MikeyA53

6 hours ago, Lustate said:

Based on the usual rumours, i would check in March 2023 for stuff related to Brilliant Lady this year (sea trials) and for the rest of the ships for Nov 24 on wards. 

Thanks

Would anyone know when the Virgin cruise ship schedule for November/December 2024 for the Caribbean is likely to come out? 

6 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Uh huh... 

 

While I can't agree with that, I can post what is the BEST burger I've enjoyed at sea!

 

 

 

 

CELEBRITY'S SIGNATURE BURGER @ The Lawn Club Grill. It's appropriately at the top of their (special - sea days only) Signature Burgers menu:

 

 

 

 

 

Tom

I agree they are the best but they do cost $25 and Guy's are free.

1 hour ago, 4hunters said:

Hi Mike!  Can't believe your "kids" are already that old! 

 

Hey, I was just wondering - did I see you boarding a Southwest flight from San Diego to Vegas with some of your Mountie buddies about a month ago?  I saw you guys walking down the aisle and commented to my wife that I'm pretty sure that's the guy that does really awesome cruise reports.  Small world (if I'm correct that it was you)! 

 

Scott

Nope, not me. Haven't been outside Canada since 2019.

On 2/10/2021 at 7:40 AM, nycruise1 said:

This was so great and my best cruise moment since this whole pandemic began.  It really brought back the memories of cruising--you write so vividly!  Funny to read reviews that are over 10 years old.  Destiny was totally redone since then (we have been on the updated Sunshine twice) and Imagination was scrapped.  Your kids must be all grown up as well.  I will check out your other reviews as well.  So hoping we can get back to cruising in 2021.  Our cruises from 2020 were all cancelled and it is getting to feel like a long time away.  Thank you for providing some fine cruise thoughts during this otherwise long, frustrating 2021 pandemic winter.

Thank you, I'm with you it's been a  long, frustrating 2020 and 2021. By the way Arielle will be 27 in November and Mitchel turned 25 in July. Hoping for some grandkids to we can return to family cruising.

On 2/5/2021 at 12:13 AM, Katemusical said:

Mike, I have spent the past week reading your postings. I loved every bit of it. Thank you for sharing all of your beautiful family with everyone. We are scheduled to sail on the Freedom this New Years Eve. Hopefully sailing will happen again. 

 

 

I know how you feel, we had our 2020 cruises in Australia and New Zealand cancelled as well as our 2021 cruises in Japan and Australia cancelled. We decided to stay close to home in 2022 and we have a B2B2B (Symphony of the Sea, Sky Princess and Celebrity Reflection) scheduled in February and then in November a B2B2B2B (Celebrity Apex, Sky Princess, Norwegian Encore and Carnival Celebration). We have a lot of cruise credits to use up. LOL

On 11/22/2020 at 8:17 PM, ninjacat123 said:

I read through this review and it was so great!  So many touching and funny moments, but what made me cry were the pictures from vacations in the past.  Every year, the kids getting older.  I thought about the pictures I have of my DDs and look forward to creating more.  Thank you Mike and Tracey for a lovely glimpse into a fantastic trip!

Yes, Arielle will be 27 in November and Mitchel turned 25 in July. Looking forward to the day when they have their own family and we can all go cruising again as a family.

On 11/21/2020 at 10:21 AM, princess76021 said:

Hi Mike and Tracey,.

 

You sure helped lifting my spirits! Just finished your epic b2b2b2b!  It was awesome!!!!

 

Congrats on being so romantic, my husband is a little on the "needs a push" side!

Being married almost 51 years, I know how to push ;-);-);-)

 

We've never been on the Destiny, imagination, or the valor, however, we've been on the freedom several times and loved it, thanks for bringing back some memories.

 

I will seek out some more reviews.

 

Hugs and thanks

Nicki

 

Thanks, it's nice to see that some people are still enjoying my review after 10 years. 

