Since this week once again nothing happened, I have just some of the pictures I took with my phone if I had the digital camera present, transferred to my PC. Therefore, there's now a half-dozen interresting, silly, beautiful images. Go!
It starts with a temple with a funny translation of the name into English, we've seen on a public city map in Shinjuku:
I never investigated further what this is about and think it is better if this remains a mystery to me. The name you can imagine all sorts of creepy things.
We continue with an impression of Halloween. Like we do expect in Japan, many characters from anime and Videspielen way and there may be two mascots of the Japanese video game giant Nintendo not be missing:
were otherwise very many Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z characters on the streets.
In Japan it is very important to bring souvenirs, if you are somewhere. This goes so far that the use particle accelerator SPring-8 synchrotron radiation which members of my Working Group on the examination of crystals, various gift offers. In the photo you see kashi , a filled pastry, in special packaging and even branding the synchrotron facility! There
Alternatively, it also towels, mugs and more.
then further translate one of several examples of "engrish", the attempt of Japanese sentences into English:
Interestingly, the Japanese word about it only the phonetic transfer of an English word that clearly would have shown more sense than the accompanying text, namely: drink bar.
Finally two nice photos The first is a building in Ginza, the most expensive district of Tokyo. The second is a spider sculpture right at the Mori Tower in Roppongi, the second most expensive part of town. Patrick from Great Britain, always speaking fondly of the "Doom Spider".
Yes, yes! For all who have wondered whether it is still me at all. My original transmission break over the Christmas and New Year, has involuntarily extended. Unfortunately the day I return to Jakarta has given up his mind my laptop and my internet works since early January, no more. Nevertheless, I try today the last six weeks and work up to you to tell all the news.
On 21 December is my family (@ Melissa: there is a long time Clara mitinbegriffen J ) landed in Jakarta. I had yet to 23 work during the day and so they have the many tourist attractions (meant ironically) examined. On 24 we have then taken to Yogyakarta. From there we have our 10 day tour started Java-Bali. In order to give you an impression about Indonesia, I just let the pictures tell of our trip.
overview map of our trip to Java overview map of our trip to Bali
Monas - National Monument in Jakarta
Istiqlal - 4th largest mosque in the world including the minaret tower
part of the Sultan's Palace in Yogja
lack of enlightenment in the 5 figures not much ...... would on a guuuuuten way I say again:) at the largest Buddhist shrine the world, the Borobudur Temple
Hindu Prambanan Temple
still ... Land Transport
our open-air shower in the hotel
Tempelaffe Hindu
Mount Bromo
rice terraces behind palm trees
Wasserbueffel the cultivation of rice
Mount Ijen ... awesome .....
the search Man in the tea-box!
Our guide explains us the tea harvest
view from the temple into the open
Hindu fruit-woman brings offerings to the temple
traditional dance of Bali
the so-called Hindu mother temple in Bali
gabs and finally a few days on the beach
morning, on January 30th is my last day at work after 4 months at the Hanns-Seidel Foundation, I pack the suitcase and moving on. retrospection, I must say that I have, after some initial difficulties but settled in well in Indonesia. Although some work has not been fun, I have tried my very personal experience take from it. You never know what you need it can later again ... Tonight there will also together with all my friends a big farewell dinner / Barabe. Although the interns Jakarta city a permanent coming and going means I have found many international and Indonesian friends. Was a hammer time with you guys! Banyak, Termia Kasih!
enough back and looked better and eyes looking forward. Saturday's is for me to Sulawesi, another island north of Java. There I will explore armed with trunks, backpacks and hiking boots culture and people. Beautiful beaches, fascinating landscapes expect me to ... ... ... .. I'm curious.
More like this next time then probably already from Down Under. Indonesia was a good time (I'm also still completely here on the 2 weeks), but my ship has lifted the anchor and is ready to leave the port once again to put to sea. In this sense, sailor Heil!
As the semester for me was already finished, most of the other residents of the dormitory still exams or assignments were to the right I started the holiday with a large portion of non-action. I slept late, read, play guitar and computer and spent in the lobby with the other evening.
I have also tried to incorporate me into a bilingual book that I bought recently, are included in the contemporary Japanese short stories, including translations, explanations and dictionary. That's still pretty hard, because the word order in Japanese to me still more like a cryptic language, in which the objects are nested rather than a flowing strange language. So I have a few minutes pondering over each sentence, until I found out what subject, object and verb, and which part of the sentence refers to which other. Nevertheless, it is very motivating, that I part of a "real" contemporary text can already decipher.
