Travel Empress Blog

Here is a synopsis of the various hotels visited by Mindy Walts in the Mayan Riviera
The Beach these resorts are on is called "Maroma Beach"  which is considered (by the Travel Channel) as the #2 beach in the world (Puket is # 1).
Secrets Maroma  -   (stayed at this resort)
Pros:
 - absolutely GORGEOUS beach!  There is food and beverage service on the beach along with lunch beach barbeques.
     - Adult only all inclusive resort
     - Great swim up rooms.  Pools start at the patio unlike some other swim out rooms where there is grass in between the patio and pool.
A lot of privacy.  Each room patio is set back so you cannot see your neighbors.  Always shade on the patio.
     -  Lots of restaurants and no reservations needed.  All the dinner restaurants are "a la carte" No buffets.
Choices are seafood, steakhouse, French, Italian, Mexican and Japanese.  The Japanese does have Three Teppanyaki tables where restaurants are necessary.
I did this and the entertainment was great - sitting with other people was fun - and the food was great!
At most of the restaurants you have the option of eating in the A/C inside or outside.  Two restaurants are down by the ocean and are open air.
I thought that for an all inclusive resort the food was excellent.
     - Service was beyond fabulous.
     - As you will be from the pictures the entire center of the resort are pools. There are two main pools, one with
 a swim up pool bar and the other is an infinity pool overlooking the beach.
     - This resort seemed a bit more livelier at night than some other all inclusive / adult only resorts.
     - There are two "galas" a week set up in the center of the resort.  There is a big buffet with the Gala theme (either Caribbean or Mexican night)
and entertainment.  Didn't attend - but heard it was good - but buggy - bring bug spray.
     - Great lobby bar.  There is usually piano or guitar music here and you can sit indoors or outside.
     - Preferred Room Category - if you like being in Concierge rooms you can chose this category.  You will have a private concierge for your room, a private lounge, and upscale bathroom amenities.  You will also receive nightly turn down service.
     - Rooms were very nice.  Four poster beds, large bathroom with double Jacuzzi, and patio or balcony with furniture.
     - 24 hour room service.
     - beautiful spa
Cons:
     - The resort is shaped in a "U" so there are not many rooms near the ocean.  There are no bad views, but you will look mostly at foliage, not ocean.
     - The resort doesn't not have a Caribbean or Mexican "feel" to it.  While it is very attractive, it could be anywhere.
     - not necessarily a "con" but although it is adult, not couples only, it is really all about romance and couples.  
El Dorado Maroma  -
Nice Boutique (only about 70 rooms) resort.  This is also "adult only" - but is really about couples and romance.
The rooms here were very spacious and beautiful.   I  loved the smallness and uniqueness of this resort.  Because it is smaller, everyone knows you and
it is very personalized.  Rooms were either a "swim out", a room that has its own "infinity pool" on its balcony  or a top floor room with a great view.
Be careful - request buildings 3,4,5 or 6 if you book a higher floor.  You overlook the top of the
restaurant in building 7 and 8, though it's only on the side view.  The view of the ocean is stunning, but it does overlook the pool and grounds as well.
I don't think the room location would matter much in the "swim up" rooms though.
unless requested I would not book into the "Mi Hotelito" category.  That is the "lead in " category and the original hotel.  It's completely separate with
its own pool and restaurant.  These rooms are a bit "rustic" and seemed dark to me.  There is a nice day bed on a private patio/balcony and the buildings are very close to the ocean.
Everyone at the hotel could use all the pools and the restaurants.
It is also on Maroma Beach, but the beach at Secrets Maroma is a bit nicer, though I did love this beach.  There are sand bags out in the water here, but I didn't
find them annoying.  There is a Marina next door - pros - you can go snorkeling, fishing etc from here.   Cons you can also rent jet skis - which means you will hear jet skis in the water (non at Secrets Maroma).
Had a "taste" of food and it was very good.  Limited # of restaurants but they all were really nice.
This property is great for a couple who wants a "small - intimate" property with great food.
If staying 7 days or more it might be limited for restaurant choices.
Iberostar Grand Paraiso.   
 This resort was more "wow" - Gorgeous, but you have to like very Grand, almost like a Las Vegas style hotel.   
 You REALLY have to find out what your client is looking for.  Those who love Vegas, love BLING, and everything grand will love this resort.
It is part of a complex of 5 resorts so there are many restaurant choices, but no one from the other resort can come to this one so it doesn't feel crowded.
Has a definite "upscale" feel to it.  
Rooms are beautiful and large and I loved that there are true ocean front rooms in two building here.
This beach is not considered Maroma beach (just around the bend from Maroma beach), but the colors of the water are blue/green and the sand is still the
nice white sand.  There is more coral in the water here so bring water shoes.
Restaurant choice are good, but reservations are needed.
 These are three good choices for your clients who are looking for an Adult Only All inclusive resort in Mexico.
All very nice, but very different - at each resort you can walk for miles - so this is a great choice for "beach walkers"

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Cobh - Cork is 15 miles away and a lot of people take the train there -
Here are a few suggestions -
Killarney & Muckross House -
Or just explore the city.  Get a map (available at Heritage Center at the dock) and do your own walking tour for free.

