crusinpeg

Can't wait for your review...going on the Brilliance in Feb

Looking forward to you review..will be sailing her in Feb.

We're definitely addicted!!!

See you onboard!

 

Can't wait..... we're down to double digits now and with the holidays hopefully it will be here before we know it.

We were on the sister ship the Serenade in Oct in the Med but it was so port intensive that we hardly had any time to enjoy the ship...really looking forward to this one!

Can't wait to hear more...we are sailing on the Brillance Feb 24th...any pre cruiise info is greatly appreciated!!

So excited to read your review...we will have our first Oasis class cruise on the Allure next September!

I will be on a TA later this month. In my research I found that Park Guell now will have timed tickets. You will need to factor this into the time it takes to get there.

 

According to their website this does not go into effect until Oct. 25th

We plan on visiting the park first and then go to La Sagrada...does anyone know the best way to get from the park to the church and how long it would take.(I figure a taxi would probably be the "best" but I'm looking for a more economic alternative)....also is it walkable?

Oh no, now the Oct 22nd sailing is "infamous" :eek::D

 

We do have a pretty active Roll Call which is making it extra fun. In fact, at last count (which I just posted) we have 69 people signed up to come to our informal Sail Away party. Are you sure that you, Tanja and Tarik don't want to do it all over again and join us in a couple of weeks? :D

 

Melissa

 

Hi Melissa...saw you lurking over here!! Peggy here,also a member of the " Infamous Oct 22nd "group... Stef just wanted to add how much I've enjoyed your review and pics and can't wait to experience it firsthand. You've supplied so much info in such a fun filled review!! All the best...its been a pleasure following along!

Peggy

Anxiously awaiting more!

Also waiting !!!

So excited for another review!! We're doing the same cruise in October so looking for all the info we can get!

Thanks you so much Patti for clearing up alot for me! I don't know if this has been asked but can I charge a Celebrity cruise to this card and get double points?

I honestly didn't expect a whipping when I opened this thread. So sorry I'm not able to convey my thoughts right now as I'd surely get in trouble.

 

I cannot believe some of the inconsiderate responses you got! Sometimes I'm sorry I even read CC.

c'mon folks don't do unnecessary full quotes...keep it clean...

 

I am aware...just made a mistake...IT HAPPENS!

Okay – just talked about teen dates in solarium pools – why not cover the pool deck in general during the day time as well?

The pool deck

 

You basically have 4 different options if you want to get wet. 1. Choose one of the two hot tubs next to the main pool, or the one next to the “adult only” solarium pool.

 

These were pretty nice – we tried them all! They were heavily visited, but still most of the times you wanted to soak in one of the three, there’d be at least a little space in one of them.

 

2. The main pool. We were in here only once on the very first day. It is overly crowded with kids splashing around. The salt water being gushed everywhere burned in Tarik’s eyes and from there on he wasn’t to be seen in any water venue on the ship anymore. Sigh. He’s not into water that much anyway. The area around this pool would get hilariously crowded on sea days.

 

 

Also all other sun beds on this deck and on deck 12 were helplessly overflowing with towels – not necessarily all with actual people (grrrrr). If you’re just looking for a nice quiet place to chill, try out deck 5. They don’t only have chairs there but also a couple of sunbeds!

 

3. The solarium pool. We LOVED this place! Since Tarik couldn’t be convinced to go in the main pool anymore and rather did “dry” activities, Tanja and I were free to jump into the solarium pool every day. And we did swim here every day of the cruise. Even when we returned from long, strenuous port days we enjoyed to feel the water around our sore limbs here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really a nice place. The only thing I thought could be better: You have the shallow parts on the side – these are way too big – half of that area to both sides would have been enough but for that they could have an in-between area, where most people would be able to stand in the water…The water was 1,85m deep. Too deep for most people to reach the ground. Nice for swimming, but sometimes it would have been nice to linger and just hang out with your feet touching the ground. There was only this tiny place on the steps leading into the pool where this was the case – and of course a lot of people would linger there. Annoying, since this is the main way into and out of the pool. We just used the shallow parts instead and just slided in.

