Silhouette around Britain staycruisecations

[mklions]

We are sailing on 14th August and wondered if you can get off the ship independently or do you need to still book a celebrity excursion?

Also is it better to book the upgraded drinks package online or wait until we board the ship.

Finally the dreaded PCR test we are going to stay inSouthampton two days pre cruise and wondered what to do for best? the nearest Eurofins site is a hour away from Milton Keynes or should we book one in Southampton whilst we are down there? I have read also cruisers are having problems getting their monies back after getting their own tests done.

 All a bit stressful and worrying to say the least.

Any advice really appreciated.

Mklions.

[Jimmark]

Wow! What world was I living in? 😆 I'll just walk past with a sad face and head to the bar 🤣

[isdoo]

13 minutes ago, mklions said:

We are sailing on 14th August and wondered if you can get off the ship independently or do you need to still book a celebrity excursion?

Also is it better to book the upgraded drinks package online or wait until we board the ship.

Finally the dreaded PCR test we are going to stay inSouthampton two days pre cruise and wondered what to do for best? the nearest Eurofins site is a hour away from Milton Keynes or should we book one in Southampton whilst we are down there? I have read also cruisers are having problems getting their monies back after getting their own tests done.

 All a bit stressful and worrying to say the least.

Any advice really appreciated.

Mklions.

 

Currently you need to be on a ships excursion. 

 

Not sure on the upgrade. If you want it go for it. 

 

We are staying in Southampton two days previous and having our pcr down there. 

[mklions]

22 minutes ago, isdoo said:

 

Currently you need to be on a ships excursion. 

 

Not sure on the upgrade. If you want it go for it. 

 

We are staying in Southampton two days previous and having our pcr down there. 

Thank you,

Where did you book your Southampton PCR test and was it with Eurofins ?

[isdoo]

28 minutes ago, mklions said:

Thank you,

Where did you book your Southampton PCR test and was it with Eurofins ?

 

Yes at Fareham at Solent Hotel where we are staying 

[pennys mum]

4 hours ago, isdoo said:

You have to recite it word for word to a crew member 😂

I believe they know if you have watched it - you then have to go and get your sticker from the muster station .

 

Brilliant. If it's still that stupid spy one, I probably could

[isdoo]

3 minutes ago, pennys mum said:

Brilliant. If it's still that stupid spy one, I probably could

 

Actually they have cameras in every cabin to check 😂 😂 😂 

[upwarduk]

https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/19460541.anthem-seas-becomes-first-cruise-ship-visit-greenock-since-2019/
 

Visits to Scottish ports look more promising.

Edited July 22, 2021 by upwarduk

[hawkesbaynz]

Friends and wife’s family sent us photos of her sailing this evening. Quite excited! May not be when we tell them we are coming up in September on the Silhouette😀. Hope to use this as my annual in-laws family visit…😊. Would be a shame if we could only wave from our suite balcony. 

[TimWB]

13 hours ago, mklions said:

We are sailing on 14th August and wondered if you can get off the ship independently or do you need to still book a celebrity excursion?

Also is it better to book the upgraded drinks package online or wait until we board the ship.

Finally the dreaded PCR test we are going to stay inSouthampton two days pre cruise and wondered what to do for best? the nearest Eurofins site is a hour away from Milton Keynes or should we book one in Southampton whilst we are down there? I have read also cruisers are having problems getting their monies back after getting their own tests done.

 All a bit stressful and worrying to say the least.

Any advice really appreciated.

Mklions.

Hi @mklionsWe live just outside Aylesbury and went to the Courtyard hotel at Luton airport for your tests. Very good service and the parking is free if you register at reception. In and out in 15 mins for the 2 of us. We were going to Boots in Watford but then I saw this location on the Eurofins list. There was no problem cancelling Boots as they only charge when you get tested, but cancel on the app.
Re the drinks upgrade we have taken it and paid in advance. But kind of wish we had waited as I have seen posts on here saying people have been emailed with discount offers on bev package upgrades, I don’t know how much disc though. If you wait until on board I believe they sometime of discounts too. Also you can do it after a couple of days when you have seen how much you are paying in upgrades each day. You only have to buy it for the remaining days. And maybe only 1 of you needs the upgrade, I think this is allowed. 
If you decide to upgrade before you travel then don’t forget that if you have any Captains Club points at all then you qualify for a 5% discount on the advanced upgrade. 
We sail today so if I see any discounts I will post 

