bucket

Webster defines a clique as"a small, exclusive group of people"

a coterie is defined as "a group of people who associate closely because of common social purposes, interests, etc."

I prefer that many coteries are formed on any cruise because many diverse people from farflung places come together to enjoy the experience of cruising. People tend to want to associate with likeminded others.

I was solo on the 2008 WC and joined "my own" coterie and hence did not notice cliques, as such (such a play on words). After awhile, I noticed that certain people would be associated with the same other persons but that seemed only natural. I was not personally aware of "cliques" as such.

I leave it others to decide if cliques are formed. Cliques has a very negative connotation which are not always deserved.

There is a fine exercise room with LOTS of equipment to be used. The promenade deck measures so many rounds = a mile. And then, there is the "where there is a will, there is a way" method.:D

I personally visited the local IRS office and they instructed me to pay my taxes in advance before leaving. But if I underpaid, I could have a penalty. I did file before leaving on the WC, leaving a slight margin of error (I am not in favor of loaning the govt. money) and everthing worked out fine. When I got back from the WC I was done with taxes and did not have to rush around unlike some of my friends on the WC. This is a personal matter and you have your own circumstances. If you have done EZ form in the past fairly accurately, that may well be the way to go. Why not telephone your local IRS office for their instruction or better yet visit if you are close to one.

I paid my Federal and State taxes in advance. I estimated an overage b/c ,if not , might incur a penalty. Also, on the '08 WC, there was a fellow who wore a hearing aid (I do too). Just before Serenity reached Hong Kong his hearing aid malfunctioned. Ok, he thought, He would get a new one in Hong Kong. He did and was happy with it. Eight hours out of Hong Kong his new hearing aid malfunctioned. He had a miserable last half WC. Please make sure you have backups for all necessary items that you HAVE to enjoy your trip.

While in the middle of the Pacific Ocean I discovered that I did not bring a pair of slacks that I had purchased expressly for the trip. I had the slacks Fedexed to Papeete. That cost the price of the pants originally. And then, I found I had way too many slacks for the trip.:eek:

Jeez....I did not mean to put an end to this thread. There is a lot of planning to do yet! Perhaps I should get a free pass from the dorm mother.;)

And then there is the money belt Ask Keith what he does with the magnets.:)

I will go out on a limb here. A brief sketch of what I took on my only WC:

A tux...black shoes, Dark blue suit, Blue jacket, and brown tweed jacket. two slacks to go with blue jacket, 2 slacks to go with brown tweed jacket, mesc. slacks, white shirts , shirts to go with sport jeckets, ties, lots short pants, lots of polo shirts, tee shirts, sweater, sweat shirt, wind breaker, loafers, sneakers,swim suit,pj's, cap, sunglasses, binoculars, medicines, toilitries, and keeping in mind doing the laundry once a week... all the washable garments. And then there are the things that each inividual likes and dislikes.

That's a sketch. And then there are all the things I may have forgotten or wished I had brought.

A man can get by on two 50 lb. bags and a carry on. The women, not so much. They need more. The crystal 2015 WC is all southern hemisphere so that can cut down on some clothing. Do not forget you purchase items along the way and you may need to carry them back. That could mean an additional bag. :eek: