Pam if I knew how to do it I would line them up and take a pix- and I'd bet no one would know the cheapies from the $$$$ ones - I will ask Tony but he'll look at me like I am nuts - Joanna

I'm an old shoe dog, Joanna - betcha I could tell!

;)

Hi All --

Yes, we're here onboard, too! So far I've been way too busy relaxing to post -- all that unpacking completely exhausted me! I'm ashamed to say that I've far outdone Marcie in the shoe count -- I'm embarassed to say how many pairs. I even seem to have both left AND right shoes of all those pairs!!

Everything is beautifully done so far -- just half an hour ago they brought caviar to our cabin since tonight is the Welcome Dinner -- formal, of course. I hope Al is up there practicing his bow-tying!!

Just one example of how much RSSC will go out of their way for you -- I really love beautiful architecture, and had hoped to see the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA. It's a new Frank Gehry building. Well, we tried to figure out how to take the city busses from the St. Regis downtown to the Concert Hall, but it soon became obvious that wouldn't really be feasible.

So Wednesday morning when we were all being limoed to the ship, we simply asked and they had our driver go to there before going to the ship. No mention of any charge, though we were certainly willing to pay. We did tip the driver well, but I was so impressed by the willingness to deviate. I think many organizations would have simply said their contract was Point A to Point B, and that would be the end of it.

More good news -- our team won trivia yesterday! Actually, three teams tied and they gave us all tokens. But todays was SO packed that we didn't even play. Maybe they'll hold it in a larger place on these sea days.

Off to prep for lobster and filet with a little caviar and champagne ..... SUCH a tough life!

Betty

If anyone needs a little computer time, I just found our card with our id number. I think there are some number of minutes left.

ID = G20j439
Password = thumper

In return, I have a question. When we were on voyager last month, we had a wonderful Penfolds Koonbunga. I cannot remember if it was a Merlot Cabernet blend or a Shiraz Cabernet blend. I have found both for sale here. Could someone ask Guenole which it is? I think it was a 2002.

thanks,

Marc

PS I don't need to wish you a wonderful cruise; you are going to have that with no wishing involved. However, I retain the right to be jealous for the next 107 days.

Marc, just think how MANY tokens one could win on a full world cruise. They may need bigger prizes!!!

Ngaire, they need to expand their horizons with respect to the tokens. As you said earlier, lots of people are just collecting them. However, I like the idea of "collecting" tokens instead of giving some small award for each win. That brings out the need to keep competing. Anthony and Fran got a lot more tokens on the crossing than did Arlene and I; of course, they participated in more activities. Still, I was sure trying to see how many tokens we could get.

I am going to be very jealous over the next three months of the full WC and segment cruisers. I sure hope it is not a bad winter in DC; will just make it feel worse.

Marc: Password = thumper...I smell a Disney fan...

Betty: Sounds lovely and thanks for posting LeeAnn and I would help you eat the caviar if we were there!

:)

Thanks for sharing, Marcie! 16 pairs of shoes and Betty beat you? Okay, Betty, it's time to fess up and tell us how many pairs you brought on board.

And Paul, that was very sweet to get Marcie a surrogate kitty!

Have a great time, everyone!

LOL Robert! Funny, just as I was reading that post I got this strange rush of saliva into my mouth, and this powerful image pourted over me of sitting on the deck of a beautiful ship, dipping my tiny spoon into these smooth, buttery little nuggets, feeling them on my tongue...

Man, I got it bad. Methinks I need a cruise. ;)

Like others, I'm going to really enjoy living vicariously!

Good Morning Guys! I'm up early and decided to check in before our "stretching" class. Yesterday we even went to "Awesome Abs" too!! Hopefully, by the end of April we'll be shipshape, NOT shaped like a ship!

Marc, I wrote down your password etc. Thanks so much! I will check on the wine question tonight for you! Also, about the dress this segment....3 formal, 7 informal and 9 casual. Last night was the first formal but we decided to go to LaVeranda where it's always casual instead. We'll have lots more formal nights!

I finally met Sandy (sandracruiser) and her husband Dennis. I had lunch with them on Thursday in LaVeranda....nice couple! Yesterday the doorbell rang and it was 2 electronic engineers who came into our cabin to pull "internet" wires from inside the walls and hook up our internet access etc. within our cabin. How this will work is on a 24 hour basis for $15. If you use it once within that period (say 8am Tuesday to 8am Wednesday)you're charged $15 regardless of using it for 10 minutes or 10 hours...makes no difference. We are able to choose what day (if any) we want to use it with our laptop and the ship's billing computer will know if we accessed it or not. For now I've just been using the computer room. I'm sure we'll eventually use this some and will invite everyone to our cabin to use it so we certainly get our money's worth.

Night before last we had dinner with Paul and Irving & Maria. I've talked about how great Paul is but hadn't mentioned too much about Irving & Maria (he posts here as Irving and hopefully he'll post more often than he has since he's only posted on LCT a few times!). What a delightful, fun couple...so cute! Maria is from Italy and has such a charming accent. I told Irving that he reminds me so much of Tom's brother (also very fun) and Irving said...."Oh is he handsome too?" That's Irv...just adoreable! As always, Paul looked terrific too...always well dressed.

The past 2 days I've kept so busy going to arts and crafts class (we decorated visors), needlepoint class (they supply everything at these classes for no extra charge) where I'm learning and started a little purse, one session of bridge playing, the Blackjack tournament (didn't win), stretching and awesome abs class, trivia twice yesterday, bingo (didn't win at either of those either). Such fun! Denise, I met Elba. She's the needlepoint instructor! Very nice and I sent regards from you and Alan. She just lit up!!

It absolutely amazes me how many of these people go on the World Cruise every year!! We really are the "virgins" around here! They all know each other quite well from sailing together. The enrichment speakers have been excellent. I haven't seen them in person yet, but watched them on TV while we're getting dressed etc. There was a really great guy named Walter Russell Mead who spoke on american Foregin Policy. I'm looking forward to Scott Carpenter (Astronaut & author) within this week. We haven't made it to a show yet (too busy in the casino me playing 3 card poker/Tom playing craps... which BTW last night we had our casual clothes on and no one said a word) Tonight we want to go as it's a tribute to Broadway music.

This open bar is REALLY GREAT!! It makes such a huge difference. Richard, I'm happy to report that no one (that I've heard anyway) has complained about the vibration anywhere on the ship. Maybe the "no vibration felt" goes hand in hand with the open bar!! Also, we did have a bottle of Sambucca in our cabin as well as a fully stocked fridge so they seem to do both. I wasn't expecting any in-cabin bar set up. So far, they have really gone over the top trying to keep everyone happy...and I could be their walking poster child!

We are somewhere east of Hawaii now...I was hoping to be able to walk out on deck and wave to Masaki & Amanda and "little fish"....guess they don't make binoculars strong enough to pull that one off!

Off to "stretch"!! Thanks again Marc for password!

Marcie, thanks for all the details. Please keep them coming. And, I'm so impressed with your determination to exercise. Glad you are starting the habit at the very beginning of this adventure. Sounds like you are doing a nice job of "pacing" yourself!

I read your post to Tony - he thought "Awesome Abs" was a rib place in Memphis - everything sounds great and the pressure is on to exercise - have you been walking?

Betty and Marcie,

So good to hear from you, loving all the details!

Write again soon,

Marcie -- Thanks for today's update. I almost, almost feel as if I can imagine all that is going on. And it all sounds fabulous!

That's where I was almost a year ago today. The LA to HI run. It's good to know that they are putting the internet in the cabins. $25 for the internet isn't that bad unless you add it up for the whole cruise. But that's a lot more fair than Crystal where it cost $700-800 for each segment.

MArcie, great posts. I can just picture all that you are doing.

I have a funny cavier story. One day it was on the Compass Ross menu we had dinner with Eileen and Joe, a couple from Florida. Eileen and I wanted cavier but the guys didn't. We told them they had to order it so we could each have 2. Fine. But since Ted wasn't eating the cavier, he also ordered another appetizer. The cavier came and Eileen and I ate ours then swapped plates with the guys then ate theirs. Ted is ready for his appetizer so as soon as they remove his plate he expects it but instead gets another cavier. Apparently they thought he asked for double cavier as well as whatever he wanted. Eileen and I wouldn't let him send it back. We just about grabbed it out of the poor waiter's hands.

Great start to our lobster dinner.

Marcie & Betty

What great reports. I feel like I am there with you, but of course am missing the food, wine & companionship. But what you are sending is keeping my satisfied. How is the pressure for "having" to sail this cruise for 400+ other people?
Has Abby tracked down the Colonel yet?
From what you say about a lot of people doing this every year, it sounds to me like you all need to sign up for next year's WC before you leave the ship.
Looking forward to the next installments.

The little fish and I are waving back to you and Tom, Marcie! Masaki is still in bed. :)

Wow, you've really filled you days up. We're so proud of you for going to the gym so often. You've already done way more than we every have on any of our RSSC cruises. You'll have abs, buns, and arms of steel by the time you're done with your world cruise!

Hi again quickly!

Olivia, Paul says he will do the Sydney bridge climb with you. He's signing up for the evening one (I guess there's one in the daytime too) so make sure you choose the nighttime one.

After working out today, I went and sat by the pool. It was hot...cooled down with B2B bloody Mary's (Hey, someone has to do it!)I still haven't done any walking except the usual walking everywhere looking for my lost husband!
Chip, the cost per 24 hrs. is $15. NOT $25. I need to go down and talk to the computer guy now about some things but this is actually being typed from my cabin.

I just came from Wheel of Fortune...our team sucked. Oh well, maybe another day! Tom is still out by the pool and will be so tan....me with the curse of the Irish could only stay out about 45 minutes even with sunscreen on my face. Had a delicious steak sandwich at the pool grill...didn't help my Wheel of Fortune playing but it sure was good!

Congratulations Mr. Kimmi, I'm so proud of you!!!

I saw the Colonel walking around the pool earlier in his white terry bathrobe. Maybe he's a better match for MarthaB than Abby!
Bye for now!!

Marcie, you are so funny!!

Marcie, Paul and Betty,

So great to hear from all of you. It sounds like a wonderful start to your trip. Paul, what a neat idea to get Marcie that stuffed kitty. She's going to miss her babies and now she has a new baby in the cabin with her. :)

Enjoy every moment. Can't wait to read more as your trip goes on. And the photos at the end are going to be unbelievable - can't wait to see them. Paul, you sound like you've got a really professional setup in your cabin. We'll all definitely be looking forward to seeing all the pics.

Have a great time!!!!

Kathy

Colleen! Great caviar story!...and Marcie...B2B Bloody's?!? That-a-girl!! Lovin' the posts.

Enjoy!

As Marcie said, it is warm today but this afternoon has turned cloudy. It looks like quite a few of us have the connections in our cabins, I expect soon it will be a standard offering.

Amanda, let's just say that if I plan carefully not one single pair need be worn more than four times over the next 105 days ... and some might be worn much less! Okay, I overdid it a little. :D

Marcie's right, they make it horribly easy to overindulge in everything. Last night I had steak and THREE lobster tails -- they were small lobster tails, honest!! And today at lunch at the pool Al had a hamburger and fries, and then went over and had two pieces of pizza before dessert.

No complaints at all -- the crew and staff have been as helpful and responsive as possible at every turn. My only request would be a little more sun so I can work on the tan ...

Betty

Hi Marcie, Betty and Paul!

Great to hear from you. It sounds like you are having a super time.

Thanks, Marcie, for saying hi to Elda for us. So, she's the needlepoint instructor. I think she is a lovely woman of many great talents. Please give her a hug for us.

Take care and continue to enjoy yourselves!

Betty,

Three lobster tails....yummmmmm! I'm loving your reports along with Marcie and Paul's. Enjoy, enjoy and report, report!!!! Thanks! :)

Betty

What great posts from everyone! We hope you know that we are "hanging on" to every one of them! Food reports sound wonderful thus far!

Betty, I just loved their lobster tails, too. All cleaned, peeled, whatever. Not a shell in site, no nutcrackers and little forks. Ted was reading this over my shoulder and he just sighed thinking about them. Lobster in Lubbock Texas is... well... why bother?

Colleen,
I often won't order lobster in a restaurant because on top of being WAY overpriced, it arrives dry and tasteless. These were wonderfully moist and flavorful.

Tonight was grilled salmon for me -- again very good. And we ordered Grand Marnier and chocolate souffles for the table for tomorrow night. But dessert tonight was (for me) white chocolate cheese cake on a beautifully painted plate....

I thought with all the clouds I'd had little sun today, but tonight finds me 'rosy'! Just about right though, for a first day out.

I find I'm adjusting remarkably well! I'm beginning to think I might be able to keep pace with the gruelling life these 19-world-cruisers lead!!

Betty

World Cruisers...thank you so much for all of your notes.

You're my "must read" with coffee every morning. I can't wait to hear your next wonderful tales.

Please keep writing!

It's great hearing these tales--keep them coming so that we can make it through the winter!

And make sure to tell us where you are when you post. Ah, I see you are at sea on the way to the Marquesas. This initial sea voyage must really be about re-charging your batteries. Enjoy!

Painted plates, Ah yes, between them and the wonderful soups, I was so tempted to licked the bowls and plates. Just kidding, but there were times I hated seeing one gram go back to the dishwasher.

These reports inspire one to make life plans to include a world cruise, don't they? It's so much fun to get these first-hand reports. Thank you so much.

MarnaLou

It was like Deja Vu this morning trying to figure out the washing machines in the laundryroom. I have more trouble figuring out how to work these! Finally, got 2 loads going...running out of work out clothes!

Last night we ate in Signatures with 2 other couples we had met at the St. Regis. I had the filet and it was PERFECT. Tom had the Halibut and also raved about it. I'm happy to report that everyone's food came good and the wait staff was much more accommodating and polite...not the "screw you" attitude that some of us witnessed on MINT. After dinner we stopped by the casino (gee, what a surprise!) and on my second hand of 3 card poker I got a straight flush!The dealer qualified too so I won close to $500! YEA!! :banana: I then went to see the show..."3 Men and a Baby Grand"'s Tribute to Broadway. I really enjoyed it since I love all the Broadway music. Very good! Then stopped off at the Horizon lounge for a nightcap before bed.

Yesterday I weighed myself...I've gained 2 lbs. Inspite of working out I'm "showing" more than Amanda. :eek: I go to these morning fitness classes so I guess it's what I'm doing AFTER 10am that's my downfall. God forbid I should skip a desert or pastry at tea time! I'm going to start scaling back on all these scrumptous deserts! Off to tend to my laundry before "stretching" class :D

Marcie & Betty

Rule # 2. Stay as far away from scales as possible.

Of course, Rule # 1 is have a wonderful, wonderful time.

This is how I order on RSSC...

I'll have a caviar for my appetizer
and another caviar for my cold hor d'hoevre
and another caviar for my entree (the French way of saying appetizer)
and another caviar for a starter
Then for my main course......

This is only on caviar night. I usually get a big chuckle out of Doug when I do this, but the waiters never flinch. They just keep the caviar coming.

Aloha Marcie!
Keep these posts coming.
So far sounds fantastic.
Jealous!
Claudia

Congartulations, Marcie, on the poker hand. We never made it to the casino. Just too many other things to fit into 17 days.

Hey All.. Well day 4 of 6 days at sea. The weather keeps getting warmer as we get closer tothe equater. Will be 80 today. A nice contrast from LA last Wednesday 46F. I miss Colleen and Ted but Marcie and Tom make me feel like family. LCT members are the best. UPdate from me: Tried to eat at LA Veranda last night. It is so popular there was a 30-45 min wait. Ended up back at Compass Rose. (Not that that was anything less than excellent) More Later.

They permitted you to eat lobster and pizza in the same day? Oh my! You sound like you are having a blast! Thanks for the updates.

Marcie~Did you weigh yourself in the workout room? On the Navigator over Christmas I found those scales changed with every wave :eek: Really, really difficult to get an accurate reading unless you're docked. :ohmy: :ohmy: