robthens
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Posts posted by robthens
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Not to worry. If passport has correct spelling, you are fine. My drivers license has a completely different spelling. Actually my social security card & drivers license have the same first name spelling which is totally different than my birth certificate & passport.
Lol. It was an identity crisis when I was 19ish. It drives my DH "nuts"!!!
I'll answer to Jackie, Jacquelyne or Jacque
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What a great thread !!!
First cruise was in 1990 on the Fair Princess. Vancouver to Alaska & a land tour. (Wow, cruising & ships have really changed since then).
Loved Alaska so much we have cruised back there 8 times.
Boarding: we entered the ship directly into the main area. The walls were covered with protective blankets. Luggage was stacked from floor to ceiling. A princess rep in white gloves introduced himself & escorted us to our cabin (inside in economy section)
Cabin: very small with twin beds & a path divided by a drop down table. (Lol, we were in heaven)
MDR: we sat at a 4 top with a couple on their 2nd cruise.
We were in amazement of the food & service
We still are!!!
There was a "captain's table" at the front of the MDR. Many of the ladies were in elaborate ball gowns. Men wore tuxes or white dinner jackets
(DH rented his for this cruise)
Men were refused entrance to MDR if they were not wearing jackets. BTW, they could borrow one from dining room staff.
Midnight buffet: it was quite impressive.
I can't remember the entertainment but I do remember that "The Love Boat" theme was played at every opportunity. (I miss that)
So glad we went on that cruise !!!!!
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Collapsible hamper is all I see you need.
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On our last cruise there were 2 middle aged men dressed as female nursery rhyme characters .
They both had full beards and disembarked from the ship in their attire.
Ok, I remembered another one. There was a man who looked & dressed exactly like Santa.
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We had a gentleman that announced at dinner that he always kept his "everyday carry" with him. Well, we are from Texas & when we hear "everyday carry" we think of something with bullets in it.
If you know what "everyday carry" is your are laughing now. If you don't, google it.
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Just for fun. Let's share stories about unique/bizarre people you have met on your cruises.
On an Alaskan cruise tour, our table of 6 sat down for dinner. We consisted of 2 Aussies, 2 Brits & the 2 of us from Texas. Of course, we all spoke English but no one could really understand each other.
I kept thinking "why did we get assigned to be with these people". It didn't seem we had anything in common with them. Couldn't really make a connection (mainly because everyone had to keep repeating themselves). Seriously thought about switching tables.
So glad I didn't switch tables. 2nd night we realized we were on the same land tour (Princess - Off the Beaten Path). Then the fun began with them!!!
Yes, we still had to repeat ourselves at times but I have to say we really enjoyed their company. By the end of the trip, I knew all the Aussie slang. When in doubt, just call it a "blue". Oi Oi Oi. The Brits introduced me to Ale. (Now my favorite adult drink). & of course we had every saying "ya'll".
My advise is first impressions "some first impressions are sometimes wrong"
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Probably because your group was disrupting the school not that it was off limits
If the guide had pre arranged a visit so the classes were not interrupted you may have been welcome
Would you appreciate a bus load of tourists stopping by your children's school while in session?
Probably not
No one in Cuba is going to ask if you are on one of the approved by the USA tours
I shared an actual expierence.
Actually our guide knew we were stopping & our group of 11 was welcomed (as were our gifts of pencils & cash). After we were detained, our guides explained they personally wanted us to see a rural school. The 2 room school consisted of about 25 beautiful students. It was cinder blocks with no door or windows or books. Our American guide explained the Cuban government only wanted us to see the more modern schools.
It was made perfectly clear by our guides that the Cuban government only wanted us to see certain "approved" tourist stops. ALL neighborhoods in Cuba have a "watch group". They report any things that are not allowed. Our Cuban guide was visible upset that she might get in trouble.
Regarding tours/visas: when we went last fall, US citizens had to apply for specific visas. We were on an "Educational Visa"
Cuba is a beautiful country. I wish the best for them & their people. They need tourism.
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Do you think there will be a US official following independent travellers around Cuba ?
The Cuban government does not care what you do or where you go as long you are not breaking the law there
There isn't a US official following travelers around. However, US tourist are limited to special visas. Might be different for other countries traveling to Cuba (I don't know)
There are "official" guidelines on where the tours guides can take tourist. We found that out first hand.
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We did our land tour of Cuba (8) days thru Vantage travel last fall. We had 2 tour guides. One worked directly from Vantage (former Cuban citizen living in Miami). The other one was a Cuban who worked for the Cuban government. Bus driver was Cuban.
They have an "approved" government list of places that tourist are allowed to visit.
Our group of 11 stopped at a road side stand & started visiting w children in a 2 room school house (not on the approved list). Within 15 minutes 2 "federalist" showed up. We were detained about 20 minutes. I'm sure money changed hands in order for us to be on our way. Our main worry was that our Cuban guide might get in trouble.
We have been to over 40 countries. Cuba was one of our all time favorite trip.
The culture is very interesting. The people, especially the children are beautiful.
BTW, cars, cars, cars !!!
We brought a suitcase filled with 2 cases of toothpaste, toothbrushes, Barbie dolls, hot wheels & rosaries. We were able to gift these to a day care operated by the Catholic Church in Havana. I filled my bag w small bars of soap & discretely gave to older people.
Not sure I answered your question but I hope you are able have a great Cuban excursion.
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Love these just for fun threads. Have had 2 occasions both because I am a quilter.
#1. Happened on a Hurtigruten cruise up the northern coast of Norway.
A woman who had taken a quilting class from me was part of the group.
#2. Happened on a New Years Eve Princess cruise to the Caribbean.
On the first night, we were in the Skywalker lounge watching the skyline.
As we sailed away, I hear a familiar voice & it is a friend from my quilting guild.
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I am a first time cruiser.....how do you ask your Dr. to write a script for the Zpac and the antibiotics? Also, do you pack 1 set of them per person in the cabin?
We stock up while in Mexico. Yes, I bring enough for both of us.
We are not abusers of antibiotics. They are a last resort.
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Not available in the US without a prescription.
Readily available over the counter in Mexico as well as Tamiflu.
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I take a dental adhesive repair kit. I have a number of crowns and one permanent bridge. I don't know if I could really glue something back if it fell off, but I'd like to try.
Linda, you are my hero. I'm adding dental adhesive to my stash.
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I also take an extra week's worth of prescription medicines just in case going home would get delayed.
I do that too. It pays to be prepared. Lol
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Because you asked & BTW, it all fits in a zip lock bag.
Probiotic & Bonine (we take daily)
Benadryl, Zinc cold tabs, Sinus tabs, cough drops
Tylenol & Advil
Bandaids & Moleskin
Antiseptic wipes & antibacterial cream
UTI test strip, Cipro & cranberry tabs
Z-PAC & Amoxicillin
Anti-diarrheal & Beano & Rolaids
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YES ..... when we first started cruising, our focus was on the ports. Now we enjoy the "at sea" days.
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Save your money & forget Bingo. Bring new one dollar bills for souvineers in port (negotiate for best prices). Family picture is a must !!!
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Posted this on your other thread
We went on a "fall foliage" land tour & cruise a few years ago. Missed the "fall foliage" by a week. Oh well, that is nature. Impossible to predict.
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We went on a "fall foliage" land tour & cruise a few years ago. Missed the "fall foliage" by a week. Oh well, that is nature. Impossible to predict.
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Highly recommend "Off the Beaten Path"
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We have used Red October twice. Extremely pleased.
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Can't believe no one picked
"The Love Boat"...
:)
I was just about to say that. We sailed on the original Love Boat. I miss the orchestra playing it at every opportunity.
2nd pick is "Hot, Hot, Hot"
3rd pick is "Sweet Caroline"
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We've been doing a "Friends and Family Winter Caribbean Cruise" for a number of years now. We usually have 25-35 people. A couple of years ago we were on RCI and I tried to arrange for a photo of the group (just somewhere on a stairway or other public area) I was told there was a $75 "sitting fee" in addition to the cost of any photo(s) purchased. We declined, posed ourselves and asked a passer by to take a photo with someone's digital camera. They did, we e-mailed amongst our selves and I went to Walgreens had had a 5X7 printed for 99 cents. They really lost out as most of the folks would have purchased a photo, and with the profit margin on the photos, they would have made out pretty well. Now, we don't even ask to have the ship's photographer take our photo. And by the way....so far there are 28 booked on the 2018 winter cruise.
We would love to be on a cruise with your group. I woul be happy to take your picture.
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We visited the photo shop on an Ultimate Ship Tour. It amazed us that the space was so small. I asked what they do with the photos that don't sell. I'm sure someone on every tour asks that question. He said "we sell them on the next cruise at a discount". Lol lol :p
Why 55 and older
in 55+ Cruisers
Posted
I too was very lucky. I was able to retire from the corporate world at 49.
(Thank you Ma Bell for that amazing buy out).
"Retirees" would be a good name in addition to "55+". The more threads the better.