Chasing Constellation from Rome to Arabian Nights November 2016

[grannybee]

Love reading your posts and looking forward to joining everyone in Athens.

 

We love Italy and love driving the coast road from Sorrento down. ( worst part is we are usually in an English car and I am passenger overlooking the overhang into the med!

 

See you in just over a week.

[Texed]

Jennabespoiled,

 

Thanks for posting. :)

[sealover155]

Just love your tales, Jenna. You give wonderful candid opinions which are very helpful to our future travels. I well remember your review of the Asia cruise and the gutsy move flying on your own (with Dee) to Bali when Celebrity skipped the port.

 

Today I'm making hotel reservations for Hong Kong and I remembered you both enjoyed the Ritz Carlton. We only have a quick overnight there this time- have been there a few times before -but I'm thinking we should make the effort to go into town anyway.

 

We've never driven the Amalfi coast ourselves as we probably weren't brave enough to drive it but we just might try it next time. Happy to hear Hertz is just outside the port. I'd love to be on my own in Positano for a day. We did completely adore the hike up to Mt. Vesuvius and the guided tour of Pompeii. It really is indescribable.

 

The sandals are smashing, by the way. And, here I am wondering what to do about dinner and I see the picture of the fish with olives and vegetables- whatever I make will pale in comparison!!!

 

Better book another cruise. Looking forward to the next installment.

[british lady]

Enjoying your live from trip Review, hope to be on the Connie again in May for the Grand Prix.

Looking forward to more.

Sara

[runnerandme]

Jenna ( and Dee), Your photos bring back happy memories ! A big thanks for taking the time to do this. See you on the 14th.

 

 

 

Connie ( and Tammy)

[need2bespoiled]

Is the end of breakfast at 9 AM in the dining room, the buffet or both?

 

Thanks

 

This is Luminae. We have not eaten in the Buffet but I am absolutely certain it is open much, mich later. I went and looked at the Celebrity Today and it is open until 10a for full breakfast and 10:30a for Las breakfast. Main restaurant is the same as Luminae, ridiculously early.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[need2bespoiled]

Just love your tales, Jenna. You give wonderful candid opinions which are very helpful to our future travels. I well remember your review of the Asia cruise and the gutsy move flying on your own (with Dee) to Bali when Celebrity skipped the port.

 

 

 

Today I'm making hotel reservations for Hong Kong and I remembered you both enjoyed the Ritz Carlton. We only have a quick overnight there this time- have been there a few times before -but I'm thinking we should make the effort to go into town anyway.

 

 

 

We've never driven the Amalfi coast ourselves as we probably weren't brave enough to drive it but we just might try it next time. Happy to hear Hertz is just outside the port. I'd love to be on my own in Positano for a day. We did completely adore the hike up to Mt. Vesuvius and the guided tour of Pompeii. It really is indescribable.

 

 

 

The sandals are smashing, by the way. And, here I am wondering what to do about dinner and I see the picture of the fish with olives and vegetables- whatever I make will pale in comparison!!!

 

 

 

Better book another cruise. Looking forward to the next installment.

 

 

 

The Ritz doesn't have the absolute best location but it is still the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in. The service was always perfectly balanced, club lounge spectacular and hard to find a flaw. Hong Kong has many options and now that Marriott owns SPG we could chose another option there.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[caribill]

This is Luminae. We have not eaten in the Buffet but I am absolutely certain it is open much, mich later. I went and looked at the Celebrity Today and it is open until 10a for full breakfast and 10:30a for Las breakfast. Main restaurant is the same as Luminae, ridiculously early.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Thanks

[need2bespoiled]

So glad you enjoyed your pre cruise Italian visit....every time we visit we fall in love with the history, culture and food once more...

 

 

 

Just a quick question. Do you still have the soft and squishy balcony loungers or have they been replaced?

 

 

 

Also re the food in Luminae....How are you finding it? Are they willing to provide alternatives or adjustments to the menu or is it straight Luminae menu or MDR choices? We have found the Luminae choices quite limited and consequently do tend to use the specialities quite a bit on S class ships. However, dining choices on the Millie for us next year do cause us some concerns with the loss of Olympic. Appreciate you may prefer to leave an answer to this until later on in your cruise.

 

 

 

Have fun, relax and enjoy!

 

 

 

Thank you so much to Chemmo and everyone else who has commented. I wasn't sure if anyone was reading. I know few get the opportunities we get to appreciate but I also have plans to take these postings and consolidate them elsewhere someday. But even the best laid plans...

 

Anyway, all of the furniture is new in the last few cruises on both aft balconies. They've actually opened the divided (or the part neared the cabins) for us and our friends so we have a HUGE balcony!

 

Here are some shots of the furniture this morning. There are two HUGE lounge chairs you and hubby could probably squeeze into one for those evenings with brandy on the balcony. There are two standard chaise chairs as well as two reclining chairs with stools and of course the table. Still plenty of space to entertain which we did yesterday for the old and new friends we're touring with in ports.

 

The sailing has been wonderful. I had a brief chat with Ashely, our friend and Assistant Guest Relations Manager yesterday as we having seen each other since embarkation and I gave her two issues we'd like improved. 1. Not surprise, breakfast later on sea days. 2. A portable phone for the upper suites, similar to the one managers have. This is something we've seen on other lines including NCL and Disney and would not be hard to implement.

 

If I've missed any other questions previously, please chime in and I'll try and get answers!

 

What I basically did yesterday, after I missed the time change and yoga:

 

 

Sunset yesterday with friends.

 

The new "veranda" furniture (a little grainy with my iPad this morning:

 

 

 

 

And finally, sunrise. I was working by hr vibration of the ship turning, which is fine by me, as I get sites like this!

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Cruise Junky]

Sigh...beautiful shots. Love that deck

[need2bespoiled]

Oh, one more thing, 8 of us had Dianne run Tuscan grill last night. Our friends next door, Donna and Jane, and our friends Jennifer, Toni, Mary Anne and Debbie. It was horrible, if we were alone and not having a good time with friends, we would age walked out. From the movement we arrived and they got our reservation mixed up and pointed us to a table instead of escorting us, to the extremely long wait it was a total miss. 45 minutes to get Anita pasta that was ordered when we arrived, 90 minutes with no main courses and Dee went to speak with the Maitre 'D only to be spoken to in a way that was totally inappropriate. Dee never ate her meal (totally cold but she didn't say anything) and I sent mine back cold as well. Those that ordered a filet received and excellent cut of meat perfectly cooked, other items were totally forgotten. Needless to say it looked nothing like the meals I've posted above. We were not the only ones in the restaurant that night who had a poor experience. The Specially Restaurant Manager actually showed up with the Executive Chef to apologize to multiple tables. They were pretty brave coming to our table as there was fire coming out of Dee's ears. They invited everyone back to try again and we never received a check except for a bottle of wine, but most of us weren't "paying" anyway. I'm sure we'll be back as it should be a nice change of scenery for a bit less formal meal but this is the second time we've had a poor meal in the new Tuscan (first one was on Infinity last year as they rolled out the new menus).

 

Today we're in Chania Crete and apparently have a Mythology Tour plan.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[need2bespoiled]

PS, sorry about the typos this morning, posting from my iPad and Tapatalk. It's much more convenient buts, also error prone.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[chemmo]

Enjoy your visit to Crete....we spent two weeks there once just enjoying the archaeology and taverns! I recommend trying a Metaxa brandy....

 

Thanks for the pictures of the balcony furnishings, they look quite comfortable...I will miss that squishy lounger though!

 

Really sorry to read about your meal in Tuscan....just so disappointing. When you are dining with friends you do not want your evening spoilt by having to complain. For those of us with M class cruises booked with no Ocean Liners it is unnerving to find the main speciality below par.....

 

Love your idea re portable phones...

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Jenna, Thank you for your review and pictures, brings our December cruise closer.

 

I don't know if I missed it, who is the Concierge in Michaels Club?

[BandBlady]

Thanks for taking the time ,we are doing our first Celebrity cruise on Connie on the 28th .This holiday along with you is making it so special .Keep enjoying

[need2bespoiled]

Jenna, Thank you for your review and pictures, brings our December cruise closer.

 

I don't know if I missed it, who is the Concierge in Michaels Club?

 

Her name is Ildi

 

I L D I

 

pronounced "Eel Dee"

 

Previously she was a concierge Cabin Concierge on Infinity.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Thanks Jenna. The shore side concierge for Silhouette mentioned her as the on board concierge for Silhouette. I think she just made a mistake in the email.

[jazzmanfive]

Enjoying your detailed reports, many thanks.

 

Will be joining the connie ' on the road to Abu Dhabi' next week.

 

Best wishes.

 

Jazz:)

[need2bespoiled]

Yesterday we arrived in Chania (pronounced “Hania” and spelled Xania in places) at 7am. You know me, I just can’t sleep through a beautiful sunrise and snapped this shot looking back to the entrance of the basin that creates the port.

Hot can I skip a decent pic of the star of the show?

