Celebrity Eclipse - Fort Lauderdale to Southampton T/A April 19 - Pier Piper Sailing

[Roy&Adrian]

We haven't seen Jersey Boys (A's not a fan of juke box musicals and only went to Mamma Mia because he knows I like Abba) but we saw the Book of Mormon at Christmas. It was great - if you're not offended by blasphemous swearing. We listened to the soundtrack in the car a week before and our jaws dropped at one point.

I've just received my credit card bill showing the final payment for the cruise. It reminded me of why I like it so much - our 9 and a half hour flight across the Atlantic is costing just as much as the 13 night cruise back to Southampton! We're currently looking a summer cruises and it shows just how much profit is made at peak season, which for a ship (that can sail anywhere sunny) is practically all the time

See you soon

Roy

[Petert102]

We haven't seen Jersey Boys (A's not a fan of juke box musicals and only went to Mamma Mia because he knows I like Abba) but we saw the Book of Mormon at Christmas. It was great - if you're not offended by blasphemous swearing. We listened to the soundtrack in the car a week before and our jaws dropped at one point.

I've just received my credit card bill showing the final payment for the cruise. It reminded me of why I like it so much - our 9 and a half hour flight across the Atlantic is costing just as much as the 13 night cruise back to Southampton! We're currently looking a summer cruises and it shows just how much profit is made at peak season, which for a ship (that can sail anywhere sunny) is practically all the time

See you soon

Roy

That is why Paul and I do the T/As if you have the time and flexibility, they are incredible value for money. We plan to book the Oct 13 Celebrity Infinity Harwich to Fort Lauderdale when we are on board this cruise in a few weeks, We did the same crossing last year in October and loved it. The Infinity is smaller, but more imtimate. We actualy have gotten a good price on our airfare over To England on Icelandair, it was actually cheaper booking direct rather than thru Celebrity Choice Air. We have even been upgraded to Premium Economy by Icelandair, was very impressed with them on my trip to the UK in January

 

We do not do musicals as we are New York Opera Queens, we go to the Met once a week, will be seeing Placido Domingo in Enchanted Island this wednesday and on Monday we have Massanet's Werther with Jonas Kaufman

 

At last we can actually say that WE WILL BE ON OUR WAY NEXT MONTH....YAY !!!!!

 

Hugz

 

Peter

Edited March 1, 2014 by Petert102

[Roy&Adrian]

Peter,

Adrian's the classical one in the family and doesn't much like pop. He only acknowledges Abba have musical talent because 'The Winner Takes it All' has 3 or more chords. No one can convince him of the abilities of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

But it works both ways. I saw him in an Am Dram version of Die Fledermouse. Imagine my disappointment - a child raised on comic books - when he told me he was playing 'the Bat' ;)

Have a good week

Roy

[Petert102]

Peter,

Adrian's the classical one in the family and doesn't much like pop. He only acknowledges Abba have musical talent because 'The Winner Takes it All' has 3 or more chords. No one can convince him of the abilities of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

But it works both ways. I saw him in an Am Dram version of Die Fledermouse. Imagine my disappointment - a child raised on comic books - when he told me he was playing 'the Bat' ;)

Have a good week

Roy

I wholeheartedly agree with Adrian,,,, Amateur Dramatics.....Dear God....is that what passed for Kultur in Leeds !!!! You poor deprived Souls. I am sure that you will love the shows on Celebrity with Dorota and Lazlo twirling on ropes from the ceiling ...such sophistication LOL

 

Hugz

 

Peter

[Roy&Adrian]

Six weeks to go and it's a lovely weekend here in Blighty. Which reminds us of one of the few things we will miss sailing across the Atlantic - the garden. Easter is usually the time we sort out the shed, clean out the greenhouse and start planting up the garden for the summer. Fortunately, Spring has come early so Adrian's pottering about pruning the roses, weeding the beds and excavating the cat poop. Apparently, it's therapeutic - I find it hard work and can't wait to get away from it all. But in the height of summer, it looks idyllic.

