Jim_Iain

I will be anxious to see how all of us defectors enjoy our trials on other lines. At this point all I can say if that after you make the first break my eyes are opening to a new world.

I really wish I could drink. It triggers migraines and just not worth the suffering. My doctor finally found a drug (looks like a narccam injector) as long as I use it in a 20 minute window it knocks them out before they begin. My main trigger is when the Barometric pressure drops suddenly. Luckily monitoring the pressures on Weatherunderground, Milwaukee just dropped to a low of 29.65 and a high is building in for the next 5 days or so.

I think last week it was Ponant's Dumont d'Urvell. Le Bellot did not leave Toronto until Monday of this week. They are identical to each other.

I've stayed there a number times on business. Just checking and they are at $594 US a night before tax and quoting $2,137 for 3 night including Tax and fees. Ouch.

Hotel prices have really escalated world wide. Not sure of the budget yet. The first thing I need to find out is what area our friends live in so we aren't way far away. I just took a look on AirBnB and there are some interesting places in the $250-300 U.S. per night range. We are finding that to be a sweetspot for us. I was thinking about sticker shock today when my daughter grabbed a sandwich at Subway and for 2 sandwiches it ran $26 U.S. I guess I just don't get out much. I'll need to get my head wrapped around the US / CA $ rate. I do remember when they were at par and at times CA higher than the US$

Well Alison and I made it home. Iain baked cookies today so we had a nice snack when we got home. I spent a couple hours doing pruning of some of the overgrown trees and shrubs. I wanted to get it done today before the Trash Company comes. Man of you know how California has so many Micro-Climates. Our normal summer temperatures are in the Mid to Upper 70's and Ceres where my daughter lives usually runs in 95-105 level. At least today the temperatures were only in the low 80's.

You are so right. Last year we did a B2B California Coastal with 2 overnights in San Francisco. The first time we grabbed a train home and swapped out some clothing and the next time we spent the day as tourists visiting all the places we had never been to.

Year ago (1969) I was in Toronto with a Staff Member. After our meetings I suggested we drive to Buffalo for our flight home and stop by to see Niagra Falls - Was really disappointing as they had diverted the waters and the American Falls were totally dry.

As excitement builds I just heard from a friend in Toronto. We sailed with them in 2001 and 2002 on Celebrity Millennium and have stayed in touch but not seen them since. They saw my post on "that Social Media Site" and we have arrangement to get together. Will be fun to see them again. I just wrote to ask what would be the most convenient part of Toronto to book a hotel. It has been many years since I've been to Toronto and Iain has never been there before.

I agree. It's easier with my Gran daughter --- Your my favorite Grand Daughter (I dont' say yea... the only granddaughter like you).

Ok -- Emilliano (Millie) is my youngest Grandchild and the favorite. When I was helping remodel my Son's house - He was my left hand and would get down on the floor with me to measure and cut Plaster Board.

Le Bellot is heading to Milwaukee to greet us. The lakes looks smooth. I'll be interesting to see how these ships handle the seas (lakes). I've read some post that say without stabilizers you feel it more than on a large cruise ship.

Thanks Mark......I'm sure is will be memorable.

I must be wicked. I also have a favorite Grandson. I would never let but each child is soooooo different. Remind me of you name --- or should I just call you Mamma

Thanks for your perspective. I know there are no similarities of a 184 PAX ship to anything Celebrity has to offered with possible exception of their Galapagos ships. I'm going into this with a bit of excitement and looking forward to an adventure. Our friends from Australia have been on 3 Ponant Cruises this year and will be joining us for the Singapore to Sydney on Edge. The have sailed Celebrity a number of times and really prefer Ponant.

I think it has to do with a special fare our Agent had. He has revised it and now we have all inclusive.

I have to say that my downfall is Ice Cream and Gelato. While I don't drink I love the smell of Ameretto I could just sit there and sniff it for hours... LOL.....

So happy things worked out for you son I"m sure you are so proud of him. My son is the youngest of my 3 and he was a challenge and we always thought of him as "Least Likely to Succeed" He has surprised us and become the one have grown the most and propably the Best Father to 4 kids than I could have imagined. I am so proud of him.

That's wonderful to hear. Now I wonder if we should have had our agent to upgrade us to the All Perks. It actually seemed like a good deal with the $800 OBC - Drink packages make it so convenient.

Just looked and I have already been watching a number of his Videos. Thanks for the information on the free bottles in Queens Grill rooms. That will be a real treat.

I was watching some YouTubes last night and discovered that Cunard depart out of Brooklyn. That may have a bearing on we stay. I had just "ASSUMED" it departed from Manhattan. I'm sure we will learn as we start really researching the cruise further.

Thanks much. What is funny is that I was born in Syracuse while my father was finishing his Masters. I have only seen it once since when driving by decided to get off and take a look around. 5 minutes later I was back on the Interstate. For Port Colborne we have booked the Tour to Niagra Falls and Wellard Canal. Iain has never been to the falls before so sure he will be amazed. I just looked at a map and I guess we will have to pass through the Wellard Canal in order to get to Toronto --- My geography can be so bad, I'm glad you prompted me to look.

Nice to hear. Like you we aren't bothered by having or not having a window table. I'll keep that in mind. One thing I do like about Celebrity Luminae is you have the same Waiter and Assistant Waiter every night regardless of where you are seated.

Thank you. I am happy that the weather will be so nice. I was a little worried when I saw the heat spell you had last week. We must be bringing our Bay Area weather with us - we live about a mile from the bay and get nice breezes off it and keeps our temps in the 70's. We rarely need to turn on our AC. Milwaukee looks perfect for doing a lot of exploring,

I'm off to pick up my Daughter, Alison who lives about 1 1/2 hours away so we can celebrate her birthday before I leave. She is mobility challenged and finds it difficult to drive. She's my miracle baby and has survived 3 fatal disease and has flourished. I know we should never show favoritism toward our children but after living in double door isolation with her for 2 months she definitely has a special place in my heart.