TheSkipper

Hi Gang, Santa brought me a VHS/DVD Recorder and today I began the process of transfering all my VHS cruise tapes to DVD. First one I did was of two cruises aboard the Crown Princess, one in 1991 and a second one in 1994. What a trip down memory lane and everything worked like a charm! Tomorrow, I'll start in on some more and keep at it until all our dozens of tapes on saved to DVD's for safe keeping. After a little more practice I will transer our wedding tape to disc. Sure going to cut down on all the storage space the tapes are taking up.

Interesting article, Jason. The last sentence is the basis of the island's most recent problems. Harassment is very much an issue with many passengers. At 6'4" and 240 lbs I don't have much of a problem with it, but have talked to many passengers, especially women alone or traveling with other ladies who simply skip the port or return to the ship early due to the harrasment from the street vendors. These vendors mean no harm, but do believe in the "hard sell". That turns off a lot of the cruise passenger visitors.

How about St. Vincent? or Dominica?

Hey Jason, Did they get out on Tuesday night?? The fact that RCI wanted folks back onboard by 5PM sounds as though they expected to be departing. :huh:

What a tragic event! I have watched those planes taking off and landing while aboard cruise ships waiting to depart the Port of Miami. In fact, if I did a little digging I could probably find some video of them in my cruise video collection. Keep us posted Jason.

During our earlier cruising years we were pretty much limited to one week cruises or perhaps a very occassional two week duration. Now that we have retired we are working on longer ones to places which were impossible earlier. Our "must do" list gets shorter each year. We have done the Med, Greek Isles, Northern Europe including the Fjords and British Isles. Many cruises to the Caribbean and to Mexico. This year we did our European River Cruise and next may will do our first Panama Canal cruise. Would love to do South America and Fiji, so they are still on our list. Also the Baltic is an area we will have to plan to sail to soon. Still have not cruised to Alaska, but might to that next year too. It is not on my list simply because I was stationed there years ago and swore if I ever got out I would never return. And, I guess I've kept my promise to myself.

We have sailed in several inside cabins, tons of outside and many balcony cabins as well as a few suites. Our next cruise through the Panama Canal will be a balcony cabin type cruise because I really want to see the Canal. We have found they we don't use our balconies all that much, so if the price is bumped too much for one we pass. I guess our cabin selection depends mainly on where we are cruising. Since we have done the Mexican Riveria 14 times (by actual count) an inside cabin is just fine with us. In the Med or in Europe in general an outside cabin or balcony is a must. As long as we are on the ship, the cabin selection is no big deal! Except, we prefer to be midships and down low for stability and easy access to any area of the ship. I also check out what is above and below our cabin selection, you don't want to be under the jogging track or dining room or over a musical venue. Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise.

That site is great! Have bookmarked it for future reference. Thanks,

Hi Guys, In Venice you will need to use a Water Taxi to get to the airport. A van will sink!. When we disembarked we were picked up by a boat from our hotel. When we left town the hotel arranged for a pickup by a Water Taxi from their dock. Worked well, but it was expensive, can't remember exactly how much, but I remember being shocked when the hotel desk told me the fare. When you arrive at airport you will be met by porters who will tell you what they charge to handle your bags. Tipping is NOT an option. Kind of reminded me of a Longshoreman Union setup! Hope this helps. Roe just came in and said she remembers the Water Taxi was in the $60 - $70 range, and that was five years ago.

Like most CruiseCrazies, I do all my own research including the cruisecompete site, then select an online agency and book through them. Local cruise travel agencies are worthless in my area. We have been on far more cruises than any of our local agents. Not many cruise ships call on Las Vegas, so most TA's here know from nothing about cruising. Since we know when and where and with whom we want to cruise the only variable is price and that's where the internet comes into play. I find researching the upcoming cruise part of the fun! :wink:

Just added another page to site today, but more port of call stuff not shots of the boat itself.

Just posted a few picture of UniWorld's River Duchess at: HTTP://home.earthlink.net/~edwynn Don't know if this will work as a line, if not copy and paste into your browser. If you are thinking about a river cruise in the future you might want to look at these. Enjoy. :grin:

Ann, We always request a large table through our Travel Agent and only had a problem once and we got quickly reassigned to a large table. A few cruises back we took our twin 13 year old grandsons with us and the only other 13 year old boy on the ship and his parents were seated with us. Don't think that was a accident! The three of them had a fantastic time together and still e-mail back and forth.

I'll go with JohnG, looks like Antiqua to me too. Out near Nelson's Dockyard.

Hi Ann, Back to your original question. The ships are usually berthed far enough apart that there is no question about getting the "correct" porter for your ship. All should be wearing ID and we have always found a lot of them around so it would be tough for a "bogus" porter type to operate in these areas. Porters will check your bag tags and confirm your ship, so no problems. Yes, your tipping ideas will fit right in with the norm. We usually have three bags to check and I give the porter $5, as someone else said, just for insurance. 45 cruises to date and have never lost a bag! Now, I've probably jinxed myself! Have a great cruise and keep those questions coming.

In most suites you will get a stocked mini-bar, free at least once. Some lines provide personalized stationary, thicker towels, valet service and full meal in-room dining. Oh, and hor durves nightly.

We voted Princess, but Celebrity is right up there too. Princess gives us better perks, so had to go with them. Free internet and laundry go a long way.

Sue, The waiter and kitchen were most likely concerned that one entree would get cold while he ate the first. But, I agree he does not sound like someone I'd care to cruise with either. Still waiting for the Oceana rep to call me, not too impressed with their response, or lack thereof, so far. :sad:

Hi Joey, Welcome back! We took our time disembarking from the Sky then kind of strolled through the luggage retreival thing and customs. Cab driver was really let down when we told him where we were going until I told him the fare to the airport with tip was about $10.00 and that's what I'd pay to get to the Paradise. Then, he was really interested! Porters were on hand to take our luggage when we arrived and check-in was a breeze; however, we did have to wait about a half hour in a very comfortable lounge area before they started boarding the ship. Interestingly, our inside cabin on the Paradise was larger and more comfortable than our Mini-Suite aboard the Sky! Just as background, we had booked a group cruise aboard the Sky many months in advance, then I found an auction site (now gone) with a fantastic price on the Paradise and since we were going to be in Ft. Lauderdale anyway, we decided Why Not?? Worked out great. Probably the only cruise we've been on that we did not get those "last day blues" because we knew we had a whole adventure waiting for us! As I said, if I can ever make the logistics work again we would jump on it. Regards,

HI John, Thanks for the input! Sounds like a winner. Have requested some information from them via telephone, so we'll see just how good their customer service is. Thanks again,

We are considering Oceania for one of cruises next year or early 2007. Anyone sailed aboard any of their ships or have any first hand knowledge of this line? Just looked at a CD they sent us and it looks great to me!

Joey, Have not done a b2b as you mean it; however, we did a week on the NCL Sky then disembarked in Ft. Lauderdale and grabbed a cab and moved about six berths down the pier and boarded Carnival's Paradise for a second week. Loved it! One the Sky we did the Eastern Carib. and the Western on board the Paradise. Different ships, shows, food, shops, etc. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

Hey Guys! In Venice you want to be in walking distance to St. Mark's Square! That's where it is all happening. We spent three nights there following a Silver Seas cruise and loved it. About two years ago we drove in and stayed about an hour out of town and took the train in -- not the same! You know we get tired walking around shopping and sight seeing and its great to be able to stroll back to your hotel and put your feet up and recharge the batteries once in a while. Can't help you in Barcelona. Have sailed out of there but not done a pre-cruise stay there. :cool:

TA is short for Travel Agent. And, you may be going to Costa Maya rather than Coz. I've seen some ships diverting to that rather new port. Welcome aboard and enjoy you cruise, but be careful, it's addictive! :grin:

Final payment only hurts for a little while! By the time you board the ship the pain will be gone and the cruise will feel like it's free! First thing you know you'll be doing the "Doc Dance". :grin: