Roll Call Celebrity Millennium 10/29/2006

[JoeyandDavid]

I guess that answers that question.....bueno

[zebra]

Here's a recent review on our exact cruise:

We just got back from the 14th cruise and enjoyed it as much or more than any before primarily because of the itinerary. First, with this cruise the 3 sea days were the formal nights for dinner. Casual and informal were a mixed bag as usual with some wearing jackets as an informal attire addition. The wait service we had was outstanding and I'm sure each of us would have similar accounts.

As for the ship we were on it about 18 months ago and I wouldn't say it was any worse or better. There is some signs of wear, but let's remember this is 6 years old 24 hours a day seven days a week. We had CC level and the nice extra touches were nice. Flowers in the room for the trip.... a priority tender pass that got you off quickly when you wanted at Ville Franche, Santorini and Dubrovnik... particularly nice if you are doing ports on your own.... even though we were staying in Venice one more night we got priority disembarcation and embarcation though embarcation was a breeze at Barcelona...no lines and right on to the ship sometime around noon time.

We did our own thing in Ville Franche with train to Monaco - then back to Nice (by mistake) wanted to go to Eze on the return by ended up on through train to Nice..so watch that. Took bus back to port. Ville Franche is a nice port to just kill time and enjoy.

Did our own tour from Livorno with Paolo and while rather expensive she was good and served as guide for us in museums, so no extra costs that way except for entrance fees (a busy 8-9 hour day). I believed the shipped charged for shuttle from port to Livorno train station etc. where this was always free before on our Baltic cruise for short trips. If longer like from port city to Rostok you always paid your own way and in the case Florence is a good hours drive away.

We also used a guide in Rome who picked us up at the port. Stefano was great, but less of a guide than Paolo. He lined up an American Professor at a local university to tour us through the Vatican. Of all our city's Rome was the biggest surprise for us and we feel in love with it. Again port to train was a pay shuttle, but we didn't use.

Naples was another port we lined up our own guide who put us with another driver who was Dominico and a really true character... we loved him. We went to Herculeum (sp?) and then to Sorrento and the Amalfi and I loved Positino, but the drive is live being on a mountain goat type all the way out. We drove by Pompeii but didn't go in and then simply skipped Naples itself.

Now the most lovely port was Santorini. We rented a car and went to the south end light house and then back to the north end to Oia and had lunch with a Billion dollar view... I can still close my eyes and see that wonderful view with little of no effort.

With Athens we walked to the train station about 2 kilometers along the port to the left as you exit. A taxi ride there is about 2 or 3 euros if you can get a taxi outside of the port since they want to take you to Athens in the port. The train and subways were a little confusing at the main station, but only about 2 euros round trip. We climbed to the top and then rode a horse carriage down into the Plaka had lunch and walked through the shops for a while and then caught the train right back to the port and caught a taxi back to the ship for 2.5 euros.

Dubrovnick did not need shuttle as the tender let you off at the old city, but sometimes apparently lets you have north of the city about 2 kilometers and that shuttle would cost you, but a nice walk if you are so inclined. This is a nice experience.. we took some time to sit at a sidewalk cafe and sip a drink or whatever and watched life go bye... lots of students celebrating graduation and they were noisy and fun to watch. Lovely city and coast.

Fianlly sailed in to Venice and that was a great sail in with our balconey on the starboard side port would be great going out from there. They did have an 8 euros per day shuttle to San Marcos plaza on a water bus.. that seemed a little reasonable and we did use it. We stayed an extra nice at the Locondra Orsaleo (sp?) and they are wonderful. Owners are young couple who go out of their way. Rooms are 15 of them on 3 levels so climbing involved.. we took water taxi from ship to hotel, but can be a problem lining up at the dock..we lucked out... try setting that up ahead of time somehow. They drop you off at the canal side of the hotel, but an interesting climbing through a window entrance and can be let off very close by after dropping off your luggage. Close to everything and yet secluded and reasonable.

Took a water taxi to airport, but 5 euros per piece for luggage to terminal and one of two people in van, but walk is only about 10 minutes at most. Not "free" shuttle as some have talked out. Hope this helps. Internet was up and down on ship and not very effective except to quickly send and receive msg on my laptop using wireless system. Bought a 120 min package and didn't even use if all because internet out so much of the time. But that happens wish they would come up with a more effective system.... Princess experience much better in the situation... can't say why though just seemed their internet worked out better. Hoped this helped.

[JoeyandDavid]

Cool Jackie, please make an effort to submit it to Jason so he can publish it in the review section.. Thanks for the contribution! ????What about the other 13 cruises ..Greedy huh LOL

[JoeyandDavid]

New Topic

Group Name and Commemorative Logo Item<]

What do you guys think of a group cruise souvenir t-shirt/ polo shirt.. and if you like that idea then we need to give the group a name and one of us need s to design the logo….

Lets discuss

[Cruisergal]

Here is some info I found about the holiday, All Saints Day.

There are 13 national holidays when all businesses are closed, including banks, museums, supermarkets, stores, and restaurants. However, in tourists’ areas, there are always some restaurants and bars open so no one will go hungry. Be sure to make reservation for restaurants as well as withdraw enough money from ATM the day before to last you through the holidays. January 1: New Year’s Day January 6: Epiphany Easter Sunday Easter Monday April 25: Liberation Day May 1: Labor Day June 2: Republic's Day August 15: Ferragosto or Assumption Day November 1: All Saints’ Day November 7: Anniversary of WW 1 Victory December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception December 25: Christmas December 26: St. Stephen’s Day During these holidays, there is no change on the state train, but the regional train, local train, and busses will run on reduce schedule. Check the schedule and also have your seats reserved in advance, for there will be a lot more travellers than usual.

Do not know how this might affect our tours.

Mary Ann

[zebra]

I've sent an email to our tour guide (Claudio) re the 1st November the day we'll be in Livorno. Will let you know his response.

Joey, sorry I think I misled you - that review is a recent cruise on the Millie doing Bar -Vce same as us. She has just returned and posted it on CC, I wanted you to see it.

[JoeyandDavid]

Thanks Mary Ann, I guess that means we will be effected slightly on the first in Livorno/Pisa.. however on the seventh as we are at sea! so we are good there..

Nice information Mary

[JoeyandDavid]

Oh I really missunderstood I thought ha :wink: .. I thought that was your review from last year :wink:

Thanks for clearing that up

[MikieF]

Geesch! We're gone for most of the weekend, and scads of new pages appear here!! Jackie and Paula, YES, Mike and I are staying at the Locando Orseolo in VCE, and would be interested in sharing a water taxi from the ship on arrival day!!! Thanks for thinking of us!! Margaret

[chachabell]

I'm back! Went camping over the weekend. Lou's family (16 of us) go in the spring and fall each year. But, Oh! those air mattresses are getting worse on our old bones. :grin: We are staying at the Locanda Orseolo in Venice an extra 2 days. Checking out on the 12th. Would be happy to share a water taxi if our schedules mesh. Our flight leaves at 11:25 am.