SMB

Here is the final updated map of countries visited by Cruisecrazies. I'm very impressed by the amount of terra firma covered by our group... and this doesn't include the nautical terrain crisscrossed by the CC's. Paraphrasing Muhammad: "You may tell me how old a man is or how much he has studied, but tell me how much he has traveled and I will tell you how wise he is." KEEP TRAVELING!!!!!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

Welcome to the friendliest cruiseship on the seas. Enjoy your ride with the cruisecrazies!

There is much to do at night in St. Maarten, but the most popular is gamble, eat, and drink. I try to avoid Philipsburg when the ships are in, but I'm sure the shops stay open to at least 7:00 on those days... maybe later. The problem is the amount of beach time you can get on that side of the island. The mtns. make it difficult to catch any rays later than 4:00 PM in the summer. If I were you... I would rent a car (Can be done online and picked up at the port). Then I would drive counterclockwise around the island. Take the detail up Anse Marcel for the great view. Grab a slightly late lite lunch in Grand Case (Gourmet capital of the caribbean). Drive around to Friar's beach. Take the trail at the north end of Friar's on the 10 minute walk to one of the last desolate beaches on the Island, Happy Beach, and enjoy the last rays of the day. Before the sun gets to low, drive past Marigot to Cupecoy beach and enjoy a drink as you watch the sunset at the Cliffhanger Bar. Then have a fabulous meal at one of the great places to eat in the area like La Gondola or Le Montmartre. Then head back to Philipsburg but keep in mind the TRAFFIC! on the way back. Adjust your plans as you go. You don't want to miss the ship. Otherwise, enjoy the friendliest island in the caribbean. Maps of all I mentioned above can be found on the web. I'm heading there in 5 DAYS!!!!!! I'll report back when we return.

I'm way on the other side in Marietta. Sorry about your trip. I hope you do make it to Italy in the future.

Rome is perfectly safe. I have walked around the city at 1:00-2:00 AM and never felt nervous - even in what might be considered the "seedier" parts of town. I would NEVER do that in many parts of Atlanta. Violent crime is rare in most of Europe (Paris and parts of England are the exception). When it happens, it is almost always a domestic issue. The worst that could happen to you in Rome is pickpocketing which is usually done in broad daylight, crowded areas or the subway... and to tourists. My rule of thumb is to always try to blend in. If you look like an idiot tourist... well. One suggestion I have is to run by a local store and buy a snack or something cheap that will get you a plastic bag. Use it to carry your guidebook, map, camera, etc. Nothing says "rob me" like a fanny pack or backpack. And do not stand on a street corner or on the subway reading a giant map or guidebook. Just common sense stuff really... but have no fear of safety in Italy.

Having lived in Rome, I admit to a bias. I would say, however, that Rome is the place to stay. You do not need to take a taxi to Civitavecchia. The train from Rome to CV is MUCH cheaper and just a fast (if not faster depending on traffic) from Rome. You can find deals on places to stay if you try... the closer to the train station (Termini) the better the price (and crummier the hotel). Most of all, stay in Rome because there is NOTHING to do at night in CV, but all the locals come out at night to ROAM around ROME. In fact, I like Rome better at night than during the day. Get a gelato and stroll between the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. The dome of St. Peter's is also incredible at night. Most importantly, stop by the two big night gathering spots, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain... You MUST see the Trevi at night!!!!

I'm sorry, I had to call for medical aid after seeing the price list. $1.20 for ONE shrimp! I don't think so!

I've got 13 days before I'm in running my toes through the sand in St. Maarten! I was wondering if any CC's out there were going to be in St. Maarten in two weeks? We could meet for a drink.

OMG, Linda, I've got 13 days to go and I'm SO ready to be there. We are staying for 10 days this time. 7 Days will be with friends and family and then DW and I will enjoy three days by ourselves. My plan this year is to try to get to three new beaches. I'm also going to take a day trip to Saba. I have my list of new places to eat all ready to go, plus we will hit the old haunts. I'll post pics and a review when I get home.

Cruise lines may not be responsible for weather, but they are responsible for the safety of their clients. I don't know if the Donald charges are "Trumped" up, but if they are true, I think that demonstrates a disregard for safety.

Tortola is OK. Very sleepy port. I expect this is what the rest of the Carib. was like 40 years ago. BUT YOU MUST GO TO VIRGIN GORDA! We took the excursion offered by the cruiseship, but still loved it.... and that is with my wife slipping/falling on a rock and my dropping my digital camera into the sea.