Tag Archives: vacation

The Nov. 14th christening of Celebrity Solstice in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

November 15, 2008Celebrity SolsticeCelebrity Solstice, cruise, Travel, vacationAlicia

Fort Lauderdale, November 14th, 2008:
Celebrity Solstice christening ceremony Celebrity Solstice godmother

Violinist Lucia Micarelli and vocalist Antonio Sol performed U2's "Beautiful Day", the song that started the Solstice christening ceremony and ultimately created a vibe in the Solstice theater of excitemen
t, anticipation, and romance. Tonight, Celebrity introduced the Godmother of the Solstice in a ceremony unlike any other complete with an acrobat flying high bringing down the red ribbon for the Godmother to cut. Before the Godmother cut the red ribbon, the Solstice was blessed by Rabbi Terry A. Bookman and Seaman's Pastor Sverre Tofte

Journalists and VIP's assembled in the ship's
Solstice Theatre where the St. Andrews Pipe Band of Miami ushered in cruise line executives including Celebrity Cruises
President Dan Hanrahan and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain. Of the ship, Fain said "The ship speaks for itself — and when she speaks, people fall in love." I fell in love the moment I saw the Solstice, there's no denying that.

Sharon L. Smith, the Solstice's Godmother is not a celebrity nor is she a typical public figure however she is one step above in that she is a two time cancer survivor, Professor and biological oceanographer and is the first scientist ever to serve as a cruise ship godmother.

Earlier in the day (November 14th from 12:00pm – about 6:30pm)

I've had such a great time on the Celebrity Solstice cruise so far. The ship has so many amazing details, venues, and activities.. oh and I can't forget the food.. don't even think about eating salad on this cruise! There are so many options with everything from sushi to Italian to gourmet hamburgers but don't worry, they haven't left the kids out. There is no doubt that your kids will love the food and every other aspect of the Celebrity Solstice cruise. I even have photographs of the food to show you.

Celebrity Solstice is a peaceful, environmentally friendly, relaxing cruise vessel and I couldn't ask for a more beatiful experience as far as the decor is concerned. Actually as far as everything is concerned. Because I am here for the Celebrity Solstice naming ceremony and other PR activities, I have been extremely busy with business but able to experience so many parts of the ship which I am going to tell you about in more detail when I arrive back home in Atlanta, Monday evening.

The kids venues are awesome. I wish I could have brought Sebastian but I seriously doubt that he would have enjoyed the PR forums and dinners I am attending. There are two kids venues on Celebrity Solstice for two age ranges. Each venue is very appropriate for the age ranges. I will tell you about these details when I have more time. I am typing like a maniac right now because I don't know how much longer I will be connected to the Internet here.

I am on a very short time limit as the internet connection here is VERY unpredictable and has been down most of the day. I am not able to add photographs to my posts at this time.. sorry!

Go ahead and learn more about the brand new Celebrity Solstice cruise vessel here.

– Alicia

SwissGear Luggage – awesome carry on luggage

November 13, 2008Travelairplain, baggage, carry on, luggage, suit case, swiss army, swissgear, Travel, vacationAlicia

As you know if you've read my last two posts, we are leaving for our Celebrity Solstice preview cruise Friday a.m. Because I don't want to check baggage for a three day trip I have resided to stuffing a bagillion things in a carry on bag. Lucky me, I got to try out my new SwissGear bag. Well, it's not so new I just haven't tried it yet.

I realized about 10 hours into packing today that "crap, this bag might be too heavy to carry on!" Carry on bags can only weigh up to 45lbs.
I ran and got a scale and it showed a weight of about 10 pounds with all of my stuff inside the bag! I knew that couldn't be right so I got the electronic scale and that scale showed 30 lbs.. which is AMAZING considering the size of the SwissGear bag, and the small village I stuffed inside the bag. I double checked and sure enough, bag and all, the total weight was right at 30lbs. Back to the first scale for a second.. I will be weighing myself on that scale from now on!

Continue reading SwissGear Luggage – awesome carry on luggage →

Getting ready for the Celebrity Solstice cruise.. tomorrow!

November 13, 2008Celebrity SolsticeCelebrity Solstice, cruise, mommy, ship, Travel, trip, vacationAlicia

The Celebrity Solstice cruise is tomorrow.. or today if you're reading this Friday. We are boarding the ship around noon and I will be sharing my experience with our readers (you!) all day Friday and Saturday.

I am having a really hard time knowing that I am leaving both kids tomorrow. Sebastian, 9 years old, knows and understands that we will be gone for a couple of days but Madelyn (2 years old) has no idea. Unfortunately, Madelyn hasn't spent a night without me, EVER. To think that she is going to wake up tomorrow morning and I will not be there is really tough for me.

Getting ready for the Celebrity Solstice cruise has been a bit of a challenge. I had to take both the kids and myself to the doctor Wednesday which is the day I had sort of 'dedicated' to organizing and packing for the trip.
Sebastian is sick, I was diagnosed with something a little unexpected and both kids got a flu shot. Today, Madelyn came down with a slight fever and a runny nose which I hope is not an infection but because of the flu shot and will (please please) go away very quickly.

Well, get ready to be bombarded with exciting news about my Celebrity Solstice cruise trip including photographs and videos. You can read more about the cruise and why I am going on it here.

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