Celebrity Reflection - Nov 1, 2013

[zentah]

It seems to me that most of the Canadians and all the Americans were either sitting at the small Crush Bar or standing. We did both and circulated. The last night, a bunch of us were sitting in the chairs by the railing next to the atrium laughing before dinner, along with a couple of straight friends. Do you remember the man with the beard from St. Louis? He almost always had his camera with him and on formal nights was dressed in formal Scots garb, with kilt.

 

We have European friends and like Europeans, so it's a shame we didn't get to meet; hopefully, we'll all become friends on this cruise.

 

Yes we do remember the guy in the kilt, on formal nights. His name is Richard Hunt, and he was very nice to spend time with, always active and interesting. Ted and I are also thinking about just taking the tram up to Laguna, when we are in Tenerife. I have been there before, as almost all Scandinavians spend a couple of weeks in the Canaries each winter. Now that I live in Atlanta, I no longer have a desire for sunny beaches, the way I used to, when I lived in the Arctic. lol

[sdbart]

Yes we do remember the guy in the kilt, on formal nights. His name is Richard Hunt, and he was very nice to spend time with, always active and interesting. Ted and I are also thinking about just taking the tram up to Laguna, when we are in Tenerife. I have been there before, as almost all Scandinavians spend a couple of weeks in the Canaries each winter. Now that I live in Atlanta, I no longer have a desire for sunny beaches, the way I used to, when I lived in the Arctic. lol

 

thank you! that was his name. Richard had me take his photo on one of the formal nights and i emailed it to him. It was the one time I remember seeing him without his camera.

 

If we all decide to take the tram up to La laguna, maybe we can go together, along with any of the men who decide to go. We've never been to Teneriffe, so it's all new to us. Growing up in Southern California, we (mis)spent our youth on the California beaches, roasting ourselves in the sun. Now we have to watch how much sun we get. I don't know if we'd consider the current temperatures on Teneriffe exactly beach weather as it's going to be around 22° celsius this week, as compared to the 26° celsius in San Diego today. We bcome such wimps living in a warm climate. :) We are looking forward to the beaches in the Caribbean, though.

[vulcan1971]

Our plan is just to stroll around and have a slow lunch but I think Walter and Bart each have structured tours planned.

 

Lee -

 

Since the two of us were in Tenerife last year and did our own thing in port (walking tour, HOHO bus, etc.), I thought I would actually do a structured tour for this year. Early on the main cruise thread there was someone that organized an island tour in Tenerife and I happened to be in the right spot at the right time to register for it before it filled to capacity. Since then, others on the thread have used the same tour company and have filled a total of 5 busses for 20 people each. our tour will last much of the day but will give us a wider perspective on the island and it's rich history. I felt that for about 22 euros plus tip, this was quite reasonable. I will let you all know how it was upon our return to the ship.

 

 

Walter

[Schplinky]

That's a great deal and one of the best things about CC.

[vulcan1971]

duplicate post.

Edited October 15, 2013 by vulcan1971
duplicate

[vulcan1971]

Actually we were always sitting in the Martini Bar, every night before late night dining. As I am trying to think back, I seem to remember that all the people that were sitting in that corner, were Europeans and Canadians. I wonder why? The only the only thing that comes to mind, is that in Northern Europe we don't really stand up and mingle, we tend to sit down. So partly it is just a matter of cultural difference I suppose. I am not fond of sitting at the bar, I do however like to walk around and socialize that way.

On the TA in 2011, there were some swedish guys and I was excited to practice my swedish, which I hadn't done for over 10 years, at the time.

Ted & I are really looking forward to this trip and to meeting all the guys on this Roll Call.

 

Kim -

 

I am guessing you must be the other half of "rockmartian"?? Nice to meet you and will be seeing you at the Qsine group dinner. I am also one of those types that prefer to stand vs. sit. If I am ready for another adult beverage, it is easy to get up and visit the bar as needed. And, if we are bored, we can easily take off and wander around the ship, visit another bar to people watch, etc.

 

Until the cruise Iain and I took last year on the RCCL Adventure of the Seas (westbound TA from Spain to Puerto Rico), we never really went to any of the LGBT happy hours. Iain doesn't drink and sometimes we just feel that if the groups of conversation have been formed, we don't put extra effort to break into any circles to socialize. That is one of the reasons why I wanted to schedule the group dinner.

 

In any event, I hope the groups are "porous" enough to easily interchange among them all as the mood strikes.

 

 

Walter

[vulcan1971]

Schplinky...I was on that Eclipse TA...and guess I kinda hung out with the Brits as I recall, however, I got a bad cold and subsequently spent a LOT of time in my cabin as to not give it to anyone! LOL Think I must have missed the Michael's Club get together.

