Page 73 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL WINTER SPRING 2022

with a hello and smile! Entertainment and food ex-
ceptional, cleanliness top notch! I just love the
cruise world—it's like a small village! I highly rec-
ommend cruising to everyone at this time!
“We did the hop-on, hop-off bus the first day in
San Francisco,” she continued. “And we visited
Muir Woods on the second day—my highlight of
San Francisco. Those redwoods are something
else! So majestic and beautiful—could definitely
have spent more time there!
“We rented a golf cart in Catalina for two hours
and drove all around—super fun. Could have done
that all day!
“In Ensenada we did off-road buggy driving in
the countryside—one of the most fun things I have
done in a long time. We were so dusty! They took
a leaf blower to us to get some of the dust and dirt
off us! We also had a wine tasting afterward. It
was also interesting to see how other people in
our world live and what their day-to-day life looks
like. Grateful for that experience.”
Chrysanne and Craig Timm of Michigan, who
have taken several cruises, also noted that this
was their first post-COVID cruise, selected since tocol was strict and that the cruise lines wanted re-
they had never been to San Francisco, Catalina, or turn customers and they would have to follow
Ensenada. through. We had no problems getting our pre-
“We really enjoyed the itinerary—especially the boarding tests, only worried if they would not come
overnight in San Francisco,” said Chrysanne. “Per- back on time or if we tested positive. We loved the
haps the most moving experience there was walk- fact that the ship was not crowded and we could
ing through Muir Woods as a soft rain fell. The easily get around. We felt like we were VIPs with
whole experience felt truly primordial. the service and being greeted by the staff at all
“This was our second cruise with Celebrity—we times.”
will keep coming back because the entire crew While we waited for our spa treatments the first
does an outstanding job of making you feel wel- day of our San Francisco port stop, we chatted with
come and attending to your specific needs and re- another passenger, who told us that she was a court
quests. Need distilled water for your BiPAP stenographer who lived just a few miles from the
system? No problem! You prefer fruit or cheese to pier.
canapes in your AquaClass suite? You've got it. We “I feel like I should go home and check up on
also really appreciate the quality of the food and things and get my mail,” she said, noting that we'd
the atmosphere of the dining rooms.” be in her hometown port overnight.
Sonia Fox-Ohlbaum of San Diego and her hus- But it was an idea she quickly dismissed.
band Kenny, who have been on eleven cruises (in- “That's why we're here, isn't it?” she continued.
cluding one river cruise) “ventured with some
“To forget life's hassles!”
misgivings on the Celebrity Coastal cruise,” she
said. “Because friends booked it and we needed a
restful break, we joined in. I was concerned with
my underlying health issues but felt that the pro-

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