November Cruise – Day 3

The largest church - notice the vendors!

We finally went to sleep last night at about 2:30am so we were not that interested in getting up early to see the arrival of the ship in Falmouth, Jamaica. By the time we got up the ship was docked.

We eventually left the ship at 10am and walked into the port which is brand new and just opened up this spring. Falmouth is located between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios and at one time was the biggest port in Jamaica. After the demise of the sugar cane industry, the town and port fell into disrepair.

Royal Caribbean, the parent company of Celebrity Cruise Line decided that all the other ports in Jamaica were becoming too crowed so they build their own port in Falmouth.

There were lots of shops in the port that were open and there were also a number of sidewalk vendors selling Jamaican products.

A local wood carver

We then took an open-air trolley about the town of Falmouth and with that tour decided that other than main road to the center of town and the town square, we were not interested in going anywhere else. They didn’t even have a public beach in town and it is very, very poor and rundown. Most of the tours from the ship left the town and headed for either Montego Bay or Ocho Rios but we have been there so we stayed in town. There were also a lot of people who stayed on the ship because they had heard a lot of stories about crime and drugs in Jamaica. We felt very safe and there was a huge police presence in town and on the dock.

We shopped for awhile in town and found a supermarket for some Pepsi for Ed and a coffee-rum-milk type liqueur for Barb that was made in Jamaica and they do not sell Kahula on the island.


The dinner salad at the Olympic



We were back to the ship at about 1pm, ate on the ship and then laid out working on our tan.

We could only lay out for about 1 ½ hours because the sun is very direct. Then it was back to the room to shower and catch up on some of our lost sleep from last night.

We then headed to the lounge to listen to listen to music, dance and people watch. Then it was back to the room to dress for dinner. Before dinner we went to the main show. It was a comedian, guitar player and juggler and he was not very good.

Dinner tonight was by ourselves in their specialty restaurant called The Olympic, named after a 1936 luxury liner and this is a reproduction of its dining room. While it is an extra charge to eat in The Olympic, it was well worth the experience.

Desert



After dinner, we headed to the casino and didn’t do that well but had a lot of fun with three people from our dinner table who are also here compliments of the Blue Chip Club.

We left the casino a 1:00am and tomorrow we arrive in Grand Cayman Island.



Night from the middle of the ocean somewhere!!







November 2011 Cruise – Day 2

Barb in the slot tournament

We awoke cruising south towards Jamaica. Ed was up at 8, and went to breakfast and Barb was up shortly afterwards and joined him on the deck.

The sky was clear, in the low 80’s with only a few clouds so we sat out working on our tans until Noon. Wow – what a way to relax.

Then it was time to get cleaned up and get some lunch.

After lunch, we went to the casino for the 1:30pm blackjack tournament.

There weren’t a lot of entries like on Carnival ships so both Barb and Ed entered. Ed qualified but didn’t win.

Then at 3:00pm both Barb and Ed played in the slot tournament and Ed again qualified for the finals but he didn’t win. Oh well, there is one more set of tournaments on our last sea day and we will try again.
Then it was time to walk around and have some snacks and back to the room to take a short nap – remember naps are good!!!

After dressing for dinner we had our pictures taken and then went to the main lounge to dance and people watch. We had a good dinner, went to a really good show and then onto the casino.


Our favorite snack place



Neither Ed no Barb had any luck tonight so we finally went back to the room at 1:44am

The only problem with this ship is that there is no internet in the cabin so when the blog is ready; Ed has to go to the computer center to enter it.

Well night from our second night – tomorrow Jamaica.


On our waery to dinn







November 2011 Cruise - Day 1

Here we go -

Our Room

This was not a planned cruise but through the Celebrity Blue Chip Casino Club, they offered us this cruise for free and we just couldn't pass it up.

We left Bloomington on AirTran at 6:45am and were to Ft. Lauderdale by Noon. Celebrity had a shuttle bus to the ship which was docked in Miami so we took it to save renting a car or taking a cab.

Check-in was smooth and we were in our cabin by 2pm.

We explored the ship and as it is the same class as the Summit we were on last year, it is easy to find everything.

Miami Beach as we were leaving

It is a lot nicer when you can relax a couple of days before heading to the ship but we didn't feel we could take off the extra days this time.


