Maryland cruise addicts?

[CAC104]

Anniee....that is a funny snorkeling story...and while I do not think of you as over sized, I also can't imagine anyone trying to snorkel in a ship's life vest.

Was the ship excusion crowded? I was thinking of booking through a private company to get a smaller group. Have you heard anything about any?

We are in a D1 which is a larger balcony cabin than the E's. I wish I could afford a JS, but with two houses to support, that is a bit too much for us.

I am hoping for a good weather day tomorrow so I can get my last beach day in before we head back to MD...I need a day to pack up the condo and pack the car, so we are planning on going home on Wed.

[Pumbaamd]

"Welcome Aboard!" to the recent new posters. Good to have some new faces here.
Sorry, we've been delinquent in posting lately. We've been posting with Cindy (also delinquent) and others over on our "Majesty of the Seas" board. We have a real fun cruise coming up in September.
OK, Annieeee will again call us cruise addicts. We just booked Majesty for a four day next June 7. We needed a cruise fix between Mariner Feb.'10 and Radiance Oct.'10. Majesty fit in nicely and we are going with friends from Miami, and anyone else who wants to join.
Again, welcome to the new SeaTerps. Happy to have you aboard!
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

We drove all day yesterday from FL to MD, so I am now back in my MD home. I enjoyed the cooler temps and lower humidity today.

[Pumbaamd]

Welcome back Carol!
It's been a bit warm and sticky here, but it could be far worse. As you know, spending a lotta time in Florida!
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

"Welcome Aboard!" to the recent new posters. Good to have some new faces here.
Sorry, we've been delinquent in posting lately. We've been posting with Cindy (also delinquent) and others over on our "Majesty of the Seas" board. We have a real fun cruise coming up in September.
OK, Annieeee will again call us cruise addicts. We just booked Majesty for a four day next June 7. We needed a cruise fix between Mariner Feb.'10 and Radiance Oct.'10. Majesty fit in nicely and we are going with friends from Miami, and anyone else who wants to join.
Again, welcome to the new SeaTerps. Happy to have you aboard!
Rick and Deirdra

I will consider myself chastised, Rick.:o Things in my life are pretty quiet these days (I'm not complaining). We've just been enjoying the summer with cocktails and bevvies on the patio. My SIL called yesterday to offer a rare (:rolleyes:) invitation to dinner tonight. I wonder what's up with that?:confused: The rest of the weekend is pretty uneventful.

BTW, Rick, I assume on our upcoming Majesty 3-day cruise there is no "formal" night. That would be kind of a waste. Packing for this trip should be a breeze.:)

[Pumbaamd]

Formal night is the second night, Saturday. However, because it's 3 days, it is not very formal. It seems like those who want some nice photos, maybe with the captain, do get dressed up. Many do not. We won't be formal.
R & D

[huladancerdog]

As I said, it sounds like a waste of time to me for a 3-day cruise. You can bet Jerry won't go formal. I guess if it's your first cruise, you might want to dress up. I just don't see the need.

[CAC104]

From my observations lately, I think the ships are becoming much more informal. I think you are right, only the people wanting photographs, or newbies that heard you have to be all dressed up really get out the formal wear....And then the older people who are used to the older formality.

I usually wear pants and a dressy top and just don't worry about it. I like to be comfortable, and I don't do any ship pictures anymore.

[Annieeee]

"Welcome Aboard!" to the recent new posters. Good to have some new faces here.
Sorry, we've been delinquent in posting lately. We've been posting with Cindy (also delinquent) and others over on our "Majesty of the Seas" board. We have a real fun cruise coming up in September.
OK, Annieeee will again call us cruise addicts. We just booked Majesty for a four day next June 7. We needed a cruise fix between Mariner Feb.'10 and Radiance Oct.'10. Majesty fit in nicely and we are going with friends from Miami, and anyone else who wants to join.
Again, welcome to the new SeaTerps. Happy to have you aboard!
Rick and Deirdra


Oh that sounds great Rick! I really like those short cruises. They are a great cruise fill ins between the longer cruises. What Radiance cruise are you doing next year? You and Deirdra are just slightly worse (or actually better) cruise addicts than me!!! :)

Got a question for you. I seldom am able to track the ships until they get right around Norfolk (when they are coming up the bay). Going down I think they turn their transponders off cause I only am able to track them just about to the same area and then lose them. How far away have you been able to pick them up? I hae been able to watch them as they passed each other several times. One going and the other one coming.

Have a great Sunday.

Annieeee

[Annieeee]

OK I may have just gotten the answer to my question. The NCL Majesty is just slightly north or VA Beach. I know she drops off one pilot (the bay) and picks up another one ( the Harbor ? pilot) but not really sure where she makes those pick ups and drop offs. Anyway when I click on the option to track her path, that path starts right there at Cape Henry. So that could be why I can't track themany further south than that. Who knows? Anyone?

Did you guys get any rain today? Wow yesterday was a real downpour!

Annieeee

[Pumbaamd]

Annieeee,
Our Radiance cruise is nothing special. Just five days from Tampa to Cozumel and Costa Maya and a couple of sea days. We've never been to the Tampa area and have always wanted to check out Busch Gardens and other touristy spots there.
We booked this cruise on board Majesty in May. That Majesty cruise was kinda a short reunion with friends we met previously on Voyager and Majesty. We all put our heads together and decided that Radiance from Tampa, with two days pre-, would be a lotta fun.
Our little group will also will be on Majesty this September 18th and Allure for 2011. Cindy and Jerry will be joining us on the 9/18 cruise. We described the Majesty 9/18 scenario previously.
We've been very fortunate to meet a lotta great folks on board and on line, and enjoy further cruises with them.
Our annual Krewe cruise for Mardi Gras is on Mariner from San Pedro on Valentine's Day next year.
As far as tracking ships, I believe because we are using a free tracking service, it only goes so far. I just checked the whole Caribbean, and could not find any cruise ships! I am using http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/
Was thinking you are using the same site?
It's only when they get close to the US coast that we can pick them up. I'm shore if we wanted to pay a fee, we could get something better.
NCL Majesty seems to be now north of Cape Charles and hugging the eastern shore to keep clear of a lotta south bound traffic.
Yes, we got some much needed rain. Our peppers, tomatos and parsley were very happy!
Rick and Deirdra

[luv2cruz66]

huladancerdog and CAC104
Thanks so much for your comments on "formal night". I spent most of the day yesterday "stewing" over what shoes to wear formal night because the "sandals" I picked out even though covered with jewels and having a heel could be viewed as "flip flops" by some and after reading all the dress code threads on here I really worried about them. I'm going with your sentiment......I want to be comfortable and I'm not going to worry about the rest! Thanks...just what I needed to hear!

[CAC104]

huladancerdog and CAC104
Thanks so much for your comments on "formal night". I spent most of the day yesterday "stewing" over what shoes to wear formal night because the "sandals" I picked out even though covered with jewels and having a heel could be viewed as "flip flops" by some and after reading all the dress code threads on here I really worried about them. I'm going with your sentiment......I want to be comfortable and I'm not going to worry about the rest! Thanks...just what I needed to hear!
Trust me....those sandals will be more than fine. My favorite formal outfit is a silver shimmery pant set, and I have actual silver flip flops I wear with it. No one ever inspects your feet as you go into the dining room. Acutally, I think you would have to be blatantly dressed as a bum for them to stop you from entering. Nowadays they don't want to alienate any customers... We have seen jeans and shorts in the dining room in the evenings and nothing is ever said.

Just be clean and neat and be comfortable. The whole idea is to enjoy your vacation and not to worry about what you wear.

[Annieeee]

Rick, all cruises are special to me, no matter how many times I have been, I get so excited and silly as the day approaches. And I suspect you and Deidra get exctied about everyone of your cruises too. If I could do cartwheels I would! lol

Well another thunderboomer today. I should have soaped my car up and let the rain wash the soap and dirt away. lol

Hope you all have a great week. Suppose to get hot on Tuesday. Funny, how we don't mind the heat when we are on a ship and in the Caribbean.

Annieeee

[zachrach]

Live in Harford County. Third cruiss will be on Celebrity Mercury Nov. 30, 2009. Anyone going on this cruise?

Barbara

[Pistachio42]

Today marks 5 years that this Maryland thread has been going!!!

[Pumbaamd]

Happy Anniversary to All of Us!!!
Thanks for starting our little SeaTerp thread. Where have you been?
Rick and Deirdra

[Pumbaamd]

Just went back and quickly reviewed the first 10 pages of our Seaterps thread. Most of the early posters are gone. Only a very few of us are original posters. OK, still, a happy 5th Anniversary!
R&D

[CAC104]

Just went back and quickly reviewed the first 10 pages of our Seaterps thread. Most of the early posters are gone. Only a very few of us are original posters. OK, still, a happy 5th Anniversary!
R&D

And we don't seem to have all that many posters! but, it's a great group here!!!

[Pistachio42]

Pumbaamd,
After going on 7 cruises in 17 months over 2004-2005, we purchased a retirement home in Florida. However, we didn't immediately put our Maryland home on the market and got caught in the housing crash. :( So since October 2005 we have only been able to swing one cruise .. Waaaaaaa. Perhaps as things are starting to sell again, we will be able to sell the Maryland home and get back out to sea on a regular basis and be back on this thread sharing the details and joys of cruising with fellow Marylanders.

[luv2cruz66]

Heading to good old BWI in the morning for our 6AM flight to Miami! Cruising on the Carnival Destiny this Thursday. Don't really know you guys yet but I've really enjoyed reading your thread for the past couple of weeks! Didn't know so many other Marylanders like to cruise as much as we do! I was so happy to hear that the Pride was coming to Baltimore but we haven't tried the it yet. Maybe next year!

[Pumbaamd]

Luv2cruise66,
Welcome aboard. Enjoy your Destiny cruise!
How about a report when you get back?
Have fun!
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

Luv2cruz...Have a great time on your cruise, and I hope your weather will be good.

Please keep in touch when you get back.

[huladancerdog]

Rick, all cruises are special to me, no matter how many times I have been, I get so excited and silly as the day approaches. And I suspect you and Deidra get exctied about everyone of your cruises too. If I could do cartwheels I would! lol

Well another thunderboomer today. I should have soaped my car up and let the rain wash the soap and dirt away. lol

Hope you all have a great week. Suppose to get hot on Tuesday. Funny, how we don't mind the heat when we are on a ship and in the Caribbean.

Annieeee

Amen, Annieeeee. As a matter of fact, I'm quite disappointed if the weather is not as hot as I would like in the Caribbean. Feel like I've been cheated a little.;) No matter, though, the ship is always comfortable and fun!

[Pumbaamd]

Rick, all cruises are special to me, no matter how many times I have been, I get so excited and silly as the day approaches. And I suspect you and Deidra get exctied about everyone of your cruises too. If I could do cartwheels I would! lol
Annieeee
Annieeee, (and Cindy) yes, they are all special to us too! Guess we were thinking the itin when we said it's nothing special. How many times can anyone go to Cozumel? However, saying that, the last time we were there, a crew member recommended we try the "No Name Bar" at the Barracuda Hotel in town. It is owned by a former cruise line employee couple. Many of the ship's crews go there. They have a nice pool with pool bar and it is right on the water.
There is a typical pool bar menu, wings, burgers, etc. Each menu item is titled by a cruise ship term: Captain's this, Purser's that, Main Dining Room burger, Ship's doctor's dessert. It's a short taxi ride from the pier, and we'll be there on Radiance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-rbZ660KjI
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

Rick, that looks like my kind of place! The next time we're in Cozumel (and I have no doubt that we will be in Cozumel again), we'll give it a try. Thanks for the tip. Always looking for a new bar!;)

[Pumbaamd]

Cindy and Jerry,
This was on our Voyager Mardi Gras cruise last January. And we went there on a tip from a bartender on Voyager. We always ask the crew, "Where's a good place to go?"
They know the good joints.
Anyway, when we first entered the 'No Name Bar', it was a real cluster f***, really crowded. No place to sit. Standing room only, and a loooong wait for a drink.
Fortunate for us, there was a Margaritaville in the same block! We had a couple there, and then went back to the NNB. The crowd had thinned out a bit, and we grabbed a table, pool side.
We met one of the stars of the Voyager Ice Skating show there and had a very nice conversation with him about Voyager and the show. We ended up sharing a cab back to Voyager. It was really a very fun afternoon at the 'No Name Bar'.
So, looks like we gotta book another Cozumel cruise with you all!
And that shouldn't be very difficult. We can kick that idea around on MJ next month.
Hoping that Jerry is Ok with this hot weather. We realize that he has been thru hell and back with his heart attack. Cindy, please give him our best wishes.
Enjoy the next few HOT HOT days.
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

Looks like we are going to have our first really hot heat wave of the summer:mad:

I will go to a friend's pool this afternoon and then tomorrow I will stay inside airconditioning.

[huladancerdog]

Cindy and Jerry,
This was on our Voyager Mardi Gras cruise last January. And we went there on a tip from a bartender on Voyager. We always ask the crew, "Where's a good place to go?"
They know the good joints.
Anyway, when we first entered the 'No Name Bar', it was a real cluster f***, really crowded. No place to sit. Standing room only, and a loooong wait for a drink.
Fortunate for us, there was a Margaritaville in the same block! We had a couple there, and then went back to the NNB. The crowd had thinned out a bit, and we grabbed a table, pool side.
We met one of the stars of the Voyager Ice Skating show there and had a very nice conversation with him about Voyager and the show. We ended up sharing a cab back to Voyager. It was really a very fun afternoon at the 'No Name Bar'.
So, looks like we gotta book another Cozumel cruise with you all!
And that shouldn't be very difficult. We can kick that idea around on MJ next month.
Hoping that Jerry is Ok with this hot weather. We realize that he has been thru hell and back with his heart attack. Cindy, please give him our best wishes.
Enjoy the next few HOT HOT days.
Rick and Deirdra

I'm thinking we can do something next fall. We have an 11-night cruise booked on Celebrity's Millennium for 4/5/10, but nothing scheduled so far after that. I have no doubt we can put something together. Kicking back at the No Name Bar sounds like just the ticket.

