NAVFAM

We are currently on the Millennium for a Pacific Coastal. Our first test kit was fine but the proctors were barely intelligible. Our next kit didn’t have a swab so we had to open a spare kit which was fine and the proctors were great. Moreover they submitted a trouble ticket and a replacement kit is on the way.

For both tests we only waited a minute or two to make the connection.
 

Fortunately we packed all six test kits! 
 

MARK

3 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

 

 

YUP!

1 hour ago, C-Dragons said:

The area where it appears there may be a new bar is the location where the concierge's desk used to be, near the restrooms. The entire area is larger than what is shown, and the counter height, IMO looks appropriate for a bar. A lighted cabinet has also been added on the back wall, probably to store alcohol.
 

3

Just off B2B Edge on Sunday and was standing in the space discussing this very same topic with one of the Concierge ladies. Certainly the height looks appropriate, and the cabinets are handy but would be way more comfortable seating if the top had an overhang. Hoping for the best.

MARK

On 2/7/2020 at 10:54 AM, C-Dragons said:

At 3.27 minutes in the first video and 5.30 minutes in the longer version, you can see that the Bar has been added (on the left side of the picture) to the Retreat Lounge. Looks like there is space for some bar stools in front of the bar. 👍🏻👍🏻

Unfortunately, this looks more like a counter rather than a bar.

Hope I'm wrong.

MARK

Just off the phone to change my Caribbean trip scheduled for this year to 2019. Curious if others are doing the same. ...

Nope, in addition to existing bookings just scheduled two more for this season. Leaving next weekend on a Southern Caribbean cruise we booked a couple of weeks ago at a huge discount. It’s just before an Eastern Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise we’ve had for some time. Always try to do add-on’s if the value is appealing and the logistics are favorable.

MARK

You nailed it and it's still simple! Nice aesthetics too.

Best addition to the X CC forum since the S Class cabin review sticky. In fact this should become a sticky.

Regards,

MARK

I did what you suggest during my simulations - simply chose one of the lower packages. I guess a "simple" thing might be to allow a user entered number as a drop down choice.

But, overall nice work! I used the tool to evaluate several of my upcoming cruises and might make a change or two, depending on tomorrow's mood-state :o.

Regards,

MARK

Keep it simple. In the "Total" column, either use white lettering or a dark green background - but not both. Whatever looks good to you. Then adjust your explanation accordingly.

One other thing. When evaluating what "promo" set I want to chose, rather than simply tossing in the current drink package values, I choose a number that the drink package is worth to me on that cruise. That number is always subjective, if not simply mood driven :o. A port intensive cruise would usually be a lower number. Just a thought, but not sure how to accommodate that here and still have it make sense - and simple at the same time.

Regards,

MARK

Your cruise fare comparison explanation indicates that best price will be displayed in a dark green cell with white lettering.

In the few simulations I ran, there were two dark green cells with white lettering. One in the "Total" column and another in the "Total minus OBC" column.

If that is what you actually intended, the explanation should be adjusted accordingly.

Regards,

MARK

You sure did. I'm a recovering (retired) IT guy, so like this kind of stuff.

Nice work... Check the Gratuities drop down for "Aqua". Other grats work fine. Still working through it.

the Barcelona Taxi app ooks effective and is mostly English language.

http://taxi.amb.cat/s/usuari/calcula-la-teva-ruta/versio-web.html

Regards,

MARK

in our experience, when the ship is overnight in Dubai, passengers are coming and going all the time. You may need to organise your early departure onboard, if you require help with your luggage, but the ship will be expecting passengers to disembark anytime from arrival on Sunday, so you will not be alone. Immigration checks will be carried out at the airport as normal. Don't worry, you will be able to disembark without a problem and there will be taxis waiting for you, whatever the time.

Thanks for the excellent reply. This is what I expected, but I'm routinely surprised. Thanks especially for the note regarding taxis.

MARK

We're planning an Azamara cruise ending in Dubai. The ship is arrives Dubai 3:00 PM on Sunday, stays overnight and normal debarkation is an unspecified time on Monday.

We want to debark on Sunday to catch a flight. I've reviewed a few older threads and it appears we won't have any problems leaving the ship a day early, but I'm concerned that we might have problems with entry visas, immigration, etc.

I had a recent issue transiting through Frankfurt after debarking in Barcelona. There were no Spanish immigration officials around and therefore no EU entry stamp -- oops. The German officials were not happy with that.

Does anybody have any recent (2014/15) experience getting off the ship early in Dubai and getting to/though the airport & immigration/passport control?

MARK

Im afraid I can't agree with this statement. Turkey is a very large country and the only British FCO advice is not to go within 10km of its border with Syria. Yes there have been demonstrations and the occasional suicide bomber in Istanbul, but is this any more serious than what happened recently in Paris? We have two holidays booked in the next 6 months to Turkey, one is on Azamara, the other is a family holiday to Bodrum with our children and grandchildren. Over 2.5 million Brits go to Turkey every year and it still remains as safe as many other countries in that part of the Med.

 

If you want to go with your TA's advice that's fine, it's your choice.

