Solstice Live/First-Timer Reports/Pix’s: Italy/Croatian June 7-19

[hillsprint]

Terry

Thanks for answering, and a bigger thank you for your "live" blog

I had read that the ferry terminal was close, and took your advice and did a search and found this

Sorrento & Capri on your own

which indicates it's not too far from the Cruise Terminal

Enjoy the rest of your cruise

Cheers

Mike

[torybruno]

TLC~

After your first formal night, please report what type of dress you are seeing. One of my sons is planning on bringing a tux, I'm hoping he will see others on board next week. Ladies in short cocktail dresses??

Also wondering what my 16 year old can get away with on the casual nights in the MDR. If you see any young folk, I would appreciate any help! He does have a new suit for formal nights.

Thanks so much!

[TLCOhio]

As this was first written, it is now late Sunday morning on the Solstice during our sea day. Had breakfast in the main dining room. Unfortunately, they were as “consistent” there in serving my eggs and hash browns “luke warm” to near cool as room service was for the first three days when dining through room service. Oh, well, we were sitting by the window, the staff service was very good and nice. I’ll keep trying to get a nicely warm breakfast later.

Had a nice walk around more of the ship, exploring the pool and top decks, enjoying the super sunny day. Not too hot, just wonderful.

Below are the first service of visuals from our spectacular Saturday, June 11, seeing the Amalfi Coast, etc. Still having some IT and upload problems from the ship, but trying to work through those issues.

As I am getting ready to post these pictures, we are on the top, front deck of the Solstice getting ready to enter the narrow passageway that leads to the fjord going to Kotor, Montenegro. It is sunrise time and it is super scenic, passing little fortress islands protecting the entrance to this historic town.

THANKS for those checking out these posting! We have more info later on the formal night question. We are now over 2,270 views. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


For Ravello overlooking the Gulf of Solerno, this is the town church tower with flowers in the foreground:




Ravello has many nice ceramics shops with locally-made pieces of many sizes. Here is the owner making a welcoming toast to come in and shop.:




From Ravello’s main square, here is the view to its neighboring village.:




Along the Amalfi coast, here is the luxury hotel where Hillary Clinton stayed as First Lady when visiting this scenic area.:




Along the Amalfi Coast, here’s a view with a special flowering plant in the foreground.:




Near the town of Amalfi on this coast, here is one of the “fjords” as they are called coming off of the water and allowing for a small beach and area to keep boats. Very scenic!!:

[TLCOhio]

As we moved along the Amalfi Coast towards Positano, here is just a small sampling of the wonderful views and sights we enjoyed on Saturday, June 11. Carmine, our driver-guide from Romeinlimo, was super wonderful. Great views and experiences.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


Here is the view of Positano from the east of this spectacular town stacked along the coast.:




Overlooking Positano, this is the view as we dined, family-style for lunch, at the Elisir di Positano per La Caglioita. The views here were super and the sun came out in strong force as we enjoyed our three-course lunch with local wine and drinks.:




In the kitchen, this is our chef-owner in the area where our meal was prepared. Excellent setting, food and a less-touristy focus.:




Near Positano, this is the super luxury hotel, its gardens and views where the rooms go for about $1200 a night. Costly, but million-dollar sights from each of the rooms.:




As the Solstice sailed from Naples, we passed scenic Capri island, former summer home for Roman Emperors. This is the sunset view of this island from the ship.:

[TLCOhio]

We had visited Pompeii on our 1999 trip to the area and we wanted to sample Herculaneum on this second visit. Herculaneum was a nearby luxury resort town for the elite of the Roman empire. Pompeii would still probably be the first-choice as its variety and options are more there. Plus, bigger crowds. Herculaneum was nice option to do for our re-visit and it good to be able to see it without battling large numbers of other people. Lots of interesting history at this location.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


We are getting ready to enter Herculaneum's main market area and this is part of the overall view for this section of the town.:




For the baths at Herculaneum, this view shows the arched roof that managed to survive the fall-out and coverage by the volcano ash.:




This is part of the design for the floor of the bath house in Herculaneum. Under this floor, the Romans had heating ducts constructed as a part of the bathhouse design:




This is the interior of the temple or religious area at Herculaneum used by local residents there.:




For one of the most elite homes in Herculaneum, this was the view from the dining area out towards their enclosed gardens that had an overlook of the coast at that time before the volcano eruption.:

[elena7seas]

Wonderful, wonderful pictures and terrific commentary. I feel as if I am sailing along with you.

