ROLL CALL: 2/25/07 Caribbean Princess

[woodsman]

Has anyone ever tried the spray tanning chamber where you are blasted with tanning solution while you do jumping jacks? Kind of sounds like a twisted porn doesn't it? I'm thinking about doing it tomorrow because I haven't had time to hit the tanning beds.

 

I am all about the spray-tan. LOVE it. I've always gone to Hollywood tan - it just costs $20, you don't have to make an appointment, takes just a few minutes, and for me has lasted about 5 days. I'm a fair-headed Irishman too (who was it said they were ordering the nutty irishman/men??:cool:) - so this is the ONLY way I'm not fish-belly white. The first time I did it I walked around naked for days just so I could get a climpse of my tan a$$ in a mirror. It's even tan-looking. And yes, make sure you put lotion (they provide it) where you don't want a tan - I once forgot my toenails and ended up looking like I had a bad case of toe fungus (that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it).

[mikec5426]

Hey guys-

 

Just curious- why do you get the spray on tan? I am also a fair skinned Irish boy who burns EASILY!

 

If you get one before you go does it help you tan better?? Or do you get it when you come back to make it look like you were actually on a cruise?

 

Serious question! :-)

[CadillacRon]

OK, I'll put it out there. Hubby and I can't agree on whether or not to drive our 1966 Sedan DeVille to the port.

 

Pros: She has superior trunk space and then there is the fun factor and the whole "making an entrance" spectacle. She is the largest green thing in Broward County.

 

Cons: We took her to the port on last year's cruise and almost didn't get her started upon return. Also, being so close to the ocean and in the parking garage, she was covered in sea-scum when we returned.

 

So if anyone has an opinion, let us know. Or keep an eye out for us at the port. Ron

[woodsman]

Mike, spray tans do NOT protect you from the sun. I still burst into flames at the first sign of actual sunlight. It does keep people from squinting when I take off my shirt though.

 

Once I had it done and I ran into a neighbor who thought that I must've just come back from a cruise. It's not shocking tan (like Ross from Friends), more like a glow.

 

I do it out of pure vanity. And I'll do it again!

[woodsman]

Ron, do you really want to trust your classic car to the whims of every blue-hair who is going to be parking at the port? Hop in the Yugo and drive on down.

[CadillacRon]

Funny you should mention it, a few years ago my new car got dented while parked at the port. An off duty cop saw a geezer back into it and drive off. She left her number and his tag # on our windshield. Still, it was a hassle. The cadillac is hardly a show car and can probably withstand a bump better than the Audi. We'll see. ron

[TbirdTraveler]

I hope that all you guys have a great cruise next week. My partner and I were on the ship for a Valentines cruise last week and had a great time. They had a couple of GLBT meetings during the cruise and we met a good many other guys that were traveling that week. I guess that it sort of felt in a small way that we were on a gay cruise because we all stuck together for much of the rest of the cruise after we met.

 

Anyway, the ship is absolutely beautiful and so are many of the crew members. Remember to bring (in your checked bags) extra liquor and a flask to make those weak alcholic beverages better tasting, as the ones that they serve are mostly mixers.

 

Have a great cruise and I hope that someone has a place to post pictures during or after the cruise for all of us that wish that we could be there. Just let us know where to look for the pictures and you'll make some us very happy. Have a terrific cruise...you're going to have a great time!!!

[Kev-in-CA]

Christopher,

 

I think that you might be right that there are fewer and fewer of us that are not on their way yet. I just realized from your last post that you do have it much worse than the rest of us with your long flight and the time change. My thoughts are with you.

 

I also do appreciate the discussion on favorite drinks which helped to pass the time here at work (still one more day for me). All the many posts did give me some ideas for trying something new, although I do tend to just drink wine. Being in California's "wine country" we do get our share and we are going to just check the suitcase with a few bottles (oh how I long for the days when you could fly on a plane with liquids). If we arrive with a bag full of broken bottles...oh well, as long as we get there we'll be happy.

 

A safe trip to all...

 

Kev

[marjoe1]

Hi guys!! It's almost here. My partner and I are deciding on where to park (in the port garage or my relatives house near there). Anyway, Chris is right, our minds are already on the ship!! :) Can't wait to get there and have a TON of FUN!!!

