Had a brain you know what and forgot to ask a question in my previous post. Have any of you "very sophisticated beautiul ladies" (now you all owe me big time) done the Circle of Interest program on Fashion Savvy? I received an email from Regent, as I'm sure you all did. Was just wondering if it was any good and worth the cost. I'm not sure I would be interested in going on a clothes shopping spree in Barcelona. I can just imagine the prices.

You guys can be peppy all you want. This cruise is some R&R time for me....at least the crossing part. I'll be the one by the pool with a drink in one hand and a book in the other..of course unless I am napping or playing cards or wine tasting or at the enrichment lecture..

Shirley, the Circles of Interest are new and this Fashion one is as well. I can imagine that it will be a Rodeo Drive type of experience.

Shirley - I too got the email, and decided I didn't want to pay $400 some odd $$$ to find out I don't know how to dress right!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: I had been signed up for the Cordon Bleu class, but decided to forgo it this time, did it once and it was fun, but just didn't want to comit that big chunck of time this trip.

Kathy - don't forget your Cordon Bleu class in your activities between pooling!!

Or perhaps a bit of backgammon and bridge as we did on Panama Canal with both of our Frankie's!

Thanks, Shirley, for waking up this thread, even if I am late to the party -- but, believe me, I won't be late to the party when we actually are on CROSS!

JoAnn, your pre-packing organization is scaring me!!!! I am a bit more haphazard about that. Just ask me a week ahead of departure. I'll be in a panic about then!

Joanna, Denise and I will be toasting you with our morning coffee.

Counting the days ....

Yeah, I pretty much figured it would be a very high end shopping experience. Rodeo Drive type is definitely out of my league. Sandy and I had pretty much decided we were'nt interested but was jut wonderig if anyone had done it. I'll probably be joining you by the pool Kathy. I'm really looking to relax, I've just been working too darn hard these last few months. Veggin out sounds just about right.

Shirley - I think its something new this year anyway, as I have never seen it before. They seem to be adding new circles of inerest all the time.

Right Kathy - gotta do some backgammon, well the guys do, and maybe bridge for all of us!!

Priscilla - ummmm don't have a lot else going on right now, so lots of time to play with outfit options, as I have some new stuff I want to see if will work in.

Guess I need to get a life right???????

I get the sense that I'm dealing with a group of very stylish ladies here and that you like shoes a lot. :)

Barcelona is well known for its "alpargatas" or espadrilles. If you like that kind of shoe ( I love it!), you can find a big variety here. Unfortunately, we arrive Sunday and I don't know if those stores will be open. Monday I'm going to Montserrat, so might not have time to shop :( .

Ohh love espadrilles. Lets hope we can find something open Maria, would love to get a pair in Barcelona. Maybe I can find some on Monday, as we are just planning on doing our own thing and wandering.

JoAnn,

I used to have names of stores. Let me see if I find them.

ESPADRILLES?? Hot damn! I love them, have one pair now but am finding most here to be really really high with very high platforms also. To me that is not a true espadrille. I don't wear those high high heels anymore, besides all I would need is to fall off my shoes. Height is good, however, I'm a little squirt at barely 5'.

Ok, I found some info about the espadrilles in Barcelona.

The best known store is La Manual Alpargatera, Calle Avinyó , near the Cathedral. This is the store website . It has a catalog of all their styles, flats, heels , all kinds!!

Also, this is a Link to a recent NY Times article about the espadrilles ( or "espardenya" in Catalán).

Thanks Maria - you are a gem. Will check them out and see if I can find something.

I love espadrilles, too. Thanks, Maria!

Hi Everyone - We are finally back from our summer in Banff and getting ready to leave for NY (on 10/18) to begiin our journey across the Atlantic, through parts of France to wind up in Monte Carlo for CROSS. We are getting very excited, but try not to think or talk about it too much because there is a lot to do before we leave.

I've got a couple of questions pertaining to CROSS: First, does anyone have any idea as to when our documents will arrive? I am a little concerned, because, as I said, we leave home over 2 weeks before the trip. Also, about what time should we plan on arriving in Monte Carlo on 11/3?

Looking forward to matching faces with the posts I've been reading for the past few years.

Nini

Nini - Douments usually are sent out about 30 days prior from the Cruise Line, and then from your agent. Usually arrive around three weeks prior.

My suggestion would be to call you TA and ask RSSC to send them early and to send them directly to you, which will save a few days. The TA can explain that you are leaving on such and such a date and need the documents in hand prior. Other option is arrange a pier pick up.

As to arrival in Monte Carlo, we plan on arriving at the ship around 2 or 2:30 after our tour to EZE.

Good luck. See you onboard.

Thanks, JoAnn - By the way, you are going to love Eze - it's wonderful. Wear comfortable shoes while you are exploring it.

Nini

I agree with Nini, Eze is breathtaking!

Can't wait, so glad we decided to do this instead of just going straight to the ship.

Welcome back, Nini!

We'll be touring Nice and will also spend one full day touring the small villages, including Eze. Can't wait!

We plan to embark at about 12:00PM.

Looking forward to meeting you, too, Nini!