If you see Hylasgirl (Stephanie) and her mom, please say "hi" from Eileen in Vancouver.

Can you give me any more details about the "candlelight picnic on the lawn". That sounds so lovely.

We will be on the Solstice on July 13th and I can hardly wait!

[jspirit]

Enjoying all of your comments and photos! glad you are having such a wonderful time! Have you had a chance to take a glance at the excursion page and let us know if the ship tour of Herculaneum is only offered at 1:30 pm, or is there a morning tour?
Thanks and enjoy!

[Cruiser Susie]

I am so enjoying following along on this thread and your photos are just stunning; although we have been to some of these places, we have not been to Herculaneum and Ravello; I am ready to go now... wish we could. I am looking forward to "seeing" Montenegro through your comments and camera lens. Thank you again for taking the time to do this!

[Karynanne]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures! I too feel as if I'm experiencing your fascinating cruise. I have some friends on your cruise, and I know they are loving all the sights as well.

Karyn

[u2cruiser]

Really enjoying your posts Terry. The pictures are stunning.
I like the 'back onboard' pics as you (we ) sail off for our next port of call.

[jpalbny]

Originally Posted by hillsprint

Terry

Thanks for answering, and a bigger thank you for your "live" blog

I had read that the ferry terminal was close, and took your advice and did a search and found this

Sorrento & Capri on your own

which indicates it's not too far from the Cruise Terminal

Enjoy the rest of your cruise

Cheers

Mike

We have done the Naples-Capri ferry on our own on two separate occasions from cruise stops. Both times the ferry dock was a 5 minute walk from the ship (and it's visible from the ship before you disembark). It was no problem at all.

Terry - great pictures (at least the ones I could see)! Have to get home on a faster internet connection so that the others will download. Looks so familiar, I want to go back.

[merprincess]

Your photos are wonderful andf help me to relive our recent cruise. I look forward to the rest of your pics and info.
Mary

[trumpet56]

An excellent insight into your cruise ,and something to look forward to
first July........ when we sail.
Many Thanks
Happy Days

Trumpet

[hillsprint]

Terry

Another question !!

Have you noticed any shore trips being offered on-board that weren't on the Celebrity website before you sailed?

Cheers

Mike

[miXterOB]

Thanks so much Terry!
This is one totally perfect thread on every level.
Celebrity and Italian Tourism Board need to compensate you for the wonderful sales job you are doing...I'm ready to book now and I've never wanted to visit the Med until your thread.

Can't wait to see more.

As for the lukewarm breakfast...try Blu
Ours were perfect in December but yes, those room service eggs were pitifully cold.

[cruising to paradise]

We are so looking forward to our first cruise to the mediterrenean and our first time on the Solstice in Sept. Your pictures are wonderful and I can't wait to see the rest of your cruise. thanks for all of your information and pictures. Nancy

[CruiserTK]

Your commentary and photos are superb. I so look forward to your next instalment.

[Keith1010]

Hi Terry, I am glad that you got to see Herculaneum.

Keep up the great posts with the wonderful narrative and the amazing pictures.

May you get a hot breakfast sooner rather than later.

Keith

[birthdaygal]

Pictures are stunning and since we have been there before it is like reliving and going again in September so cannot wait.....We are booked with romeinlimo too on one tour so glad you are reporting great things...Is the Glass show still back by the lawn? Won a beautiful piece to bring home last time.
Thanks so much and hoping you get those hot eggs soon.....

[Sherrie74]

OMG ... we are looking at Sept 29th and now after looking at these pictures and comments need to get down to business and book soon.

Thanks so much for doing this live and keeping us informed. Curious if you are doing this in the iLounge ... I had so many problems there wont do it again.