Dublin - wasn't sure if you needed suggestions since it's a major city and I have a feeling that I'll find you at the Guinness Brewery Tour.  
 
For Liverpool I found a link from a Liverpool resident -
First of all, I am not a tour guide. I’m just someone that loves the city of Liverpool. I have lived and worked here virtually all of my life. I am also passionate about cruising and hope to help some of my fellow cruisers to enjoy my city. There is a good informative website at http://www.visitliverpool.com/

I am working on the basis that your ship docks at 7am, but that you won’t come ashore until at least 8.30 to 9am. Remember that Liverpool is a working city and that you’ll be arriving on a normal work day. The Pier Head where you dock is in the business district, so when you come ashore there will be lots of people arriving for work.

I am pretty sure that the first ferry tour is at 10am (before then it’s just a working ferry) and the Maritime Museum doesn’t open until 10am. I’d suggest that you enjoy the waterfront, which is a world heritage site and hopefully the building work that has scarred it during the whole of 2008 will be completed by July.

If you look around you will see the Titanic memorial, on which can still be seen signs of bomb damage. It doesn’t have Titanic named anywhere on it. http://www.titanic-titanic.com/titanic_memorial-liverpool_engineers.shtml

The three buildings you see are called the ‘Three Graces’ and I believe that you can access the entrance hall of each. Don’t worry in case they are not open to the public. This is England. If they ask you to leave they’ll be very polite. The Liver (pronounced Lie –ver) building is my favourite. Check out the Liver birds on top. Legend says that if they fly away then a great catastrophe will befall the city. They’re still there despite Hitler’s best efforts.

For anyone, like me, with an interest in history, there’s an interesting plaque, built into a wall on the left of the Pier Head as you look towards the buildings. It commemorates more than a million American soldiers who passed through the port during the second world war on their way to free Europe. We owe those boys an immense debt and I often wonder how many of them didn’t make it home. The plaque is relatively small and you may have to look for it, but stop by, take a photo and remember what we owe them.

Although the Maritime Museum doesn’t open until 10am the buildings surrounding it are worth a visit themselves. This is the Albert Dock area. For anyone interested there is the Tate Art Gallery in the dock. This is one of the finest modern galleries outside London, so I’m told. Admission is free, but again it doesn’t open until 10am. Those of you more interested in art can substitute the Tate for the Maritime Museum. Or do both! http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/information/

After taking a look around the Pier Head and Albert Dock buildings, it should be time for the Maritime Museum to open at 10am. Again, admission is free, and inside you can find information and exhibits tracing the maritime history of this great city from its earliest beginnings right up to the present day. My favourite exhibit is the Titanic exhibition (remember Titanic was registered in Liverpool, the home of the White Star Line) or the ‘Liverpool in WW2’ area. You can spend up to two hours in here quite easily. There are also outside exhibits such as the Harbour Master’s house and many boats are open to the public. I suggest you stay here for an hour or so. For those who like the Beatles there is a Beatles Museum (entry fee applies) at the Albert Dock. There are also tours which leave from around here. Be aware that this is a tourist area so it will get busy in July. You can get more info, and even book a tour online at

http://www.albertdock.com/

After you have finished at the Maritime Museum, you should walk back to the Pier Head (you’ll only be a couple of hundred yards away) and take the Mersey Ferry tour. Check out the timetable, so you’re not waiting too long. You can find this and even buy your (cheap) tickets online at: http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/

The tour will take you about an hour. You can get a snack lunch onboard. After the tour you can then head up into Liverpool proper. Don’t forget you will still be right in front of your ship, so you can even go back on board, freshen up, have lunch and still have a full afternoon ahead.

A taxi up into the city centre will cost very little, as it’s only half a mile or so right up to say Lime Street Station. However, it’s much more interesting on foot. Remember that you are walking in the footsteps of your forefathers when you walk through Liverpool, as something like nine million people passed through the port en route to the new world.

Also look around you and try to imagine it as it was in 1941 after the German bombing campaign reduced the city’s buildings to rubble, but couldn’t crush it’s spirit. Just google ‘Liverpool blitz’ and you’ll see what I mean.

For an interesting walk into the city you should walk up Water Street. On your right you can see India Buildings, which housed the offices of some of the world’s biggest shipping lines. At the top of the hill, just before Dale Street, you can see the Town Hall. This is an interesting building. I’m not sure if it’s open to the public or not, but I don’t think so. Worth a photo, as it was built in 1754.

Carry on up Dale Street until you get right to the end. Stay on the right hand side of the road so that you can navigate your way across the roads around the entrance to the Mersey Tunnel. You want to cross over to the bottom of William Brown Street to see the magnificent buildings there. If you want more art galleries or museums then you have two of the best here. The World Museum would take you hours to get around as would the Walker Art Gallery (entry to both is free). Visit these if you wish, but DO NOT MISS St George’s Hall, which stands proudly at the top of the hill. The entrance is actually at the other end of the building in St John’s Lane. Go into the Heritage centre and follow the (free) guided tour through the law courts and the magnificent hall itself. It’s a real unmissable building. See what I mean at: http://www.stgeorgeshall.eu/

By now it will be mid-afternoon and I think your ship sails at 7pm. You can now decide between two alternatives. Those of you who enjoy shopping can head into the centre (a couple of hundred yards away) and visit the shopping centres in Church Street, Lord Street and the new ‘Liverpool One’ Centre.

Those of you still craving culture should jump a cab up to the Anglican Cathedral (no more than £2-3) and visit the first of our two cathedrals. After visiting the Anglican Cathedral, take a walk back along Hope Street to see the magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ The King (Paddy’s wigwam to the locals). This was finished in 1967 and mass was said here by Pope John Paul II in 1982.

After shopping or visiting the cathedrals, you will probably be ready to go back to the ship, hopefully with a hatful of memories of a wonderful city. I should know, I’ve been here over 50 years!!

All the activities I’ve scheduled for the morning are within a few hundred yards of the ship and are within easy, flat walking range. Everywhere I’ve mentioned is wheelchair accessible. Have a fantastic visit to my city, then go and tell the world!!
 
There is a hop on / hop off bus that takes you to a lot of these sites - that could be a good idea.
 
Belfast - if you don't have any thing specific - the Hop on / Hop off bus would be a good idea (can you tell I really like these HOHO busses??)
 
Greenock - is the port for Glasgow.  I know it's been many years since I've been there, but it did nothing for me - an industrial city.  I would instead do an excursion to Edinburgh or Loch Lomond.  Both I loved and both are beautiful - ride to the Highlands can be beautiful.  But since you will be tendering in to South Queensferry, which is an Edinburgh port - you might just want to stay on the ship (SPA DAY!!)
 
but having said that about the highlands, you'll be there at
Invergordon (Inverness) - Does a scenic ride to Loch Ness interest you?  Could be spectacular country side.
 
South Queensferry - love Edinburgh (can you tell)....
 
Le Havre - If Paris and Normandy are out  Honfleur is really a sweet town and I see Princess has a four hour excursion there.  You might like this - check it out -
 

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As you know, we had a rocky start to our trip due to mechanical and weather delays, so we lost a day and a half, but stepping off that plane in Honolulu into 75+ degrees just melted all the frustrations away.  
We quickly found the transport people, and got to our hotel in enough time to walk around and see the Waikiki Beach before dark.  We had dinner at "Duke's on the Beach," and as you probably know, it's one of the most famous eateries and certainly lived up to it's name."  We were serenaded by three Hawaiian women playing and singing Hawaiian Christmas songs right at the table, and it was so wonderful and really set the mood.  We all said that that night was the best meal of all of them (although there were many runner's up).  We walked around all the high-end shops and listened to many of the street performers.  It was so much fun!  
The next day we were off early to Hilo and arrived in a torrential downpour.  It didn't get our spirits down, although we were all silently thinking, "oh no, this isn't going to be good."  20 minutes later it stopped and we never saw a drop of rain after that.  Every day was sunny and at least 85 degrees or hotter.  
The first night we took everyone to the volcanoes, and much to our own surprise, it was spurting red lava up into the air as it went into the ocean, and we had NOT seen that last year, so that was rather spectacular!  Took them all to all the spots we wanted them to see and they took us to a neat zoo they read about in Hilo.  We discovered much more to Hilo thanks to Dave and family.  
We took our time going to Kona (saw the crater and the southern most point of US), but still arrived in Kona before sunset.  We did the beach, tourist things, and Dave, Megan, and Mary went off and explored a little on their own while Rob and I hung back at the hotel and just sat ALL DAY on this little beach in the shade watching the waves.  That's the first time we've ever been able to do that, and it was just so relaxing with the gentle breeze.  We even dozed off a few times.  Dave and Megan couldn't believe we were still in the same spot when they got back 5 1/2 hours later.  Never moved except for rest-rooms.  It was marvelous!  
Dave, Megan, and Mary invited us to their room for Xmas morning and it was adorable.  They had decorated the room with lights and garlands, and even had a little tree, and a tray of coffee cakes and coffee.  We even had little decorated Xmas bags as our secret Santa stockings.  It was wonderful and made it feel like Xmas for a few hours (hard to feel like Xmas when it's sunny and 88 degrees).  After spending a lot of the day at the beach, David treated us all to dinner out at a place he had made reservations.  It was very pleasant and the food was good, so we had a great time.  
Now I feel like I've seen all there is to see (at least on the Big Island), and should I be lucky enough to go again, I'll have to figure out to which island I want to go to just sit on the beach and relax every day.  It really was refreshing to do that.  
Mindy, we thank you so much for being there during our SOS and for all the help you have and are still giving us.  I think you are simply amazing and you always do a wonderful job for us.  Thank you too, Ed, for your call.  
I must admit, I am not looking forward to flying again so soon, but hopefully we won't have a repeat.  At least it isn't as far.  So thanks again and I'll probably talk to you soon.  
By the way, we went to Xmas mass in a tent (church was condemned from an earthquake and the other tent they had was ripped up by a water funnel/spout the Sunday before we got there).  They replaced the tent just in time and it was wonderful.  We could hear the waves, the ocean breeze came through, we were in shorts (so was everyone else), I had my Xmas lei on, the deacon had bare feet, the priest was wonderful.  The most beautiful part was of course the friendliness of the Hawaiians, but also the fact that the mass was half Hawaiian and half English (very beautiful), and there was a hula girl dancing to some of the prayers (Our Father), and to some of the songs (Silent Night).  It was so moving, graceful, and beautiful and made you feel wonderful.  I loved it.
Kathy and Ron Knippler

