09/28/2002 Cruise

[peagreenid]

I couldln't find a deal anywhere......it was terrible. The ticket that I purchased is worth $1294. I finally decided to use my Delta Skymiles.....they had the promotion for a free ticket for 10,000 less miles. I had enough to book it. I am so glad that I had them. From Idaho our miles build very quickly with a few trips to WDW. We each had about 21000 miles after this last trip. If I couldn't have gotten it at the reduced rate......I couldn't have afforded to go.

They have activated several guys that work with guy. Guy has to pull 120 hrs of OT in a two week period. Uncle sam will love that check. He already works 120 hrs in that two week period so it puts him at 240 hrs in 2 weeks... or 120 hrs a week. I'm not looking forward to it......he gets really grouchy when he is tired..........

smiles Patty

 

[papa]

I can just see Uncle Sam rubbing his hands together. I work 36 hour weeks (Nurse) and if I work 40 hours that is nice, and 12 OT is REALLY nice, over that Uncle Sam gets about a day of pay. They say you get it back at the income tax time but I don't think I ever have.

Good grief. That place is a killer, huh? Hope he gets lots of rest.

Take care, Kathy

 

[peagreenid]

Dh is a fireman. At the Airport. Although he can sleep at work...he generally doesn't sleep much since he is in charge and ultimately responsible. It still is difficult being away from home that much. He will survive... they have done this before during Forest Fire season, when they have activated the Guard. I finally told him to just go and ask for comp time.......because he couldn't get paid anymore... Uncle sam was taking it all. I would rather he work a little O.T. then be sent off someplace for a year. I'm so glad that he retired from the military in January........

off to bed......

smiles Patty

 

[GoofyDisney]

For discussion:

Anyone else sad that we will have one less day at sea or is everyone happier to have another port of call.

Western - Day Itinerary
Sat
Travel to Port Canaveral to depart at 5 p.m.
Sun
Arrive in Key West at 12 p.m., depart at 10 p.m.
Mon
Enjoy relaxation and fun at sea
Tue
Arrive in Grand Cayman at 7 a.m., depart at 5:45 p.m.
Wed
Arrive in Cozumel 11 a.m., depart at midnight
Thu
The magic of a day at sea
Fri
Arrive at Castaway Cay at 7 a.m., depart at 5 p.m.
Sat
Arrive at Port Canaveral at 6 a.m., debark the ship at 8:30 a.m.

I think we would like another day at sea vs. a stop. But I would want to keep the Cayman and Cozumel and Castaway stops. So, for us, we will probably spend a little time in Key West and then get back on the ship. We liked being on the ship when no one was there.

And when we were in St Maarten, Thomas and CC, what time did eveyrone get back to the ship. On SXM (LF!) we went to the beach at 8:45, then back at 12:00 for lunch, then back to shop at 1:30 then back to the ship at 4:00. Then SXT, we got off the ship at 10:00 am, wandered around the Haversight, then down to town, then back around 2:30 or 3:00. Then CC, we were off the boat at 9-ish (?) and the family went back to the ship around 2:30, and Joe and I went back and wandered around till close to 4:00.

So, we got to see the ship when there was no one on it. I have a great picture of the Mickey pool with only one family in it. It is a nice shot.

Have they said yet if there will be any other changes because of the new schedule...like menus, shows, etc.

Guy sounds like he will be pretty much fried when he gets done with this new schedule. How does that gel with your schedule Patty?

Are you packing for SC? Have you searched these boards for help with a packing list?

Kelly, will you be reuniting on the 9/28/02 with whoever it is fromthe 9/22 that you have known for a long time?

Everyone have a nice day!
karen

 

[peagreenid]

Well we had plans to go to Anniversary Inn.....unfortunately between his schedule and mine we couldn't come up with a day to do it. He has to work my birthday and the day after... and I work the day before. They are doing a slowdown for me for christmas... so I have a week off Christmas week. Thought I would take Mutt and Jeff either to Sun Valley or McCall to ski/snowboard for a few days. We have a ski resort 16 miles from Boise...but I think they are ready for something a little different. I'm trying to see if Guy can get an extra day off then.

I just realized that I have to be at work 14 hrs. on Saturday Night instead of the normal 13 cuz I'm getting stuck with that d*&# time change!!! That extra hour seems like 10.........
Got to get to bed.......I'm really beat. It was a rough one last night.........and there are two additional people off on Saturday.

talk to you all soon
smiles Patty

 

[papa]

Karen we are looking forward to the new stops, as we hae done the eastern route twice now. Maybe I am in the minority, but the castaway cay stop is not a biggie on my list. Have been to the other stops on the western route twice before on carnival. Mike

 

[KellyR]

KAREN, I like having an extra port! I'm looking forward to partying late in Cozumel. I'm also glad that we get to Key West in the afternoon rather than morning. But, per Patty's excursion sites there are no Catamaran adventures. Yes, I will probably see RellingTwin (Mary) on the ship. She's the one I knew here in P.C.

Castaway Cay is beautiful, but we have a nice one here, too. So, it's not such a big deal. I didn't think much of Cookie's BBQ, either.

 

[lynetteSC]

HI guys!!! I am glad we aren't the only ones who seem t0o enjoy the ship more while docked at CC!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, we love CC and it is beautiful ... I guess we are just not beachy people?? Besides, the pools and ship are EMPTY while in CC!!!!!!

We liked Key West on a previous cruise, but we had to leave early, so the night will be good there. We would live todo Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We have been to the mayan riveria (Cancun) but not Cozumel!!!!

Goofy~ LOL!!! You are TOOO kewl!!!! Come on down and be a LS!!!!!!!
Lesson for today: CZM ~ Cozumel
CUN ~ Cancun
EYW ~ Key West
GCM ~ Grand Cayman



KellyR~ I will see if I can find you a catamaran SOMEWHERE Out West for you and Nick!!!!

Pansies ~ my pansies got VERY windblown today!!!! It was super windy here!!!!!!

I was hoping to show Peagreen all the beautiful leaves in the fall in the NC Mountains, but if we have another day like today ... the trees will be bare by next weekend!

Gotta go and get some rest!!!! Have great weekend!!!!!

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Karen ~ I'm with you. I think we will miss having the extra day at sea. I'm guessing that Key West will be the one that we don't spend much time in. I know we won't book an excursion but will do that one on our own.

I definitely want to go to h*ll and visit the turtle farm. The funny thing is I bet the filter will not allow the name of tourist stop on Grand Cayman to post on the board.

The funny thing is that I've wanted to visit Grand Cayman ever since I read a romance novel about the island when I was about 16. For some reason the place just stuck and I'm pretty excited to get to go.

All of my co-workers are jealous and are saying that my 8 year old is better traveled than they are! I can live with that.

 

[papa]

My sister and I went to the Turtle Farm and visited H*** and sent a postcard back to the girls at the hospital. "Wish you were here", that sort of thing. Funny thing was, that we were going to Stingray City to feed the stingrays and visited the same things that my hubby visited on a different tour. The beach there in Grand Caymon is beautiful also. It was shown in a movie that was popular a few years ago, I just don't remember the name of the movie. I think the beach is "7 Mile Beach" ?????? Just not sure. It is pretty.

I like staying on the boat. We didn't get off at CC this year, just didn't relish the idea of getting off in the wet sand, in the salty sea, and seeing the same old under water things. Mike and I enjoyed the empty ship too. I wouldn't care if we never landed. I would love to take one of those month long trips. Just being on the boat is enough for me.

Well, I do want to visit the Keys and drink a margarita. I am a closet Parrothead.

Take care, looking forward to meeting everyone, Kathy

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

I'm guessing you're talking about The Firm starring Tom Cruise and written by John Grisham. I never did see the movie but I did read the book several times. I'd forgotten that part of the book was set on Grand Cayman.

Ooooh I hope we don't run into any mobsters! Although Tom Cruise wouldn't be too bad.

 

[papa]

I think that is the film my DW was talking about. Hope that everyone is having a nice weekend and we are another week closer to our cruise

 

[papa]

Evening everyone hope that everyone is well and we are still researching the western route for any new excursions.

 

[papa]

Yep! Sounds like the film.

Wouldn't it be nice to see Tom?

I agree with the time change Saturday night. UGH! The guy who resets the clocks in the nursery didn't get there until 4 a. m. and we had to relive the 3a. to 4a. all over again. What a bummer. We used to turn the clocks back at 9p.m. when we could reach them at our old hospital but we moved the hospital and the clocks are higher and we are older and we just couldn't reach them. It was easier to go over 8pm to 9pm than relive it earlier in the morning. At least that is how we viewed it. It seemed to just drag.

Got bulbs to plant today before cooking for my DD1's party tomorrow night.

Take care, Kathy

 

[RellingTwin]

Just 333 days to go!

 

[papa]

Just 332 days to go. Don't you feel like you are six years old again and waiting for Santa? I do. I guess I am the oldest child on the boat. It sure is fun though and if this is my worst vice then so be it.

Even though I have seen the turtle farm I enjoyed it and you can pick up (pet?) some of the turtles. I have pictures of my sis and I holding those turtles with their flippers going 90 miles an hour and flinging salt water all over us.

I also took an underwater disposable camera with us to feed the stingrays and it took remarkably good pictures of those stingrays.

Next year before Mike and I go we will be first time grandparents. Yep, it feels just like Christmas around here. Great expectations all over the place.

JNoel, there will be a small package headed your way either today or tomorrow. Hope your grandaughter enjoys it.

Take care, Kathy

 

[peagreenid]

It seems that there were only a "FEW" of you allowed to post the last few days........! I wasn't one of the chosen one.... Everytime I used my Link to the DIS I immediately got an error message. It wouldn't even let me look at the boards.......

Well out looking for an all in one......printer/fax/copier/scanner. Found a few nice ones at of course NICE prices. Anyone an expert on any of these. I liked the HP PSC950. It had slots for your smart media cards for downloading digital pictures and a flat bed scanner.

well got to run........I need to start packing for my trip.

smiles Patty

 

[GoofyDisney]

Patty,

Where is Gary when you need him?

karen

 

[GoBlueGuy]

As I told Kelly, I just booked for 11/30/02. After discussing it, rather heatedly at times, we decided we wanted to do the Eastern again (Want to see St. John this time!), and the kids had trouble "re-adjusting" to school (i.e. didn't "feel" like doing homework!) As this was the end of their card marking, let's just say their grades weren't all that good! They were getting A's before we left! Go Figure. Anyway, we decided to book something more towards the beginning of a card marking, rather than the end. (Also, I may mention the 11/30 date was $700 cheaper than 9/28!)

On to the Scanner/Printer/Fax/etc. Last time I looked at them (around 2 years ago, so it means absolutely nothing!) they were a bad mix of products! Usually a so-so scanner, so-so color ink-jet, and a decent plain paper fax. But again, I haven't looked at the new ones.

Goofy: I remember reading somewhere that you're going to see the Lion King in Chicago. When are you going, and do you think tix are still available?

Gary

 

[papa]

Well, with my getting a new computer, new grandbaby, new something else? No, nothing else. Maybe Mike and I need to look at the 11/30/02. Wait, I don't think I can go at that time. We have a stupid rule at the hospital that vacations cannot be taken during Thanksgiving or Christmas week. Something about too many of us peons would want to actually get OUT OF TOWN during those weeks. Huh, you would think. Not me.

In a New York Minute!

Scott, don't let Dan mistreat you. Go and get those massages if you want to. I am sure you have earned them. Our manager at Kroger sure earns his welfare check dealing with all of those melon thumping, grape eating, banana squeezing and just pick over the produce idiots. I watched a woman shuck several ears of corn in the produce and just leave the corn there without replacing the shucks back over the corn. No one wanted to buy that dried out corn. Any way, you do your massages and think of me. I have the same problem as Dan and that is why I don't get them either. Would like to but I just can't bring myself to disrobe in front of them.

Mike and I are getting ready to go to a gun club and shoot my dad's 22 rifle. He cleaned it up really well and got it working again. It hasn't been shot in years. I love that gun. He and his brother saved up a long time when he was seven and bought it from Sears Catalog. It is a Springfield 22. The gun site is off just a little to the right but I can hit a bull in the butt with it. (Don't ask) Any way, he has some targets that he got and he wants to shoot his gun/rifle (?) I don't know what kind it is but it is LOUD. I just like to 'plink'.

Take care, Kathy