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

[UKPete71]

We are also sailing on this cruise.

 

23 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Hurricane season ends on November 1, but with global warming the world of weather is changing. 

 

I thought Hurricane season ended on 30 November? Oscar should be downgraded to a storm before we sail on Saturday, so I'm sure we'll be fine. We have done this itinerary before, on Eclipse in 2015. I believe 2014 was the last time the itinerary changed due to the weather, with the ship diverting to the Azores, thus arriving late in to Boston. Bermuda was then dropped from the itinerary.

 

I blogged the two TAs we did on Reflection last year and had planned to for this one, but I won't be setting up a separate thread as you will be blogging. I'm sure my wife will be happy as it'll mean I'll be spending less time on CC during the crossing. 

[bigbeergut]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thank you for sharing the map.  I agree that we would not walk to the Terminal with our suite cases.   I was planning on using Uber.    Have you ever used it?    I checked the other day and it appears that Uber is active in Southampton.   If now I'll use a cab.

 

 

Will you be using an international data and calling plan to access the Uber app and allow the driver to call you?  If not I'd probably stick with a taxi.

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, UKPete71 said:

We are also sailing on this cruise.

 

 

I thought Hurricane season ended on 30 November? Oscar should be downgraded to a storm before we sail on Saturday, so I'm sure we'll be fine. We have done this itinerary before, on Eclipse in 2015. I believe 2014 was the last time the itinerary changed due to the weather, with the ship diverting to the Azores, thus arriving late in to Boston. Bermuda was then dropped from the itinerary.

 

You are correct that the Season ends at the end of November.   From what I'm seeing is the center of the storm should be north of Scotland by the weekend.   Will be interesting to see how the seas will be.  When looking at the wave height forecast for Next Sunday looks to be bit rough with 3-6 meter waves.  

 

I know the ship will be safe and the Captain will do everything possible to minimize.   

 

 

1 hour ago, UKPete71 said:

I blogged the two TAs we did on Reflection last year and had planned to for this one, but I won't be setting up a separate thread as you will be blogging. I'm sure my wife will be happy as it'll mean I'll be spending less time on CC during the crossing. 

Please don't let my blog prevent you from blogging.   I'm sure your perspective will be very different than mine and others would love to hear from you.    Also feel free to drop in things here if you choose. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, bigbeergut said:

Will you be using an international data and calling plan to access the Uber app and allow the driver to call you?  If not I'd probably stick with a taxi.

 

Yes I will have both Voice and Data active.   I use T-Mobile and they offer free Text and Data worldwide.   The reduce you speed to 3g limits but is fine for both browsing the web, Uber and Navigation.   I've pretty much used it all over the world with great success.   

 

 

[gerelmx]

Jim I use this site for  Sailing Weather Forecasts 

PassageWeather.com specialises in Sailing Weather Forecasts, and was developed out of the need for reliable, easy to use weather information... We provide 7-day Wind, Wave and Weather Forecasts to help sailors with their passage planning and weather routing.

Both before and during deliveries, ocean races, regattas, cruises and all other types of offshore passages, we have your whole route covered.

https://www.passageweather.com/

[Jim_Iain]

38 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

Jim I use this site for  Sailing Weather Forecasts 

PassageWeather.com specialises in Sailing Weather Forecasts, and was developed out of the need for reliable, easy to use weather information... We provide 7-day Wind, Wave and Weather Forecasts to help sailors with their passage planning and weather routing.

Both before and during deliveries, ocean races, regattas, cruises and all other types of offshore passages, we have your whole route covered.

https://www.passageweather.com/

Thanks -  that's a great site that I haven't visited before.   A week out it looks like we may dodge the heaviest seas by a day.   It's always interesting to watch how things proceed as we get closer to departure.

 

[KikisDad]

Jim, thanks for taking us with you again, this looks like an interesting itinerary, enjoy. 

[az4ship]

I love your blogging for cruises. I have a TA on my bucket list. 

[abbydancer2003]

10 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Fantastic -  Welcome neighbor.    I'm sure we must be close.    I live off of Mary at Central Expressway.   The center line off Mary is the line between Sunnyvale and Mountain View.   

 

I walk from here most days down to Castro Street in Mountain View, grab a coffee at Starbucks and back home.   I usually also walk down there on Sundays to the Farmer's Market - Yum..

We're closer to Palo Alto, at the Ortega end of the original Old Mill.  I've walked to that Starbucks.  

 

I'm gonna throw this out there - I'd love to  meet you in person someday, have coffee, and learn secrets of Celebrity (and just talk cruising).

 

 

[cadburysmom]

Jim, thanks for writing this blog and congrats on making Zenith!

 

I'm another who'll be joining you on this crossing and reading all the comments from you and others has been incredibly helpful.  Must say Tropical Storm Oscar is making me a bit nervous. Not because of the cruise itself as I'm sure the captain will keep the ship safe, but in looking at your map, I'll be flying directly across its path Thursday night JFK - London Heathrow. 

Btw, I also scored Delta One business class at similar price using Choice Air.  Nothing like being able to fully recline on an overnight and crossing fingers the weather won't cause havoc on flights. Wondering if you're worried about the same as I believe you're leaving Thursday as well.  But then again, having survived 2 typhoons, weathering this storm will be more like a cake walk for you. 😉

 

Thanks again and hope to meet you and Iain(love that spelling) onboard!

 

Mariah

[upwarduk]

13 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

Even shorter; just four hours this week between Toronto and the UK, as the Brits are now back on standard time.  😉

 

Yes, we put the clocks back on Sat. Oct 27, now on GMT, light by 7 am, but dark at 5 pm. 🤣

[upwarduk]

16 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thank you for sharing the map.  I agree that we would not walk to the Terminal with our suite cases.   I was planning on using Uber.    Have you ever used it?    I checked the other day and it appears that Uber is active in Southampton.   If now I'll use a cab.

 

 

We have never used Uber, but in the summer we used Radio Taxis Southampton Ltd. They were very efficient, with us within 5 minutes, when I rang from the port on our return 07.07.18. We were sent a text 2 minutes after ordering them, giving us the colour of the taxi, make and licence plate. As I looked up after reading the text, they were pulling up along side us.

 

On our last TA, we went from Southampton to Montreal ( on Azamara Quest) As we sailed west from Cork, Tropical Storm Ian was forecast. The Captain took a more southerly route, sailing close to the Azores to avoid the eye of the storm. Other ships in the region sailed due west and had stormy seas for 3 days. We just endured one evening, as our Captain turned north for St John’s Newfoundland. 

Edited October 29, 2018 by upwarduk

[Jim_Iain]

On ‎10‎/‎28‎/‎2018 at 6:57 AM, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Following your current adventure.  Have a great cruise and congratulations on making Zenith.

Thank you Chez Mary Lou.   I couldn't help but notice you were from Pittsburg.    What a sad weekend and troubling to see that someone could slaughter innocent people.  Our hearts and support are with you, your family and community.

[Jim_Iain]

14 hours ago, KikisDad said:

Jim, thanks for taking us with you again, this looks like an interesting itinerary, enjoy. 

 

Really glad that you will be following along.    The itinerary was the main reason we booked this particular cruise.   It will be a lot of fun exploring our own country a little.   In a quest to find something new we have been thinking of taking the Fall Color New England and Canada cruise.   

[Jim_Iain]

14 hours ago, az4ship said:

I love your blogging for cruises. I have a TA on my bucket list. 

 

I think you would really enjoy a TA.  About the only negative is that their aren't any Perks given on re-positioning cruises, but the advantage is they are usually priced much lower than other cruises.   

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, abbydancer said:

We're closer to Palo Alto, at the Ortega end of the original Old Mill.  I've walked to that Starbucks.  

 

I'm gonna throw this out there - I'd love to  meet you in person someday, have coffee, and learn secrets of Celebrity (and just talk cruising).

 

 

Know the area well.   Would love to meet you also.   I can't say I'm an expert on Celebrity and definitely learn new things almost daily here at CC.

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, cadburysmom said:

Jim, thanks for writing this blog and congrats on making Zenith!

