Best Buy/Favorite purchase in Ports

[Cruiser Forever]

In Florence I bought a leather wallet. In Sorrento I bought a cameo and in Greece I bought a gold choker and the blue eye from Turkey. Plus a few oil paintings both large enough to hang on my wall and small enough to display on a stand. On YES perfume from the factory in the South of France.:)

 

 

[auntdot]

My husband is getting nrevous as he sees me reading here and making notes!!! Thanks for the great suggestions in all price ranges!

 

Dot

[CathyCruises]

I almost didn't read this thread as I am not a shopper and hate feeling like I have to spend my precious vacation time buying gifts for people back home! (I know I sound like Scrooge!) But it reminded me that on a trip to Mykonos probably 12 years ago, I bought a gorgeous gold Greek key choker--it was bundles of money but beautiful. Now we are going back to Mykonos and I am anxious to see how much it costs now--with the price of gold going up up up! I have it in the original very elegant leather "folder" with snaps to keep it in place--and I hardly ever wear it as I live in the complete boonies now and it would be so out of place! Maybe I should see if they'll buy it back from me and I can pay for my cruise!! LOL! But I will def. bring along--thanks for the suggestion! Also after reading this thread I want to buy some Murano glass earrings and/or necklace while in Venice--maybe for X-mas gifts for the DIL's.

 

;) Cathy

[EV2008]

We will be going there in October. Were the cameos very expensive?

I found a Cameo Ring at a shop outside Pompeii, it was around 200.00Euro. I love it, every day I look at my hand and get reminded of the great time I had.

[summer66]

There's a nervous husband here on Marco Island, as well, as I'm making my list for next week's cruise on Celebrity Galaxy.

My all time favorite souvenirs/gifts are the traditional Italian stationery papers. Sometimes I splurge in the darling paper stores (in Venice and Florence) but I love the little cheapy packets you can buy from street vendors almost as much.

In Istanbul, I bought some little curvy, traditional clear tea glasses with saucers. They come packed in their own boxes at all the Bazaars - the small Arasta Bazaar behind the Blue Mosque is our favorite. It was a huge hit with my hugely fussy son and daughter-in-law; they liked them better than the very expensive Riedel glasses we took them from Austria.

Bookmarks that look like Turkish rugs are a fun, light and inexpensive gift from Istanbul too. I also like Venetian bookmarks - you can find darling watercolor print ones in specialty paper shops.

[sjb95u]

You guys are great! I've never been on a cruise, or to the Med. but I'm happily going in Nov on Summit (With above Cathy Cruises, actually). I'm adding all these ideas to our "Top10" souvenirs at each port information on our website and appreciate you guys giving us new ideas every day!

 

Susan~

http://www.freewebs.com/summitnov1/

[tally10]

You guys are great! I've never been on a cruise, or to the Med. but I'm happily going in Nov on Summit (With above Cathy Cruises, actually). I'm adding all these ideas to our "Top10" souvenirs at each port information on our website and appreciate you guys giving us new ideas every day!

 

Susan~

http://www.freewebs.com/summitnov1/

 

Loved your website and how you made a book about it! We are on the Carnival Freedom Oct.25th cruise so we will run into you on this trip. I found your info very useful and you did a great job!!! Our C.C. thread is very small. No private tour interest, either. We have always enjoyed a big group and private tours and many new friends. Hopefully, we will have a great cruise despite this.

[deewilly]

I bought a few cashmere scarves in Florence, my husband bought a few at the grand bazaar in Istanbul. The ones I got were better quality and had a tag that said "Made in Florence Italy". The ones my husband got just said "Pashmina" and by the time we got them home they had a few snags because of poor quality. I think we paid about 4E at both places, but the Florence ones are 100% nicer.

[CathyCruises]

You guys are great! I've never been on a cruise, or to the Med. but I'm happily going in Nov on Summit (With above Cathy Cruises, actually). I'm adding all these ideas to our "Top10" souvenirs at each port information on our website and appreciate you guys giving us new ideas every day!

 

Susan~

http://www.freewebs.com/summitnov1/

 

Susan, I didn't realize this was your FIRST cruise!! Man, are you gonna love it! And you're starting pretty darn high up the ladder--it'll be hard to go back to a 7 day in the Caribbean after this!

 

SYS Cathy

[Steph27]

In 2002 I purchased handpainted fabric in Venice. It was $500 USD and hangs on my home office wall.

 

Barcelona has great clothes at many boutiques in the Born area at very reasonable prices.

 

The Xmas market in Aix has some fun items. In 2007 I purchased ornaments made of fabric that smell like lavendar.

 

The most unsual item we took home with us was a chandelier we purchased in Buenos Aires that the shop owner said he would disasemble. We showed up with only 2 hours left to board the ship and it was wrapped but in one piece. We had to get the item cleared in customs so they knew it was not stolen and then the head waiter from the Oceania Insignia took the shuttle bus to ship with us and carried it on board. We had a lot of sea days from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso so my mother borrowed a screwdriver and took it apart herself! It is now hanging in her dining room.

[CorgiGuy]

You guys are great! I've never been on a cruise, or to the Med. but I'm happily going in Nov on Summit (With above Cathy Cruises, actually). I'm adding all these ideas to our "Top10" souvenirs at each port information on our website and appreciate you guys giving us new ideas every day!

 

Susan~

http://www.freewebs.com/summitnov1/

 

Hi Susan (And Cathy Cruises),

 

Since I won't be departing for our cruise until the 21st, I can't help with any best buys/favorite purchases. However, since it is your first cruise & you are on the Summit, you might find this info helpful. This info pertaining to The Summit was posted in 2006 by Jujubee Cruisn'. We found it helpful during our 2006 Alaska cruise on the Summit.

************************************************** **************************

Okay, so it took me awhile, but I went through all 45 pages of the "Secrets of Celebrity" thread.

Here's some of the stuff I found (I put my comments in blue):

 

GENERAL

1 -You can get over-the-counter seasickness meds at customer service or the purser's desk. Free, dispensed a couple of tablets at a time. No need to buy them in the gift shop.

 

2-Also, if you see that they are doing a Internet class, you an get free internet for 30 minutes (you just have to sit though the class).

 

3-Yes, there is an area up front above deck 11 for topless sunbathing. It is clearly marked with no photography rule. Hmmm...

 

4- Re: gizmos, there are some threads you could find, but probably the best point is that there is only one US - style outlet in most of the cabins, so you'll either have to switch things around to charge your camera/phone/iPod/computer, etc., or bring a power strip or at least a "Christmas tree" plug to have enough outlets. Also, there's no clock in the cabins, other than suites, so a lighted alarm clock is a good idea if you want to know what time it is when you wake up in the night. A night light helps to find the way to the bathroom.

 

No "secret", but a tip, especially for those with inside cabins. If you leave the TV set to the channel for the bridge cam, you'll find that it displays the time in white. Typically, it's pitch black out there all night, and all you'll see on the screen is the time (and temperature? can't recall) You can set the brightness on tube as you like.

 

5- Tons of stuff on the infinity - pictures, menus, deckplans, etc.

http://cruiseclues.com/shipstips/infinity.htm

 

6-I do have some recommendations from this trip for you--if you want a lovely and romantic lunch by the sea to Oscar's in PV. It's in town, down by the river: address is Isla Rio Cuale Local No. 1. You walk through town, and when you reach the bridge to cross the river, go down the steps to the restaurant below. There are two restaurants--one on either side of the bridge but down at the river level. The other one didn't interest us as much as the menu at Oscars and we were quite pleased with our choice. The margaritas are amazing! The food was great! The guitar player was good. The location was spectacular--right at the beach, next to the river (which was a rather sleepy, slow moving body of water when we were there), and the restaurant was beautiful. Prices weren't bad either. At least it's local color and not some chain food that you'll regret later.

 

7 - you get double Captains Club credits for booking a CC class room.

