mac_tlc

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

All is now right with the world…. We have met our head butler. He knocked on the door this afternoon. mac_tlc

Luminae on Edge/Apex is smaller than on Beyond/Ascent and in our opinion, and others that post on CC, it is much noisier due to the proximity of the waiter stations and kitchen to the dining area. We prefer Luminae on Beyond/Ascent. The Retreat sun deck is two levels on Beyond/Ascent and one level on Edge/Apex. But there are more suites so maybe that equals out. We like E-class and would do any of them. mac_tlc

Supposedly, it is still the Retreat Team approach. We have not seen or heard from our Head Butler. IMO and experience (twice now in two months), it is an attempt at cost cutting that has failed miserably. Can’t wait to see how LBH addresses it in the upcoming Q&A webinar. Dedicates butlers are supposedly appearing in early March. mac_tlc

Well, I have heard of Aqua folks who don’t “love” Blu. Hope they don’t impact others the MDR or take a spot at a specialty restaurant that someone else really wanted. I’m always curious how people know so much about their fellow passengers. How did those AQ folks know that suite guests were the problem??? Can’t we all just get along? mac_tlc

We have done all of the E-class ships. This is the first time in 9 cruises over 4 ships that it felt crowded everywhere. This is our third time on Beyond. I think it’s a combination of it now being a sea day instead of a port day and perhaps the daily activities are not as robust as a planned sea day since they had to assemble the schedule last minute. mac_tlc