Buckeye94

The early flight worked well for us to have enough time for both the upper and lower circuits, and the longer ride gave us a nice nap time! 😀 It was a very long day. I think the overnight excursion split the circuits across days for a more relaxed pace, but $$$ and work!

In Buenos Aires? We met at 5:45 and left around 6:30 or so? I think our first flight was 9:15ish. Sorry, it's a blur. Someone else asked if they did walkoff/self-disembark. I'm not sure. There were lots of taxis waiting outside the port, and I recall seeing a few passengers gathered in another area on the ship (not part of our excursion), but I'm not sure if they were disembarking on their own or part of another excursion.

Yes, all announcements were given in English and Spanish. There were many Spanish speakers on this cruise. Cruise Director, Alejandro, is from Argentina. He did a few shows/talks during the cruise and delivered them in both English and Spanish. There were also some options on shore excursions for Spanish language. I think they'd be fine! 😀

One more! Since my flight didn't depart until 11:30PM, I had a day to explore. Originally, I had booked a 9-hour tour to an estancia and gaucho demonstration with hotel pickup at 8:30. Since I didn't get settled and to bed until about 3am, I cancelled that as booked an afternoon tour of city highlights. We visited several neighborhoods... the Metropolitan Cathedral where Pope Francis preached. There are beautiful mosaics on the floor, and the tomb of San Martin, who won independence for Argentina from Spain. Plaza Mayor. Casa Rosado, and a sad story. Political upheaval 1976 to mid-80s, 37k missing people. The mothers and grandmothers came to the Plaza to plea to the president for information on where their children were. They wore white head scarves, which are now painted onto the stones of the Plaza. the Cultural Center in Recoleta, and a huge old rubber tree. There are supports and a statue holding up the branches (bonus tango performance!) Of course, Evita! And, finally the colorful Caminito Street in the La Boca neighborhood. They love Messi!

I'm home. 😀😣😢😀 I think my last update was leaving Montevideo for Buenos Aires. I was taking the Full Day tour to Iguazu Falls. The communication on the details of this excursion was abysmal. The description in the online Cruise Planner was outdated with references to when they had pre- and post-cruise hotels available as a transfer option. The new Hotels by Celebrity is like Celebrity Air where they serve as a reseller. The description mentioned taxis for those not booking through Celebrity, but also drop off to the hotel for all guests. I called and was told book any hotel however you'd like (I wanted to book direct and use points). Another guest on the tour was told they had to book through Celebrity. Ona day, I had a message to call the Shore Excursion desk and provide my hotel information. Okay. Still no information on how our luggage would be handled since only a carryon was permitted. Finally, the day arrived. The night before we had special tags that listed our hotel and disembarking group. Both the day tour people and overnight tour passengers were to meet at 5:45 in one of the 3rd floor conference rooms. After checking in, they sent us to Tuscan for breakfast. Buenos Aires is a commercial port, so we boarded a bus out of the commercial area to the passenger terminal and then out to another bus to go to the airport. Our flight to Iguazu was from EZE. While we were traipsing through the jungle, Celebrity was delivering our bags to our respective hotels. Given the process issues earlier in the cruise, we were all a bit skeptical, but on to the jungle... Flight to Iguazu was about 1.5 hours. There, we picked up another guide for the bus ride and day at the park, so now we had Sole and Alberto. The first walk was the upper circuit. Amazing beauty! It was threatening rain, but never did. By lunch at 1:00ish, I had 10k steps and that's with bus and air transfers. It wa a lot of walking, but worth it! The morning was flat terrain over the top of the Falls. Lunch was at El Fortin restaurant in the park. It was a buffet style meal. The parilla station with grilled meats and vegetables was delicious, as were the desserts. After lunch, we had the option of the boat ride into the Falls or walking the Lower Circuit. I didn't want to be drenched, so I passed on the boat. Ha, I got drenched any way 😂, just from sweat from the incline and steps down and back up. The views were spectacular and worth every step, but I knew I didn't have the Spa waiting for me. 😢 Next, we went into Iguazu town to the point where the two rivers met and you can see Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. We had dinner at a restaurant with views of the bridge joining Brazil and Paraguay. Then, back to the airport for our 10:00 flight back to BA. The flight was delayed 40 minutes. During the wait, Sole confirmed that each hotel had received our bags. Yay! Once we got to BA, domestic airport this time, a bus took us to our hotels. I checked in to the Hilton a little after 2am. When Celebrity says "Full Day," they mean it! Still better than any day in the office! 😀 Julie

