Jim_Iain

Planning – The World Cruise was an instant hit and all of the suites were gobbled up within days of being released. I initially booked a Sky Suite and wait listed for a Celebrity Suite. About 4 months later a CS opened up and I grabbed it. If I recall correctly, I was able to book a CS for the second cruise. I sent the itinerary to my best friends David and Robert who live in Sydney and they jumped on the opportunity to sail with us again. I met David on my first business trip to Australia 50 years ago (yikes I’m getting old) and instantly became good friends. They spent a couple years in San Francisco so was fun to have them close by. They are the couple that sail Ponant and talked us into trying them out as our first Non-Celebrity cruise earlier this year. I’m sure I will be sharing pictures of all four of us. Not much happened on the planning side for over a year when airlines first opened up the booking window 11 months prior to the cruise.

We booked this cruise days after the World Cruise was first announced about 2 years ago. We had previously done the Singapore to Abu Dabi and Abu Dabi to Rome in 2017 and while we loved it were not in a rush to do that segment again. First Off - Ground Rule - There are none except to be nice to on another. All are welcome to jump in and help out and if others are on the cruise with us feel free to add your pictures and comments. As usually nothing is off topic - OK… Like in Life I’m Rebel and like to break rules, J-Walk and do things my way.. As everyone who knows Iain is aware he is the polar opposite. Maybe that’s why we get along so well.

I hope I can keep up with her fantastic Job. I've been waiting for her to wake up to see her next installment.

Thanks Joker - I always get these visual's of what people look like from their CC Names... Here's my Visual.... LOL

Thanks - I enjoy reading all the Live posts. The sure help survive in between cruises. Charla is such a good writer - I'm sure I pale in comparison.

Thanks for following along.

Thanks Bernadette --- The excitement is building. I'm on the hook for dinner tonight - Almost ordered a pizza - getting in Vacation mood.

Yea.. She said she will had it off to me when she leaves.

Thanks Bev - We are in a CS for the first cruise and a RS on the second. About three weeks ago a RS popped up and due the prices dropping after final was able to upgrade to the RS on a paid basis for $350 but lost my $800 Booking on Board Credit.

That's a pretty sweet deal.

Thanks for following along. Getting real. We just finished the last minute packing and bags are at the door. Just need to slip some last minute things into our carry on.

It's no secret so not sure why Celebrity would not give it to you. If you Googled it you would have found it - lhodges@rccl.com Naming convention at RCCL is first initial and last name.

Personally I would go either the earliest possible or the very end of the season. The temperatures and really be HOT. We were in Rome in Late July once and the heat was beyond oppressive.

Yikes..... I just finally got through page 1 - Thanks for everyone warm wishes. I've known many of you for 20 years and always fun to hear from everyone. First up - Where in the world are we going? Two maps will be worth more than a 1,000 words. Cruise #1 Cruise #2

Off topic- Just saw Rosalynn Carter passe away at 96. Thought and prayer for Jimmy and their family. I had such strong respect for them. They were an inspiration to me.

Thanks Dock.

LOL -- Well better than posting my "Dead" adventures. There are some good Live post going right now. I've been following @Norwaylady for the past 3 1/2 weeks. She will be leaving Edge the day we board. She has been posting so much good information.

Thanks @breezer I can't believe how time has been flying today. Cruises always seem so far away then Wham....

Margaret, He is always such a clown and puts on an instant pose. You will definitely LOVE Iceland - such beautiful country and the people are so friendly.

I will be taking my new iPhone 15 Pro Max - Haven't taken many photos but love the new 5X telephoto.

Will be back a little later it's 10:00 AM and time for my last 10 mile walk prior to departure. We had our first rain of the year yesterday (ok only 1/3 of an inch but we get excited about things like that). The skies are crystal blue and everything so clean with 9 months of dust washed off. Will be interesting to see if the Steven's Creek is running.

Glad you will be coming along. Feel free to join in and I also will try to answer all questions .

Incredible. As long as you are taking the long flight you might as well take a stopover. Singapore is one of the easiest cities to get around and everyone is so friendly.

Thanks..... I'm following you on your adventure. For all of you how haven't seen @Georgia_Peaches live - She is setting of on a Pre and Pre- Maiden B2B cruise on Ascent departing on November 22. Can't wait tor see the pictures and hear of your experience.

Love it. Surprisingly by the size of Tokyo I was really impressed with how clean it was also. You got to remember we live near San Francisco. SF can be terribly dirty but is currently shining like a new penny. The moved the street people and drug users out for the Apex Conference and steam cleaned the whole lock down area. Wonder how long that will last.