the simplest things

[Salty Dawg]

Airdale,

We pray that all of our military personnel are able to find some peace & tranquility as they protect us.

[img]http://www.harrythecat.com/graphics/w/usaflag9.gif[/img]
[B][I]If you are able to read this don't thank a teacher... thank a veteran![/I][/B]

[CruiseFever]

Saltydog- well said

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[airdale]

Salty Dawg, that is very true. Anything to bring them through the every day stress of a military action.

I have fears that the war at hand will go the way of Vietnam and our troops over there will lose the support of our people here at home. Most soldier do not wish to be placed in harms way...but accept that duty when called upon.

I have a hard time when the population won't support the troops doing what they are being asked to do regardless of if those here at home support the reason for them being there. Without a military we will all be speaking a different language!

Putting on asbestos suit and flak jacket now and getting back to cruise talk!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;4;25;16;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until the Elation sails !

[Salty Dawg]

Airdale,

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Putting on asbestos suit and flak jacket now and getting back to cruise talk!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[img]http://www.heathersanimations.com/military/pol1.gif[/img]
[B][I]Don't worry... we'll provide back-up for you![/I][/B]

[airdale]

LOL ROF HMS LMAO

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;4;25;16;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until the Elation sails !

[Joan in Jersey]

What a beautiful thread. Late in the evening my Walt and I go to the top deck and walk around. We don't need to talk, just listen.

We get a nightcap and have it on our balconey. Each night is like doing it for the first time, exciting and not repetitive.

Lord, now I can hardly wait for Alaska in July. and Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama in December.

[JGB]

It is interesting that none of what we have described as our "core" cruise experiance is ever shown in cruise ads or commercials. I quess it doesn't translate well onto the screen or a newspaper or mag.

John

[halos]

After reading what everyone said and realizing that we all feel the same about cruising, it's no wonder we're addicted. Cruising is soul food for all of us....don't know why I never realized that before.
Does anyone out there feel this way when they dive or snorkel? The last time I went snorkeling, it was so amazing and I felt so comfortable being in the water with all the fish and it was just like heaven to me. I didn't want to leave. I felt like I could have stayed there indefinately.
(sigh) how many days left??????

I believe in Miracles
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[GinaDucey]

Oh halos I totally agree with you! It is in our soul. And John you are also right - showing a picture of a couple either looking up at the night sky in awe or sharing a cup of coffee together on deck/balcony in silence does not translate into what most think of as fun.

When I have had a hard day and am having a hard time falling asleep I put myself right there back on the front of the ship and I do hear the waves crashing against each other and the ship and I see the huge universe and the glow of the stars and it has such a calming effect on me.

You know it is funny - but when I think of the cruise experience (to myself) it is these times that gets me really pumped about the trip - but when talking with others it is all about the islands and what the ship has to offer. It is funny - it really is a "soulful" experience that for the most part I keep to myself! However ~ I am enjoying sharing with all of you!!

Carnival
Fantasy 11/91, Ecstasy 1/98, Fascination 11/99, Paradise 2/00, Imagination 4/02, Ecstasy 5/03, Paradise 10/03

Royal Caribbean
Sovereign of the Seas 4/04

[nosnobunny]

When I'm on the balcony enjoying my first coffee of the day, I don't need company, entertainment or even thought. It's total peace of mind.

Beth

[SUSANITA]

The shows are great, the casino is fun, the bars are rockin', but there is nothing better than kicking off your shoes and walking the salty deck barefoot at night, with a warm breeze blowing. It's surreal to experience such "peace", knowing that all you have to do is open a single door and your right back into the lively atmosphere of a cruise ship. It's incomparable.

[email]Suep366394@aol.com[/email]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/woodstock-28.gif[/img]
NEXT UP~SENSATION 5/6/04!
MARINER~ 9/19! MIRACLE~FEB 13,2005!
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/Sensation.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/royalsmallwide.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/Miracle.gif[/img]
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/upstatedon"]http://community.webshots.com/user/upstatedon[/url] OUR CRUISE PICS!

[thebird]

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

LAND OF THE FREE..

HOME OF THE BRAVE...

that will NEVER change, as long as we remember to fight for what's important to us. and if you can't fight, support the ones who are..
BLESS YOU, AIRDALE, for taking care of our scrawny as#$@!!!

