Bop

All quiet here.  Congrats to the USA women's soccer team!  World championship #4.

Me2!

Sounds like kids before Christmas.

We have to grow old but we never have to grow up.😊

Just now, Bop said:

Sunset in Venice!  From ship terminal dock.

ME2!

Sounds like kids before Christmas!  We must grow old but we never have to grow up!

Happy 5th!

Good show last night.

Who is ready to go now?

Hey Buck,

Your 4th sounds good to me.  We sold our property on Chesapeake  Bay in Feb.  It has been in the family for 71 years. A difficult decision but necessary.  Kids and grandkids moved out of the area and maintenance became too much for us.  The fourth of July was a favorite holiday.  We were surrounded by several big fireworks displays across the water and they often continued for hours.  Will miss that, for sure. 

Have a cool fourth!

Bop 

Hey Buck,

We wanted to do the Portland tour/transfer but our flight is scheduled for 12:30 pm so we won't have time.  Maybe Portland is better left unseen and we won't have to worry about being maimed or worse to end our tour.  Hopefully, the Antifa conflicts will fade in the heat of summer but we have no control over that situation.  I intend to have a great vacation regardless of the goings on in the vicinity.  

We're hot and stormy in VA for the 4th.  Nature's fireworks forecast for tonight!  Happy birthday USA!

Bop

Nice photos!  It's steamy hot in VA now and a cruise sounds delightful.

Just had a random thought.  Antifa protesters in Portland are becoming a concern.  I wonder if the riots and thuggery wil have any impact on the cruise itinerary?  Anyone have any info from AQSC on the issue?

Bop

Maybe AQSC is staying in character for the itinerary and we will have pony express delivery.

1 hour ago, LEAFEATER said:

My husband and I are early risers. Our room was perfectly situated a few doors down from the River Grill where we chose to eat breakfast and lunch because the weather was spectacular and we could eat outside. In the morning we got their fresh brewed coffee by 6 AM, nice and strong , and we watched the sunrise with a few other regular early birds.

   We never went to an evening show, choosing instead the spectacular star show on the top deck..... the first time I’ve seen The Milky Way in 50 years. I envy you your trip. We have done 2 Viking river cruises and were  worried we’d be disappointed , but we thoroughly enjoyed the trip

Hey Leafeater,

Your photo on board the Empress has put me in the mood for a cruise.  Through the years I have always enjoyed rising early and spending some alone time on deck.  I have taken some memorable pictures in early morning.  

Anyhow,

Thanks for the response re: cruise docs and such.  I guess we'll find out about luggage tags in due time.  We are arriving at the Davenport two days early so we can iron out any issues we may encounter.

We booked our cruise as early diners so we should be OK with free time, shows etc.  Have learned to avoid late dining service as we often run into delays and end up missing the shows and eating way too late for our old digestive systems to catch up.  Good advice!

Happy cruising and calm seas (and rivers),

Jim

PS Just got an add from the Logo Store.  Wanted to sell me luggage tags: Buy two, get two free!

Makes you realize somebody is reading our posts!

Jimm

Buck,

Sorry but I don't know the AQSC pre-cruise routine.  I bet there is some information on line but I tend to rely on my TA and/or the cruise line for this info.  Even better, surely someone on CC can fill us in.  I am also expecting some pre-cruise information forms.  I understand the registration process is quick and simple.  Luggage tags are also good.

 Anybody know what we can expect?

Bop

Yes, the airlines seem to want to punish us. The take all the pleasure out of flying and treat us like "red-headed step children . "

Not much we can do about it.

Jim

Hey Buck,

We went to Rome a few times and avoided the crowds by design.  We booked with "Driver in Rome" with a driver  whose name I can't recall right now.  He took us to all the local frequented eateries and a night tour of the Vatican square.  Absolutely breathtaking and presented Rome in an entirely different light.  On a previous visit to Rome we took  Rick Steves' recommendation and stayed at the Aberdeen Hotel.  He was there when we arrived!

Love Roma, avoid the tourista!  See Tuscany and the hill towns.

Jim

This photo was taken 9/23/05

Fabulous vista!  We loved the Amalfi coast.  Really scary driving experience!  Great views!  Good looking folks and pizza

Bop

Hey Buck,

It took some doing but I found a pic of Fabrizio in front of his cousin's trattoria "Lo Spuntino" at Castel Gandolfo RM Italy.  Have more pictures but will take a while to retrieve.

Bop aka Jim

Just now, Bop said:

NJHOO,

Glad to hear AQSC settled your mystery charge.  Maybe they have some ex Comcast management?  

Au/NZ and Italy are our favorite destinations.  We traveled there in 2004 and still hear from our Aborigine guide from time to time.  He takes an Aborigine show to Disney World and  travels the world as an ambassador for Australia.  He took us on a remarkable tour of the Blue Mountains.  We would like to return and complete a circumnavigation to the continent.

We are looking forward to the Lewis and Clark cruise.  We have done several european river cruises aboard Amawaterways.  Best food and service ever!  Hoping for a similar experience.

Take care, go Hoos!  Maybe Jay Huff will put on 25 lbs before next season.

Jim

16 hours ago, njhoo said:

Bop, sorry that I didn’t catch the darn spellcheck.  My oldest daughter is a UVa grad as well as her husband.  We spent most of our lives in North Jersey and retired here 11 years ago.  As a UVa fan, hung in for the 2019 men’s BB all season, especially after their dismal performance in the 2018 tournament.  But I suspect with all the defections to the NBA next year won’t be a repeat.  Our youngest went to UConn in the early 2000s during their men’s and women’s dynasty.

 

 I never got a response from corporate, but there was a $10 credit on our card from the Davenport.

 

 While y’all are cruising the Pacific Northwest we’ll be in Italy for two weeks.  We like to get around.  

16 hours ago, njhoo said:

 

 

 I never got a response from corporate, but there was a $10 credit on our card from the Davenport.

 

 While y’all are cruising the Pacific Northwest we’ll be in Italy for two weeks.  We like to get around.  

Haven't heard that name for a while . Fabrizio is a great guide. He took us to his cousin's restaurant at Casta Gandolfo. We still talk about the great meal and Fabrizio. Small world!

On 8/28/2018 at 7:17 AM, njhoo said:

 

One warning though, if you stay at the Davenport in Spokane, either pre or post, the hotel slaps a $10 plus tax “Destination Charge” on your bill as you to check out. Waiting to hear back from AQ corporate why. The local AQ reps were no assistance in the matter.

 

Will try to answer any questions y’all have. 

 

Was this ever resolved?  Just curious. Don't like these "surprises." Not a big deal but annoying at best.  

Just completed the flight itinerary ordeal with United.  The direct flight from RIC is very handy for going west but the airlines never fail to amaze my in finding ways to take all the pleasure out of air travel.  Beware the new "Basic Economy" category.  How much more basic can they get?  Thought they were going to give us SRO tickets.  Fortunately, they still let us sit down and flights are brief.  Glad we tacked on the extra day at the Historic Davenport Hotel.  Looking forward to the stay and the exploration of Spokane.  Never been there before.

NJhoo,

Sorry you are not on this cruise.  Assume you are a UVA alum or fan?  We would have much to discuss after the Nat. Championships!  Go Hoos! 

Happy Travels!

Bop (not a typo.  named by #1 granddaughter)

More Later

Hi All,

Boy, I have been neglecting this thread but I'm BAACCCKKK!  The long lead time between booking and embarking gave me a false sense of security and now it is time to get my ducks (plans) in a row.  Sorry for my absence, after all, I think I started this thread.  I am really out of practice.

Turns out the Sunday flight (9/22/19) proved difficult.  Not many choices so we were left with a 5:30 am (groan) flight out of RIC to Denver.  Having been retired for 20 years, the 3am rise time did not sound like a good start for relaxing cruise vacation.  We called our wonderful friend and TA and she added another day at the Historic Davenport Hotel which allowed us to book a Saturday flight departing at the civilized hour of 3:45 pm.  Problem solved, everybody cheered!  I am currently re reading the thread and it looks like an extra day in Spokane will be easily filled with plenty to do, but not too much.  It is a vacation, after all, in a wonderful hotel.

I am looking forward to reading the posts and meeting all our fellow pax.  Making new friends is half the fun, maybe more.  We are four" seasoned" travelers from Midlothian VA. (suburb of Richmond.)  This will be our first American river boat cruise.  Have done several European river cruises, most on Amawaterways. Abandoned large ocean cruises several years ago. Have heard that AQSC does a great job so our expectations are high.  We know we will have a great time, regardless.

Bop and Company