tuggers

Summit 10/27/15 Martinique

This was the first stop in Martinique so some of the info we got was not quite correct.

First, it is a very, very long walk down the pier which has some construction going on. There were also some slippery places. We were told that ferries and some taxis only took Euros. The people I talked to who went into town said there was no trouble with US currency

and lots of the shops and people spoke English.

A couple I sat with in Revelations took a ferry for $7 round trip to a beach and rented chairs for $10. Don’t know the name of the beach but it was right next to a resort. They used the bar there and ate at the restaurant.

Sat with the same couple for drinks and a Scotsman who is 92. He is sharp as a tack but it seems his body is giving out on him. He thinks this will be his last cruise.

Went to dinne and the original couple showed up but not the ones they had brought yesterday. So it looks like it will just be the three of us. Which is fine. They are very nice.

I had Escargot and a pasta (rigatoni) dish. It was okay.

But then I’m not all that fond of pasta. Pistachio ice cream was, for me, the best thing on the dessert menu.

Went back to the casino after dinner but didn’t do anything but ‘contribute’. Last machine I cashed out

was for 3 cents!

Bye For Now.

Summit 10/18/15 to 10/24/15 Day Six

Boy this was a short cruise! Felt like I was getting on and BAM! The people I came with were leaving me!

I had breakfast in the dining room with Cil. She was very stressed out because her scooter was out of commission and she had no idea how she was getting it home. I gave her my take on how I would have handled it, and she, I’m sure, did it her way.

That was not her first catastrophe on this trip. She put her papers and passport in the basket of her scooter and it fell out in her son’s car as he was taking her to pick up the Academy bus that took her from Providence to Bayonne.

She gets to Bayonne and no passport. Her wonderful son, Mark, drove to Bayonne with her passport! What a guy!

He is just wonderful to her.

So her cruise started out terrible and ended on a sour note.

I think if I was her and taking another cruise I would rent a scooter and it would be onboard when I got there and leave it there when it was over. No muss, no fuss. Sure it would

cost a little more but if you had seen how shaken she was by the situation you would know that it would be money well spent.

B2B’ers didn’t have to get off. We met in Revelations at 9:45 got our passports checked, our new seapass cards and had our pictures taken. Short and easy plus we got to

sit most of the time. When there were lines they only took

minutes.

After that was over I went by the pool. Stayed in the water a lot, read some and then had a burger which would have been great except they were precooked and the meat was about the temp of the tomatoes, in other words cold.

Too bad there have been so many glitches involving the food his trip. For instance, on several days this week the ice cream in the buffet has been so liquid that I actually saw a man sipping his through a straw! He said it made a heck of a milk shake!!

I took a nap and then got ready for dinner. I had a wonderful view out the back windows from table 212.

Nice round table for 8 about 3 tables back from the

Captains Table.

I enjoyed my Escargot, Wild Mushroom Soup, very rare Prime Rib and Crème Brule. It was wonderful except for one thing. I was the only one there. LOL! Imagine me with no one to talk to! Oh well, maybe someone will show up tomorrow night!

Bye For Now

Summit 10/18/15 to 10/24.15 Day 5

THE BEST DAY: TORTOLA!

As most of you know this is my favorite place on earth! And Terri’s too. When she didn’t come down for breakfast I called her cabin. She was in tears telling me she was having a problem with an illness that pops up from time to time.

I was just devastated for her. And for myself because this is something we looked forward to

do together.

I had met a woman on the shuttle who wanted to go with us so Jackie and I left the ship together about 9:30. There is so much construction going on there and it’s a very long walk. Luckily we picked up a golf cart and got a ride about half way.

We took one of those trucks with the open sides. Cost was $8 per person. The couple beside us were really scared. It’s kind of a hairy ride anyway but we had to take a different route due to construction and that one was REALLY hairy. I don’t think that couple will be taking that ride again! J

The Big Banana has gone back to it’s former name of Club Paradise. The restaurant is not open yet but the bar is. I did not even have one Pain Killer. Boy was that weird.

I was in the water and had a great conversation with a pair of the Bears that were on the ship.

I learned a lot about them and found out there were 150 of them onboard. They plan to do it next year and hope to have at least 200. A really fun group.

As usual the water was like glass, very warm and one of God’s great creations. I hope to go next year (in addition to the Spring Summit Repo) and rent a place for a week or two. That would be heaven to me.

We got back to the ship close to 4. And I finally found my friend Judith who used to run the Bar at Big Banana. She is actually now working at the pier.

The walk back to the ship was still very long even with the golf cart because they have to stop so far from the ship.

I was hardly able to walk when we got back. I think I didn’t drink enough water at the beach and walked too much in the sand. My muscle in my right calf felt like a big, hard lump. Even massage, water and my magic cream didn’t help.

I went upstairs to the pool area and got something quick to eat and came back to the cabin.

I managed to make it to cocktails at 7 and on

to dinner but I didn’t enjoy either very much. I just wanted to get back to my cabin and prop my leg up on some pillows. And drink water.

Bye For Now.

Summit 10/18 to 10/24/15 Day 4

St Maarten.

Today was really nice, weather wise. Very warm but with a slight breeze. I know this because I stepped outside before going to breakfast.

God help me, I’m going to gain 50 pounds on this trip. Not from lunch or dinner as you would expect, but from the breakfast!

I LOVE lox and bagels but the cold mini bagels are a turn off so I’ve taken to ordering other things. Like the pastry

platter (I think I’ve mentioned this) hot almond croissants.

regular croissants, chocolate croissants (which I give to

Cil) a muffin, a Danish, etc. Basically wonderful but oh how terrible if you eat it almost every morning. Along with a couple of Cappuccinos and a few Mimosas. How will I ever go back to coffee and cold cereal?

Terri and I went out and though we only went to the shops right outside the pier we walked quite a lot. Also stopped at the Guavaberry bar and had a Guavaberry Colada. They’re still great!

We were out about 2 hours but it wore us out. The heat and the walking just got to us. So we took the golf cart back, dropped our purchases and headed up to the buffet. I think I drank about half of one of those big bottles of water with my lunch.

After that I took a nap until time for the Senior Officers’ Cocktail Party. I had yet to meet Capt Kate and I was surprised at how tiny she is. Long dark hair and 6”, $1,000 heels. They were black pumps with red soles. If you don’t know what that means ask any woman. Hope she switches to loafers if we hit turbulence. J

Then it was time for dinner. We had such lovely tablemates that the food was kind of an afterthought. It was good but the laughs and conversation will stay with us long after this cruise. Wish I could have the same group every cruise!

I went back to the casino but wasn’t having any luck so came back to my cabin.

Bye For Now!

Summit 10/18 to 10/24/15 Day 4

St Maarten.

Today was really nice, weather wise. Very warm but with a slight breeze. I know this because I stepped outside before going to breakfast.

God help me, I’m going to gain 50 pounds on this trip. Not from lunch or dinner as you would expect, but from the breakfast!

I LOVE lox and bagels but the cold mini bagels are a turn off so I’ve taken to ordering other things. Like the pastry

platter (I think I’ve mentioned this) hot almond croissants.

regular croissants, chocolate croissants (which I give to

Cil) a muffin, a Danish, etc. Basically wonderful but oh how terrible if you eat it almost every morning. Along with a couple of Cappuccinos and a few Mimosas. How will I ever go back to coffee and cold cereal?

Terri and I went out and though we only went to the shops right outside the pier we walked quite a lot. Also stopped at the Guavaberry bar and had a Guavaberry Colada. They’re still great!

We were out about 2 hours but it wore us out. The heat and the walking just got to us. So we took the golf cart back, dropped our purchases and headed up to the buffet. I think I drank about half of one of those big bottles of water with my lunch.

After that I took a nap until time for the Senior Officers’ Cocktail Party. I had yet to meet Capt Kate and I was surprised at how tiny she is. Long dark hair and 6”, $1,000 heels. They were black pumps with red soles. If you don’t know what that means ask any woman. Hope she switches to loafers if we hit turbulence. J

Then it was time for dinner. We had such lovely tablemates that the food was kind of an afterthought. It was good but the laughs and conversation will stay with us long after this cruise. Wish I could have the same group every cruise!

I went back to the casino but wasn’t having any luck so came back to my cabin.

Bye For Now!

Hi Guys!

This has just taken me an hour to get these posted. It is SO slow. So I am going to log off and find page two and post more this afternoon.

Don't worry, I have very day but they just got screwed up in my file folder.

Bye For Now.

Summit 10/18/15 to 10/24/15 Day 3

Good Morning! Awoke to sunshine and tropical breezes. Ok, it’s still cold and very windy but from my seat in the Normandy over Cappuccino and Mimosas it certainly looked like the Caribbean. Just don’t open a door and go outside. Then you need jeans and a jacket! J

The Cappuccinos have been reliably hot and very tasty. On previous cruises they’ve been a little hit or miss. These are great. Didn’t do the lox today because I really like my bagels toasted, or at least warm. These are cold. I tried the pastry plate: muffin, Danish, sweet roll, croissant, chocolate croissant and one other thing I can’t remember. It’s a full plate. All I know is that if I eat this thing two days a cruise I will NOT be getting into my clothes the next day.

Not exactly a day for the outside so Terri and I went to the library. It keeps getting harder to find something to read as the books keep dwindling. . If everyone is using these electronic do-hikies why are they still taking the books? We did find two each and I can promise you that they will be returned at the end of the cruise.

We tried the dining room for lunch. I had Turkey Medallions in a very light red sauce.

It tasted okay but with my current swallowing problem I could only pick at it. The turkey had a slightly hard side where it was grilled and it would have been fine for anyone else.

The dessert order was kind of funny. Terri ordered Strawberry Short Cake and Cil and I ordered the Peach and Raspberry Crumble. I asked for ice cream with mine. So he comes out with two Strawberry Short Cakes and one Crumble. I don’t know what was going on but he was determined I was going to take the Strawberry thing. When I wouldn’t take it he tried to get Cil to take it. I guess he finally figured I was not going to eat it and went back to ge the right dessert. It was funny. He acted like my mother. I

half expected him to say ‘young (he was pretty old) lady you will take this dessert and you will like it! J

I went to the computer room to get my account set up. There was a very long wait. Then when it came my turn to talk to him he said ‘see that table over there, get one of the

papers off it and you won’t need any help from me’. Except I’m still having eye problems and I couldn’t read the paper. So I got to wait again. He then (after visibility exhaling – I think he was counting to 10 J) pawned me off on someone I had a really hard time understanding. But I finally got hooked up and posted last night. I’m not sure if it’s just old ladies who bother him or non Apple users he can’t abide. A lady sat down beside me and whispered ‘don’t feel bad, he was rude to me, too’. So I’m not taking it personally. In fact it was kind of amusing.

I went out by the pool but there was too much wind so I did a round of the shops and then started on my book. Oh, and I did make a trip around the various slots in the casino. Started with $10, played for about 45 minutes and left with $9.49. Can’t complain too much about that!

We had drinks at 5. Few more wines added, otherwise the same. I ordered Sauvignon Blanc. When he brought it I asked if it was indeed SB as he seemed a little confused when I ordered it. He handed me the list and said ‘Mam, we can only serve you what’s on this list’. So I pointed out that it was on the list. He said ‘Assanti, yes we serve that’

As it turned out I had Chardonnay which was no big deal but I did order from someone else for the next one.

They seem to have a new recipe for the meat balls they serve because, to us they tasted much better. Other than that, it was the same treats we’ve had: mini eggrolls, fried cheese, fried chicken and fish bites, etc. They did have shrimp salad in shot glasses but those were gone by the time I got there.

Dinner, after the fiasco last night, was much better. We had a new waiter and a new asst waiter along with hot food that was hot and cold food that was cold. I had Escargot,

Short Ribs w/Polenta (this was served as an appetizer) and (are you ready for this?)

Barbeque chicken on a bed of collard greens with mac and cheese on the side. Huh?

The chicken was ok but the mac and cheese had been cooked until the pasta was so soft it fell apart trying to get it to stay on your fork and the cheese did not even have enough bite to stand up to the mushy macaroni. If X is going southern then they need at least one chef with some southern roots! I had ice cream for dessert. Really wanted a fancy coffee drink and I think that’s what I might have tomorrow night. Or go to the Martini Bar after dinner for a Chocolate Martini. Yummy!

A glitch or two but basically I’m on a ship in the middle of the ocean and I’m a Happy

Camper!

Bye For Now!

Summit 10/18/15 Pre- Cruise Day Two

Saturday morning we sat by the pool drinking coffee until we could say it was close to lunch. Then we set off for Sweet Tomatoes. It’s one of my favorite places to eat and we don’t have one in Valdosta. Great Corn Chowder. Usually I get the Clam Chowder but that day the Corn Chowder was just too good to pass up. I even ate some different salads.

Salads are not my thing but with so many to chose from even I found two I liked. I only had a small amount of pasta (Nacho Pasta) but we did hit the desserts pretty heavy. J

After that it was just a couple of stops to pick up little things I had either forgotten or thought there might be more choices of them in Florida. Like sun tan lotion.

We were back home after that. Judy getting food ready for a cook out they were having Sunday. Me repacking a couple of small bags to incorporate the things I had bought and

Checking in for my flight, printing my Xpress pass, etc. The X site was having ‘issues’ but I finally got it done.

Dinner time came and Judy and I were not very hungry so she says ‘do you want dinner or coconut cake’? What a dumb question! So her husband Ray and their granddaughter had left over bar-b-que and we had Coconut Cake! Yummy.

I went to bed about 10:30 because we were getting up at 4 to make my flight. We had been smart enough to put all the suitcases in their car the night before so we just crawled in the car and left.

Summit 10/18 to 10/24/2015 Pre-cruise

This is my trip to Tampa to see my bestie, spend a couple of days with her and then fly out from Tampa to Newark. United had the best schedule and price. Leave at 6:50 AM and arrive in Newark at 9:30, non stop. Of course there is that pesky charge for luggage

Which I hate, but there it is, on every line except Southwest.

Not counting the traffic and general big town drivers the trip was fine. I arrived about

7 and we both had a little cry in the driveway before going in. Nice to see someone you used to practically spend every day with but with the distance we are down to every couple of months. Nice, but not near enough time together!

They are in a newer house than when I was there last so I had to look that over. It’s much bigger and has a nicer pool so I approve. Just wish they would pick the thing up and move it back where they belong! J

After that we got take-out bar-b-que and sat around, tummies full and talked. That’s code for gossip because we both had to get caught up on the comings and goings of everyone we knew.

I had a long drive so I was ready for an early night. I think it’s fair to say I slept like I was dead because I woke up in the same position I went to bed in.

Bye For Now!

Summit 10/19/2015 Day 2

I woke up at 6, hungry, and couldn’t (or rather wouldn’t) go up to the buffet so I occupied my time with finishing up the unpacking and waiting for the Elite Breakfast to open at 8.

Finally I was able to get a Cappuccino! And some Lox with tiny bagels. Mimosas, one or two and another Cappucino.

Lunch was in the dining room and I had the Turkey Medallions which were a bit stringy

and Terri’s Korean Bar-b-que Panini was tasty but not hot. Even the cheese wasn’t melted.

We split up after that. Terri and I went to the library and got two books and Cil went back to her cabin.

