I am writing from my bathtub at Jumeirah Beach hotel. What is the secret to making a rubber duckie float? So many bath amenities, even goat's milk soap that I am tring out. None of that marble stuff. Bathtub shelfing is blue granite as ia showere step in.

You could melt in that bed, and even the couch pilows are like no other.

Club level is the way to go here. That airport pickup was best in my life. Great checkin. Lovely stroll all up and down the beach and even under the road in the ocean yards from Burj. So many restaurants and nice pools and waterslides and great beach. Check out Latitudes rest. Different country in every room. Weekend bruch oncludes sparling wine and long island tea.

Today will be included breakfast and included Wild Wadi before heading to ship.

Trip over was horrid. Every seat in every section sold. Bulkhead where we were was a fav stretching and chatting spot so no rest. Saw 5 movies and slept 15 nin.

I did the seafood meals and had cold grilled salmon for first meal and huge boiled shrimp for the second.

Todd had chicken (other choice was pasta) and later pizza. I ate his cous cous. It had apricots, dates and almonds. Only free drink in all those hrs was at dinner. Not even soft drinks offered anytime but with the next meal and you had to get ur own water all the time. Bare bones. Loads on the flight going to iraq for work with oil and gas cos. We flew all across iraq and kuwait but never saw anything. Route was up canada over to ireland across france and Russia and Romania and across the holy land and on to iran and iraq. Arrived an hour early. Ride was early and took care of us like u would not believe.

Silversears everywhere

Christmas tree at airport.

Deb it sure sounds like your trip is off to a bubbly start! Guess you will be squeaky clean when you board the ship! ;)

Enjoy and thanks for the tub mail!

Must have been a long flight if you were able to watch 5 movies! :eek:

It looks like the Houston pollution stripe on the horizon. I hope it wears off.

The zero entry pool here is neat. Nice dark blue. Last night I could not find the hot tubs. Now I can see them out the window.

For beach access u just walk out. I guess at Burj u jitney over here.
The flight left Houston at 4;30 and changed planes in Atl. The Dubai part was 12 hours but was supposed to be longer.

Since I could not sleepast night I did enjoy the tub. They have Elelis plus a bunch of other stuff. They give you a beach bag and sunscrren and lip balm and flip flops.

You can get great wifi in your room but if u want it free on your club deal u need to go up there and get the codes or u can get loaner laptops and use up there and enjoy the amenities.

I have just stuck to the Blackberry so far. Sorry about the lower case and typos but I am on thumb typing and have slep 3 hrs in 2 days.

Last night we saw the ski slope and the mall from the road. It looks huge and we saw the tallest builing in the world.

Deb,
Thanks for the reports and you are sure in an interesting part of the world.

Wayne

Yes, it is interesting.

What a view at breakfast. Burj on one side and the city on the other.

I had Arabic bread and Indian lentils and American bacon, hash browns and boiled eggs plus fruits. Big breakfast.

Todd had all American food. I also had smoked salmon.

I went to the club reception and they are letting us keep our room until 2 and then a driver will take us complimentary to the ship.

Wild Wadi opens an hour early for jumeirah hotels guests. From here u just walk in pretty much.

People are drawn to the wavy part of the beach. We are about to switch to beach gear.

The hotel has free shuttles to Souk Madinet Jumeirah. We are not doing any of that we will do any of that from the ship. We are enjoying this place while we can.

Welcome to Dubai! Hotel sounds marvelous. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Hope you catch up on your sleep, Debbie. Air travel is getting tougher.

Cheers, Anne

Hi, Anne! Yes, much tougher! We are still recovering and do so in each our own way. I knew that and am VERY glad I booked this medallion suite with the enclosed bedroom and the two bathroom entrances and nice jet tub. WISE!!!

