avie

Joey, So what's wrong with Bloody Marys or Mimmosas with breakfast? Avie

Good morning -- It's going to be another deadly-hot day in our nation's capitol! And I have to leave our relatively cool offices for a few hours this morning. Ugh!!! I guess differences of opinion are what makes life interesting -- and these forums useful. Hopefully, we will continue to share ideas, and of equal importance, have more people join in with new and different views. As to the alternative dining thingy, our experience is based only on Connie. We did enjoy it so much that we ate there twice on a short 7-day trip. The only thing with which I found fault was the lack of change in the menu on the two visits. But, in our view, the food and variety of items on the menu was excellent -- freshly and well prepared by its own staff in the small kitchen adjoining the restaurant. Yes, dinner did take two to two and a half hours. But that is what I expected, and, indeed, the length of time I expect to spend at dinner in a good restaurant. And the service was beautiful. Indeed, the service reminded me of that in one and two star restaurants in Paris! (I have not had the experience of a three star restaurant there!) (I cannot comment on the Caesar Salad, as I did not have it on either occasion. But the cheeses served from the trolley were fantastic!) We found the Spa food to be very good, and actually had lunch there most of the time! Regretfully, in my view, the dinners in the main dining room went from mediocre to good. But keeping in mind the large number of portions being served from the kitchen, the chefs do a pretty good job! We're really looking forward to breakfast and cocktails on the balcony! Avie

Hi Cheryl we are all in the same neighborhood as far as hotels go..... and Miami I hate to tell you ...is a real pain to get to unless you rent a car.. Anyway.. Interesting comments about the Olympic resturant... if you could please elaborate as to why you "wasn't impressed" we will be sailing Millie in October .. and DP loves Cesar salad... And DC is my second home too..I lived i Off of Duke in Alexandria, and in Northwest (23rd and Mass) during my 10+ years there. Avie what part of the metro area are you guys.. Joey, We have lived in Condo Canyon in Alexandria -- Then to Reston, and were in Reston from '76 until this past September. We now have a condo just over the line in Loudoun County. Guess I still like the commute into DC! (I work in the L'Enfant area directly across from the Smithsonian Castle.) Avie

I, too, keep looking. Perhaps X is just going to keep us on board and hope that we frequent the bars!!!LOL Avie

Good afternoon -- Joey: Since you are on an earlier trip, you will be able to report to us on the current "alcohol" program!!! In the event your "test case" falls prey to the long arm of X and its scanning equipment, I will gladlyh participate in its replacement! Cheryl: You live in one of my most favorite areas of the country -- I used to spend much time in the Bay area, and have been in Walnut Creek numerous times. I go back to the days of the dark ages when I would go to see Mort Sahl at the hungry I. Of more recent vintage, some of my most favorite restaurants are in SF. I put on weight just thinking about them. I agree -- "Domaine" makes an outstanding pinot. I'm also very fond of the Saintsbury "Coneros" -- While on board Summit, I expect that you will probably eat (dine) in L'Normandie at least once. I recall with ecstasy the most wonderful meals and service we had in the Ocean Dining room on the Connie, and I assume that the alternative dining room on Summit will be equally as good. Having just returned from LaLa Land, the heat index in DC is not too bad. stay cool!! Avie

Oh, well --- c'est la vie! Avie

Yes, I am familiar with Hess. Haven't had the 2003 Reserve yet, but their wines are very nice. If I can get some wild Alaskan king tomorrow, I'll have it with either an Oregon Pinot or one from the Caneros Valley. Yum!!!!!!

Joey, You have great taste!!! Avie

Joey, et al., Hopefully, the restrictions on wine and booze will not prevent bringing a few bottles on board. If I recall, X had the same restriction when we took a prior cruise (january, 2005. In fact, in San Juan there is a Duty Free shop in X's terminal, and they actually shipped the "purchases" on board!!! I did bring a bottle of voadka with me, and it did go though the security scanner. No problem at that time Yes, certain lines do enforce the restriction. I heard this may be true for Windstar and possibly its parent HAL. By the way -- what is the chard you want to bring with you? Avie

Joey, What is Celebrity's new alcohol policy? Actually, I enjoy the days at sea!!! Betty is doing quite well -- her back is doing what it is supposed to!!! But she has had several hip dislocations, and will go in for "revision" surgery next month. We believe trhe surgery is timed so it will not have any effect on the cruise. Avie

Joey, I keep looking for the update. As soon as the listings appear for the Canal (cruising) and Costa Rica, I will probably jump on them. I'm still leaning towards the train on the Panama Canal. However, I'm not sure about Costa Rica. Avie

Joey, You are so right!!!! I'm with you!!! Avie

Hi Joey, I've joined the sweltering group in LaLa Land. And I thought DC was bad!!! Was out in the Valley for lunch, then back to the city. I guess we had best get the gang together. The roll call is beginning to roll down hill. Avie

Joey, Cook out sounds fab. I assume black tie!!!! Avie

Hi Cheryl, et al, As I mentioned to Joey earlier, perhaps we can all get together sometime the day (night) before sailing for a pre-embarkation celebration. I don't know our schedule yet as we will be getting together during the day with one of Betty's friends who now lives in the Ft. Lauderdale area . But I'm sure we can work the timing-thing out. We recently learned that we will be joined on the cruise by Betty's former classmate, roomate, and friend, and her friend. And that's exciting! I, too, used to be most loyal to UAL. However, when their service deteriorated, and they adopted the attitude that loyalty is a one-way street, I no longer give them any preference. Regretfully, Independence Air is no longer flying. But JetBlue is fast becoming the fav of many people I talk to. I have ranted enough. Have to get ready to hop a plane to LaLa Land. Avie

Good morning, With the heat, lethargy has set in. I was able to snag a couple of first class FF seats, so we'll be flying Delta from IAD to FLL, and then LAX to IAD. Under the present schedule, we arrive FLL at 1:15 pm, and we'll be overnighting at the Marriott Courtyard - Airport. On the return, we intend to spend only 1 day in SOCAL. Right now, we intend to drive out to the Getty (Betty has never seen it), and probably have dinner with some friends in the LA area. Then back to reality (and more importantly, our wonderful Boston Terrier) on Sunday. Avie

Activity is beginning to ramp up. I made our plane reservations! I guess now is the time to concentrate on the shore excursions, etc. Any new thoughts on the subject?

Joey, Did you receive the e-mail I sent to your Hotmail account?

Food is good!!! I'm familiar with Nick & Steff's; any others you are thinking about? Avie

That's the place!!!

Ususally I will stay near LAX on the evening I come in, or if I'm getting a relatively early plane in the morning. Otherwise, I try to stay in the area in which I will be working. Since I will be having meetings near 5th and Figuera (sp?), I will be in one of the downtown hotels I listed previously.

If I come out, I'll probably stay at the LAX Sheraton on 6/24 and then at the Boneventure or the Sheraton LA on the 25 and 26. (Have to get those Starwood points, you know.) Possibly in the LAX area if I stay over on Thursday (which I doubt). As you can readily see, I haven't firmed up too much as yet!!!

Hi, No problem -- just catatonic!!! There's a good chance I will be in LaLa Land the last week of the month. (Bummer though -- I will be downtown -- definitely not one of my favorite spots.) I have to keep working, you know, to keep the cruise line accounting department satisfied. I noticed the pins you designed for your October trip. You did a fabulous (have to use the superlatives to get ready for LaLa Land) job. Avie

Joey, don't be modest!!!

Cheryl, You were wondering how we all knew that you signed on -- Actually, it's a no-brainer! Joey knows all. We just follow his lead. I, too, was confused with the designation "inside cabin" --I spent some time trying to figure out how to correct it to the "proper" category (i.e., the one I have booked). Then I realized what the designation meant. LOL.