Hi Ted, thanks for your reply. We stopped at Dominica last year, it was a replacement for Granada. It isia very rural island with little development. We hired a private tour outside of the gates. It turned out to be led by a young man(college educated) who worked for a tour company during the week, but on his days off worked this tour bus for tips. A very poor island, but well educated. We went up into the mountains for a tour of one of the falls and flowers, plants, etc. He was able to give a lot of information and was very chaming. On the way down the mountain, we stopped at a shack where a number of men offered you a table filled with fresh island fruits and cocobeans that had(with coconut) been made into the local "almond joy", as well as fresh cane juice. The Charge? Actually, none. They had a bucket hanging from the ceiling and asked that you make a donation. Across the way was a young couple that weaved baskets. There is a small town on the island, but we did not go into it. Across from the ship was a huge warehouse filled with "island" treasures-most of which you see on every island. However, if you look closely there are some real island crafts. I am a quilter and always on the lookout for fabric. At one booth I was able to purchase real island waxed fabric. Somewhere in my papers from last year, I may still have the name of this young man and phone number. If so, we could arrange to have a private tour with him. Many people stayed on the ship, but for us it was the most pure island. On another note I had found a site called Skyscraper where our 12/3 cruise was listed for almont $600.00 less that what we had booked. Originally, we had booked for our first week on board last year, and then months later considered a second week. Rather than change ships in San Juan to what we considered a lesser choice, we booked our second week on the Constellation but in an inside room(which was more than we were booked for our balcony room on the first week). This site was $600.00 less for the inside room then what we had booked(for 2). Checked them out with their local Better Business Bureau, as well as Celebrity. Went with the paperwork to our own travel agent to see if they could match it,or come close. Celebrity wouldn't match it, and our agent couldn't. She actually suggested that we cancel our trip with her and book with Skyscraper. Apparently Skyscraper buys blocks of rooms, wasn't selling them fast enough and has lowered the price. I've been told that after this year, this won't be done. But for this year, its a find. Did I rebook the inside room and save the $600-of course not, but I did upgrade to another balcony room and still saved $150. I had no idea that booking on board was so reduced. We are planning to book again, but am unsure of where. Possibly Panama Canal or transatlantic. Have you signed up for the gathering party on the Constellation yet. From another chat sight I learned of it. You can find it on the Celebrity Home page. If 25 passangers sign, there will be a private meet and greet party sponsored by Celebrity. Can't go wrong. Keep in touch. Hope to meet you on the ship.
