Roger & Diana's Med Cruise 2008

We're On Board!

2008-10-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

This is to let everyone know that we have sailed off and will be off-line from October 29th through November 19th 2008. With a final count of 82 friends and family who will be cruising 10 ports and 6 countries sailing on the lovely Celebrity Summit in the Mediterranean.

Our thanks to all our loyal readers and hope that this blog was helpful if not at least fun for you to visit with us. We will post a final blog notation upon our return before we close our final chapter
in our Med Cruise 2008 blog. So until then ...

Bon Voyage Everyone!
Fondly,

Diana & Roger's Med Cruise 2008

You're Invited..Snapfish Group Room

2008-10-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

An invitation to Snapfish.com (a photo website) Group Room was sent to your email inbox. Depending on how your computer is set up, the invitation might have been dumped into your JUNK or SPAM FOLDER. Please check this in your email box so that you don’t miss out on this communication.

We have enclosed the address link & room code to our Snapfish.com Group Room in the email invitation. Hope you get a chance to explore this group room and take advantage of this opportunity to share your adventure and special moments with others on this upcoming Mediterranean Cruise. Oh and their photo service is great and simple to use.

Remember if you take the address link and code with you. You can also access it on-line at the internet cafe on board the ship, once you register. It's FREE! Downloading your photo or video will help you clear out space on your camera disk space for even more photos.

If you want to learn about Snapfish Group Room check out their website. Any other questions, Roger says don't call me, I don't know what she's talking about .... feel free to contact Diana!

Photo logo from Snapfish.com ...double click to open & learn about Snapfish! You'll love it!

Nautical & Ship Language

2008-10-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

Though not necessary to get around the ship, knowing the ship terminology makes it fun and kind of an authentic seafaring experience. Here are a few terms that will make you look like you’re a seasoned cruiser as well as get you familiar with your floating home for the next few days…

Aft - Towards the rear of the ship

Amidships - Towards or at the middle of the ship

Astern - Behind the ship

Beam - Ship’s width at the widest point

Below - The area below the “Main Deck”

Berth - Quay, dock or pier where the ship ties up or the act of so doing. Also a term used aboard ship for a sleeping point or bed.

Bilges - The lowest part of the ship

Boat Station - The place taken by passengers during lifeboat drill

Bow - The forward pointed part of the ship which acts as a control center

Bridge - The forward and upper part of the ship

Bulkhead - Interior partition or wall aboard ship

Cabin - Passenger’s room, otherwise known as a stateroom

Captain - Overall commander of the ship

Chief Engineer - Officer responsible for mechanical well being of the ship

Course - Ship’s passage in a given direction expressed in degree

Cruise Director - Individual in charge of entertainment and on-board activities

Disembark - To get off the ship

Embark - To join a ship for a voyage

Fantail- The rear, overhanging part of the ship

Fore- Front part of the ship

Galley- Ship’s kitchen

Gangway- The passageway or stairway that links the ship to the quayside

Hotel Manager- Officer in charge of passenger service

Launch- A small boat that transfers passengers from ship to shore when the vessel is unable to berth

Leeward- The side of the ship that is sheltered from the wind

Lifeboat- A small boat that transfers passengers to a rescue ship during emergencies

Lifejacket- An inflatable jacket that allows the wearer to float in water

Muster Station- Assembly point in an emergency

Passenger Ratio The number of passengers divided by the number of crew gives the ratio.

Crew ratio- The lower this Crew ratio figure, the better the on-board service will be

Port-The left-hand side of the ship, when facing forward

Purser- Officer in charge of finance

Stabilizer- A retractable device that protrudes from the hull below waterline to providestability when the ship is moving

Staff Captain- The second in command of the Captain

Starboard- The right hand side of the ship, when facing forward

Stateroom- Passenger’s room, otherwise known as the cabin

Stern- The rear flat part of the ship, opposite the bow

Tender- A small boat that transfer passengers from ship to shore when the ship is unable to berth

Windward- The side of the ship that is not sheltered from the wind

Nautical terms provided by DK Eyewitness Travel Cruise Guide to Europe and the Mediterranean

Photo provided by Flickr Just-Us-3

Reaching Eze and Monaco from Villefranche sur Mer

2008-10-27T05:29:00.000-07:00

Here is link to another map of Villefranche sur Mer.

Thanks to a Susan on Cruise Critic, here are some instructions for taking the bus to Eze and Monaco. They are rather detailed and may be too much info, but at least there is a less expensive way to see the area:

The tenders stop at Port de la Sante. You can walk up to the Octroi bus stop ... on this map, it is in the bottom left corner, where the green area (park) is ... there's a TI, and two bus stops shown. You'll catch the bus on the same side of the street as the park. The orange area is the Citadel...with the bus stops above. It's an uphill climb...about 10 minutes. Walked towards the Citadel and then up.

Catch bus #100 in Villefranche and get off in Eze Bord du Mer at either Eze David or Gare SNFC stop. Great information, including maps and schedules are located here at the Ligne Azur. Enter the date that we'll be there, and once the schedule comes up, you can see different times by clicking on "earlier" or "later" and you can also get the opposite direction. The schedule with stop names, will help you track of the stops and then you'll know when to get off.

At Eze Bord du Mer, you'll transfer to Bus #83 which will take you up to Eze Village. #83 doesn't run that frequently, so I would try to co-ordinate your departure from Villefranche with #83 so that you aren't sitting at the bus stop in Eze Bord du Mer for an hour. You can find the schedule for #83 here: (see "Depart Eze Bord du Mer" in the 4th column of the chart for #83). I would aim for a bus from V.F. at around 9:15 and then the 9:55 bus to Eze Village.

From Eze Village, you'll take #112 to Monte Carlo (see the Ligne d'Azur site). Again, this bus doesn't run that frequently, but if you know the schedule, you'll avoid waiting around for it. Probably the 12:50 bus would be a good one, which would get you to Monte Carlo at approx. 1:15. The schedule doesn't show Monte Carlo in the list of stops (instead, I think it shows the last stop in France, however, the bus does go to Monte Carlo). You can also see a simplified schedule for #112 on the schedule I posted above for Eze). Getting off in Monte Carlo was a bit of a guess ... the bus travels on a road above (uphill) from the Casino.

Photo from Flckr user JerryGoure .

Barcelona Bistronomics...by Laura

2008-10-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Here is an excerpt from and a link to a July 6, 2008 article in the NY Times about “Bistronomics” bistros in Barcelona.

“Barcelonans have Pau Arenós, a journalist who writes frequently on food for the local newspaper, El Periódico, to thank for the term. “I was noticing this new kind of restaurant, places opened by young chefs, without investors or a lot of money, but with excellent technical training,” he said in an interview. “I needed a word to describe what I was seeing to my readers. The solution? A combination of bistro (a nod to the traditional dishes that form the starting point for these chefs) and gastronomia (a reference to the haute cuisine techniques used to update them) produced bistronomia.”

I also discovered a lot more information about Barcelona on their website. In the search on the New York Times main page, I used Bistronomics.
Looking forward to some good eating!
Laura

Outlets and other Electronic Info & Tidbits...from Alex

2008-10-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

Just in case you want to know...
There are 2-3 electrical outlets in each cabin. One for shavers in the bathroom, one by the bed, another by the vanity, and possibly one other. They are 110 volts..American use. There are not any DVD players, except in the suites and no IPod hook ups. The TV does not have an audio or video jack so it cannot be used for a DVD player. If you have a DVD player that has it's own screen, you're allowed to bring that. There is mini-bar in each cabin and also hair dryers in the bathroom.

Photo provided by Diana

Verizon Global Phone - The SAGA CONTINUES by Karen V

2008-10-15T23:49:00.000-07:00

I have just finished talking to Verizon! I jumped the gun slightly, but it was actually okay because I have minor details that I can now relate to you.

Their number is 1-800-711-8300. Enter your 10-digit cell number and then 2 to reach a person.

Verizon suggests you call to set up your Global Phone rental 7 days prior to departure. This is for 2 reasons:

1. Because the phone ships immediately and arrives FedEx, so you should receive it in 2 days (note: it will require a signature, so please be sure someone is home, or be prepared to retrieve it from your local FedEx branch if they leave you a notice).
And,
2. Because the Value Plan, which is the special pricing plan that you can get for Europe, is for a 30-day period. Once you get your phone and activate it, you will have 30 days to use the plan AND RETURN the phone.

Quick Reminders:

* The Value Plan costs $4.99 for the 30 days and is pro-rated for the time you use it. If you use it only 21 days and return the phone in the 30 days, you pay for days used only (roughly 17 cents a day). The cost in the countries we'll visit is $0.99/per minute under this plan, versus $1.29 per minute without the plan. Croatia does cost a little more per minute...$1.29/per minute under the plan.

* Verizon office hours for the Global Services division are Monday thru Friday ONLY....from 5:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time. This allows you plenty of opportunities to reach them, just be sure it's during the week so you don't lose any time with shipment of your order.

* The phones are nice, newer style phones which are feature rich and include a charger and the adaptors you might need.