Agree wholeheartedly. We start a cruise every year from Istanbul and are getting there three days early for the 23 June 2015 Journey cruise. It's our favorite city on the planet and I feel safer there than where I live today - Wash DC, or where I grew up - LA. On the other hand, I've lived in Seoul, Bangkok, Naples & Saigon. Maybe my risk tolerance is greater, but I still fear DC & LA more than Istanbul. ;);)

MARK

The best has to be Jelena and Barbara in the Molecular bar on the Equinox. Fun, funny, and fantastic bartenders. Barbara could remember every drink I had ensuring I tried a different one each time and Jelena made off the menu books for me after she knew what I liked. Our tastes were much alike. They were pretty much the flame to the candle on our cruise two weeks ago. Hoping they're on the Equinox Transatlantic cruise we're considering in April. May be the clincher for booking the cruise!

They are indeed terrific and we have enjoyed their service on other ships as well. Hope to see them both once again in March!

MARK

On the Silhouette 18 Oct 14 Holy Land Cruise we were late to Jerusalem (Ashdod) with the same weather, currents & sea conditions excuse. We did arrive earlier than the Captain initially warned, but were late nonetheless.

Weather certainly appeared to be a non-issue. Best speed I saw trying to make up time to Ashdod was just under 20kts. According to the X website, cruise speed for Silhouette is 24kts. Even with a few years of "out-of-dock" performance degradation, she should still be capable of significantly more than 20kts.

I served on a very small destroyer out Naples for several years, so know the Med sailing environment well enough to be skeptical of this particular "Mother Nature" excuse. I think it was/is BS.

MARK

As soon as we realized what a great itinerary this was, we booked a great AQ-1 cabin at a relatively low (AQ-2) price onboard Silhouette mid-April 14. We were lucky to be in the right place at the right time and had our pick of cabins :).

Early November we noticed AQ-1 cabins were disappearing fast and assumed this unique itinerary was simply getting the attention it deserved.

Imagine our surprise when a week later our TA called and offered a lower fare by moving us to one of "her" cabins - but retaining our original cabin number. We also kept the onboard booking OBC, Classic Drink pkg & TA OBC. The new deal also added prepaid gratuities!

I guess since my DW is Asian, we might have been singled out for extra-special consideration :rolleyes:. On the other hand, I suspect the remaining cabins for this Signature Cruise were simply scarfed up by TA's.

We'll really be :(:( if X cancels this cruise.

MARK

Just reporting. Now on the rumor side look for a ship between M Class and S Class in size. Saw the new Mein Schiff 3 and it looks about right. Many officers in Connie toured it.

Went to Mein Schiff 3 on Wikipedia - nice design to say the least!

Even more interesting was Reference #1 pointing to the Det Norske Veritas listing which indicates "Celebrity Cruises Inc. Celebrity Xpedition for IGTV" is the Manager and Doc Holder.

Sounds like an inside track if this basic design is under consideration :).

MARK

Thank you for the heads up - very much appreciated:)

 

Our Europe to Emirates 17 nights cruise on Azamara is only $3200,- for a balcony cabin. (October 2016)

Also, their 10 nights Arabian Gulf cruise from Dubai is $2999,- for a balcony. (October 2016)

Not bad pricing at all.

I am really looking forward to see the Celebrity pricing (knowing fully well those itineraries might not be 17 and 10 nights)

Just booked the Azamara 17 nighter to Dubai. Great price!

Haven't been through Suez since '87 on an aircraft carrier. Should be a more relaxing experience this time :cool:.

MARK

My TA had set cabins aside on a couple of fall Eclipse sailings. When I saw the prices on the X website, I started laughing and told her to forget it. I'll wait for mid-summer or find something else to do. Viking, Oceania - hmmm!

MARK

I think in another thread someone mentioned placing a rolled up towel under the door of 6145.

Had SS 6146 for a couple of weeks on the Connie last year and it was a great cabin - that is until the adjoining Penthouse player piano began playing around the clock. It was miserable - not only for the noise, but also for the repetition. Turned out the occupants wanted to sit on the balcony all day with their friends, and enjoy the music. Apparently, it had to be loud to be heard outside, or maybe the balcony doors were closed - who knows??

Weather stripping or towels under the door would not have solved the problem. In this case, only good manners would make a difference.

The Butler was conflicted because he didn't want to annoy the $$$ Penthouse folks, but knew something had to be done. Funny part was that he kept suggesting that big $$$ spent for the Penthouse were of no concern. We were laughing since he kept bringing it up - we didn't.

We persisted for two days and finally Guest Relations settled it. After that, just a few murmurs - hopefully about us :p.

MARK

That's interesting since the tides at Inchon can reach up to 30 feet. They must have to do a lot of dredging in that channel for a cruise ship to dock.

And lots of fun for the deck crew trying to manage mooring lines & gangways as the tides ebb and flow.

MARK

Our TA usually adds more than you see on the web site. I have never found an advantage in dealing directly with Celebrity other than booking on-board which I then move to a TA within 60 days.

Ditto, and have received a huge amount of OBC over the years, while not wasting a single minute on the phone with X, ironing out some ambiguity .

MARK