Olivia - I'm cracking up over here about the disparity in prices. :) That's a HUGE change. Will the van be able to hold all the luggage for the 7 of us???

Masaki

I did make a special point of telling her there would be lots of luggage, and she assured me there would be plenty of room. Yet, she didn't even ask how many pieces we will have. We'll have to pin this down closer to the cruise.

Jan and I normally have a 25" suitcase and 16" satchel each which we check and then one 16' satchel we carry on.

Dress code so far:

As the schedule now stands, there will be 1 formal night (tux or suit), 4 informal (jacket requested) and 2 casual (polo shirt & khakis.) The "final version" will come with your tickets, which we should have about a month before your sailing date.

You are a plethora of information Todd.
Thank you :rolleyes:

I am hoping that everyone on the MINT cruise realizes that there is now a 2 category upgrade along with the 2 for 1... :app:

Wow! Thanks for the heads up Ronnie. I have a call into Brown and Keene. I was on an H gurantee....so this seems better....I can pick my suite now.

Since I like being lower in the ship, I hope I don't get bumped up. Now, if they would only offer $99 single supplements, I could go for it!

Oh yes $99 would be GREAT!

Sorry:
I guess I thought everyone knew about the upgrade. I didn't until I booked and Jennifer informed me. 2 for 1 and doulble upgrade. <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

A "little bird" told me that she feels MINT probably will go to a $99 single supplement as we get closer to our sailing date. Let's keep our fingers crossed!! If it doesn't it means Sheri and I will be suite-mates and NO ONE on the ship will get any sleep...(or have any shoes :D )

Oh I will try to keep my shoes in a secure environment! I remember those VOF stories....and always remember to take a key with you.

Sounds to me like we need to really watch out for Suzanne and Sheri. <img border="0" alt="[Drinking]" title="" src="graemlins/062802drink_prv.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[beer]" title="" src="graemlins/beer.gif" /> :cool:

All,

I've just booked us (me, my husband Jim, and my mom Jeanne) in at the Westin for the $60/night rate - you just have to love Priceline. We won't be arriving from Boston until after 9PM so we'll miss you for dinner, but maybe we'll find you for drinks after you all return to the hotel. At this rate we may need several vans to transfer everyone over to the ship!

I am so looking forward to meeting everyone!

m'ellen

M'Ellen, hello! I think as we get closer to the cruise date, there will be more than one van needed, and maybe a luggage trailer as well. We will work out all the details as time approaches. Like you, we will probably arrive later in the evening, and have that 3 hr. jet lag, so won't be in the party mood at midnight or later our body time!

Oh, how I hope it will go to that $99 single supplement, especially if it frees up the lower cabins/rates for it to be do-able to get my daughter and me separate cabins next door to each other! I loved that on the Diamond in January. I would go next door and say "breakfast is here!" and she would schlep over and we had a great time not getting into each other's hair the rest of the time! Hope your "birdie" is right, Suzanne.

We're booked in Cabin 755....which really looks like a great location. I don't understand going up 2 decks for the exact same cabin? Is this just me?

Nope, I like to lay low just like you, Marcie, and not have to get on the elevator so often.

RE MINT

Okay, most of this I will fill in with my cruise journal, but:

- The Sheraton San Pedro was $99 a night on club level (free breakfast) with a free shuttle to the pier. It's not at swanky as the Westin (I used to be a Platinum Starwood so I've slept in a few Starwood properties of varying poshness) but it is VERY convenient! It is a lot closer to the Pier than the Westin...literally 5 minutes away.

- The Canopy tour is MUST! We did it and it was the experience of a lifetime!!!

BTW now my sister in law (who lives in Rancho Palos Verdes) wants to go cruising with us and wants to do Mexican Riviera...if I can figure the time off (I'm going back to work Monday after 9 months of maternity leave!!), we just MAY join you guys for that week! She wants to treat, which makes it even sweeter! BTW no dibs on "our" suite, 738 (that is if it is not taken already!!). Yes Marcie, you are right...no reason to go up a floor unless you start doing the penthouse thing, which in our case, we won't do until we are going to cruise with the girls. We knew a couple who went from an H to a D (I believe it was a D, on deck 10??) and sometimes they heard table noise from deck 11. We did not hear a thing (plus, nobody on either side!!)

