Jan115

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies, Cowboy99. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies, Laura. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Have a great time in Alaska, Dee. Friends of mine just returned from a cruise through the inside passage and had great weather, and I wish the same for you. I look forward to your review of the ports because it'll be our turn six weeks from today!

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Rose, thanks for your review. We had a similar experience with spotty beverage service in the buffet on the Ocean Princess last summer. After the first couple of days, we gave up and went to the fountain area to fetch our own. Regardless, it sounds like you had a relaxing time on the Enchantment!

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

I wish I was, but I have a cruise earlier in October to Canada. Two cool-weather cruises in one year - what was I thinking! Chris, you might try posting your cruises up in the "Passenger Meeting Hall" above under "Connect" - or just click the following link: http://www.cruisecrazies.com/cruising/upcoming-member-cruises I don't see anyone listed with your sailings yet, but if they're listed, then others might find you.

Happy birthday to Tammi ... what a great way to celebrate! And with another cruise in October, sound like you have that cruise addiction under control! I'm not sure there's a way to change your screen name yourself - you might need help from Jason. Click "Contact Us" under "Site Info" at the top and send a message.

Welcome Chris and Tammi! You have come to the right place, as we all suffer from the same affliction. The only cure is to book one cruise before you sail the other, and keep that medicine cabinet full of cruises! Where will you be cruising next?

As mentioned here at CruiseCrazies several times, much blame should go to the media for blowing things out of proportion and for scaring new cruisers away - folks who may have been skeptical about cruise travel to begin with.

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

Missed an independent snorkel excursion in Belize in 2003 when the ship was late getting into port and the ship miscommunicated the tendering process.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies, jiggerk. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies, bugsbuni78. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies, Janice. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies, Steven. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

The first time in Bermuda - back in 1977 on our honeymoon - we rented mopeds - precursor to the scooters. We were young, and carefree, and a little crazy - rum swizzles and scooters made for an interesting drive. It was a miracle we made it back to the hotel - with us and other drivers unscathed. Our second time, 20 years later on our anniversary, we once again rented scooters. I was a little apprehensive - the roads seemed a lot busier than I remembered. My husband, the cocky one, decided he didn't need the 2-minute quickie lesson from the sales rep. He started the thing up, headed out the driveway - right into oncoming traffic. Fortunately, his quick reflexes saved him from making me a widow. Seems he momentarily forgot about driving on the left. On our third time in 2008 - on a cruise from Boston this time - I voted a big NO on scooter rentals - I wanted to live to see our future grandchildren. :-)

Tim - great advice! I often wondered if the cruise lines bother to read reviews. Have you ever gotten feedback from a cruise line after sending them a review or other communication? The only time I wrote to a cruise line was Carnival in 2003 - not a review, but a complaint about their tendering process causing us to miss our excursion in Belize. They did respond and gave us some onboard credit - which, of course, I haven't been back to Carnival - not because I dislike them but because my husband has a thing for Princess. Anyway, It's nice when they take the time to respond. That way it shows they at least glance at letters and it shows they care!

You're absolutely right, Tim. You really don't "see" a destination unless you experience the people and the culture. Even if you don't strike out on your own with a street map, a local guide will be happy to show you around areas where the cruise line excursions don't go. All it takes is a little research and a sense of adventure. This is not only true of cruises, but land vacations as well. I have to thank my mother-in-law who passed away several years ago. As a child, she grew up in a tiny, rural village in central Portugal. If it weren't for all the stories she told us, we would never have gathered the family together two years ago for a visit to her homeland. We rented a car and drove all around visiting not only well-known places (Fatima) but also were fortunate to connect with a long-lost third cousin who showed us mom's village, where she went to school, where she played, the ruins of her former home and even met a very old woman who grew up with her. Now when we cruise, I think of that trip and how great it is to travel off the beaten path for a true cultural experience!

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.