Jim_Iain (with and Eye) - B2B Millennium 10/11 and 10/19 Pacific Coastal

[Jim_Iain]

Captain Yanis came on this morning and announced a passenger tested positive for Covid and had been removed from the ship and was being flown home via private jet provided by Celebrity.   

 

It appears the PAX was on a Bus Tour and 25 guests had been identified as close contact and have been confined to quarters until they pass 2 tests 24 hours apart.    Also they will not be able to continue if on a B2B.    

[poffles]

13 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

As an IT Guru you probably know more than me.   I have just been a responsible hacker.   LOL

 

I like to think so but it's definitely not the case LOL.  It's just too vast and ever changing now to keep up on everything out there.  I am focused in the area of Cyber Security now so less and less hands on, so your 'responsible hacker' insight is much appreciated.  🙂 👍

 

[Bo1953]

Jim - quick question, z would like to have the 'current' wine list in Blu posted if you have not done so already?

 

If you have, do you recollect approximately when?

 

TIA, cheers and bon voyage

[canderson]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

You basically have to set up a mini-network.   I use a mini router.    There are many videos on You Tube on how to setup up what they call hotel mode.    You connect you laptop to router and select Celebrity Guest as the Router's connection.    While still connected to your hotspot you type guest.onboardiafe.com    This will bring up the sign on screen.   You put your credentials into the screen and the mini-router becomes one of your internet connected devices.   

 

Once router setup you just go to Roku Networks and choose your hotspot name and sign on.

 

We mostly just use it for Netflix and and YouTubeTV     Both have very efficient buffering.   When you first fire it up the picture quality is marginal but as it buffers it cleans up.    Have rarely gotten dropped and only occasionally do I get a revolving arrow as it buffers. 

Sounds a bit more complex on M class.  I noted that like me, you brought your own generic Samsung remote along.

 

Never mind next question.  Just got far enough into thread to see you answered already...

XXXX I read somewhere that X's servers don't play nice with all mini-routers.  Which are you using? XXXX

Edited October 15, 2021 by canderson

[Jim_Iain]

3 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Jim - quick question, z would like to have the 'current' wine list in Blu posted if you have not done so already?

 

If you have, do you recollect approximately when?

 

TIA, cheers and bon voyage

They currently don’t have a hard copy available but will see if I can get one.  
 

they have recommended using the app.  
 

Having said that they had a California Mer Soleleil but Iain prefers the Louis Jardo Mer Solelil.   They had it in Blu even though not on menu. 
 

Jennifer the Sommelier is very knowledgeable and works with you to find and enjoy your choice.  

[canderson]

22 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Captain Yanis came on this morning and announced a passenger tested positive for Covid and had been removed from the ship and was being flown home via private jet provided by Celebrity.   

 

It appears the PAX was on a Bus Tour and 25 guests had been identified as close contact and have been confined to quarters until they pass 2 tests 24 hours apart.    Also they will not be able to continue if on a B2B.    

Ouch!  All the more reason for me to get busy on the Private Journey work for our upcoming B2B.  Shoreside said to expect them to call me on Monday.  Better to plan now and not jam up the shipboard planner.

[Jim_Iain]

Just saw some people going down hallway with suit cases.     I was told they were crew that were in contact with the COVID person and they are moved to a private balcony room and have to isolate for 14 days.   Ugh. 

[CruiseNYC]

Omigosh - the pitfalls of taking one of the excursions provided by Celebrity!

Can someone please let me know (we're new to Celebrity) how to go about organizing a Private Journey?  Do we take care of that on board?  Can we use OBC?

Thank you!

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

They currently don’t have a hard copy available but will see if I can get one.  
 

they have recommended using the app.  
 

Having said that they had a California Mer Soleleil but Iain prefers the Louis Jardo Mer Solelil.   They had it in Blu even though not on menu. 
 

Jennifer the Sommelier is very knowledgeable and works with you to find and enjoy your choice.  

 

If you don't find a hard copy, can you advise how accurate is the list on the app for Millenium?  I can look there.

[canderson]

53 minutes ago, CruiseNYC said:

Omigosh - the pitfalls of taking one of the excursions provided by Celebrity!

Can someone please let me know (we're new to Celebrity) how to go about organizing a Private Journey?  Do we take care of that on board?  Can we use OBC?

Thank you!

In earlier phone contact with the Private Journey folks, I was advised that it was not possible to use OBC to arrange for a PJ pre-cruise - credit card only. 

 

Today, my shoreside concierge called back, and he had talked to the shoreside PJ planners, and it seems that they ARE able to navigate that billing issue, allowing for the use of OBC pre-cruise.  I'll see for sure when they contact me on Monday.  I don't know if this is an exception being made for a higher level suite guest, or just something that the folks answering the phone don't seem to be able to agree upon.

 

You CAN use OBC if planning a PJ while onboard.  That has never been in question in any of my dealings with them.

 

I wanted to talk to the shoreside folks in any case to get my expectations set correctly and to establish what all I need to do on my end to make their job easier.

 

 

Edited October 15, 2021 by canderson

[CruiseNYC]

Very interesting - thank you very much.  We leave in December so I should go through my notes to see what I’d like to plan out - and for which port.

Is your Shoreside Concierge someone you’ve worked with for prior cruises?  Apologies in advance but this is all new to me.  

We’re still 60 days out; not sure who I would need to contact or who to expect will contact me.

Thank you, again!

[canderson]

31 minutes ago, CruiseNYC said:

Very interesting - thank you very much.  We leave in December so I should go through my notes to see what I’d like to plan out - and for which port.

Is your Shoreside Concierge someone you’ve worked with for prior cruises?  Apologies in advance but this is all new to me.  

We’re still 60 days out; not sure who I would need to contact or who to expect will contact me.

Thank you, again!

No, we have a different concierge each time.  There are probably quite a lot of them and it's just a roll of the dice as to the person(s) responsible for your cruise.  You won't be contacted by one of these folks unless you have booked CS or above.  If you have, expect an email or call about 3 weeks prior to sail date.  They're not tied in any way to the PJ group, but can make contact with just about anyone if needed to assist with customer requests.

 

To speak with Private Journeys directly, regardless of what cabin category you booked, contacts here >> https://www.celebritycruises.com/shore-excursions/private-journeys

 

[CruiseNYC]

Got it - thank you!  

We're in a PS on Millennium but we're about 7 weeks out.  I guess we should expect a call.  Meantime, I've found so much great info on the CC site.  I'll pull together a wishlist over the next couple of weeks and look forward to receiving a call from the Shoreside Concierge!

 

[sunonfire]

Jim,

 I read over the cafe Al bacio menu. I did not see if they offered a non dairy milk substitute. Do you know if they offer one or more milk substitutes for the coffee drinks? Thanks.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, CruiseNYC said:

Omigosh - the pitfalls of taking one of the excursions provided by Celebrity!

Can someone please let me know (we're new to Celebrity) how to go about organizing a Private Journey?  Do we take care of that on board?  Can we use OBC?

Thank you!

You can just go to the Shore Excursion desk or I believe they have a telephone number prior to cruise.   I arranged them on Equinox via the Concierge on Equinox generally a day or 2 in advance. 

 

Yes you can use your OBC.   That was the reason we used them as we had a huge OBC to burn off. 

 

Generally any of your needs can be filled once aboard by the Retreat Concierges or Room Attendant. 80-90% of the time all of my requests which are minimal aren't passed on to the Butler and Room attendant.    Usually I request an extension cord, 2 isotonic pillows and swap bubbly to Chardonnay.   You would think they would just build a profile for their guests that could be referred to.

Edited October 15, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

 

If you don't find a hard copy, can you advise how accurate is the list on the app for Millenium?  I can look there.

It's been very accurate but they have been running out of stuff.   They do have lots of thing that are not on the app menu the the Sommelier will recommend. 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, CruiseNYC said:

Very interesting - thank you very much.  We leave in December so I should go through my notes to see what I’d like to plan out - and for which port.

Is your Shoreside Concierge someone you’ve worked with for prior cruises?  Apologies in advance but this is all new to me.  

We’re still 60 days out; not sure who I would need to contact or who to expect will contact me.

Thank you, again!

Hate to say but on this cruise never got a call from either Shore Side Concierge or Zenith Concierge.   Yesterday I got a call from the Zenith Concierge for the 10/19 cruise.   

