Celebrity Summit
We headed out from Sanibel in both cars to pick up the Marfice's, Kallina's and Jensen's from Ft Lauderdale Hilton. We loaded suitcases but there wasn't room for everyone in one trip. Scott and Gaynel graciously offered to take a taxi instead of Greg making two trips. We parked in the parking lot and headed for embarkation. We had to wait only a few minutes before checking it.
Ship is an older ship, room is a typical balcony room, shower is decent size. We made our way to the buffet and while eating it was announced that rooms were ready. Bags arrived right before time for Muster. Fritzroy, our steward brought our bags and introduced himself. We head to the lounge for Muster and the place was packed, no seats were left. We had to stand on the dance floor for over 30 minutes. They called a long, long list of missing cabins. The guy in charge said everything at least twice. Wait, wait, wait, for the speech from the bridge. The guy in charge kept telling us to not talk so we could hear the bridge when it came on. Wait, wait, wait. Finally, the bridge speech which said exactly the same thing the guy had said at least twice, then a demo of wearing the life vest and finally we were released. The longest and rudest Muster ever.
Back to our room to unpack. We watched sail away from our balcony.
I have to admit, I couldn't tell you any of their songs, but I recognized most of them. Trip is off to a great start. After the concert we headed to dinner. We had already arranged a table for 8 people for 8:15. We were seated quickly and our waiters are Jason and Jerome. Most of us had prime rib. It was an excellent dinner. After dinner we went to the Revelations lounge which is on the 11th floor where BJ Thomas performed.
Not much personality, but his voice is still strong and loved this show and his music. Some were headed to poolside to hear War perform but we were pooped so off to bed.
Sunday
Lazy, lazy. Slept until 9:00. We read on our balcony and then went poolside to listen. First musician was Hal Bruce. He wasn't all that good. At 11:30 All You Need is Love played. They were better.
If you wore your t-shirt you got free drinks. They brought around champagne, rum punch and beer.
One server had a sprite on their tray so I asked for a Diet Coke. Just looked at me and walked away. Next two servers had bottled water but people were grabbing them so fast there was no way they would get to us so I went to the bar and asked for a water and was told I had to pay. I said the servers were bringing them around but bar tender said I would have to pay. After music ended, we went to buffet to eat since we didn't have breakfast and then back to the room for a bit. We went back to poolside to see War, who played late last night. They were good. All decided a snack would be good to hold us over until dinner so we headed to the back of the ship and had pizza. Greg tried to order a beer but the server just walked away from him. Service is not as good as we have experienced on the Solstice and Eclipse.
Tonight was Gala night so we were all dressed in our finest.
Show in the theater was Air Supply. Two lead singers were originals and the rest much younger. The show was really, really good.
We ate in the MDR at the same table with the same servers. It might have been Gala night but no lobster on the menu. After dinner we went to Revelations to see Ambrosia. Not a group that we recognized and they did not play many songs that we knew, but enjoyed the music
Tuesday- Falmouth
We decided to have breakfast in the MDR and it was quick. After breakfast we went into the shopping area at the port.
None of the shore excursions excited us and it was an hour drive to a beach. We bought our magnet, tshirts at Margaritaville, and a red mango wood carving.
Time for refreshments. Besides Margaritaville there was only one other restaurant/bar so that was where we stopped.
Most had a Red Stipe but Scott and I ordered a margarita. We were going to order fried plantains but they were out. We went back to the boat and changed into our bathing suits and went to the Solarium and read. The show tonight was Styx. Probably our least favorite show so far but mostly because this wasn't a band we listened to and really didn't know many of their songs. But for our group, many said this was there favorite night.
We ate tonight in Q-sine. We had eaten there before with a large group from a roll call on the Eclipse and did not enjoy it but it was much more fun with a group that you can share food with. Our server was Nathan and he did a good job of explaining the choices and pacing the meal out. A much nicer experience this time.
After dinner it was time to change into our costumes for TV/movie night. Greg and I went as Mash, Donna and Jim were Jaws, Gaynel and Scott were Laverne and Shirley. Scott was a great Laverne and Roberta and John from Monty Python. We felt like slackers with this group!! The band playing at the pool was Queen Nation and they were voted best tribute band.
Tuesday
Day started off crappy. I went to the bathroom at 7:30 and not sure how I lost my balance and fell into the shower and hurt my back. Spent most of the day with ice. We arrived in Grand Cayman at 11:30 with 5 ships already there. They didn't start tendering until noon, not leaving much time to explore. Greg stayed with me, others went into town for awhile. When they returned Greg joined them for a drink at the aft bar. I showered, took some Tylenol, and was moving a bit better. Tonight's concert was America and IMO the best show so far.
The rest of the group went to see Poco but we went back to the room and then met them at the MDR for dinner.
After dinner we went up to the 11th floor, overlooking the pool to watch the Bee Gee Gold tribute band, who has been voted the best tribute band. Hmmmmm. They were very good.
Wednesday Sea Day
We ordered room service and it arrived promptly at 9. It was pretty good. I slept ok and moving better but back still hurts. We read on the balcony and went down to look at pictures and buy a ship magnet then lunch at the pool grill. We packed in the afternoon. Concert tonight is Michael McDonald.
After the show we ate in the MDR. Another great meal with really good service. We had packed and left our bags out so we went to Revelations Lounge to see Bee Gees Gold again. They did the same show but we enjoyed it again.
Thursday
Disembarkation was super easy. We had #3 and was off the ship a little after 8. Brr, it was a nippy 55 degrees. What a revolting development. We went ahead and took our bags to the car. The rest of the group had #20. They were off and at the car by 9:30. Easy, easy. Off we went for Sanibel. We stopped for lunch at Senor Tequilas in Ft Myers and then headed to the condo. After settling in, we met the Jensen's and the Bohannon's at the Castaways for sunset.
Dinner reservations were at 8 so we went back to the condo for cocktails. Dinner at the Mad Hatter was a great meal. Those of us who had the scallops, declared them to be the best scallops ever.
Friday
Still a nippy day so the ladies were off shopping and the guys had a mid morning tee time. Girls had lunch at Blue Giraffe. It had warmed up enough that we ate outside and enjoyed another good meal at Blue Giraffe. Dinner tonight was at the condo. Jim grilled the lobster and we also had rice and peel and eat shrimp. All was really good. We played Left, Right, Center and Clue.
Saturday
Sun was out so we all headed to the beach at Blind Pass
but clouds moved in quickly and by 1 it was spitting rain. We headed to Lazy Flamingo and scored the last two tables inside. I think everyone had a good meal, and Donna said the best fried oysters that she has had in a long time. Dinner of fish tacos was at the condo. We played Left, Right, Center again and then Farkle.
Sunday
Ladies checked out the Farmer's Market. Parking lots were full and we had to park across from Rosie's. Crazy but the market was worth the walk. Sun was out, so off to the beach for the ladies
and the guys had a mid morning tee time again. Girls and guys hit the pool for a bit and then we headed to the showers. We had cocktails before heading to dinner tonight at The Sanctuary.
Hopefully, everyone enjoyed the meal. We said our goodbyes to the Jensen's since they would be leaving early Sunday morning for their flight from Ft Lauderdale.
Monday
We were up and moving quickly, leaving the condo around 9:45. Traffic wasn't too bad and we were at the airport by 11 am.
