cherole

[/size]READY!!

I don't think I'll be heading to Baltics on cruise, but y'all should definitely go. I've been to that region independently before. Copenhagen was one of my all time favorite cities! And I've been to Tallinn, Estonia twice. Ole's family is from there originally. He is 1st generation American. You guys will love it!!

Yikes! I realize traveling anywhere has risks. We were pick-pocketed in Rome in 1999. Textbook case! Kind of scary. Thanks for the heads up.

Joey-You are the best activity director ever! Also, remind that manager of all of the exposure/publicity they are getting on this board. And save some appetizers for us You have a direct flight to FLL from LAX? On who? We can't do that from SFO.

Oops, I put my excursion in the wrong place. Thanks, Joey. I checked back today and was able to book my excursion. I swear, tho, I am not nuts. The site was "under maintenance" for the last few days. I booked the Manuel Antonio Park for Costa Rica. I'm going to do Cabo on my own, wing Huatulco & Acapulco (i.e. maybe book something after we board). And for Aruba I have my snorkeling trip booked. All set for now! Time to get packing!!

If I can't choose leaving (last time I cried), then I'll go with: 1) Lifevest drill 2) the hassle of delivering & then picking up your passport later while on the ship 3) The fact that (on Celebrity) the coffee bar doesn't make coffee drinks to go in little Starbucks type cups. You have to sit there and enjoy it. I'm one of those people who likes to walk around sipping lattes all morning. I inquired and understand the environmental reasons why. 4) The mixed drinks around the pool were not that great (Celebrity) 5) The weight that magically appeared on me by the time I got home. Gee, I sure came up with a lot!

This is a little scary, as in, who's minding the store? Not that Mr. Celeb chef is actually on each ship, but it does make you feel a little naked in the food department. We leave in 12 days!!

So, what is up with the website? I dilly-dallied too long and now I can't book anything. I finally want to secure my Costa Rica excursion and the website has been under maintenance for the last few days. I might have to wait and do it on board. Yikes! Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks, Gottacruz. What is you real name? I see your picture all the time on here, so I guess I'll have the chance to meet you! Fun. I'd put my picture on, but couldn't figure out how. When I got to the photo upload place, it only gives me a URL choice, not a choice to pull one from my hard drive. Anyone got helpdesk support?

I definitely had a b'fast burro or two on Mille Med. They might have been tucked away in one of the obscure stations. That breakfast buffet can be confusing, like a maze.

So with my group, does that make it 16? Is it 8 or 8:30? Can you save us a spot in case we are late? We'll get there as quick as we can, but cutting it very close. If we are ruining it for everyone, please let me konw. I won't be hurt. Again, we are supposed to land at 7:40, but by the time we get luggage, drop it off at hotel & taxi to restaurant, it might even be 9:00. What do you guys think?

On Celebrity: pretzel bread and breakfast burritos. Also liked their little gyros sandwiches. Also loved the spa food for snacks: cold berry soup, salmon & tuna items.

Oh, I forgot to reiterate, we can only do the late dinner, 8:30. We don't arrive until 7:40. This is all assuming we are on time, etc. Thanks again for figuring it all out.

Aaacck! I'm late, apologies. I've been away for the weekend with no internet access. Go ahead and count us for 4 people. Thanks for finding a great place! Getting in cruise mode here also! Booked our airport transpo. Need to start packing. First have to get the house clean & in order for our cat/house sitter who will be staying here. Excited! I have dreams nightly.

So, when I ran this past Ole and mentioned Outback, he got all excited about their rack of lamb. We don't go there often, at all, but I guess the lamb left an impression on him. When we go to visit my mom, Outback is the nicest restaurant in town. Sad, isn't it. She lives in Sierra Vista, AZ. Mostly military and retirees. Anyway, as I said, we're fine with whatever is the best choice for location/convenience. We'll be at the mercy of a cab. If it could be 8:30, that may be better, but we can always just come & sit down late as well. Or, shall we get accustomed to our late dining seating time??

Hi guys, We arrive FLL 07:40 PM. Ooo, I don't know! By the time we wait baggage claim & get to hotel, it's going to be 8:30 I imagine. We could show up late. If we have any type of delay, we would be no-shows. Can you put us down just in case? As you say, we have to eat anyway! There are 4 of us. I'm assuming our friends would come also. Since I'm on the borderline, I don't want to be too opinionated. But, I would suggest or ask if there is anything possibly that is more uniquely Floridian?? I have never been to Florida. I can go to Outback at home. But, having said that, I do like Outback, so no issues there. I'll be happy to go there if it is the best choice.

okey doke.

Hey Joey, Please keep me in the loop also. We arrive later than previously planned due to a flight change. I think it's 7PM or so, so maybe kind of rushed to try & do something. But, you never know. What is a plan for meeting you guys on the ship if all else fails? Should we make something specific? Of course, I want to ensure to to meet y'all.

Anyone been on the excursion (Celebrity) to Manuel Antonio National Park? My question is I want to know if you are schlepped around as a group or if you have time on your own to explore. I need to book soon, any info appreciated. Thanks!!

Thanks for the wine tip, I'll look for that one. Have not heard of it or had it.

Ok, thanks for the tips. Ole and I are on our own tonight! We're having french champagne and shrimp scampi. So, maybe I'll have a bottle of champagne with a CC class room? Happy New Year!!

Why do you get champagne in you room, are they suites? I don't remember that from my last trip. Or is it a CC class thing? We are CC class this time and last time we were not. Actually, my travel agent will be sending us a bottle, but I told her white when she asked because she didn't know what they would have and I am more afraid of cheap champagne than cheap wine. Wouldn't want to find a bottle of Korbel Freixenet or something sitting there. Horrors! Are the music channels any good? I don't remember that. Question: Are jeans permitted in the dining room on casual night? I seem to recall that there is a verboten list, such as shorts, but don't recall all of the details. Let me know if you know. Thanks, Avie, for weather reports. Ole is a bit of a weather geek, so I'm sure he'll be keeping tabs on it all. Are you flying out at 8:00 on the 20th? Or 19th? Or sooner?

First line of that last post should read SPARKLING, not sparking!

Avie: You got sparking in you cabin before???? Did you order it? I'm pretty nervous about weather. I'm glad now that our layover in Denver was switched to D.C., but we only have one buffer day. We fly on the 19th. Our ticket says "do not arrive at the pier before 2PM". Yeah, right! Last time, we would have obeyed as it was our first cruise. But, our experienced friends told us to get there at noon. Sure enough, no problem. Cabin not ready, but we got to go to deck 10 the restaurant, found a seat in the outdoor part and had lunch and a glass of wine. It was just lovely. We'll do that again. As I recall, there is no option in the cabins for music. At least hotel rooms have clock radios with music. I'm thinking about buying some of those compact travel speakers for my Ipod and filling it with good music for the cruise. Do you guys have any of those or any suggestions on good ones to purchase? I saw a couple that looked good on display at Circuit City, but they were actually wiped out of stock. I'll have to wait a week or 2 until they recoup from the Christmas sales. Tomorrow I'm treating myself to a day in the city (SF) to shop for last minute formal wear. There is so much more selection there than in the run-of-the-mill shopping malls.

OK, whew! My TA called and the docs are in her office which is very near my home. Ole will pick them up on the way home from work today. Thanks for the update on wine! I'll probably definitely bring my 2 bottle limit, likely champagne for the veranda. That will be for the nights that we don't make it to Martini bar! Hope you all have a great New Years weekend!