Canuker

Can anyone suggest a name / email address of someone to contact at Celebrity about making onboard enrichment presentations, please?

Any tutored beer tastings?

If you're going on a cruise in which scenery, including wildlife, is a big part (e.g. Alaska, Panama Canal, etc.) then a good pair of binoculars is almost a must. If you are at all interested in the night sky, the low ambient light pollution out at sea plus a pair of binoculars makes a huge difference to the amount and clarity of what is visible in the heavens.

At the risk of stating the obvious, all cruise ships are the same when you get out at a port. So any differences have to be while you're on board - let's say 16 hours. Of that, about half is spent asleep, leaving 8 hours. So eating, drinking and (weather permitting) outdoor enjoyment account for much of that time. Secondly, despite what is written on this subject, cruise ships are far more remarkable for their similarities than their differences. The big differences are not found on board - they are the ports of call that an itinerary visits. The Caribbean is very different to the Baltic, for example. Lastly, there is one big variable that neither you nor the cruise line has control over: fellow passengers. Luckily, cruise lines offer so many alternative things to do (including doing nothing!) that if you don't care for something, move on to the next thing. In a word, choice. Virtually limitless choices.

Answer to OP's question; always. Show up around 40 minutes before sailing time to an empty (of passengers) check-in shed and you may not need to tell them your name - they may well tell you! "Ah, Mr & Mrs. Jones. Yes, we've been expecting you ('tick'). Here's your on board key-card. Sign here. Bon voyage!". VIP treatment. A great start to the cruise.

We have used various style cabins in the past, including ones with a fully obstructed view - they are called insides.

We prefer the east-bound TAs over those westbound. The reason is that the weather conditions on deck are generally much better. Why? East-bound you are traveling with the prevailing SW winds. With the ship's speed and direction the wind is relatively light. Westbound you are against the prevailing wind so the perceived wind speed on board is that of the wind plus the speed of the ship. Very different. Some of the best sea days we have ever had have been on east-bounds from Florida; day after day of blue skies, calm seas and light breezes. Gorgeous. Make the most of them as once the ship sails north of Africa, the weather cools quite a bit. And if you are sailing across the Bay of Biscay (off western France) be prepared for some rolling seas. Oh, and if you like the sun and are thinking of a balcony, book one on the starboard (right) side of the eastbound ship. Lastly, and this goes for any cruise, if it seems too breezy outside, wander around a bit; there are always nooks and spaces out on deck that are protected from the elements, even on the highest decks.

Thanks, guys. Seems reasonable.

Just booked the Silhouette. I'm researching an old (2017) daily program online and it does not list lunch in the MDR. 1. Is this still the case? 2. What other options are there, if any, for table service at lunchtime, please?

Thanks, all, for your input.

We're booked on the Silhouette and would like to know the start times of the evening theatre shows, assuming there are two performances each night? The reason I ask is so we can choose a dining time that means we do not have to rush the meal or cut it short in order to get to the theatre (or other special event) on time. This has been a issue for us on other cruises in the past. I'm aware that Silhouette has "Any time" dining as an option. We would prefer a fixed time, though, in order to meet each evening with our fellow dinner guests; we have always found this to be a special part of the day, with people we have come to know and like each evening. Thanks.