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

[lakegirl16]

26 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Welcome aboard.    You must have brought the sun with you.  Been a cool but beautiful sunny afternoon. 
 

Abdule has been wonderful.   You will enjoy having him.  Just ask for him tonight and he will stay with you for the rest of the cruise. 

Thank you good to be aboard!  Thanks for the correct spelling for Abdule!  We'll be requesting him for sure!!

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Jim, do you frequent the Martini Bar or other bars?  Someone is asking elsewhere on Cruise Critic whether or not Celebrity has alcohol-free gin.  I'd be interested to know as well.  Monday is an excellent brand.

 

Linda,   Haven't been to Martini bar.   Last cruise it was only about 1/2 full in the normally packed times.  Very weird. 

 

We mostly drink in Retreat sitting at the bar chatting with the bartender.  

 

Iain ran out of Gray Goose the last two night and I would grab a drink for him at Passport Bar on the way up to the room when he went for a smoke.

 

No wait time for sure. 

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[lakegirl16]

20 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

One of two ways.  Depends on location of tv.  Our last room the tv was on wall next to the desk.  I have extension USB M-F cables some as long as 10 feet.  I also have used a Battery Pack.   They need recharging about once a day

 

Another alternative is to use the USB port on the TV. 

I currently have a Roku and Firestick on both TV.  Ok. Ok.  I’m BBC a tech nerd.  
 

the bedroom was easy but LR TV was tough  as the TV is in a frame and ports about a foot in from right edge.  

 

In Sky Suite the TV swiveled out.  

 

 

Thank you.  Appreciate all of your help!  Enjoy your evening!

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Jim, do you frequent the Martini Bar or other bars?  Someone is asking elsewhere on Cruise Critic whether or not Celebrity has alcohol-free gin.  I'd be interested to know as well.  Monday is an excellent brand.

 

Linda -  I did ask and they said they didn't have it.   I asked at Martini Bar.

 

I did see a Blended Malt Scotch I've never heard of before called Monkey Shoulder.  I got a laugh out of the name.

 

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

We are officially in the Pacific and out of the harbor. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Interesting that they left us E+ and Zenith fliers to show us the only difference is departure Concierge Lunch.   With Luminae no value to us and we also get it if B2B

 

[Jim_Iain]

One thing I always do is take a picture of the schedule.  It shows Chic nights and when time change occur. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

I suggest not missing this show. She was outstanding. 
https://www.heathersullivan.com

We only went to two shows last week. The one last night was bad. Very disjointed. It was supposedly based on Amadeus. Very talented cast and I was embarrassed that they had to perform it. 

Will check it out.  We almost went last night.  Glad we didn’t. 

[DaKahuna]

35 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

A tribute to all those brave men who served and gave their lives so we could enjoy freedom. 
 

 

 USS Iowa - Still a beautiful site to behold.

 

[DaKahuna]

22 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I did see a Blended Malt Scotch I've never heard of before called Monkey Shoulder.  I got a laugh out of the name.

 

 I do not normally drink scotch but Cranston gave me a taste and it was too peaty for my taste. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

7 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I do not normally drink scotch but Cranston gave me a taste and it was too peaty for my taste. 

 

I haven’t seen Cranston in a number of years.  Which ship is he on. 

[DaKahuna]

Just now, Jim_Iain said:

I haven’t seen Cranston in a number of years.  Which ship is he on. 

 He was on Reflection when we sailed her in December.  Last report I heard was that he finally took his vacation and was home in Jamacia. 

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

10 hours ago, venicecruiser said:

If you are thinking trying a luxury line, I suggest Seabourn or Regent.  I've been on both and they are much better than Celebrity .

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by Georgia_Peaches

[jagoffee]

9 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

It's really sad how these organizations take advantage of people! I remember last year we took an Uber from our hotel to the port in Lauderdale.  Before they implemented surge pricing it cost about $20-$25. With surge we had to pay $80. Highway robbery. 

I thought it was the drivers based on supply and demand.  Are you saying the organization sets the price higher during peak times?

 

[GottaKnowWhen]

Jim, sorry we never linked up onboard. I wasn't able to access Cruise Critic even one time during the cruise and never saw any of your posts. I'll catch up when I get home tomorrow.

 

Meanwhile, I have updated my Signature below with a link to a selection of my photos from the Dec 3 cruise as well as links to Iceland, Canada and Alaska trip from earlier this year.

 

Stan

 

[Purplsmurf]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I haven’t seen Cranston in a number of years.  Which ship is he on. 

He was on Reflection in May

[Jim_Iain]

12 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 He was on Reflection when we sailed her in December.  Last report I heard was that he finally took his vacation and was home in Jamacia. 

 

Good for him.   Really a fun bartender.

[Jim_Iain]

 

9 hours ago, jagoffee said:

I thought it was the drivers based on supply and demand.  Are you saying the organization sets the price higher during peak times?

 

 

My understanding is that it is based by the number of vehicle logarithm that the Corporation uses to maximize income.  

 

Per Uber Site -

How does Uber get away with surge pricing?

 

 

Surge pricing automatically goes into effect when there are more riders in a given area than available drivers. This encourages more drivers to serve the busy area over time and shifts rider demand, to maintain reliability and restore balance.

Edited December 12, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, Purplsmurf said:

He was on Reflection in May

Thanks

 

[RichYak]

9 hours ago, jagoffee said:

I thought it was the drivers based on supply and demand.  Are you saying the organization sets the price higher during peak times?

 

Of course. Raising the fare is how the company attracts more drivers to go to a particular location to meet the increased demand.

Edited December 12, 2022 by RichYak

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, GottaKnowWhen said:

Jim, sorry we never linked up onboard. I wasn't able to access Cruise Critic even one time during the cruise and never saw any of your posts. I'll catch up when I get home tomorrow.

 

Meanwhile, I have updated my Signature below with a link to a selection of my photos from the Dec 3 cruise as well as links to Iceland, Canada and Alaska trip from earlier this year.

 

Stan

 

 

 

 

Thanks... Great pictures as usual.

 

[MamaFej]

Howdy from Sunny Santiago. 
 

While I absolutely understand the disappointment some have at not experiencing Sunny SoCal, as a resident, I’m super grateful for the rain. 
 

I think we need to travel in December every year. Last year, we went to French Polynesia, and it rained heavily for several days. 
 

(This is me, taking one for the team)

[Jim_Iain]

35 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

Howdy from Sunny Santiago. 
 

While I absolutely understand the disappointment some have at not experiencing Sunny SoCal, as a resident, I’m super grateful for the rain. 
 

I think we need to travel in December every year. Last year, we went to French Polynesia, and it rained heavily for several days. 
 

(This is me, taking one for the team)

I’m with you and happy to see the rain.   Maybe we are greedy but have said more than once that we were lucky being away for the two cruises. 
 

just looked out and it’s pouring at sea.  Should be warmer and dry tomorrow 

[jelayne]

13 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I hope I didn't post too many picture of the rates.  I was amazed by how they were changing.   

 

@jelayne took the ships transfer and said she would come back and let us know the cost and how fast it was.

We did take the ships transfer, cost $35 pp.  We used a little of our non-refundable OBC so out of pocket cost $0.  We were escorted off the ship and in less than 10 minutes we had our luggage, through facial recognition and were outside the terminal.  
 

it was raining and windy, the staff on the ground really worked to keep up out of the rain as much as possible.  We lined up outside under a overhang staying dry then they sent groups to the buses.  The area where the buses park has a covered walkway but with the wind it was a cool and wet place.  We were in that line maybe 5 minutes, then directed to our bus again in small groups so people wouldn’t have to spend any more time than necessary in the open.  We were the first people on our bus so it was probably 15 minutes before the bus was full and we headed to LAX.  Very little traffic so a quick ride.  
The time from exiting  the ship to arrival at LAX was about 45 minutes.  
All in all, pretty good 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Passenger count 1,456.  Next 2 cruise at or above 3,100 with 500 kids 

 

really feels quiet on the ship.  Maybe first day but Martini Bar deserted after dinner last night