Redking

18 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

What a beautiful view from your home.    Did you see me waving at you from the top of the Volcano?    Thanks for arranging such a beautiful day.    The amazing part was the Leeward side of the Mountain was no wind.     It was howling at the Summit.

 

🤣🤣🤣Thank you and you're welcome 😁 The view from the top is a great reward for the climb. I was at a pilates class with a tour operator today and she said that the high winds may have made your departure challenging, I hope not?

51 minutes ago, 2023 said:

Jim,

Thought you’d be interested in the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper. Crossed 115km north of Cairns as Cat 2. Do you recognise the Port Douglas main st where you got your shirts? Daintree Village got 200mm in 6 hours. Weakened significantly when it made landfall but still a fair bit of flooding. Most business closed for the clean up.

Wow hope all are OK. 

Hello from across the harbour. Wishing you a wonderful if windy day in the beautiful Port of Tauranga and wider region. Bit to far away for a good shot of the ship on my phone camera!

See there was a bit of drama on Tuesday night 😬

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018919427/cruise-ship-chaos-port-boss-makes-promise-to-ferry-commuters

2 hours ago, terrydtx said:

This is a quote from Celebrity's website and no corkage fee if you have a drinks package. On the Apex in September, we had no problem bringing back to the ship one bottler per person at most ports in Europe.

 

Is there a corkage fee if I bring wine to consume onboard?

When consumed in a shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25. Corkage fees do not apply to guests who have a Classic or Premium Beverage Package.

That's good news.

9 hours ago, terrydtx said:

I agree and since most of our NZ shore excursions include wineries, our plan is to bring wine back to drink on the ship. We have the PDP so we should not have to pay any corkage fee, unless that changes. We have been drinking and enjoying a lot of NZ and Australian wines here at home for the last year.

Things may have changed, but previously you can only BYO on embarkation day, I think 2 bottles pp. Any other time during the cruise, your alcohol will be taken from you and returned on disembarking. You may have to party hard at those NZ vineyards. Enjoy!

@Jim_IainHope the weather improves or you could be in for a bumpy ride down to Tauranga. Just been out for a walk and the harbour is looking a bit churned up. Wind seems to have died down so 🤞

1 hour ago, maggie.1008 said:

I am enjoying following you along. We have tried most of the luxury and premium lines.

 We have only one X cruise to Alaska this summer and will hold off booking X until things improve. 
Our next cruise will be in April on the Explora Journeys. They have only been operating since August. The reviews were shaky to start but are improving very quickly. 
Heike Berdos is the hotel manager. We have cruised with her when she was with Azamara. 
She was wonderful. So excited to try a brand new cruise line. 
Jim, I think you would really enjoy this line so check it out. Their price range is very close to the other luxury lines. Cheers, Heather 

I agree it sounds really appealing and reviews are improving. Food looks good. Enjoy your cruise and please share your thoughts if you've time.

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

To be honest we also are.    Never having less than 13 cruises booked on Celebrity we are down to 3.   I'm sure I'll book another in April when we hit double and get a free Aqua Class Cruise (or credit against a cruise or room of our choice). 

 

I've been searching on Silversea, Crystal and Seabourn today.   Someone today suggested I check out SeaDream Yacht (Old Crystal Ship)

Interesting times ahead. Let us know what you do. Explora Journey looks interesting though mixed reviews. We're keen on Africa, saw a great 30 day itinerary but is was either RSS Mariner or Navigator which don't really appeal to us.

10 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

If you have been on an E-Class they have light settings on the App and Thermostat.   They have light settings for Morning, Night and Movie -   with presets.

 

I think that with all rooms something may bother you but after a day you are so used to it you don't even notice    I don't care what the tile looks like the room in INCREDIBLE.

 

 

I've got serious fomo.

We have a RS and an Edge Villa booked on the Edge for a TP next year which we're going to cancel in favour of trying new cruise lines. It's those suites on the Edge that kept us hanging in so to speak.

Ah well, we can always have a mini break up and reunite if need be 😁

On 12/10/2023 at 9:26 AM, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks -   One of the waiter showed us a Clip he downloaded (probably from Celebrity somewhere)    It was recorded by a number of Drones.    It was reported on FB that  they saw lots of drones.  

