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Shannon... so great that you've joined us - I see we're almost neighbors on the ship! Mary Ann....no never.. I wouldn't forget you!!! So glad you and Tom are going to join in the fun with us in Naples. What an awesome port - there's nothing like the Amalfi coast. I've often wondered why people go to Naples and never experience Amalfi - it's too spectacular!! Amalfi and Santorini are both such a relief in spectacular natural beauty, after the awesome historical wonders of the other ports.

Hey Mary Ann.... are you on our cruise - how awesome!!!! Joey - we're totally with you will be happy if we spend less per day. We probably will except for the day we purchase linens. We really loved the linens in France (Provence) we bought a couple of round table cloths and napkins but have since changed our table to a rectagular one, so we're also in the market for table linens. Great to have new people join us - this is going to be the BEST group!!! :grin:

Hey Joey the "Must Haves" Olive Oil, Linen etc - the prices were similar to USA prices probably a bit more if you include the exchange rate. The quality FAR SUPERIOR!!!! I'm bringing back as much as we can carry in our carry ons!!!! There's no substitute here for Provencal Herbs and Italian or Greek Spices (the ones they use in their Greek salad dressing) also the spices to make paella - available at El Corte Ingles Barcelona - not available here!! These are food items unique to those countries. Oooooh can't wait!

Welcome s73645, This is a great cruise board- the people are sooo genuine! Hope we'll see you posting often. Are you sailing on the Millennium 10/29/06 to Europe??

Welcome Susan & harvey - great to have you join our jolly group!!! Are you one and the same as the Suanne & Harvey on Joey's list???? They have different hotel details. I guess we must have 2 Harvey's in our group now. Spending in Europe. Hmmmm...... as little as possible, everything is pretty expensive and then with the poor US$ exchange :sad: Also we're not the best to guage against having been to these ports before, we won't be spending as much as we did last year, hopefully!

Welcome back Cheryl - can't wait for the "scoop".

Welcome, welcome sinkers22. Happy that you have joined us Crazies. Please post often!

Welcome outtoluncg - great to have you join us - please post often.

:grin: :grin: :grin:

This board is truly one in a million. When I lurk on other boards I feel so uneasy and unhappy at all the flaming and disconcern for the fellow members' feelings and also so much negativity. Cruise Crazies stay like this forever pleeeez - you're all so wonderful!

Joey you're a hoot!! Oh you don't know what you're missing - what a fanastic lifestyle for people that love travelling. Wait, one day we'll come and hook up in your back yard hehehe :grin:

Doing the doc dance with you. Yes it looks like you possible purchased third party insurance and declined the cruise lines :undecided: We always get 3rd party insurance, usually a much better deal. I'm sure yo'll straigthen it all out on Monday. Can't wait to hear all about your cruise when you get back. Enjoy!!!!!

Gail.... we have a Class A. A 40' Winnebago Chieftain. We love it - our plan is to travel the country for a few years starting end of September, including Canada & Mexico. next year we want to spend the summer in Alaska. I can't wait to hear all about your travels. You need to give us tips and tell us about your favorite places!!

Tonia, where exactly do you go when lobster comes in? We fell in love with that area. Hoping to take the RV down there soon. You wouldn't happen to know of the ideal RV park there would you?

Hi Jack124, welcome to Cruise Crazies.Come join us on the board and post often.

I wasn't even aware that they specials were on offer. Might be good to check before we settle on our next cruise. I'll be 55 in September - darn.

Hey did you guys know that Celebrity offers senior (55+) discounts? Anyone qualify? http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/promowave/CEL.pdf

For all those staying at Locanda Orseolo in Venice.... thought I'd charge you up a bit! Here's a review to read: Okay, so let me start off by saying that I am a hotel snob. As a physician and a travel agent (yes a weird combo, but it works for me) I have been fortunate enough to stay in some of the nicest hotels around the world. I love a nice hotel, and am a real stickler for great service, attention to detail, and cleanliness in the hotels that I stay in. I also love to see that “extra touch” that few hotels/inns seem to achieve nowadays. Well, I have found perfection in Locanda Orseolo. Having read others’ reviews on Trip Advisor, I figured it was probably a decent place to stay, but never expected my experience to be beyond what any of the reviews promised (or what I cynically doubted could be true.) And I hate to gush, since I know this only means they will be more likely to be booked up during my next stay or when I go to book some of my clients, but I can’t help but share what an incredible experience my friends and I had during our stay. All the things you could want were here and rated A+ 1. Location-how can you beat a canal front location that is only a block or so off St. Mark’s square? You can’t. 2. Incredibly warm, welcoming and English speaking owners and family working there that make you feel like you are visiting old friends. (and by the time you leave, they will be old friends!) 3. Made to order crepes as well as breakfast buffet! Cappuccinos! What more could you be looking for first thing in the A.M.?- Caffeine that is included in your room price-made fresh for you-without having to leave the hotel-a real deal! 4. Free internet access-and a computer to use in the lounge, for when you find the need to be aware of what is going on in the “real world”. 5. Totally cool window that you can leave through directly onto a water taxi! This makes for great photos and stories to share when you return back home (reluctantly) from your stay. 6. Perfect rooms, w/ everything you would need, slippers(I love hotel slippers) storage for everything- even in the smallest room, wonderful, unique décor-each room has a mural painted on the wall along with the story of that particular painting. There are even satellite tv’s (not that you will need tv as entertainment in Venice, but if you must…) and clean modern bathrooms. I love this place and the people who run it. When I returned from my last trip, which was with my girl friends, I told my husband I wanted to take him back there just to stay at Locanda Orseolo and have him meet everyone. Here is what I wrote during my stay in my travel journal: "The hotel is amazing! I have never in my life experienced such incredible customer service -such a warm welcome- I don't think our friends or relatives even greet us as warmly as we were welcomed here. The rooms are great- clean, comfortable, modern tv and baths with cool painted walls, each room themed. Location is amazing- 2 minutes from St. Markes Square- 5 minutes walk to Rialto Bridge. I can't wait to refer other people here- this is like panning for gold and finding a huge nugget!" So go ahead, book it, trust me, you won’t be disappointed- it really is as good as everyone says! WOW - Can't wait!!!!!

Welcome back Lisa looking forward to your review. Great to hear good things about Carnivals new ships!

Welcome Cherole - great to have you join our Crazie family. Please post often!

For us it would be Tampa - 15 minutes from home..... also going under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, that's really neat. Otherwise Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, Port Canaveral and Vancouver were all good. Seattle was the most disorganized.

Welcome to Cruise Crazies VeroniqueCouture - hope you'll be as happy as the rest of us Crazies are!

Oh you guys are baaaad...... I can see we're in the midst of Poker fiends! Enjoy!!!!

Andrew...thanks for sharing that with us. Sorry I'm useless at Poker - my SIL plays every week - I've never got the hang of it, nickel & dime would be all I'd be able to manage. Tony likes his slots and I do bingo. What diet are you going on? I too need to do something about my weight, it's always such a battle.

Tonia....I wonder if you asked your hotel to get a menu from La Villa and fax it to you ......... just maybe :wink: