Review 4th Time on Mercury

[STUR]

REVIEW VACATION & CRUISE

CELEBRITY MERCURY

MARCH 13, 2009 TO MARCH 30,2009

FRIDAY MARCH 13

Left home 5:15am. Went to Waffle House for a quick breakfast than off to the airport. There is no curb side check in anymore in Dayton. After taking our luggage in and standing in the wrong line Delta to discover we should be in United .We had checked 3 bags (No Charge) and 2 carry on.

The flight from Dayton to Chicago was ½ full and left and arrived early. Chicago to San Diego was full and also left early and we arrived @12:10am. Arrived at the Embassy, had a suite on the 4th floor over looking the bay. Cherie laid down to catch up on some rest. I went to Ralphs Grocery (Part of Kroger’s) 4 blocks away ,to buy some Soda / 2 bottles of Sweet Kosher Wine to use at our table on Friday Night 2 in all ( Jewish Sabbath) Also Bought a bottle of Rum to have in my room. If I don’t get caught.

This evening we went Osetra Water Grill (Recommended by the Concierge) Price on the high side No Drinks total bill $84.00 plus tip.

To get there we took a Tricycle Seri This was fun. We have his phone # and will call him to Take us to Anthony’s Tomorrow night for our first meet and greet.

 

SATURDAY MARCH 14

GOOD MORNING SAN DIEGO.

Up early this morning had a hot Breakfast to order at the Embassy Suites

The sky was overcast this morning

After talking with The Concierge about the Birch Aquarium we decided to rent a car for the day (would cost less than cab) they used an off the wall Rental co. They picked us up and brought us back.

We than drove to the Aquarium

After the Aquarium we than went to City Delicatessen for a bite of lunch. Cheese Blintzes with blueberries puree and sour cream. Potato Latkes (potato pancakes served with apple sauce or sour cream

 

Than a drive down the coast Casa Beach to the only mainland Harbor Seal Rookery in southern California Pupping Season in Progress New baby Seals are born

 

After seeing the Seals just enough time to return the car. To Anthony's Fish Grotto @ 6:30 pm. To Meet our new friends from Cruise Critic and have Dinner Together. Cherie and I split a Flay of Sole after a large lunch

 

Tomorrow is the big Day we have all bean waiting for (THE MERCURY)

 

SUNDAY MARCH 15

 

Today could be a Zoo as there will be 3 Ships in and the Mercury could be delayed because of the Noro- Virus

 

At 11:00am. Went to the lobby of the hotel to make arrangements to get to the terminal to catch the Mercury, to find a bus to take all that where on the Mercury to the Convention Center. The ship would not be cleared to board till after 4:00 pm (because of the Noro -Virus)

They where set up to take our Luggage /Register / and issue State Room Keys

They had a large room with tables & chairs & so-so food and drinks. There was a Home & Garden Show at the Center or we could walk around downtown, they passed out free bingo Cards to be used on the Ship plus had a Raffle. At about 4:00pm the called us out by #’s to board the Busses to go to the port, go through Security and board the Mercury (FANTASTIC JOB CELEBRITY)

 

At 6:00pm. We went to Dinner To meet our new table Mates The ship set sale @ about 7:00pm For Hawaii .Had the Muster Drill a little after 8:00pm. Our luggage did not arrive till after 9:00pm. We unpacked and went to bed we where both zonked.

 

MONDAY MARCH 16th

 

First day at sea. It is a little on the cold side. Had Breakfast in the main dinning room (Stake and Eggs)

We had our Connection Party at 10.00pm. I would guess about 60 out of 90 showed up

Played cards with Cherie and lost as usual.

Tonight was our first Formal night (found myself running late and having trouble putting the studs on my shirt and became vary irritable.

 

TUESDAY MARCH 17th

Second day at sea. The sun is out, and a new begging. Yes still a little on the chilly side. Today is St. Patrick’s Day and a lot of the passengers had there GREEN on.

At 8:30am. Had a class Fresh Flower LeiMaking (Cherie & I wore our Lei’s to dinner tonight)

We chose not to go Breakfast this Morning and just have juice and coffee in our room. The ship had a Brunch @10:30am to 1:30 pm. in the Manhattan Restaurant (FEAST FIT FOR A KING)

Cherie and I finished playing the game of Gin Rummy we started b/4 the brunch. At last I won after loosing yesterday.

We also went to the Cruise Sales Manager to look for a Cruise in 2010 to the Baltic’s (Northern Europe) Finding it hard to find all the Ports we wont to go to.

Cherie went on to the Casino and won $52.00 playing the $0.05 slot machine. Had a delightful dinner than back to our cabin for the evening.

 

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18th

Yes today is another sea day.(Same as past Sea days)

Played Gin Rummy again, and lost.

After dinner tonight went to the Navigator Club 7:45pm D.J Lenny Best of the Beatles

At 9:00am. went to the Century Theater Nadeen the undisputed queen of HYPNOSIS. (I WAS ONE OF THE VOLINTERS HAVE LITTLE IDEA OF WHAT I DID, WAITING TO SEE RERUN IN ROOM ON TV) No copy made because of copy rights.

At 10:30 pm. 50’s & 60’ ROCK “N” ROLL SOCK HOP in the Pavilion Nightclub (STANDING ROOM ONLY) till after 12. 00 am.

 

THURSDAY MARCH 19th

Looks like another cloudy day. This will be our last Sea Day

We arrive in Hilo Hawaii @ 12:00 pm. tomorrow. Today was just another relaxing day @ sea.

 

FRIDAY MARCH 20TH

At last today we will see Land (still rain and cloudy) we dock at 12:00 noon in Hilo, Hawaii. (THE BIG ISLAND) I left the ship to go to Hilo Hatties on there free shuttle. Bought 6 bags of kona coffee, two matching shirts (one for my son-in-law & myself) , chocolate covered macadamia nuts.(with fed-x shipping $194.30. total.

At 5:15 pm. attended Shabbat service.

After dinner went back to my room to rest and up on deck @ 10

; 00 pm. as the ship got with in 2 miles of the Lava Flow, to take pictures (something to experience).

 

SATURDAY MARCH 21ST

Today Kailua Kona, Hawaii (The other side of the big Island)

Up early this morning, we have a tour @8:00am. Glass Bottom Dolphin Adventure. It was a slow process to tender to port and was a hard effort to get on and off. We boarded a small glass bottom boat to go Dolphin & Whale watching did not see any whale’s .Did get some good pictures of the Dolphins. After returning to the tender to go back to the Mercury and soak up some sun.

 

SUNDAY MARCH 22ND

Today Honolulu, Hawaii Looks like a bright sunny day.

At 10:00am. After breakfast we took, the bus to the swap meet @ the Hula Bowl to do some shopping, Cherie and I have to be back at the ship @ 4:00pm. To go to PARADISE COVE LUAU-ORCHARD BUFFET(sponsored by Celebrity)

After we return I volunteered for a program DANCING WITH THE ‘STRIPES’

The trip to and from the PARADISE COVE LUAU was the best part of the 45min trip. The tour guide on the bus was the best.

After returning back to the ship I took part in dancing with the STRIPS (officers of the ship) did not win but was a lot of fun.

 

MONDAY MARCH 23RD

Today and tomorrow we are in LAHAINA, MAUI, HAWAII.

I hope to get off the ship @ 9:30am I have a car rented for overnight to do our own thing.

Had a wonderful day, picked up the car about 11:00am. Lots of fun with top down driving around got some pictures of Whales . Also drove by the old Embassy Suites that we stayed at some 14 years ago and did some shopping. At 6:00 pm, went to dinner at LANAINA FISH CO. and the sun set, they had vegetarian egg roles that where the best. Parked the car overnight $20:00 Tendered back to the ship. Went to the show tonight (The Drums of Polynesian, native dancers, drummers & musicians from the Hawaii Island) the Children Dancers where the best.

 

TUESDAY MARCH 24TH

Have to return the car this morning by 11:00am

The ship leaves @ 2:00pm. Back to San Diego. Tonight will be the second Formal Night. After returning the car returned to the ship.

The person taking me back to the ship was telling me how bad the economy is here. The rental co. has let over half of there help go plus cut the fleet of cars in half. There ore three large Hotels that have filed for bankrupts. If it wasn’t for the cruise ship being in the city, Lanaina would be empty.

After returning to the ship and hearing the President Live on CNN, went to the T Pool for the first time. B/4 dinner one of the couples (from cruise critic) renewed there wedding voiles.

After dinner about 8:30pm. said goodnight.

 

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25TH

Sea Day

Have a Pedicure set up for 10:00am. this morning.

THURSDAT MARCH 26TH

Another Sea Day

A day of rest and relaxation, Went to Dancing with the Stars tonight and partied till after midnight.

FRIDAY MARCH 26TH

Cherie found someone on the ship to play Scrabble @ 10:30 am.

We have a Shabbat Service @ 5:15pm. And will try to go to the dance party again this evening.

SATURDAYMARCH 28TH another sea day, only one more sea day after today and back to the real world. Tonight is the last of three Formal Nights; Tonight I will ware my Suite and not my Tux and be more comfortable. Had a great dinner Lobster Tail (small I ate three). For dissert Parade of the wait staff with Baked Alaska. After dinner we went to the Show “Dance Around the World” This was the third time to see this show and was one of the best to see.

SUNDAY MARCH 29TH last sea day, have to pack after 14 nights at sea. We arrive back in San Diego at 7:00am. Monday morning.

 

MONDAY MARCH 30TH

Getting of the ship went smooth got to the airport by 9:30am. Had to wait in line for almost 1hr. to get through security. Our flight through Washington Dulles was full and we got home to Dayton about 12:00 midnight.

 

OVER ALL THE CRUISE WAS GOOD AFTER BEING ON THE MERCURY FOR THE FOURTH TIME YOU CAN SEE WHERE THEY ARE CUTTING CORNERS TO SAVE MONEY THE SERVICE AND STAFF WAS EXCELLENT THE FOOD WAS BELOW WHAT I EXPECT FROM CELEBRITY, ONE LAST COMPLAINT ALL THOSE THAT ARE HANDICAPPED (THIS IS WONDERFUL THAT CELEBRITY GOES OUT OF THERE WAY TO ACCOMMODATE) BUT THEY NEED TO ENFORCE SOME ETIQUETTE. THEY THINK THEY RULE THE SHIP ONE RAN OVER MY WIFES FOOT WITH HER ELECTRIC WHEEL CHAIR.PLUS I FOUND MOST OF THEM TO BE RUDE AND INCONSIDERATE.

 

:)

 

STUR DAYTON,OHIO

[nps001]

Thanks for the detailed review. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[jer_l]

Hi Stur,

 

Thanks for the review. I still have great memories of the cruise on the Mercury to the Mexican Riviera in 2007 when you organized the tour with Rosie in Acapulco.

[STUR]

Hi Stur,

 

Thanks for the review. I still have great memories of the cruise on the Mercury to the Mexican Riviera in 2007 when you organized the tour with Rosie in Acapulco.

Hi Jerry

Funny thing this past December on the Mercury through the Panama Canal We found Rosie in Acapulco when we got off the ship and she gave us and anouther couple a diffrent tour of the city out of theway places

 

May be will will have the opertunity to hook up again

We did plan a Cruise on the New eclups to the Baltic in 2010 But are thiking of cancling to go on a river boat tour of in Europe

 

STUR DAYTON,OHIO