 

I'm another who'll be joining you on this crossing and reading all the comments from you and others has been incredibly helpful.  Must say Tropical Storm Oscar is making me a bit nervous. Not because of the cruise itself as I'm sure the captain will keep the ship safe, but in looking at your map, I'll be flying directly across its path Thursday night JFK - London Heathrow. 

Btw, I also scored Delta One business class at similar price using Choice Air.  Nothing like being able to fully recline on an overnight and crossing fingers the weather won't cause havoc on flights. Wondering if you're worried about the same as I believe you're leaving Thursday as well.  But then again, having survived 2 typhoons, weathering this storm will be more like a cake walk for you. 😉

 

Thanks again and hope to meet you and Iain(love that spelling) onboard!

 

Mariah

Mariah -

It's great to hear that you will also be aboard.    I checked last night to see if I had signed up for the Connections Party.    Happily I was already signed up and it sent an e-mail indicating there are now 220 people signed up.  

 

Honestly, don't worry about your flight.    The airlines have great latitude in selecting a course that will give us passengers a smooth ride.   It can be interesting to check your flight on Flightaware and see the flight path they have planned and look at some flights a couple days before.  

 

Latest I have seen is that Hurricane Oscar will strengthen today to a cat 2 but will dissipate to a Tropical Storm by Thursday.  As it hits colder water the storm will quickly fall apart. 

 

We are also flying on Thursday but being on the West Coast and connecting in Paris will probably really be behind you.   Because of Choice Air we have flown enough Delta to qualify for Metal on them.    As a high end United flyer, I have to admit I am VERY IMPRESSED with Delta internationally.   Domestically I think I still prefer United.  

 

 

[gerelmx]

11 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I think you would really enjoy a TA.  About the only negative is that their aren't any Perks given on re-positioning cruises, but the advantage is they are usually priced much lower than other cruises.   

 

There are several post that X is offering the perks when you book the TA onboard. I'm planning to repeat the New England and Canada cruise in 2020 I want that my dear Lupita do the missing cruise.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

23 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thank you Chez Mary Lou.   I couldn't help but notice you were from Pittsburg.    What a sad weekend and troubling to see that someone could slaughter innocent people.  Our hearts and support are with you, your family and community.

Thank you.

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, upwarduk said:

We have never used Uber, but in the summer we used Radio Taxis Southampton Ltd. They were very efficient, with us within 5 minutes, when I rang from the port on our return 07.07.18. We were sent a text 2 minutes after ordering them, giving us the colour of the taxi, make and licence plate. As I looked up after reading the text, they were pulling up along side us.

 

On our last TA, we went from Southampton to Montreal ( on Azamara Quest) As we sailed west from Cork, Tropical Storm Ian was forecast. The Captain took a more southerly route, sailing close to the Azores to avoid the eye of the storm. Other ships in the region sailed due west and had stormy seas for 3 days. We just endured one evening, as our Captain turned north for St John’s Newfoundland. 

 

I jotted down Radio Taxis Southampton just in case.   I really am addicted to using Lyft and Uber.   What I like about it is that even before you book the app shows how long it will take for your taxi to arrive and shows all the cars moving around on a little map.   You enter your destination and it calculates the fare and gives you choices of everything from a Shared Ride to a Black Limousine.  

 

Once you  request a ride it pops up a picture of the Driver, Car and License number and then you can watch the car on a map as it makes its way to your pickup place.   At the end you can Tip is you wish and everything is automatically charged to your credit card so cash is never required.  Also prices are usually about 30% lower than a taxi. 

 

The other aspect I like is that the drivers own their own cars and they are beautifully cleaned and well maintained.    At least in our area when you get a cab some of the cars are not what I would consider clean or even in safe condition.  

[Jim_Iain]

6 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

 

There are several post that X is offering the perks when you book the TA onboard. I'm planning to repeat the New England and Canada cruise in 2020 I want that my dear Lupita do the missing cruise.

 

I am sure you are right.   I think Celebrity may be rolling out some perks to increase bookings.   I booked a TA while onboard and they tossed in an OBC and free tips for an east bound TA.  

 

I am sure that Lupita must have been so disappointed to have missed your last cruise.  To fly all that way only to be returned home because of a damaged visa seems cruel.  I'm not sure if you followed one of my blogs where I showed up at the airport to discover I forgot my backpack with Passport.     I sent Iain on with all the Luggage and I was able to book my flights on a different airline and arrived 2 hours after him in Rome.   At first I didn't know if I was going to make the departure. 

[Jim_Iain]

Monday, October 29, 2018

It is surprising how quickly the cruise is approaching when you get down to the last week.   I don't think we have a lot to do but do have a number of things to do.

 

Top of the list is getting haircuts.

 

We also need to get a new carry-on bag.   The last one started to tear apart on our last flight home.  

 

The only other thing I can think of is picking up our Shirts and Dry Cleaning.  

 

I have the suite case out (ok - I never put it away from our last cruise).  Packing will probably begin on Wednesday.   Over the years we have worked on paring down our packing.   Our current strategy is to pack for 1/2 of the number of days of a cruise and have laundry done by the ship.   Now that we get unlimited free laundry we should find no problems.    I'm pretty sure I will toss in some extra sweaters for this cruise.  

 

One advantage of being a male couple of about  the same size, we can swap off our clothing for a different look.  LOL.    As I always say when I want to wear one of Iain's shirts,   It's not yours its Ours (Community Property).  

 

[gerelmx]

I see your post in Ron's review, maybe I can help a little

A quick review of my stop at Boston:

I take the ship full day tour named Best of Boston, Lexington and Concord. First stop was at Copley Square where we see the Trinity Church and John Hancock Tower, then we go yo Harvard University. The third stop was at Lexington and later we go to Minute Man National Historic Park, after the visit to the park we go to lunch at the Union Oyster House to finish in the Freedom Trial. I can add that the guide is a professional and he knows very well the history, I will repeat this tour with Lupita

[cadburysmom]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Mariah -

It's great to hear that you will also be aboard.    I checked last night to see if I had signed up for the Connections Party.    Happily I was already signed up and it sent an e-mail indicating there are now 220 people signed up.  

 

Honestly, don't worry about your flight.    The airlines have great latitude in selecting a course that will give us passengers a smooth ride.   It can be interesting to check your flight on Flightaware and see the flight path they have planned and look at some flights a couple days before.  

 

Latest I have seen is that Hurricane Oscar will strengthen today to a cat 2 but will dissipate to a Tropical Storm by Thursday.  As it hits colder water the storm will quickly fall apart. 

 

We are also flying on Thursday but being on the West Coast and connecting in Paris will probably really be behind you.   Because of Choice Air we have flown enough Delta to qualify for Metal on them.    As a high end United flyer, I have to admit I am VERY IMPRESSED with Delta internationally.   Domestically I think I still prefer United.  

 

 

Thank you for the reassurance about my upcoming flight.  I just got off the phone with Delta who basically said the same.  Looks like I just might make it after all. 😉 Thanks also for recommending Flightaware...great website...will definitely come in handy on future travels.

 

Mariah

[Jim_Iain]

3 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

I see your post in Ron's review, maybe I can help a little

A quick review of my stop at Boston:

I take the ship full day tour named Best of Boston, Lexington and Concord. First stop was at Copley Square where we see the Trinity Church and John Hancock Tower, then we go yo Harvard University. The third stop was at Lexington and later we go to Minute Man National Historic Park, after the visit to the park we go to lunch at the Union Oyster House to finish in the Freedom Trial. I can add that the guide is a professional and he knows very well the history, I will repeat this tour with Lupita

 

Thanks for all the beautiful pictures.    I especially like the one with the reflections from the glass.     Looks like a fun day for sure and will consider the tour.   We have a tendency of avoiding ships tours unless we have a lot of Non-Refundable OBC's.   

 

For some reason we always get a tour where there is at least one party that always shows up late and force the remainder of us to wait.   On our last cruise on one tour, there was a group of 15 from India that were late at every stop.  At the last stop we waited for 40 minutes before the tour director, who was in a panic, called her company and we were forced to leave them behind.

 

They were extremely rude through out the tour actually yelling at the guide to slow down and wait for them because a couple of them had mobility issues.    The tour clearly indicated that it was not appropriate for people with mobility issues.   I am sure I am not being politically correct but was not upset that they were left behind.