Millennium B2B - Dec 13-23 / Dec 23-27

[CruiseNYC]

After a 2 year hiatus, we’re ready to cruise again and so ridiculously excited.

We did our eMed proctored test yesterday and we found it to be a challenge. I should preface that by saying that DH and I are VERY tech-challenged. I anticipated brain freeze and I had already asked our daughter to come over and give us a hand. Thank goodness for that!  We were unable to connect on iPad so we switched to phones. That worked but it was almost impossible to hear the proctor!  The volume was as high as it goes (no, we are not hard of hearing) and even our DD was struggling. We tried with ear pods but that didn’t help. They actually made it worse.  We also had a tough time dealing with getting the camera on the phone right. Again, we are complete tech idiots and we struggled. We could probably figure it out ourselves next time but I think it will just be easier to go into our walk in health clinic a couple of blocks away.  (Btw, I tried to post this yesterday and failed. That’s how challenged I am.)
Anyway, we are Covid-free and fly to FLL this morning. We’ll overnight at a beachfront hotel tonight.  We hope to be on the ship by noon tomorrow.

I will do my best to post from the ship but, as you can already tell, that may be well beyond my abilities.  Fingers crossed!

[Jim_Iain]

Welcome back to sea.     Hope you have a wonderful tip.   Look forward to following you r posts.

 

 

Jim

[Missymo]

I and some of our friends  will be joining you on your second leg. (Dec 23-27).  Join our group for our Holiday cruise on   FB , " Celebrity Millennium holiday cruise 23-27, 2021," as well as our roll call here.  Getting together to enjoy a sail away meet,  gift exchange,  and maybe slot pull .  Enjoy the Millie, she's a great ole lady. Hope to see you onboard. 

[IJustWantToGo36]

Will be on 1st leg with you

Me and DW ALWAYS on dance floor

Me- Big and bald

Her= PERFECT

Come say HI

Alan and MArcia

[CruiseNYC]

Thank you all!  Looking forward to seeing you on board. 
We may be spending the first week hibernating on our balcony - and I also have some virtual meetings to deal with this week, WiFi permitting - but DH is the master of the mobility scooter and I’m the one always with a huge “I’m sailing” smile.  
Thank you to everyone who recommended LarrysLimos. Pick up at FLL was great. Wheelchair assist brought us to the curb with the suitcases and rollator and Larry’s picked us up curbside. 
We’re now watching the boats go by and enjoying the lovely weather. 
Be safe everyone.  See you on the Millennium tomorrow  

[CruiseNYC]

Yay - we made it!  We are on board the beautiful Millennium. 
We had made some (I guess) unusual requests when our cabin attendant came by because, after we returned from a lovely lunch at Luminae, we were visited by a medical officer and our retreat host. 
We were anxiously waiting for my husband’s dialysis supplies to make it on board - 9 cartons - which explained our earlier requests to the attendant. The officer immediately understood the situation - and called down to check on delivery. Sure enough, they found the cartons and were speedily delivered.  We are ready to sail.

We are very impressed with all the delightful staff we’ve met so far. This new muster drill - in the comfort of our cabin - is perfect and makes a lot of sense.

Of course, my lack of tech skills made it more difficult for me to access internet but, after I read the instructions 5 more times, I was able to create an account and log on. No eye-rolling, please!
We can see the Silhouette from our balcony - happy for all of us sailing on this beautiful day. 
 

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, CruiseNYC said:

Yay - we made it!  We are on board the beautiful Millennium. 

Bon Voyage. 🥂

[scrapcreator]

Bon voyage!

[CruiseNYC]

We’re just pulling into our first stop - Bahamas.  Not sure how much we’ll have time to do today as I’m going to try to attend a work meeting, depending on WiFi mood.  We leave here at 2 - short day - but we’re back in the Bahamas on the second part of the trip.

We had a terrific dinner in Luminae last night. I commented to Leon, the Maitre d, how quiet it was. He said that we’re only sailing with a bit over 400 passengers!  We continue to marvel at the excellent service on Celebrity. Every staff member that we meet will stop to chat for a bit, ask how we’re doing, ask if everything is to our satisfaction. 

Spent some time and OBC in the casino last night and watched the silent disco in casino bar.  Rendezvous Lounge was completely empty except for the bartenders. 
We’re going to explore the ship later today.  I’m hoping I’ll be able to share some of the daily events and menus.  

[4thgrade]

My husband and I will be on the last part of your cruise.  I am looking forward to any info you can share regarding activities!  We leave a week from today for Fort Lauderdale!

[FLCruiser97]

Love M class ships. Hope you enjoy your sailing!

[CruiseNYC]

Today was work meeting in the morning. WiFi was actually quite good. There were a few glitches but not too many.

We spent some time on our gorgeous balcony this afternoon and then we were both off to our spa appointments.  DH had haircut and shave and he looks great!  I had a Lime Ginger scrub paired with hot stone massage. I try to have similar services on our cruises so I have a point of comparison. It was all wonderful so for anyone who enjoys a better than average scrub and hot stone massage, I’d wholeheartedly recommend. 
The Silhouette pulled up along side us after we docked this morning. There seemed to be more passengers coming off the Silhouette than the Millennium. I wonder how many are sailing on that ship.

Tomorrow is a sea day so we’ll check out on board events. 

[Nap3025]

We are on the 12/23 sailing too… sailed virgin voyages recently…got off and immediately booked 2 Celebrity cruises.

Virgin definitely wasn’t for us.  I wonder if there’s a way to find out how many passengers are expected on the 12/23 cruise over Christmas?  Must be lovely sailing with only  400 guests.  I’m thinking the next one will be sailing almost at capacity.  Have fun… we look forward to joining you 

[CruiseNYC]

Will ask around tomorrow to see if we can find out passenger count for the 12/23 sailing.  
I certainly think there are pro’s and con’s to sailing on a near empty ship. There are still some people who think it’s ok to stand about a half foot away from you.  Some folks are just oblivious to social distancing protocols - even now. The elevators are empty. We haven’t been in any with anyone else.  That’s pretty fantastic. On the other hand, the lounges are dead.  Musicians are playing to near empty venues. There have been maybe 15-20 people in the casino these past two evenings.   It’s not nearly as lively as previous cruises. Still, we’re thrilled to be here. 
The food continues to be outstanding. I had the sirloin tonight; DH had veal chop with polenta and both were excellent. Yelena, our sommelier, has been spot on with her wine pairings.  

[CruiseNYC]

For everyone coming aboard on the 23rd, it looks like there will be 1700+ passengers. 
I’m adding today’s schedule and last night’s dinner pic - which was scrumptious!

[CruisinCrow]

13 hours ago, Nap3025 said:

We are on the 12/23 sailing too… sailed virgin voyages recently…got off and immediately booked 2 Celebrity cruises.

Virgin definitely wasn’t for us. 

 

Just curious what you didn't like about it.

[4thgrade]

I have a question. My husband is not an "activities" guy and really prefers to lounge in the room.  Are there movies on demand?  Is there a selection of movies you can rent?  Thank you so much!

[CruiseNYC]

There are movies but tbh I didn’t see anything worth watching. DH and I both have iPads with us. We had downloaded a bunch of movies before we left so we’ve been mostly watching that. 
I know that some folks bring their Roku along but that is waaaay beyond my limited tech capabilities.  

[Nap3025]

Thank you for finding out the expected Guest count for Xmas cruise.  

[Nap3025]

So many things I didn’t like. Music too loud, uncomfortable seating everywhere…even on the balcony, cabins look like cheap dorm rooms, food was good in the most part but I’m very happy with Celebrity food.  Ship is very industrial looking with exposed beams and electrical wires in the area at the back of the Galley (buffet …that isn’t currently a buffet, which was good that it wasn’t a buffet, but the food got to you stone cold).  No artwork. Just not the luxurious  feel of a Celebrity cruise ship. Coffee shop was like Starbucks, uncomfortable seating, long metal tables … definitely not Al Bacio!  I didn’t “get” most of the entertainment… I’m no prude but it was inappropriate.  And the prices are high!  We met many frequent cruisers who felt the same way as us. The first timers loved it but I guess they have nothing to compare to.  Everyone has different opinions but it wasn’t for us 60 year old Celebrity Cruisers

[CruiseNYC]

Nap3025 - Thank you for sharing.  We were curious - looking to try something new. 
I understand that there’s no casino on board - which would keep my husband from sailing Virgin. 
Anyway, doesn’t sound like my cup of tea - particularly the loud music!

[weacat]

Hi!  We will be joining you on the 23rd. 

 

If you have a chance, can you see if they are selling Hennessy White in the liquor store?  (my husband always stocks up on our cruises)

 

 

[4thgrade]

Thank you so much for the movie info!  I think we will go the download route.  Also-thank you for the Virgin info.  I was considering that line for a girls cruise, but I will pass!  I hope you are having a marvelous time, and I am counting the days!

[CruiseNYC]

Good morning.  We arrive in San Juan at 2 pm this afternoon. I’ll be at the pool - we’ve been to San Juan many times, visited the beautiful rainforest, El Yunque last time.  I also plan on checking to see if they are selling Hennessy White for weacat.  
We have been rocking and rolling since Tuesday evening. Even the many staff commented on the rough seas. I love the feel of it - feels like we’re cruising.

I caught a beautiful rainbow yesterday morning after a brief shower. 
It’s our anniversary today: we found this in our cabin when we came in last night. Lovely 

[CruiseNYC]

I realized I forgot to post:

 

Our captain is Ioannis Kasimatis

Hotel director is Mihai Olaeriu 

Our retreat team is Patricia, Toni and Budi

 

Interesting how people experience a cruise so differently. We were chatting with a lovely couple next to us at dinner last night. They were unhappy with the food and service. We think it has all been great but we don’t really have a good Celebrity frame of reference. They have sailed quite a lot on Celebrity and love the Edge class ship.  One thing we did agree upon:  there are no grab bars in the shower (for us) or tub (for them) and it’s a real health hazard. The ship was revolutionized only two years ago. How did they possibly miss that???  In fact, we have two showers in our cabin and neither one has a grab bar!  She also mentioned that the tub was really deep, difficult getting in and out.