Cheers Tim 🥂

[hawkesbaynz]

I have paid in advance. However am told a good ploy is to purchase the upgrade at your favourite bar. The barman will get commission and, hopefully, give you great service😀. Am also think the sommelier in the restaurant as good service essential when dining. 
 

saw the Silhoette in Southampton when walking/swimming the Labrador on Southampton Water this am.  Jealous🙂. 
 

Friend in Greenock believes she spoke to folk off Anthem of the Seas yesterday. They were walking the Esplanade. Not many English tourists in Greenock usually. Hopefully that is a good sign😃

[ighten]

Bare in mind depending on your CC level you will get a discount on the drinks upgrade by pre booking it (you should have or will get an email for that).. Think it starts at 5% and rises to about 20% (Im sure someone will know exactly)

[upwarduk]

15 hours ago, mklions said:

Finally the dreaded PCR test we are going to stay inSouthampton two days pre cruise and wondered what to do for best? the nearest Eurofins site is a hour away from Milton Keynes or should we book one in Southampton whilst we are down there?

Just make sure you have sufficient time for the results.

 

[talljules1]

On 7/21/2021 at 11:51 PM, downsmead said:

Beware that any price has 20% VAT added so at present does not make the price on board better than that which can be got in the U.K. 😔

Just got home - amazing cruise.  Will write proper review etc when have recovered from the early start and long drive.

 

You are correct - VAT is added.

 

I got the Chronomat 44 - and, VAT included, saved £1500 on what I could have bought for from the dealer here (plus saved another $400 from un-used OBC). Deals are there to be had - negotiate!!  I used the Wi-Fi to check prices at Goldsmiths before I walked into the store, so I knew what the prices were, and negotiated in £ (they converted back to dollars at the end - I made sure I knew what exchange rate they were using for that) and as a final price (VAT inc.)

[chemmo]

28 minutes ago, talljules1 said:

Just got home - amazing cruise.  Will write proper review etc when have recovered from the early start and long drive.

 

You are correct - VAT is added.

 

I got the Chronomat 44 - and, VAT included, saved £1500 on what I could have bought for from the dealer here (plus saved another $400 from un-used OBC). Deals are there to be had - negotiate!!  I used the Wi-Fi to check prices at Goldsmiths before I walked into the store, so I knew what the prices were, and negotiated in £ (they converted back to dollars at the end - I made sure I knew what exchange rate they were using for that) and as a final price (VAT inc.)

 

Looking forward to your review...We are days from deciding if we should go ahead with our September cruise or defer to next year...hopefully your comments may help us decide....

[sammyboots]

59 minutes ago, talljules1 said:

Just got home - amazing cruise.  Will write proper review etc when have recovered from the early start and long drive.

 

You are correct - VAT is added.

 

I got the Chronomat 44 - and, VAT included, saved £1500 on what I could have bought for from the dealer here (plus saved another $400 from un-used OBC). Deals are there to be had - negotiate!!  I used the Wi-Fi to check prices at Goldsmiths before I walked into the store, so I knew what the prices were, and negotiated in £ (they converted back to dollars at the end - I made sure I knew what exchange rate they were using for that) and as a final price (VAT inc.)

Lovely that you enjoyed your cruise, we are on the 14th august sailing, looking forward to your review!😊

[talljules1]

So - we are just back from our 6-night cruise from Southampton, which sailed on 17th July 2021. I was having serious doubts as to whether it was sensible to go the night before.  I am glad we went.

 

First off - PCR testing.  We're in Sheffield and we used Eurofins.  We had our tests in a travel agency across the city on the Wednesday before the Saturday testing. It was very straight forward, and we both had our (negative) results back in less than 24 hours.  Phew!

