Dave Koz and Friends at Sea 9/26/12, a Smooth Jazz Cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Serena

[Jabby]

Thanks so much for the info. We are bursting at the seams with excitement about this cruise. I just wish we weren’t quite so busy so that we could spend more time thinking about the cruise. At least now we can begin to assemble our attire for the special days. Fabric stores have a lot of neon colored fabrics, so maybe I will pick some up. Sounds like lots of bling is in order too.

[angelor]

Saw Dave Koz last night in NJ...WHAT A SHOW!! I am no officially VERY excited about going He also had Bebe Winans sing with him...what a great show, but Bebe isnt scheduled to be on our cruise (yet! ;-))

[angelor]

Originally Posted by angelor

Saw Dave Koz last night in NJ...WHAT A SHOW!! I am no officially VERY excited about going He also had Bebe Winans sing with him...what a great show, but Bebe isnt scheduled to be on our cruise (yet! ;-))

Um that was NOW officially very excited about going

[vivavegas]

Evening fellow jazz cruisers! Hope everyone is doing well tonight! Sure wish I was on this cruise with you guys!

[vivavegas]

Hoping all my fellow jazz cruise lovers have a gret 4th!

[angelor]

Happy 4th to you as well 80 more days until my friends and I get on the plane to Spain I ordered the most amazing shoes as part of my formal outfit and hopefully they will fit and be comfortable!

[kimocat]

Hi all -

Being new to cruising, I was wondering if someone could tell me a little about this pajama, red, and neon nights stuff. Is this for after show parties, dinner or what? And what do eople really wear????

[angelor]

Originally Posted by kimocat

Hi all -

Being new to cruising, I was wondering if someone could tell me a little about this pajama, red, and neon nights stuff. Is this for after show parties, dinner or what? And what do eople really wear????

Hi Kimocat!
Well, theyre just theme nights - on pajama night, you wear pj's, on red night, wear a red outfit and on neon night, wear neon.

For pajama night, Ive already bought 4 different silk pajama sets - not sure which I'll wear yet. Red night - Im going to wear just a really nice red blouse I have and on neon night.....I got something really cool Im not telling yet ;-)

[shakergirl]

Jabby: I've been busy with the miscellaneous facts regarding sites and museums being visited during shore excursions. On September 29 and 30, Italy is celebrating "Giornate Europee del Patrimonio" by waiving entrance ticket fees to State Museums. They are still charging a small booking fee. To make those reservations and get advance tickets to avoid lines, go to http://www.tickitaly.com/shop/ for Naples, Rome, and Florence. Ticket cost for the most popular sites are as follows: Pompeii 33.50 Euros; Vatican Museums 19 Euros; The Collosseum no charge; The Uffizi Museum 8 Euros; David at The Accademia 8 Euros; the Medici Chapels 8 Euros; and the Leaning Tower of Pisa 22.50 Euros. As we are going "off season," we may not face the long lines seen by those traveling in July and August, but why take a chance, advance purchase will secure immediate entrance. Shakergirl

[jazzycruiser1945]

Hello, Shakergirl. Just read your posts and would love to get more info from you regarding the tours you're looking at. I'm traveling alone and am looking to link up with others for some touring. I've been to Europe many times and specifically want to get to Pompeii (from Naples) and definitely would be interested in the tours you're doing in France, since I haven't been to those places. Also will be in Barcelona arriving Sept. 23, staying at the Tryp Condal Mar. where are you staying?

Can't wait for this cruise - just so excited about the fab music we're going to hear.

Jazzycruiser1945

[SplitRaindrop]

I'd love to go on one of Dave Koz's cruises in the future. The cruise itself is in our budget but I'm not sure the airfare would be! We're "young" (compared to most on the smooth jazz cruise) and just don't make enough to do everything we'd love to do. Maybe in a few years! I love reading about people's plans though! I'm currently impatiently waiting the Smooth Jazz Cruise to set the date for 2014 so we can plan our wedding around it!

[shakergirl]

We are in for a Big Surprise September 21-24 in Barcelona !!!!!!!!!!!!! The City will be celebrating its annual La Merce Festival-- kind of like our New Orleans Mardi Gras --Read below what La Merce is all about:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
La Mercè (Catalan pronunciation: [ɫə mərˈsɛ]) is the annual festival (festa major in Catalan) of the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. It has been an official city holiday since 1871, when the local government first organized a program of special activities to observe the Roman Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè in Catalan. Although the actual feast day is September 24, the festivities begin a few days beforehand.

Some of the most important features of the festival were introduced in the year 1902, when parades included papier maché “giants” known as gegants i capgrossos, the first Castell competition in the city, and a popular dance from Empordà that was becoming popular throughout Catalonia: the Sardana[citation needed]. The holiday has enjoyed immense local popularity ever since.

Among more recently introduced traditions are the annual Catalonian Wine Fair, a special correfoc, a 10 KM race and the pyro-musical, a display featuring synchronized fireworks, water fountains and music conducted at the base of the Montjuïc mountain.

I've been told if your hotel is on Las Ramblas to request a room at the back of the hotel because the partying/revelry outside goes on til 3:00/4:00 AM. This is the biggest festival the city puts on, so please don't wait to make your hotel reservations if you're doing a pre-cruise stay, September 21 thru 24. Shakergirl

[vivavegas]

Fellow SJC lover here! Just poppin' in to say hi!

[IBCruisin']

Greetings all. Haven't bean on the board in a while. Had a real scare. Because of some complicated factors thought I might have to pull the plug on this cruise! Went so far as to talk to the folks at Flying Dutchmen. But, the issues are working out and I'm now back on track! The problem with booking a year in advance is that sooo much can happen. I've always been sort of a lock and go, last minute traveler! Shakergirl, I see I missed out on joining your Italy excursions because we have 3, and you now have only 2 spots. Oh well, couldn't be helped, but I least I am back on track!!! I'll be happy when I am on the plane to Barcelona!!

[shakergirl]

Glad to know you are alive and well, IBCruisin! If I get any cancellations in the vans, you'll be the first to know. Shakergirl

[angelor]

Does everyone know that we'll be receiving a special "gift" in the mail soon? Flying Dutchman Dave mentioned it yesterday and no cajoling on my part could get him to divulge what it is

Im flying out in 41 days!!!!!!! Ive started staging my packing - suitcase in spare room with things that must go (formal wear, special shoes)...too exciting!

[hattack]

You will have an incredible time...Barcelona is an incredible City..we are on Dave's 2013 cruise out of Rome
Notice you reside in Fishkill..I grew up in Poughkeepsie

[angelor]

Did everybody going on this cruise get their little gift from Dave yesterday?

[vivavegas]

Wishing all my fellow "jazz lovers" a great cruise!

[shakergirl]

I got the same mailing, but other than a letter and Dave Koz Cruise luggage tags inside, there was nothing else there. I wouldn't consider luggage tags as a gift so maybe this referenced gift is coming in a separate mailing. My curiosity is sparked. If anyone gets the "GIFT" LET US KNOW, PLEASE! Shakergirl