8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC #10

[tiggrbaby]

After you read Wicked, you have to read Son of a Witch. It picks up where Wicked left off. I found Wicked a little hard to get into at first, but it picked up pretty good!

Just don't expect the book to be like the play - whoa!

I like Janet Evanovich but I LOVE Jodi Piccoult - if you have never read anything written by her, I recommend My Sister's Keeper first then read 19 Minutes and Vanishing Acts - awesome summer reads, books you will not be able to put down.

LOVE both authors! JE keeps you laughing, JP keeps you thinking. My Sister's Keeper is being made into a film.

 

[4fosterkids]

Can't say I have ever tried the motion drugs, but I have tried the ginger capsules. Honestly, they just made the sea sickness WORSE (if that were possible). On our 2nd cruise (didn't bother me at ALL on the 1st cruise), I was in the cabin seasick for the first 3 days of the cruise!! I was miserable. And the ginger pills just made everything taste like ginger (have you ever burbed ginger . .yikes!!!)

The solutions for me . .SEA BANDS! They are a bit tacky with a formal dress but the wrist bands that put pressure on that special balancing point on your wrist sure made the difference for me. I enjoyed the rest of our second cruise and had a GREAT time on the third cruise. I already have them ready to go for the TOAL!!

Where do you find these gems? They had them at Mickey's Ketch, but you can also find them at Walgreens or any drugstore chain.

Hope that helps . .. we can flash our bands at one another . .. LOL

Is it possible to try ginger ahead of time, just to see if it "agree's" with you or not? Is it good for other things besides sea sickness?

I'm picturing myself with flashy bands, a bandaid behind my ear and smelling of ginger....just to be on the safe side!! LOL

After you read Wicked, you have to read Son of a Witch. It picks up where Wicked left off. I found Wicked a little hard to get into at first, but it picked up pretty good!

oh great...reading that makes me want to go see Wicked again before it leaves LA! I just love that show!!

I got an email from a friend of mine who's parents do nothing but travel now. They gave us great ideas for our 2005 cruise, so I asked her about this cruise. One thing that jumped out at me in Acapulco was this (note the last phrase):

""In Acapulco we get a guide with an air conditioned van and go see the cliff divers. If you get the right guide he can give you a good tour of the city too. You can negotiate with the tour guides at the port entrance..They can take you to the hotel where the cliff divers are and for about 14 dollers each you can sit at a table in the shade and have two drinks each while you watch the divers. This is better than standing in the hot sun.... Ask the guide to show you the Flamingo Hotel where the Hollywood stars stayed when in Acapulco. There is also another hotel...old.. where they used to stay (I can't remember the name).. Don't have them take you to the "flea market" as they will take you to a place where there are no bargains and they have an agreement with the owners to deliver suckers daily.... ""

Happy July 1st to all

and Happy Canadian Day to our Northern Diser's!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was just reading a report from someone who went on the Mex Riviera cruise June 22-29, and this was very interesting (I hope we see things like this!):

SEA LIFE SEEN FROM SHIP: If you're patient, you might see some sea life from the ship. On our first day at sea, as we went down the Baja peninsula, there was a bonanza of sightings. There were whales, a large pod of dolphins, an school of enormous squid, and many flying fish. Flying fish look like enormous dragonflies emerging from under the forward end of the ship. Then they sail just above the water for as much as 50 yards before plopping themselves back in the water. Your kids will love them because they're quite bizarre. There are also large sea birds, like pelicans and frigate birds (which have a dark v-shaped tail). It seemed like the area around the tip of Baja had the most to see, so keep an eye out.

Bar the bad weather 'cabo' day in 2005, I saw a lot of sea life from our verandah and just spent hours there watching, we saw lots of Dolphins, flying fish as mentioned and on a very regular basis,

I am hoping again we will see more, one funny thing was watching an Alligator at the entrance to the Panama canal, just feet form the ship.


2010

Lots of questions on the main board about DCL in 2010, where would yo like the ships to go? and or, where do you think they will go? Would the Economy stop you booking a cruise? Anyone re-booking on board, for a 10% discount?

Personally I hope for another Med cruise, as the Magic is in the Caribbean for 2009, it is very likely it will be off on its travels for summer 2010.

I hope for the Med, if it isn't that, I think it will be a return to the West coast with two more panama Repos.

 

[4fosterkids]

For those who have done EB and WB repo's........do you find a major difference in one over the other?
Is one better then another for any reason?