On 2/3/2020 at 6:05 AM, twangster said:

On 2/3/2020 at 6:05 AM, twangster said:

Back down to the ship I could see boarding was

 

The cruise terminal has no waiting area inside so appointment times are strictly enforced.  Once the ship is ready to board they’ll open the doors and start looking for early appointment

 

With the new expedited arrival feature boarding is pretty quick and pretty much a non-stop flow through check in, Australian immigration and finally security.

To give you an idea how my timing went this morning, this next picture was at 10:15am as I walked towards the Pylon to start my

This next picture was at 11:41am after I had cleared security and was on the gangway about to walk on the

 

And with that the cruise can finally begin!

Great review, fantastic photographs. We are doing a 12 days to New Zealand in November. Do you know how the appointments time assigned for boarding the ship. We are used to boarding as soon as possible, love to get the most out of our first sea day. 

On 2/3/2020 at 6:05 AM, twangster said:

On 2/3/2020 at 6:05 AM, twangster said:

 

 

On 2/1/2019 at 6:23 PM, ONECRUISER said:

Cruise exclusively B2B2B or longer. Week to week changes depending on Liquor sales. Ask every day, couldn't hurt but never seen offered at start of Cruise. Only good offers in first half Cruise is Bucket of Beer. Agree Shareable is best benefit of the Card, Happy Hunting!

If you can get one on the your first B2B can you use it on your second B2B?

19 hours ago, DT1304 said:

I'll add to one of the other replies in that the best way to get to the airport, particularly as it is at peak traffic time, would be the train.

 

Get the train right there at circular quay directly to the airport. I think it is about $18 each one way train ticket.

 

 

Would it be a problem to bring a medium and carry suitcase each on the train?

Thanks everyone, We usually leave late at night or the next day, however this flight is ideal for several reasons. We are not familiar with Sydney and that’s why I was asking. I’ll take everyone suggestions in making a decision. 

Ovation of the Sea arriving at 6:30 am on Friday, December 11, 2020. Do we have enough time to disembark , go through customs, get to the airport for an international flight leaving  at 1:15 pm. 

4 hours ago, Gig103 said:

 

I haven't been around CC in a while, but something made me do a search for you and I was glad to see you had another B2B(2B) review. As usual I enjoyed it and see that as I'm wrapping it up you've just set sail on another! Great! 

 

Oh and like someone else said, glad to hear the kids are doing well. Bizarre to think I've been reading your posts on and off for nearly a decade and know CC appreciates your efforts and consistency! 

Thanks Gig

27 Days Allure of the Sea and 410 days B2B on Ovation of the Sea.

On 5/29/2019 at 11:44 AM, Fogfog said:

@MikeyA53

 

I had saved your thread since you did a great job comparing. 

We largely sail Celebrity and have just booked a B2B with MSC

Advice on tipping on MSC...?? did you do that at the bar etc in cash or did you have to sign a tab?

We are sailing YC and evidently while "included", we will get a tab sign sign at bars outside of YC. 

I noted on MSC website they discourage tipping crew directly-- however we are used to doing this for exceptional service. Normally in cahs the night before disembarkation... 

OTOH if we are at bars around the ship, we don't know when we will see a bartender next and so tipping on the spot makes sense.

Thoughts? 

 

Also you mention a "smaller menu" for the specialty restaurant ... we are looking at Butchers Cut. Any input there?

 

TYIA

Yes I did tip in cash at the bar and I usually sought out the same bartenders if possible. In regards to the smaller menu at Butcher’s cut, if you pre purchase a dining package you will be picking your meal from a smaller menu unless you want to pay extra and pick from the regular menu if you are paying a la crate then you have access to the regular menu but the prices are high. 

On 5/28/2019 at 3:05 PM, louise1809 said:

Fantastic review, thank you for sharing, just one question, how does your wife keep her figure with all that amazing food?! She is an inspiration to us all, and I can only dream of a b2b2b2b.......maybe one day, but I would need incredibly stretchy trousers! (Thats pants to you guys) 

She works out every day and she eats very healthy when we are at home. Cheers

On 5/28/2019 at 1:54 PM, travellink said:

I  just found your reviews and wanted to thank you for all the time and effort involved in posting these.  I always like your photos and  your commentary on the ships and the ports. Celebrity is our favorite line along with Royal Caribbean but we just tried Norwegian for the first time and I really liked the Getaway. Happy sailing, and I am already looking forward to your next reviews. Hope you and your family are all well.

Thank you,  we are doing very well and looking forward to our next cruises B2B2B on Allure of the Sea, Regal Princess and Crown Princess this November as well as our B2B on Ovation of the Sea in 2020 in the South Pacific.

175 Allure

15 hours ago, SenatorsFan said:

Mike, it's so nice to see you back again! Thanks for another wonderful review and all of the great pictures.

Heather

Thanks Heather, nice to hear from you again.

22 hours ago, greenie082756 said:

Excellent review! I think you were quite fair and equal in all of your observations.

We have only cruised with Disney and Princess. Hope to try another cruise line or two once hubby retires in about 2 years.

 

We are taking the Royal Princess to Alaska at the end of the season (September) and this will be our 2nd cruise to Alaska. For myself, the experience of having all of your senses alive while seeing that beautiful state is refreshing to the soul. We have never been on the Royal and thanks for the few tips you showed like Deck 19. 

 

Again, thank you for taking the time to share. 

Thanks, I  appreciate it. 

4 hours ago, CruiseIreland said:

Thank you for your really thorough, balanced and entertaining review. I enjoyed it although I sometimes got confused as to which ship 'I' was on! I will be on Seaside next Saturday week. Ken

Thanks Ken, have a good cruise.

6 hours ago, hllwdcruiser said:

Thanks again for this wonderful review. I found your comparisons extremely helpful and your positive attitude made the entire adventure enjoyable.

 

Did you happen to do the same type of review for NCL? I need to check out your profile. It's been years since I sailed on that line but have been reconsidering after reading so many good things about it.

 

I did take the time to read your vow renewal thread that was linked here. You truly do have a beautiful family and Tracy sure is one lucky woman and you are one lucky man. DH is a LEO down here in South FL. He is also the quiet type but, unlike you, doesn't have much romance in him. I showed him how you surprised Tracy....not that I think it will do any good, but a girl can always hope!

Thank you, glad you enjoyed my reviews. Below is a link to a B2B we did on Carnival Vista and Norwegian Getaway. Good luck with your husband.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2356583-mike-amp-tracys-continuing-adventures-b2b-on-carnival-vista-amp-norwegean-getaway/

7 hours ago, FLCruise7 said:

Be sure to check out Alfredo's when you're on the Regal later this year - one of our favorite places!!  The veal stuffed ravioli is oh, so yummy!!  I always get the salad, ravioli and tiramisu!  Like a specialty restaurant without the upcharge.

We will definitely make a few visits to Alfredo’s over the course of our two cruises on Princess Regal and Crown. 

9 hours ago, CRLess said:

I think I have attended 3 or 4 Chef's Tables on Princess, but never on the Regal or Royal.  The Lumiere setting looks pretty awesome.  Most people don't realize there is also two other options on the Royal and Regal for an upcharge dining experience.  First is the Winemaker's Dinner, which is a 5 course meal paired with wines served in the Wine Cellar in the main dining rooms.  I believe it is done 3-4 times per cruise and is a great value at $40/pp.  The second is the Super Tuscan Wine Dinner which is done once a cruise in Sabatinis.  It also is a 5 course meal paired with Italian wines and runs somewhere around $60/pp.  We have done both the Winemaker's and Super Tuscan several times...both are outstanding meals for the value.

We did the Super Tuscan so next time in addition to the chef’s table we will try the Winemaker’s.