Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver

[Jim_Iain]

They have installed all new slots on Solstice.   They were giving me trouble initially as would say insert card -- insert card.    I finally went to front desk and got a new card.  That fixed it instantly. 

 

They have set the machines very tight on OBC.     I initially just tried $20 and it immediately locked me out from further withdrawals until I played through $10 so 50%.   Next go I pulled withdrew $500 and will play with that.   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 10 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Lunch -Day 2

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Yesterday was the Captain's Club Toast. 

 

There are 26 Zenith's on this cruise.  The CC Manager, Melvin was incredible and have no idea how he does it.    He introduced all 26 of us by name with no notes or name cards....

 

Jody is Top Cruiser with 800 points.  4X  Zenith.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

[poffles]

So excited to follow along with you Jim, you do such awesome reviews. 

 

Interestingly I had just started considering this exact itinerary that you are doing, both cruises, in a few years (2027) when they release those dates as a retirement celebration trip. The flight still gives me pause from my far east location (2+ days) but the cruises look so enticing and it would bring me back to Canada at least a bit closer to home.  Meanwhile I will drool following and have a better idea what I could expect on this crossing, mine would be minus the lovely suite you have.

 

.

Edited April 10 by poffles

[Jim_Iain]

Retreat has always had a nice little box of Belgium Chocolates on Chic nights

 

 

last night we received Celebrity 2.0

 

Edited April 10 by Jim_Iain

[Lastdance]

To just say that I am a wee bit jealous would be an understatement.  What a fantastic journey you planned, from the pre-adventure to accommodations and everything else.  It could not happen to nicer people!  Plus, you take the time to share this with all of us who wish we were there!  

[hcat]

19 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Looks like another fun custom designed shirt!

[Maui4us]

23 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Mahalo for the tour! It was lovely. And, thank you for allowing me to join in on this fun thread. We set sail next year on the same date. I sincerely hope to be onboard with you guys some day soon!!

-Kelley

[81Zoomie]

On 4/9/2024 at 4:18 AM, Jim_Iain said:

We are aboard.     BUT

 

Captain just said due to High Winds the Harbormaster has closed the port so overnighting in Sydney. 
 

All aboard at 8:30….we hope 

 

First stop cancelled. 

So sorry to hear this.  Each of our sea days on the Edge 9 night S Aus cruise have been impacted by weather.  Today we are half way to Tasmania and are rocking, rolling, and creaking worse than ever 💨🌊🌊🌊🌊.  Hope things settle down on the waters around Australia 🇦🇺!

[81Zoomie]

17 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Retreat has always had a nice little box of Belgium Chocolates on Chic nights

 

 

last night we received Celebrity 2.0

 

Nice.  We have not seen these on Edge 😔

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, poffles said:

So excited to follow along with you Jim, you do such awesome reviews. 

 

Interestingly I had just started considering this exact itinerary that you are doing, both cruises, in a few years (2027) when they release those dates as a retirement celebration trip. The flight still gives me pause from my far east location (2+ days) but the cruises look so enticing and it would bring me back to Canada at least a bit closer to home.  Meanwhile I will drool following and have a better idea what I could expect on this crossing, mine would be minus the lovely suite you have.

 

.

Would be a perfect retirement gift.  Many recommend fly to Hawaii for a couple days on way over. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, hcat said:

 

Looks like another fun custom designed shirt!

Funny thing.   I found it on my Facebook freed.  The kids messaged me I need to get them for all the grandchildren for Xmas. 

[Jim_Iain]

3 minutes ago, 81Zoomie said:

Nice.  We have not seen these on Edge 😔

They had the regular Retreat ones on Edge in December 

[hcat]

2 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Funny thing.   I found it on my Facebook freed.  The kids messaged me I need to get them for all the grandchildren for Xmas. 

great gift idea!

[Jim_Iain]

Weather has dramatically improved.   Seas are calming by the hour and pool deck was packed.

 

We turn our clocks forward tonight. 

 

It is incredible that we only have 2 time zone changes on this cruise.  (Plus a dateline).   With the cancellation of Lifou Loyalty, Island  we will not get to Venauatu until our Saturday (Friday U.S.)

[upwarduk]

8 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Jody is Top Cruiser with 800 points.  4X  Zenith.

I don’t understand, our Captain’s Club points are 877, yet we are Elie Plus.

[MicCanberra]

Might have a 0 missing

[DaKahuna]

18 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Jody is Top Cruiser with 800 points.  4X  Zenith.

 

 

 

 I think you may be missing a few numbers   🙂 

 4X Zenith would be a minimum of 12000 

 

Edited April 11 by DaKahuna

[FRMPEI]

On 4/9/2024 at 7:43 PM, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

....  And, once upon a time, when I was having a hard time finding a private tour in Prince Edward Island, a cruiser who lived there said he would take me out for the day.  Had a wonderful time.  I did not know either of these people personally.

 

We were so hoping to see you again on Silhouette 10 Day March 25. I would of had a jar of your fav Prince Edward Island Preserves with me.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

19 minutes ago, FRMPEI said:

 

We were so hoping to see you again on Silhouette 10 Day March 25. I would of had a jar of your fav Prince Edward Island Preserves with me.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

 

Thanks, Kevin.  I fondly remember our day with you and I order those Prince Edward Island Preserves by the 6-pack now!  I'm kind of off cruises that require flying at the moment, being as how flying is such a PIA.  But if I head back your way, I'll let you know.

[Jim_Iain]

Good Morning from somewhere in the Pacific --- Tomorrow will be our first port of call -

Mystery Island, Vanuatu.

 

 

This island is said to be haunted by ghosts and are only visited by the inhabitants of the nearby Aneityum Island and Tanna Island further up north, when there's a cruise in town.

 

The southernmost island of Vanuatu, its diminutive size (159 square kilometers, or 61 square miles) and lack of modern amenities—there's no Internet nor even running water or electricity—lends the place something of a Robinson Crusoe-esque atmosphere.

 

It will be a Tender Port -

 

Stock Photo

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Lets' go back to day 1 when I should have introduced the staff

 

Captain:     Theo

HD              Mario Valention

Suites Mgr   Joana

MC Hosts     Jhini and Ken

Butler            Bart

Room Att      I Wayan

CC Hosts     Melvin, Aldin & Ginger

Asst Waiter   Bayu

MC Bar Att    Singh and Lucy

CD                Peter Baker

FB                Ivan Maksimovic

 

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, upwarduk said:

I don’t understand, our Captain’s Club points are 877, yet we are Elie Plus.

 

You must have be a teach...   Yup... needed to put a Zero on the End.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, FRMPEI said:

 

We were so hoping to see you again on Silhouette 10 Day March 25. I would of had a jar of your fav Prince Edward Island Preserves with me.

 

Regards,

Kevin Reid

 

Really would love to the do the New England / Canada one again.  Loved it.  

 

Would definitely have lined up (or stole Linda's fantastic Prince Edward Preserves.   Yum

Edited April 11 by Jim_Iain