OUR RECENT VACATION SUPERCEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS - HURAY!!

[chief38]

My wife and I along with another couple just returned from a 10 day cruise. We went to 5 islands in the Southern Caribbean on a fairly new Celebrity ship. While the 5 Islands were nothing special (been to each one many times - except Granada which was a first for us) the food was excellent! That in itself was a shocker because over the last decade or so cruise food has really gone down hill. Therefore we did not expect much, but man were we pleasantly surprised! The food quality was exceptional, the steak, lobster and shrimp was perfectly prepared, (had at least 6 steaks and a more than a few lobsters over the 10 days) and the wait staff was absolutely incredible. In fact the entire crew was great!

Our stateroom was beautiful, clean and we had plenty of room to entertain our friends before heading down to dinner in one of the 12 restaurants - no more huge dining rooms with a set dinner time. We had our choice to eat in any one, any time without reservations and other than a few super high end ones, they were all included at no extra charge.

The stateroom's Swedish shower was one of those that had 5 different water jet options and now my wife wants one in our home too. I have to admit - it was very nice!

Over the 45+ years we have been married we have taken over 30 cruises and so far this one was the best in terms of luxury, food and accommodations. We truly had a better than expected vacation and must say that Celebrity really stepped up to the plate on this one. Let's just hope they don't try and cheapen things up once again.

Got home just in time to wrap up the presents, make a last minute run to Costco, the Liquor Store and Publix and now getting ready to have a nice relaxing Holiday week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS GUYS AND GALS!

 

[SSGRock]

Vacation

Glad you had a great time.

 

[mike4sigs]

Glad you had a good time.
and glad you are back on the hard soil safe

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Haven't been since February 2011. I think we're well past due.

Sounds like you'll be going again soon.

Ivan

 

[soFlaNative]

Glad you kept your feet dry.
Curious as to what winter weather is like below the 15th parallel?

 

[yaktamer]

Sounds great! Big cruise ship thing doesn't really appeal to me, but Danube River cruise is on my to-do list.

 

[ladder13]

Glad you enjoyed your big water cruise.

My last one was my last. I now prefer river cruises, way less people, calmer waters and land is very close by.

 

[moosedog]

Glad you enjoyed it. We have only been on one in 1989 when we got married. Might do an Alaska Cruise soon.

 

[chief38]

Glad you kept your feet dry.
Curious as to what winter weather is like below the 15th parallel?

It was in the high 70's - low 80's. Mostly nice and sunny but we did have a few partially overcast days. Seas were mostly calm except for the second day. Nothing terrible, but a little rougher than normal - but that can happen anytime of the year.

Actually a great time to cruise and explore islands without sweating your butts off!

 

[chief38]

Glad you enjoyed your big water cruise.

My last one was my last. I now prefer river cruises, way less people, calmer waters and land is very close by.

Next one for us will probably be a River Cruise in Europe - I think we have won out the Caribbean.

 

[chief38]

Glad you enjoyed it. We have only been on one in 1989 when we got married. Might do an Alaska Cruise soon.

YUP! Alaska is on our bucket list!

 

[ladder13]

Next one for us will probably be a River Cruise in Europe - I think we have won out the Caribbean.

We did Paris to Omaha Beach and back last year. 2026 we are doing Lake Como, actually boarding the boat in Switzerland, to Amsterdam.
Viking is the King of River cruises imo.

Next year doing the Rocky Mountaineer, Vancouver to Calgary via train.

 

[Bald1]

Chief, we have the body jets in our master. They are well worth the money. However, make sure you have enough water pressures to run them before spending the money.

 

[Golddollar]

I've seen cruises of the Great Lakes advertised. Has anybody been on one? Was it worthwhile for you?

 

[VaTom]

Sounds great! Big cruise ship thing doesn't really appeal to me, but Danube River cruise is on my to-do list.

Two river cruises on Viking. One on Danube for Christmas Markets and one on Rhine River.

Two ocean cruises on Viking. On from Venice to Athens and one around Iceland.

All have been great experiences. Food and service top drawer. Being retired - big party ship cruises don't appeal to us. Viking Ocean ships are about 900 passengers. The river boats are about 180.

 

[sipowicz]

I'm with you on smaller river cruises. Not really into those floating cities.

 

[boykinlp]

My wife and I along with another couple just returned from a 10 day cruise. We went to 5 islands in the Southern Caribbean on a fairly new Celebrity ship. While the 5 Islands were nothing special (been to each one many times - except Granada which was a first for us) the food was excellent! That in itself was a shocker because over the last decade or so cruise food has really gone down hill. Therefore we did not expect much, but man were we pleasantly surprised! The food quality was exceptional, the steak, lobster and shrimp was perfectly prepared, (had at least 6 steaks and a more than a few lobsters over the 10 days) and the wait staff was absolutely incredible. In fact the entire crew was great!

Our stateroom was beautiful, clean and we had plenty of room to entertain our friends before heading down to dinner in one of the 12 restaurants - no more huge dining rooms with a set dinner time. We had our choice to eat in any one, any time without reservations and other than a few super high end ones, they were all included at no extra charge.

The stateroom's Swedish shower was one of those that had 5 different water jet options and now my wife wants one in our home too. I have to admit - it was very nice!

Over the 45+ years we have been married we have taken over 30 cruises and so far this one was the best in terms of luxury, food and accommodations. We truly had a better than expected vacation and must say that Celebrity really stepped up to the plate on this one. Let's just hope they don't try and cheapen things up once again.

Got home just in time to wrap up the presents, make a last minute run to Costco, the Liquor Store and Publix and now getting ready to have a nice relaxing Holiday week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS GUYS AND GALS!

Sounds like y'all had a great time! What was the name of your ship, and from which place did you depart?
Larry

 

[GypsmJim]

Our son talked us into taking a cruise. We weren't even half way thru it and we booked another one. Only been on 14 so far, but now retired we will step it up a little bit.

There is no better vacation. We used to do destination vacations....get a hotel, rent a car, etc. Cruising is soooo much easier.

We've been on several different lines, but have settled on Princess. Their new "Medallion Class" is simply awesome. You cabin door opens when you walk up to it. Order a drink or sammich and the waiter locates you on GPS and brings it to you.

Our next is 12 days Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal. Been on this one once before and can't wait to do it again.

 

[chief38]

Sounds like y'all had a great time! What was the name of your ship, and from which place did you depart?
Larry

The ship was the 2 year old Celebrity Beyond. Ports of call included Antigua, St Martin, St Lucia, Grenada & Barbados. The ship sailed from Ft. Lauderdale Port Everglades. which for us was a hop, skip and a jump.

 

[chief38]

Our son talked us into taking a cruise. We weren't even half way thru it and we booked another one. Only been on 14 so far, but now retired we will step it up a little bit.

There is no better vacation. We used to do destination vacations....get a hotel, rent a car, etc. Cruising is soooo much easier.

We've been on several different lines, but have settled on Princess. Their new "Medallion Class" is simply awesome. You cabin door opens when you walk up to it. Order a drink or sammich and the waiter locates you on GPS and brings it to you.

Our next is 12 days Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal. Been on this one once before and can't wait to do it again.

I also think cruising is about the best bang for he buck! I've been on Princess at least a half dozen times and it is a very good line as well. We just gravitate to Celebrity as there are usually less kids on the ship. Since we have been on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean (when my kids were young) so many times we have all kinds of status and points with those two lines (same company BTW so they honor each others points.