I am a snob when it comes to travel. There I said it. I expect, yes, even in this day and age, that I get something for my money. I like traveling with Celebrity because they don't take my patronage for granted. So "well done" to the crew of the Celebrity Solstice for serving in such a heartfelt manner. After that a cruise, for me, is about making friends. And for that I tip my hat to the excursion crew. The excursions are well run, easy to relax on and as the ad says, "leave the driving to us."

I made many new friends on my journeys. In Rome I met Sheila, a powerhouse of a woman who was my new BFF as we headed out of the Vatican, maps in hand and a desire to hop a subway and see what all we could track down in half a day. We found the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Coliseum and a great place for Lasagna. In Santorini I met Patricia S.W. from the UK. A delightful gal who had the wonderful idea of stopping the running around long enough to have a coffee along the way and actually BE there in the moment. Then we had moussaka and Greek salad. And another BFF was born. (E-mail me, I have lost your info, I have pictures of you.)

There were new folks to meet at dinner, in ports and on deck. How can you not like people adventurous to go on a cruise and stomp around Pompeii. Read more