 

 

 

At night the whole solarium area would be embedded in this mystical light. We loved it. Really quite romantic.

 

4. If you travel with little kids you have to go up one deck. Here you find the Adventure ocean pool with the water slide.

 

 

It looks quite nice, but we weren’t around this area much and therefore can’t really say a lot about it.

 

More to come!

 

Absolutely loving your detailed review. We have never been on a Radiance class ship but will be on the Serenade in October..your pics have given me so much to look forward to. I especially love the ones of the outdoor Windjammer..oh and also the Parma/Brie sandwich!! Looking forward to more..thanks again for a great review. Question...were there any "late night snacks" available?

Hi there!

 

Though we had pre-paid via MTD option on our recent Rhapsody cruise, we still received envelopes in our cabin on the second-last day so put a little extra cash in each and handed them out on the last night!

 

It seems they want it BOTH ways!:confused:

 

Gae

 

No one forced you to put extra in the envelopes..if you thought the service warrented it then whats the big deal?

We were on this cruise as well and had a fantastic time...the color in your pics is awesome..what kind of camera did you use? I am in the market for a new one.

Awesome review so far..we leave on the Independence this sat. so can't wait to read more of what's in store.

 

How was the onboard music...pool bar, pub, schooners,etc?

as a Brit Im in favour of it because i really am fed up with whats been said about Brits not tipping up. Alot of us do and well .... I do have to add and please dont shoot me down in flames why dont they just add the cost to the cost of the cruise and then if we want to we can add an extra tip members of staff as and if we feel like it.

 

I don't know how true this is but I swear I read awhile back that the reason the cost of the cruise isn't increased is that its more of an accounting issue. Wages are in a differect catagory when figuring out profit and loss etc. Maybe someone with more accounting experience could explain if this makes sense.

I'm assuming the Aerobus only goes to downtown (Pl. Catalunya) from the airport and back.

 

In other words on your trip home is there an Aerobus from pier to airport?

if there is a Park Cafe, it will be available.

 

Only one a day? amateur.... ;)

 

So the sandwich is only available on ships with a "Park Cafe"?

[quote name='poppydawg']Ok, maybe Im just naive, but what is "food porn shots"?:confused:[/QUOTE]

pictures of sinfully delicious looking food!

[quote name='OGCFreddie']From the RCI cookbook:

[SIZE=3][COLOR=black]Pie Crust (purchased)

3 T Xtra virgin Olive Oil
1 Cup julienned Vidala Onion (3 lg onions)
1 T chopped Thyme
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 C Shredded Gruyere cheese

Filling:
3 eggs
1/3 C heavy cream
1 T chopped parsley
1 T chopped chives
1/2 t ground nutmeg
salt and freshly ground pepper

Red Pepper Coulis:
4 red bell peppers
1 T Xtra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Garnish:
1 medium [B]Vidalia[/B] Onion
1/3 C vegetable oil
Fresh chervil


Preheat oven to 350.

Blind bake pie crust for about 7 mins, remove and let cool.

warm olive oil in small sauce pan over medium heat and saute onions unti translucent, about 4 mins. Add thyme and season with salt and pepper.

Spread onion evenly in pie crust. Sprinkle with cheese.

In medium bowl, beat eggs lightly, add cream, fresh herbs and seasonings. Beat until well mixed.

Pour mixture over onions and cheese. Bake 40 mins.

For Coulis, blanch peppers in boiling water for 5 mins. Cool over ice and remove skins.

In blender, puree the peppers and olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

For garnish, in a small skillet over high heat, warm oil and deep fry onion until golden brown.

[/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE


Thanks so much...I'll have to give it a try....

[quote name='euphio']Great idea! Thanks for the help clarea - this place always delivers.[/QUOTE]

I'm sorry I never got to try the famous Vidalia Onion Tart...but maybe they'll bring it back?