Suzila

Wow, that's amazing Mary! I always enjoy reading your posts.

We visited Cozumel in July, two weeks after one hurricane and a few months ( or weeks?) before the next. I feel sooo bad for those people. I can't imagine what is left there? As it was, two weeks after the hurricane...what was the first one? Can't remember the name, but most of the excursions were cancelled because the beaches were gone. I had my heart set on visiting the ruins, and didn't get to go to that either. I just feel for the people who live there.

I'd say take the cd player for when you're sitting by the pool or on the beach. I'd skip the travel iron (if you really need something pressed, you can give it to your steward), and no, I wouldn't be taking a blender. As far as 10 pairs of shoes, no wonder your friend can't figure out how to fit it all into two suitcases. Try to mix and match your clothes so you're not taking your entire closet. You reeeally need a pair of dress shoes, a pair of tennis shoes (that can be worn when you're on the excursions), a pair of sandals or pool shoes. I like to have a pair of thongs to use in the shower. Maybe one more pair of shoes for the other outfits you wear in the evenings. That should do ya! I also always take a power strip because one electric plug is not enough for anyone.

My next door neighbors, very frequent cruisers, cruised last summer to the Mediterranean on Oceania. They were extremely impressed, couldn't say enough about how wonderful the cruise was...except!!! the waiters refused to bring my neighbor two entrees at the same time. They wanted him to eat one first, then they would bring another. It upset my neighbor (you'd have to know him)...he never goes with the flow. Has to have his own way. Anyway, from what his wife said, he caused a scene and they did give him two entrees at once. The maitre 'd served them to him. They've been trying to get us to cruise with them for the longest time. I told him after hearing about his childish behavior, I'd pass!!

We were on the Alaskan cruise in a July, Jennifer...and there was absolutely no one in the pool. A few days they didn't even fill the pool, and the temps were in the 70's. I thought that was somewhat surprising. While I don't go in a pool unless it's 90 degrees out, you'd think there would have been some people who wanted to. Another interesting thing, although I'm sure this could happen on any cruise...we met people we somewhat knew on the cruise, out of the blue. My son was about 15 years old at the time and was wearing a baseball hat from his varsity high school team. A guy about 19 or so stopped him and asked if the hat he was wearing was from Westlake High School. This was far, far away from home in so. California. Yep. The guy said he used to play on that team, and gave us his name. We had never met him, but we knew about him....AND, he knew my son's name too! Small world, huh?

I agree with Jeff...we also used old sneakers and they were really good. Have fun!

Well, you probably started with one of the best places, but we also enjoyed our Panama Canal cruise. Going through the locks was quite an experience...it took 8 hours just for that. I have a picture album that is filled to the gills. Also, part of that trip was Costa Rica, which was beautiful, and Cartegena Columbia was super-interesting. I know there are many other interesting places, but I think the panama Canal cruise was my second favorite (after Alaska). Sue

People in this day and age are attached (read this as 'addicted') to the internet. They NEED<] the information they get from the internet everyday, even if they're on vacation. I know, as much as I love cruising, I suffer withdrawals when I'm not able to access the internet. Of course my hubby won't be as happy about this as I am...I'm pretty sure he takes me on a cruise each year just to get me off the computer.

Only on the Alaska cruises! LOL!

Yeah...it doesn't look like too many of us are Disney fans. I sort of find that unusual...so many people I know have year passes to Disney here. But I can't imagine why anyone would want to go back again and again and again all year long. I wonder how many of us have ever been on a Disney cruise, and is it worth the extra money? eople say it's more expensive than many other cruises, and then I guess you also have loads of kids on board. i have no problem with that, but i assume all the entertainment is geared to kids. Yes? No?

Have !!!!!

I'm not a DISNEY sort of person. Have been to Disneyland many times (only because I've been FORCED to go...once was plenty for me), and don't wish to frequent any of the other parks. I don't keep up with Disney at all, and thought Hong Kong would have had a park a long time ago! LOL!

Thanks Sue...Ticker Factory is what I was using for my countdown clock, but it doesn't work along with any other type of signature. I'll just add the clock again as I get closer to my cruise. Right now it's 11 months away. Thanks.

I was watching the news this morning and I see two of the Carnival ships have arrived in New orleans to house the emergency workers. Now they need a few more to help house the people displaced. Mary, I agree with you...if I were in this situation, I'd accept whatever help I could....maybe. I'd have a very hard time walking away from my home if my two pups were still here. The house I could give up in an emergency if absolutely necessary. I couldn't walk away from these two dogs, and I think that's what's happened in many of these cases. I'm not sure I agree so much with your statement about African-Americans...there is always an undercurrent of prejudice here in America that I don't believe will ever change. We have two very good friends who attended a convention with us last year and truthfully, they were treated very poorly by people who lived in the south. It was shameful. Of course Black people are better off since slavery was abolished, but there are people in this country who will never understand that 'we are all created equal'. Just my humble opinion.........

Have a great time Hansi!

It's a thrill when you book a cruise. I know you'll have a great time, and even more enjoyable being able to show your family 'the ropes'. Congrats on your booking!

Have fun...I know you will!

Have a great day!

I also think it's not months we're talking about...it's years. I'd be surprised if many of these people stick around in that area, especially once they've been re-located. I doubt they'd go back to New orleans. I can understand their fear about being on or near the water. The good thing is the ship won't be going anywhere...it will just be docked. As far as their family members finding them, if they moved to a ship...they have bulletin boards up at the shelters now. They can have bulletin boards showing that they've moved to a ship. I think the people who have been uprooted are being rulled by fear right now. They certainly are entitled to those feelings. But, having a place to live, like a ship, where they have actual rooms, and aren't stuck in the middle of a floor of a convention center with thousands of others and no privacy, seems like a better alternative to me. Just my thoughts.

Have a wonderful cruise!

Boy, that's the truth. I have great pictures of Alaska, and they still don't show what we REALLY<] saw. Very good post, PEB.

Enjoy your cruise John!

Enjoy your cruise!

Have a terrific time!

Have a great time!