JanetMarie

While we've been to St. Thomas so many, many times, and absolutely love it there, I would purchase stateside. For us, our jeweler has been able to offer us upwards of 40% off pricing at his store. If you work with a jeweler over the years, they'll give you a decent price.

I love the color! We still like to "dress up" when we cruise. You will probably feel overdressed, but there will definately be others dressed up as well. I really wish we could get back to the days where dinner on formal night was a gala event. But times have changed . . .

I still carry the good ol' fashioned ziploc baggies on our cruises. I put the date on each bag and toss souveniers in there as the day progresses. I'll still make notations throughout the day or sometimes simply sitting on one of the cruising decks, I'll write notes about the day and put that into the bag.

Princess is our preferred line, and we've never had a problem ordering extra. While we err on the side of caution to do this (there's so much food during the whole vaca) we will ask for an extra lobster and maybe an extra side of the pasta that is being prepared fresh in front of us.

Friends who cruise with us always book mid ship as they claim their equilibrium is better there. We prefer aft, and when they come down the hall to visit in our cabin, they are not able to stay long because of the motion.

We go to the restaurant directly because DH and I prefer a table for two on that night. We attempt to make it a special night for us, dining alone.

Yes! I am definately a straw hat gal. I have purchased a couple from QVC and I've found a few others in stores such as TJMaxx. For whatever reason that I think I learned from my Mom, I take tissue paper and stuff it in the hat and then roll the hat into my carry-on.

I think I was born a hippie because I really hate to carry a bag. If I do, it's typically one of a "peace" pattern, or "Mother Earth" pattern. I have DH carry my gloss and shades in his jacket most of the time, but if I really, really have to carry a nice bag, I like the Tiganello line of bags, of which I have a few.

Hey there Lois, this is Janet from Connecticut. We were in touch way back when, years ago. I've been off the boards for some time and I just came back on today. I'm so sorry to hear of your initial news, but I am relieved to hear of your recent posting wherein you just returned from the doctor and there is some good news, perhaps over the next year or so for you. Hope you stay positive as you always have been and I know that you will be. You are in my thoughts and in my nightly prayers. Be well, my friend. Love, Janet.

A new thing I recently started doing onboard was picture taking, to add to my scrapbook. I get a real close up shot of, say, the ship bell, and I try to think of creative things to add to that page in reference to the ship's bell. This has made me search for some pretty cool things. Sometimes it takes awhile to find exactly what I want to put on the page, but it makes it fun. Happy sailing!

Great to see you folks! DH and I will be in the suite...LARGE suite....happy sailing my friends! Hope our cabin steward knows how to play this piano!

Hello! I would call your travel agent. I trust our travel agent so much that it's crazy. We also take the cancellation insurance. It is so worth it. BUT, please call your travel agent to assist you.

Gosh, I didn't realize how much info we gather prior to cruising. It may be the location of the cabin vs. the nightclub above. It may be the location vs the dining room noise. Cheers!

DH and I are utilizing the private tour companies/mostly cabs while there. We have learned over the many years we have been cruising (since 1984) that a lot has changed!

DH and I are Princess cruisers by and far! We always dine at Sabatinis, and I, too, have noticed that on formal night the attire is on the more formal side. We celebrate our special occasion and I think our fellow diners are doing the same. I've also noticed at Sabatini's that our waiters seem to really, really enjoy "seeing" us dressed. They just seem to radiate a hugh smile! On the flip side, it makes me sad to see that Sabatini's is not as packed as it used to be . . . not sure why. Anyone???

Gosh, I simply want to chime in on this topic. I recall the days when DH would order his tux to be picked up at the onboard shop. I would wear a floor length dress (gown). In the dining room on formal night, the ratio of men wearing a tux was just about 100%. Ladies in floor length dresses, just about 100%. These days, I see that the gents are down to 20% tux and ladies the same. For me, it's just sad to see that "formal night" has almost dissipated.

Happy sailing the high seas, everyone!

Have I told you gals what I do for our cabin door? I make a poster board at home and tie a writing implement to it. Naturally, I decorate the poster board to reflect where DH and I are from, etc., and folks come along and sign the board! It's really cool to come back to your cabin each day/night and see what others have written. I've merged this into my journal, once back home!

Enjoy sailing the high seas, my friends!

The dresses are gorgeous! Wear them! It makes me happy to see women wearing these because these days, "formal" seems to have gone by the wayside. I miss seeing the ENTIRE dining room in formal attire. I recall cruising 20 yrs ago wherein almost every man was in a tux and every lady was in a floor length "gown." And I'm in my 50s . . . wear them and have a wonderful time on your vaca!!!

For both resort and cruising, I wear the same . . . casual chic shorts, tops daytime and definitely dresses for dinner. DH will wear dress slacks and a polo or open collar shirt for dinner. I've often posted on here that I miss the "good ol' days" wherein formal dinner was just that . . . FORMAL!

I act the same (I'm not one to "wear masks"). The one thing I may do a tad different is wear more dresses to dinner since DH and I rarely frequent swanky restaurants. And I enjoy dressing for dinner aboard ship! I just wish more ladies would, too, in the formal dining areas!

Oh my!!! I've learned something new from this thread . . . smashing!!! Thanks gals for the tips . . . love my scrapbooking and collecting!!!

That's another great suggestion, the tape recorder. Everything is so "tech" today that I never thought of that . . .

Happy sailing on the high seas everyone!!!:o:o

SUNE: thx for posting! I really, really like your suggestion of this type booklet and the size is also absolutely ideal to travel with. Good suggestion!:p

I journal write on the promenade deck, sitting in one of the teak chairs, as we sail along the high seas. There's not a lot of foot traffic as compared to the pool decks, and it is truly peaceful and serene for me to write as I glance out over the water. :o Glad to see this thread is still going strong!

I recently started adding postcards to my journals . . . you know the ones you can purchase for 25 cents or so on each of the islands . . . Sometimes postcards have a bit more clarity and/or detail than photographs. I just wanted to add this tip for all you journal and scrapbook enthusiasts out there! Happy sailing on the high seas, everyone!