LIVE from the Ruby Princess - VENICE to BARCELONA; May 17th to May 29th

[regnig]

Although jugglers and acrobats possess talent that I surely don’t have and performing on a ship rocking and rolling at sea makes their job even more difficult IMHO they belong somewhere else rather than on a Princess cruise ship. Kind of “Carnival” fare.

 

I’ve endured the hairy leg contest but fortunately yet to see the chest thing. Maybe it is a “James thing” and if so I'm glad he skipped it on our March cruise. :eek:

[Baileydog1]

Sorry we didn't meet you Baileydog. Were you on the Transatlantic, or did you get on in Barcelona?I walked around at M&G for transatlantic and met everyone. In Barcelona we had that little get together after the Muster drill in the wheelhouse.

We actually arrived at the airport 2 1/2 hours before our flight time. After a few minutes, we were on line for boarding pass, Lufthansa directed us to check our luggage and also did the boarding pass. Apparently since we were to board the plane 1/2 hour before departure, they took our luggage earlier.Didn't charge us for slighly overweight bags. We were asked to check our two carry on bags and said we wouldn't be charged , so we did.Those bags were really heavy and glad to do it.We put the valuables in a backpack.

For that person that is on board and afraid to go to the Doctor on board. It is $60.00 and medicine is extra. I had the misfortune to get an allergic reaction to something and went to him. Of course he told me that the horrible rash on both my legs was prickly heat (was in the middle of the Atlantic with no sun so not the correct diagnosis). However the medicine worked, that in combination with Pia giving me some Benedryl.

I found many people on board with the same rash in the same place on lower legs, we all laughed at the diagnosis of prickly heat. there was something on board that did that. I stopped wine for two days , it wasn't that,Changed to liquid soap that a fellow passenger gave me. Some thought it was the towels, some thought something in food. I now think my problem was a reaction to shellfish. I loved those yummy shrimp. One night a special dish was prepared and I ate 20 of them (and nothing else). So I stopped all shellfish and seemed to get better.

San Diego Sue

 

S.D. Sue,

We got on in Barcelona but missed the meet and greet--late getting back from muster and thought we had missed the gathering.

I, too, had the lower leg rash and went to the ship doctor. Very weird, but I saw and talked to a lot of people with that rash. Everyone just needs to bring cortisone cream, not ointment and you can save yourselves the doctor visit.

Kathie

[ssmi01]

Why do you say that larsen? The acrobat had a standing ovation last week so people did seem to really enjoy it. The legs and chest thing really doesn't appeal though! Cheers, Steve.

[dsawyer]

You may have already answered this and I did a quick scan of all your posts but did not see anything else regarding trivia prizes.

 

Have they resumed giving prizes for all the trivia contests or are they still just giving them for some of the games?

 

Lots of trivia players on my new roll call would be interested in this info.

 

Thank you.

 

Hope your husband is feeling better. Lots of folks get that dry, hacking cough while on the ship from the very dry air. I call it "the ship's cough". Thank goodness most of us get over it okay. I hope he gets over it soon.

 

My mother has been sick since she got home. Her's turned into much more but at her age, she really held up well for such a long trip. :)

[Clutterlady]

I believe the original intention of shows in the Piazza was to have a "street performers" venue. So that makes some of the shows there very apporiate. I enjoyed watching some of these great talents:)

[houch]

Pia, Just read all your live from posts, brought back good memories of the cruise we took in 2008. Then I read your post from Starbucks in Kusadasi and I was immediately back sitting on that deck outside enjoying my coffee last Nov. What a wonderful flashback....thanks for the memory.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise. I loved Istanbul, to be there was a dream come true for me as I have wanted to see it since childhood (though I can't remember why). Guess it just stuck in my head.

[san diego sue]

To Dorothy,

after the Transatlantic, they resumed prizes for Trivia. On the second leg, they gave out Lanyards. A real cheap prize. I think Pia may have mentioned that was the prize on her leg 3.

