Live Celebrity Constellation 23 April 2024 Rome to Ravenna

[CruiseSWE]

8 hours ago, surfnsun said:

The guide also mentioned it was mich warmer that morning as there was no breeze.  The breeze was great that afternoon.  Pompei is difficult to navigate with graveled and uneven surfaces of large rocks and tall steps and hilly in some places.  It is much larger than we expected!  No places to sit except for mostly low curbing where getting up is the hard part.  Few handrails and touching the walls is an issue as they are delicate and authentic.  You'll want to have water before you enter.  Inside, there are no cafes, places to get beverages, or toilets.   Totally worth a visit as anything else other than the above is unavoidable.   Know your limitations as you'll want to be able to keep up the pace for the good of the group and timing to get back to the ship.  And be prepared in the heat.  The mini bus has great air conditioning!  😀

Thanks for all the information.

We went to Pompeii 20+ years ago but didn’t have a guide. It was super hot last time, a wind in the afternoon and less people sounds great. I love all your photos. You are so talented and you really capture the beauty of Italy. 🙌🏻🇮🇹

[surfnsun]

21 minutes ago, CruiseSWE said:

Thanks for all the information.

We went to Pompeii 20+ years ago but didn’t have a guide. It was super hot last time, a wind in the afternoon and less people sounds great. I love all your photos. You are so talented and you really capture the beauty of Italy. 🙌🏻🇮🇹

Thank you for your kind comments!

[hcat]

great photos..and info.  Enjoying the blog.

 

We were on a similar itin with X years ago.. For those who prefer ship sponsored tours, X had great choices! Nice busses, excellent guides,  and not over crowded

 

.We had an amazing Celebrity tour to Pompei..the guide was outstanding and the tour was just long enough without tiring us out...lots of walking...wear sturdy shoes, sun hat! Great pizza afterwards.

 

Took a Celebrity tour to Taormina....travel was via bus (great sea views and hairpin turns).  It was a long day but amazing.  We left the tour towards the end so we could have a nice lunch and more time to shop..Great pottery!  Saw a wedding party come out of the church for photos..very nice !

 

have to catch up on all the rest....

[surfnsun]

Concierge Class Gathering in the Reflections Lounge with appetizers and raffles and a few ship photos to help your cruise withdrawal...

[surfnsun]

Today's tour was a welcomed relaxing one which was good as we are really feeling such a port intensive cruise.  You'll see from the photos that Mt. Etna is quite an experience.  It's a pretty easy hike to the closest craters, although good shoes are required as the gravel is slippery.   We stopped along the way a couple of times, once at a Honey Farm where we sampled wine, olives, olive oil, and a variety of honey.  Finally, we went into Taormina for a couple of hours where we had lunch and some sightseeing on our own.  Shots are in order, as stated.

[surfnsun]

Gooood morning Brindisi!  We are rested up and ready to get jiggy with it again.  Today, we have a private tour to four locations in Puglia.   Alberbello, Santa Somewhere, Ostuni, and a place for lunch with yummy stuff for the belly.  For the price of the tour, I might have to sell a few family members to recover.  🙂 Another beautiful day.  I think we are in for some great memories and photos.

[hcat]

Etna and Taormina photos were excellent! the one of the man holding a baby goat..and basket really caught my attention.

 

Looking forward to more!

Edited April 29 by hcat

[tbmrt]

18 hours ago, surfnsun said:

Concierge Class Gathering in the Reflections Lounge with appetizers and raffles and a few ship photos to help your cruise withdrawal...

Is Quisine the same as Le Petite Chef?   Read that there was a front and back side to menu, one not matching animation??  Tx again

 

[CruiseSWE]

On 4/27/2024 at 6:12 AM, surfnsun said:

Yes, deck 3 looks good.  It really seems like the entire ship has new carpet throughout. 

Hope your Brindisi excursion was fabulous. I’m wondering if you are able to solve a mystery for me. 🫣 I’ve been in contact with Celebrity on three separate occasions and have gotten 3-4 different answers.
 

Our cabin is 3040 on our July cruise. We are traveling with our tall 18-year old son. I’m trying to figure out the room configuration. One representative said we have 2 king beds sleeping four (well that was wishful thinking🤪), the next Celebrity rep said it is a single sofa with a pullout bed, and the third said 3040 has a larger sofa with a trundle bed that comes out from the bottom of the sofa each night. The reason I care so much is because I might put in for a bid for a different stateroom if the pullout sofa is meant for a child and doesn’t fit tall adults. I’m not sure if you are able to be a little detective on my behalf. I know this is a big ask, and totally understand if you are not able to. 
Grazie Milli! 😁 Jannike 

[surfnsun]

6 hours ago, hcat said:

Etna and Taormina photos were excellent! the one of the man holding a baby goat..and basket really caught my attention.

 

Looking forward to more!

He really grabbed my attention too.  One of my favorite photos of perhaps a zegafillion photos by now.  There was a gift shop and cafe where the busses parked, but he was the only one sitting out on a crater selling something and unlike any other vendor, he just seemed right.  I did gladly purchase a lava rock with two little lady bugs and a flower symbol glued on it.

[surfnsun]

5 hours ago, tbmrt said:

Is Quisine the same as Le Petite Chef?   Read that there was a front and back side to menu, one not matching animation??  Tx again

 

I believe it is but I will gladly check and report later!

[surfnsun]

2 hours ago, CruiseSWE said:

Hope your Brindisi excursion was fabulous. I’m wondering if you are able to solve a mystery for me. 🫣 I’ve been in contact with Celebrity on three separate occasions and have gotten 3-4 different answers.
 

Our cabin is 3040 on our July cruise. We are traveling with our tall 18-year old son. I’m trying to figure out the room configuration. One representative said we have 2 king beds sleeping four (well that was wishful thinking🤪), the next Celebrity rep said it is a single sofa with a pullout bed, and the third said 3040 has a larger sofa with a trundle bed that comes out from the bottom of the sofa each night. The reason I care so much is because I might put in for a bid for a different stateroom if the pullout sofa is meant for a child and doesn’t fit tall adults. I’m not sure if you are able to be a little detective on my behalf. I know this is a big ask, and totally understand if you are not able to. 
Grazie Milli! 😁 Jannike 

Ah ha!  Finally, an opportunity to do my Sherlock Holmes impression!  And with ninja powers because I purchased the premium beverage package, just in case I forgot to mention that 😀.   Of course,  that one make take some help from Watson and a little time, but no fear!  Continue to follow along.

[CruiseSWE]

15 minutes ago, surfnsun said:

Ah ha!  Finally, an opportunity to do my Sherlock Holmes impression!  And with ninja powers because I purchased the premium beverage package, just in case I forgot to mention that 😀.   Of course,  that one make take some help from Watson and a little time, but no fear!  Continue to follow along.

LOL 😂🤣 You are da best! Wish we were on the same cruise, you sure know how to have fun! 🥰

[surfnsun]

So, unlike our other previous ports where I easily found opportunities for many type of tours, Brindisi was a tough one to figure out.  What made it even tougher if you read about the port, is that it is probably near the top of the list of ports that one could miss without too much heartburn.  So, I found a private tour that went out to what seemed like the Puglia hinderlands and we spread our more cruise adventurous wings and off we went!  I don't think you will find too many cruise or group tours to these places because a big bus is not feasible.  We are glad we invested in going outside the port.  Photos will be by destination so will take a few posts.  Our fabulous, private tour guide was Fabrizio.  He was so much fun and he and Mr. Voluntold became best buds, as you will see in the photos.  I'll post later contact info.  Let's start with our first stop at Alberobello, where Fabrizio was able to show us inside a Trulli.  A unique experience...

[surfnsun]

Intermission...I've decided 3 of these are much more refreshing than 3 martinis...

[surfnsun]

Brindisi sunset from the Sunset Bar, deck 10, butt of the ship 😆

[Travelling2Some]

7 hours ago, hcat said:

Etna and Taormina photos were excellent! the one of the man holding a baby goat..and basket really caught my attention.

 

Looking forward to more!

He reminds me of a funny incident we had on Mykonos.  My husband is of Greek descent and really looks it.  To top it off he was wearing one of the iconic fisherman's hats.  (He wears that hat at home too.)  He sat down to rest in front of one of the famous windmills.  People started photographing him, no doubt thinking he was a local character!

[Chrisclaire]

1 hour ago, surfnsun said:

So, unlike our other previous ports where I easily found opportunities for many type of tours, Brindisi was a tough one to figure out.  What made it even tougher if you read about the port, is that it is probably near the top of the list of ports that one could miss without too much heartburn.  So, I found a private tour that went out to what seemed like the Puglia hinderlands and we spread our more cruise adventurous wings and off we went!  I don't think you will find too many cruise or group tours to these places because a big bus is not feasible.  We are glad we invested in going outside the port.  Photos will be by destination so will take a few posts.  Our fabulous, private tour guide was Fabrizio.  He was so much fun and he and Mr. Voluntold became best buds, as you will see in the photos.  I'll post later contact info.  Let's start with our first stop at Alberobello, where Fabrizio was able to show us inside a Trulli.  A unique experience...

Fabulous photos! 

What a privilege  😊

Edited April 29 by Chrisclaire
Wrong word

[surfnsun]

31 minutes ago, Chrisclaire said:

Fabulous photos! 

What a privilege  😊

Yes, we are truly blessed!  Thank you!

[surfnsun]

The next stop was Martina Franca at a Salumeria aka la casa bel capocollo aka the house of the cold cuts. Salumeria comes from the word salume. Sells cold cuts, cheese, wine, local products.  Not a "restaurant".  Great lunch and wine...

[surfnsun]

I thought Martina Franca would disappoint, but it ended up being a favorite.  So very beautiful.   Enjoy the photos!  By this time, Fabrizio and Pete were just good friends having fun in a beautiful place.

[surfnsun]

Our final stop for the day was in the town of Ostuni aka the White City.  Really a fabulous day with fond memories and a new friend.  We found Fabrizio aka Fab by emailing his colleague Alessandro Perrone at <aperrone@ymail.com> after reading other reviews here on CC.

[SkystheLimit]

Simply stunning photographs of a place many don't have a chance to see!  Again, so kind of you to share your travels with us.

[Mike981]

Your photo's look they were taken on a movie set, fantastic.

 

Thank you very much for your fun and educational review.

[hcat]

4 hours ago, surfnsun said:

He really grabbed my attention too.  One of my favorite photos of perhaps a zegafillion photos by now.  There was a gift shop and cafe where the busses parked, but he was the only one sitting out on a crater selling something and unlike any other vendor, he just seemed right.  I did gladly purchase a lava rock with two little lady bugs and a flower symbol glued on it.

very nice memento!