HeinBloed

Back in Corfu: the last time nine years ago at RYNDAM 2013. In the morning, we get to know Riva and Oscar from Peru at breakfast. You have no more places on your desired excursion. Without further ado, we offer you to join us on our tour of the old town of Corfu Town. Our tour guide, Anna, picks us up at the cruise terminal, and we experience a grand tour of Corfu town. We enjoy color, aroma, and scent therapy and are welcomed back on board by Cruise Director Manuel. In the evening, we are at the chef's table, where we are cooked by head chef Shyam according to recipes by Daniel Boulud and spoiled by Marko and Osman. We still make it to the production show "Euphoria" and later meet Kelsey, who we know from AZAMARA PURSUIT 2019. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-4-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Back in Corfu: the last time nine years ago at RYNDAM 2013. In the morning, we get to know Riva and Oscar from Peru at breakfast. You have no more places on your desired excursion. Without further ado, we offer you to join us on our tour of the old town of Corfu Town. Our tour guide, Anna, picks us up at the cruise terminal, and we experience a grand tour of Corfu town. We enjoy color, aroma, and scent therapy and are welcomed back on board by Cruise Director Manuel. In the evening, we are at the chef's table, where we are cooked by head chef Shyam according to recipes by Daniel Boulud and spoiled by Marko and Osman. We still make it to the production show "Euphoria" and later meet Kelsey, who we know from AZAMARA PURSUIT 2019. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-4-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Back in Corfu: the last time nine years ago at RYNDAM 2013. In the morning, we get to know Riva and Oscar from Peru at breakfast. You have no more places on your desired excursion. Without further ado, we offer you to join us on our tour of the old town of Corfu Town. Our tour guide, Anna, picks us up at the cruise terminal, and we experience a grand tour of Corfu town. We enjoy color, aroma, and scent therapy and are welcomed back on board by Cruise Director Manuel. In the evening, we are at the chef's table, where we are cooked by head chef Shyam according to recipes by Daniel Boulud and spoiled by Marko and Osman. We still make it to the production show "Euphoria" and later meet Kelsey, who we know from AZAMARA PURSUIT 2019. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-4-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Katakolo: well, we've been to Olympia, but it's also close to Kalamata (90 minutes by car). If Larry, who we know from NORWEGIAN DREAM 2008, is correct, then the best olive oil comes from Kalamata. We want to know for ourselves. Via Giorgos, who we know from the NORWEGIAN JADE 2014 trip, I get a car from Christos, and we are treated like friends by Giorgos: "Your friends are my friends too!" - like everywhere in Greece. Although we were only on an olive farm in Crete in November, we are still learning more and more from Pavlos and Olga from Ben's Olive Mill in Kalamata. Of course, back in Katakolo, we must go to Despina and Giorgia to eat at Jimmy's. On board, we experience excellent service from Noel and Tainara. Flexible table time works differently here: you remain flexible regarding the time within a service station. So you don't have to explain your preferences and allergies every time. Alexis makes sure we get everything we need. Here there is already a radiance of Gratia at breakfast. Aretha Franklin or Alfreda singing tonight? There is a lovely tribute on stage. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-3-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Katakolo: well, we've been to Olympia, but it's also close to Kalamata (90 minutes by car). If Larry, who we know from NORWEGIAN DREAM 2008, is correct, then the best olive oil comes from Kalamata. We want to know for ourselves. Via Giorgos, who we know from the NORWEGIAN JADE 2014 trip, I get a car from Christos, and we are treated like friends by Giorgos: "Your friends are my friends too!" - like everywhere in Greece. Although we were only on an olive farm in Crete in November, we are still learning more and more from Pavlos and Olga from Ben's Olive Mill in Kalamata. Of course, back in Katakolo, we must go to Despina and Giorgia to eat at Jimmy's. On board, we experience excellent service from Noel and Tainara. Flexible table time works differently here: you remain flexible regarding the time within a service station. So you don't have to explain your preferences and allergies every time. Alexis makes sure we get everything we need. Here there is already a radiance of Gratia at breakfast. Aretha Franklin or Alfreda singing tonight? There is a lovely tribute on stage. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-3-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