I am sure those who are not bored are all thinking, "I can't believe she want all the way to Dubai to go to a water park". My response is, "why not???". For the interested, Google wildwadi.com. This place is not the kind of place you walk way up a bunch of steps to stand in line with screaming kids. Oh, no! You grab an intertube and lay in the lazy river till you find the entrance to whichever master route you want to do. Then you walk up maybe 8 or 8 steps and then reboard an intertube while some young person will then push you off on the first slide for your set of slides. It will shoot you UP, not down. You are transported thru the water slide UP and then moved along to the next slide, which will be down and then up and then down. You never do a thing except keep your rear off the ground (difficult) and ride the wave. Incredible. Then you ride the rest of the river or move to the next master set. They also have this ENORMOUS thing where you can climb and lay down and ride, but we didn't do that. And the have a surf thing and a bogie board thing, and adults and kids were trying this, and boy was there a range of skill. We just watched. The wave pool was very nice and warm. They had a kiddie park with slides for all sizes. Around were various snacks and souvenier (price) shops. The various Jumeirah hotel guests get in an hour early at a separate entrance that was just steps off the beach from our hotel. It is free to all the properties, and you just give your room number and could go any day and everyday if you want. They have lockers if you want, and these operate off the wristband by adding money to it and slapping it against the locker. They will set you up in loungers and will escort you anywhere if you need anything. Just like you were still at the resort (which you are), you do not get things pointed out, you are escorted and comfort is ensured. We did the whole place in 2 hours and moved on for a beach walk and then the hot tub.

The hotel has a swim up bar or walk up and they insisted on carrying our drinks to our room, though they had to get permission from 4 different people to escort up there. Nobody expects a tip. We gave some.

The executive club was $778. While not cheap, they picked us up at the airport. Not just a ride. They personally found our bags on the belt, lifted them off, moved us to the VIP customs line which they stood in for us until we got up there, took us to the hotel in a new Audi (greeted in the car with waters and cold towels). They gave VIP check-in and you get drinks and appetizers every night in this level. Also, there are always snacks in the lounge, and they have free net and loaner laptops and then you get a lovely breakfast with a mix of Indian, Arabian, European and American choices all catered to you.

Service is beyond amazing. If you are anywhere at all and even looking slightly perplexed, you are greeted and taken to your every need and want, which is usually handy, luxurious, and often included.

We were allowed a 2 pm checkout with no hassle at all, and we were taken to the ship in timme for the 3 pm shuttle, also free of charge.

Embarkation - this was our first "regular" SS embarkation. We paid for the early one before. They rolled out the red carpet for us, and we had what I hope is the only line. We had champagne, did the passports and photos and had canapes in hand in 8 minutes. The had smoked salmon, caviar and blinis, various canapes, and shrimp cocktail.

We were invited to go back around for any drink of our choice or more champagne and did so. We never touched a bag, and all 4 bags were on the bed waiting to be unpacked when we got to our room about 20 minutes after boarding. We were shown the cabin and told our stewardess would introduce it to us.

I went to the pooldeck after scoping out the medallion suite. I was in pursuit of a salad and told "we close at 4". I had my one ugly American moment where I said, "it is 3:58" and went and had a few mixed nuts and a glass of wine at the pool bar and then on to tea for Jasmine that I hoped would be a real pick me up. They have gone to bags! but have a nice selection. Service was lovely. They bring you our silver tra and offer a variety of scones. The pianist was just lovely.


Todd unwound in the cabin while I went off to get a La Terraza reservation (now the specialty reservations are made at the restaurants and not reception, and you are seated and the programs are introduced. I was the only one there and had no wait and no difficulty getting a reservation for the 2nd formal night. I could have got in for tonight for the Italian lobster, which I might should have done as I am not sure about getting dressed up after the sesert safari, but we did not drag this tux and dress for nothing.

I perused the library, got a movie and the daily games and came back to get ready with Todd for the lifeboat drill.

The stewardess came and noted anything we requested or wanted (literally took notes). I had requested some things a year ago, and I requested others 4 days before the cruise, and all requests were met except the Grey Goose, but there is a letter that it is not on board yet because of the difficulties with liquor in Dubai and that we would get it today. The Jack Daniels and wines and Diet Pepsi were all here, as was the extra club soda in smaller cans.

Sure sounds like you had a busy day Deb. Glad you are onboard and all is well for you and Todd. Happy sails!

Regarding the Medallion Suite...

If you have seen the about.co pics, forget that business. It is very dated. I will have fresh pics of this. We are 735, starboard side. There is only 736 portside in this category. At the door, you have your bell and letter holder and come inside to a closet of shelves and a table and mirror that has become our place for the cards and sunglasses.

To the right is the water closet, and to the left is the hallway (wasted space) to the living area. This area could be more comfortable, as there is tons of space, but they have the loveseat (though there is plenty of space for a couch). They have the table you see in about.com but not those blue chairs. It is different chairs, and they are more for dining than sitting and relaxing. They have room for a relaxation chair or two.

