LIVE Norwaylady sails on Edge World Cruise from Rome to Singapore 30.10 to 25.11.23 , 26.night

[hcat]

Hope the tour makes up for the hassles getting off the ship...def didn't run very smoothly 

 

 Wonder what is the cause or source of multiple  Celeb failures?

[Shiba_Lover]

20 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

Just a big reminder for everyone!

It was a small notification I. The cruise compass Day 1. 
 

WiFi/star link is not working in India. So no WiFi tomorrow or in Cochin. (I will be back😜) 

I used to work in India.  They have some laws governing the use of phone calls over chat apps and other things like that.  Suspect that is the reason for turning off wifi.

[Shiba_Lover]

3 hours ago, hcat said:

Hope the tour makes up for the hassles getting off the ship...def didn't run very smoothly 

 

 Wonder what is the cause or source of multiple  Celeb failures?

I doubt this can be solely on celebrity.  Having worked in India, and been through the visa process multiple times, India is very particular. I suspect the ship has extra steps to get everything ready for the passengers getting off ( and making sure to block those that can't).  Every time I had to renew a work visa ( which I know is more involved than a tourist visa) it was torture.

[Norwaylady]

We had a smooth process in immigration today! 
according to fellow passengers while waiting in line to the theatre, it was a light nightmare after we left🫣

The entertainment from India that was supposed to entertain at 16.00 on the ship, couldn’t walk onboard as planned due to Indian immigration/paperwork inspection etc. 

 

I know from a family member as @Shiba_Lover describes❤️ 

 

I will come back to it later😉

[BOB999]

I'll add another data point.   I was on a Celebrity excursion (I'm also Retreat but that doesn't do anything for that).

 

Scheduled Arrival on ship meeting point: 0900

Scheduled Excursion Departure time: 0930

Actual off time from ship: 0957

Actual time on bus: 1055

 

All in all not bad.  One gentleman collapsed as they didn't have chairs later in line.  They sat him in a chair and processed him according to his point in line.

 

I will say that once at the window I found the Indian Immigration officials professional and efficient.  I was in and out.  I saw one couple take 30 minutes while frantically looking at their phone.

 

Lastly, the Indian government does not have a contract to permit Starlink, they are working on it but the estimate is 2024.

[Norwaylady]

Mumbai as local by Lijo

 

After our bumpy start of the day, it was time to put it behind and focus on WELCOME to 🇮🇳 INDIA! 

(I have waited for this in a long time) 

 

We had a group of 15.guests in our mini bus. (Due to immigration and timing they decided to send us off in a group of 15. Rather than waiting for the next people. Okey for everyone. They had 5 mini buses of people) 

Our guide did a great job and we had nothing to complain or worry about. 

 

We had a person on our bus wearing a walking plaster…. Not a good decision to attend this tour. 

Guide really did the best of facilitating. Keep in mind we are in India🤔 

 

Back to tour, we started the day in Dhobi Ghat, laundry district👖👚👖

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After our walk and visit we continued onward to Gate of India. 

A bit hazy view. 

 

We had drive by thru the art deco district, colonial houses and different buildings of statements. 

 

 

From Gate of India we continued to the spice market. 

All you need for cooking, pets, toiletries etc…We stopped underway to see the train station from outside. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the market we continued to Gandis house. 

 

 

 

It was literally a full house😝 (all cruise passengers and other tourists) 

 

From Ghandi we went to the botanical garden for a view of the beaches and have a look. 

 

 

 

 

We did stop at the train station for pictures. The details on the building is really a study of its own. 

 

From her it went for a lunch stop for the group. 

Mr & I had planned that we could go to Taj Mahal to visit the Sea Lounge. 

 

So we had something to drink and just relax. You see??? A Kingfisher 🍺🍺🍺

 

You paid/ordered lunch by your self. 

The place our guide took us seemed nice. 

 

After the lunch it was time for a visit to a shop. 

They took the group to a fancy store close to Taj/Gate of India. 

Perfect for us🙌🏻 

 

We left the group and walked over Taj Mahal. 

This hotel is fabulous🤩 the details inside the building, the personal touch and the overall impression was really good. 

 

We had blinked out Sea Lounge as our designated place for food in Mumbai. 

 

 

It’s live music by pianist during afternoon tea from 14-18.00. 

 

We went for Indian street food😋 (the afternoon tea tower looked amazing🤩) 

We didn’t regret that! 

 

 

 

It tasted so good😋😋😋

We ordered 3 small plates. Believe me, it was lots of food😅

 

Service and everything was perfect🥰

 

After our street food bonanza it was time to start our journey back to the port. 

