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

[chicagopaul]

3 hours ago, sawyershane said:

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.

 

We have had very good luck with Taxis in Vancouver but they can be hard to come by especially at peak times. If you have a lot of luggage you can just have your hotel staff arrange a pick up for you and make sure it is a van or perhaps two taxis. There some traffic / gridlock near the port but traffic elsewhere in the city is completely fine. 

[TommyD3]

1 hour ago, chicagopaul said:

 

Of course! 

 

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

Glad they have the African Solstice onboard ML. They were out on EQ two weeks ago (basically the whole cruise). According to the internet the manufacturer cannot keep up with demand !!!

[Cali Viajera]

Your new profile pic is great! Love reading your blog!

[chicagopaul]

As it is morning for much of the US and early afternoon for Europe I figured I’d give you a quick update before heading to bed. 

 

We are calling it an early night as tomorrow is the dateline party and I think we will drink more tomorrow than we should! We had dinner in Blu and sat with our friends (table of 7). We had some good wine, very good food tonight, listened to a few songs in rendezvous lounge and then hit the casino. 

 

The weather is still a bit rocky tonight. Every now and then the ship feels like it hits a large wave. The ongoing joke is that we hit a whale. 

 

Ill do a mid cruise update tomorrow as just after tomorrow marks the half way point of the cruise. I can’t believe it’s almost half way over! Tomorrow is Thursday and tonight we gain another hour. We also gain another tomorrow but when we go to bed tomorrow we cross the date line and wake up to Saturday, so we lose Friday. That should be an interesting experience! 

[surething]

11 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

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?

 

We didn't match our M-Life at booking.  We actually booked  the cruise 10 months ago.  We saw the same thing about applying for the ship-board credit at booking but I called anyway.   I figured they could always say no but if we didn't ask we wouldn't get it.  I agree the credit was confusing.   We used our Captains Club number when we booked since we didn't a a M-Life number then.  Although we are Elite+ we tied the M-Life to our Chase card not our Captains Club.   Pleasant surprise we got bumped up to Premium Plus on AA returning from Europe in June which was from a bonus from Chase (Explorist) .  

 

 

[awhfy]

1 hour ago, chicagopaul said:

As it is morning for much of the US and early afternoon for Europe I figured I’d give you a quick update before heading to bed. 

 

We are calling it an early night as tomorrow is the dateline party and I think we will drink more tomorrow than we should! We had dinner in Blu and sat with our friends (table of 7). We had some good wine, very good food tonight, listened to a few songs in rendezvous lounge and then hit the casino. 

 

The weather is still a bit rocky tonight. Every now and then the ship feels like it hits a large wave. The ongoing joke is that we hit a whale. 

 

Ill do a mid cruise update tomorrow as just after tomorrow marks the half way point of the cruise. I can’t believe it’s almost half way over! Tomorrow is Thursday and tonight we gain another hour. We also gain another tomorrow but when we go to bed tomorrow we cross the date line and wake up to Saturday, so we lose Friday. That should be an interesting experience! 

Friday the 13th, interesting day to lose

[maggie.1008]

We have always received our M Life OBC and our Elite Plus benefits. Years ago they would put a star on your room key and you could have free drinks anytime the Casino bar was opened. They also comp`d you a specialty dining of your choice. However you did not receive any OBC. It can be a bit of a challenge to set up Celebrity, MLife, Hyatt and American Airlines as they are all partners. 

[silkismom]

I had no idea what M Life was before this thread. The lady at Celebrity that I talked to yesterday that was trying to settle my OBC probably found out that I had just opened an M Life account, anyhow, she didn't call back yesterday. How do I check my account to see if any OBC was added? 

[cmhdoogalsatsea]

13 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

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?

 

Although from posts on here it sounds like some folks are achieving that, officially it's not the case.  " Captain’s Club members that received their M life Rewards tier status through our partnership Tier Match program are not eligible to receive onboard M life Rewards benefits. " (sourse: https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/casino/m-life-partnerships)

 

I'm Celebrity Elite + and Mlife Gold..I haven't used the status match to Mlife Platinum because I didn't want to miss out on the OBC (and actually status matched the Mlife from Caesars TotalRewardsDiamond.)  Now that it's sounding like they're being more generous, I might risk it.

db

 

PS Paul, MANY thanks for another great trip report!

[stavy]

Ok. I’m having a hard time understanding the Mlife/celebrity benefits. So yesterday I called Mlife to match my elite+ status on celebrity. They called celebrity and said we were now platinum with Mlife. We have few if any points on Mlife from gambling. Do we get any benefits sailing on celebrity?  Thanks for your help!  

PS. Love following along on the live blog. Are considering doing this cruise next year

[DiamondDiva]

Just off Millenium before you, in a Sky Suite.  We loved our Luminae experience and received some of the best service and food we have had in several SS experiences.  So happy you enjoyed  it as well. 

 

Love all your live  blogs.  Thanks for doing them...we all learn something from your experiences and photos.

 

Say hello to my hometown for me when you return.  My spouse grew up in the area where you now live (if I remember a post from a prior trip report correctly), while I am a NW side girl!

[silkismom]

I just got a nice email from the lady I talked to yesterday at Celebrity concerning MLife OBC, she tried to call but our phone showed "disconnected" interesting since a lot of spam junk gets thru. Anyway we are not eligible--probably because our MLife just started, and we really are not gamblers, just a little slots now & then, since the casinos are finally no smoking.

[wrk2cruise]

4 hours ago, cmhdoogalsatsea said:

Although from posts on here it sounds like some folks are achieving that, officially it's not the case.  " Captain’s Club members that received their M life Rewards tier status through our partnership Tier Match program are not eligible to receive onboard M life Rewards benefits. " (sourse: https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/casino/m-life-partnerships)

 

I'm Celebrity Elite + and Mlife Gold..I haven't used the status match to Mlife Platinum because I didn't want to miss out on the OBC (and actually status matched the Mlife from Caesars TotalRewardsDiamond.)  Now that it's sounding like they're being more generous, I might risk it.

db

 

PS Paul, MANY thanks for another great trip report!

 

Not trying to hijack ChicagoPaul's wonderful cruise blog with questions on M-Life tier match.  This restriction makes total sense that only people who earn their M-Life status (not tier matched) get the benefits so I won't even try.

 

Thanks to ChicagoPaul for explaining the Captains Club -> M-Life -> Hyatt match for people to take advantage of.

 

I won't distract this thread on the M-life subject anymore.

 

I'd love to sail with these wonderful friendly people some time in the future.

Edited September 12, 2019 by wrk2cruise

[chicagopaul]

Good Morning (at least for us 9:45am here) from the Millennium sunset bar. We just had breakfast in Blu but first let’s discuss yesterday. 

 

Yesterday was another wonderful sea day. Our afternoon was spent in the casino and in the room. It was a rainy chilly day as I had mentioned. Pools closed and lower level outside decks on 5 were closed. The ship definitely had some movement but we enjoy that. It’s a nice reminder we are on the ship. Today there still is movement and it’s still cool in the low 50s but the sun is shining bright and it feels warmer in the sun. 

 

There were lots of random things on board yesterday from guest speakers throughout the day to plenty of live music in the afternoon and evening. 

 

We we had our usual drink at the martini bar before dinner. The bar was not crowded at all. I’m not sure if the movement kept people in their cabins but not many people were out and about as usual. 

 

We had dinner in Blu and dined with Nina and our new friends (her friends who she cruises with). We had a great meal and great conversation. Service was prompt and the food we had was great. We all had two appetizers, some escargot for the table to share, one entree and some dessert. 

 

Lets start with the menu 

 

 

 

 

Edward and I both had the snow crab to start followed by the clam chowder. The snow crab was excellent. The chowder was good and seasoned correctly. I’ve noticed salt to be lacking a bit in Blu but not the case with the chowder. 

 

For our our entree we had the lamb shank which was massive and very good and well seasoned. Some fat throughout exactly as you’d want it. 

 

For dessert we we had some peanut butter ice cream which was phenomenal. Very basic but very good. I do recommend it. 

 

We were the last to leave Blu since we were all talking away! After dinner we listened to the remainder of the live band in rendezvous lounge and then headed to the casino for some slot play and a nightcap of Zacapa 23. 

 

 

Snow Crab

 

 

Clam Chowder (good for ship soup but a far cry from New England clam chowder I’m used to) 

 

 

Awesome

Lamb Shank 

 

 

Zacapa Nightcap at the Casino Bar

[MamaFej]

Paul,

There has been quite a spirited discussion on CC over Celebrity's decision to eliminate included movies in cabins, and to charge $15 for each movie viewed. It appears that this is being rolled out ship by ship (it happened on the Constellation while we were onboard in June).

 

Do you know if "free" (included) movies are still available on the Eclipse? We tend to enjoy them on sea days.

 

Thanks.

[MamaFej]

40 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

Paul,

There has been quite a spirited discussion on CC over Celebrity's decision to eliminate included movies in cabins, and to charge $15 for each movie viewed. It appears that this is being rolled out ship by ship (it happened on the Constellation while we were onboard in June).

 

Do you know if "free" (included) movies are still available on the Eclipse? We tend to enjoy them on sea days.

 

Thanks.

Oops! I forgot that you're on the Millennium, not the Eclipse.
 

Anyway, I am still wondering if the included movies have been removed. 

[hcat]

The photos are great...one of our fav BLU menus! 

 

I like the lower saltiness of BLU food but my spouse thinks it's often bland...he can always add salt but  I cant delete it.

[chicagopaul]

2 hours ago, MamaFej said:

Oops! I forgot that you're on the Millennium, not the Eclipse.
 

Anyway, I am still wondering if the included movies have been removed. 

 

I saw that! Edward and I are heading to lunch in a moment then back to room and I’ll check endnote provide photo evidence either way! 

[chicagopaul]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

The photos are great...one of our fav BLU menus! 

 

I like the lower saltiness of BLU food but my spouse thinks it's often bland...he can always add salt but  I cant delete it.

 

Fully agree. I don’t mind less salt. Can always add it and like you said if it’s too salty you can’t remove it! 

[chicagopaul]

Ok we have a verdict in the free movie debate. 

 

Currently, on the Millennium, Free movies still do exist! The first line of movies are free and you simply scroll left or right to view the selection. I counted and there are 50 total free movies. It does make it appear like you’d have to pay for them but you don’t. See photos below. 

 

 

 

 

[Cruisin4ABruisen]

Hey Paul,

 

Thanks for the review! Really enjoy following along. We are considering doing this cruise next year, and were wondering if you could snap a couple of photos of the bathroom/room? We've been trying to track down some pictures of the AquaClass rooms post-renovation and haven't been successful.

[chicagopaul]

13 minutes ago, Cruisin4ABruisen said:

Hey Paul,

 

Thanks for the review! Really enjoy following along. We are considering doing this cruise next year, and were wondering if you could snap a couple of photos of the bathroom/room? We've been trying to track down some pictures of the AquaClass rooms post-renovation and haven't been successful.

 

No problem! I’ll take some photos and also already took a video tour that once I am home I’ll upload. 

[chicagopaul]

So tomorrow night, the 14th since we are crossing the dateline tonight and losing Friday, we had booked the Veuve Clicquot dinner for $150/pp. The dinner is to be held in Tuscan. Today we get back to the room after lunch and we get a phone call confirming dinner for tonight? I explained to the person on the phone that the correct date is the 14th and he said the system was showing tonight, the 12th. See paper below. 

 

 

So thinking something is just wrong or lost in translation I head down to guest relations. After a few phone calls it seems like things are corrected and we are set for the 14th as it should be. Even the paper the guest relations officer had was the same as mine. 

 

So I’m back in the room and the phone rings again. Nope, it looks like the dinner is tonight. 1) It’s very odd that they would make this change last minute like this. 2) Given they made the change we were never notified or received a dinner card the night before, etc. 

 

We opted to cancel as we had a late lunch and don’t want to do an earlier dinner. Also at this point if they can’t get the dinner set correctly via reservation I’m hesitant to book a dinner for $150/pp in fear the dinner itself might be just as disorganized.  

 

I do feel bad for our Somm Melwin since he was excited to sell us this dinner but oh well. Not a big deal and we now have an extra $300 I guess to spend on whatever else we want. Just figured I’d share this with you. 

 

I will mention what happened to Melwin tonight and our manager in Blu. It would be interesting to see who in the back office decided to make this change and not notify anyone ahead of time. 

[lovecruzin]

On 9/9/2019 at 8:29 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. 

 

 

 

Is that a HALL 1873? Love all of the HALL cabs!

I’ll have to look for the SLV, looks like a really good one! I’m sure decanting was a good idea.

[chicagopaul]

9 minutes ago, lovecruzin said:

 

Is that a HALL 1873? Love all of the HALL cabs!

I’ll have to look for the SLV, looks like a really good one! I’m sure decanting was a good idea.

 

Good eye! Yes that is!