The Steps to the Acropolis

I was going through some pictures of my niece's trip to Greece in May 2007 and found this one that shows the steps up to/down from the Acropolis. As you can see, it is very crowded so you don't move too fast up or down the steps. The day we went was rainy which didn't spoil the pictures but it did make the going just a little bit slower.

Once you get up to the top, there is a gravel on the pathways. It's not totally even but it's not too bad for walking around and taking pictures. When we were there, you can see there was some restoration work going on. But, it still didn't take away from the incredible buildings.

Barcelona Hotel

Here are links to the Hotel Principal's website, a map of the Port of BCN and the confirmation for 2 rooms from Hotel Principal in Barcelona.

http://www.hotelprincipal.es/index_en.html

http://www.apb.es/en/PORT/Cruises/Terminals/files/PortBcnTerminalsFerrisiCreuers20050413_EN.pdf


RESERVATION CONFIRMATION:Dear Mr/Ms Reba Lee,Thank you for choosing us !
OUR HOTEL:Name: Address: Telephone: Fax: Website: E-mail:
Hotel Principal **Calle Junta de Comerç, 808001 (Ciutat Vella (Raval)) BARCELONA+34 933 18 89 70+34 934 12 08 19http://www.hotelprincipalbarcelona.com/info@hotelprincipalbarcelona.com
RESERVATION CODE:
080225-60474
PASSWORD FOR CHECKING/CANCELLING:
7168816
YOUR INFO:Name:Company:E-Mail:Telephone:Fax:
Reba Leerdlee56@comcast.net404-316-8259404-237-5996
Check-in:Check-out:
Jun 04, 2008Jun 06, 2008
Type: Standard Double Number of rooms: 2
Jun 04, 2008
90.00 €
Breakfast not included
Jun 05, 2008
90.00 €
Breakfast not included
Total:180.00 €. (7.00% VAT not included)
TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE FOR THE RESERVATION: 360.00 €. (7.00% VAT not included)
ADDITIONAL REQUESTS:
COMMENTS:There will be 3 in one room. How much is a roll away bed?
METHOD OF PAYMENT:
You pay directly at the hotel.(The credit card is only to guarantee the reservation)
GUARANTEE OF THE RESERVATION:
If the credit card information that you sent is incorrect, the reservation will be cancelled.Credit card information: Name of holder: Reba D. Lee Type: American ExpressThe credit card number and expiration date do not appear here for security reasons.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If the reservation is cancelled after Jun 03, 2008 at 12:00, or in the event of a "No Show", one night will be charged to your credit card and the reservation will be automatically cancelled. (based on property local time) To cancel this reservation, please visit: http://cancel.hotelsearch.com
Reservation code: 080225-60474
Tracking/Cancellation code: 7168816
PRIVACY POLICY:
Do you accept the privacy policy of this web site?: Yes
Would you take a survey by email describing your satisfaction after your stay?: Yes

Internet Packages

Here is the information (I found it) on the Millenium internet cafe packages:

• $40 for 75 minutes ($0.53/minute)
• $60 for 125 minutes (0.48)
• $80 for 185 mintues (0.43)
• $100 for 263 minutes (0.38)

Pricing from Millenium

I was going through some of my papers today from the Millenium and here are some of the prices they were charging. I am not sure how these relate to those being charged on the Summit in Europe but I am sure they are not too far off.

Wireless Access: You have to sign up for a personal (using their PCs or your own/wi-fi) account to use with your laptop while on board. You start at the internet cafe and set up your account and swipe your seapass card, enter your stateroom #, and set up a person ID and password. They said there are 4 hotspots available to connect. The base price for connectivity (wireless or using a PC in the cafe) is $.65 per minute. I purchased the largest package because I was doing University of Phoenix stuff and it cost around $100 for 250+ minutes. I bought 2 of these to do get through my "homework". There were smaller packages that got you a price somewhere between the 38-65 cents per minute.

Cingular/AT&T - The Millenium advertised you could use your own phone to make and receive calls or text messages while at sea. I called Celebrity to see if I had to purchase "connect time" to use my phone at sea (I have Cingular) to talk and/or get my e-mails. They said yes. But, if I waited until I got into port and used my phone (and e-mail), then I would be connecting through the local cell towers and there would be NO charge from Celebrity (but I will have charges for AT&T). This is how it was on Princess - I used my phone in port (only for calls) and got charged extra from Cingular/on my phone bill but was not charged by Princess.

So, if we want to connect AT ALL while AT SEA, you have to pay to use their satellite connection.

$10,000 Drawing - on the Millenium, if you brought your photocopied (not sure where you get this done) recommended and guaranteed store receipts (purchases at stores recommended by the ship), they would be entered for a $10,000 drawing. Not bad! I didn't get off the ship so it didn't matter but if you do any shopping in Europe, you should keep those receipts just in case they have a similar drawing. It can't hurt! .

Gratuities - these were $3.50 waiter, $3.50 stateroom attendant, $2.00 waiter assistant, 75 cents Maitre D, and 50 cents for assistant chief housekeeper for a total of $10.25/day. They will charge this to your room charge unless you make other arrangements. There were at least 2 ATMs on board if you want to pay in cash at the end. I am not sure of the fees charged to use the ATMs. I am also not sure if they dispensed US dollars -- and am not sure if in Europe they would do Euros. There is a bank on board as well.

Spa - Swedish Massage/ 50 minutes/$120; Deep Tissue Massage/ 50 minutes / $128; Reflex and Massage Combo/ 50 minutes / $120; Reflexology/ 50 minutes/ $120; Sole delight Pedicure / $61; Exotic hand ritual with manicure / $44; Hot stone massage/ 75 minutes / $193 or 50 minutes/ $149; Lime and Ginger Body Massage / 75 minutes / $196. They had "cheaper" prices for the same treatments on the days in port.

Hope this helps as you look at what you want to do each day. I think if we know up front what these costs are, we can make better decisions on the important things based on our cash flow -- which I expect will come to a trickle by time we get to Barcelona :-) but it will have been worth EVERY penny!

Original Website Link

I am not sure if any of you remember the original website I did in AOL for this trip, but I thought I would provide the link again. It does have lots of good links to sites that may help you in deciding which side trips sound good. Also, it has some information on our hotel in Venice. In addition, there is a time zone sheet and the link to do a currency converter cheat sheet (these are the best!).


http://hometown.aol.com/emtowen/index.html

Rebecca's Side Trip Picks

Here are my thoughts -
Dubrovnik -
The Fodor's book recommended walking the City Walls. However, it's ALOT of walking and steps so I'm not 100% sold on this one. Putting it down for consideration though.
DU05 - Walking the City Walls & Maritime Museum -or-
DU02 - Panoromic Dubrovnik by Coach and City Tour
Santorini -
The sunset from Oia is supposed to be spectacular. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear we will be there that late.
SO01 - Village of Oia & Santorini Island
Athens -
PR05 - Athens Sightseeing & Acropolis
Naples/Capri -
NP03 - Exploration of Pompeii -and-
NP06 - The Ruins of Herculaneum
Rome -
Leaning towards the big $345 tour as I have never been to Rome and want to see as much as I can. However, will take recommendations from the ones who have already been there.
CV07 - Exclusive, Best of Rome -or-
CV02 - Imperial Rome
Florence/Pisa -
LV31 - Explore Florence & Piso on your own (like Barb I want to see the real David and the Leaning Tower of Pisa - would rather not have to pay $345 to do so)
Nice
VF11 - Monaco & Monte Carlo -or-
VF06 - Monte Carlo & Grand Casino

Haven't reviewed Venice or Barcelona yet since I thought we would probably do those on our own. But that could change if it makes sense to take advantage of what the cruise is offering.

Side Trip Tip

As you are going through and looking at which trips you want to book, two things you should keep in mind. First, we are in Dubrovnik and Florence/Piza on Sundays. If you want to see a specific church on either of these days and select a specific side trip, the notes say you probably will not get into the church with a tour because of services. Second, on Mondays, we will be at sea (26-May) and Villefranche / Nice / Monte Carlo. Generally, museums are closed on Mondays. If a side trip you are looking at has a museum you specifically want to see, I would probably do some research first to see if it will even be open (or check the notes in the side trip).

Side Trip Cheat Sheet

Here is the link to the Side Trip Cheat Sheet that is in Google Docs:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc94xs9m_0fn87gdds&invite=

You should have each received an invitation to link to this document which allows you editing capabilities. If you see something that needs to be changed, please feel free to edit.

Celebrity Shore Excursions Ratings

I have rated all shore excursions with a “1” being my favorite. I would really like to go on the side trips with you all or, at least, some of you all. Perhaps we can get together by Internet before signing up and coordinate our efforts. All this is negotiable! I’m always up for suggestions.

I do think we need to get our trips booked ASAP to ensure we get the ones we want.

Rome, since I’ve already been there, I don’t want to go into the city. So I have just ranked one trip there. I really liked Dan Brown’s (he wrote the “Da Vinci Code”) book “Angels and Demons” but the tour is too expensive. I recommend reading the book before going on the cruise however. It’s better than “Da Vinci Code.”

Athens, my limited mobility negates climbing the Acropolis on a ship’s tour. The only things I want to do in Athens are to go to the top of the Acropolis and shop. There is an elevator of sorts on the back of the Acropolis. I plan to take a cab there and go up on that elevated platform. I’m not going to pay for a side trip as I’m sure they all climb the front part and it is very steep.

Venice, since I’ve been there before and will have been there for two days before boarding the ship, I don’t plan to take any ship side trips.

Florence, all I want to do is see David, see the Leaning Tower and shop for leather. The only tour that promises both David and the Tower is $345. Others show only a copy of David in an outside setting. I want the real thing; even if he is spectacularly under-endowed (I want to see for myself). So, I think on this “do-it-yourself tour I can accomplish everything. It’s 9 hours long but provides transportation to both Pisa and Florence (where David is). We would be in Florence for 4 hours. Lunch is not included on the tour so we would probably eat in Florence. Then we would get on the bus and go to Pisa in the afternoon. We would only be in Pisa about 1 hour. That would be composed of 15 minutes (each way) of walking to and from the bus parking thus allowing 30 minutes for photos.

Nice, I really want to go to the Grand Casino in Monaco. But, while I’m there I’d also like to see Nice itself, which is why I probably prefer VF08 which is the only one that includes Nice. On that tour we would have to get to the casino ourselves, while VF06 actually includes the casino.

Venice - No Celebrity side trips

Dubrovnik - DU23 (1) or DU02 (2)

Santorini - SO01 (1) or SO02 - (2)

Athens - No Celebrity side trips

Naples - NP03

Rome - CV25

Florence - LV31

Nice - VF08 (1) or VF06 (1) or VF11 (2)

Barcelona - No Celebrity side trips

Let me know what you all think!!

View the Millenium Room and Ship

Here is the link to the web photo album of the pictures I took in January on the Millenium.

http://picasaweb.google.com/emtowen/MilleniumBalconyRoomAndShip?authkey=kREjJTvKg9s

Number of Formal Nights

I was wandering through the Celebrity web site and found this regarding number of formal nights for dinner. Looks like we will have three.

Under 100 Days To Go!

When I opened MY AOL page this afternoon, I have a counter for the days to the cruise. We are under 100 days! (I think this counts until the day I leave which is 20-May so for Rebecca and Bernice it may be at 100).

