why we work -- journal

Sunday, November 30, 2003

We're back...

Debarkation was not the utter chaos that it was on Carnival. Reported to the lounge at our designated time and we're off the ship within 5 minutes. Clearing customs took about 5 minutes, as did retrieving our luggage and waiting in line for a cab. There was also utter chaos at the San Juan airport - assume this happens every week when the ship turnover takes place. BUT, we were able to fly standby on the 2pm flight and were home with the boys by 6:30.

We consider this only a temporary exile. If you've seen the Celebrity Cruises commercials, that makes sense, if not, keep an eye out for them).

And if anyone reading this has been on a cruise to Tahiti and has recommendations, please e-mail us We're already planning next Thanksgiving.

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Friday, November 28, 2003

Just back from our day in St. John. The ship docked in St. Thomas this morning around 7 - a bit of anarchy ensued because the entire ship has to clear immigration, which is quite simple but causes some people extreme panic. The whole thing took 20 minutes - no big deal. But to those of you reading this who might have been in line around us, complaining the entire time, or to those of you who cut in line because you THINK are more important than us, we have a message: if you don't like waiting in line to pass through immigration, don't leave the US you ugly Americans :)

We were off the boat by 8:45 and jumped in a jitney cab to Red Hook, where we caught a ferry to Cruz Bay, St. John, and then grabbed another jitney cab to Cinnamon Bay. Total transit time was a bout an hour but OH SO WORTH IT. Cinnamon Bay is a USVI Park, so there are no hotel crowds. We had the place pretty much to ouselves, with the exception of a few other savvy cruise ship passengers and a few weird camping folk.

Tan enough, we headed back to the ferry around 2pm. Along the way we passed Trunk Bay (pretty, but pretty crowded too) and Caneel Bay (pretty, but seemed to be for hotel guests only). Back on the ship now, about the get ready for our last dinner. Tonight we're dining at Ocean Liners, which is the gourmet restaurant on board (they charge extra, but it's supposedly worth it).

PS - we stayed up for the show last night, but passed out and missed the "Le Grand Buffet" at 1am (and yes, I know that "le" means "the" - just like "the le" better :)

So one more night :( we disembark tomorrow at 10am.

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Thursday, November 27, 2003

What geeks are we?!?!?!

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Greetings from somewhere north of Antigua.

Spent a rainy day in Antigua - we're in a good spot in the internet cafe, so you might see us on the Constellation webcam (see below). Went ashore for a bit, but there's really nothing on Antigua except for beaches - and it was somewhat cloudy AND we've had enough sun.

Just finished the 2nd formal night - and we were elated to dsicover they had our traditional Thanksgiving lobster. Stayed for the "parade of baked alaska" and are now headed to the "show". Tomorrow is our last cruise day :(

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Oh, and you might see us online on the Constellation Webcams.

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Happy Thanksgiving - our gift to you, virtual postcards :)

St. Martin Sunrise

Orient Beach, St. Martin

Marigot Bay, St. Lucia

"The Waterfall", St. Lucia

The Pitons, St. Lucia

GTS Constellation

"The Waterfall", St. Lucia

Self Portrait

Bathsheba, Barbados

Green Monkey, Barbados

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Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Greetings from somewhere "at sea". There's an island to the right, but we're not sure what one - maybe St. Lucia or somewhere north of there.

Decided to partake in some of the shipboard entertainment last night. Had a martini and then went to the "show" - which was titled Batucada - still don't know what it means. It wasn't nearly as bad as the Carnival one, which reminded us of Dirty Dancing and a Poconos resort. The acrobats were actually pretty good. Then we went to Michael's Club which is billed as "the private club where everyone is a member". They had an acapella group of four guys - funniest part was the clap along sections and this foreign woman who had absolutely no hope of clapping with the rest of us. It was almost 11pm, so we went to the pool deck for the "Parade of Melons" (think Andy expected ladies but it was indeed fruit) - think tons of fruit, plastic animals floating in the pool, drink waiters walking around with drinks served in whole pineapples, and our waiters from dinner ritualistically parading around carved watermelon. From out vantage point on the deck above the pool, we had a great view of the band and passengers having a good old time.

Slept in this morning (since there was nowhere to rush off to), had breakfast, and wandered around a bit. Even though all passengers are on board today, there are plenty of quiet places and tons of available chairs. Checked in on the boys and they seem to be doing fine - both perched on the loveseat.

Update: Islands to right are either Martinique or Guadalupe.

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Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Just finished another great 6 course meal as we were departing Barbados - did we mention we have a table for two directly at a window :))

We've never had an at sea day before, but Sudi (the martini bar waiter) and Adrian (the maitre de) assure us that there will be plenty to do - including cooking classes, wine appreciation, and martini-making demonstrations. Right now, we're in the computer center, adjacent to the area where guests are having "ye olde time-y western portraits" taken. We are not partaking. Have already took a series of self portraits in various mirrors around the ship - much more entertaining :)

Going to apply more aloe to newly bronzed skin (just have to glot sice we checked the weather and it is currently 31 degrees at home :)

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Greetings from Barbados.

Spent the remainder of last night touring the ship. Spent an hour and a half in the casino playing blackjack - came out ahead $25 (outlasted three dealers and several other passengers). Also visited the various bars and discotechs - seemed like a quiet evening though because everyplace was empty.

Woke up this morning around 7am as the ship was nearing Barbados. Had a sit down breakfast in the dining room and then left the ship in search of a taxi driver/tour guide. Found Maurice (aka "the fat man", which he prefered to be called) and arranged a half day tour. We tried to find the man that painted boats on the beach, but aparently he died several years ago. Went to the wildlife reserve in search of the elusive green monkey, but they proved to be more elusive than we imagined. Couldn't find ONE!. Saw lots of deer, turtles, and a "mara" (aka rat-like rabbit). Nice hiking though. Drove up the coast and stopped for photo ops in Bathsheba before returning to the ship where we spent the afternoon lounging by the pool. Ship sails at 6pm tonight - tomorrow is an at-sea day.

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Monday, November 24, 2003

Greetings from St. Lucia - well, we think we're near st. lucia. We actually think we're circling...

Had a nice formal dinner last night, followed by a bad pay per view movie (view from the top). Woke up around 7am again this am - view of Martinique passing out balcony. Arrived in St. Lucia while we were partaking in the breakfast buffet.

Decided to forego the ship excursions and "freelance" on our own. Found Anthony in the port - spent the day with him and two other couples (one from Seattle and one from Chicago) touring the Western coast of St Lucia by boat. Highlights included Marigot Bay, beaching at Anse Chastenet, and visiting "the waterfall" (will have to look up the name when it isn't costing us a small fortune). Returned to the boat at 4:30 - cutting it close to ur 5pm departure :)

Just finished one of the "informal" dinners (not casual, but not formal). Thoughts on Celebrity thus far - we now see why people like cruising. We're still glad we started with Carnival - otherwise we'd be spoiled for life like diving in Palau.

Tomorrow we're in Barbados - not sure what the plan is but we're hoping to see monkeys :)

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Sunday, November 23, 2003

Hello from St. Martin/St. Marteen/St. Maarten/whatever.

Had a good first night aboard. Visited the martini bar before dinner - Sudi (the bartender) aparently has "juice issues" (so the drinks that are supposed to have juice are made with flavord vodka). Doesn't make him a bad guy :)

Dinner last night was open seating, so we were seated with two other couples - one from NC and one from Toronto. NOTHING like our table mates on Carnival though. Dinner was great - shrimpt cocktail, veal picatta, and an apple pastry for desert. After dinner, we went to the martini bar for a "tasting" - this means 5 martinis - one vodka, one gin, one apple, one lemon, and one raspberry. Lemon and apple were pretty darn tasty. We then had to fight to stay awake for the 10:30pm mandatory evacuation drill. Nothing like walking around buzzed wearing a giant orange bulky life vest. Watched the departure from San Juan from the deck, and then on TV since there is a camera on the bridge that is broadcast on the television.

Woke up around 6:30 this morning, just in time for a great sunrise. Took a dip in the thalasotherapy pool - had it all to ourselves at that time of the morning. It was weird though because as the boat rocked from side to side (we weren't in St. Martin yet), the water in the various pools would slosh around. Very odd feeling, especially with a bit of a hangover :)

As we were eating breakfast at the buffet restaurant, we docked in St. Martin. We got off the boat around 9:30 and caught a cab to Oriental Beach. Now, we were aware that there was a nudist beach or something over there, but we didn't expect a naked sausage festival. Oddly though, there were no completely nude women. Lots of naken old men though, and lots of men in thongs. I saw more penises today than in all of the museums in Italy! (and Andy didn't see them because he insisted on intently reading a book).

We came back to the ship around 2 and grabbed lunch at the poolside grill. Tonight is one of the formal nights, and our first night at the coveted table for two. More later - this is costing us $.75/minute :)

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Saturday, November 22, 2003

Greetings from the celebrity Constellation! Arrived in San Juan around 1:20, retrieved the luggage, and were at the pier at 2. SUPER easy checkin - were in our cabin by 2:10. Cabin is awesome - bright and airy with a nice balcony. Have already made reservations at the specialty restaurant, and they were already booked for several nights. Have also scored a table for 2 at dinner ( a trick taught to us by a couple from NY that we shared a cab with from the airport). Lunch was a buffet, so far so good - great salad selection. This ship is EXPONENTIALLY better than poor 'ole Carnival Holiday. From the champagne that is flowing freely through the men to carry your tray at the buffet - we're quite impressed so far.

Oh - if anyone is reading this from the Chicago area, please save the Q section of the Sunday paper - it's supposed to have readers "Real Men of Genius" submissions :)

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Let the adventure begin! Woke up at 4am and were at OHARE. Andy worked his magic and we got upgraded to seats 1a & 1b :) Cant believe the amount of luggage were schlepping!

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Friday, November 21, 2003

Today the Vacation Countdown Clock (see left) is at ZERO - yet we don't leave until tomorrow - hmmm. Wonder what it will say tomorrow?? Anyhow, we were rewarded with another GREAT sunrise. As I was coming inside from the terrace, I snapped the shot on the right, which is of Andy and Bailey through the sliding glass door, with the skyline reflected in the glass.