 

I found that the Shore Side Concierges are assigned specific ships and many of those stay the same but  if you call and they aren't available another concierge will help out.    They usually contact you 7-14 days prior to the Cruise but have also been as late as 48 hours prior to sailing.   Depends on their workload. 

[Bo1953]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

They currently don’t have a hard copy available but will see if I can get one.  
 

they have recommended using the app.  
 

Having said that they had a California Mer Soleleil but Iain prefers the Louis Jardo Mer Solelil.   They had it in Blu even though not on menu. 
 

Jennifer the Sommelier is very knowledgeable and works with you to find and enjoy your choice.  

No worries, z should be reading your response and view the selections online...

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[Jim_Iain]

24 minutes ago, sunonfire said:

Jim,

 I read over the cafe Al bacio menu. I did not see if they offered a non dairy milk substitute. Do you know if they offer one or more milk substitutes for the coffee drinks? Thanks.

Yes they do.    I heard someone order a cappuccino with Almond Milk yesterday.   I believe I also saw a box of Soy Milk on the counter.    

[upwarduk]

15 minutes ago, sunonfire said:

I did not see if they offered a non dairy milk substitute. Do you know if they offer one or more milk substitutes for the coffee drinks? 

I am Dairy Intolerant and fill in a Special Needs form before embarkation.This means that I can request Lactose Free milk, which I did in Cafe al Biaco. 
I was leaving the MDR after breakfast, with a beaker of the above milk on Silhouette in August. The Maitre’D saw me and asked why I was taking milk out, so I explained. He sent one of the waiters to the kitchen to fetch a carton of Lactose Free milk for me to use in the cabin, as we are provided with kettles and tea and coffee, when sailing from Southampton.

They also have Lactose Free milk in Tuscan ( Elite breakfast) and the Ocean View cafe, which is kept in the fridge.

[Jim_Iain]

32 minutes ago, CruiseNYC said:

Got it - thank you!  

We're in a PS on Millennium but we're about 7 weeks out.  I guess we should expect a call.  Meantime, I've found so much great info on the CC site.  I'll pull together a wishlist over the next couple of weeks and look forward to receiving a call from the Shoreside Concierge!

 

If in the PS you will defiantly get a call from the ShoreSide Conocierge.    They will let you know about a special luggage drop off area and will escort you from the door to checkin and then onto the ship.   You will be spoiled for sure.      They will ask what you want stocked in your bar and if you want any dining reservations.    

[Jim_Iain]

Had a wonderful lunch in Blu today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CruiseNYC]

22 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

If in the PS you will defiantly get a call from the ShoreSide Conocierge.    They will let you know about a special luggage drop off area and will escort you from the door to checkin and then onto the ship.   You will be spoiled for sure.      They will ask what you want stocked in your bar and if you want any dining reservations.    

I could use a little spoiling - or maybe a lot!!

Given the packed excursion bus photos that we've been seeing, PJ sounds like the way for us to go.

Ah - the luggage question.  Pretty much decided - after some great input from CC members - to bring it with us rather than try a luggage forwarding service. We'll get some help from our building staff and then use a car service from FLL airport.  (Nervous enough about getting the delivery of dh's dialysis product to the ship.  We don't need any additional potential lost luggage headaches!)

Thanks, Jim

[canderson]

2 hours ago, canderson said:

In earlier phone contact with the Private Journey folks, I was advised that it was not possible to use OBC to arrange for a PJ pre-cruise - credit card only.

 

 

... and, that turns out not to be true!  First folks I talked to were mistaken.  As they often say here, talk to a different agent, get a different answer.

 

The delightful Sandra will let her manager know that someone is providing some bad info.  So YES!  We will be planning our PJ excursions pre-cruise using OBC.

 

Again, thanks much, Jim, for turning us onto this option to begin with.  We will definitely make use of it for our two port stops on the first leg of our B2B to avoid the dreaded 'contact trace', and will also use it on our second leg to improve our options while in places like St. Kitts, where we'll definitely be asking for Raaaafael!

 

[Ipeeinthepools]

We are on a B2B2B in January/February 2022.   I think we will avoid any ship excursions on the first two legs.