* The phone does NOT come pre-programmed with your number after all. That was too cumbersome in case folks wanted to change at the last minute. However, once you receive the phone, call the number on the instruction sheet from a LANDLINE phone or cell phone OTHER THAN yours. They will walk you through steps to program your Global phone with your cell number. This takes your phone out of service immediately, so that's why you can't be using the actual phone during the transfer process.

* The process to program the Global phone takes just a few minutes, so if you want to do that even on the way to the airport (and it's during their business hours), you could wait that long. I don't advise that, but it's possible to do.

* When you are in the U.S. your current price plan is still in effect. Once you start “roaming” you will incur the Value Plan pricing.

* One of the other cost saving measures is Texting. Some of us may just want to meet up with each other after various excursions or special "finds". If one knows how to Text, which sadly I have barely tried, they can send a text message to one of their Verizon companions in Europe for a nominal fee. It’s $0.50 to send and only $0.05 is charged to the receiver. Much less expensive than a call, but not necessarily the perfect option. I'm going to practice up punching letters and symbols though.

* To call back to the U.S., one must dial the international codes, BUT there is a short cut for part of it. The PLUS (+) sign on the phone is programmed to dial the country code for the U.S., so one need only dial the Area Code+Number to reach home. Those wishing to call you from the U.S. should use their cell phone and simply dial your number as if you were down the street. (Tip: Hold down the Star key for a few seconds and it becomes a Plus.)

* I am told much of this technical data is on an instruction sheet which comes with the phone. Verizon staff are also available to assist you if you have questions or problems, so I'm trusting that we won't feel "lost in translation".

Bon Voyage Everyone…and Happy Chatting!

Photo provided by Flickr JonJon2k8

Personalize & Decorate your Stateroom Door...

2008-10-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our cruiser Jean and Gary owners of "The Label Company", they have kindly donated to each stateroom a removable door label. See picture on left. The label is 8.5 inches x 14 inches. We will be giving this to each of our stateroom once we board and you are welcome to decorate and personalize it as long as you keep it on the label so that there will not be any damages to the cabin doors.

We thought it would be fun and yes those willing to participate might be the big winner for a surprise prize! Although the label has a theme with our logo...personalizing makes it creative and fun. Yes, Roger and I will be decorating ours...but we will not be in the contest, so fear not - one less competitor !

Ideas that I had for our door label were to use cruise or port of call theme scrapbook stickers, stick on letters for our names & also for our cruise critic names, personal photos of Roger and I and photos of our destination and highlights. I also want to hang a pen and sticky notes for our guests who might come by and want to leave a note for us...okay so now it's your turn to get creative or not. A simple note with a permanent marker for all is cool as well. These items can easily be purchased at stores such as Michael's, Target, Wal-Mart to name a few. It's fun and the creative side is endless so enjoy and relax a bit.

Just remember please keep your decorations on the label which is REMOVABLE and it will not damage the stateroom door. Thanks for your cooperation with your decoration activity! And as always this is an optional activity.

Photo and label contribution by The Label Company - http://www.thelabelco.net/

VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: Need Your Help!

2008-10-05T23:55:00.000-07:00

Heads up everyone…need your attention and help. I have been informed that Alex our travel agent is on priority red alert as she is expecting our cruise documents to be arriving this upcoming week. Alex has informed that she will be reviewing each of the documents before sending them to you. And just so you know, she will have some 84 guests in our group …so that’s a lot of cruise documents. I think you're getting the picture.

I am anticipating that we all should be receiving the documents sometime after the week of October 13 providing of course that Alex gets them from Celebrity Cruise as she hopes too. During the next week or so, I would like each of you to see if we can minimize our impact to Alex. So that she can concentrate on getting our cruise documents to us in the most expeditious manner she can. Send your communication via email to Alex and please be patient for the response! Let’s allow her to get through all of our numerous cruise travel plans and it's paperwork.

Once we get our cruise document, make it a priority to review the information in detail and verify that your information is correct. If there is some sort of discrepancy to your cruise documents, please contact Alex immediately so she can assist you.
Thanks everyone for your help!
Diana

Photo provided by Flickr asparina

PROPER DINING ATTIRE……By Roger Davis

2008-10-05T23:22:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine……..Diana actually asked me to write an article on proper dining attire for our
upcoming cruise. Kinda like asking the fox to write up security procedures for the hen house…. or better yet, asking Ozzie Osborne to write an article for GQ magazine. So please remember who’s writing this!!

