tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post8845347619509574644..comments2024-03-22T03:27:19.859-04:00Comments on Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors: Crusin' for Love or Love for Crusin'?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914920560584429315noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-88796783708565774592010-02-24T13:45:09.618-05:002010-02-24T13:45:09.618-05:00You've convinced me, AC! I'll have to look...You've convinced me, AC! I'll have to look in to a cruise for my next vaca. Great post, as always.Author Kathryne Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206690509533777067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-9804699555886099242010-02-24T09:12:15.349-05:002010-02-24T09:12:15.349-05:00Hi Cindy~
I took one cruise and it was a nightmar...Hi Cindy~<br /><br />I took one cruise and it was a nightmare. First the airline lost my luggage (which was never found) so there I was in the huge elevator with my mother, my sister and at least 50 other people on the way to our room. My mother asked me what my plans were. I told her I had to see someone to tell them about my lost luggage and then I had to shop. She looked confused and asked what I had to buy. I'm thinking she's nuts. I was wearing a thong under my jeans and had a backpack with a dress and a bathing suit in it. That's all. I told her I needed to buy a toothbrush, something to sleep in, and underwear. That's when she said (in a very loud voice complete with New York accent) "You don't have to buy underwear, you can wear mine. " Fifty sets of eyes were turned on me I shook my head and said "Thanks, mom, but no." Thank God it was just a 3-day cruise. every time I'd walk out of our room, someone would stop and ask if I was wearing my mother's underwear. That cruise proved to me that there's not a ship big enough for my mother, my sister, and me. <br /><br />Once I got away from my family, I had a great time. Leave it to me to miss the chocolate buffet but I was wondering why I was the only customer at the piano bar...that was until all the performers showed up. So I spent the night hanging out with the performers. It was me, one other girl (a performer) and 17 gorgeous singing and dancing men. I got to dance with them all, the highlight was dancing with a Freddy Prinze Jr. look-alike while he serenaded me singing "Fly me to the moon." We closed down the bar and they invited me to go to the worker's bar but I figured I better get back to the cabin. <br /><br />When my mother awoke to yell at me for keeping her up, she asked me where I went so I told her. When she said "Why didn't you come and get me?" I said because I was having fun and I didn't want to spoil it. The next morning, everyone came to give me hugs and kisses goodbye (all 18 of them) My sister looked a little jealous.Robin Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16262933225938609682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-33341753072315165982010-02-23T22:02:21.836-05:002010-02-23T22:02:21.836-05:00I have only been on one cruise and it was one of t...I have only been on one cruise and it was one of the best experiences and vacations of my life! Why I haven't gone again is a way bigger mystery than your question of what isn't too like about cruising. It is the total Love Boat dream come true. I envy you Cindy, but am also very happy you are embracing what is pleasing for you.Sharon Lathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09539439531975181469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-47140108847794098912010-02-23T19:44:17.739-05:002010-02-23T19:44:17.739-05:00Thanks Terry!
We always meet fascinating people o...Thanks Terry!<br /><br />We always meet fascinating people on our cruises. That is part of the fun!<br /><br />EEK! Sounds like your cruise was pretty hair-raising. The worst we've been in was only about 12--14 ft. swells. That was the only time I felt a little woozy and I went to the center of the ship on a lower deck (our cabin was on deck 8 right in the front) where you couldn't feel much movement and I was fine.<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-43934623344817080832010-02-23T19:00:29.778-05:002010-02-23T19:00:29.778-05:00Great post, AC!! I've been on one with my moth...Great post, AC!! I've been on one with my mother after my father died. We loved snorkling with the rays and swimming in the crystal blue Caribbean waters, or watching the ice sculptures or dancing, or seeing the newlywed couples game where they didn't know as much about each other as they thought. LOL<br /><br />We made English friends from London and some others from Guernsey and French Canadian friends and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! <br /><br />We did sail through a terrible storm that reminded me of The Perfect Storm and I pulled out our life vests and was ready to abandon ship during the middle of the night as our ship raised up toward the black heavens and crashed down again with a horrific bang. One of the stabilizers was knocked out and the storm was so bad, we had to go a different route, trying to get out of the storm's path. Plus, I ended up taking seasick medicine, which made me sleepy! :)Terry Spearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788961423817944896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-65339190990188263642010-02-23T18:13:21.117-05:002010-02-23T18:13:21.117-05:00Carol,
I've been to Alaska twice and it is GO...Carol,<br /><br />I've been to Alaska twice and it is GORGEOUS! Don't worry about being a size 10, very few passengers are, esp. after a few meals! LOL! But, ouch, that arm in a sling doesn't sound good. Skip that part!<br /><br />I've heard many good things about the river cruises, though in comparison to the ocean going ships, the river ships are quite small. I'd still love to go!<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-59591934103463975032010-02-23T18:11:06.625-05:002010-02-23T18:11:06.625-05:00I'm with you, Jane!