Our guide was happy that we wanted to walk back. But he gave me his number and asked us to please send a message on WhatsApp when we returned to the ship😇 (as the good guy Mr are, we did text him😉) 

 

The walk from Taj hotel to port is only 30.minutes according to gps and a flat walk 2,4km. 

We had a great time walking as a local😊

Watching windows, people and take in everything🤩🥰 my favourite ❤️ 

 

We returned to port around 17.30. 

It was a long line to enter the ship. People looked tired after the day. I went in line. 

 

It’s only 1 gangway and crew signing on and family of Indian crew was leaving the ship after the visit🥰( our stateroom attendant had his 2 daughters and grand child on visiting. It’s the first time in his career at sea that he had the opportunity to have relatives onboard) 

So it was a logical traffic jam of people walking on/off😂😂

 

Mr walked up front asked if we needed to stand in line, since other suite card holders just walked straight past the line….

They said please come up front😁

Mr was running back… come on! 

No need to wait, we have the magic cards🤣🤣🤣

 

Well, what happens….

We are let thru and told to follow on the group of people they just sent up the gangway. 

A couple and a man started shouting at security and cursing at us. Yelling at us: you don’t own culture, you lousy queue sneak’s! 

The people behind us from the line standing on the gangway loudly dedicated how bad we behave and that we really deserved to vanish from the surface of the earth….🫠

 

Overall a great day! 🇮🇳 as the tourist slogan says: incredible 🇮🇳 India 

[Norwaylady]

Indian show

 

They were supposed to do an Indian show for guests staying onboard 16.00 in the theatre. 

Due to logistical difficulties in immigration etc the show was postponed to 19 and 20.30. So it would be tonight’s head entertainment. 

They announced it just after we returned. 

So I run thru the shower and changed clothes. (Mr said he needed a date by the 🦆 ducks 🦆)

 

I was downstairs to 18.50 ish and the line to the theatre was long and not opened yet. They needed a few more minutes before they could let people in and preforming. 

 

Closer to 19.15 it was time to hit the show on the road. It was an Indian dance, music, folklore show. 

 

 

[expattraveler]

8 hours ago, Shiba_Lover said:

I doubt this can be solely on celebrity.  Having worked in India, and been through the visa process multiple times, India is very particular. I suspect the ship has extra steps to get everything ready for the passengers getting off ( and making sure to block those that can't).  Every time I had to renew a work visa ( which I know is more involved than a tourist visa) it was torture.

Shiba_Lover,

 

I agree that Celebrity’s hands are tied when it comes to India visa’s.

 

I also feel your pain having experienced the torture of obtaining Indian visa’s. I worked off and on in India over a period of approximately 16 years. I believe I had 8 Indian visa in my 2 passports over the years. Each and every time I applied for a new visa it was like I had never had an earlier visa issued, or had been vetted and through the process before. Exasperating!

[Jim_Iain]

Loved your pictures of your tour today.   We all of them when we were there.

 

Happy you discovered the magic of a Black/Silver Card.   On many of our cruises they had a Retreat Concierge pulling Suite Guests out of line and escorting them to the front of the line to eliminate the disparaging remarks from others.     Think of it as flying First Class and being able to board first.  

 

[hcat]

10 hours ago, Shiba_Lover said:

I doubt this can be solely on celebrity.  Having worked in India, and been through the visa process multiple times, India is very particular. I suspect the ship has extra steps to get everything ready for the passengers getting off ( and making sure to block those that can't).  Every time I had to renew a work visa ( which I know is more involved than a tourist visa) it was torture.

I see... guess  we have been to much easier ports..hope worth it!

Edited November 17, 2023 by hcat

[hcat]

Thanks for the review and photos..only you can rate the excursion and port. 

There did  not seem much that would make us desire to visit..the laundry  and trash photo kind of a turn off. Not impressed by the look of the "street food,"

 

But glad you had your tour!

[Ipeeinthepools]

11 hours ago, Shiba_Lover said:

I doubt this can be solely on celebrity.  Having worked in India, and been through the visa process multiple times, India is very particular. I suspect the ship has extra steps to get everything ready for the passengers getting off ( and making sure to block those that can't).  Every time I had to renew a work visa ( which I know is more involved than a tourist visa) it was torture.

Sure every country has unique rules to follow for immigration, but a lot of the issues were completely Celebrity’s responsibility.  Celebrity sending people to the wrong location for passport pick up, misplacing passports, not handing out landing cards to everyone, conflicting information from guest relations, not returning required documentation until a few hours before departure, etc are completely Celebrity’s responsibility.   I think Celebrity completely misunderstood the scope of work required to process the guests and did not have sufficient staff to complete the work in a timely manner.  But to be completely honest I’m not exactly sure what Celebrity did other than provide a customs card to be filled out prior to getting off the ship.  At the end of the day the guests just provided a copy of the visa they obtained independently to the Indian authorities and we left the ship.

 

@Norwaylady Thanks for the heads-up to print out the Sri Lankan ETA, you were ahead of Celebrity by a couple of days.

Edited November 17, 2023 by Ipeeinthepools

[Norwaylady]

So our “Street Food” was in Sea Lounge on Taj. 
link to the menu of Sea Lounge: 

https://www.tajhotels.com/content/dam/restaurants/taj-mahal-palace-tower/festive-sea-lounge-menu-dinner-2023.pdf

 

 

We had no clue how much food a small plate was and we do eat Indian at home from time to time….( it’s my ultimate favourite ❤️) 

We ordered:

 

Samosa Chaat - a touch of sting from spicy 

 

Pani Puri -You add the mint and seasoning water inside the pieces just before you eat. (So they keep crispy and fresh) Not spicy, a round minty taste. 

 

Bhel Puri -Puff Rice and coriander. A bit sweet and flavour from seasoning. Not spicy 

 

It’s all vegetarian dishes. 
It tasted really good😋😋

 

The samosas was really🤩 The last samosa I had in Bergen (on an Indian restaurant) was pale in comparison😝

 

[Norwaylady]

2 hours ago, hcat said:

Thanks for the review and photos..only you can rate the excursion and port. 

There did  not seem much that would make us desire to visit..the laundry  and trash photo kind of a turn off. Not impressed by the look of the "street food,"

 

But glad you had your tour!

I / we see this as a teaser to 🇮🇳 India. 
There are some really incredible destinations/things to see and do in India. 

One thing is the pictures, but it’s so many details when you walk around and see things live. Just the railway station outside is a masterpiece in details. 
 

You can heavy feel the influence of the British empire. 
On the same side you have the Indian culture. 
It’s a potpourri of things. 
We only scratched on the surface of Mumbai yesterday. And it will be the same in Cochin. 
 

 But it is a warning by going to India…. I totally respect those that would not like India or find it incredible❤️ the culture is very different, how things work, food, level of life etc. 

So it’s not for everyone. 
 

Personally I felt safe, I felt “home” and my inner drive is to we need to see more of India. 
 

We have visited several places around the world and I have travelled alone as a female. So I do have places/areas not tempting me or I really need to think twice about going….

We have visited China several times, after first visit I was not “sold” but not NO-go….  We have visited again and again…. But after our last visit I had a really bad taste in my mouth. 
I felt it after a few hours, this is my last visit for a long time. 
So I do have places that I don’t feel for🙄

[Norwaylady]

Cruise Compass Day 5, Sea Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NBliving]

@NorwayladyI’ve finally caught up! Thank you for sharing your vacation with us. I love reading your perspective of how the cruise is going. Looking forward to rest of your trip. 

[Norwaylady]

Letter on the door: 

 

Eveyone must fill out the digital landing card to Sri Lanka.

 

 

This is the landing card I filled out 2days ago. 
 

[Ipeeinthepools]

7 minutes ago, Norwaylady said:

Letter on the door: 

 

Eveyone must fill out the digital landing card to Sri Lanka.

 

 

This is the landing card I filled out 2days ago. 
 

Are you going to try and print out the landing card ?

[Ipeeinthepools]

19 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

Yes, we are in 🇮🇳 India! 

 

So the process of getting our landing cards/information/ALL paperwork necessary for immigration was not approved. Big 🤯😳 chaos!

 

We had no information or paperwork on our door/room by 23.30 last night. 

 

This morning at 06.30 we had received landing cards (the yellow card) on our door. 
 

 

But now other information or other things. 

 

Room service arrived by breakfast as ordered between 06.30-07.00. It was on the door 06.50. 
 

 

It’s Japanese style serving in our stateroom😂😂😂 (don’t recommend non-flex people to sit like this😅) 

 

 

I don’t know much about Celebrity suites but was this your only choice for a table to eat breakfast?  I would have hoped your suite had some sort of table with chairs.

Edited November 17, 2023 by Ipeeinthepools

[Norwaylady]

9 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

Are you going to try and print out the landing card ?

Probably not. 
I have print screen of them. So I have the reference number on picture. So as long as I briny phone (internet/WiFi not available I have them) 

 

The visas I have in printed paperwork. 

The visa print the ship received in Dubai was at our bed last night. 
it was the original print a gave them. 

So again 2 copies in my hand🤓

[Norwaylady]

2 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

I don’t know much about Celebrity suites but was this your only choice for a table to eat breakfast?  I would have hoped your suite had some sort of table with chairs.

 The table is a low table and the balcony table is similar in height😝

Sofa is not “elderly” approved. 
 

This is a general problem all over Edge. Almost all furniture is very low. 
First sailing, when she was new, it was even worse. (They have changed some furniture due to complaints) 

 

The designers are young, fit, no bad knees or back. So this is a “unknown” problem in their minds…..

[Ipeeinthepools]

3 minutes ago, Norwaylady said:

Probably not. 
I have print screen of them. So I have the reference number on picture. So as long as I briny phone (internet/WiFi not available I have them) 

 

The visas I have in printed paperwork. 

The visa print the ship received in Dubai was at our bed last night. 
it was the original print a gave them. 

So again 2 copies in my hand🤓

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a quick and smooth immigration in Sri Lanka but if everyone needs to open their phone and try to find the return e-mails it will be a slow process.  I have my doubts that many will save a print screen copy that can be accessed without wifi or cell service.

[Norwaylady]

So back to yesterday…. 

 

I went to the Indian dance show and Mr dated the ducks 🦆 

So we agreed to meet afterwards for dinner. 

 

We went to Luminae close to 21.00 it was several other late dinners😊

 

Today’s menu: 

 

On this set they have several options for fish/seafood compared to yesterday. Great👍🏻

Chefs delight 

 

I wanted the Tuna Ingot and the green salad. 

 

 

Mr had the seafood veloute and the black bass. 

 

 

All tasted good, the black bass was perfectly cooked. 

 

Dessert menu: 

 

We asked for sorbets, since it was 2 types on the dessert menu😋 Strawberry and Hibiscus. 

 

We got an extra bowl of mint chocolate sorbet😅 since I had asked on day 1 if they would have/do the after eight ice cream. 

 

The hibiscus sorbet was really perfect😋

[Cap_D]

7 minutes ago, Norwaylady said:

So back to yesterday…. 

 

I went to the Indian dance show and Mr dated the ducks 🦆 

So we agreed to meet afterwards for dinner. 

 

We went to Luminae close to 21.00 it was several other late dinners😊

 

Today’s menu: 

 

On this set they have several options for fish/seafood compared to yesterday. Great👍🏻

Chefs delight 

 

I wanted the Tuna Ingot and the green salad. 

 

 

Mr had the seafood veloute and the black bass. 

 

 

All tasted good, the black bass was perfectly cooked. 

 

Dessert menu: 

 

We asked for sorbets, since it was 2 types on the dessert menu😋 Strawberry and Hibiscus. 

 

We got an extra bowl of mint chocolate sorbet😅 since I had asked on day 1 if they would have/do the after eight ice cream. 

 

The hibiscus sorbet was really perfect😋

The mint ice cream is one of my favorites.  Nice to see it make an appearance. 

[Norwaylady]

Sea day! What is the the plan? 

Sitt back, relax and enjoy! 

 

I went for breakfast in Luminae around 09.20. 

Mr was sleeping 💤 

 

I wanted natural yoghurt and fresh berries. (No fresh berries in OCV🍓🫐 only some half frozen watery strawberries) 

And real OJ. 

 

So off I went for breakfast for 1❤️

 

I had my coffee, yoghurt, berries and OJ. 

 

After breakfast I went downstairs to see if it was starting to be some movement in bed…. Mr was starting to open his eyes 👀 

 

So I changed into walking outfit and went for my walk. 

I told Mr to take his time… I will come to the retreat area in about 1h 20.mins… Hopefully I see you😎

 

I set off on my walk😎 Perfect temp and a bit hazy. 

I was walking around in my speed. 

And I know this is a bit controversial… (we all know everyone has a fart or two💨 even the Queen😅) 

As I was walking/speeding my laps, a man in front of me was really “letting go”🤭 not a little wind…... A really 😱😱😱: Sir, do you need toilet paper 🧻 and I assumed he would rush away to the toilet…..

 

This didn’t just happen once or twice😳 but 3 times as I passed him on different rounds😳😳😳

The pool attendant walking by on the 2 💨 wind looked at me and then straight into the ocean 😳😳😳🫢🫣

In this situation I do understand that you need to went through…. But in public, loudly🫢🫣 on the jogging track in prime time? Maybe not🤔🤔🤔 

Please rethink it a bit…

 

So after my walking tour I meet Mr in the Retreat pool area. 

He was seated comfortable in a sun lounger reading 📖 

 

So I joined him for some relaxing time in the shade😎

Around 12.45 Mr said I need some breakfast/lunch… 

So we moved to a dinner table. 

 

Mr was ready for “bring it on” 

🍺 Guinness & burger 🍔 

I wanted some fresh fruit 🍉

After the little lunch date I was ready to go downstairs…