Kristin, Congrats on the Docs and the grand!

Kim and Alice, Ida and I just got back from nine days on the Shadown last Tuesday. The cruise was fabulous. Kim (Seadog), Alice and I dove in Dom Rep, Grand Cay, and Belize and the diving was very good, exceptional in Belize. We enjoyed the passenger mix (1/3rd) European, and made great freinds with two couples from Norway--one of the Norwegians even dove Grand Cayman with us. Don asked in an earlier thread what the house champagne was: Pierre Joulet and Pommery, they no longer serve Vueve Cliquot complimentary. We ate in Le Champagne one night--one of the best degustation meals we've had.

Even tho we were told early embarkation was not available (due to a charter the week before) we decided to go to the pier in San Juan at noon....we were immediately met by the Shadow's concierge, Angela, who said she would take care of our four (heavy) bags and invited us on board for lunch (in The Restaurant) and said our suite would be available after lunch (it was--at 1:15)...and SS did not charge us for boarding early. We were then (first couple) able to make our reservations (u can now only make one rsvn for La Terraza, wait list the rest--hint if u go to Panorma for pre dinner drinks, and then try LT about 8ish--you may get in--we did once, and another couple got in three times) for LT and LeChampagne

Ida closed the Panorama and then the bar with her music (Latin CDs) she had a group of Spanards who danced with her--they were in a friendly dance off with a group of Germans (who had their own CDs) (there were 45 on board)...Alice also danced the night away...where as Kim and I did not make it past the evenings entertainment (Jean Ann Ryan singers/dancers). We also became good friends with the gentleman hosts (Cliff and Nelson) esp Ida as they were dancing in the Panorama and Bar with her. Nelson then gave Ida and I private lessons ("Swing") as we are competing in a military ball version of Dancing with the Stars.

Hope your cruise was as fun as ours--we already booked the Shadow next November--and are counting the days..

Wes