zebra

Shari - we have 2 lots of friends who are in those countries right now as we speak. Both are posting on Facebook and are loving it. The couple in Greece (including visiting 6 Greek islands) say that you would never know anything is going on .... and so does the guy who is in Istanbul - he's my age, loving it and saying that he would love to move there.
Coming from another country (as you do) there is one thing I will say and that is that don't be governed about news reports. I have to tell South Africans this all the time ... their perception of America is EVERYTHING they see and hear on TV. They don't want to visit because our kids go on rampages and shoot each other at school, all they hear about are all the murders taking place here and then our weather is the worst in the world (apparently) you either have to dodge hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wild fires or earthquakes ... and think it's so unstable here that they don't feel it necessary to visit and risk their lives. Of course we know that America shoots itself in the foot with the world coverage .... but living here we also know that this is not the picture of our gorgeous country. Sorry I got so wordy ..... bottom line, I'm happy to travel back over there.

Kevin, yes I knew I was going to make the news - because they emailed me a few times to gather information and told me that they (CC editors) were outraged about this happening and I agreed that it would be good to forewarn others that this could happen IF you were forced to book a guarantee close to sailing time. I agreed that they could run the editorial. They wanted to use my real name but I told them no. Of course, the "other" website has so many ###### and "not so nice" people, who can turn an innocent warning editorial into something ugly. I purposely won't respond and lower myself to reply to any of the ugly responses. I am heartened that any are in my "corner" even though the editorial missed the important info that we live in TAMPA - 5-6 hours (depending on traffic flow) from Miami.
Anyhow ....... I am not following or reading the article any more. This is my "home" cruise website - it's just that i had posted about my disappointment both here and there ... well the editors picked it up there because it was something that they could make "news" on!!!

Hi All,
Debbie and all Crazies - c'mon over!! We have more than enough sausage for a BBQ and add some liquid libations we could get a great party going here.
Just a quiet day here (after yesterday it felt good to do nothing much) - we did pop down to Bealls to buy Tony a new pair of Dockers ... other than that .... nada!!!

OMG - let's hope so K & R. Yes it has crossed our minds many times. What stops them from coming onboard as paying cruisers without any weapons .... the galley onboard would have enough weapons for them to be able to do the job with their captives. We just have to believe that our agencies are on top of everything Al Qaeda!!

I love it... how awesome and to be able to apply it to a future cruise.. Wow - does that mean the meal, wine and photo would then be free?

Debbie - as the "Review" section isn't up and running at the moment here is our review.
RADIANCE OF THE SEAS - 12/2/2010
We embarked at 2 pm and within 10 minutes were on the ship.
Our immediate reaction onboard was Wow - all the glass, made the ship so bright, sparkly and once we had set sail it was endless vistas of blue ocean.
We went directly to our balcony cabin and were pleasantly surprised, it was pretty and well appointed with all the necessities. The bathroom was probably a little smaller than others with a rounded shower cubicle, but still had the shower curtain that, when wet, clings to your butt Another thing is their little soaps are wafer thin and the "soap dish" in the shower is metal bars with gaps between them. The wet soap would slip through and go tumbling to the floor, only to have the cold wet shower curtain make contact with your warm body everytime you had to retrieve it. Solution: Either a soap dispenser like the shampoo dispenser or a solid soap dish. The main complaint we had was ALL their towels and the terry robes were as hard and stiff as could be. No fluffy towels on this cruise. With that being said, we were really happy with our accommodations and the bed was probably the MOST comfortable bed we have ever had on all 22 cruises. Our cabin steward was also outstanding and couldn't do enough to make us happy .... his towel elephant and koala bear were big hits.
Our cabin was 2nd last from the rear of the ship so we had a long walk down the corridor to the elevators. Good exercise! There are no elevators at the rear of the ship, only mid ship and forward. We did try and use the stairs as much as we could (when my knee wasn't too sore) and the artwork kept us busy oohing and aahing, especially all the glasswork on the stairwells.
The bars and lounges were super. All light and bright with ceiling to floor windows and great bar staff. Our only complaint is that the entire Viking Crown lounge area was taken up every evening by Diamond-plus members as there were 166 of them onboard. This is a lovely lounge to sit and watch the ocean and we did on sail away - where we met a super waitress Mary, from South Africa.
The spa was very nice and the treatments offered were I felt of better value than Princess, although I made an appointment with a lovely young South African lady for my massage and when I got to th Spa, the Manager, in her wisdom, had changed my masseuse to someone else. She could see that I was pretty "ticked" and my 50 minute treatment became a 75 minute treatment. She also invited me to come back to the thermal suite whenever I wanted to. Woohoo!
While I am comparing the two cruise lines I will also say that I prefer the Compass to the Patter and also the fact that RCCL does not bombard you with sales pamphlets like Princess does, that was refreshing.
We only ate in the diningroom one night and the food was good and our wait staff were excellent! On the last night I popped in and took them their "envelopes" - I thought the waiter was going to kiss me, he got so emotional and thanked me over and over. This made me realize that other's who prefer to eat in the Windjammer, a we did, probably don't give their assigned wait staff any tips. The Windjammer food was very good and the selection was even better. Being on Weight Watchers it was easier for me to eat there where I could bulk up on fruit and veggies.
The entertainment was outstanding. The Piano Man production show was superb and the live show of Marty Allen was hilarious.
The Platinum/Diamond Captain's party was also very good, with all kinds of drinks flowing and a huge variety of hot and cold appetizers.
Summary:
LIKES:
Size of the ship - not too big or small
Muster - you do not take your lifevest with you.
Windows everywhere & glass elevators - fantastic views of the ocean
Back deck of Windjammer, sitting outside and having breakfast overlooking the wake.
Beautiful Solarium
Heavenly beds and bedding
Great variety of activities
Sushi in Windjammer each evening
Friendly staff
DISLIKES:
Embarkation and disembarkation processes not nearly as "flowing" or fast as Princess.
Hard towels and robes.
Cruise director's staff not the best - although we enjoyed him (Dan, Dan the party man) very much.
No chocolates on the pillow.
We truly have fallen in love with Royal Caribbean and the Radiance is a gorgeous, gorgeous ship ....... great food, great staff - what more could you want in a cruise?

Martha - prayers going out to the family of your friend.
Debbie (& Jerry) - we would LOVE to do that cruise to. It would have to begin or end in Auckland, NZ so that we could visit our family - we have a daughter there.
Yes, this reputation thing has me beat - I see I have 1 reputation. Whatever ...... How does one accumulate them and can we give them????

OK - please tell me exactly how this works ....... I'm totally not with the program. I guess I don't have a reputation to have to live up to ... that's a good thing, right?? :biggrin:

Does anyone know where Ellie is? I sure do miss her. Ellie please come back!!!

Martha - prayers going out to the family of your friend.
Debbie (& Jerry) - we would LOVE to do that cruise to. It would have to begin or end in Auckland, NZ so that we could visit our family - we have a daughter there.
Yes, this reputation thing has me beat - I see I have 1 reputation. Whatever ...... How does one accumulate them and can we give them????

Cheryl - it was fantastic to see you posting here today - I sure have missed your posting. Hey who is wedding No. 2?
MaryLou - that's awesome news about TJ ... poor little tyke, he sure has bee through the mill.
Martha - how are you feeling today?
Tim - I am praying for Laura.
Well my back and right knee have both been acting up - I'm sick of being sick. Actually not sick, just in pain. I was hoping to be able to use only the stairs on this cruise ..... hmmmm we'll see about that.
3 MORE SLEEPS!!

Oh No!!! I'm in the lead ....