Name: Susan Zone 5 Charley's Girl Too/ HeHaw, HeHaw
Jan are you done swaying? Got that laundry caught up yet? Heck I just throw it in the laundry room for a week. I need to rest when I get back from an adventure (hee,hee). I'm guessing you have already signed up for the crown and anchor society. After your first cruise with any cruise line make sure to join their loyalty programs. Even if you don't cruise for a few years they will be counted and we love those bonuses.
Yep, laundry is caught up, but one suitcase isn't put away. No, I'm still swaying a bit. Very tired. Poor hubby is exhausted - going to bed early. Thankfully his classes are ones he has taught before.
We did sign up for the Crown and Anchor Society. Bonuses are good! Our DIL's parents were at some on-board get-togethers for it and they met one couple who had sailed 107 times with RCCL. They do it 2x a month. I just can't imagine.
Name: Susan Zone 5 Charley's Girl Too/ HeHaw, HeHaw
I once met a woman who negotiated a rate with RCI and just goes from cruise to cruise in her retirement. That year she was celebrating her 100th cruise. I know it's much cheaper than a Senior apartment and it's all inclusive (ha, ha)
Name: Candee Gaye Western Maryland Been there, Done that!
Can't wait to see the pics and had no idea you were already back. Also had no idea that retiring on RCCL was an option? Great idea, but only done one cruise with then so far,
Get rested and tell us much more,.
Name: Susan Zone 5 Charley's Girl Too/ HeHaw, HeHaw
Candee, meals, service, room attendant, transportation, entertainment, and doctors on board. For my money, sure beats a nursing home and you get personalized care and attention.
Name: Candee Gaye Western Maryland Been there, Done that!
Of for sure beats the nursing home. Wonder what something like that costs. A friend of ours went on a Princess cruise in the Mediterranean and there was a woman living full time on that ship who had retired. Interesting concept.
I'll have to get my DIL over here to help with pix. They're on the computer, but not in the usual place.
As for stories: Stopped swaying and laundry is finished.
Well, since we were sailing with the godmother of the ship we were able to get get VIP check-in which was great, cuz, the line was humongous. Apparently there had been a fire alarm at the terminal that morning and couldn't start check-in at the normal time. It was beastly hot and humid - just like we left back home. So, we walked by everyone (I was kinda hiding my eyes - I felt kinda bad) We had an escort through the whole process. One of the crew, recognized Louise, came over and asked her for her autograph. She felt VERY special.
The day we toured the bridge, we congregated at our checkpoint and then we were searched by 3 - count them 3 - security detail. Ladies on one side and men, even the kids on the other. Another passenger came by and wondered what was going on and then asked if he could join us, but was rejected. Then we walked through the officers' cabin area. the bridge is huge. One of the jr officers explained everything. My husband really had his ear by asking lots of technical questions. We got to sit in the cap't's seat. Then HE , the cap't arrived and we got pix. It was very interesting, but one job was very boring - I thought - but important. The look-out's job is to stand there and look out. I think that would be difficult to do for hours on end. It's amazing that the whole ship can be steered by one itty-bitty joy stick. Most of the time it's on auto-pilot. It was fun to watch it be docked. Like parallel parking.
When we we coming in to St. Marten we watched the pilot cross himself before he jumped from his little boat on to ours. That was quite interesting. He just jumped onto a little rope ladder. There were crew members right there to grab him and help.
This for now. I forgot how long Candee was going to be away.
Name: Susan Zone 5 Charley's Girl Too/ HeHaw, HeHaw
Pretty cool did you get the tour because you were with the godmother? I was just reading and I thought you had to have like 49 cruises for that. Did I get that wrong? Did you also have dinner with the captain? Sounds like you got the real vip treatment wich was wonderful. I've been wondering about anytime dining. Do you do that?
We got the tour because we were with the godmother. She didn't even have dinner with the captain this trip. It didn't look to me like anybody had dinner with him at least at 6:00 pm. His table was always empty. We had dinner at 6 - cuz that was what the group leader picked. Don't know how anytime dining works.
I've been wondering how the schooner cap't in St. Marten made out with Hurricane Earl passing close by. So glad we weren't cruising that week.
Name: Susan Zone 5 Charley's Girl Too/ HeHaw, HeHaw
I joined Cruise Critic http://www.cruisecritic.com/ They have great message boards from experienced and new cruisers that can give you a lot of important trip information including ships and ports of call. They arrange a meet and mingle party on the ship if 25 or more people sign up and express interest. I cannot say enough about the time and trouble these folks go to arranging and providing meet and greet information. I have taken many cruises and this is my first meet and mingle. The one thing I always do is try to socialize with people on the plane and hotel prior to my cruise. When you are on board, or alone on board, or a little lost in port you always have a familiar face or people to hook up with if/when you want. I will tell about my experiences with them on my trip report at the end of the year.
Name: Susan Zone 5 Charley's Girl Too/ HeHaw, HeHaw
It is not always easy to find affordable transportation from the Fort Lauderdale airport to the Port of Miami and back. I am trying this company out this year. http://www.ridesas.com/html/reservations.html
Name: Candee Gaye Western Maryland Been there, Done that!
Wow, I had no idea you were sailing with the godmother of the ship, how enlightening that must have been. The security is really tight these days, guess they were afraid you might mutiny! Looking forward to your photos, if you want put them here or better yet put them in Been There Done That and do each port of call? We got back on 9/15/10. I can't believe that after 18 days at sea and overnights, I am not staggering, perhaps not because of the brace on my ankle (I managed to sprain and crack my ankle on day 3) Only me!
I'll have to get my DIL over here to help with pix. They're on the computer, but not in the usual place. 