Classic Level Benefits*

One-Category Upgrade

Complimentary Custom Air Requests

Presailing Specialty Restaurant Reservations

Priority Embarkation (where available) - Founder Classic Members Only

Exclusive Captain's Club Party

Benefits for Classic Members, including welcome amenity, gift with purchase at the Steiner's AquaSpa® by Elemis and certificates for the Celebrity casino

Preferential Debarkation (where available) - Founder Classic Members Only

Reunion Cruises

Online Newsletter

Double sailing credit on itineraries of 12 nights or more (maximum of three sailing credits per sailing)

Double sailing credit for booking a Concierge Class stateroom or Suite (maximum of three sailing credits per sailing)

8- If you own 100 shares of RCL (Royal Caribbean Stock) by the time you cruise, you can get a $200 shipboard credit for a 10 day cruise. You do not need to hold it a minimum amount of time. I actually ended up doing this, so if you are interested, I can give you more info.

FOOD RELATED

1- You can also ask for your fruit options in the suite. There's the regular fruit bowl, and a tropical fruit bowl. We didn't find out about this either until after the 5th day....our regular fruit bowl had sat uneated for 4 days with mold on it! The head housekeeper gave us a list of fruit available, and from that point on, our fruit bowl was made fresh daily with our choices.

 

2-You can order fresh berries - raspberries, blueberries, strawberries -- with whipped cream every night for desert.

 

3-They also serve NY Strip Steak any night or every night. Another big hit is getting shrimp cocktail every night if you ask for it in advance.

4- On M-class ships, the Aqua Spa Cafe offers grilled to order high quality salmon filets every day at lunch. It's so good I could eat it every day

 

5 - In the cova you pay for coffees, hot chocolate, etc, but the pastries and cookies are free! (from the threads, I hear the almond and chocolate croissants are super yummy there.)

6-I've paid 3 prices for Martini tastings: $5. $7.95 and $10. You get 5 tastings.

 

7-Go to cruiseclues.com. They have pictures of all the menus including Cova Cafe.

 

8-You can get SASHIMI!!! Whoopie!! On our first cruise with Celeb. we discovered the sushi bar. It was a small assortment of sushi and rolls set up buffet style. The sushi chef noticed I picked all the fish off of my rice so he asked if I would like a sashimi platter. Of course I did so he specially made one fresh for me.

 

It was huge portions of tuna and salmon. Yumm..easily $75. at the neighborhood sushi bar. So fantatastic. Of course he was well tipped.

 

9 -In the very back of the ship, there is also another place you can get sandwiches and some theme/ethnic foods, like Indian & Mexican. In the AM, that's where they make the waffles!!!!!!!! YUM! Lots of people were raving about the belgium waffles.

 

 

The waffle and sandwiches are in the rear of the buffet restaurant.

 

 

10 - Here is an interesting thread on Celebrity Menus: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=4762127&highlight=menus#post47621 27

Post #7 on the thread indicates that there are only 14 dinner menu's for all of Celebrity, and that it is up to the ship's staff to pick from them for a given itinerary. There are also some links to another site with some Celebrity menu's. I believe it was to here: http://cruiseclues.com/menus.htm

Menus from the main dining room of the Infinity - has 6 dining room menus plus the SS United States Menu! Everything looks delicious!

http://www.thepreismans.com/Infinity%20menus.htm

 

SPA STUFF

1 - a daily pass ($20) to the Persian Gardens if you want to try it out before spending $100 for the entire cruise

 

We haven't cruised in the past year, but on our last cruise the charges were $15 per day or three days for $45 or a week for $99. The Rasul was very reasonable, I believe it was $75 for the two of us.

 

2. Do Spa services have the gratuity built in?

They have an automatic 15% added in. If you want, you can add more.

 

 

3. The Rasul treatment is an extra charge that includes use of the Persian Gardens after your treatment. It is a fun couple thing. We have done it a few times.

 

4 - Embark early and head for the spa. Volunteer to be a spa model for the tours that are offered the first day. Our last 3 cruises, my husband has had a free hair treatment (frangipani massage or something of the sort) and 2 different massages). You have to be willing to be 'on display' (that is the reason I have never done it), but if you don't mind that it is a great way to start the cruise. (More than one person has mentioned this) Many folks do this, as it is nice to get free messages, etc. But you have to be early (by noon I would say to get them).

 

5 -Speaking of the spa, on our last cruise (Mercury 10-day Mexican Riviera), all spa services were 1/2 price on the last day. It was a nice way to relax after the stress of packing to leave (WAHHH!!)

 

6- Re the T-pools. This is kind of confusing because the answer depends on the class of the ship. On the C class ships (Mercury and Century), the T-pool is a smallish therapy pool inside the spa. Very strong jets, strong massage, etc. There is a charge for use of the pool unless you are in a suite.

 

On the M class ships (Infinity, Millie, Connie and Summit), the T-pool is outside the spa in large covered pool area. It is the size of a swimming pool and the massage action is not as strong. There is no charge for the use of this pool. Hope it helps.

 

 

SS UNITED STATES

1- I hestitate to let others in on this one. The specialty restaurants on the M class ships are truly a fine dining experience. When you go for the third time they offer to make you a special meal. The Maitre d' prepares the whole dish at your table -- it's like having a personal chef!! Book early, though because they fill up.

 

2 -Class ships have a specialty restaurant you can reserve for an extra fee. No children (12 and under) allowed. Enforced.

Last edited by Jujubee Cruisin' : April 12th, 2006 at 01:27 PM.

 

I can confirm several thing from personal experience:

 

1) The chocolate croissants @ the Cova Cafe are wonderful. Especially early in the morning while they are still warm from the oven.

 

2) We ate @ the Normandie Specialty Restaurant, highly recommend it. We had their tasting menu which was paired with wines for each course. It was a dining experience!!! The harpist was an added bonus. I believe it cost us $60 extra, but is was WELL worth it.

 

3) Lunch at the Aqua Spa Grill is high quality in a very quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

 

Have a wonderful time.

 

To all others, sorry to have deviated from the original topic.:eek:

 

Anthony

[franu]

I believe that most cameos come from Torre del Greco, a little town which is part of greater Naples. When I was there the first time in 1975 I was able to go into the workshops and watch the workmen carving the cameos. I was fascinated but I believe that they don't show it any more.

 

In 1979 I went to another showroom where the owner must have believed that I was richer than I was and he took my mother and myself into a room that was like a museum. There were vases with cameos etched into them, lighting fixtures with cameo centres etc. I can not remember where it was except that it was just off the highway , one on each side of the road.

Fran

[sjb95u]

Anthony,

 

Thanks for the Summit info, I'll be sure to get it on the website straightaway!!!

 

Great new ideas, everyone! This is a great thread!

 

Yep, Cathy....first cruise! Nothin' wrong with starting at the top, huh? Plan was to tour around Italy (land tour) but TA pointed out that cruise would be so much cheaper...and then I started getting really excited. Hopefully I won't be disappointed :p

 

Susan~

http://www.freewebs.com/summitnov1/

[CathyCruises]

You will NOT be disappointed--and think of all the friends you've already made that you would never have met on a land trip! We just did a Med cruise last year and planned to do a land tour this year as we are interested in buying a home in France, but this cruise is so amazingly priced and has such an interesting itinerary that it was kind of a no-brainer. And, wink wink, if I can sell my necklace back in Mykonos I will be way ahead! Already have it put aside with the passports so I don't forget it! Haven't worn it in years and it reminds me of my ex-husband--good reason to get rid of it!!

 

:rolleyes: Cathy

[joan24]

I buy book marks wherever I go. I read a lot and a love having them in my books as reminders of my trips. I did buy, over budget but very worth it, an atypical Murano chandelier for my kitchen. Not the ornateness of many but just a "happy" piece of different shapes and colors. Of course, when I returned the following year, I bought a totally different Murano chandelier near San Marco for my dining room.. I love both my chandeliers and am so glad that I bought them. I have never seen one like either one of them at home even in stores that specialize in Venetian work. If it comes down to buying something for a little more than you planned and you absolutely love it, I'd say go for it. It won't be there on your next trip. My husband just loves my philosophy LOL. Have a wonderful cruise and don't forget there are little gems at street vendors. I got an umbrella with a scene of Florence. Everytime I open it , I see the Duomo and lots of other landmarks. I love to shop, but won't buy things anymore that I can find at home. I won't even start with the eyeglasses I bought in Venice. Ouch!! So have fun and don't make shopping a chore. I've spent too many days of many trips trying to find just the right thing to bring home for friends and family. Now, If I see something I like and I think of a person who'd love it, I get it and don't worry if everyone on the list gets something. I won't show my list to anyone. Have wonderful cruises everyone.

