Jim_Iain Live - 2nd Half World Cruise - B2B Singapore to Down Under 11/25 – 12/21

[upwarduk]

9 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

It's incredible how many on this cruise have birthday in that 7 day spread.

Tell me about it, just started writing my December birthday cards yesterday. At least 12, but none in November!!😱😱

[Jim_Iain]

When out walking yesterday I noticed a huge line at guest relations. 
 

 

Many didn’t follow the published and reminders about completing Indonesia online customs form.  Of course they blame Celebrity and some their Visa 
 

Part of problem was Australian’s were exempted into 3 weeks ago.  

[Jim_Iain]

Holiday room decoration has begun. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Internet has been good.    No packet loss and streaming with no stuttering. 
 

[Texed]

27 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

When out walking yesterday I noticed a huge line at guest relations. 
 

Many didn’t follow the published and reminders about completing Indonesia online customs form.  Of course they blame Celebrity and some their Visa 

 

So, I guess they weren't there to get extra tip envelopes.  😂

[Torfamm]

Happy birthday! Hope your day was fantastic. So appreciate all you contribute!

[MisterMet]

22 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Video Credits to Giuseppe Moschella - Cruise Director when he was found Guilty!   They really gave it to him

 

 

 

That looks like it was a hoot

[Joker54]

13 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I'm not sure if I mentioned.    We are doing the Solstice Repositioning in April from Sydney to Vancouver.

The DW and I will already be on the Solstice as we board in Singapore and will be on board all the way to Vancouver. Should be plenty of time to get to meet you and Iain.

 

Cheers

[Baynanno1]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

When out walking yesterday I noticed a huge line at guest relations. 
 

 

Many didn’t follow the published and reminders about completing Indonesia online customs form.  Of course they blame Celebrity and some their Visa 
 

Part of problem was Australian’s were exempted into 3 weeks ago.  

 

Similar on the reverse cruise in October, when no less than 1500 cruisers arrived to board without the required Bali Visa! I don't know why people don't read what is sent out with their documents.

 

As of May 2022, Australians have required a tourist visa to enter Bali for periods of 30 days or less, so nothing new there.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited November 27, 2023 by Baynanno1

[Lena11033]

15 minutes ago, Baynanno1 said:

 

Similar on the reverse cruise in October, when no less than 1500 cruisers arrived to board without the required Bali Visa! I don't know why people don't read what is sent out with their documents.

 

As of May 2022, Australians have required a tourist visa to enter Bali for periods of 30 days or less, so nothing new there.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

I feel like people presume the cruise will take care of it, the way I see it is its the same as an airline you are required to figure out your own documents.

Mind you these are probably the same people I get stuck behind in airport security bringing full size 1 litre bottles of liquid as carry on 😆

[swigso]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Up early this time but this time due to Getting a Scam Call from China at 5:30 AM and then just couldn't fall back to sleep    Wish Apple allowed blocking all calls from a certain Country code.  

Hi Jim

i just turn on the silence all unknown calls, if someone needs to speak to me and I do not have their number they will usually leave a message. 

[mchell810]

2 hours ago, swigso said:

Hi Jim

i just turn on the silence all unknown calls, if someone needs to speak to me and I do not have their number they will usually leave a message. 

 

I usually do the same, but when I am traveling I let the calls come in just in case I need a call from the ship or a tour guide, etc.  I do, however, make sure the Do No Disturb is set for overnight hours so my sleep is not interrupted.

[Jim_Iain]

Ugh.  We have been in Bona since 5:00 and along the pier at 9:45.  At 11:40 still not cleared by authorities.    
 

Retreat is at capacity 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

While wasting time.  I know many complain of no shade.  Not sure if new but many newish umbrella   
 

 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, Joker54 said:

The DW and I will already be on the Solstice as we board in Singapore and will be on board all the way to Vancouver. Should be plenty of time to get to meet you and Iain.

 

Cheers

Look forward.  Lots of sea days. 

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, swigso said:

Hi Jim

i just turn on the silence all unknown calls, if someone needs to speak to me and I do not have their number they will usually leave a message. 

I usually do but had deactivated so our private guide could contact us early.   Now he is sitting out under a tree. 

[Baynanno1]

38 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Ugh.  We have been in Bona since 5:00 and along the pier at 9:45.  At 11:40 still not cleared by authorities.    
 

