2026 NCL Cruise Critic cruise (proposed)

[debenson0723]

2 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

Yep...we booked a few weeks ago.

Now that the CruiseFirst special is running again this week, I may be booking this sooner rather than later (at least 4 months out instead of 3). I have some homework to do.

 

I am trying to work on an 18-24 month retirement plan but the peer pressure you guys ( @Sugar Magnolia@graphicguy @schmoopie17) put on me to spend my money will have me working until I am 100 just so I can keep cruising!

[Sugar Magnolia]

16 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

Now that the CruiseFirst special is running again this week, I may be booking this sooner rather than later (at least 4 months out instead of 3). I have some homework to do.

 

I am trying to work on an 18-24 month retirement plan but the peer pressure you guys ( @Sugar Magnolia@graphicguy @schmoopie17) put on me to spend my money will have me working until I am 100 just so I can keep cruising!

 

I don't see the problem.

 

[All-ready2cruise]

2 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

I don't see the problem.

 

Nor do I, I'm almost at 100 and was just 20 last week, lol. NOT!!

[debenson0723]

4 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

I don't see the problem.

 

Of course you don't and we both know why (your name should be Sugar Daddies instead of @Sugar Magnolia).  I, on the other hand, will be looking at basement living sooner rather than later. 😉

[Sugar Magnolia]

6 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

Of course you don't and we both know why (your name should be Sugar Daddies instead of @Sugar Magnolia).  I, on the other hand, will be looking at basement living sooner rather than later. 😉

 

Some of my best friends live in the basement.

 

[graphicguy]

Just an FYI, I'll be booking this later rather than sooner.  I still have to get a surgery date (which they'll give me at an appt this coming July 8).  And, I really don't know how long this recovery is going to take.

 

Some tell me a few weeks.  Others tell me a few months.  I feel like Peter Pan right now and don't know when or if I'll grow up.

[Travelicious]

56 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Just an FYI, I'll be booking this later rather than sooner.  I still have to get a surgery date (which they'll give me at an appt this coming July 8).  And, I really don't know how long this recovery is going to take.

 

Some tell me a few weeks.  Others tell me a few months.  I feel like Peter Pan right now and don't know when or if I'll grow up.

Is it hip replacement?  If so, it depends on how the surgery is done.  The old way, cutting through the outer hip, will take months because of all the muscle that is cut and needing to heal.  The new way, going in from the groin, allows much quicker healing.  My mother had both hips replaced, both ways.  That is where my knowledge comes from.  It was amazing how quickly she recovered after the latter (and she is 84).  She was able to be on her own after about 2 weeks.

[dexddd]

17 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Aging is an inevitable fact of life, neither you nor I can run away from it.  Shall we share the Geritol.  Hashbrown 😋 with steak & eggs ... no beans 😁

 

 

 

 

 

That's rubbing it in.  The steak, the eggs (only eat on cruise), and the retired.  Is that a defunct Olive Garden?

 

Ohh, and another thing you can add to your mobile C Store vest for the Cunard trip is some Poligrip.  Will sell well at a premium.

[graphicguy]

15 hours ago, Travelicious said:

Is it hip replacement?  If so, it depends on how the surgery is done.  The old way, cutting through the outer hip, will take months because of all the muscle that is cut and needing to heal.  The new way, going in from the groin, allows much quicker healing.  My mother had both hips replaced, both ways.  That is where my knowledge comes from.  It was amazing how quickly she recovered after the latter (and she is 84).  She was able to be on her own after about 2 weeks.

Working those details out now.  Mostly, they won't know what more needs to be done until they get in there.  They've done MRIs, CT scans, x-rays....  Not sure how many more angles they need to see.

 

Goal is to be back in the saddle this Fall.  But, they (they...the medical folks) seem to think it's not up to me.  I beg to differ. 

 

I've actually been putting this off for a year.  Doc says it's up to me at this point and my tolerance for pain.  I'm getting there right now.  

 

Appreciate the "heads up"!

Edited Tuesday at 01:00 PM by graphicguy

[schmoopie17]

@graphicguy You always seemed pretty "hip". Maybe you should think twice about getting it replaced. Don't want to lose that swagger.

 

On the bright side, it's not a knee replacement...considering all of the positive comments about your lower appendages. 😁

[graphicguy]

25 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

@graphicguy You always seemed pretty "hip". Maybe you should think twice about getting it replaced. Don't want to lose that swagger.

 

On the bright side, it's not a knee replacement...considering all of the positive comments about your lower appendages. 😁

True.  Knees are worse from what I understand.

 

I think my swagger has become more of a peg leg gait recently.

[cruiseny4life]

Calling @justhappy and @vacation44. Yall gotta get onboard one of the 2025 voyages and #schmoopiefest2026!

[justhappy]

19 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Calling @justhappy and @vacation44. Yall gotta get onboard one of the 2025 voyages and #schmoopiefest2026!

I thought I heard my name?🧐

I’d love to join in the mayhem, but don’t know if the stars will align.

  We have annual January cruise plans with friends we met 11 years ago while on a cruise.

 I talked them into doing the Getaway this October since we missed out on January’s cruise at the last minute ~ remember her highness Miss Daisy?

And then we currently have the Getaway booked for next March during my birthday.

We have yet to determine this upcoming January cruise, I don’t know if we could convince them to do New Orleans again as they prefer sailing from Port Canaveral. We are meeting them next week for a short trip, I’ll bring it up to them.

Maybe they will love NO and the river aspect of the cruise.

[Barb Nahoumi]

On 6/19/2024 at 5:30 PM, complawyer said:

while of course all are welcome, these cruisers are people i would personally love to have along, you and mrs schmoopie, rocketman, traveling man, chiefmate jrk, cruiseny4life and husband, and of course bird travels.

by the way, the heck with a "group discount" i'm thinking bigger than that. we're all baby boomers, lets get the entire ship!!!!!

YEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!

[complawyer]

by the way, barb nahoumi, i think my idea for an oldies/doo wopp cruise has been kicked to the curb, people seem to prefer schmoopie's idea

[cruiseny4life]

4 minutes ago, complawyer said:

by the way, barb nahoumi, i think my idea for an oldies/doo wopp cruise has been kicked to the curb, people seem to prefer schmoopie's idea

Nothing saying you can't take over the DJ booth on a couple nights and play off those good ole oldies! I think I shared this with you before, but I'm actually a fan of Doo Wopp as that's what my Grandpa listened to. Not exactly Doo Wopp, but Ricky Nelson was pretty great back in the 50's too! 

 

DJ Comp in da house!!!

[All-ready2cruise]

@complawyer I don't think any of the great ideas for fun loving oldies including your oldies/doo whopp themes, have been disqualified.  It's all good for me anyway. 

[schmoopie17]

1 hour ago, All-ready2cruise said:

@complawyer I don't think any of the great ideas for fun loving oldies including your oldies/doo whopp themes, have been disqualified.  It's all good for me anyway. 

If @mking8288attends the Feb 6, 2025 version of #Schmoopiefest, being the technical wizard that he is, I'm sure he could rig up a karaoke/whatchamajigger machine in a lounge to crank out Doo Wop, or any music your heart desires.

[All-ready2cruise]

2 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

If @mking8288attends the Feb 6, 2025 version of #Schmoopiefest, being the technical wizard that he is, I'm sure he could rig up a karaoke/whatchamajigger machine in a lounge to crank out Doo Wop, or any music your heart desires.

I so agree with you @schmoopie17. This is really sounding like it's getting more and more fun for everyone.  Thanks so much for creating such fun loving event.  

[mking8288]

18 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

If @mking8288attends the Feb 6, 2025 version of #Schmoopiefest, being the technical wizard that he is, I'm sure he could rig up a karaoke/whatchamajigger machine in a lounge to crank out Doo Wop, or any music your heart desires.

Haha, just a jack of most trades, expert really in none - lucky sometimes with the "proper" gears & hardware to poke around.  Won't be able to "commit" to Schmoopiefest next February until I get a better idea based on dental work over next few months.  Keep this under the radar just in case to avoid getting my name blacklisted by NCL for "hacking" their funky IT networks to tether.  Reasonably sure that @graphicguy or @Sugar Magnolia or even @cruiseny4life can make up a field kit, similar to what's here  << hyperlinked posted over at graphicguy/Dan's trip report >>  (plus 1 of the "newer" Samsung Galaxy (S22 and newer) smartphone with USB to HDMI output enabled, or equivalent ... waiting for Google Pixel 9 to be released) to expand the possibilities (without getting into more "techincal" details ... spilling the "beans" or secrets in the open.)   The whole "kit" is under $200, add assorted USB cables to get the job done to "rig" things up onboard.  

 

The challenge - I think - for any hobbyist "DJ" to find, access & play the "song lists" onboard, regardless, music from 40's and 50's, 60' and/or 70's, etc. is whether StarLink will be "better" in 2025 and 2026 cruising NCL !!!   As best as I can assess, Norwegian is the leader, from the bottom, that is; and,  while charging the most, for our (in)convenience, of course - to sail & sustain the corporate P&L for shareholder's ROI.  Have yet to read about recent live reports that "wow, amazing WiFi satellite "broadband-like" speed at sea ... not even those on the "premium" streaming $$$ NCL plan.  It is what it is - a disclaimer, YMMV.  

 

Best that we keep chattering cordial, constructive, friendly and fun. 

Happy Fourth of July 🗽 to all and cheers !  

[dexddd]

I've got a multi cd set of TV themes if you want to play those. 

[schmoopie17]

21 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Not exactly Doo Wopp, but Ricky Nelson was pretty great back in the 50's too! 