I love it when the embarkation day is followed by a day at sea. No stress. We get to know two more nice waiters in the Café al Bacio: Bruno and Miroslav. He is from Russia and is happy about my statement: Putin is a Russian, but not every Russian is a Putin. Therefore, we treat him the same way as any other crew member. We have a great cabin steward: Raymondo. I have the opportunity to chat with King Jamsheed and hear what he's been up to over the past nine years. In the evening, there was Lindsay Hamilton's show. I have already met Chef Shyam and Captain Nikolas. When he asked me, "Are you okay?", I was so shocked that I walked backward into Bruno's drink. He is a great captain: his crew is considered in each of his announcements, and we passengers are reminded that nothing would run on board without the great staff. It's also nice that things are going "more normally" again and that the senior officers are being introduced again. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/seetagday-at-sea-2-auf-deron-celebrity.html

I love it when the embarkation day is followed by a day at sea. No stress. We get to know two more nice waiters in the Café al Bacio: Bruno and Miroslav. He is from Russia and is happy about my statement: Putin is a Russian, but not every Russian is a Putin. Therefore, we treat him the same way as any other crew member. We have a great cabin steward: Raymondo. I have the opportunity to chat with King Jamsheed and hear what he's been up to over the past nine years. In the evening, there was Lindsay Hamilton's show. I have already met Chef Shyam and Captain Nikolas. When he asked me, "Are you okay?", I was so shocked that I walked backward into Bruno's drink. He is a great captain: his crew is considered in each of his announcements, and we passengers are reminded that nothing would run on board without the great staff. It's also nice that things are going "more normally" again and that the senior officers are being introduced again. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/seetagday-at-sea-2-auf-deron-celebrity.html

Oh - why does the ship have to come before the gates open from the port: 05:00 hrs. I stay at Pier 8A for a few more hours to see all the cruise ships come in. One last time uses the direct bus from Civitavecchia train station to the ship. On the way back, Largo Della Pace (Cruise bus terminal) has reopened. It's far too hot to disembark again. We were at CELEBRITY EQUINOX 2010, but somehow we rediscovered everything and felt very comfortable - especially after the VALIANT LADY. We are pleased about the greeting from Mathieu from Celebrity Canada. So we prefer to drink the cappuccino in the Café Al Bacio on board instead of going back on land and getting to know Maru directly, who remembers our preferences right up to the end of the cruise. We meet up with an artist we know from RYNDAM 2013: King Jamsheed - The World is Small. And we come across the same menu again: it tastes just as good in the Murano as in the Olympic on CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM 2014. It's nice when we're looked after so well on the first evening, thanks to Yandhi. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-1-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

Oh - why does the ship have to come before the gates open from the port: 05:00 hrs. I stay at Pier 8A for a few more hours to see all the cruise ships come in. One last time uses the direct bus from Civitavecchia train station to the ship. On the way back, Largo Della Pace (Cruise bus terminal) has reopened. It's far too hot to disembark again. We were at CELEBRITY EQUINOX 2010, but somehow we rediscovered everything and felt very comfortable - especially after the VALIANT LADY. We are pleased about the greeting from Mathieu from Celebrity Canada. So we prefer to drink the cappuccino in the Café Al Bacio on board instead of going back on land and getting to know Maru directly, who remembers our preferences right up to the end of the cruise. We meet up with an artist we know from RYNDAM 2013: King Jamsheed - The World is Small. And we come across the same menu again: it tastes just as good in the Murano as in the Olympic on CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM 2014. It's nice when we're looked after so well on the first evening, thanks to Yandhi. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-1-auf-deron-celebrity-reflection.html

The blog is about one of the best cruises I've been on. It begins as usual with the journey to Civitavecchia, Italy. It was nice to experience a lot of normality again and to be recognized, like by Alessandra. So without a mask, that's a big difference. And lots of shipspotting throughout the trip: 18 ships I've seen yet. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-0-auf-dem-wegon-way-to-celebrity.html

The blog is about one of the best cruises I've been on. It begins as usual with the journey to Civitavecchia, Italy. It was nice to experience a lot of normality again and to be recognized, like by Alessandra. So without a mask, that's a big difference. And lots of shipspotting throughout the trip: 18 ships I've seen yet. https://heinbloed-x.blogspot.com/2022/06/tagday-0-auf-dem-wegon-way-to-celebrity.html

On June 24 we could go directly with the Civitavecchia Portlink from the train station to CELEBRITY REFLECTION. We walked on June 23 and could see: totally empty - although WONDER OF THE SEAS was in town. On July 4 all shuttles from the ship goes to/from Largo dello Pace and also the Civitavecchia Portlink was back to/from Largo dello Pace only and not anymore Varco Vespucci stop. All information on Portlink's for the direct bus between bus and ship are removed. All information for Largo dello Pace are back.

Thanks for your effort, but it is too simple to say "searching" for the link. If you start go on boards.cruisecritic.com: And you are click on "Celebrity Cruises", you are taken on: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/16-celebrity-cruises/ Simply click on "Join the Party": and you are redirected to: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/meet-mingle/celebrity/ By clicking on "Register for a Celebrity Party": https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-critic-connections So removing from all websites on cruisecritic would he most helpful to stop confusing people when they do not host such events currently. But we had the Captains Club reception: Or the parade of the crew. Well, I can understand they restrict all events and use the pandamics as "excuse". But it should be our individual decision to say: I accept the risk and join or I do not and stay in my cabin and enjoy the sea on my balcony. The Meet & Mingle costs money and it would be great if they spend again some money to their loyal and best customers and not using us to save money. I am back from CELEBRITY REFLECTION and I would say: it was more or less "normal" like before pandemics but the Meet & Greet. So please remove the advertising from your own website. Regards HeinBloed Except this story... it was wonderful on CELEBRITY REFLECTION...

The answer from cruisecritic: Von: cc.help <help@cruisecritic.com> Gesendet: Freitag, 1. Juli 2022 19:48 An: Betreff: Re: Celebrity Meet and Mingle They must be accessing an old link These parties are paused at this time And my answer: Well: You should not publish such links: Maybe you should check your own website which confuses us members! Regards HeinBloed

We are "lucky": the Concierge and the Captain tried to offer us a great "substitute" (which is much more better than a Connections Party)... only problem: I have no list of the others' cabin number to reach them and obviously the others have such a good time that they are not logging in to check the postings on cruisecritic.com. Sorry for them... But here with us: they excused for the mass and found a great solution.

I am onboard CELEBRITY REFLECTION. We are more than 25 registered guests. They said they have no information from the shoreside about our wish to have a meeting and that the registration website is still inactive. I told them it could not be more than 25 and we should have a party. Are 25 so wrong to use a static website? Please check with Celebrity when you did the same: but connections@celebrity.com is not working either!

The journey on the VALIANT LADY is coming to an end. I exchange ideas with a first-time cruiser while arriving: Ricardo from Portugal. We're still trying out special requests. But if it's on the menu, variations are possible. Otherwise, unfortunately, we also find that the housekeeping does not meet the standard of other ships. That's why I leave the ship with a laughing and a crying eye. I certainly don't want to say never again, but not anytime soon. It's off to London City Airport for the most horrible business class flight. But on the way there, we stop at the Sky Garden - the "walkie-talkie" - for lunch above the roofs of London. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/05/tagday-4-auf-deron-valiant-lady-in.html

The journey on the VALIANT LADY is coming to an end. I exchange ideas with a first-time cruiser while arriving: Ricardo from Portugal. We're still trying out special requests. But if it's on the menu, variations are possible. Otherwise, unfortunately, we also find that the housekeeping does not meet the standard of other ships. That's why I leave the ship with a laughing and a crying eye. I certainly don't want to say never again, but not anytime soon. It's off to London City Airport for the most horrible business class flight. But on the way there, we stop at the Sky Garden - the "walkie-talkie" - for lunch above the roofs of London. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/05/tagday-4-auf-deron-valiant-lady-in.html

The day starts beautifully: the sun rises directly over Zeebrugge, Belgium! Breakfast in The Galley: There's noodle soup... somehow more for women who have to watch their figure. Through meat slices, you can read the newspaper! And fruit in the plastic boxes - unfortunately, I can't get used to the idea. In Zeebrugge, I finally get lactose-free milk. Later, Lauren makes me the first cappuccino of the trip. There is a bit of ship spotting and delicious food with a great view of the VALIANT LADY from the Njord roof restaurant on the Cruise Terminal. In the afternoon I meet Andy The Charmer. He explains the background of the Scarlet Night: in the evening, everything is red in red. Usually, I wouldn't have gone on the show if I knew what to expect, but since we couldn't flee, we're about to experience one of the best shows I've ever seen on a ship: Duel Reality. In the evening, we are expected by the predator tamer Winnie in The Wake. She has to tame the hungry mouths without reservations, which are probably also desperate about the app and didn't get a reservation. We also get to know friendly neighbors at the table: Lisa and Steve. It's excellent that Don Habets is coming by to say goodbye. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/04/tagday-3-auf-deron-valiant-lady-in.html

The day starts beautifully: the sun rises directly over Zeebrugge, Belgium! Breakfast in The Galley: There's noodle soup... somehow more for women who have to watch their figure. Through meat slices, you can read the newspaper! And fruit in the plastic boxes - unfortunately, I can't get used to the idea. In Zeebrugge, I finally get lactose-free milk. Later, Lauren makes me the first cappuccino of the trip. There is a bit of ship spotting and delicious food with a great view of the VALIANT LADY from the Njord roof restaurant on the Cruise Terminal. In the afternoon I meet Andy The Charmer. He explains the background of the Scarlet Night: in the evening, everything is red in red. Usually, I wouldn't have gone on the show if I knew what to expect, but since we couldn't flee, we're about to experience one of the best shows I've ever seen on a ship: Duel Reality. In the evening, we are expected by the predator tamer Winnie in The Wake. She has to tame the hungry mouths without reservations, which are probably also desperate about the app and didn't get a reservation. We also get to know friendly neighbors at the table: Lisa and Steve. It's excellent that Don Habets is coming by to say goodbye. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/04/tagday-3-auf-deron-valiant-lady-in.html

Virgin Voyages is different. It's like when you've ordered a new toy, and you don't get started intuitively but first have to spend time reading the instructions because things work differently here than elsewhere. And when you then discover that you come to a point: not every innovation you experience on board enriches you. But also that you are disappointed and annoyed at individual points because you know it differently and are used to it, you certainly can ruin the vacation. I experience our trip on the VALIANT LADY as a rollercoaster ride: it goes up and down and sometimes at a pace that I just can't get over. Let's look at Disney and Azamara as "exotics" that we like and would like to go with again but just don't fit the budget. And the higher daily budget with being different also applies to Virgin Voyages. That leaves Cunard, Holland America, and Princess (as of May 2022), which we appreciate overall. Then it's a difference, like a day and night. Seeing the transformation of a hotel manager from Holland America and is now with Virgin Voyages is quite incredible. But I understand him. Being part of the birth of a new brand and being able to shape it yourself makes the task very exciting. For example, it was the first time a hotel manager could not help me: there was no lactose-free cow's milk on board. I can now rely on a standard from everyone else without being asked. I have no problem bringing my own or asking beforehand. I just didn't expect that there might not be any on board. And unfortunately, Virgin Voyages' customer service sucks! There is so much new to discover for the first time: brunch. I only knew that from the jazz brunch at NCL. Unfortunately, there is no more. I want to go on a cruise ship and just drive off. I don't want to read the user manual, and I don't want to have to find out whether I understood the user manual correctly, and that's why it doesn't work, or it just doesn't work. If you don't want to wait or go to the serviced self-service restaurant, you have to organize your life here with the app - and damn, you didn't notice that because there wasn't enough information or the app didn't work correctly. I am not a vegetarian or vegan. Others are welcome to eat as much vegetarian or vegan as they want, as long as my meat offerings aren't scaled back and I'm forced to try vegetarian and vegan. I decide what I want to eat. The razzle dazzle is called the vegetarian forward. I didn't want to go there, but I wouldn't say I liked the other place either. So I give it a try: I find out you can top everything with meat. And it's so good we're going a second time. Aleksandar and Katja also contributed to this, ensuring that we were at least delighted with the food, even if we didn't like the loud music there. I later experience lunch within the brunch as an 80% dinner offer with small additional offers from noon. However, if you want a lobster, it's not free despite the high daily rate. And there are no daily specials either, but the variety consists in the fact that you change the food distribution. I am very disappointed with the service self-service restaurant The Galley. For me, neither fish nor meat. At the self-service restaurant, I have my influence when I walk to the counter and order what I feel like. That doesn't work here, and only in very few areas. The hammock that hangs on the balcony, which you can buy in the shop for 240 USD, is one of the fascinating things that I have become friends with. Instead of teppanyaki, as in almost all of the competition's new buildings, there is Korean BBQ: I know it from Asia and Frankfurt, Germany, and I like that from time to time. I didn't know before that you were served here at the table and suddenly experienced service that you missed elsewhere and actually didn't expect here. Usually, I'm used to getting the meat on the spot and doing everything myself, but here it's done for you. I'm also not a fan of drinking games, especially not with total strangers. But we had charming table neighbors (Ryan, Tiffany, Melanie, and Paul) with whom we quickly struck up a conversation. Thanks to our waiters, Dewi and Tri, who explained and charmingly led the drinking game, you simply had to join in without feeling ridiculous or harmful when you were eliminated. Due to the lack of the main restaurant, there was a rush to cope with, which Mirjana and Anek managed very professionally. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/04/seetagday-at-sea-2-auf-deron-valiant.html

Virgin Voyages is different. It's like when you've ordered a new toy, and you don't get started intuitively but first have to spend time reading the instructions because things work differently here than elsewhere. And when you then discover that you come to a point: not every innovation you experience on board enriches you. But also that you are disappointed and annoyed at individual points because you know it differently and are used to it, you certainly can ruin the vacation. I experience our trip on the VALIANT LADY as a rollercoaster ride: it goes up and down and sometimes at a pace that I just can't get over. Let's look at Disney and Azamara as "exotics" that we like and would like to go with again but just don't fit the budget. And the higher daily budget with being different also applies to Virgin Voyages. That leaves Cunard, Holland America, and Princess (as of May 2022), which we appreciate overall. Then it's a difference, like a day and night. Seeing the transformation of a hotel manager from Holland America and is now with Virgin Voyages is quite incredible. But I understand him. Being part of the birth of a new brand and being able to shape it yourself makes the task very exciting. For example, it was the first time a hotel manager could not help me: there was no lactose-free cow's milk on board. I can now rely on a standard from everyone else without being asked. I have no problem bringing my own or asking beforehand. I just didn't expect that there might not be any on board. And unfortunately, Virgin Voyages' customer service sucks! There is so much new to discover for the first time: brunch. I only knew that from the jazz brunch at NCL. Unfortunately, there is no more. I want to go on a cruise ship and just drive off. I don't want to read the user manual, and I don't want to have to find out whether I understood the user manual correctly, and that's why it doesn't work, or it just doesn't work. If you don't want to wait or go to the serviced self-service restaurant, you have to organize your life here with the app - and damn, you didn't notice that because there wasn't enough information or the app didn't work correctly. I am not a vegetarian or vegan. Others are welcome to eat as much vegetarian or vegan as they want, as long as my meat offerings aren't scaled back and I'm forced to try vegetarian and vegan. I decide what I want to eat. The razzle dazzle is called the vegetarian forward. I didn't want to go there, but I wouldn't say I liked the other place either. So I give it a try: I find out you can top everything with meat. And it's so good we're going a second time. Aleksandar and Katja also contributed to this, ensuring that we were at least delighted with the food, even if we didn't like the loud music there. I later experience lunch within the brunch as an 80% dinner offer with small additional offers from noon. However, if you want a lobster, it's not free despite the high daily rate. And there are no daily specials either, but the variety consists in the fact that you change the food distribution. I am very disappointed with the service self-service restaurant The Galley. For me, neither fish nor meat. At the self-service restaurant, I have my influence when I walk to the counter and order what I feel like. That doesn't work here, and only in very few areas. The hammock that hangs on the balcony, which you can buy in the shop for 240 USD, is one of the fascinating things that I have become friends with. Instead of teppanyaki, as in almost all of the competition's new buildings, there is Korean BBQ: I know it from Asia and Frankfurt, Germany, and I like that from time to time. I didn't know before that you were served here at the table and suddenly experienced service that you missed elsewhere and actually didn't expect here. Usually, I'm used to getting the meat on the spot and doing everything myself, but here it's done for you. I'm also not a fan of drinking games, especially not with total strangers. But we had charming table neighbors (Ryan, Tiffany, Melanie, and Paul) with whom we quickly struck up a conversation. Thanks to our waiters, Dewi and Tri, who explained and charmingly led the drinking game, you simply had to join in without feeling ridiculous or harmful when you were eliminated. Due to the lack of the main restaurant, there was a rush to cope with, which Mirjana and Anek managed very professionally. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/04/seetagday-at-sea-2-auf-deron-valiant.html

The ship parade begins at 03h30 MSC VIRTUOSA, BRITANNIA, and BOLETTE en route to Southampton. And then later, she finally comes VALIANT LADY. We use the time until embarkation to visit the Spinnaker Tower. We have often seen entering/exiting Southampton but never visited. I haven't read much and wanted to be surprised. You will be surprised: many positives and unfortunately also a lot of negatives. I still don't know whether to love it or hate it. A lovely reunion: Don Habets, Hotel General Manager, we still know from Holland America. And a really great personal support on board: Suzana. First of all: it is not a cruise ship as we know it, but a playground for adults. It's nice that there are no children on board. But a lot of adults behave like children! I'll get back to you when the day at sea continues. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/04/tagday-1-auf-deron-valiant-lady-in.html

The ship parade begins at 03h30 MSC VIRTUOSA, BRITANNIA, and BOLETTE en route to Southampton. And then later, she finally comes VALIANT LADY. We use the time until embarkation to visit the Spinnaker Tower. We have often seen entering/exiting Southampton but never visited. I haven't read much and wanted to be surprised. You will be surprised: many positives and unfortunately also a lot of negatives. I still don't know whether to love it or hate it. A lovely reunion: Don Habets, Hotel General Manager, we still know from Holland America. And a really great personal support on board: Suzana. First of all: it is not a cruise ship as we know it, but a playground for adults. It's nice that there are no children on board. But a lot of adults behave like children! I'll get back to you when the day at sea continues. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/04/tagday-1-auf-deron-valiant-lady-in.html

The blog is back on: VALIANT LADY by Virgin Voyages. We know the embarkation ports in Great Britain: Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, England; Greenock, Rosyth, Scotland, but Portsmouth, England, is very new to us. With the many cancellations of BA flights, we learn to appreciate the advantages of London City Airport when one has to travel to the ports: direct train tickets to/from London are quite a bit cheaper than combined tickets to/from Heathrow. https://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2022/04/tagday-0-auf-dem-wegon-way-to-valiant.html