Jim_Iain - 9/5 and 9/17 Equinox B2B - Come along for a Live Blog

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, NBliving said:

Good info! And yes, that would be a good compromise 🙂 

For many of the veteran cruisers that remember the original specialty restaurants on M-Class it is similar but back in the Days Olympic could not be beat.    5 course meal,  cheese cart about  6 x the size of the  one they now have.   They even had Harpist that played nightly. 

 

The Olympic had the original 1st Class wood panels from the  Olympic (sister  ship of the Titanic).   It  should have been a crime to remove it and chop it up make more cabins and Tuscan Grill.   

[upwarduk]

15 hours ago, canderson said:

I've heard that the UK Staycation cruises have been offering the use of an electric kettle (!) to cabins making that request so as to make hot water for tea.  Was pondering whether that would be even remotely possible on Constellation such that I could bring my own brew along.  I'm fussy about my coffee, and neither bitter nor acidic cut it.

Always in cabins on cruises from Southampton. 
We were on an Eclipse cruise in the Caribbean in March 2013 and I asked for a kettle and I was told they were in storage in Miami. However, one was found and was in the cabin, together with a tray of tea & coffee when we returned after our evening meal.

 

We also like Cafe al Biaco. The attached was taken on Silhouette on our first Sea day.

 

 

Edited September 7, 2021 by upwarduk

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, brockmom said:

Was this taken on deck 5? You have made me curious now….do you see these at the sunset bar seating areas ? Thanks 

Bingo --- Yes it was in the  smoking area.     I've seen them all over the  ship  and the also have Percel station at all elevator area adjacent to  the stairs. 

[PinkSandGirl]

5 hours ago, canderson said:

+1 to that.  I'm pretty sure the self-tap iced tea is made from a diluted liquid concentrate.  Some days, I think that coffee in the 'buffet' is, too.

I agree with the iced tea.  It is not good... at all.   Thankful for Cafe al Bacio...I go multiple times during the day and order:  Black Tea Iced.  😉

 

🍹

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Bingo --- Yes it was in the  smoking area.     I've seen them all over the  ship  and the also have Percel station at all elevator area adjacent to  the stairs. 

 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

6 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

For many of the veteran cruisers that remember the original specialty restaurants on M-Class it is similar but back in the Days Olympic could not be beat.    5 course meal,  cheese cart about  6 x the size of the  one they now have.   They even had Harpist that played nightly. 

 

The Olympic had the original 1st Class wood panels from the  Olympic (sister  ship of the Titanic).   It  should have been a crime to remove it and chop it up make more cabins and Tuscan Grill.   

I remember our 1st cruise on Zenith celebrating our 25th anniversary in the Murano's equivalent restaurant.  The maître d even escorted my husband to the restroom. I said at the time I didn't think we had had that much to drink.

 

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I have minimal interest in the pajamas, but I will be crabby if I don't get a robe in my PH.  Will you ask your butler if they have discontinued the robes?  I love those robes and was looking forward to having one at home.  I need to save space in my suitcase for it.  If they're no longer giving the robes, than I won't need to reserve the space.  Thanks.

I'll see what I can find out.   

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, Blighty770 said:

Hiya! We've sailed on a number of Celebrity's ships out of Southampton and they've all had kettles (it's definitely a UK-thing). My partner is very particular about his tea (PG Tips, milky and weak) and I'm fussy about my coffee (really strong!), so we find the kettle in the room suits us beautifully.

 

During our last cruise (Feb 2020 - Caribbean - pre-pandemic...just) we sailed out of FLL and had no kettle in the room. We politely asked our room attendant if he might find one squirreled away and he was able to accommodate our request. It was nice not to have to trudge to either the buffet or the coffee station near The Hideaway to get hot water for the drinks. We heavily tipped our attendant for being so lovely too.... It's always worth an ask once you're onboard, we find. 😁

Agree ---  Especially now.   The  crew seem to be bending over backward to accommodate any and all requests.    They are so excited to be back and just want to please and keep cruising going. 

 

I always believe in  asking and  the worse they could say is I'm sorry there aren't any available.

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, Beba-Beba said:

I bring a mini immersion heater (600W) for my herbal tea.  It clips nicely to a mug.  Don't tell any one.  I hide it because I am not sure they are allowed.  Years ago someone posted about them here on CC.  Thanks Karen.  I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond ($10) but Amazon has a large selection and at higher wattage.  The mini at 600 watts is quick for one mug.

 

Mary

 

 

 

 

Officially those aren't allowed.    I use to always travel with one but got called to the Naughty Room once and they confiscated it.      I use to bring a travel French Press with me and  would brew my own coffee daily.    

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, dallasdan said:

Jim, is everyone wearing the tracelets?  If so, do you know if they can be put in your pocket.  I don't like wearing watches or bracelets as I find them uncomfortable.  I will be on the Nov 7 with this itinerary.  Thanks for doing the live review.

Tracelets were discontinued at the end of the last cruise.    I  asked why and our room attendant who sill had his on his belt.   He said --- he heard they werent' working.    Whatever that means.   So NONE on this cruise. 

[Beba-Beba]

6 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

Officially those aren't allowed.    I use to always travel with one but got called to the Naughty Room once and they confiscated it.      I use to bring a travel French Press with me and  would brew my own coffee daily.    

 

OOPS!!!!!!

 

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

Kettles in all Celebrity sailings from the UK.

P&O and Cunard have always had them,,,a couple of years ago Celebrity responded to pressure from us Brits for kettles.

 

 

UPDATE   --

 

Our butler just delivered some afternoon snacks and I asked him if kettles were available.   He said usually yes in small quantities and asked if I wanted one delivered to the room.    I declined for now.   Show have asked Iain as he is the Tea drinker. 

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

I remember our 1st cruise on Zenith celebrating our 25th anniversary in the Murano's equivalent restaurant.  The maître d even escorted my husband to the restroom. I said at the time I didn't think we had had that much to drink.

 

I miss Zenith and Mercury.     They were lovely ships.     The service was impeccable and if you went to the restroom they would pickup you napkin and replace it with a new one crisply folded. 

[JacJacAttack]

7 minutes ago, Beba-Beba said:

 

OOPS!!!!!!

 

Are you on the naughty list again??? 🤣😘

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I have minimal interest in the pajamas, but I will be crabby if I don't get a robe in my PH.  Will you ask your butler if they have discontinued the robes?  I love those robes and was looking forward to having one at home.  I need to save space in my suitcase for it.  If they're no longer giving the robes, than I won't need to reserve the space.  Thanks.

Just talked with Butler -   his English is good but I dont' think he always fully understands me and said of course.   Just tell the shoreside concierge.    Then wanted to bring me some engraved PJ's. 

[Jim_Iain]

3 minutes ago, JacJacAttack said:

Are you on the naughty list again??? 🤣😘

 

Only with Santa and alway get a lump of coal.  

[Jim_Iain]

[pennys mum]

16 hours ago, canderson said:

I've heard that the UK Staycation cruises have been offering the use of an electric kettle (!) to cabins making that request so as to make hot water for tea.  Was pondering whether that would be even remotely possible on Constellation such that I could bring my own brew along.  I'm fussy about my coffee, and neither bitter nor acidic cut it.

Every ship that sails from Southampton in summer has electric kettle and tea tray in cabins.

I was told by a butler that they put them into storage on ship when they change departure ports.

ask and you may be lucky enough to get one

[Jim_Iain]

Team Earth

 

CC Host and Concierge Host have offices here

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

[mac_tlc]

38 minutes ago, PinkSandGirl said:

I agree with the iced tea.  It is not good... at all.   Thankful for Cafe al Bacio...I go multiple times during the day and order:  Black Tea Iced.  😉

 

🍹

 

This was my "go-to" on the Edge last month. Ceylon iced -- awesome. Cant wait until October to be back

[Jim_Iain]

World Class Bar

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

[canderson]

Jim -

Something I've noticed in the "dailies" under Music is the lack of a little something before dinner.  Have grown accustomed to some easy pre-dinner music by a small group or pianist.  The even once had crew members working for a few extra $ ... a string quartet once.  Are these just no longer listed, or isn't X doing that now?