 

Also, that was a rough crossing!! Lots of rock-and-rolling! And I had really looked forward to the Azores, which was cancelled.

 

Randy

 

I am getting mine today... I do what I can to reduce or minimize the effect of being sick, especially when travelling abroad. I am great at regular hand washing due to my work environment. I hope we all are healthy and remain so during the course of this long trip.

[vulcan1971]

I was travelling since Friday in Canada where I spent time with Iain at our home in Toronto and also with his mom and other friends in Kingston, ON on Sunday for the Thanksgiving feast. I drove home yesterday afternoon across the 1000 Islands Bridge and I am at work today. Hope all our friends to the north also had a wonderful long holiday weekend.

[sdbart]

Kim -

 

I am guessing you must be the other half of "rockmartian"?? Nice to meet you and will be seeing you at the Qsine group dinner. I am also one of those types that prefer to stand vs. sit. If I am ready for another adult beverage, it is easy to get up and visit the bar as needed. And, if we are bored, we can easily take off and wander around the ship, visit another bar to people watch, etc.

 

Until the cruise Iain and I took last year on the RCCL Adventure of the Seas (westbound TA from Spain to Puerto Rico), we never really went to any of the LGBT happy hours. Iain doesn't drink and sometimes we just feel that if the groups of conversation have been formed, we don't put extra effort to break into any circles to socialize. That is one of the reasons why I wanted to schedule the group dinner.

 

In any event, I hope the groups are "porous" enough to easily interchange among them all as the mood strikes.

 

 

Walter

 

Bob and I don't drink, either (other than maybe an occasional beer or wine with dinner—Bob is not supposed to for medical reasons, though he'd get upset if he knew I was saying that!), but we still have fun and like joining in the groups. So Iain will have company. We are really looking forward to meeting everyone.

[AndersonIslander]

I am getting mine today... I do what I can to reduce or minimize the effect of being sick, especially when travelling abroad. I am great at regular hand washing due to my work environment. I hope we all are healthy and remain so during the course of this long trip.

 

Walter: YES! I got this year's flu shot same day I left on the Solstice America's cup cruise last month (literally on my way to the boat I had a Dr. checkup, lol). AND I always carry a prescription of Tamiflu on cruises just in case, as well as being routinely diligent about hand washing. (I think carrying the Tamiflu is a good idea, as in order for it to be effective you must start the regimen very soon after onset of symptoms.)

 

And Bob and Bart, I'm always fascinated by the great variety of "virgin" drinks that the cruise ships serve up to still make the bars fun for those who avoid alcohol...my liver wishes I was one of you guys, but I'm not....lol

[sdbart]

Walter: YES! I got this year's flu shot same day I left on the Solstice America's cup cruise last month (literally on my way to the boat I had a Dr. checkup, lol). AND I always carry a prescription of Tamiflu on cruises just in case, as well as being routinely diligent about hand washing. (I think carrying the Tamiflu is a good idea, as in order for it to be effective you must start the regimen very soon after onset of symptoms.)

 

And Bob and Bart, I'm always fascinated by the great variety of "virgin" drinks that the cruise ships serve up to still make the bars fun for those who avoid alcohol...my liver wishes I was one of you guys, but I'm not....lol

 

Randy, I've been drinking soda water in bars for years, with no ill-effects on my having a good time. Ginger ale works fine, too. Trust me, I can still be the life of the party. :D We got our flu shots a couple of weeks ago, so that's one thing out of the way. The Solstice TA two years ago was code red for Noro; lots and lots of sick people. Someone came back from exploring Dubrovnik two cruises before ours and it was very serious by the time our TA started. If i remember, it took another four cruises to get it under control. We took hand washing very seriously. Keep your fingers crossed guys that there is no outbreak on the Reflection.

[TunaPiano]

I'll be taking off for Venice tomorrow to catch the Norwegian Jade to Rome. Look forward to seeing all you guys in Rome or onboard! Anyone interested in doing drinks or dinner in Rome sometime the week before departure?

[Schplinky]

I am getting my flu shot this weekend. Given that it takes a couple of weeks to be fully effective, I'll keep washing my hands as though I'm on Grey's Anatomy.

[vulcan1971]

I'll be taking off for Venice tomorrow to catch the Norwegian Jade to Rome. Look forward to seeing all you guys in Rome or onboard! Anyone interested in doing drinks or dinner in Rome sometime the week before departure?