Anyway, nobody has that yet, but I know with the new ships the lines are coming out with, a lot of people want it.

Anyway, it is very serviceable, and ther is a Noramaki (may not be it) cd player with speakers on the wall. The desk is very nice and seviceable with all our connectors and glasswear, binoculars and plates and plenty of cloth napkins and an atlas, encyclopedia and dictinary.

The personal stationary had someone else's name, though we have had this cabin booked for 20 months. (I had that dealt with).

All the hotel info and postcards and stuff are in a rack. There is a beautiful new 37 inch Philips lcd that swivels to be seen from the desk or couch. There is a nice table (I believe it is the silver suite one but folded down) that they have the extra sodas, liquor and beautiful flower arrangement that I love, along with the fruit sitting on (bad sentence).

The bedroom module has the bed, nightstands, a dressing table with more plug-ins and lovely 2nd TV just like the other and cabinets for more storage underneath. In addition to bedside lamps, there are adjustable reading lamps installed over the bed for each person that just go right to whatever you want for your reading and such. Nice.

They have the bedside clock and phones everywhere, including the bathroom.

The closet is off the bedroom and huge with tons of drawers, plenty of hangers and a huge full length mirror. There is a nice shoe rack.

You can enter the bathroom here or from the water closet in the hall. This gives you direct access from our bedroom if the door is shut or from the hall, and there is a sink in the water closet and another door that lets someone be in the toilet area with privacy while someone else is in the bath or shower and having 3 sinks, one should never have an issue.

The bathroom has a Jacuzzi brand jet tub that I am anxious to experience and the double sinks with shelves and all the Bvulgari amenities. The Bvulgari is also in the water closet and about the tub and such. There is more storage here and also a thin full length mirror here and the shaver plug.

This suite comes with free laundry as often as you like but not pressing or dry cleaning. We will likely use it just to get some stuff de-wrinkled, as I am surre they will not bring it back wadded up!

Also, the website no longer mentions canapes in this category as I assume they may want to eliminate, but they are included, and we were brought the full caviar spread at 5 and then the stewardess asked what time each day do we want canapes.

The balcony is larger than the standard suite, naturally since the room is bigger.

Fabrics have been lightened, delightfully. They have gone to beige, tan, offwhite, and lighter browns for the most part. The drapes in the bedroom module can be wrapped for complete darkness or opened to see out the balcony, and the door can be closed or opened. We are using it both ways since Todd woke up after 2 hours and came out and watched TV and worked a puzzle and I slept but woke up at 4 and am now out where enjoying the suite while he rests in his cocoon while we try to make this our last jetlaggy day.

Our first interesting experience was that we had no life jackets in our cabin (still don't). When the stewardess came, she asked if we needed anything, and Todd said lifejackets. She and I both just thought he was stating it was so close to 5:30 that we needed to move on. Well, there weren't any. So she left while he was looking and then I "got it" that we really had none and tried to chase her, but she was off like a flash in seconds. Even another guest came in. No life jackets. Well, Todd followed me out to see what I found out, and then said, do you have your key? So we neither one had one and now no life jackets or way to get one. Hall monitor said go and listen and then call stewardess.

We did that. We were fine. Then we had to get a new key card.

We unpacked and tried to go to the Taste of Things to Come, but we were slow and sore from the plane and the waterpark and tiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeed. We got up there in time for clams and a drink and another chat with Shani Reay the cruise director.

We headed off to dinner right after 7.

Debbie - thanks for the detailed description of the Medallion Suite. Glad to hear the canapes and free laundry are included. No life jackets? How did that happen? All's well that ends well. I hope this is the last of the jetlag days for you, too.

Enjoy the sail away, dinner and a great night's rest.

Cheers, Anne

Many dined in their cabin or were on the Evening in Dubai tour, so there were only 5 of us in the dining room. Plus I think it was always 7:30 in the past and maybe still is except the one night. There were a lot of others at 7:30 and then many more at 8:30 when people were back from the tour.

The room was not full.

They did a better job than before in mixing local cuisines and had tastes of Arabia mixed in with traditional favorites.

I went for the traditionals since I had some Arabian stuff at the hotel.

