05mak05

You've outdone yourself ... Subdivision of the Seas! I'll laugh the rest of my life ... OMG. MK

I third the Ken Follet books. I loved Fall of Giants. Big book. I also really liked Pillars of the Earth and world without end. You have to read those two in order. These would be perfect e reader books because they are so long.

Pillars of the Earth and World Without End are the two best books I have ever read. In Europe, a best book survey was done. Now don't flame me as I simply found the poll fascinating. "Pillars" was rated #1 while the Bible came in #2. I just downloaded the audio CD's of "Noble House." I read that book in the 80s and thought it was fabulous. I'm sure everyone has read the "Dragon" series. What about "Glass Castle." I didn't put it down until I had finished it, however, several of my book club friends found it disturbing. That's not how I read it at all. On a side note, we have several teachers in the family who urged me to read "Understanding Poverty" by Ruby Payne. I rate this book as the #1 most enlightening book ever written. It's mandatory for teachers in the Lewisville, Tx. school district. (At least it used to be.) It's not just for teachers but an eye-opener for all classes of our society.

Thanks! That seemed like a dumb question but I didn't know there was an entire Free section... fantastic!

It wasn't a dumb question at all. Thanks to you we now have some new resources!

Have you read "River God" by Wilbur Smith? It's one of my all-time favorite books. I hadn't thought about it in a long time.

Your pictures are fabulous ... thank you!

Thanks for taking the time to post this great review. We've had the Oasis and the Allure booked several times but have always had a conflict. Now we're booking for November and are going come whatever ... MK

After reading the reviews of "Paris Wife" on Amazon.com, I bought the Audio Book at Costco. Oh, it's just awful. Characters are flat as pancakes. I've learned a lesson and that is to read the 1 star and 2 star reviews before the 5 star. Now I'm listening to "New York" by Rutherford. It's okay but just okay.

And, just when I think it can't get any funnier than some of your past reviews ... I read the following ... and just crack up!

This is one of the public toiletes. As they are outdoors and it sometimes gets cold in Ephesus, citizens would have their servants go sit on the stone to warm the seat up for them when they needed to use the facility. Not shown in the picture is the raised platform for the musicians. The music was not for entertainment, but to cover and distract from the noise made by 48 people sitting on the toilet.

Yet another fabulous review and wonderful pictures! I'm also posting so that I can read every last word of this review. I don't want to miss one thing ...

Free book from Amazon for the Kindle, while it lasts...

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OI1WAY/?tag=booksontheknob-20

I just downloaded ... it's still free. Thank you!

I am so grateful to all of you that do these wonderful reviews for us. There are many days when I don't get make it to the Internet Cafe for a quick email to family. Taking the time to post pictures and commentary is very much appreciated!

Interesting how so many will use their perk to priority board and leave friends behind yet I do not think I have read a post where the priority boarder forgoes the priority process and stays with friends.

As a matter of fact, we've boarded with friends in Galveston many times. If we arrive together as a group, we stay together.

You're saying that you left your friends behind so you could board early??? I'm a Diamond member too but I would NEVER abandon my traveling companions to take advantage of a perk! Sorry but this shows lack of courtesy to my so called friends.

I'll put in my 2 cents worth before something is said to me. We were all in different cars coming from different locations and never discussed trying to meet at the port. We didn't leave them behind at all. In the future, if we all happen to be a the same hotel, it's nice to know that we can all board together.

It gets even better when youre D+!!!!!

Did you know you could have gotten your friends on the ship with you too...All in your party can take advantage of your pre-boarding perks!

No, I did not know that our family could have boarded with us! Learn something new on this board every day. Thank you. (The lines weren't long so they joined us in the Windjammer in 30 minutes or so. Still, it was nice to sit in that nice, quiet area and have a private escort for boarding the ship.)

We were very pleasantly surprised with the new amenities. We chose a towel rather than wine this time. (One amenity per household.) It's big, nice and soft. And, we had two Diet Cokes in the room plus a very nice cheese-cracker-cookie basket. I remember picking the Cokes but the basket was unexpected. We had a good time on the balcony sipping our Cokes and eating cheese. We were given t-shirts in the casino for the free spins which we brought home and gave to friends. We used coupons for two free pictures, free internet ... can't remember what else. Next time we'll book Chops for the 2 for 1 on the first night. And, the new menu is outstanding. Every single meal was delicious and by far the best food we've ever had on a cruise (although we've never gone hungry!) Lobster was served on the last night rather than formal night. And, flourless chocolate cake is still on the Sampler Plate. It was a really fun cruise with an outstanding, friendly crew.

Actually, I'm currently listening to the audio version of "The Lonely Polygamist." It was ranked as one of the top 10 books of 2010 by Entertainment Weekly (or was it People Magazine?) If you like John Irving, you'll love this one! I don't like serial romance or detective novels. Loved Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, The Help, Water for Elephants, Shanghai Girls, Racing In The Rain,

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. One from many years ago that is still one of my favorites is Wilbur Smith's "River God." I loved the print book, did not care for the audio CD as it's abridged and the reader isn't very good. I'm almost finished with "Corner of Bitter & Sweet" and need some suggestions as we have a cruise booked for April. (And, also, I really enjoyed the audio CD's of One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell. I don't think men would care for it but it's a great book for ladies to curl up with.)

