TheSkipper

Lisa, Hope I have'nt missed you already. Have a fantastic time. Used to live in London and it is still one of my very favorite cities of the world. I visited the Normandy beaches on our last trip to that area while everyone else in our party went to Paris. One of the most moving experiences of my life. Bon Voyage,

Trouble finding the "dinging" room? No wonder you can't find it! LOL I'm looking forward to our Group Cruise in January aboard the Spirit. For the newlyweds I think the Liberty is the answer. But I've steered them to the Carnival website so they can take virtual tours of all three ships.

You bet, Jackie. That's the ONLY way we will go anymore. Our group cruises are not a problem because everyone goes their own way and we see each other in the dining room at dinner time.

Oh YES. In March we cruised with DW's sister and her husband. NEVER again. She was a royal pain in the a__. Greeted the Room Stewart with "We are going to make your life miserable." Upset because they did not have Green Tea at dinner. There was always too much or too little ice in her glass of water at meals. The dance floors were two small and on and on. Hell will freeze over before I ever cruise with her again!! DW agrees.

Hi Gang, Wife's nephew getting married in June and the newlyweds want to Honeymoon in the Carib. on a cruise. I suggested Carnival for these young 20 somethings. There are three ships departing the week they want. They are The Valor, The Liberty and The Triumph. What is your recommendation? and Why? Thanks,

Almost time to go! BTW, I talked to my friend who teaches computer classes on Princess and he told me the things I did not like on the Dawn were unique to that ship and not throughout the fleet. I'm sure you will love the Golden, we did. And on the toiletries issue, the stuff was all the same regardless of the type of container. I think the shampoo was not great, but the conditioner was fine. But that stuff is all subjective. Have a really great time, kick back and relax.

Hi Gang, Back from a very good cruise aboard the Dawn Princess to Mexico out of San Diego. Will put together a review over the next few days. Joey, the toiletries are in those little cardboard thingees and include shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. No real difference for the Elite passengers except they are in small plastic bottles. It appears that there have been some "downgrades" made by Princess to save $$. More on that in my review. Good to be home, now to unpack. Naah, that can wait until tomorrow.

Wow, the Dawn Princess only got a 99! We always take Clorox wipes with us in a baggie and wipe down almost everything in the cabin. Particulary the telephone, TV Remote, door and closet handles, light switches, etc. We bring a bottle of hand soap and a bunch of pre-packaged hand wipes. (Our local casinos have them all over the place free for the taking, so we load up prior to a cruise.

Just a year ago we cruised on the Crown Princess with another couple from Las Vegas. He was in Stage 4 cancer of the brain. I did not think he should go, but he was determined and they made the trip. I could see he was having a tough time, but he would never admit it. If I asked how he was he would reply "Me, I'm fine!". As sad as it was, I'm now glad he made the trip. He died at age 60 and this turned out to be his last cruise. I know this is not exactly what you had in mind with your question Chuck, but It's as close as I can come with a "real world" experience.

Many thanks to all of you for your best wishes I think this will be a very special cruise. I just booked a limo to pick us up at the airport in San Diego and deliver us to the ship as a surprise for Roe on this anniversary cruise. Three sleeps and a wake-up call and we are on the way.

Hi Joey, We've done Sabitini's twice and Sterling once, so far. Sterling is a typical steak house and Sabitini's others have described to you. To be honest there is so much food on a cruise, I would only do it for a very special occassion. Roe and I are celebrating our 15th anniversary next week and if she would enjoy it, we will do it. Otherwise I'm just as happy in the dining room. As for the balcony thing, I agree totally with Dan. Sitting on plastic furniture in cramped quarters and eating semi-cold food from room service has no appeal for me. I've never had a truly hot meal served in the room, except perhaps the coffee. Hope this helps,

All right, Cheryl!!! Now you're talking!!! We are dancing with you here in Sin City.

We almost always go ashore, even if its only for a couple of hours. We are doing the Baja beginning on Sunday. Have been to those ports about 20 times. For a change in Cabo we booked a ShoreTrips excursion to Todos Santos for the day. Never been there. The other ports we will play by ear, see how we feel. If you don't book exhausting excursion and just go ashore long enough to get a feel for the area you are doing pretty much what you are suggesting.

Hi Jackie, We were aboard RCI's Viking Serenade on a four day cruise out of LA. Santa came out to the ship from Catalina Island aboard a Zodiac powered by and outboard motor. Great photo op. Thanksgiving was aboard Celebrity's Zenith out of Tampa. Other than the Traditional Thanksgiving dinner, not anything really special about the day.

We have sailed on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ships are decorated for Christmas with lots of trees, garlands, etc. There are Carol Sings and lots of general holiday spirit. On one cruise Santa made a surprise visit. Thanksgiving is a lot more laid back. Just the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Jeeez I must be a tightwad. But, Ive also cruise a lot more that most of you. On a cruise originating in the U.S. after the tips our bill is seldom over $100. We seldom take cruise line excursions because we have visited most of these places many, many times. You could not pay me to go to bingo, we have all the cruise pictures we will ever need and we are not really big drinkers. Now on a European cruise, our excursions will usually run over $2,000. Also at art auctions I've been known to buy as many as ten pieces, so that can add up quickly. However, our walls are pretty well filled so we are buying much less art. Don't ask how much we spend ashore, but we got Christmas cards last year from three Virgin Island Jewelers, so you know we are on the "A" list.

Sorry to be so long getting back to you. On the way back we picked up a rental car and stayed over in New Jersey for three days visiting DW's family.

WOW, your upcoming cruise will be a real celebration for your friend. That's special!! I'm sure you all will have a cruise to remember.

Hi Cheryl, Yes, 15 months is a long wait. We booked this one last spring, so have not waited that long. However, our January cruise is a fund raising group cruise I put together for our church and the TA and I started working on it last summer 2006. We announced it a year before it sails, so that seems like it has been forever coming. We've got 70 folks booked, so it's been worth the effort. Our Oceania cruise is still 14 months out, so I kind of think I know how your have been feeling. But, you are getting very close now, so it's time to get excited.

Hey, Hey! We became Single Diget Midgets today. Only 9 more days until our Crown Princess Cruise!! In a couple more days I'll start counting the "sleeps".

Of course we have done several kitchen tours and a couple back stage tours. But on the Majesty of the Seas we visited the engine room with the Staff Captain, Pre-9/11.

Just checked and it's there Cheryl. So, I guess "I'm good to go."

Joey, I can tell you there are NO qtips or mouthwash. The rest of you question is difficult for me to answer because we are Elite category on Princess after 22 cruises and on all of our recent cruises we were supplied with "Spa" type stuff which was really great, top of the line, lotions etc. Not sure what is supplied in the regular cabins anymore. I'll ask our room steward on our upcoming Dawn Princess cruise and get back to you.

We too are midship, lower deck dwellers. Near the midship elevator. Stability and ease of movement to anywhere on the ship are factors for us. Also like Joe, I want cabins above and below us for noise insulation.

Good to know, John. Making the reservations was easy and they confirmed promptly. Their website was easy to navigate to print our vouchers. So, thus far it has been great.