CHICAGOPAUL LIVE!!!!! 15 Night Bering Sea & Japan TRANSPACIFIC CRUISE - LIVE BLOG

[h20cruzer]

38 minutes ago, chicagopaul said:

 

They did. I literally just saw the charge on our TV. 

I am not a wine drinker, but a friend of mine opens the wine in her room and pours a glass to take to dinner. Just a thought.

[dhream]

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? 

Edited September 11, 2019 by dhream
Sp.

[chicagopaul]

11 minutes ago, dhream said:

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? 

 

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. 

[chicagopaul]

This afternoon was the slot pull. We had a total of 35 people signed up. $15 buy in. I think most seemed to show up. We started with a more standard machine (not sure the exact name). We made it through 3 spins for everyone and had $189 or so left. Didn’t make too much sense to split that with everyone so we voted to keep going until we won’t a jackpot of some sort or finished off the money. 

 

The decision was then then made to switch machines and we ended up on the Marilyn Monroe machine which was a bit more interactive. I was hoping to report we won a huge jackpot but....we did not. We left with our heads held high though haha. 

 

 

 

This afternoon I played some blackjack. Only for about 40 minutes or so. $5 tables so couldn’t lose much. I ended up being up $50 but have that back and walked away for the slot pull when I was back at even. So if you’re keeping score I’m up $45 so far. 

 

Well it is 5 to 6pm here. I am going to jump in the shower and get ready for the martini bar. Our cruise friends Eric and Stephanie were gracious enough to invite us to join them in Luminae this evening for dinner so we are very much looking forward to that. 

[dhream]

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?

[chicagopaul]

28 minutes ago, dhream said:

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?

 

Automatically ready to go. All you have to do for the internet is connect to the celebrity WiFi. Then a login screen will appear. You will click create account and enter your folio number (number on your sea pass card) and your birthdate. You’ll then create a user name and you’ll see the package linked to your account and you’ll choose to “purchase” the free package listed and you’re all good to go. From that point on if you have to log back in you just enter the user name and pin you created the first time and you’re set. 

 

Premium drink package is linked to your card. I’d you have premium alcohol package you’ll see PALL on the front of your card. If you have a classic alcohol package you’ll see CALL on the front of your card, etc. 

 

If you buy any dining packages those will be linked to your account and any restaurant host can confirm for you how many nights you have, help you make reservations, etc. 

[Maisyboo]

ok ... I can't take it . You eat & drink like a king . Yet you are so slim ! Give up the secret?. 

Please😁

[chicagopaul]

5 hours ago, Maisyboo said:

ok ... I can't take it . You eat & drink like a king . Yet you are so slim ! Give up the secret?. 

Please😁

 

😂😂 some bizarre metabolism but it seems to be working well! Haha 

[spammie]

8 hours ago, Maisyboo said:

ok ... I can't take it . You eat & drink like a king . Yet you are so slim ! Give up the secret?. 

Please😁

YOUTH!!!  :) 

[jcpc]

You guys looked really sharp on Chic night.  I love Edward’s tie.

Edited September 11, 2019 by jcpc

[cangelmd]

On 9/9/2019 at 10:29 PM, chicagopaul said:

We are bringing a bottle of wine to dinner in Blu tonight. I guess we will find out what the corkage fee is. We are opening a 2012 SLV which we are excited about. 

 

 

I may have missed it Paul, but what was the corkage fee? I read somewhere that if you open the bottle in your room there is no corkage fee? I don't begin to understand that unless you drink all but one glass and bring that glass into dinner??? Certainly a great bottle like the Stag's Leap that needs to be decanted,  a corkage is reasonable - although if the sommelier tastes as they should, that might be a fair trade, LOL!

Have a great cruise, as we say in the medical field, "signing off, following at a distance"

[surething]

On 9/6/2019 at 3:02 PM, chicagopaul said:

 

Simple to do. Start by creating an account with MLife and get an MLife number. It’s free you can do it online. Then call MLife and say you want a reciprocal match with your Captains Club Celebrity Cruises status. They’ll do it over the phone. Then you will have Platinum status with MLife. Login to your MLife account and I believe you should see something about Hyatt listed online and you can match it blind. Y entering your Hyatt number. Don’t do the reverse since the reverse (going through Hyatt to match your Hyatt status) will downgrade your MLife. Then once you get that Hyatt explorist you can take it one step further and look for an American Airlines match if you want American status. They’re doing a 120 day or 90 day gold status match with Hyatt and if you meet a low level spend / mileage requirement you’ll have gold on American for the following year. 

Paul,

  I'm a long-time lurker,  but my first-time entering the conversation.   Love & always read your blogs.  I want to thank you for the MLife suggestion.   We ended up with gold MLife status & we got $125.00 shipboard credit.  It was so easy to add to our existing TA cruise scheduled for Nov of this year.  After we got our MLife number & status, I called Celebrity & got the credit added to our invoice.  Twenty minutes later I got a new invoice with the credit.   I'm always surprised when things are as easy as they should be.    Thank you for all the valuable information you share with everyone.   Barbara

 

[sawyershane]

On 9/5/2019 at 4:28 PM, chicagopaul said:

 

We are doing Hawaii to Vancouver in the spring on the Eclipse. 

Ahh we are doing the Vancouver to Hawaii April 10th. Love your blogs would have been nice if you were doing the other way around.😃

[CruiseDad-NYC]

Thank for writing this great blog.  A long transpacific or TA is on my bucket list, and this voyage has caught my eye before. I would love to have long, lazy days at sea where I could really enjoy the ship.  What is the general age range of the passengers? And how rough are the seas?  Thanks!

Edited September 11, 2019 by CruiseDad-NYC

[silkismom]

I just joined MLife, got my number, they were on hold with Celebrity for a long time, but then said I was a platinum. Next called Celebrity Cabins club line, not as long a hold, she said to call another number, I did, now she is calling MLife back to check my number.  Phewww nothing is easy with me, but worth it if we can get some OBC for our Nov Caribbean cruise. 

[sawyershane]

On 9/6/2019 at 2:28 PM, chicagopaul said:

Well from drop off at 10:30 via taxi ($8.75 cost) to walking on the ship it was a total of about 35 minutes. Check in was a breeze. Security took about 5 minutes and customs took a little bit longer just waiting for an open machine but very smooth and efficient overall. 

 

We grabbed our room keys and we are currently sitting at the Sunset bar with our first drink on board. 

 

 

You are very versed in getting around Van Couver. We have a private car from airport to the Best Western Cheateau Granville for 4 and lots of luggage $57us. What is your suggestion for hotel to port. Should we just get taxi’s? They do not have a shuttle.

[chicagopaul]

On 9/9/2019 at 5:30 PM, jcpc said:

Paul,

I'm so glad you're doing another "Live From" report.  I really enjoy your style of reporting and your pictures.  I'm following along.

One of my favorite bartenders is working on the ship......Reddy from Indonesia.  I see you've already met him at the Sunset Bar.  Please say hello to him from Janice, Rita and Debra (who always sail on Summit).  Thank you.

 

 

Reddy says hello back!! 

[chicagopaul]

Let’s start with the Daily before we go into last night. I’m shivering here at Sunset bar. It’s not the warmest day! 

 

 

 

 

 

[chicagopaul]

Last night we arrived at the martini bar just before 7 as usual. We had our usual martini then ordered a second. Chatted with friends and went off to dinner in Luminae with Eric and Stephanie and another lovely couple as well. They were nice enough to invite us to Luminae and it was a lovely dinner. Service was extremely prompt and professional. The table was perfectly set up and they had a routine for our friends that was executed well. 

 

Eric loves his different sauces / hot sauces and they had the table set up with his sauces he brought from home which I thought was pretty cool. 

 

We had the grilled octopus to start which was phenomenal. Great char, very fresh tasting and beautiful presentation. 