Five weeks from today we will fly away for CROSS! We are scheduled to arrive in Nice late morning on embarkation day, and we'll head directly to the ship to hear all of your stories about Nice and Eze and the other villages anyone visits. Can't wait!

Priscilla,

I was thinking about that yesterday. 5 weeks to go!!! Time will fly now!

Just wait till those docs arrive - the dancing will be heard 'round the world!!!

Maria, you're right. Time will start flying. We booked this cruise so long ago, and finally finally it's almost here. And when the docs arrive, well, JoAnn, you'll certainly hear the dancing from Dallas!

Seems like we booked this cruise soooooo long ago, doesn't it, Priscilla?

We leave 4 weeks from next Tuesday! :woh:

Got our dancin' shoes ready!

We booked it forever ago, I think even before MUSH last year. So our dancin' shoes are ready and waiting.
I think we leave a day later Denise, the 31st and we are ready and willing. :3smile: Oh yes Whhhoooo.

I booked this to do last year - the 1st leg was a photography circle of interest then, or whatever the name of it was, and then changed it when this year's schedule came out and ended up on SAND instead. 4 weeks will go by so fast. I guestimate doc dancing starts about October 16th...

Denise,

You lucky you!!! I don't leave until Thursday! But as long as I get there on time, I'm happy!!

Maria,

We'll be at the hotel waiting to welcome you!

Denise,

Thank you!!!!

I'm having fun reading all of your posts. You make me feel like I'm about to leave for the cruise. Almost started packing my suitcase!

Well just do it Donna! <img src="http://smileys.sm...3Fi%253D7%252F7_6_6v/image.gif">

A year ago when we booked, it seemed like such a long way off. We had never booked a cruise that far out before but now it is almost upon us. I leave a month from tomorrow, go to Sandy's, then we fly out the next day. I'm getting "stuff" ready, stashing it in neat piles ready for the suitcase. There's always the mad rush the last few days regardless how organized you think you are. Or, maybe that's just me. Like all of you, I can't wait for docs to arrive.

Shirley :app:

Ihave a hair dryer question (again). Several months ago, Kathy, you posted a picture of a travelling dryer with interchangable voltage that you had bought at Bed Bath & Beyond. My question is probably a dumb one, but how does it work in Europe? Do I still need to bring an adaptor for France? I have never liked a hotel-supplied (or ship, for that matter) supplied dryer and much prefer to bring my own.

Thanks for any help, Nini

Shirley - I relate to your packing style. This will be my longest trip away and there is always a last minute rush.

Nini, The hair dryer is great. You need the plug adapter (just the prongs - not the voltage). Three is a litte "screwhead" on the handle. Just turn it from 110 to 220 and put the plug adapter on. Don't forget to put the voltage back so you don't fry the dryer.

On the ship, I like to have a surge strip so I can plug in my makeup mirror and my dryer as well as the battery charger to my camera, cell phone and ipod.

Nini, I can also tell you my experience. I have a Conair hair dryer with dual voltage. To use it in Europe, you still need the adapter for the end of the plug. Some of the dual voltage hair dryers have a switch that you turn to change the voltage, some of the newer ones you don't need to do anything except stick on your adapter. I love my Conair appliances, having hair that is hard to tame, I need to know that they won't burn up in foreign countries, which has happened to me several times in the past.

You can buy Conair products pretty much everywhere and this is my blow dryer and this is my curling iron. They also make dual voltage hot rollers and straightening irons.

Kathy, this is my longest trip away also. Of course, my biggest worry is my four-footed kids.
My little Whippet is 12 and am not quite sure how she will weather this. She sleeps with me and I know she will be upset. My daughter will be here but it won't be the same. Kitty Willow is my little velcro cat and follows me everywhere. I'm sure they will be fine, but....
I keep adding things to my "to do" list, I will wake up in the middle of the night and remember something. Sure not complaining, this is just part of the fun and anticipation of this trip.

Shirley :woh:

Shirley,
Boy can I relate! Like you when we've gone away for long periods (2 four month cruises) we also worried so much about our 4 legged kids. Luckily, with daughter watching over the house ALL WAS FINE! I'm sure your dog and cat will fair just as well. My daughter would even take pictures of them and email them to me just to give me peace of mind. Now with the free phone time (depending on your tier level) this really helps staying in touch. And wait till you come home, it really gives you something exciting to look forward to with the slurpy kisses you'll get!

Have a wonderful time and KNOW your 2 "kids" will be fine!

We have a dog sitter who moves in and is here almost 24/7 when we leave - she's been with us almost 14 years and that is her job. We call home everyday and get to talk to the dogs. We can't take our suitcases out until the day before we leave. Daisy, our Cairn Terrier, KNOWS what they are. I was away two weeks ago and the commotion out of her was hysterical. She kept following me and was scolding me with her gutteral, gargle type sounds - she is quite talkative.

Thanks. Kathy and Karen for the hair dryer info - it will be purchased tomorrow.

We no longer have dogs (we do have 3 granddogs) because we are away too much; however, when our poodle, Coco was with us, he would go into a deep depression whenever he saw luggage. And he would hold the grudge long after our return. Very sad for the poor guy.

Nini