HeinBloed

I wasn't expecting such a great breakfast the following day at Fred and Hervé's. Well strengthened, our plan was: Reims Cathedral, other champagne houses, Étratat in Normandy on the English Channel, and on to our destination on the border with Brittany. Nothing came of it: the refinery workers went on strike, and there was a shortage of diesel. Instead, we hoped at the only gas station in Reims that the diesel would still be enough before we made it to the pump. So we had to choose the straight path: no "blue lobster" in Étratat - recently a classmate of mine was there, and I decided: I want to see and eat that too! No - we had to shave every mile if I was going to let tomorrow's and ferry tickets expire. In the evening, we arrive in Le Mont-St-Michel. Also, UNESCO World Heritage and also on my bucket list. So far. Unfortunately, there were no gay hosts here who would cook for you in the evening. But the view of Mont-St-Michel from the room makes up for it. Since we couldn't foresee when we would arrive, we didn't reserve a table anywhere. Only a few restaurants are open, and they all turn us away. Luckily we didn't have to starve, but we still had to drive a bit: La Paranthèse de la Baie. https://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2022/10/tagday-0b-auf-dem-weg-zuron-way-to.html

I wasn't expecting such a great breakfast the following day at Fred and Hervé's. Well strengthened, our plan was: Reims Cathedral, other champagne houses, Étratat in Normandy on the English Channel, and on to our destination on the border with Brittany. Nothing came of it: the refinery workers went on strike, and there was a shortage of diesel. Instead, we hoped at the only gas station in Reims that the diesel would still be enough before we made it to the pump. So we had to choose the straight path: no "blue lobster" in Étratat - recently a classmate of mine was there, and I decided: I want to see and eat that too! No - we had to shave every mile if I was going to let tomorrow's and ferry tickets expire. In the evening, we arrive in Le Mont-St-Michel. Also, UNESCO World Heritage and also on my bucket list. So far. Unfortunately, there were no gay hosts here who would cook for you in the evening. But the view of Mont-St-Michel from the room makes up for it. Since we couldn't foresee when we would arrive, we didn't reserve a table anywhere. Only a few restaurants are open, and they all turn us away. Luckily we didn't have to starve, but we still had to drive a bit: La Paranthèse de la Baie. https://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2022/10/tagday-0b-auf-dem-weg-zuron-way-to.html

Finally - the blog about the QUEEN VICTORIA trip to the Northern Lights has started. The Northern Lights are on my bucket list, and I've shortened them. I no longer feel like doing two long-haul flights in a short space. Since REGAL PRINCESS in spring and the Covid-19 infection afterward, I'm happy if I can doze during the day without the stress of going out. The situation at the German airports and the departure on a Tuesday ensure that we use the time wisely to experience something on the go that we could not see from a port on an excursion. On the way to Southampton by car, we first go to a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Champagne - although I don't drink any alcohol and live in a wine-growing region myself. I discover a new form of travel: bed and breakfast with other gay hosts who also cook for you. Better than sitting in a restaurant in the evening, especially when the hosts are in the hospitality industry: With Fred and Hervé in their La Crapounette at the gates of the cultural capital of Champagne: Épernay. https://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2022/10/tagday-0a-auf-dem-weg-zuron-way-to.html

Finally - the blog about the QUEEN VICTORIA trip to the Northern Lights has started. The Northern Lights are on my bucket list, and I've shortened them. I no longer feel like doing two long-haul flights in a short space. Since REGAL PRINCESS in spring and the Covid-19 infection afterward, I'm happy if I can doze during the day without the stress of going out. The situation at the German airports and the departure on a Tuesday ensure that we use the time wisely to experience something on the go that we could not see from a port on an excursion. On the way to Southampton by car, we first go to a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Champagne - although I don't drink any alcohol and live in a wine-growing region myself. I discover a new form of travel: bed and breakfast with other gay hosts who also cook for you. Better than sitting in a restaurant in the evening, especially when the hosts are in the hospitality industry: With Fred and Hervé in their La Crapounette at the gates of the cultural capital of Champagne: Épernay. https://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2022/10/tagday-0a-auf-dem-weg-zuron-way-to.html

Thanks - he is "well" - like he has a cold/flu. I am still lucky: negative. But I was the "lucky" one after REGAL PRINCESS in April 2022. So obviously I have more antibodies now. Maybe we should all go soon to a cruise and come back with infection... and hopefully with more antibodies to have the best protection the following cruises after for better relaxation. I am sure: so many guests caughing around in MDR etc. but without keeping an eye on self-tests like we did. The most dangerous place was the queue before restaurant opening: here we had our masks on since the ceiling is extremely low and you cannot spread. I hope the situation will releax when now they have flexible dining and so not many are queuing up anymore.

My partner left the ship with positive Covid-19 self-test result on the morning of debarkation. Confirmed by another self-test of another producer and PCR external laboratory. After four self tests since then, I am still negative although I left the ship with thousands of positive impressions. But it was nice to see a few days the smile of the crew members again. We informed the ship and told them the crew members we were in contact the day before debarkation. Wishing all the crew to stay safe and healthy. And the following fellow-cruisers as well.

This is wonderful! We can see their smiles again!!! No more masks for the crew from today!!! I need to reshot all selfies to catch the most, I was missing: their smiles!!!

Day 3: Back home, but not without the pictures from the ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS, CARNIVAL PRIDE, OOSTERDAM, SEABOURN SOJOURN, MSC SEASIDE. And for the first time with Civitatours to the airport. https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2022/09/tagday-3-shipspotting-weekend-in.html

Day 2: CELEBRITY EDGE, STAR CLIPPER, and REGAL PRINCESS. Eat well at Enoteca Sebastiani and La Bomboniera in Civitavecchia. And it goes under St. Peter's Basilica, in the footsteps of Saint Peter. https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2022/09/tagday-2-shipspotting-weekend-in.html

I was last in Civitavecchia for ship spotting. Mainly to catch the OOSTERDAM and the CARNIVAL PRIDE because we're going with those in 2023, but I don't have any pictures of those. But other ships also were present this weekend: CELEBRITY EDGE, STAR CLIPPER, REGAL PRINCESS, ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS, SEABOURN SOJOURN, MSC SEASIDE. Luckily we didn't have to embark/disembark, so we could look around in Civitavecchia and test and discover new things: e.g., a bed and breakfast, the shuttle to the airport, and more. And we could go under the Vatican. Last but not least, eat well. And summarized in a small blog: Day 1: Arrival at Civitavecchia. https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2022/09/tagday-1-shipspotting-weekend-in.html

A terrible day: not because it was too hot and our flight was about 2.5 hours late, but because we had to say goodbye. A final breakfast with Ramazan and his team: Marina, Elena, and all the others who proved that I should forget my bad experiences from CENTURY 2008 and CELEBRITY EQUINOX 2010 and look forward to our cruise on CELEBRITY INFINITY 2024. Thanks to a great group offer from Dorothy from cruisebrothers.com, I can afford Celebrity again. Before we went to the airport, we met Chad and Ashley again, with whom we sat at the chef's table. You will enjoy Italy for a few more days, and we will return to the desk. At the airport, I meet Raoul from kreuzfahrten-treff.de and Sonnendeck Seereisen. He arrived in Civitavecchia before us this morning on the ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS. If Captain Nikolas and his crew had been on the CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM 2014, I would be Elite Plus with Celebrity today. So everything is reset: next cruise in 2 years instead of 16 years with Celebrity. "All right", Captain Nikolas! The CELEBRITY REFLECTION blog ends here: Then in October, QUEEN VICTORIA is on the hunt for the Northern Lights. And next time with Celebrity on CELEBRITY INFINITY 2024 to Israel and Egypt. I hope that the virtual journey was fun. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-11-auf-deron-celebrity.html

A terrible day: not because it was too hot and our flight was about 2.5 hours late, but because we had to say goodbye. A final breakfast with Ramazan and his team: Marina, Elena, and all the others who proved that I should forget my bad experiences from CENTURY 2008 and CELEBRITY EQUINOX 2010 and look forward to our cruise on CELEBRITY INFINITY 2024. Thanks to a great group offer from Dorothy from cruisebrothers.com, I can afford Celebrity again. Before we went to the airport, we met Chad and Ashley again, with whom we sat at the chef's table. You will enjoy Italy for a few more days, and we will return to the desk. At the airport, I meet Raoul from kreuzfahrten-treff.de and Sonnendeck Seereisen. He arrived in Civitavecchia before us this morning on the ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS. If Captain Nikolas and his crew had been on the CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM 2014, I would be Elite Plus with Celebrity today. So everything is reset: next cruise in 2 years instead of 16 years with Celebrity. "All right", Captain Nikolas! The CELEBRITY REFLECTION blog ends here: Then in October, QUEEN VICTORIA is on the hunt for the Northern Lights. And next time with Celebrity on CELEBRITY INFINITY 2024 to Israel and Egypt. I hope that the virtual journey was fun. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-11-auf-deron-celebrity.html

The last day on board: Livorno. We should have been in La Spezia, but Celebrity announced that long before the trip. We've been here twice: NORWEGIAN GEM 2009 and OCEAN PRINCESS 2010. We would have loved to go to the Cinque Terre again, but I don't feel like walking between the villages in this heat. We take it easy and stay on board until lunch: Italian cuisine is also here. I can't say no to the porchetta. We drive into town for a little bit at a patisserie for the breakfast team, our cabin stewards (one who keeps everything in order and two who always treat us with the same friendliness on the way to the elevator), and the security team who are in the most amazing places to take care of the ship. In the evening, we go to the 2nd production show and experience not only Kelly but also other great artists like Izzy, Rhianna, Christian, and Michael. The show is fantastic. "Somewhere Only We Know" and "The Sound of Silence" leave a lasting impression. We still manage to get a USB stick with the music of Branden and James. Incidentally, we experience Stephen Berry again, whose first appearance we probably missed. Now it's time to say goodbye to Jennet, Bruno, Marina, Kadek, and Faruk, who always took great care of us at dinner in the Opus main restaurant. In the end, we also got to know our neighbors through us - I only lost the piece of paper with their names. A fantastic journey comes to an end. Unfortunately. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-10-auf-deron-celebrity.html

The last day on board: Livorno. We should have been in La Spezia, but Celebrity announced that long before the trip. We've been here twice: NORWEGIAN GEM 2009 and OCEAN PRINCESS 2010. We would have loved to go to the Cinque Terre again, but I don't feel like walking between the villages in this heat. We take it easy and stay on board until lunch: Italian cuisine is also here. I can't say no to the porchetta. We drive into town for a little bit at a patisserie for the breakfast team, our cabin stewards (one who keeps everything in order and two who always treat us with the same friendliness on the way to the elevator), and the security team who are in the most amazing places to take care of the ship. In the evening, we go to the 2nd production show and experience not only Kelly but also other great artists like Izzy, Rhianna, Christian, and Michael. The show is fantastic. "Somewhere Only We Know" and "The Sound of Silence" leave a lasting impression. We still manage to get a USB stick with the music of Branden and James. Incidentally, we experience Stephen Berry again, whose first appearance we probably missed. Now it's time to say goodbye to Jennet, Bruno, Marina, Kadek, and Faruk, who always took great care of us at dinner in the Opus main restaurant. In the end, we also got to know our neighbors through us - I only lost the piece of paper with their names. A fantastic journey comes to an end. Unfortunately. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-10-auf-deron-celebrity.html

Bella Napoli: MSC MUSICA 2007, NORWEGIAN GEM 2009, NORWEGIAN JADE 2011, NORWEGIAN JADE 2014, ALLURE OF THE SEAS 2015, MSC MERAVIGLIA 2017: We have been here five times. We've been to the Amalfi Coast and Capri. We want to go to Ischia, but it's too hot. But we pull ourselves together: coffee at Gambrinus and a pizza are necessary. Da Michele is now available twice in Germany. So I ask my shipping company colleagues in Naples, and they recommend Sobrillo. Finally, a delicious fried pizza! One of the best shows on the seven seas: Brendan and James. Cello and tenor. And finally, a parade of the crew, which Alfreda heats up. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-9-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Bella Napoli: MSC MUSICA 2007, NORWEGIAN GEM 2009, NORWEGIAN JADE 2011, NORWEGIAN JADE 2014, ALLURE OF THE SEAS 2015, MSC MERAVIGLIA 2017: We have been here five times. We've been to the Amalfi Coast and Capri. We want to go to Ischia, but it's too hot. But we pull ourselves together: coffee at Gambrinus and a pizza are necessary. Da Michele is now available twice in Germany. So I ask my shipping company colleagues in Naples, and they recommend Sobrillo. Finally, a delicious fried pizza! One of the best shows on the seven seas: Brendan and James. Cello and tenor. And finally, a parade of the crew, which Alfreda heats up. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/07/tagday-9-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

For the third time in Messina on Sicily after NORWEGIAN JADE 2011 and MSC MERAVIGLIA 2017: We already know Taormina and Etna. This time it's over to Calabria: the last possibility in passenger transport to be trajected by train on a ferry. We continue to Scilla. It's so hot and humid that we don't feel like walking up there. We only have a problem getting back on the HeliPad in time as Trenitalia canceled our train without informing me. Here we experience the exit from Messina. In the restaurant, we are spoiled by Budi, I Made, and Okta. On the way to the elevator, we meet cabin steward Benedict, who greets every guest (regardless of whether it is his own or not) and asks how the day is going. Why isn't it finally raining? https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-8-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

For the third time in Messina on Sicily after NORWEGIAN JADE 2011 and MSC MERAVIGLIA 2017: We already know Taormina and Etna. This time it's over to Calabria: the last possibility in passenger transport to be trajected by train on a ferry. We continue to Scilla. It's so hot and humid that we don't feel like walking up there. We only have a problem getting back on the HeliPad in time as Trenitalia canceled our train without informing me. Here we experience the exit from Messina. In the restaurant, we are spoiled by Budi, I Made, and Okta. On the way to the elevator, we meet cabin steward Benedict, who greets every guest (regardless of whether it is his own or not) and asks how the day is going. Why isn't it finally raining? https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-8-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Finally, another stress-free day: a day at sea! We get to know Concierge Rizzi, who works as Group Event Manager. We were able to register for the Connection Party on the Celebrity homepage, but unfortunately, no one knew about it. But Rizzi is trying to get something going. Only everyone enjoys the cruise so that no one looks at the forum. We can visit the bridge. I guess word got around that we treat the crew very nicely, so we're treated very nicely too. Our waiter Bruno must have gotten under the ship's propeller: he looks different. Sous Chef Grant walks around the main restaurant in the evenings and is interested in what customers think. He even puts my cream of chicken soup back for the next day, and it's so delicious - just like the skewer. Alfreda inspires today with a tribute to Tina Turner. Everyone in the theater stands and dances along. "Cruise is calling, and I am ready 24/7" with my cruiser hoodie; of course, I have to take a selfie with Captain Nikolas. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/seetagday-at-sea-7-auf-deron-celebrity.html

Finally, another stress-free day: a day at sea! We get to know Concierge Rizzi, who works as Group Event Manager. We were able to register for the Connection Party on the Celebrity homepage, but unfortunately, no one knew about it. But Rizzi is trying to get something going. Only everyone enjoys the cruise so that no one looks at the forum. We can visit the bridge. I guess word got around that we treat the crew very nicely, so we're treated very nicely too. Our waiter Bruno must have gotten under the ship's propeller: he looks different. Sous Chef Grant walks around the main restaurant in the evenings and is interested in what customers think. He even puts my cream of chicken soup back for the next day, and it's so delicious - just like the skewer. Alfreda inspires today with a tribute to Tina Turner. Everyone in the theater stands and dances along. "Cruise is calling, and I am ready 24/7" with my cruiser hoodie; of course, I have to take a selfie with Captain Nikolas. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/seetagday-at-sea-7-auf-deron-celebrity.html

Finally, a new port: Kotor in Montenegro. I only know Montenegro from Casino Royal (James Bond 007). But many are enthusiastic about the entrance to the southernmost fjord in Europe. But technically, it's not a fjord, as it doesn't date from the Ice Age; instead, the sea has eaten its way into a river bed. Through Nils, I got in touch with Mladen, who organized a tour for us with guide Miroslav and driver Damian. Someone from the crew should have come with us, but due to Covid-19 measures, the staff was only allowed to leave the ship independently later in the day. We had received a larger vehicle for this purpose. The small country has a great variety of landscapes to offer. Our lunchtime tour takes us to an inn that makes its ham and cheese. On the way, there are many pictures of the ships according to my taste. On board, we thank Vlado for the attention from the previous evening. Olena reads my every wish, and Marina ensures we never have to wait. In the evening we go to Tuncay in Qsine: Here there is Le Petit Chef. We eat deliciously, but I don't know whether to love or hate it. The show is funny, but I would have liked more show parts. A pleasant surprise: a ship model signed by Captain Nikolas. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-6-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Finally, a new port: Kotor in Montenegro. I only know Montenegro from Casino Royal (James Bond 007). But many are enthusiastic about the entrance to the southernmost fjord in Europe. But technically, it's not a fjord, as it doesn't date from the Ice Age; instead, the sea has eaten its way into a river bed. Through Nils, I got in touch with Mladen, who organized a tour for us with guide Miroslav and driver Damian. Someone from the crew should have come with us, but due to Covid-19 measures, the staff was only allowed to leave the ship independently later in the day. We had received a larger vehicle for this purpose. The small country has a great variety of landscapes to offer. Our lunchtime tour takes us to an inn that makes its ham and cheese. On the way, there are many pictures of the ships according to my taste. On board, we thank Vlado for the attention from the previous evening. Olena reads my every wish, and Marina ensures we never have to wait. In the evening we go to Tuncay in Qsine: Here there is Le Petit Chef. We eat deliciously, but I don't know whether to love or hate it. The show is funny, but I would have liked more show parts. A pleasant surprise: a ship model signed by Captain Nikolas. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-6-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Back in Dubrovnik: for the third time after NORWEGIAN JADE 2011 and NORWEGIAN JADE 2014. It's too hot to go through with our plans as planned: 40°C (104°F). So it stays with the delicious Bosnian food in the Taj Mahal and a short visit to the island of Lokrum. We cancel everything else in the planning. Back we let Alin spoil us in the Café al Bacio. After dinner, I have to take the opportunity to photograph the ship brightly lit in the dark. I'm lucky with the taxi driver Toni, who quickly leads me through a restaurant, and in the back, I can photograph our ship perfectly. Farewell to the COSTA LUMINOSA, which is going to Australia as the CARNIVAL LUMINOSA. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-5-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Back in Dubrovnik: for the third time after NORWEGIAN JADE 2011 and NORWEGIAN JADE 2014. It's too hot to go through with our plans as planned: 40°C (104°F). So it stays with the delicious Bosnian food in the Taj Mahal and a short visit to the island of Lokrum. We cancel everything else in the planning. Back we let Alin spoil us in the Café al Bacio. After dinner, I have to take the opportunity to photograph the ship brightly lit in the dark. I'm lucky with the taxi driver Toni, who quickly leads me through a restaurant, and in the back, I can photograph our ship perfectly. Farewell to the COSTA LUMINOSA, which is going to Australia as the CARNIVAL LUMINOSA. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-5-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html