Ana Luisa, I sure hope you and your sister-in-law can join us on MINT. BTW, I graduated from Palos Verdes High School! Suzanne also lived on the Peninsula in the Miraleste area...small world! Glad you had a wonderful week on the Mariner!

Well, Marcie, now that Ana Luisa says the canopy tour is the experience of a lifetime, are you going to do it, or join us chickens on the margarita excursion?

Ana Luisa, we all hope you can join us in November! This could be a HUGE group by the time it rolls around!

m'ellen - glad to see you coming with us!

Ana Luisa - it'd be great to have you and Peter with us on MINT as well!

Todd - can't remember whether I asked you to add me to the list of people interested in the canopy tour or not?

Masaki

Yes Todd make sure you have Jan and I on the canopy tour please.

Oh yes! Lot's 'o canopyers! Can't wait. Some might recall my Canopy Adventure was cancelled in Puerto Montt.....so I am really looking forward to this. Tequila shots anyone????

I will do this ONLY if Sheri and Olivia join in.....It's all for one or none at all...

The Westin LAX!

Suzanne & Olivia, Tom and I will do the Canopy...and still find time for the Margarita excursion

Marcie,

Just take a shot of anejo tequila in a hip flask with you...you can have once the canopy tour is done!!

BTW all - It's a long day so take a sandwich with you. The paperwork says 4 hours, but as we told Grant at the tour desk, it was more like 6, door to door. I was starving by the time we got to the second platform and the apres canopy snack is only bottled water (or purchased soda/beer/chips), free fruit and cookies...you're ready to eat a horse by the time you're done!!!

Way to go Marcie!!
Now you are think'in and drink'in.
Every notice how much smarter one is when they are drinking?
Well it is because the booze is killing all the weak brain cells and all that are left are the strong ones.

Jim - I've never heard it described that way before ... LOL!

Masaki

Cabin on the Mariner reserved (Check)
Room at the Westin LAX reserved (check)
Airfare has been purchased (check)
Suitcase waiting patiently (check)
Emergency kit(booze)full and ready (check)
What could I have possibly forgotten?

Your wife??? :ohmy:

Just an update. I am back and working away on the new offer of the 2 category upgrade for Mint. I will be back in touch with everyone once I get the new cabin assignments. Just wanted you to know things were "in the works".

atta girl Suzanne!!
Keep dem zingers flying!! Jim will regret not having correctly measured the level of his audience!! You and Sheri will eat him alive - poor soul!!

Good Luck Jim B!! For what you are about to receive, may you be truly grateful!! Hope your final arrangements are in order....
Marty

Oh my!! You Got me!!
:hug:

Thanks Ngaire for the update! What a great deal....2 for 1, then a 2 category upgrade, next they will be throwing in $99 single supplement. Oh how perfect!

Jim B. I have just checked all those things. Except that it is for my Shadow cruise, and we fly out tomorrow...not November! (No wife, but I am now at daughter's place in Baltimore...no pre-arranged shuttle to the airport, but we are in downtown close to hotels!)

Love that new harem picture, Marty!

Todd, I'm still hanging on for the $99 upgrade, too! Declined the upgrade if possible, to stay lower on the ship since so many days at sea.

I am an old pro at sea days now. Bonine in the morning, and Bonine before bed. Seabands 24/7. Oh and wine at lunch mixes for a great nap in the afternoon.

2 category upgrade?? (shows you how much attention I'm paying to things). Wow ... not sure if it really means much in our case but still, it's exciting. I'd be happy if it meant that we got a room that's closer to the center of the ship. I'm bringing my patches and my Reliefband but still, anything to quiet mal de mer. :)

Masaki

Hi Masaki,

More details on my journal which I hope to post soon, but I got just a tad queasy on the first night out...was a regular seafarer after that! Did Bonine and the Seabands the first day. Our suite was in the center of the ship and I think it made all the difference. The Mariner is just a smooth vessel all around!