Silhouette around Britain staycruisecations

[upwarduk]

34 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.

There is a time limit prior to your cruise, I think it’s 3 days. You can certainly book up to 3 days before, so I’m assuming you can cancel up to 3 days.

[chemmo]

3 hours 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 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. 

 

Sincere thanks for your review! So pleased you enjoyed your RS experience.

 

Did you visit the Solarium pool? How busy was it?

 

 

[talljules1]

31 minutes ago, chemmo said:

Did you visit the Solarium pool? How busy was it?

 

 

Did walk through, but didn't spend time there. Didn't seem too busy.

[Minnie29]

Just back today from our 6 night cruise.

it was fantastic!!! 
Great cabin, great service and fabulous food. 
will try and answer any questions if needed?

[groryjm]

1 hour ago, Minnie29 said:

will try and answer any questions if needed?

What sort of thing were people wearing on the Chic Night? Were the any men wearing Black Tie (DJs) on other nights?

[isdoo]

8 hours ago, groryjm said:

What sort of thing were people wearing on the Chic Night? Were the any men wearing Black Tie (DJs) on other nights?

You will see DJs on every cruise with a chic night. 

[BestGuessed]

9 hours ago, groryjm said:

What sort of thing were people wearing on the Chic Night? Were the any men wearing Black Tie (DJs) on other nights?

 

We were on 9th July cruise and a minority (probably 20%) of gentlemen wore a DJ and the rest were dressed fairly casually although many wore lounge suits which is exactly what my husband wears when he leaves home each morning and heads to his office.  Hence he was wearing a D.J and very handsome he looked too !! 
I wore a full length gown on the first night and a cocktail length on the second both of which I would describe as very much “evening wear” as they are quite “dressy”

Ladies in general seemed more keen to dress up but there weren’t very many extremely glamorous outfits. Most wore cocktail length although there were some full length evening dresses.  

I would conclude that whatever you feel comfortable in will look fine and fit in perfectly.  If you want to get really glammed up then go for it !!
There was a broad spectrum of interpretation of the “Chic Night” dress code. 

[BestGuessed]

Just to add to my above post that I am describing the two Chic nights. On the six other nights everyone looked smart but most definitely casual. Hope this helps.

[chemmo]

12 hours ago, Minnie29 said:

Just back today from our 6 night cruise.

it was fantastic!!! 
Great cabin, great service and fabulous food. 
will try and answer any questions if needed?

 

What were the shops like? Much choice? Was the duty free alcohol available for purchase (I assume with tax added)? 

 

Yes, like everyone else lots of OBC to spend! 

[talljules1]

Just now, chemmo said:

 

What were the shops like? Much choice? Was the duty free alcohol available for purchase (I assume with tax added)? 

 

Yes, like everyone else lots of OBC to spend! 

The duty free alcohol/tobacco shop was closed for the duration of our cruise (sail date 17/07/2021).

 

The other shops had their usual stuff.  The iLounge seemed small (not that we ever use it, so I suppose that doesn't matter to us!! lol). Don't know if their prices are competitive or if they have the most up to date kit as did not ask. 

[chemmo]

14 minutes ago, talljules1 said:

The duty free alcohol/tobacco shop was closed for the duration of our cruise (sail date 17/07/2021).

 

The other shops had their usual stuff.  The iLounge seemed small (not that we ever use it, so I suppose that doesn't matter to us!! lol). Don't know if their prices are competitive or if they have the most up to date kit as did not ask. 

 

Thanks!

 

We don’t spend much time in the shops but this cruise we will need to spend something somewhere! 

[lovetoholiday]

13 minutes ago, chemmo said:

 

Thanks!

 

We don’t spend much time in the shops but this cruise we will need to spend something somewhere! 

In my opinion the shops were pretty poor unless you wanted high end stuff like Effy.  I usually manage to buy at least one wee trinket, but not this time.  I never spent a penny in the shops.

Nice handbags though, but I really don't need to add to my collection, so avoided them!

[ighten]

DJ is packed and ready here.. Been sat in casual for far to long.. Only problem is my shirts seem to have shrunk in the wardrobe..

[chemmo]

26 minutes ago, lovetoholiday said:

In my opinion the shops were pretty poor unless you wanted high end stuff like Effy.  I usually manage to buy at least one wee trinket, but not this time.  I never spent a penny in the shops.

Nice handbags though, but I really don't need to add to my collection, so avoided them!

 

Our opinion too usually...I think we will look at electronics first then resort to the other shops if we are desperate to spend up our OBC at the end of the cruise. Thanks for replying.