Service, Quality, aka "Is this still Modern Luxury?" In the past year, post-covid, I have sailed Aqua Class on Reflection and Concierge Class on Beyond before this lowly veranda on Infinity, so I don't know if my observations are due to cutbacks, low staffing, class, or ship. Infinity needs a refresh. 1) I don't recall when Infinity was built, but I removed the 70s tile from my bathroom years ago. Oh how I love the Edge class bathrooms! 2) Outlets. Not a USB to be found. Luckily, I could use my universal adapter in the other outlets to have 2 USB. Of course, they are on the wall by the desk, not by the bed where I need my phone as my alarm. Sorry, neighbors! 😳 3) DIY service. Usually, when I arrive at my cabin, there is a tote bag, a welcome letter from CC with all the events, my shorex tickets, and a daily schedule. Nothing but the daily. I didn't know if the missing tote was a cutback or a miss by my room attendant. Maybe the shore excursion tickets were being reprinted due to changes? CC event cutbacks? Nope. I asked at Guest Relations, and they said all of that should have been in my room Day 1. So now what? In the past, even in Veranda, it would be handled, and when I got back to my room after dinner it would all be resolved. This time? I was told to go to the Shore Excursion desk and wait in line for my tickets to be reprinted. Ask my room attendant for a tote bag, and eventually, they found a CC event listing. I wouldn't even mention this, but they've set an expectation. 4) Why doesn't Celebrity trust us with real clothes hangers? They trust Suite guests with them. So, if you are sailing veranda or lower and want to hang clothes in the bathroom to steam them, bring a proper hanger. 5) MDR consistency. Yes, the quality of the offerings in the MDR has slipped significantly. What gets me is when they offer a dish, like the lamb shank on citrus couscous, that I've had in Cyprus on Edge and Beyond, and it doesn't compare at all to the E-class offering. There was a time when all the ships shared the same menus. Why is there such a difference in the same dishes? 6) Chocolates. I pay double for my cabin. I want my two chocolates! (Better Off Dead, anyone? 😀) Every. Night. Even after I asked my room attendant about it. 🤷 All in all a fantastic cruise. I chose this for the itinerary, not the ship. The crew is hardworking, but doesn't let their wear and tear show. It really comes down to the expectation that Celebrity has set from past experiences and how that is changing. Is it temporary as we settle into post-pandemic realities? I hope so. Julie

Montevideo, our last port of call 😢 Again, a beautiful day! Today, I took the "Small Group Discoveries: Ultimate Montevideo" excursion. It was very good, but not what I, or several others, expected. The description mentioned a short drive to the Agricultural Market, a panoramic drive to lunch at Bar Facal known as much for its food as their noon tango performances, and a visit to the Torres Garcia Museum. Silly me, I thought we'd be on the bus between locations and would be at the restaurant at noon for the famous talgo...but, no. The order was reversed, which was no big deal, but we walked, and walked, and walked. I didn't wear the right clothes or shoes for today's adventure as informative and beautiful as it was. I got my 10k steps in! We got to the restaurant for lunch after 1:00, but thankfully there was another tango presentation after our lunch. Lunch was a chivito sandwich - grilled beef, ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo...and a cardiologist reco. Lots of street art and vendors. But, it was still a fun day, and say it with me, "better than any day at the office!" 😀 Fun Facts: 1) How Montevideo got its name: There are a few alternatives, but the one our guide shared was that the hill outside the city would have been the sixth mountain Spanish explorers would have seen viewing east to west. Monte (mountain) VI (Roman numeral 6) deo (de oeste, from west) = Montevideo 2) When you enter the cathedral, you are reminded of the Italian and other ornate cathedrals around the world. But, Uruguay was poor. They couldn't afford marble, so they painted the stucco/cement walls to look like marble. No gold; it's paint. 3) The port market building was sent in pieces from Liverpool and reconstructed. It now houses many restaurants. The smell of BBQ was intoxicating! The Agricultural Market was shipped in pieces from Belgium. It houses stalls with meat, vegetables, and fruit along with souvenirs, pet supies, a book store, and a wine shop. 4) Go for the architecture and art! French influences are everywhere, and Spanish and English. 5) The Parliament building is impressive. It was designed by Italian architect Gaetano Moretti, and he was told to spare no expense. He didn't! The upper columns are actually the goddesses of arts and science. 6) Oh, and that famous building that you see on all the postcards, magnets, and promotional material? It's nothing special. It was a hotel for a year before going out of business and then became residential housing. 🤷 7) Torres Garcia thought that the best art was from the South so he drew South America upside down. So long, Montevideo! Julie

I usually eat dinner in the MDR or specialty restaurants, but I've recently discovered the joy and peace of dinner in OV. I'm on Infinity right now. I will say there is a huge difference between lunch and dinner. While dinner isn't as limited as some have speculated (yet), I was surprised by a couple things. 1) On Solstice class, and I think Edge, they had afternoon tea where you could get also get cheese, crackers/bread, meat and fruit. No more. The Mexican food station from lunch remained along with the limited fruit options. 2) The cheese selection at dinner was only cheddar and provolone with more options at lunch. In fact, many more options across the board, including a carving station, at lunch over dinner. Did they read that new report that suggests eating bigger breakfast and lunch with a smaller dinner is better for your metabolism and overall health? I jest.

