Castlerigg

14 hours ago, lv2cruisgrl said:

Sad....it's really sad.

Yes, indeed. If I want to continue with Celebrity, it seems that I'll need to purchase a dining package for the upcharge restaurants or try to snag a deal on an Aqua class or higher cabin that will get me into a different dining venue. Sigh.

I was on Infinity Sept 23-Oct 2, 2024. She is, indeed showing her age, but the staff were always pleasant, and our stateroom attendant was delightful. Our one dinner in the Tuscan Grille was excellent; however, the main dining room food and menus were extremely disappointing. No imagination or attempt to "dress up" meals. Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, French onion soup, and escargot used to be on the "always available" side menu, while the main menu offered two additional salads, two other soups, and two different appetizers that changed every night. On this cruise, the previously "always available" items were now part of the main menu, with only one different salad and one different soup selection per night. Slim pickings if you wanted to try something different. The list of main entrees was disastrous. Salmon (NOT Alaskan or Norwegian) appeared on the menu every night, and three or four of the six entrees were always served with mashed potatoes and carrots, with maybe a chunk of broccoli or handful of green beans thrown in. Every. Single. Night. No prime rib or Beef Wellington. No side garnishes. No innovative sauces or seasonings. Just plain, bland cooking. Had I wanted to eat at a diner, I would not have booked a cruise. Such a HUGE shift from Celebrity's earlier days and certainly downgraded even from what the Silhouette main dining room offered in June 2022 or the Reflection this past April! What is happening?? Since April, 2023, martinis prices have increased $14 to $17 each ($20 with included tip). The nickel-and-diming was ever more present on the Infinity this past week...upcharge for this, upcharge for that. Maybe Celebrity is trying to steer us toward booking only upcharge restaurants. I certainly hope other cruise lines are not following Celebrity's dining example. 

Castlerigg

49 cruises and counting

Castlerigg...

I second the recommendation of CruiseMom42 to go to the Gulbenkian!

The Gulbenkian is one of my favorite museums in the world..it is a little gem

filled with amazing things from his private collection that he wanted to give back to Portugal! An amazing Turner, a fabulous Lalique jewelery collection,

Turkish tiles, silver table services..a little of everything and only the best!

We go every trip to Lisbon!

Go!!

Sherry

It sounds wonderful! I will definitely make this one of my stops. Thank you both for the recommendation!

Linda

Castlerigg, I'm not a big museum fan, so I can't comment on those. However, one thing I would have done if I had had more time was to visit the Cristo Rei statue on the other side of the river. You would need to take a short ferry trip across the Tejo and then take a bus to the statue. Then you can either take the elevator up partway to the feet of Christ, or just admire the views from the embankment and the statue. There are also supposed to be a couple decent seafood restaurants in the town where the ferry drops you. I found out more info about these and the Cristo Rei statue in general by reading Rick Steves' book on Lisbon. The trip would take about a half day, I think.

 

I went to a wonderful old palace (Palacio Marques de Frontiera or something like that) that was a riot of red and blue (great for photographers). Like Cristo, it takes a little effort to get to it, but I would guess a cab would only be a half hour at most. (I took the metro to the zoo stop, walked a fourth block from the zoo and caught a bus - took maybe 40 minutes total.) The place is not well known, so there weren't many people there, which I liked. If you're interested, see the photo site I mentioned above for the name of it and pictures. Look up their website, as they have somewhat limited hours, especially if you want to tour the palace. (I didn't - the grounds, pool, etc. were enough to keep me happy.)

 

We went to Lisbon a day early and took a "Bike My Side" motorcycle sidecar tour for $130 each. It was wonderful, but if you've already been on a city tour, it may not be the best use of your time. However, it WAS quite fun, and we visited many parts of the city, which gave us a good overview.

 

Parque das Nacoes up in the newer part of the city was mildly interesting - just mostly a contrast to the older sections of Lisbon. There's a good view of the long Vasco da Gama bridge, and a little "telecabine" cable car that goes a short distance along the riverside, not very high up.

 

You could take a DIY tour of some of the art in various Lisbon metro stations - lots of mosaics and modern stuff. Best stations are Parque & Pombal, Campo Grande, Moniz, Campo Pequeno, Campo Grande,Olaias, Chelas, & Oriente.

 

We docked across from the Maritime Museum. I didn't go in, but that might be a nearby museum that could be worthwhile.

Thanks so much for the information!

I've been to Lisbon several times and am looking for suggestions for something different to do. So far, I've been to the Monastery (twice), Belem tower, Monument of the Discoverers, St. George's Castle, done a private tour of Lisbon, and eaten the wonderful custard pastries. Outside of Lisbon I've visited Cascais, Sintra, and Obidos. I'm not a huge fan of aquariums but do enjoy museums. Does anyone have any recommendations? Many thanks in advance.

