Elite Plus member, Ron Lichtman, has an incredible 28 cruises under his belt. Ron’s been cruising so long, he actually started cruising with Celebrity before we were even Celebrity Cruises—back when the line was still owned by the Greek company Chandris. He’s been loyal to Celebrity all of these years because it “feels like home.” He says, “The crew is like family, and I always recognize the staff on board. For me, cruising with Celebrity is very special. There is no other experience that can even come close.”
To prove that point, Ron told us about how he sailed on an eastbound transatlantic cruise to Rome. When he arrived, he had arranged a private meeting with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. That’s right, The Pope. Ron just happened to be personal friends with him. At their meeting, Ron shared photos and stories about his experiences on board. Ron assures us that he was truly impressed. We couldn’t be prouder.
Ironically, Ron’s girlfriend, Julie, had never been on a Celebrity cruise—or any cruise, for that matter. Ron convinced her to give it a try, and they booked an Alaska vacation on Celebrity Eclipse® from Vancouver. Julie may not have known it then, but she had one of the best cruise guides she could ask for right by her side. Ron gave her tips and advice about cruising—what to pack and what not to pack (hint: in Alaska, the key is layers), and what to expect on board. He gave her all the ins and outs of cruising—and most importantly—how to get the most out of her vacation.
One of Ron’s tips was for Julie to explore the ship on the Celebrity website. He knew she’d get even more excited when she got a sense of the room, the restaurants, and the places where she could kick back and relax. He also suggested she browse through the extensive list of Shore Excursions to help decide what they’d want to do shoreside. In case you haven’t figured it out—Ron’s a planner. He knew the site would help set her expectations, so once she got on board, she’d know just what she wanted to do first, and for the rest of the vacation.
They started their adventure a few days early to get know Vancouver and the surrounding area before the cruise. In Whistler, they enjoyed a gondola ride (it’s not Venice, but it’s still amazing), and they went white-water rafting on the Green River. In Vancouver, they visited Granville Island for a romantic dinner and enjoyed the spectacular views of downtown. “Vancouver is a beautiful way to depart for Alaska,” Ron said. We completely agree.
Then aboard Eclipse®, Ron said it was like returning “home,” and Julie was excited to start the cruise ahead of them. When asked what they loved about their vacation the most, Ron said viewing Hubbard Glacier up close from the Bridge was right at the top of the list. “This was one of the most special experiences of my life. Seeing the Glacier from this view, while the naturalist explained all the details was truly amazing.” Other highlights of their cruise included white-water rafting. Getting up close with Alaska’s unique wildlife—bears, moose, reindeer, and bison. Taking a catamaran ride to see whales, sea otters, and sea lions. Hiking up to Nugget Waterfalls with breathtaking views of Mendenhall Glacier. They were able to experience all of these amazing experiences on one vacation. What’s the secret? According to Ron, “Plan ahead.”
It was great getting to chat with Ron and Julie about their vacation. Julie was “blown away” by her first cruise, and Ron says he’ll recommend a Celebrity cruise to Alaska from Vancouver to his friends. Thanks, Ron!
Check out some of their personal photos that they were kind enough to share.
