Cheerio and Ta Ta to the UK

September 15

Earlier than expected, our driver, June, showed up with her mini-van to take us to Dover. Between the five of us we had at least twenty pieces of luggage. Organizing all of our suitcases jigsaw puzzle-style into the mini-van was a feat unto itself yet again. In a few minutes we were on the road for a one hour drive to the famed White Cliffs of Dover. I had gotten used to this right-hand driving, stepping off curbs looking to the right.    France doesn't do this and I hoped I could adjust to the new traffic pattern.The approach from the highway into Dover is quite the sight. Looming over the port, there is  Dover Castle sitting high upon a hill, with the famed White Cliffs as a backdrop. Although there probably was enough time, no one wanted to chance missing the ship by spending an hour visiting what many say is the best, non-commercialized castle in  England.  Oh well, it’ll have to wait until my next visit. Some people say, “You’ve seen one castle, you’ve seen them all.” Not so for me. I hope I never become so jaded that the incredibly historical becomes yawningly mundane.

Boarding an American-owned vessel in a foreign land does not necessarily equate to emulating the good manners of that country. After 11 days of being among the Brits, I was enjoying the politeness and friendliness of everyone that I encountered. Although a bit restrained at times, everyone I came into contact with was always courteous and helpful. The only bit of pushiness I found was boarding the local bus in London at rush hour.   It was excusable. Pushing and cutting in line at the port for embarkation, being in the throes of nearly two thousand Americans all tired and hungry from their transatlantic flight, was more than I was prepared to handle. I was hoping that this was not a vision of the next 12 days.

As soon as I set foot on the Constellation, I immediately felt at home. Unlike many other luxury and premium cruise lines, Celebrity greets you with a glass of champagne and actually escorts you to your stateroom if needed. This being my tenth or twelfth sailing with Celebrity, albeit my first on the Constellation, I had the comforting feeling of finding familiar faces among the staff onboard. I’ve kept in touch via email with a lovely person in charge. I first met her when she was with Guest Services on the Century. She is now the Event Coordinator onboard the Constellation. Her name is Ngawhira and I have known her for almost three years. Whenever I bring a group onboard one of her sailings, she always goes above and beyond what is expected. This voyage will prove no different. I have twelve more people joining me in Dover and I will, with Ngawhira’s help, host a get-together cocktail party for twenty-one passengers within the first few days of the cruise.

When you step aboard the Constellation, you can’t help but notice the quiet elegance and muted ambiance of the Grand Lobby on Deck Three. Not “Atrium-ized” as many ships are today, it is a one-floor lobby, with a warmly lit, brass-railed grand staircase leading up to the next deck of public areas. There are four glassed elevators, two of which provide a panoramic view of the ocean up to deck 9. Definitely not for the weak-kneed or agoraphobic!

I proceeded to my stateroom by 2PM and lo and behold! My luggage had arrived. Without wasting a moment and before I was to meet my four close friends for the luncheon buffet, I set out to totally unpack my belongings and settle in as quickly as possible into my new quarters. Within 20 minutes my territory was marked with my various and sundry belongings, including more electronics than you can imagine someone would lug on a trip, and I was off to the Lido Buffet for my first non-English meal in twelve days. Did someone say cheeseburger?