avie

I picked the 29th because it's Betty's birthday!!! (Betty, however, is placing no significance on the date.)

Joey, We happy to hear that you and David found the alternative dining room experience to be as enjoyable as we did on the Connie, and are now considering making a reservation for the PC cruise. (No, I don't get a commission! LOL) We contacted the Captain's Club and requested La Normandie for the 29th at 7:30. We're now trying to decide if we want to request an additional dinner there. On the Connie we did both a formal and informal night (tux one night and a jacket and tie the other), and although the menu was virtually the same, both nights were most enjoyable. Avie

Joey, I'm looking forward to viewing your photos, etc. However, at the present time I can't open them on my office machine because the necessary software is blocked. And, since I use a Mac at home, I have to find out the extension that will let me open it. But, I will keep at it. Avie

Back to the excursions -- I saw one for the Panama Canal (Cruising) on the other ships that looks very interesting (if it is indeed in our "book") -- its called "The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at Barro Island" -- Quite pricey, but what can you expect when the Smithsonian is involved!!! I did check out the Smithsonian website, and here's the address: www.stri.org/english/visit_us/barro_colorado/visit.php Then go to the following link: www.stri.org/english/visit_us/barro_colorado/PDFs/BroBCilast.pdf Avie

You may want to glance at the excursions for the Summit cruises through the PC on 11/25/2006, and on 01/06/2007. I found the "Panama Canal (cruising)"excursions there. In all probability, they are the same ones that we will have on our trip. At first blush they don't seem to be too fantastic, but that will require a little more scrutiny. I believe that the only way we can get off the ship in Gatlan Lake is to have a scheduled X excursion. (I may be wrong about this. However, the rate scale appears to indicate a captive market.) You may want to take a gander at them. The rail trip we hoped to take is not listed!!! This may be another Sea Day!!! Or perhaps an opportunity to join Cheryl on a tour of the various lounges/bars on board. LOL Avie

We haven't been able to get any information as yet. From the experience of others on recent westbound PC trips on X, the excursions, if any, for Panama Canal (cruising) will not be announced until January! I keep hoping, though. In the meantime, we are still trying to support the economy signle-handed. Two weeks ago, we went to Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Museum of Art annual craft show. Tomorrow, we're going to the Washington Craft Show. Both are fabulous shows, and approach (or equal) the Smithsonian Show in quality. It's really great fun to visit with some of the artists we have gotten to know over the years, and especially see how their work has changed. On Wednesday, we will continue our "mini vacations," and we're heading off to Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving. Corkie (our Boston) will be traveling with us for the first time (he usually stays with one of our daughters), and the hotel even provides a dog bed for him!!! Such luxury. Joey, Betty is doing well, and we're ready (almost) for the cruise.

For those who want to check the location and desireability of airline seats, you may want to check out seatguru.com. The site has the configuation of the planes for all airlines, and the comments are most helpful. Avie

Good morning, Delta has done it again! I checked my plane reservations again the other day, and DAL changed my reservations -- without notifying me, of course. Some were relatively minor changes -- but my seat assignments went bye-bye. I was able to get some of the same seats back -- but not all. They also had my connecting flight leaving before I arrived. Explanation: sometimes the computer makes mistakes!!! Perhaps, DAL needs to get new programmers. Other than that, the cruise planning continues to go smoothly. We're reallhy looking forward to it. Avie

Joey, The description of the truffle-infused olive oil has me salivating -- just the mental impressions are sufficient, though! I have heard about a private tour in Costa Rica. I don't know anything about it, but here it is -- okeydokeytours######. I have corresponded by e-mail with Charlie, and he will customize the tours to suit. Some of the people on the 11/25 Summit cruise are going to use him, and we might be able to learn more through the Dark Side when they return. In the interim, I have signed up with X to ensure that i can get one of theirs that seems intgeresting to me. As to Cheryl's most important loo question, perhaps the Celeibrity excursions desk can give a clue. I realize that getting info from them is questionable, but one can always hope!!!

Joey, Welcome back!!!! We have alot of posting to go. Avie

Hi there, Friends will be joining us on the trip, so we will have another couple at our table. I've asked our TA to request a table for 8 or so. On past cruises, we have done a two top, and larger. The larger table hopefully will give us the opportunity not only to meet others, but a chance to share (and taste) a few more bottles of wine! We have second seating, as we believe that will provide an opportunity for hors d'oeuvres/drinky-poos/showers at a relaxing pace. Normally, I wait until the cruise to purchase the excursions. But I decided not to chance a sell-out of some of the ones which interested us. Although we have to pay for them at the time we make the reservation, they are fully refundable.

hi, The cruise is getting closer -- we made the final payment today, have already booked excursions in Aruba and Costa Rica, and have finalized table arrangements. Avie

Deb, Welcome to this site! There is a fabulous group of crazies here. I did notice your post on the "dark side." But I am sure that you will be happier here! (Most, if not all, of us actually started on the dark side, and then migrated here.) Avie

I don't have any specific knowledge, but I doubt very much that Celebrity will waive the supplement. It just doesn't seem to be consistent with their marketing schemes. Nevertheless, good luck and perhaps it will work out for your mom. I agree. There should be some interest in bumping up the activity on this thread. But, it looks as though we are on the Lonely Planet. Perhaps Joey should have negotiated receiving postings from the Princess Star rather than handicapping their postings! Avie

At the present time, there are only 13 passengers signed up for the Dark Side party!!!!And on the other side of the moon there doesn't seem to be a lot of activity re: the cruise we are on. Maybe more interest on all sites will be apparent once the payment date is past in 17 days (or there will be a new influx of new passengers). Perhaps we are on a cruise primarily of TA's or members of corporate incentive programs!!! As far as I have been able to glean, the only complete categories that are sold out (at least for the time being) are the suite or pseudo-suite, and the concierge categories. Some of the sub-categories are also sold out at this time. From the website of a discounter, I noticed that "inside" and some "ocean view" cabins now qualify for an over 55 discount. For those in these categories, you may be able to snatch a credit! So much for inane ramblings. Keep the faith --- soon we will be inundated with postings!!! Avie

Thanks, Joey, for the addition to the group site. I, too, had hoped for more from the other side. But, c'est la vie! Avie

Welcome to the CruiseCrazies site. Post often, and have a wonderful time. Join in on the fun! Avie

Welcome to the CruiseCrazies site. Post often, and have a wonderful time. Join in on the fun! Avie

Welcome to the CruiseCrazies site. Post often, and have a wonderful time. Join in on the fun! Avie

You are correct. The two ports that interest us most (for shore excursions) are Panama Canal (cruising) and Costa Rica. (Beaches and under-water activities are not my thing! Indeed, I, in a bathing suit, am most scary.) Costa Rica excursions seem to be well-catalogued, but the excursions during the day (if any) in Panama have not appeared as yet. I guess that has led to the discussions/confusion. Avie

Welcome to the CruiseCrazies site. Post often, and have a wonderful time. Join in on the fun! Avie

Welcome to the CruiseCrazies site. Post often, and have a wonderful time. Join in on the fun! Avie

Welcome to the CruiseCrazies site. Post often, and have a wonderful time. Join in on the fun! Avie

Welcome to the CruiseCrazies site. Post often, and have a wonderful time. Join in on the fun! Avie

Welcome to the CruiseCrazies site. Post often, and have a wonderful time. Join in on the fun! Avie