mac_tlc

I guess it’s only illegal if you get caught. One other lounger in the Solarium the other day had an “Out of Office” sign on it when unoccupied. I didn’t grab a picture but I’m sure it will be back. Crew were walking around and cleaning in both areas and walked past them just as I did. IMHO, it’s systematic of people today. I paid, I get to do as I please. Unless enforced it will only get worse. Scoff at Carnival, but they just rolled out a plan to address it, where the chair police will put a note on an occupied chair with the time the note was placed and noting the time, 40 minutes later, when the stuff will be moved. Let’s see how it works. Companies are just so concerned with alienating their customers, even when the customers are wrong. mac_tlc

And today’s “chair hoggery” update: We turned the clocks forward and hour last night. My morning constitutional began at 7:45 ship time and this time I went u to the retreat sun deck first. Very few reserved chairs, plenty of availability including the day beds. Heading down to the pool deck, any prime seat directly around the pool was “occupied”. Less were occupied on deck 15, and the Solarium had a number of available loungers. Granted this was only at 6:45 body time, 7:45 ship time. But, never fear, our favorite was still there 😂😂: We arrive in Aruba at 4pm today and are there until 10pm or so tomorrow. One interesting factoid, mentioned by our cruise director Shawna is that tomorrow is Sunday and a lot of the shops will be closed 😳😳😳. mac_tlc

And the Celebrity Today for today, Day 6:

Next, headed back to the port and wandered through the eco park —- All in all a great tour and one I would highly recommend. Group was small, Dora is a wealth of information on her city and its history. She also communicated frequently pre-cruise via email to confirm everything. It was $80USD per person, paid in cash after the tour was over. mac_tlc

As we proceeded down the steep hill from La Popa, Dora would give us info on the history of Cartegena. She is a native of the city and a wealth of knowledge. Much of the history is of European settlers and numerous attacks on the city by whatever country wasn’t in charge at the time. Pirates were very often found here. In the middle of the city is Castle San Felipe de Barajas: It was built with no steps, only ramps, so the cannons and other heavy items could be rolled up. You can see the people walking up the steep ramps. Then we were on to the old city, which had a wall constructed in 1605 that completely surrounded it — no breaks in the wall. It was 11 km. Now 8km survive. You can walk on top of the wall by going up one of the very inclined walking ramps. The old city is quite charming. Very narrow streets, wonderful architecture of various types. And lots of colorful flowers and shrubs. Here are a few pictures: This part of the journey became a little more of a challenge with the wheelchair. Narrow crowded streets with even narrower sidewalks and a lot of people. With two ships in port of a decent size, It was very crowded. I would push my DW for a bit, then she would have to get out, walk a bit, maybe step up onto the sidewalk or down to the street, then back in the chair. There are a few spots with ramps to/from the street but even some of those had a lip that could be exciting. Hey it’s an old city—— that’s part of the charm. We stopped at a few fabulous churches: We probably spent a little over an hour wandering the old city. It was great. Maybe a little hot, around 31C or 89F. In one of the churches they were putting together a floral arrangement of all white roses.

So, Cartagena! The tour with Dora started at about 8am. Even with the wheelchair, the walk along the pier is manageable. However, there is a free shuttle to the end of the port area. Right at 8, we had all of our group — just 10 of us. She had two groups going out yesterday. At the pier in Categena is the Port Oasis eco park. It is free and is an open air park so any animals there are free to come and go. Lots of birds, flamingos and a monkey that we did not see. You have to walk through it to get outside the port to the taxi areas. The wheelchair was no problem as Diego, our driver —- whose skills we would soon observe and appreciate— loaded it into the back of the small bus every time we got out and used it. WOW, the traffic.. Our first stop was at La Popa, the highest point in the city. There is a former monastery there. Overall I took over 100 pictures so I will try to pick the best few! From La Popa: Every February 2nd, there is a large festival where the Virgin Mary is carried down the mountain from La Popa to a local church. There are 14 crosses along the route down, one for each station of the cross. The procession stops and prays at each one. This picture is of the older and heavier carrier for the virgin . It took eight men with wooden poles to carry it . Think Cleopatra being carried through the town. Eveey year she would be dressed in a new white dress that is only used once. They are hanging here labeled with the year it was used. The building itself is square with an open courtyard in the middle. Next up : a trip to Castle San Felipe de Barajas and the walled old town! mac_tlc

You are very welcome. Always good to provide something usefully to the future cruisers! mac_tlc

And the Celebrity Today for Day 5:

Here is Antonio Salci’s rendition of the theme from the Pirates of the Caribbean, from the Apex in 2022. IMG_0199.mov IMG_0199.mov

What a great tour of Cartagena with Dora! But first, last night…. Dinner was at Luminae: We both had the French Onion soup and a house salad: The house salad is not on the menu nor is it on the Classics menu but Rozi said it’s available every night, with choice of dressing. Roasted half chicken: and yes @Georgia_Peaches and @RichYak, that is a Bourbon and Peaches in the upper left corner 😜😜. For dessert, I had the cheesecake off the classic menu —— and forgot to get a picture. After dinner, we went to the show, Antonio Salci. We have seen him before and he is very good, especially when accompanied by the Beyond Orchestra.

Good morning Cartagena!! We have just pulled alongside the pier. Norwegian Gem is here with us today. We have a tour booked with Dora, seemed to come highly recommended on these boards. We meet at 8. They have extended our stay a couple hours today, all aboard is at 5:30 instead of 3:30. mac_tlc

As I am seated in Luminae on Beyond, I am awaiting your comparison!! mac_tlc

Another spectacular talk by Rusty Faust today: The crowds are growing for his talks. 10am on every sea day, plus on day 6 when we arrive in Aruba in the afternoon. Today’s was about the Mayans and how they did their human sacrifices to the Gods, and when/where he and his team found some remains. Fascinating. He has an exclusive contract with Celebrity and they send him everywhere. mac_tlc

Rozi’s wife …. Too funny. I will have to mention that to him tonight. We like him a lot as our waiter. Always joking but also attentive and responsive. We too have been pleased with the Retreat bar staff, never had to wait more than a couple minutes to be served and sometimes asked by more than one. Overall the service everywhere has been great. Prompt and courteous everywhere so far. Only issue has been the feeling of overcrowding. As I stated earlier on 8 prior E-class cruises we have not had that feeling. By 3:30 today, you could find a seat or two in the Solarium. I guess we will adjust our schedule accordingly. mac_tlc

It is not a rented area. It is one of the wonderful seating areas by the Sunset Bar, which by the time I left my seat at about 7:45, had no seats either. mac_tlc

Svalbard is on our bucket list—- but not in February 😂😂😂. We loved your country so much and can’t wait to get back. mac_tlc

Next sea day, which is not until day 9 I will start the morning in the retreat sun deck. On day 6, we do not get to Aruba until 4pm so that will be another good day to check. mac_tlc

And then I walk past this:

Last night after dinner we went to the show, it was an entertainer Danny Green Jr. it was very enjoyable and he had some good skits and stories. The Beyond Orchestra is just wonderful, love listening to those guys. After that it was off to the club for “Yes or No” game show and some Pub trivia. All in all a great night. Here are the Celebrity Today pages for today, Day 4.

Wow.😯

I have sorta fallen into a morning routine this cruise. We will have breakfast in the room around 8:30-9. But I’m up at 6… So off to the walking track it is.. today I did about a mile or so, then grab a cup of coffee at Oceanview Cafe and head up to the Sunset Bar area, where I am now, and add to the thread. It’s a tough job but someone has got to do it. Not a bad view…. In doing so I have been completely awestruck at the chair hog situation. At 7:07 this morning, there were NO chairs in the Solarium or on deck 14 by the main pool that did not have a towel on them. None. They were about 15% occupied. On deck 15, more than half were reserved. We will get to the Solarium today but may have to do it standing up. Insane. mac_tlc

One thing we noticed last night was the difference between the brisket on Ascent and on Beyond. More inconsistency. First picture is from Ascent, second one is form Beyond. That is one reason why we try to give any restaurant another shot if something is a miss . Needless to say the one last night is the runaway winner. mac_tlc

Yesterday afternoon was a lazy one. It’s still not too warm/hot outside so strolling around is a pleasure. Dinner was at Rooftop Garden Grill. Zero wind. We asked for a table along the side of the restaurant and had this view: The meal was almost all a hit, except for one dish. I had the pulled pork sliders as an appetizer (hit), my wife had the smoked chicken wings (hit). We both had the Watermelon and Feta salad. We had it on Ascent last month and it has quickly become one of our favorites. For our main course, I had the brisket (big hit). Melt on your mouth, fork tender. My wife had the Branzino (miss). Way too fishy for her. She has been spoiled by the Branzino at Eden and since we are no longer going there, she figures she would get it here. and then dessert…. My wife has been waiting a month to have ……… wait for it ……… wait for it……….. THE COOKIE 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳 She genuinely seemed offended when I declined a taste . 😂😂. Oh, and the after photo. Overall a very good meal and a great view. And as an added highlight we met @countess5 and his lovely wife . We had communicated through CC a lot lately since we were in Ascent last month and they just got off on Sunday. Great discussion that I hope to continue later in the cruise!! It really is a great benefit of these boards —- meeting others from other places and sharing the oceans…. mac_tlc

Sounds like it ended well🥃🥃! mac_tlc

I did say I was surprised we haven’t met him yet😜😜. But the 3pm cheese and fruit plate will start tomorrow. mac_tlc