chachabell

Us, too. Particularly downloading our pictures. Of course, email, too. I like to send the family short messages every couple of days and refuse to pay Celebrity for the privilege. My 91 yr old mother likes the comfort of hearing from us frequently. Yes, she uses email (a mailstation not a computer) Remember we are geeks! And, Lou carries the laptop! LOL

Something to keep in mind concerning electricity. No problems on the ship but for those of us doing pre/post cruise stays. Europe uses 220v vs 110v in the US so you will need convertors and adaptors for your laptops and rechargeable batteries. Also not sure about Italy but Spain uses 50 Hz vs 60Hz. Lou said our laptop will work but it will take longer for batteries to charge.

I can get on -- will have to take a short break when a friend stops by to pick up something

Diane and Lou.. be safe.... :wink: Thanks. We are OK, but I think you could float a cruise ship around here. At my house, we've had 8.3" since Sat night. Never seen so much rain since Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Made up our yearly deficit in 2 days. Metro tunnels flooded, museums and some Federal buildings flooded and closed. What a mess.

Thanks, Gail. Wonderful information. It sounds so easy I might try to go to Eze. Originally thought we'd just hang out in Villefranche and use this day to just relax and prepare for our 3 day Italy marathon.

Whatever you do, don't miss the waffle station in the morning. Aft of the ship on the inside right before you go out on the deck. Waffles to die for with special toppings - fruits, whipped cream.

OK. It looks like at least some of us will be able to pair up for trip to airport. If anyone else is stayng at Locanda Orseola post cruise, add your names to the list.

That's OK. I've missed entire posts and found them days after the fact.

I'm thinking if Margaret and Mike are staying two nights post cruise that would put their departure on the 12th like us. Jackie & Tony - departure - 11/12, flight time 11:30 am Gail & Paul - departure - 11/12. flight time 8:30pm Diane & Lou - departure 11/12, flight time 11:25 am Paula & Trish - departure ?, flight time ? Tonia & Becki - departure 11/11, flight time ? Margaret & Mike - departure 11/12, flight time 5 pm

I'd like to start a list of those staying at Locanda Orseola post cruise. This will help us coordinate water taxis to the hotel and also, if we can, transportation to the airport. We can coordinate disembarkation with Celebrity for the same time/tag color. Please add/correct any information: Jackie & Tony - departure - 11/12, flight time ? Gail & Paul - departure - 11/12. flight time ? Diane & Lou - departure 11/12, flight time 11:25 am Paula & Trish - departure ?, flight time ? Tonia & Becki - departure 11/11, flight time ? Margaret & Mike - departure ?, flight time ? Joey - what did you decide to do? Diane

Doubt if that would ever happen. They have all the luggage from the previous cruise to ours. Where would they store it? And, I certainly wouldn't want it stored on the dock.

I suspect that since check out time for our hotel at noon that we will head over to the ship at that time. Since we are arriving on the 26th, we will have more time than most in BCN. I think we will be ready to start our cruise at that point. Based on information from "the dark side" we should be able to board even though our documentation says 4 pm boarding. Muster is around 5:30 pm.

I would say Villefranche. Dubrovnik is supposed to be the real "surprise" of this trip. Like Tallin, Estonia is on the Baltic cruise.

We always wear jeans. I wear my baggy ones with drawstring waist so I can be very comfortable. Top varies.

It provides a wonderful summary of our trip and keeps me from carrying so many pieces of paper.

Depends on the port and if I have an organized tour. If there is an organized private tour I include the complete itinerary w/meeting times, who is going with us and cabin nos so I can easily contact everyone to prearrange meeting place, all entrance fees. Also times we dock and leave port, whether it is a doceked or tender port and any special information like being sure to be on the starboard side as we approach Venice. If we have pre/post cruise hotel - check in/out times, times breakfast is provided, if there is free internet. Costs for local transportation.

I spent yesterday and will spend more time today consolidating all my notes into one Word document - a page (or more) for each port. It contains all flight info, hotel reservations, tours, costs and tips. And red highlights of things to be done such as arrange for transportation to and from local airport. I will eventually put all the cost information into an Excel spreadsheet so I can plan on how much cash I must have on hand every day. This is a work in progress and will be refined as more info is available.

Jackie -- I vote for something close to our hotel. I saw the same review that you did on La Villa Restaurant. Hopefully you can get some information about it.

I prefer white wine, but will drink most types if it is dry. Lou prefers white russians

Joey -- I emailed Margaret with your request and she responded. Hopefully you will get the info soon.

It might be neat to watch the Millennium leave Venice today (www.celebrityatsea.com). About 1 pm Eastern time. Unfortunately, I won't be home.

Diane and Lou's plans: Barcelona …On our own starting 10/26 Villefranche…. On our own Livorno/Pisa/Florence…. Tour Paula, Trish, Kareen, Bob, Suanne and Harvey Rome… Tour with Paula, Trish, Tonia, Becki, Kareen, Bob, Suanne and Harvey Naples/Amalfi Coast/Pompeii…Tour with Paula, Trish, Margaret and Mike Santorini ….On our own Athens … .Tour with Tonia and Becki Croatia… On our own Venice…On our own flying home Nov 12

Sorry I misread chat time. Hope I didn't confuse too many people. Actually, when you are retired one often doesn't know what day of the week it really is :grin: We are usually preparing and eating dinner around 6 but I will try to chime in at some point.

I've reposted our list. Toni & Becki and Lou and I were duplicated. Helps with counting for pins! Diane & Lou arrive morning of 10/26 Continental Palacete (6053)chachabell Now Crazy Tonia & Becki arrive morning of 10/27 Continental Barcelona (9101)Terumin Now Crazy Kareen & Bob arrive morning of 10/27 Continental Palacete (7079)momwig Now Crazy Suanne & Harvey arrive morning of 10/27 Continental Palacete (7081) Gail & Paul arrive noon 10/27 Continental Barcelona (6008)Love2Travel Now Crazy Margaret & Mike arrive the afternoon of 10/27 Continental Palacete (8172) MikieF Now Crazy Joey & David arrive evening of 10/27 Continental Palacete (9160)J&D Always Crazy Jackie & Tony arrive morning of 10/28 Continental Palacete (8185)Zebra Now Crazy Paula & Trish arrive morning of 10/28 Hotel Montecarlo (2101)PaulaW Now Crazy Suzi & Cleve arrive afternoon of 10/28 Continental Palacete (8162) Natalie, Jeff, & Catharine arrive ?? 10/28 Coninental Palacete (8181) Brenda & Yoel arrive evening of 10/28 ???????(7182) Humblecruiser Maryann & Tom arrive morning of 10/29 (8078) Crusergal Now Crazy Maranza & Terry ??????? (8170) Dog Mommie Pam & Bob ???????? (????)CaryNC Crazy Now

We travel with two cameras. I use one w/APS film for mostly panoramic shots and Lou shoots with the digital. We always take extra cards and our laptop. There is free WiFi at our hotels in Barcelona and Venice so I expect to be online checking the weather, email and staying in touch with family. We have never used the ship's service. I'm not ignoring the chat tonight. I won't be (home) online until sometime after 7:30.