SMOKEY0202

Will there be enough and Ranger Cookies onboard for Girls gone wild with the rest of the clan.... This means Sabrina will have to venture into the WJ to report back to us. Just not peak and run away Suite lounge here they come Can't leave behind Ashley's mom either as she will definitely be on board Are the genie's ready for this epic Girl's gone wild venture with the rest of clan? Lots of pics of the cabins, food and menus of new venues. What type of cabins and location on ship did everyone book?

Has Hubby ventured to the WJ yet? Any sightings of red velvet cake or Ranger Cookies?

Does it mean another Mexican dinner tonight after Hubby's shopping expedition?

Time for another Live Blog from the one and only Lovetocruise2002. Suspenseful waiting to follow along News said ATL, New York and Detroit were hammered with these issues

Gotta luv those Ranger Cookies Just saw on news people waited 4 hrs to get thru TSA even with precheck and says next busiest travel day will be Friday. Looks like travel for News Years Eve cruises is going to be chaotic with weather, delays and now TSA issues

Plenty of independent tours. Barcelona there is Spain Day tours and there is hop on hop off bus. Athens has options as well with independent and hop on hop off bus. You will find better options and cheaper than thru cruise line.

Lovetocruise2002 swinging over to sail Celebrity Beyond in July 2025.....WOW you might want to start that blog well in advance. Family cruise or just you and Hubby? No flowrider for Hubby, he might have withdrawals. Looking at Beyond itineraries as well so looking forward to following along. Maybe Santa will bring everyone a cruise or 2 in their stocking....

It's personal preference. Room won't be bigger but think of it more spa based with pillow chooses, slippers, spa showerheads, yoga mats. Access to Spa thermal suite, spa concierge, priority/disembark, spa discounts, free fitness class,snacks, and Blu Restaurant It depends what type cruise style you desire. I would review all the perks for each cabin class and see what's the best fit for your family.

Ravenna is a quaint area. Byron or Dianna are nice affordable options with many nice restaurants right there. There are also many bed and breakfast options. Where ever you choose it will still be distance from the port.

Well i have been waiting for a MAJOR price adjustment refund that has been 21 days in limbo and over weekend cruise dropped again $179. They surely like to keep our for an eternity and have to chase them to get it back or sould say my poor travel agent on the phone over and over.

I have never done Deal or No Deal but told everyone who buys cards are playing. Lines in casino are crazy to buy. Random peeps picked from audience to go on stage and then remaining explained like a bingo format where everyone has chance to win certain prizes. Person who explained it to me actually was picked to be on stage and won. I was told there are videos online of actual episodes from ships for further reference.

With every cruise line, there is always different corks and perks to "try" to adapt on the sailing. Things roll different from ship to ship even if it's under 1 brand which is annoying. In the end a cruise is what each of us make the experience to be whether a relaxing one or on the go driven all the time. I think with Celebrity you just need to get mindset it's more elegant and relaxing vibe compared to Royal. There are pros and cons with every sailing and what one thinks is different then next person. Is it for everyone NO just like with Carnival, MSC, etc. I wouldn't recommend for kids, barely saw a dozen on this holiday sailing. Even on this sailing, Celebrity was lack luster in certain areas like with food sometimes not being hot and slow service but excelled in the amount of options. Classic options and chocolate option are back on menu daily with a chef selection nightly. No issue requesting a special menu item. Unless you knew bartender, it was snail service and almost MIA in the solarium. Same drink sometimes made different and few times had to send back because totally wrong. I will say chair hogs didn't happen, i can't say how many times attendant emptied a vacant chair and here came person basically having meltdown their belongings were at Guest Services. Entertainment wasn't best seen and guess it was desperate measures because 1 night, entertainment was Cruise Director doing the show in theater. Lounge music at times dull. Can only handle violin playing so much. No lifeguards either. Towels and blankets laid out daily on pool deck. Pools were heated and enforced no kids in Solarium except 5-8pm. Room service is same as Royal, it makes absolutely no sense how they send 3 of something when block has 1. One flaw is if you are in port, don't expect Ocean Cafe to open earlier for breakfast or stay open little later in afternoon. Many times all aboard was at closing time for lunch and would go only to see it was cleared out so just basic pizza pasta station and sandwiches. Casino smoke free and it was hit or miss with drinks served. It's on smaller scale and slot machines limited. There was 3 days Cruise Director loaded $5 to everyone sea pass card but casino was never packed. Girls didn't come around to upsell things like spa, dining packages etc. except on day 1. Photography wasn't constantly around like i have seen where at times it would become annoying. You still get paper copies of Daily Compass eventhough there is APP. Activity staff and Cruise Director weren't seen around ship compared to Royal. They don't seem to chime in to push people to attend (few)activities provided. You don't receive invoice paper copy last night. They want you outta rooms by 7:30am and clearly state Internet ends at 8 am. Disembark was smooth and with status had designated wait area with breakfast provided and Concierge took us off gangway separate from the crowds. You won't see tips flowing or barely a mention on importance of survey. Crew always smiling and greeted but as usual seem overwhelmed and overworked at times. That's a wrap for Europe sailing on Celebrity.

Your flight departure has to be after 11:45am for shuttle. 1st shuttle which left around 7:00ish and took roughly close to 3 hrs to airport. It did make a 20 minute stop halfway. Be prepared for traffic. I found it much easier to go outta BLQ airport and take shuttle to airport. Got to airport little over 1 hr. Much easier and way less time on the bus. Flights need to depart after 10:40am. My flight left at 12pm and had plenty of time. Once you are onboard, guest services daily has someone assist everyone with setting up departure thru them because Ravenna port has no taxi available like at other ports lined up and port is basically a small fishing and industrial area. If you book a mid/late afternoon flight you should be fine. I wouldn't risk anything before 1pm because getting checked in and thru TSA can be long in Venice.

If only could take bits and pieces from all cruise lines to make the "perfect" sailing. As i sit at the Sunset bar late tonight, where are majority mainly in their cabins. Sometimes i like the tranquility just being able to relax whether at the bar or even on my balcony. Would everyone like that vibe, No. Some need that vibrant action, water slides, etc while others just want to relax. Would i say Celebrity is for kids, absolutely not. On this Europe sailing i have barely saw 12 kids this entire week. As times have changed, corners have been cut and prices have increased. Sadly the crew is still bringing those warm greetings and smiles day after day even though you can see their tiredness and how things start slipping in quality in certain areas. Have i had some terrible sailings, yes that i couldn't wait to get off ship and then there have been those really great ones that didn't want to leave. It really comes down to each one putting what's important to their sailing as " priority" whether itinerary, ship features, sea days, etc. and be knowledgeable ahead. What one person's opinion in needs and wants can be totally different than the next. Just like what cruise line and ship is their favorite a big Oasis class or down to the Lady G. Some like the party vibe of the Big Whale or even Virgin while others might prefer tranquility of Silversea or even a Viking River cruise. At the end of the day it's cruising each of us enjoy and can't wait til the next sailing happens. Luckily for all us, this community of great people take the time to blog their sailings for us to enjoy and gives us insights on their experiences the good bad and ugly. It's as if we are never in dry dock....

Bar service is a hit or miss on this end. By the grace of God if these bartenders could make the cocktail correctly. Some have been pure horrible and were sent back and last night took 3 times to get perfectly. Thinking it's rookies students in training especially when asked what's in it. Food is subjective however temperature could be warmer. Officer nabbed me last night with head waiter if there is issues with dining because only eat half platter and never get dessert. Tried explaining when you are on 10 meds i barely am hungry and fill me up. The infamous green bean casserole(tons served) made its presence last night on the turkey platters. Way too much turkey. You were given 4 big slices white meat with 2 slices dark meat. Barely any cranberry sauce or stuffing. Ham platter looked like you got the whole pig on the plate. For the dessert lovers, red velvet has been spotted numerous times around but no pies or cheesecake. Cheesecake has only been seen 2 times so far. Did see pecan pie in Ocean Cafe yesterday.

How is Thanksgiving over on Apex? Your mother gonna have her American Turkey meal? Nothing to rave about on Thanksgiving from this end. Sort of disappointing. Christmas decorations are making their presence around ship.

Wishing everyone a blessed safe Thanksgiving as you enjoy it surrounded by friends and family

For the champagne lovers Cellar Masters offers champagne and sparkling wine tasting