read52

We did the unlimited package on one iphone. It was $89(some discount for being emerald) for 7 days and it worked wonderful. We were able to facetime with our grandchildren at their homes.

We were on the same sailing. The first day was a mess. We did not board until 1 pm which I was ok with us because of the cleaning. What was hard was not being able to get in our room until 7:30 pm. We had to carry our luggage with us including to the Grande. I am surprise that RCCL did not give us something for free because of that day. We loved the food, ship and activities but the staff was not as knowledgeable because they were being trained for the trip to China.

At what point in the cruise did you find out about some people having noravirus?

I believe the last time I posted on here, said I was either about to be, or just turned 72, and still working for a large corporate office, which I really like.:)

 

I believe I mentioned that our company was either to move or build within the next couple years, and we just found out that they have started building in Kansas, and I live in Missouri.:rolleyes:

 

To make the long story short, it was time for my yearly review (turned out good, with a nice raise :)) with my supervisor. We were talking, and I could tell she was NOT trying to push me out the door, but was asking me what I thought about our moving to Kansas? I told her I thought it was good for some, others, it wouldn't be, and that I will be "RETIRING" when it gets closer to moving time. So thus, I WILL be retiring within the next 2 years, or less. I'll probably go crazy at home, but that's another story. I'm just not a home body, but maybe after retiring, I'll be doing a LOT of vacation/crusing.:)

 

I'll be cruising to the Caribbean in April. YEH!

Right now I am thinking 4 more years but that may change. In 3 years, our house will be paid off and I will be 66 so if I work another year after that I can collect social security and my regular check and no house payment. That way I can pay off some bills and bank some money. We have to replace our furnace and air conditioning soon and that is a bit of money plus I want to redo my kitchen (it is about 25 years old and the cabinets are falling apart) before I retire. So it is Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to work I go.

Thanks Shirley!! Will you be out of school then??

 

Deb

Actually I am taking 3 personal days ( I have 37 sick days that I will probably never use.) because we are off Thursday and Friday and the week after Easter. At first we were thinking about going to Europe in the summer but that got to be too expensive. Then we signed up for April 5th on the Quantum. Then we noticed that the week before was cheaper (we got a balcony for the same price as an inside). We are allow 3 personal days and that is how I am using them. We have meet some people online from Australia going on this cruise. They are coming to DC after the cruise so I am going to show them around because I will be off that week. It should be fun.

Enjoy your cruise. You are going to Martinque which is on our list of the Komo song ( we need to visit 3 more places).

Hi! Hi! Very happy you are getting your big checks. Someone screwed up either at school board or retirement center and I won't get my March check because of it. Won't get it til April because of someone's screw up. So from what I understand I will get March and Aprils in April....go figure. The good thing is I really don't need it right now and the other good thing is it didn't even upset me. I don't think anything has much bothered me since I retired. Even my blood pressure went down 10 points...lol

 

Ok...do you have a cruise planned???

 

Deb

Have fun. We have to wait for our cruise on March 29th. We are going on the Quantum.

After our next cruise in March we will be diamond. So because we are visiting our son in Texas, we booked the Navigator in August. We can't drink but we would like the other perks of a DL.

I am in my 34th year of teaching and plan on working for another 4 years. I work in a private school so the politics are not so overwhelming. My partner is young (24) with a couple of years of teaching but she is great. I love teaching esp. this year when I got a smart board (a wonderful invention). Hope my granddaughter will come to my school in another year.

Just a quick comment. RCCL keeps ships in Baltimore and New Jersey because there are many people who like to cruise from the surrounding states but not like to fly. The ships are always filled. It costs a little bit more than Florida but not compared to the price of an airline ticket.

I agree with you about the crab cakes, they are not true Maryland crab cakes.

We are expecting more snow Sunday night and Monday morning so enjoy the sun.

Hopefully, by the time you return on Sunday all the crazy weather will be done in the New York and New Jersey area so that you will be able to find your car.

In Maryland, we got just about 2 inches so hardly any snow.

Yay!! Another live review from Radio. Subscribed. Nothing like a cup of coffee reading your review in the middle of a snowstorm. Can't get any better than this. I will be on the Quantum March 29. Can't wait to see her.

I was wondering will Captain Gus be there when we sail? I usually am on the Grandeur and he was the Captain on her. What a great guy. Thanks for your review Radio. Have a great cruise.

Hey, my husband and I are on the March 29th sailing too. Hopefully, by then the weather will be warmer.

Radio, somewhat of a personal question. What do you do that you can cruise so much (and your not retired)? We live in Silver Spring, MD.

I was reading through your posts and noticed that Lyric has a Kindle. Reading Rainbow which was a kids program a few years back is now an app. My 3 1/2 year old granddaughter has an Ipad and my son-in-law bought her the app. For $50 a year, she can access books online. She is has them read to her but I think you can turn that part off. She can get books and then turn them in when she is done. Great for kids.

Countdown is over!!! Partying is over!! Retired!! Sleeping late!!!

 

Deb

I will remember not to wake you up.

Ok...WOW....sounds like you might be missed with all that knowledge you have!! Oh well...too bad...lol!! Retirement here you come!!!:):)

 

I'm at 8 hours.....finished paper work on retirement today...it felt great signing off on everything. Gee...I might start counting in minutes...480 minutes...lol!!!!

 

Deb

Getting close to the check out line which should be today. Enjoy your retirement!

Congrats to new retirees. Just got off Quantum and actually tried to stay for the next 12 day trip (on the last day of my cruise) but I was too late -- bookings had been closed. But nice to have that flexibility! Best of luck to the newest members of our club:)

What did you enjoy about the Quantum? We are going on it March 29.

I taught Junior High School level in the public schools in Florida. 7th & 8th grade Science but I converted to Pre-Vocational Agriculture which was really fun at the Junior High level.

I taught 4th and 5th grade science. In the last 8 years it has been only 5th grade science. I have been a teacher for 34 years and hope to continue for a few more years.

I was just curious. I am a teacher so I was wondering what did you teach?

Looks like everyone is having fun. I have tried to get my kids to take and cruise with the grandchildren (5) but we live in 3 different states.

We looked into the same thing last night. A few years back RCCL had a bus that took us from Union Station to the port but it does not exist anymore. Academy bus is $110 per person as someone said but the closest pick up point is in Baltimore. So we decided to drive. The Crowne Plaza is about $200 a night but it includes parking, free shuttle and breakfast in the morning so I think we will book it.

6 and a half days left. Wow....still can't believe that is all I have left, but definitely not complaining at all!!!!!

 

Deb

After your March cruise, what is next? We are doing two cruises this year. After we visit my son and family in Texas (to see our new grandchild), we are going out of Galveston on Navigator (Aug. 2). We will be diamond at that point.

I was up early shoveling the driveway. It wasn't until I finished that I ralized I really don't need to drive to work so there was no rush to do it.

I know most of the country has seen snow long before now, but today was the first measurable snow for us.

I got a snow day. I work in a school in Montgomery County. Actually, I was at school because they first had a two hour delay then they canceled school. So I stay and changed my bulletin boards.

Good for you!!! Just got back from one. It was very relaxing!!!

 

Deb

Hope you had fun on your cruise! Retirement will happen in a blink of an eye now.

Congrats to everyone who has just retired, or getting ready to.

 

I "should"be, as I will be 72 (most people think I am younger, which is GOOD for me) in February, but I love my job, so we'll see. :)

Can you tell us what you do? I am a teacher and plan on teaching full time for at least 4 more years (I am almost 63). Then I plan to work part time.

You mentioned a giant swing in 270, can you explain what it is? Going on this ship March 29. We are from the DC area.

Good for you!! We are going out of New Orleans on the 28th of this month so we will be celebrating New Years on the NCL Dawn. (Pre-retirement cruise) In March we will be leaving out on Miami for a 10 day cruise on the Pearl.(Retirement cruise) Going to 4 islands we have never been to before in South Caribbean. Janice is actually retiring also but plans to do DROP for awhile. She just hasn't decided how long she will do it for. I'm sure you are looking forward to the Christmas holiday. I am!!!

 

Deb

Actually, I am getting a little surgery over the holidays. I have had a problems with varicose veins for my whole life. This is the fourth time that I have had to do some work on them. I did some in the summer but I have 4 more visits over the holidays. So I will just be taking it easy. Glad I have two weeks.