Jerry weathered the heat well this weekend. We did all our drinking inside.:D He has arranged for someone else to mow the lawn the rest of the season, so he's living the Life of Riley.:p We're both looking forward to getting away for a long, luxurious cruise weekend.

[ShakyBeef]

Hi All! I just discovered this thread and wanted to introduce myself. I'm just south of Salisbury, on the Eastern Shore. I grew up in Laurel, though.

Going on the Carnival Pride in November, out of Baltimore. I'm very excited to be cruising out of our "home port". Although we are getting a slow start (only 2 cruises under our belts, so far), I know my husband and I are cruisers for life.

We went down to Fort Armistead (sp?) Park last Friday and watched the Pride cruise past, under the Key Bridge. How cool. I can't wait! :)

[Annieeee]

Hi All! I just discovered this thread and wanted to introduce myself. I'm just south of Salisbury, on the Eastern Shore. I grew up in Laurel, though.

Going on the Carnival Pride in November, out of Baltimore. I'm very excited to be cruising out of our "home port". Although we are getting a slow start (only 2 cruises under our belts, so far), I know my husband and I are cruisers for life.

We went down to Fort Armistead (sp?) Park last Friday and watched the Pride cruise past, under the Key Bridge. How cool. I can't wait! :)


Hi ShakyBeef,

Glad you found the thread and I hope you stick around and get to know the other cruisers for life that post here as well. Were you able to get a good view of the Pride? We sometimes go to Sandy Point, or to Ft Smallwood to watch the ships when they sail out of Locust Point. Unfortunately we really are not that close.

Annieeee

[Pumbaamd]

ShakyBeef,
Welcome Aboard!
Enjoy your Carnival Pride cruise in November.
In the mean time, check out Enchanment of the Seas, that comes to Baltimore next year.
Rick and Deirdra

[Pumbaamd]

I'm thinking we can do something next fall. We have an 11-night cruise booked on Celebrity's Millennium for 4/5/10, but nothing scheduled so far after that. I have no doubt we can put something together. Kicking back at the No Name Bar sounds like just the ticket.

Cindy,
We, and most, if not all, of the Majesty group is booked on Radiance for Oct. 16, 2010.
It's five days and sails from Tampa. Just two ports, Costa Maya and COZUMEL!
We plan two days pre-cruise to sea the sights around Tampa.
R & D

[luv2cruz66]

Luv2cruise66,
Welcome aboard. Enjoy your Destiny cruise!
How about a report when you get back?
Have fun!
Rick and Deirdra


Hello Marylanders!
This was a first......we returned from Cozumel and it was hotter in Baltimore than it was in Mexico! Whew! They were actually warning us at the airport to open the car doors slowly and be careful about touching the door handles and seat belt buckles because of the heat! The cruise was great! I did a short review with pics if anyone is interested in the Destiny. Stay cool everyone!
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1039736&highlight=destiny+review+western

[ShakyBeef]

Thanks for the welcome, Annieeee and Pumbaamd!

Annieeee,
We did get a good view of her. I was even able to point out my cabin's balcony! :D

I'm not close, either, but my parents still live in Laurel (about 20 minutes away from Key Bridge), and we happened to be going up across The Bay to visit them, anyway. So we all took a little trip over to see what we could see (actually, it was my dad's idea - the parents are going with us on the cruise).

Pumbaamd,
I think I will be checking out the other cruise lines going out of B'more. I sure like the idea of not having to fly to get to our ship! DH and I will most likely be doing a Baltimore to Bermuda in 2010. Don't know which cruise line though. NCL is retiring their ship (is it the Majesty?) that goes out of Baltimore at the end of this year, I think.

That brings to mind a good question - anybody here have a recommendation for a particular line / ship / season to do B'more to Bermuda?

Thanks!

[CAC104]

Hi Shakybeef....glad to have you join us. We have a business in Laurel, right opposite the Laurel Race Track on 198...were you still in the area when it was being built in the mid 1990s?... www.laurelgolf.com (http://www.laurelgolf.com)

The news has been covering Eunice Kennedy Shrivers death today. Eunice Kennedy Shriver did such a good deed when she started Special Olympics. I am surprised she lived to be 88 because she has looked awful for years. Her house is just a few miles away from where I live, and right across the street from Congressional Country Club where we used to have our golf business....anyway, we were invited to her house for a special picnic day, ( along with lots of other people involved in Special Olympics) and my Down Syndrome son Kevin had been selected to shake her hand and thank her for all she had done. This was about 16 years ago, and she looked ghastly. We spent quite a bit of time telling Kevin to be nice and just say his little speech, and not say anything about the way she looked, because Kevin was always so open on making comments about anything he observed.
She was wonderful in changing the lives of many disabled people.

[Pumbaamd]

Thanks for the welcome, Annieeee and Pumbaamd!
Pumbaamd,
I think I will be checking out the other cruise lines going out of B'more. I sure like the idea of not having to fly to get to our ship! DH and I will most likely be doing a Baltimore to Bermuda in 2010. Don't know which cruise line though. NCL is retiring their ship (is it the Majesty?) that goes out of Baltimore at the end of this year, I think.

That brings to mind a good question - anybody here have a recommendation for a particular line / ship / season to do B'more to Bermuda?

Thanks!

Looks like Enchantment of the Seas on RCCL is the only Baltimore based ship doing Bermuda next year, if I recall correctly. NCL is gone and Carnival will be doing Bahamas cruises. We've done two cruises on Enchantment and highly recommend her. Other Maryland posters here have sailed her and can say good things about her also.
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

Luv2Cruz...I just read your review and it was great...very informative, especially about the prices.

Have you posted your name anywhere, or do you just want to be called Luv2Cruz in coversations???

When you went to Paradise Beach, how was the water? I have read some reviews that said there was sewage in the water. I am going in Dec. and wanted to maybe go there.

Do you have anymore pictures that you can post in a link with a slideshow? And, have you been to other ports on past cruises besides Cozumel??

gosh, I am full of questions this evening.....

[luv2cruz66]

Luv2Cruz...I just read your review and it was great...very informative, especially about the prices.

Have you posted your name anywhere, or do you just want to be called Luv2Cruz in coversations???

When you went to Paradise Beach, how was the water? I have read some reviews that said there was sewage in the water. I am going in Dec. and wanted to maybe go there.

Do you have anymore pictures that you can post in a link with a slideshow? And, have you been to other ports on past cruises besides Cozumel??

gosh, I am full of questions this evening.....

Thanks I'm glad you liked it!

My name is Dawn.

We have been to Paradise Beach twice in the last several years and the water has been beautiful both times. Crystal clear and beautiful shades of Caribbean blue. Definitely no signs of sewage!

I have lots of other pics I would be more than happy to share! I am currently uploading my pics from this cruise to photobucket. I think it has a slide show option. I will work on this and let you know when it is up and running.

We have been to Grand Cayman a couple of times and Jamaica once. We have been repeat offenders many times to Key West and Cozumel. Mostly because we love Cozumel but also because the four day is so affordable!

[ShakyBeef]

Hi Shakybeef....glad to have you join us. We have a business in Laurel, right opposite the Laurel Race Track on 198...were you still in the area when it was being built in the mid 1990s?... www.laurelgolf.com (http://www.laurelgolf.com)






Thanks for the welcome!

You own the driving range / mini golf place, on 198? Next to "Cap City" (I think that's the name of the place that sells pick-up truck bed covers)!? I used to go there all the time in the 90's with my boyfriend! We'd alternate between there and the place out at Scott's Cove. I LIVED on 198 (Talbott Avenue), my parents still do! Before I moved to The Shore, the house on Talbott Avenue is the only one I ever knew. It really is a small world, isn't it?

Wow, I'm glad I found this Marylanders' thread! Thanks, y'all! :D

[ShakyBeef]

Looks like Enchantment of the Seas on RCCL is the only Baltimore based ship doing Bermuda next year, if I recall correctly. NCL is gone and Carnival will be doing Bahamas cruises. We've done two cruises on Enchantment and highly recommend her. Other Maryland posters here have sailed her and can say good things about her also.
Rick and Deirdra

Thanks, Pumbaamd! My DH wants to do RCCL next anyway (he loves the rock-climbing walls). So that's perfect. His best friend from high school moved to Bermuda. We love cruising. So it only makes sense that we CRUISE to visit his friend! Am I right? :p

[ShakyBeef]

Valerie,

Salisbury? Both DW and I are from the Salisbury area too. We are graduates of James M. Bennett High. Where did hubby go to school?

Hi Atonal1,
I'm reading over the beginning of this thread and noticed that we reversed each other's migrations. You went from Salisbury to Laurel, I went from Laurel to Princess Anne (DH works in Salisbury)! Just thought that was worth noting. :)

[Pumbaamd]

Thanks, Pumbaamd! My DH wants to do RCCL next anyway (he loves the rock-climbing walls). So that's perfect. His best friend from high school moved to Bermuda. We love cruising. So it only makes sense that we CRUISE to visit his friend! Am I right? :p
Perfecto!

[momesu]

Thanks, Pumbaamd! My DH wants to do RCCL next anyway (he loves the rock-climbing walls). So that's perfect. His best friend from high school moved to Bermuda. We love cruising. So it only makes sense that we CRUISE to visit his friend! Am I right? :p

I' ve been on Enchantment twice....pre and post stretch. She's a beautiful ship and I highly recommend her. I was so excited to see she was coming to Baltimore. I'm thinking Bermuda in 2010 myself unless we have a wedding in Hawaii to go to...:rolleyes:...not sure if we can swimg two to Hawaii and then also a cruise to Bermuda. I'm working on saving my nickles and dimes though.....pennies just don't cut it going out of Baltimore.

Suzanne

[momesu]

I hope everyone survived that nasty heat...now if we could get rid of the humidity and go back to that fabulous summer we were having.....I'm very glad the heat was this week and not next since I Will be at the Montgomery County Fair most of next week volunteering and having some good old fashioned fun!
Suzanne

[Pumbaamd]

Suzanne,
Have a great time at the Fair!!!
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

Thanks for the welcome!

You own the driving range / mini golf place, on 198? Next to "Cap City" (I think that's the name of the place that sells pick-up truck bed covers)!? I used to go there all the time in the 90's with my boyfriend! We'd alternate between there and the place out at Scott's Cove. I LIVED on 198 (Talbott Avenue), my parents still do! Before I moved to The Shore, the house on Talbott Avenue is the only one I ever knew. It really is a small world, isn't it?

Wow, I'm glad I found this Marylanders' thread! Thanks, y'all! :D
I haven't heard of that place, but then I have never looked for pick up truck covers so it could be close....We are next to the Jerry's - Home Depot shopping strip just down from 97 and across from the entrance to the Laurel Race Track.

I would love to see your pictures when you have them ready...

I was asking about other ports because the cruise I am going on in Dec. goes to Belize and Costa Maya and I haven't been to them before. I like to book snorkel tours privately and was wondering if anyone had any info about those ports, or anything else to do....I know in Belize a lot of people do the tubing, but you have to walk 30 minutes thru the jungle to get to the spot to start, and I can't do that kind of walk anymore.

[luv2cruz66]

Do you have anymore pictures that you can post in a link with a slideshow?

gosh, I am full of questions this evening.....

OK...here goes....hopefully this will work. These are all the pics from our August/Destiny cruise. Probably way too many pics! I haven't really learned how to organize them yet but for the most part they start with South Beach Pics...ship pics....key west snorkel pics....cozumel paradise beach pics....then more ship pics. Way toooo many dinner pics....not sure why I thought I needed so many of them!!!

http://s444.photobucket.com/albums/qq164/swanndawn/Cruise%2009/?albumview=slideshow

[Annieeee]

ShakyBeef, another vote for the Enchantment from me. Very nice and clean ship, plus the crew is outstanding. I hope to take sail on one of the longer sailings, but have not booked anythng yet.

Rick is correct, the Enchantment will be doing some Bermuda runs from Baltimore next year. Enchantment is a nice ship, The NCL Majesty is still sailing out of Baltimore, but August 23 will be her last sailing out of Baltimore to Bermuda. She returns on the 28th, to debark guests, but will be deadheading out of Baltimore, think she is going to Philly from here. I heard she has been sold, but don't know if the new owners will keep her around here or if she will be refurbished and sent elsewhere. Guess we just have to wait and find out.

I really like the idea that RCI is going to homeport a ship here, I hope that more lines do the same so that we can all have more options. More options on which ship to take for us would be great, we are really limited to itineraries if the cruise lines stick to 7 night cruises. I just hope they can fill those staterooms up in the wintertime. Brrr it will be cold sailing down the Bay in the winter.

ShakyBeef, I have to ask, how did you come to pick that name?

Annieeee

[ShakyBeef]

Thanks, all for the opinions and advice! Please keep 'em coming. I am taking notes!

I do want to start doing some of the longer cruises (10-day +) out of Baltimore, starting next year. I really want to exhaust all of the B'more itineraries on all the lines, over the next few years. Too ambitious? :o


ShakyBeef, I have to ask, how did you come to pick that name?

Annieeee

Annieeee,
You're the first to ask, although probably not the first to wonder about my name. "Shaky beef" is the common English translation of my favourite Vietnamese dish. I just happened to be having a mean craving for it the day that I set up my CC account. In fact, just thinking about it started a new craving, now! :p

[CAC104]

OK...here goes....hopefully this will work. These are all the pics from our August/Destiny cruise. Probably way too many pics! I haven't really learned how to organize them yet but for the most part they start with South Beach Pics...ship pics....key west snorkel pics....cozumel paradise beach pics....then more ship pics. Way toooo many dinner pics....not sure why I thought I needed so many of them!!!

http://s444.photobucket.com/albums/qq164/swanndawn/Cruise%2009/?albumview=slideshow
I loved your pictures, and your whole family is very attractive. It really looked like you were having a good time.