Side Trip Brochure Available

Ladies - the side trip brochure is now available on the Celebrity site. You can download it and take a look at our options. It's a PDF/54 pages long. I grabbed the link so hopefully it will take you right there

http://www.celebritycruises.com/shoreExcursions/brochure/download.do;jsessionid=0000025eBaADQDuP-B5evBIqv6O:12hdbcuh7?brochureFileName=SHXSM080523USUSD.pdf

Sailing Out of Venice

Sorry about the "yapping" going on in this video but I wanted to show you that sailing out of Venice is like sailing out of no other city in the World! This should be the view we see from our balconies on the Celebrity Summit! The voices are my niece, Theresa, and her roommate, Sarah. (you may have to hit the start arrow 2x)

I hoped you noticed the size of the boat in front of us leaving Venice (rewatch Video #1 and you can see it ahead of us) (these videos were taken from our balcony on RCCL in May, 2007). Here's some more with my narration and my niece, Theresa, copying everything I said for her video. Maybe next time, I will be quiet and not interrupt the beautiful sailing!

Laundry Before Going Home

I just reviewed one of the last newsletters I got on Celebrity and they had a deal for laundry. All the clothes you could stuff into the paper bag (not any dry cleaning items) and it would all be laundered for $24.95. That sounds like a GREAT deal to me. This appeared in the Friday morning newsletter and you had to have it to the room steward by 11 AM. (We got off the ship on Sunday). Since we will be gone for 2+ weeks for the European cruise, I think I might consider this opportunity to go home with some clean clothes. Plus, if it helps, you can plan to bring less and get your laundry done before we have a few days in Barcelona. On a Holland America cruise I had this (free) as part of the suite. It was nice to have clean clothes to wear again and most of all, it was fun when you got off the ship with clean clothes. Months later, I was still finding pairs of socks that were "pinned" together in my sock drawer at home. It always made me smile! Not having to do laundry when you get home helps to not keep reminding you the vacation is over :-(

Word on Celebrity

I received the Fodor's book on cruising Europe yesterday. Have just flipped through it but Celebrity received high marks - especially for the food and service (as Betty said) and for not hounding you with events via the intercom. Even though I had been on a Celebrity cruise before it was nice to hear such good things.

How long does it take for my comments to post to the site?

Blogger Posting Virginity

This is a test. I do believe I'm posting. First I lost my blogger comment virginity, now I'm losing my blogger posting virginity. I fear I'm turning into a blogger slut!!!

Time Zone Fixed

Ladies - I finally remembered to go in and change the time zone. BTW - send me your google log in names (don't need your password) and I can give each of you permission to "post" to the blog instead of just responding with comments.

Classy All The Way!

Ladies - this is one example of the beautiful ice scuptures that Celebrity does for the Midnight Buffet. They didn't do a full buffet like this each night, but had this one on Thursday night. It was just beautiful. There were at least 15 sculptures and lots of fun food carved into many different shapes. They opened the buffet 30 minutes before midnight so everyone could come in and take pictures. Then, it was open for anyone who wanted to eat! It was too beautiful to eat as far as I was concerned.

So, when we go on our cruise, we will need to keep our ears and eyes open for this special event. Another thing I liked about this cruise was the wait staff told us something each night -- like about the Midnight Buffet or a special meal for the next day or a special luncheon on the deck. They were just so helpful. I know they were probably told to do it but it was a nice touch!

Let's Get Started with the 2008 Birthday Cruise!

I have started this blog to help us all review and share information on the cruise and not clog up our e-mail boxes too badly.

This picture is of the room with the 2 beds and the couchette. The first bed to the left actually has a nightstand between it and the wall (with the lamp). There is also a nightstand between the 2 beds. As you can see, between bed 2 and the couchette there is no extra space. With 3 in the room, the order will be: bed #1 up against the wall, nightstand #1, bed #2, nightstand #2, and then the couchette. It will be tight but cozy.

I will write more and add some pictures once I get them edited. Please let me know if you can see this and please respond by sending in a comment!