 

This is the hype video before arrival

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1047430406608497

 

 

Some very interesting images in there that further confirm we're most likely not  in Celebrities target market anymore.

With so many DJ and night club images I'm pondering their new tag line? Modern luxury clubbing for 40 and 50 somethings? Move up your P&O or Carnival party style? 🥳 

Don't get me wrong, I love a party 💃 as evidenced by feeling seedy today after a long lunch at home  with friends yesterday and imbibing in many a cocktail 🍸and glass of red wine 🍷.

I'm not quite ready to shuffle off to bed at 9pm either, so the search for  alternative cruising homes will be an interesting one🥺🤔

1 hour ago, daydreamer16 said:

Thanks for that! 🤣 We'll be on the Edge in March, in your neck of the woods! 

Your welcome. Wishing you a wonderful visit.

In preparation for your arrival in New Zealand

https://fb.watch/oPdDPTFOk9/?mibextid=Nif5oz 

53 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Arriving Sydney around 5:15

That view never gets old!

41 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Can't wait.   Weather foretasted to be 101 F (38 C) on Saturday turn around day.  Will be nice to head to cooler weather. 

 

 

Sun's out today thank goodness, sending out positive weather vibes for your wonderful trip over this side of the Tasman 

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

That one went totally over my head.   What does MAMIL mean.  

I see a reply has already been provided. Iain and you look way too on trend to live up to its usual derogatory meaning.

1 minute ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

 

Sporting the MAMIL look very well, without the bikes if course😀

8 minutes ago, Redking said:

If you pay fees, the more money you pay, the less days your kids are at school 🤣

Looks like Queensland kicks off on 9 Dec, with other states following anywhere between 16 to 20 Dec. Could be in for a fun time @Jim_Iain🙃

2 hours ago, upwarduk said:

School holidays already in Australia?

If you pay fees, the more money you pay, the less days your kids are at school 🤣

4 hours ago, terrydtx said:

We are doing Cape Horn cruise in 2025 and Aus, NZ in January. Both have been on our bucket list. We have been all over Europe and the Med, and to almost every island in the Caribbean so we needed other lands and countries to explore.

Enjoy. We loved it, and NZ but I'm slightly biased on that one. Lived in Oz for 19 years in Brisbane and had many a happy holiday in Qld. Only ever cruised in and out of Sydney. I say only, it's a pretty iconic harbour to cruise from/to.

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I love your pics, Jim!  DH has said more than once that he really has no desire to cruise Australia. He says he’s “heard” it’s like the US only on the other side of the world. I’ve shown him some of your pics. I think I’m seeing a crack in his armor!!  So thank you!

🤣🤣my hubby once asked why did I want to go on a  "Round the Horn" cruise, it'll be just like New Zealand he said except on the other side of the Pacific. Yes some of the scenery was similar, but we don't speak Spanish in NZ, eat the same food or have the same history. He loved it.

1 hour ago, Port Power said:

Next up was sirloin steak with a Jack Daniel’s sauce, and southern style corn succotash.  This will be served in Atlantide tonight, although with prime rib. 
 

 

 

 

 

For Australians, Grant does so remind me of Kim Beazley.  Always crumpled!

I agree 🤣

Echoing the thoughts of others in thanking you for this very informative and balanced review.  Very helpful given we've yet to sail with Regent- our first booking isn't until 2026!

33 minutes ago, mchell810 said:

 

Just an FYI -- bc you mentioned it I checked and it seems Scenic has a CC forum now.  Until recently I thought they only did river cruises so hearing from someone who sailed an ocean voyage with them would be great.  I learned a lot from Jim's Ponant blog. 

Thanks for that, I'll check it out. Jim did an excellent job, as always, of giving an objective comparison.

1 hour ago, mchell810 said:

@Redking  I hope you will do a blog of your Scenic cruise; I enjoyed your last one.   Scenic has been off my radar, but I'd love to know more about that line.

I'm glad you enjoyed my unfinished symphony 🤣 thank you. I'll do something, not sure what yet. Scenic doesn't have a dedicated CC forum. There's a pretty active FB group. Not sure if I'm allowed to mention that here 🤔 I'll definitely post to my IG account which is public.

... and back to the lovely Edge and Jim.