November 2014

Sea day Up early walked on deck and layed out on orange chairs until it started to pour at 1030, Ate lunch and what better to do on rainy day but take a nap. Had party for Captains club in Revelations lounge at 5pm, Michele our friend and travel agent treated us to a dinner at Normadie dining room.

Great table mates .

I had goat cheese souffle, rack of lamb and choc souffle for dessert. Jim had lobster bisque, fish

St Thomas We have been here many times because we fly in here each January when we come to St John. We decided just to get off the ship and walk into town. Takes about 15 min. We did some shopping and came back on ship to eat lunch.

We felt the food was very good on the Summit this year.

Grenada is a rolling, mountainous island, covered with fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers. Bordered by stunning beaches, and dotted with picturesque towns, this verdant island has long been a major source of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and cocoa. The seductive drifts through the colorful Saturday markets and Grenada's dense forests. In the interior of this volcanic island are cascading rivers and waterfalls, lush rainforests, and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful mountain lakes imaginable. The capital, St. George's, is widely held to be the loveliest city in the Caribbean. Its horseshoe-shaped harbor is surrounded by a pastel rainbow of dockside warehouses and the red-tiled roofs of traditional shops and homes.

We all met off ship for our tour. We had a misty rainy day but still had lots of fun. 0ur guide for the days was Neil. We went up to Concord falls. We bought some spices and oil for joints,

next we went to Grenada Dougladston Estate to see cocco beans, nutmeg, mace, and spices.

We stopped at a nutmeg sorting plant and bought spice necklaces.

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last stop since it was raining we stopped for a drink

Met a Michele's for wine. Tonight was formal night Had lobster, blue cheese souffle and cream burlee. Went dancing till 1030.

We ported in charming little place Roseau Dominica Roseau is the capital and largest city of Dominica. With a population of 16,582. It is a small and compact urban settlement, located within the Saint George parish and surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the Roseau River and Morne Bruce. Built on the site of the ancient Kalinago Indian village of Sairi, it is the oldest and most important urban settlement on the island of Dominica. We got off at 0930 and walked around. Bought some mahogany place mats. Back on ship at 1100 and took advantage of the big orange cushion sun beds.

Went up to Michele's family room and enjoyed wine out on the balcony

Sunny day got off to walk around port. We have an excursion at 1pm today. Came back ate lunch and rested in shade.

The excursion was sail and snorkel excursion from the ship. We were going with Doug and Michele & Terry and Cindy. The snorkeling was pretty good. Coming back they had their own rum punch with nutmeg or beer. We had a blast.

Two fisted Jim so out of caricature but fun to see him let lose and have fun! Those rum punches are lethal.

couple pictures

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We went to dance lesson and ate at Doc's and started out for Chicago. Stayed at Hiatt Regency . Up and caught 545 am shuttle to O hare. Flight was 0840 American and had to pay for one bag. We ate breakfast at chills in airport. Watched star track on plane and took subway sandwich we had picked up night before. Arrived at 130 took taxi for 24$ and arrived at Villa Herncia at 230. We were upgraded to terrace suit #9 with goes for 250 a night I had only payed 150, We walked around and came back and showered.

http://villaherencia.com/

Walked around and stopped in at Barrachina for the famous original Pina Colada http://www.barrachina.com/indexb.php

We came back and showered. Ice cold shower only thing that was bad about hotel the water never warmed up and walked down to a restaurant that I had heard about who the owner is a piano jazz player. We had reservations. The owner is Carli Munoz, former player with the Beach Boys, who plays every night was really good. Mohitos are their specialty drink for 9$ I had a small rack of lamb 4 for 28$ Jim had pecan incrusted flounder with amaretto sauce.We had a tuna tatare appetizer that melted in your mouth. We sat and listened to jazz after eating. We walked back around 0930.http://www.carlisworld.com/restaurant/

Up at 745 slept great walked to local non tourist restaurant Mallorica had eggs and homemade bread and coffee Jim had sweetbread with powdered sugar after his breakfast.We walked to fort that is near by hotel. Took the new path they are building in front.

Our table was Cindy and Terry from Wisconsin, Michele's sister, Michele and Doug and Bruce and Joyce from Mass aka Santa. We had a blast at our table lots of laughter!! Tonight I had prime rib, escargot, We went to rendezvous lounge had same Latin band as last year Ixtasea party band.Michele got upgraded to large family balcony 8181. We all went up to watch sail a way and have drinks.Went to bed at 1030.

PART TWO ST CROIX OCTOBER 27TH

We ate breakfast in dining room. Talked to couple from Parrot Club group on board. He was the guest speaker. They both lived on the big Island of Hawaii. They were telling us how economical and cheep to build there.

We had been to St Croix a few times so decided just to get off and walk to the right. We walked along the beach a couple miles. Came back around 1130

This cruise had 3 free coupons each for drinks for elite. Could go in any lounge from 5-7. We met Michele and Doug, Bruce and Joyce for drinks.

We went to dance lesson and ate at Doc's and started out for Chicago. Stayed at Hiatt Regency . Up and caught 545 am shuttle to O hare. Flight was 0840 American and had to pay for one bag. We ate breakfast at chills in airport. Watched star track on plane and took subway sandwich we had picked up night before. Arrived at 130 took taxi for 24$ and arrived at Villa Herncia at 230. We were upgraded to terrace suit #9 with goes for 250 a night I had only payed 150, We walked around and came back and showered.

http://villaherencia.com/

Walked around and stopped in at Barrachina for the famous original Pina Colada http://www.barrachina.com/indexb.php

We came back and showered. Ice cold shower only thing that was bad about hotel the water never warmed up and walked down to a restaurant that I had heard about who the owner is a piano jazz player. We had reservations. The owner is Carli Munoz, former player with the Beach Boys, who plays every night was really good. Mohitos are their specialty drink for 9$ I had a small rack of lamb 4 for 28$ Jim had pecan incrusted flounder with amaretto sauce.We had a tuna tatare appetizer that melted in your mouth. We sat and listened to jazz after eating. We walked back around 0930.http://www.carlisworld.com/restaurant/

Up at 745 slept great walked to local non tourist restaurant Mallorica had eggs and homemade bread and coffee Jim had sweetbread with powdered sugar after his breakfast.We walked to fort that is near by hotel. Took the new path they are building in front.

Our table was Cindy and Terry from Wisconsin, Michele's sister, Michele and Doug and Bruce and Joyce from Mass aka Santa. We had a blast at our table lots of laughter!! Tonight I had prime rib, escargot, We went to rendezvous lounge had same Latin band as last year Ixtasea party band.Michele got upgraded to large family balcony 8181. We all went up to watch sail a way and have drinks.Went to bed at 1030.

Last port of trip. Dubrovnik Croatia with nickname pearl of Adriatic.It is like living a fairy tail that should not be missed.The old town is ringed by thick medieval walls that you can walk all around. We were in search of the hole in the wall bar when we finished the wall.It was too far to walk to old town so payed for Celebrity bus to drop us off. We needed to change some Euros to Kunas entrance to wall was 90 Kunas or about 12 Euros. The whole length of the wall is 1.2 miles. Very easy walk you can walk all or a portion because there are 3 access points to the walls.

We would be rewarded with a beautiful sunset as we left our last port Dubrovnik, Croatia

Venice is something I have always wanted to experience.We were here 24hrs so sailed in and out of Venice. A hour before docking they started piping music La Serenissima and other beautiful Italian music on Deck 15. What a breathtaking experience to sail in to the majestic and serene city of Venice. It was a unforgettable Day. After this year they are no longer allowing big cruise ships to come down main canal so I was glad to experience coming into Venice on the ship. This was on my bucket list and why I picked this cruise.These shots are from up on Deck.

Transportation is half of the fun in Venice. From the ship we had to do the people mover for 1Euro 30. Then we walked to Vaporetti for 20 Euros for 24 hour pass. We started at Piazzale Roma to St Mark's taking the #1 slow boat. We worked our way to front.

We got off and walked back part of Rialto. Loved walking the back streets and just taking our time wondering around.When we got back to the small canals decided that is where we will take our gondola ride later.

You can not come to Venice without doing the Gondola ride. Romantic in every way possible our driver even sang to us. I feel so blessed to have been with Jim for 35 years.

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Second day in Venice headed to St Mark's square and then wandered back into the Jewish ghetto area and markets.

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We had a special invitation to watch sail away on the He lo Pad of the ship, What a great way to say goodby to the magical Venice.

Kotor had intrigued me since I started doing research on where I wanted to go. The natural beauty had me looking forward to our stop. Kotor is situated in a most secluded tip of Boka Kotorska bay, in the northern part of the Montenegro coast on the Adriatic Sea. . Kotor Bay is the deepest natural fjord-like bay in the Mediterranean Sea, and the scenery around it (including the steep mountains which come almost straight down to the waters edge) is spectacular.

Stretching some 4.5 km directly above and east of the Old Town, on almost vertical cliffs, is the meandering upper town walls. It looks a little like a short version of the Great Wall. Climbing up the 1350 steps this would be one of our most rugged climbs of the trip with the view as a reward at the top.

We got up early to watch the ship come in. It was magic coming in through the misty fog and seeing beautiful view

We had priority tendering so went to the main dining room for breakfast and took tender at 0915.We were blessed with beautiful day started off with sweater jacket and would be taking that off with the long climb.

Leaving Kotor was just as beautiful as coming in

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After 5 busy port days we were ready for a sea day. I always started my day with a great cup of coffee from Cafa al Bacio. Usually had cafe Americano. We ate in the dining room for breakfast, lunch and formal dinner. We upgraded our free classic beverage plan to premium. We love the Molecular bar which is more a mixology type bar.

We had full sun on our deck so just truly relaxed, read and enjoyed the ship. Walked the track on deck for a hour. Enjoyed eating next to Annie and George from Norway. Danced after dinner to Mood Icons,

Our RIL guide today was Andrea. He picked us up at ship at 0800 and we were off on our world wind day. So much packed into a short time. Most important is we all had our tickets we had gotten before trip for Colosseum 14 Euros apiece and Vatican entry 12 Euro and 19 apiece for private guide.

On our way went by a very large park in Rome. Saw Tiber river and Angel Castle. Went to Pantheon 27BC started ti build as simple temple became tomb of kings .

Andrea our guide for the day We stopped but both Tevia fountain and Spanish steps were under renovation.

Andrea took us to a great place for a cannoli

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The Colosseum started in 2 AD and took till 80 AD to build.The Colosseum represents Rome at its grandest.

Vatican City

We fit in a local pizza place that Andrea recommended.

Today would be the start of our Rome in Limo tours. I had researched and knew I wanted to do Rilo tours while in Italy. A year before going Melody on our cruise critic page wanted to do the same. Rome in Limo specialize in luxury car hire and tailor made personalized tours in Rome, and throughout Italy.Melody said she would take charge and in no time we had our group of 8 set for 3 days. Connie from Pennsylvania and Ava her exchange student from Switzerland from 20 years ago. Melody and Dan from Nova Scotia she is a nurse and he owns his own lobster boat. Jack and Lori from Pennsylvania, Lori is Connie's younger sister.We ended up getting along great. Everyone was prompt in getting back at meeting times.

RILO was such a great way to see alot in one day and you could structure what you wanted to see. Sabrina would be our driver for today.Livorno is in the Tuscany region of Italy is ideally located for exploring some of the most beautiful cities in Italy, including Florence and Pisa. Tuscany is made up of hills, fertile valleys and sandy beaches that follow along the West Coast. Pisa is located in the central Italy on the Arno River 12 miles from Livorno. It is most famous for the leaning Tower of Pisa.Sabrina checked what our plans were and we were off to see the leaning Tower of Pisa before all the tour groups arrived.

Our group chose to go to a winery next.

