FReeps Ahoy 4 - Caribbean Cruise

01/16/2006 | DoughtyOne

[DoughtyOne]

  
Ahoy all Freepers!  Join the Fun!
   

FReeps Ahoy 4
      
  A fun-filled, Sun-Filled Caribbean Cruise!
  May 13 - 20, 2006

 

[Graybeard58]

I love Amtrak. I went by train from Tampa to every DC freep I attended

A couple of years ago I checked on Amtrak from central Illinois to Florida. First I would have to travel by rail to Washington, D.C. and then to Florida.....No thanks.

[dalereed]

Check the airline rates now, their are some good bargains currently and with fuel rising rapidly they won't last long.

I got $242.70 RT including taxes each on Delta from San Diego to Ft Lauterdale which is a little cheaper than we got 2 years ago.

[Graybeard58]

We are going to drive down. We have relatives to visit on the way there and relatives in Florida to visit after the cruise.

We are booked in the Comfort Inn for the night of May 12th. Hope to meet you there.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I hope that you all have a fabulous time! I am going to live vicariously thru y~all- that is why I am on this thread!!

BTW- I think you have made it clear that monies left , if any, go to FR. I would ignore the nay sayers. I bet it is a good deal of work to organize something like this, in fact I know it is.

[MinuteGal]

It's even worse the other way. To get to Illinois, I would board Amtrak in Tampa (not all that far from where I live), go to NEW ORLEANS for heaven's sake, thence to the Windy City.

Return would be to the east coast and back down to Tampa as you mentioned.

However, I love Amtrak, love viewing the scenery as we roll through different states, love people-watching, and love pretending I'm on the Orient Express, hah.

There may be a day when I may HAVE to take a train back and forth instead of driving both ways. Unfortunately, one doesn't stay 39 years old forever.

Amtrak trains only ply the profitable routes, and Illinois-Florida is a non-profit operation, alas.

Leni

[dalereed]

If I was going by myself I would probably drive, it would only be about 36 hours max. and i've made quite a few non stop trips that long and don't mind it a bit but Sheryle wouldn't stand for it.

I made it from L.A. to Saginaw MI in 34 hours in a diesel truck with 2 stops to eat and one for fuel.

[MinuteGal]

I wouldn't stand for it either, LOL.

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Thanks for your very nice words, Diva. We promise to fulfill your hopes......we WILL have a fabulous time.

I sincerely hope to meet you in person on a future cruise or maybe at a raucous Freep the Creeps somewhere, sometime!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

You have freepmail.

Leni

[DoughtyOne]

[hoosiermama]

Hey lady! WOn't be going on this one! (Dang) Already have plans to go to CA with my cousin....A Shake & Bake vacation planned.

[DoughtyOne]

I've been searching for some nice sized shots of cabins.  This is about it for now.
These two photos show one of the mini suites.
Note that his mini suite has a door that opens onto a balcony.

[DoughtyOne]

Bahama Mama found this link to a butterfly farm on San Maarten.

Click on the above photo for more interesting shots of butterflies.

[DoughtyOne]

On board our ship the Caribbean Princess,
there's a large movie screen that is visible both night and day.
The cruise line refers to the screen as movies under the stars.

Check the next two photos.  I may have an idea here...

[DoughtyOne]

We could invite the rest of the people on board the ship to Freep with us.

Hmmm, does that qualify the trip as a tax write-off?  Heh heh heh...

[DoughtyOne]

Here's one more shot of the screen, this time in the daylight.  Although the photo caught the screen between frames, it does show part of the screen bright during the daytime.

[Lumper20]

No cruises for me. I was never in the Navy.

[MinuteGal]

No beaches for me. I was never in the Marines.

:-)

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Cabins with balconies are quite roomy with plenty of closet and storage space. Bathrooms are compact, but on ships, they always are. Baths are stocked with kleenex, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion, each of good quality.

So if you want to save weight and space in your luggage you don't have to bring these items if you prefer. These items are replenished throughout the cruise by your room steward upon request.

Twin beds can be moved together to form a queen-size on order. Make a note to tell Wanda what your preference is when you phone her to register.

All cabins on the ship have TV, refrigerators, hair dryers and safes for the family jewels.

No more melted ice in your ice bucket. The fridge will hold the bucket nicely.

Water is of excellent quality on the ship. You don't have to purchase the bottled water that cruise ships are always trying to hawk. When you get on shore, purchase cold bottles of water at a local shop by the dock. Probably cheaper

The "Princess Patter" is delivered every night to your cabin to help you plan the next day's activities. It's very comprehensive. On request, your cabin steward will also deliver a mini-newspaper with articles drawn from the New York Slimes. I know, I know!. But every cruise line subscribes to the Slimes' wire service for their ships. However, you'll want this little newspaper, so tell your steward right off the bat.

If THIS makes you shudder, wait till you view satellite CNN International News. This commie network is evidently the only one available for ship lines to subscribe to. I've never seen any other news networks while at sea.

Disgusting as it is, it's my firm opinion that EVERY red-blooded American should become familiar with CNN International News. You will see why half the world hates us. Since we're all news junkies, it's CNN Int'l.....or go mad. Grrrr.

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Woo Hoo, it's freezing here in Florida and am-I-dreaming-of-a-sun-filled-getaway-on-our-ship bumps!

Bahama Mama