This is primarily for the guys since I really have no clue what’s appropriate for you ladies. I mean hell, I’m all for a clothing optional cruise package. However, in this case there will be three formal nights and eleven smart casual and above nights on our cruise. So, the following is a direct quote from one of the Celebrity websites along with some of my comments/observations.
Evening Dress Codes

Celebrity’s evening dress codes now include two types: “formal” and “smart casual and above”. The daily newsletter, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations/Purser’s Desk, will be your guide to the appropriate evening attire.

Formal Night Attire: Ladies: Evening gown or fancy dress. Gentlemen: Tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit. For us guys, renting the formal wear from the cruise line is the easiest……no packing and no cleaning……everything will be waiting in your cabin when you get on board. Of course some of us (directed mainly toward Buzz) may want to bring some special bow tie or cummerbund or cuff links or ?? To order, visit http://www.cruiselineformal.com/ and click on Men’s Apparel then Celebrity Cruise. You’ll need specific information about the cruise (sailing date/port plus your stateroom & reservation number) and, of course, your measurements and a credit card number. Note: if you’re not sure of your measurements, go to a Men’s Wearhouse and they’ll do it for you for free and that inseam measurement is always fun anyway!!
Smart Casual and Above: (wonder who thought up this Gucci term??) Ladies: Skirt or pants (no holes, rips or tears) complemented by sweater or blouse. Gentlemen: Pants (no holes, rips or tears) with sport shirt or sweater. Shirts must have sleeves. I’d like to think I may have influenced this new code (used to be a jacket, shirt and tie for many nights) since I would not wear a tie nor a jacket to the non-formal nights………..way to go Roger.

Note: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip flops are not allowed in the evening hours. Additionally, guests are asked to follow the “Smart Casual and Above” dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances.
Dining in jeans detracts from the overall ambience and is therefore not allowed in the main dining room after 6:00 p.m.

Evening dress codes apply to both main restaurant dining as well as specialty restaurant dining.
Before Six: Dining options abound aboard Celebrity. For breakfast and lunch, jeans, shorts and casual daywear are allowed in all dining venues before 6:00 p.m. After 6:00 p.m., this attire allowed only in casual restaurants and cafes.

As I mentioned earlier, remember who’s writing this. If, for some reason you feel I am writing this under duress (and I will be showing up for dinner in my usual attire…..an I BUY JAPANESE SWORDS T-shirt, shorts and flip flops) and you do not follow my advice and are asked to leave the ship at the first available port it will do you absolutely no good to say “but Roger said it would be OK”. Their attitude will only get worse as they recall my name and my “accident” in my last formal wear rental.

Let the eating begin!! Burrrrrrrp!!!

Photo provided by Flickr dcJohn

Diana’s Packing 101 – Top 10 Hints to get you started

2008-10-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

So the days are fast approaching to getting on the cruise ship and airline luggage requirements are still strict and costly. An efficient packer for the cruise is a must. The similar packing tip and hint for cruising IS to PACK LIGHT, but this is easier said than done. What if I need this and can’t live without that? Hopefully, in this posted blog you can get organized so you can be successful with your minimal luggage and yet still be appropriately and comfortably dressed from casual to formal. So let’s get started...

Tip No. 1 Begin with a calendar and know how many days you will have to prepare for your attire. I sent a matrix form of our cruise days with an extension of pre and post cruise days. You can use this if you like. If you need another copy feel free to contact me and let me know. This is very important as you should plan to bring only the appropriate outfit for the days you need. For our Celebrity Mediterranean cruise the following link which can help you decided the number of outfits you will need for the cruise and then add your before and after outfits as well. Remember…you can wear your outfit more than ONCE. And there is laundry service available on the cruise ship for a mid-trip wash, if you need it. The success of this tip is to coordinate your outfit daily so you know what you specifically have to take.

Tip No. 2 If you are a concierge class category guest on the Celebrity Summit cruise ship, it would be helpful to know what that means as this will help you eliminate a number of items that you thought about bringing with you. Here is a link to what the Summit offer. In addition, Alex has shared that the Concierge Class also includes: Celebrity Tote Bag, Personalized stationary, Complimentary use of Umbrella and Binoculars. Hair dryers are also included on the ships and check your hotel as most places have this feature as part of their amenities. You’ll save space and weight in your luggage.

Tip No. 3 As some of you loyal blog readers know, Kay had previous shared that Celebrity has a new dress policy for cruise guests. Yup if any of you know Roger, the answer is YES, he is gonna have to change his “I Buy Japanese Sword” T-Shirt attire.
Samples of “Smart Casual and Above” as well as “Formal” attire are noted in the following.

SMART CASUAL AND ABOVE Ladies: Skirt or pants (no holes, rips or tears) complemented by sweater or blouse. Gentlemen: Pants (no holes, rips or tears) with sports shirt or sweater. Shirts must have sleeves.Note: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip flops are not allowed in the evening hours. Additionally, guests are asked to follow the "Smart Casual and Above" dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances.

FORMAL Ladies: Cocktail dress, gown or dressy pantsuit. Gentlemen: Tuxedo, suit or dinner jacket with slacks

Tip No. 4 Mix and Match as well as color coordinate your outfits! My personal favorites are the colors, Black and Red for most of my outfits. I mix and match garment pieces and I also use scarves, jewelry, belts and wraps to accentuate my outfits to look different as well as reflecting a more casual to dressy look. Items such as these are small and can easily be packed with minimal space. Layering pieces also allows for options in look and also keeps you warm. Men should also color coordinate and mix and match. For men’s formal wear, Roger likes the convenience of formal rental through the cruise ship. It does make life easier.

Tip No. 5 Cruise ship staterooms are not as luxurious in size as a nice hotel room, unless you are in a larger suite. So space can be limiting especially when you share it with two or more individuals. So take this helpful hint that I have used. Take a foldable Closet/Pantry Pocket organizer for the back of your bath/room door and a collapsible closet shoe organizer. These two items will be a wonderful addition. You can keep items in the bathroom at an easy reach and offer alternatives to minimal counter space, especially in the bathroom. Additionally, the closet shoe organizer makes additional shelves that can hold items such as your scarf, evening purse, ties, cummerbund as well as organize your evening wear for that night.

Tip No. 6 Here’s a must…make a list of your items you will be packing in your suit case. Two things about this one task…this will help you get organized as to what you have to wear and need for your trip. And it will also double as a back-up in case you lose your luggage. Be sure you keep a list on-hand in your carry-on as well as a list in your suitcase.

Tip No. 7 Unlike being at home with your closet full of clothes to choose from. Your cruise closet will be limited to your suitcase. So here’s two major helpful travel clothes tips…1. Avoid white or light clothes. You can count on them staining with some sort of red sauce during the trip. 2. Avoid wrinkle clothes. There are clothes made with fabric like crinkle gauze, cotton jersey, Tencel® /Lyocell, spandex blends or cottons that have been treated to avoid creases and all wear well during travel.

Tip No. 8 Okay now you have a list of all your items. The horror of September 11th has changed the way we travel. So go over each item you have and be sure you check your Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations to be sure you don’t have those illegal item which not only include weapons or can be weapons like knitting needles and/or liquids . There are exceptions as always and so planning and preparation is necessary. So check the guidelines.

Tip No. 9 Our technological world these days has me doing research on what to do about all our electronic toys we just seem to need to take with us. Whether your cell phone, IPOD, Blackberry, Laptop or some other gizmo and gadget I forgot to mention, the cruiser needs to be prepared. The Celebrity Summit concierge class has two 110V and two 230 outlet near the desk as I found out through the Cruise Critic Message Board. Additionally, there is one 110V in the bathroom for a shaver and I believe I read on yet another Cruise Critic member response for the Summit that someone found one also behind the TV. Because of the limited available electrical outlets many experience cruisers bring a power squid, strip or even a plain extension cord. A 230 volt European adapter would also expand your outlet usage.

Tip No. 10 Resources these days seems endless with our access to the internet. I’ve highlighted some of my favorites for packing links. Linda Hoffman, Cruise Diva happens to be one I use often. But I have also added some other links to help you with ideas for coming up with what works for you. So allow me to introduce you to these websites and I hope you will find them as helpful as it has been for me over the years … Bon Voyage here we come.

Photo provided by Target.com (See tip no. 5 for shopping resource)

Cruise & Travel - PACKING LINKS, TIPS, HINTS & LISTS

2008-10-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Here you go, following are some of my favorite links that I compiled to help you explore and plan your packing items for your cruise. Besides your wardrobe there are handy recommended items that will make your trip a more pleasant journey including a medical first aid kit suggestion. Hopefully, this will give you some great ideas to make your own list that works for you! Just remember we will be in civilization, so you don’t have to bring everything including the kitchen sink…pack light everyone!
Enjoy your journey,
Diana

Learn how to pack light

Packing & Traveling Light recommendation

Pack Light and Travel Happy-Rick Steve

Traveler’s Mantra: Pack Light, Pack Light, Pack Light

Ultimate Guide to Packing Light: 45 Tips to lighten your load

Cruise Clues Packing list link

Packing Link from Kay's & Susan's message Board Members for Celebrity Summit 11/01/2008…

Cruise Diva: Cruise Travel: Planning & Packing & Lists

Cruise Diva: Cruise Packing Tips

Cruise Diva: Packing It In

Cruise Critic Packing Article -76

Cruise Critic Packing Article - 311

About.com - Cruise vacation pack list

Women & Men Cruise Pack list

About.com – Packing list for cruise accessories

Rick Steve’s Travel Tip - Menu

Rick Steve’s Travel Tip - Packlist

Reidsguides.com

Best Cruisespot Official Pack List

Cruise Packing List – Cruise Direct On-Line Video link

Independent Traveler Packing Tips

Travel Smith – Packing Option

Magellan’s Packing List

Photo provided by Flickr Photofarmer

Packing Demo on October 3rd - Crystal Court Costa Mesa

2008-10-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

Just a friendly reminder that our Packing Demo Workshop at Talbots Women, Crystal Court at South Coast Plaza Costa Mesa open it's door at 8:30am and the demo will be at 9:00am.

The closest place to park is on the second level, center mall entrance near Wahoo at Crystal Court Parking Structure

Our sailing date is getting closer everyone...feel free to comment on some of your favorite packing ideas on this blog article comments.
Bon Voyage ready or not!
Diana

Shop Till You Drop…but know about the VAT by Karen V.

2008-09-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

VAT, Value Added Tax…Some of you may find the shops in the Mediterranean irresistible. Others will buy trinkets and postcards at best. For anyone purchasing big ticket items, such as artwork or jewelry, know that most European Union countries automatically assess a Value Added Tax to your purchase – generally in the price. If you are taking a costly item home, you could get a refund on this tax (By the way. food and hotel charges do not refund the VAT). The VAT can be a pretty big ticket cost as well…almost 19% in many countries…so it may be worth the effort for you to collect a refund. Don’t despair, it does take much effort on your part. Here’s a Rick Steve's article on the subject and another link to one specific to Barcelona.

Whether you choose to try to obtain a refund or not, the purchases you make will be a very special reminder of your wonderful vacation in the Mediterranean. As the MasterCard commercials say, it’s Priceless! So keep your receipt just in case you want to follow-up. With that in mind, shop till you drop…..do I hear baubles tinkling, Diana?

Photo provided by Flickr: .zoe

Acqua Alta in Venice - Full Moon November 13

2008-09-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Did you know that while we are in Venice there is a very good chance that there will be flooding? I had seen this in a Lifetime movie, with everyone acting very nonchalant about the fact there was five inches of water in St. Marks Square. And then we started having a discussion over on Cruise Critic about this occurrence -- and what to do if it should happen while we are there!

Here is a quote from this Venice tour site:

“Acqua Alta” as its known by the Venetians is a regular occurrence in Venice. There are numerous factors that can play a role in creating the high waters that flood the city of Venice. The main culprit is the tidal flow of the Adriatic as it pushes water into the Lagoon. This tidal flow tends to be at its most influential at the beginning and end of the full moon cycle.

Although, typically, Venice if it does flood tends to flood around the changing of the seasons in the Fall and the Spring. November is normally the worst month for flooding in Venice...

Another reason for the flooding is the winds from the south and high barometric pressure pushing water up to the Venice area. Rick Steves reports that there is a measuring device you can see at the side of the Campanile in St. Marks Square. When the water level rises one meter, a warning siren sounds. Another good explanation is the article on Wikipedia on the Acqua Alta.

So you see the fact that the full moon would be November 13, and we arrive in Venice on Saturday, November 15, is important. But the website goes on to say that in one year in the third week of November the water was so low (and the temperature below freezing) you could almost walk across from the mainland.

So what to do? Venice for Visitors website provides great pictures of the flooding and suggests what to do. You could buy galoshes to take with you like these, which will probably be good enough unless there is extreme flooding. The flooding usually only lasts for a few hours, and the city does provide wooden walkways in some areas when this occurs. You could take some garbage bags and string from home. Or you could buy boots in Venice.

And here are more pictures,
by apollard17b.

Top picture courtesy of Flicker user Gweneal Paiser.

Don't forget to vote

2008-09-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to get your "absentee"* ballot to vote in the general Presidential election. The election is November 4, 2008 (in case you had forgotten).

If you are in California you can send in your request at any time up until 7 days before the election (which is October 28 --please don't wait that long). You can get info about voting by mail (for Californians) at the Secretary of State website. I filled out the form to mail, but then I went to my local county website and it provided a way to electronically request a ballot to vote by mail! (We will see if that works.)

*Apparently "absentee" is no longer politically correct and in California such terminology has been changed to "vote by mail." Okay.

Map of Istanbul

2008-09-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a map of the section of Istanbul that we will be in.

View Larger Map

The pink arrow is where there are some ships docked, at the tip of the "Golden Horn." There is a shuttle from the ship, plus trams and taxis located nearby.

The yellow arrow is the Hagia Sophia.

The green arrow is the Topkapi Palace.

The purple arrow is the Blue Mosque.

The aqua arrow is the Grand Bazaar.

The red arrow is the Basilica Cistern and the blue arrow is the Hippodrome.

See this review on Cruise Critic for a do-it-yourself tour of Istanbul.

SALE till September 15th...Garmin Nuvii 270 by Jim

2008-09-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

For those who get lost a lot in new cities....

Could come in very handy for any traveling in Europe and North America.
Most of the other units I have seen charge you a very small fortune to add in maps of Europe.
Preloaded with maps for North America and Europe.

Check out the Garmin Nuvii 270 with 3.5" screen - Only $199 at Costco.com
Sale only through September 15th.

Jim

Barcelona - Montserrat & Winery Tour...info by June

2008-09-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a wonderful option for those who want to take advantage of a shore excursion in Barcelona. One of our cruise guest that you have yet to meet (including me!) is June from the Big Island of Hawaii. June is a sister to Sue who you also have not met yet as she and her husband George lives in New York!

Roger and I met Sue and George on our China trip and having made a connection we invited them to our Mediterranean Cruise. Obviously Roger was surprisingly well behaved and they have decided to join us.

June is interested with her group in the Montserrat & Winery Tour by isango.com . You can double click and explore this and other tours offered by this website if you are interested.

Alex has brought to my attention that Celebrity cruise does not offer any shore excursions in Barcelona. Additionally, I believe there is only one port excursion for Venice through the Celebrity Cruise Shore Excursion and that is VE19- Padua &Airport Transfer.

If you are interested in contacting June for more detail, please feel free to reach either Alex or myself on how to go about communicating with June and her group or book directly on line as noted on the link for isango.com

Photo provided by Montserrat Barcelona, Flickr: Mauricio Pellegrinetti

The Metric World

2008-09-02T22:15:00.000-07:00

Centimeters, Kilograms, Meters and Celsius...what do these mean? Feel like we're in another world? United States may be in Farenheit, Miles, Pounds and Yards...but visiting another foreign country is not always the same as back home.

Double click, World Wide Metric Conversion Calculator so you can begin to understand when you see that 70 degrees Farenheit means 21 degrees Celsius and 1 kilogram equals approximately 2.2 pounds (Therefore, 1/4th pound equals 1/10th of a kilogram...a handy hint for your cheese and ham purchases at the Boqueria and Campo de Fiori).

Not good with numbers like me? Be prepared and jot it down ahead of time. You don't want to make the mistake of ordering 22 pounds of Iberico Ham, do you?

Photo provided by Bludgeoner86's.Flickr

When in Rome… by Karen V

2008-09-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

On this cruise we will have the opportunity to visit so many amazing places. It’s going to be a terrific time that we will never forget. There will be surprises around every corner and cobble-stoned alley, so have your cameras and sense of adventure in tow. And a sense of humor sometimes too!

Things may not be to our usual expectations or customary choices when we are visiting the beautiful places on this trip. Lunch at that outdoor café may not have your favorite diet drink or light meal. They may charge for water or add tips or taxes automatically. Service may take longer than you’d ever wait at home. Don’t let these things ruin a good time. It’s all part of the journey and experience.

Watch how the locals handle themselves when ordering food or drink. Mimic greetings and customs offered to you…even if you mess up the language. Keep that smile on your face and a ready laugh and things will turn out just great.

Written by Karen V.

Photo provided by flickr. photogourmand

NEW ADDRESS...Innovative Travel Planner

2008-08-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

Wanted to relay this information that Alex Kuncio our travel agent has a NEW ADDRESS:

4570 Campus Drive, Suite 52
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Same phone number 949/756-3223
Same email Bookit1@earthlink.net

Venice's City Square ....by Jim

2008-08-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you know that Jim has forwarded some information on one of our Ports of Call, Venice. The article comes from Los Angeles Times Italy: Exploring sun-splashed Venice's city squares by Susan Spano, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer.

The article highlights the following city squares below but also has a lot of other side details and information of the area. Grazie Jim!

CAMPO SANTA MARIA FORMOSA, CASTELLO

CAMPO SAN ZACCARIA, CASTELLO

CAMPO SAN BARNABA, DORSODURO

Villefranche-sur-Mer area map

2008-08-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a map of our first port of call, and a link to the port review for Villefranche.

View Larger Map

We arrive at the yellow arrow. Monaco/Monte Carlo is east (right) at the aqua arrow. Nice is west (left) at the blue arrow. Nice is a couple of miles away. The train from Villefranche actually cuts through the mountain to reach Nice.

Eze (green) and St. Paul d'Vence (fuschia) are two popular destinations for tours in the area. Cannes is a green arrow off to the left (west) past Antibes.

These maps are great if you zoom out to see the overview of the area or zoom in for the details. Also, here is a web site, Real Travel, with lots of maps. The link will take you to a map similar to this one of the area, but it also links to maps of the specific destinations, like Nice.

P.S. Here is a link to another Villefranche map that is even better since it appears to be the official city map.

Diana's 10 PRE-CRUISE TIPS & HINTS

2008-08-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

1. Add our Cruise Blog as Favorite or Bookmark
Roger & Diana’s Med Cruise Blog is our main source of communication with our cruisers. So if you would like some additional details and information that will enhance your cruise travel, you really do want to check this link regularly. Make life easier and sign up for “subscribe via email” for inbox delivery of new posting articles. Also don’t forget to add the Celebrity Cruise website as another favorite.

2. Cruise Critic and Celebrity Connection
Wanna add more fun to your cruise? How about adding a “free” activity while on the cruise? Do you like to learn about cruising and share your experiences? Do you like getting invited to a private party with others who love to cruise? Be sure you get involve and visit the links below and follow the various pages to get yourself signed up. If you need help, get in touch with either Kay or Diana. Looking forward to seeing you at the party…
Cruise Critic and Celebrity Connection Homepage link:
Cruise Critic and Celebrity Connection Party FAQ link:

3. Do your homework

Know what you want to do & see, study the ports, get out there and surf the net, visit the bookstore, talk to others who have traveled there before you or join one of the study groups. The more you plan and prepare the more you will see and do.

4. Connect with your buddy

Share the preparation with your cabin mate, initiate/join a study group, commit to communicating about the pre & post cruise and most important stay connected with your travel agent (Alex) and follow-through.

5. Don’t delay
There could be up to 2,034 passengers onboard the Celebrity Summit if the ship is at full capacity. So waiting to the last minute is not always the best for signing up for those must-do excursions and activities. Don’t procrastinate, you may loose out!

6. Read the fine print

In the back of the 2008 Celebrity’s Europe & Transatlantic Brochure there are a number of guideline and information to help in your planning and preparation. Be sure to read it. Also your Celebrity Cruise Line website can assist you with most questions you have. Still can’t find an answer to your question? Contact Alex at Innovative Travel Planner or email Diana at our cruise blog link on the side bar so we can help you.

7. Organize, Plan & Pack Lightly

Did you check your airline flight regulations for luggage? Because that is where it all begins. Renting formal wear on the cruise website for the guys and mixing and matching colors for the woman is what is going to keep your luggage at the required limit. Otherwise, bring more money because you will be paying for it!

8. Sign Up on MY CELEBRITY on-line

If you haven’t checked out the Celebrity Cruise Website, you need to do so. Alex has forwarded your Booking/Reservation Number which will allow you to update and/or complete you’re

MY CELEBRITY account. IMPORTANT, you will need to do this as you will have access to book on line prior to your cruise.

9. Check & Double check your travel/cruise documents

Assuming that you are current on your cruise payment, Alex should be receiving the cruise documents about 20-50days prior to sailing. Because we are lucky to have such a professional and conscientious agent, Alex will organize and double check each of our cruise documents prior to sending them to us. Now here it is, once you get your documents YOU NEED TO CHECK THEM IMMEDIATELY. There will be instructions and details of all your documents should be accurate and reflect what you had signed up for. If not, contact Alex IMMEDIATELY so she can take care of your problem. If you wait till the very last minute…you just might miss the plane, the boat and yes the fun! So don’t delay!

10. Open, Be flexible, have fun & enjoy the ride

The best made plans can even have flaws or unexpected circumstances. With security, rules, regulations and just a lot of people…relax and don’t fight it. You’re a traveler and a visitor, so acknowledge that we’re not at home and your adventure begins once you step out that door. Also remember this simple lesson that your mother taught you when company comes over or you’re out visiting a friend’s home, be polite, courteous and smile. You will not be alone or you can be alone…the choice is yours…but, whatever your cruise travel brings, remember half the fun is enjoying the ride to get there.

Photo provided by Flickr: Kasaa