Day 0- San Juan
We started our spring fling at 230am when the alarm rang. The car picked us up at 4am for a 7am flight from EWR. We flew JetBlue down at $175pp but opted for more leg room and TSA pre for a fee. We had breakfast at the airport while waiting to fly. With no flight issues we arrived at SJU around 11 am and at the Sheraton,
old San Juan around 1130am. The room rate this time was $217 plus tax. We saw Pedro the bellman, who was originally from Paterson, NJ. Soon thereafter, our friend Cheryl from Port Arthur, TX and who will join us on the cruise came to visit us at the hotel. She didn't recognize the lobby since the new Walgreens carved out most of the space of the lobby; eliminating most of the old lobby as well as the casino and the Chicago Burger place where we liked to have a burger dinner, listen to the live music and enjoy relaxing outside at night.
After our catch up visit with Cheryl ended we went for an outdoor tapas lunch at El Picoteo in the hotel El Convento. We walked around old SJU and Randi made a purchase in Ralph Lauren. Ahhh what a busy morning and now time for a nap.
For dinner we went behind the hotel and to the right, around the curve and settled under the stars and umbrellas at Toro Salao for another nice meal served tapas style.
It sort of reminded us of the outdoor cafes in Freehold NJ. It was wonderful to let the people and the evening pass by but we agreed that we liked the place next door, better.
Afterwards we walked around to view the street life of the nightlife and found an artist painting beautiful solar systems artwork with spray paint and tools but now it was time to go home to bed.
Day 1- Embarkation
730 was wake up time. Randi enjoys having breakfast in hotel. While there, she got a message for a 30% off sale at Ralph Lauren, so back we go. It wasn't an easy process. After multiple tries to get it right, we had to return and re-buy the entire order which wound up taking almost an hour. After saying goodbye to Pedro who mentioned the name of the owner of the tavern in Cassville, NJ that he knows,
we checked out and taxied to the ship.
Check in was a breeze. Robin from the shops, escorted us to Maja (Maya) the concierge in Michael's club. We were sitting for 10 minutes when the others from the "woo hoo" group showed up and we all enjoyed a welcome aboard cocktail. Cheryl and Linda, Rod and Pat, Randy and Connie Carolyn aka Doc and Me and Randi. George and Addie would arrive later.
Tonight was the last evening chic night on the cruise. We would up dressing for three nights because although we thought the second night was the first dressy night, they moved the first night more towards the middle of the cruise.
Day 8- final sea day
I went down to guest relations early when no one else was there to get our refundable credit back in cash. Randi got most of the non-refundable back through the casino. The last day is usually a little rough but today was smooth sailing so we did a little packing then
went to Luminae for our farewell lunch and to celebrate Randy's birthday.
After leaving the room, Randi had been eyeing a duffle bag in one of the shops. When she went to get one there were no more. So she asked if she could have the one in the window and they said yes and pick it up later. Meanwhile we said goodbye to Frank Marilyn Vinny Gail and Albert.
We had a baby picture party where we shared all of our baby pictures with each other. In addition to the baby pictures
the last day festivities continued with a combined a pajama / pillow party.
730 was wake up time. Randi enjoys having breakfast in hotel. While there, she got a message for a 30% off sale at Ralph Lauren, so back we go. It wasn't an easy process. After multiple tries to get it right, we had to return and re-buy the entire order which wound up taking almost an hour. After saying goodbye to Pedro who mentioned the name of the owner of the tavern in Cassville, NJ that he knows,
Check in was a breeze. Robin from the shops, escorted us to Maja (Maya) the concierge in Michael's club. We were sitting for 10 minutes when the others from the "woo hoo" group showed up and we all enjoyed a welcome aboard cocktail. Cheryl and Linda, Rod and Pat, Randy and Connie Carolyn aka Doc and Me and Randi. George and Addie would arrive later.
Off to our first lunch in Luminae where we met Laurence our MatreD. Gustavo served us and we met a former waiter and really nice guy, Lazar. For the rest of the trip, and because we were in a group, we were seated in Oneil's section.
After lunch our bags magically appeared and we were able to get unpacked quickly. Only one dinner jacket and two dress shirts did not travel well, so we gave them to Nelson the butler to have pressed. We also met our ever smiling stateroom attendant Shinell and found out from her that they no longer have assistants.
Went to the meet and greet at the Sunset bar at 4 and signed up for a position for the slot pull for a later day during the cruise. Since these were cruise critic people that we basically did not know we decided not to stay.
We went back to the Royal Suite to freshen up for dinner and found gifts from Michele Homoky, Celebrity sales In our stateroom. She set a beautiful flower arrangement, a bottle of wine and some snacks. And speaking of the Royal Suite,
I guess this is a good time to tell you how we secured this upgrade. Randi was home checking the Celebrity website one night and asked me what we were paying for the Celebrity Suite and I told her. When she said the Royal was the same price, we made a frantic call to our TA and made the switch. Wha-la !
Back to the present and our dinner at Luminae at 6pm. We spent all our dinners in this Restaurant, minus one in the Tuscan grill. All were fabulous! This one was slightly different since the muster drill was at 745 but in Celebrity style that was not a concern. Simply come back after the drill to have desert and that is what we did.
Perfect timing for a sail away party with Cheryl and Linda in their Penthouse 6048. There was food and drinks available when we got there. We brought the food tray of tapas from Michele as well as some sugar free chocolate for Cheryl and some fudge for Linda.
We realized the enormity of the Penthouse's size. The Cabin: 1432 sqft and the Balcony: 1098 sqft size. It has a grand piano in the gigantic living room, along with a pull out sleeper sofa.
It has a full bathroom with a large jacuzzi tub and nice size bedroom.
