Pre-cruise On 3/27 we boarded the AA red/eye flight from Miami to Santiago de Chile where we arrived early Friday morning. Three Ladies from "Celebrity" welcomed us in the baggage area and guided us to the transfer bus. We spent the next 3 days at the "Sheraton" hotel: Nice lobby with an attractive bar, great pool with an outdoors restaurant, rooms newly remodeled (but bathrooms in need of renovation!). The personnel was very friendly. The concierge Naomi helped us to organize a knowledgeable private driver for a four-hour city tour and for Saturday a visit of a smaller vinery. She also took care of our dinner reservations: "Aqui està Coco" and "Ox" - two excellent restaurants. "Celebrity" had also a special desk at our hotel to book excursions and the transfer to the ship.

Overall we had a very positive impression of Santiago: Friendly people, clean, safe and well-organized city with beautiful sites.

Embarkation in Valparaiso - CC stateroom 7206 Boarding was easy and fast, without the usual "Welcome bubbly" - but in our stateroom waited a bottle of real Champagne in an ice bucket, which we opened on our huge balcony (22 x 10 feet). This was the perfect start for a unique cruise! A short talk to the restaurant manager resulted in one of the best tables for two in the dining room and then we met our friendly stateroom attendants Ramonito and Birad - the best stewards we ever had on a cruise. Read more