Tipsy252

@Miaminice Really happy that your cruise is going well and that you feel able to enjoy the cruise and excursions. I hope that the protocols in place are adopted by Marella Cruises (UK arm of TUI) for the cruises they have scheduled. I loved the reports on your shore excursions and hope that similar excursions are available on the Marella Explorer. Did I read that you were only allowed to book 2 shore excursions on this cruise? Were the bikes carried on the ship as they appeared to carry the Mein Schif logos?

Thanks MV, I am vicariously following your cruise and posts, to stem my cruise fever! 😀 I appreciate your reviews of the onboard protocols, the facilities, food and excursions. Keep it up. I am booked on the Marella Explorer to Canaries in March 2021. Marella is another cruise line which is owned and operated by TUI, aimed at the UK cruise market. I am hoping for similar onboard procedures and social distancing to be in place, however I am not convinced and consequently very worried, that the UK cruisers will not be as compliant as the Germans appear to be. Thank you for your review and enjoy the rest of your cruise. I look forward to hearing more.

As mentioned Singapore is easily doable on your own with great MTR links. Do be aware there are 2 cruise ports in Singapore: Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC)at HarbourFront and the Marina Bay Cruise Centre (MBCC). Both are located not too far from the city centre and are well served by public transport: taxis and MRT(subway) for MBCC and including buses for SCC. Penang port is also near down town and the centre is easily walkable from the cruise ship.

It should if it is an English beer or ale!

I am booking this for our cruise in Jan 2020. From the Celebrity site, the tour leaves at 08:30 and is for passengers with flights after 17:00 (5 pm). Our flight home is not until 23:00 (11 pm), so we will also look at visiting the Jewel at Changi airport or getting a day room at a hotel near the airport..

Dear mking, can you supply a key for your map? Not sure what the doggy faces and dinosaur relate too?

Hi Jim_Iain, loving the review as we are thinking of doing Edge or Apex next year. I was actually in FCO Hilton for business on 22 and 23 Oct, so shortly after you. I think the hotel is the key coordinating point as there were a number of other cruises staying there.

For some a change of medication is just not an option. My DH is on Warfarin and has been for 9 years. He gets tested regularly and was told about the "new" drug Apixaban or Eliquis, but in order to change he would have to stop his current treatment and that is just too large a health risk.

When we visited Iceland, I used Islenski Hesturinn for the experience of riding Icelandic horses. Learning to Tolt is a fun experience and totally goes against all you are taught when you ride! I agree that the scenery and experience is something else and I am glad for your daughter that she was able to join the small group of experienced riders. Enjoy Iceland and the Silhouette, we will be on her in a few days so look after her.

Hi LuluNOLA, if you want to stay in Kyoto and are looking for a traditional experience have you thought about staying at a Ryokan? We stayed at the Ikomatsu Ryokan (http://www.ikumatsu.com) and had a wonderful experience. You are able to take a traditional japanese dinner on the terrace (yuka) overlooking the Kamagawa river, which is very nice. It is easy and safe to walk around Gion district at night.

Hi John or anyone else looking for tours on this Baltic Cruise. We used Tour in St. Petersburg and took a private tour, just 2 of us. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The price for the 2 day tour was RRub 44500 or around £610 GBP. This included entry to all the museums, cathedrals, places of interest, a tour of the canals and Hydrofoil ride. The only thing we had to pay for was food at restaurants and drinks/snacks. We had our own guide and a driver for 2 full days and saw so much more that the larger tours, as we were able to alter the itinerary to avoid crowds and also tailor to our interests.

We are on Silhouette in 2 weeks in CC. Will let you all know if we get a tote!

Taken from Celebrity Cruises website today: Additional Concierge Class Stateroom Features: Dedicated Onboard Concierge desk Priority check-in and priority disembarkation based on travel needs Concierge availability during pier check-in Exclusive pre-departure lounge Exclusive Destination Seminar Complimentary shoeshine service Exclusive embarkation day lunch Main and specialty restaurant seating time preferences Welcome Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine and fresh fruit Daily Delectable Delights Pillow menu Celebrity eXhale™ bedding featuring custom premium mattresses, plush duvets and pillows, pure cotton linens, towels, and use of bathrobes Custom-blended bath amenities Extra handheld hair dryer Use of golf umbrella and binoculars Celebrity tote bag Celebrity embossed key holder, notepad and pen Hansgrohe® massaging showerhead Expanded room service breakfast menu This may differ on the US based site, but the UK site clearly quotes 'Tote Bag' as Concierge amenity - if this is important to you.

Hi Sandy, We are also on this cruise and also 'night owls'! So I am sure we will see you somewhere around the ship. 😉 Have you joined the Roll Call for this cruise? We usually take breakfast on the balcony of our cabin, but try to go to the MDR breakfast at least once or twice per cruise. Lunch for us is fine and either from the Spa Cafe or Sushi on 5. Alternately we have 'coffee and a cake' in Al Bacio or coffee and a snack in a cafe ashore. We usually have no problem with a late dinner in MDR at 20:30 and as this is a UK based cruise. there will likely be more 'late' diners than on cruises out of US. Look forward to seeing you on board.