Once again on Friday we were at karaoke, we have the cake on Saturday All-You-Can-Eat. Yes, you read correctly. For slightly less than 12 € you can cram 90 minutes with all kinds of cakes, tarts, cream, popcorn, chocolate from the chocolate fountain, soft ice cream, but also various spaghetti dishes, salad and curried rice. The savory dishes are a very good addition, since one, as everyone knows, for sweets always want to get salty, but salty to sweet again. Sweets in Paradise in Shibuya is one of a half Hours in this delicious vicious circle. After that we could indeed hardly walk but it was worth it!
For English version please scroll down - after following the videos.
It was certainly one of the best cruises that we have made.
Accordingly, I join others in:
beautiful ship
great route
- very good distribution of the days at sea and a good ratio of days at sea to land crossings - especially perfect location of the 11 nights from Monday to Friday of next week, what makes a great arrival and departure.
correction is the CELEBRITY EQUINOX so high up in Douglas Ward: Along with CELEBRITY SOLSTICE immediately after the Queen Grill classes of QUEEN MARY 2 and QUEEN VICTORIA.
For me, the conversation is always important and one can only say: a great performance. really fun.
Above all: the feeling with our problems, which has indeed caused no celebrity, but Lufthansa, has not abandoned his: The most beautiful sentence was: "You now leave - we take care of it: Make your shore! ". I've always learned and logistics, are not always 100% to rely on others and always keep an eye himself to throw it. Cristina and Ljubi However this phrase with such a belief brought over that I could relax in the situation by 99.9% and only 80%. A little uneasiness remains: why the 0.1%, with which you deal with Plan B: what if your luggage does not succeed to the Cayman Islands. Also thanks again to Hector and Jose: Our cabin steward, who had to walk as many extra miles, because we borrow so we all had. But most of all for the kindness of the 1st Minute to the last minute and that our car was in mint condition.
was top standard food to the Zuzahlrestaurants. At kajomare: let us take time in Dusseldorf and then you can tell me if I was able to increase your experience in Silk Harvest yet. Overall, great food and top-notch service in all four Zuzahlrestaurants. And the level of patient reflects the service and food quality it again. From Tuscan Grille now I have read somewhere, where a California winery meets a Tuscan Steak House - or something like that. Perhaps that is why I am now with the term Tuscan Grille could start not so much, even though our food and service was also very good here. Too bad that even they have thanked later than one of the four Zuzahlrestaurants for the visit. It was a beautiful gesture. Murano was of course top the visit and we pack up our wonderful memories in the Todd English (QUEEN MARY 2 QUEEN VICTORIA), Pinnacle Grill (EURODAM) and L'Etoile (MSC FANTASIA). I like to paiagirl (Frances of cruisecritic.com), listen to NCL may indeed rise with the Le Bistro again: The prices have been increased and the level of food and service too. Let's wait on NORWEGIAN JADE.
Nevertheless, there are a few points that I've seen, and the partially disturbed me.
first Cabin
The bathroom lacks the clothesline. If there is already no laundry with dryer, I find it useful times when you can hang things properly after a shower or pool visit to dry.
was also a hand shower for all the nice and not just for suits and aqua-class score: a standard on many ships, which is available to all. Not everyone likes to perm maybe the shower cap and wash your hair every day ...
And if there is no laundry, you should at least make an inexpensive laundry bag offer. We thankfully had coupons. Incidentally, the prices on the celebrity website were not up to date. In the age limit in the more and more airlines the free baggage allowance, it would be very accommodating, so you can travel with less baggage.
Unfortunately we have expanded all the drawers in the closet and we found the storage space sized just plenty. It is probably the criticism of the guests CELEBRITY SOLSTICE followed, but the other extreme. A compromise for CELEBRITY SILHOUETTE: drawers from floor to height, in the still-jackets, shirts, etc. can be hung up without disturbing the drawers. A luggage mat would not be bad.
a refrigerator that does not heat the upper drawers.
A coffee machine or water heater: up - put tea water - a shower and enjoy a cup of tea the sunrise on the balcony ... (And on the Opportunity to cook the eggs in the kettle at the end ...).
a board television channel in turn so that you can hear the announcements in the cabins and of course improve the menus and content, improve, improve ...
second German-language service
Why have German-speaking guests do not know that tender tickets will be issued at 07.30 clock, but only in English?
Why should German-speaking guests do not know what's behind the show in the evening?
