Travel FAQ

For travelers coming from the US, the safest approach is to put your phone in Airplane Mode before you take off and leave it that way the entire trip.

If you take your phone off Airplane Mode, your provider will likely trigger a daily international pass (often $10-$15/day).

The trick: You can turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while Airplane Mode is still active. This allows you to use the hotel, cruise ship, or cafe Wi-Fi for iMessage, WhatsApp, and browsing without incurring cellular data charges.

Yes, but you need to download them while you have fast internet. Local cafes and even the ship's Wi-Fi can be too slow for streaming or downloading large files.

No. Leave your physical passport and extra credit cards in the room safe (both at the hotels and on the Celebrity Xcel).

Yes. While credit cards are widely accepted for meals and souvenirs, you will need coins for public restrooms and small purchases like water bottles.

Here is the family reference for the hotel pickup to the port. We will share any updates as soon as they arrive.

You will often have to pay a small fee (usually €0.50 to €1.00) to use public restrooms, and there is usually an attendant at the door. Always keep a handful of Euro coins in your pocket.

Also, be prepared: bathrooms are not always readily available on walking tours or bus transfers. Whenever we stop at a museum, restaurant, or large facility, use the restroom even if you don't feel an urgent need.

We have a mix of physical activities, and it will be mid-July in the Mediterranean, meaning intense heat and strong sun.

Athens & Santorini: These involve walking on inclines and sun-exposed areas. Drink water constantly, not just when you feel thirsty.

Ephesus (Turkey): This tour involves considerable walking on uneven, ancient cobblestone paths with inclines and steps. It is not suitable for limited mobility. For our older family members, there is zero pressure to do the full walk. It is completely fine to stay on the bus, find a shaded cafe near the entrance, or enjoy a quiet, empty cruise ship that day.

Yes. When we visit religious sites—specifically the House of the Virgin Mary in Turkey and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona—strict dress codes are enforced. Shoulders and knees must be covered.

The hotels in Athens and Barcelona use standard European round-pin plugs (Type C/F). The Celebrity Xcel staterooms are equipped with both US and European outlets, plus USB ports near the desk and bed.

Bring at least one European plug adapter per person. A simple adapter block is better than a bulky voltage converter.

Always in your carry-on. Never check essential medications, daily prescriptions, or necessary medical devices in your main luggage, in case a bag is delayed on the flight over. Keep them in your personal backpack or tote bag.

Here are the confirmed flight details in one easy reference list with landing times called out.

Wisconsin is on Central Time, while Athens runs on Eastern European Time, so it’s an 8-hour jump forward.

The overnight American Airlines AA 326 flight leaves Charlotte (CLT) on Jul 15 at 18:45 and lands in Athens at 12:15 local time on Jul 16, so sleep and light exposure really matter for how quickly we adjust.

Try shifting bedtime and wake-up time 1–2 hours earlier for 2–3 days before we leave. It helps your body start to move toward Athens time.

When boarding in Charlotte, change your phone and watch to Athens time so you mentally line up with the new schedule right away.

Skip alcohol and caffeine, drink plenty of water, and keep meals light so your body can rest.

Try to sleep using an eye mask, earplugs, or noise-canceling headphones. Even a few solid hours will make the first day in Athens much easier.

After dropping bags, avoid going straight to sleep. Get outside for sunlight and movement to help reset your body clock. AA 326 lands in Athens at 12:15 local time on Jul 16, so we’ll have plenty of afternoon light to push through.

If you really need a nap, keep it to a strict maximum of 90 minutes around 2 PM. A small coffee before the nap can help you wake up on time.

Push through and stay awake until at least 9–10 PM Athens time so you wake up closer to local morning.