Back to Reality

Yes, it is over. The highly anticipated cruise is a thing of the past. Nothing left but memories, pictures and a credit card balance. Overall, it was wonderful. There were a few showers along the way, but being tropical in nature, they were over as quick as they started. Only one day was rainy and it was a day at sea, so not interruption of shore excursions.
This year we had a balcony cabin. It was fairly mid-ship and the first level of balconies. It was a nice room and I liked going out and watching the sea go by. Last year we had been upgraded to a suite, which was much larger. The food was wonderful, though Celebrity Cruise line is known for its menus.
Since I am a past guest aboard Celebrity, I was invited to the Captain's Club reception. I did get to meet the captain, the financial officer and the director of human resources. And being prepared, I did give him my card for job.travel, and explained the great cost saving it would provide.
Of the various ports of call, the Panama Canal was my favorite. Our excursion took us to the Gatun Locks, just as a ship was being raised to Gatun Lake from the Atlantic side. The little trains guided the ship from the second lock to the third. After it was in position, the gates closed and water was pumped in to raise the ship to the level of the lake. I found out that during the morning, ships enter Gatun Lake from both ends, and around mid-day, the directions switch and vessels exit the lake into either ocean. Cruise ships pay the highest toll, since they can 'jump line' to make their schedules.
We are already in the planning stages of next year's cruise. It will probably be Buenos Aries to Santiago with a swing by Antarctica, in December, so twelve months of waiting and saving. Remember, Future Vacations, Discovery Future Vacations and Damron Vacations offer all the major cruise lines and some small niche lines too. So if planning a big family reunion, or just a quick get away, check us out for some great deals.