TheSkipper

Jackie: You would or could not fly out of Escenada. Bus trip to San Diego and then fly. I voted yes, simply I'm up for any cruise.

Are you cruising AGAIN???? I think Kevin is right we should just make your Bon Voyage a permanent thread here on Crazies. Happy Birthday to Howie. Tell him to smile pretty for the camera.

Just received word from of TA that our May cruise aboard the Carnival Valor prices have been reduced by $120 per person and of course the fuel surcharge has been removed. Makes our final payment in a couple of weeks much nicer.

I only hope they give her the "Grand Send Off" she deserves. I'm glad I did not see her rusting away like you have Howard.

You haven't any idea what this headache will be like. But, a European cruise will be worth it. Just found an Oceania Transatlantic for next spring (2010) that is very tempting, much like our Azamara cruise last spring. Tempting, tempting.

Take a look at Regent Seven Seas cruise prices and then you will understand why they can offer this. But, it is a nice touch.

Joey: Her Birthday party date has been changed on a few occasions over the years. She is no Spring Chicken so she may be more than willing to delay the Trooping of the Colors.

Here you go: http://www.cortalink.com/?strands It's called the Strand Palace. Great hotel and location. Directly across the street from "The Savoy". Take a look at their site, you can't go wrong.

Joey, I'll get you the name of one I've stayed at twice. Right on the Strand. You want to be near a "tube" station. The London Underground is fantastic, easy and safe. Will get you anywhere you want to go. I lived in London for two years, worked right across the street from the American Embassy. Never owned a car while there used public transport to get everywhere. When are you thinking of going??

Great shots. That takes a lot more work and patience than I have. I'm a point and shoot kind of guy. BTW, that's the ship Roe and I took our Honeymoon Cruise on.

I agree with Joey. But, that is as close as I would cut it. Are you changing airlines in Atlanta??

Rose: The last two times we returned to the U.S. from Europe we missed our connecting flights. Once in NYC and once in DC. You must claim your baggage, wheel it through customs inspection and then recheck it onto your next flight. And, of course you have to go through immigration to have your passport stamped. All of this takes a lot of time, so don't cut it too close between flights. Also, most airports in Europe are a zoo in the AM and Jackie is correct the general attitude is they could not care less if you make your flight. And flight departures are often delayed. We were two hours late getting our of Vienna. All of that being said, have a fantastic trip and I know you will.

Joey, You did not like Princess, so you probably won't like Carnival. We on the other hand have not problem sailing Carnival. There food is at least as good as most other cruise lines, and in many cases better. Service, I find to be top notch. Staterooms are larger. There new comfort beds are great. And, I could go on and on. I sailed the "old" Carnival and today's Carnival is simply not the same cruise line. As to "elegance", Carnival is more hit you in the face Vegas style, baby! Their ships are not "understated."

As I recall we just wondered around town, which as you can see in the video is quite a treat in itself. I know Roe picked up some "Dutch" stuff like Delft china. Not much help I'm afraid.

The Conquest should be a great cruise. Enjoy the anticipation and of course the cruise.!!

Joey, Very interesting video. Only been there once, but it did back good memories. Thanks for the link.

No Link.

Nothing like being a SDM. ACA has grown, but what city has not?? As Rose said the Canal is a great cruise experience. Enjoy every minute of it.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, pun intended.

Norva, I'm sure you already know this, but if not: Never, pay brochure prices. They are inflated and IMHO bogus. Select your ship, where and when you want to go and shop the cruise website for the best pricing.

Interesting, surprising, but interesting.

Like Jenn, I start a file folder on that cruise and collect anything and everything relating to the cruise, air travel, car rentals, hotel, etc in that one folder, so we never have to go looking for some important bit of information.

I think the spokeswoman meant that "she" did not know if they had gotten off the ship at either port of call. You can bet Ship Security knew. Strange, I've not heard another word about this.

Just ran across the AP release: A missing elderly couple likely fell off a Carnival Cruise ship between Long Beach and Mexico, company officials said Friday. A 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife were aboard the Carnival Paradise when it departed Monday from Long Beach, but they could not be found when it returned Friday morning. Miami-based Carnival said the couple's cabin door was double-locked from the inside with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle. Their belongings remained inside, and the door leading from the cabin to the private balcony was unlocked. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the couple was last seen Tuesday night near their cabin.

Never happen, Joey. All you have to do is read your mail and email from cruise lines to see what they are doing to get these "bookings."