Bill, you can indeed book your excursions now. You do this online at www.rssc.com. Click on "My Cruises" - you will need to set up an online account if you haven't already, and then you enter your booked cruise using your reservation number. You can actually request your excursions within 120 days of sailing now. If you don't want to book online, there will also be a fax form that comes with your documents.

RSSC is very easy to work with on excursions. Sign up for what you think you want to do, and you are not charged until you settle your onboard account at the end of the cruise. You can cancel excursions and not be charged until a certain point - I think it's usually noon the day before the excursion date.

Yes, the flights are not bad for us West Coasters. It's about 8 hours each way, which is much easier than Europe and a little easier than the Caribbean for us. Sounds like your change to the nonstop is a good one.

Is today your birthday? If so, :woh:

Dena