Why is there no information in extreme situations for non-English speaking guests? The information with the Norovirus It was only in English. A sheet with all the important information would provide greater understanding of certain measures and more responsible behavior. On returning to Cozumel we went too that was announced in several languages.
Would not the "city" and shopping plans for German guests were just as important? They were unfortunately only in English editions.
And even then, why were not always given the contacts to the local agent, so you could in an emergency contact: For Colon, Puerto Limon fact they are missing. That's actually almost the most important information on the daily program - or?
third Entertainment
most cases we are making the excursions themselves So far we have only the excursions from Carnival, Celebrity, P & O and MSC used. But here I felt really let down:
a) false information by telephone (towels)
b) non-sustainable information on the day of the trip (sea-sickness during the trip)
c) lack of presence at prominent points (correct Organizer information on tickets and clear assignment to Celebrity)
4th Service at the Silhouette Restaurant
fact that it was we were unlucky enough to catch someone on the first day, has found in other travel accounts mentioned and, therefore, a reference stock was bad luck. Overall, it was
but as we've played well in the questionnaire: we've all service levels 1 to 6
Although I wonder what this is really a story that it was Celebrity's Policy ... for there must have some truth in his turn, for indeed in other travel accounts reported the cutlery phenomenon
That can actually not be that you have on the almost-best large ship to keep the silverware for the next gear and it not exchanged on request is, but you get the answer, that the policy was that it retains.
There are certain procedures that even low-rated ships standard are: cutlery is laid bare before the next course and in a meal break, if it has been cleared and before the next course is served. And before the main course is a caesura, and is thus not served that one still has the salad, another the main course and one is busy with the dessert. As extreme as it is not, fortunately this time happened, but you should take care that is removed before the main course until all are finished.
What REFA man has actually advise celebrity, that one should serve only once all the salads at all tables of a district, so you must then run around with the dressing only once?
flavor was all right, except for the soups - but that did not matter whether in the cabin, in the main restaurant or in Zuzahlrestaurant: seasoning that had to be accessible. Since it was actually ok, if offered directly after the application of salt and pepper (in the phase when the rampant norovirus). That could be accepted blindly. But with all the others I would like to try to get the chance a bite before I offered salt and pepper.
butter and other Brotauftriche, who are actually rancid or dried, should be replaced perhaps.
So many people like to work there, there are so many styles practiced:
The sommelier:
one goes from one table to another and record all the orders and get their wines rather quickly for dinner.
Another question at a table is to bring the wine, and then to the next table, etc., etc. The final table gets his wine with the dessert.
If something actually on any Maître, restaurant manager, F & B Manager or Hotel Manager?
The waiters:
There are usually three to four varieties of bread: A waiter
his bread basket sorted as and when a second guest at the table requires the same type of bread, he can use immediately.
Another waiter comes with a small basket of bread, as it is placed at the table. When we ask for another rye malt bread, he must go back to the service station to get back and another one from another basket.
We have already partly pre-booked our table moved forward by 30 minutes, but then time to come to the show. But that was always very question, which was one waiter, and if one does not eat free 30 minutes gone before, because the waiter served very efficiently.
Can not set a uniform charge of Celebrity Style, which is possibly the company's claim? Some have served us when we are on expect a Hapag-Lloyd, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, and would SILVERSEA other as if we were in LOUIS (awareness time only selected companies that we do not know her, and perhaps from the assessment would expect).
5th Crew 1 and last day
First we have on the ship did not felt comfortable because the warmth and friendliness was missing, we actually from the 1st Minute of NCL her know.
On 1 Day we were greeted by an estimated 40% of the crew as the first, 30% of the crew returned the greeting when we have greeted the first and 30% greeted us did not return.
On 2 Day, the better odds: 60%, 20%, 20% from 3
Day it ran until the penultimate day: 90%, 5%, 5%
The last day but ran back to the first Day from ...
6th Blu
I would very much like eating in the Blu to see the difference. Also as a guest of a Aqua-class score could not. It was not about begging for money, but that one looks even know if the price difference is justified. Time the wish or the Queens Grill Princess Grill restaurant we had never, since the price differences are simply too high. Zwichen Aqua-Class Concierge Class and the differences are not quite as high.
us at had we been in the best case is 200 EUR per person difference
we arithmetic a little bit: Over the four days at sea
we would have done it, maybe come to time in the Persian Garden 8 x 20 USD = 160 USD Half the water package we had not needed: 11 x 7 USD = 77 USD a can of iced tea Every day, if he were as good as the Café al Bacio: 11 x 6 USD = 66 USD = 303 USD for 11 days ... 200 EUR x 2 = 400 EUR = about 550 USD ...
The shower heads to the side for me is not a personal benefit ...
So it would interest me if there really justify the quality and service in the Blu possibly additional costs or or not. Roughly 250 USD, let's say we were ready for a better food and better service to approximately 15 USD charge on the day ... We will not know now.
But we have missed the opportunity. I see no real added value for the money ... more So let's Aqua-Class will not book first of all ...
our impressions after the 2008 CENTURY then yes, it was the probation for Celebrity. And that was good. And I can understand many fans of celebrity, who preach the mantra Celebrity. It is a good company, but ultimately counts the price-performance ratio, total and other fish in the beautiful children we want to visit again.
When and if we go back Celebrity, is the first time from editing my "complaints" from: I WANT MY LEATHER CASE HAVE ME AS THE CONCIERGE CLASS GUEST ENTITLED . It is assumed that on board. Thus Bruno only one that he puts out, however. I would like to have the case, and no more running around with the lanyards and be thought a crew member.
see why me, what's reaction. The last reaction of RCI saudämlich Miami was so that I gave away my deposit for the INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS and not'm in a hurry to get back RCI.
There are always based on price / performance ratio and our budget (both time and money). Well so far I found that NCL had a very good value for money, but unfortunately I hear from paiagirl (Frances from cruisecritic.com) the latest developments. We will also continue to try to book there, where it is for us the most favorable. If we are limited, then remain level containing only the left that we can afford. We will not pay unnecessarily, just to get on board the same services.
pity that at that time the British and English with the entry for the CELEBRITY ECLIPSE have been preferred, otherwise we would possibly down again this year with Celebrity. So we continue now NORWEGIAN EPIC.
But maybe it works anyway even with the CELEBRITY ECLIPSE:
Until 15/02/2010, it is indeed a competition. For us, it would be a reunion with Ljubi, Jose, etc., we got to know on CELEBRITY EQUINOX and go to the ECLIPSE CELEBRITY. I'm not a big fan of gambling ... Finally, I've been twelve years my main income: Bruno ... Since then I have bad luck in the game ... But the chance to reunite with great crew members from the CELEBRITY CELEBRITY EQUINOX on the Eclipse, I would like to exercise very much.
Therefore, it was a great Cruise, which we hope will long remember well. And so the memories remain fresh, even a few videos ...
have Thus NORWEGIAN JEWEL and CELEBRITY EQUINOX in Coxen Hole (Roatan, Honduras) from each adopted.
That's how NORWEGIAN JEWEL and CELEBRITY EQUINOX bid farewell in Coxen Hole (Roatan, Honduras)
Do you think the sea was rough enough to cancel the visit of Stingray City on Grand Cayman?
Justifying the quality of the lake, that the trip to Stingray City was canceled?
A bit of relaxation for the eyes.
Some relaxation for your eyes.
Crazy Chickens on the ship.
crazy chicken on the ship.
Even if you had no time for the dance class: was beautiful to the eye ...
Even you disliked to participate at the dance lessons: it was nice for the eyes.
In the service of law and order ...
In the service of law and order.
How excited can the attention of monkeys?
How to attract the attention of the monkeys.
There was no reason to rain when you visit a rain forrest. I would have believed you what rain forrest means ...
It there was no need to order rain when visiting the rainforest. I would have believed you, so that it rains.
A bit rough.
A little rough.
But you can experience how "calm" CELEBRITY EQUINOX is sailing.
But you can experience for themselves as "calm" CELEBRITY EQUINOX drives.
Hummer for beginners.
Lobster for beginners.
Once in your lifetime to swim now
Once in a lifetime swim times now ...
The farewell parade in the main restaurant Silhouette
The Farewell Parade in the silhouette-Main Dining Room.
Such a beautiful beach.
Such a beautiful beach.
Only the crab felt disturbed in their rest.
Only this crab felt bothered in its recreation.
Who likes to book a shore excursion to Tulum or other places with ferry connection to Playa del Carmen was should this:
who book a trip to Tulum or elsewhere wants the ferry to Playa del Carmen needs should bear this.
I was maybe of the most beautful cruise we ever made.
So I am following to reviews and ratings of other cruisers:
beautiful ship
great itinerary
- a very good allocation of the days on sea and a good ratio days on sea and days on shore - especially perfect planning of the eleven nights: Monday until Friday of the next week which allowed an easy traveling to and from your cruise.
