Hello Stranger, What's New?

[Uniall]

Hi Guys

This is the innaugural post for the First Thread (Hello Stranger, What's New?) as a Sub Thread of:

Cruise Critic Message Board > Friends of Cruise Critic > Big Apple to Big Easy 10/21/12

Please Use this First Thread to kick around old times with former cruise mates who are joining the Big Apple to Big Easy Cruise on NCL Star on Oct 21, 2012.

I'm told you can start a new Sub Threads for other topics (restaurants, hotels, touring, etc) to prevent overload of the ongoing Roll CAll Thread.

[dttampa]

Wow, post number two!

Here's my St. Paddy's day update. It's 85*, I'm sitting by the pool. With my nephew Evan 8 and cousin Luke 3 splashing in the pool and spa. My dog Bailey is curled up in my lap. My sister is here from Oregon and she's enjoying the sunshine with my Aunt. The corned beef is bubbling away on the stove. There's a lovely sent of orange blossoms wafting through the air. Too bad Tom had to work today.

Wish you all were her too.

Sláinte

[Uniall]

Wow, post number two!

Here's my St. Paddy's day update. It's 85*, I'm sitting by the pool. With my nephew Evan 8 and cousin Luke 3 splashing in the pool and spa. My dog Bailey is curled up in my lap. My sister is here from Oregon and she's enjoying the sunshine with my Aunt. The corned beef is bubbling away on the stove. There's a lovely sent of orange blossoms wafting through the air. Too bad Tom had to work today.

Wish you all were her too.

Sláinte

Here's the first REPLY........LOL

Denise when you check into the main thread, do you see a button that lets you click to start a NEW SUB THREAD???

[kparker]

Hi John,

This is great! Just got home from a huge St. Patrick's Day parade. Had our Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner....beer....cosmos....and lots of fun. It's a beautiful St. Patrick's Day here in sunny Summerfield, FL. Wish you were here!

[kparker]

Hi Guys

This is the innaugural post for the First Thread (Hello Stranger, What's New?) as a Sub Thread of:

Cruise Critic Message Board > Friends of Cruise Critic > Big Apple to Big Easy 10/21/12

Please Use this First Thread to kick around old times with former cruise mates who are joining the Big Apple to Big Easy Cruise on NCL Star on Oct 21, 2012.

I'm told you can start a new Sub Threads for other topics (restaurants, hotels, touring, etc) to prevent overload of the ongoing Roll CAll Thread.

Great job John! I believe Mary was successful in posting a sub thread.

[cavmom]

Happy St Patrick's Day!
Just a quick thank you to OUR UNIAL for creating our spot.
Marianne

[Uniall]

Happy St Patrick's Day!
Just a quick thank you to OUR UNIAL for creating our spot.
Marianne


Thank you and the best to Dirk

Sharon Rae sends her best.............and that's better than mine.....LOL

[bboyack]

Hi gang, call me dense but we are posting here in addition to the roll call? I've been sick all week with the stomach flu and my mind is kind of shot, along with the rest of me, lol..

I wish I were where you all are too! We are having great Palm Springs weather, 78 high today, a little overcast. that is perfect in my book. Now if would last..a couple more months and hot hot hot..

Ok just checking in gang..

[DUCHESSRN]

Cold in Reno need I say more snow due tomorrow night .

[jarz85]

Can't believe the Pacific Hwy fell into the ocean lol

[kparker]

Hi gang, call me dense but we are posting here in addition to the roll call? I've been sick all week with the stomach flu and my mind is kind of shot, along with the rest of me, lol..

I wish I were where you all are too! We are having great Palm Springs weather, 78 high today, a little overcast. that is perfect in my book. Now if would last..a couple more months and hot hot hot..

Ok just checking in gang..

Hi Barb,

Sorry to hear you have had the flu...not a fun thing for sure. Hope you feel better soon.

This thread and the sub threads can be used for many things...posting additional information about our ports, hotel information...anything of importance to the group without cluttering up the roll call. We can just stop in and say hello if that's what one wants to do. There are no rules, regulations. Just have to stay within the guidelines of Cruise Critic. We are not supposed to advertise, etc, i.e., if you were a travel agent, you can't advertise here. It's just a place to chat, where our friends can chat even if they are not a member of our roll call.

[skitraveller]

Can't believe the Pacific Hwy fell into the ocean lol

Not north of the boarder it ain't! LOL

[skitraveller]

So we are here now & not there????

[OceanDreaming2]

So we are here now & not there????

We are in both places. (Just a little confusing. :confused: )

[kparker]

So we are here now & not there????

Well...yes and no LOL. There have been some complaints that we chatter too much without it being actually cruise related. I guess there are some that only want to see postings about this cruise and things to do with this cruise...not any personal stuff. I think it is silly myself. I kinda like the chatter. I believe the chatter is what allows everyone to get to know each other before the cruise (but that is just my humble opinion). This is a way to post whatever you want and the other members of our forum can monitor and respond as necessary without upsetting the apple cart so to speak. At least that is how I look at this.

[Ethel Mertz]

I didn't know there were rules on what you can chat about or post.Very sad. I for one will keep posting on the other one. I am not too keen on being bullied. Just sayin

[Uniall]

I didn't know there were rules on what you can chat about or post.Very sad. I for one will keep posting on the other one. I am not too keen on being bullied. Just sayin

I think you misunderstand the purpose of the secondary thread and your accusation of bullying is wrong headed.

I was asked by a half dozen of the various Cruise Critic Coordinators to find an alternative method of inter personal communication between cruise mates that is not of general interest. In fact, many of them have been using Face Book for that purpose.

This Semi-Private Thread will go on after the cruise is over and provide a forum to keep in touch. This Thread will go on forever because it's not just for the Star 10/21/12 sailing, it's for all the "Big Apple to Big Easy Cruisers" before and after the cruise itself.

[pabi]

I didn't know there were rules on what you can chat about or post.Very sad. I for one will keep posting on the other one. I am not too keen on being bullied. Just sayin
Oh no, there are really no rules but earlier on on the posts there were some who were unhappy that there were a lot of posts, like welcoming friends and mentioning past cruises etc. etc., that had nothing to do with the actual Star cruise. There have been quite a few misunderstandings and the other problem is some comments were made in a way that could have a couple of meanings...we mustn't forget the fact that we are reading but can not see the faces of those who wrote them so the way sentences are written may upset people. All we want is to have fun , exchange information, "warmingly" welcome "new " people to the thread and certainly not offend anyone.
It is for all of the above reasons that a sub thread was suggested...a thread that people could have friendly chats without having to discuss the cruise.
And, I agree with you...I will continue to post on the main thread...
Let's all enjoy the day :). It's nice to continue "old" friendships and looking forward to making new ones.;):)

[Ethel Mertz]

Oh no, there are really no rules but earlier on on the posts there were some who were unhappy that there were a lot of posts, like welcoming friends and mentioning past cruises etc. etc., that had nothing to do with the actual Star cruise. There have been quite a few misunderstandings and the other problem is some comments were made in a way that could have a couple of meanings...we mustn't forget the fact that we are reading but can not see the faces of those who wrote them so the way sentences are written may upset people. All we want is to have fun , exchange information, "warmingly" welcome "new " people to the thread and certainly not offend anyone.
It is for all of the above reasons that a sub thread was suggested...a thread that people could have friendly chats without having to discuss the cruise.
And, I agree with you...I will continue to post on the main thread...
Let's all enjoy the day :). It's nice to continue "old" friendships and looking forward to making new ones.;):)

Thanks! Appreciate your reply. :)

[skitraveller]

On our Pananamaniacs roll call we had over 20,000 posts & each & every one of us were proud of that achievement & ya know what....by the time we boarded the Pride we felt like one huge happy family & we had the time of our lives together....

So lets get rid of the baggage & lightened up folks & together we can achieve yet another bucket list experience.....

Aussies know how to have a great time & make it light & I have many American friends on this here tub that are like minded so lets get this party started.....:D

Cricket anyone?????? with a POK maybe.......hmmm note to self....get that POK blurb sorted & off to the green one.....

[Sherman Oaks]

On our Pananamaniacs roll call we had over 20,000 posts & each & every one of us were proud of that achievement & ya know what....by the time we boarded the Pride we felt like one huge happy family & we had the time of our lives together....

So lets get rid of the baggage & lightened up folks & together we can achieve yet another bucket list experience.....

Aussies know how to have a great time & make it light & I have many American friends on this here tub that are like minded so lets get this party started.....:D

Cricket anyone?????? with a POK maybe.......hmmm note to self....get that POK blurb sorted & off to the green one.....
People have got to relax or I'll help them first port visit. Lookie this:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=700873

That thread has close to 413 THOUSAND!!! replies for a thread that originally started in 2008 started by "Host Mach". Tell them to move that off to "CHAT". Respects mate.

[pabi]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING....almost 50 thousand posts for a cruise that left years ago and even today they had several posts.

[skitraveller]

People have got to relax or I'll help them first port visit. Lookie this:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=700873

That thread has close to 413 THOUSAND!!! replies for a thread that originally started in 2008 started by "Host Mach". Tell them to move that off to "CHAT". Respects mate.

Holey jumpin' roos.......makes our Panama RC a bubba.....
OK I'm up for the challenge........Moth reckons I can talk under water with a gob full of marbles
What say Everyone :D

[kparker]

On our Pananamaniacs roll call we had over 20,000 posts & each & every one of us were proud of that achievement & ya know what....by the time we boarded the Pride we felt like one huge happy family & we had the time of our lives together....

So lets get rid of the baggage & lightened up folks & together we can achieve yet another bucket list experience.....

Aussies know how to have a great time & make it light & I have many American friends on this here tub that are like minded so lets get this party started.....:D

Cricket anyone?????? with a POK maybe.......hmmm note to self....get that POK blurb sorted & off to the green one.....

Cricket....great! Got the stick ready LOL!

[kparker]

Holey jumpin' roos.......makes our Panama RC a bubba.....
OK I'm up for the challenge........Moth reckons I can talk under water with a gob full of marbles
What say Everyone :D

I say go for it!

[kparker]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING....almost 50 thousand posts for a cruise that left years ago and even today they had several posts.

Yes, it is amazing Maria, isn't it? It was very difficult for me to describe the synergy of that roll call.

[OceanDreaming2]

On our Pananamaniacs roll call we had over 20,000 posts & each & every one of us were proud of that achievement & ya know what....by the time we boarded the Pride we felt like one huge happy family & we had the time of our lives together....

So lets get rid of the baggage & lightened up folks & together we can achieve yet another bucket list experience.....

Aussies know how to have a great time & make it light & I have many American friends on this here tub that are like minded so lets get this party started.....:D



Couldn't have said it better! ;)

[Uniall]

I want to stress that getting Cruise Critic to open this "Forum" for us was not my idea but I obtained it at the request and suggestion of a half dozen acitve participants. That said, I think some are reading a nefarious reason behind it. That is not the case at all. This Forum can do things that the Roll Call Thread is not equipped to do.

The Roll Call does not allow separate sub threads set up by subject matter. The Roll call is set up strictly by date and what strikes your fancy at a given moment.

Using this Forum allows us to have separate sub threads set up by "subject matter (e.g. New York, New Orleans, Caribbean ports of call hotels, restaurants, tours). That way you don't have to go back and try to find posts on the same subject separated by many pages. And, as I said earlier, this Forum will allow people to continue contact long after the cruise is over and the Roll Call has died.

[kparker]

I want to stress that getting Cruise Critic to open this "Forum" for us was not my idea but I obtained it at the request and suggestion of a half dozen acitve participants. That said, I think some are reading a nefarious reason behind it. That is not the case at all. This Forum can do things that the Roll Call Thread is not equipped to do.

The Roll Call does not allow separate sub threads set up by subject matter. The Roll call is set up strictly by date and what strikes your fancy at a given moment.

Using this Forum allows us to have separate sub threads set up by "subject matter (e.g. New York, New Orleans, Caribbean ports of call hotels, restaurants, tours). That way you don't have to go back and try to find posts on the same subject separated by many pages. And, as I said earlier, this Forum will allow people to continue contact long after the cruise is over and the Roll Call has died.

John,

You are absolutely correct. You were encouraged to request this in response to a bit of dissatisfaction with too much chatter in one spot. I am also to blame in that I explained how we did it on the MOB B2B roll call, which worked well I might add. So if there is any blame attached, blame me.