 

Ricky Nelson? You're right, not exactly Doo Wop. Ozzie Nelson, maybe.

 

Is Sha Na Na still around/alive? Maybe they'd be up for a reunion cruise.

 

We were visiting LA when my daughter was about four, we were pulling out of a parking lot and she yelled out, "Sha Na Na!!!" It was all the more amazing because the two of them (Bowser and Santini) were just standing there (and out of costume...not sure how she recognized them). They had a TV show at the time, which she loved to watch.

 

In any case, I stopped the car and they came over and gave her their autographs, with the saying, "Bowser and Santini love you". Pretty cool.

[complawyer]

i believe that bowser is still alive and kicking. he is a major advocate of all the oldies groups members be legit, and not just use the group name. kind of tough when a number if these singers are late 70's +, and a bunch are dead.  he is totally against groups that have "0" connection with an oldies group but still appear under that name.

 

by the way (if you dont know) the name sha na na came from a doo wopp lyric. while they were a good group, they were kind of made up, like the monkees!

 

rydell high forever

 

hey, chiefjrk mate, where you hidin out these days? havent read anything from you for a while.

 

are you locked in steerage?

[debenson0723]

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Haha, just a jack of most trades, expert really in none - lucky sometimes with the "proper" gears & hardware to poke around.  Won't be able to "commit" to Schmoopiefest next February until I get a better idea based on dental work over next few months.  Keep this under the radar just in case to avoid getting my name blacklisted by NCL for "hacking" their funky IT networks to tether.  Reasonably sure that @graphicguy or @Sugar Magnolia or even @cruiseny4life can make up a field kit, similar to what's here  << hyperlinked posted over at graphicguy/Dan's trip report >>  (plus 1 of the "newer" Samsung Galaxy (S22 and newer) smartphone with USB to HDMI output enabled, or equivalent ... waiting for Google Pixel 9 to be released) to expand the possibilities (without getting into more "techincal" details ... spilling the "beans" or secrets in the open.)   The whole "kit" is under $200, add assorted USB cables to get the job done to "rig" things up onboard.  

 

The challenge - I think - for any hobbyist "DJ" to find, access & play the "song lists" onboard, regardless, music from 40's and 50's, 60' and/or 70's, etc. is whether StarLink will be "better" in 2025 and 2026 cruising NCL !!!   As best as I can assess, Norwegian is the leader, from the bottom, that is; and,  while charging the most, for our (in)convenience, of course - to sail & sustain the corporate P&L for shareholder's ROI.  Have yet to read about recent live reports that "wow, amazing WiFi satellite "broadband-like" speed at sea ... not even those on the "premium" streaming $$$ NCL plan.  It is what it is - a disclaimer, YMMV.  

 

Best that we keep chattering cordial, constructive, friendly and fun. 

Happy Fourth of July 🗽 to all and cheers !  

Somewhat off topic but was wondering if you had any thoughts. On our recent Joy cruise (you may have read about it), @Sugar Magnolia and I were able to text each other on board with our cellphones.  Both with unlimited wi-fi, both in airplane mode. Different wireless carriers and different phones (iphone and Samsung Galaxy). No one else at the table could do this. I know she and I have magical powers but this was a first for me. Have you ever seen this? No charges have popped up on my bill either. 

 

Also, I did not have any issues with posting on CC, posting text and photos on social media or using any apps while on the Joy. TBH, my phone works on the ships just as it does at home (as long as I don't try to stream anything, which I don't buy that package). I was down on deck 5 and used my phone extensively with no issues. Maybe it is my settings or I am just very lucky.

[Sugar Magnolia]

27 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

Somewhat off topic but was wondering if you had any thoughts. On our recent Joy cruise (you may have read about it), @Sugar Magnolia and I were able to text each other on board with our cellphones.  Both with unlimited wi-fi, both in airplane mode. Different wireless carriers and different phones (iphone and Samsung Galaxy). No one else at the table could do this. I know she and I have magical powers but this was a first for me. Have you ever seen this? No charges have popped up on my bill either. 

 

Also, I did not have any issues with posting on CC, posting text and photos on social media or using any apps while on the Joy. TBH, my phone works on the ships just as it does at home (as long as I don't try to stream anything, which I don't buy that package). I was down on deck 5 and used my phone extensively with no issues. Maybe it is my settings or I am just very lucky.

 

@debenson0723 I think the anomaly was how you and T were unable to text each other, despite the fact that you both had unlimited wifi. Though I did not text T, @graphicguy and I were able to text each other using the ship's unlimited wifi. Also, I've never had any issues texting anyone with an iPhone or Samsung using the ship's unlimited wifi.

 

Was is tragic is the fact that the Joy has closed the loophole for iMessaging...so no more iPhone to iPhone texting unless using the FAS minutes or paid internet access.