Live Blog – Silhouette Nov 3 – Beaches to Broadway – Pull up a seat and Join

[excitedofharpenden]

15 minutes ago, verizon said:

Their benefits wont be as good as Zenith unless you book a suite on Azamara.

Initially I was thinking cruising with Azamara but changed my mind when take into consideration of the perks that Celebrity offered.

If one cruises for the perks high up in the priorities then you are right.  Celebrity Z benefits are better than Azamara (even if you book a suite).  However that misses the point.  As has been identified on this thread there is much more to it than that.  Like visiting St Petersburg and being docked next to the bridge by the Hermitage rather than out of town.  Or docked in the centre of Hong Kong to see the light show rather than a couple of miles up the coast.  Or sailing up the river into Ho Chi Minh rather than docking 80 miles away in Phu My.  No amount of perks can make up for those experiences.  Added to that a small ship with amazingly friendly crew and visible officers.  So it’s not all down to loyalty perks.

 

It is also worth pointing out that if you book an Azamara cruise onboard either Celebrity or Azamara then as Zenith, equivalent Discoverer Platinum you’ll get a 10% loyalty discount, which could be quite substantial.  Jim was probably told that by the FCC on X.

 

Phil

[chamima]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I just had a chat with Sue Dennings.   She is so sweet.    

 

She will be on until February 21 (if I recall correctly).   I asked her  if she was going to Edge and she said that she didn't know.  Corporate doesn't let them know until close to the end of their contract.   She is hoping to return to Silhouette after vacation. 

 

Are you sure it wasn't December 21st?

Sue usually gets Christmas and New Years off.

We board Feb. 1st so I'd love it if she really was there, though.

[Jim_Iain]

9 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

Are you sure it wasn't December 21st?

Sue usually gets Christmas and New Years off.

We board Feb. 1st so I'd love it if she really was there, though.

She definitely told me it was in February.    I was thinking it was Feb 15 but Iain thought it was Feb 21 (so I went with his memory).  

[chamima]

1 minute ago, Jim_Iain said:

She definitely told me it was in February.    I was thinking it was Feb 15 but Iain thought it was Feb 21 (so I went with his memory).  

 

Thank you!!!

The February cruises are Feb. 1 , Feb. 10 and Feb. 22 so Iain must be right.

We're on all three so at least we get her for the first two!

[Jim_Iain]

17 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

If one cruises for the perks high up in the priorities then you are right.  Celebrity Z benefits are better than Azamara (even if you book a suite).  However that misses the point.  As has been identified on this thread there is much more to it than that.  Like visiting St Petersburg and being docked next to the bridge by the Hermitage rather than out of town.  Or docked in the centre of Hong Kong to see the light show rather than a couple of miles up the coast.  Or sailing up the river into Ho Chi Minh rather than docking 80 miles away in Phu My.  No amount of perks can make up for those experiences.  Added to that a small ship with amazingly friendly crew and visible officers.  So it’s not all down to loyalty perks.

 

It is also worth pointing out that if you book an Azamara cruise onboard either Celebrity or Azamara then as Zenith, equivalent Discoverer Platinum you’ll get a 10% loyalty discount, which could be quite substantial.  Jim was probably told that by the FCC on X.

 

Phil

Actually she didn't mention the extra 10% LOL.   We were working with the Head of FCC she is a very delightful manager.  She met us in Michael's Club and spent about an hour making all the bookings.   She was very efficient and comped us a dinner in any specialty dining we chose.   

 

I understand we may miss some benefits but being able to take a cruise to South Africa is definitely on my bucket list.    We want to marry it with a Safari.   

[Jim_Iain]

3 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

Thank you!!!

The February cruises are Feb. 1 , Feb. 10 and Feb. 22 so Iain must be right.

We're on all three so at least we get her for the first two!

LOL   Now you know why I go with his memory.   He is they type that if he meets you he will remember your name instantly.   It takes me a couple reminders.   

[excitedofharpenden]

6 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Actually she didn't mention the extra 10% LOL.   We were working with the Head of FCC she is a very delightful manager.  She met us in Michael's Club and spent about an hour making all the bookings.   She was very efficient and comped us a dinner in any specialty dining we chose.   

