MARKET DAY- A Shopper & Foodie Paradise!

In my humble travel experiences, I find that nothing is more eye-opening to understanding the culture and customs of the people than to visit their markets. A lot can be learned in a visit to a community market that often highlights people's daily life. One can easily stroll between the colorful stalls of local gastronomic farmers, fishermen, bakers and cooks who take pride in sharing their products. These local markets -- held on cobblestone streets & near bridges, inside buildings and even adjacent to palace walls as in Croatia -- are a shopper and foodies' paradise.

Exploring for antiques, local family treasures, spices, produce, fish/meats or a perfect souvenir made by a skilled local artist can be a fun adventure and a cheap alternative to fancy restaurants and shore excursions. You can bet that Roger and I will be hitting the markets to see the hustle and bustle of the locals & trying numerous bites at the restaurant stalls such as in Barcelona's La Boqueria -Mercat de Sant Josep.

Following are some links that I was able to find for the ports we will be visiting on this cruise: Barcelona, Villefranche/Nice, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Naples/Capri, Athens, Istanbul, Split, Venice. Enjoy!

Photo provided by topbarcelona - www.flickr.com

Immunizations

One of our fellow guests asked if there were any immunizations required for the cruise. According to our travel agent, Alex, there are none required at this time.

On the Center For Disease Control website, they recommend that you have your regular immunizations! Of course, I am one of those people who are clueless about regular shots, so if you are like me you might want to check on things like tetanus, varicella* (??). The CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine (maybe check with your regular doctor).

This is the only way you will be sure you are up to date with regular vaccinations and if there is anything special you should consider for the trip. You should schedule this at least 4-6 weeks (or months?) before we leave. The main country that has any special recommendations is Turkey, but even there it depends on how long you will be there and if you will be going out into the countryside. Probably not for this trip, but as said above, check with your doctor.

Thanks for this question!

*That's chickenpox to you!

Size Does Matter - Luggage Requirements - by Karen V

Many airlines have implemented new limits on the weight and number of bags a traveler can check AND carry on. Please be sure to review your particular airline’s rules so you don’t get surprised. Overweight bags, in many cases over 44-50 lbs., are charged a minimum of $25 each way.

If you’re buying that special souvenir in Europe, you may want to consider having the store ship and insure your item so you don’t have to worry about the added weight. If you’re like Diana, those “baubles” are easy because fit nicely on the fingers and neck and add very little extra except glitter. That’s not to say Roger is cheap, but one can only wear soooooo big a bauble.

You may also be limited in the carry-on department, so be sure you get up to date info just before we leave. Written By Karen V.

P.S. Check the TSA for the latest restrictions on what type of things you can carry on, here. Kay T.

Photo from stock.xchng user brokenarts.

Party, party, party

One of the benefits of registering with Cruise Critic website is that you can meet even more people who are going on our very cruise! In addition they have great reviews of most of the ports we are going to be in and other resources. In fact, the featured port right now is Venice!

Also, Celebrity will have a party for those people from the Cruise Critic website if enough people sign up. We could have just one non-stop party! So, here is the information about the party. I am signing up, why not?!

Photo from stock.xchange user elvinstar.

Early or Late? - By Karen V.

Did you know that Celebrity Cruise has a couple of dinner options for the main dining room? There is Early Dining (6:15pm) and Late Dining (8:30pm) options, you will need to pick one if Alex has not asked you already.

Additionally, if you are traveling in small groups (up to 10 people per table) that would like to be seated together at the main dining meals, let our travel agent know everyone’s names. She will be able to alert Celebrity so that they can seat your group at the same table if possible. If you’re planning to go to the free-style dining, this won’t be necessary. Written By Karen V.

Photo from flicker user whalt.

IMPORTANT CHANGE...for The Meet & Greet Pre-Social!

You’ve been busy… and all you long for is your passport in one hand and a drink in the other, as you dream of a fond Bon Voyage to beautiful international seaports, majestic art in world-famous museums and century old historic sites & glorious architectures among winding cobblestone streets, shops, markets and restaurants. Everyone deserves at least one perfect vacation and you’re on your way. Your deposit has been made and you’ve started your logistical details to get yourself to the gang plank of the Celebrity Summit Cruise ship in Barcelona, Spain.

To preview this on board experience, Roger and Diana would like to personally invite you to join them at a No Host Meet & Greet Pre-Cruise Brunch. You will have an opportunity to officially meet Alex Kuncio, Innovative Travel Planner who has been assisting you with your cruise booking. This event will be an excellent ice breaker to meet others who will be joining us on this cruise. As well as having an opportunity to ask questions and share information among one another as we prepare our final journey to this long awaited cruise. And of course like any cruise ship event, we too will have food, fun and a fabulous opportunity to meet others in our cruise group. Additionally if interested at an additional price, Lucca Café’s own Chef Cathy Pavlos and General Manager & Wine Steward Elliott Pavlos can assist you will a fine wine selection from our ports of call cities that we will be visiting. So MARK YOUR CALENDAR for the…


“No-Host Davis Med Cruise 2008 Meet & Greet Pre-Social Brunch”
Sunday, June 1st 2008 • 11:30am to 2:00pm

LUCCA CAFÉ
http://www.luccacafe.com/
6507 Quail Hill Parkway Irvine, CA 92603
$28.00 per person brunch without champagne
$30.00 per person brunch with 2 glasses of champagne

Please RSVP by Monday, May 19th
Check payable & mailed to Roger Davis
1039 Katella Street, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Why Do I Need A Reservation Number?

Some of you may have just received an email from Alex regarding a Celebrity Reservation Number and yet others may have already received this important bit of information. Doesn't matter, one or the other...just get this number & save it!

Your number is a key to your ability to connect to Manage My Reservation on the Celebrity Cruise Line Website. Your reservation number will also allow you access to set-up your own account/information on-line for emergency such as in My Celebrity, Check-In On Line, Register for Shore Excursions and other amenities such as Tux Rentals, Spas, Cruise BonVoyage Gifts to name a few. This number also allows you to be signed-up with Celebrity to be notified of the latest up to date information and announcement relative to your cruise.

For new cruisers time to take this opportunity to explore and familiarize yourself to the Celebrity website. Happy Exploring!

Fuel Charge Recall…News Update from Alex

Alex Kuncio, Innovative Travel Planner updated me on April 2, 2008 that the Fuel Charge for those who signed-up by the November 1st, 2007 deadline will be receiving a refund of $140.00 per stateroom. Celebrity & Royal Caribbean Cruise Line are leading the step in resolving this fuel charge issue.


Although the dollar to euro ratio has not been an ideal circumstance, our group have to date received two price reductions (January & March 2008) on our cruise fare and now a fuel charge recall. That means as an example, for a Concierge Class Category that is a total reduction of $1140 per stateroom from our original sign-up cruise price. Not a bad deal, thanks Alex, Kay & Carol for your attentive eye on our discounts!