The coupons given were only a Transatlantic thing., as per the cruise staff. Apparently with trivia being played at least twice a day on sea days, they wanted to cut down on the prizes.

Sorry to hear your mom is ill. She is such a sweet pretty woman.

Regards,

Gloria:D

[san diego sue]

To Baileydog,

With so many of us having the same kind of strange rash, it had to be something we came in contact with on the ship.It didn't even itch, mine burned as it was coming out. Now that you mention you had it too, maybe it isn't the shellfish that I thought caused mine. In our original group of CC members, I think a large percentage actually got that rash, not to mention the folks I noticed as they walked by me. My husband told me to stop staring at people's lower legs. It truly is a puzzle.

Gloria:D

[san diego sue]

Pia,

Glad that Mike is feeling better.

You made the right decision to take the Princess transfer. We were so glad we did that, and not have to stand in a possible line for a cab.

The way princess arranges the buses, everyone on the same airline (or terminal) goes on same bus.

Friends that got off the Transatlantic flying out of Barcelona, had to change planes in Madrid. There was no one to ask how to navigate what they said was a confusing airport in Madrid. They would have missed their connection had their connecting plane been on time. it had a delay and they got on.

You are probably ending your day in Istanbul. Have you heard the Call to Prayers throughout the city at 5:00pm. I found that really interesting.

Did you go back to the Grand Bazaar.?

Gloria:D

[dsawyer]

To Dorothy,

after the Transatlantic, they resumed prizes for Trivia. On the second leg, they gave out Lanyards. A real cheap prize. I think Pia may have mentioned that was the prize on her leg 3.

The coupons given were only a Transatlantic thing., as per the cruise staff. Apparently with trivia being played at least twice a day on sea days, they wanted to cut down on the prizes.

Sorry to hear your mom is ill. She is such a sweet pretty woman.

Regards,

Gloria:D

 

Hi Gloria, thanks for the update on the triva prizes and for the good wishes for my mother. I doubt I will take her on such a trip again. I don't think she liked the places we visited that much. She loved the days on the ship, however.

 

It was nice meeting you and Lew and I'm sorry we didn't have time to really get to know each other. Perhaps on another cruise, we would have such an opportunity. Take care.

 

Dorothy

[cruisingallover]

We have lined up for a taxi in Barcelona and the line moves very fast. Cheaper than Princess and if you share a ride even better.

[Pepes Pal]

To Baileydog,

With so many of us having the same kind of strange rash, it had to be something we came in contact with on the ship.It didn't even itch, mine burned as it was coming out. Now that you mention you had it too, maybe it isn't the shellfish that I thought caused mine. In our original group of CC members, I think a large percentage actually got that rash, not to mention the folks I noticed as they walked by me. My husband told me to stop staring at people's lower legs. It truly is a puzzle.

Gloria:D

 

I used to work for a Dermatologist & he loved to solve these type of wierd rash puzzles. We used to have a teen come in every Monday with the same rash/eczema on his hands. Seemed it only happened at the beginning of the week. (We started thinking he caused it himself just to get out of school!) Finally Dr. Kramer figured it out - it was the ink of the Sunday comics he was allergic to. Bingo!!

 

Well could the wierd isolated rash on passenger's legs be from a change of detergent the laundry used? Just a thought. Dr. K. taught us to be detectives & I always wanted to be a "Columbo" detective so there's my possible solution.

 

Judy

[financialgrl]

My niece and I board the Ruby on May 29th so I eagerly read your posts each day the past two weeks. Maybe I should say - I am hoping we get to cruise next week - plans have been disrupted twice -first that Icelandic volcano problem threatened our flight to Heathrow (but I have been checking and they've been flying that past two weeks pretty steadily, then the next morning we were due to fly British Airways to Barcelona. Flights cancelled due to the strike and we have at least been rerouted on an Iberia flight with a small layover in Madrid on the way over. Hopefully all the bad stuff is behind us and we can MAKE it to Barcelona to board the ship!

