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Re: Introductions #107569 12/30/05 07:27 PM
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Ol'Salt Offline
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Thanks Joanna & Karen for pulling for me. I guess that now is as good a time as any to start with the questions. I was actually going to try and phone Ngaire about this before but I didn’t have a definite cruise date to reference so I didn’t want to bother her. If I were to go on the wait list for “any” cruise, would I be obligated to go on that cruise if space became available or would I just be saying that I might be interested? If it were the former, how much of a monetary commitment would I have to make at the time that I became wait-listed or would that be contingent on me actually being booked? I hope this makes sense??? My problem being that I won’t know until around April as to what my work schedule will be. I could go back to work anytime from the middle of April until the middle of May. If it’s the middle of May I wouldn’t be back in time to make the cruise but the closer it is to the middle of April, the better my chances are. I really couldn’t make a financial commitment to this until I’d know for sure.

Is this appropriate to be asking these questions here on the “Introduction” forum or should I move any further inquires over to another forum and leave room for someone else who might want to come out of the “Lurk Cold” ?
Ralph

Re: Introductions #107570 12/31/05 04:53 AM
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KarenS Offline
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Ralph, Ngaire is away on PARTY now for two weeks but you can still email Julie and I bet she can answer your questions! I have never waitlisted before so I don't know the answer to your question but I bet if we asked on the main forum, someone who has waitlisted before can give you some answers!
In case you want to email and ask Julie, her address is:

jharris@brownandkeene.com


Karen

Live long and prosper
Re: Introductions #107571 12/31/05 06:38 AM
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Ol'Salt Offline
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Thanks Karen……..I didn’t want to bother them at B&K before with frivolous questions but now that I have a legitimate cruise & date that I’m shooting for, I’ll e-mail Julie and get the skinny…….Thanks again!
Ralph

Re: Introductions #107572 12/31/05 07:23 AM
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joannapv Offline
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The great thing about B&K is there are NO frivolous questions - atleast they make you feel there are not - you'll love talking to Julie - so helpful - Joanna


Joanna
Re: Introductions #107573 12/31/05 09:21 AM
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Masaki Offline
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Ralph - we just had the experience of being on wait list for Oceania and while it may not be the same as on RSSC, being on waitlist does not require any deposit. If a cabin opens, a deposit is required to change your waitlist status to booking the cruise - usually around 10 - 20% of the cost of the cruise itself. That deposit is refundable as long as you are not in penalty period. To wit (from B&K website):

CANCELLATION POLICIES
Cancellation fees will not be waived by the cruise line. If you select a different cruise date and you are in the cancellation fee period the cancellation fees will still apply.
You cannot simply change your cruise date.
THE DATE THESE FEES ARE INCURRED IS THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER OF YOUR BROWN AND KEENE INVOICE. IF YOU WISH TO CANCEL WITH NO PENALTY PLEASE ENSURE YOU CANCEL PRIOR TO THIS DATE.

VOYAGER, MARINER AND NAVIGATOR
CRUISE FARE
Cancellation Fee per person
120-91 days, $200 per person
90-60 days, 10% of fare
59-30 days, 25% of fare
29-15 days, 50% of fare
14-0 days, 100% of fare.

HTH!

Masaki

Re: Introductions #107574 12/31/05 01:31 PM
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Ol'Salt Offline
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Masaki – Thanks so much for taking the time to research and post this for me. This certainly helps to clear things up. I guess what I’ll have to do is wait to see what my situation is come spring and then go from there and start haunting B&K. As soon as I know when I’ll be going out, I’ll have a much better idea as to when I’ll be coming back home and would certainly like to join / meet you all on the MUSH cruise.

I’ve always enjoyed your posts and reviews with pics. What island do you live on in Hawaii? On my last ship we were running out to Oahu and called on Honolulu. I’ve always loved the Hawaiian Islands and always regretted that I couldn’t spend more time there. Thanks again for the welcome / help and I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Ralph

Re: Introductions #107575 01/01/06 07:20 PM
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Masaki Offline
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Ralph - it'd be great if you could join us on MUSH. Thanks for the kind comments! We live on Oahu near Honolulu - let us know if you ever make it out our way again!

Masaki

Re: Introductions #107576 01/06/06 09:13 AM
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Betty Offline
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Jillian
Welcome to the best cruise chat board around. Please introduce yourself.


Betty
Re: Introductions #107577 01/07/06 09:18 AM
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Isabella Offline
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OK, Ralph,
I'm standing up to introduce myself - feels a little like an AA meeting or a revival meeting where the preacher asks, "Who wants to be saved?" (or what I imagine, anyway). I have come to these cruise boards in an effort to learn more about Oceania, which we're booked on for 6/8/06, and anticipate getting so much more out of it! God, I love the internet!!
You folks on this board are by far the most fun & positive! I love that!
I am from Louisiana, have 5 kids who travel extensively with us, have been married 30 yrs., have been a licensed interior designer and antique dealer for 23 years, licensed floral designer for 10 yrs, former travel agent (sort of thinking of doing outside sales again if I find a good group to associate with - I like to put small fun groups together),am working on my Master Gemologist degree with the GIA, and am a damn good cook! I'm one of those people who functions better with too much to do!
I only do select design jobs these days(must have good taste & money to back it up); I travel at least once a month (makes life more interesting - & it helps that I have children in California, Austin, & D.C.); do the floral thing only for myself & close friends; & gemology?: maybe design is in the future.
Travel has always been an important component of our family life. We had a Hatteras that we traveled to Fla, the Bahamas, & Mexico on when the kids were little - our lives centered around scuba diving until my husband got the "Bends" for the 2nd time after 35 yrs of diving. But, alas, the happiest day of boat ownership is truly the day you sell it - and life enters a new chapter! We've chartered (a lot of work for 50+ yr olds)& cruised on large ships (don't care for the large crowds) & look forward to cruising on smaller, more casual ships. We've taken the kids to Japan, all over the U.S. & Canada, Central America, Mex., the Caribbean, Europe - so they're all seasoned travelers. My husband & I feel very strongly that travel is such a wonderful education, opening one's mind up so much! And cruising is so much easier with 7!
And I, like many of you, really enjoy the interesting friendships we've formed in our travels over the years.
I look forward to participating more. I can't wait to see how long it takes someone to hook Ralph up with someone!!!
Please keep Louisiana & Mississippi in your thoughts and prayers - and also my daughter Lindsay (she is in Israel - her masters program is in Intern'l Peace & Conflict Resolution).
Sincerest Regards, & Make it a Great Year!!!
Peggy (aka Isabella)

Re: Introductions #107578 01/07/06 10:04 AM
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KarenS Offline
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Welcome Peggy! Your intro made me smile, I think you are going to be a great addition to our board! I too wonder how long it will take to hook up Ralph! smiles


Karen

Live long and prosper
Re: Introductions #107579 01/07/06 10:43 AM
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pwolftx Offline
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Welcome to another Peggy. There's three of us (that I know of) on this board now.


Peggy
Re: Introductions #107580 01/07/06 12:05 PM
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Masaki Offline
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Welcome Peggy and thanks for the GREAT introduction. :D

Masaki

Re: Introductions #107581 01/07/06 12:52 PM
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CruiserPK Offline
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Welcome Peggy! Enjoy all the friendly banter her on LCT. I have found a wealth of information, not to mention really nice people.
Cheers, Pam

Re: Introductions #107582 01/07/06 01:04 PM
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Great introduction Peggy! I think it is wonderful you have been able to travel so often with your children - Joanna


Joanna
Re: Introductions #107583 01/07/06 01:10 PM
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petlover Offline
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Welcome Peggy! You do lead a very full life....makes LCT so interesting because we all have such diversified backgrounds. I too have a large family...7 kids (5 are furry with 4 legs!). So we need to know what Ralph is looking for in a companion....I think it's the perfect job for Joanna to tackle!

Welcome Peggy and thanks for the great intro!


Marcie

Re: Introductions #107584 01/07/06 01:38 PM
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Betty K Offline
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Welcome Peggy,

I enjoyed reading your intro. Thanks!

Betty
cheer


Betty

[Linked Image from i4.photobucket.com]
Re: Introductions #107585 01/07/06 04:09 PM
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Ol'Salt Offline
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Welcome Peggy – At least you posted and made an introduction as soon as you registered…I, on the other hand, stayed in “Lurk Mode” for well over a year and I admit was a little sheepish when I finally appeared. It sounds like you certainly have had an accomplished life especially where you’ve raised such a large family while doing it all! I’m looking forward to your posts and your review of your cruise in June. Are you going from Rome to Istanbul on the Nautica? I’ve been taking a closer look at Oceania myself lately. I think that they have a great itinerary and their prices look good also.

I think that I might have opened a can of worms by mentioning that I’m single! I now have a lot of you conniving woman trying to hook me up! Believe me, I’m totally flattered and love all of the attention! This is your introduction though Peggy and I don’t want to turn it into a personals ad to find my soul mate. I’ve rambled on long enough but I would like to also add that I do think it is heart rendering to see all of those poor people in the Gulf region who are still homeless. Claudia posted earlier today that there are still people here in Florida who need our help. My prayers go out to all of them and I’ll remember your daughter Lindsay as well, as once again Israel is in “crisis mode”……. but I’m sure that both Israel and Lindsay will come out of it alright!

I’m glad to have made your acquaintance here Peggy and I hope that you, your husband, and I will someday hook-up as friends on a cruise.
Ralph

Re: Introductions #107586 01/07/06 04:32 PM
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joannapv Offline
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Ralph: We all want to "hook up" with you - the marrieds and the singles - I am sure you are great fun and soooo nice - of course, once you say you're single, all hell breaks loose...I promise NOT to tamper with your privacy by fixing you up with MY adorable, skinny, lovable single friend Elizabeth ( who would cut my tongue out if she knew I posted this) WELL I think I promise....Joanna PS: Do not let Marcie get ahold of you!!! PPS: Elizabeth will be on MUSH - <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" />


Joanna
Re: Introductions #107587 01/07/06 07:44 PM
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Isabella Offline
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Thanks to all for such a warm welcome!
Marcie, I also have four 4-legged children (actually 2 are grand-kitties: child moves to D.C. & I got her cats!). Have a wonderful cruise on Mariner!

Joanna, yes I feel very blessed to be able to offer travel opportunities to my kids. With the oldest, I seem to have opened a can of worms, though. She went around the world on the SS Universe Explorer (Semester at Sea) her jr.year & hasn't stopped. She did volunteer work in the Amazon, backpacked to Machu Pichu, taught English in Spain for 6 months, backpacked around Europe & Eastern Europe, & sweet-talked her daddy into taking her to Africa in August for a grad-school graduation present. She seems to know how to work the system! Seriously, she is very smart and has noble ambitions of making the world a better place - and I'm very proud of & thankful for all of them.

Ralph.....feels like we've been friends for years! Yes, we are going from Rome to Istanbul, & despite some sketchy things I've heard of others' experiences, I feel very positive that it will be good. The itinerary looks great, which is why I chose it initially. That combined with the casual dress & flexible meals (& high ratings on food quality is a big thing to people from South LA - we do know how to cook & eat!).

I don't know if you all are ready for this, but here goes......
My husband's name is Bubba.
Bubba from Baton Rouge. It's always a conversation piece when we travel. One lady asked once, "why would you call him that?".
He wasn't born with that name; he acquired it as a baby from a sister 13 months older. He's Arthur the third, but don't ever call him that - he won't answer! Unless you're his childhood friend named "Beau" from Lake Charles(real name John). They call each other Arthur & John, of course!

I have lots of questions I hope some of you can answer, but it's past my bedtime!

Ciao for now & yes, Ralph, FLA is always in our prayers, too (along with the entire Gulf Coast). We love the Seagrove Beach area (we so loved Destin before it was destroyed by development - been going there since we were babies!) The beach erosion is unbelievably terrible there. Every time a hurricane heads into the Gulf, we all pray it doesn't come our way - and then we start praying for those in its path. We used to rate every storm by Camille....now that's changed. It's very sobering & humbling, but coonasses & yats (admittedly I'm a WASP 3rd generation Baton Rougean, but Bubba is descended from the Nova Scotians - Acadians, i.e. Cajuns)are very stubborn, hard-working, proud people - and we like to party! So we plan on dropping our dead-beat politicians & getting this state back on track! You will see changes in Louisiana - and New Orleans will be fine, and better in a lot of ways. But we still need your travel revenue, so TA's send us your clients. We promise to show them a good time! I'll even help!
Sorry I rambled on so!
Good night!

Re: Introductions #107588 01/07/06 08:37 PM
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petlover Offline
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Peggy, call it rambling if you'd like but we love hearing about you. I saw your husband "Bubba" in Forest Gump....one of my favorites! Oh, not the same Bubbah? Well, it is still a great name!! I also love New Orleans! Great party town with such nice people!


Marcie

Re: Introductions #107589 01/08/06 02:34 PM
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Claudia Offline
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Welcome Ralph and Peggy!
Thanks to both of you for posting your introductions.. we love new people on this board..


