Live Celebrity Constellation 23 April 2024 Rome to Ravenna

[surfnsun]

THREE cherries in my screwdriver!  Just sayin! 😆

[surfnsun]

Kotor is a very beautiful port, even with three cruise ships in port at the same time.  Celebrity was further out, but that made for a great tender ride and we were the last ones to depart.  IMO, it is one of the best ports for shopping or a boat ride.   Didn't really see that many organized tours.  I think we made the right decision to just stroll and enjoy it.  Enjoyable, indeed.

[Beachlover1989]

22 minutes ago, surfnsun said:

Holy Cow!  Take me north quick!  I have a personal heater that just does not quit!  Here are some must bring items for our cruising.  First and foremost, a bad a*s mama jama coochie goochie, small but powerful fan and a bad a*s (fill in the blanks)..

 

 

Did you get this on Amazon? Do you happen to have the link?  We're going on Xpedition in September and our son (just got back) said a small fan was fantastic to dry clothes and have air movement in the room.

[surfnsun]

10 minutes ago, Beachlover1989 said:

Did you get this on Amazon? Do you happen to have the link?  We're going on Xpedition in September and our son (just got back) said a small fan was fantastic to dry clothes and have air movement in the room.

Here ya go.  It's a small desk fan.  I've found a bad a*s you know what blow dryer that I also bring dries clothes, spot drying anyway.  The fan helps with circulation, especially when getting ready.

[sushraya]

Fantastic live report!  In Kotor, did you try to go up to the Fortress?  Or take the ladder (stairs) up?  I've heard the view is fantastic from there, but that even the shortest part of the hike is over a 1000 steps!

[limboman]

AMAZING review so far, thank you so much!  We're doing this same itinerary on the Connie in June and this is very helpful!  Love that you've been so responsive to our CC board requests too.  That being said - how big are the laundry bags?  My SIL is trying to plan out her packing / laundry strategy and I know she'll be curious.

[Beachlover1989]

5 minutes ago, surfnsun said:

Here ya go.  It's a small desk fan.  I've found a bad a*s you know what blow dryer that I also bring dries clothes, spot drying anyway.  The fan helps with circulation, especially when getting ready.

Thank you!!

[surfnsun]

You might consider these too, if only for being a passenger in a vehicle in Italy!

[CruiseSWE]

1 hour ago, surfnsun said:

Kotor is a very beautiful port, even with three cruise ships in port at the same time.  Celebrity was further out, but that made for a great tender ride and we were the last ones to depart.  IMO, it is one of the best ports for shopping or a boat ride.   Didn't really see that many organized tours.  I think we made the right decision to just stroll and enjoy it.  Enjoyable, indeed.

Beautiful place, beautiful pictures! 🙌🏻⛰️☀️

[surfnsun]

39 minutes ago, sushraya said:

Fantastic live report!  In Kotor, did you try to go up to the Fortress?  Or take the ladder (stairs) up?  I've heard the view is fantastic from there, but that even the shortest part of the hike is over a 1000 steps!

Thank you!  We did go up to a fortress within the city walls. Simple steps. But I think you are referring to something I took photos of but could only dream to attempt.  By gosh, coming from someone who wish I could have traveled at a younger age, if you are able, I strongly encourage you to not hesitate to go to this fortress!

[surfnsun]

48 minutes ago, limboman said:

AMAZING review so far, thank you so much!  We're doing this same itinerary on the Connie in June and this is very helpful!  Love that you've been so responsive to our CC board requests too.  That being said - how big are the laundry bags?  My SIL is trying to plan out her packing / laundry strategy and I know she'll be curious.

Here is a photo of the laundry bag.  It's small. Just forget about laundry.  Lol. Sorta, seriously.   You have to send it out or get creative. Although it's a secret so don't share we are like the Clampets.  Only our room steward knows.  We wash items in the sink and literally hang them up to dry, anywhere we can find.  Not even the balcony is safe from our most sacred items from flapping in the sea breeze.  😆

[surfnsun]

1 hour ago, Beachlover1989 said:

Thank you!!

It's most helpful when trying to get ready in the morning.  When you feel like you are melting to the point applying makeup is not possible.  If you cruise at the more cooler time of year, keeping the door open with a nice breeze and the sound of the ocean or sea is great.   Then turn on the fan as well, and you might manage to look presentable before the breakfast buffet. 🤣

[Travelling2Some]

1 hour ago, surfnsun said:

You might consider these too, if only for being a passenger in a vehicle in Italy!

Oh my goodness, YES.  My husband and I both got terrible motion sickness with all the switchbacks going up to Mount Etna.  Ever since that experience I have been careful to ask what the drive is like.  The Amalfi Coast is notorious too.

[Travelling2Some]

57 minutes ago, surfnsun said:

Here is a photo of the laundry bag.  It's small. Just forget about laundry.  Lol. Sorta, seriously.   You have to send it out or get creative. Although it's a secret so don't share we are like the Clampets.  Only our room steward knows.  We wash items in the sink and literally hang them up to dry, anywhere we can find.  Not even the balcony is safe from our most sacred items from flapping in the sea breeze.  😆

Hmm, "as long as the bag closes?"  On NCL we stuff it tight and then put duct tape across the top to "close" it.  Is this not acceptable?

[hcat]

1 hour ago, CruiseSWE said:

Beautiful place, beautiful pictures! 🙌🏻⛰️☀️

loved the professional quality of yoyr photos.. thanks for sharing your stroll!  Of course the kitty stole my heart!

 

and I am ordering the porto fan asap!

[hcat]

6 hours ago, surfnsun said:

Tendering back from Kotor...question...are the videos coming through ok?  Not sure they are working...

great video!

[hcat]

wlWhat camera do you use?  ( sorry if this was covered..but I can't recall)

 I know it's more about the photographer than the camera but sometimes it helps!

[CruiseSWE]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

great video!

Amazing! 🙌🏻🛳️

[TwinMamainMN]

Thanks for all the tips. I'm taking notes. The tour from Brindisi seems exactly our style. How long was it total from pick up to drop off, and how much time did you have in each town? I really do not want to spend all day looking out a car/van window with only very limited time wandering or actually touring.

[Lost in Italy]

9 hours ago, surfnsun said:

Tendering back from Kotor...question...are the videos coming through ok?  Not sure they are working...

LOVE this (your entire play by play) so much. We have been on a very similar cruise several years ago (and have one scheduled next year). This will be so helpful in holding me over until then! 🥰

[Nixieh]

What an amazing live thread. We are doing same itinerary in August so following with great interest. Your pictures are stunning and your reviews are hilarious. Just wondering if you have seem the lemon San Pellegrino soda on board (see picture below). I don’t enjoy alcohol or coke products so always on the lookout for what choices of soda or virgin cocktails are on board. Hopefully I can get Virgin strawberry daiquiris somewhere on the ship 🤣

Thanks again

[surfnsun]

10 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

Oh my goodness, YES.  My husband and I both got terrible motion sickness with all the switchbacks going up to Mount Etna.  Ever since that experience I have been careful to ask what the drive is like.  The Amalfi Coast is notorious too.

Exactly!  We did the trip to both Amalfi and Mt. Etna and we're thankful for the patches. 

[surfnsun]

10 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

Hmm, "as long as the bag closes?"  On NCL we stuff it tight and then put duct tape across the top to "close" it.  Is this not acceptable?

Absolutely acceptable!  Whatever works!  I think they might even bring more bags if necessary.

[surfnsun]

10 hours ago, hcat said:

loved the professional quality of yoyr photos.. thanks for sharing your stroll!  Of course the kitty stole my heart!

 

and I am ordering the porto fan asap!

Thank you!  You will want to look at the photo of the fan and note the type of plug and purchase an adapter that has that type.  Or maybe you already have one.  We already had two adapters that accommodate. 

[surfnsun]

9 hours ago, hcat said:

wlWhat camera do you use?  ( sorry if this was covered..but I can't recall)

 I know it's more about the photographer than the camera but sometimes it helps!

My cell phone is a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.  It is a larger phone but I told the sales rep I wanted the best camera.  It does do most of the work.  I notice quite a few folks always take photos with their phones straight up and down.  Some shots are better with the phone turned sideways.  Also, don't snap too quickly.   And tapping on the screen might help with focus and even lighten the shot.  The only editing I do is cropping, when necessary.  Finally, you don't have to strain your neck for a nice shot of beautiful ceiling.  Turn the camera on selfie shot mode, hold the phone out in front of you and face it up at the ceiling and snap.  You can also simply place it on the floor and wave your hand over it for the snap if your camera has that capability.