We sailed from Miami at 4:30pm and that was fun watching the ship sail out of the harbor and into the Atlantic.


We had an invite to a casino party at 5pm to meet the casino staff and that was fun meeting and talking with them in a more social setting as the party was outside the casino in a private area.

By the time the party was over, our luggage came and so we unpacked. It is amazing how much clothes we have for just a 5 day cruise. But, as Barb says, you can never have enough shoes on a trip!!!
Following is our iteneary:
         Day 1 - Miami, Florida 4:30 PM
         Day 2 - At Sea
         Day 3 - Falmouth, Jamaica - Docked 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
         Day 4 - George Town, Grand Cayman - Tendered 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
         Day 5 - At Sea
         Day 6 - Miami, Florida 7:00 AM

So it will be a very quick trip and should be very relaxing.

After that we walked around more of the ship to see what it was like. Even though it is going into dry-dock to refurbish it in April, it is in really good condition.


The show was before dinner this time and we went and enjoyed it and it was good to sit for awhile. Then it was off to dinner to meet our new tablemates. It looks like it will be a good table, with people from New York, Miami and Cuba.

After dinner we went to the casino where Ed got off to a really good start. Also, the Assistant Casino Manager who is also the Lead Pit Boss was on our last Celebrity cruise so it was fun talking to him.

After Ed’s run, we decided that we had been up long enough for the first day and went to the room to go to bed. Tomorrow is a day at sea and we need some good relaxation time.

This is the first time we have left home and boarded a ship the same day and probably the last time we will do it – it is just too exhausting, but a day at sea will help catch up.a

It is a lot nicer when you can relax a couple of days before heading to the ship but we didn't feel we could take off the extra days this time.

Don't forget, you can click on any picture to make it bigger.


Night from the ocean!!

Europe 2011 – Barb – In Her Own Words

Wow it’s 5am Sunday morning for some dumb reason we can’t sleep, so you all are stuck with me!!!!

It really was a wonderful trip…

I still have to pinch myself to be sure it’s real - I mean I’m from North Merna for Pete’s sake!!!!

Don’t know what the best part was, Venice was like a postcard no matter where you looked, it’s unbelievable, and the food, the food everywhere is soooooooooo good so different than ours such fabulous aromas and tastes, I’m seriously going to try to master some of it . . . don’t think I can ever face an Olive Garden again!!!

Croatia is simply a fairly tale it’s no wonder Tony Coucoach (sp) of the Chicago Bulls was such a hero - he would be like the friendly giant.

And Spain, well like all of Europe its so filled with history and beauty and the people are proud and do so know their history an hold their heritage and customs dear, like dance in the streets, not for the tourists but for their enjoyment and to teach the young to carry on with 90 year olds beside 3 year olds smiling wide and enjoying their dance, It’s awesome.

The markets - holy cow you would never believe it probably wouldn’t pass our health dept but I would give anything to have them here - fresh and wonderful lots of fruits & veggies I have never seen & wanted to taste…I think my new dream would be to go back & stay with a family for a week or more and learn to shop the market and cook. That would be amazing.

The cruise itself was not my favorite but you know except the cruise from Hell I took a number of years ago (some of you know what I mean, right sisters) you really can not like any cruise and the weather was perfect.

Ed won money I didn’t loose much and we made a lot of new friends and I got to play dress up everyday!!!

All and all like I said I’m a very lucky girl (ok old broad) and I am so thankful and only wish I could take you all with us.

Thanks Ed, it was another wonderful memory.

Guess I’ll go unpack.

Europe 2011 - Day 18 - he Last Day

The shower - rain head and 2 side nozzles

With sadness to had to leave Barcelona, but happy to be going home, we checked out of the hotel early in the morning and took a taxi to the airport.

On our way to Florence a week or so ago, we ran into two young girls on the train from the US. They verified with us that they were going in the right direction. When we were returning to the ship after missing the first train, they saw us as we were trying to get a taxi to the ship and they asked for our help in getting back.


From that point on, we saw them all of the time – in every port and on the ship. Just free spirits who would hydrate in the daytime and they drink everything it seemed at night. Our last picture is of the girls as we were going thru customs – amazing and funny. And that is the end of that story – they were going to Philadelphia and we don’t even know their names – but they were delightful.

The hotel dining room

Checking in was probably the smoothest we have ever had. The flight to New York was 8 hours and during that time we ate twice, slept for a little bit and watched a movie. A very uneventful flight – which is good.

Our layover in New York was only a few hours and then it was on to Chicago. Believe it or not our 3 hour flight from New York arrived one hour early at 5:30pm.

So we got our bags, got on the Marriott shuttle and were heading for home by 6:30pm – wow probably the best flights and connections we have ever had on a long trip like this.

The Lobby - flowers everywhere

At home we didn’t unpack at all and watched the University of Miami beat Ohio State and then went to bed.

We both awoke about 4:00am and started unpacking.

It was a wonderful trip



Breakfast - 1 of 5 tables of food!



The cab ride to the airport



The girls



Europe 2011 - Day 17

The line for a taxi

Back to Barcelona

We arrived at 2am as there were two very sick people on board and the Captain put the ship on maximum speed to reach port early. We understand that one person was critical but do not know how he was when we reached port.

Even though we arrived early, the schedule for us to leave the ship was the same. Because we were not going to catch a flight or have a tour, we asked to be last off the ship. That meant we could sleep a little longer in the morning.

Entrance to the Spanish Village

Still, we were up at 7am for breakfast and actually off the ship at 8:30am. There was the longest line for a cab I have ever seen anywhere and finally we were packed in a taxi and arrived at the Ritz-Carlton, The Hotel Arts, at 9:30am and were able to check in right away.

We then took a taxi to the Spanish Village which is a village that was built within Barcelona in 1929 for the 1929 International Exhibition to showcase Spain. It contains architecture that represents each province of Spain. Every building is a copy of a real building. There is no traffic within the village, just walkways. It was supposed to be demolished after the Exhibitor, but there was such wide popular support that they kept it intact. Every building houses a craftsperson or a restaurant and the prices were very good.

We ate a light lunch in the Village and then went back to the Ritz to change for the beach.

1/2 of the bath

After a short taxi ride, we were once again on the Mar Bella Beach in Barcelona and spent 2 hours in the sun and sand. Wow – what a beach to have right in the city, it is amazing. Sorry, no pictures were allowed.

We then took a taxi to the center of the old city and found a delightful restaurant for dinner and then walked to the huge outdoor market for some fruit and candy.

After dinner we walked around the old part of the city but didn’t stay long as Barb is still suffering from what she caught on the ship. There were a number of casino employees who had the same thing.

The view from our room

Tomorrow we leave first thing for home. We arrive in Chicago at 6:15pm and should be home by 9 or 9:30pm. Hopefully Barb will have time to write something in her own words – maybe Sunday – we’ll see.



Dinner

Anyway – good night from Barcelona and see you all soon.


Candy at the outdoor market

LOL

Europe 2011 - Day 16



Blackjack winner

What a sad day that we are going to have to pack today, but it is also happy because we have had a fun cruise and the sun is shining.

So it was up early and on the deck to reserve chairs. Today’s blog is almost a repeat of the last sea day – and that’s all right.

We came in from the sun to clean up at noon and then went to lunch and then we picked up our pictures from yesterday.

Then it was to the casino to play in the Blackjack tournament this time. Ed qualified third and then won the tournament, $500 and a trophy. That helps!!!

Late in the afternoon we packed up everything and also set out clothes that we will need to have in Barcelona tomorrow and for our flight home on Saturday.

Going out for our last night

We had a good dinner and said goodbye to the wait staff who were excellent. We also said goodbye to our tablemates.

This trip was unusual in that we had fun at our table and everyone was wonderful to be with but we didn’t make any long lasting friends. Probably the reason is that there was only one other couple at the table and the rest were single women, who were great but we wouldn’t establish any long lasting contact with them. We do hope to see Sam and Ian from South Africa and who knows, maybe it will happen.

Then it was to the last show and onto the casino where we finished out the trip ahead nicely and left at 12:30am, one of the earliest we have ever left on the last night.

We have made some new casino friends and renewed some old relationships so it was a good trip as far as the casino is concerned. Carnival does a good job of taking care of their customers. And the important thing is that we did come out ahead in the casino and that sure helps with all the other expenses like pictures, tours, etc.

Tomorrow we spend the day and night in Barcelona so there will be one more blog tomorrow and then we are home – it has been a fun trip.