We walked off at 9am to meet our guide. After not finding her for a couple of minutes, Dee called and she said she was standing right there. Unfortunately, her right there was at Herculon and our right there was at Chania. Oops. We as a group of 6 decided to try and find another guide / option and hopped on the city bus (1.70 E on way or 2.50 E round trip. We sat down not far from the bus stop at a coffee show to work on options. I walked into a nearby hotel to see if they had guide recommendations and after striking out for a bit, hopped back on the bus to see if I could find a taxi at the port for 6. Meanwhile Dee arranged with our guide to drive from Herculon to Chania and saved the day. This was absolutely a first and while there had to be a miscommunication somewhere I would expect a guide to confirm the location of a cruise ship arrival. We walked down to the old city and old port and by the main square

And then we walked around the old town and “port” on our own for about an hour. Mostly this was apparently built by Venetians

Turks and Egyptians

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

Then decided we should eat before the guide arrived as we wouldn’t want to waste any time once she arrived. It turns out most of Chania is walking and our guide (must get her name from Dee if anyone is interested but she was booked through Viator) was EXTREMELY knowledgeable and very happy to share her knowledge. We toured for a couple of hours from noon and then met back up at 2pm.

Typical city streets off the main port

 

 

Ancient archway

 

Ancient archway and a “modern” door

 

 

Modern meets ancient

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

Just like home, The “White mountains” which do apparently have snow in the winter and look white from limestone in the summer:

 

More modern over ancient:

 

These stones are the base for a wooden doorway which are more than 3000 years old. AMAZING to me the precision of the stonework here:

 

More modern mixed with ancient

 

You can see the different building times of this one-time church, mosque and now church

 

To be continued . . .

[need2bespoiled]

This building is about 3000 years old, and while the wood front has been modernized it is the original structure

 

Egyptian

We decided to skip the museum as a group and Jen and I decided to head back to the ship while most of the group headed off in the vehicle to a nearby monastery which looked beautiful.

 

The modern town of Chania which is very much a tourist destination is built on ancient ruins older than Pompeii or Ephesus. It is some of the oldest ruins in the world dating back 3000-4000 years ago. While there were a few events that damages the city like an earthquake most of the ruins are hidden by continually updating and modernization but you can see a mix of old an new if you look closely and our guide was invaluable and pointing this out. Walking around you would have no idea of this and the town would simply look like a very large Mykonos.

 

We went to another production show, not sure why as we usually go to none, and while it was ok, it wasn’t as good as iHolllywood in my opinion. The wedding game was last night which is always fun. Today we have another much-needed sea day (aren’t they all?). I am going to check out the matinee performance of a Phil Collins impersonator onboard this afternoon and then tonight there is a magician. Not sure Dee will join me as she doesn’t love magicians. I am going to post all the Celebrity Today’s eventually, maybe I will find time today and post a link.

We arrive in Israel tomorrow. Getting off shouldn’t be hard as immigration was done onboard on the last sea day in the Reflection lounge so we already have a landing car and our passports stamped (which Dee and I requested). We’re spending a night off the ship in Jerusalem and then going back to the ship for the move to Haifa where we’re touring for a third day in Israel in Tel Aviv.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Hoping you have no delays in Israel

In October 2014 , they held us up getting off the ship by two hours, than you had to go through scanners and inspection on the dock, we loss about 3 hours

 

We are on the Suez Canal cruise in this coming April , so we waiting to read about your journey through the Suez Canal and ports

[Cruise Junky]

We loved Crete so much this past May that we're doing a week's land trip next May. Your pictures are beautiful.

[nelderwoman]

This building is about 3000 years old, and while the wood front has been modernized it is the original structure

 

Egyptian

We decided to skip the museum as a group and Jen and I decided to head back to the ship while most of the group headed off in the vehicle to a nearby monastery which looked beautiful.

 

The modern town of Chania which is very much a tourist destination is built on ancient ruins older than Pompeii or Ephesus. It is some of the oldest ruins in the world dating back 3000-4000 years ago. While there were a few events that damages the city like an earthquake most of the ruins are hidden by continually updating and modernization but you can see a mix of old an new if you look closely and our guide was invaluable and pointing this out. Walking around you would have no idea of this and the town would simply look like a very large Mykonos.

 

We went to another production show, not sure why as we usually go to none, and while it was ok, it wasn’t as good as iHolllywood in my opinion. The wedding game was last night which is always fun. Today we have another much-needed sea day (aren’t they all?). I am going to check out the matinee performance of a Phil Collins impersonator onboard this afternoon and then tonight there is a magician. Not sure Dee will join me as she doesn’t love magicians. I am going to post all the Celebrity Today’s eventually, maybe I will find time today and post a link.

We arrive in Israel tomorrow. Getting off shouldn’t be hard as immigration was done onboard on the last sea day in the Reflection lounge so we already have a landing car and our passports stamped (which Dee and I requested). We’re spending a night off the ship in Jerusalem and then going back to the ship for the move to Haifa where we’re touring for a third day in Israel in Tel Aviv.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Hi Jenna

Loving your posts.

Can I ask do u just request your passports being stamped with immigration