I had steamed clams, Maui red onion soup, and then sea bass with pasta with pesto instead of the vegetables. Todd had the curried prawns, the same soup and tenderloin. For dessert, I had pina colada sorbet, and he had vanilla ice cream. We gave the sommolier a run for his money, taking 3 wines to please us, but now he likes us, so I think we will get good service. Our waiter remembered us, and we remembered him. We have seen a few familiar people, but most not. They have a 7 month contract. We were on Whisper in April of 2006 and Wind in March of 2007.

I forgot to mention that in the chaos of getting ready for the boat drill, I ordered room service - the 42 cal delicious! tomato basil soup and some spring rolls since we are not caviar people.

The weather has been 80 and no humidity like home. My gosh it is fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are amazed at the smog and the traffic, but the traffic looked neat lit up last night.

Today before our desert safari, I may go do a souq or something if there is a shuttle. I haven't read anything yet, too tired and too busy having fun.

I still feel tired but look 10 years younger than the old had I looked like yesterday. Several people asked me yesterday if I was OK. I think a couple thought I was unhappy, but I was just really about to fall down from exhaustion. I did sleep 7 hours last night.

Our Indian driver gave us a nice little tour coming to the ship and lots of commentary. We enjoyed that. This place as far as the look of the buildings reminds us a lot of Hong Kong.

Well, it is 5:50, so I am either going back to bed or for another tubbing experience. I have got to be perky to see Todd on that camel!!!!!!!!

Well, you are up-to-date now. Wow. Like everything else in Dubai, the daylight is magic. I have not seen anything like it the last two days. One minute, it is PITCH BLACK. The next minute, it is like somebody snapped in a new background, and it is almost totally daylight. It is just too hard to describe. It is 6:25 and in this mode. That is the mode where they still have lights on but it is 80% light.

Thanks, Sue and Anne for reading.

Both you girls' posts came up after I posted whatever I was typing, so if it seems out of order, that is why.

Website says laundry but not canapes, but I figured they probably were. Canapes are not a must have, especially since you don't pick them (though they probably would do that since you pick the time).

I've been turned around on this ship. Since the last time on here, I've been on Wind and just came off of Voyager a couple of weeks ago, and I nknow all the decks, but I keep turning the wrong way.

It has been interesting just having the ship sit here. I guess that is what QE2 will be like. That is what the staff are all talking about.

I am continuing to enjoy your account.
A few years back we had a Silver Suite on the Shadow and remember the laundry service and how nicely it was wrapped in tissue when returned on a wooden tray.
One thing I found that I didn't particularly like was how difficult it was to open the doors to the verandah as they were heavy to move. My mother couldn't move them on her own. Have you experienced this?
Hope that the jet lag disappears quickly for you both so that you can fully experience everything.

Wayne

Wayne, with the doors I remember a report Kristin wrote about difficult doors. I was expecting it, but it has not been that way. The doors were awfully difficult on Wind, and this door is different from the verandah door but has been ok. We have yet to go anywhere so I have only been out there twice.

We have high hopes for the laundry and I hope we stay put long enough to actually fll out the ticket.

What a busy day and there is so much left. I am in the 4 x 4 on the way back to the ship.

I am still so tired.

There is a sunset like u would not believe out the car window..

This morning was breakfast then shuttle to city center. Some got off at gold souq, and it is walkable from the cruise terminal neat people movers like escalators with no steps in that mall and a market that is so amazing.

Later was lunch after a drink in the pool bar lounger an} then up to putting range and off to desert safari. It was awesome.

Tonight is formal and we were invited to dine with the cruise director.

I will describe in detail when I am not in the car.

I think I'd still be sleeping all this time from the jet-lag. I doubt I'll ever make it to that part of the world unless I cruise there and back.

Dear Debbie, I'm soaking up every word you write and thanks for taking the time to keep us CAMEL cruisers happy! I'm excited to hear my suite has plenty of closet space and ample mirrors and sinks and a CD player! Did you notice an IPOD docking station in the suite anywhere? Perhaps if you request some comfortable chairs they'll appear?
Good luck at the souks (souq?) Let me know if there's bargains to be found since gold is $850 an oz. :eek:

Dubai sounds magical, day or night. Thanks again for your reports.

Debbie, thanks for taking the time to share w/us
Todd and your adventures...see u in less than two weeks on the Nav..r/wes

Suzie, I see it spelled both ways. I do not know the rates over there. I will try to ask around. I did not want to have to walk back from there. I was still sore from the plane and the waterpark.

I saw the golf and yacht club by the Hyatt. It is pretty over there but no real chance for pics. Like everything else in Dubai, there is so much netting or blocking for the dust and construction. The place is a dust pile.

A tidbit on Dubai, it rains about 4 times a year for less than an hour we hear, and I think it is not even 2 inches of rain.

Sue, I am really dragging and not sleeping enough hours. I slept less than 5 last night. I signed up for afternoon tours part of the time but we like the afternoon activities like trivia and golf, so we are missing that.

Interestingly, I was SOOO sore before I went on the camel ride and came back with NO backache like I had a cure. That camel was like a baby's bottom, but....Todd was on the saddley part, and he was not happy.

Pics are coming, I will paste some in. I have some pics uploaded, but it keeps dying in the middle and chewing up minutes, and I just feel tired when I do this non-active stuff.

Wes, being this detailed will help me always look back. I would not want to come this far and forget this stuff.

So, for yesterday's installment.

We both (separately) enjoyed that jet tub in the room. It is Jacuzzi brand and has a lot of settings and is nicely powerful enough to give some soothing, unlike some of the hotelish weak things. I like my jacuzzis, so I love this perk. Todd thought it was not going to work out for a 6 ft. 3 big guy, but he liked it.

We are so convenient to the buffet that we are going there more than we would. It works out well since we are not up to snuff anyway and the food there is to die for.

I love how they carve the fruits on the spot on SS. I really enjoy the ripe fruits. I had that and some American bacon and eggs. Todd had ham and eggs.

I went on the City Centre outing. I was intrigued by the people mover up the mall floors and the market thing was so international. Think California Farmer's market indoors with world offerings and people from 200 countries with Best Buy and Walmart and a chocolate store all mixed into one place.

It was hard to get pics due to the haze, but after the 4 x 4, he took us out, and we got great ones.

The pool deck was so nice to lay out and have a drink. They have new tables on the decks and balconies and new little tables in both that I like. I think they will last a while.

Todd played with the Nike clubs upstairs. They do rust a bit, but he was playing with techniques he had just read in a magazine, and he was having a good time.

Lunch on Whisper at the buffet usually includes most of the sit down offerings, and I enjoyed cod, crab legs, salad and pumpkin soup, while Todd had the soup, fish and lasagna. they also had beef satay, pizza, veal, chicken, and many other dishes. They had creme brule also.

The lunch wine was nice. Service up there is really good. That has not gone down.

There were morning and afternoon tours, and they had it well organized with everyone being directed to where they should go. Ours was a group of I think 5 vehicles with 3 to 4 guests in each. The outing was tailor made for SS and escorted by SS fully. It was customized to each guest, and those that wanted a tame experience were all organized and grouped, and those of us doing the regular were placed accordingly as well.

Well, I just typed for an hour and lost it. This happens a lot on LCT,aand it has cost me a lot of money on these cruises. I am so frustrated. I should have typed before I posted, and I lost all this info.

The pics do it, too, so it isn't just this. Eighty minutes wasted. No way I am typing all that mess again. Let me shorten:

We each enjoyed the Jacuzzi brand tub in our room (separately). It has many settings and helped with the fatique. This cabin was definitely the way to go. We love this cabin.

La Terraza is really close to here, so we are having more buffet than we would, and we aren't feeling up to par anyway, and service and food are good.

Breakfast: I love the fruit they carve on the spot and had that, eggs and bacon, while Todd had ham and eggs.

We enjoyed the pool deck and the new chairs and tables (they also have them on the balconies).

I took the shuttle to City Centre. I loved the people movers without steps going from one level to of the mall to the other and the market that was a mix of California's Farmer's market, Walmart and Best Buy. The spices, fish, and international foods, the many guests, etc. were all interesting. I bought some dates and other things and then at the ship terminal bought some things and paid Euros and got USD back at my request.

Todd enjoyed the golf putting. The clubs have some wear but are Nikes, and he was trying out a magazine technique he read on board.

Lunch buffets on Whisper always have most of what is on the a la carte. I had cod, salad with balsamic, pumpkin soup and creme brule and Todd had lasagne, cod and soup.

Our tour had 5 vehicles with 3 or 4 guests in each, including the SS rep. It was catered to the wants, and one group was put together that wanted light activity.