I'd love to cruise in...I'm with you, Jane!<br /><br />I'd love to cruise in the Mediterranean! But my next MUST GO cruise is through the Panama Canal. Everyone I've talked to who has been through it says it is fabulous.<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-40330890516870721642010-02-23T17:59:54.248-05:002010-02-23T17:59:54.248-05:00I once "saw" myself on a cruise of the G...I once "saw" myself on a cruise of the Greek islands, so I know they're in my future! Unfortunately/fortunately, the person I saw as being me was about a size 10, so it'll be a while. Also, I think my right shoulder was in some kind of sling, but I was smiling. So I'm looking forward to it!<br /><br />I'd like to hit Alaska as well, and perhaps return to Canada via one of those cruises that go from NYC up through Maine around into Montreal. And from there I'd take one o' them European river cruises, surrounded by castles!<br /><br />Lovely travel story! Enjoyed!Carol A. Stricklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08144748925453952984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-64670848272275506462010-02-23T17:42:36.974-05:002010-02-23T17:42:36.974-05:00LOL Linda on leaving as cargo!
That's why I&#...LOL Linda on leaving as cargo!<br /><br />That's why I've never gone on a cruise longer than 11 days. I might be able to stretch it to 2 weeks but any longer and I'd probably have to exit the ship in the infamous bed sheet. Not because I forgot and packed all my clothes, but simply because nothing else would fit!<br /><br />And your cruise into the Bering Straits sounds FANTASTIC, if a bit cold and choppy.<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-65338598827748324722010-02-23T17:39:27.188-05:002010-02-23T17:39:27.188-05:00OMG Tawna! You ATE a tarantula?!?!
When we visite...OMG Tawna! You ATE a tarantula?!?!<br /><br />When we visited Granada Spain (GORGEOUS city!) the DH and I shared a 'seafood bark' (platter of fried seafood almost like tempura). The fish fried in a circle with its tail in its mouth was bad enough, but the baby octopi fried whole looked like spiders and I could NOT bring myself to eat them. I ate the larger tentacles with no body attached, but the DH had to eat those little spider-looking ones!<br /><br />Oh, and the tentacles didn't taste bad, just very chewy. :-P<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-15160224342519084582010-02-23T17:24:20.105-05:002010-02-23T17:24:20.105-05:00Danielle,
I tell you a secret. As much as I love c...Danielle,<br />I tell you a secret. As much as I love cruising, I always get nervous when I cannot see land. Dumb, I know but the ocean is scary and I'm not much of a swimmer. Seeing land is just a comfort, somehow. ;-)<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-59793586401687416852010-02-23T15:35:22.916-05:002010-02-23T15:35:22.916-05:00Hey Aunty Cindy,
I love cruises, too. You don'...Hey Aunty Cindy,<br />I love cruises, too. You don't have to worry about the meals and entertainment. I definitely do want to go on a Mediterranean cruise someday.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13040629694490652973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-29294861434460775242010-02-23T13:31:56.894-05:002010-02-23T13:31:56.894-05:00Joanne,
I think once you try a cruise you will be ...Joanne,<br />I think once you try a cruise you will be hooked! I know I was. ;-)<br /><br />And you are right, escargot is all about the wine and garlic sauce! Same with the oysters Rockefella, it was all the seasoned bread crumbs and sauce. YUM!!! My other favorite thing to have on cruises is chilled soups. They are like eating a smoothie.<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-59274678694746856922010-02-23T13:25:50.873-05:002010-02-23T13:25:50.873-05:00AC,
When I was in Anchorage for the Left Coast Cr...AC,<br /><br />When I was in Anchorage for the Left Coast Crime Conference a bunch of us took a cruise out of Seward and the captain even took us out into the Bering Straits for a short distance. We saw orcas including a newborn. <br /><br />The day was horrible, icy rain, and I suffered going out as much as possible to get photos. That and dogsledding was so much fun!Linda Wisdomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04398941824875217938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-50892406640507756502010-02-23T13:25:29.109-05:002010-02-23T13:25:29.109-05:00Cheryl, I definitely think you and your DH should ...Cheryl, I definitely think you and your DH should get away on a cruise. You'd have A BLAST! But do leave the boys (and the critters) behind.<br /><br />Actually the thing I miss most when I'm on a cruise is my dogs. ;-) A few times we've had service dogs on board with us, and I had to meet all of them.<br /><br />And you're right, frog's legs DO taste like chicken!<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-11116891590387279272010-02-23T13:21:14.504-05:002010-02-23T13:21:14.504-05:00Judi,
Cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska is for...Judi,<br />Cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska is for you! It is as smooth as a lake and you get to see whales, dolphins, and orcas. Okay, I missed the orcas both times I was on the Alaskan cruise, but maybe third time will be a charm?!?!<br /><br />Luckily, I seldom get motion sickness, but I've seen lots of passengers with the behind-the-ear patch, and elastic wrist bands. Usually the onboard comics make jokes about them belonging to a religious cult. :-)<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-32124779074597943652010-02-23T13:17:33.549-05:002010-02-23T13:17:33.549-05:00MM, you are right about not getting to spend enoug...MM, you are right about not getting to spend enough time in each port. Also, most of the locals you meet just want to sell you something. However, both the DH and I have had locals approach us more than once and ask to practice English with us. That is always fun. :-)<br /><br />Plus, the cruise staff are almost all foreign and they are very interesting to talk to. I always ask my waiter how to say please and thank you in his language. I can now say thank you in Tagalog and Polish!<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-77513838301617033902010-02-23T13:15:25.560-05:002010-02-23T13:15:25.560-05:00Very cool, AC.
A friend goes on a lot of cruises...Very cool, AC. <br /><br />A friend goes on a lot of cruises with her cousin. She said she goes on as a passenger and off as cargo.Linda Wisdomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04398941824875217938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-6589251764067625272010-02-23T13:14:20.644-05:002010-02-23T13:14:20.644-05:00Helen, I HOPE you get to go again soon also!
We ...Helen, I HOPE you get to go again soon also! <br /><br />We are lucky to live here in California where a lot of cruises originate, so the prices can be very inexpensive. That also means we can drive to the harbor to board the ship. No airfare is a big help!<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-80648535779353278752010-02-23T13:12:34.169-05:002010-02-23T13:12:34.169-05:00Hey Amanda, that ship was one in the Royal Caribbe...Hey Amanda, that ship was one in the Royal Caribbean line and I always confuse the names... Vision of the Sea, perhaps? It was really beautiful, one of the prettiest I've been on. <br /><br />That's another thing I like about cruises, the ones we take have very few children. :-P Yes, we sign up on purpose when most kids are in school and parents don't usually take them out. Though most cruise ships do have special activities and staff just for the young ones.<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-41929548784922557982010-02-23T13:02:00.586-05:002010-02-23T13:02:00.586-05:00How fun!
Husband and I are serious travel junkies...How fun!<br /><br />Husband and I are serious travel junkies, though we've surprisingly never done a cruise. We're more the grungy backpacker sort who thrive on wandering off the beaten track, though I can certainly see the appeal of cruising for a lot of people.<br /><br />I ate tarantula while backpacking in the Amazon years ago. Pretty much like crab :)<br /><br />Thanks for sharing the lovely vacation details, Aunty Cindy. Would love to see photos of that jungle pool you're describing!<br /><br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-19821721337212237472010-02-23T12:03:58.530-05:002010-02-23T12:03:58.530-05:00I haven't been on a cruise, but everyone I kno...I haven't been on a cruise, but everyone I know who has LOVES the experience. Perhaps I'll put aside my fear of the ocean :)<br /><br />My favorite kind of vacation are the ones with not too much planning involved--the kind where you have maybe a few scheduled events and there's a lot of time to just wander around!Danielle Jackson Dresserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293766728921704640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-69243897066525398432010-02-23T10:35:29.471-05:002010-02-23T10:35:29.471-05:00Hmmm...I'm going to have to try a cruise! We t...Hmmm...I'm going to have to try a cruise! We travel a lot (dh is a pilot), but I've never tried a cruise. The "unpacking only once" concept has me sold! Along with the foreign waiters:)<br />I think frog legs are delicious - like very tender chicken meat - and escargot are a perfect vehicle for garlic butter! The worst "weird food" I ever ate was 'gator. Yuck!Joanne Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02842031719126899384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-25644053726712012562010-02-23T08:42:54.906-05:002010-02-23T08:42:54.906-05:00Great post, AC! I went on a cruise once, but it wa...Great post, AC! I went on a cruise once, but it was before I was married and I went with a friend. It would have been so much better with my DH! We have to do this sometime...maybe even without the boys!<br />I've never had escargot that I can recall, but my dad used to shoot bullfrogs in our pond when I was a kid. We had fried frog legs several times, and it's true: they taste like chicken!Cheryl Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11464377381132807409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-42426199996637676622010-02-23T08:24:26.973-05:002010-02-23T08:24:26.973-05:00Never been on a cruise. I'm actually a little ...Never been on a cruise. I'm actually a little leery because, ever since I had kids, my tummy isn't what it once was. I used to be able to go on the worst waves in a tiny little boat, or do merry go rounds without a problem. Now, the thought makes me ill. So who wants to spend all that money for a cruise only to get motion sick. And, yes, I know, they're like cities and you don't feel the rocking, but I don't know that I'm willing to take that chance. My favorite kinds of vacations anymore, are ones where I can sit and do nothing but read all day and stare at an ocean. So what are we doing this summer? Getting on a plane, renting a van and driving through the midwest, hitting national parks/monuments. Ought to be a challenge, but at least we're using Hub's hotel points so I don't have to camp. Used to love that, too, but not so much anymore. The real challenge is going to be going w/o internet. Hey, wait. We're staying at hotels. Phew! I will have internet.<br /><br />Have tried escargots, haven't tried frogs legs. Love escargot, won't ever get near a frog leg that isn't connected to the rest of the amphibian.Judi Fennellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12913199632952461638noreply@blogger.com