RNSANE

I think it's a hoot that we had just met and you joined us as a foursome in that big bed!!!!!

Only problem with being in that suite is, how does one ever go back to just an outside cabin? Well, I must say that, for my 75th cruise, it was fun to be in there, even if just for two nights. It sure as heck did impress my friends!!! I had told everyone that my Monarch "family" makes me feel special and, boy, did they! The F & B manager had those cute chocolate boxes delivered to all eight cabins in my "group." sailingrose, Anthony, aka, Tony is a friend for so many years. I am called "the American mother of the Indian crew" on Royal Caribbean and have even been to India - ten years ago, I spent eight days at the home of a crew friend and his family, Santos, who used to be in the Champagne Bar, then went to other ships, including the Rhapsody, as a waiter. Four other crew members were also home at the time and were over every day. I know all the wives thought, "Who is the chubby, older American women who is up till the wee small hours drinking with the men?" It was just fabulous. Right now, bar server, Simon Meneses ( pool deck...you may know him ) is home for his 25th wedding anniversary and Anthony will be at the celebration after New Year's. I was so glad I was able to send a card and gift with him.

I think this is right....click on my friend, Eleni's photo if the URL doesn't show up - and the slideshow should start. There are some good photos of Joey....four of us nurses call ourselves the "Queens" and, this time, we had crowns and queen wine glasses...we usually bring each other special gifts each cruise. Needless to say, the crew treated us - and everyone with us - like royalty. For the last two days of the cruise, I was even upgraded to the Royal suite where, one afternoon, Joey played BARTENDER. http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/561773029Yozxyc

I know we definitely help the economy of so many of these ports that we visit.

I've only been to Venice once....that time I just wandered around with my girlfriend. If I go back to Venice, I plan to actually stay there for a few days. I think there are many websites listing private tours in Venice. I would do one on my return and then, after some other internet research, take off on my own ( of course, I'll probably go with a forensic nurse pal ).

Whoops, that last didn't work....please remove the post...and I'll try again! This was one of my best - if not the best - cruise out of my 75! I've never been so indulged AND I met Joey!!!

Monarch of the Seas, Dec 2007 This was one of my best - if not the best - cruise out of my 75! I've never been so indulged AND I met Joey!!!

I just hope I can catch a little shut eye on the flight to Miami - and that I don't have cases during my on call Friday night 11P - 9A - that always makes it SO stressful leaving for a cruise! Plus I am a crazy person trying to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.

This will be number 60, rogue, with Royal Caribbean, rogue, so I plan to REALLY celebrate!

Thanks, Howard...it is so nice to be cruising so soon after the last one...and then there's another one Feb 4...that's how I like to do them!

Hope your music arrives tomorrow, Joey....I got the "Out of This World" one for both Captain Haken and hotel director, Patrick Olin.

You can count on hearing about it, Mary Lou....will be seeing a favorite captain and hotel director so it should be nice....haven't seen either in over a year and they are special friends. Also, those Radiance class ships are my favorite so I'll love being on board.

Isn't it great to be cruising? I'm off on Sunday for the Brilliance on Monday...so I won't be too jealous. Have a great time.

Hey, Sherry, ummm, Rula....may the Brilliance be wonderful 'cause if you're having fun, that means I'll probably enjoy msyelf as well....we'll be sitting at the Schooner, I imagine, on neighboring stools.

I know that Haiti's Barbancourt rum is one of the best in the world, replete with gold medals and awards. The country itself is a mess, economically poor, half the country, almost, is illiterate, and its citizens have been terribly mistreated by those in rule throughout the centuries. I do hear that Labadie is beautiful.

Wow, lots of birthdays today....let me add my best wishes to the others!!!!

Look for Chris Nothdurft, one of the F & B managers - handsome young Australians ( though I think, from his last emails, he may not be back from vacation till after the holidays ) - also, handsome Indian headwaiter, Vijay Chippa - in the dining room or as Windjammer Manager and say hello from Carmen Henesy. Vijay just transferred from the Monarch much to my disappointment. I haven't seen him in a year and when I last heard from him, he was still going to be on the Monarch when I sailed.

I haven't sailed on the Grandeur myself but I have heard only great things about it. There are just so many Royal Caribbean ships now, I can never get on them all! Budget constraints, of course, plus I DO have to work. I wanted to retire at 62...now, I'm wondering if I'll even retire at 65 - wouldn't be able to afford to cruise!

I rarely go since I do second seating dinner and am usually the last one out of the dining room....the line is always so long, I'm not willing to wait. Usually I have so much in my room, anyway, if it's Royal Caribbean....the F & B manager knows I love marzipan - if it's the Monarch - and has it waiting for me when I board and I nibble on that all cruise - and this last one he sent my group this fabulous chocolate box filled with goodies. I broke the box up and brought home what was left.

We're so happy you're here with us, winsmark....don't be a stranger now!!!!

Welcome aboard, locheeceltic - Always nice to see a new face here.

Good morning, roxy730 - thanks for joining us here...hope you'll chat a lot so we get to know you!

Amen to those escargots, drowning in butter and lots of garlic - at least two plates of the little critters and lots of bread to sop up the drippings!

Well, I do non-cruise travel as well, often to some out of the way third world countries and I find it's helpful to have things to tide you over. When I was in southeast Asia and India for a month, I even took Vicodin and antibiotics - figured, if need be, I'd drug myself to get to Singapore should I need hospitalization. Most of the stuff I carry, I've used for other people....also, I often hear horror stories about the high prices of some things on the ship. Bonine and meclizine, in my opinion, should be free. I've been on some ships where people were charged four dollars for a package of four tablets. I think that is criminal when you can get a bottle of fifty tabs at Costco for about $5.00.