[chemmo]

30 minutes ago, ighten said:

DJ is packed and ready here.. Been sat in casual for far to long.. Only problem is my shirts seem to have shrunk in the wardrobe..

 

My clothes always shrink on the cruise, even if they aren’t laundered....Perhaps you had better buy new ones a size too large to accommodate for cruise shrinkage (it must be the sea air)....

Edited July 24, 2021 by chemmo

[phoenix1975]

14 hours ago, Minnie29 said:

will try and answer any questions if needed?

 

Hi - I've not been on Celebrity before so what sort of activities were available during the day? In particular, what was offered when you were in port for those passengers who weren't going on a shore excursion?

 

I'm not keen on going on a shore excursion as they are generally either trips to distilleries, visits to monuments/castles or coach tours. Were there many passengers who didn't go on shore excursions?

 

It's notable on the shore excursions that when we are going to Inverness & Glasgow, none of the shore excursions go to either city!

[upwarduk]

35 minutes ago, phoenix1975 said:

It's notable on the shore excursions that when we are going to Inverness & Glasgow, none of the shore excursions go to either city!

Cities says crowds to me, which I want to keep away from ATM.

Far better for scenic tours IMO.

[hawkesbaynz]

45 minutes ago, phoenix1975 said:

It's notable on the shore excursions that when we are going to Inverness & Glasgow, none of the shore excursions go to either city!

Not sure where the Inverness PoC anchors berths but I know Glasgow quite well & travelling from my in-laws in Greenock. It will be a short walk to a train station then a <1hr train ride. Glasgow is a fabulous city.

 

No shopping extravaganza in Greenock but a pleasant walk up to/past Gourock. A very good ice cream store enroute and coffee shops/bars in Gourock before walkling back. That is what we intend to do hopefully meeting sister-in law and my wife best friend.

[hawkesbaynz]

Scratching my head what I will do with the OBC. Trying a suite first time so no plans for speciality dining (have already purchase a 6 night package for a veranda cabin cruise in January). Just bought a new ipad and will not require tours in Greenock or Liverpool. Wife will be having all her treatments pre-cruise and we do not gamble...... ideas or is it a handbag🙂

[isdoo]

56 minutes ago, hawkesbaynz said:

Scratching my head what I will do with the OBC. Trying a suite first time so no plans for speciality dining (have already purchase a 6 night package for a veranda cabin cruise in January). Just bought a new ipad and will not require tours in Greenock or Liverpool. Wife will be having all her treatments pre-cruise and we do not gamble...... ideas or is it a handbag🙂

Maybe some nice wine? 

[downsmead]

4 hours ago, chemmo said:

 

Our opinion too usually...I think we will look at electronics first then resort to the other shops if we are desperate to spend up our OBC at the end of the cruise. Thanks for replying.

The iPad Pro’s were around $800 (64Gb) and $1100 (128Gb). Didn’t seem a good deal to me compared to what I paid for my one 🤷‍♀️. Plus VAT!

Edited July 24, 2021 by downsmead

[upwarduk]

13 minutes ago, downsmead said:

The iPad Pro’s were around $800 (64Gb) and $1100 (128Gb). Didn’t seem a good deal to me compared to what I paid for my one 🤷‍♀️. Plus VAT!

In 2018 we bought one, no VAT & an excellent exchange rate.

[BigAl94]

3 hours ago, hawkesbaynz said:

Not sure where the Inverness PoC anchors berths but I know Glasgow quite well & travelling from my in-laws in Greenock. It will be a short walk to a train station then a <1hr train ride. Glasgow is a fabulous city.

 

No shopping extravaganza in Greenock but a pleasant walk up to/past Gourock. A very good ice cream store enroute and coffee shops/bars in Gourock before walkling back. That is what we intend to do hopefully meeting sister-in law and my wife best friend.

You won't be permitted to do any of this, curated ship tours only

[the penguins]

3 hours ago, hawkesbaynz said:

Scratching my head what I will do with the OBC. Trying a suite first time so no plans for speciality dining (have already purchase a 6 night package for a veranda cabin cruise in January). Just bought a new ipad and will not require tours in Greenock or Liverpool. Wife will be having all her treatments pre-cruise and we do not gamble...... ideas or is it a handbag🙂

Ĺook upon the casino as an investment opportunity 

[Esprit]

Has there been any silent discos in the atrium on the previous three cruises or “White” nights?

What time did the Ocean cafe shut at night please? I often like to grab a pizza or some dessert once I finished drinking!😜