chachabell

Based on what I've been reading it looks like Simon Weir will be our Cruise Director. He is great and a lot of fun! We had him on our South American cruise on the Millennium in January and also on the Summit in July 2003.

Margaret -- I had Lasik almost 7 yrs and would do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck.

We visited with Becky for about 1-1/2 hrs this evening. Small world again. She has family in Catonsville (outside Baltimore) where Lou grew up. Boy are we going to have a great time on this trip! Diane

Tonia -- We won't have snow here when we get back, but I can guarantee you it will be colder than 70. I, too, am working on getting my yard ready for winter. The only thing I want to do outside when I get home is rake leaves. And, there will be lots of them! Yes, our first meet and greet with Becky tonight. Diane

We leave on the 25th. Two weeks from tomorrow!

When I mail in my documentation, I always ask for an email confirmation. However, at this point, you can also email them for confirmation at shareholderbenefit@rccl.com. Captains Club may also be able to help as Joey suggested. Diane

And, we are SO ready! I just can't wait much longer.

Hi -- Just got back from a weekend in NYC visiting my son and his wife. I'm just about planned out so just waiting to do those last minute things. Gail, when we were on the Millennium for our South American cruise in Jan, we took our post cards to the purser and they mailed the post cards for us at the next port for $1 per cards. They did not sell the stamps. This was so easy to do. I suspect that in Europe the charge will be higher. Diane

We add our tips to our account, so they go on our credit card and we don't have to bring the extra cash.

Below is an easy to use website for calculating our cruise tips: http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

We got our documents in the mail today! We're READY!

Jackie -- Hope you and Tony have a wonderful cruise. Anxious to here about it upon your return.

Gail and anyone else needing bus info from Villefranche. This is from another post pulled from Trip Advisor. "Villefranche is very small and there is no bus station. From where you will be landed by the tender you need to walk up hill, following the obvious road which climbs steeply to the left. Keep going up hill when the road forks and after about 500 yards you will arrive at the main road. Cross this road at the traffic lights, turn left and you will find the bus stop within about 10 yards. All buses from here go to Nice bus station, No. 100 runs every fifteen minutes (if you are lucky, this is France) and No.81 less often. Give the driver 1.30 euros or more and make sure you punch your ticket in the machine behind him. If you forget, as I often do, he will make a very exasperated noise and you will be embarrassed. When you arrive in Nice bus station you will find the stop for Eze Village within about 20 feet of where you get off the bus. Check the times of the buses and decide which one you want to get before heading into the old town, across the road from the bus station. When you arrive back at the bus station position yourself casually close to the place where the bus will arrive. Most people going to Eze will be tourists, including many Japanese who are the most polite people on earth, so when the bus arrives and the French, Germans etc hurl themselves at it (The French don't stand in line) you will have a good chance of actually getting on. Actually, the bus is rarely full. Pay another 1.30 and you will be in Eze in about 20 minutes. When you arrive you can again check bus times to Monte Carlo. When I was last there someone had removed the times from the stop but they are always displayed outside the tourist office. From Monaco to Villefranche it is easiest to take the train. Timetables can be found on www.lignedazur.com FYI bus for Eze-Village is bus no 82. If you plan to get on buses more than 3 times in your day, get a one-day pass for 4 euro. The driver will sell it to you like any other tickets."

We're leaving Venice the same time as Paula and Trish -- unfortunately different days. That was the first thing I checked when I saw Paula's message. We leave on the 12th otherwise we could share a water taxi to the airport. Delta did the same thing to Jackie and Tony some months ago. We are still going to share a water taxi with them but we will have to leave the hotel a little earlier than originally planned.

Congratulations on getting your docs. That means the rest of us should be getting them soon.

My last minute to do looks a lot like everyone elses. A couple additional things -- stop the newspaper and give my inside and outside plants a good drink before I leave.

Gail -- Sorry to hear of your loss. The fond memories will help you through the rough times. Just be glad that you had the opportunity to see him recently. I just saw your message as I spent part of my day taking my 91 yo mother to a drs appt. I cherish every day as one never knows. Diane

Paula -- We should be there. Oh My! We leave 5 weeks from yesterday. Getting very close. Diane

They provide free refreshments for their guests in that room. If they think non-guests are partaking, I don't think they would be happy.

Our full names -- Diane and Lou Hauf -- We've offered to host Paula and Trish. Jackie, I agree. Our guests should try to find us. If we are all wearing our super dooper pins, it shouldn't be too difficult. Just hope the Continental doesn't get bent out of shape.

Paula, if we decide to go this route you may be our guests. Diane

Jackie -- I think you are referring to my post: http://www.kenandpene.com/The%20Hotel%20Co...ntal%20Palacete

Joey -- Add 9 hrs. -- 3 to the east coast and another 6 hrs to Barcelona. 5:30 am by my calculations.

Gail -- Trying to get "secret" tour for 11/11. I've tried several different sites and they don't seem to be available yet. Diane

I can go with the flow and WILL participate in whatever is decided. I was thinking more like 7 pm. Based on what I've read, restaurants don't start serving dinner until 8-8:30. So if we meet and greet for about an hour and then go to dinner that should be about right.