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Vancouver and Alaska Trip – May 2009, by Mindy Walts

I had the great fortune to travel to Alaska this past May with my husband and close friends.  We took a cruise of Alaska’s inside passage.  We also stayed three nights in Vancouver prior to the cruise.  What a great decision.  Vancouver is one of the best cities that I have ever visited.  It is on the water, surrounded by mountains, and has all the amenities a city could offer. The city is composed of neighborhoods and offers a wonderful park, Stanley Park, at the water’s edge.  

A word of advice:  because of airline delays, we were delayed a day arriving into Vancouver.  One should always plan to arrive at one’s destination at least one day in advance of any cruise.

Because we traveled with two other couples, we stayed in an apartment hotel-Times Square Suites, a block from Stanley Park and the marina.  An apartment hotel doesn’t have the amenities of a traditional hotels (restaurants, concierge desk, daily maid service), but the location was fabulous and the cost of a one bedroom suite was about a third of the cost of a mid-town hotel.  Time Square Suites is in a residential area, at the base of Stanley Park, surrounded by lots of restaurants. Being at the base of Stanley Park had many advantages.  You can rent a bicycle to ride around the park or take a long walk along the sea wall.  

I recommend getting a two day pass for the “hop on, hop off” bus which travels through different areas of town.  Some stops I recommend you make:  Stanley Park where you can explore the totem pole area; Gastown with its cobblestone streets and wonderful side walk cafes; Granville Market with its large selection of local produce and wares.

We learned about a free bus to Capilano Suspension Bridge.  This is Vancouver's oldest tourist attraction, originally built in 1889, and stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet above Capilano River.  The twenty-seven acre park offers many activities including Treetops Adventure, the newest attraction:  Experience seven suspension bridges through the evergreens taking you up to 100 feet above the forest floor.  

My favorite restaurant in Vancouver was Raincity Grill.  The grill’s chef uses only locally grown food and the wonderful restaurant atmosphere features lots of outdoor seating right on English Bay in the West End.

We picked May to travel.  May and June, although cooler months, experience the least amount of rain.  Since Vancouver and Southeast Alaska is a rain forest I wanted to travel when there was the least chance of rain.  Best of all, there are great travel deals in May.  We reserved a mini-suite on the ship at the same price as a standard balcony cabin.  Our host was Princess Cruise Line and our hotel was the Coral Princess. The Coral Princess and the Island Princess (Coral’s sister ship) are smaller than the other Princess ships. They were constructed to sail through the Panama Canal.  They also have a roof over one of the rear pools which is a necessity when sailing the Alaska waters.  
We sailed north from Vancouver to Whittier through the inside passage.  Sailing through the inside passage means seeing land on either side of the ship so it really doesn’t matter on which side of the side of the ship you land.  We chose the port (left) side because of the sunsets.  We saw a spectacular sunset in Juneau at 10:30 pm one evening!  Some cabins on the Coral Princess have a covering outside to protect you from the rain.  Our cabin did not because we wanted more sun.  It was a good decision because the temperature our week was in the sunny 60’s, not a drop of rain and beautiful blue skies.  While we had three cabins together and were told they were adjoining, one two could connect to each other.  Keep in mind, not all balcony cabins on Princess connect if that is important to you.  By the way, I loved having the bigger bathroom and extra alcove in the living area of our suite.  It gave us extra room for a social area for our group.  

This particular cruise was a great way to visit South East Alaska.  There is no packing or unpacking, the food is good, service is excellent, and we were able to dine at Sabatini’s, the gourmet Italian restaurant.  Sabatini’s requires an additional charge but even though the food is good, the service and the quality of the food were not outstanding.  

