What A Market

I will report back!

Well, here I am again. This is my third Celebrity cruise post-Covid (as if that’s some kind of actual date) and fourth cruise overall post-Covid. Last cruise was a Pacific Coastal cruise this past September with Oceania (awesome). For this cruise, we are traveling with good friends from Cincinnati (Phil and Susie). This is another Caribbean cruise, like my previous two recent Celebrity cruises. This one includes the ABC islands, which I’ve never done, along with a stop in Grand Caymans. My last cruise on an S-Class ship was actually my last cruise pre-Covid. That was September 2019 (seems like forever ago) to Alaska. We traveled with my two favorite cruise mates — Shannon and Blaine (daughter and SIL). The two more recent Celebrity cruises were on the Apex. We were in the Retreat on both cruises, and enjoyed the Retreat amenities on that class of ship. We’re in Royal Suite for this cruise. As I type this, we are flying from Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale via Dallas on American Airlines. So far everything has been on time and not hectic. Staying in the Ritz Fort Lauderdale for one night pre-cruise. Used part of my gigantic Marriott point bank to book the room. (Not traveling in hotels during Covid, particularly with no trips to Europe, has allowed me to accumulate a huge block of points.)

Hold your horses (LOL), I couldn’t find the original email from Concierge. Price is $99.00 per day per person. I know Retreat is sold out for our cruise and was sold out at time of Concierge’s offer. I understand and appreciate the comments about this contributing to the congestion in the Retreat venues.

Here’s some current info: I have upcoming sailing next month in Upper Suite. Shore Side Concierge offered a Retreat package for friends/family for a set price per day per person. You have to take the package for everyday of the cruise. Gives access to Luminae and specialty restaurants for all meals as well as access to Retreat. No Retreat embarkation, but includes disembarkation Retreat privileges. I’ve never seen this offer before.

Hi Bellaggio We will be on the Equinox in early November. Also in an RS. If you don’t mind sharing, what room number did you have? Also, did you avail yourselves of in room dining? I’ve not utilized on Celebrity, but cruising with friends so we might take advantage of the in suite dining space/table once or twice. Thanks!

Pinotlover couldn’t have said it better. Bordeaux is an amazing city. Very walkable, but I really second pinotlover’s comment on hiring a private guise for a walking tour morning one. We did this for a couple of hours day one. Gives you a great way to orient yourself if you’ve never been to Bordeaux. (This is something I do in almost every first visit to a new city/port.) Love the idea on sidecar tour as well. We did this one time in Lisbon. Crazy fun! Eat and drink in restaurants and bars off the ship!!! Obviously I strongly recommend booking private wine tour. These can be a little pricy, but so worth it. We did Right Bank tour on last visit. These are whole day tours. May make even more sense for you with the ship moving dock locations. (Weird.) Your guide can pick you up at one location and drop you off at second location.

Last cappuccino from Sandra at Baristas. We met so many awesome crew and staff on this cruise. I promise to post closing thoughts when I get home. Thanks for following!

Had a chance yesterday to say hello to two big, big Oceania fans and CC posters — birdrock96 and ORV. It’s always great to share a face to face moment with Cruise Critic posters!

Hi LuAnn No Chai Tea Latte available. Sandra in Baristas noted that it is requested somewhat frequently though. Maybe there is hope some day.

Good morning again from Baristas. Pulling into Santa Barbara as I type this (tender Port). A big shout out to the barista that works Baristas every morning. Thank you Sandra for my daily need for numerous espresso drinks. Sandra is the model of the type of staff you find on Oceania — warm, polite, and welcoming. Oh, and the main one — they work their asses off every day!

Hi Dean Took me a while to find my Day 1 Currents with the senior people. GM: Gabriel Ovesea CD: Leslie Jon Club Ambassador: Michael De Sadeleer

Almost forgot to post the morning coffee. It always starts with double skinny cappuccino.

This was a REAL hike!

Yesterday was more big walking treks, but fewer drinks. Thank God! First a walk up to Chinatown for dim sum. After dim sum it was a hike up to Coit Tower.

Good morning Sea day today as we cruise very slowly to Santa Barbara. Sitting up at the pool. Quieter than I thought it would be.

Last night photos: The amazing Baptist in Martinis. And then sail away from San Francisco. Bay Bridge and Golden Gate. (The order of the photos seems off. Doh!)

Hi Bonnie Please feel free to say “hi” if you bump into any of us. Glad you’re having a great time as well!

Hi Joel I think I can answer both questions. Yes, we have seen the Quartet at Afternoon Tea, but we’ve only attended once. We see some staff wearing masks, but most are not. Seems completely random, which makes me think personal choice. Same goes for my fellow passengers.

Did I mention we’ve had perfect weather here in The City…..

More walking after the play. First down the Palace Hotel to see the lobby. Spectacular (sorry, no photo yet). Then over to Union Square and up the hill to the Fairmont Hotel and the famous Tonga Room for some Tiki Cocktails and appetizers. Finally, grabbed a cab to the Mission District and dinner at an amazing restaurant — Foreign Cinema. Cab back to pier and last ashore drink at the best named dive bar I’ve ever seen (at least for black humor) — the Hi Dive. Hi Dive sits directly under the Bay Bridge. It was quite the day!

Oh boy, that’s some miss. Yes, Richard Thomas. (Although I was a big fan of Richard Harris as well!)

Yesterday’s activities included, walk to the Ferry Building for gluten free savory buckwheat crepes. Followed by treats from Mariposa Bakery — one of the best gluten free bakeries in the country. We then walked to Pier 39 and then took the electric F Train back down to the Ferry Building. Then hiked up to the Golden Gate Theatre to see the play To Kill A Mockingbird, starring Richard Harris playing Atticus Finch. It was fantastic!

Well, I’ve completely fallen apart posting. Arrived in San Francisco yesterday and have been running around the city having fun. We are docked out at Pier 30. Basically under the Bay Bridge. Basically nothing here. I think it’s just over a mile to the Ferry Building and 2.5 miles to Pier 39 (Fisherman’s Wharf). No matter, adds some extra miles of walking to work off the food and drink we’ve been enjoying in the city. Here’s a photo of the dock location.

Guess where we are this morning?