Sensation 5/15/2004

[sgtmonz]

hey dawg... looks like u and i might have something in common

[Salty Dawg]

Sgtmonz,

Motto of the proctologist:
Sarcasm is just one more service we offer...

[Kenster]

My most beautiful cruise memory: One afternoon in the Gulf, returning from Cozumel to Galveston, my bride and I, along with our friends (parents of our daughter-in-law) were on the bow of the Constellation, just watching the sea go by. Suddenly we spied a wide glistening in the sea off the starboard bow. We watched it for several minutes, then realized that we were seeing dolphins, literally hundreds of them. They came closer and closer to the ship. Many actually started playing in the wake under the bow. I looked around for other passengers with which to share this sight. There was only one boy, about age ten. He ran over, then struggled to figure out how to work his camera. I finally told him, "son, put the camera down and take pictures with your eyes, because you are about to miss a once-in-a-lifetime vision. Later that night, we ran into the boy and his parents. His mom came over and thanked us sharing the dolphins with her son. She said he had been talking about it for hours.
What a memory that is.

Carnival Carnivale -1988
Carnival Celebration - 2001
Carnival Celebration -June 2004

[Salty Dawg]

Kenster,
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I finally told him, "son, put the camera down and take pictures with your eyes, because you are about to miss a once-in-a-lifetime vision.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

How beautiful & true!

[Iam4cruising]

I remember my agent from my first cruise booking saying to me "Welcome to your new addiction" at first I had no idea what she had said (meant) and after a few seconds I realized she was saying that I was going to be addicted to cruising after gone once - how true. Just look at all the responses.
I remember my first cruise after the passing of my grandfather -it seemed like he was with me throughout the trip- is cruising a heaven sent gift ? It sure makes us come back and realize all we have to be thankful for.

[halos]

The goosebumps I have are telling me to BUMP this thread.

I believe in Miracles
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[OhioBeachBum]

Having just taken our first cruise, there are two moments that really stand out. The first moment was seeing the awe on the faces of my children when they first saw the ship. The second was on the way home when my 4 year old daughter said, "Thank you Daddy for taking me on da cwuise!" I am truly blessed!

Loved the Miracle 4/12/04

Great, now I'm hooked!

[tomfitz]

I must say that all your responces are from your heart and they have brought a tear to my eye for I have experienced many of your feelings. That is why we are going on another adventure on this coming Thursday to continue in the enjoyment of the world of cruise.

My son has just completed Marine Boot Camp at Parris Island and we are very proud that he has taken on his role what ever that maybe in order for us to enjoy the freedoms that have in our country.

[sanermae]

Omigosh! This has absolutely been the most meaningful thread I have ever seen! My husband and I went on our 1st cruise 12 years ago and have been on one or two every year since--we make sure and take that evening deck stroll every night and see as many sunrises as we possibly can every year. Truly does make you realize the value of life and the blessings you have. So nice to know we have that kinship with the rest of you. We come from a long line of navy men, so we are in full support of the salty dogs of our world and never miss an opportunity to say thank you for the freedom our military makes sure we have. God Bless America!

[Salty Dawg]

Tomfitz,

May God protect and watch over your son while he proudly serves
our country as a United States Marine.

Tell your son that everyone here at your C.C. family is proud of him
& appreciate his effort to protect our freedom!

[img]http://www.harrythecat.com/graphics/w/usaflag9.gif[/img]

[halos]

goose-BUMP-ing

I believe in Miracles
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[JGB]

Another thought here.
It seems that on land my wife and I have 2 different lives that rarely parallel each other, we are usually going off in different directions. When we cruise we stick together like glue and enjoy the simplest things. She likes to take pictures so I will just hang out on the balcony wathing her take pictures. Now I would never do this on land but at sea, for me, it is a treat.

John

[Tropicalconcrete]

The most humbling and peaceful experience I have ever had was years ago on the Windjammer Fanotme (rest in peace). I worked on the ship for a couple of years and almost very night, while all the others were partying away, I would go to the bow sprint (nose of ship) and lay in the safety netting. Hanging just feet over the water and listening to the bow push through the deep dark night ocean will take you somewhere you have never been before. Lots of employees on the ships still get goose bumps every time they can be alone with the sea that brought them there in the first place.