aaerobear

Just snagged a deal on the RSVP cruise on 2/26. I hear there are lots of SF folks on as well.. It should be fun.

Ed

Bay area boys/girls have been pretty quiet these days. Whats up?

Ed

The stacks are on the SS Independance, she was bought by NCL and they can't make up their minds. I guess she will just sit there and rust (an also torment those of us who would like to see the old girl back on her heels)

Ed

you're counting, baby, you're counting. Who wouldn't be at this point.

Have a great time.

Ed/Jeff

Happy New Year,

Any locals going on the RSVP cruise on Feb 26th? We have a chance to pick-up a suite from another friend.

Ed/Jeff

Happy New Year to all from the Regal Princess at sea from Recife to Salvador, Brazil. Hope you all had a great holiday. We are sure enjoying ourselves.

BDJAM, we have met your friend and he is a nice guy, had met him before on another cruise.

See you all on the 11 of jan.

Jeff/Ed

many ships call in SF all year round. In the winter it is mostly Princess though, the Dawn is here every 10 days throughout the season, once summer arrives there are lots of ships to see at pier 35.

Ed/Jeff

Less than one week now and we will be cruising to South America. We want to wish all of you SFCruisers (and all of the CCLGBT folks) the very best of the holiday season. We will be toasting Christmas in Barbados and NYE in Belem, Brazil.

I think the next cruise will be the Noordam cruise to North Africa in August. (unless we can fit a couple in between now and then )

Ed/Jeff

Brian,

I meant the SS Hope, the hospital ship. It was in port a few months ago as well.

I was wondering that myself, a friend said it was "HOPE" but it does not look like that. I need to drive down there and do some snooping.

Ed

Speaking of "rough seas" has anyone sailed from FL to Brazil? Was it a rough ride or smooth like most other routes? We leave in about 40 days and were just wondering.

Ed/Jeff

We have sailed many times out of SF north to Vancouver/alaska/etc. it is not rougher than any other cruise.

Ed/Jeff

Ice,

The nearest BART station is quite a hike from pier 35, you may want to take a cab from Embarcadero stop to pier 35. probably about 4/5 bucks.

Ed/Jeff

Thanks again everyone,

We have sailed NCL a few times and have seen these problems several times. I believe NCL is going through the same thing as other lines. Trying to cut staff and still maintain the same service levels. Does not always work.

So far this year we have done one Celebrity, 2 HAL, and are leaving in Dec on the Regal to Rio. Of all the lines we have sailed, we still like Princess the best, but then everyone has their preference and I respect that

Ed/Jeff

Thanks Beav,

Thats what they told us had happenned and I wondered. I guess i would be a little upset about it myself.

The one thing I am wondering about is the "booze police" I was under the impression that you could bring wine and champagne onboard and the corkage was only charged if you took the w/c into the dining room. If you comsumed it in your cabin there was no corkage. Is that right, or am I wrong here?

Ed

ps,

That was a great review you wrote, and I saw the Spirit on Friday at pier 35 backed in, it looked wild.

hey guys/gals did anyone take either of the NCL short cruises (1 night or 5 night) this last week? I heard from a couple of guys today that they were awful. Bad service and terrible food. I am not sure if these guys are just blowing steam or if it was really a fiasco. Let me know.

Ed

Thanks Brian, we will look into it

Ed/Jeff

Brian,

What is the itin for the Noordam in Feb? Just curious, we may need another getaway after the holiday cruise with Princess to Rio.

Ed/Jeff

God, I have to turn in my Gay Card, I spelled Oprah's name wrong.

Ok, OK I know it is O_P R A H

The cast will include:

Judge Judy

Dr Phil (for the mental cases)

Hyacinth and Ricahrd (in disguise as Sheridan booked with his "friend" and she is spying on him)(has no idea that Onslow and Daisy are in a suite)

Operah, running a used book stahl on the lido deck (profits go right into her pocket)

Ellen will be recruiting (has an extra cabin full of toasters)

And all of the wonderful SF cruisers that make this board fun as well as informative.

Unfortunately the cast will NOT include Jeff and I as we are just back from a jaunt in europe and will be swamped with house guests.

Have a great time and keep us posted.

Ed/Jeff

Is that the NCL Spirit that is in drydock? Maybe the short cruises are sea trials. :-)

Ed

WOW!!!! has anyone looked out at the Bay today? We saw 4, thats right 4 cruise ships in town, what a sight.

Ed

Did anyone else go to the IGLT expo at the Nikko on Wednesday?? Lots of great travel stuff.

Ed

just so everyone knows... The San Francisco Gay Mens Chorus is sailing that evening (the 17th) on the Hornblower. It is their annual "cruisin the bay" fund raiser. It is truly a fun time. Not exactly a cruise ship, but what the heck.

We will be there with bells on. Maybe see some of you onboard.

Ed/Jeff

We have never had a problem with the folks onboard. Lot of the time they say..."are you two brothers?" Well after 26 year together we do look a lot alike. We just smile and say.."no, partners"

You have to remember that the crew has seen everything and I mean EVERYTHING, so nothing would shock or suprise them.

yes, SAC is part of our wide open SF area. Welcome