dhream

12 hours ago, MamaFej said:

I've always thought that gossip isn't my thing, but with people clamoring, I'm realizing that I am actually interested in hearing about the "interesting" people. I'm also wondering if stories will involve the gal with the "I'd like to speak to the manager" haircut.

 

Imma go hang my head in shame while I wait.
 

That haircut!

LOL rapidly recognized globally as the female version of the Mullet in terms of social kryptonite!

Paul I just had some last minute Q's if you could kindly address them here or as part of your review? Domo Arigato Gosaimashte!

Celebrity App:

I don't think you mentioned it much, if at all.

Did you guys use it, to board? Did friends?

Is it useful and practical as a planner? And to what extent was that. Less or more so than the Newsletter?

Did the ship use it to send PA style info or other event notifications?

Did you use it to contact and locate friends aboard?

Or did you just use the suite/stateroom phone to ring theirs?

Can it be used to contact the ship via shore wifi like FB or WhatsApp?

Any other points you'd like to add?

Entertainment:

I know you guys are not much into the cabaret scene, being the Casino and Martini barflies you were 😋 but any info in passing that you can recall if the acts are staying with Millie during the Japan cruising season? Not essential, just curious, as the newsletter descriptions of some speakers and entertainers did pique my interest.

On 9/21/2019 at 6:30 AM, bigbeergut said:

Thanks for your review, it looks like it was a great trip. After your review I 'm more inclined to take a long trip and I don't think I'd be bored but I think I'd stick to warm weather climates.  Maybe a transatlantic that goes south would be my choice.

 

Thanks for the review, have a safe trip home.

 

BBG

Hi BBG,

I did Lisbon - Miami back in fall 2009, on Seabourn (the all-inclusive price was a steal as the GFC was in full swing! But the seasonal crossings tend to be bargains anyway, probably because the long flights, and cruise length involved, keep many away).

I can heartily recommend a southbound crossing, the days do get noticeably warmer, the seas smoother, and the long alfresco brunches are one of my fondest memories of that trip.

Will n Meow

Hello again Paul,

Like so many of your readers and fans, I can't say enough about how much fun, and more importantly, how informative your blog has been to me personally.

I thought you might have run out of mojo after debarking, but your information on Tokyo, and the trains was nothing short of  exceptional!

As I mentioned, we embark Millie November 23 for a Japan/China 14-15 day cruise, we'll stay in Yokohama 3 days pre cruise. Our plan is to base in Yokohama, which has much to offer in itself, and "commute" to Tokyo, and maybe even Kawasaki, seems even the most industrial of Japans cities hold at least one destination of interest and charm, so we're very excited, and your blog has been invaluable, onboard and ashore.

You've actually sold us on retracing your TP voyage next fall! So get Celebrity to shoot you a commission! 😁

Glad you're home safe, and we will remember Edward and yourself to the wonderful bar staff we hope will still be there in November.

I understand Transition voyages often mark crew transfers and vacation times for crew, so hopefully we'll still get to meet some of these lovely hosts and hostesses in November.

Also, I will give everyone in our Roll Call thread a 'heads up' about this blog, I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as we did.

Thank you for 'taking us along' on your adventure!

Will n Meow 😽

7 minutes ago, chicagopaul said:

 

To answer your first question that would just be for something like a martini flight. If you were buying let’s say a $40 scotch then you’d just pay the difference of the $25. 

 

Ive heard of the premium plus but haven’t seen it advertised on board but I’ll keep my eye on any advertisements. I know you can’t upgrade to it (at least that’s my knowledge of it). It seems like Celebrity is trying to add a bit more “value” to their premium drink package for those who purchase it outright versus bundled into the fare. 

Yes indeed, one has to 'read the small print' on everything! Was your xcelerate package (and the others) activated onboard automatically, or did you have to visit guest services?

2 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

 

$15 is the max price for premium. Anything above that you just pay the difference. 

Hi Paul, my understanding is that anything above the premium limit triggers that particular beverages full price on your tab, and not merely the difference. Or is that just 'concept' beverages such as the Martini flights? 

Also, they're selling something on our upcoming Japan cruise called the Premium Plus, apparently for the same price as the Premium, it includes, two bottles of wine, $50 casino credit, and a wine tasting. Have you seen that aboard? 

On 9/8/2019 at 1:39 AM, chicagopaul said:

After dinner we walked by the martini bar and it was dead again! Not a soul in sight! We walked up to sky lounge and it wasn’t too crowded so we made our way to the Casino bar and had a drink. I opted for Courvoisier VSOP and Edward has a McCallan. We sipped that and ran into some people who were stopping by for a quick drink before hitting the tables or slots. 

 

 

The bartender is named Amitava (I believe I’m spelling that correct or close to). He was quiet but very nice and once we started discussing whiskey with him we found out he really knows his stuff!  

 

There was a drunk gentleman at the bar who meant well but he’s the exact type of person you’d expect to see drunk at a casino bar but more so at a casino where the table minimums are $1 haha. 

 

I found out at the casino bar they will smoke whiskey for you with the same smoker that is at World Class on the S Class ships. Amitava was very excited to talk about which whiskeys and specific bourbons he thinks smoke the best. We will be trying a few with him during the cruise. 

 

After our drink we grabbed a bottle of water and planned to head back to the room but ran into some friends and ended up watching karaoke in the Sky Lounge and then listening to the DJ. We stopped drinking and just stuck with water. Chatted with people for a while then headed to bed around 12:45 I think. But since we gained an hour it was really 11:45 and made all the difference in the world. Plus my body is still on Chicago time so waking up this morning was a breeze. 

Paul, your attention to detail in these reports is exquisite!

The images of the newsletter, menus, and above all, your beverage descriptions -and inside information (Whoa! Smoked whiskey?) is exactly the minutiae so many reviews sorely lack!

So thank you for your posts thus far, it must be difficult to set aside time do all the actual work of such detailed blogging, while having so many fun diversions and that endless list of long, cool drinks that beckon!

6 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

 

No holes punched already. Like the above poster I too heard you couldn’t because of RFID but I’ve seen it done so I believe that info is incorrect. I think they’ll still do it for you. 

Thanks Paul, these tiny details can have big repercussions. We all know that modifying a government ID can be expensive, and even illegal.

In a major 'd'Oh' moment, I've just realised every pair of pants I own has pockets. I won't need holes or lanyards, even at the pool. I guess I was asking for a friend. 😁 Bon Voyage!

Hi guys, we' re thrilled to find this blog, and almost as excited as you are, just to be following along from this live embarkation day.

We'll be doing a 14 day Japan Shanghai Taiwan Hong Kong in late November, as Millie newbies, we will likely ask trivial housekeeping questions, such as, does the sea pass have a punch-hole to dangle from a lanyard? 🙂 We're also looking forward to all the excitement ahead on your transpacific, a crossing is definitely on our wish list for 2020/21. You got a steal with AQ for that price, we're paying somewhat more and grateful just to have a scored a seaview stateroom, although that came with a 'go best' package of : premium drinks, unlimited WiFi, gratuities, and onboard credit. I think we've a fully sold out ship already!

Will n Meow 🐱

Merry Christmas to you all from me .......

and from captain Gei-Arne:

 

Marja

Ho Ho Ho Merry Xmas everybody!

Marja, this is a spectacular card from Capt GA, of course... the for'ar'd deck would be locked on a sea day like this, much less the entire crew out there!

But what the good Captain forgot to 'photoshop' OUT of the picture was the little 'basket' hoisted up the flag pole...there... to the right of the Seabourn pennant, denoting (Yikes!) that the ship is at Anchor!

You'd think the Skipper woulda picked that one up!!! Aaar!:D

LOL!