I’m not big on door decorations for myself but I don’t mind what other people do.

That said, next year I have a B3B in three different cabins close to each other.  Fingers crossed that by then I latch onto the same cabin at least once.  But I can see a door decoration for the last two legs helping me show up at the correct cabin.😎

I haven’t sailed Equinox in many years so I’m looking forward to your overview before I sail her in 2025.  Not interested in MSC but I’ll follow your thread regardless of what you choose to post.

On 5/7/2024 at 7:06 PM, mahdnc said:

Sadly the string quartet was removed as well: 

I miss the string quartet too.  I remember hearing them play “Por una cabeza” as we strolled down the stairway in our formal wear to dine at the Captain’s Table.  I even carried a long-stemmed rose.

(For any fan of the movie True Lies that’s the song played when they danced the tango.  No, I didn’t dance.)

Can’t wait! 😎

19 hours ago, mahdnc said:

I attended the 8 pm star gazing session led by Kelly Beatty up at the Rooftop Terrace.  My wife stayed in our cabin while I went up there to attend.  I got there about 15 minutes late and I was surprised at the decent number of people who attended.  The session involved identifying naked eye objects (no telescope, no binoculars).  For the most part, Kelly, used his green laser pointer to point at and identify the bright stars in the sky such as Sirius and Arcturus.  But the cloudless sky was not very transparent because of the heavy humidity in the air and the smoke from Summit's stack.  So Kelly was unsuccessful in showing the audience the famous Southern Cross which was hanging very low in the southern sky (Southern Cross cannot reasonably be seen from most of the mid and northern USA).  Also there were no bright planets out in the sky at that time either.  Anyway he did an excellent job when you consider what he had to work with.

 

On our very first cruise on Grandeur of the Seas there was a telescope installed on the top deck.  I’m sure it’s long gone.🔭

47 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

I had to look it up to be sure: Marella Explorer is the old Century!  We took our first Celebrity cruise on Century during her inaugural year in 1996.  The three Century class ships were Century, Galaxy, and Mercury.

 

We had one of the middle row of cabins in your photo.  Back then, there were no balconies for that row of cabins.  Thank you for posting!

Our first Celebrity cruise was on Summit, then cruised on Mercury & Century.  I sure miss the Century class!

On 4/26/2024 at 10:47 PM, Gladys Kravitz said:

I contacted them and they said they are no longer in business. 

Not sure who you are referring to.  Stingray Sailing and Captain Marvin are alive and well with active websites.  Stingray Sailing only takes reservations 6 months out.  The tour for cruisers from Captain Marvin is not available on Saturdays, the day my ship will be in port.

Re: Puntarenas

Years ago a pair of scarlet macaws followed our tour bus for most of the day.  Lots of squawking.

On our river cruise a huge crocodile watched our boat with interest, slipped into the water and bumped the boat with his snout.  Hands on laps after that.🐊

12 hours ago, Josie201 said:

Thanks for the report.  We also love the Silly.  We were on in February, and will be bringing her back across the ocean in November - our first TA. 

Here’s the link to the Roll Call for your TA:    (The Days Countdown is obviously wrong but this link will get you there)

2 hours ago, hcat said:

Comment re bath tubs..We disiked the one on BEYOND ( sky suite).  It was oversized & Combined with the  shower..  It took up alot of space,  was very slippery and did not have enough grab handles..felt dangerous..used it once!

 

We have one tub at each of our homes.  Our grandbabies love it..and us too... therapeutic when needed to soak!

 

Nice try X but rather have just the shower!

I wonder if that is the same as the tub/shower in the Signature Suite on Reflection.  Humongous jetted tub (the bottom jets hurt my feet) with a tacky shower curtain.  Was convinced the tub was trying to kill me.

4 minutes ago, Gladys Kravitz said:

Can anyone tell me if these independent or even the celebrity excursion boats are easy to get off and on from the water for people with bad knees, the over weight or elderly? A small little ladder that’s way above the water won’t work for me. 

I don’t recall either boat (Stingray Sailing or Captain Marvin) being particularly mobility-challenged friendly, but this was pre-Covid.  The boats could be different by now.  Stingray City is shallow, you won’t be swimming.  I’m sure the crew will be helpful but I suggest contacting the vendor directly for information.

20 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Sacrilegious I say.  

SPAM is delicious.  Fried and served with eggs, made into a sandwich, cut into little cubs and used in fried rice, and who cannot like spam musubi.  My wife makes the latter with fried egg. 

 

As they would say in Hawaii -- broke da mouth. 

 

Reminds me of a line from an old TV show when the wife told the husband they were having sardines for dinner.  “I thought we were saving those for a special occasion.  Like a famine.”

If it rains during my transit next year I will absolutely be outside standing in the rain.  Already have my fan, cooling towel and electrolyte powder.

My first visit to Stingray City was a Celebrity excursion in a huge, overcrowded catamaran.  Crazy mob scene.  Never again.

I have since used Captain Marvin (small group in a powerboat) and Stingray Sailing, another small group.  Both are outstanding.  I’m booking one of these next spring.

http://stingraysailing.com

http://captainmarvins.com

Cucumber Martini - very refreshing

Banana Republic (World Class Bar)

Mudslide - my kinda milkshake

Bourbon & Peaches with lunch

18 minutes ago, Kelownadon said:

What kind of pills work for you as I am concerned about our TA in October. Thanks

When cruising I take Bonine and wear a ReliefBand when the ship is moving.  Dramamine works but makes me drowsy.  Ginger and pressure bands do nothing for me.  Haven’t tried the patch.

I like the ReliefBand Sport model because it’s rechargeable.  There are also battery models.   Amazon has the ReliefBand but it’s expensive.  Your best bet is to go to the website and watch for a sale (20-30% off).

The one time my preventatives failed me was my previous cruise on the Reflection when I was in a far forward cabin where there is more motion.  Rough weather a couple days.  No more forward cabins for me.  I’m fine with aft cabins.

The least motion is mid-ship, lower deck.  But looking out a window on a very low deck (for example Deck 3 by the Passport Bar) makes me immediately nauseous.  I guess because the view is wave level.

1 hour ago, Chrissi3010 said:

 

If anything else is of interest for you, let ne know.

Thanks!  I just love Transatlantics.  Will also be on the 2025 TA Lisbon to Buenos Aires, lots of firsts for me since I’ve never been to South America.

27 minutes ago, Foggy Cruiser said:

Is Capt Kirk still onboard? Think I read he was off to Reflection? Looking forward to following your crossing. I am due on the return leg in November.

I’ll be on the November TA too.  Our roll call is “Celebrity Silhouette November 16, 2024”

(Having difficulty posting the link.)

34 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

Thanks. I like making the name tags and I know from the very beginning that less than half will show. The people that do receive them seem to like them so that’s good enough for me.

 

My blackjack luck cannot be worse next time.

The name tags look just perfect.  They obviously took a lot of work.  I saved a name tag (not nearly as fancy) from many cruises ago.  I know it’s more than 10 years old.  I wear it for sailaways and events such as slot pulls.

I generally despise cauliflower but that soup turned out to be my favorite course.  I couldn’t believe it.

9 hours ago, raudacruise said:

I always pack a backup bar soap for the shower in case I find the soap provided irritating.  I’m usually fine, but on my previous cruise on Silhouette there was a heavily scented fancy soap that I couldn’t use.  Don’t recall the brand, the name starts with “S.”  I used the bar of soap I’ve been carrying around for years.  The scented lotion didn’t bother me.

Oops, this was on Reflection, not Silhouette.

7 hours ago, hasentreelake said:

We in the same boat!  🙂  
We're on the Summit next April for the 16N Westward Transit!
 

Me too!  Here’s a link to the roll call for our 2025 cruise.  (Don’t know how to trim the text below the link.  Have to say computers are not my forté.)

On 4/16/2024 at 4:30 PM, Mike981 said:

I can understand your feelings on bar soap, but...

 

I liked the bar soap so much that I purchased some when I got home.

I always pack a backup bar soap for the shower in case I find the soap provided irritating.  I’m usually fine, but on my previous cruise on Silhouette there was a heavily scented fancy soap that I couldn’t use.  Don’t recall the brand, the name starts with “S.”  I used the bar of soap I’ve been carrying around for years.  The scented lotion didn’t bother me.

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

Glad you like the fragrance. Unfortunately I got reprimanded here on Cruise Critic for posting a link to that product. I've been a member here for 23 years and while I know you can't advertise travel agents or other cruise related businesses when did it become a violation of the forum rules to post links for non-cruise related products? 

I don’t understand why CC got their panties in a bunch over this either.

Soap drama!  Now I have a mystery.  The package of soap was delivered in the afternoon and was on the front porch a couple hours before I decided to go fetch.  Heard some scrabbling noises in the meantime but didn't think much of it.  (No, I don’t have a door camera.)

The package was torn open and the box had a round puncture from a tooth.  The box was OK otherwise. No marks on the soap.  Apparently some varmint thought the soap smells yummy.  (It has a nice herbal scent.  I really like it.)  Wonder what the critter was… Glad I didn’t open the door to check out the noise.