 

Craig -

 

I think many of us are in envy of your pre-cruise cruise and stay in Rome. I was describing this to Iain over the holiday weekend and we figured that you must be travelling for 4 weeks (plus). Sounds great and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Take plenty of pics along the way! :D

 

The following cruise critic names (sdbart - Bart & Bob, Schplinky - Lee & Mike, and vulcan1971 - Walter & Iain) are all arriving in Rome on 26-Oct-2013. We are fairly close to each other. I believe Schplinky will have a phone that operates while in Rome. I will also be able to use my phone in Rome as T-Mobile has recently expanded unlimited international service in 110 countries to their current customers starting on 20-Oct-2013. I will send an email separtely from this post to introduce us all and I will provide my contact info.

 

 

Walter

Edited October 16, 2013 by vulcan1971

[sdbart]

I'll be taking off for Venice tomorrow to catch the Norwegian Jade to Rome. Look forward to seeing all you guys in Rome or onboard! Anyone interested in doing drinks or dinner in Rome sometime the week before departure?

 

Definitely! I'll have my iPad with me and we have WiFi in our apartment, so email works. My email is bart@cox.net

[sdbart]

I am getting my flu shot this weekend. Given that it takes a couple of weeks to be fully effective, I'll keep washing my hands as though I'm on Grey's Anatomy.

 

A doctor friend said to sing two verses of Happy Birthday while washing your hands to get a thorough cleaning. I think airplanes are the worst places for germs.

[Schplinky]

 

The following cruise critic names (sdbart - Bart & Bob, Schplinky - Lee & Mike, and vulcan1971 - Walter & Iain) are all arriving in Rome on 26-Oct-2013. We are fairly close to each other. I believe Schplinky will have a phone that operates while in Rome.

 

 

Walter

 

 

We actually arrive on the 28th but I'll do my best to check email. We won't know the Italian phone number until we arrive in Rome (and buy the sim card)

 

A doctor friend said to sing two verses of Happy Birthday while washing your hands to get a thorough cleaning. I think airplanes are the worst places for germs.

 

 

I agree. They offer great ventilation but there is no other physical space you would share with that many people. Factor in that many planes unload, reload and take off in 60 minutes and there isn't a lot of cleaning going on that isn't just cosmetic.

[vulcan1971]

A doctor friend said to sing two verses of Happy Birthday while washing your hands to get a thorough cleaning. I think airplanes are the worst places for germs.

 

Bart -

 

Is that "followed by" or "preceeded by" cruise ships???

[Schplinky]

I don't think cruise ships are worse than most resorts. They're simply required to report to the DCD more rigorously.

[sdbart]

Bart -

 

Is that "followed by" or "preceeded by" cruise ships???

 

Walter, I think followed by hospitals, schools and cruise ships/resorts. I was told that the nastiest things most people come in contact with are money and casino chips. But I also knew a man who stepped off a curb in Chicago and was run over by a bus. I'm not going to spend all my time worrying about germs...

[reload]

Hey there Walter

 

Thnx for organising the Qsine dinner have it chalked up in the travel calendar.

I hope that I remember to look at it everyday !!!!!!!

franz & ian

[vulcan1971]

Hey there Walter

 

Thnx for organising the Qsine dinner have it chalked up in the travel calendar.

I hope that I remember to look at it everyday !!!!!!!

franz & ian

 

I can have a communication sent to your stateroom if that would help. ;-)

 

Sent from my Samsung Note 2 on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk 4 Pro

[reload]

Hey guys

 

Read with interest the various comments on travel companions on board a ship i.e. the über talkers, the domineering self appointed leaders, the Nationality blame game, the aloof, have encountered all of the above if I may add my two cents worth, for me the absolute get up my nose "Types" are "overtly rude queens" it costs nothing to be polite.

We enjoy cruising not only for the stops primarily though for the ship experience, meeting people from across the globe with different outlooks on what we understand as communication and culture. I hasten to add we are not looking to befriend each person we encounter or exchange a few words with, however if there is a mutual understanding of the universe look to foster yet another encounter.

 

To those who are flying out soon pleasant trip, we are leaving at the last minute with an overnight in Rome.

[reload]

I can have a communication sent to your stateroom if that would help. ;-)

 

Sent from my Samsung Note 2 on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk 4 Pro

 

Wow now that is what I call service!!!!!!

 

Yes, if you would be so kind. I realise am pushing it , thank you.:D

[vulcan1971]

Wow now that is what I call service!!!!!!

 

Yes, if you would be so kind. I realise am pushing it , thank you.:D

 

No worries... I was planning to do this with all the cruise passengers attending. The butler will drop something at your stateroom on embarkation day or day 1 @ sea.

 

Sent from my Samsung Note 2 on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk 4 Pro