I was just on the Enchantment last April and I enjoyed it. I hope they offer Bermuda trips on her. Maybe we could get a group together and take the same cruise.

[CeeAngel]

Hi everyone, another Marylander here. I've been lurking for a couple of weeks, and decided it was time to introduce myself. My name is Shirley and I am from southern Maryland (Waldorf). My husband doesn't like to cruise so a friend and I cruise together.

I will be taking my first B2B on the Enchantment that you guys have been talking about, in 2010, which will push me into Platinum status. I'm so excited. Hey you all wanted to go to Bermuda in 2010....might as well do it 10/16/2010!

I look forward to getting to know everyone, and hope to cruise with you all someday.

[CAC104]

Welcome Shirley, glad to have you join us!

My husband doesn't like to cruise as much as I do, so I cruise with girlfriends a lot also. I belong to a gals cruising club called Just-Us-Girls. Annieee also belongs and we have gone on all girl cruises with that group. You might consider joining it.

[ShakyBeef]

I'm up for that! Can't be too close to Halloween, though. We go all out with decorating the house (spooky, not cutesy) and making the local kids wet their pants every year. I don't think we could do October at all. Halloween takes so much prep work. :(

[luv2cruz66]

I loved your pictures, and your whole family is very attractive. It really looked like you were having a good time.

I was just on the Enchantment last April and I enjoyed it. I hope they offer Bermuda trips on her. Maybe we could get a group together and take the same cruise.

Thank you! I"m glad the slide show worked...I'm new at those!

I've heard a lot about the Enchantment on this thread...I'm going to have to check that ship out! And YES! A group cruise sounds like a great idea!

[Annieeee]

I'm up for that! Can't be too close to Halloween, though. We go all out with decorating the house (spooky, not cutesy) and making the local kids wet their pants every year. I don't think we could do October at all. Halloween takes so much prep work. :(


Ohhhh now that sonds great! I always wonder when I see "cutesy" princess, fairy, or mermaid costumes! Hey its Halloween and you are suppose to get the scoopies scared outta you! lol

Yikes! Shaky Beef????? Does that mean it is mooing and shaking before you eat it?

Annieeee

[Pumbaamd]

Hi everyone, another Marylander here. I've been lurking for a couple of weeks, and decided it was time to introduce myself. My name is Shirley and I am from southern Maryland (Waldorf). My husband doesn't like to cruise so a friend and I cruise together.

I will be taking my first B2B on the Enchantment that you guys have been talking about, in 2010, which will push me into Platinum status. I'm so excited. Hey you all wanted to go to Bermuda in 2010....might as well do it 10/16/2010!

I look forward to getting to know everyone, and hope to cruise with you all someday.
We did a B2B on EN last fall and had a really great time. You will love her and her crew. It would be fun to join you on 10/16/10, but we are on Radiance that same day from Tampa with several very goods friends. A B2B from Baltimore is a great idea! Maybe we'll try one later.
Enjoy your B2B!
Rick and Deirdra

[ShakyBeef]

Ohhhh now that sonds great! I always wonder when I see "cutesy" princess, fairy, or mermaid costumes! Hey its Halloween and you are suppose to get the scoopies scared outta you! lol

Yikes! Shaky Beef????? Does that mean it is mooing and shaking before you eat it?

Annieeee


Yah, I totally don't get the point of "friendly ghost" and other cutesy decorations. We go for truly spooky / scary with no gore (no dripping blood for example).

shaky beef (ugghh- I'm really going to suffer describing this, since I'm currently on a near-starvation diet): chunks of tender steak (about 1-inch cubes) sautéed with onions, nuoc mam (fish sauce), soy sauce, black pepper, rice vinegar, sugar, and other yummy stuff. Served with white rice, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. The "shaky" part of the name comes from the shaking of the pan as you cook it; and the Vietnamese name is actually a kind of onomatopoeia for the sound of shaking. Not mooing, not rare, but SO GOOD! Didn't know you were on the "foodies" thread, did ya?;)

[CAC104]

]I have some very sad news to report and hope y'all can take a minute to say a prayer for a lovely young lady who just found out her husband was shot and killed while serving in Afganistan. Rene was my daughter's roomate all thru their years at Duke and they have continued to be best friends and Maid and Matron of Honor in their weddings, etc.

This poor gal lost her Dad to cancer two years ago, lost her Mom to a stroke a year ago, just got laid off from her job as a lawyer for a firm in DC, is pregnant with twins, and now her DH was just killed. How much can a person take, I just don't know. My daughter is flying back from LA to be with her over the weekend and we will see what the gov't is going to do about getting the body home.[/

[ShakyBeef]

]I have some very sad news to report and hope y'all can take a minute to say a prayer for a lovely young lady who just found out her husband was shot and killed while serving in Afganistan. Rene was my daughter's roomate all thru their years at Duke and they have continued to be best friends and Maid and Matron of Honor in their weddings, etc.

This poor gal lost her Dad to cancer two years ago, lost her Mom to a stroke a year ago, just got laid off from her job as a lawyer for a firm in DC, is pregnant with twins, and now her DH was just killed. How much can a person take, I just don't know. My daughter is flying back from LA to be with her over the weekend and we will see what the gov't is going to do about getting the body home.[/


Carol,

I will keep Rene and her babies in my prayers. How incredibly sad. I can't imagine her pain. She obviously has a true friend in your daughter. My prayers and sympathy go out to you all.

[CeeAngel]

]I have some very sad news to report and hope y'all can take a minute to say a prayer for a lovely young lady who just found out her husband was shot and killed while serving in Afganistan. Rene was my daughter's roomate all thru their years at Duke and they have continued to be best friends and Maid and Matron of Honor in their weddings, etc.
This poor gal lost her Dad to cancer two years ago, lost her Mom to a stroke a year ago, just got laid off from her job as a lawyer for a firm in DC, is pregnant with twins, and now her DH was just killed. How much can a person take, I just don't know. My daughter is flying back from LA to be with her over the weekend and we will see what the gov't is going to do about getting the body home.[/

Wow, something like this sure puts things into perspective when you think of the trivial things we often complain about. I can't even imagine what the last three years have been like for her, and hope that she can keep positive thoughts, and be strong for the little babies that are a part of her and her husband. She is blessed to have a friend like your daughter.

[huladancerdog]

]I have some very sad news to report and hope y'all can take a minute to say a prayer for a lovely young lady who just found out her husband was shot and killed while serving in Afganistan. Rene was my daughter's roomate all thru their years at Duke and they have continued to be best friends and Maid and Matron of Honor in their weddings, etc.

This poor gal lost her Dad to cancer two years ago, lost her Mom to a stroke a year ago, just got laid off from her job as a lawyer for a firm in DC, is pregnant with twins, and now her DH was just killed. How much can a person take, I just don't know. My daughter is flying
back from LA to be with her over the weekend and we will see what the gov't is going to do about getting the body home.[/

Carole, that is so tragic. I will pray for God to give Renee strength to deal with this terrible event. She is so fortunate to have wonderful friends like your daughter. I know she will be a comfort to Renee.

[momesu]

OH Carole, This does put things in my own life into perspective. My heart and prayers go out to Rene. I can not even comprehend dealing with such lose in a short time and having to face the lose of a husband without having parents around for support. Your daughter is a wonderful friend to come and be with Rene at this time. I know she will be a help and a blessing to her. I will also pray that the babies will be kept safe during this time of what must be extreme stress.
Suzanne

[CAC104]

Thank you for all the prayers....My DD flew in on the red eye last night and went straight to her friend's house. His family is there as well as her close friends, so she is in supporting hands.

[CAC104]

A Death in Afghanistan

Posted:
08/14/09

Filed Under:Afghanistan Journal (http://www.politicsdaily.com/category/afghanistan-journal/)


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http://www.blogcdn.com/www.politicsdaily.com/media/2009/08/cahir-in-ramadi.jpg.jpgMore than 5,000 American servicemen and women have been killed in action since 9/11. Some of them I knew.

Why is this one hitting me so hard?

I think it's because Bill Cahir struggled so openly with the conflicting responsibilities of home and family, and service to his country. With painful honesty, he went hard at the difficult issues that many of us choose to ignore.
Bill did not come from a family of military tradition. He was past the age when most young people enlist. He had a job and a career, and a woman he loved. But something else called him, and when the terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001, he felt that call even more urgently. He agonized for two years. Then he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and went off to boot camp. He was 34 years old.

Marine Sgt. Bill Cahir was killed in action this week in southern Afghanistan. Back home, his wife, Rene Browne, is pregnant with twins. A graduate of Penn State, Bill served briefly as a Capitol Hill aide before becoming a reporter with small newspapers in his native Pennsylvania. In 1999, he joined the Washington bureau of Newhouse Newspapers, which is where I met him.

We were colleagues first, fellow reporters who then became workout buddies, then friends and confidants. We'd take long noonday runs past Washington's marble monuments and across its river bridges, and I'd listen as Bill would spin out his dilemma. Clearly, the excitement, adventure and camaraderie he imagined of military service attracted him. He felt deeply that he owed something to his country. He wanted to be part of a measured American response to Islamist extremism, and he could think of no way he could better contribute than joining the military.

Was he crazy to even consider enlisting? His parents, he felt certain, would disapprove if he enlisted. Some of his friends were puzzled that he was even considering it. I tried not to give advice, but I did answer some of his questions.

Yes, I thought other recruits would taunt him at boot camp for being a decade older than them. Yes, I thought the drill instructors would give him a hard time for being a college graduate and a professional – a newspaper reporter, no less. Yes, I thought he needed to lose some body fat before he reached boot camp, if he enlisted. And yes, I thought he should listen hard to his inner voice and follow it, no matter who laughed or scoffed.

He did just that, and that voice took him to boot camp, where the other boots did indeed taunt him and the DIs surely did give him a hard time. He persevered and earned their respect, and even his parents, with misgivings, saluted his achievement.

Bill followed his inner voice on to two combat deployments in Iraq with his unit, the 4th Civil Affairs Group, a Marine reserve unit based in Washington. He came back glowing, filled with stories of the war's pathos and black humor and terror. He thought he had more public service left in him, and ran for Congress in Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District. He didn't win, but he didn't sulk, and after it was over he landed a job as a consultant in the private sector while remaining in the Marine Corps reserves. Bill Cahir found nobility in military service and exulted in it. That seemed like a decent consequence of making the hard choices, following one's inner voice. Who could ask for more?

And then, Afghanistan.

[Pumbaamd]

Our local Fox News channel in D.C. just reported on Sgt. Cahir's tragic death, and his surviving family. It also echoed much of Carol's post above.
As a Vietnam infantry veteran, his military service hits home with us.
He is a true patriot. Thank you Sgt. Cahir for serving our country.
God bless him and his family.
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

Yesterday, Rene and Bill's parents drove to Dover, Delaware to meet the plane carrying the body home. The plane was late coming in, so it made it a really long day,and they did not get to have a private visitation with he casket,( they do not pretty up the body, so no chance of opening the casket) they only got to watch it unloaded from the plane. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and because there have been so many casualtes, there is a back log waiting for burial. It may be weeks before he can be laid to rest. The gov't will store the body. This just will draw out the whole ordeal even longer.

The babies are due to be born in December.

[huladancerdog]

Carole, your story was beautifully written and moving. My heart goes out to Rene and the rest of Sgt. Cahir's family. It's such a tragic loss, but he died serving his country. He is true hero and a real patriot. They can be very proud.

[Pumbaamd]

We are down to the 30 day mark on the Majesty cruise that Cindy and Jerry are coming on with us, and six others in the party. Have our Majesty tee shirts, have our dinner table all set, and over on the M&M site have a strong Majesty thread going on.
Cindy and Jerry, you all getting ready?
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

We are down to the 30 day mark on the Majesty cruise that Cindy and Jerry are coming on with us, and six others in the party. Have our Majesty tee shirts, have our dinner table all set, and over on the M&M site have a strong Majesty thread going on.
Cindy and Jerry, you all getting ready?
Rick and Deirdra

Let's say our planning is still in the "thinking" stage. The only thing I have out to pack is my Majesty T-shirt which I will probably bring in a carry-on so I can put it on as soon as we board. What time do y'all get into Miami? What airline are you taking? We're on Air Tran. You're leaving from Dulles, right? I'm really getting excited about this cruise and can't wait to meet everybody.:)

[Pumbaamd]

We are flying from National on AA at 7:20 a.m. We arrive at MIA at 9:55 a.m.
We took this same flight in May for Majesty and it worked out great. Arrived at the port by 10:45 and there were very few people there. Checked in and were on board at 11:00.
Our return flight leaves MIA at 12:05 p.m.
We always try to fly out of National. It's only a 15-20 minute drive for us. Dulles is a good hour and once you get there it quite a zoo. BWI is usually our second choice, like for Oasis in December. Southwest was our best choice for that cruise.
Can't wait to sea you all again!
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

We leave BWI around 10:00 and arrive at 11:30. We leave at noon on Monday and get back home at 2:30. I think that's a good schedule because there is very little "down" time between disembarkation and flight time. Won't be long now!

[basketsuze]

Hello, Everyone!

I just found this thread and wanted to chime in! We LOVE cruising out of Baltimore, as it's about a 40 minute drive from home! We're going on the Enchantment next year at the end of August - the 9 night run!

We weren't able to cruise this year, due to taking care of some home projects. Meanwhile, I am trying to talk DH (Crazy Flying Fish) into a cruise in February out of Tampa (Carnival) just to break up the winter blahs. I also handed him some itineraries for early December of this year.

I'm going to bookmark this thread, then go back and read it in it's entirety as time permits!

Suze!

[CAC104]

Welcome Suze...please feel free to post your activities here.

I sure wouldn't want to be sailing out of Baltimore, NY or Boston this weekend.:eek: With the ocean as rough as it is from hurricane Bill, I imagine it won't be too much fun. I wonder where the Bermuda destination cruises will be going? The can't go up to New England/Canada because the weather is worse there, and they don't have enough time to get down to the Caribbean, so I wonder what they will do. I guess if the storm has passed, and the port isn't damaged they might still head over to Bermuda.

[lincoln imp]

Hi! We also live in MD - one in Glen Burnie and one of us in Salisbury. This will be our second RCCL cruise, and hope to take many more. Last Sept. we were aboard the GOS to Bermuda. On the 6th , we will be headed to San Juan to board the AOS for 7 days. Any other MD'ers on this cruise?? We can't wait!
Happy cruising to all!

[akur23]

How was the Grandeur? We're booked on the Sept. 10 sailing to Canada/NE. We live in Ellicott City.

[Pumbaamd]

Welcome to the new cruisers who have posted here!!! Glad to have you all on board.
Looks like Grandeur can sneak into Bermuda on the tail end of Bill. No big damage has been reported from Bermuda or the Naval Dockyard. Grandeur ties up at the ND and there is local transport available there via ferries and busses. We enjoyed travelling the local ferries (it's like a local {not express} bus. You can visit the near by neighborhoods and really sea Bermuda. You will end up in Hamilton.
Enjoy your cruise!
Rick and Deirdra

[Annieeee]

Hi,

Well it looks like the Grandeur did not have to alter its itinerary. I have some friends on this sailing and am glad that the itin did not change.

Hope everyone has a great week. Summer seems to have gone by so quickly. I think school starts tomorrow.

I have been hobbling around, I broke my toe last week. It is feeling better now. It just amazes me how one little toe can affect your walking and what really surprised me is that it hurt so much for being such a tiny toe! Eeeoowww I can still hear the snap! Ouch!

Hi to our new posters. Glad to have you with us.

Rick, Deirdra, Cindy and Jerry, you are next to cruise, are you packed? I know you are anxious and I would be too.

Catch you all later,
Annieeee

[huladancerdog]

Hello, Everyone!

I just found this thread and wanted to chime in! We LOVE cruising out of Baltimore, as it's about a 40 minute drive from home! We're going on the Enchantment next year at the end of August - the 9 night run!

We weren't able to cruise this year, due to taking care of some home projects. Meanwhile, I am trying to talk DH (Crazy Flying Fish) into a cruise in February out of Tampa (Carnival) just to break up the winter blahs. I also handed him some itineraries for early December of this year.

I'm going to bookmark this thread, then go back and read it in it's entirety as time permits!

Suze!

Welcome to all the new cruisers! It's great to have you on the thread. I look forward to hearing about your cruising experiences and just life in MD in general. As Annieeeee just posted, Rick and Dierdra and me and my DH, Jerry, are sailing the Majesty for 3 days in Sept. in part to celebrate Rick and Dierdra's 20th anniversary. No, I'm not packed, but I think I'll start concentrating on what needs to be ironed this weekend.

Suze, you sure are ambitious to read this thread in it's entirety.:) I have no doubt you'll find it entertaining.;)

[ShakyBeef]

Hi! We also live in MD - one in Glen Burnie and one of us in Salisbury. This will be our second RCCL cruise, and hope to take many more. Last Sept. we were aboard the GOS to Bermuda. On the 6th , we will be headed to San Juan to board the AOS for 7 days. Any other MD'ers on this cruise?? We can't wait!
Happy cruising to all!


Welcome, Lincoln Imp! I just had to say "Hi" to a fellow Delmarvan. We are just south of Salisbury, in Somerset Co. My husband's office is in Salisbury. Have a great time on your cruise. I'm not going on that one, but I wish I was. :) Have you found a roll call for your cruise? There might be some other MD'ers on it.

Welcome, too to everyone else who's joined the thread lately.

Well, I thought I'd tell y'all since some of you were recommending I try out Mercury...I'm taking DH on a surprise birthday cruise on Mercury out of B'more on Jan 2nd (9-days to Bahamas). I'm going to try to keep it secret all the way to the point of driving to the cruise terminal. I hope I can pull it off...

;)

[huladancerdog]

Welcome, Lincoln Imp! I just had to say "Hi" to a fellow Delmarvan. We are just south of Salisbury, in Somerset Co. My husband's office is in Salisbury. Have a great time on your cruise. I'm not going on that one, but I wish I was. :) Have you found a roll call for your cruise? There might be some other MD'ers on it.

Welcome, too to everyone else who's joined the thread lately.

Well, I thought I'd tell y'all since some of you were recommending I try out Mercury...I'm taking DH on a surprise birthday cruise on Mercury out of B'more on Jan 2nd (9-days to Bahamas). I'm going to try to keep it secret all the way to the point of driving to the cruise terminal. I hope I can pull it off...

;)

That's very ambitious! I wish you all the luck in the world and hope it works out for you.:)

[ShakyBeef]

That's very ambitious! I wish you all the luck in the world and hope it works out for you.:)

Thanks Cindy!

I have a few hurdles to work around (like, how am I going to make sure his work schedule is open for that 9 days surounding his birthday without him catching on...), but I'm going to try to keep it under wraps as long as I can. :)

[Pumbaamd]

Good evening, All.
Deirdra just made us a pitcher of Margaritas for MM. Hmmm, yummy.
Cindy and Jerry, we screwed up on this Majesty cruise. No Margarita Monday, unless we all meet in the Schooner Bar before disembarking on Monday morning. As insurance for such a tragedy, we booked a four day Majesty next June, to insure that we can have a full Margarita Monday on board!
Annieeee, we were concerned about Grandeur also. Were following the forecasts and hoping that she could sneak in behind Bill, as she did. Just wonder how high the seas were.
And Annieeee, looks like you'll be off of the soccer field for a while. Hope your toe gets better soon.
And a big hello to our new friends from Delmarva. We have many friends over that way, having been associated with Ocean Downs for many years.
Rick and Deirdra

[Pumbaamd]

OK, SeaTerps, it is hours later . . .
Anyone out there?

[huladancerdog]

Good evening, All.
Deirdra just made us a pitcher of Margaritas for MM. Hmmm, yummy.
Cindy and Jerry, we screwed up on this Majesty cruise. No Margarita Monday, unless we all meet in the Schooner Bar before disembarking on Monday morning. As insurance for such a tragedy, we booked a four day Majesty next June, to insure that we can have a full Margarita Monday on board!
Annieeee, we were concerned about Grandeur also. Were following the forecasts and hoping that she could sneak in behind Bill, as she did. Just wonder how high the seas were.
And Annieeee, looks like you'll be off of the soccer field for a while. Hope your toe gets better soon.
And a big hello to our new friends from Delmarva. We have many friends over that way, having been associated with Ocean Downs for many years.
Rick and Deirdra

Isn't that funny that you have Margarita Monday and we Champagne Monday where we pass a bottle of champagne left over from Sunday brunch's mimosas whilst we watch the evening news. I guess we could give the Schooner Bar a try on disembarkation day. What do we have to lose?:D

[SunnyBeachLove]

Another Marylander here (Harford County area)! :) My DB and I will be heading out in November for a Southern Caribbean Cruise on the Victory! We cannot wait!!

[momesu]

Good evening, All.
Deirdra just made us a pitcher of Margaritas for MM. Hmmm, yummy.
Cindy and Jerry, we screwed up on this Majesty cruise. No Margarita Monday, unless we all meet in the Schooner Bar before disembarking on Monday morning. As insurance for such a tragedy, we booked a four day Majesty next June, to insure that we can have a full Margarita Monday on board!


Speaking of Margaritas here is a prescription for all that ails you.....if it has been posted here before please forgive me.


Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything. You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNINGS:
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing...
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.


Suzanne

[luv2cruz66]

Speaking of Margaritas here is a prescription for all that ails you.....if it has been posted here before please forgive me.


Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything. You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNINGS:
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing...
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.


Suzanne

Thank you so much Suzanne! This was fabulous! I can't wait to send it to a couple of friends who will really appreciate it!

[Pumbaamd]

Can it work with a Bloody Mary as well?
R & D

[momesu]

In sufficient dosage I would think so. :D

Suzanne

[Pumbaamd]

We did a rehearsal with Bloody Mary's yesterday as part of Deirdra's birthday celebration and prep for our Majesty cruise on 9/18. We had BM's with queen olives, pickled asparagus and pickled green beans. We love our veggies.
Our Majesty group of ten are also veggie lovers, if there is a drink to hold those veggies.
Cindy, you will be excepted from the veggies for your champagne.
Our little garden of tomato, pepper and parsley plants is flourishing. We may bring some fresh veggies on board to garnish our bevvies! Hmmm, better check current TSA rules.
Rick and Deirdra

[ShakyBeef]

Another Marylander here (Harford County area)! :) My DB and I will be heading out in November for a Southern Caribbean Cruise on the Victory! We cannot wait!!


Welcome, SunnyBeachLove! Happy cruising! :)

[CAC104]

I am back from my trip to the Pocono Mts. and now I have to do some massive catch up in reading all the posts I have missed...

I had gorgeous weather and the mountain air is so nice and fresh. It is fun to sit in the screened porch and listen to the sounds of the forest and breath in the clean air. When we live in the city or suburbs we forget how much nicer it smells up in the wooded mountains.

[CeeAngel]

I am back from my trip to the Pocono Mts. and now I have to do some massive catch up in reading all the posts I have missed...
I had gorgeous weather and the mountain air is so nice and fresh. It is fun to sit in the screened porch and listen to the sounds of the forest and breath in the clean air. When we live in the city or suburbs we forget how much nicer it smells up in the wooded mountains.

Oh, that sounds wonderful. I have only been to the Pocono Mts one time, but I remember how beautiful the area was. I would love to be able to spend a winter there. I understand they get quite a bit of snow....not that I like being out in the snow too long....what I like is sitting in warm cozy surroundings looking out at the snow!

[ShakyBeef]

I am back from my trip to the Pocono Mts. and now I have to do some massive catch up in reading all the posts I have missed...

I had gorgeous weather and the mountain air is so nice and fresh. It is fun to sit in the screened porch and listen to the sounds of the forest and breath in the clean air. When we live in the city or suburbs we forget how much nicer it smells up in the wooded mountains.

Welcome back, CAC104! It sounds lovely. It is beautiful up there, isn't it? :)

[divaofdisney]

Hello everyone....my name is Stefanie and I am from Ocean Pines and am just finding this thread thanks to Deidra. Really looking forward to the inaugural on the Oasis!! Great to meet you all!!

[ShakyBeef]

Hello everyone....my name is Stefanie and I am from Ocean Pines and am just finding this thread thanks to Deidra. Really looking forward to the inaugural on the Oasis!! Great to meet you all!!

Welcome, Stefanie! Glad to see another Delmarvan. OOOHHH - Oasis inaugural - I'm jealous. Happy cruising! :)

[divaofdisney]

Thanks shakybeef!! We are actually transplants from over the bridge...I grew up in Towson, then moved to Pikesville when I got married and then moved to Eldersburg...before moving down here in August of 2000. We love it and my DH Beryl and I have 2 daughters, Sarah who is 20 and a junior at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, and a younger daughter, Rachel 12 who is starting middle school this year. We love to cruise- I more so than my husband but he enjoys the relaxing atmosphere also. We have been anticipating this cruise since we first heard about it and having never done an inaugural- I mean a true inaugural we wanted to do it and have much anticipation with this brand new ship!! I am a nurse and have been for 23 years now and work in home health- which I love because it really is flexable my DH is retired and really helps me out alot around the house- playing Mr. Mom so to speak- he work 23 years in the Navy. It will be great to get to know all of you!!!

[ShakyBeef]

Thanks shakybeef!! We are actually transplants from over the bridge...I grew up in Towson, then moved to Pikesville when I got married and then moved to Eldersburg...before moving down here in August of 2000. We love it and my DH Beryl and I have 2 daughters, Sarah who is 20 and a junior at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, and a younger daughter, Rachel 12 who is starting middle school this year. We love to cruise- I more so than my husband but he enjoys the relaxing atmosphere also. We have been anticipating this cruise since we first heard about it and having never done an inaugural- I mean a true inaugural we wanted to do it and have much anticipation with this brand new ship!! I am a nurse and have been for 23 years now and work in home health- which I love because it really is flexable my DH is retired and really helps me out alot around the house- playing Mr. Mom so to speak- he work 23 years in the Navy. It will be great to get to know all of you!!!

Hi Stefanie,

We are transplants too. ;) ("furenners" or "come-heres" as the born-and-raised lower shore old country vet that I worked for calls us.) :D I'm originally from Laurel, MD and DH was born in St. Mary's Co. and has lived all over. I'm a stay-at-home mom. DH works is Salisbruy (and all over the Shore and elsewhere) in IT consulting. We have 2 daughters: 7 and 3. We're really looking forward to the Pride out of B'more in Nov - no flying!

[Pumbaamd]

Welcome Stefanie to our Maryland cruise addicts. We should have mentioned it to you sooner, as we have seen you on Oasis and other threads.
We are on the Oasis Labadee cruise on 12/1. Promise we'll take care of her for your 12/5 cruise. Looks like the pier is coming along fine and should be ready for us.
Enjoy our thread!
Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Hi there...yes, I was a bit disappointed when I learned they actually had a 4 day sailing before ours- I really wanted to be the first ones on the new ship- we just can't afford both cruises- we've saved over the last 2 yrs just to afford the inaugural so adding another $3,000 was just out of the question. I hope you all will post during your cruise to let us know how things went for you all as to check in and so forth. I envy you but know I will be on just after you all. We are actually coming in on the 3rd and staying 1 extra night post cruise, so we will have a nice long vacation. But I am looking forward to hearing all about your trip before us!!

