Bahamas?? Alaska??? BAHAMAS! Dream coming true June 21-26, 2011

[Leshaface]

On every cruise I have been on, in the main dining room, they allowed us to order as much as we wanted of whatever we wanted. Yes, I am proud (and NOT ashamed! ) to say that there have been many times that I have ordered more than one appetizer, 2 entrees when I couldn't decide (especially when they serve steak AND lobster!), and more than 1 dessert. It is a complete food fest! There will be food everywhere, and anything extra you want, just ask! Many times, I get an appetizer, plus a soup AND a salad, all from the starters section of the menu. Then an entree, then a dessert (or more than one of something, as I said). Every cruise ship I have been on also had an international cheese plate on their menu, which was also included! Want to try something new? Try it. Don't like it? You can get something else...no extra charge and no check at the end of your meal! Another tip...there is always a children's menu, and every cruise I have been on, they have french fries on the kids' menu. On our last cruise, sometimes I wasn't into the side dish that came with the entree, so I would ask for fries instead and they gave it to me.

As far as shore excursions, I was 13 when my parents took me and my sister on our first cruise. We went our of NY to Bermuda, and on that cruise we stayed in Bermuda for 3 and a half days (you sleep on the ship, it is your resort and you come and go as you please). We did a few excursions, which we booked through the cruise ship. As my parents are very friendly and outgoing people, they met a lot of people and made a lot of friends on the cruise. They go to talking to some more experienced cruisers who told them that there are other ways to see the ports besides tours through the ship. One way is to grab a taxi (they are usually lined up when the ship is docked, waiting for passengers), and tell the taxi driver where you want to go. We did this 5 years ago in St. Thomas. We wanted to see Paradise Point (you take a cable car up into a mountain, beautiful!), and we also wanted to go to the beach and shopping. So, we grabbed a minivan for DH, me and our son (he was only 18 months old, and we hadn't had our little one yet...he was our "souvenir" from the cruise! ), as well as my aunt, uncle and cousins who were cruising with us. The cab driver took us to the cable car for Paradise Point, and we asked him to meet us there again after 90 minutes. We went up to Paradise Point, drank a bushwacker (delicious drink that knocks your socks off! don't worry, there were plenty of sober people looking after my son!), watched a bird show and enjoyed some of the views. You could see Puerto Rico from up there! Then, we took the cable car back down, met the cab driver, and he drove us to the beach. We asked him to meet us again in 2 hours, which he did. He took us to the shopping area. We stayed there for an hour, then he took us back to the ship.

Now, there were beach and shopping tours through the ship, but they cost more than twice what we paid for all that, AND we got to see Paradise Point as a bonus!

That is just one example...my dad started doing this on our second cruise when I was 14, in Bermuda again. He would get us a cab outside the ship, and ask them to take us to where the locals go, so we could see how the locals live on the island. Some places though, we were warned not to venture out on our own, like in Jamaica where we took a bus tour through the ship. Even the tour guide warned us when it was time to get off the bus and do a little shopping, to be very careful as crime was high there at the time (summer 1994). We always enjoyed seeing different parts of each island, not only the tourist attractions.

People on Cruise Critic could also give you some tips on touring at the ports. There are some boards dedicated to each place (I was just on one the other day for the Bahamas). There is some great info out there!

Oh, and there is the opportunity to swim with the dolphins if you are interested. It's expensive, but my nieces did it last year and they loved it!

The bolded made me LOL!! So I won't be ashamed either then when the time comes! I'll just tell the waiter, "Well, Bonnie told me I can, so I am!" That's probably the one thing i'm looking forward to the most is the food! And Disney does food pretty good! What about tips? When my brother and sil went on their cruise, they tipped on the last night, because it was the same waiter at every meal...is that how it's done? Or would you tip after every meal?

Your excursions sounded so amazing! And one thing I do want to do (DH doesn't really care) is to swim with the dolphins! I think it would be an amazing experience! I would also really like to look around Atlantis...that resort looks phenomenal!

Great start to your Pre TR, can't wait to hear more.

Hi princess aleya!! Great to have you!!

 

[praisehisname]

Speaking of Sangria, I make some of the best Sangria around! (probably because I know no one else that makes it! )

Willing to share your recipe???

I've already decided that I'll be getting my first spray tan next month

I really want to do this for our cruise...how long does the tan last?

Also, i'll be getting (dun-DUN DUN!!) my first brazilian wax ever next month...

Oh my gosh, I want to get one, but I'm so scared! Let us know how bad it is, and then I'll decide!