Elite cocktails were good. Not crazy busy. We had no trouble getting drinks and the appetizers were standard but good. It seems they’ve changed up the meatball recipe.

For the better I might add.

Off to 8:30 dinner at table 123. Imagine our surprise when there was a couple sitting at the head of the table. At first I thought I had just missed seeing them the night before but as it turned out they had that table at early dining and just assumed they could come at 8:30 once they finished partying. Duh! They were removed and sent to another table.

If that had been our only problem with dinner we would all have been happy campers, but, unfortunately, that was just the beginning.

Small thing first. The waiter has never introduced himself to our group of 3. He may have done it the first night to the other 8 people who had arrived first but when the three of us came in he never told us his name. Again, small thing.

The real problems started when it was 9:45 and we were just getting our appetizers and salads. Maitre D kept coming over to apologize but we were still hungry. And getting a little grumpy. At least the soup was almost hot tonight. However, the real problem came when the entrees arrived at 10:20.

My Beef Tournedos (excuse spelling) came rare as ordered on a hot plate which helped to

disguise the fact that the food was not hot. Cil could not cut her beef which was to be cooked medium. It looked well done to me. Terri’s was just plain tough with gristle.

The fish, which was served to a very beautiful lady in a stunning long dress, was so hard she could not even get her fork in it. By this time we are talking 10:30 and we have not had decent food to eat. Everyone at the table had some problem. For instance, I ordered a baked potato. The waiter brought several in a bowl for everyone to help themselves. I didn’t get one which was no big deal but it told me he did not even know who had ordered what. Several times plates were put in front of people only to be removed and given to someone else.

There were some hurried desserts served, some wrong hot teas delivered. After that we

mostly just gave up and left. I stepped into my cabin at 11PM. Two and a half hours for a poor meal is not the Celebrity I have known and loved all these years.

Those of you who know me personally know I have always been a big fan of the food. There were more things I could have told about but I think what I have written is quite enough to let you know how the first Formal Night went.

I certainly want to be able to write more positive things about the dining room tomorrow.

Ship still looks good. Servers I have used in other venues have been great.

And they got the A/C fixed! Yea!

Bye For Now!

Summit 10/18 to 10/24/2015 Embarkation Day

Things went smoothly at the airport. I had invested $80 in the Known Traveler Number and boy does it work. I was through security in 3 minutes. The only thing they do is swab your palms at the end and you are out of there. Best 80 bucks I spent in a long time. It does require an in person interview and a background check which takes maybe 2 to 3 weeks but that’s it.

My United plane left right on schedule, had a great seat and we were quickly up in the air. Without much sleep, no dinner and no breakfast I went right to sleep. Slept through beverage service and snacks but it did make the 3 hour flight go quickly. And, for airline seats, they were pretty comfortable. I was right behind first class and had lots of leg room.

We arrived on time and while I was at baggage claim a Celebrity person came up and asked if I was there for the shuttle which I was. In the mean time I had read my texts and discovered that my friend Terri (teedee) had been on a United flight that was canceled and had to rush around herself to find another flight. A first they said there was nothing but she finally got on a Delta at around 10. She was worried that she would have to hustle up a taxi. When I explained all this to the X person she went and got the flight number and said they would have someone waiting there for her when she came. I was able to text that back to her so that when she got off in Newark she wouldn’t be in a panic.

I have done quite a few (J) X cruises and had never used the shuttle but I am sure going to again. Everyone was so nice. Even the driver let me look in the top of one of my suitcases to get a jacket as it was past chilly and down right cold! Unlike that free inaugural cruise I took once from Bayonne, it did not take two hours to make the trip. More like 20 minutes.

Security there was also very fast and there was no line to check in. Picture taken and I was on the ship in 15 minutes.

First thing I saw was a huge table decorated beautifully with flowers, big silver bowls of iced champagne and trays of orange juice, mimosas and champagne flutes all being

served by smiling, uniformed Celebrity employees. Several of which I knew. Coming on board Summit is truly like coming home!

Rooms weren’t ready but there was a rumor they had opened the lunch buffet up a little early. And, of course, I was still starving so I headed up. There were some people but not really a crowd getting food however almost all of the tables were taken. I finally found a two top back by the sandwiches and I grabbed it fast. I didn’t knock anyone down but I think I cooled off the passengers I ran by. I did beat them out so I had a table!

Sandwich line was very short so I got an egg salad on Asagio Cheese bread and some fries. The guy behind me was pouring cheese sauce on his fries so I tried that myself.

Not half bad. The tomato soup had a good taste but was barely warm. Got a glass of Pinot Noir because I didn’t see a white I liked on the small list ut it was fine. I got a dark chocolate cup cake for dessert and the wine went perfectly with that.

Terri appeared, pulling her very cool Coach bag. She walked right by me but I spoke

up and we sere soon hugging. Lon time no see! Amazing that we live 200 miles from each other but hadn’t met up in almost 5 years

We chatted while she ate and then went to find our cabins wich were pretty much where

They were supposed to be: behind Customer Service on deck 3.

No Elite cocktails so we headed off to 8:30 dinner. We (Cil, Terri and me) went looking for table 123. Sounded like one by the kitchen door but surprisingly it was a very nice table for 10 by the window occupied by a lovely family from the UK. This table is going to be wonderful! And fun, fun, fun!

First night tradition for me: Wild Mushroom Soup, Prime rib (rare), baked potato and

Crème Brule. No fault with that except for the CB which was refrigerator cold. Even the

serving plate the dessert was served on was ice cold. I really like Crème Brule room temp or a little warmer.

I guess if that was our only complaint we were well taken care of.

One other thing that was a little strange was that neither the waiter or asst waiter introduced themselves.

Full as a tick I was back to my cabin, read about two lines of my book and turned the light out.

Summit 10/18/15 Pre- Cruise Day Two

Saturday morning we sat by the pool drinking coffee until we could say it was close to lunch. Then we set off for Sweet Tomatoes. It’s one of my favorite places to eat and we don’t have one in Valdosta. Great Corn Chowder. Usually I get the Clam Chowder but that day the Corn Chowder was just too good to pass up. I even ate some different salads.

Salads are not my thing but with so many to chose from even I found two I liked. I only had a small amount of pasta (Nacho Pasta) but we did hit the desserts pretty heavy. J

After that it was just a couple of stops to pick up little things I had either forgotten or thought there might be more choices of them in Florida. Like sun tan lotion.

We were back home after that. Judy getting food ready for a cook out they were having Sunday. Me repacking a couple of small bags to incorporate the things I had bought and

Checking in for my flight, printing my Xpress pass, etc. The X site was having ‘issues’ but I finally got it done.

Dinner time came and Judy and I were not very hungry so she says ‘do you want dinner or coconut cake’? What a dumb question! So her husband Ray and their granddaughter had left over bar-b-que and we had Coconut Cake! Yummy.

I went to bed about 10:30 because we were getting up at 4 to make my flight. We had been smart enough to put all the suitcases in their car the night before so we just crawled in the car and left.

Sorry this has taken me so long to get started. But here it is, the first post! :D

Summit 10/18 to 10/24/2015 Pre-cruise

This is my trip to Tampa to see my bestie, spend a couple of days with her and then fly out from Tampa to Newark. United had the best schedule and price. Leave at 6:50 AM and arrive in Newark at 9:30, non stop. Of course there is that pesky charge for luggage

Which I hate, but there it is, on every line except Southwest.

Not counting the traffic and general big town drivers the trip was fine. I arrived about

7 and we both had a little cry in the driveway before going in. Nice to see someone you used to practically spend every day with but with the distance we are down to every couple of months. Nice, but not near enough time together!

They are in a newer house than when I was there last so I had to look that over. It’s much bigger and has a nicer pool so I approve. Just wish they would pick the thing up and move it back where they belong! J

After that we got take-out bar-b-que and sat around, tummies full and talked. That’s code for gossip because we both had to get caught up on the comings and goings of everyone we knew.

I had a long drive so I was ready for an early night. I think it’s fair to say I slept like I was dead because I woke up in the same position I went to bed in.

Thanks, Phil!

I'm going to try to keep my feet on the ground and not fall on my face. Again.:eek:

I usually like my real friends to be in cabins close to mine.

Perhaps this is really not a 'friend'?? I guess they may get the idea when you announce that you are changing cabins. :D

What is the saying: The road to hell is paved with good intentions? Well, that's me. I tried SO hard to be packed ahead of time but it just never works for me. I got the suitcases out. I even lied to my best friend and told her I was 'almost' packed. Somehow two pair of underwear and a new toothbrush really doesn't count as 'almost' to anyone.

Last night I was so tired from running around and doing last minute things that I took a nap from midnight to 3 AM. I've now had a 5 hour energy shot (the extra strong version) and have started on a pot of coffee. I've washed one load of clothes and got the ironing board out. That's progress, right?

I wanted to leave here by 8 so I have 3 hours to get completely packed, clean out my trunk (made a trip to Costco this week), load my suitcases, shower and get dressed. Prayers are badly needed but I don't know how many of you are actually up at 5 AM.

Sorry I lied Judy but you did desert me April 1st two years ago when you moved to Florida. If you still lived here you would have been at my house cracking the whip and I would be further along. Just so you know. :rolleyes:

I'm going to give this early packing thing another go today. At least get the suitcases out and start assembling what I need to take.

Probably won't get much done. I spent Monday at the hospital getting those GI tests done. They are still trying to find out something about my swallowing problem. Wanted to get to bed early but my stomach ache got me up. No sleep for me. Maybe I can catch a nap later today.

I have to go get hair and nails touched up. I just had them done last week for my high school reunion (which was GREAT) but I won't be going home till around Nov 5th so best to get some touch-ups.

Also have to make the Wal-Mart trip to replenish small toothpastes, shampoo, etc.

And i keep forgetting that I'll need long sleeves and long pants for the first few days out of Bayonne. I hear it's in the 50's in New Jersey. Be glad when we're down in the warm weather.

Linda, I understand that's why X hasn't been there in almost a year. They were extending and upgrading the pier to accommodate more ships. That's why we will now be there from 8:30 to 5:30 (which is heaven for me!) in place of the 8:30 to 2:30 we did in the past. Once it was even 2 PM! Horrors!

As for Jost Van Dyke I may not make it there (I'm a Cane Garden girl) but I promise to have Painkillers for you where ever I go! Yummy!

Yes, I will be doing a 'Live From' for Summit Oct 18th and 24th cruises.

I get a full day in Tortola on each cruise so you will have to listen to me rave about my favorite place on earth. And this time I'm going to scope out a weekly rental for a 2016

stay. Fingers crossed that will work out. :D

I certainly did not mean to start a fire storm but I guess I did. Thank you all for the support.

I do look on this as a community of like minded people many of whom have become friends of long standing. Some are more like family. And I believe that view of CC is one held by the majority of the posters on here.

I took my first X cruise in October 2002, found out about CC and have been a contributor ever since. I was pretty

dumb those first few cruises but with help from CC I learned the ropes pretty quickly. And I learned that most of us on here are kind to each other. Cruise Critic is a pretty good place to hang out.

Sorry to drift off cruises but I just returned from 5 days in Deerfield Beach Florida. Went down for a high school reunion. We had almost 200 attending and I diffidently drank too much, talked too much, danced too much and generally had WAY too much fun! Too bad I had to end it by driving 400 miles home. I'm still tired! :rolleyes:

Just so you know, it's official: I'M OLD!

Those of you who know me are well aware of my packing strategy. Mainly I have been known to start at midnight when I have a 6 AM flight. Or start at 8 PM, take a nap from midnight to 4 and then get up and finish. In other words, with almost 100 cruises to my name I STILL SUCK AT PACKING! And I'm too old and tired to wake up after 4

hours!

I'm just packing for a 4 night reunion. I decided to 'take a nap' from midnight till 4. Set the alarm on my phone. Apparently it went off until it died and i just woke up! I even SUCK at packing for a weekend! I think I'm just going to hire someone to do this from now on. I'm too old too tired and too lazy!

OK, I've had two cups of coffee and I've ranted to the world about my inadequacies so I guess I'll give this packing crap another go. Please say a prayer that I make it! :rolleyes:

AWWWWW, you guys got me all misty eyed! I was just hoping someone remembered me and I find some of you had actually missed me! Many thanks for making me feel loved!

I do think I'll have to give the best welcome back prize to my dear friend Host Andy for the Welcome Back Kotter theme! :D

The last few days I have been trying to get ready for a trip to Pompano Beach for a high school reunion. Leaving tomorrow and returning Monday. We are going to Par-tay

like we were still 18! Basically that means that there will be some (and I hope I'm one) who are still up past 11 PM!

I've done all the stuff we women have to do to go on a cruise: hair, nails, facial, the endless quest for the right thing to wear to the formal dinner but it just doesn't last very long.

Starting October 6th I'll start all over again but this time it'll be for a B2B with 3 day pre and post cruise in Tampa with my best bud, Judy. That turns my 13 night cruise into a 19 night vacation! Very cool! Her husband may not be thrilled but us girls will be!

I have discovered that my font and color problem seems to be with IE. If I use Firefox all is large and purple.

If any of you are looking for something to do late October

please consider Summit 10/18 and/or 10/24. Looks like it's going to be a blast!

Love you all!

Hey, they weren't ALL my fault! :rolleyes: And if you'll notice, I was the only one who got hurt!!:D So I think you're safe sailing with me!

One other thing happened and I can't believe I forgot this one. My baby, Sarge (German Shepherd) blew out his 'knee' and had to have it replaced. Trust me, I could have taken at least two or three cruises on what that cost! But I don't begrudge a penny of that because he's healthy now. Love my babies!

If I didn't say it before: Summit (with the WOMAN Captain)

October 18th and 24th.

Hey Everyone!

Trying to get back to posting. On Firefox I can get my fonts, colors and size of type but having trouble doing that on Microsoft. Is there a new trick or am I stuck with FF?

I know I've been gone for a while but I've had some, shall we say, 'adventures'.

December 27, 2013 my best friend and I were in an auto accident (not my fault) which has required numerous eye

surgeries and 'procedures'. I found out that 'procedure' is code for surgery without anesthesia. Really great when we are talking about needles stuck in your eyeball. This has taken a year and a half and I still have one more surgery to go.

Thankfully my friend had whiplash and a few other pains but nothing really serious. Physical therapy would have helped but being just a little hard headed she stopped going. BAD Judy!!!

About 6 months ago we were in another car accident. It's amazing she still rides with me wouldn't you say?

No injuries in our car, some in the Jeep with no top, no doors, one roll bar over the driver and passenger but not the two little girls in car seats in the open back area.

July 8th I took a rather severe fall in a parking lot. Broke my wrist, had to have surgery on a toe and lost a chunk of flesh out of my forehead. Really hoping all that will be healed before my cruise.

So that's how my life has been going. Hope all of you have fared better. I'm going cruising and I will be

writing a 'Live From' if you care to read it. I'm sure hoping you will as I love writing it.

I have missed you all!

Lots of things going on. Two car accidents and a bad fall. But I'm finally going on a cruise! Yea! Summit B2B Oct 18th. I truly can not wait!:)

Can someone please tell me how to get my fonts and color back? Is there a new trick?