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

[Jim_Iain]

30 minutes ago, mchell810 said:

 

I notice the butter is always served in a 3-part tray.  I assume the green is guacamole; what is the red item?  Some kind of cranberry sauce? 

 

 

 

In Blu they serve butter like this each evening.    There is a rotation of 2.

 

Unfortunately the Green and Red are not what they look like.    The green is "Mushy Pea" and the Red is "Beet"   All I can say is Yuck.     The other is "Carrot and Orange" and "Chickpea and Parmesan"    The Carrot and Parmesan ones aren't bad. 

 

they will bring additional Butter if requested. 

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, KAE27 said:

Just did my COVID test (negative) and am looking forward to joining you on Tuesday!

 

I was planning to do my own walking tour on Catalina Island as well.  Did you walk up to any vistas, or stay around town?  I'd love any tips on where you went and what you did.

 

We had our Covid tests around 10:00 this morning.    They say we will get our results back later today but if Tested Positive we would be immediately notified for a retest. 

 

Look forward to seeing you aboard.   Catalina Island was fun but we stayed on the flats this time.   A good way to tour is to Rent a Golf Cart.    They were very popular and many places were sold out.

 

We wanted to do the Buffalo Encounter but it was sold out this  cruise so we booked for the next cruise.    Only thing concerning, which I will check on is it is scheduled for  a 2 hour tour at 3:30 bu the ship is scheduled to set sail at 5:00PM.   

[mchell810]

3 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

In Blu they serve butter like this each evening.    There is a rotation of 2.

 

Unfortunately the Green and Red are not what they look like.    The green is "Mushy Pea" and the Red is "Beet"   All I can say is Yuck.     The other is "Carrot and Orange" and "Chickpea and Parmesan"    The Carrot and Parmesan ones aren't bad. 

 

they will bring additional Butter if requested. 

 

Yuck .... Thanks for the warning 😱

[LGW59]

4 minutes ago, mchell810 said:

 

Yuck .... Thanks for the warning 😱

Yuck before even trying them?

[Jim_Iain]

Iain was doing some research on "The Casino"    It isn't nor was it ever a gambling place.   In Italian, Casino means Gathering Place.    It was the first movie theater built for Talkies.    The Island was once owned by the creator of Wrigley Gum and he also constructed the Casino.  

 

The ballroom can accommodate 3,000

 

The have tours daily and you have to show Covid Vaccination and and wrist band which they give you after presenting ticket and Covid Vax cert.

[mchell810]

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

Yuck before even trying them?

Yup ... I HATE green peas in any form.  If I can push them aside I don't mind it on my plate, but a mushy format is just not for me.  Yes, I know some people love it.  I  leave my portions for them.

Edited October 17, 2021 by mchell810

[LGW59]

1 minute ago, mchell810 said:

Yup ... I HATE green peas in any form.  If I can push them aside I don't mind it on my plate, but a mushy format is just not for me.  Yes, I know some people love it.  I  leave my portions for them.

I want to sit at your table please, more for me 😂

[mchell810]

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

I want to sit at your table please, more for me 😂

 

Looks like we make a perfect food pair 😜

[Jim_Iain]

4 minutes ago, mchell810 said:

Yup ... I HATE green peas in any form.  If I can push them aside I don't mind it on my plate, but a mushy format is just not for me.  Yes, I know some people love it.  I  leave my portions for them.

LOL 

 

Iain was having fun teaching the waiter how to pronounce MUSHY.       They were saying messy peas (probably a better description)

[Jim_Iain]

B2B meeting was pretty smooth, with the exception of one guest.  He was asking how long is thus damn thing.   I have better things to do than waste my time here.   “I’ll stay 15 minutes then leaving.”

 

The documentation officer was very professional and said at the end of the meeting we will be doing Covid Testing.   If you don’t have the test you will not be able to continue your B2B.  He shut up and stayed. 
 

 

 

They had a raffle and we won a bottle of wine and Jewelry.  Our daughter will be pleased. 
 

Edited October 17, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[KAE27]

23 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We had our Covid tests around 10:00 this morning.    They say we will get our results back later today but if Tested Positive we would be immediately notified for a retest. 

 

Look forward to seeing you aboard.   Catalina Island was fun but we stayed on the flats this time.   A good way to tour is to Rent a Golf Cart.    They were very popular and many places were sold out.

 

We wanted to do the Buffalo Encounter but it was sold out this  cruise so we booked for the next cruise.    Only thing concerning, which I will check on is it is scheduled for  a 2 hour tour at 3:30 bu the ship is scheduled to set sail at 5:00PM.   

 

Thanks for the info!  You're the best.

 

I did a Pacific Coastal last year and had mapped out a hiking/climbing route for myself, but since it was a "working vacation" I ended up staying on the ship and working.  With our being on Catalina Island on a Sunday this time, I won't have the same problem.  If only I had saved my previous map!

[hcat]

Our tour of Catalina went up the hills..lots of interesting stops, sights, history and info. Much less touristy than the area with shops and  places to eat .  Good pharmacy in town

 

We have requested and recd Salsa  in the BLU butter dish! Plus chips..

 

[pretty princess]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

B2B meeting was pretty smooth, with the exception of one guest.  He was asking how long is thus damn thing.   I have better things to do than waste my time here.   “I’ll stay 15 minutes then leaving.”

 

The documentation officer was very professional and said at the end of the meeting we will be doing Covid Testing.   If you don’t have the test you will not be able to continue your B2B.  He shut up and stayed. 
 

 

 

They had a raffle and we won a bottle of wine and Jewelry.  Our daughter will be pleased. 
 

How wonderful….I’m sure she will enjoy them. Beautiful!

 

[Maggie North]

I love the red beet butter in Blu!

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, KAE27 said:

 

Thanks for the info!  You're the best.

 

I did a Pacific Coastal last year and had mapped out a hiking/climbing route for myself, but since it was a "working vacation" I ended up staying on the ship and working.  With our being on Catalina Island on a Sunday this time, I won't have the same problem.  If only I had saved my previous map!

It is a very active port with it being Saturday when we were there.  I would think that it will be busy on Sunday.   Looks like a lot of folk from LA were over for the day or weekend. 

[Jim_Iain]

53 minutes ago, pretty princess said:

How wonderful….I’m sure she will enjoy them. Beautiful!

 

Just heard from her.   I had sent a picture via text... She loves them.

[Jim_Iain]

After all the recommendations I stopped by Al Bacio for a Afffogato.   Loved it.   Will definitely order again. 
 

 

Iain had a Cappuccino and Lemon Tarts. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

For the none meat eaters they had a roasted vegetable station in OceanView.  Looks like a huge selection 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

We have been sitting stationary all day.   Obviously a short distance sine yesterday 

 

 

[cl.klink]

On 10/15/2021 at 12:05 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Jim, for the detailed review, making it feel like we are there with you.

 

One of my favorite experiences on cruises is joining fellow Jewish passengers for Friday night Shabbat.  It's usually at 5.  I see nothing is posted.  Can you find out why?

 

I wonder if this is not being done because of COVID precautions in general, or because they are figuring that with fewer people overall, the demand will be so small that they are not doing it.

 

Thanks,

 

- Joel

[h20cruzer]

Jin there is always one. On one TA we did we had to turn in our passports and this couple argued with the rep they were not going g to do it, never heard MF of such a thing. People were hollering just give them your passports!!! I was finally able to move to another line.

Afffogato You are killing me, my favorite especially after dinner. 

Love the pics, last time we were in Catalina years and years ago we rented a golf cart and went round the island, actually quite fun.

[hcat]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Just heard from her.   I had sent a picture via text... She loves them.

Great  win.....she deserves the gifts!

[hcat]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

For the none meat eaters they had a roasted vegetable station in OceanView.  Looks like a huge selection 

 

 

 

I eat meat but live veggies too..esp for lunch! Looks great!

[hcat]

11 minutes ago, cl.klink said:

 

Thanks, Jim, for the detailed review, making it feel like we are there with you.

 

One of my favorite experiences on cruises is joining fellow Jewish passengers for Friday night Shabbat.  It's usually at 5.  I see nothing is posted.  Can you find out why?

 

I wonder if this is not being done because of COVID precautions in general, or because they are figuring that with fewer people overall, the demand will be so small that they are not doing it.

 

Thanks,

 

- Joel

Sometimes there are cards on a bulletin board but not sure they are doing that for any mtgs or get togethers. Maybe try your roll call...

[Jim_Iain]

20 minutes ago, cl.klink said:

 

Thanks, Jim, for the detailed review, making it feel like we are there with you.

 

One of my favorite experiences on cruises is joining fellow Jewish passengers for Friday night Shabbat.  It's usually at 5.  I see nothing is posted.  Can you find out why?

 

I wonder if this is not being done because of COVID precautions in general, or because they are figuring that with fewer people overall, the demand will be so small that they are not doing it.

 

Thanks,

 

- Joel

 

I asked and they said that Celebrity usually has religious services during holiday periods or when their is a Priest or Rabi aboard that volunteers to do services.   It sounded like a canned answer.   Guest relations said that during holiday period they often give Rabi's and Priests that are offering to do services a comp room. 

 

Maybe others can relay their experiences on other ships. 

 

Most meeting have been eliminated or curtailed due to covid.    They discontinued CC meet and greet for 2021 and supposedly Friends of Bill and Friends of Dorthy.    There have been neither on Millennium but I noticed on Equinox they had both Friends of Bill and Dorthy every night, so my be ship dependent also.