 

I have 3 days precruise built in for sightseeing in Barcelona (some on the end too) but at this rate, just get me to Heathrow and I'll swim, cab, train or get to Barcelona however I have to!

[dottiedef]

This reminds me of a time I had the strange rash on my lower legs. It was right before a cruise leaving from Athens and I noticed it right after we got on the ship. Did not itch or hurt in any way but looked terrible! I was freaked out. Went right to the doctor and he said it was from my feet dangling on the long flight over from NYC. It cleared up in about 3 days and I also saw at least 2 other people with the same rash. Have never had it again and have flown numerous time on long flights so don't know if that was the culprit. This happened in 1996--a long time ago but I do remember it well. It was VERY STRANGE.

 

Keep entertaining us PIA. Love the posts. Thanks

 

Dottie

[Pia1913]

Have they resumed giving prizes for all the trivia contests or are they still just giving them for some of the games?

 

Lots of trivia players on my new roll call would be interested in this info.

 

James is getting off after this cruise, so trivia will most likely change again.

[Pepes Pal]

This reminds me of a time I had the strange rash on my lower legs. It was right before a cruise leaving from Athens and I noticed it right after we got on the ship. Did not itch or hurt in any way but looked terrible! I was freaked out. Went right to the doctor and he said it was from my feet dangling on the long flight over from NYC. It cleared up in about 3 days and I also saw at least 2 other people with the same rash. Have never had it again and have flown numerous time on long flights so don't know if that was the culprit. This happened in 1996--a long time ago but I do remember it well. It was VERY STRANGE.

 

Keep entertaining us PIA. Love the posts. Thanks

 

Dottie

One more thought here from Columbo.... Swelling (edema) can result in a lower leg rash called Stasis Dermatitis. At this website http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1161535&page=71 you will find some pics. It usually isn't caused by an allergic reaction but due more to the swelling in the lower legs & yes long flights can cause lower leg edema.

I always wear support knee high hose when I travel as the compression does eliminate the swelling. Caution should be given however that a doctor should give permission for support hose. If your arterial circulation however is poor they should not be worn. For folks with good arterial blood flow a compression of 20-30 mmHg is good. Also traveling with a tube of over-the-counter 1% Hyrocortisone is smart so if this itchy condition is the caused by Stasis Dermatitis, the itch & rash can be allieviated. All of this should of course be with your Primary's advice.

 

Judy

[san diego sue]

To Volvodoll,

Yes I also had swelling in the lower legs. However, the rash was moving to my chest and arm when I finally saw the Doctor.

I couldn't find the photo in the post you listed, was it on the page or further past? Mine was very red and seemed to be under the skin, like a hemorage.

I thought it was very odd that we all had it in the lower legs,towards the inside.

Gloria

[dsawyer]

To Volvodoll,

Yes I also had swelling in the lower legs. However, the rash was moving to my chest and arm when I finally saw the Doctor.

I couldn't find the photo in the post you listed, was it on the page or further past? Mine was very red and seemed to be under the skin, like a hemorage.

I thought it was very odd that we all had it in the lower legs,towards the inside.

Gloria

 

One more question, Gloria. Did you have an eggcrate mattress topper?

[regnig]

Why do you say that larsen? The acrobat had a standing ovation last week so people did seem to really enjoy it. The legs and chest thing really doesn't appeal though! Cheers, Steve.

 

I believe the original intention of shows in the Piazza was to have a "street performers" venue. So that makes some of the shows there very apporiate. I enjoyed watching some of these great talents:)

 

 

Steve I've got nothing against acrobats or jugglers for that matter, but as Clutterlady pointed out the Piazza would be a much better place for these type performers to be enjoyed.

[wineforhealth]

Pia

 

Continue to love all your posts with updates,port visits,weather,activities and general fun you are having.

 

Look forward to cruising with you in 2 weeks.

[Pepes Pal]

To Volvodoll,

Yes I also had swelling in the lower legs. However, the rash was moving to my chest and arm when I finally saw the Doctor.

