Jim_Iain - Solstice LIVE Mexico Riveria B2B - December 3 and 11

[Jim_Iain]

4 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Thank you for confirming.  Just want to make sure I have the correct type.

 My MacBook Air only has two Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports so I use a USB to HDMI converter as well. 

 

 

That should work.   I'll be trying it later.

[helenb]

2 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We get a Free Premium Package as a Zenith.    You have to have the Premium in order to stream.   More on that later.    

 

I'm still confused -  There is a sign on the desk that we have the new Starlink -   I'll have to see how it goes.   I wasn't aware that they installed it on Solstice.

Thanks for the info!

[Jim_Iain]

Ok at last caught up.  Apologize if I missed a message. 
 

First order of business was to let Iain have a smoke. 
 

Up to pool deck which was empty at 1:00

 

 

 

then up to Lawn Club Port Side who’s is a smoking area.  
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

We next went to Luminae  for lunch before it closed.   As I said earlier Jeylane sitting next to each. Really fun as we have chatted in cc for years. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

We are in an accessabile Sky Suite on deck 12 room 2132    Wouldn’t be my first choice but booked late.  
 

The room seems larger than a normal SS.   Maybe others can comment on that. 
 

The patio is spacious and feels larger than I remembered but maybe we were only in SS on M-Class

 

 

 

 

ar least it has a non-Kelley table that adjusts to dining level. 
 

 

 

 

 

I was using wide angle so make it look even larger 

Edited December 4, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Now for the TV.   Real easy to attach a Firestick as it is on a wall swivel mounted 

 

 

 

as you can see things have changed.  Only co be too. Is an Ethernet cable. 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

18 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

We next went to Luminae  for lunch before it closed.   As I said earlier Jeylane sitting next to each. Really fun as we have chatted in cc for years. 
 

 

Iain looks happy now that he's had a smoke.  😁

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

Looks like we have StarLink. It was hitting their server. 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Your handicap SS is larger because you need to have room to drive a scooter or wheelchair.

[wrk2cruise]

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

 

Looks like we have StarLink. It was hitting their server.   About double what we were getting on Summit in Oct.   Some reports of better speeds near 50 mbs out at sea.  Hopefully you will take some more readings at various times.

 

Speeds not that impressive though

[DaKahuna]

14 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Now for the TV.   Real easy to attach a Firestick as it is on a wall swivel mounted 

 

 

as you can see things have changed.  Only co be too. Is an Ethernet cable. 

 

 Hmm, I wonder if you brought an Ethernet switch you could hook into the ship's ethernet and get wired speed?   Very tempting.  Maybe I can convince someone on Millie to send me pictures before our April cruise. 

 

[abbydancer2003]

54 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

They have inter terminal shuttles.    To my knowledge none of the terminals are physically attached.     Been many years since I changed terminals but you use to have to go outside of security and catch a shuttle then reclear.   Maybe some or our LAX folks can update us.

 

The terminals are not connected.  There is a shuttle that runs between them, or you can walk.  The terminals are laid out in a horseshoe pattern, but it's quite a hike from 1 to 7/8.

 

[Jim_Iain]

Daily  Day 1

 

 

 

 

[viperfoth]

29 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

 

Looks like we have StarLink. It was hitting their server. 

Not bad.  Better than sat.

[jelayne]

On 11/29/2022 at 10:24 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Ditto...There isn't a lot to do right by the port area but they do have uber/lyft.

We did a surprisingly great wine tour there.

[ericftaylor]

Hey Jim,

 

My mom and I will be joining the second half of your B2B on 12/11. We hope to get to meet you and Iain around the ship. We always hang out at the Sunset Bar so maybe we’ll run into you guys there. You two are absolute Celebrity cruise legends! Thanks for the doing the live updates! Have a great cruise. 

Edited December 4, 2022 by ericftaylor

[dianedebuda]

On 12/2/2022 at 9:20 AM, Jim_Iain said:

 Iain is much the same as your husband and has never logged onto CC.  ... I know so many on CC that lurk

I'm a regular lurker to your Lives and only occasionally post.  But what name would Iain choose if he did log on?  I'm imagining...

 

When researching something, ran across a series of posts from a Defying Gravity.  Somewhat later in the thread her husband creates an account to chirp in.  His name, of course, was I'm Gravity. 😆

[MamaFej]

4 minutes ago, dianedebuda said:

I'm a regular lurker to your Lives and only occasionally post.  But what name would Iain choose if he did log on?  I'm imagining...

 

I vote for "Cheeky Grin."

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

 

Looks like we have StarLink. It was hitting their server. 

 

Wow, you're the first to report this.  Hope it gets faster as while these numbers beat any non-starlink sailing I've been on.  Maybe it's throttled down for testing.  It was posted in the starlink thread that her internet speed test was 50 down/40 up

[jagoffee]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Follow up.     As soon as I got to my room and I clicked the CC button and it popped up.   I later went through the regular routine and worked perfect.    I setup my Firestick and happy I did.     Was watching TV when we set sail and when the flipped on the satellite suddenly on YouTube TV I got a message that I was outside my country.

 

I logged into my VPN and now watching our Local News from the Bay area.

You did not need to use your mini router or PC to log in your Firestick?

 

Welcome aboard.  Have a great B2B.

 

Thanks

 

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by jagoffee

[BOB999]

8 hours ago, silkismom said:

LAX question, do they have golf cart type transportation between terminals? We have a short connection in Apr.

 

It's hit or miss, mostly miss.  I've occasionally seen golf carts from T7 to T8 (United), the tunnel from T6 to T5 to T4 and between TBIT and the new TBIT-W terminal.  

 

The South side of the airport (TBIT, T4 to T8) are connected behind security; however it can be a confusing zig zag maze going up, down and side to side.

 

Delta offers a bus behind security from T2/T3 to TBIT.

 

Outside of security there is a shuttle that goes around the loop.

[abbydancer2003]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

By the time we arrived at Noon we were the only ones in the Suite area.    No lounge just  a little space with 4 agents.    Check In took no more than 3-5 minutes.   Then through Security and to your room to pick up you seapass and drop your bags.  Our room was already setup.

I guess because you didn't have to wait.  I know that Princess has a lounge area at both 92 and 93.  93 has a separate waiting room and 92 has an area.

[purduemom1]

OMG! Already on page 17 and you just sailed today. I am really behind but will follow along as I really enjoy your reviews. Wishing both of you a fantastic adventure.

[maggieq]

12 hours ago, beachlovergirl said:

Hilton Doubletree shuttle was 10:30 am…we were onboard and in the Oceanview Cafe before 11:00 am!

 

Solstice all dressed for Christmas.

 

Love the solstice. It was our first celebrity ship. The food was probably the best we have had in all all of our cruises.  Have a wonderful cruise! 😊

[39august]

Is your handicap suite under the rear portion of the OVC? I have wondered how the noise is back there. Also, are any of the counters lower than normal to accomodate a wheelchair user? We have a friend who is fairly new to a wheelchair and trying to get them to sail with us sometime.