Gardenbunny50

The Mickey cactus was so funny 😂. Great spot!! You need to send that to Disney LOL. So amazing all the wildlife you are seeing. And I really like the pictures looking out to Flora. Seems so peaceful in the isolation and solitude - is it quiet or do the birds make some noise?

Looks amazing. We have the infinite veranda - not sure what the difference is. We booked on board back in August 2022 after a presentation. We thought we had booked just a veranda but when we looked at our paperwork when we got home it was the other. Couldn’t change or would have lost the on-board deal we got. But all good. Interesting zodiac. If you find time can you please find out if we just do a walk option, with no snorkle, can you still go back to ship after walk? DH is snorkle person, but I just want the walks. Thanks. Get some rest for a full day tomorrow.

We tried VV February 2023 after our TA was invited on board and she was not sure if they would like it. She had a good time, liked the not typical cruise ship food program and asked a few of us to try it. No complaints, it was nice and we had a good time…BUT, just not the cruise style that I like. Which is what I tell people all the time - there are so many choices for budgets and your style - if you don’t do your research before you book, then buyer beware. I mostly missed the entertainment of an X, Celebrity, Azamara, Princess, Cunard styles (lines I typically use). I am not a foodie, so I prefer the more choices you get in a MDR as opposed to speciality restaurants. We are not balcony people, prefer to be out on decks or around lounges, piazzas, quiet nooks, etc - we use a cabin for sleep, bathing and changing clothes. As my son once said to me - Mom, you use a cruise ship as transportation to get to your destination - so you unpack once. He was right - since we retired in 2012, we have seriously used cruising for 2 world cruises (each hemisphere, So. America and Antarctica, northern lights in Norway, Med/Europe, Alaska, Canada/New England. So much has changed since Covid - the pandemic affected every country, every industry, cost of everything, everything about daily life - tough times for sure - I am just happy to be back traveling again. Wherever you go on whatever cruise line you choose, whatever budget you can afford - just enjoy life - because everything can change in the blink of an eye 😃

Great posts and very interesting. My excitement is also building to see your Flora photos and the itinerary we will share in May.

So excited for you and cannot wait to get real time photos of Flora and all the info you share on the daily excursions. Will be glued to alerts from Cruise Critic for your posts. Have an awesome time. Our TA booked our airfare with Celebrity. We decided to fly from Miami to stay under the $1500 supplement. Better non stop flight times using American Airlines than Delta. We are doing the Machu Picchu extension so we have to fly back from Lima. Will use our credit card points for no cost tickets to and from Atl to Miami.

Art imitating real life - such a wonderful remembrance. Condolences to you, your wife and family.

I agree! Thanks for all who shared comments. I looked back on the app excursions and saw both of these you referenced - the catamaran and the sea taxi with tour, lunch beach. They are sold out. Only one left was the one I booked. And lucky me, when I booked yesterday it was still 30% off. Today it is only 15%! The description with sea taxi landing at Charlestown, it seems you get in a vehicle for tour. I did more google search on “beach with famous bar and shopping” - I think we will drive to that as it appears to be Pinney’s beach, Sunshine Bar and shopping is all in that area. So yes I agree - it will all be good! Enjoy your cruisemon Ascent! I had a friend on board the 4 day in November launch and she said it was gorgeous and loved it!

Oh my goodness - so fascinating. Thank you. I am not a snorkler - have tried but I just can’t get the hang of the breathing and water in tube, etc etc. Just not coordinated, and to be perfectly honest, a bit afraid. But to be able to get that experience from watching your beautiful video was priceless for me. I totally loved the star fish.

Appreciate replies. There is very little description on the app. Only “ a sea taxi over, with a beach chair awaits you on golden sand. Cool off in sea, treat yourself to a famous beach bar or short stroll to The Belmont Duty Free shopping complex.” But very few choices left and it was 30% off.

Excited to be on board Feb 11 to San Juan, Tortola and St Kitts. First time on the Edge class!! Been to St Kitts numerous times. Saw excursion for this 4 hr trip. Always wanted to go over to Nevis. Has anyone ever taken this excursion? Thanks

FYI is your Iberian Passage TA 16 days on Princess Sept 23, 2024? Galapagos topic - did you wear any socks with the Keen closed toe sandals? No issues with sand rubbing, blisters or hot spots w/o for doing the hikes?

I had so much fun watching the penquins in the Falklands. We had a yellow line boundary around their grouping that we were not allowed to cross over. The babies were running and chasing each other. It was January and the penquin gathering was quite large. We were fortunate that a few King penquins were there. Such a treat. Then on our Antartica cruise to see them riding on the icebergs, oh my. I love experiencing nature in their natural habitat. Saw the most amazing specimens on a nature hike in the jungle of Madagascar - being a snake admirer, got to see a boa on a tree branch just over my head! The photos that have been posted from Live Galapagos cruisers have been so spectacular. I cannot wait. I capture a few pics with my iPhone, but my mind holds the image of what I saw forever. I am envious of these photographers that have the talent to get such amazing shots.

Absolutely I am aware we have to keep our distance - but that is pretty cool if they decide to engage with us 😃 Galapagos and Machu Picchu had not been seriously considered due to my feelings about so many places such as these being over touristed. I was so pleased when we went to the Celebrity presentation to learn how eco-conscious they are. And from other recent live posters I am more and more impressed that Celebrity s committed to keeping this area as Darwin had experienced it in 1835.

What time of year were you there before? I would love to see a Giant Hummingbird, blue footed boobies and some sharks. We have seen many of the non-bird wildlife on other adventures (penquins in So Africa, Antarctica, flamingoes in Namibia, large land tortoises in Sychelles, albatross in New Zealand, humpback whale season Feb in Maui). What I am looking forward to the most is the experience of how close you are to all these beautiful creatures and be in awe to just admire them.