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Welcome to CruiseCrazies, tnemt9063!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

Welcome to CruiseCrazies, Goldie!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

Welcome to CruiseCrazies, TheCruiser!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

Enjoy the cruise, Marguerite. We love Princess too.

Welcome to CruiseCrazies, Marguerite!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

OK, only 33 weekends left to get ready for the cruise. I'll have to think about starting to pack.

OK, only 33 weekends left to get ready for the cruise. I'll have to think about starting to pack.

Welcome to CruiseCrazies, LOVERCL!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

Welcome to CruiseCrazies, dabbrickhouse!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

Welcome to CruiseCrazies, mkluvs2cruise!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

Thanks for the info, Jason.

It's amazing how much I missed this place and all of you.

Welcome to CruiseCrazies, cab55!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

Thanks, Joey. Now I can relax.

Usually it's just one. At the most, it will be two. Having two, though, is unusual. I'll try different drinks every day.

is that the reason you switched! No, actually I just like it better higher up, better view. and what better way to get higher up than a good martini!! Save me some.

All you need is a long straw, and you're in business.

I agree. The last thing I want to do is wait in line to make reservations when I get on the ship.

BON VOYAGE, calamityjane90!! Have a terrific cruise!

BON VOYAGE, boopaz!! Have a terrific cruise!

I read an article a few years ago about crime at some of the all-inclusives in the Caribbean. It said that some of these places had crimes committed pretty frequently, but they were rarely if ever reported to the authorities. Even when they were reported, rarely did anything come of it. The article said that the governments of the countries in which the resorts were located wanted no publicity because it may decrease the tourist trade. I wonder why the Congress doesn't try to do something about that also. Another thing, hotels in the US also have suicides committed. People do jump from windows. Maybe they should pass a law that no hotel window should be allowed to be opened. Or maybe they should get rid of the windows altogether. I agree that cruiselines should certainly be more accountable, but picking on just them sure doesn't make any sense. One good thing is that if less people take cruises because of this, prices will stay down.

Welcome to CruiseCrazies, rjohn03!! It's great having you with us. Please post often.

Holland America Line will introduce a new concept in shipboard entertainment with its first "Showroom at Sea" in May, 2009. An innovative musical repertory company consisting of seasoned Broadway performers will be the centerpiece of an exciting new entertainment lineup. Created in partnership with Stiletto Entertainment, producers of Emmy award winning TV shows and concert tours, the new programming debuts on the Veendam in May as part of Holland America Line's Signature of Excellence enhancements. The Showroom at Sea, a modern-day take on the classic nightclub, will feature state of the art technology and a different show and themed environment nightly. Comprised of cast members with credits such as Les Miserables and Rent on Broadway, National Tours of Mamma Mia and performances with the Tokyo Philharmonic, the shows include "Street Singin'," "Encore," "Live from the Stardust Lounge," and "Bob Mackie's Broadway." "We are always seeking to deliver increasingly innovative entertainment for our guests," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Guests will be wowed by this fresh approach to entertainment and the complete transformation of the showroom." The Showroom at Sea is a completely redesigned main stage that features a seamless transition between the room and the stage, with all new seating and an enlarged dance floor enabling guests to combine cocktails, dancing and a show. A new sound system, enhanced lighting, and state of the art video projections transport guests into diverse environments as scenery and decor leap off the stage and into the seats. Each evening features unique drink menus and table settings. The room showcases non-stop variety as a different combination of the repertory company and musicians perform each night. From four vocalists singing pop/rock on the street corner, to two classical vocalists backed by a lavish 14-piece orchestra, to an evening at a fictitious Vegas nightclub hosted by the resident comedian, each night reveals an exciting new production.

We're waiting for the excursion list also. I know on the Princess board, it is at about 120 days that the excursions appear. For one-time cruises, though, the excursions aren't available till much closer to the cruise date. This being a one time cruise, they may have to get special contracts with some of their vendors, and that may delay the whole process. That happened to us on a repositioning cruise we took last Oct.

BON VOYAGE, tuesday!! Have a terrific cruise!