We had the very fortunate opportunity to meet Viktor Schmidt, Executive Chef on Radiance of the Seas when we sailed from Sydney to Hawaii. He very generously spent some of his valuable time with us talking about his life and his work on the high seas.
We made it one of our missions while on board this 'floating Goliath' to understand more about the Save The Waves Program and how Celebrity Solstice undertakes its environmental responsibilities as the leader of the fleet. We went straight to the most experienced man in this area and found out some astonishing facts.
Every once in awhile you strike it lucky, a little bit like winning at the slot machines or striking gold in the Yukon. This time we were fortunate enough to organise an interview with the very experienced and knowledgeable Celebrity Solstice Hotel Director, Mario Valentino. The fact he was completely 'hot' was just a bonus (like winning the special feature..........10 times).
We are on our way to Alaska, the last frontier, not by dog sled to find gold in the Yukon, but a more modern, luxurious style of transport, the beautiful Celebrity Solstice. It's a brilliant, hot, late summer afternoon in Seattle harbour for our departure. The sun, gracefully setting over the crowded marina, provided perfect pink and lilac hues. That must be the cocktail hour ambiance we preordered. We are on our way to see magnificent glaciers, towering fiords, breaching whales and wild bears in one of the world's most pristine environments.
Celebrity Solstice was our home away from home cruising from Sydney to New Zealand with a group of gay guys from Pied Piper Travel.
It's 12:30pm Venice time. Our taxi pulls up on the dock beside the super liner Celebrity Constellation. We will be soon joining our Pied Piper group for an eleven day voyage, leaving Venice, cruising along the Dalmatian Coast and ending in Rome. Seasickness already? Or is it just immense excitement and anticipation making our stomachs rock and roll?