And, you are also correct, the sub threads can be set up in categories....on our MOB B2B, we had a sub thread for each port we were visiting. Several members were to research tours, what to do, etc., and post it to that thread. We also had one that contained "All about you." Mary...perhaps we could copy over your spread sheet into that one. We had one that listed each event...a description of the event, etc. etc. I believe Joan (JNNY posted a suggested on the roll call about breaking up all your lists and making sub threads for each, which would be a perfect use for this thread. The only downside is that someone has to keep up each thread, so it makes more work for someone. Perhaps once the threads are set up, each event coordinator or a designated person can update that one thread spreading the work out to many rather than a few. For Instance....the Poker Crawl....Denise can print out the instructions and lists and update as necessary. I will explain the afternoon games and list the possible games and keep up the list. The Hotel committee can add their information (there are three coordinators of that group). Gosh....I'm not as eloquent with words as you John so not sure if I'm explaining this correctly.

Anyway, I agree John...we can utilize these threads with a bit of cooperation. I know that Denise posted some good information about NYC...there is information about New Orleans, Hotels, etc. We also have lots of ports in between NY and NO. Perhaps we can ask our posters if anyone wants to research a port and post it to a sub thread. It may make them feel more a part of the roll call. If my memory serves me correctly, a few have already said they have visited these places and have some favorite things to do.

Mary, I haven't really tried making a sub thread. How did you do it LOL. I'm pretty useless....took me forever to just learn the basics. I'll have to check things out but will have to wait until my grandchildren leave. They keep me pretty busy. I would be happy to try and set up different threads for people to post.

[crusingalong]

This forum is for chatting, well good! You'll see our name when John updates the list tomorrow.
We live in Reno and just booked this cruise yesterday.
Suppose we just might meet in person before the cruise?!
At the least, we know we have the love of cruising in common!
We like Reno and the snow is so pretty but enough is enough, the trees are trying to bud out! Mother Nature is:confused:! We've lived here since 1993, bought a vacation house in Verdi tho back in 1991. Look forward to chatting here and meeting you!
Bill & Ruth

[pabi]

This forum is for chatting, well good! You'll see our name when John updates the list tomorrow.
Bill & Ruth
Hi Ruth...welcome to the "chat" forum ;):D

[kparker]

This forum is for chatting, well good! You'll see our name when John updates the list tomorrow.
We live in Reno and just booked this cruise yesterday.
Suppose we just might meet in person before the cruise?!
At the least, we know we have the love of cruising in common!
We like Reno and the snow is so pretty but enough is enough, the trees are trying to bud out! Mother Nature is:confused:! We've lived here since 1993, bought a vacation house in Verdi tho back in 1991. Look forward to chatting here and meeting you!
Bill & Ruth

Hi Bill & Ruth....

We are happy to hear you booked the cruise....gosh...do you know Tonie and Don (DuchessRN)...they live in Reno as well! Small world!

[DUCHESSRN]

Hi Bill and Ruth ,yes of course we will meet . This is strange if you live in Verdi
we are close close by in Del Webb , in fact we just drove through Verdi after an awful 6 1/2 hour drive home from Vallejo . So much snow and roads terrible up top.
I am a nurse work a few hours a week at St Mary,s originally from UK .

[crusingalong]

Glad you made it home OK. We have two homes and one is in Verdi on the Truckee River. It's in the River Oak Subdivision off of old Hwy 40 and we were there today preparing it for renters. And we'll be there alot up until April 1st when the new tenants move in. Right now we are doing Spring cleaning inside, fresh paint and thorough cleaning. If it was really Spring, we could get some outside maintenance done but when will the weather be nice again, I wonder! The Truckee river is running high and you can see it from our house, a beautiful location!
Bill & I looked at the Del Webb homes and they are lovely and the Clubhouse is out of this world. We would have bought there but there was no place to park our RV. Now we have two homes and no place to park it so we keep it in storage. Just another note, we have a Classic Car that we show during Hot August Nights. I saw your photo on Marys Cast of Characters forum and we will be posting there shortly.
So nice "talking" to You.
Ruth

[DUCHESSRN]

Ruth ..I just drove by River Oaks going to Terribles for $2.22 breakfast . The place was packed as 1-80 closed and everyone stuck in Reno ,good for the economy I guess but I am sick of snow.