[Pumbaamd]

Stefanie,
We are surprised at how many people are doing both our four day and your seven day. That's a lotta $$$. But if they can afford it, more power to them and hope they have a great time.
The Critters have a lot of activities planned, however we feel that on our four day there will so much to sea and do on Oasis that a bar crawl, slot and cabin crawl can wait for another time and place. We did all that on Voyager back in February when we had several sea days. Hope the Critters don't feel we are anti social, but Oasis itself will keep us busy.
We'll try to post from there, if we have time.
We are staying at the Embassy Suites one night pre with the Critters. Flying down on SW from BWI, home on USAir to DCA. There's a long story there to be told later.
I worked for many racing seasons at Ocean Downs and know your area well. Also had many friends who lived in OP.
Again, welcome to MD Cruise Addicts.
Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Good Morning everyone and thanks for the welcome!! It will be nice getting to know all of you and who share a deep love of cruising like me!! I think there is nothing more peaceful than being on the ocean and seeing the beauty of this earth! I just wish we could afford to cruise more often, but with one in college and the other coming up the ranks, our cruising days are a bit limited. I am excited to be going on the Oasis and will share all I can with all of you. have a great day!

[momesu]

Wow this board is really picking up!

Welcome to all the new MD cruisers. I am not one of the overly active cruisers for both financial reasons and the fact that I love cruising much more than my DH, but I do dream a lot about all the cruise possibilities. I love to look at what is available and read of others adventures and fantasize that one day a pile of money may drop into my lap and I can cruise as often as I'd like and where ever I want to go. For now however I just try to find ways to make some extra money, outside of the budgeted needs, that can be saved for the next cruise when ever that might be.

Now a question for all: Is it smelling as moldy outside in other parts of the state as it is here in upper Montgomery County? Enough with the torrential downpours already. We need rain yes but not in inches at a time!

Suzanne

[ShakyBeef]

Yes! :( The damp and mould is bad on The Shore! We drove by a cornfield last nigt (w/ windows closed and A/C on) and the smell of mould practically choked us! :eek: My huge, old pecan tree has leaf blight from all the damp. I had to call an arborist to come check it out, to make sure it's not dying. It hasn't dried out around here for months! UGGGHHH!

Rain, rain, Go Away! :mad:

[divaofdisney]

Well, the sun is out and its once again getting warm!! I am ready for some cooler weather and hoping I can soon turn off the air conditioning. But for now will have to settle with keeping it a bit longer. Hope you all have a great day!!

[CAC104]

Last night we went to BWI to pick up DD. The funeral for her friend's husband will be this Monday with full military honors at Arlington. We will be going to it. My FIL is buried in Arlington, but he didn't have the full mititary burial, just an honor escort since he was retired, and it wasn't a war casualty.

I drove her down to old town Alexandria to where Rene lives, and also her other friend and was glad not to be caught up in the traffic jam that will occur when they take Kennedy out to be buried. The Washington Parkway, which we take, goes right by Arlington and can really back up.

We actually were really dry here before we got some rain and we were just happy to have some. I wasn't here in July, but my yard was completely burned up when we got back and everyone said there hadn't been any rain all month. Now in August we have had rain, but not too much.

[ShakyBeef]

Last night we went to BWI to pick up DD. The funeral for her friend's husband will be this Monday with full military honors at Arlington. We will be going to it. My FIL is buried in Arlington, but he didn't have the full mititary burial, just an honor escort since he was retired, and it wasn't a war casualty.

I drove her down to old town Alexandria to where Rene lives, and also her other friend and was glad not to be caught up in the traffic jam that will occur when they take Kennedy out to be buried. The Washington Parkway, which we take, goes right by Arlington and can really back up.

We actually were really dry here before we got some rain and we were just happy to have some. I wasn't here in July, but my yard was completely burned up when we got back and everyone said there hadn't been any rain all month. Now in August we have had rain, but not too much.

Carol,

Rene and her babies will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm glad to hear not everywhere in this great state is swampy right now. We just need a chance to dry out a little around here. Rain every other day, it seems like.

Enjoy the beautiful weekend, everyone! I'm off to Salisbury to do some last-minute school supply shopping for our 2nd-grader.

[CAC104]

I have just gotten back from the first full military funeral I have ever attended. It was a very moving experience and the most beautiful funeral I have ever been to. That being said, I hope I never have to attend another one for someone else I might know.

Bill Cahir was killed in Afghanistan this month. His widow Rene was my daughter's roommate all through Duke and is still her very close friend. We have known Rene for 20 years and were thrilled for her when she married Bill. Bill already served two tours in Iraq, and we thought he was safe from being deployed overseas again. That was not the case as he was sent to Afghanistan and shot on Aug. 13th while on patrol.

The funeral was held in Arlington, and the Marines certainly send off one of their own with a wonderful service. First was the Mass in the Memorial Chapel on the base next to Arlington, Ft. Meyers. With full pomp and military procedures, the coffin was then put on a horse drawn Caisson with a full complement of Marines as an escort. It was followed on foot by the widow, who happens to be 5 months pregnant with twins, and family and friends as well as a huge caravan of cars from those attending. My Kim walked but Kent and I rode to the grave site.

When we reached the site there was a military band and an honor guard waiting for the procession. A new section in Arlington has been opened up for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and that is where Bill was buried. The Marine band was there to play and the 21 gun salute was given. The prayers were said and the flag was folded and given to the widow. It was a very sad and moving event.

Afterwards a reception was held in the Officer's Club in Ft. Meyers and this was quite an affair. Open bars, lots of food and eulogies given by Marines and family. Bill was very much loved and respected and will be missed.

This war is so removed from most of the U.S. population. Without a draft it doesn't make a dent in most of our lives, but when you attend a funeral for someone who gave the ultimate sacrifice, you have to ask yourself, " Why are we there?" I don't know the answer, but I hope the sacrifices stop soon.

[Pumbaamd]

Carol,
Being a Vietnam infantry veteran, we have been thru too many funerals in Arlington. Two in the last year. Many of our fellow soldiers are there. We understand what you and your daughter have experienced. And, we also hope the sacrifices stop SAP. Prayers to Sgt. Cahir and his family.
Sgt. Rick, and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

Hi, folks, and welcome to all our new members! It's great to have you.

R&D, about the veggies in the champagne: Do strawberries or cherries count? BTW, Happy B-Day to Deirdra!:)

[momesu]

Carol,
I have never been to a full military funeral or burial at Arlington in fact until recently I didn't even know anyone personally who was buried at Arlington. I have however visit there often as a tourist. That is until our last visit which was with my brother and sister-in-law. Her father had just been buried there in a small private burial. I was amazed at the different perspective and different emotions I had on that visit with her. It's hard to describe, but I suddenly saw everything through different eyes. I am embarrassed beyond belief when I think back to those "tourist" visits I've made in the past. I can't help but wonder how many of the thousands of people who visit Arlington every year truly understand it's meaning.
Suzanne

[CAC104]

It is a beautiful place. My in laws are also buried there, but it wasn't so sad to go to that funeral because he was old already. But, to go to a funeral for someone killed in combat at the prime of his life is an entirely different feeling.

I think any tourist can't help but feel something to see all those grave stones lined up is such perfect precision. I know we like to go and read the different headstones and it is so sad to see how many young people over the ages lost their lives defending the country.

[divaofdisney]

Carol....sounds like a beautiful tribute was given. I have never been to Arlington National Cemetary but would like to go someday- I think it would be a truly powerful experience. Thanks for sharing your story, it has touched me. Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!!

[Pumbaamd]

SeaTerps . . .
How about these cool temp's?
R & D

[huladancerdog]

This weather has been a nice break. When I drive to work, I open the sun roof and feel the fresh air. However, I'm also glad it's not winter yet. That comes soon enough.:(

[CAC104]

I had a fun day today....NOT.....I went to the doc and got cortisone shots in both knees. Not fun to go through, but I know it will feel better for a few weeks now.

[Annieeee]

Oh what great weather. Dare we hope it lasts through Monday? I hope so. Anyone have special plans? We don't, do have a few invites for bar b q's and to play cards. Not sure if we will go or just stay home and vege out.

Have a great and safe weekend.

Annieeee

[ShakyBeef]

No special weekend plans here. We're just going to hunker down and try to avoid the swarms of tourists.

Have a great weekend, all! :)

[Pumbaamd]

Our holiday weekend starts with Deirdra having a community association meeting tomorrow morning and Rick working tomorrow from 8 to 3. It will get better as we have the next two days completely free. Will spend time at the pool, and has Anniee, a couple of invites.
We have pre-booked our shows and entertainment on Oasis for December and this time in two weeks we'll be on Majesty!
Hope all the SeaTerps have a great weekend.
Rick and Deirdra

[Pumbaamd]

Cindy,
You got mail!
R & D

[divaofdisney]

Hi there everyone and Happy Labor Day!!:D

So what do you all have planned!! I finally have a 3 day weekend off as I worked the last holiday. I do a tremendous amount of driving with my job as a home health care nurse so I really look forward to it when I can stay home and relax and not have to go anywhere. Ocean City was crazy insane last night with people, we went out for dinner for my birthday- which was actually on 8/31/09 and it took us nearly an hour to get to 118th street from Ocean Pines (which is typically like a 10-15 minute ride) Oh well, we had an awesome dinner, it was fabulous!! Well take care all and have a wonderful relaxing day!!

[Pumbaamd]

Hello Stefanie,
We are having a quiet weekend. We went to the Outback for my birthday last week, which is also on the 31st!
Getting ready for our Majesty cruise on the 18th, and after that, Oasis.
Stefanie, and everyone else out there, have a great Labor Day!
Rick (and Deirdra)

[CAC104]

We were disappointed the weather here turned so cool and rainy. The pool party we were supposed to go to was canceled and rain checks issued:(

[CAC104]

Our big outing yesterday was for all three of us to go to Walgreens and get our flu shots. Not the swine flu, just the regular kind. We heard you should have 3-4 weeks inbetween the regular flu and the swine flu shots, so this was the time to get them. It is better not to overload your immune system with too many vaccines at the same time.

[Pumbaamd]

Summer is over. This cooler weather is refreshing. Just hoping we can get one more good harvest from our little garden.
Going to the VA clinic in Greenbelt tomorrow for the annual flu shot. Gotta remember to ask them about how I stand for the H1N1 flu shot due in October ? ? ?
Last, but most definitely NOT LEAST . . . getting ready for next Friday's Majesty from Miami for our 20th anniversary cruise with Cindy and Jerry!
Enjoy this cool weather.
Rick and Deirdra

[Annieeee]

Summer is over. This cooler weather is refreshing. Just hoping we can get one more good harvest from our little garden.
Going to the VA clinic in Greenbelt tomorrow for the annual flu shot. Gotta remember to ask them about how I stand for the H1N1 flu shot due in October ? ? ?
Last, but most definitely NOT LEAST . . . getting ready for next Friday's Majesty from Miami for our 20th anniversary cruise with Cindy and Jerry!
Enjoy this cool weather.
Rick and Deirdra


Hi RIck and Deirdra,

It is already or rather almost time for your cruise! It's great when you suddenly realize, oh wow I leave next week! Am sure you guys will have a great time, but I still want to wish you and Dierdra, Cindy and Jerry and your friends a great, great time.

The prices are dropping like crazy, I just don't have the time to go, I am going toTX the last week in Sept and I have a cruise the last week in Oct. Nothing real special, but a short 5 nighter to Bermuda. And I am trying to work out some details to see if I can go on a 9 nighter in November. But not sure I can make it work timewise. I have friends going on the 9/28 cruise, $220 for an oceanview, and that is for single occ. WOWEE! Good for them. That is a great price.

We got our shots today. Are you retired military? First time in years that my arm is actually sore from the shot. I wanted to hurry and get it so that I can then get the hini :eek: (yes I know it is H1N1) but hini sounds funnier to me)when it becomes available.

Catch you all later, hope it is a nice weekend for everyone. The weather is not great, but hey you can still make it a great weekend.

I think Mother Nature is just yanking our chain with the cooler temps. She will probably turn on the heat again and we will all be sweltering!

Annieeee

[CAC104]

Today, I finally got a sub job I wanted to go to this term....Advanced English 12th grade in Churchill. I love that type of class because the kids are all so good.


My daughter Kimberly will be swimming with the sharks this Sunday night on ABC at 9pm....No, she won't have to get wet, but we hope they don't attack and sink the teeth in....If you haven't watched this program it is an ABC reality show where contestants go to see if the "sharks" will fund their business ideas. Sometimes those sharks can get downright mean and nasty...but everyone hopes they might give them money

[Pumbaamd]

Carol,
It's good to see that you found a sub job that you like. We'll try to catch the "Sharks" on Sunday night. Thanks for the tip.

Annieeee,
Thanks for the well wishes for our Majesty cruise. We'll be able to sea what changes they made to D+ after Sept. 1. No, I am not retired military. My Vietnam service earned me VA and base privileges.

All have a great weekend!

Rick and Deirdra

[Annieeee]

Carol,
It's good to see that you found a sub job that you like. We'll try to catch the "Sharks" on Sunday night. Thanks for the tip.

Annieeee,
Thanks for the well wishes for our Majesty cruise. We'll be able to sea what changes they made to D+ after Sept. 1. No, I am not retired military. My Vietnam service earned me VA and base privileges.

All have a great weekend!

Rick and Deirdra

Hmm guess I should have Larry look into that. He served in Vietnam too. He was military for about 8 yrs. Some people just never bother to look into what benefits they have, my hubby being one of those people :o.

Annieeee

Annieeee

[CAC104]

I have a girlfriend that only served one year as a Lt. in the army and then was dismissed for nervousness, and she has gotten free VA medical treatment ever since....it's been years now.

[Pumbaamd]

A good place to start researching VA eligbility and benefits is:
www.VA.gov
Rick

[Pumbaamd]

Your first experiences with VA can be aggravating and lengthy. My initial claim took quite a while and included a lot of paperwork. That was in late 2002 and it was well worth it. I now use the clinic in Greenbelt. Very nice staff. Got my flu shot there yesterday.
Anyone who has had any military service, please check out your benefits and entitlements. You may be missing something big.
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

Those sharks were pretty nasty...but they did tell her the same thing we did...it is a hard market to try and compete with the established companies.

All the gals that are athletes that have tried out the bras really love them. She will be trying to sell them online and reach out to other venues. She has gotten some funding from other sources...at least enough to get things off the ground, but I think it will be hard for her to get enough publicity to get the sales going. I will post more contacts when I have all the details. She couldn't do anything until after this show aired.

If anyone is interested in seeing what Kimberly is doing, you can go to wwwdotgokalyxdotcom.....of course, I expect you to put . where I said dot:rolleyes:

[huladancerdog]

Hi RIck and Deirdra,

It is already or rather almost time for your cruise! It's great when you suddenly realize, oh wow I leave next week! Am sure you guys will have a great time, but I still want to wish you and Dierdra, Cindy and Jerry and your friends a great, great time.

The prices are dropping like crazy, I just don't have the time to go, I am going toTX the last week in Sept and I have a cruise the last week in Oct. Nothing real special, but a short 5 nighter to Bermuda. And I am trying to work out some details to see if I can go on a 9 nighter in November. But not sure I can make it work timewise. I have friends going on the 9/28 cruise, $220 for an oceanview, and that is for single occ. WOWEE! Good for them. That is a great price.

We got our shots today. Are you retired military? First time in years that my arm is actually sore from the shot. I wanted to hurry and get it so that I can then get the hini :eek: (yes I know it is H1N1) but hini sounds funnier to me)when it becomes available.

Catch you all later, hope it is a nice weekend for everyone. The weather is not great, but hey you can still make it a great weekend.

I think Mother Nature is just yanking our chain with the cooler temps. She will probably turn on the heat again and we will all be sweltering!

Annieeee

Annieeee, Thanks for the good wishes for our cruise this weekend. I am sooooooo looking forward to it. My DH was in the hospital this past weekend (blood pressure), and I did not get a chance to start packing. That MUST be done sometime over the next few days. Can't wait to board the ship and start the party.:)

[Annieeee]

Well nothing like a cruise to get someone to feel better. I have always heard that watching waves or the ocean helps lower your blood pressure. Hmmm ya suppose we can all claim a cruise as a medical necessity? lol yes start the party asap. You never know, elbow bending might be good for blood pressure too . :D

Annieeee

[huladancerdog]

Well nothing like a cruise to get someone to feel better. I have always heard that watching waves or the ocean helps lower your blood pressure. Hmmm ya suppose we can all claim a cruise as a medical necessity? lol yes start the party asap. You never know, elbow bending might be good for blood pressure too . :D

Annieeee

Elbow bending is good for everything!:D

[Pumbaamd]

Just got back from an overnite to OC. Boardwalk, MR Ducks, Fish Tales, Nicks's Original House of Ribs and more. Practicing for Majesty.
R & D

[divaofdisney]

Just got back from an overnite to OC. Boardwalk, MR Ducks, Fish Tales, Nicks's Original House of Ribs and more. Practicing for Majesty.
R & D

Hey there...so you were down in my neck of the woods- I wish I had known -perhaps we could have met for lunch! Oh well, maybe another time. I hope you have a fabulous time on your cruise.

[Pumbaamd]

Stefanie,
Thanks. Our group of ten will really have a great time on Majesty. We've the shirts and everything. We'll pack a seven day cruise in to three. The crew of Majesty (and Monarch) do a wonderful job in keeping the whole 3 or 4 days busy. You can't go wrong with one of these shorty cruises.
This weekend was just a last minute overnite to O.C. We do it a few times a year when the urge hits us. We have/had many friends who lived in O.P.'s and nearby. The weather was really great Sunday and this morning. Walked a bit on the boardwalk both days and remembered the days, actually the twelve years, when I worked at OD for the live racing season. That was 13 years ago and am now mostly retired from the horse business.
We'll take care of Oasis on 12/1 for your 12/5 cruise. Sorry we can't stay on board longer to sail with you. Some day, we'll getogether in your neighborhood. Maybe Harborside?
Rick and Deirdra

[ShakyBeef]

Pumbaa,

I used to work for a Vet in Pocomoke who bred Standardbreds that raced at Ocean Downs. :)

[Pumbaamd]

Dr. Johnson?

[divaofdisney]

Yes...its a shame pumba...we will not be able to meet but I trust you all can get her warmed up and started well for us! Perhaps one day we will meet- even on another cruise! Looks to be a beautiful day today! :D

[ShakyBeef]

Dr. Johnson?

That's him, none other! ;):D

In fact, I still fill in occassionally, when one of his employees is out. It was the second-best job I ever had (I quit to be a stay-at-home mom when I had my first baby) and I miss it a lot.

I'm actually heading out the door to go down the road to his office in a few minutes, to pick up my dog that was boarding with him while I was in D.C. last weekend.

Small world, eh? ;)

[Pumbaamd]

Cindy and Jerry,
Sea you on Mariner in the morning!
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

I hope you have clear weather and calm seas on your cruise this weekend!

[ShakyBeef]

Cindy and Jerry,
Sea you on Mariner in the morning!
Rick and Deirdra


Bon Voy - a - jee!

http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/cartoons/bugsbunny/bugs_bunny_1.jpg

[CAC104]

It's a nice sunny day today and I am going to take advantage of the sun and take a swim at the Y outdoor pool and keep up with my tan.

[luv2cruz66]

Just got back from an overnite to OC. Boardwalk, MR Ducks, Fish Tales, Nicks's Original House of Ribs and more. Practicing for Majesty.
R & D

We just returned from a little weekend getaway to OC today! We love love love Nick's and go there each time we're in OC...but we've found a new spot we really like called the Blue OX. We've been there three or four times this summer and haven't had a bad meal yet! Great crab dip, DH had surf and turf last night...really good and very reasonable. (Much more reasonable than Captain's Galley our other OC favorite!) DS loves the Old Bay wings and surf and turf burger.....basically a cheese burger topped with crab imperial! We've driven by this place for years without trying it so I just thought I'd pass it on!

[CAC104]

It's been a great day for our local pro teams...Both Skins and Ravens were winners....but the Ravens have been looking really impressive, and the Redskins barely squeaked into a victory with 3 field goals.

Now the Cowboys and Giants are battling it out, and my money is on the Giants. I love watching football....I always have ever since I was little.

[divaofdisney]

luv2cruz66-- You know a great place we just love to eat, is Sunset Grill- its right on bayside not too far from Captain's Galley- and the food is just wonderful!! We're local so we know where the best places are- but you are also right on with the Blue Ox- their food is delicous as well. There is also a place called the Catcus Cafe- its mexican, but they have lots of other local seafood and other dishes which are highlighted every night and they are sooooo good!! It's in Selbyville, DE not too far from Ocean Pines, where we live. hope everyone is having a good day...take care!

[CAC104]

Stephanie....I hope you don't mind, but I copied and used your Raven logo on my siggie too. Now if I could find a Redskin one to use I would have my home teams covered.

[CAC104]

I did marathon shopping today at Kohl's. They are having a lot of sales, plus they mailed out flyers and mine had an additional 30% off sticker, and then when you check out they give you a $10.00 cert. for every $50.00 you spend.

So I did birthday and Christmas shopping for my grandkids today. Toys were on sale too. So I picked out things that were reduced between 30 and 40%, then I got an additional 30% taken off for my flyer coupon, and they gave me back a cert for $70.00. I now have my Christmas shopping done for all the little ones, plus baby shower gifts for my daughter's friend who just lost her husband in Afghanistan. She is expecting twin girls and I bought the most adorable matching outfits, plus cute booties to match, and rattles.

If you got the flyers for the Kohl's in your mail it is well worth going and shop if they are having the same promotions. You can use the certificates after 9/24, so I can go back and get something for myself with that money.

[Pumbaamd]

Carol,
Congrats on your shopping trip today. You did very well!!! You go!
We just got home from our Majesty 20th anniverary shorty.
What a great time we had with SeaTerps friends on this cruise!
R & D

[Annieeee]

Welcome back home Rick and Deirdra, Cindy and Jerry.

I know, I just know you had a great time! Did you book any for the future other than what you already have of course.

Annieeee

[Annieeee]

Welcome back home Rick and Deirdra, Cindy and Jerry.

I know, I just know you had a great time! Did you book any for the future other than what you already have of course. I just can't believe some of the prices. A friend of mine got a price drop and it was past final payment, so she went from a JS to a GS plus she got $96 OBC. WOW! What a deal. And here I am having to sit at home cause I got the stinky ole flu! Well almost over it, but just not well enough to go anywhere and had to cancel going to see my Mom for a couple of weeks. I just don't want to take the chance of giving her the flu. She is 97 going on 98.

Annieeee

[Pumbaamd]

Annieeee,

Sorry to hear about your flu. Happy to hear you're almost over it! Good idea to stay away from Mom for a while.

The Majesty cruise was absolutely wonderful. The ship appeared to be about 70% full and that made everything so much easier and less crowded. Always chairs at the pool. The WJ was a breeze. No long lines anywhere. Our group of ten really had a blast. Deirdra and I got lucky and had another Majesty bridge tour.

We booked Liberty on board for 3/5/11 along with some others from our Majesty party.
Jerry and Cindy and we were talking about our Radiance cruise next year and they said they would think about coming along. It didn't take long. They booked Radiance today.

Speaking of prices, we got $160 off the Majesty cruise just three weeks before we sailed. Contrary to the new rules, they just credited the $160 to our credit card.

Continue to get better.

Rick and Deirdra

[Annieeee]

Rick and Deirdra,

The Majesty has been a favorite of mine and I hope to sail her again soon. 70% full, that had to make it nice. Things just seem to flow better when the ship is slightly less than full. How was embarkation? That is the one thing I really like about D+, the priority embark and debark.

Cindy, how is Jerry doing?

I have been home so many days now I keep thinking today is Saturday, but it is only Thursday! Does not really matter I guess since I am not going anywhere.

Have a great weekend. Gee no football tonight?

Annieeee

[Pumbaamd]

Rick and Deirdra,

How was embarkation?
***Great, our group of ten was the first to board!***

That is the one thing I really like about D+, the priority embark and debark.
***None of us had early flights, and some live in Florida. So, instead of waiting in the airport, or on the highway, we all selected to wait in the Schooner Bar as long as we could. Finally, around 9:30 they kicked us off. The line for US citizens was fantastic. We went thru customs, had our bags and were in a cab in about ten minutes!***

Have a great weekend. Gee no football tonight?
***Yes, a college game on ESPN!***

Annieeee

Yes, Majesty was again a very wonderful fun weekend.

Hope you are feeling better.

Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

Rick and Deirdra,

The Majesty has been a favorite of mine and I hope to sail her again soon. 70% full, that had to make it nice. Things just seem to flow better when the ship is slightly less than full. How was embarkation? That is the one thing I really like about D+, the priority embark and debark.

Cindy, how is Jerry doing?

I have been home so many days now I keep thinking today is Saturday, but it is only Thursday! Does not really matter I guess since I am not going anywhere.

Have a great weekend. Gee no football tonight?

Annieeee

Annieeee, I hope you are feeling better.

We had a wonderful time on the Majesty and met many new friends. I'm just sorry we won't have the opportunity to cruise with them again until next year. Our next cruise leaves Nov. 14 from San Juan on the Serenade and in April 2010, we're taking the Millennium for 11 nights. It seems like a long time between April and the Oct. Radiance cruise, so we'll see what we can come up with.

Jerry is doing fine. I think we finally have his meds under control and he can live a normal life again.

We're off to Boston this weekend for a wedding. Going to the airport two weekends in a row is very unlike us. We move more along the lines of the Slowskys. Jet setting is too much work.;)

[CAC104]

Rick and Deirdra,

The Majesty has been a favorite of mine and I hope to sail her again soon. 70% full, that had to make it nice. Things just seem to flow better when the ship is slightly less than full. How was embarkation? That is the one thing I really like about D+, the priority embark and debark.

Cindy, how is Jerry doing?

I have been home so many days now I keep thinking today is Saturday, but it is only Thursday! Does not really matter I guess since I am not going anywhere.

Have a great weekend.It will be a three day weekend for the schools because of Yom Kippur on Monday,.



Annieeee
Annieee....I will be going back to Florida on Nov. 1 and staying until April. If you see any cruise you want to take from Florida, I would love to room with you. I can pick you up at the airport and drive to the ship, so if you want to have a getaway on the Majesty, just let me know....With their 3 and 4 night cruises, we could do a B2B on the weeks that the prices are low. Just let me know....

Today I pretended to be a H.S. English teacher.....

[luv2cruz66]

luv2cruz66-- You know a great place we just love to eat, is Sunset Grill- its right on bayside not too far from Captain's Galley- and the food is just wonderful!! We're local so we know where the best places are- but you are also right on with the Blue Ox- their food is delicous as well. There is also a place called the Catcus Cafe- its mexican, but they have lots of other local seafood and other dishes which are highlighted every night and they are sooooo good!! It's in Selbyville, DE not too far from Ocean Pines, where we live. hope everyone is having a good day...take care!

Thanks so much for the restaurant advice...we're always looking for good food! We actually come through Selbyville sometimes on our way to the beach so maybe we'll get to try that on the way down or on the way home next time!

[CAC104]

With all the rain, the golf courses are soggy, so DH cancelled his golf for today....

Our minister is doing something different today...no morning church....Instead, we will have church at 5 and then a catered dinner from Red, Hot and Blue....should be fun.

I am driving up to Baltimore to pick up GD Erin for a visit....no school tomorrow, so it will be an overnighter.

I hope the Ravens and Redskins do well today.

[Pumbaamd]

Carol,
Kudos to your minister. That's a great idea!
Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Hello there everyone!! Hope everyone is having a great day! The weather sure has cooled a bit hasn't it, but I do enjoy the cooler days and nights- it makes living much more comfortable. Nothing new happening here...just counting down days till Oasis!! We are getting very excited for the Inaugural- have never done one so it should be fantastic!! Rick and Diedre need to warm it up for us, then we'll take over from there, lol!!!!

[Pumbaamd]

Stefanie,
We'll have her ready for you. We'll try not to break anything.
Just back last week from a Majesty shorty. What a great time we had with Cindy and Jerry and other friends to celebrate our 20th anniversary.
We're going down a day earlier and are staying at ES with some of the other Critters.
Rick and Deirdra

[Pumbaamd]

Just got back from B2B root canals. Ouch!
Rick

[CAC104]

I have never had a root canal, so I don't know what it is like, but I hope they feel better soon!

The Ravens had an exciting game on Sunday, but the ending wasn't what I was hoping for, but the Redskins won, so at least one of the local teams won.

If anyone is interested, my DD was interviewed for an "After the Shark Tank" blog....She looked and sounded really good, so I thought I would foward the link.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/1...ports-bra-com/ (http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/05/aftershark-could-kimberly-cayce-find-support-for-sports-bra-com/)

[Annieeee]

:D :D I got a secret. :D

Annieeee

[huladancerdog]

Well, then, you must tell it. Confession is good for the sole. The truth will set you free. Or any other tired expression you can think of.:D

[CAC104]

I have mentioned on this site the death of a friend in Afghanistan and his widow is my DD' best friend and college roomate. This week Ann Curry on NBC Today featured an interview with Rene....It is a very powerful interview and I hope you will watch it....

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&vid=a0ea2e64-0e57-4ce6-8e88-d4da79a1c75b&from=&fg=rss (http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&vid=a0ea2e64-0e57-4ce6-8e88-d4da79a1c75b&from=&fg=rss)

Annnieees secret is she probably booked another cruise:rolleyes:

[divaofdisney]

OOhhhh Annnniiiieeee, please do tell!! We are all wondering what it is??? Is it another cruise??? We all want to know.

had a very busy day and just looking forward to a restful evening. Hope you all have an awesome night!!

[Pumbaamd]

:D :D I got a secret. :D

Annieeee

You are coming on Radiance with Cindy and Jerry and Deirdra and me!

Rick

[Pumbaamd]

Or on Oasis with us on 12/1 or with Stefanie on 12/5!

Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

You are coming on Radiance with Cindy and Jerry and Deirdra and me!

Rick

Rick and Dierdra: Next week I am going to call myTA and tell him to book us on the Liberty cruise on 3/5/11. It occurred to me that not only is my birthday on the 6th, but it is my 60th:eek: birthday. Furthermore, after that cruise, I will be retired. So we decided to do it big time and we're going to book an Owners Suite. Sounds like a party to me.:)

[Pumbaamd]

Cindy,
That is great news!
What good reasons to celebrate (like you need an excuse). And it's also Mardi Gras!
Wait until the rest of the gang hear's about this.
None of the others, Charles, Chris, the Florida group, read this thread. We won't mention it and you can surprise them when you like. After all, it's your party!!!
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

Oh, no doubt there will be a thread, so I'll post there, but I don't know if I'll say anything about the suite on the thread. We'll see how long I can keep it to myself.:) We can have a Mardi Gras party in the suite. I think.:o;) That may be dangerous.

If we book an Owner's Suite, does that entitle us to the Concierge Lounge?

[Pumbaamd]

Oh, no doubt there will be a thread, so I'll post there, but I don't know if I'll say anything about the suite on the thread. We'll see how long I can keep it to myself.:) We can have a Mardi Gras party in the suite. I think.:o;) That may be dangerous.

"There is already a thread on the Liberty March 5, 2011, cruise. But only a few are posting."

If we book an Owner's Suite, does that entitle us to the Concierge Lounge?

"Absolutely"!

Sea you and Jerry on the Liberty thread!

Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Happy Saturday everyone!! :D

Its' grey and rainy here in MD this morning...but hopefully it will clear by the afternoon. It got warm here yesterday and was just beautiful by the beach. But, of course I couldn't go...the cruisers are in town this weekend so I am staying away from Ocean City....too much traffic!! But it does give the local economy a boost and we do need that.

Hope everyone has a great day. My DH- Beryl actually is taking my DD- Rachel up to Atlantic City for the day for a father-daughter day...so it should be a fun day for them. It makes me happy that they can share special times like this every once in awhile. Cindy....congrats on your cruise and an OS- they are amazing!! We had one on the explorer and it was awesome- you will love it!!! Hope you all have a great day!! ;)

[Pumbaamd]

:D :D I got a secret. :D

Annieeee

Annieeee,
OK, it's time to let the cat outta the bag!
(Hope it's not that you have won Redskins tickets.)
Rick and Deirdra

[CAC104]

Bummer about the Ravens this weekend....I think the Refs took the game away from them!

I have no hope for the Redskins with Jason Campbell as quarterback, and I am afraid the coach will be packing soon.

[Pumbaamd]

Joe Gibbs, who lives in NC, had dinner with Dan Snyder prior to the Skins loss to Charlotte this weekend. No way Joe would come back to this mess that Snyder has made. Can just imagine how Snyder tried to pick Joe's brain.
No worries, Joe had to be several+ steps ahead of Snyder.
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

Word on the street is that Mike Shanahan is being wooed as the new 'Skins head coach. I really don't know if anyone can make much of a difference at this point.:(

[Pumbaamd]

Word on the street is that Mike Shanahan is being wooed as the new 'Skins head coach. I really don't know if anyone can make much of a difference at this point.:(
. . . not with the current ownership.
Rick

[CAC104]

. . . not with the current ownership.
Rick
It's been a rotten team ever since Dannyboy took over.....


I think we need to post a missing person report for Annieeeee......she had a secret, and then disappeared....seems suspicious to me:rolleyes:

[huladancerdog]

I think we need to post a missing person report for Annieeeee......she had a secret, and then disappeared....seems suspicious to me:rolleyes:

Carole, I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if her disappearance is connected to her secret?;)

[CAC104]

Quite a mystery isn't it......:confused:

[Pumbaamd]

About time we called in Mr. Monk.
Rick

[nuttmegg101]

Hiya fellow Marylanders! I just found the thread and am glad to see we finally got one! My name is Megan and I am from good ol' Southern Maryland (Indian Head). Its been raining here tonight and supposed to rain through Sunday. :( I hate this weather but February will be here soon enough, along with the ship, sun and sand. :cool: Ohh.... and the fruity drinks with the little umbrella in it.!! :D

[Pumbaamd]

Megan,
Welcome to our thread! This is not a new site, it's been here since 2004.
We sea you are sailing on Feb. 13. Have a great cruise!
We are on Oasis, Dec. 1, and after that Mariner, Feb. 14. Royal Caribbean is our favorite cruise line. We've tried many of the others, but keep sailing on RCCL for all the benefits we have earned over the years.
Again, welcome. And come back often!
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

Hiya fellow Marylanders! I just found the thread and am glad to see we finally got one! My name is Megan and I am from good ol' Southern Maryland (Indian Head). Its been raining here tonight and supposed to rain through Sunday. :( I hate this weather but February will be here soon enough, along with the ship, sun and sand. :cool: Ohh.... and the fruity drinks with the little umbrella in it.!! :D

It's always nice to have something to look forward to.;)

Welcom Megan.

[CAC104]

Welcome aboard Megan! It's nice to have some more posters on this thread.

Weather here is cold, dark, gloomy and raining...Yuk!

[huladancerdog]

Carole, It could be worse. I have a friend who lives in northern NJ and she says it's snowing up there today. I bet you wish you were in FL right now, don't you.;)

[Annieeee]

Hi Seaterps!

I am sorry I have worried some of you. I am at the airport right now waiting for my flight back home. I was in Texas for a short visit with my Mom.

My secret is not a secret any longer. Just call me Grammie, or Abuelita, or Nana, or Mimi, I am so thrilled and well amazed at how quickly one's heart can be captured by such a tiny little girl.

It was about 93 degrees here in San Antonio yesterday, and humid! Oh my!

Catch up with you all later.

Annieeee

[huladancerdog]

Hi Seaterps!

I am sorry I have worried some of you. I am at the airport right now waiting for my flight back home. I was in Texas for a short visit with my Mom.

My secret is not a secret any longer. Just call me Grammie, or Abuelita, or Nana, or Mimi, I am so thrilled and well amazed at how quickly one's heart can be captured by such a tiny little girl.

It was about 93 degrees here in San Antonio yesterday, and humid! Oh my!

Catch up with you all later.

Annieeee

Oh, Annieeee, congratulations. Is this your first grandchild? I wish you all God's blessings. You have started a new and wonderful chapter in your life.:)

[CAC104]

I was just going to post that I sent an e to Annieee and she answered that she was o.k. and a new grandmother, but I see she checked in with this news....

That was a relief to find her just visiting....I had her in a terrible car accident or illness and unable to post, so I am happy to learn it was just a fun trip that kept her busy.

[Annieeee]

Carol,

When you were on the JUG cruise, I seem to recall you went on the Jolly Roger excursion. Is it Jolly Roger or Jolly Pirate? I am confused and not sure if it is one and the same.

Thanks,

Annieeee

[CAC104]

We went on the sail, snorkel, swing excursion in Aruba. It was on an old fashioned pirate looking boat and it was fun when we went because it wasn't crowded in Nov. But, on a cruise I was on last April, it sold out before I signed up, so I took another one, and when I saw the way they overloaded that boat I was glad I wasn't on it. The ship I was on also had too many people as far as I was concerned, but it wasn't as overfilled as the other one.

Remember I am in Florida all winter, so if you feel like a last minute cruise leaving from FL, just let me know and maybe we could share a cabin.

[Pumbaamd]

Annieeee,
Welcome home and congratulations on the new grand child!
We all wondered what happened to you. Glad all is OK.
Rick and Deirdra

[Pumbaamd]

OK,
It is 49+ hours later. Any SeaTerps here tonight?
With all this rain, you all can not all be out tonight. Just watching college football, NASCAR and Angels vs.
Yanks (in extra innings)?
R & D

[momesu]

OK,
It is 49+ hours later. Any SeaTerps here tonight?
With all this rain, you all can not all be out tonight. Just watching college football, NASCAR and Angels vs.
Yanks (in extra innings)?
R & D

Personally I've been hibernating in my cave till the sun comes out again...which hopefully will be tomorrow! Oh for a warm sunny tropical island!

Suzanne

[Pumbaamd]

Hi SeaTerps. . .
70 degrees the next couple days, how nice is that?
Up next for us is Oasis on 12/1.
Cindy and Jerry, you are the only ones here who know Chris. She has joined us for Oasis!
How neat is that?
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

Oh, that is very neat! I like Chris. Is Ron going, too? Chris mentioned something about the two of them being roomies. I know you all will have a great time. Send pics and tell me all about it when you get back.:)

[CAC104]

The Montgomery County health dept ( where I live) is holding a swine flu vaccination clinic today for kids, pregnant women, and people at high risk, so I planned on taking my Down Syndrome son Kevin to get a shot. The clinic is from 9-12, so I figured we would get there around 8:30 to get on line.

I turned on the TV this morning at 7am and they showed the line already stretching around the block. People started lining up at midnight :eek: Then they reported that there were only 250 injectibles and the rest were the nasal kind. So, I didn't even bother trying to go...

Seems to me the media and gov't is doing their best to stir up fear and panic among the population, and then they haven't gotten enough vaccines, so any time they hold a clinic, they have almost mass panic trying to get the vaccines. With all the time they have had to develop this vaccine, I don't understand why they don't have it in time.

[huladancerdog]

The Montgomery County health dept ( where I live) is holding a swine flu vaccination clinic today for kids, pregnant women, and people at high risk, so I planned on taking my Down Syndrome son Kevin to get a shot. The clinic is from 9-12, so I figured we would get there around 8:30 to get on line.

I turned on the TV this morning at 7am and they showed the line already stretching around the block. People started lining up at midnight :eek: Then they reported that there were only 250 injectibles and the rest were the nasal kind. So, I didn't even bother trying to go...

Seems to me the media and gov't is doing their best to stir up fear and panic among the population, and then they haven't gotten enough vaccines, so any time they hold a clinic, they have almost mass panic trying to get the vaccines. With all the time they have had to develop this vaccine, I don't understand why they don't have it in time.

Because it's being run by the government, that's why.:mad:

[Annieeee]

I hope to get the swine flu,however I want the shot, not the live nasal spray. I guess it will be a while before it is available to the general public. Maybe that is a good thing, by the time we get it,t hey should have all the "bugs" our of it.

Annieeee

[Pumbaamd]

Oh, that is very neat! I like Chris. Is Ron going, too? Chris mentioned something about the two of them being roomies. I know you all will have a great time. Send pics and tell me all about it when you get back.:)

No, Ron can't make this one. He, and the others, are on the 12/5 Oasis.
Rick

[Pumbaamd]

I hope to get the swine flu,however I want the shot, not the live nasal spray. I guess it will be a while before it is available to the general public. Maybe that is a good thing, by the time we get it,t hey should have all the "bugs" our of it.
Annieeee
Annieeee,
You probably got it right and it's worth the wait.
Rick

[huladancerdog]

No, Ron can't make this one. He, and the others, are on the 12/5 Oasis.
Rick

Are Charles and June joining you on the 12/1 cruise?

[Pumbaamd]

Cindy,
No. We won't sea them unti Mariner on Feb. 14.
Rick

[CAC104]

Because it's being run by the government, that's why.:mad:
My husband said the same thing....and said if they have botched this up so much, how do they expect to take care of the whole health system:rolleyes:

[CAC104]

Anniee...have a great time on your cruise. I hope the weather will be nice for you.

[Pumbaamd]

Annieeee,
HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

My husband said the same thing....and said if they have botched this up so much, how do they expect to take care of the whole health system:rolleyes:

My husband says the same thing.

Annieeeee, have a wonderful cruise! I'll live vicariously through you.:)

[divaofdisney]

Good Evening All!! :D

Annie....Congrats on being a new grandma, I'm sure there's nothing like it. I do have a few years yet to wait on that as my oldest is in college. But, I can only imagine the pure happiness you must be feeling.

Diedre...we should be getting our docs for our Oasis cruise anytime now as some have already gotten them. I can't wait. It's been a long 2 yr wait for this cruise and I am just soooo ready. I am counting on you to get that ship ready for us coming along after you!! I hope you have an amazing time on the 1st sailing!! I am sure it will be quite special!!

CAC104- I know what you mean about the flu shots...I am a nurse who works in home health and its been tough even for us to get the flu shot. Our patients are about 50/50 some have been lucky enough to get them while others not so lucky and around here there are places charging unbelievable amounts to get them- ridiculous if you ask me!!

Well....hope you all have a great night, take care!!

[Pumbaamd]

Good Evening All!! :D
Diedre...we should be getting our docs for our Oasis cruise anytime now as some have already gotten them. I can't wait. It's been a long 2 yr wait for this cruise and I am just soooo ready. I am counting on you to get that ship ready for us coming along after you!! I hope you have an amazing time on the 1st sailing!! I am sure it will be quite special!!
Well....hope you all have a great night, take care!!
Stefanie,
We are also expecting our docs very soon. Will let you know when they arrive. Hope you've enjoyed this recent pleasant weather.
Rick and Deirdra

[Annieeee]

Hi ,

We will be leaving tomorrow morning. Hope the weather and traffic are good. I know we are expecting rain tomorrow, maybe right on time for sailaway :(, but that is ok, as long as we are onboard and being fed and pampered.

I just love it when I leave from either Balt or NJ, makes it so much easier. Maybe in the near future we will have more choices as gar as ship choices go.

Behave, OR enjoy yourselves while I am gone, you get to decide which one you want! lol

Annieeee

[Pumbaamd]

Hi ,
Behave, OR enjoy yourselves . . .
Annieeee
You too. Have a great time!
Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Good Morning everyone!!

What a nice cool autumn morning it is!! Hope you all had a nice weekend. I did nothing except relax and take it easy as I have to work this coming weekend and I know I will be all over the place- I am a home health nurse and I see patients all over the shore.

Well, hoping to get my docs this week....so many have already. Take care and I am off to work.

[CAC104]

I hope I don't have to watch the Redskin game tonight with a bag over my head.....With all football eyes on Monday night football I hope they at least play a good game.

With everyone wanting to sail the Oasis, the prices on the older ships have dropped. I just booked an outside cabin on the Majesty for four nights with a gal pal for 12/14. $179.00 with a FL discount:eek: At those prices, I may have to take a cruise a month while I am in FL.

[Pumbaamd]

Good Morning everyone!!
Well, hoping to get my docs this week....so many have already. Take care and I am off to work.
Stefanie,
Our letter carrier just delivered our Oasis Doc's! Your's should be arriving by the end of the week.
Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Stefanie,
Our letter carrier just delivered our Oasis Doc's! Your's should be arriving by the end of the week.
Rick and Deirdra

Thanks Deidra....still no docs yet but I did find out that my TA has mailed them so they should be coming this week. Are you getting excited or what??? I can hardly contain myself. These last few weeks are going to be brutal!!

[Pumbaamd]

Yes, it's only 5 weeks until we sail. And to make it even more fun, we are sailing with several cruising friends and the Critters!
Rick and Deirdra

[Pumbaamd]

Got docs?
Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Yes....Deidra, we got them on Wednesday. Very exciting times

[Pumbaamd]

Anyone sea Oasis going under the bridge? It was outstanding!
Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Anyone sea Oasis going under the bridge? It was outstanding!
Rick and Deirdra

Yes...I have been closely watching all the footage and video coming in. It sure is amazing to watch. I can hardly wait less than month now, wahoo!!!!

[Pumbaamd]

Yes...I have been closely watching all the footage and video coming in. It sure is amazing to watch. I can hardly wait less than month now, wahoo!!!!

Stefanie,
As you know from the Oasis thread, many of the Critters are doing the 12/1 and 12/5 B2B. We are only doing the 12/1 and will not have as much time as we would like to sea all of Oasis. It's going to be very tough disembarking on Saturday morning and leaving many friends behind for the B2B.
And, when you arrive, you will have a wealth of info available from the 12/1 Critters to guide you around Oasis!
Rick and Deirdra

[divaofdisney]

Stefanie,
As you know from the Oasis thread, many of the Critters are doing the 12/1 and 12/5 B2B. We are only doing the 12/1 and will not have as much time as we would like to sea all of Oasis. It's going to be very tough disembarking on Saturday morning and leaving many friends behind for the B2B.
And, when you arrive, you will have a wealth of info available from the 12/1 Critters to guide you around Oasis!
Rick and Deirdra

Like you I am sad we were not able to do the 4-day :(....I really wanted to be on the very first sailing...but we just couldnt take Rachel out of school that long. In fact, its going to be tough enough on her being gone 11 days. We arrive in FLL Thursday and leave out on Saturday. I am really looking forward to finally meeting all the friends I have met on these boards over the last 2 years. I truly hope your time on the Oasis is as fantastic and wonderful as possible- I will surely be thinking of all of you. :D

[huladancerdog]

Stefanie,
As you know from the Oasis thread, many of the Critters are doing the 12/1 and 12/5 B2B. We are only doing the 12/1 and will not have as much time as we would like to sea all of Oasis. It's going to be very tough disembarking on Saturday morning and leaving many friends behind for the B2B.
And, when you arrive, you will have a wealth of info available from the 12/1 Critters to guide you around Oasis!
Rick and Deirdra

R&D, how cool will that be for you to be the very first people to occupy your cabin! Gotta love it!!!:D

[Pumbaamd]

Yes, and if we spill a drink on the brand new carpet we can't blame anyone else. It HAD to be our fault.
Have a great time on Serenade!
R & D

[CAC104]

I have safely relocated from my MD house to my FL condo for the winter....It was nice to see the palm trees again!

[Pumbaamd]

Carol, Carol, Carol . . .
It's not all that cold yet. Couldn't you wait until after Thanksgiving? What's Thanksgiving with palm trees? You're gonna miss Corridor Fine Wines, BW Pkwy, 197 and 198!
Rick

[momesu]

Certainly hope all of you going on Oasis in the next few weeks have better weather than they did the other day in the Atlantic....though that would have been and interesting experience on a ship that big.......49 ft waves...:eek:
Suzanne

[Pumbaamd]

The weather looks questionable for the western Caribbean this week. A hurricane just popped up near Roatan and may head up to Cozumel.
R & D

[huladancerdog]

Fortunately, we're going to the Southern Caribbean and not for another week. Hopefully, things will have calmed down by then. This time 7 days from now I will be on an airplane flying to sunny San Juan probably sipping on a Bloody Mary.:)

[Pumbaamd]

Cindy,
Are you flying American to SJU? Do you have any pre- and/or post- plans?
R & D

[huladancerdog]

Yes, we're flying American to SJ. We will be staying 2 days there, but will come home on disembarkation day.

We're meeting our CC thread friends at the El Convento patio for drinks on Friday night. That is a very active thread and I'm looking forward to meeting everybody. RCCL scheduled the M&M for (can you believe it?) 7:30 a.m. on the first day.:eek: No one is pleased. We have a beach excursion planned for that day, but there is no way I'm going to a M&M at 7:30 a.m. What were they thinking?:confused:

[Pumbaamd]

Yes, we're flying American to SJ. We will be staying 2 days there, but will come home on disembarkation day.

We're meeting our CC thread friends at the El Convento patio for drinks on Friday night. That is a very active thread and I'm looking forward to meeting everybody. RCCL scheduled the M&M for (can you believe it?) 7:30 a.m. on the first day.:eek: No one is pleased. We have a beach excursion planned for that day, but there is no way I'm going to a M&M at 7:30 a.m. What were they thinking?:confused:
Cindy,
That 7:30 is crazy. RCCL tried that with us on Voyager. Everybody went nuts and e-mailed them about it being so early. They changed it to a later time and even had a bartender for us! Get your group moving on that.
R & D

[huladancerdog]

Cindy,
That 7:30 is crazy. RCCL tried that with us on Voyager. Everybody went nuts and e-mailed them about it being so early. They changed it to a later time and even had a bartender for us! Get your group moving on that.
R & D

R&D, we are having quite a discussion on the Serenade thread about the time for the M&M. Many of us have contacted RCCL about it. Do know how you guys managed to get a bartender on the Voyager, or was Harry responsible for that?;)

[Pumbaamd]

Harry and Doris were not on Voyager. That was Charles' show. The bartender may have been coincidental. The lounge we used was hosting another party after us and maybe a bartender was booked for that, and they thought it a good idea to send him early, and it worked out fine. Not fine, actually great!
We also had a home town gift exchange at our M&M, and that was nice.
The whole deal lasted, maybe, three bloody marys.
R & D

[Annieeee]

Cindy,

We were on the Explorer for its 10/24 sailing to Bermuda and OMG! ROcky, rocky, rocky and windy, windy, windy seas. The Captain said that we were encountering 100 MPH gale force winds. This was Sunday and Sunday night. THey had the seasick bags out for everyone if they needed one. Bermuda was nice though, warm, a teeny bit of rain, was really quite nice.

The El Convento Hotel is very nice. Rhonda and I had a couple of drinks there when we were there earlier this year. I believe that she has stayed there a few times.

R & D almost time for your cruise too. I think you will need a good two weeks on the Oasis to explore all of it, but 4 days will give you a pretty good idea of all it has to offer.

Catch you all later.

Dang, dang, dang! I lost my cell phone! I am determined to see if I can do without one. If I can get past this weekend without really needing one, I may just give up on having a cell phone once and for all. I really think they are a nuisance, and except for a real emergency I hope to be able to do with out one. Lets see how long I last.

Later,

Annieeee

[Pumbaamd]

Annieeee,
Welcome back! That north Atlantic can get rough. Glad to hear Bermuda was nice.
Four days was all the time we had for this Oasis inaugural and it will hold us until we find room for a seven day, or at least Allure.
Rick and Deirdra

[huladancerdog]

Harry and Doris were not on Voyager. That was Charles' show. The bartender may have been coincidental. The lounge we used was hosting another party after us and maybe a bartender was booked for that, and they thought it a good idea to send him early, and it worked out fine. Not fine, actually great!
We also had a home town gift exchange at our M&M, and that was nice.
The whole deal lasted, maybe, three bloody marys.
R & D

I like the way you measure time.:)

Annieeee, your sea conditions sound brutal. However, as long as you had a good time and all went well, what difference does it make? That TS rolling around in the SW Caribbean may give us some rain in San Juan and St.Thomas, but I'm not too concernd about it. Even if we're on the beach when it rains, there's always a bar. About the El Convento, I think Rhonda is staying there this time as well.

We don't really have a cell phone (just ask R&D;)) and just keep it in the car for emergencies.

I MUST pack this weekend. Thurs. will be here before you know it.:eek:

[CAC104]

Carol, Carol, Carol . . .
It's not all that cold yet. Couldn't you wait until after Thanksgiving? What's Thanksgiving with palm trees? You're gonna miss Corridor Fine Wines, BW Pkwy, 197 and 198!
Rick
We have been in Florida now for the past 6 years. My SIL lives here and always cooks the turkey and stuffing so I don't have to do it:D We have a lot of very good friends and we all bring something for the dinner.

R&D, we are having quite a discussion on the Serenade thread about the time for the M&M. Many of us have contacted RCCL about it. Do know how you guys managed to get a bartender on the Voyager, or was Harry responsible for that?;)
When I did a TA on the Jewel a few years ago we had over 100 signed up for the M&M. They served free alcoholic drinks, had nice snacks and gave out a lot of prizes. RC was so impressed at that time by the turnout that they gave us another party the second week...it was a 2 week cruise, and they also served drinks at that one.

Right now where I am on the east coast of Florida we have strong winds coming in from the east. That makes the beach surf really wild and it is too windy to want to sit out on the beach. I imagine any ships out there are getting bounced around.

I think the roughest seas are always on the way to Bermuda from NY or MD when the ship gets around the Bermuda Triangle. I was on two really wild cruises in that area.

[huladancerdog]

The verdict on our M&M is that because we don't have a sea day until Friday and they want us to go into port in the morning (read: buy excursions), the M&M time of 7:30 a.m. stands.:( Needless to say, it will not be well attended. That's OK because we plan to meet before anyway, but it's the principle. Why offer an event if the time is so very inconvenient?

[Pumbaamd]

Cindy,
I think you all should attend it and go in your robes and jammies.
R & D

[huladancerdog]

There's been discussion of that.:D

[Pumbaamd]

It would make for a great group photo.
R & D

[huladancerdog]

Yes, a picture of a group of people sleeping in one of the public rooms.;) I wonder if the crew staff member would still give his little speech.:rolleyes: