I don't mean this post to be at all negative, but rather a reflection about how we all came from Cruise Critic, which is virtually a ghost town now - to another forum where we post and chat in the same way that we did there but without any of the conflict and negative energy that developed there. How sad for others who would have benefited, that may not find their way here.

And the people who drove us away have gone on to other places to make mischief. It is sad, but the silver lining is right here! Thanks again to Ngaire, Ken, John and Karen for your initial work and to all of our 156 members for coming over to a great new "home".

Margo, how true. Anthony gets back from his cruise soon....maybe then we will have a little more of the argumentative posts. ;)

Now we just need to get all 156 of those members to post. When you look through the directory, you find that a very large group of them have never posted.

I've been thinking about Aaannnthony...when he gets back he won't know what's happened to CC. He is a lot of fun when debating some topics, but we may have to get him to sign a pledge to play nice! <img border="0" alt="[eyepop]" title="" src="graemlins/eye-popping.gif" />

PS: Aaannnthony...when you read this remember I'm just kidding - the only thing we've ever disagreed about is the acronym for our cruise...and maybe one or two other things... ;)

Can you guys think of anyone else that is missing? I wondered where Anthony was, by the way.

Anthony ...or aaannnthony to most of us is on Seabourn in South America. I can't remember when he will return, but probably soon. We'll probably see his posts pop up on CC.

Karen:

Is Pat W here? She always posted on CC and she may be here under a different name? She and her husband were on PG (with Mr. Marna Lou, Marna Lou and Paul) recently.

Jody D isn't here either....I don't think I have his email, but he would be a great addition.

I don't think I have seen her post here yet. I just checked the directory and I don't see her name. I did see DocDesdins name as a new member yesterday, he has always been a favorite poster of mine!

Hopefully we'll round up all our missing friends soon!

Now I'm just a lurker on CC, but if I see any of them I'll invite them to visit here.

I'm pretty fond of the group that's made its way here already! Though, of course, the more the merrier....as long as they keep it merry.
(I get enough grief from 8-5.I don't go looking for more! <img border="0" alt="[Hammer]" title="" src="graemlins/hammer.gif" />

Karen:

Just though of another missing member, Count Florida hasn't been here yet has he?

Editing to say...now I see he's registered but hasn't posted...Count, hoping to hear from you!

Ditto about the friendliness of this group!
As a former lurker, I feel quite at home here as I pop around and at the miscellaneous post every now and then.
Once I'm more experienced, I imagine I will become the happy, informed participant helping others as I was helped!
Thanks all!
Ash

What about Pat? Where's Pat at? :)

Count Florida is in Australia right now. He was on the Voyager and disembarked in Melbourne and is doing an extended land trip before returning home. I am sure he will post here when he gets back.

has no one will answer signed in? S/he got slammed yesterday on the Silversea board yesterday by someone who objected to her posting a question to Ngaire directly. "Breaking the rules!" (though I thought she had a perfect right to do this) I was slammed by the same person a few days before. Yes...it is nice to be away from that, even though I still post on cc, it just isn't the same.

Margo wrote: Would it be all right if I email Pat and invite her to join us?

MarnaLou

This board is open to any happy poster who wants to join in. It is a public board so if you have friends please invite them. The more the merrier.

Yes, I'm bbbaaaccckkk.....already completed two posts b/4 I noticed this one. It's nice to know I've been in your thoughts!

Margo.....I'll play nice, but, only if you all agree to allow VOYMEDCOMBOSTOFLL1104 be the official acronym for that 34/35 day cruise of yours and all the combinations in between, including the 15 day transatlantic, at the end, which several of us are on. DEAL??

I e-mailed Pat also MarnaLou. Welcome Anthony. Are you going to tell us about your trip?

Margo: I agree with your thoughts regarding how nice people are on this board - I check it several times a day and look at the other board but I view this one as "home" - Joanna

Weeeelllll aaannnthony - let's make a deal, you can name your 15 days anything you want! I'll reserve the right to name my 35 days anything I want - after all, they are two different cruises that just sort of meet in the middle! Fair?

M!.... that's why I want "combos"....the trans-atlantic, the last eight days has nothing to do with the MED., where you begin! That's why I always thought VOYMED1104 was incomplete....the last eight days are trans-atlantic, and, most of them will be in December, not November. Look at it again.....VOYMEDCOMBOSTOFLL1104 is complete disclosure....any combo from the Med, to Fll, beginning in November, and ending in December, to FLL, is "OUR GANG"!!

Tell me.....you now agree!

WOW!! Half the time I cannot remember my phone number - I would struggle with Aaannnthony's suggestion - Joanna

Also, not to forget, but, R@WB.....I posted a mini-review on the Seabourn board at CC entitled "Martha B! and friends.....we're back"! Take a look, and, thank you for your interest!

It was a wonderful experience, on one of the yachts of Seabourn. I'm sure we'll do another!!

Thanks to MarnaLou and ITravelNow, I have followed the breadcrumbs that you scattered so that the CC friends could find the way to this new board.

I fell in love with the folks on the Radisson CC board for the months prior to our PG cruise in Jan/Feb 2004. I shall look forward to this new board.

We learn so much from all of the seasoned travelers. We have met some lovely friends through the boards and then in person which enhances the enjoyment of the cruises. Some are developing into close personal friends.

MikeW sends his regards also.

Ngaire, thanks for making this all possible!

Trying to play nice!
PatW

Hi PatW! Glad you found us. You will love it here! Poke around and see what is going on - lots and lots.

Pat W:

Welcome aboard! We are always happy to invite friends to come and play! Hope you enjoy it here as much as I have.

Hi to all and to jhp. Yes, I was led over here in February . . . just haven't had anything to contribute. Thanks for asking. I felt so horrible about that Silversea slam that I asked Laura to rename the post, but she declined. Sometimes the responses you get on CC are like sucker-punches, as if you're suddenly in the middle of a hockey game and you didn't even know you were on the ice.

I am glad the post did not get renamed. It seems the whole tone of CC has changed over the last few months. It is disappointing. I am amazed at how many people feel obligated to enforce what they perceive as the rules there. Even when the board administrator looks at it and says there is no rules infraction. There just seems to be a number of people running around with a chip on their shoulders over something.

Anyway, glad you are here. And I am glad there is a happier place to post about cruising.

Mike

All I can assure you is that all of us, Karen, John and I will be so fast to delete any personal NEGATIVE message or any message that may even encourage a negative thread, even if innocently posted. We will always email and tell a person WHY we deleted.

Even if that message is from one of the many posters that we know and love here including myself. I told Karen if I say something I shouldnt she can instantly "delete my post"

Besides we have no rules except "be nice" here so you can ask anyone you want about anything you want.

I read the same post and thought it extremely ridiculous as well. Thanks Ngaire and John for putting this together.

Welcome NOWA. I just read the thread on the Silverseas Board. Isn't it amazing how an innocent question can provoke some folks to go ballistic.

Even when they are given a reasonable answer they won't give up.

Glad you came over here.

Let's put the CC post in perspective.Laura was supportive of the post. There was only ONE person who created an uproar.

It is amazing to me how one poster can create such a problem. It appears that some folks like this just go on and on about rules. I hate rules and that is why this board is refreshing. I like Ngaire's only rule here that unpleasant posts be deleted, since just one poster can bring down the tone of friendliness on any board.

However, in fairness to CC, Laura was not unreasonable at all in her response to the post on the board.

Welcome, PatW and NOWA.

We're very fortunate to have this message board available. We can be candid and discuss a multitude of topics and not walk on eggshells.

It's very unfortunate that the CC boards have become a landmine - you just never know what will set something off. This is not a constant, but it seems to be happening more frequently, which, I think, can be attributed to a few creating havoc for everyone else.

No one should be subjected to personal attack. Speaking freely, but without negativity, should be encouraged and that's what makes this board a real luxury to have available.

Thanks to Ngaire, Ken, John and Karen for their efforts in allowing us the use of an honest and informative forum.

PatW, glad you folowed the crumbs!
NOWA: Welcome aboard! I have found your posts to be very informative and helpful in the past and hope you will continue to check in here.

I agree with Sedona about Laura's response to that post. I have always found Laura to be very fair in her posts and view things from a logical and sensible point of view. I also have met Richard the host and really like him. He is coming to Vegas you will all get to meet him.

I think that we must realise that CC is a big board and it is impossible for them to track each and every post. Lets not confuse the CC board and the people who run it with the few that are causing havoc. Cruise Critic is a great site and I still intend to post there I have always loved it. I also think they want to be fair and let people have their say. Maybe some will think my attitude is bad - personally negative - out of here.

The best thing about this board is that we dont have to worry about being a "group" and posting things that could be considered inclusive. I do understand Lauras position on that though the cruise critic board is different - more public really.

Anyone who doesnt like what we post always has cruise critic and in that sense I think both boards are good. Lets not look at this as a substitute for CC just another venue to post.

Ngaire:

Well said!

There is no contest here. No one board is better than the other.
Each board serves a function. Each board is unique.

That being said.... I offer my 'thank you's' for setting up this one.

Doug

Let's make this a "hot" topic.....only a few more to go!

A big thanks goes out to Ash D. for telling me about this wonderful board. I've gained so much knowledge about Radisson because of all of you!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't say it enough, but one more time....THANK YOU Ngaire, John, Karen for all your wonderful hard work! It's so special to be here at this fun, sometimes crazy and always interesting board...sharing with friends!! Bonnie :app: :app: :app:

to 3 a's and 3 n's thony, our crackerjack immigration service just issued a list of acronyms - 400 of them !! and you think that you have troubles