saltydog

I don't want to talk about it. Local paper is already burying them. WVA is a 17.5 favorite. I think I will go out to dinner and kind of sneak up on the score after dinner and some adult beverages. :grin:

Howard and Pat, Hi, We did the Lirica last year and loved it. If the bus gets into FLL about noon you can probably board around 3 or so. We were able to get aboard last year around that time. Also, you can walk from the terminal about 4 blocks on the main drag (don't know the name). Lots of shops and places to eat. Have a great trip. Tim

Hi all, I'm sure one of you cruisers can answer this. The other day a friend and I were chatting about cruising. He asked me if the ships filled up with fuel before they left port and would the fuel last the entire voyage or do they refuel at various ports of call. Also was wondering if they buy their fuel like the airlines do and stockpile the fuel at a lower price when the season starts. Any thoughts on this please so I can go back to him and look like a very smart dude :wink: Thanks Tim

Ditto on the insurance. I cannot imagine taking a cruise or even a land package trip without it. The price of insurance is a drop in the bucket compared to the money you could lose if you had to cancel. We hope we never need it but that is why they call it insurance. To my knowledge insurance premiums are never refundable. Take the insurance and go on your cruise with peace of mind. Tim

I rented a tux last year on 'Vision of the Seas'. It was my first time renting from the cruise lines and it was perfect. The tux and shirt along with shoes and cuff links was in our stateroom when we checked in. It does indeed carrying extra suits and stuff with you. I will be renting again when we do the Maasdam in November. I don't remember how much it was but it was worth it not to have to worry about carrying extra stuff. Tim P.S. Have a great cruise. I love Celebrity

:grin: Jacketwatch, Thanks and I have been duly educated. This is certainly a fun forum. Tim

:huh: OK, New around here. What is SDM. I can think of several things that might stand for but somehow don't think I'm on the right track. Help. Cheers Tim

I don't want to sound like a hard a** or anything but maybe the cruise lines should let some of the crew be armed. I'm guessing the only thing these pirates will understand will be someone firing back at them. Loud noises may disrupt them but a bullet will send a clearer message. Certainly the cruise lines should not have to alter their itineraries. Cheers

Robert, Thanks so much. That did it. Still getting used to all the bells and whistles on this board. But I must say this is the best cruise board/forum I have found. Evereyone is so friendly and helpful. Cheers Tim

NOW, thats what I'm talkin about...............

Have a tech question please. I notice when I post that it gives the time as 1 hour behind me. I am in EDT right now, EST after October. Is the time shown on posts based on the location of the poster or the forum location. Just curious. Thanks Tim

Thanks for the comments. I guess I should have worded it differently. I should have said I am opposed to the usually useless chatter that goes on with cell phones. Of course, we need and want to be able to get in touch with loved ones at home. I do in fact keep my phone with me for an emergency. I guess my gripe is with those folks who don't seem to be able stay off of the things. But I asked and you answered. Thanks and keep the comments coming. Cheers

I'm not sure if this has been discussed since I just joined last week or so. If it has then forget it and I will try to think of something else to complain about. I am wondering what the majority of the forum members think about the new plan for most lines to set up cell phone use when out at sea. I personally am very opposed to it. I go on vacation to relax and especially on cruises when I am out in the Atlantic or down in the Caribbean sitting on a deck chair I don't need to hear people talking to their buddies back home. I just think it takes away from the atmosphere that we try to create when crusing. Just thought I'd throw it out to anyone. Your thoughts please. There is certainly a place for cell phones. I just don't think that place is on a ship. Cheers

SailingRose, I see by your ticker that you may be in the taxprep business. Is that correct. My wife and I also do the taxprep thing. January to April are not good cruise months for us. Cheers Tim

Joey, It usually got down in the high 40's at night. Jackie and Tony, You are so right about the scenery. The only difference I would do next time is not to bother booking a balcony cabin. While they are nice in the Caribbean it really is to cool to stay out there in Alaska. At least it was on our cruise. But the scenery is unlike any we have ever seen anywhere in the world. Cheers

Rick, We did the inside passage in late August, early Sep last year. The weather was, as expected, rainy and temps in the 50's. But the beauty of the area is well worth the dreary weather. It is, after all, Alaska. Have a great trip. Cheers Tim

If I read the account correctly, the agent never sent the balance of the money to RCI. How did this agent think she could get away with something like that. In my retired life I am a travel agent for a small town agency. We love booking cruises. Why anyone would attempt this is beyond me. The agency could have their ARC or CLIA licenses revoked which would basically put them out of business. Buying travel insurance is also a must when buying cruises or trips. She should have gotten her deposit back also if she had to cancel. I would be interested to know why she canceled though it makes no difference in this case. People seem to be so desperate for money they will do almosy anything to get it. Sorry if I am running away with my mouth. I do that sometimes. I just hate to see good, honest travel agents put in the barrel with the bad apples. Cheers

For Sally and I (or is it me?), We liked HAL's Rotterdam VI and Celebrity's Galaxy. Both for wonderful service and classic ship design (especially Rotterdam). Also MSC's Lirica had a nice Italian flavor. Regards The salty one

Gottacruz and Shari2. Thanks. I love to talk almost as much as I love to cruise. If I get long winded just put me over the side. Cheers

I found this site the other day and found it very interesting if you like to look at cruise ships. I would assume that most of us on this forum do enjoy that. Anyway here is the site. It is located at the Atlantis resort in Nassau and you can zoom in close enough to see people walking around the decks. live2.truelook.com/face/sqface.jsp?name=/atlantis/bahamas&func=live&overlay=default

Thanks Jbond for the info. Congrats on your 50th. Coming up on 30 on this end. Enjoy the cruise. My wife and I enjoyed the 'Vision" quite a bit. We did the southbound Alaska last year. Nice ship and wonderful service. Cheers

Hi cruisers, My better half and I will be doing a Souther Caribbean in Nov. We are stopping at five ports. We have visited all of them before except St Kitts/Nevis. Any folks on the board have any knowledge of things to do there. We have opted for a shore excursion of the train that tours the island but am interested to know what anyone has to say about the place. Appreciate your thoughts on this. Cheers The salty one :cool:

:smiley: Thanks everyone for your kind "welcomes". I have been on other boards which shall remain nameless and most of the time some of the members use it for their political agendas or other non-cruise topics. My bride and I like to cruise and that is why we joined this board. The name 'cruise crazie" certainly got my attention. Be talking atcha later. Regards from the wonderful Kent Island on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Semper in excretio, solum profundum variat.

Hi cruisers, I am new here and wanted to say howdy. Doing the Maasdam out of Norfolk VA on 11/30/06 to Southern Caribbean. Past cruises: Oceanic (Big Red Boat I, Premier Cruises) FLL to Nassau - 1987. Song of Norway (RCCL) Mediterranean - 1995. Island Breeze (Dolphin Cruise) - NYC R/T, New England/Canada - 1996. Sea Breeze (Premier Cruises) - Baltimore cruise to nowhere - 1997. Crown Dynasty (Crown Cruises) - Reposition Baltimore to Aruba. 1999. Rotterdam VI (HAL) - FLL R/T to Panama Canal and West Carib 2001. Galaxy (Celebrity) - Baltimore R/T Eastern Carib 2003. Lirca (MSC Cruise) - FLL R/T Eastern Carib - 2005. Vision of the Seas (RCCL) - Southbound Seward Alaska/Vancouver Can - 2005.