We headed to Florence next.Florence is the home of the Renaissance and birth place of modern world. Noted for Uffizi gallery and the Accademia home of Michelangelo's David.

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Sabrina took us to this whole in the wall Fratellini is a informal eatery where the little brothers have served peasants 29 different kinds of sandwiches since 1875,Sabina ordered and we sat on curb with locals to eat 4 Euros a sandwich.

We headed to Accademia to see Michelangelo's David

Sabrina had one last stop for us a Gellato local shop

Villefranche, France is also known as Villefranche-sur-Mer. It is the gateway to the one of a kind French Riviera. This Bustling little town has its own charm. You are very close to Nice, Cannes and Monte Carlo.

I wanted to head to the Eze le Village. Floating high above the sea is a flowery and flawless village. There are boutiques, steep cobbled lanes and magnificent views.

Today was a tender day. We had priority tender since we are Elite on Celebrity. We got off around 0900. The train station is hidden but Jim found it and we bought our tickets to EZE.

Well the setback today all buses were on strike. We planned to take the bus when we got off the train.l I had read there is a trail you can walk called Friedrich Nietzsche,We found a local man and he showed us where to start.
We met another couple who was waiting for the bus and we told them the buses were not running today.They decided to hike the trail too. They were from Canada and spoke French as well as English.The hike took us over and hour. It was very rugged and not much shade. We had brought plenty of water. Jim said we are going where?????? I said up there!!!

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We stop at a very small cafe and I had some brewed tea and Jim a soda.

After we were done the Canadian couple found us and wanted to share a taxi to train station. Their names was Diane and Daniel we hired a private taxi for 25 Euros each. We felt is was worth it not to have to climb all the way down.

Tonight we ate next to a couple from Normandy Gorge a retired chief engineer of water vessels and Anne a Rn who had broke her arm just before trip Jim had some really good salmon called comfy only cooked to 60 degrees on wood plank. We were tired and had long day tomorrow so went to bed at 9pm,

Today I did not have much planned so we headed to dining room for breakfast. I had the feta Greek omelet with grilled onions that would end up being one of our favorite breakfast.We sat next to Carlos and Lois from Canada.

Marseilles is located on the Gulf of Lions on the southeastern coast of France.We wanted to head to Notre Dame dela Garde that dominates the city from its position.

We chose the free port bus that was available outside the main gate. The cruise wanted to charge 25 a person for scenic boat transfer,Of course I was too tight to pay that, In no time we were on our way. When we got off we needed to find the bus stop to get to the old port. Carlos and Lois the retired teachers teamed up with us. I like to explore places on our own but sometimes things can go wrong. Most of the time everything went smoothly but today was the first glitch in plans. Our lack of language barrier was a problem, we would be lost for about one hour before we found the bus stop and correct way to Marseilles. We had many laughs with our miscues along the way. We walked miles but the view was worth the effort.We hiked up to Notre Dame and had a lovely day,

Marseilles is located on the Gulf of Lions on the southeastern coast of France.We wanted to head to Notre Dame dela Garde that dominates the city from its position.

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Getting back to the ship was much easier.We went up on solstice deck and rested on big orange beds. Ate lamb chop, Jim had salmon on smoked wood and apple crunch pie. We danced til 1130, met Gordon and Mona from Canada and would end up dancing with them several nights.

Up early to head to Park Guell before cruise. Took taxi arrived at 0800 when park opened had tickets before that were 7 euros each. We were here as sun was rising. Gaudi intended this 30 acre park to have 60 houses a gated community. It flopped! It is a colorful park with mosaic medallions all over even making a snake rail at the top. There are wonderful walking trails that you do not have to pay to walk. The park itself was a disappointment to me.

We took taxi back and shopped a little. Took taxi to port and was on ship quickly 1215. Went up to deck nine but could not get in room yet, Went to library to get books and then to bar.First time we have the classic drink package,

We dinner 730 had select dining. We got seated in back for table for two but close enough could talk to table next to you. We loved our waiter and assistant waiter and would request him every night.

We went dancing that night to house band Mood Icons who we liked and danced to them almost every night