 

For an entree we both had the short ribs. Gorgeous presentation and impeccably prepared. They’re really executing their short ribs well this cruise. It was a lot of meat as well. See below! 

 

 

For dessert I had the chocolate tart and an espresso. Very rich and tasty. 

 

 

 

[chicagopaul]

This morning we woke up early to some rocking. It’s not rough weather by any means but there is definitely good movement today. I love it. Reminds us we are on a ship. It is enough movement to have them drain the pools however. 

 

Let me back track to last night. After dinner we had a drink in Cellar Masters with our friends. We then made our way to the casino where I made a nice donation to Celebrity via the blackjack table. We had a fun table and everyone knew how to play correctly but just as important it was fun conversation and a truly fun table. Edward proceeded to bed and I stayed up for a nightcap with Amitava at the casino bar. He was closing up the bar and he saw me walking up. I had planned a drink but when I saw him packing up I went to just tell him goodnight but he could tell I was walking up for a drink so he insisted I stay for one and that it was no problem at all. So I kept him company while he packed up the bar. 

[chicagopaul]

Today is obviously September 11th and 18 years since the infamous attacks. Celebrity held a moment of silence at 10am on board and had the American flag hanging in the grand foyer this morning which I thought was a nice respectful touch. It’s just another reminder that tomorrow is not promised for any of us and how important it is for us to appreciate what we have and those around us. The fact that we even woke up this morning means we have it far better than many. 

 

On that note I’d like to say that we’ve met some really wonderful people on this cruise. On many cruises we meet people but this sailing particularly we’ve been very grateful for the people we’ve met and the friendliness of all the passengers in general. 

 

It’s currently 11am here as I type this. We skipped breakfast in Blu today and instead had breakfast in the Buffett. The scrambled eggs I had were a bit cold. Definitely not as good as Blu. The bacon from one station was pretty greasy but from another was perfectly crispy with just the right amount of grease. The breakfast sausage were warm and I had a hash brown square that was actually pretty tasty. We also had some coffee from the Buffett. It was definitely hot! It’s not the best coffee in the buffet but it’s not bad. It gets the job done. 

 

We then went out to the sunset bar and had a drink. It was chilly but we had blankets outside. One drink in the cold was enough. Right now we are having a nice hot pot of tea, African Solstice, in Bacio while I update this blog. We’re sitting here watching the waves outside and people walk by. Every few minutes someone we know walks by and we exchange pleasantries and ask about last nights dinner. Such a perfect day at sea. 

 

 

[Covepointcruiser]

I will head to the local wine store ASAP to get this wine at $40.   It is the SLV 2012.

they have always said that the prices in DC were the best, now I will believe it.   Will buy all they have.

[hcat]

Glad to hear they noted 9 11

I started a thread as to what was done in X ships. May I add your para to that   with credit of course  ?

........

 

That's one of my fav teas....esp at Baccio

[wrk2cruise]

3 hours ago, silkismom said:

I just joined MLife, got my number, they were on hold with Celebrity for a long time, but then said I was a platinum. Next called Celebrity Cabins club line, not as long a hold, she said to call another number, I did, now she is calling MLife back to check my number.  Phewww nothing is easy with me, but worth it if we can get some OBC for our Nov Caribbean cruise. 

 

So if you match your status to M-Life you can then use that status to get OBC on Celebrity each booking?  I did see in the info that you have to apply the M-Life benefit at time of booking.   I have some upcoming sailings booked long ago,  are they strict about this?   I also read that you can use either your M-Life status or Captains Club status not both and you must decide at booking.  What does that mean?  If I take the OBC I can't use my Elite or Elite+ etc benefits?  Or is it accumulate Blue Chip OR M-Life credits?

 

Edited September 12, 2019 by wrk2cruise

[chicagopaul]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

Glad to hear they noted 9 11

I started a thread as to what was done in X ships. May I add your para to that   with credit of course  ?

........

 

That's one of my fav teas....esp at Baccio

 

Of course! 

 

And yes, Edward was the first to order the tea and it really is fantastic.