Port Reviews
Our goal was to do something unique at each stop.
Ketchikan – We were in Ketchikan until 2:00 pm so we decided to take a float plane into Misty Fiords National Monument. Misty Fjords’ road-less location is accessed only by floatplane.  Its National Monument is a pristine masterpiece.  Its fjords were created by massive glacier action in the ice-rimmed wilderness.  Here is some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery.  Its 2.3 million acres include soaring cliffs, sawtooth ridges shrouded in mists, sky-blue lakes, hanging valleys, countless waterfalls, bottomless saltwater fjords, and miles of glaciers.  The monument is home to a multitude of wildlife as well.  After a great deal of research, I found a woman who had a float plane we could charter.  Because we chartered our own plane versus buying sightseeing from the cruise line, we could land in an isolated area of the Fiord instead of where all the other planes go.  The ride was spectacular and since Ketchikan is one of the wettest places in the nation, the slight occasional mist created a majestic atmosphere.  We landed in a beautiful serene place on the lake and walked around in complete isolation taking in all the natural beauty around us.  
Other than choosing a float plane excursion, Ketchikan offers exceptional sea kayaking trips on the protected waterways of the Inside Passage as well as great fishing trips for halibut and salmon.  
If you prefer not to leave town, stop in the visitor’s center for a walking tour map. Start your visit with a tour of the Historic Creek Street area and downtown Ketchikan. Here you will get a real sense of the history that is Ketchikan, including Dolly’s House Museum, the Tongass Historical Museum, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center and the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.
Juneau – There are numerous things Juneau is known for:  it is the port from which to whale watch, if that interests you.  Again, we decided not to follow the cruise ship shore excursion herd and found an independent whale watch company-Harv and Marv.  Harv and Marv are boyhood best friends, have two boats, and will take you on a private whale watch tour.  Their boats only accommodate 6 people.  The boat we had was brand new and Harv (Jay is his real name), our guide, was very knowledgeable.  He loves what he does and it shows.  All the ship captains keep in touch with each other by radio looking for whale sightings.  We saw many whales (even one breaching – wow!!), sea otters, seals, and flocks of bald eagles.  It was a perfect sunny day.  This is a must tour.

After the whale watching, we flew by helicopter landing on a glacier.  Again we booked our excursion through an independent tour operator. Our helicopter pilot took us in the opposite direction from where the cruise line’s helicopters were going so we were able to avoid the crowds.  We were fitted with boots with crampons so we could get out and walk on the ice.  The day was magnificent and the colors of the melting ice in the crevices were a vivid blue.  This was a once in a lifetime experience!

Skagway, our last port.  
The most popular shore excursion is the journey on the train to the White Pass Summit.  While this trip takes you by spectacular scenery, it didn’t go far enough into the Yukon for us.  I found a local tour operator that better filled our needs-Dyer Dave Tours.  Dave McClelland, our guide, is an archaeologist and was well versed in the local Gold Rush History.  He was a wealth of knowledge and he took us on a leisurely ride up into the Yukon to explore the spectacular scenery.  Again we were the only six in the van.  No crowds!  We went all the way to Emerald Lake (bring your passport because it is in Canada) which was the bluest green lake I’ve ever seen.  The scenery was spectacular and reminded me of a recent past trip I took through the Canadian Rockies.  

The last two days of our cruise were spent sailing through Glacier Bay and College Fjord.  We found a little known spot on the front of the ship which afforded us the very best views.  If you want, however, you can watch from your balcony.  Leave on your stateroom TV and listen to a naturalist explain about the history of the glaciers.

While trip of a life time may seem cliché that is exactly what this was!  If time allowed, I would have continued on to explore Denali Park as well.  I’m so glad that I chose to spend the extra time in Vancouver and hope to return to that incredible city again soon.

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By Ed Plog

Travel to Phoenix on Southwest Airlines was seamless.  The flights were about 75% full so there was plenty of room to stretch out.  There should not be a concern about the new advance check in policy as long as you check in 24 hrs before flight time.  You will get the seats you want.  We changed in Vegas and got in early so the lay over was a little longer than expected. 

In Scottsdale, the weather was very mild and pleasant.  Tempuratures were 70's during the day, 50's at night.  Travel day was a long day and with the change in time zones, it seems even longer.

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If you are thinking of a warm weather destination this coming winter that will offer you activities and peace and quite, I have a great suggestion.  Try the Florida Keys.
In June, we had the opportunity to fly to Florida to visit our son in Del Ray Beach.  By the way, Del Ray Beach is a fun beach destination all by itself.  I will write about it later.  The Keys were our main travel destination so after one night in Del Ray we headed south.
Our first stop was the Marathon area which was about a 2.5 hour drive.  Be aware of road construction because once on the keys, the main road is 2 lanes so construction can really slow you down.
In Marathon, we stayed at a condo community, right on the water-Coral Lagoon Marina.  The property was very low key and very well kept.  The condo was 2 stories, very large and in superior condition.  This would be a great place to stay if you are into boating.  While the property has a nice pool, there really isn't much else there.  I would recommend Tranquility Bay, a sister property, if you are looking for a more traditional beach resort community.  Both properties are high end, but we went in the off season and had a very reasonable rate.
Marathon has 3 main things to offer, diving, fishing and drinking.  You will be hard pressed to find hordes of people, places and things like in Key West.
I didn't find the restaurant offerings to be like those you'll find in a big city or in a major resort area.  The dining is casual, very reasonably priced and adequate.  Try Sparky's Landing for dinner.  They offer a great view and are located near the bridge.
If you are into diving, this is one of the top dive spots in Florida.  There is a dive park not too far off shore offering much to see in about 20 feet of water.  I am not a diver, so my son and I snorkeled for 3 hours in this park.  There are plenty of dive shops in Marathon to choose from.  We used Hall's Diving Center which we found to be excellent.
Our last full day, we drove down to Key West.  It took about an hour and was a pleasant drive through many keys where we saw beautiful scenery.
Once in Key West we walked up one side of Duval St. and down the other.  Duval St. is famous for shops, restaurants, bars, B&Bs, hotels and the Butterfly Museum (a must see).  The street was jammed with people, mostly families.  As night approached, the families slowly disappeared and young people came out to the bars (of which there are many).  Key West knows how to party.
I can't specifically recommend a place to stay, but I noticed what appeared to be 2 or 3 excellent B&Bs right on Duval St.
As for dinner, we had a very delicious dinner at Hot Tin Roof, located on the Ocean Reef Hotel property.  We dined in air conditioning on a verandah that allowed us to watch the sunset.  The food and scenery were superior.
We flew in and out of Florida on Southwest from Albany, NY and found the service good.  We used Ft. Lauderdale airport as our landing point where we rented a car.  To get to this area, it is convenient to use West Palm Beach and Miami airports also.
If you want to stay in Del Ray, there is a very unusual hotel which I really liked, called Sundy House.  It won't appeal to everyone.  Plus it is located very near the main restaurant district.  Del Ray seems to be a moderate to upscale destination.

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We're home following a great 10 day trip to Paris, a river cruise on the Seine to Normandy, and back to Paris for two days. I am starting with the end of the trip and working my way back. That is because the last of the photos are the most ready. First of all it was an incredible trip and we had the time of our lives. Next, a commercial announcement! A big thank you to Empress Travel on Upper Union St. in Schenectady, NY for making the arrangements and Uniworld, the cruise line we chose (the River Baroness gave us a lovely experience), and lastly The Good Feet Store (not kidding I would have NEVER been able to do all that wonderful walking (even hiking up a considerably big "hill" without the inserts from Good Feet Store on Wolf Road, Albany, NY.

We sailed back to Paris after a day split between Giverney and Versailles. We enjoyed the Captain's farewell dinner as guests at the Captain's Table (don't know why we were picked, didn't lobby for it, but LOVED it - my Hyacynth (PBS) moment),danced the night away and went topside at 11pm to view the Eiffel Tower (already a Katherine DeMedici's Luxembourg Garden Mansion  light show but it sparkles like a Roman candle for 5 minutes on the hour).

A motor coach tour of Paris in the morning was wonderful. Even tho' we had been on our own in Paris for three days before setting sail; and used a hop on hop off Grey Line type of double-decker bus; we were very happy we had decided to go on the tour. The local "step on" guides from Uniworld were amazing. Art, history, language majors (some Sorbonne educated)! We ended the morning with a walk through Luxembourg Gardens with our guide. It was a Saturday morning and "ever fit" Parisienne's were out in force jogging, rollerblading, practicing Tai Chi, etc. It seemed like "Dad's day with the kids." So many fathers were out teaching their kids to ride bikes and playing with their children.

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GRAND MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE PORTS

Naples -
- Beyond Pompeii, which is definitely a must-do for anyone visiting Naples, other areas around Naples are just beautiful -- Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, , Positano, and Capri, among others.
- Capri can be a full day in itself
- Or you can incorporate a day combining a Amalfi Coast tour with either Pompeii or Sorrento, Positano or all three.

Santorini -
   - scene of one of the world's most violent volcanic eruptions around 1450 B.C. and is one of the most scenically dramatic of all the Greek Islands. With its pitch-black beaches, rugged landscape and stunning caldera (volcanic crater), it's more akin to one of the Canary Islands than some of the drier more arid Greek Islands.
    -  A must see is the really sweet town of Oia - smaller and a bit less congested than Fira
    - An excursion to do an island tour would be a good idea here incorporating Oia -

