Live from Millennium Panama Canal East-to-West April 21 - May 6, 2023

[Fly and Sail]

2 hours ago, Texed said:

 

They look about the age of my son and daughter-in-law that just got off of Edge.  So, not false advertising.  😊

 

This sailing is on Millennium, and they're about half the age of the average here. This particular sailing doesn't attract young demographics (too long, too expensive).

[Norwaylady]

Really enjoying your pictures🥰 we have only sailed the partial cruise, Gatun locks/Colon on X. 
But this just shows why we must do the full Panama Canal cruise🤩🤩🤩

[Essiesmom]

From the Pedro Miguel cam

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Entering Miraflores locks

 

 

[DaKahuna]

Just now, Essiesmom said:

Entering Miraflores locks

 

 

 

I tried the webcam and I am only getting occasional still picture that are nowhere as clear as yours.

 

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Essiesmom]

1 minute ago, DaKahuna said:

 

I tried the webcam and I am only getting occasional still picture that are nowhere as clear as yours.

 

Thank you for sharing.

 

The Miraflores cam was recently replaced and is very frustrating.  It no longer has a time stamp, pauses a lot with no pic, and often the pic seems to have frozen, and then the next view has the ship far into the lock.  The Gatun cam does this occasionally also.  EM

[vickykay]

Very much enjoying your live review.

 

what were the martinis you had at the Rondevous lounge -lemon drops?

 

mitched - love your sense of humor.  That my type of shower bar.  

[Essiesmom]

A bunch more passing through to the second lock.  Feel free to capture any and add them to your album.

[DaKahuna]

50 minutes ago, vickykay said:

Very much enjoying your live review.

 

what were the martinis you had at the Rondevous lounge -lemon drops?

 

mitched - love your sense of humor.  That my type of shower bar.  

No, those were not ‘martini’s’. Those were Sidecars.  I love them.  Order it ‘up’ whice come in a martini glass.  Down is on the rocks.

 

[DaKahuna]

Lunch today was in Luminae.

 

we both started with the Lobster Bisque

 

 

my DW had the Herb Marinated Chicken Breast

 

 

and I had the Luminae Burger.  First cruise I have ever gone this long before having one.

 

 

I passed on dessert as we had 1300 reservations for the Food and Wine Pairing.

 

 

Richard, the Cellar Master onboard, is a wonderful and very knowledgeable sommelier.  
 

It was again interesting to see how the taste of various foods are impacted by wine.

 

 

[firstimer2009]

39 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Lunch today was in Luminae.

 

we both started with the Lobster Bisque

 

 

my DW had the Herb Marinated Chicken Breast

 

 

and I had the Luminae Burger.  First cruise I have ever gone this long before having one.

 

 

I passed on dessert as we had 1300 reservations for the Food and Wine Pairing.

 

 

Richard, the Cellar Master onboard, is a wonderful and very knowledgeable sommelier.  
 

It was again interesting to see how the taste of various foods are impacted by wine.

 

 

 

39 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Lunch today was in Luminae.

 

we both started with the Lobster Bisque

 

 

my DW had the Herb Marinated Chicken Breast

 

 

and I had the Luminae Burger.  First cruise I have ever gone this long before having one.

 

 

I passed on dessert as we had 1300 reservations for the Food and Wine Pairing.

 

 

Richard, the Cellar Master onboard, is a wonderful and very knowledgeable sommelier.  
 

It was again interesting to see how the taste of various foods are impacted by wine.

 

 

Yes I had a food and wine tasting at a winery years ago and it completely changed what I drink with what I eat.  

I saw you had a Primitivo. We ordered that all through Italy in 2019. It is wonderful. There is a winery where I live that makes it. They also make a Zin and its interesting to taste the slight difference. 

[Fly and Sail]

Has anyone seen the photographers on board with a decent frequency? I can imagine quite a few people purchased the photo package in anticipation of nice scenery, yet I was able to hunt someone down just TWO TIMES the entire week.

 

I get it for free through the casino, so whatever, but to imagine had I prepaid for this...

[DaKahuna]

Just now, firstimer2009 said:

 

Yes I had a food and wine tasting at a winery years ago and it completely changed what I drink with what I eat.  

I saw you had a Primitivo. We ordered that all through Italy in 2019. It is wonderful. There is a winery where I live that makes it. They also make a Zin and its interesting to taste the slight difference. 

I do not have a sophisticated palette but found it interesting that one of my favorite wines, Pinot Noir, goes great with just about anything.  
 

I liked the Primivito I had in Lumina and again last night in Tuscan.  There are two others onboard and I am determined to try both before we disembark.  Should be easy to do.

 

1 minute ago, Fly and Sail said:

Has anyone seen the photographers on board with a decent frequency? I can imagine quite a few people purchased the photo package in anticipation of nice scenery, yet I was able to hunt someone down just TWO TIMES the entire week.

 

I get it for free through the casino, so whatever, but to imagine had I prepaid for this...

 

We’ve seen a photographer in Luminae, twice, and in Tuscan.  
 

There were a couple of stations set up on the first Evening Chic night iirc.  It has not been like before when they were everywhere though.

 

[DaKahuna]

It is with great sadness that I have to report that it looks like our Vueve Clicquot Dinner looks like it is cancelled. There were only eight people that signed up and four of them have since cancelled. 
 

I will find out for sure tonight at dinner but it did not sound promising when I spoke with the Cellar Master earlier today.

 

[Betsynh]

Hubby and I are hopping on the Milly in Los Angeles on May 6th for her trip to Vancouver. Thanks so much for your review so far. I have a few questions…

 

Any opinion about the entertainment? We love fun dance music where we flail around and pretend we’re a lot younger! Is there a decent piano bar vibe anywhere? I loved all your food pics, have you noticed whether there are many gluten-free options (denoted by a wheat symbol on the menu)? Have you checked out any shows? Anything you’d recommend? We’re really excited about the excursions we’ve booked — it’s our first trip up the west coast — but any tips about the ship and great places to chill are most welcome. I cheaped out and booked an inside cabin and am waiting to see if our MoveUp is accepted. Lol… 

 

 

[PrinceonRN]

We did the same 

took an inside cabin 

hoping to get a moveup as well 

[Moochi]

36 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

It is with great sadness that I have to report that it looks like our Vueve Clicquot Dinner looks like it is cancelled. There were only eight people that signed up and four of them have since cancelled. 
 

I will find out for sure tonight at dinner but it did not sound promising when I spoke with the Cellar Master earlier today.

 

Oh no. I was really looking forward to the VC food porn. Let’s pray for another 4 or maybe 6 passengers sign up tonight 

[Fly and Sail]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

It is with great sadness that I have to report that it looks like our Vueve Clicquot Dinner looks like it is cancelled. There were only eight people that signed up and four of them have since cancelled. 
 

I will find out for sure tonight at dinner but it did not sound promising when I spoke with the Cellar Master earlier today.

 

How many more do they need? What’s the minimum?

 

I think its poor form to cancel something like this. As if X couldn’t eat a $800 cancellation (or charge a cxl fee to the pax). Cost of doing business.

 

instead they choose to ruin the experience for the guests who might have booked it for a special occasion.

[Fly and Sail]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

We’ve seen a photographer in Luminae, twice, and in Tuscan.  
 

There were a couple of stations set up on the first Evening Chic night iirc.  It has not been like before when they were everywhere though.

 

I think there was a recent thread where people overall agreed that photographers should not be in the restaurants anymore. It disturbs the environment and pictures with half finished plates look just ghastly.

 

Photo packages are pretty expensive. I’d love to have some destination pictures not chewed up veal loin. 

[Fly and Sail]

1 hour ago, PrinceonRN said:

We did the same 

took an inside cabin 

hoping to get a moveup as well 

Is that really a money saving strategy in particular for this sailing which is usually lower priced!?

 

When I looked at the rates last time the difference in cabin prices was so small a moveup wouldn’t make sense given historic pricing.

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, Betsynh said:

 

Any opinion about the entertainment? We love fun dance music where we flail around and pretend we’re a lot younger! Is there a decent piano bar vibe anywhere? I loved all your food pics, have you noticed whether there are many gluten-free options (denoted by a wheat symbol on the menu)? Have you checked out any shows? Anything you’d recommend? We’re really excited about the excursions we’ve booked — it’s our first trip up the west coast — but any tips about the ship and great places to chill are most welcome. I cheaped out and booked an inside cabin and am waiting to see if our MoveUp is accepted. Lol… 

 

 

we have only been to two events in the main Theater.  December 63, a tribute to Frankie Valley and the trio did a very good job. 
 

we also went to a production on the first formal night.  I have forgotten the name.  The music and dan ing was excellent but the story line was lost on me.

 

we’ve listened to live music around the ship and have enjoyed some of the ensembles but we are not dancers.  A lot of passengers seems to have enjoyed dancing to the silent disco but that not out thing.

 

I have not paid particular attention to gluten free offerings but my understanding is that you should not have an issue at all.  Always inform the waitstaff ahead of time in the MDR. I believe there is even an email address for special needs that you can write to and address any special dietary restrictions.

some great places to chill are Cellar Masters, the Rendezvous lounge, the Sky Bar (those are all inside) and the Sunset Bar.  Also if you just want to enjoy a nice cup of coffe and pastry, Cafe al Bacio is ver comfortable.
 

we have yet to eat in the MDR or have anything other than pizza and ice cream from the OVC.

 

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, Fly and Sail said:

I think there was a recent thread where people overall agreed that photographers should not be in the restaurants anymore. It disturbs the environment and pictures with half finished plates look just ghastly.

 

Photo packages are pretty expensive. I’d love to have some destination pictures not chewed up veal loin. 

A photographer, the same one we ssw in Luminae and Tuscan Grill, was in Luminae again tonight.

 

[iandjm]

10 hours ago, Betsynh said:

Hubby and I are hopping on the Milly in Los Angeles on May 6th for her trip to Vancouver. Thanks so much for your review so far. I have a few questions…

 

Any opinion about the entertainment? We love fun dance music where we flail around and pretend we’re a lot younger! Is there a decent piano bar vibe anywhere? I loved all your food pics, have you noticed whether there are many gluten-free options (denoted by a wheat symbol on the menu)? Have you checked out any shows? Anything you’d recommend? We’re really excited about the excursions we’ve booked — it’s our first trip up the west coast — but any tips about the ship and great places to chill are most welcome. I cheaped out and booked an inside cabin and am waiting to see if our MoveUp is accepted. Lol… 

 

 

See you onboard. Coming over from

the U.K. and doing the 6 night cruise as part of a longer holiday 😁

Edited April 27, 2023 by iandjm

[Cruzinforpeace***]

On 4/24/2023 at 7:30 AM, njsmom said:

Wow. The exact opposite of my recent spring break cruise on Harmony of the Seas with thousands of screaming kids. 🤣

Well, we were ALL screaming kids at one point, right? 😀

[Betsynh]

7 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

we have only been to two events in the main Theater.  December 63, a tribute to Frankie Valley and the trio did a very good job. 
 

we also went to a production on the first formal night.  I have forgotten the name.  The music and dan ing was excellent but the story line was lost on me.

 

we’ve listened to live music around the ship and have enjoyed some of the ensembles but we are not dancers.  A lot of passengers seems to have enjoyed dancing to the silent disco but that not out thing.

 

I have not paid particular attention to gluten free offerings but my understanding is that you should not have an issue at all.  Always inform the waitstaff ahead of time in the MDR. I believe there is even an email address for special needs that you can write to and address any special dietary restrictions.

some great places to chill are Cellar Masters, the Rendezvous lounge, the Sky Bar (those are all inside) and the Sunset Bar.  Also if you just want to enjoy a nice cup of coffe and pastry, Cafe al Bacio is ver comfortable.
 

we have yet to eat in the MDR or have anything other than pizza and ice cream from the OVC.

 

Thanks so much! I’ve never met a cruise ship I didn’t like, although some more than others. GF dining on MSC was limited to MDR which didn’t work with my 3-year-old grandson’s attention span. Its just us for this trip!
 

Regarding my MoveUp comment, the 6-night was pretty pricey with flights and pre-cruise hotels/touring in LA, so opted to roll the dice on an inside cabin. I tried to convince hubby to stay on for Alaska but alas… he needs to get back to work sooner than me… Thanks for the tips! We’re on the 7 day countdown til our flights!