Hello from the Opera!

[bepsf]

Hello all!

Just pulled into San Juan and while I'm waiting for John to finish dressing so we can go out for dinner, etc thought I'd check in w/ folks at home...

Dined at the Captain's table last night w/ one of our US Ambassadors and his wife, Gail (Tuggers) and other well-traveled cruisers - it was quite a festive evening w/ our dinner accompanied by an Italian guitar trio. Food, of course, is Excellent!

Somehow got roped in by one of the American cruise staff to participate in the "Mr Opera" contest - and of course, your's truly won (I have the satin sash to prove it...) You don't really want to know how and I'm hoping that the video stays outside of the hands of the Americans on board - it could be disastrous for any political asperations that I may have entertained....

Had a great massage yesterday - non-Steiner - and it's a winner! Best i've had aboard ship! HAL should just dump Steiner and take management in-house...

Other things arent so grand here, but we won't dwell on that right now 'cause it's time to go enjoy the Puerto Rican nightlife!!!

Best Wishes!

[localady]

Brian-

Have a great time and make the best of it!!! I hope the tape doesn't make it to E-bay as everything else around here has lately!:eek:

Have a cool tropical something for us!!:D

[dakrewser]

We Want more Pictures!

This was the only one I could find of "Mr. Opera" :rolleyes:

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dreamworld/2050/CAP/p/mroperastar.jpg

[sail7seas]

Thanks so much for stopping in to say "hi" to us, Brian. Happy you had such a fun evening at the Captain's Table.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

[DFD1]

Well, Brian, How did you manage to get lost and over to MSC? I've been looking at Opera and even posted a question here about it a while back. I'll be anxious to hear how things went when you get home.

If you post your report over on MSC, be sure and give a heads up here. Thanks.

[RuthC]

Encore! Encore!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Brian, I too am glad you were able to stop into the board to say "Hi" Glad to hear the food is great. Continue to have a great time and we will hear all about it when you get back.

[jhannah]

Sounds like you're being treated royally! Do keep us posted on your new "hoity-toity" life! ;)

[TedC]

How about a HAL - MSC comparison on the HAL board when you return?
(Do they make you sing for your supper?)

Thanks in advance!

[stanford's girl]

Glad you're having a good time. Can't wait for the full review when you get back. Maybe some pics too? :D

[SeaGypsy]

Thanks for thinking of us, Brian. Look forward to more. Have a great time.

[Ziggy7]

Great to hear from you Brian! Please Please ..... be sure to take a pic of the satin sash with you in it pppppppppllleeeeaaaasssseeeeeee :) We promise we wont laugh!

Good pic Dave :) I Laughed so hard I mean I wouldnt laugh hehehehe :)

[ekerr19]

Hi Brian -

I fear you've let the cat out of the bag, so to speak! I am going to have a hard time not thinking of you as "Mr. Opera" from now on!

Glad you are having a good time - thanks for letting us know about the spa. I wish HAL would dump Steiner's too - they'd get a lot more of my business. ;)

[Bookish Angel]

That you don't mean "Tristan & Isolde" or Cos Fan Tutti!"


Have fun, you opera buff!

[dougnewmanatsea]

Glad to hear that you are enjoying OPERA, Brian.

I do intend to try MSC soon, though also want to get back to Celebrity (now that we are changing to HAL for this summer because of Celebrity's Baltic itinerary changes) which we have not been on in ten years. MSC definitely sound like they have a great product which stands out from all the cookie-cutter products in the US cruise market.

[bepsf]

Sitting here poolside in FLL w/ Tuggers from the Celebrity boards (so Yes, I'm for real!!!) - She's waiting for her room before she leaves on Millenium w/ a group of 58 tomorrow afternoon and I'm just warming myself before I fly back to foggy SFO (sigh...)

Had great parties on her forward facing verandah w/ the baseball greats who were aboard w/ us - even won a signed baseball in the trivia contest (I don't know a thing - I was the answer/bar runner) thanks to a knowledgable ex-exec. from Celebrity...

Met some wonderful guys who had brought the grandfather of one of them for whom I was able to finagle a Bridge tour. We went up the morning that we were approaching Nassau and it was pretty darned interesting seeing next to the builder's plaque a large gilt-framed "Madonna & Child"...

Doug & TedC - I promise I'll do a HAL/MAC comparison...

BAngel - We had an excellent Tenor on board - and yes, he actually made me cry...

Jim - "Hoity-Toity"? Just for that I'm gonna get you put on a VIP list and we'll see how you enjoy it! ;)

I'll get you a review when I get back to SFO (and a proper connection...)

Ciao, tutti!

[jhannah]

Jim - "Hoity-Toity"? Just for that I'm gonna get you put on a VIP list and we'll see how you enjoy it! ;) Awwwww. Do you have to? Okay ... alright ... I'll endure it in the spirit of fellowship and goodwill.

[dakrewser]

Sitting here poolside in FLL w/ Tuggers from the Celebrity boards (so Yes, I'm for real!!!) - She's waiting for her room before she leaves on Millenium w/ a group of 58 tomorrow afternoon and I'm just warming myself before I fly back to foggy SFO (sigh...)


Ah, the sun just popped out as I was reading this, Brian - a very good sign! Hurry back and tell us everything!

[swannie]

Question? How did you manage to get a "non-Steiner" massage on board? As a massage therapist (not a fan of Steiner either) I'm curious.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I can't believe I missed this thread!!! Boo hoo!

I say bepsf has to change his name on CC to MrOpera. After all, it's quite the thing to do these days anyway. Please, Brian, please please please????

Welcome home! Want every detail of your cruise.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Welcome Home Brian, although I know you are not yet physically home but you will be tonight. I am sure you hate having the week end. I too am looking forward to your review and hearing the comparisons to HAL.

[swannie]

Oh I see, you're not on a HAL ship

[TinaLee]

Anxiously awaiting your review of the Opera Brian. Our TA talked us out of booking this cruise for spring break this year. Daughter is a classical music major and she wanted to give it a try. Was there a classical music theme, and was it available for listening every evening? Did you HEAR any opera on the ship??

Waiting... waiting... waiting.... do you hear Jeopardy music? :D

TinaLee