Hello,

my husband and I will be disembarking from our cruise early morning in Fort Lauderdale next March. Our flight back home is at 8pm so I was wondering if anyone would have the name of a hotel-motel-resort (preferably with a pool and not too far from airport) that would rent us a room from 10am-5pm. I can't believe, I would miss an extra day in the sun waiting in the airport...

 

Thank you in advance,

Here is the link to a map and a list of airport hotels:

http://ftlauderdale.airporthotelguide.com/map.html

Hello,

my husband and I will be disembarking from our cruise early morning in Fort Lauderdale next March. Our flight back home is at 8pm so I was wondering if anyone would have the name of a hotel-motel-resort (preferably with a pool and not too far from airport) that would rent us a room from 10am-5pm. I can't believe, I would miss an extra day in the sun waiting in the airport...

 

Thank you in advance,

You might want to check to see if the ship has an excursion on that day. Also, inquire if your airline offers valet luggage service (you put your luggage out the night before and don't see it again until you reach your home airport.) You can google "Ft. Lauderdale hotels by the airport." And, I think if you go to Priceline and check out hotels by the airport that the actual distance is shown. I'm not positive about that. Waiting until 8 pm for a flight makes for one long exhausting day!

Gustavo's fee was $35 per couple. We had to be back at the ship by 2:30 pm which made me plenty nervous as there is sometimes heavy traffic heading back to Progreso from Merida. Gustavo is with Progresso Taxi Cab so if you are in a group, he might be able to arrange for vans or provide more than one car. There were only 4 of us so one car was fine. Since we had been before, we didn't want to do the normal tour but instead wanted to buy the embroidered pillow covers and other linens. We emailed pictures of exactly what we wanted and he scouted stores for us before we arrived (without our asking!) so we were extremely impressed before we even met him. He picked us up at 8:30, we were in Progreso by 9:15 and stores don't open until 10 am. So he took us to the authentic Mexican market as he said he wanted us to see how the locals shopped. I wish it was legal to bring back spices as they were in huge bins and smelled so good. My friend and I each bought great dresses for $15 each. Then we went on to the shops around the market square. We walked to a small restaurant that Gustavo suggested but because it was a national holiday in Mexico and schools were out, it was packed. So if you want to enjoy a Yucatan Mexican meal, be sure to arrive at the restaurant early and shop later. The meal wasn't on our agenda anyway and we actually preferred to head back to Progreso. November 1st is Day of the Dead in Mexico. Gustavo offered to take us to a cemetary to see all of the gorgeous flowers and shrines on the graves but, again, this wasn't in our original plan and we felt we might be cutting it short. It's too bad the ship leaves so early.

Per recommendations on this board, we booked with Gustavo Figueroa. As always, folks on this board know what they're talking about! Gustavo was SO pleasant, was on time, professionally dressed and a very careful driver. His email is progressotaxicab@hotmail.com

We felt safe and in good hands ...

If you go to stay123.com you will find hotels with free parking. Some offer shuttle to and from the port....others only offer a shuttle one way. I have booked the Hampton Inn with free parking/free shuttle to and from the port/free breakfast for $110. You can get the same hotel without parking for around $64. Hope this helps!

Which Hampton did you book? It's not on the water taxi route, is it? Thanks for the info! (The Hampton rates that I'm seeing are much higher ... )

I, too have considered doing a celebrity cruise in the near future...DH and I are mid 20's but I consider us to be fairly mature for our age...;);):D We like shipboard activities and excitement, but also like to just relax and escape. Our perfect onboard experience I guess would be a 50/50 mix of active/relaxed.

We're seniors and have been on Princess, Celebrity and RCI. Our Celebrity cruises were on the Millennium and the Galaxy. We didn't care for either ship. The Galaxy was run down and in need of a total overhaul. Food so-so. The Millennium buffet did not have a salad bar, soups were very disappointing, atmosphere a bit boring. We had no complaints with Princess. However, we LOVE Royal Caribbean! We think the food is pretty darn good. We missed having the option of an evening buffet on Celebrity and also the wonderful salad bars offered on RCI. I do think with Celebrity that much depends on the ship that you book. So many people say that they find Celebrity "upscale." I wonder what ships they were on. I don't doubt their opinion ... just curious as surely they don't mean either of the ones that I've mentioned.

I was so happy to see the YouTube segment of the NBC Report. What a great story! I've searched for the Facebook page but turn up nothing. Do you mind sharing that link with us, too, as we can't seem to get enough of this amazing saga!

I just missed it! Wonder if it will be repeated?

I just bought this Le Sportsac bag for my next cruise.

 

7640 New! Shellie Crossbody

Oh, that is good looking! The only place I've ever seen a retail store is in Honolulu. Just as well, I suppose