I don't remember who wanted to know, but I found Adi at Martini Bar tonight. Unfortunately, he's not staying on for the next cruise. Many crew members are leaving. My room steward is leaving tomorrow in Montevideo. You will be well taken care of, but I know how nice it is to see crew that you've met before.

Funny (twisted, dark) story. I'm not even sure what kind of warning to put on this post. Please don't report me! Please understand my immense shock that this is the impression someone had of my home state and laugh at the situation. One evening I was seated at a table in the MDR serviced by Hanadi as the Assistant Waiter. She exudes joy! She's from Bosnia and Herzegovina and asked where I was from. I said, "the United States, the state of Ohio." Her face lit up! H: I know Ohio! My favorite movie is Gummo. Do you know it? Me: Hmm, no. H: Bunny Boy? Me: (thinking something is seriously lost in translation) Umm, sorry, no. She leaves, and I immediately search imdb! My reactions:😳 😬🙅The synopsis reads like a Stefon SNL skit! (from imdb.com) "Teen friends Tummler (Nick Sutton) and Solomon (Jacob Reynolds) navigate the ruins of a tiny, tornado-ravaged town in Ohio that is populated by the deformed, disturbed and perverted. When not gunning down stray cats for a few bucks, the boys pass their time getting stoned on household inhalants. Elsewhere, the mute Bunny Boy (Jacob Sewell) dons rabbit ears and is bullied by kids half his age, and sisters Dot (Chloe Sevigny) and Helen (Carisa Glucksman) dodge a pedophile. ...and even more Stefon-like from the Wikipedia page. "This movie has EVERYTHING...." 😯😳 "A number of other scenes are interspersed throughout the film, including: an intoxicated man flirting with a gay dwarf; a man pimping his disabled sister to Solomon and Tummler; the sisters encountering an elderly child molester; a pair of twin boys selling candy door-to-door; a brief conversation with a tennis player who is treating his ADHD; a long scene of Solomon eating dinner while taking a bath in dirty water; a drunken party with arm- and chair-wrestling; and two skinhead brothers boxing each other in their kitchen." Me: (thinking) WHAT THE WHAT? ....Seriously, WHAT???? Me: Hanadi! Ohio is not like that...at all! H: smiles, laughs Needless to say, this is NOT a movie being shown on the in-room entertainment system! 😳

I booked this excursion online. You might have luck finding an independent tour, BUT if I'm remembering the guide, the magellanic penguins begin their migration mid-March. It would be a very long drive out to the peninsula for them to have left already.

All of my photos were taken with a Samsung Galaxy S8. I had intended to upgrade my phone before the trip to have a better camera, but I ran out of time. I think it's worked out okay! 😉

Vodka, orange juice, and sparkling wine. It's on the Sunrise Cocktails menu (because vacation) at Oceanview Cafe and Sunset Bar.

Oh, and people gonna people. 🤔 🙄 😢

Somehow my Puerto Madryn draft disappeared. Penguins, seals, views, and gravel roads! Today, I took a Celebrity excursion, Peninsula Valdes Nature & Wildlife. There are two versions of this, or with a box lunch and one with a sit down lunch. I did the box lunch one - ham and cheese sandwiches, salad, wonderful plums, a spinach empanada, and a sweet corn muffin. While the grilled meat and wine sounded lovely, it cost significantly more and I have more Argentinean food and wine coming up. I don't know if the full lunch group skipped one of our stops, but we all got back just in time for sail away. It was an early on board time of 3:30. Our tour took us to a visitor center at Carlos Ameghino Isthmus. There was a observation tower, a museum, and restrooms. From there, we headed onto Peninsula Valdes. Sheep farms comprise the peninsula. We saw a couple farmhouses,but it was very desolate. The only indication that you were moving between farms was a fence and livestock grate on the road. It had rained the night before, so none of the dust that they warned us about but the windows had some mud splatter by the end. (Not so) Fun Fact: Being a desert, they have to truck water in every day. Crazy to believe that we were just seeing mountains and glaciers and now flat desert. We made stops to view penguins and elephant seals along Caleta Valdes. If you watched the CNN series, "Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World" this is one of the locations featured. Many of the episodes featured locations that we couldn't explore on this cruise, but the one on Peninsula Valdes prepared me for what we experienced. The pier is very long, but the tours picked up and dropped off right at the ship. I'm glad I did the short hike for views of the caleta/cove. Since we docked at 10 and on board by 3:30 this didn't allow us any time to visit the port city or to exchange our money before BA as CD Alejandro suggested. Today, is our last sea day. 😢 Tomorrow, Montevideo then BA...Then, back to work. I'm going to enjoy this view with another Paris Screwdriver to put that thought away for now! I'm going to miss this view.