Retreat is at capacity 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blame the delay at the Port of Benoa, Bali on all those thoughtless people who didn't bother to arrange their visas for Bali before boarding!

It took several days between Sydney and Bali for the 1500 who boarded our October cruise without their visas to get them sorted.

Perhaps it is time to actually deny boarding as stated by Celebrity (but not enforced) for anyone who fronts up without all their required documentation!

Edited November 28, 2023 by Baynanno1

[Jim_Iain]

Yea finally cleared at 12:00 noon.  
 

Captain Matt extended departure tomorrow by a couple hours

[Jim_Iain]

7 minutes ago, Baynanno1 said:

 

Blame the delay at the Port of Benoa, Bali on all those thoughtless people who didn't bother to arrange their visas for Bali before boarding!

It took several days between Sydney and Bali for the 1500 who boarded our October cruise without their visas to get them sorted.

Perhaps it is time to actually deny boarding as stated by Celebrity (but not enforced) for anyone who fronts up without all their required documentation!

Actually really quick.  Suits were escorted off ship and ashore in 4 minutes.   Nightmare finding guide among hundreds. 
 

WhatsApp is the way to stay in touch with guide

[BOB999]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Actually really quick.  Suits were escorted off ship and ashore in 4 minutes.   Nightmare finding guide among hundreds. 
 

WhatsApp is the way to stay in touch with guide

 

Hopefully there was no "abrasion" when being escorted.  A few times on the prior two legs, I saw the Retreat Concierges receive fierce opposition from non-Retreat guests when performing these duties.  I literally added a line to the survey that they consider pairing them with a security guard.  The Retreat Concierges handed it quite professionally in my view. 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, BOB999 said:

 

Hopefully there was no "abrasion" when being escorted.  A few times on the prior two legs, I saw the Retreat Concierges receive fierce opposition from non-Retreat guests when performing these duties.  I literally added a line to the survey that they consider pairing them with a security guard.  The Retreat Concierges handed it quite professionally in my view. 

 

The retreat staff handled it really well.   People were just excited to see that embarkation had begun.   The Retreat Staff were escorting us down one elevator load after another -   The had about 8-10 taking small groups of about 12-15 at a time so wasn't like a big mob. 

 

Everyone in Retreat were probably off the ship within 10 minutes of when Captain Matt announced we were cleared. 

 

I commend Captain for keeping the ship advised every 10-15 minutes.   No details except they were working dilligently to get the ship cleard.

 

Once off ship a quick QR code swipe of the Customs Declaration ---  In my case I had both on my phone... She said.... I don't need the other -  Took maybe 5 seconds.  

[Jim_Iain]

Welcome to Benoa

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Before I get going on our day in Benoa, let me go back to last night’s dinner. 

 

 

I had the Fennel Soup.   Yum

 

 

 

 

I had the Black Sea Bad

 

 

Iain and David had the Grilled Beef Sirloin 

 

I warned them from reading here.  They said it was ok but average

 

 

Robert had the Chicken - said it was good and juicy. 
 

 

 

 

I tried the new Blueberry Mouse.  Was good. 
 

 

Just in case I also ordered Vanilla Ice. Ream. 

[terrydtx]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Before I get going on our day in Benoa, let me go back to last night’s dinner. 

 

 

I had the Fennel Soup.   Yum

 

 

 

 

I had the Black Sea Bad

 

 

Iain and David had the Grilled Beef Sirloin 

 

I warned them from reading here.  They said it was ok but average

 

 

Robert had the Chicken - said it was good and juicy. 
 

 

 

 

I tried the new Blueberry Mouse.  Was good. 
 

 

Just in case I also ordered Vanilla Ice. Ream. 

That looks like the exact same menu we had on Apex in September, I was hoping for a change in Luminae menus for the Edge when we board in January. I tried the grilled beef sirloin, and it was so tough and inedible. I should have tried the cod and will if this is our menu in January.

[jelayne]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

That looks like the exact same menu we had on Apex in September, I was hoping for a change in Luminae menus for the Edge when we board in January. I tried the grilled beef sirloin, and it was so tough and inedible. I should have tried the cod and will if this is our menu in January.

Same as we had for the 1st 2 legs of the “world” cruise.  I had read reports that new menus had appeared but apparently not for Luminae yet.