Sailfish

1 hour ago, az_tchr said:

I have a chronic cough caused by a medicine I take. Will bring a letter from my doctor. No problem. All cruiselines are doing all they can.

As for being in China in the last 14 days. They are checking passports. Only takes a minute or less. This should not be an issue in a few more days with the travel ban from China to most countries.

I went on a tour to China in March 2019. But my 10 year visa is in my old expired passport. So if they check my passport it won't have a record of my visit.  Just saying checking passports aren't a foolproof way of telling who has been and who has not. 

37 minutes ago, warmwinds said:

I thought acoustic guitar meant no amplification?  How do you not hear the strumming from the outside?

It's got an electric pick-up via battery. You hear nothing. It's made for travel. My husband has another acoustic travel guitar that also has a pickup for an amplifier but seldom takes that one. The travel guitar he takes on a cruise has a neck that folds down and fits into a backpack. It's awesome. 

 

My husband can plug his earphones into his acoustic travel guitar. Only he can hear it. He's never had any issues but many people are curious. 

Hi there... I began this thread. We are in Thailand and before this cruise in May, we are going scuba diving in the Philippines two weeks prior. Luckily we have low cost flights to Tokyo the day before. We are flexible and can travel  back to North America at anytime. But the Millennium would be our first choice. Thailand has things very much under control. As does most of South East Asia. But I personally wouldn't go to Singapore as the Chinese for better or worse can't come into Thailand. Many are heading to Singapore and Myanmar as they aren't being allowed to remain in Thailand. Can't blame them for not wanting to go back to China. 

 

My concern really is more with our departure and arrival date that could be affected by changes happening now and the need to get the ship back to North America. We will be heading back to Asia on the Millennium in September after our visit to the US. 

 

 

15 hours ago, sfaaa said:

Just cancel your cruise and you have no more worry. No?

This is the OP... I live in Asia so I am not anymore concerned than anyone else here in Thailand. There are discussions here by Healthcare professionals that this virus could be a concern here until June. I am not talking about the US where it seems things are under better control. 

 

I will be heading to North America on the Millennium. We have some US news coverage via international stations like the BBC and stuff online. I was really more curious how things are shaping up there in the US as opposed to Asia where I am. 

 

No, I won't be canceling my cruise. It's heading to North America, not Asia. I am sure Celebrity and my US based cruise agent will keep me posted as to my cruises status. 

Suzi

Just curious what impact the coronavirus will have on sailings departing Asia to North America in the coming months as ships return for their Alaska season. 

 

Currently there is a lot of hysteria (some valid concerns some not) but only in the coming months will we learn the real ramifications this will have on travel to and from Asia, not necessarily China. 

 

I live in Thailand where the country is bracing for more virus related illness in the coming months. Due to its proximity, tourism from China has been on the rise. At the moment the few cases seem to be contained but with a two week long incubation period it's hard to know what will happen. People from affected areas in China refuse to go back. They aren't showing symptoms so they are leaving Thailand and heading elsewhere in Asia. Many are heading to Japan and other destinations. That's OK for us in Thailand. But not so good for Japan. According to what we are hearing it won't be OK to travel (to China) till June.

 

We are scheduled to take the Millennium to Vancouver in May. We do this sailing every year along with many Chinese families heading home to Canada, most returning after extended stays in China. 

 

Just curious how things will shape up this spring. What do you think? 

Taking the Millennium across to Vancouver in May. Anyone know if Graeme will be back as CC host?

Would love current info on Millennium. Will Graeme be the CCH on the transpacific crossing to Japan. Heard Steve Gayda will be on the Crossing. Who will captain the Millennium next month. 

 

TIA

 

Suzi

Thanks.

We will be on the 24 Mar 19 Eclipse and I was wondering who is the Captain's Club Host? Thanks.

I am anxious to hear about the chefs table experience. I do have a question, are you able to sign up for this prior to boarding the ship or must one wait until after boarding? Thanks!

We were able to sign up on line for the Chef's Table with Royal Caribbean. But couldn't with Celebrity. Celebrity does it better, allowing you a behind the scene tour of the kitchen which you don't get on Royal Caribbean.

 

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Thanks again to all of you!

 

As mentioned before we really love the S-class ships. Mostly because of the ambiance. We are not really into party boats. We like to sit in Cafe Al Bacio or outside in the Oceanview Cafe after we had gone diving on Curacao, Bonaire. St. Lucia, Grand Cayman or Costa Maya. So, the itinerary is also highly relevant. On the other hand the food is not really so important. On the S-class ships we almost always use the buffet and sit outside enjoying the warm Caribbean air.

 

The main reason why I was asking for an alternative is the worry that X will continue to increase their prices even further. And at some point it is simply enough and inacceptable. Even for us as loyal X cruisers ( we have appr. 16 cruises with them) and even if we could afford it.

 

We are booked on the Reflection this upcoming December for a 14 day cruise. For next year December we still have options on the Silhouette for their 12 and 9 days cruises (B2B). Comparing the prices on a daily basis X increased the prices by 25% from 2018 to 2019. I strongly assume (and hope) that prices will come down eventually by September 2019. If not, I will give Royal a chance (Explorer and/or Serenade). Their itineraries in December 2019 are 9/10/11 nights long with nice ports of call. Based on your valuable inputs we have already paid some deposits. The final decisions have to be made in August 2019. So, let`s see how this will turn out. Thanks again for your support!

We also are divers, though we tend to dive in Asia more, as we have a home in Thailand. We have found for us, Holland America has great dive friendly ports. Loved Grand Turk and St Vincent!

 

Also, though we are Elite with Celebrity and get free drinks, I am finding happy hour on HA a great value. No perks for us, but really enjoying Elemis toiletries, great food and of course the ports. Entertainment is not great, but on a dive cruise, we tend to not stay up too late.

 

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We very much disliked our two cruises with MSC. Sailed on the Davina and again on the Seaside. Food was good, entertainment was also good. But service very bad, small cabins (we booked balcony) and too many kids. We too got black card with loyalty match, but didn't do Yacht Club, so that may help.

 

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Jim-lain,

My wife and I are on the Sept. 30 out of Yokohama. I was stationed in Yokosuka two years while in the Marine Corps. Looking forward to seeing Japan again after 40+ years. Please keep us informed on if the mud slides,floods & earth quakes effected your excursions. Donna wants to know if her cell phone will work while off the ship. We have Verizon. Johnnie (Reeltired)

My TMOBILE phone works all over Japan. Hope your Verizon does too.

 

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Thanks. Now hope there is no problem with our early Friday morning flight from Toronto on Air Canada

OntarioCruiser

Are you expecting bad weather up there too? We are in Fort Lauderdale, and I was a little concerned with the domino effect on flights originating from the southern seaboard. But no issues here. And no weather concerns. Just a long flight through Detroit! Bon Voyage!

 

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As with so many things -- footstools for your verandah, fluffy robes, body wash -- these are included on more expensive staterooms and are not standard for the type of stateroom you booked, so don't be surprised if the steward can't fulfill your request.

It never hurts to ask. If you are Elite in Captain's Club, like me, we always get the upgraded stuff regardless of your cabin category. But we recently sailed with friends in an inside cabin. They asked and they received.

 

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I checked further and found out that Captain Alex has only been on for a month and will remain on Millennium until November.

We were on the Equinox a few weeks ago and met a childhood friend of Captain Nikolas, who said he was heading back home for a couple of months. I am sure the current captain is going to be just as good. But for the past four years, Captain Nikolas was in charge, and we have gotten to know him and his officers. Looks like new people.

 

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We did see them one night while up at Denali but have not seen them since on the ship. Someone on another board posted a sight from the University of Alaska and has a forecast site.

 

http://auroraforecast.gi.alaska.edu/

 

It looks like they are forecast as far south as Juneau today but the move north tomorrow.

I just checked the website and the forecast to see the Aurora will be best on the evening of the 16th. Thanks for sharing.

 

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Read somewhere about September being good viewing of the Aurora Borialis. Any sign of it?

 

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BODY wash only in concierge, aqua & suites. BAR soap in verandah, oceanview & insides

You can request body wash from your cabin steward anytime. Its the only product I actually use in addition to the soap.

 

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The toiletries are horrible! Poor quality, stuff made in China. I always bring my own, but totally understand what you want to do. Holland America uses Elemis and Windstar uses l'occitaine products, all great. But both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean uses stuff that's very basic and quite harsh. Yes, you will get body wash in addition to the soap, shampoo and conditioner.

 

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Looks like no Captain Nikolas. We were told he would be not be on the crossing. How is Captain Alex?

 

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Things look a lot like they did last year. Is Captain Nikolas doing the crossing? We have always liked the Millennium. It's easy to navigate and a comfortable ship for a crossing. There is good storage and closet space. And the public areas are always kept spotless. You will no doubt see wear and tear on furnishing but make sure if you see something you don't like, like the quality of the bedding or towels or any maintenance issue, the stewards have always been good about addressing problems or getting you fluffier towels, newer sheets, better pillows, etc.

 

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Regarding WiFi. I found that we had a dead zone for nearly a week while at sea in the North Pacific last year. WiFi worked great while we were close to land. But quite slow while in the middle of nowhere. Seems the TV is connected, and for about a week, we had only pre-recorded programming. Just a heads up. But free movies on demand changed frequently, so we watched a lot of movies.

 

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Enjoying your posts and photos. Hoping for good weather as you sail back to Vancouver.

 

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