Ellie

Great review, as usual, Rose. That's really a bad impression of Island Princess. We've cruised on Princess a lot and have never had any problems. Hope I'm not speaking too soon...... We're cruising on the Grand next month and probably the Emerald in December 2012 for New Year's Eve....remember 2008??? HA! I did get my banana daiquiri in St. Maarten last January with K&R.

Hi, Arne! Welcome to Cruise Crazies! I am the "Ellie" in Martin's pseudonym of "MisterEllie". I am looking forward to meeting you and am glad we will be cruising with "the Danes". ...Arne, Carsten & the infamous "MisterEllie". This cruise will be such a fun time for all. My husband, Frank, told Martin he's his American Dad.....although I'd rather call myself his friend than his American Mother. Sounds way too old & frumpy otherwise.

For the most part, I agree with Rose. We could stay on the ship and never leave it the entire cruise....that's when we cruise the Caribbean.....because we've done it so much. I think if we went someplace "exotic".....like Tahiti, Bora Bora.....we'd get off. Even VietNam....would love to see that area also. Actually, for a while I was really intent on pursuing this and it turned out to be quite expensive with airfare to Tahiti added on to the price of the cruise (which wasn't bad). I'd also love to do the Amazon River cruise....one way out of FLL or back to FLL.....with Manaus, Brazil being the first (or last) port of call. And let's not forget the Mediterranean. I want to see Rome, Venice, some Greece, some France, some Spain, some Egypt.....YES!!!! I do want to see it all! It does seem to be our luck that we have never been able to accumulate an adequate amount of money to pursue plans to visit these places. If we won the lottery (meaning a "good amount".....like maybe six figures....)we'd be arriving somewhere in Europe, despite my husband's protests that he doesn't want to sit in a plane that long.....this coming from a former 82nd Airborne soldier. He'll jump out of planes but won't sit for so long. OY VEY! We have friends who have done that type of cruising and always ask if we'd like to join them. Maybe one of these days!

HOORAY, SKIPPER! KEEP IT WORKING!

Absolutely beautiful! Love it!

KEITH: I certainly remember the airline people!!! God! They were so young and could drink so much more than I could!! The six sample martini rack....that is what comes to mind immediately. That's one reason why we can't let you have a different dining time than us....we miss out on all the fun! HOWARD: T-Shirt looks great! Good job, man! Out of curiosity, being a former Philadelphian, do you & Cindy still work? My last job in Philadelphia was in Episcopal Hospital on Lehigh Ave., and before that, I worked @ U of PENN....that is a great hospital! I grew up in NE Philly and was in Bensalem quite often visiting or going to Fisher's on Street Road! Looking forward to meeting some PA people! DEBBIE (& Jerry): If you've never had a martini, you'll be in good company. My favorites are cosmopolitan (YEAH, DEB!) and pomegranate martini, but many places do not make them. Chocolate is too good, so I pass on them.....I would get sick from too many, I'm sure! I hope we can keep it together on CC so all of us can eventually meet on the Explorer. Can't wait for that!!!!

DITTO, LADIES! We want to look pretty.....right?

Right on, Rose! Maybe the ladies would like a string of pearls or a diamond necklace?????

JACKIE: It depends whether you would prefer to see mostly water and shoreline or restaurants/bars.....I vote for "Inbound". Either way, it's a lot of fun.

HOWARD: What do you mean "it's not perfect"???? IT IS PERFECT (with a date or just a year, yes?).....You're the MAN!

MARY LOU: We've never been to Bermuda! If airfare wasn't so expensive, I'd say we'll join you. And I commend you for taking your leadership responsibilities so seriously.

Good Luck, Lisa! It seems like there are plenty of nursing jobs in Central Florida. Where are you located? My friend is working at a hospital PRN and they call her on a regular basis asking her to come in and "help out". Let us know when you find out!

Good one, Howard. Got any extras?