I also enjoy dancing even though I am no Fred Astaire. If a lady goes to the nightclub chances are that she would like to dance. So all one has to do is ask.

The problem is most single men are too self conscious to do this and will sit out the evening at the bar alone. Again you do not have to be Fred Astaire dance, just feel the rhythm of the music and dance. All you need is some very basic knowledge of the steps. If you can count to two - Two Step, three - Salsa or Bolero, four - Waltz and five Tango. Forget the fancy moves as seen on DWTS and enjoy yourself. If you feel you have made a misstep apologize laugh about it and continue on. Also it's very important, while dancing, to please converse with your partner.

 

Richard

Well, said, Richard! "...just feel the rhythm of the music and dance...." I would love to be able to dance with a partner again and certainly don't require any fancy footwork. Nor to I want a partner who expects me to execute all the ballroom dance steps to perfection. People used to watch and compliment my late husband and I on our dancing, but we had no formal training. All we did was move to the music, and our enjoyment was visible! I think there are many women, like me, who would looooove to be asked to dance.

Linda

Definitely ease of dress is crucial! If it was a zipper, a tip I learned was to use a wire coat hanger (unwound if need be) to hook in and zip it up.

What a great idea! Thanks for the tip!

I have travelled solo and with friends. Both were wonderful and each had drawbacks.

 

I have had wonderful ship staff of each solo trip, who kept an eye on me, groom time to get to know me and if I didn't want to be alone, I could As,ways find an activity to do.

 

I am about to hop on the crown princess in a few days for another solo run. I am looking forward to eating when I want...seeing what I want....,sleeping when I want. I have done a good deal of solo travels in the last 2 years . I learned very quickly, smile and be kind to everyone, they will be to you too. You are only as solo as you allow yourself to be. Sometimes you have to do something daring alone to find yourself again.

I couldn't agree more! Thank you for saying that so well!

Hi, I just found this group! Looking forward to meeting other solo cruisers. My first solo cruise (although it was cruise #28 for me) was on the Solstice TA in November 2011, and I loved it! Am happy so sail solo (except for the single supplement) when I can't find a traveling companion. Since then, I've been solo on the Summit (4/12) and am booked on the Splendor (1/12/14) and Equinox (10/27/14). Anyone also on those sailings?

Linda

That's interesting. Will you have a porthole room on the Main Deck? You might be taking over my room on Jan. 12th.

Coincidentally, I will be on Main Deck, but I'm in a cabin with a window.

I will be staying in one on Carnval Splendor on Jan. 4. It's the same price as interior Room but allows some natural light. I think it's a great choice for a solo traveler.

I've also stayed in cabins with portholes and had a very reasonable amount of light...as well as a view that interior cabins don't have. Interestingly, I'll be on the Splendor on Jan 12. :)

If you don't try it you'll never know if you are missing out on something. Even if you don't like it, it is only five days. I would compromise and try an oceanview. All my cruises except one have been in oceanview. I like having the natural light and it is much better than sleeping in a "closet" (my feelings on an interior room).

Agreed. Give it a try and see what works for you. Also as you go along you learn what situations help you feel more comfortable, e.g. I prefer fixed seating in the MDR so that I only have to introduce myself once and have the same group of new friends to dine with each evening. But that's my preference & comfort level. Mornings I want to be alone with my coffee. During the day I enjoy meeting and chatting with other travelers. Like some of the others on this board, I've been "adopted" by couples as well as other solo travelers and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the atmosphere of camaraderie on a ship...something that is lacking in land-based hotels I think because of their very nature...on ships we're all literally in "the same boat together." As for cabins, I prefer balcony, but with the single supplement an outside cabin is often the max my budget will permit. I've found that while I really enjoy traveling with a friend, I then want to go solo afterward for the freedom it entails. Regardless of what you choose I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

Hi, just find a seat at the bar and say hello to the bartender!:D

I never feel awkward in the bars or lounges. The bartenders are usually

fabulous!:D

Yes, if I feel chatty, I sit at the bar...people see to be more talkative around the bar, and I've had some pretty interesting conversations that way. If I want to be alone, I choose a table in the lounge and sit with my book or journal. I've sailed solo twice so far and enjoyed it...enough so that I have two more solo cruises booked. I'm not an extrovert, but I've always met kind and friendly people, whether sailing on my own, with my late husband, a friend, or a family member. The more I sail solo, the more I enjoy it.

Linda