[kparker]

Ruth ..I just drove by River Oaks going to Terribles for $2.22 breakfast . The place was packed as 1-80 closed and everyone stuck in Reno ,good for the economy I guess but I am sick of snow.

SO why don't you and Don come for a visit...it's 86 in Florida today! Guest room is ready!

[crusingalong]

Ruth ..I just drove by River Oaks going to Terribles for $2.22 breakfast . The place was packed as 1-80 closed and everyone stuck in Reno ,good for the economy I guess but I am sick of snow.
Pic taken on NCL Star on 1/29/11 MR cruise Klaus & Myself. Helps to know the F & B man! He's off to the Dawn tho'.
Today because of the SNOW we stayed home. Will be out there tomorrow.
Terribles for breakfast sounds like a good idea! Right now the snow/rain has stopped but I'm sure there are more systems out there. So. Calif. really got hammered with rain!
Ruth

[jarz85]

Woke up this morning with 78 emails from CC letting me know of new espouses to the 5 threads I'm subscribed to lol. I think it must have glitched

[kparker]

Woke up this morning with 78 emails from CC letting me know of new espouses to the 5 threads I'm subscribed to lol. I think it must have glitched

So, we're keeping you busy LOL!

[jarz85]

So, we're keeping you busy LOL!

Indeed and I'm enjoying every minute of it!

[skitraveller]

I say go for it!

So will all of our threads collectively amount to one final post count?

Just asking................

[pabi]

So will all of our threads collectively amount to one final post count?

Just asking................
Now, that is a good question ?!

[*Luv2Cruz*]

So will all of our threads collectively amount to one final post count?

Just asking................

Now, that is a good question ?!Here's one more just in case!;)

[Uniall]

So will all of our threads collectively amount to one final post count?

Just asking................

Now, that is a good question ?!

Here's one more just in case!;)

No, the number of posts on the "Forum" are not added to the number of posts on the "Roll Call" thread. But, your posts on both are counted toward your personal total.

[DUCHESSRN]

Trying to decide what to put on recipe thread , seems we have an International assortment to far so I will keep up the trend and post something from Jolly Olde England.
Ruth and Bill when will this snow end??? we need to plan when we can meet up.

[DUCHESSRN]

Thank you for coming by to visit today Bill and Ruth it was great to meet you .I am sure we will see you lots more before the cruise . I still cannot believe we live so close I could walk to your house IF I was fit.

[crusingalong]

Trying to decide what to put on recipe thread , seems we have an International assortment to far so I will keep up the trend and post something from Jolly Olde England.
Ruth and Bill when will this snow end??? we need to plan when we can meet up.

Well, Bill & I took care of that! The only way I knew how to take care of it! A beginning of a friendship on land & sea!

[OceanDreaming2]

Ugh! It's very windy and dust is everywhere. Our weather station says we've had at least a 58 mph gust. It's nasty out and I want to see water again! It seems much longer than 10 days since our cruise on the Pearl. I wanna go back!

[pabi]

Ugh! It's very windy and dust is everywhere. Our weather station says we've had at least a 58 mph gust. It's nasty out and I want to see water again! It seems much longer than 10 days since our cruise on the Pearl. I wanna go back!
Mary come and sail with us next week on the Epic....there may be still cabins available;):)

[kparker]

Ugh! It's very windy and dust is everywhere. Our weather station says we've had at least a 58 mph gust. It's nasty out and I want to see water again! It seems much longer than 10 days since our cruise on the Pearl. I wanna go back!

Is that normal weather for this time of year Mary! Come visit us in Florida...it's hot and humid but we have water:D.

[kparker]

Mary come and sail with us next week on the Epic....there may be still cabins available;):)

I sure do wish we were going with you!

[pabi]

I sure do wish we were going with you!
Karen, when you have some time to read, look up the posts of DGP1111 on his first ever NCL cruise - the Epic.
It is really interesting reading and Don (DGP1111), who has done 72 cruises, also posted pictures so we could visualize what he was writing about. A real good review