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MARY LOU: I lived in NJ for quite a few years, back in another lifetime it seems. Traveled through North Jersey many, many times. That's why the tour I referred to was in "quotes".....yeah, like there are so many beautiful things to see in Bayonne! It gave me a chuckle when I read it, so I just had to pass it on. I knew it would catch someone's eye! I'm also very skeptical about leaving the car in a lot without security, lights, etc. Have heard many horror stories in this regard! Getting back from a cruise and finding your car gone would be a nightmare I don't want to experience. Hate to sound like the voice of doom....I just tend to be VERY CAREFUL about certain things and certain places. We'll definitely be staying in a pre-cruise hotel that soothes my paranoia! In the end, things almost always work out fine. It is good to have discussions, so we don't make poor choices or end up making hasty decisions. Right now, like Hector, I'm focusing on my upcoming cruise this Fall. Not to mention the annual K&R cruise in January! Just thinking about all of this cruising brings a big smile to my face. LOVE IT! But I'll still be contributing my "pearls of wisdom" (HAHAHA!) periodically.....gotta participate and be part of this CRAZIE CROWD! WHOOPEEE!

Another thing I've been wondering about is the dinner arrangements. When we cruise with our Travel Club group, there is a private dining room (or at least a section closed off away from the others) where everyone in our group can be seated together in one area. There was only one seating time for this, and those who did not wish to participate made their own dining arrangements. Our group's "leader" requested everyone's opinions, and based on that, she made up a seating plan (similar to a wedding reception!), where we were on a list with a table # next to our name. We were given the opportunity to sit with other people each night. We chose to sit with one particular couple each night but agreed to change tables in order to sit with different couples also each night. It turned out well, but there were also those who had 1 or 2 couples at their table and did not wish to sit with any of the others. To each his own, huh? Did anyone look into the possibility of having a separate dining area for the Crazies? They make thank us if we do! Too many days off work for me....my mind always wander to cruising! Just read some more info on the Oasis.....(November 13th!). Cannot wait for this one. This is also a group cruise from our Travel Club, and since we are a group of 8 people (all from NJ), and knowing how we don't like to leave some place when we're having fun, we chose late dining......otherwise, if we had MTD, we might miss dinner completely!

Just picked up this bit of information regarding a pre-cruise hotel: Country Inn & Suites in Elizabeth, NJ charges $45 for a shuttle to the port! That's outrageous! A taxi charges the same (with a "tour" of the area on the way). Apparently a "free shuttle" is only for transportation to the Newark Airport. The closer one gets to New York, the more likely it is that your expenses will increase tenfold! I always refer to Trip Advisor before I book anything. Sometimes their information is much needed. Debbie: Parking at the port - Charging $19/day x 9 days = $171.....(I know you can do math) and that seems high to me, especially since their security is probably not what one would like it to be. I'm sure you could get a room and park for free somewhere at that price. We'll be staying at a pre-cruise hotel and leaving our car also. Would much prefer that to parking at the port. Haven't looked into a hotel booking yet. Have plenty of time to do that. Can you tell we're so spoiled sailing out of Fort Lauderdale most of the time?

I think that's a picture of Keith smiling!!!!!

Well said....point taken! Cruising motto: "To HE** with NCL!"

MARY LOU: Would you go if they gave you a FREE cruise for 4 people? Hmmmm......If I were you that would be a hard decision.

KEVIN: Check this out.... Hotel Info FT. LAUDERDALE CONV CTR-CRUISE Holiday Inn Express 1500 SE 17TH CAUSEWAY FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316 UNITED STATES

Yes, Howard. I totally agree with your opinion. Some people look for the bad.....I prefer to be more on the bright side of life. There is always something to complain about and if it's not MAJOR, forget it! GEE....the waiter didn't bring my drink back within 2 minutes....PUH-LEEZE! You can't please everyone. We considerate ourselves fortunate to be able to have the freedom and finances to go cruising. It is one of our favorite things to do. And having met K&R, we enjoy it even more when we are with them. Usually you make your own good time....that's kind of how we do it.

Yes, Howard. I totally agree with your opinion. Some people look for the bad.....I prefer to be more on the bright side of life. There is always something to complain about and if it's not MAJOR, forget it! GEE....the waiter didn't bring my drink back within 2 minutes....PUH-LEEZE! You can't please everyone. We considerate ourselves fortunate to be able to have the freedom and finances to go cruising. It is one of our favorite things to do. And having met K&R, we enjoy it even more when we are with them. Usually you make your own good time....that's kind of how we do it.

JACKIE: Here's an invitation to join us on a cruise.....with the extra benefit of having Keith & Rita onboard too! Put a Post-It note on your frig in case you want to make a last minute booking. Would love to cruise with you & Tony......I want to see that ring up close.