What about tips? When my brother and sil went on their cruise, they tipped on the last night, because it was the same waiter at every meal...is that how it's done?

Yep, on the last night. They used to put tip envelopes on your bed the second-to-last night of the cruise, but I think now you can even pre-pay before you sail.

 

[bangzoom6877]

On traditional cruises (same waiter every night), we tipped on the last night of the cruise, at the end of dinner. We also left the cash tip in the cabin in an envelope for the cabin steward at the end of the cruise. However, our last 3 cruises (and this upcoming one) were on NCL and they automatically charge $12 per person per night for tips, and it gets divided among the staff (freestyle dining, not traditional dining). You can have this adjusted if you want. What we did on our last NCL cruise was, as a party of 21 people, had reserved the same table with the same waiter every evening at 5:30pm when the dining room opened. So, we gave a little extra to the waiter and his assistant waiter on the last night of the cruise, as well as a little extra to the cabin steward. They really all went above and beyond the call of duty and we felt they deserved it.

The Atlantis is beautiful. We're looking forward to seeing it again too!

And, for me the cruise is all about the food too, before anything else! Think of it like this...the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan on STEROIDS!!!

 

[Leshaface]

Willing to share your recipe???



I really want to do this for our cruise...how long does the tan last?




Oh my gosh, I want to get one, but I'm so scared! Let us know how bad it is, and then I'll decide!




Yep, on the last night. They used to put tip envelopes on your bed the second-to-last night of the cruise, but I think now you can even pre-pay before you sail.

Welp, you twisted my arm, here's my sangria recipe!!

1 Orange sliced
1 Lime, sliced
1 Lemon, sliced
8-10 Strawberries, sliced in half
1/2 jar of Maraschino cherries, with juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups spiced rum
2 cups Orange juice, no pulp
2 cups sprite
5 cups boxed red wine

Put all fruits into a large punch bowl (I use a plastic iced tea pitcher for my mom) along with the sugar and rum. Let fruits marinate for an hour, or you can skip this step if you're in a hurry. Add the oj, sprite, and wine and drink immediately!

I will say i'm using a round number on the wine..what i normally do is put everything in the pitcher and just add the wine till it's completely filled to the top, so it may be closer to 8-9 cups of wine But it's oh-so-good and refreshing!!

The spray tan I think only takes about 20 minutes, but lasts for 6-7 weeks! I heard it's good to exfoliate your body before you get the tan because the tan holds better!

LOL!! I'll let you know how bad it is! From the reviews, this woman is really good, and it was painless, because she uses the hard wax ( ) and they were only in there for 15 minutes which is AMAZING since my underarms took about 20 mins! I'm actually excited about not having to shave for 5-6 weeks after!!

You can pre-pay a tip before you leave?? Interesting!! Thanks for the 'tip'! ....sigh, i'm stupid.

On traditional cruises (same waiter every night), we tipped on the last night of the cruise, at the end of dinner. We also left the cash tip in the cabin in an envelope for the cabin steward at the end of the cruise. However, our last 3 cruises (and this upcoming one) were on NCL and they automatically charge $12 per person per night for tips, and it gets divided among the staff (freestyle dining, not traditional dining). You can have this adjusted if you want. What we did on our last NCL cruise was, as a party of 21 people, had reserved the same table with the same waiter every evening at 5:30pm when the dining room opened. So, we gave a little extra to the waiter and his assistant waiter on the last night of the cruise, as well as a little extra to the cabin steward. They really all went above and beyond the call of duty and we felt they deserved it.

The Atlantis is beautiful. We're looking forward to seeing it again too!

And, for me the cruise is all about the food too, before anything else! Think of it like this...the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan on STEROIDS!!!

AAAAhhhhh "Disney Deluxe Dining Plan on STEROIDS!!!!??" That's pretty scary I must say!! (faint) But stupendous at the same time!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Welp, you twisted my arm, here's my sangria recipe!!

1 Orange sliced
1 Lime, sliced
1 Lemon, sliced
8-10 Strawberries, sliced in half
1/2 jar of Maraschino cherries, with juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups spiced rum
2 cups Orange juice, no pulp
2 cups sprite
5 cups boxed red wine

Put all fruits into a large punch bowl (I use a plastic iced tea pitcher for my mom) along with the sugar and rum. Let fruits marinate for an hour, or you can skip this step if you're in a hurry. Add the oj, sprite, and wine and drink immediately!

I will say i'm using a round number on the wine..what i normally do is put everything in the pitcher and just add the wine till it's completely filled to the top, so it may be closer to 8-9 cups of wine But it's oh-so-good and refreshing!!

You can pre-pay a tip before you leave?? Interesting!! Thanks for the 'tip'! ....sigh, i'm stupid.




AAAAhhhhh "Disney Deluxe Dining Plan on STEROIDS!!!!??" That's pretty scary I must say!! (faint) But stupendous at the same time!!

OK, I definitely have to make that sangria!! Thanks for the recipe!

Yes, I mean it...the amount of food on the cruise ships is like the deluxe dining plan on steroids. It's like being in food heaven! And even the healthier options are delicious! I have had some of the best fruit in my life on cruises!

 

[franandaj]

OMG! I know that you are both already scheduled on cruises, but I just heard about this on the news tonight and thought that at least Bonnie and Alicia would really drool over this dream cruise (though definitely NOT a family cruise!) This ship is launching from San Francisco in two days through the Panama Canal and then over to Europe for the summer and then back to Miami for the Winter. We're going to start putting aside some savings to sail on her or her sister ship.

As they put it on the news, this was a ship for Foodies designed by Foodies! There are 10 gourmet restaurants onboard, cooking classes offered throughout the trip sponsored by Bon Apetit, and a restaurant sponsored by Wine Spectator. It sounds totally amazing!

Marina on oceania cruises

We can all dream!

 

[bangzoom6877]

OMG! I know that you are both already scheduled on cruises, but I just heard about this on the news tonight and thought that at least Bonnie and Alicia would really drool over this dream cruise (though definitely NOT a family cruise!) This ship is launching from San Francisco in two days through the Panama Canal and then over to Europe for the summer and then back to Miami for the Winter. We're going to start putting aside some savings to sail on her or her sister ship.

As they put it on the news, this was a ship for Foodies designed by Foodies! There are 10 gourmet restaurants onboard, cooking classes offered throughout the trip sponsored by Bon Apetit, and a restaurant sponsored by Wine Spectator. It sounds totally amazing!

Marina on oceania cruises

We can all dream!

Wow, that does sound amazing! Definitely something for retirement though, not now with the kids!

On our cruise this summer, I know there are cooking classes offered, so I am going to see what they are all about...but they may be very basic (things I already know). They have 16 total restaurants on the ship. We are definitely not going to the Asian restaurants or the Italian (we have those cuisines all the time at home, and like to do different things on vacation). But, the Mexican/Tapas restaurant looks great. You Cali people are probably laughing at me right now, because you guys have awesome Mexican food out there and would probably not touch that on a cruise! But for us NYC people, we have some places that serve Mexican food we like, but not like in Cali or Texas I'm sure! So, cruise ship Mexican is just fine for us! There is also a steakhouse, and a French restaurant. All of the places I mentioned have a cover charge. But they are small...$10 per person for the Mexican/tapas (which includes a margarita, plus they have lobster tacos on the menu!), $15 or $20 for the French, $25 for the steakhouse (that's the most expensive one). Not bad! Children cost half-price if they order off the restaurant's menu, but if they order off the generic children's menu that they use all over the ship, it is free for them. I think that's a great deal!

Then there's the 2 main dining rooms, the buffet, and the 24-hour cafe, all of which are free of charge. Plus room service of course, but we never do that for dinner. We are thinking of bringing the kids to the buffet (they have a special kids' buffet area with shorter tables and chairs, and all kid-friendly foods) at 5:00 for dinner one evening, then bringing them to the kids' club and going to dinner just the 2 of us. We could either go to a specialty restaurant or to the dining room (dining on NCL is freestyle, you can sit down in the dining room any time between 5:30 and 9:30!). Lots of choices, we'll see how it goes.

We're very excited because DS6's best friend's family just booked the cruise and will be joining us! He has a 9-year-old sister who my nieces adore, and they all get along very well too! The kids are gonna have the best time!

 

[franandaj]

I would probably try Mexican Food on a cruise. We really don't eat much Mexican food here, Taco Bell, Del Taco and Acapulco, but those are Mexican Food! Our favorite Mexican Restaurant is in Palm Springs and we don't get out there as often as we used to, the other is Las Vegas!

Alicia, where is that "Brite Spot" you mentioned you liked in Long Beach? I've seen a bunch of them around, are they a chain? I'd like to know of a place where I can get good Mexican food and not preportioned premeasured servings that can't even be called beef because there is not enough meat in the mixture to even call it "meat" much less "beef"!