Joan

[Mexfolkart]

Barcelona..Saturday mornings at the Placa del Pi they have an art show..with very good art. 2 years ago we bought a lovely oil and this past May went back and there she was again and bought another..constant reminders of wonderful days in Barcelona!

Athens- gold jewelry and embroidery and hand hooked rugs at the Craft Emporium where the local women all sell their work.

Florence - gold jewelry

Istanbul - Pashmina shawls at the Grand Bazaar..I WISH I had bought a small mirror with an elaborately carved back in a silvery metal $30Eu..

Provence - anything lavendar and wonderful provincial fabrics

I also buy silk scarves all over..easy to pack..I go to Department Stores for a great selection

Kusadasi -little rugs ($$$)

Rhodes - lovely table linens

 

Wow..what fun! Sherry

[sjb95u]

Thanks, Joan and Sherry

 

Great additions, I'll work on getting these on our cruise website

straightaway!

 

Joan, any particular bookmarks that you consider "special" from the Med. ports?

 

Sherry- mirror idea is great! What sizes are the "little" rugs, and about how much do they cost?

 

Susan~

http://www.freewebs.com/summitnov1/

[joan24]

Susan, I love the marbled paper bookmarks in Florence and the Murano glass ones in Venice.

We haven't been to Rome on a Sunday in a while. Does anyone know if any stores are open on Sun.

Joan

[FunLovinCruiser]

Anthony,

 

Thanks for the Summit info, I'll be sure to get it on the website straightaway!!!

 

Great new ideas, everyone! This is a great thread!

 

Yep, Cathy....first cruise! Nothin' wrong with starting at the top, huh? Plan was to tour around Italy (land tour) but TA pointed out that cruise would be so much cheaper...and then I started getting really excited. Hopefully I won't be disappointed :p

 

Susan~

http://www.freewebs.com/summitnov1/

 

I just had to say that you've assembled a fantastic website that may benefit many travelers beyond your cruise! I've bookmarked it. Have a fantastic time! :D

[Sunshinecrew]

We stopped at a honey shop, Oro D'Etna, in Sicly on the way to Mt Etna and bought some fantastic honey and honey/pistachio bars as well as a honey candy that looks like small lemon drops (one is a cough drop not candy so be careful as they look alike).

 

Murano glass pendants and earrings on the island of Murano at Venice. There is a wonderful children's guide book of Venice in English that we found in the Marco Polo Airport named VivaVenice.

 

Greek glass in Katakolon, though one serving piece unfortunately broke in our luggage coming home though wrapped in bubble wrap and packed in the center of clothing.

 

Olive oil soap also in Katakolon. As well as a sweet hanging nymph wearing a flowing gauzy gown and adorned with flowers for our granddaughter.

 

Charms in the village of Cavtat near Dubrovonik.

 

I wish I'd had time to learn more about the leather in Italy and Spain though I'm not sure that anything was a bargain with the weakness of the American dollar.

 

And of course, t-shirts!

[CathyCruises]

How were the prices in Murano? Did they seem somewhat reasonable to you? I collect strawberries and I have seen some before but never had a chance to visit the island until now. I love art glass but everything seemed ridiculously expensive when I was in Europe last year and we bought almost nothing. . .:( Cathy

[markgan]

Corfu: my wife looved it for the copper pans

 

Rome: beautiful mosaic purchased in the Vatican store representing St.Peter's Basilica and had it blessed. It cost us a few euros but it is a lovely souvenir of our last visit to Rome just a couple of weeks ago.

[peck]

We always buy a Christmas tree decoration and over the years have amassed a few, and when we decorate the tree it brings back happy memories and each year we have a lovely reminder.

[Sunshinecrew]

How were the prices in Murano? Did they seem somewhat reasonable to you? I collect strawberries and I have seen some before but never had a chance to visit the island until now. I love art glass but everything seemed ridiculously expensive when I was in Europe last year and we bought almost nothing. . .:( Cathy

 

 

Truthfully, nothing seems "reasonable" to me with the weakness of the dollar to the Euro right now. I did think the selection and prices better on Murano than in Venice though.

[cpl100]

I know this is an old thread but it came up on a search I did for one of the cities. What a lovely post!