The suite has a kitchen with a full sized fridge and a separate entry door for the butler to sneak in some goodies. There is plenty of storage space with cubbies all over.
Afterwards we went out to the deck which is about 25 feet deep by half the width of the ship, to blow bubbles and watch the fireworks as we left San Juan. After all the fun we said goodnight.
Day 2- St Thomas
We docked at a new Port for us called Crown Bay. It was nothing like Havensite, maybe a quarter the size as we found out as we walked around. We kept bumping into other 'woohoo' folks as we went from place to place.
Short lived, we came back and rested on lounges on deck and rested comfortably into a nap.
Lunch was at the Oceanview cafe. Since Randi can't eat onions the MatreD got her some freshly cooked grilled chicken with rice and salad, and no onions.
Lunch was at the Oceanview cafe. Since Randi can't eat onions the MatreD got her some freshly cooked grilled chicken with rice and salad, and no onions.
We walked around after lunch, got a cappuccino and mochachino, left a note for future cruises, headed to Michael's to try to find Mr. Albert but found Frank and Marilyn instead, Gail and Vinny. We spent about an hour with them Frank and Marilyn enjoyed their last cruise on Anthem out of NJ. We know them from past cruises and live in Smithville, NJ in the type of place we would consider retiring to.
Sail away party tonight was in the other penthouse on the ship which is a mirror image of the other. It was in 6147 at
430pm with Connie and Randy with a "Y" hosting. A beautiful spread with more adult beverages and a picturesque background was enjoyed by all.
Before dinner in Michael's Club, Captain Kate and her officers joined us to chat about life on board. It was here where Cheryl asked the Captain to meet her cat, and she will. Tonight dinner Luminae was a table of five; that is Mark, and four ladies.
Day 3- St Martin
After Luminae breakfast, some of us water taxied to Gulmohars to place our liquor order which he delivers back to the ship. Next we went to Ultimate jewelers to visit Sam. Randi had some jewelry cleaned, traded in some hoop earrings and for her birthday
she got the byzantine necklace and bracelet that she wanted while I got a blue faced watch. While waiting, Sam bought us lunch at the NuLove restaurant on the beach.
On the way back up the ship we happened to see Zenith pulling into port. Zenith was our second Celebrity ship we sailed on back in the 90's. Now she sails under the Pullmantur Cruises name.
Randi and I hosted dinner tonight was at the specialty restaurant, the Tuscan Grille, for a party of nine. Since we were in the Royal Suite we were comped this meal. Everyone enjoyed.
The only thing that went wrong was when the waiter swooped in to trade out Randi's steak sauce. The first one apparently had shallots in it but damage done, she already tasted it and would become slightly sick later.
Randi went to the casino later to use up some of her green stuff. Lastly, we enjoyed a nightcap in Michael's with friends, Frank, Marylin, Vinny, and Gail.
Day 4- Sea Day 1
We waited our turn for the slot pull in the casino. Although it was a very tight wheel of fortune machine, I had the second highest score of $54 to secure second place. For that I got a tee shirt for Randi. Everyone who played got $8 of their $15 buy-in, back in their pocket.
We went to Michael's and spent some time with Randi and Connie and George and Addie over a cocktail. After a stop at the future cruise desk we decided to take a nap.
The evening started at Connie and Randy's Penthouse for some wine then we strolled and stopped for a short stay in Michael's.
We spent the evening with George and Addie an saw the powerful vocalist, Savana Smith. We enjoyed a Luminae dinner, strolled the ship a bit then hit the hay.
Day 5- Sea day 2
The highlight of the day had to be the tour of the bridge with Captain Kate, aka Sandra Bullock. Now we have taken many tours of the bridge, some better than others, but this was the best ever. She was articulate, straightforward and very open to many of the questions posed.
The only one who upstaged her was her pet cat, Bugnaked who strolled around with no worries in the world.
Day 6- Bermuda Day 1
Randi and I decided we wanted to see some scenery and take the bus to Hamilton. That was probably not the best decision. Couldn't fit on the first two buses and when we got on the third we stood most of the 40 minute ride. Once there we strolled the shops and got Mr Z an America's cup shirt.
The event would be in the next few weeks. We took the 20 minute ferry ride back to the ship and grabbed a bite at the Ocean Grill. The Matre'D make Randi some grilled chicken. Later we stopped at Michael's Club and then Luminae.
Day 7- Bermuda Day 2
We walked the shops as Kings Wharf and picked up 2 key chains a pen and 2 tie died shirts but Randi couldn't find the perfume she wanted. We didn't get think Luminae was open for lunch since it was a port day although later we found out it was. So we settled for a burger and dog at the pool grill.
Day 8- final sea day
went to Luminae for our farewell lunch and to celebrate Randy's birthday.
After leaving the room, Randi had been eyeing a duffle bag in one of the shops. When she went to get one there were no more. So she asked if she could have the one in the window and they said yes and pick it up later. Meanwhile we said goodbye to Frank Marilyn Vinny Gail and Albert.
We had a baby picture party where we shared all of our baby pictures with each other. In addition to the baby pictures
the last day festivities continued with a combined a pajama / pillow party.
Day 9- the end
Disembarking was delayed to about 930 due to a container ship in our birth. Getting off in Suite Class was a breeze. Our luggage was waiting in a special area and we were escorted to the front of the customs line and we were out in no time.
Airbrook limo was having problems with their phones. Although we called multiple times for our car pickup, it kept going into voicemail. Randi finally got through and we were picked up in about ten minutes. But the construction and alternate routing added twenty minutes to our ride home. We still got home by 11:15, was able to get to 11:30 mass, and were unpacked later that day.
We wanted to thank Cheryl for hooking up with us again on this cruise and bringing some of her Woohoo friends for all of us to have a good time together on the high seas.
No comments:
Post a Comment