glojo

Thats too bad you felt that way, we just love RCI! However we haven't been on a HAL cruise yet, and I hear nothing but rave reviews about them! At least it hasn't turned you off cruising altogether.

Not enough, need I say more? Ok I will! We've only been on 3 so far, but have a back to back for Dec.'05, which will be 4&5. RCI:Enchantment of the Seas 1999 RCI Monarch of the Seas 2001 Sun Princess 2003 RCI: Enchantment of the Seas Dec 2005 RCI: Legend of the Seas Dec 2005 We just love the way RCI handles everything, even how informed you feel. We noticed with the Sun Princess we felt that we were not in the loop somehow. Princess Patter was not very well done. And we both hated the ship, they seem to think that making a bunch of small rooms is intimate, and we felt it was pokey. Lots a walking and elevators to get where you want to go, and when you got there it was ho hum. Service was excellent though, food was OK.

:grin: I've posted the dates of the cruises on the calendar. What I haven't done is posted our anniversary date. I think dhubs and I want that to be private. I'm not sure I want a cake and people singing etc. I was thinking of a romantic private evening. What surprized me about RCI doing this was we are not regulars or anything, this will be our 3-4th cruise with them, and we didn't book a suite either. As a matter of fact we booked the cheapest inside cabins on both cruises. We do however, spend alot on the ship, and we buy lots of art at the auctions, and drinks etc. I'm guessing they would do this for anyone. But still I feel so special. Another :grin:

We were just contacted by RCI C&A Club, that they want to help us out for our back to back in dec. We had sent them a email about 6 weeks ago. They emailed us today, and then we got a personal phone call from them(Crown and Anchor Club) to tell us they are offering us a FREE transfer from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa for our back to back cruise. I was so worried about getting off the ship on time for a flight, or car rental to make it to Tampa. I have been on the internet looking at the meagre options, flights were skanty! We were considering a car rental, and the 3 hour drive, not restful. Or we were considering a shuttle to Miami and then a short hour flight. So far we don't know the mode of transfer, whether its a bus or what, but at least I will be comfortable that they will hold the ship for us, if something happens. I truly feel blessed, we will be celebrating a 31st anniversary as well!! I can't believe they are doing this for us! Im so excited!!!! Not enough exclamation marks in the world can show this!!!! see! Did I say FREE!

Right now I'm having PRE cruise depression syndrome. Its too far away...8 months!! But seriously, if you love your vacation experience, its hard to get back to the reality of life. And right now life is too real.

Not enough! But seriously only 3 so far, but 2 booked for dec back to back. We were very young when we got married and this is our 31st anniversary. So we are going to have some fun!

Have a great time!! Make the frozen thingee a electric blue margarita! Its my fav!

Guess the ships don't have the bumpers like we have on our boat? Or the rubber tires around the dock? Was it a wave like some say? I would like to know who will be blamed for this....sorry dad I dinged the car....oops!

Hi John, I loved your post! Its true, Grand Cayman or for that matter most British Colony islands, are the most expensive. You said: "We occasionally hear of a crime against a cruise passenger, in a port, where that person is held up. Such incidents of robbery are rare, but do occur. After all, 'crime' is pretty universal and there are some islands where the average annual income is extremely low. However, the Cayman Islands are unique! When it comes to shopping, there, the merchants all get away with robbery, and nobody seems to complain!!! Many cruise passengers return to the ship, happy that they saved so much in the duty-free shops. That is, until, they get to the next port and see the same item(s) for considerably less. it's only then that they yell, "Hey, I've been robbed!!!" ". Its true Grand Cayman is expensive. But we have stayed there a few times for a week at a time, and to me the issue is if you want something unique its the place to shop. If I'm buying a camera, then I want the best deal possible. Its a cookie cutter item. And yeah watches are kinda like that too. But if I want a beautiful and unique piece of gold jewelry, you can deal them down. My husband and I bought him a beautiful necklace, and honestly I am a jewelry fan, and we have never seen this cut of chain anywhere. And I have looked for years now. I also have bought gold earrings and a bracelet there too, never have seen them repeated on another island. Thats why I was never a silver jewelry fan, most of it is so common. But even there I have changed...I have found some unique pieces. Its..."beauty is in the eye of the beholder" Grand Cayman most beautiful treasure is the water, not the island.

Is the great deal you got on a cruise most important to you? Wow I can have two cruises for the price of one, who cares if its inside! Same thing next year! Is it having the best cabin, with balcony? Very romantic possibillities, almost private, your own space, and then of course there is room service! Do you care if its a inside cabin, because its only a pit stop anyway? Sleep, shower and go, dress for dinner. Are you kidding? Its the best or not at all! I don't do this often so I'm going all the way baby! On most cruises today, we all go to the same facilities on the ship, we eat in the same dining room, eat the same food, enjoy the same wine. Go to the same ports, and travel on the same excursions together. So the real bottom line what is important to you? Maybe you don't care what kind of cabin you have because you are with the one you love, and that is what really matters. Or we are going to have the best time we can, life is short, and I'm doing it well. But lets face it we all have different tastes, like and dislikes. So come on share a bit of your opinions.

Is the great deal you got on a cruise most important to you? Wow I can have two cruises for the price of one, who cares if its inside! Same thing next year! Is it having the best cabin, with balcony? Very romantic possibillities, almost private, your own space, and then of course there is room service! Do you care if its a inside cabin, because its only a pit stop anyway? Sleep, shower and go, dress for dinner. Are you kidding? Its the best or not at all! I don't do this often so I'm going all the way baby! On most cruises today, we all go to the same facilities on the ship, we eat in the same dining room, eat the same food, enjoy the same wine. Go to the same ports, and travel on the same excursions together. So the real bottom line what is important to you? Maybe you don't care what kind of cabin you have because you are with the one you love, and that is what really matters. Or we are going to have the best time we can, life is short, and I'm doing it well. But lets face it we all have different tastes, like and dislikes. So come on share a bit of your opinions.

Is the great deal you got on a cruise most important to you? Wow I can have two cruises for the price of one, who cares if its inside! Same thing next year! Is it having the best cabin, with balcony? Very romantic possibillities, almost private, your own space, and then of course there is room service! Do you care if its a inside cabin, because its only a pit stop anyway? Sleep, shower and go, dress for dinner. Are you kidding? Its the best or not at all! I don't do this often so I'm going all the way baby! On most cruises today, we all go to the same facilities on the ship, we eat in the same dining room, eat the same food, enjoy the same wine. Go to the same ports, and travel on the same excursions together. So the real bottom line what is important to you? Maybe you don't care what kind of cabin you have because you are with the one you love, and that is what really matters. Or we are going to have the best time we can, life is short, and I'm doing it well. But lets face it we all have different tastes, like and dislikes. So come on share a bit of your opinions.

We are taking 2 cruises back to back, one is 5 days and the other is 7 days. I seem to remember 2 formal nights on the 7 day, so does that mean the 5 day will have just 1, or is it 2?

We are taking 2 cruises back to back, one is 5 days and the other is 7 days. I seem to remember 2 formal nights on the 7 day, so does that mean the 5 day will have just 1, or is it 2?

We are taking 2 cruises back to back, one is 5 days and the other is 7 days. I seem to remember 2 formal nights on the 7 day, so does that mean the 5 day will have just 1, or is it 2?

Where did you find your best treasures?? I like Cozumel for a few onyx pieces, chess set. St Martin was the best for beach wraps(3/$20), key chains, and of course there is Joe's Jewelery, I bought some nice Italian gold, necklace and matching bracelet. Grand Cayman I bought the Lalique Stingray, and some other unique gold jewelery. This is not a cheap place to shop. I bought a perfume there called ######, hahaha, one of my favs! Also there was a really neat store off, West Bay Road, that sold the most beautiful sea shells, brought home a ton for gifts. When in St Kitts I found a cool fabric store, and bought some beautiful exotic fabrics, will sew hubby shirt later. St Lucia was a hoot, the vendors there try to set you hematite(a real stone thats very heavy, which is a metallic charcoal coloured stone), trying to tell me its from the volcano...wasn't born yesterday, but I bought it anyway(sucker). At least I knew what it really was, and I told him so! Worst place to shop for dollar value was Barbados., didn't buy a thing. But we enjoyed the tour there, so thats something. Maybe you'rs experiences were different...please share!!

Where did you find your best treasures?? I like Cozumel for a few onyx pieces, chess set. St Martin was the best for beach wraps(3/$20), key chains, and of course there is Joe's Jewelery, I bought some nice Italian gold, necklace and matching bracelet. Grand Cayman I bought the Lalique Stingray, and some other unique gold jewelery. This is not a cheap place to shop. I bought a perfume there called ######, hahaha, one of my favs! Also there was a really neat store off, West Bay Road, that sold the most beautiful sea shells, brought home a ton for gifts. When in St Kitts I found a cool fabric store, and bought some beautiful exotic fabrics, will sew hubby shirt later. St Lucia was a hoot, the vendors there try to set you hematite(a real stone thats very heavy, which is a metallic charcoal coloured stone), trying to tell me its from the volcano...wasn't born yesterday, but I bought it anyway(sucker). At least I knew what it really was, and I told him so! Worst place to shop for dollar value was Barbados., didn't buy a thing. But we enjoyed the tour there, so thats something. Maybe you'rs experiences were different...please share!!

Been there once, for the day in 2002, however we never got past the town, this was the best island for shopping.

Been there once, for the day in 2002, however we never got past the town, this was the best island for shopping.

Thanks Dan this makes the most sense to me, and I appreciate this detailed explanation. Thanks all!

Thanks Dan this makes the most sense to me, and I appreciate this detailed explanation. Thanks all!

We need to rent a car near Port Everglades, or do we have to go to the airport to rent a car? The plan is to drive to Tampa, catch another cruise there which leaves at 5pm.

We need to rent a car near Port Everglades, or do we have to go to the airport to rent a car? The plan is to drive to Tampa, catch another cruise there which leaves at 5pm.

This is very good quality clothing, also reflected in the prices. As a occasional seamstress I could not get over the wonderful craftsmanship of these garments. Next time you look at one of the shirts, notice how the pocket is sewn on, perfect pattern match. In the picture you can't see the pocket because of this technique. Wonderful stuff!

This is very good quality clothing, also reflected in the prices. As a occasional seamstress I could not get over the wonderful craftsmanship of these garments. Next time you look at one of the shirts, notice how the pocket is sewn on, perfect pattern match. In the picture you can't see the pocket because of this technique. Wonderful stuff!