 

I understand we may miss some benefits but being able to take a cruise to South Africa is definitely on my bucket list.    We want to marry it with a Safari.   

Jim, that is a pretty big detail to leave out.  I’m amazed.  Well, perhaps after my experience with the FCC Manager on Reflection, maybe not so amazed!😉

 

Anyway, yes, 10% and a $300 OBC per cabin if you book in the first half of the cruise.  Azamara offer add on trips to the likes of Macchu Pichu for example so they might do the same for a safari, but my observation of these add ons are they are hideously expensive, even with a 10% discount.  

 

Don’t worry.  I’ll be your personal FCC! Lol

 

Phil

[Silkroad]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks Silkroad.    I'm happy to report that once you retire it is a whole new world.   We have been having a great time on the cruise regardless of the modification of itinerary and rough seas.   

I'll look forward to that new world🙂   We felt the same about a weather related port change on our Baltic cruise this summer (on Silhouette, in fact). Despite missing a port, DH & I had a great time on our cruise. 

[A Sixth?]

8 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We book CS and RS.   I logged on and checked.  We have done 28 cruises.   I list my cruises in signature more for my own reference.  Iain of asks when was the last time we were on a specific ship.   Maybe it is growing old but st times they all merge together. 

 

 

Congrats on Zenith.

 

Here's what my Celebrity account says  

 

"

You have 32 past cruises

Recent cruises and points can take up to 10 days post-cruise to display.

 

You have 11 upcoming cruises

It may take up to 15 minutes for new or updated reservations to display."

 

I will be 1000 points shy of  Zenith even after Feb 2020 concludes.

 

I will likely never make Zenith 

[abbydancer2003]

I'm just happy that barring any changes, I'll make Elite next year.  Zenith is way out of reach.

Edited November 6, 2018 by abbydancer
typo

[Host Jazzbeau]

12 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We will have to look at their itineraries.    Iain has been wanting to do a River Cruise and I am a bit reluctant.   

 

No river cruise has entertainment that is anything like the production shows on ocean cruises; they also don't have casinos.  But if you can get beyond that, there is much to appreciate:  no rough seas, no tender ports, land always in sight [on both sides!], docking right in the center of towns that ocean ships can't get near.  If you value top-notch cuisine, I would recommend that you try either AmaWaterways or Crystal River.  In fact, as a transition from ocean cruising, Crystal may be the best option – their river Cruise Directors have been transferred from their ocean ships, so the entertainment is the closest thing to an ocean cruise.  But AMA has many more itineraries – and on three AMA cruises we were never disappointed.

[Host Jazzbeau]

9 hours ago, upwarduk said:

I have never done a river cruise. I am reluctant, as far too many are cancelled due to lack of water in the European rivers.

That's true this year – unprecedented but maybe to new normal 

[benemac]

2 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

That's true this year – unprecedented but maybe to new normal 

Have you tried UniWorld?  

[Host Jazzbeau]

4 minutes ago, benemac said:

Have you tried UniWorld?  

No.  I don't like the over-the-top decor, and the reviews I've read say the food isn't as good as AMA.  I have done AMA on the Rhine, the Rhône, and the Zambezi.  Blogs are in my signature.

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, A Sixth? said:

 

Congrats on Zenith.

 

Here's what my Celebrity account says  

 

"

You have 32 past cruises

Recent cruises and points can take up to 10 days post-cruise to display.

 

You have 11 upcoming cruises

It may take up to 15 minutes for new or updated reservations to display."

 

I will be 1000 points shy of  Zenith even after Feb 2020 concludes.

 

I will likely never make Zenith 

I know the feeling.   When I was at 1,000 points shy I thought we would never see Zenith.   I really do agree with others that an intermediate step would really be valuable.   We all need a bright star in the sky that we can touch.

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, abbydancer said:

I'm just happy that barring any changes, I'll make Elite next year.  Zenith is way out of reach.

Congratulations on being close to hitting Elite.   The benefits will really be nice for you.   I think the laundry and pressing benefits are especially welcomed. 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

12 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

No river cruise has entertainment that is anything like the production shows on ocean cruises; they also don't have casinos.  But if you can get beyond that, there is much to appreciate:  no rough seas, no tender ports, land always in sight [on both sides!], docking right in the center of towns that ocean ships can't get near.  If you value top-notch cuisine, I would recommend that you try either AmaWaterways or Crystal River.  In fact, as a transition from ocean cruising, Crystal may be the best option – their river Cruise Directors have been transferred from their ocean ships, so the entertainment is the closest thing to an ocean cruise.  But AMA has many more itineraries – and on three AMA cruises we were never disappointed.

 

We could definitely be comfortable since we rarely go to the production shows any longer and I rarely even gable unless we have some free promotional chips.  

 

Oops -  don't tell Iain I'm softening on the idea of a River Cruise. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

November7, 2018

 

Yesterday was as really busy day.    I went to a Destination presentation in Michael's Club at 10:30.    Fantastic presentation.

 

My favorite part was the presentation she made on the modifications to the Millennium when she goes into dry dock.   She had before and after pictures of all of the Suites and Staterooms.    After each After picture you would hear a Ohhhhhh…. Ahhhhh.   They also showed pictures before and after of Main Dining Room, Michael's Club and Ocean View Café.

 

The design is very modern, lots of light, light colors and most if not all of the heavy wood look will be removed.  

 

Really surprised they have not published them (or maybe I missed them).   

[Jim_Iain]

Following the first presentation was one on Excursions for the ports we will be visiting and which tours were still open for booking.   

 

Following this they had the Captain's Club reception.    Due to the number of Elite and Above they broke it up into two events.    Zenith's were met in Michael's Club and escorted to Sky Lounge by Richard before the doors were open and were seated around the stage.  Very nice presentation.

 

We then had a meeting with the Future Cruise Manage to make our bookings for 2020 - 2021.  

[Jim_Iain]

To finish off our day, Marsha had invited us to join her for a Birthday dinner at Le Petite Chef.  I searched all over the ship to find a Birthday Card to no avail.   Vanessa, MCC, volunteered make us one.   In addition to the card she sent a bottle of wine and birthday cake to Qsine.  Very festive with the whole dining room singing Happy Birthday.

 

 

 

 

Here's a video clip of the Petite Chef  preparing the Bouillabaisse.

 

https://youtu.be/X21vG9Tt_ho

 

 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2018 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Food and Service excellent but sommelier was terrible.   I had to get up and refill glasses myself.   One sommelier for a fixed paced dinner just doesn’t work. 

[ecslady]

43 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

November7, 2018

 

Yesterday was as really busy day.    I went to a Destination presentation in Michael's Club at 10:30.    Fantastic presentation.

 

My favorite part was the presentation she made on the modifications to the Millennium when she goes into dry dock.   She had before and after pictures of all of the Suites and Staterooms.    After each After picture you would hear a Ohhhhhh…. Ahhhhh.   They also showed pictures before and after of Main Dining Room, Michael's Club and Ocean View Café.

 

The design is very modern, lots of light, light colors and most if not all of the heavy wood look will be removed.  

 

Really surprised they have not published them (or maybe I missed them).   

 

Can you elaborate a bit on what they are changing in the cabins?  Carpeting, bedding most likely,  but are they doing anything to the furniture? 

Edited November 7, 2018 by ecslady

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

[JustinAllen]

How did you like La Petite Chef?  We will be boarding the Silhouette on Nov 30th!

[Jim_Iain]

5 minutes ago, ecslady said:

 

Can you elaborate a bit on what they are changing in the cabins?  Carpeting, bedding most likely,  but are they doing anything to the furniture? 

 

100% change.   The cabins are modular and they will be pulling out the old one and slipping in the new ones.  New carpet, chairs, Furniture linens light fixtures.   She will basically look like a new ship. All cabins in all classes will be updated.  Also the edge class verandas with the infinity decks will be installed.   Also Petite Chef will be installed. 

 

 

 

the new dining room and theaters will be changed out with new furniture and Chandeliers.  

 

They will Also be install a suited only retreat on Sports Deck Forward with hot tub, loungers and suites only bar. 

 

Also so the hull will be painted dark blue like original color scheme.