Peddler

J and J , we just returned from the Conquest and it was really to bad that someone couldn't make the Magician disappear. we stayed about 5 mins and left.

Joey, I try to not do the shows, but the social activities director (wife) useally has other ideas.

Nah ... just wing it.. So far so good.

Well the poll only lets you pick one.... Singer/band as well as a comedian. The song and dance routine would be ok if most weren't so hokey.

Way to go....no such thing as too many cruises. Later Jim

At my age the internal clock (or is that an infernal clock) says 5:00 o'clock is time to rise and get going. The pic for my avaitar is the Ecstasy coming into Galveston at about 6:15 am. Later Jim

Excellent...enjoyed the piccs... Jim

I posted pics from our last cruise (Conquest) on Webshots. Click on the link if you would like to view. Thanks Jim

Just wishing everyone... and Later Jim

Thanks for the replies.... There is not a lot that would ruin a cruise for us unless it was sickness. I enjoy the ships and the solitude and the ability to read without the interruption of telephones. The ports are just a plus and not a neccesity. to everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!!

We were to sail Sunday 12/09 from Galveston aboard the Carnival Conquest.Due to weather conditions (extreme fog) the Conquest docked late and we didn't embark untill close to 5pm (some as late as 9pm). (We recieved a $15 credit on our sign and sail card as a lunch credit) We were told that if we didn't leave by midnight that we would miss Jamaica due to the distance and the time envolved to reach that port. We left port on Monday close to noon (we were fogged in and the Port Authority had closed the port). By this time we were beyond the window to reach Jamaica so we were issued a $75 pp sign and sail credit for the missed port. We then headed to Grand Caymans with the regular port day of Thursday which would have put us back on schedule. Wednesday afternoon we were advised the a sub-tropical storm was headed for Grand Caymans and was due the same time as us. We could not tender if the winds were above 25 mph so they told us and the decision was made to head for Cozumel for Thursday. In order for us to have two ports, Progreso was added for Friday which was really not a bad port day. Sea day Saturday. Arrived back at Galveston Sunday and was delayed docking for a couple of hours due to high winds. All in all we had a good cruise, Jamaica being missed was no big deal although Caymans would have been nice. We had a wonderful time, met some really nice people, went to Merida from Progreso, shopped at Cozmul and thoughly relaxed. The Conquest was really a nice ship (although showing her miles here and there). The staff was great as was the cusine and entertainment. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, ports or no. Later Jim

Thanks Y'all

We have done Ocho Rios and in a week we'll be in Mo Bay (ship sponsered Appleton Estates tour). Any other cruise that goes to Jamaica after that, we will stay on the ship.

I'm a Caribbean cruiser out of Galveston. I'd like to see some other destinations in a flip flop schedule....like MoBay one week, Roatan/Belize another week...Progreso/Cancun another week. As it is Carnival from Galveston is wearing out its itineraries with MoBay/Grand Cayman and Coz week after week.

Well, here is an update...we'll be in MoBay in a couple of weeks. We've booked the Appleton Estates Tour through the ship. Not planning to do anything outside the tour with the exception of the stores at the dock (protected). Jim

Don't forget about the $5 per head port fee that Mexico has passed.

Repair a blown out flip-flop.

I was a smoker (3 pack a day) for 40 years or so. I personally commend RCCL for stepping up with a no smoking policy. A smoker really doesn't bother me and I'm not going to run around with a respirator on just because someone around me is smoking. I fell each have their own rights, and the smoker has his/her right as well as the non-smoker. Just do it in a designated area, and if your not pushy about I may even go with you although I no longer smoke.

Here is a link about the park from a news archive; http://thisiscozumel.com/content/view/50/2/ This should be of some help. Later Jim

Some come, some go....it always seem like we loose the better ones.

I know from past sailing friends that Cozumel has some very good snorkeling. We, on the other hand,are useally excursioned out by the time we arrive there and just do a little last minute shopping and site seeing around the dock. Jim

Congrats....never done one over 7 days, so I know you'll really be looking foward to it.

I feel Guatamala and St Croix was added as comparisons of third world country ports that need to step up security for the cruise passengers. I also feel that by your text, that you feel that most of the Caribbean port problems are brought on by the USA. We in the USA create a lot good but are only looked upon as the bad guys. Now being a NATURALIZED citizen of the USA and proud to be here, I don't adhere to your ideas. I can also see, by reading crime stats of various cities (NOLA for one), I could see how you would feel safer in Jamaica. The forum master can delete this if they see fit, But this is just my opinion. Jim

Zydeco; Not to downplay what you have said, but in the "good ole USA" where we live, we know where to go and where not to go....in a foreign country, we at at the mercy of the cruise hosts or the guides....we really don't know where the most crime is or even if we are walking into a high crime area. With this being said, I feel a little more importance (or should I say pressure) should be on the cruise lines and the tour guides as well as the privateers to keep our under informed butts out of harms way. Also the countries that host the cruise lines should be stepping up the program to reduce crime in the areas the the cruisers are attending. If they wish to look the other way, then maybe the cruise lines should also look the other way and those that want to go to Jamaica can fly down and spend a week. I myself would rather feel a little safer. Now don't take me the wrong way, I live not far from a part of town that is "not pristine" and here I know where to go and not go. I don't go where not to go or I don't go after sundown. It's called being street consious or being smart. I haven't lived this long by being stupid and venturing places I don't belong. We can take tours here with no problems and the areas where the tours go, have been secured and policed. This is just my take on the situation. I'm sure that 6000 people a week or more go with no problem, but why is each and every person one talks to says, Jamaica is a beautiful Island and I'd love to return if it were not for the pushy people and the uneasy feeling one gets. Thanks for letting me rant. Jim

With all the "Stuff" going on in MoBay and surrounding areas, I am too entertaining staying on the ship when we go there in Dec. My boss is going in Sept and my Sister in Oct. I guess I'll see what their reaction is and make my judgment from that. If enough people start staying on board, the cruise lines may see the light and change destinations or at least put more and more pressure on the local government to clean up the tourist areas.What good is a destination if you stay on the ship, might as well be another sea day.