I couldn't find the photo in the post you listed, was it on the page or further past? Mine was very red and seemed to be under the skin, like a hemorage.

I thought it was very odd that we all had it in the lower legs,towards the inside.

Gloria

Gloria - this is very gross so I don't want you to freak out. Take a look at these pics: http://www.healthy-skin-guide.com/pictures-of-scabies.html

 

Did it look like this? Scabies is a contagious rash caused by almost microscopic mites. They can be passed on by healthcare workers, housekeeping personnel, etc. They can live in sheets, bedding & clothing for a prolonged period & invade our skin. They burrow under the skin & itch like mad. I tend to doubt that's what you all had as it doesn't go away on it's own unless you use a special cream all over your body. Elimite is the name of the cream.

 

I really think you all suffered from Stasis Dermatitis as everyone had been flying & sitting for long periods. I too look at legs, especially swollen legs because as you may have guessed, I am a skin & wound care nurse specialist. When we were in Kusadashi last September, I noticed several women (it happpens more to women) with these patches of reddened swollen rashes on their calves. I remarked to my friend - I'll bet they have

Stasis Dermatitis from sitting for long periods. But then again for the rash to spread to the chest, under arms, groin makes me also think of Scabies.

I see it alot with my patients especially in Skilled Nursing Facilities where there all many folks in close contact, Healthcare workers & loads of laundry.

Just my unofficial 2 cents! Do you still have the rash?

 

Judy

[Pepes Pal]

Pia ,

I realize this is your board that you started for your live & a gross discussion of a rash & it's gross findings really isn't what you or your friends bargained for. It really doesn't belong here so I apologize for carrying it on. If someone wants to pursue this any further - put the new subject line & board site here & I'd be happy to help (as much as I can!).

 

Judy

[Pepes Pal]

To Volvodoll,

Yes I also had swelling in the lower legs. However, the rash was moving to my chest and arm when I finally saw the Doctor.

I couldn't find the photo in the post you listed, was it on the page or further past? Mine was very red and seemed to be under the skin, like a hemorage.

I thought it was very odd that we all had it in the lower legs,towards the inside.

Gloria

 

Gloria,

Here's the pic & explanation. I meant to send before but incorrectly sent the wrong website.

http://www.skinsight.com/adult/stasisDermatitis.htm

 

Any further discussion let's take to a new board. Let me know.

 

Judy

[san diego sue]

Judy,

Yes that was the rash.Looked like that.

 

Dorothy,

No egg crates on the Ruby. They changed to a cotton topper which did no good. Finally had to have the room steward add a second one.Better, but not great. This was the first experience we have had not having the regular egg crate.

Gloria

[Pia1913]

Sunday morning on our way to Mykonos; expected arrival is noon. Overcast skies but sun is trying to shine through. Unlike May 11th, today Mykonos will be a tender port. The good thing is that we'll be much closer to town and we won't be walking that dangerous winding road. Then again, wouldn't have repeated it anyway. We'll get off today. Glad we didn't yesterday in Istanbul since it was cold and rainy most of the day. Sun came out when we sailed at 6:00 PM.

Saw the comedian Kevin Devane last night. He's a Brit with mostly one liners. Some very funny; others awwwwwwwwwww. We did enjoy him. Had drinks up in Adagio before dinner. Such a nice place and mostly empty every time we've been up there. They have specialty drinks not served in any of the bars, but I can't tell you what they are since I stick to my frozen margueritas. Those, BTW, are not on the Adagio menu, but they will make you anything you want.

The movie this afternoon in the theater will be Blind Side and tonight's theater presentation will be Stardust. Explorer's will have Celebrity Liars Club, Fusion has a C & W hoedown and MUTS - Sherlock Holmes.

Today's winning limerick is:

Istanbul, that's where we are,

Visiting Hagia Sophia & Grand Bazaar.

Topkapi Palace,

Spice Market too,

And the Blue Mosque from afar.

Not one of the better ones, but good enough to earn another marguerita.