2009 CruiseCrazies ® Group Cruise

[cruisetarp]

I have the same spending pattern as Lynda. Once I leave the ship at the end of the cruise I don't spend any more money on travel expenses. Up until that time there are no rules.

I am not that brave!.. i have to have a ball park of expected expenses before going in...not knowing would drive me nuts

And knowing I only had so much to spend would drive me nuts. lol

[PaulaW]

we have a new group member....our 5th member from the Millennium cruise...

Hi Everyone! I believe that Joey is talking about me. I had the pleasure of sailing with some of you on the Millie in 2006 on our wonderful Med cruise.

For those I don't know yet, my name is Paula, I'm single and in my late 30's and I'm from the Western New York area-- just outside of Buffalo. Thanks to Joey, I was persuaded to join you on this wonderful cruise.

For those of you who also sailed on the Millie, you may remember one of the guest entertainers. My dear friend, Hyperion Knight will also be on this sailing. He is an amazing classical pianist and his show is not to be missed! (no bias here, of course!)

So, I have tried to catch up on reading this thread and will anxiously start the planning process. I plan to fly in early and join you at the HI Doral. I'm also up for the pre-cruise party and am interested in hearing any ideas you have for shore excursions. I've visited all of these ports before, but for some, it's been a long time.

[cruisetarp]

Hi Paula and welcome to our group. I'm MaryLou, DH is Jim and we are former New Yorkers now living in Pa. I look forward to getting to know you over the next few months and meeting you in Miami.

[JoeyandDavid]

Hey Paula ... Welcome Aboard! Glad you made it... where on board does Hyperion play? Micheal's?

Oh Goodie another experienced cruiser to pick their brain!!...

Paula what are your recommendations for Willemstad .... we were planning just walking to town for lunch and to buy a spoon rest ...unless you had a better suggestion about a not meant to be missed site...

[JoeyandDavid]

Hi Paula and welcome to our group. I'm MaryLou, DH is Jim and we are former New Yorkers now living in Pa. I look forward to getting to know you over the next few months and meeting you in Miami.

MaryLou.. Paula is a hoot once she gets to know you...

[zebra]

Hey Paula - it's great that you have joined us.... gosh it's been a while since the Med trip!!

[rogue]

Welcome, Paula. It's great having you with us.

[lashl]

Welcome Paula, it's great to have you with us. Look forward to meeting you in Miami!!

[PaulaW]

Hey Paula ... Welcome Aboard! Glad you made it... where on board does Hyperion play? Micheal's?

Oh Goodie another experienced cruiser to pick their brain!!...

Paula what are your recommendations for Willemstad .... we were planning just walking to town for lunch and to buy a spoon rest ...unless you had a better suggestion about a not meant to be missed site...

Thanks for the warm welcomes! I look forward to getting to know all of you as well.

Joey, Hyperion is a headliner and will play in the Celebrity Theater. Usually, he will do two different shows during the course of a cruise. And for those of you who tend to shy away from classical music, I will tell you that you will be pleasantly surprised by his show. He takes the "boring" out of classical music and you will find that you've actually learned something. He also plays more popular things like the Beatles, Scott Joplin and sometimes, (if I'm lucky) Elvis.

As far as Willemstad, it is a great town to walk around. Last time, I was there, I did the dolphin encounter and it was very cool. We got to swim with the dolphins for about 30 minutes. But, there was still plenty of time afterwards to go back to the ship, clean up and head into town. It was an easy walk and it is very picturesque. Unless something better shows up on the shorex list, I will likely just want to walk around as well.

[PATJUD]

I have catagories...

Transportation to and from pier

OBCharges

Casino

Specialty Dining

Room Service Tips

Standard Tips

Extra Tips if warrented

Specialty Dining

Dinner Wines

Shore Excursions...

Laundry

Misc $100

Thats my budget

Well that looks like a good budget. I can leave the "casino" category out. We just walk through there and look. I don't know that we'll do the "spciality dining" unless the group decides to do it and I don't remember any such discussion - LOL !! - That doesn't mean that it hasn't taken place.

Doing laundry is going to be a new experience but we surely can't take two weeks clothing for two with us. Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh!! I remember the first cruise we took 6 years ago - between the two of us - we had 6 suitcases. We did drive to Tampa for that cruise. Now - we've gotten it down to 3 suitcases between the two of us - LOL!!! My idea of cruising when we took our first one was what you see in the films of the 1940s and 1950s. The cruising animal is quite different now than then - ha, ha, ha.