Just planning ahead in my head just in case we were to book another trip.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Disney's proposed/rumored $300 per ticket park

rumored here

Thanks..sounds interesting..

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

For those who have done EB and WB repo's........do you find a major difference in one over the other?
Is one better then another for any reason?

Just planning ahead in my head just in case we were to book another trip.

I have done a Westbound but on Princess cruises, but basically the same as DCL, and one Eastbound so far, this is my second E/bound.

Really the differences are small:-

The time difference, you gain three hours WB loose three hours EB, this has a knock on on times in port.

Weather, its far hotter and humid in August than May, so prepare for that, hats, sunscreen, headache tables, get air con going in your room. Verandahs are better than open deck, you will feel the heat.


We have Cartagena a nice place to visit, they didn't have that.

If I could I would go in May as the weather is better, but school holidays restrict me to this one.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

I was just reading a report from someone who went on the Mex Riviera cruise June 22-29, and this was very interesting (I hope we see things like this!):

SEA LIFE SEEN FROM SHIP: If you're patient, you might see some sea life from the ship. On our first day at sea, as we went down the Baja peninsula, there was a bonanza of sightings. There were whales, a large pod of dolphins, an school of enormous squid, and many flying fish. Flying fish look like enormous dragonflies emerging from under the forward end of the ship. Then they sail just above the water for as much as 50 yards before plopping themselves back in the water. Your kids will love them because they're quite bizarre. There are also large sea birds, like pelicans and frigate birds (which have a dark v-shaped tail). It seemed like the area around the tip of Baja had the most to see, so keep an eye out.

Bar the bad weather 'cabo' day in 2005, I saw a lot of sea life from our verandah and just spent hours there watching, we saw lots of Dolphins, flying fish as mentioned and on a very regular basis,

I am hoping again we will see more, one funny thing was watching an Alligator at the entrance to the Panama canal, just feet form the ship.

We're debating whether or not to bring a pair of binoculars due to packing limitations. I think after reading these, we may try to fit them in anyway.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

dear cpooh......does yor giraffes..ever get tired?


...flying fishes... , well as long as it isn't a flying ,
jollly, cpt crash...then we're good to go,

fish extenders? ..well, luggage..will be tight..& this is a very big
crowd...& i don't hurt anyone feelings...but i was thinking...of
"stuff"..that by chance..matches up..with some of the crew. [ what
could be the odds..having...a "nutmeg"..dale e., racing hat? ]
..if we can squeeze..in. stuff like "barrrel full of monkees"..& the likes.

but we're most likely..are going to be squeezed for "space". so iam
wondering..is it ok?....just "to do"...those things?

for pettitiecoats junction's sakes..hope.....we don't come back..&
find a "lot"..of granny panties...my lil'sweetie...might get a lil'suspicious.

...however, i am already..to "blame crash"..in such events..leading
to wise~cracks. by good humor!


girlscouts..i asked my wife...about patches..i guess their leader is
very tight..and only "reward" them with their activities. [ she
has done some amazing projects].


..let's see..stacey...did something..to the dis boards, and now acting
innocence....sounds..like a really big show, stay tune?


....wow!....the room tour...might be more interesting than i thought...
pending the "dirty laundry" displayssss, are we going out on
the balcony? ..sota remember pics..from the 11~nighter, pulling into
port...with alot.."action shots", by justmmmmm a~round~


speakin...OF..." "..forever more...be known as the "justm 's
sealion" ...adventures!



dwats, , ..we have.....no room...assignment. wonder..if the
hammocks...are still available..deck 4. have anyone..been in the lifeboats?
showers / bathroom?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We're debating whether or not to bring a pair of binoculars due to packing limitations. I think after reading these, we may try to fit them in anyway.

Do bring them, they will be handy, or there is a DCL gift you can order in advance that includes binoculars, this is the best cruise I have been on for sealife.

 

[junesgoofy]

I have not seen anyone mention 'Dramamine' - a fast acting motion sickness relief med. On our first cruise, my MIL gave me one at dinner for my 'head' - it just felt funny. I didn't need it the rest of the trip. Then on our 2nd cruise, I took another one at dinner because my head was feeling wierd again. I still didn't need anymore the rest of the trip. I have already purchased more for this TOAL. Has anyone else tried this?

Books I would suggest: Beverly Lewis
The Covenant
The Betrayal
The Sacrifice
The Prodigal
The Revelation

These books are fabulous!! When I was done, I felt like I knew this family as if they lived down the street! I have let quite a few people read them and they all loved them and wanted more. Beverly Lewis has a bunch of book series like this. I am bringing another one of her series with me on the TOAL. I can bring this paperback set if someone would like to read them. I would like to get them back though. They are a quick read so many could read them. Just let me know.