Ah, that's some strong thinking, and now I need to add a negative to my solo travel post. 🤔 Hmm, or find a friend...or table of friends who don't like lobster! Problem solved

MDR Lobster update! At the end of dinner tonight, my waiter came over, rather sheepishly, to inform me of the charge for extra lobster entrees tomorrow night. I felt bad for him. He felt so relieved when I told him that I was aware of the change and I wasn't taking it out on him. Good news, if you ask for a lobster tail in addition to your steak entree, for example, no charge. Only a charge for 2+ lobster tails/entrees.

No grill on Infinity, but they did have the stir fry station. Cutbacks, for certain. Cheese "station" only had cheddar and provolone, not the brie, Swiss, Monterey Jack, camembert, etc. I had on Beyond on November. I think cutbacks are different across ships and classes. Check out my "LIVE as I can be" review for pics and more.

I love sailing solo! Some musings... 1. I am free to do what I want when I want. I can't tell you how many couples or groups I've seen at breakfast planning their day trying to agree on activities. Or, the time I traveled with a group and while they debated excursions on our planning conference call, I booked what I wanted to do before they sold out. Note to those people: Just do your own thing and share stories at dinner. Decide what experiences you must share and then explore and share. 2. I can choose to dine alone or share a table. I've met wonderful people at shared tables, but sometimes I like to dine alone. I'm an introvert and it can be overwhelming to be in constant group conversation. Another benefit of dining alone? You get the whole butter and dip tray to yourself so double dip and take all the breadsticks! 😀 (I am composing this at dinner as I take ALL the parmesan spread.) 3. Tip: Bring something with you to hold your table. A sweater, a notepad, a book, something. When you score a prime table on the aft deck, but want to grab a waffle, you need a way to hold your space. 4. The closet is all yours! The cabin is all yours! I sailed with my sister once, the only time I've shared a cabin. I love her dearly, and we've traveled together but separately since then, but never again I the same room. Favorite quote from that trip: (at JFK on the way home; dramatically drop bags and face off) "Let's agree right here, right now that we will NEVER do the Amazing Race together!" "AGREED!" 😀 I love her! We really are good friends! 😍 5. You are motivated to meet new people whether at the bar, dinner, Roll Call (Hi, Jan!), or on excursions. 6. Someone is expecting you back. This gives my family some peace. If I was traveling around Europe by myself, they would rely on my communications home. If I don't return to the ship, my sister will get a call as my emergency contact. 7. Cruising is ideal for solo travel. As much as I'd like to spend time traversing Europe. The idea of navigating trains alone with my luggage, or driving, or a bus tour (shore excursions are enough), raises my anxiety, especially with my limited Spanish and German language skills). The Captain does the "driving" and I can retreat to my balcony whenever I want. 8. Be prepared for people to be surprised and express how brave you are. I'm not brave. I'm single. What's the alternative? I'm not waiting around to live life. And that's really it. Don't be afraid. Embrace the opportunity. See the world. Bring a good book. Now, about that solo supplement...ugh.

@abbydancer and good luck on your final! 😀

It's been hit or miss. Sometimes, I can't connect in my cabin (deck 7), but I'll go to a lounge and connect immediately. I'm assuming weather impacts it, and we've had very favorable weather.

Last(ish) call for questions! I've got one more sea day before Montevideo and then BA. Any questions I've missed? Ooh, I don't remember who asked, but Gede is staying on. Ketut, Novi, Harta, Juan, and Juliantara are the other Martini Bar bartenders (BUSY night tonight) Haven't seen Adi. Gede and Ketut are the main guys.

Cruise Director Alejandro told us all about your free cruise back to the California! There are pictures! 😂😜 "Ale-handsome" has been great! He gave a morning presentation discussing how Celebrity handled that last cruise. Eclipse was the only ship with passengers! And, on March 30 when most passengers disembarked, the Argentinean passengers couldn't until their visa situation was resolved. I was very impressed by the way Celebrity and a whole host of countries helped as they could during a very difficult time. In the afternoon, he shared his path to becoming a Cruise Director. Very funny, engaging guy. I think I've sailed with him before and found him to be a bit much, but he's much more balanced now.

Except that the cheese options were only cheddar and provolone. That's it. Barely passable.

Sorry for the dangling and sometimes duplicate photos. I think I'm deleting them, but when I hit submit, they reappear. I've tried editing posts, but they are still there! 🤷 I know you all know where Cape Horn is and don't need my Google Map screenshots! 😂 🤦