PaulaW

I was hoping to get away with one HUGE suitcase and a carry on, but I think I am going to have to bring my garment bag also and check it. It will work out well with my dressier things for the cruise. I am hoping to be able to get most of cruise evening wear in it, and the suitcase for everything else. Trish, I think, was going to try the "suitcase within a suitcase" thing so that she'll have room for souvenirs-- but I'm concerned about the weight of the whole thing. All of my bags can "piggyback" on each other, so managing two pieces should not be too difficult. I think being willing to mix n' match and wear dark clothes more than once, can really help stretch your wardrobe and save space. I keep telling myself that I cannot focus too much on fashion and that practicality and comfort must be the key ingredients! By the way, welcome to our new shipmates!

Congratulations to all of you on your great discounts! As for me, I'm not even close!! I don't know if I should be happy or sad! :wink: I think we are going to do the Olympic on Santorini night. I am not that interested in a Greek buffet-- especially since there is only open seating in the dining room that night, too. I thought that the Normandie (specialty restaurant) on the Summit was simply amazing. I still remember that meal very fondly. The Chateaubriand for two and the tableside Caesar salads-- yum! If the Olympic is even half as good, it will be wonderful.

Actually, I'm sorry, I mis-spoke. I am considered Select. I just double-checked with Celebrity online. Oh well-- they are still some nice benefits, but RCI's are much better!

Jackie-- I guess we both were posting at the same time. I think if you call Captain's Club or check online on the Celebrity site. You should be able to find out your status.

In my case, I qualify as Elite because of my Platinum status with Royal Caribbean. Because they are sister companies, you get reciprocal status. Although the points cannot be combined between the two cruise lines, you automatically qualify for the comparable program of the sister line when you cruise. Does that make sense? I have 6 cruises with RCI and 2 with Celebrity, but because I have >5 with RCI, I am Platinum-- therefore Elite with Celebrity.

Diane- To answer your question: I am Elite and I, too, would like more than coffee and danish! I'm sure we can work something out!

Diane/Jackie-- Your thoughts for disembarkation sound fine with me. I agree that meeting in a quiet place around 8:15 would probably work out well. I had forgotten that we would be clearing customs the day before, so that does ease the confusion. I'm sure we will talk more about it on board. Shannon- I think I am going to buy a phone with rangeroamer.com. It seems to be the easiest to use for people calling from the US and the rates are not too expensive. It also seems to have very wide coverage.

Diane-- Thanks for sharing your email from LO. I think your and Jackie's ideas for disembarking together are excellent! I, too, would prefer not to waste too much time disembarking as Trish and I have sightseeing planned for that day also. But I have a feeling that if on our questionnaires we respond that we are staying on in Venice, we will leave towards the end anyways. Either way, perhaps listing ourselves as a group is the way to go so that we can meet up more easily. One more thought: does Celebrity offer priority disembarkation for elite Captain's Club members? I know on Royal Caribbean, platinum and diamond members disembark first-- that has been a very nice benefit! If that is the case, perhaps because some of us fall into that category, they may already have a designated waiting area, and sometimes they will allow all members of a group to wait there as well.

Welcome Joe and Pat! Glad to have you join us. Our "family" is growing rapidly! Congratulations also on your upcoming wedding.

Kareen and Joey-- AWESOME JOB to both of you! Thanks Kareen for all of your hardwork--the phrase book will be very helpful!

Hi Everyone! Welcome Heather and Ryan-- it's good to have you with us. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! You've got a busy next few months-- but what a wonderful way to spend a honeymoon! My husband and I cruised for our honeymoon, too(Caribbean) and it started a cruising addiction. We did about 6 more after that! Sadly, my husband passed away about 21 months ago-- but I still continue to cruise. I have not started packing yet-- but have started "thinking" about things to bring. I did buy a new piece of luggage today, though. My large suitcase was starting to split at the zipper seams and I was afraid to chance it. So I decided to play it safe and bought a new one. Hopefully a 29" expandable will do it! Enjoy the weekend!

Joey, Got my pins today too!! They are beautiful! You did an awesome job with the whole project. Thank you so much!

Joey, I'm so excited about the pins!! Thank you so much for your generosity--you're very sweet! I'll be checking my mailbox regularly for them. Tonia-- whatever you think about the restaurant. 27 euros is a lot to spend and I tend to a bit fussy about what I eat. I am not a big seafood fan, so something with some variety would be good. Trish will eat anything-so she's easy! I guess keep us posted and thank you for all of your legwork! Oh! I almost forgot-- Welcome to all of our new posters!! We're glad to have you join us.

Good Morning everyone! I just got off the phone with Delta-- they really screwed up my return flight home and I had to make some changes. So now here is the new updated list: Whose staying on in Venice OK here the list of everyone (that I'm aware of) staying at Locanda Orseola: 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 11/11, flight time 1005 am Tonia & Becki - departure 11/11, flight time 0700 am Margaret & Mike - departure 11/12, flight time 5 pm Tonia-- I'm really sorry, I guess we won't be able to share a water taxi with you now. But I guess I'm also glad we are not leaving quite so early!

I guess if we're naming ports to cruise out of, I'll have to go with Ft. Lauderdale, too. If we're talking ports to visit, my favorite is Tortola!

Welcome Andrew! I'm glad to see that there will be a couple more 30-somethings joining our group! I'll pass on the poker and cigars, though! I am not a big gambler. I will play slots and roulette occasionally, but I can usually find more interesting things to do with my money. :smiley: Just an FYI for everyone: The night before we leave on our cruise (10/28) should be the end of daylight savings time--- one extra hour in Barcelona!

Thanks for clarifying everything with restaurant!! Everything makes more sense now! What's even better is that our hotel's address is 124 La Rambla and the restaurant is 122--- it should be right next door! I think we'll be able to find it :wink: Hope everyone had a great 4th1

To update list: Special Celebrations Paul's retirement Oct 5th. Gail and Paul's 6th anniversary, Nov 5th, David (joeyanddavid) Birthday October 31 **Suanne's Birthday is on October 29th Diane's Birthday, Oct 30 (60 but who's counting) Diane and Lou's 4th Wedding Anniversary, Oct 5 Trish's Birthday Oct. 26th I am little confused about La Villa's location now. Is it possible there is more than one location? :huh:

Count Trish and me in for La Villa! Tonia, we are staying at the Hotel MonteCarlo. We will plan on 8pm on the 28th at La Villa unless we hear otherwise from you. I guess if something changes, you could leave us a message? Does anyone have the address/directions to the restaurant since we'll have to travel on our own? I think maybe wearing the pins would be a good idea so that at least we'll be able to identify each other.

I bought a set of converters/adapters at Target-- very reasonably priced. They were very useful because the set had all of the various kinds needed by each country included. For example, Great Britain's plugs are different than the rest of Europe's. One point worth noting, however, was that my chargers (iPod, camera, etc.) didn't need the converters because the chargers are compatible for both 220V and 110V-- you would just need to check to make sure the prongs fit correctly. Fortunately, we won't have to worry on the ship--it will be just like home!

Joey-- It's a date!! Diane-- Glad to hear you and Lou are OK-- the weather's been so crazy lately! Tonia-- We'll definitely have to talk later about sharing a taxi. I'm sure the folks at Locanda will give us some advice also. Our flight time has changed also-- our flight is now at 0710. I am hoping to swing getting Monday off also. Fortunately, I generally have quite a bit of flexibility with my job. Especially since it's November. If it was peak vacation season (like now), it might be a different story.

Me, too, Joey. Love the Cova Cafe! There's music sometimes there in the evening and it's relaxing and quiet during the day, with great pastries! Tonia, Would you be interested in sharing a water taxi to the airport when leave Locanda in Venice on 11/11? It seems like we have a similar schedule-- all four of us will have to be up at the crack of dawn!

Here is our info: 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 11/11, flight time 7:20 am Tonia & Becki - departure 11/11, flight time ? Margaret & Mike - departure 11/12, flight time 5 pm Just wondering if anyone knew the status of shops/markets/attractions on Sunday in Barcelona? I guess I will do a little research and see what I can find out!

Gosh-- I don't know how to answer your question, Joey! I guess I'd probably go with Dubrovnik, but that's a really hard choice to make! I'm not sure what time we will board. I guess it sort of depends on how much site-seeing we get done the day before. The day we leave is Sunday-- does anyone know if the markets and other attractions will even be open?

Oh! I almost forgot! The review for that restaurant: "La Villa"? It sounds great. Anything we can walk to that has a good variety of food and can accomodate a large party is fine with me. Just let me know where and when!