We went out to Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and went to the camel farm. We saw the camels we would ride and had a coffee and dates. I don't like any coffee anywhere and liked this. It is more like tea and has a fruity taste at the end.

Dates were good, but there were flies around.

We got on the camels. The white ones are from Sudan, and the brown ones are gulf camels (Austrailia also has a brown camel).

We rode around for some time, and they took pics with our own cameras, never trying to sell us anything. Two ladies did not ride. Everyone else enjoyed it. I found the camel soft as a baby's bottom. Todd was in front and did not feel the same way. I had a back ache before, and the camel cured it. Crazy but true.

Then we went in the dunes for pics and had either an Arabic Coke Light, a Fanta orange or water.

After that, we went to really look at the camels and saw 2 day old babies.

After that, they spun out the 4 x 4's for about an hour (they let out air from the tires before you even start this whole venture) and then headed out. They put the air back in the tires, gave us a city tour and went back to the ship. This was a customized tour for us with no other guests. The regular event following ours would have 300 people and the bbq dinner, belly dancing, star gazing after sunset, etc. Our thing was more to our taste and quite private with constant checking by the 5 tour hosts and our SS host. Attendees were 35 to 55 on this jaunt.

The captain's party was nice. I got emotional, as I always do. The 2nd in command told a cute tale comparing being second on a ship to second at home.

The guest flutist, Jane Rutter sat with me, and we had a delightful chat. She is from Australia and had a lengthy trip to come, as well.

Shani put together a table of 9. There was a couple from America that were first time cruisers, a British couple that have sailed SS 17 times and no other line and a Canadian couple that had met the British couple on some other cruise they had all been on. They all knew Shani from Cloud.

The Americans kind of offended us a bit with some of the quizzing and bragging. They didn't seem to be enjoying the trip that much, and for them, I hope they really do. This is a long way to come and not have something you want.

The other couples were a total delight. Fully interesting and good companions on into the Sally Jones show. She is from London's West End and did cabaret tunes intertwined with comedy. She involved a guest from Tulsa and had him tangoing with a rose in his teeth.

She will do something on a sea day in the afternoon mixing Andrew Lloyd Webber tunes with a lecture on him. I can't wait for that.

We all think all the Emirates may be similar and are looking forward to the sea days, but now that we just pulled int Khasab, I can see it will be quite different.

Tried Panorama for the disco at 11:30 when the show was over (they are starting the shows now at 10:30 so people can linger at dinner, I don't like that but some do, and nobody walked in late). There were a half dozen there, and one couple that I think was the distinguested gent and a frequent guest were too good and intimidating for anyone else to dance. The music was great, and at midnight, that was it on the bandwidth.

Todd is not donning that tux again, and the 2nd formal night, we are going to La Terraza.

At dinner, I had the goose liver that was just devine! I had the celeric apple soup and the salad with strawberries and cashews and then lobster. Todd had mixed berries in blue curacao, the salad and prime rib, followed by vanilla ice cream. Some of our table mates had the veal, and others the halibut.

I did not sleep 5 hours last night. I am not sure how I am going to go again till the late night.

Wow, debbie, you sure know how to get the most out of a cruise. I am enjoying your multipart mails.
Lynn

Lynn, I feel like just laying down for 3 days, but this was so far to come. I thought of you yesterday and thought you might like that camel tour, comparing it to your horse thing. I know this was way easier than the horse water trot I just did in Jamaica.

Suzie, the chairs are comfie enough, but there is so much wasted space, and I am thinking a recliner would be really nice.

http://shutter09.pictures.aol.com/d...E2ag9eFnwf4UzXc+DlHwoYVdMrh7qEO90300.jpg

See the camel pic above. The image tag is not working to embed the pic here. A lot of Dubai pics are now up in http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/debbieh103 and I started the Khasab but haven't left the ship yet.

Deb your posts make us feel like we are right there sailing with you. I am still tired from the jet lag part of the trip! ;)

The camel pic came out nice. Todd doesn't look too upset about being on a camel!

Deb - fantastic posts! Thank you. I am sorry you lost one of the postings. I always forget to type them in Word & then cut and paste into LCT until I lose a post, too. Habits die hard over here ..

Can't wait to hear about Khasab.

Cheers, Anne

Debbie, I'm enjoying your trip a lot!

I type my post into this reply window, then before I hit "add reply", I copy my post and hold it; usually I lose the connection and then I can come back and repaste my reply until it "takes".

Deb - thanks so much for your fantastic and informative posts. Really, we do appreciate the time and money you put into giving us at home seamail!!

Debbie, I am really enjoying your posts, its a great way to start my mornng.....I do feel as if I'm right there with you

Thanks for the pic's and how do you remember all those details? My suite looks sweet! :)

Hi Debbie,
So glad you having such a good time. You sure did a turn around quickly from the SS Voyager!

We will be sailing in that part of the world in the fall of 2008 so am enjoying your descriptions as well as hoping to find out more. Deciding what to do for our excursions in a part of the world we have been before is always a bit difficult.

Continue enjoying SS.

Jan (from the Voyager)

Debbie, I finally got caught up on your posts - sounds just wonderful. I would sure love to be there, as I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the desert. Riding a camel must be so much fun!

Jet lag is such a drag, I had the same problem with our Europe trip. I got to the point where I just couldn't hold my head up at dinner, I was so exhausted.

Continue to enjoy, and post when you are able! :)

Pam, I know to save buit have had so little sleep. You would be amazed the things that seem like such an effort. If only I was not an insomniac. Todd slept till 10 yesterday. Of course I had less than 5 hrs. Last night we dined in the cabin and I went to bed at 8:30 but got up at 3;35.

Suzie, no ipod docking setio nut the cd thing on the wall is a cd changer and the dvd player plays divx, mp3 and photo cds.

Todd is really tired of me mentioning this waste of space in this suite. He is lucky I don't have a tape measure.

Last night we decided to dine in the cabin and watch a movie. Two of the 4 were not working (of course they were when we were too busy) and one movie we had seen on the plane, and the other was wierd. So we got a dvd, but we could not watch that on the bed without our laptop. So with the stubby couch and the desk type chairs two must sit on the couch and use the other chairs as a footstool. That is my high horse for the day but people in verandahs and vistas are on 50 percent off and those of us in suites are at 20 (we also got 5 percent Venetian and 2 percent past sailing but could have got that on a verandah).

Anyway, so on the plus side, you get the box of Godivas in this suite. It is 6 inches long and 3 inches high.

They will not decorate for Christmas till the first day of the holiday voyage. They don't want to offend anyone. I have my own thoughts on that. I would like decor.

Today they will do the Hannukah celebration (being in Fujairah, and that is not worrisome??) And have the rabbi doing the lighting and full celebration.

For those with Blackberries or
Other worldwide internet gadgets...in this region, they will work some places and not others. It switches to GSM in some places. That is why I used a lot of minutes.

Sue, when the camel pics were taken, we had not moved yet. When Todd felt it the most was when they got the camel down to let us off. He was not prepared. That safari is great.

For anyone going to Khasab (means fertile) the dhow fjord is an absolute must. Drop everything and do this thing.

SS had two big dhows and a small one. The place is walkable from the ship but they pick u up and take u the 200 metres.

Seats are on the ground like an Arabian living room (they tell us). You board this big thing and just lay there and watch the mountains and rock formations from all directions. You see little fishing villages that sometimes have 10 people. The government gives them electricity and gets it into these mountains by helicopter. Until a few years ago they ate only fish and dates with no outside contact to the world. Now the kids are taken somewhere from there to school and they go away for 4 days and then come home for 3.

Our tour started at 1:50 and ended at 5:30. They offered dates and had bananas and apples on board and also soft drinks (no diet) and water and Arabian tea (sweet) in the tiniest cups and coffe in tiny cups. Think kids' tea set.

The guides talk and tell interesting stories and take u 18 km in each direction. You stop for swimming and snorkeling ( which many don't do). We saw small fish but lots of shells and beautiful coral. The ladder was quite steep. Going up was odd. The water is partially in the Indian Ocean and partially in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf.

We also climbed up in Telegraph Island for photos.

Much of the way back was whistling and clapping for dolphins to clip up or chase the boat. I took movies and we took stills with 2 cameras. Hopefully we have something!!

We skipped breakfast (- had grapes from our in room fruit). Todd worked some puzzles while I chatted in the hot tub on deck with a Russian lady that lives in Vancouver. She had earned her passage by escorting a Chinese family where the head of the family does nmot see well. From here, they will fly to Hong Kong for 5 days. The hot tub was perfect. They brought us fruit and lemon waters.

For lunch, we had buffet again. I had salad and mussels and gazpacho. Todd had grilled fish, veggies and fruit.

There was a nice sail away party last night. Before that, we were trated to an Iranian welcome dance they put on for us before boarding. All the portside people saw it from their balconies.

For dinner, I had fois gras terrine, cauliflower voulette and veal marsala. Todd had king scallop ravioli, fruits, soup and tenderloin. This was delivered course by course. They wanted us to call 815 to pick up the tray and it did not work and room service was busy. We spent the night with the icky dishes. We lived. The night's canapies were shrimp cocktail, so we had those, too.

Our tour in Fujairah (foojarahh) is at 9 AM, so we can finally go to trivia this afternoon.

Last night we missed the flutust I met and a late night jazz performance by Shani Reay. The shows are late as they are geared to the European clientele.

Last night we got our Venetian Society invitation for tonight. I cannot believe it is Decenber 4.

One other thing...Shani Reay makes announcements every two hours. That is annoying. Maybe that is because they want to assure us in this part of the world.

Interesting posts (photo's as well -- did you know that you have previous Rome, Spain etc. photo's on there as well?) Looked for your posts on CC-- that is where I usually find your posts as well as other TA's --surprised that your trip isn't being followed there.

We were very interested in Silversea (after a few very good cruises on Regent). With few exceptions, Silversea and Regent seem on par with each other. I've heard that there is quite a bit of smoking on board...have you noticed this?

Just noticed that you will be on the Navigator this month.... we are looking forward to your review. We love the Navigator -- it is a beautiful, imtimate ship.

Get some sleep!

Travelcat, I will cut and paste on CC at some point and am posting on my own site. I am posting here first since I know the group is going, and I don't want to forget details.

I encountered much more smoking on Regent than here since the lounges here are so slow. Some smoke on the pool deck but most sit on 9 or off in some corner. Our first cruise we noticed a lot but not the second or this one. We have not been to the casino yet, though.

Wayne, the laundry came back just fabulous.

Today in Fujairah we were not able to by a souvenier and came back and found one on the bed..

I slept from 8;30 to 3;35. I am feeling decent now after a long soak and an easy tour. I hope I can stay up for the show tonight.

Dubai plans to have their airport be bigger than Heathrow. Pretty soon it won't juist be Abu Dhabi and Dubai you hear of. We saw Le Meridian from the road here today, and Palm Jumeirah is coming in here to Fujairah. Another huge hotel owned by Emirates opened 3 weeks ago, and JAL built a huge hotel on a great beaxh for to bring the Japanese in here.

They are blasting out the rock mountains just like Branson.

Today we saw the real wadis. There was no water. Many years not a single drop comes to Fujairah. Can you imagine? This looks like sort of a grand canyon/painted desert.

The tour was informational and educational more than anything.

We went to a museum and a mosque and a beach and for some photo stops. The tour was from 9 to 12:45 after breakfast.

For lunch we had salmon. Todd had pasta, and I had salad.

New on Whisper this trip is in addition to offering drinks and food at your chair, they are walking around with wine and champagne. Also new is they are giving cold towels when you come onboard.

All the tours seem to be organized by Arabian Adventure Tours, and they seem to be tied to Emirates.

Our stewardess is really learning our likes and schedule more than any cruise. She forgot a couple of things like the Neutrogena shampoo, but she is watching whatever we are drinking and having lots of wine, OJ and diet coke there and keeping the wine on ice, which nobody has ever done on a regular basis.

The pool deck is packed, and somehow I have ended up in the shade.

We are going to trivia and golf putting later and Venetian Society.

We are really looking forward to the sea days. We have Muscat first. They are telling us that it is unspoiled but that it won't last.

I do know there are other pics on that site, but they have captions, and that site is there to avoid offending Ngaire with reference to my sites even though I host huge galleries. It is a lot of trouble, but I really love the chat on this site. I set up that site for people here and on CC to look at. I hope people are enjoying it

Deb,
On the Shadow, we had a number of meals in our Silver Suite and the clearing of the dishes was often a problem. So they usually just sat on the table until the next day or else I put them outside the door. They didn't like this, however, it didn't improve the service.
I am continuing to enjoy your reports and appreciate the effort involved in providing them.

Wayne