SMB

Yep, that's us! Here is the funny thing: "lost" bags for which Delta is not able to locate an owner get sent to... ALABAMA! They go into this giant warehouse and are auctioned off ... unopened. Our family has always joked that we would go over and try the Delta lotto one day. With our luck, we would get noting but dirty underwear.

I really don't SEE the point of going to an Optometrist on a cruise ship. If you are in that bad of shape, then I'd go see a doc. at one of the ports of call. I mean, would you go on a cruise to get your teeth cleaned? Not to mention, I'm not sure I would want anyone near my eye on a rocking boat!

Some of you will remember this story... for the newbies, this might be the first time. We met a woman on our first cruise who had sons that wanted to put her in a home after her husband died. She decided to jump on one of the HAL ships and stayed on one ship or another for the last ten years without telling her family where she was. When I sat next to her at the LATE show, she said all of the same things as are posted above. The news had reported on her recently and her sons found out. She was on the cruise with one of her sons and they were reconnecting. I've got to tell you, she must have been in her late 80's and was running circles around the crew and guests (including me). The captain had made her an honorary "senior" cruise director. Count me in!

Welcome! Sorry, no help here. We went raftig on the Martha Brae... which I would recommend. I know we would all love to hear about the tree-top tour if you go.

Great Pics!!!!!!! I want to go to Dubrovnik, now.

Love Boat? Yuck! I can barely keep my balance on dry land I don't know where the railing goes in that Kama Sutra move...but I'll be wipping out the clorex wipes before touching the rails from now on

My theory is the stories have increased as the percentage of balcony rooms has increased. Hmmmmm?

Spikesgirl... great minds, my friend. Just posted my response and saw yours. Maybe we can start a club!

I would like to remind the cruiselines of a little thing called NATURAL SELECTION.

Wow, really limited balcony space on the LIRICA. I guess with all the people going overboard lately, that is a good thing.

Mebert, I'm not able to get the exact price for tickets online, but the train from Fiumicino to Rome is 10 euros and the train from Rome to Civitavecchia is about 7 euros. So, I would say you could get from the airport to Civitavecchia for less than 20 euros per person. Taxi in Civitavecchia can be as much as 20 euros. For two people, that would be a total of less than 60 euros one way. That is around 120 euros vs. the 225 by private means. I guess it all depends on how much you are willing to pay for convenience. $140 savings can get me another night in Italy. In any case... will you take me with you?

Rat, There is a direct train (hourly) from Gatwick to Southampton for $40-$50 one way. Round trip is usually a price break. Also direct trains from London. More complicated from Heathrow, but still about the same price. That means three of you can go to Southampton for about $150. Hope this helps. Mebert, I'm still checking on Civitavecchia. I know the train from Fiumicino requires a change in Rome and takes 1:40-2:00 hrs depending. The Ferrovia site will not give me prices right now... that is Italy... but I'll let you know if I find out. The problem is not so much getting a taxi to the docks in Civitavecchia as it is getting FROM the docks when a few hundred people are trying the same thing. The haul up the hill to the station is no fun either, esp. with bags.

Wow, you guys are getting ripped off! Public transportation in Europe is very safe and very cheap! The only question is comfort. If you are older, the joints are working as well, and the bags are at their weight limit, then you might want to suck it up. But I would consider taking the bus or train. There is always some nice young person who is willing to help with the bags. Offer a few euros for their trouble if you want. Rat, my friend, please RENT A CAR!!!! Driving on the left side of the road is not as hard as it sounds (in fact, I like it better than the right side.) $800 wow... I can't believe anyone made that offer with a straight face. Lisa is right, The dollar is tanking against the Euro (and pound)... another one of the side benefits to the war in Iraq! In the four years since we invaded, the cost of buying ONE euro has gone from $.83 to $1.33 and it is not going to get better as long as we are financing billions in war debt. The best plan is to arrange as much as possible now and in US dollars.

I'd like to officially dub this the BLUBBER thread... that is all I've been doing reading this stories. Come on, admit it. You guys all use to work for the ad agency that came up with the Hallmark commercials. Great stories, guys

You are suppose to LEAN with the tower, Mercedes!

Sorry, no help here, but... WELCOME!

Coba, Mexico

Thanks for the info, Cheryl. Mariner of the Seas in Labadee Mariner's upper decks

Nice pic D.B. I was suppose to go to Stingray City, but the weather was too rough. Maybe next time.

I'm missing SXM greatly now. I will be there in... what does my ticker say?... two months and some change! I need the break!

GREAT SHOT, HOWARD!!!! HEY, how do I post a picture? It won't let me paste and when I hit that "insert picture" button, it says to enter the url. How do I put my own picture on the posting without adding it to the web first? (I feel like I'm in computing 101 )

Charlie, Our cats hate it, too. Our big Siberian cat gets in the suitcase and will not get out. If you toss him out, he jumps right back in. His sister just stares at us with a pissy look.

Congrats on the trip! Is it possible to find full transits without going from coast to coast (California /Mexico to Florida)? In other words, does anyone sail into the Pacific, turn around, and sail back to the Atlantic? On another note... is that Robert I saw. Robert, I thought you were gone. Glad to see you posting MY FRIEND!

Yep. Just a good ol' cut-n-paste job. I left a space between the countdown and map in my signature.

Hey guys. The family is planning a cruise as an 80th b'day present for grandmother. They have decided on Dec 28th, 2007 - 3 day cruise to Bahamas on RC Sovereign. TA said the price right now is $439. Do you think is is good? It is the published price on vacationstogo.com. We are going to have a large group with 20-30 people. Should we be getting a better deal than the general public? I have no experience with such large groups. ANY advice would be appreciated. Plus, how is the ship?