The Oak Room
Posted on 12/22/2003 8:52:51 PM PST by DoughtyOne
Our plane arrives around 5pm so we should be at the hotel no later than 6pm.
Freepers, this is the attractive meeting salon for our Free Republic Network conservative activism meeting. The meeting will be held on the morning of our second "at sea" day. These meetings are always interesting, informative, interactive, lively and fun.
The Oak Room has plenty of seating, and has an intimate and rather English-clubby air. It has a faux fireplace on one end. The sea-side of the room is completely lined with large picture windows for a tranquil, panoramic view while we're meeting.
FRN chair, Diotima, is in charge of the program.
There will be a brief drawing of some screen names from our Pirate Booty Bag for prizes donated by generous freepers.
I also hear tell that we'll end up the meeting with an interesting, freeper-produced short video you'll want to see.
The room is reserved for us from nine-ish to noon-ish. Have your breakfast early on the Lido or room service in your cabin, and then come to the Oak Room. The meeting is completely casual, except for pajamas and hair rollers. Pots of steaming coffee (from Java, former Dutch colony) will be on hand for the morning's jump start.
Leni
Leni
You go to sleep on Saturday night, and at 8:00 AM the next morning you discover the Zuiderdam is anchored about three miles off our first island stop, Half Moon Cay.
You can put your swim suits on and order room service but it may be over an hour wait this busy morning. Or go to the Lido for a hearty breakfast and change when you get back to your cabin.
Wear a casual cover-up and sturdy sneakers or sandals to the beach. Definitely bring a straw or panama brimmed hat.
Your room steward will either give you beach towels or they will be given out on the beach itself....at any rate, don't worry about towels. They'll be issued to you.
When you're ready to leave for the beach, you'll be directed to a Main Deck gangplank, where tenders constantly shuttle to and fro the Cay. The first tenders to leave the ship are for the ship's beach staff, food for the barbeque, the band/musical instruments, etc.
Then, numbers are issued to the passengers for the tenders. Numbers are necessary at first because for the first hour or so, darn near the whole ship is headed for the beach at one time.
You'll be directed where to get your tender number. You must be ready to leave the ship or you won't get a tender number.
Our group will meet at our "headquarters", the cabana Mr. & Mrs. Bush_Democrat so generously donated for our use. The cabana will be decorated with American flags and Free Republic.com signs, so just walk the beach....we won't be hard to find, lol.
There are no shade trees on the beach. There are ample lounge chairs with umbrellas. Drag your lounge over to the FReeper Mean Green Mezzanine and park yourself. This is where the fun begins, hoo yah!
Folks who are sensitive to such things should bring insect repellent. There may be mosquitos if there's no wind.
The usual warning applies regarding sunburn. The tropical sun rays are hot, and even more so in or near water. Sunscreen/block are a necessity if you're still a paleface. Many an unwary cruiser has spent the next day or two in his/her cabin nursing a bad burn after even a few hours on a Caribbean beach. With a nice cool breeze off the water, many sun lovers don't know that the sun is still doing what it does, frying you. If you're on an umbrella lounge for any time, cover both the top and bottom of your feet with a towel.
Last year, we headed for the Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman at 10 AM. This is a good time to go. You've had breakfast and have ample time for a swim and yak yak before they start serving the barbeque lunch. After lunch, you may want to explore the shopping arcade, take the nature walk, have an apres-lunch tropical drink at an open-air bar and listen to the steel band. Or head to the beach again for more swimming and yak yak with freeper friends. There's also plenty of water toys to rent if you want to jet-ski, etc. around this stunningly gorgeous island.
Bush_Democrat (Jan) is our committee chairperson for this beach event. She'll be the point person on the beach. If you have any problems or questions, take them to her. Bahama Mama will be under water as much as she can during the day and will refer all questions to Jan, heheh.
Bahama Mama
When the barbeque lunch is ready in the eating pavilion, a steward who's dressed like that nostalgic Pall Mall bellhop of yore wanders the beach dinging his little dinger, one of those marimba-like chime things like you see in old Astaire/Rogers movies.
The pavilion is about a quarter of a mile from the beach. If our cabana is near the wharf where the tenders dock, there's a tram that'll take you to the pavilion.
The barbeque starts at 11:30 AM. Everything is grilled....really good hot dogs and hamburgers, chicken and ribs. There's delicious potato salad and an assortment of other salads. Fresh fruit, homemade breads and crusty rolls. Homemade brownies, cookies and an variety of beverages round out the beach barbeque.
There are Dutch-clean restrooms and changing rooms scattered about.
You'll be informed when the last tenders are leaving to return to the ship. You may want to take a nap when you get back to your cabin....or better yet, stop for ice cream at the ice cream bar if it's still open. They have waffle cones and hand-scooped and soft-serve ice cream....or you can make your own sundae with whipped cream and a variety of toppings.
Don't forget that this night (Sunday) is the first formal night. Ninety-two percent of the women diners will have a Half Moon Cay hairdo. You ladies know what I mean.
Bahama Mama
After Sunday night, all freepers will be seasoned tars and will be in the swing of shipboard life. Knowledgeable people on board (fellow freepers, ship's staff and stewards) will be the sources of information from then on.
Monday is an "at sea" day. The ship will be gently sailing over the curling white caps on its way to the beautiful isle of Tortola, our next port.
On Monday, you can sleep in if you want.....or explore the ship, visit the casino, read on deck or on your balcony, swim in the ship's pools....or just lay back and enjoy this casual day doing anything you want....or do nothing if you prefer.
Cruisers, you may have more questions for Bahama Mama as E-Day draws ever nearer. Post them here and they'll be answered quickly. Your ole Mama is almost packed and is now just marking time......fidget, fidget.....
Bahama Mama
We like to keep this thread for general cruise chit-chat and the Mama thread for hard info.
Thanks,
Leni
Have fun!
TS
Leni
Posted information about taxi and fares from airport to port on the other thread.....
Am getting EXCITED! Almost packed....except the last minut stuff and SHOES....
We cetainly will miss you......(But it won't stop us from having a great time) Cameras are ready.....what happens on the cruise...... stays on the cruise...unless we have pictures! (Don't expect any with pointing in them!)
Tell BahBah I still have her book and will get it back to her!
Regards,
TS
Guess I'll really have to go now, lol!
Leni
Hi, Shrew: It is good to hear from you. Congradulations on your change in marital status. She is a lucky gal. I hope you liked Charlie Wilson's War. I just picked up Hillary's Secret War. I will send it to you when I'm finished if you like, and if you have the time to read. I have to pass on the cruise this year, which makes me sad. I had such a good time. Best regards. Barbara
PS. I have moved. My new address is 1032 North Woodlawn, Kirkwood, Missouri 63122. JimRob will be coming this way soon and I hope to meet him. Bye
AND sometime this summer I'm heading over to see Bah Bah....If St Louis can take both of us? Meet me in St Louie, Louie? Say TS have shared the collection including SONG OF THE LARK with several friend...such a good story teller. Ordered a couple of new books for the cruise....CRS but I think one of them is "Rewriting History!"
Need some time to catch up on reading!
The Vista Lounge is the stage show theater on the Zuiderdam. It seats 760 guests and more closely resembles a glitzy Vegas show lounge than a conventional theater. It's beautiful.
There are two different "Broadway"-type show nights during a one-week cruise. Other nights feature comedians, magicians, and specialty acts. One night is devoted to a musical revue put on by the Z's Phillipino or Indochinese staff and crew, depending which one is scheduled for the week. These performers do native dances in authentic costumes. Some singer may do a Frank Sinatra song, another may do an Elvis song and dance. They are all so talented, they practice when off duty, and give their all to please and entertain the passengers. I hope we get the Indochinese.....their show is colorful and riveting.
The Vista Lounge stage productions utilize state-of-the-art lighting and other special effects. Glittering mylar confetti is shot from hidden cannons during one show. You'll see a carousel and a ferris wheel.....plus great singing and dancing by the guys and gals in the very professional cast.
Hotfoot it to the Lounge after your dessert and coffee so you can get a good seat. There are some unfortunate pillars and areas of restricted view in the theater which you want to avoid.
Our Cruise Webmaster, Doughty One, will post a sensational pic of the Vista Lounge as soon as I snap my finger.....
Snap!
Leni
I'm getting ready to start the new one on Alexander Hamilton! Really physched to read that!
Hope all is well. You gals have a great time in St. Louis!
Regards,
TS
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