 

Our boarding time was 12.00-12.30pm. We arrived at the port at 11.50am and parked up. Asked the stewards in the carpark whether we should bag drop in the carpark or in the terminal (as in the retreat) and were advised there was no bag drop for us in the terminal. Dropped our cases at our car, and headed in.  We were stopped twice on the way in to the building - first to ask us if we had been vaccinated, next person asked us if we had our PCR results.  Once inside we let someone know we were in a RS, and we were lead through security and to someone with an iPad. She scanned our passports, XPress passes, COVID passes (I had printed them off from the NHS app) and PCR results (which I had also printed out). We were then immediately escorted onboard to our suite - and were aboard by noon.

 

The ship was at ⅓ capacity - about 1000 passengers. Was lovely - also meant the lifts came really quickly, even on disembarkation day!

 

The RS was just amazing. We've never sailed in anything higher than a Sky Suite before. Our personal retreat host (aka butler), Joey came to introduce himself and talked us through the suite. Told us we could have unlimited free laundry (and we made use of that - almost everything we brought back is clean!). Almost everything we had asked for from the shoreside concierge was already set up. I gave Joey a copy of our email exchange and the rest was sorted within minutes.  Next, we did our muster drill. You watch a short (approx 2 min) video on your stateroom TV, and then click to confirm who has watched it. You listen to a recording of the ship's emergency signal, and then we headed to our muster station where they confirmed we had watched it, and put stickers on our seapass cards.  Whole thing took no more than 5 mins, including getting from suite to muster station.  Much better than the old way!

 

I need not have worried re COVID. All the crew wear masks all the time. Seating was distanced.  Everyone wore masks indoors (unless eating/drinking) - didn't see anyone not doing it. Hand sanitiser stations everywhere. It felt very safe. Indeed, it felt safer than at home!

 

All of the staff were so friendly and helpful. They seemed genuinely pleased to have us aboard and to be sailing again. They really made our cruise.  Our personal retreat host and the retreat concierges (Mike and Andrea) were lovely and great at dealing with any minor niggles as they arose. Despite social distancing we were still able to meet fellow passengers and make new friends.

 

The ship is beautiful, and the upgrades due to revolutionisation are really great.  The retreat lounge and sundeck are nice but we didn't spend much time there - not a lot of shade on the retreat deck (and, well, it IS a sundeck!).  Did pop in to get the drinks we like (with spirits not stocked at most other bars). The new seating areas by the Sunset bar on Deck 15 are just wonderful - we loved it.

 

Food on board was superb. We had breakfast in our suite or in luminae - both very good. We ate lunch in the Porch, Lawn Club Grill, Sushi on 5 and Luminae - and on our last day were invited to lunch in Blu with the senior officers. All were very good.  Dinner was generally in Murano, with forays to Tuscan, Luminae and Le Petit Chef. Murano remains our firm favorite. Tuscan was good too - I tried the Porterhouse (i.e. T-bone) steak and it was tasty (and yes, there is an upcharge even if you have all-inclusive specialty dining.  We knew and expected that). We had made our dinner reservations prior to boarding. We found we didn't need to make reservations for any of the other restaurants. We didn't eat in the MDR or Oceanview, so can't comment on that (other than to say that when we looked in, the food in Oceanview looked great!). I have a medical condition that results in a special dietary requirement and it was effortlessly catered for. I ate very well indeed!

 

There seemed to be plenty of things to do on board, but on board entertainment generally doesn't interest us so we don't bother with it. (We like to spend our time either sitting and chatting with people or sleeping/reading.) However, no need to book - if you want to go along, just pitch up. The cruise director, Lewis, seemed very engaging.

 

As others have noted, if you buy something onboard, VAT is added - worth bearing in mind if you're going to buy expensive jewellery or watches etc (as I did).  There are still good deals to be had and I found the staff open to negotiation. I left feeling I got a great deal and am happy.

 

We didn't do any shore excursions and stayed on the ship - we went for the cruise, not the ports this time. It was very relaxing.

 

We had one evening chic night (6-night sailing). This was on the first sea day. There was a good range from smart casual (that was us) up to dinner jackets. So, wear what makes you comfortable!

