DaCruzNut

Welcome home, Cheryl. You were pulling out of Nassau as we were pulling in, so I waved....

CONGRATS! [/size] Waiting to do the doc dance with you....

BON VOYAGE, GUYS![/size] I'll wave as our ships pass each other....

DANCIN' WITH YA![/size]

Living in the Port of Miami/Port Everglades "neighborhood," where the cruise industry is an enormous revenue producer (the ships fill up with local food, fuel, and everything else they need, not to mention the passengers and crew who spend money locally...) we get first-hand news of every little detail, nightly. Tonight, we watched the Freedom of the Seas sail, two days late, and saw interviews with the passengers as they boarded. The newscaster made a point to mention that the virus is almost as widespread as the common cold. It only gets more publicity on a cruise ship; 1) Because its "news." 2) In a closed environment, they can count the cases 3) The government gets involved 4)5)6)7)8)9)10) Because its "news."

For the third time in two months Sunday, luxury cruise ships sailed into South Florida ports bearing sick passengers. More than 100 passengers and crew arrived in Port Everglades on Princess Cruise's Sun Princess showing symptoms of norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness that resembles stomach flu. And 99 passengers and 11 crew members came down with the virus on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas -- for the second time in a week, said officials with the Miami-based cruise line and federal regulators. Freedom of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, was held over at the Port of Miami for additional cleaning under the direction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two additional doctors and 45 more cleaning staff will board the ship for its next Caribbean voyage, now scheduled to begin Tuesday. The CDC issued a no-sail recommendation for Freedom of the Seas, spokesman Curtis Allen said Sunday night. "It's fairly rare that we issue a no-sail recommendation," he said. "It's been several years." On Dec. 3, the same cruise ship returned to Miami with nearly 400 people ailing from the same symptoms after a seven-day cruise. On the Sun Princess, the latest outbreak struck 97 of 2,013 passengers as well as six crew members after the vessel returned from a 10-day Caribbean cruise. Spokeswoman Julie Benson of the Santa Clarita, Calif.-based cruise line said those stricken were complaining of stomach illnesses such as diarrhea, cramps and vomiting. Although not yet confirmed, the illness is expected to be norovirus, Benson said. The highly contagious condition quickly spreads aboard ships through human contact, contaminated food or liquid, or by touching an infected surface and transferring the virus to the mouth. The Sun Princess underwent extensive cleaning Sunday, Benson said. The ship departed at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, port officials said. Benson calculated the stricken passengers at almost 5 percent of the ship's total roster. "This was not a serious one," she said. On Nov. 19, Carnival Cruise Line's Liberty pulled into Port Everglades after a 16-day cruise in which 534 of 2,804 passengers complained of an intestinal virus. Of the 1,186-member crew, 142 were treated for the sickness.

DANCIN' WITH YA'

I always book somewhere under six weeks.... I've booked cruises as late as two days before sailing! Living 20 minutes from Port Everglades, and under an hour to the Port of Miami, makes it easy. Of my 60+ cruises, the longest I ever had to wait was two months.

Stories such as this are big news, here in South Florida, where the cruise industry is a major component of our economy, and directly effects so amny of us. They were at the pier when the ship docked, and interviewed a number of passengers for the local news. Apparently, the symptoms, though severe, were brought under control within 24 to 48 hours with over the counter medication. The CDC has traced the outbreak to a passenger who was ill when he boarded...

I'm a little disappointed... I'm a Platinum Member (over 12 Carnival cruises) and didn't get mine... :sad:

One of my favorite stops, on Cozumel, is Chankanaab Park, just a short, ten-dollar (U.S.) taxi cab ride from the dock. The park was completely rebuilt in 1996, and has something for everyone. Admission is $10.00 (U.S.), for adults, and children are admitted free. The beach is less than spectacular, but more than adequate. There are palapas, on the beach, if you want shade. It’s appeal lies in the fact that the reef is just a few hundred feet offshore, and you can rent snorkeling equipment ($6.00 - U.S.) and scuba gear ($20.00 - U.S.) right on the beach. The snorkeling and diving is truly spectacular, with visibility 250 feet, on a “bad day,†and “Unlimited†on a “Good†one! Within Chankanaab Park is an Archeological Park, which used to be on another part of the island, and was moved to its present site during the 1996 renovation. A winding, jungle-like, trail winds through the Archeological Park, past replicas of Maya, Inca, Olmec, etc; structures and carvings, and leads to a recreated Mayan village. The park, also, contains a beautiful Botanical Garden, with hundreds of species of plants, and a large population of Iguanas. But, the centerpiece of the park is Chankanaab Lagoon, a gigantic sinkhole which connect to the sea through a number of underground tunnels. A large assortment of tropical reef fish also make their way into the lagoon, through the tunnels, and can be viewed from the path, and lookout points, which circle the lagoon. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, but really nice souvenir, or gift, check out Roberto’s Black Coral jewelry, in Sam Miguel, on 5th Street South. Go to the top of the main square, the Plaza del Sol, and turn right. Roberto’s is about three blocks south of the square, on the northeast corner. His work is, truly, extraordinary and his prices are ridiculously low. By the way, it IS legal to bring black coral into the U.S., if it’s considered “artwork,†and Roberto’s work fits the description. The Mayan ruin at San Gervasio has not undergone the major restoration that the Mexican government had completed at many of the other sites, such as Chichen Itza, Tulum, Uxmal, etc; and is of interest only to those who are truly interested in Mayan history. It was an important site, historically, since it held the temple of the fertility goddess, Ixchel, but a relatively small one. Unless you’re a real pre-Columbian history buff, I don’t recommend this stop.

I keep saying that you don't become the #1 cruise line, and get to buy up most of the competition, unless you're doing something right.....

This story may not be as credible as it first appears; The article appeared only in the Detroit Free Press...... It was not carried on any of the major news wires, and there is nothing to show that Princess ever issued a press release in rebuttal. Certainly, if it could be verified, it would have gotten much broader coverage, including TV. I'm not saying it is, or isn't, true. I have my doubts...

When I disembarked the Regal Empress, on Sunday, the Liberty was at the next dock. Waiting for the elevator, in the parking garage, I got to speak to a number of passengers who had just come off the Liberty. Apparently, the outbreak was traced to two passengers who were ill, with the virus, when they boarded, in Europe..... This was, later, verified by the CDC, in Washington.

Having a little resistance from some of the friends I'd like to have come along, Jason, but, yes, I'm shooting for December....

St. Thomas has gotten very, very commercialized and isn't the bargain duty-free port it used to be. With seven, or eighgt, cruise ships stopping there, daily (sometimes more!!!), dropping off an average of 1,500 passengers, each, the stores don't have too much competition. There's enough business for everyone. Prices are MUCH better in St. Maarten... All the tourist sights get very crowded, including Magen's Bay and Mountain Top. When St. Thomas is one of my ports, I take the ferry to St. John! St. John remains mostly unspoiled, since most of the island is a National Park, administered by the U.S. Park Service. There are great beaches and decent snorkeling.

Two bumper stickers I've seen, lateley, seem to sum it all up.... "KEEP THE X IN X-MAS" and "KEEP THE $$ IN CHRI$TMA$"

It's kinda' over before it begins..... Well, I had a great week-end aboard the Regal Empress, as usual. I'm not writing a review, because I've done so for my previous sailings and, well, nothings changed. Everything was good; nothing outstanding; nothing poor; but you sure get your money's worth! A trip back in time and a nostalgic look at what cruising used to be like. My favorite piano player, in the Commodore Lounge, Nikolai, was on vacation, but Alan, who was filling in, was excellent. Did OK in the Casino!!! In fact, when we got to Nassau, I went to visit my 'girlfriend' Shakeya, at Columbian Emeralds International, and bought a little something for myself. Shakeya has been my salesgirl for many years and gives me a good break. I had such a nice time that I'm thinking of getting a group together and going again in a few weeks....

True, Celebrity and Carnival are at the oppsite ends of the cruise spectrum, but, to tell you the truth, after 57 cruises, on most "mainstream" lines, the two are my top two favorites! Celebrity is my favorite because the food is the best at sea, the service is superb, the entertainment is very good, and Celebrity delivers a superior product, all around. Carnival is my second favorite when I want to have 'fun." Yes, they live up to their motto, "The fun ships!" Their entertainment is tops, form their lavish reviews in the main lounge to the entertainers in the smaller venues and clubs. Their food has improved vastly over the past ten years, and, IMHO, now far outclasses RCCI! My third choice! Princess.

You'll see lots of goats in Jamaica! Most households have, at least, one tied up outside their houses. Only, they're not pets.....they're dinner! Mmmmm...curried goat; one of my favorites, with rice & peas and plantains! If you get thirsty, try a "Ting." It's a local grapefruit soda that really quenches your thirst.

Yes, Lisa, the Dining Room is special. I love the etched glass panels and the mural....

Gregswife: I love to play poker with my friends. We play "Gay Poker." It's just like regular poker, except a Queen beats a Straight........but, then again, we always do! :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

Thanks everyone. I always book "late...." Can't stand the anticipation!!! If I had to wait a few months, I'd go nuts! Browie is even worse. He's all packed and standing by the front door.... Andm Joey, I'll be doing a lot of singing. The piano player at the piano bar is my buddy....