I think it was fine that Douglas Ward rated CELEBRITY EQUINOX at a very upper rank. Together with CELEBRITY SOLSTICE just after the Queen Grill-Classes of QUEEN MARY 2 and QUEEN VICTORIA.
Entertainment was very important to me and there was only one comment you can give: a great performance. It was fun.
Especially: They did not leave us in the lurch with our problems which were not occured by them but Lufthansa. The nicest phrase I ever heared: "You are on vacation - we take care of everything. You are doing your tour!". I am logistics manager and I always learned not to count 100% on others and have always an eye on. Cristina and Ljubi said the phrase in such a convincing way that I was able to relax for about 99.9% and not just for 80%. Some interior flurry was always left: so 0.1% I was preparing plan B for the worst case that the baggage would not make it on Cayman Island. And again thank you to Hector and José who had to run so many extra miles because we need to borrow everything we did not have and for being friendly from the first to the last minute and for a great and perfect cabinkeeping.
Great was also all food in the speciality restaurants: To kajomare: let us meet in Düsseldorf, Germany and then you can tell me if I can increase your experience in Silk Harvest. In total great food and superb service in all four specialty restaurants. The different amounts for the cover charge reflect the service and quality of the food. I read somewhere on Tuscan Grille: where a California winery meets a Tuscan steakhouse - or something like that. Maybe that was reason why I could not deal so much with the expression Tuscan Grille although food and service were great as well. It was a pity that from all four speciality restaurants only they were thanking you after your visit for your patronage. It was very nice gesture. Murano was top of the four and we put the visit to our memories we have from Todd English (QUEEN MARY 2, QUEEN VICTORIA), Pinnacle Grill (EURODAM) and L´Étoile (MSC FANTASIA). As I heared from paiagirl (Frances from cruisecritic.com) maybe Le Bistro from NCL will also join this ligue. They increased the cover charge and the level of the food and service. Let us see on NORWEGIAN JADE.
But there were few items which I experienced and which bothered me somehow
1. Stateroom
I was missing a clothesline in the bathroom. If you do not have a laundrette incl. dryer on board I like it if you can hang some wet clothes up after a rainshower or visit of the pool to get the clothes dried.
A handshower would have been nice and not just for Suites- and Aqua-Class-guests: a standard you find on many ships which everybody gets. Not everybody with permanent wave might like the shower cap or to wash the hairs every day...
If they do not provide a laudrette they should provide an affordable laundry bag offer. We were lucky and had coupons. By the way all prices on Celebrity's website were not actual anymore. As more and more airlines restrict the number of complimentary checked baggage it would be very cooperating if you need to travel with less baggage.
Unfortunately all drawers were taken away in the closet so stowage space was very limited somehow. They followed the complaints from guests on CELEBRITY SOLSTICE, but to the other extreme. A compromise for CELEBRITY SILHOUETTE: Drawers in the closet from the ground to a height you can hang without problems jackets, shirts etc. without any trouble with the drawers. A baggage mat would have been also very nice.
A refrigerator which would not heat up the upper drawers.
A coffee machine or water boiler: wake-up - boil your water - take a shower and enjoy with a cup of tea the sunrise from your own balcony... (and to finish the boling of your eggs...).
To offer all public announcements on one TV-channel and to improve the menu and contents...
2. Services in German language
Why do not German speaking guests need to know that tender tickets will be released after 07.30 am but just English speaking guests???
Why do not German speaking guests need to know what is behind the tonight's show???
Why are there no information for escalated situations for non-English-speaking guests??? The information on norovirus was only available in English. A sheet with all important information would have made some additional safety measurements more understoodable and made passengers acting with more responsibility. When we had to return to Cozumel it was possible to have multilingual announcements.
Would not the city- and shopping maps be important for the German guests as well??? They were only part of the English edition of the daily programme.
Even you got the English edition: why were not all contacts of the local agents mentioned for the worst case??? I missed them for Colón and Puerto Limón. I always thought that this information should be the most important information of the daily programme - or???
3. Shore Excursions
Normally we arrange our shore excursions by ourselves. So we did only ship's shore excursions so far with Carnival, Celebrity, P&O and MSC. I felt here to be left in the lurch by Celebrity:
a) wrong information at the phone (beach towels)
b) non-sustained information on the day of the shore excursion (extreme motion sickness during the ferry ride)
c) missing presense at junctions (correct information of the subcontractor (local tour operator) and clear information that they are doing the job on behalf of Celebrity)
4. Services in the Silhouette-Restaurant
It was unluck: we had on our very first day a waiter who was mentioned already in other reviews so we had a reference to him.
But in total it was like we put it on the comments form: we experienced service leves from A to F.
Something was strange and I was asking myself what was true on the story with Celebrity's Policy... but you read also in other reviews the same appearances of the silverware phenomene:
It is unbelievable: you are on the nearby-very-best large ship and you need to keep the silverware for the next course and even you asked for an exchange you get an answer that this is company policy and you have to keep it.
There are some procedures which are standard even on lower rated ships: You complete or replace silverware before you get the next course and it is done during a little break while the table will be cleared and before the next course will be served. Before the main course there should always a break that all have their main course and not one is still with his salad and others are already with their desserts. It was not so bad this time but they need to take attention that all have finished the course before the main course and then cleared.
Which time and motion study engineer consulted Celebrity that they should servce all salads in one section before running at one time again from table to table with the dressing?
From the flavour everything was fine but the soups - no matter where: in your stateroom, in the main dining room in the speciality restaurants: you always had to season your soup. So it was alright if they offer you salt and pepper right after the serving (when we had the norovirus on board): you always need it. But with all other courses I appreciated to have a chance for a bite before I can decide if I should have salt and pepper additionally.
Butter and other spreads which looked rancid or dried out should be better replaced.
As many men were working there as many different stlye of services you could discover:
With the sommeliers:
one walked from one table to the next, noted the orders and everyone got close to their meals their wines.
Another asked at one table, went to get their wine. Then he moved to the next table etc. etc. The last table got their wines with their desserts.
Was there no maître, restaurant-manager, F&B-Manager or Hotel Director who had an eye for it???
With the waiters:
You had normally three to four different sorts of bread:
One waiter sorted the bread sort by sort in the different baskets and if a guest asked at the table for the same sort of bread he was able to serve immediately.
Another waiter came with a mixed little basket like you get it normally on your table. When we asked for a second rye-malt-bread he need to run back to his service-station and try to find one from another basket.
Occassionally we rescheduled our table booking 30 minutes ahead to get right on time to the show. But there was always the question who will be your waiter the night and you might not need to reschedule because you had a very efficient waiter.
Could not the persons-in-charge with Celebrity set a unique style which would meet their own expectations and demand??? Some gave us a service like I would have expected it with HAPAG-LLOYD, SEABOURN, REGENT SEVEN SEAS, CRYSTAL, SILVERSEA and other gave us a service like we would be with LOUIS (I choosed only companies which we do not know personally but expecting it from their ratings).
5. Crew on the first and last day
At the very beginning of our cruise we did not feel very comfortable on the ship because we missed the cordiality and friendliness like we know from the first minute with NCL.
The very first day I estimate that 40% of the crew greeted us at first, 30% responded when we greeted at first and 30% did not greeted us anyway.
It become better with the 2nd day: 60%, 20%, 20%
From the 3rd to the day before the very last day: 90%, 5%, 5%
The very last day was like the very first day...
6. Blu
I would be very interested to have one meal in the Blu to see the difference. It was not even impossible as guest of an Aqua-Class-guest. It was not to be on the scrounge but just to rate the difference of the prices. I never had the wish to try the Queens Grille or the Princess Grille restaurants because the difference of the prices was too huge. Between Aqua-Class and Concierge-Class the difference was not so huge.
I would have been around 275 USD per person at the time of the very best offer.
Let's calculate a little:
We would have maybe made it to the Persian Garden for the four days on sea: 8 x 20 USD = 160 USD We would not have used half of our water package: 11 x 7 USD = 77 USD Every day a pot of the iced tea if it would have been as good as in Café al Bacio: 11 x 6 USD = 66 USD = 303 USD for 11 days... 550 USD...
I do not see a personal use for the shower heads.
So I would have really liked to know if the 250 USD extra was fine for maybe additional service and quality of the food. It was like 15 USD per day per person for coverage charge... But we will never know this now...
They missed the chance to convince me. I do not see any additional benefit for the extra money... So we will not book Aqua-Class for the next time...
After our impressions from CENTURY in 2008 Celebrity was on probation. It was good this way. And I can fully under stand the fans of Celebrity who recommend Celebrity like a mantra. It is a good company but finally the value for money counts and other mothers do have nice children which we also like to see again.
When and if we are going again Celebrity depends how they treat my "claim": I WANT TO HAVE MY LEATHER KEY CARD COVER WHICH I DESERVE AS CONCIERGE CLASS GUEST . On the ship they ran out. So Bruno had one which he does not want to give me. I want to have the same that I do need anymore to walk around with a lanyard and identified as crew member.
Let us see which reaction we get. The last reaction from RCI Miami was so stupid that I gave my deposit for INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS away and I am not under pressure to go with RCI again.
It is only the value for money which counts and our budget (time and money). So far I think that NCL had a great value for money but I hear also from paiagirl (Frances from cruisecritic.com) the newest developement. We still we book there where it is the best for us. If they limit us then only those are left which we can afford. I do not see a need to pay more than necessary just to get the same performance like the others on board.
What a shame that then British and English customers were preferred with their CELEBRITY ECLIPSE-bookings otherwise we would be again this year with CELEBRITY. So we are going now on NORWEGIAN EPIC.
Until February 15, 2010 you have a chance to win a cruise. For us it would be a rendez-vous with Ljubi, José and others which we had the chance to meet on CELEBRITY EQUINOX and whom we know that they should go on CELEBRITY ECLIPSE. I am no friend of such prizedraws... I have now for twelve years my first prize: Bruno... Since then I had only unluck with gambling... But I would like to try the little chance to meet the great crewmembers from CELEBRITY EQUINOX on CELEBRITY ECLIPSE again.
So it was a great cruise which we hope to keep in our memories for a very long time. To keep the memories fresh you had some little videos...
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12.3 in Fort Lauderdale (Ausschiffung) / Day 12.3 in Fort Lauderdale (Debarkation) Tag
For English version please scroll down - alternating with German text
Our flight is not delayed
Our flight was delayed not.
Lufthansa was located in the very rear part of hall J.
Lufthansa is quite far down the hall J.
As a senator I can use the First Class check-in.
As senator (frequent flyer status) I was allowed to use the check-in for the first class passengers.
For one more year I can use this privilege.
still may be a year that I Privilege use.
Our bags are labeled. Let's see if we get it first in Frankfurt.
Our baggage was tagged accordingly. Let's see if they will be the first in Frankfurt.
One year I did not say anything to Bruno to surprise him. On the outward journey there were only seats available in economy class on mileage and for the return journey there were no business but first class. So I thought: once in your lifetime ... Bruno was really surprised when he got the first class bording pass.
have one year I held the door for surprise Bruno. Because it's the only way Economy for miles and were on the flight but no Business Class First Class, I thought: once in a lifetime ... Bruno is surprised when he receives a first class boarding pass.
We must still return the car. Down at the baggage claim waiting for employees of NCL, the guests have to get into the hotel or on the ship. Here you can find out about the flat rates of taxes.
We need to return the car. At the baggage claim agents from NCL guests were there to move to the ship or hotels. And here you get information about the flat-rates for the taxis.
For the port there was a flat rate like for the hotels in downtown Miami and other districts.
So the port is a flat rate as for the hotels in downtown Miami and other municipalities.
the car we have given and for the return flight we have to shuttle back.
We returned the car and we need to take the shuttle back to the airport.
The check-in told us that we should calculate 25 minutes for the TSA security check. So we went to Club America J Which Was So guests lounge for Lufthansa.
told us the baggage that security checks take 25 minutes to complete. So we go to the Club America J to the lounge for Lufthansa's guests.
We will be picked up, so we go to the airplane. TSA has concluded the Priority Access for Lufthansa passengers. With much persuasion, we removed Mr. Pinon by Lufthansa, the first lock. Then he comes first, thinking that our turn next. For a pure-bred young Brazilian TAM, which makes the TSA officials beautiful eyes, he has no chance. Besides, he thought that I would sue him if I did not get the plane. I tell him, however, that he was the first ever by Lufthansa in the U.S., took care that can be reached in a situation like his aircraft, and that I wanted gerne noch Lufthansa schreiben.
Someone came to the lounge and escorted us to the flight. But TSA closed the priority access for Lufthansa-passengers. With a lot of persuation Mr Pinon from Lufthansa get us through the first checkpoint. Then he moved through and thought that we will be the next. But against an attractive and young Brazilian girl from TAM who had some nice eyes for the TSA-agent he had no chance. He thought that I would sew him if I will not catch our flight. I explained him that he was the very first from Lufthansa in the USA who took care of us to reach the flight in such a situation and that was I would like to tell Lufthansa.
Lufthansa's first class' seats were like other airlines' business class. You can fully recline the seats for sleeping but Air France's was much more better. But when Lufthansa will introduce the new Airbus A 380 there should be a new first class avaiable.
The Lufthansa First Class corresponds to the seats of her unfortunately even the business class of other airlines. Although one can sleep fully flat, but is better with Air France. But with the A380 it is supposed to be better.
We indulge ourselves ....
We just let them pamper us ...
Hot towels with style ...
These bath towels have style ...
And the appetizers ...
Also the appetizer ...
The rose ...
The Rose ...
It must not always be caviar ... But even ...
No need for caviar every time ... but this time ...
Could not they have also a selection of salad dressing like triple on the ship. Could not I have the celebrity-dressing ...
Why have I not three times dressing selection, as the ship, I will, however, the celebrity-dressing ...
Finally, a portion, where you will fill ...
Finally a portion Which made you full.
Meanwhile I was so tired that I was unable to enjoy the dessert.
mitlerweile I am so tired that I no longer enjoy the dessert can ...
A chocolate yet ... the necessary gravity bed ...
One more chocolate ... to be heavy enough for the bed ...
The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast ... What a shame that were never examined exotic fruits available on board and you had every day the same in green melons, yellow and red plus some pineabble ... like with MSC ...
The next morning we continue with a nice breakfast ... Too bad that the ship was not sometimes beautiful exotic fruit, but every day only melons: green, yellow, red plus pineapple ... Conditions comparable to MSC ...
Finally a German muesli for Bruno.
Finally again a German Muesli (like a granola) for Bruno. Some
last fried eggs ...
I take one last scrambled eggs ...
In Dusseldorf routes divide by Katie, Charlie and us. We must continue to Frankfurt as they both take the ICE to Hannover. Since I'm 100 BahnCard customer, I have provided them with a free luggage transport home, so that they do not even have to carry the large suitcase. At the Sheraton she had spent the night before the flight. Here they can also be the case for collection by Hermes. We go into the lounge, and unfortunately, our flight a little late.
In Dusseldorf we need to say good-bye to Katie and Charlie. We need to continue for London while they took the ICE InterCity Express high-speed-train towards Hanover. As I have an annual pass for the entire network of German Railways I could arrange a free of charge transportation of the big bag So that they did not need to carry it themselves. They stayed the night before their flight at the Sheraton. So they were allowed to leave the bag there until it will be collected. We went to the lounge but our flight was late.
Now I knew what kind of service you get in the domestic business class.
At last I'll see what there is intra-German front in business class.
Oh my ... we would only have remained in Florida ...
Ooops ... why have not we stayed in Florida ...
Hoped to get back to heal the earth.
Hopefully come down here safely ...
We arrive at a remote location. Transfer passengers with very short transfer times will be met and come into a special bus.
We arrived at an airfield position. Transfer guests with very short connecting times and were expected to put into extra bus. Our baggage arrived
145.00 EUR it should be without prepayment. We paid around 70.00 EUR. 10.00 EUR more than with our other preferred parking top dog for twelve days. But we had our car directly under the terminal building.
145.00 EUR so it would have cost without pre-payment. We have then paid to 70.00 EUR. 10.00 EUR more than the top dog for twelve days. We stand directly below the terminal.
When we introduce the voucher, 27.50 EUR requires additional payment. Probably a programming error, because the prices were raised in the meantime. The engineer of the parking machines do not care. He calls in the call system, that we refuse arrears. For THEORETICAL five hours: 27,50 EUR, which would be the daily rate 25.00 EUR ... Only in the pre-paid parking cards will be charged a daily basis. Das weiss er nicht und will es auch nicht wissen.
When we entered the voucher 27.50 EUR were requested. Was it an error when they programmed it because the prices increased? The technician who was in charge for the ticket machine was not interested very much in our opinion. He just cried out loud that we refused to pay more. For THEORETICAL five hours 27.50 EUR while the max. day rate is 25.00 EUR... But with prepaid tickets you do not count by hours but by days. He did not know it but he was not interested to learn about.
At home we need first to clear off our entrance and parking from snow. Our first job: For paiagirl (Frances from cruisecritic.com) we arranged the dispatch of the box which we should send on her resorted to stone film (Hans-Hermann and Carmen) ... And now the end came for the most wonderful voyage ... Some videos will follow and the conclusion in the next days ... We will tell you again once we are on ARTEMIS in April 2010.
we first have to shovel snow at home, so we come at all into the house and parked the car. Our 1st Response: For paiagirl (Frances from cruisecritic.com) print the brand package, the package immediately so we can send it to your stone film (Hans-Hermann and Carmen) ... And now the most wonderful journey will take time to an end ... A few videos and the conclusion follows in the next few days ... We will contact you again from the ARTEMIS in April 2010.
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