May B

And Clay, your photos of Geiranger are wonderful. As are all your photos.

You know what I loved about the crew farewell on the last evening? The appreciation of the guests is huge, with the biggest reaction to the laundry crew! Idont know about a farewell song but I look forward to hearing,

Ah, that makes sense. So you stayed one night in Venice (or Mestre?) and got yourself back to the airport for Celebrity’s transfer?

I never found them annoying, whatsoever. Perhaps you’re more photogenic than I am.

Yay, Patty, who has a food photo for every discussion! You're right, that’s quite paltry. We just went on Viking, and Mr B couldn’t stop raving about the bread basket contents. Alas, I don’t think I took a photo.

I agree with that! It’s a treat for me to have unsalted. I thought cruising out of the US they only get wrapped. Whatever. I’ll try to enjoy!

Hi Steve, nice to see you here. Glad you have figured them out! Caveat emptor, somebody once said. Have a great cruise. We actually also just booked a six-night for Dec., on the Connie, which leaves four miles from our condo here in Tampa. Our last two Connies have been disappointing, food-wise, but now our expectations are ramped down and we should have a great time, anyway.

Funny! Just saw another thread, from a cruiser just off the Connie in the Med. They had plenty of butter but no margarine. That’s actually important to us b/c our son doesn’t eat butter.

It sounds like you flew into VCE on the day of the cruise. Did you use Celebrity’s Air2Sea?

On the Connie in March, we had real butter. Shareholders be damned. IMHO.

I read it just fine on my iPad, by making it larger.

Sad is a good word for it. I’ve cruised X 21 times. The first 17 or 18, the food was so “up my alley”, but now I am ramping down my expectations for Dec., big time. I hope we’ll be laughing about it.

But absolutely nowhere near as impressive looking as in the old days. And by that, I mean from 2008 through 2021. That included 18 on X for me, all three classes of ship. Next three saw the decline, Oct. 2022, Dec.2023, and March 2023. And I think at least one of those predate the new CEO. I ordered the prime rib, without fail, on embarkation day dinner, every single time.

Thise two choices seem so different from each other. I saw the same Facebook post and was hoping to see better info on Vruise Critic! Are we allowed to say Facebook?

Next time, don’t drink THAT o.j.; ask for fresh-squeezed. Sometimes they have to get it sent up from The Restaurant, but sometimes they already have it there. Right now, the Jupiter is on the top of its game. Not perfect, but really great.

On Octantis, there was split pea soup every day for lunch at Mamsen’s. I don’t think it was open late at night, but I could be wrong.

Oops! Sweet became suite. Evidently I’m too late to edit.

I would never choose salmon, but on Jupiter we had wonderful ahi tuna. I call it char-grilled.

Herring in tomato sauce.

No, none are exactly suite. I guess maybe the wine one. Frustrating, when we’re so happy to see it, but then disappointed with the taste. I like it topped with sour cream.

I remember it well, now that you mention it!

The agents onboard now will be going on a tour of various categories. One has been postings tons of photos on Facebook. Perhaps he’s already posted.

Interestingly, one poster said this area was still receiving finishing touches when they boarded. I especially found that interesting, b/c so many ships out of a big dry dock seem to have some unfinished areas.

Viking deviates from industry standards in a few ways they do business. It obviously works for them. And for many happy cruisers.

Great photos from cruisers being posted on Facebook. Two different guests in Sapphire Suites.