Wow - do you realize that PIP is now NEXT MONTH!!!! Whoo HOOO!!!!! i feel some doc dancing happening very soon. :app: :app: :app:

Yep, 7 weeks. And it's going to come really quickly, especially since we are all so busy at work.

We'll probably get our docs last, usually do. Not for a month, I'd bet.

Also have to wait for the summer clothes to hit the stores, to look for some last minute purchases. It's too early right now here.

I say just before sailaway a "pre"-sailaway party! We will all be on board then.

Ngaire will know and will advise upon her return.

Suzanne,

I thought that those of us doing a precruise at the ICB were having dinner/drinks on Friday, so we are having a pre-pre-in Tahiti!

Sounds like there will just be one non-stop pre-party!! :woh: <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" /> I like Suzanne's idea to have the official meeting as a "pre"-sailaway party. But that doesn't mean we can't have a mini one when we first get on board for those of us with pre-cruises.

Yes Cyndi, I agree. I think the sailaway party itself is perfect. We can just gather on the pool deck at some point prior, and toast each other with the free drinks being passed around!

A few of us will also be meeting pre-pre-pre cruise, in the departure lounge of LAX on Thursday!

7 weeks from now we will be on Raiatea! <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" />

Pat & I are flying to Papeete from LAX on ATN on Friday, the 20th, with just a one-night stay at the ICB. Anyone else on that flight? Auntie Katya (Kathy to the rest of the LCT'ers)- we will be able to join you for the pre-cruise festivities on Friday night. Our poochies (our cairn, Katyusha, and yours, her cousin Daisy) will be delighted to know that their parents are sipping Mai Tais together in paradise. Cheers, Fred

Yes, it's getting closer. Still lots to do to get ready, but, Freddie, we can't wait to see you and Pat.

Here's the first round on us:

Oh Kathy, that drink looks yummy!!!

Wendy - 7 weeks from today we'll be at Motu Mahana!!!! I stole this from you because it sounded so good yesterday to think of being on Raiatea!!!

Freddie - Can't wait to meet you & Pat. You have a delightful sense of humor! Bring pictures of Katyusha to share!!!!

If it's Tuesday, we're getting ready to dock in Bora Bora! Counting down!!!!

Hey Kathy, yes we will ("if it's Tuesday this must be Bora Bora)! And six weeks from now, won't you already be on your way to Tahiti?

Yes, we will be on our way to the Airport at this time in 6 weeks. Whoo Whoo HOOO!!!!!!!!
it can't come fast enough for me!

Gee, I sense we might start getting docs in the next two weeks. What do you think?

Kathy, I think that's a bit soon, but I could be wrong. I think we've usually received our docs about 3 weeks before, but then we're in Canada, so maybe it takes longer.

I usually have seen them 3-4 weeks out. LeeAnne got hers for the May 2nd sailing. We're only a 2 weeks behind that!

Well hey, you're right, Kathy, the day is creeping up on us! And with Ngaire being our TA this time, I'm betting they will be even faster than before. So, the count-down to docs dancing begins!

I can tell the date is coming soon when I start having anxiety attacks about the location of my passport.

Three years ago we were going to Lithuania, and I realized my passport was going to expire. I went to apply for a new one and was told that, with new security procedures, my birth certificate was invalid, and that I would have to get a new one (from Quebec!). I FAXed the request the next day. Boy was I nervous! I finally got my passport the day before our trip. Phew!

I also had my first travel dream last night. I dreamt I had travelled somewhere, with some people that I apparently knew, and was packing up to come home. But I had brought a huge desk with me from home (an heirloom), and I had to pack it with stuff, including my son's complete childhood collection of teddy bears (my son is 24.) :eek:

I'm very sad to have to report that my Dad, Mason, and stepmom Maggie (Seagurl) have had to cancel PIP. :(

My Dad has been experiencing severe back pain and went to a specialist last week who told him that if he didn't have surgery right now he would soon be in a wheelchair. This was sudden and rather drastic news and my Dad, a very active guy, took it quite hard. But, on a happier note, today he had a third opinion, and it's two to one against immediate surgery. He will start some PT and go from there.

Suzanne, sorry to hear that your dad had to cancel this cruise. I hope he can find a way to duck surgery, but if he has to have it, let's hope it goes well and helps him, and that he will soon be cruising again.

Suzanne,

I am sorry that your Dad is having problems and that he's and Maggie are cancelling PIP! We send our wishes for a quick recovery without surgery.

Thanks Wendy and Kathy! I'll pass on your good wishes!

Dang Suzanne, I guess this is good news, bad news. I am glad he doesn't have to have surgery right away but what a bummer having to cancel PIP.

Let's hope the PT helps and you get to cruise with him and Maggie in the near future.

Suzanne - here's hoping that your dad feels better soon. Too bad that he and his family will have to miss PIP ... :(

Masaki

Dear Suzanne,

Please let Maggie (and your Dad)know my thoughts are with them. Regretfully I no longer live in their neighborhood, moved to Ashland three months ago. Maggie and I were enjoying walks together etc. We met through this board. Sure miss her here, would love to have someone to walk and talk with here. Jeanine

Suzanne,

I've been meaning for days to add my regets here that your parents will not be joining us on PIP. I'm sure we are not nearly as disappointed as they are. I really hope everything goes well for your Dad and that he can avoid any surgery. I hope that his pain can be reduced ASAP!! Be sure to tell them that all of us will take real good care of you while on PIP!!!!

Suzanne - we will miss "sea"ing Mason and Maggie again. Please give them our very best wishes for a speedy recovery. Cheers, Anne & Gary

I was referred over to this board from someone over at www.flyertalk.com

My wife and I are going to be on this cruise. It will be our first ever cruise. We're really looking forward to a good time diving, dining and just plain ole' relaxing! We're flying down on the 19th on ATN and staying at the Intercontinental the 2 nights before the cruise.

I have so many questions, but I'll wait until we get our final package from Radisson before I bore anyone with them!!

I've enjoyed reading about your group of travelers. Hopefully we won't stand out as total greenies amongst the cruising veterans!

Welcome to LCT FFMilesJunkie! I won't be on PIP but my husband and I were on the PG last year and liked it so much that we're going back in June of this year. I know that you will have a wonderful first ever cruise and you will get to know a bunch of great people who are doing this cruise with you.

FFMiles, Welcome!! you will have a great time on this cruise. We went last year & are going to go back soon. They spoil you very much. It is a very relaxing cruise, especially since you are going early. I hope you have a blast!!!!!! Mounds

Welcome, Junkie!

We are NEVER bored when it comes to cruises. Ask away any time. And then you are free to ask again and again! I emailed you off the boards since we are pre-cruising with you too. We love RSSC - you picked a GREAT cruise for your first cruise.

Hey, Junkie (sounds a lot more fun than FFMiles!) Welcome aboard! This groupd thrives on answering questions and sharing experiences, and you should just fire away anytime you see fit!

I think we're all getting more excited with the idea that our docs should arrive in the next 10 days. We're outta here and on our way in 26 days

FFMilesJunkie - Do you prefer FFMiles or Junkie? Anyway - welcome to LCT and to our PIP group!!!!!!!!! So glad to have you as part of it. My first cruise ever was also RSSC, but on the Navigator. Other passengers on that ship were so surprised that we went straight to the top with RSSC for our first cruise. They said we were really wise . . . they were right!!! You are going to spoiled for life. I've never been on the PG, but she is a legend in her own time. Nothing but great reviews.

Start asking questions NOW!!! It's never too early and we love to answer any that we can. I still have lots of questions.

Kathy Z . . .speaking of questions. You are just the person I wanted to ask my next question of. (I'll gladly accept answers from anyone who knows :) ) I keep reading that on the inter-island flight from Papeete to Bora Bora that you should sit on the left side of the Air Tahiti plane for incredible views of Bora Bora. My question is this - do you get assigned seats or is it just first come first serve? What is the best way to make sure you are able to get on the left side.

Also, back to the luggage weight questions. We are taking a bag just for our snorkel equipment (masks, snorkels, booties and fins). That alone will weigh quite a bit. With the limit of 44 lbs per person, do they let you bring 3 bags per couple, as long as you are willing to pay the extra fee?

Thanks for any & all help!!

Welcome Junkie!!!!

You will love the group going on PIP, but I caution you, do not expect much of a relaxing vacation. If PIP is anything like MINT, you will need another vacation after you get back. I am sure it will be nonstop action and excitement!!

We wish we were joining you all!

Anthony

Hey Junkie, welcome. Our first cruise was on the Paul Gauguin, 5 years ago. We were totally entranced and hooked on French Polynesia. And the ship.

I, for one, intend to be incredibly relaxed on this trip. Yes, there will be lots of fun, but lots of serenity as well. I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the Pipsters, but I am not really a party animal, so don't worry, it can also be a very good week to veg out.

And Cyndi's right, ask your questions now, don't wait!

BTW, Cyndi, in my experience, the AT flights are first-come first-serve. Like a bus!

In fact, Junkie, there's a thread on excursions under "Cruise Talk". Bring it to the top if you like! We are all desperate to talk about this trip, since we can't wait!

Wendy - thanks for the tip on the first-come first-serve basis for AT flights. Now I can quit wondering about that. I, also, hope to fit in plenty of relaxing time on PIP. Tom & I are definetly not party animals. Can't wait to have some down time.

We aren't party animals either, but, I am quite social and love to have company. While Suzanne is the Social Hostess, I am usually an instigator of activity and organizer. Wanna group Diner or cocktails or meet for this that or the other - just ask!

We are bringing a petite backgammon board for some quiet play as well as some cards for Motu day if we aren't out floating around on our raft thingies (that word is for Karen). And I am bringing a couple books for that quiet time under the coconut tree!

Welcome over here FFMilesJunkie!!! :)

So, sounds like we are after the same thing! I'm sure we will have a great time and enjoy each other's company. Have to do some mixing and matching at dinner, for sure. David didn't even ask me last summer on the Diamond, he just went straight to the maitre d' and told him we wanted to sit with others. First time on the PG we ate dinner alone most of the time--it was very romantic, but then we found out how much fun it is having dinner at a table for eight.

Time to start whipping the wardrobe into shape, I think, except for ironing, which comes just before packing ;) . Then the beauty preparations will start in a couple of weeks--feet, hair, waxing. It's coming fast.