 

[bellelinus]

I guess it depends on what you are into. I don't like really fluffy books, I need substance, although I don't always read fine literature.

Here are a few that I realy liked that had something to them, but I didn't have to think real hard while reading.

Last cruise I read Gregory Maguire's books - Wicked (Wizard of Oz), Mirror Mirror (Snow White) & Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (Cinderella). Seemed appropriate for DCL. I wish he'd take on Sleeping Beauty.

I read The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve last summer and I'm still thinking about the ending!

Little Children by Tom Perrotta is also very good, although maybe too dark for cruise reading. There is a scene where the main female character is trying on swimsuits and I swear the author walked around in my head for a while before writing it.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory was good in a fluffy sort of way, but I didn't really like the rest of her books.

I loved, loved, loved The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon.

Wow, M -- your planned reading list and your list here are all books I have read! We must have about the same taste in books.

Bar the bad weather 'cabo' day in 2005, I saw a lot of sea life from our verandah and just spent hours there watching, we saw lots of Dolphins, flying fish as mentioned and on a very regular basis,

I am hoping again we will see more, one funny thing was watching an Alligator at the entrance to the Panama canal, just feet form the ship.


2010

Lots of questions on the main board about DCL in 2010, where would yo like the ships to go? and or, where do you think they will go? Would the Economy stop you booking a cruise? Anyone re-booking on board, for a 10% discount?

Personally I hope for another Med cruise, as the Magic is in the Caribbean for 2009, it is very likely it will be off on its travels for summer 2010.

I hope for the Med, if it isn't that, I think it will be a return to the West coast with two more panama Repos.

Thanks for the supporting evidence for sea life spotting on our cruise! I am really hoping to be able to see things like this from our verandah.

I'm with you -- if DCL heads back anywhere in Europe for 2010, I'm in. I actually didn't book for 2009 because the itineraries just didn't wow me. I might book something onboard with a view to changing it when the 2010 dates come out.

 

[4fosterkids]

We're debating whether or not to bring a pair of binoculars due to packing limitations. I think after reading these, we may try to fit them in anyway.

oh I'd try to fit them somehow...we had a ball spotting things at sea as well as coming & leaving ports on our last cruise...especially having a verandah.

 

[4fosterkids]

I have not seen anyone mention 'Dramamine' - a fast acting motion sickness relief med. On our first cruise, my MIL gave me one at dinner for my 'head' - it just felt funny. I didn't need it the rest of the trip. Then on our 2nd cruise, I took another one at dinner because my head was feeling wierd again. I still didn't need anymore the rest of the trip. I have already purchased more for this TOAL. Has anyone else tried this?

We used Bonine...which is very similiar to Dramamine. For some reason our doctor and pharmacist recommended Bonine over Dramamine for the kids and I don't remember why! lol

I think people are discussing the other options, as they don't have any negative side effects as the meds do..ie: bands, ginger

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I have not seen anyone mention 'Dramamine' - a fast acting motion sickness relief med. On our first cruise, my MIL gave me one at dinner for my 'head' - it just felt funny. I didn't need it the rest of the trip. Then on our 2nd cruise, I took another one at dinner because my head was feeling weird again. I still didn't need anymore the rest of the trip. I have already purchased more for this TOAL. Has anyone else tried this?

The best cure for seasickness is the natural way,

Get up on deck, and look at the horizon as much as possible, the widest view you can have. Take in the fresh air and eat light, but keep up the water, not too much, not too little. Seasickness is caused when the inner ear and your eyes send different information to your brain, to equalize this get up on deck, Some Meds can make things a little worse.

Wow, M -- your planned reading list and your list here are all books I have read! We must have about the same taste in books.



Thanks for the supporting evidence for sea life spotting on our cruise! I am really hoping to be able to see things like this from our verandah.

I'm with you -- if DCL heads back anywhere in Europe for 2010, I'm in. I actually didn't book for 2009 because the itineraries just didn't wow me. I might book something onboard with a view to changing it when the 2010 dates come out.

Yep Med is what I want, but its 50/50 with West Coast,

DCL wants to build up a base there for the Magic or Wonder, when the new ships come so to ensure a foothold, it might go back again, Also it will want a cash banker in the economy, the West coast cruises are that cash cow, BUT and a big $ but the Panama crossing costs lots of $ and they have to cover about $600k just for two crossings, before making a profit.

The Med sold well, but the transatlantic didn't sell as well,, but the discounts on those I think lost them less money than the panama cost,

So its 50/50 IMHO. It is the Meds turn, ( or Northern Europe)

 

[cinderella_mom]

We're debating whether or not to bring a pair of binoculars due to packing limitations. I think after reading these, we may try to fit them in anyway.

Binoculars will be a must if you want a good look at the sea life. I'd definately bring them.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

The best cure for seasickness is the natural way,

Get up on deck, and look at the horizon as much as possible, the widest view you can have. Take in the fresh air and eat light, but keep up the water, not too much, not too little. Seasickness is caused when the inner ear and your eyes send different information to your brain, to equalize this get up on deck, Some Meds can make things a little worse.




Yep Med is what I want, but its 50/50 with West Coast,

DCL wants to build up a base there for the Magic or Wonder, when the new ships come so to ensure a foothold, it might go back again, Also it will want a cash banker in the economy, the West coast cruises are that cash cow, BUT and a big $ but the Panama crossing costs lots of $ and they have to cover about $600k just for two crossings, before making a profit.

The Med sold well, but the transatlantic didn't sell as well,, but the discounts on those I think lost them less money than the panama cost,

So its 50/50 IMHO. It is the Meds turn, ( or Northern Europe)

We missed out on the Med, so I hope they go back there in 2010 AND that we are able to swing it!

 

[m&m's mom]

I like Janet Evanovich but I LOVE Jodi Piccoult - if you have never read anything written by her, I recommend My Sister's Keeper first then read 19 Minutes and Vanishing Acts - awesome summer reads, books you will not be able to put down.

\

I will have to look into that.

I am waiting for my Mom to finish Fearless Fourteen. We take turns buying all the Evanovich books. I've heard it is not as good as some of the others (not enough Ranger), but still a good read. I know I will have it read before the TOAL. I love Grandma Mazur.

I'm sorry. I keep forgetting we have had this conversation before.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We missed out on the Med, so I hope they go back there in 2010 AND that we are able to swing it!

I hope so they were great cruises and also nice not to have to fly to far for me.

 

[smeecanada]

HAPPY CANADA DAY

to SmeeCanada and any other Canadian DISer's out there!!!

Same to you MJGirl and all other Canadians on board!

Nice day today - just relaxing with family - and playing Wii Fit (I lucked out and got one yesterday ).

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

I'll second that.

Spolier alert: It the book almost seemed to end too quickly. He'd spent countless pages on the French and early US efforts then seemed to rush to the finish. Anyway, it was an invaluable read for the TOAL.

PBS has a Canal DVD which McCulloch narrates.

Got to run, have a flight to SNA to catch (just a biz day trip, not DL)

Andy

I read Panama Fever and it was much the same way. I would say at least 7/8ths of the book was dedicated to the French and American take over and very little on the US completion/construction effort.

Is it possible to try ginger ahead of time, just to see if it "agree's" with you or not? Is it good for other things besides sea sickness?
I'm picturing myself with flashy bands, a bandaid behind my ear and smelling of ginger....just to be on the safe side!! LOL

Ginger can be used for any upset stomach issues. It would not hurt to give it a try before you left to see how you react. Do you have in experience with Ginger Ale? Same thing.

We used Bonine...which is very similar to Dramamine. For some reason our doctor and pharmacist recommended Bonine over Dramamine for the kids and I don't remember why! lol

This gets very confusing since Dramamine (regular) contains Dimenhydranate whereas Dramamine Non-Drowsy contains Meclizine (same as Bonine). Meclizine is less sedating than Dimenhydranate. One thing to note is that you DO NOT want to give Meclizine to children 12 and under. They only get Dimenhydranate.

I think people are discussing the other options, as they don't have any negative side effects as the meds do..ie: bands, ginger

The only major problem with ginger is if you have bleeding problems or are taking something to thin your blood (Coumadin, Plavix, Aggrenox, Aspirin). If you take enough ginger they can prolong you bleeding time.

On a happier note today, Our hospital was finally sold today. We have been up for sale for 4-1/2 years and entangled in a legal battle between the hospital owners and the land owner. We will now be working for the Sisters of Providence a non-profit organization on the West Coast. We are all very excited.

Reading list so far this year
Whole Truth - Baldacci
Spin - Wilson
Panama Fever - Parker
Killer Instinct - Finder
Alexander Link - Berry
Lost World - Crichton
Secret Sanction - Haig