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

[Jim_Iain]

Walking the hallways.  Things that caught my eye. 
 

 

 

 

Now this is photography.  Love her green eyes. 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[DaKahuna]

Love the food porn.  Looking forward to hopefully having some of these new menu items in May. 

[Redking]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

To be honest we also are.    Never having less than 13 cruises booked on Celebrity we are down to 3.   I'm sure I'll book another in April when we hit double and get a free Aqua Class Cruise (or credit against a cruise or room of our choice). 

 

I've been searching on Silversea, Crystal and Seabourn today.   Someone today suggested I check out SeaDream Yacht (Old Crystal Ship)

Interesting times ahead. Let us know what you do. Explora Journey looks interesting though mixed reviews. We're keen on Africa, saw a great 30 day itinerary but is was either RSS Mariner or Navigator which don't really appeal to us.

[6986]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

To be honest we also are.    Never having less than 13 cruises booked on Celebrity we are down to 3.   I'm sure I'll book another in April when we hit double and get a free Aqua Class Cruise (or credit against a cruise or room of our choice). 

 

I've been searching on Silversea, Crystal and Seabourn today.   Someone today suggested I check out SeaDream Yacht (Old Crystal Ship)

You should check out WindStar cruises. The service is truly top notch. The staff are so kind and want to ensure that you have a great time.  Nothing can beat gazing at the stars at night on deck or visiting the bridge for an explanation of the current navigation. We have done Celebrity, RC, Princess, Carnival and Azamara. We only book WindStar and Azamara now. 

[upwarduk]

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Something about either Law or the Australian's tipping habits.  

 

Yes, same in UK.

Total prices have to be shown.

[montythecat]

Terrydtx’s second paragraph commending the pianists on

HAL ships is one of the reasons why we have moved from

X to Holland America. The rock band is another, along

with The Dutch Cafe. 

[terrydtx]

5 hours ago, montythecat said:

Terrydtx’s second paragraph commending the pianists on

HAL ships is one of the reasons why we have moved from

X to Holland America. The rock band is another, along

with The Dutch Cafe. 

Yep those are all reasons why we are looking at more HAL cruises and one other reason is Club Orange with, IMO, much better food choices on the newer Pinnacle Class ships. On HAL we can book a Neptune Suite on similar itineraries as Celebrity for less than a Sky Suite.

Edited December 11, 2023 by terrydtx

[kwokpot]

On 12/9/2023 at 6:56 PM, Jim_Iain said:

We met Robert and David at the museum.  Using Find My could see them arrive for easy meet up. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting, the same spider sculpture is in front of the Guggenheim Bilbao! 

[Norwaylady]

Have a great day in Auckland!

 

Really jealous on your NZ adventure❤️

It is a bit scary that loyal customers are flagging that the changes X do is not for the better....

 

We are not locked to X. But it has been a good fit for us and we have found routes we wanted to sail. 

But it's getting harder to find routes we want to sail. Caribbean is nice for winter getaways. But we really enjoy the out of the box sailings. 

 

Im must admit.... today we pushed the button, we are cheating on X or (rcl group)

We wanted a cold climate cruise.... (mr primarily, what not to do for your loved one😂) Ken the cruiser sendt us off to a further investigation after seeing an interesting detail in his signature...

So we will try NCL Star on a 10/n Iceland and Greenland sailing June 25. 

We will just go open eyes in, we have picked this cruise just because of the sailing route. 

NCL Star is a smaller vessel, same as Milli etc and it's been refurnished. So we will just see.....

If we hate it, its one and done🙃 on the other side, if we enjoy it, we have more options to find routes to sail. Only time will tell......😇

[JackE]

On 12/8/2023 at 4:03 PM, Gracie115 said:

That's wonderful to hear, I know he had told me that he thought he would be going to Ascent.  He is such a nice person and was great as an assistant waiter, I'm sure even better as waiter.

He was our assistant waiter on the Ascent last month, assisting Eduardo. Fantastic guy!

[Jim_Iain]

It's going to be a huge change in temperatures from Sydney at 100F.   The winds have really been up at sea and definitely going to reminiscent of a Summer in San Francisco.   Puffers and Layered Look is in order.

 

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, 6986 said:

You should check out WindStar cruises. The service is truly top notch. The staff are so kind and want to ensure that you have a great time.  Nothing can beat gazing at the stars at night on deck or visiting the bridge for an explanation of the current navigation. We have done Celebrity, RC, Princess, Carnival and Azamara. We only book WindStar and Azamara now. 

 

I just completed the End of First Cruise Survey -   First time I have not give a 9-10 survey.   The staff is amazing,  Edge is just off and we were discussing that we will probably never sail Edge again.    As a comparison Apex rated a solid 10 in April/May.

 

We were looking at WindStar last night .... hmmm.    Iain found one he liked but it is weeks after our next 30+ day B2B TP.    

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

Have a great day in Auckland!

 

Really jealous on your NZ adventure❤️

It is a bit scary that loyal customers are flagging that the changes X do is not for the better....

 

We are not locked to X. But it has been a good fit for us and we have found routes we wanted to sail. 

But it's getting harder to find routes we want to sail. Caribbean is nice for winter getaways. But we really enjoy the out of the box sailings. 

 

Im must admit.... today we pushed the button, we are cheating on X or (rcl group)

We wanted a cold climate cruise.... (mr primarily, what not to do for your loved one😂) Ken the cruiser sendt us off to a further investigation after seeing an interesting detail in his signature...

So we will try NCL Star on a 10/n Iceland and Greenland sailing June 25. 

We will just go open eyes in, we have picked this cruise just because of the sailing route. 

NCL Star is a smaller vessel, same as Milli etc and it's been refurnished. So we will just see.....

If we hate it, its one and done🙃 on the other side, if we enjoy it, we have more options to find routes to sail. Only time will tell......😇

 

Alexandra,  I have to agree with your assessment of Edge.   Things are just off.   If I could put a finger on it would be the HD and his training of staff.    Celebrity loves to use "Our Most Loyal Guests"  "Modern Luxury" and "Attention to Detail".    Our experience on this ship have missed the mark on all of them.

 

 

[Cap_D]

16 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I just completed the End of First Cruise Survey -   First time I have not give a 9-10 survey.   The staff is amazing,  Edge is just off and we were discussing that we will probably never sail Edge again.    As a comparison Apex rated a solid 10 in April/May.

 

We were looking at WindStar last night .... hmmm.    Iain found one he liked but it is weeks after our next 30+ day B2B TP.    

Jim, I know it comes down to a number of factors and some of the issues have been provisioning, but curious about how much of the off aspects of the journey are the senior staff and managers vs LHB/corporate? 

 

We had some issues on Apex in March/April, but once we surfaced them then it was apparent that the hotel director Christophe, Yuksel, Eleana and others in Retreat, food and beverage guy that responded to a QR code submitted item, CD Brittany (who we engaged with because our child loved Jessica's magic show) all worked together to correct, recover, and at times wow.  So, we had a great over all trip.  They were top of their game in terms of working with what they had, even if towards the end of their 3 months, as it was just before the TA.  One difference, we were not on an epic itinerary.  I read your Apex posts at the time, and I believe you had some of the same senior officers and crew.  Of course, cutbacks on staff whether directly or indirectly can still impact upper suite guests, lack of supplies, bad logistics at a port and so on could all have messed things up and exposed riffs.  

 

PS - I typed my message above before I read Jim's response to Alexandra @Norwaylady

Edited December 11, 2023 by Cap_D

[Jim_Iain]

New Wine List Prices.  
 

You will have to extrapolate as the prices include the 20% Gratuity. 
 

Iain noted the 1/2 Bottle Pouilley-Fuisse has gone up from $27 ($33 with tip) to $48.   Pure greed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[terrydtx]

14 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

New Wine List Prices.  
 

You will have to extrapolate as the prices include the 20% Gratuity. 
 

Iain noted the 1/2 Bottle Pouilley-Fuisse has gone up from $27 ($33 with tip) to $48.   Pure greed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wines by the glass are outrageous,  can you confirm that the PDP has a new cap of $20? Even with 20% tips included the bottle and glass pricing is just ridiculous. 

[r2h2]

5 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

The wines by the glass are outrageous,  can you confirm that the PDP has a new cap of $20? Even with 20% tips included the bottle and glass pricing is just ridiculous. 

Jim knows the best way of avoiding these price hikes and I do as well! Don't drink it.

[dcbiker97]

52 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Alexandra,  I have to agree with your assessment of Edge.   Things are just off.   If I could put a finger on it would be the HD and his training of staff.    Celebrity loves to use "Our Most Loyal Guests"  "Modern Luxury" and "Attention to Detail".    Our experience on this ship have missed the mark on all of them.

 

 

Out of curiosity, who is the HD?  Did they ever follow up with you with your last issues you sent an attention to detail card saying about acknowledging your concern? 

[Jim_Iain]

Edge arrives in Sydney 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Been rocking and rolling.  Winds are around 30mph

 

[Jim_Iain]

Last night Fin Cuts - would give it a 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The waiter asked for Iain’s wine preference.  Couldn’t understand what Pouilly Fusse was so said would get sommelier.   

 

 

Dover Sole - may have been nice without all the stuff on top.  Iain rated it 5-6

 

Lobster - beautiful Lobster Ravioli but the sauce overpowered the delicate flavor of the lobster. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The real negative.  Even though seated facing the windows.  The noise level was like grand central station.    Then the light show began.  
 

The whole feel was off with staff just doing a fine dining service but zero interaction.   At end of meal said it was our table and enjoy as long as you wish and disappeared. 
 

Food.  7-8.   Not amazing.   Luminae even with its failures is a much better experience. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Popped into The Club for a show

 

 

 

[Ipeeinthepools]

@Jim_Iain  Jim, you indicated the noise level was too high, was this from the Central Plaza or was it from the kitchen?  Did experience the same noise level on the Apex?

[jelayne]

15 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Last night Fin Cuts - would give it a 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The waiter asked for Iain’s wine preference.  Couldn’t understand what Pouilly Fusse was so said would get sommelier.   

 

 

Dover Sole - may have been nice without all the stuff on top.  Iain rated it 5-6

 

Lobster - beautiful Lobster Ravioli but the sauce overpowered the delicate flavor of the lobster. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The real negative.  Even though seated facing the windows.  The noise level was like grand central station.    Then the light show began.  
 

The whole feel was off with staff just doing a fine dining service but zero interaction.   At end of meal said it was our table and enjoy as long as you wish and disappeared. 
 

Food.  7-8.   Not amazing.   Luminae even with its failures is a much better experience. 
 

 

IMG_1943.mov 43.74 MB · 1 download  

 

 

 

 

Interesting, we went to FC on each of the 1st 2 legs and had a excellent meal both times.  I had lamb chops on 1 visit and they were excellent.  The prime rib was the best I have had on a X ship. We rarely eat dessert but I did have the apple crumble and enjoyed it.  

Service was very good and we did have some pleasant conversations with the waiter and sommlier.  

 

The noise level isn't something the staff can do anything about and we have found FC to have the same problem on all E Class ships.

 

[hcat]

What time did you dine at FC?

We have it booked for 6 pm  for our first night on Ascent..Hope  the noise

will not kick in that early..although the bar area below will be very busy..

 

We can always ask for dessert/ birthday cake to go or send cake to BLU for the next night.

Edited December 11, 2023 by hcat