that not fall off the plate? 😉

10 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

No love for vodka martinis?  I swirl the glass with vermouth first if I make them at home.

I’m not averse to a vodka martini. I’m not averse to vodka, but my preference for a martini is gin. I would not have said that 5 years ago when I would’ve said I disliked gin, but my palette has evolved. But don’t ever bring that flavoured gin near me.

I also tend to like my martinis a little on the wet side, not overly dry. And stirred, never shaken. Olives or lemon don’t mind. Occasionally dirty (and then I’m not snobby about the liquor used).

And to stay on topic... I don’t care if my martini is wearing a tux, a ball gown, or a g-string 😉  I’ll be wearing either smart jeans or chinos with Gucci loafers and a polo shirt, maybe a nice sweater if it’s cooler, or (if they still fit after the apocalypse diet) a tailored shirt!

I had some shirts made before the apocalypse hit so who knows, I haven’t dared try them on for the last year! I’m not sure my suit will actually fit me either, but even if it does, it generally only comes out for hatchings, matchings, and dispatchings 😎

To be honest, as someone said up thread, many people have spent the past year or more in nought but their pjs or pants (and I mean undies), and that’s kinda me even before this as I’ve worked from a home office for almost 30 years and only have to “dress up” to see clients by appointment.

Sorry for the waffle, I get like this sometimes. Wear clothes in the ship restaurants! Unless it’s a nude cruise, then take a towel to sit on!!  

12 hours ago, markeb said:

As long as they’re dry, and made with gin…

Absolutely! Tanqueray 10 and Noilly Prat.

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

Not sure I get your point...popcorn anyone?  

 

That said, sail on.  

And martinis, hold on a sec...

22 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

Quite walkable, we’ve done it. See my first post in this thread for some tips (assuming nothing has changed since 2018): 

 

 

@Turtles06 thank you so much. Might be doable then.

15 hours ago, lovetoholiday said:

Just woken up in the Holiday Inn and our beautiful ship us just outside my window. Just need the testing to go smoothly. There seems to be a lot of people leaving from the car park already.

 

What an amazing view to wake up to. We’ve booked the Holiday Inn, and it looks very close to the terminal, is it an easy walk to the terminal from there - with one large suitcase and a carry on - or is it a cab ride?

Have a wonderful cruise.

4 hours ago, vino123 said:

It's on this link

https://www.assuredscreening.com/covid-testing-locations/

Just put your postcode in the search and the Newark location should come up.

The online reviews for this company are much more reassuring than the ones I have read for Eurofins.

Thanks very much 👍

11 hours ago, vino123 said:

it seems like this whole PCR testing thing is a bit of a money making racket. The private test I booked as a back up is in an industrial premises in Newark and the Eurofins  one via Celebrity is at a back street travel agents in Grimsby!

Both locations are a 2 hour round trip for us . Our local Boots only offers postal tests,  I'm inclined to keep the private booking as its an evening one so much more convenient for my husband as he wont have to take time off work but the payment receipt I have is only in my name and Celebrity needs a receipt with both names to reimburse the costs. I have e mailed the company to ask for one but haven't had a reply yet.

 It really doesn't have to be so complicated if only they would offer us antigen tests at the port especially as we are all fully vaccinated. 

@vino123 do you have details of the provider in Newark please? I’m about 20 minutes from Newark and it would be a useful backup option.
Many thanks.

Yes, a few of us who are on the various sailings on Silhouette around the UK that are coming up have been able to do that. With the difference, for UK at least (not sure about elsewhere), that prior to making final payment, the difference is deducted from your final invoice, and after final payment it would be given as NR OBC.  I got a £200 GBP per person reduction on our Sky Suite prior to final payment date. That money has paid for my transport costs to and from departure port and overnight accommodation, so I'm happy with that.

1 hour ago, laslomas said:

I checked out the Celebrity website today and the first page is "Discover the best of the British Isles with our unique shore excursions". I followed the link to see what was on offer for my July Silhouette cruise. The first thing I see is this: 

 

Guests are required to take Celebrity Cruises shore excursions in port.

 

I know this was something that had been discussed earlier, but I thought it may be different on the UK cruises, mine is only visiting Greenock and Belfast. Also, there are hardly any excursions available in these ports. I know things could change over time, but I was surprised to see it on the same day I received an email from Cruise Critic with this information:

 

In a major win for cruise fans, the CDC updated its Conditional Sailing Order on May 12 to loosen mask-wearing requirements for fully vaccinated cruise passengers. The agency says those who are vaccinated "may engage in self-guided or independent exploration during port stops, if they wear a mask while indoors." 

 

I expect Celebrity do not have to follow CDC guidelines when sailing from a UK port, but It is all so confusing. 😕

Hi @laslomas, I don't think it's that confusing since the cruise line must follow the rules of the country in which they are sailing / departure ports.

I have just spotted this information also re the Southampton cruises as we're booked for August 14th sailing - and it is based on the guidance / rules set out by the UK Chamber of Shipping, but the document it is based on is from October 2020 and so I think it is possibly out of date - but - until it is updated, those are the rules they must abide by. Information can be found here with the links to the passenger info and operator info at the bottom of the page.

