Monica Fonck

The Republic of San Marino is truly a place like no other. It's a fairy-tale land that feels like home, and I'm thrilled to be of Sanmarinese nationality. I have spent every summer in San Marino, and I continue to make annual visits due to family members who live there.

San Marino is surrounded by Italy. The renowned old city is situated atop Monte Titano. Despite its diminutive size, San Marino boasts a wealth of intriguing peculiarities, ranking as the second-smallest country in Europe and the fifth-smallest in the world. The Republic of San Marino is particularly impressive due to its unique facts and figures. The entire historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this fact serves as evidence that quality can indeed prevail over quantity.

My husband surprised me with the most incredible birthday cruise on the NCL Bliss – Panama Canal Cruise! It was filled with so many firsts for me. I was absolutely thrilled! The Bliss is a beautiful ship with a refined feel that you wouldn't normally expect to find on such a megaship. Its most striking feature is the Observation Lounge, which takes up the entire forward section of the ship on Deck 15. It was originally designed to be the heart of the ship. It was meant as a place where cruisers could relax, chat with new friends and even take a nap (we often saw people here napping all day long). It's not a place for games, lectures or seminars. It doesn't turn into a disco at night, and there's no stage for a small band to play on. It's a serene and exclusive indoor retreat. The Bliss has a lot of surprises. It feels like a big ship that's been given the trappings of a smaller, more upscale vessel.The service is consistently excellent, and the restaurants offer top-notch cuisine. The family-friendly features, while present, are not as visible as on other ships. With 4,004 passengers, it's a big ship, with lots of dining options and fun activities. On the top deck, there is enjoyable nighttime entertainment. It has the perfect mix of high-energy fun and plenty of spots for quiet relaxation. We're not sure the mix works for everyone, especially families, as we can't picture what a family with small kids or teenagers would do in the evening. Overall, we had a blast sailing on the Bliss, and nothing beats a few hours of relaxation with a good book in the comfy chairs of the Observation Lounge.

Our Mediterranean cruise was incredible, and it was our first time sailing with Celebrity Equinox. We were blown away by the cruise ship! Celebrity Equinox is the second of the five Solstice-class vessels, and it's absolutely stunning. The top deck of the Solstice class ships has real grass. Our adventure started in the amazing city of Barcelona, our favorite city. We flew out of Luxembourg to Barcelona two days before our cruise began, and it was an unforgettable journey.

Celebrity offers an unparalleled modern luxury experience, combining stylish design, exquisite cuisine, unparalleled service, a variety of upscale amenities, the cleanest ships and an unrivaled luxurious feel. If you're looking to escape and be pampered, look no further than Celebrity. Their motto, "Modern Luxury," truly captures the essence of their cruises. The ships are opulent and exude a level of attention to detail that is unrivaled. For instance, in all the public restrooms, you'll find real terry hand towels or paper ones next to sinks. I was delighted by the terry hand towels; I never would have thought of having them on a ship.

Celebrity is widely regarded as more upscale and refined, offering a truly exceptional cruise experience. The dining options are outstanding, whether you choose to eat in the main dining rooms (MDRs) or the specialty restaurants. And the bar service is nothing short of extraordinary.