dani negreanu

Norris, So glad that Crystal provided a link (thanks @singinalot). Wishing you and Carol a Happy and Healthy New Year 🎄

I've just made a mock reservation on their site for November 3rd, 2023 for 2 nights, no problem at all -- https://www.hoteljazz.com/en/ We stayed in a Superior room. The rate for the above is 192 Euro, including an excellent b'fast and free cancellation.

As a rule, we don't take ship excursions, unless it involves ferries, like Capri, or St. John from St. Thomas... We had excellent private tours in Italy with Joe Banana (https://www.joebananalimos.net/) and RomeinLimo (https://www.romeinlimo.com/). I second the suggestion to overnight in Florence and use some of your OBC for the transfer there ("Florence on your own"?) one way, and a private tour which will return you to ship via Pisa and a winery of your choice. For a taste of the Amalfi coast I'd book one which will take me to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, with its amazing views. We've done Santa Margherita, Portofino and Rapallo by car, so can't give any advice. BUT, if you find a private tour which will take you to Cinque Terre, that will be awesome. I'd use the OBC for Marseille (Aix-en-Provence) and for Nice (Eze). As for Rome, we like to stay near the Pantheon. This one is practically "inside 😉" the Pantheon (https://www.cathysluxuryhome.it/en/) and this hotel is a mere 5 mins walk to the Pantheon and popular with cruisers (https://www.argentinastylehotel.com/en/).

"Cookies of the world, unite!" 😉

Between 15 and 20 minutes. I wasn't paying too much attention, since it was 9am, and we knew we'll have to kill time until our room will be ready... And we've been to Barcelona before. But at the reception, they told us they took note of our early check in request, and should we like to wait about 20 mins, we'll get our room. I just hate to leave my luggage at hotels...

Et tu, Sue? Get well soon. Glad you've seen Zoey and got to snuggle with her. More pics, pls 😘

I think we paid a taxi 15 Euros. I can highly recommend Jazz hotel, which was recommended to me in this forum. Many from our roll call stayed there. https://www.hoteljazz.com/es/

Andrew has a new "Live", and I took the liberty to post the link here 😎

Get well soon, Dave.

+ 3 , Mark @h20skibum, @Luckynana +1 @xpcdoojk JC +1 Maryann, safe travels to Naples @Luckynana

+ 1 @HBE4 + 1, Sue @sgmn

Those are the news I was eagerly waiting for. So glad for you and all your family. I'm sure it will give your daughter a very healthy moral boost 😘 Wishing you all a very Healthy New Year and a swift return to cruising.

+ 3 @FromSea2ShiningSea Helen, 2 feedbacks from our home -- 1) I too like the dining set 2) DH likes the perfect cooked Prime Rib + 2, Bethany. @TravelGirlinDallas Besides the physical resemblance with Andrew, even your smiles are the same 😘 + 3 @brillohead

I swam during 36 years in a 50 meter heated pool, with retracted sides during the summer. The owners decided to sell it to an upscale company, which will charge X3 more than I was paying (63$ per month). I can understand that the pool [and the showers and the bathrooms] need "revamping", but they're talking about 2 years time when the pool will be closed, so many of us switched to a 25 meters, which is really not the same.... Moreover, all the people who were swimming in the 50 meter had no choice but to switch, and the pool is now beyond capacity, if, for example, at the beginning there were 2 people in every lane, swimming back and forth, now we're 3, swimming in circle, and from January -- 4 will be allowed in the same lane. It is very sad that a big city like ours has now only one heated pool, the others being only outdoor. Moreover, now there is an application where you have to book a slot (1-2 pm, for example), which is opened only 24 hours before, so I'm in constant worry that I'll miss the times when I want to swim... Rant over.

Deb, I hope it's not too painful for you. Your nail polish is just my taste...😉 + 1, April & Jim @akcruz + 1, Mark & co. @h20skibum + 1, Marietta & co. @DaniDanielle As a regular swimmer, I find it very relaxing. And your pool is amazing, seems it is Olympic size? + 1 I'm using liquor chocolate as an ingredient for my snow white chocolate cookies -- In the background, a pirate book for our grandkids, thinking of you, Greg @Sea Dog Beautiful pictures, Harry, thanks for sharing. Enjoy your holiday with the whole family, and a Happy New Year to you all. + 1 Greg, thank you so much for your stories and pictures of Christmas. Until I've started this thread, I had absolutely no idea how much time, energy, love & ... yes, money, people invest in decorating their homes and gardens for this special holiday. I only knew about the tree, under it some presents (love, love the variety of all the wrapping paper and ribbons, and the knots used -- amazing) and the socks... Since I hate cold, we never travel during this period, and the pictures in newspapers/TV do not show actually all the lights and shows everywhere. I'm learning so much from this thread, interacting with so many different people from different parts of the world. It brings me so much joy and contentment. Thank you, all.

We stayed pre cruise in this hotel -- Argentina Residenza, along with other cruisers. Very central, 5 min easily walk to the Pantheon. Reasonable rates if booked on hotel's site. The hotel arranged for us transfer to port -- at the beginning just me & DH (140 Euro private transfer for a couple), and then other roll callers joined us -- 6 pax for 170 Euro. https://www.argentinastylehotel.com/en/

I'm really happy to notice that this year's Happy Holidays, many posters felt at ease to post pictures of their meals, their kids and grandkids, and, of course -- even of themselves. So nice to put a face to someone/s with whom we've been virtually in touch for almost 3 years now 🎄

Same here, Renee @ReneeFLL Maryann @Luckynana and Sue @sgmn - wishing you a swift and full recovery.

I assume it is because we're talking about 2024. The one category upgrade can only be done by phone/email, either with Celebrity or your TA. You can't do it online by yourself. AT the time of booking, not AFTER.

@Jimbo Second that. I'll grab it in a minute, excellent location.

Yes, it does. I assume, Jim, that you have also Elite status on X. If so, you're eligible to one free upgrade. BTW, I've found the concierge for Concierge class very valuable. I don't care for the embarkation lunch, since I like the variety of the buffet. For the small tastings in the afternoon, we asked for fruits. Thanks to @wrk2cruise

Jimbo is Diamond+ on Royal, which makes him Elite on X. Wondering if the one sub-category upgrade applies for C1 [meaning pay the rate of C2 for a C1] ?

+ 5 , thank you for sharing, April @akcruz

Beautiful couple. Mazel Tov 💐

I feel for you. Such a nasty weather exactly on one of the busiest days of travel, when, after 3 years of Covid, family want to celebrate together. Not fair. Mimi, pls. accept my sincere condolences. So very sad always, but before the holidays, even sadder.