See you soon

Roy

[Petert102]

Six weeks to go and it's a lovely weekend here in Blighty. Which reminds us of one of the few things we will miss sailing across the Atlantic - the garden. Easter is usually the time we sort out the shed, clean out the greenhouse and start planting up the garden for the summer. Fortunately, Spring has come early so Adrian's pottering about pruning the roses, weeding the beds and excavating the cat poop. Apparently, it's therapeutic - I find it hard work and can't wait to get away from it all. But in the height of summer, it looks idyllic.

See you soon

Roy

Now Boys, do not despair, Adrian has the much fabled Celebrity Lawn to putter around on the Eclipse. he can pretend that you are in your yard, naturally, minus the grey skies, lashing rain and wind of the UK. I wonder if they will have replaced the grass before we sail. On a similar crossing on the Solstice, we were told that the grass that will tolerate the sun and heat of the Caribbean is different to European Grass so they would have to replace the entire lawn when we docked in Barcelona

 

Mega Hugz

 

Peter

[Roy&Adrian]

Peter,

The lawn on the Equinox last August was looking a bit tired and brown with some sections fenced off and signs asking cruisers to use a different part of the lawn to give it time to recover. During our 10 nights in the Med, it didn't get any greener as it was very hot with only the occasional downpour. The best part of the upper deck was the glass blowing show nearby - it was impressive to watch.

You're probably right about the lawn being changed once the ship gets into Barcelona. You'd think a good time would be during the repositioning cruise (the passengers are getting a bargain cruise, so a few amenity alterations can't be grumbled at), but the salty air would not be good for it. Same again when we get to Southampton, the ship still has to sail down to Barcelona through the Bay of Biscay before it gets to the Med.

Five weeks to go... I'm already stressed about my upcoming work load, some of which has a deadline by the end of April. My manager knows I won't be in the office for the 2 weeks prior to this - and it's stressing him out too. But I won't be there, so provided I look like I'm worried, I'll still be able to enjoy my fortnight away.

See you soon

Roy

[Petert102]

Peter,

The lawn on the Equinox last August was looking a bit tired and brown with some sections fenced off and signs asking cruisers to use a different part of the lawn to give it time to recover. During our 10 nights in the Med, it didn't get any greener as it was very hot with only the occasional downpour. The best part of the upper deck was the glass blowing show nearby - it was impressive to watch.

You're probably right about the lawn being changed once the ship gets into Barcelona. You'd think a good time would be during the repositioning cruise (the passengers are getting a bargain cruise, so a few amenity alterations can't be grumbled at), but the salty air would not be good for it. Same again when we get to Southampton, the ship still has to sail down to Barcelona through the Bay of Biscay before it gets to the Med.

Five weeks to go... I'm already stressed about my upcoming work load, some of which has a deadline by the end of April. My manager knows I won't be in the office for the 2 weeks prior to this - and it's stressing him out too. But I won't be there, so provided I look like I'm worried, I'll still be able to enjoy my fortnight away.

See you soon

Roy

Tell the poor Dear to take a chill pill !!!! he sounds a real pain

 

Peter

[Roy&Adrian]

We've just received Pied Piper's e-mail regarding on-line checking in with Celebrity.

Next will be PP's list of suggested excursions - hopefully, with some more info about their Sete Cidades trip

Regards

Roy

[MiamiLatins]

By the way... there is a Facebook page for LGBT Royal Caribbean/ Celebrity fans. Look for Royal Caribbean Gay Cruisers.... in Groups

 

:cool::eek::cool::eek::cool::eek:

[Petert102]

FANTASTIC NEWS

 

Heard from Bruce today, fantastic news, he will be "Mother Hen" to our Group. Bruce did such an amazing job last time when we were on the October 2013 - Harwich to Miami crossing on the Infinity, he was very attentive and ensured everyone had an incredible time. He totally made our trip memorable

 

Hugz, only a Month, give or take a couple of days to go !!!

 

Peter

Edited March 20, 2014 by Petert102

[ptownandpompano]

Wow, just about a month to go. We are enjoying beautiful, warm sunny days here in Fort Lauderdale area, hopefully this will continue as you all arrive in town.

Suddenly it is time to focus on clothing, packing and port activities. We will work on it this week. On our last TA, december 2012 from Rome to Fort Lauderdale, we enjoyed calm seas and lots of opportunities to walk outside and be in and around pool. Hoping for same this time.

 

See you all soon,

Richard and Kevin

[cle-guy]

Hello fellas!

 

I just booked this one. Fares fell, and I grabbed on!

 

Did the TA last spring with PP and had a great time, looking forward to these 2 weeks of bliss...and 3 nights in London after.

 

:-)

 

--Curt

[Petert102]

Hello fellas!

 

I just booked this one. Fares fell, and I grabbed on!

 

Did the TA last spring with PP and had a great time, looking forward to these 2 weeks of bliss...and 3 nights in London after.

 

:-)

 

--Curt

Welcome Curt

 

I think we will have a great trip

 

Peter and Paul

[Roy&Adrian]

A month to go (minus 1 hour thanks to daylight savings) - it's been a long time coming.

And it's great to hear Bruce will be with us. It'll be our 3rd time sailing with him and he's always been the epitome of professionalism. Always happy to chat and coming round the tables during dinner to check up on us.

With sunshine in Fort Lauderdale, we'll be airing out the summer wardrobe, which hasn't been seen in a few months.

See you soon.

Roy

[cle-guy]

 

Nassau is the arm pit of the region

 

Just catching up on the reading.

 

I've always said Nassau exists for the ships to dump trash and toilets one last time before going to the nice places. :D

[Petert102]

Just catching up on the reading.

 

 

 

I've always said Nassau exists for the ships to dump trash and toilets one last time before going to the nice places. :D

 

Wow, we have reached 3 whole Pages here !!!!........come on you Guys, we got to 20 + on my last PP T/A...wonder where all the folks are...must still be in deep hibernation in their respective Dens.....Hope they wake up in time to take the trip. There were a Couple on our last T/A who I know will also be here. Lets have some pics on Criusefellows.com so that we will recognize you all

 

That is precisely why we will have an unpacking and settling in day, once that is done, it is the Pool and one of Celebrity's fabulous Burgers for lunch that we became totally addicted to on the Infinity on our last T/A...... Was shocked to see that the locals had even vandalized the local Police Station which was right at the Docks

 

Hugz

 

Peter

Edited March 22, 2014 by Petert102

[Petert102]

Just catching up on the reading.

 

I've always said Nassau exists for the ships to dump trash and toilets one last time before going to the nice places. :D

Hi Reverend !!! ( Saw the Main Board )

 

I forgot to ask, but are you travelling solo or with a "Bedmate ? " Actually if you book far enough in advance, the UK rail tickets are very afordable. Do this online and collect your ticket from a machine on arrival ( do not use VISA or Mastercard ) as US cards do not have imbedded chips iike the cards in the rest of the world, having said that, the railroad ticket machines can read magnetic stripes on AMEX. The journey to London will be fast and comfortable and you can just jump in a Cab to get to your Hotel, when you get to London-Waterloo, it sure as hell beats being stuck in an expensive, crowded van with a bunch of other folks. We, Paul and I, have a 9:30 train from Sothampton to Brighton ( a seriously Gay Seaside town ) where we will be staying until May 6 before flying back from London Gatwick. It is a major long Holiday weekend when we arrive, so you may well find things in London just a tad quiet with some attractions closed or on reduced hours on the Monday.

 

Hugz

 

Peter

Edited March 22, 2014 by Petert102

[cle-guy]

Hi Reverend !!! ( Saw the Main Board )

 

I forgot to ask, but are you travelling solo or with a "Bedmate ? " Actually if you book far enough in advance, the UK rail tickets are very afordable. The journey will be fast and comfortable and you can just jump in a Cab when you get to London-Waterloo, beats being stuck in an expensive van with a bunch or other folks. We have a 9:30 train from Sothampton to Brighton where we will be staying until May 6. It is a major long Holiday weekend when we arrive, so you may well find things in London just a tad quiet with some attractions closed on the Monday.

 

Hugz

 

Peter

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

I'm solo, I did this last year too, also bank holiday, and traffic getting into London was creepily quiet. I fly out monday afternoon on a 4pm flight on United, used miles and got 1st class :-)

 

I can find 1st class train for about 45 GBP which would be helpful with the luggage.

 

I do love trains as well....But think once i get to London will use the trains to the countryside to visit friends who may be on holiday. I'll have 4 suitcases, 2 large, 2 medium. I'm a terrible traveler when it comes to packing and spending week prior in Denver for trade shows and fun then flying straight to lauderdale...so a bus or similar makes that a bit simpler.

[Petert102]

Thanks for the advice.

 

I'm solo, I did this last year too, also bank holiday, and traffic getting into London was creepily quiet. I fly out monday afternoon on a 4pm flight on United, used miles and got 1st class :-)

 

I can find 1st class train for about 45 GBP which would be helpful with the luggage.

 

I do love trains as well....But think once i get to London will use the trains to the countryside to visit friends who may be on holiday. I'll have 4 suitcases, 2 large, 2 medium. I'm a terrible traveler when it comes to packing and spending week prior in Denver for trade shows and fun then flying straight to Lauderdale...so a bus or similar makes that a bit simpler.

 

First Class, that will be a wonderful treat for you, especially being pampered at the end of the trip, a great way to get home, I am full of envy. First Class on the Trans Atlantic Flights is always very special and light years removed from Domestic, so called, first class. You are right with all those steamer trunks, it does not make any sense to travel by train. At least your hotel is super close to the flesh pots of Great Compton Street Soho !!! As you are packing so much stuff, we are all agog with pregnant excitement to see what couture, you will be treating us to each evening, especially Formal Nites !!!. We fly down to Fort Lauderdale the day before, alas for this trip we will be in Roach Class on Delta, although Icelandair have upgraded us to Premium Economy for our flight home to JFK from London Gatwick for both flight sectors, which is very, very nice of them.

 

We are located down near the Laundry on Deck 3 at 3123 !!!! We find that this is more stable for Paul and a similarly located cabin worked very well for us on the Infinity last October, oddly enough the Balcony Cabins were cheaper than ours and Bruce, bless his heart, did try to persuade us to change, We had some seriously rough weather on the Infinity in the Bay of Biscay ( they said it was a storm of the centuary ) that even broke one of the Main Dining Room Windows and delayed, by many hours, our arrival into Vigo. The Suite Folks suffered terribly from the movement of the ship which caused their closet doors to open and bang shut during the night. Fortunately a Lesbian PP Couple always travel with Duct Tape ( I suspect also with power drills ) so were able to assist the other PP Suite Guests taping their closet doors shut......Lesbians are so practical !!!!!!

 

Mega Hugz

 

Peter

Edited March 22, 2014 by Petert102

[Roy&Adrian]

The Monday after we get into Southampton is a Bank Holiday, so ordinary workers will get the day off. It's a different story for anyone in the service industry, so shops will still be open for most of the day - and you probably won't notice the difference in London. Coming so soon after Easter (it's always the 1st Monday in May), many Brits would have already have had a break - and then we get another one on the last Monday in May - there has been many a call (on deaf ears) to spread the Bank Holidays more evenly.

[Petert102]

The Monday after we get into Southampton is a Bank Holiday, so ordinary workers will get the day off. It's a different story for anyone in the service industry, so shops will still be open for most of the day - and you probably won't notice the difference in London. Coming so soon after Easter (it's always the 1st Monday in May), many Brits would have already have had a break - and then we get another one on the last Monday in May - there has been many a call (on deaf ears) to spread the Bank Holidays more evenly.

You are a bit like us, having our holidays in a Group, Memorial Day ( early summer ), Independance Day ( Mid Summer ) and Labor Day ( end of summer ), then almost Zero until the Thansgiving, Christmas, New Year Holidays which are grouped into a five week period and which were, I suspect, specifically designated with the Retail Trade in mind....... At least our Founding Fathers had the sense to announce plans to dump you Brits in the middle of Summer, just imagine Barbecues and Fireworks in January ..BBBBRRRR !!!!!

 

You neglect to mention your national Rail System, which tends to abandon any pretense of a schedule over the Public Holidays, shutting down whole swathes of the system, stranding folks unluckly enough to be arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick without any affordable means of actually going anywhere from the airport once they have landed and collected their baggage !!!!

 

Hugz

 

Peter

Edited March 25, 2014 by Petert102

[Petert102]

curt - great pic

 

love your pic on the photo board

 

hugz

 

peter

[Roy&Adrian]

 

You neglect to mention your national Rail System, which tends to abandon any pretense of a schedule over the Public Holidays, shutting down whole swathes of the system, stranding folks unluckly enough to be arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick without any affordable means of actually going anywhere from the airport once they have landed and collected their baggage !!!!

 

Hugz

 

Peter

 

Peter,

You're forgetting our world renowned 'Bus Replacement Service'. Pay for a train ticket, get half the leg room and 3 times the journey time! We set off for the States on Good Friday, but are travelling in our own car so only have to contend with the rest of the holiday traffic. Once at the airport, it's down to BA to get us to Miami.

And with only 3 weeks left, we have received PP's list of recommended excursions. The trip to the lakes in the Azores has been booked.

But oddly, no recommended trips in Nassau - not even to the illustrious Police Station. And I had my spray can all ready to tag it with 'The Leeds Massive - in da house'

See you soon

Roy

[Petert102]

Peter,

You're forgetting our world renowned 'Bus Replacement Service'. Pay for a train ticket, get half the leg room and 3 times the journey time! We set off for the States on Good Friday, but are travelling in our own car so only have to contend with the rest of the holiday traffic. Once at the airport, it's down to BA to get us to Miami.

And with only 3 weeks left, we have received PP's list of recommended excursions. The trip to the lakes in the Azores has been booked.

But oddly, no recommended trips in Nassau - not even to the illustrious Police Station. And I had my spray can all ready to tag it with 'The Leeds Massive - in da house'

See you soon

Roy

Good idea to Tag the local Police Station, very imaginative, but isnt "house" spelt Howze ????, but actually, I think you also need to arm yourself with a BRICK to toss through, the hopefully, fixed broken window at the Nassau Police Station

 

We are travelling to Fort Lauderdale the same day, we arrive on DELTA from New York-La Guardia at 12.05 pm. Alas, and I do feel for you Guys, BA is bound to arrive in Miami at exactly the same time as the Drug flights from Jamaica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia, expect massive, and I do mean massive lines which will go forward at snails pace ( especially as Congress has thoughtfully reduced funding for Immigration and Customs Agents ), welcome to America !!!! Expect your luggage to be opened and the contents gone through with microscopic attention, all to show that US Customs does not discriminate against the folks from the aforementioned countries ( Political Correctness has gone far too far !!! ). The only way to escape this is for Adrian to put on one of his Amature Dramatics Tony winning performances as being incapactitated, and order a wheelchair for him from BA before you depart, then you will fly through everything in just minutes ( The only way to go ). I was amazed on my recent Icelandair flight back to JFK when I started to go into Diabetic Hypoglycemic shock mid-flight and they radioed ahead for a chair for me, just how fast we sped through the formalities at JFK. As Paul is very woobly these days on his pins, we have ordered a wheelchair for all our flights and for getting onto and off the Eclipse.

 

Have a wonderful drive down to Heathrow and enjoy the scenery and do be sure to have a meal at one of the UK Temples of Gastronomic Excellence, the Highway Service Station !!!! Oh you lucky Boys, I am just so green with envy at the very thought of such an epicurean treat !!!!!

 

Congratulations, I see that you can now get married in England, Paul and I got married, after 29 years of being unable to, in New York just over two years ago. We had the civil ceremony at City Hall and the religious ceremony in Province Town in Massachussettes where Paul's niece, the Lady Rabbi, did the honors. She even made us a very special Rainbow Huppah and customized a charming service for us, lots of stamping on glasses and Mazeltovs. Maude and Lilly our two small Tibetan Spaniels were the Bridesmaids and looked very pretty in thier pink collars made of Orchids by the Lesbian Florist just for them.

 

Mega Hugz

 

Peter

Edited March 29, 2014 by Petert102