Re: Introductions #107590 01/08/06 03:12 PM
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cindyr Offline
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A very warm welcome Ralph, you will find the kindest most helpful people here. After a long business trip, checking in here just makes me happy. Again, welcome!!!!
Cindy


Cindy
Re: Introductions #107591 01/08/06 06:03 PM
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Blackbird71 Offline
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[Linked Image] I am Bill.

And I have a problem..... cruising... :p

I am a 57 yo single computer geek and last Feb did my first cruise as a single. The 14 before were with my mother and sister. A list of ship:
cruises in no real order
Gruziya
Countess
Countess
Noordam- 84 (cruise 3)
Statendam
Veendam
Royal Princess
Crown Princess
Horizon
Seaward
Regent Star
Harmony
Dolphin IV
OceanBreeze
Amazon cruise on the Seven Seas Mariner

While in the past I have enjoyed every cruise no matter what the cost from the humble Gruziya to the RSSC Mariner, I am now being more selective in my choice of ships. I do not like ships over 50,000 tons and the less people the better. 3,000 pax mega ships do nothing for me. I am now looking for ships that go to the places I have not cruised before and more along the lines of RSSC/Silverseas/Oceania. While I had not planned to do another Caribbean, well it was cold in Roanoke, Va (site of my current contract) and Silverseas had a special on a 4 dayer and I had wanted to try them out soooo I booked it.

I do contract programming and because of the low pay rate in Tampa, I normally work out of state. Currently I am working on a RailRoad.. All the the live long day.....

[Linked Image]

While most contracts are boring, this one is interesting and deals with trying to stop the wheels from falling off trains.. :ohmy: I also spent 18 months in DC working on a large satellite named Terra

In the near future I plan to leave Tampa and move to someplace like Tehachapi, Ca. I am looking for a small town I can move to that is not expensive to live in but near a major city like LAX with lots of contract jobs. I want to be able to drive home on weekends. Currently I only get to be "home" one weekend a month.

Besides crusing, I like puters and photography. My travel machine is an Apple Powerbook, and my camera is a pro-line Nikon D2H. Then there is Bill's Rules:

Bill likes OTHER peoples children and OTHER peoples dogs... Just does not need any of his own.

Rule two: Bill likes children like he likes dogs-- housebroken........ :D

Anyway, this board looks to be helpful and PetLover pointed it out on another board, now I have two cruise boards to deal with :eek:

Later Gators......

PS: This year's lotto dream... First I will start with the 96 day around the Pacific on RSSC Mariner, spend 3 boring weeks home, then the 126 day World Cruise on Silverseas :)

Re: Introductions #107592 01/08/06 06:22 PM
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Marc Offline
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Bill, welcome aboard. I am sure you can find another cruise to fill in that three week gap!

BTW, are you an old SR-71 pilot?



Re: Introductions #107593 01/08/06 07:01 PM
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KarenS Offline
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Bill, I have read your posts on Cruise Critic for some time now and I am glad you have found us here. My question is, what took a computer geek (that's a compliment!!) like you, so long to find us!?! ;)


Karen

Live long and prosper
Re: Introductions #107594 01/08/06 07:34 PM
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ChatKat... Offline
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Bill - welcome to LCT. I am in So Cal and plugged into some consultants organizations here.
I am a sort-of geek!! One of our excuses for travel is photo opportunities.


VOYAGER:
MC to FLL 11/07
MC/Dover 6/06
MARINER:
BCN / Ven 10/11
Alaska 2001|2006
Panama Canal 2003
NAV
Caribbean 11/06
Bermuda|New Eng/Canada 6/04
PG 5/05
OCEANIA
Nautica |Ist/Athens 6/07
Regatta|Baltics 6/08
Riviera 2013 Crossing -Istanbul to Miami
Re: Introductions #107595 01/08/06 08:10 PM
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Ol'Salt Offline
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I just checked in here after checking my e-mail before going to bed and saw Bill’s introduction. I have to fly up to Boston early in the morning and will be away for a couple of days so I wanted to say “Welcome” and cram a lot of other stuff into this post.

Welcome Bill!….It’s always good to see another “Newbie” like myself here! You sound like a good source, not only as a cruise critique, but would you consider free computer lessons from one old LCT buddy to another? I can turn it on and off alright, it’s the stuff in the middle that I have a problem with.

Thanks Claudia & Cindy for the warm welcome. I really enjoy and appreciate the warm reception that I’ve received from all of you here.

Joanna – At some point I’d love to have you introduce / hook-me-up with your friend Elizabeth. If she’s anything like you, I’m sure that she’s a lot of fun. I wouldn’t worry about her cutting your tongue out now, …..It’s after you introduce her to ME that you’ll have to watch out!

Peggy – I know what you mean…..It does feel like we’ve been friends for awhile. I’m no stranger to New Orleans. It’s a great town and I see them starting to hype this years Mardi Gras so I’m sure that it will be up & running, just like before, in no time! I can see that Bubba and me have something in common already. I’m a first generation American, both my parents being from Canada. My Mom was from Nova Scotia & my Dad from PEI. A lot of the tribe stayed there and I still have cousins from the Maritime Provinces all the way over to Vancouver, BC.

Re: Introductions #107596 01/08/06 08:13 PM
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southernlady Offline
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Welcome Peggy and Bill.

Bill, I used to live in Roanoke and was "sort of" married to that railroad for about 29 years! Now my son works there (but in Atlanta). Glad you've joined us and look forward to your posts.

Peggy, I enjoyed your introduction. No, you didn't ramble! It's fun to learn about other people. Welcome to LCT and I can tell that you'll have fun here.


Donna

I write about active travel for baby boomers: www.myitchytravelfeet.com
Re: Introductions #107597 01/08/06 09:33 PM
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Masaki Offline
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Welcome Bill to LCT!

Masaki

Re: Introductions #107598 01/08/06 11:02 PM
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Blackbird71 Offline
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Quote
Originally posted by Marc:

BTW, are you an old SR-71 pilot?
Saddly no but work around it many years ago.


southernlady

"sorta married" LOL.... I love Roanoke except for the cold. They just re-lite the H&C coffee sign and Dr. Pepper. My last contract was in Monroe La which is in the upper northeast part of the state. The small telephone company, CenturyTel had a great campus but Monroe sucked.

Quote
Bill, I have read your posts on Cruise Critic for some time now and I am glad you have found us here. My question is, what took a computer geek (that's a compliment!!) like you, so long to find us!?! [Wink]
It took me forever to find CC and while I knew there was other forums out there, when PetLover spelled out the name of this one I just had to try it out. Good Radisson forum, but the Silversea one is a little slow.

Re: Introductions #107599 01/09/06 04:25 AM
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Betty K Offline
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Hi Bill!!!!

Welcome to LCT!!!!!

Betty
cheer


Betty

[Linked Image from i4.photobucket.com]
Re: Introductions #107600 01/09/06 06:43 AM
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Isabella Offline
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Welcome Bill!!
So I guess you, Ralph, & I are the freshman class here! And it sounds like most of us are "baby boomers".
How wonderful that you have the flexibility with your job to choose new places to live - California... I'm jealous! I have a son in Santa Barbara & visit every chance I get - beautiful!!!
I'm looking forward to reading through the threads to learn more about everyone& hear about their travel experiences!
Thanks to all!
Peggy

Re: Introductions #107601 01/09/06 09:38 AM
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Claudia Offline
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Welcome Bill..
there are lots of cruise boards... [Linked Image]

<img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />


Re: Introductions #107602 01/09/06 06:26 PM
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Isabella Offline
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Hi Masaki,
I haven't been able (or figured out how) to trace your introduction, but I clicked on your website & saw just a couple of your family photos: lovely wife & precious child!

I do this with special interest: my 4th child (age 16) has taken Japanese since 1st grade; we subsequently hosted a young exchange teacher for a year, & she is now married to my nephew & they have just moved to Japan (just outside Osaka - near her family) for a few years. We also hosted a Japanese student from Yokohama for 3 months in 1993, through 4-H, oddly enough (even though we've never been associated with 4-H; I think the lady in charge heard we were a good mark!) which maybe started this process!

Anyway, my husband & I took our 2 youngest (against his better wishes - he thought they were too young) to Japan about 6 yrs ago (Continental was launching their Houston to Tokyo route) & I have to tell you that it was an absolutely charmed trip (and not just because it was 25,000 OnePass miles for a ticket on a brand new 777!). It was during Easter break from school: the cherry blossoms were at their peak; we saw Mt.Fugi up close & personal on a beautiful blue-bird day (which I understand is very rare - what a blessing!); we stayed at the Fujiya Hotel, which we reached by taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Odawara & the local tram up the mountain to Miyanoshita. If you've never been (which you probably have!) the cog rail up from there is a trip!!! So incredible... and I have to tell you that the Fujiya Hotel reminded me so much of a Japanese version of the Grand Hotel in Point Clear Alabama (on Mobile Bay): grand old laid-back hotel with hand-carved railings, creaky wood plank floors, walls lined with old black & white photos of celebrities & dignitaries who had visited, & just smelled old & comfortable. You could just feel the history! Also, there is hot-spring water piped directly into the bathrooms - heavenly! From there we visited Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, & one of my favorites: Takayama, the village, in what I call 3/4 scale, up in the mountains. We timed it to be there for their spring festival where they bring out the centuries-old hand-carved & gilded floats with puppets for parading & an all-out festival (sounds like south Louisiana!). It was great! And easy to spot a 6-foot Bubba in the crowd from afar! On the way back to Tokyo through the mountain pass, it snowed! It was just magical!

But you know what the nicest part of the whole trip was? (which took me a long time to get to).

The hospitality! Everyone in Japan was so friendly & helpful. In Tokyo, as elsewhere, we obviously looked like fish out of water, because many people asked if we needed assistance. I had heard how much the Japanese people love & revere children, but I wasn't prepared for how much attention they would garner - and they ate it up! Since it was cherry blossom season, there were a lot of Japanese tour groups visiting the same sites as we, & I guess my blonde-haired babies stood out! They knew just enough of the language to respond & gather more attention. It was loads of fun!
Just wanted to share that with you! Makes me realize that I should start journaling these wonderful encounters!
Best to you & yours!
Peggy

Re: Introductions #107603 01/10/06 01:54 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,244
Masaki Offline
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Posts: 6,244
Peggy - sounds like you and your family had a great time in Japan! My family is from Nara and my grandmother still lives there so we end up going back fairly often though that trip you saw on our homepage was the first trip to Japan for Amanda (my wife). 25,000 miles for a ticket to Japan? That's a great deal!! :D

Masaki

PS: you're absolutely right - seeing Fuji on a clear day is magical and the gods must have been smiling on you to bless you with such a sight! I've only caught glimpses myself as every time I see it, it's shrouded in mist (or smog!) ;)

Re: Introductions #107604 01/10/06 01:47 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 656
Loon Offline
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Posts: 656
Welcome Bill!

This board is full of good people, so hope you will feel right at home and post often. cheer

Trish

Re: Introductions #107605 01/10/06 05:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise Offline
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Posts: 8,358
A warm welcome to Peggy and Bill! Always so nice to read introductions by our newest members. Hope you will both post often.


Denise

Retired and loving it!
Re: Introductions #107606 01/11/06 12:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 94
Blackbird71 Offline
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Posts: 94
Thanks to all that welcome me

[Linked Image]

Re: Introductions #107607 01/19/06 07:40 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11
S
see sic Offline
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S
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11
Hi Everyone.

I was introduded to LCT boards and Brown and Keene Travel by a friendly poster on the CC
boards (Doug Burns). What a breath of fresh air
this site is! I enjoy CC. I LOVE LCT !!
I immediately sensed a very friendly and
welcoming bunch of people who don't seem to mind
if a "newbie" has something to say.

I am in my early 40's (is 43 still early?) and am single male. I take good care and watch out for my two elderly parents who have a "laundry list" of medical problems, plus I work full-time, so my opportunity to take many long cruises is limited at best, but I have been on 3 RSSC Mariner trips:1 to Alaska, 2 Mexico.

I have sailed on a few mass-market cruises in the
past, but once I discovered RSSC just by chance back in 2001, there was no lookin' back for me.
It is RSSC or bust from now on.

I live in Anaheim CA, just a hop, skip, and a
jump away from Marcie (petlover) who I think writes the best cruise journals, and am now
enjoying Debbie and Clay's posts about their
Around the World trip.

When I feel I have something of value to add, I will. Until then, I will lurk around a bit and enjoy what you all have to say. I would post my picture if I only knew how.

Untill later.....regards..see sic (Randy)

Re: Introductions #107608 01/19/06 07:52 AM
Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171
KarenS Offline
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Posts: 15,171
Hi Randy! I have seen your nickname on Cruise Critic before and I am glad you decided to become a member of our happy family :)

If you have read the posts about another single male who just joined us recently so you must know, you are a hot commodity!

Please don't wait til you feel you have something of value to post, if you have read any of my posts you would know that I would never have anything to say if the post had to have value! ;)

Welcome!


Karen

Live long and prosper
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