 

[Leshaface]

Alison, that cruise sounds amazing!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely something for retirement!

We used to go to Brite Spot #3 on Anaheim and Euclid (right near Dan's old apartment!) Hopefully the food is still good!!! And the thing with taco bell is, I LOVE IT!!!! Taco Bell is so stinkin good and addictive... tis a shame it's not all beef!

 

[Leshaface]

Sorry, been a little MIA today....


Today is the 4 year anniversary of my Dad and Grandpa's death So I went to the Cemetery earlier this morning and sat in the light sprinkle listening to our favorite songs on my iPod. It felt good to be out there.

I kept my mom busy today by taking her to lunch for a cheeseburger and fries (not good for the diet, but today's a day where I can let it slide ) , visited Hobby Lobby (a home furnishing store/scrapbooking store/EVERYTHING store!), went to Blockbuster so she could buy movies with a GC she got from Christmas, and I'm baking a homemade marble cake right now ( do springform pans leak a little??? )

On a good note (Bonnie, you could care less about this next part!! ):

it's raining pretty hard...and the weather forecast calls for snow tonight and tomorrow!!!!!!!!!
The last time we had snow was in January 1999!!! So this will be something if we get some snow! Hopefully i'll be up and can take some pics if there is!!

 

[franandaj]

Taco Bell is so stinkin good and addictive... tis a shame it's not all beef!

Evidently they are being sued because there is not even enough meat in there to call it "meat". A friend of mine told me this and I found this online

Attorney Dee Miles said the meat mixture contained just 35 percent beef, with the remaining 65 percent containing water, wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltodrextrin, anti-dusting agent and modified corn starch.

The sad part is I LIKE the way Taco Bell's meat tastes!

Sorry, been a little MIA today....


Today is the 4 year anniversary of my Dad and Grandpa's death So I went to the Cemetery earlier this morning and sat in the light sprinkle listening to our favorite songs on my iPod. It felt good to be out there.

So sorry about your losses.

it's raining pretty hard...and the weather forecast calls for snow tonight and tomorrow!!!!!!!!!
The last time we had snow was in January 1999!!! So this will be something if we get some snow! Hopefully i'll be up and can take some pics if there is!!

Yeah they're actually predicting snow in Simi Valley, San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley and Malibu Hills. Basically 1000-1500 feet above sea level. Since we live on the Bluff, I'd say we're maybe 50-100 feet above sea level :

I think the last time I remember snow here (well I lived in the SF Valley then) was 1988!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Sorry, been a little MIA today....


Today is the 4 year anniversary of my Dad and Grandpa's death So I went to the Cemetery earlier this morning and sat in the light sprinkle listening to our favorite songs on my iPod. It felt good to be out there.

I kept my mom busy today by taking her to lunch for a cheeseburger and fries (not good for the diet, but today's a day where I can let it slide ) , visited Hobby Lobby (a home furnishing store/scrapbooking store/EVERYTHING store!), went to Blockbuster so she could buy movies with a GC she got from Christmas, and I'm baking a homemade marble cake right now ( do springform pans leak a little??? )

On a good note (Bonnie, you could care less about this next part!! ):

it's raining pretty hard...and the weather forecast calls for snow tonight and tomorrow!!!!!!!!!
The last time we had snow was in January 1999!!! So this will be something if we get some snow! Hopefully i'll be up and can take some pics if there is!!

I'm sorry about your losses. It's hard to lose people that are close to you, and the anniversary is not much easier to deal with.

LOL about the possibility of snow by you! No snow since 1999? What a concept! It has rained several times here in the last couple of weeks, and it has washed away most of the snow. My rose bush in front of my house suffered some damage though...quite a few branches broke. DH and I are hoping it revives in the spring.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Well, I will not be on the DIS for a few days. It's for something good...

Every year at my school, the faculty and students put on a Benefit Concert, and all proceeds go to a selected charity. Last year, I was asked to co-host the show with a colleague of mine (proceeds went to Haiti last year)! I also sang in the show. It was a lot of fun! They asked me back this year (proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research)! The show is this coming Thursday evening, and we have tech rehearsals beginning tomorrow, after school until 5pm. Then I come home, have dinner and spend some time with the kids before they go to bed and I collapse! So, I won't be on the DIS until at least Friday! I will come right back here though to catch up! Have a great week everyone!

 

[Leshaface]

Evidently they are being sued because there is not even enough meat in there to call it "meat". A friend of mine told me this and I found this online

Attorney Dee Miles said the meat mixture contained just 35 percent beef, with the remaining 65 percent containing water, wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltodrextrin, anti-dusting agent and modified corn starch.

The sad part is I LIKE the way Taco Bell's meat tastes!

ME TOO!!!! It's just so good! and I love their hot sauce! We usually save any packets that we have left over, and we use them on my homemade breakfast burritos or whenever I make Mexican food!

So sorry about your losses.

Thank you!

Yeah they're actually predicting snow in Simi Valley, San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley and Malibu Hills. Basically 1000-1500 feet above sea level. Since we live on the Bluff, I'd say we're maybe 50-100 feet above sea level :

I think the last time I remember snow here (well I lived in the SF Valley then) was 1988!

I was soooooo bummed when we didn't get anything!!!!! Not even one little flurry! I stayed up till about 11:30pm to see if anything would happen, and when it didn't, I set my alarm for 4:30 am and 6:00am so I could look out the window and see if there was any snow....nothing!

I won't believe those forecast people anymore...the last time it snowed here, they didn't predict snow, so i'm thinking their jinxing us!

I'm sorry about your losses. It's hard to lose people that are close to you, and the anniversary is not much easier to deal with.

Thanks Bonnie

LOL about the possibility of snow by you! No snow since 1999? What a concept! It has rained several times here in the last couple of weeks, and it has washed away most of the snow. My rose bush in front of my house suffered some damage though...quite a few branches broke. DH and I are hoping it revives in the spring.

I just told Alison how BUMMED I was when we didn't get any!!!

I've been waiting over 10 years to have some snow at home!! Ugh, one day!

I'm sure you rose bush will revive...they're pretty tough little plants!

On that note, in a few weeks we'll be planting a garden for me!! Haven't decided what I'll have yet, but for sure tomatoes and DH really wants zucchini or eggplant...so we'll see!

Well, I will not be on the DIS for a few days. It's for something good...

Every year at my school, the faculty and students put on a Benefit Concert, and all proceeds go to a selected charity. Last year, I was asked to co-host the show with a colleague of mine (proceeds went to Haiti last year)! I also sang in the show. It was a lot of fun! They asked me back this year (proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research)! The show is this coming Thursday evening, and we have tech rehearsals beginning tomorrow, after school until 5pm. Then I come home, have dinner and spend some time with the kids before they go to bed and I collapse! So, I won't be on the DIS until at least Friday! I will come right back here though to catch up! Have a great week everyone!

Well I hope you have fun and raise tons of money for Breast Cancer! My grandma had it twice (two different times) so that charity hits close to home

Tomorrow I start my workout regimen again, so hopefully i'll have some good news to report by the time you log on again!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Well I hope you have fun and raise tons of money for Breast Cancer! My grandma had it twice (two different times) so that charity hits close to home

Tomorrow I start my workout regimen again, so hopefully i'll have some good news to report by the time you log on again!!

The show was a success and it was a lot of fun, although the days leading up to it were pretty stressful...but a good stress. I love doing this stuff!

We had a pretty good crowd for the show. More people than last year!

How is your workout schedule going?

 

[franandaj]

So Mary, Mary, quite contrary....

How is your garden growing?

 

[heathsf]

I was soooooo bummed when we didn't get anything!!!!! Not even one little flurry! I stayed up till about 11:30pm to see if anything would happen, and when it didn't, I set my alarm for 4:30 am and 6:00am so I could look out the window and see if there was any snow....nothing!

I won't believe those forecast people anymore...the last time it snowed here, they didn't predict snow, so i'm thinking their jinxing us!

Spend next winter in Jersey and you won't be disappointed!!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Spend next winter in Jersey and you won't be disappointed!!!

You are so right! I was watching the news this morning, and was pleased to see that we will have high temps in the mid-40s minimum the next 5 days! I know we could still get snow any time in the next few weeks, March being so unpredictable that you don't even know how to dress from one day to the next! But, we're at the tail-end of winter and I am certainly ready for Spring and Summer!

 

[heathsf]

You are so right! I was watching the news this morning, and was pleased to see that we will have high temps in the mid-40s minimum the next 5 days! I know we could still get snow any time in the next few weeks, March being so unpredictable that you don't even know how to dress from one day to the next! But, we're at the tail-end of winter and I am certainly ready for Spring and Summer!

Meeeee toooooo!!!!!!!!

Highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s -- I can deal with that

 

[bangzoom6877]

Meeeee toooooo!!!!!!!!

Highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s -- I can deal with that

Yes and I get excited every time it rains...feels like we escaped something!