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Celebrity Solstice Ship Facts Occupancy: 2,850 Tonnage: 122,000 Length: 1,033 ft Beam: 121 ft Draught: 27 ft Cruise Speed: 24 kts Inaugural Date: Nov 23, 2008 Celebrity Solstice AquaClass - For those who have entered a spa and never wanted to leave, Celebrity Solstice offers the new AquaClassSM stateroom. Sharing a deck with the AquaSpa® relaxation room, it incorporates select spa elements into the staterooms, allows for specialized access to spa amenities, and features assigned seating at the healthfully delicious Blu. This is an entirely new class and concept of accommodations for Celebrity. The layout of these cabins is identical to that of Concierge, Sunset Veranda and Deluxe Ocean View staterooms (about 192 sq feet, 53 sq foot verandah). The difference is in privileges and amenities. Located on Deck 11 near the AquaSpa, these rooms include an expanded assemblage of spa-oriented cosmetics, gels and bath amenities, upgraded linens, including a selection from the “pillow menu”, Frette robes and slippers, complimentary bottled water, a daily carafe of flavor infused iced tea, canapés, and access to an exclusive room service menu of salads, whole grains and healthy dining choices. Concierge Class Staterooms – Additional amenities such as – a full breakfast room service menu, nightly canapés, and complimentary welcome aboard Champagne. Similar to the AquaSpa cabins – Egyptian cotton oversized bath towels, Hansgrohe massaging showerhead and Frette robes. Priority check in, luggage delivery, embarkation and debarkation. Lawn Club There's absolutely nothing like it. A freshly manicured lawn on the highest deck of Celebrity Solstice. This is The Lawn Club. Enjoy casual outdoor activities in a decidedly Country Club atmosphere, and let the grass between your toes take you places no cruise has gone before. Cellar Masters Inspired by the vineyards of Napa Valley, Cellarmasters brings to life the experience of a global wine tour while you learn about and taste a large variety of wines from around the world. A welcoming and unique on board environment, you'll discover new wines, receive recommendations and enrich your knowledge of the world of wine. Grand Epernay Dining Room The magnificent and luxurious main dining room of Celebrity Solstice. With a two-story glass wine tower and dazzling chandeliers, this quintessential dining area has a decidedly Hollywood aura. Serving savory World & Continental cuisine, complete with Celebrity's famed European-style service. Celebrity Central For an evening of lively, spontaneous entertainment, the versatile Celebrity Central is the perfect destination. Catch a late night comedy show, live musical performances, or a great movie in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Murano Restaurant Prepare to indulge in a savory multi-course meal featuring a blend of Classic and Modern continental cuisines. A superb wine list accentuates your experience. Tuscan Grille Restaurant The ultimate grill experience at sea is what you'll find at Tuscan Grille, our sophisticated steakhouse and specialty restaurant. Savor fine Italian wines and panoramic views along with your Caesar salad, made tableside. Silk Harvest Restaurant Enjoy the cuisines of Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, China and India, served family-style, with built-in lazy-Susans and small plates perfect for sharing. Blu Restaurant This specialty restaurant is the exclusive dining venue for all AquaClassSM guests, serving healthy fare in a sophisticated and soothing atmosphere. Sky Observation Lounge Don't look back, look forward and be amazed by the breathtaking views in our ultimate observation lounge. The floor to ceiling windows will captivate and the expansive space will please you as you relax in the comfy seating all around. The lounge is versatile and can be transformed to suit any occasion. Solstice is the first of a new class of five vessels to be launched through 2012. Solstice’s style blossoms from the root of its name – “sol” meaning “sun”. The sun plays an important role for the ship, nurturing the most unique feature of this ship – a full half acre of lush living grass. Called the “Lawn Club” this area features bocce courts, a putting course and the Hot Glass Show – where passengers can sit surrounded by the grass of the Lawn Club and watch a master from the Corning Museum of Glass practicing his/her art, with a second artist providing commentary. Many dining choices – Main dining room 3 specialty dinner restaurants, a restaurant reserved exclusively for passengers in Aqua Class staterooms, a crepe and panini bistro, a lido buffet with specialty stations, a poolside grill, a spa cuisine buffet and grill, and a coffee bar and gelateria. 10 restaurants total – 6 are open for breakfast, 5 for lunch and 7 for dinner.

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ms Eurodam Passenger capacity: 2,104 Crew members: 929 Gross tonnage: 86,700grt Length: 936 feet New to HAL are efforts to broaden enrichment, dining and spa options. The Eurodam has a contemporary, even trendy, onboard ambience. Launching her maiden voyage in July of 2008, the ms Eurodam marks Holland America Line's new Signature-class ships. The ms Eurodam furthers the evolution of our sophisticated mid-sized ships with 11 passenger decks, a new topside Pan-Asian restaurant and lounge surrounded by panoramic views, an Explorer's Lounge bar, a new Italian restaurant adjacent to the Lido, elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, an enhanced and reconfigured show lounge and a new photographic and imaging center. On the technical side, the ms Eurodam features the latest state-of-the-art navigation and safety systems. The ship is powered by six diesel generators and propelled by the latest Azipod® propulsion technology. Guests on the ms Eurodam will be able to "show and tell" their vacation memories through the Digital Workshop powered by Windows®. Free workshops led by Microsoft-trained "techsperts" will show even the most novice camera or computer user how to take better vacation photos, make movies, edit pictures and create scrapbooks using a variety of Microsoft Windows and Windows Live services. Guests will learn how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking — so friends and family can see where they've been cruising even before they return home. Following in the Holland America Line tradition, the ms Eurodam features an exquisite art collection based on the theme, "The Dutch Golden Age — An Inexhaustible Tradition". Highlighting works by Dutch masters and contemporary artists, some of the pieces featured will include 17th-century watercolor maps by famed cartographer Johannes Vingboons, photo-realistic oil paintings by artist Jan van 't Hoff and The Nightwatch, Two Minutes Later, a contemporary reinterpretation of Rembrandt's famous painting. Guests on Holland America Line ships will be able to "show and tell" their vacation memories through the Digital Workshop powered by Windows®. Free workshops led by Microsoft-trained "techsperts" will show even the most novice camera or computer user how to take better vacation photos, make movies, edit pictures and create scrapbooks using a variety of Microsoft Windows and Windows Live services. Guests will learn how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking — so friends and family can see where they've been cruising even before they return home. The program, which is complimentary and has its own dedicated space on each ship, kicks off with a 50-minute session. Called "Just Shoot Me," the session provides tips and tricks on how to take the best pictures, and introduces passengers to onboard editing and movie-making resources available on the cruise, including Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Movie Maker. The "Just Shoot Me" session will be followed by jargon-free interactive sessions, also 50 minutes in length, designed for smaller groups to try out the technologies themselves in a hands-on environment. These workshops include: • On the Download — How to move images between a digital camera and a Windows-based personal computer, with basic instruction. • Put Your Best Face Forward — How to crop and color-correct digital photos and easily create panoramic pictures by stitching photos together using Windows Live Photo Gallery. • Your "Home Away From Home" Movie — How to add music, special effects and titles to your videos and publish to a DVD using Windows Movie Maker. • Show and Tell — How to create and upload photos to a personal Web page, invite friends to view the Web page and email photos using a variety of Windows Live services. • Your 15 Minutes of Fame — How to turn your vacation journal into a blog by creating a basic Web page and blog entries using Windows Live Spaces and Windows Live Writer. • A Click Ahead — How to design a photo card and a basic scrapbook, as well as how to order notepads, stickers, posters and other photo-related items from the Internet using Windows Live Photo Gallery. • The digital workshop showcases state-of-the-art technology provided and maintained by Microsoft — including Windows Vista-certified computers, servers, printers, scanners and a wireless network. The workshops will also feature flat-screen TVs for easy viewing of videos and "techspert" demonstrations. • Guests can choose to attend all or just some of the workshops, each which will be offered at various times and days throughout each cruise. Multiple workshops will be held every day. In addition, one-on-one coaching, called "Techspert Time", will also be available for over 20 hours each week. Culinary Arts Center Culinary Arts Center - An Experience to Savor The Culinary Arts Center program, presented by Food & Wine magazine, is a groundbreaking program that integrates guests' love for fine food and wine with a unique and entertaining experience. Immerse yourself in the unique traditions and tastes of the ports of call you will visit. Sample fine wines from around the world or learn to make a new gourmet dish in a hands-on cooking class taught by our own Master Chefs or culinary guests. The Culinary Arts Center also features: • An innovative theatre-style venue with a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen • Multiple large plasma video screens so you don't miss the fine details (or you can watch the broadcast from the comfort of your own stateroom) • Cooking demonstrations and hands-on cooking classes by our own award-winning chefs and their culinary staff • Wine and cheese experts hosting special wine tastings and food pairing seminars • Special guest chefs, wine experts and leading cookbook authors who appear in the pages of Food & Wine magazine • Book signings, Q&A sessions, market tours in selected ports of call Demonstrations and Seminars from Top Chefs The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, provides guests on select Holland America cruises the opportunity to experience demonstrations and hands-on classes conducted by top chefs, wine experts, and leading cookbook authors from the pages of Food & Wine Magazine. Onboard all sailings, you will learn tricks-of-the-trade from top professionals, try your hand at preparing dishes and taste wines representative of the specific ports-of-call you will visit. Guests on selected cruises will also receive Food & Wine recipe cards and wine tasting notes that you may take home along with copies of the magazine. Other opportunities might include book signings, question and answer sessions, specially designed dinner menus and more. Previous guest chefs include: • Jacques Torres - Chocolatier Extraordinaire. • Max McCalman - Maître Fromager, Artisanal Premium Cheese. • Marcus Samuellson - Chef of Aquavit and Ringo, NYC. • Susan Sokol Blosser - President and wine visionary, Sokol Blosser Winery, Dundee, OR. Eurodam Highlights - Stand Out Service – largely Filipino and Indonesian crew - Classic Public Rooms like the elegant Explorers Lounge, the intimate Ocean Bar dance venue and the Explorations Café. - HAL’s Signatures of Excellence initiative – in cabin features such as upgraded bedding, fresh flowers, DVD players and bathrooms with tubs. - Two additional alternative restaurants – Tamarind – Pan Asian Cuisine and Canaletto – Italian - Retreat – open deck area that features private cabanas outfitted with comfortable loungers. - Explorations Café – HAL’s coffeehouse style, book lined gathering spot – tucked into the top of the ship Crow’s Nest.

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