Jim_Iain

As you may know they no longer have a dedicated butler in Sky Suites. They have shifted to a Butler Team and you make your request via phone to a Head Butler and they coordinate. Having said that we travel in CS and RS and am currently in a RS after being in a CS for the first cruise of a B2B. Even though we have the same butler the level of service is in the RS is much more than in a CS. Our usual list of request - 1. Don't bring any snacks - I end up eating them even if not hungry. 2. Extension Cord (but not needed in a RS) 3. 2 Isotopic Pillows 4. Swap the Bubbly for Chardonnay We have Anu, one of the best Butler's ever on Edge. He is just intuitive and knows what we need and surprises us. First day I brought back some San Pelligrino and he told us we don't need to do that, just call him. Next day the room was stocked. We ordered a bar setup and he inquired what he needed for mixer's and was stocked. We also requested a tea kettle and when he noticed Iain was drinking Teatly British Strength Tea - room was stocked with it. We had a problem in Lumina with them getting a wine Iain likes. Retreat couldn't find it and Luminae said it wasn't available, even though we knew it was aboard. That night both had it. Not an expensive Chardonnay but one he likes. Tonight we want to go to Fine Cuts and even though it is fully booked he will get us in. BTW our friends were in a Sky Suite and never met the Team Butler while we met ours within minutes of boarding. They get a call when an Upper Suite boards and will either meet you at the terminal or your room. They got nothing standard but every request was promptly taken care of or delivered.

I guess another cost savings (scrimping) move. They have a new butter mold. Looks like a mini rabbit turd.

I'm on Edge currently - For the first Leg - Singapore - Indonesia - Australia, I brought none. In Singapore on the street got exchange very close to the spot market so piked up $60. Didn't spend any after 4 days in Singapore so when we arrived in Bali - in the terminal I converted it to IRp - on first day spent about $20 worth of IRp for entrance fees and tickets. Next day a crew member from Bali insisted on taking us around. We insisted on paying for everything still didn't spend any so I asked him to do us a favor and accept the remainder as a gift for taking the time to show us around. In Australia - everything was on Apple Pay - Now on the way to New Zealand and don't intend on buying any NZ $ --- All guides gladly accept USD as most Aussie and Kiwi's don't tip at all.

Totally sated we headed back to the ship Wedding RR The sun was so bright we could hardly see the camera for a selfie - Iain looked like Mr. Magoo so I of course said - Give me a Iain pose. Return to the ship was really well organize. As soon as we said B2B they pointed us to an elevator and up we went to deck 3 - showed Passports to Immigration and were pointed to the entry for the ship. They had an agent at every corner to help to make sure you didn't take a wrong turn. On the ship within 3 minutes of arriving at the terminal. Job well done Celebrity.

As a table starter we had Taramasalata For Starters I had the Crab Slider David had the Steak Tartar Iain had the Jamon Croquett - He thought they were going to be tiny... So large I HAD to eat one and he could barely touch his Salad. For Desert - Robert had the Semi freddo I had the Pineapple Granate - The whipped coconut cream hidden in the middle was a surprise and incredible. Iain had the Tiramisu. He was in love. He said it was almost as good as his, Later when I said I had desert envy -- he said - I have to revise my opinion - I hate to say it is better than mine. I signed as his is absolutely incredible and the GOLD standard I judge all Tiramisu against.

Next we stopped by for a quick view of the Aboriginal art exhibition. Time for Lunch

Stopped on patio for a nice view. The temps were like a furnace.

We loved the Guggenheim in Bilbao ----- Such an incredible museum.

There has been a lot of discussion about dehydration - read an interesting article the the Australian Guardian just now - “As a general guide, you can assume that on a hot day, depending on what you are doing, you are sweating half a liter an hour and should be drinking 250ml (8 Ounces) of water every hour." https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/09/dehydration-how-to-tell-how-to-avoid-fix-cure

I believe the existing is 24 hours prior to the excursion departure time.

Next up in the next building was The exhibition was broken into two segments Light and Dark. Weird but enjoyable Dark was my favorite. You go down 3 levels. The exhibition is inside an old Oil Silo. Your eyes adjust to the darkness as you walk down a circular stairway. IMG_1748.mov

Weather may be totally different or the same as us as you will be in beginning of Fall and I guess we are early Summer. Sydney and GBR were REALLY hot. We left Sydney with 110F and today at sea the temperature is 72 Currently. Suppose to be rather chilly for South New Zealand. Layered look and Puffers will be in order . I'll try to report Temperatures for you and other Australia and New Zealand Cruiser will know how to pack. I just google each port and December Temperatures to get a good idea.

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

The internet did return to the regular speeds by this morning.

We haven't spotted her but at Zenith lunch a couple I was talking to said they saw her dining last night in Cosmopolitan with a large contingent. They said they had tried to order about 3 drinks on the menu and were told they didn't have the ingredients. They filled out an attention to detail form and next day they got a call saying the Food and Beverage said he instruction the restaurants to have everything for every drink on the menu. Probably because of LHB because up until now lots of shortages.

How did you guess. Not only a new short he went for the whole ensemble. I told him I couldn't wait to wear that shirt. The advantages of being a male couple. You have to pack half the wardrobe.

Yea. I remember our TP to Yokohama and Japan Emerson. We got a call at 6:00 saying we were being evacuated from the ship because port was closing due to Typhoon. The put up overnight in a hotel and Millie went out in the bay and rode out the storm that fell apart just over Yokohama. The pushed all ports by a day, ruining 5 private group tours I had arranged. Luckily I had not collected money in advance. Looks like the cyclone may stall out when approaching Australia and dump lots of rain.

We were running early so just relaxed in Hyde Park. While it was approaching 100F it was very comfortable sitting in the shade with a Sax player playing Christmas tunes in the background Australian Ibis were in abundance and definitely not afraid of people.

We continued up Pitts Street toward Hyde Park and the Botanic Gardens. Xmas is coming We then walked through an area reminiscent of Rodeo Drive.

Today was to be a relaxed day. My doctor wanted me to pick up a BP monitor and start sending him my BP and Pulse. Kaiser has some great doctors and mine I have had for 15 years and easy to chat with him via the messaging portal. We left the ship along with a couple Energy Drinks when the final call came. It was like swimming up stream as about 100 local Travel Agents were boarding for tours of the ship. Our objective was to meet David and Robert at the Sydney Art Gallery up on the hill where the Botanic Garden is located. They had purchased tickets for the Kandisky and Louise Bougeois Exhibitions followed by lunch at "Art Gallery of Restaurant" Crafted by Matt Moran. We started off walking down Pitt Street on the way to Pharmacy Warehouse a top pharmacy. Just some random pictures of our wandering

Thanks - One of the waiter showed us a Clip he downloaded (probably from Celebrity somewhere) It was recorded by a number of Drones. It was reported on FB that they saw lots of drones. This is the hype video before arrival https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1047430406608497

I won't even tell you what it cost. Iain choked but said - Community Property - "I'll look great in it".

Love it. Now I have to memorize all those Kiwi words. LOL - My favorite is Ausie Thongs.

The decision for Sydney to build the Iconic Opera house hit a home run. It is as recognizable as the Eifle Tower. Have to say I capture so many pictures but didn't want to bore everyone with hundreds of pictures.

Yea, that is where she told us she was heading. I need to e-mail her and check in with her. Time flies by.