Industry comes together to develop new COVID-19 Framework for cruise operators | Chamber of Shipping (ukchamberofshipping.com)

I am hoping that, since these cruises are all UK / Common Travel Area residents only, and all vaccinated (or tested if under 18), and with restrictions gradually being lifted, this framework will be updated accordingly. But for now, since this is the only published information available, it's what has to be.

Hope that helps.

I certainly didn’t. I’ve done just a couple of these power up hobbies but no more. They’re collecting an awful lot of customer specific marketing info for very little in return. I don’t have any points anyway as I’ve not yet actually sailed with X due to Covid-19.

but they’re giving nothing for quite a lot.

7 hours ago, TeeRick said:

I am a Gin Martini person.

 

I like Hendricks, Bombay Sapphire, and Tanqueray 10 if they have these on board too.

 

Beefeaters Gin will be good for me most times on board or in a restaurant. A very good but inexpensive all around gin.

 

A local favorite for me is Bluecoat American Dry Gin.  Made in Philadelphia.  Try it you'll like it!

 

I enjoy a nice Gin and Tonic-  but Beefeaters will always do for me there. I have recently discovered Fever-Tree premium tonic water.

Tanqueray 10 and Bombay Sapphire are 2 favourites for me, and I prefer my martinis on the wet side. (And kudos to any bartender who asks my preference because many don’t).

I also like to play around with the vermouth and switch out Noilly Prat (which I consider the standard) for something else like Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano. I’ve just bought some Martini Ambrato but yet to try it.

Another favourite for me is a “perfect” martini, with equal parts dry and sweet vermouth.

Lemon or olive garnish is fine, but if olives it must be 3. For a dirty martini the gin doesn’t really matter since the brine will dominate.

I’m also partial to a Vesper Martini (based on the Bond drink), but at 3 parts gin and 1 part vodka before you add the vermouth it’s rather strong!

If you are unable to lift and shift then under the current cruise with confidence offer you can cancel and X will refund your deposit as an FCC.

I just cancelled a cruise scheduled for October and will get (eventually) a credit card refund of the amount I had already paid, and the deposit back as FCC.

So that’s another option.

15 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I learned a new word today (chuffed) and plan to incorporate it into my vocabulary immediately!

 

Agree that it would have been nice to be given more than the standard blah blah blah.  This was common practice in my former line of work...say something while saying not much at all.  That way you don't have to back track on things if you change your mind or if things don't pan out exactly they way you say they will.  This happened to Carnival when they announced they would resume sailing on 5 ships on August 1st.  They had to do some serious damage control as they walked back that statement.  I don't blame Celebrity PR for taking the safe route when it comes to releasing information.  But like you, I will be mighty chuffed when they finally lift the veil.  😊

6 minutes ago, bikerunner said:

Agree this was just safe route. But it was correct thing to do instead letting many wonder what is going on why no announcements.  Everyone knew they were formulating plans but at least this shows there is movement towards something. Understand why some are looking for more but the way things are now it’s ever changing and all could be changed tomorrow depending on how controlled the virus is.  There are to many variables still on all of this.  Even looking at land based vacations so many things changing.  

I agree too, to a point. I just don’t appreciate empty gestures, and honestly would be happy to wait until something more concrete can be announced.

The problem with the scenario that the situation is ever changing is that it requires flexibility on a grand scale, but can also lead to inaction through fear of decisions/ measures becoming redundant before they’ve been implemented!

I too got the email and thought it was self congratulatory, lacking substance and seeking approval.

I’m chuffed they’ve done something like this, but would much rather they announce this panel on the tail of “these are the changes we are going to make”. And I’d happily wait a while longer for an announcement if they’re not ready yet, but the email, for me, struck the wrong chord - if all they can announce after “these past few months” is the appointment of 11 experts to form a panel, then they’re perhaps not as far forward as we would hope at this stage.

Sorry if this sounds negative or cynical, but it just seems to lack anything real to me. I honestly was expecting it to end “thank you and have a nice rest of your day”.

I guess we need to watch this space as they say...

6 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

Not all S1 suites are configured the same, with the bed facing the sea and a sliding window in the bathroom. For instance, the S1's on the AFT have the bed against the wall, not facing the sea and there is no sliding window in the bathroom. This was discussed at length when the Edge came out. 

Thanks, I hadn’t seen that information. Good to know.

I’m booked on the Apex for next year, in a S2,

the S3’s are between the magic carpet. The balconies are different to other Sky Suites, with a partial obstructed view I believe. The room layout is also different to other Sky Suites, with bed against wall, whereas the S1 & S2 have the bed against the bathroom wall facing the balcony, with the bathroom having a sliding window so you can let the view in whilst doing your ablutions. I believe the S3’s also have some connecting cabins of inside cabins that share an entrance hall.

S1 & S2 are really just location either forward or aft of the magic carpet, but I don’t believe there’s much difference, apart from those aft corner S1’s.

thats all I know from my research here and on YouTube of the Edge, the sister ship.