rinshin

Thanks for sharing your upper suite experience. 

5 hours ago, QuestionEverything said:

Hurtigruten

5 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

Of course not, Hurtigruten (and Havilla Voyages) continue.

Glad I came across this post.  We would love to try either of these cruises. Not interested in big ship entertainment venues so this will be closer to what we will be looking for.  Besides the food offering looks more authentic to the locality.  

Very good to know that we can request half/appetizer portions.  Normally, I prefer appetizer offerings to the entree in selected restaurants as those are dishes I normally do not have enough time/energy to prepare for ourselves and they tend to show more creativity. 
 

I can never eat a whole NY or rib eye on my own and save half to look forward to to be used as salad topping, in fried rice, Asian style noodle, frittatas, quesadillas, and even as sandwich filling in bahn mi for the two of us next day. 

Thanks  for the information. 

We are not big portion eaters and when we grill T-bone or porterhouse, we share.    Can we do that when dining in Tuscan?  I know there is a surcharge for dry aged prime porterhouse and that is fine.  

On 5/5/2024 at 5:23 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Did a quick video of afternoon tea in OceanView Cafe --- not real traditional and a bit sorry selection.

 

 

Not looking good for sure.😑

On 8/25/2021 at 6:29 AM, Lane412000 said:

We ate at Raw on 5 during our July 10th EDGE cruise and unfortunately, came away not only unimpressed but sick. The lobster and shrimp in the seafood tower were translucent. Living in the deep south our entire lives we realized that both were not good and only ate one bite of each.  Both seafoods obviously were not fresh and had been frozen and then cooked.  After each taking one bite we woke up during the night with stomach issues that passed within six hours.

 

During our August 14th APEX we decided to stay clear of the restaurant based upon the EDGE experience.

I see no seafod tower at Sushi on Five from the menu I see.  Are you referring to the Porch which seems to have the seafood tower?
 

2 hours ago, Pushka said:

Can I just check about the procedures in Hiroshima? Does this mean you arrive into Hiroshima earlier in the day and proceed to port tours as normal, then face exit immigration on return to the ship? Or do you not arrive into Hiroshima until lunchtime and can't do any touring until after 2.30pm plus, and then tour Hisroshima but then what time do you need to be back onboard?   I'm trying to sort our day there. 
 

That red wine - Grant Burge - is my home territory. We live around 40 minutes from the Barossa Valley. Except. I really don't like Shiraz!

 

And grits. I've heard of them on TV. But what are they? 😂

Very much like polenta but the grains are bigger making them more coarse.  I like them served in many ways including very creamyand rich  with cheese and milk and simpler with water and butter only. 

8 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 This afternoon was totally uneventful,  I took a nice nap and when I woke up it was time to get ready for dinner.  

 

The amuse-busche tonight was what we affectionately called “baby food” - a split pea purée with some crab meat  — it’s my least favorite one of all. 

 

For her appetizer, she went with her favorite dish - French Onion Soup

 

 

And I started with the Caesar salad 

 

 

For her main course she chose the grilled guinea hen

 

 

and I ordered the Roasted Lamb Loin — I experienced a first.  When my food was delivered, I took a bite of the lamb and with was cold — I had the waiter take it back and they brought me a second plate which was much better.  Everyone was very apologetic about the temperature of the dish being wrong. 

 

 

Our sommelier paired the lamb with a very nice wine.  I have had the 2018 version of this wine before and enjoyed this one as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your wife has pretty hands.  Although we did not grow up eating grits we really like various styles now.  We especially like Cajun shrimp over grits for lunch or dinner.  I even appreciate the Waffle House’s grits with their simple offering.  No Waffle House around here. 

18 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

  5 am is usually much too early for me.   Today is the first day that I’ve slept past 0430.  I was completely worn out from putting in 12,000 steps yesterday — half of which were up hill/stairs. 

 

 

 

Fernando was out Maitre’d on our Panama Canal transit cruise last year on Millennium and he is also our Maitre’d on this cruse.  Apparently he and two assistant waiters all took vacation after the Panama Canal trip and came back in November.  He’s a great guy and well know for his flashy clothes. 

 

 

 This is great advise.  My experience has been that Japan is a lot like the eastern seaboard of the US.  The fall colors are spectacular especially in the mountainous regions.  Personally, the most spectacular fall colors I have experienced in Japan was when one of my wife’s cousins and I took a weekend trip in fall to Oze National Park.  The only way in and out was to hike.  There was no road in or out.  Provisions for the people and businesses were brought in by a cable car system and no passengers were allowed to ride with the goods.  It’s an amazing site that you hear very little about. 

 

 

Haha, we return to Japan annually and few months before our trip, my husband urges me to walk with him in preparation as walking 5-7 miles through crowds in Tokyo is the norm on daily basis.  It is very brutal in July through August in the heat with all the trapped in heat from concrete jungle.

 He walks everywhere here at home.  To doctors’ appointments, Post office, stores, downtown area etc.   So walking 10 miles up and down in Japan is second nature to him.  Unfortunately, I no longer walk everywhere for daily to day activities  - just on walks. ☺️

On 5/2/2024 at 6:02 AM, DaKahuna said:

 I know that the majority of passengers on Celebrity do not travel in the Retreat and I hope that some of you that are on this cruise are willing to share your observations as I am sure they are different than mine.  However, I will continue to report on my experiences both with the Retreat and outside the Retreat.  

 

 After dinner, my DW was feeling the effects of a long day and we came back to the room.  After making sure she was settled for the evening I went down to the Retreat Lounge for a night cap.  With the exception of one or two folks who stopped by, I was the only customer so I stood at the bar and made friends with the night time bartender. 

 

 Since our last sailing on Millennium, a year ago, they have instituted a “menu” in the Retreat Lounge.  Here it is. 

 

 

 

On our last sailing, there were no liquors on display at the bar — that has certainly changed and I am really surprised at the offerings.  Unlike last year, Ron Zacapa seems to be everywhere.  They even had my “go to” Zacapa Solario 23 as well as Zacapa XO at the Sunset bar.  Also some rare finds are Woodford Double Oaked, Eagle Rare, Angels Envy, Whistle Pig, etc..  Quite a nice selection if I do say so myself.  

 

 

In any case, my pillow is calling my name so I am going to sign off for the evening.  

 

 

 

Awesome -  the wine list really helped me.  Thank you  so much! My husband is much easier to please as he normally likes beer (preferably Asahi Dry for mid range beer), some sparkling wines and sake I choose for us. 

On 4/30/2024 at 6:39 AM, MustBCruzn said:

 

I was stationed on Okinawa 76 - 77, and at NH Yokosuka from 77 - 79. Yup, it was a long time ago. 😅

On 4/30/2024 at 6:39 AM, MustBCruzn said:

 

I was stationed on Okinawa 76 - 77, and at NH Yokosuka from 77 - 79. Yup, it was a long time ago. 😅

On 5/1/2024 at 12:23 AM, DaKahuna said:

 

 Thank you for your service and yes, that was a long time ago. 

 

 Unfortunately the weather prevented me from taking the pictures I had in mind as any plans I had to walk from the main gate to the NEX, via the road that goes past the hospital were blown away in the wind and the rain.  I did try to walk from the exchange up to the skeet and trap pits beyond the baseball field but by the time I got to the field the wind had become unbearable so i turned around.  

 

 Here are the few photo’s I did capture .. 

 

 This use to be the field house for the gym.  I don’t think it is used today. 

 The new gym/field house is in back to the Benny Decker Theater to the left of the baseball diamonds.

 

 

 

 These anchors have been there for as long as I can remember. 

 

 

Home of the Yokosuka Seahawks.  Watched a lot of softball at this place. 

 

 

 The thrift shop 

 

 

 The base theater — showing its

 

 

Our daughter started middle school here .

 

 

Another part of the school 

 

 

The food court — There is also a Baskin Robin, an American Cafe, and a Pizza Hut in the main Exchange building. 

 

I attended my first American English school through Tachikawa too when my father was at Tachikawa AFB. 

On 4/30/2024 at 5:50 AM, DaKahuna said:

 We took a nice nap after our busy morning.  Fortunately we had planned for this and had purchased bento’s for this evening’s meal in the room.  

 

Outside:

 

 

Inside:  For a prepared meal you normally cannot go wrong with a nice bento box

 

.

 

 

So after waking up from our afternoon nap, we made a pot of hot water for some green tea and had our bento’s.  We are now relaxing and watching YouTube videos while planning for our visit to Yokosuka tomorrow.  

 

I am going to go to the Navy base, where I was stationed on three occasions, just to look around while my DW is going to be meeting with her sister for lunch and shopping.   It’s going to be interesting to see how much the base has changed in 34 years. 

I lived in Yokohama as a child for few years and even then their well-known food offering was packaged shumai.  Still is and always get their shumai which can now be found at most major train stations in Tokyo like Tokyo and Shinagawa Stations at bento shops. 

On 4/29/2024 at 6:03 AM, DaKahuna said:

I think any post about Japan would be remiss without the following, taken during our approach to Haneda this afternoon

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice look of Fujisan.

17 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

On longer cruises the dynamics change.   We kinda get tired of eating.   What I would give for a plate of Iain’s Mince and Tatty  
 

 

Hahaha, I know what you mean.  They all start looking, smelling, and tasting the same.  

Cruise critic members are so helpful.  Thank you so much for clearing up our questions.  I plan to bring a Japanese folding clothes hanger like this one for socks and underwear.  We always use this when we are in Tokyo staying  in airbnb. Works great and many Japanese use these too in Japan. Having a bigger bathroom helps like this sky suite we won. Through Amazon. 
 

alladaga Clothes Drying Hanger with 32 Clips and Drip Foldable Hanging Rack (Light Pink)

Still confused with what comes with successful move-up bid.  We are Elite member going from concierge to sunset sky suite on our 13 day Baltic cruise on Silhouette 5/24. 
 

What we know:

We will be keeping our already paid for premium beverage pkg and basic wifi.  Losing concierge first day lunch which was not important for us. Pay for higher gratuities based on sky suite.  
 

What we are getting: 

access to the retreat, Luminee dining, priority check-in, departure, and port tendering,  and reserved theater on chic nights.

How about laundry?  We can’t find it now but thought we get one free bag on our original cabin.  But, perhaps that comes with being elite?  Does that still stay the same? 

Do we get free room service?  

Any help much appreciated.  
 

9 hours ago, debfed65 said:

 

 

 

txtechmk & soccermommy - thank you for all the details.  Sounds like we will need to pack a little bit of everything but I am happy to hear you both had great weather. Japan is definately a bucket list destination for us and we are looking forward to it!  I love reading these live reviews with all the information & pictures about the ports.  

 

Again, thank you to DakKahuna for posting this live. 

 

rinshin - I live north of Toronto and our fall colours in Canada are pretty spectacular 🍁 ...although I am sure it would have been unique to see it Japan. 

If ever in Japan in mid to late September, visit Nikko via direct train from Tokyo even as a day trip. Incredible colors.  
 

We have done fall colors on a cruise from Boston into Quebec City in the fall many years ago, and it was very pretty.  We want to do that again. 

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I'm on Solstice now and the FCC are available with $100 pp deposit.   They currently have to be booked within 6 months and after 12 months become worthless and you forfeit the deposit if not used.

 

This is the fist time we have not purchased any.  Personal opinion is -  yet again Celebrity has made a change that in my mind will reduce bookings rather than increase them.

 

Also for Suites it is now either a $900 pp deposit OR 10% whichever is higher.    In our case if they want to pretend they are a Premium Carrier -- we will be booking with a real premium cruise line instead.

What change or changes causing this?  I am returning to Celebrity after considerable absence and accepted the fact that it is no longer the Celebrity of pre-2010 I am familiar with.  

18 minutes ago, debfed65 said:

 

 

Thank you DaKahuna for posting this live review, I am enjoying following along.  We are onboard Millennium this October 6-29 for the Best of Japan followed by Northeast Asia.  I know you have helped me by answering some other other questions I have posted on CC previously on other boards 😊

 

With that being said, I am hoping soccermommy &/or txtechmk could give me some insight regarding the weather in October?  Any info from anyone for travelling in October would be appreciated!

 

Thanks...Debbie 

Weather in October will be very good as long as no typhoons decide to make its presence known.  You will be missing the fall color though. I now avoid cherry blossom season due to all the tourists flocking there.   It gets very crowded in spring.  

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 

The last time my wife came over she flew ANA.  She could not say enough about how better the food was on the ANA flight vs what we had on United, although she did like the lay flat seats in United Polaris Business. 

 

Glad she liked it. It makes flying almost effortless for my husband. Good food, all the beer he wants to drink, watch 2-3 movies and go to sleep laying flat.  Unfortunately, no amount of pampering on flights is going to make me fall asleep. Usually white knuckle time for me. 

On 4/29/2024 at 5:23 AM, DaKahuna said:

 

Greetings from the InterContinental Yokohama Grand Hotel. 

 

We arrived at Dulles for our departure around 0945 on Sunday.  Due to having to use her passport which scans as her maiden name and not her married name, her KTN was not associated with her ticket so no TSA Pre.  This only added 10 minutes or so time as the airport was not busy at all.  

 

After clearning TSA we caught the train to C-Gates and proceeded directly to the Polaris Lounge.  This is our first time flying Polaris Business on an International flight, our other Polaris Business have been to/from Hawaii which does not give you lounge access.  

 

 We had a little over an hour in the lounge and took advantage of the buffet and I gave me recipe for a rum old fashioned to the bartender.  He said this was the first time he had ever made an old fashion with rum.  He did make one change - instead of sugar water, he used maple syrup.  He put very little in and the drink did not turn out overly sweet as I had initially feared.  

 

 

 

 We had the smoothest boarding I have encounter on a United flight in years.  Very few needing additional time, no children under two — under a dozen Global Services and 1K.  We were quickly in our seats and having a welcome sparkling wine.   

 

 Then things came to an abrupt halt.  Our 1235 departure was delayed 3 times and we ended up taking off around 1330.  Once airborne it turned out to be a long but comfortable flight.  

 

 After dinner service, I had the beef with barbecue sauce, with a a glass of champagne to go with the shirmp appetizer, and a glass of Pinot noir to go with the beef.  

 

 

For dessert, I had everbody’s favorite ice cream Sunday - with chocolate, nuts, and Bailey’s.  It was delicious. 

 

 

I watched two movies starting before, during and after dinner and then layed the seat back  and had a nice 5-hour nap.

 

They served half of a grilled cheese sandwich and soup, I passed on the soup but liked the grilled cheese.  

 

 About an hour and a half before arrival they served breakfast, sorry no photo’s.  It was okay — I had the egg dish with a sausage and potato’s. Nothing to write home about.  I have to say, I have joined the ranks of those who think the food is okay but believe it should be better in First Class/Business Class, especially on long intercontinental flights. 

From Dulles to Japan, if you ever get the chance to do business class through ANA or JAL, I recommend it.  Your wife would love the Japanese meals.  I normally order Japanese meals and my husband, western which looks terrific too. Also great personable service always.  We could not fly ANA or JAL on our upcoming flight to Europe so will be going on United Polaris.  

On 4/28/2024 at 4:38 AM, DaKahuna said:

 

 We are both really looking forward to this cruise. 

 It will be my first time back to Japan since 1990 and my wife's first time since 2019.  Expect lots of picture of food !! 

 

Wow, since 1990?  That is almost a quarter century ago.  My husband goes with me almost every year since retiring.  Enjoy your trip.  We did Japan with another couple through Azamara in 2015.  That was a great cruise. 

• Ship: silhouette
• Length of Cruise: 13 nights
• Cruise Sail Date: May 24, 2024
• Date email offer received: 2/27/2024
• Captain’s Club Tier: Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: direct
• Current Cabin: V2 - Concierge Prime 
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes

If YES -  Bidding Details:

• Cabin Category: Sunset Sky Suite
• Bid Offer: USD 1,330
• Notification Date: May 3, 2024
• Accepted / Rejected: Accepted 

25 minutes ago, D. B. said:

I Like Meatloaf and Turkey.

 For those who want Steak every night it is on the right side of the menu.

Yes steak, but it is sirloin according to our  app menu coming up later this month. Not NY, rib eye or tenderloin. And, I am disappointed in those.  I have already decided not to order any of their sirloin “steak” offering.   We will order from Tuscan instead. 

Ok, thanks, it has been 9 years since our last cruise.