December 7, 2013 - Winter Fantasy Cruise

[philatiger]

Sent our list to our TA....
Our requests were simple.

December 8 ---- Palo Brunch at 10 AM (mark that time down!)

December 11 --- Remy's for our anniversary dinner (Pirate Night)
(our anniversary is the 8th, but I don't want to miss any dinner rotations and Pirate night is my least favorite menu)

Port adventures--

December 9 ---- Family day at Tiki Beach at Grand Cayman

December 10 -- Costa Maya Salsa & Salsa

December 11 -- Mexican Cuisine Workshop in Cozumel

Wow, looks like you are all set. Are you trusting your travel agent to get your palo brunch? I am signing on at 12:01 to try and get something. Your TA might not try until he/she gets into work. JMHO

You will probably see mark at the Mexican cuisine in Cozumel, he did this on another cruise and really enjoyed it.

 

[philatiger]

Kinda off-topic, but I just downloaded my picture with the Stanley Cup. I am extremely pleased with it!

Back on-topic, just booked my flight with Southwest! Just about $160 (purchased points that I needed so I could reserve the flight on points). Gotta love frequent flyer stuff.

Congrats... one step closer.

 

[philatiger]

Talked with my sister today, they just got back last night from their cruise to Alaska.

They had a great time, they went on Princess cruise line...she said it is just gorgeous there...while they were at glacier bay, the ship did a very slow turn that took almost an hour...she said it was amazing to see...

the only downside was, this was their first cruise ever...they had some issues with Princess staff...not very nice, they went to customer service desk and they were rude. They had a flight out at 11:15 and they were not scheduled to get off the ship till 11:00 so when they went to the service desk, and they told them, they said, well what would you like us to do about this?? Really, lets not say, lets see how we can get you off soon so you can catch you flight!!...they did get an earlier time to disembark the ship, but really!! Plus she said there were other issues with the staff....and the food was ok....kinda hit and miss. the first night they were in the dining room for 3 hours.

Oh well, they really need to try a Disney Cruise....

I think the cruise industry as a whole is changing. The food thing seems to be becoming a common topic on cruise lines these days. They are all trying to find ways to cut costs. Mark is a chef and I am a pretty good cook too, spices and flavoring is not that expensive.

The staff on all cruise lines work really hard, long shifts and not much time off. I personally would be hard pressed to have a happy face 24/7. I don't expect the staff to be cheery all the time, but I do expect basic manners. No excuse for rudeness. As much as I am not a complainer, I think comment cards are where you need to mention the rudeness. It should be dealt with.

 

[Marlea98]

Well this move didn't start off too good. Got to North Carolina and was in a 4 car crash. Car might be totaled. I am ok, and the cats are ok. I am just shaken up. And because I was the last car in the 4 car chain I was deemed one of the at fault drivers, doesn't matter that the first is the one who slammed on his brakes ad caused the pile up. he walked away with little damage and no ticket.

Had to get a rental car and checked into a hotel. I was too shaken up to drive. We plan to continue at 12 midnight, I want to be on the road with the least amount of traffic. Still a little gun shy. It could have been a lot worse. All my body parts are in tact and working, can't ask for anything more.

Could use some pixie dust for our drive tonight.

I replied to this the other day but it looks like my post got eaten

I hope everything ended up okay and you are both taking care of yourselves. Have the cats fared well after all?

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[Marlea98]

Arrived safely. Pulling up to the house that we can finally call home washed away all the negative energy this weekend.

That's good to know. Hopefully the rest of your life in Florida won't be as stressful

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[Marlea98]

Talked with my sister today, they just got back last night from their cruise to Alaska.

They had a great time, they went on Princess cruise line...she said it is just gorgeous there...while they were at glacier bay, the ship did a very slow turn that took almost an hour...she said it was amazing to see...

the only downside was, this was their first cruise ever...they had some issues with Princess staff...not very nice, they went to customer service desk and they were rude. They had a flight out at 11:15 and they were not scheduled to get off the ship till 11:00 so when they went to the service desk, and they told them, they said, well what would you like us to do about this?? Really, lets not say, lets see how we can get you off soon so you can catch you flight!!...they did get an earlier time to disembark the ship, but really!! Plus she said there were other issues with the staff....and the food was ok....kinda hit and miss. the first night they were in the dining room for 3 hours.

Oh well, they really need to try a Disney Cruise....

We've only done P&O and Disney and Disney has spoiled us for any other cruise line. Things might change when we get older and travel without the kids, but for now, Disney is 'us'.

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[Va-NanaTink]

Wow, looks like you are all set. Are you trusting your travel agent to get your palo brunch? I am signing on at 12:01 to try and get something. Your TA might not try until he/she gets into work. JMHO

You will probably see mark at the Mexican cuisine in Cozumel, he did this on another cruise and really enjoyed it.

My TA is a Disney-exclusive agent that runs her own agency out of her house. She's also a personal friend who has done 4 previous cruises for me and always gotten me what I've asked for. Yes, she does do the bookings at 12:01...she's always up then anyway.
Besides, I'm booking at 120 days....

We did this about 5 years ago and absolutely loved it! So we decided to try it again!

 

[Dixielady908]

Afternoon:

Well at least the work day is 1/2 over....been busy here today....trying to get my work all completed off thursday and friday...so trying to get things cleared.

have a nice afternoon

 

[Marlea98]

Afternoon:

Well at least the work day is 1/2 over....been busy here today....trying to get my work all completed off thursday and friday...so trying to get things cleared.

have a nice afternoon

Have a great day. I'm planning to make a bulk amount of brownies today and tidy up the house (again). DD has a school dance on Friday night that they're hosting for some other schools and as they're the host school they have to bring a plate of food to share, so she wants to take brownies. I wanted to make marinated chicken wings but she said no

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[Dixielady908]

Have a great day. I'm planning to make a bulk amount of brownies today and tidy up the house (again). DD has a school dance on Friday night that they're hosting for some other schools and as they're the host school they have to bring a plate of food to share, so she wants to take brownies. I wanted to make marinated chicken wings but she said no

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chocolate is more important at that age then chicken wings... actually I prefer brownies over chicken wings....

 

[MinnieCruzer]

I think the cruise industry as a whole is changing. The food thing seems to be becoming a common topic on cruise lines these days. They are all trying to find ways to cut costs. Mark is a chef and I am a pretty good cook too, spices and flavoring is not that expensive.

The staff on all cruise lines work really hard, long shifts and not much time off. I personally would be hard pressed to have a happy face 24/7. I don't expect the staff to be cheery all the time, but I do expect basic manners. No excuse for rudeness. As much as I am not a complainer, I think comment cards are where you need to mention the rudeness. It should be dealt with.

We've noticed a change in the MDR food after the cruise lines started the upcharge dining. Some cuts of meat and other food items are no longer offered in the dining room...

 

[Marlea98]

chocolate is more important at that age then chicken wings... actually I prefer brownies over chicken wings....

Me too But I wanted to balance out the amount of sweet things that would be consumed. The dance finishes at 9pm so I can only imagine how hyped up those kids would be by then!

 

[Dixielady908]

Me too But I wanted to balance out the amount of sweet things that would be consumed. The dance finishes at 9pm so I can only imagine how hyped up those kids would be by then!

Oh I so remember thoes day's with my kids....going to the dance's and the girls dancing and the boy's just standing there....all though there were the few brave boys that would finally ask the girls to dance... so cute and innocent.

Enjoy these times as they really do fly by....but now I get to enjoy my grandkids.....which is such a blessing.


have a good day

 

[Marlea98]

Oh I so remember thoes day's with my kids....going to the dance's and the girls dancing and the boy's just standing there....all though there were the few brave boys that would finally ask the girls to dance... so cute and innocent.

Enjoy these times as they really do fly by....but now I get to enjoy my grandkids.....which is such a blessing.

have a good day

I think society encourages kids to grow up way too early. I'm seeing 8 and 9 year old kids dressed like 18 year olds complete with dyed hair, heeled shoes, make up and dancing like pole dancers at school dances. It's so sad. We've encouraged ours to be kids for as long as we can and so far so good. But she is 13 and she is starting to turn into a teenager

The only thing about this dance is it means I've got to find something to do for the time. We live too far out of town for it to be worth dropping her off and going home and going back later to get her. I might just have to hang out with a coffee at McDonald's

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[Marlea98]

I bought my wine for our wine tasting I hope people like it, it's tropical fruit from our local area. One is a sweet wine and the other is a type of port. I don't like port but this is nice. And it's different. Definitely suited to the Caribbean location

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[philatiger]

I bought my wine for our wine tasting I hope people like it, it's tropical fruit from our local area. One is a sweet wine and the other is a type of port. I don't like port but this is nice. And it's different. Definitely suited to the Caribbean location

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We bought ours on Friday before we left Pennsylvania. PA is not really known for good wines so we picked up a Sangria. I was thinking that maybe I would pick up small plastic cups to bring for the wine tasting. I know not ideal for drinking wine but easier for sampling and we can toss it and get a new one for the next wine, Just a thought. We are driving to the port so we are not restricted by weight for the airlines. We will aslo pack a wine opener.

 

[Marlea98]

We bought ours on Friday before we left Pennsylvania. PA is not really known for good wines so we picked up a Sangria. I was thinking that maybe I would pick up small plastic cups to bring for the wine tasting. I know not ideal for drinking wine but easier for sampling and we can toss it and get a new one for the next wine, Just a thought. We are driving to the port so we are not restricted by weight for the airlines. We will aslo pack a wine opener.

I like sangria.

I was thinking that we could just ask for an ice bucket and glasses from the room steward but bringing little plastic cups might be an idea too. It would save on washing up and mixing flavours. I am now kicking myself for throwing out the stacks of little wine tasting cups I was given ages ago

How did you settle in at the new place? Did the cats recover from both the accident and the drive?

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[Dixielady908]

Happy Wednesday......rainy out here today....but the weekend is supposed to be nice high 70's and low 80's....which is good, as I am having a crowd over for a bbq, so I can keep the guys out on the deck...

I am off thursday and friday, but I have so much to do, between cleaning grocery shopping and food preperation....I am already exhausted....

well have a good day....one day closer to the cruise

Oh, my friend Sue who is joining us on the cruise, today is her last day of work....she is officially retired today..... and she hasnt even turned 60 yet....I am soooooo jealous....

 

[philatiger]

I like sangria.

I was thinking that we could just ask for an ice bucket and glasses from the room steward but bringing little plastic cups might be an idea too. It would save on washing up and mixing flavours. I am now kicking myself for throwing out the stacks of little wine tasting cups I was given ages ago

How did you settle in at the new place? Did the cats recover from both the accident and the drive?

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we will pick up some wine tasting cups then.

Cats and dog are all settled in. The cats are enjoying exploring the house, they are still very tentative of going outside in the pool enclosure. I thought for sure they would be trying to get out all the time. I am sure in a few weeks they will love it.

 

[philatiger]

Happy Wednesday......rainy out here today....but the weekend is supposed to be nice high 70's and low 80's....which is good, as I am having a crowd over for a bbq, so I can keep the guys out on the deck...

I am off thursday and friday, but I have so much to do, between cleaning grocery shopping and food preperation....I am already exhausted....

well have a good day....one day closer to the cruise

Oh, my friend Sue who is joining us on the cruise, today is her last day of work....she is officially retired today..... and she hasnt even turned 60 yet....I am soooooo jealous....

Hope the weather holds out for you. It's always nice to have more options for space.

Tell Sue congrats