 

We wondered whether restrictions re masks/distancing/shore excursions would be lifted on 19th July. They were not. (Didn't hear anyone complain about that - and we too were glad they remained). We asked the officers at lunch on the last day, and were told that they would remain in force for the cruise leaving today. (So, rules might change in future, but they had no idea when).

 

I've seen comments in the thread re travel insurance, I think. Yes - we had some. No, no one asked us about it and no one asked to see it.  (We always travel with it). No one took our temperature, we did not have to undergo any testing on board (no maths A Level - awww!), and there were no tracelets (and, I think, no plans to use them).

 

All in all an absolutely wonderful cruise. We thoroughly loved it, felt very spoiled by (and lucky to have) our RS, and were sorry to have to disembark. 

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by talljules1

[sammyboots]

6 minutes ago, talljules1 said:

So - we are just back from our 6-night cruise from Southampton, which sailed on 17th July 2021. I was having serious doubts as to whether it was sensible to go the night before.  I am glad we went.

 

First off - PCR testing.  We're in Sheffield and we used Eurofins.  We had our tests in a travel agency across the city on the Wednesday before the Saturday testing. It was very straight forward, and we both had our (negative) results back in less than 24 hours.  Phew!

 

Our boarding time was 12.00-12.30pm. We arrived at the port at 11.50am and parked up. Asked the stewards in the carpark whether we should bag drop in the carpark or in the terminal (as in the retreat) and were advised there was no bag drop for us in the terminal. Dropped our cases at our car, and headed in.  We were stopped twice on the way in to the building - first to ask us if we had been vaccinated, next person asked us if we had our PCR results.  Once inside we let someone know we were in a RS, and we were lead through security and to someone with an iPad. She scanned our passports, XPress passes, COVID passes (I had printed them off from the NHS app) and PCR results (which I had also printed out). We were then immediately escorted onboard to our suite - and were aboard by noon.

 

The RS was just amazing. We've never sailed in anything higher than a Sky Suite before. Our personal retreat host (aka butler), Joey came to introduce himself and talked us through the suite. Told us we could have unlimited free laundry (and we made use of that - almost everything we brought back is clean!). Almost everything we had asked for from the shoreside concierge was already set up. I gave Joey a copy of our email exchange and the rest was sorted within minutes.  Next, we did our muster drill. You watch a short (approx 2 min) video on your stateroom TV, and then click to confirm who has watched it. You listen to a recording of the ship's emergency signal, and then we headed to our muster station where they confirmed we had watched it, and put stickers on our seapass cards.  Whole thing took no more than 5 mins, including getting from suite to muster station.  Much better than the old way!

 

I need not have worried re COVID. All the crew wear masks all the time. Seating was distanced.  Everyone wore masks indoors (unless eating/drinking) - didn't see anyone not doing it. Hand sanitiser stations everywhere. It felt very safe. Indeed, it felt safer than at home!

 

All of the staff were so friendly and helpful. They seemed genuinely pleased to have us aboard and to be sailing again. They really made our cruise.  Our personal retreat host and the retreat concierges (Mike and Andrea) were lovely and great at dealing with any minor niggles as they arose. Despite social distancing we were still able to meet fellow passengers and make new friends.

 

The ship is beautiful, and the upgrades due to revolutionisation are really great.  The retreat lounge and sundeck are nice but we didn't spend much time there - not a lot of shade on the retreat deck (and, well, it IS a sundeck!).  Did pop in to get the drinks we like (with spirits not stocked at most other bars). The new seating areas by the Sunset bar on Deck 15 are just wonderful - we loved it.

 

Food on board was superb. We had breakfast in our suite or in luminae - both very good. We ate lunch in the Porch, Lawn Club Grill, Sushi on 5 and Luminae - and on our last day were invited to lunch in Blu with the senior officers. All were very good.  Dinner was generally in Murano, with forays to Tuscan, Luminae and Le Petit Chef. Murano remains our firm favorite. Tuscan was good too - I tried the Porterhouse (i.e. T-bone) steak and it was tasty (and yes, there is an upcharge even if you have all-inclusive specialty dining.  We knew and expected that). We had made our dinner reservations prior to boarding. We found we didn't need to make reservations for any of the other restaurants. We didn't eat in the MDR or Oceanview, so can't comment on that (other than to say that when we looked in, the food in Oceanview looked great!). I have a medical condition that results in a special dietary requirement and it was effortlessly catered for. I ate very well indeed!

 

As others have noted, if you buy something onboard, VAT is added - worth bearing in mind if you're going to buy expensive jewellery or watches etc (as I did).  There are still good deals to be had and I found the staff open to negotiation. I left feeling I got a great deal and am happy.

 

We didn't do any shore excursions and stayed on the ship - we went for the cruise, not the ports this time. It was very relaxing.

 

We had one evening chic night (6-night sailing). This was on the first sea day. There was a good range from smart casual (that was us) up to dinner jackets. So, wear what makes you comfortable!

 

We wondered whether restrictions re masks/distancing/shore excursions would be lifted on 19th July. They were not. (Didn't hear anyone complain about that - and we too were glad they remained). We asked the officers at lunch on the last day, and were told that they would remain in force for the cruise leaving today. (So, rules might change in future, but they had no idea when).

 

I've seen comments in the thread re travel insurance, I think. Yes - we had some. No, no one asked us about it and no one asked to see it.  (We always travel with it). No one took our temperature, we did not have to undergo any testing on board (no maths A Level - awww!), and there were no tracelets (and, I think, no plans to use them).

 

All in all an absolutely wonderful cruise. We thoroughly loved it, felt very spoiled by (and lucky to have) our RS, and were sorry to have to disembark. 

 

Thank you for your review, I’m loving reading everyone’s experiences! 

[isdoo]

@talljules1 curious as to why you called the butler 'personal retreat host'? Or are Celebrity trying to rename them? 

 

[talljules1]

Just now, isdoo said:

@talljules1 curious as to why you called the butler 'personal retreat host'? Or are Celebrity trying to rename them? 

 

Yup - they've renamed them. That was his title on his badge (and how he introduced himself to us)

[mklions]

6 hours ago, TimWB said:

Hi @mklionsWe live just outside Aylesbury and went to the Courtyard hotel at Luton airport for your tests. Very good service and the parking is free if you register at reception. In and out in 15 mins for the 2 of us. We were going to Boots in Watford but then I saw this location on the Eurofins list. There was no problem cancelling Boots as they only charge when you get tested, but cancel on the app.
Re the drinks upgrade we have taken it and paid in advance. But kind of wish we had waited as I have seen posts on here saying people have been emailed with discount offers on bev package upgrades, I don’t know how much disc though. If you wait until on board I believe they sometime of discounts too. Also you can do it after a couple of days when you have seen how much you are paying in upgrades each day. You only have to buy it for the remaining days. And maybe only 1 of you needs the upgrade, I think this is allowed. 
If you decide to upgrade before you travel then don’t forget that if you have any Captains Club points at all then you qualify for a 5% discount on the advanced upgrade. 
We sail today so if I see any discounts I will post 

Cheers Tim 🥂

Hi Tim,

Thank you very much for you comments. Have a wonderful cruise, did you book the ships excursions or hoping you can get off independently.

Finally if we do edge our bets and book a ships excursion could we later cancel them if things change and we are allowed to get off on our own/

Would really like to do the hop on hop off bus when we dock in Belfast. 

Mklions.

 

[isdoo]

5 minutes ago, talljules1 said:

Yup - they've renamed them. That was his title on his badge (and how he introduced himself to us)

Not going to like that! 😂

[ighten]

12 minutes ago, mklions said:

Finally if we do edge our bets and book a ships excursion could we later cancel them if things change

Yes -- you can even cancel it on line before you go (though it may then turn into OBC) - I cant remember if its the same if you cancel onboard.

[mklions]

17 minutes ago, ighten said:

Yes -- you can even cancel it on line before you go (though it may then turn into OBC) - I cant remember if its the same if you cancel onboard.

I guess  its a case of how long do you wait, I would hate for the excursions to be sold out, then find we could not get off the ship.

Decisions, decisions.

Not easy these days!

Mklions

[lovetoholiday]

1 hour ago, talljules1 said:

The cruise director, Lewis, seemed very engaging.

Lewis?  What happened to Manuel???  He was very funny.