 

Marlin & Joe

[JohnAndLeonard]

 

Bags are packed, we leave in the morning for a long day of traveling with arrival near midnight. We are staying at the Sheraton Suites and meeting old friends for lunch on Saturday. If anyone from the board is staying at the Sheraton please say HELLO if you see us! Would like to attend the parties Saturday night but might feel more comfortable with another person or couple to share the ride with. Room will be under John Petersen - so leave us a message on our room voicemail and we can meet in the lobby!

 

My stomach is in knotts and I know I won't sleep much tonight - kind of reminds me of being a kid on Christmas Eve.:rolleyes:

 

Can't wait to meet you all!

 

Ciao!

John:cool:

of John And Leonard

[Ftlwill]

Wishing everyone left looking at the board a safe and speedy trip down here / over here to South Florida !!!

 

Looking forward to meeting everyone !

 

I met a fellow gym member this am that will be on the ship, He was coming out of a tanning booth... :)

 

Beautiful day here today, nice and warm !!! Bill

[monumax]

Both of us have one more day of work, but we got the packing done tonight. We will be driving to Washington DC Saturday after going one more time to the gym, then staying overnight there and flying out on Sunday a.m. Now the latest weather report is for rain with some ice on Sunday, so I hope we aren't delayed. We will have our own bon voyage party at Freddie's Beach Bar in Alexandria VA on Saturday night.

Safe traveling to all!

[Cruisydave]

OK, I'll put it out there. Hubby and I can't agree on whether or not to drive our 1966 Sedan DeVille to the port.

 

Pros: She has superior trunk space and then there is the fun factor and the whole "making an entrance" spectacle. She is the largest green thing in Broward County.

 

Cons: We took her to the port on last year's cruise and almost didn't get her started upon return. Also, being so close to the ocean and in the parking garage, she was covered in sea-scum when we returned.

 

So if anyone has an opinion, let us know. Or keep an eye out for us at the port. Ron

 

 

NO NO NO..........

it's wasted............an entrance?......at a port with 10,000 people (3100 queens on our ship) but 10,000 people on three ships with 50, 000 pieces of luggage..??? no no no........don't waste that entrance with that fabulous car......leave it home.........safe........not salty..........

no, arrive to the ship.........enter....and make your splash onboard..........

nobody in the hysterical parking arena will remember you........they might remember the car.....but not worth it.........ahem.....just one man's opinion..........we'll see you sunday...........without the car......and have cocktails and fabulous conversation.............ok?

david

[WalterNY]

According to rsvpvacations.com, the ship is now fully booked! The decoy site, rsvp.net, still shows a half-filled vessel.

 

I'm not flying out until Sunday, so I'm still in casual packing mode. I must say that shoes are the most problematic category when you're trying to pack light. Running, hiking, biking, walking, formal, evening, beach, kayaking, funky - my list is just too long! Heavy, bulky, without a lot of bang for each buck. Maybe I should try a Windjammer sailing and ditch the whole lot.

 

Well, one more day of work, one day of rest, then it's party hearty like it's February 25, 2007!

 

Walter

[MattInFLL]

Well, I was in pain all night last night with the tanning booth burn, and barely slept... and today was my longest school day - but I am done! Had the last class, and turned in my last law review assignment tonight...and I am officially on break! And thankfully, the burn got a *lot* better as the day wore on.. Now just some mild stinging. But don't expect to see me in anything less than a big hat and big t-shirts - at least the first few days.

 

Ron - with 8 ships in port, the terminal will be a madhouse. There will ne no entrance in that crowd. I would leave it at home.

 

Phil - not sure which deck, but I thought Fiesta for boarding.

 

Walter - I am so glad we live here - 'coz we are gonna have some big old heavy bags. I don't know how I would do this with all the outfits on a commercial airline.

 

Safe travels!

[jimnbillnpa]

Hey Guys!

 

I missed the 1000 mark. I've just been checking posts and going to bed-too tired to keep up. One last day of work for me here in PA. The weather warmed a bit, but tonight cold winds are here again. I can't explain how busy I've been with work and the gallery. Also with Bill out of commission, I've been doing double duty. I am SOOOOOOOO ready for a break.

 

Favorite drink? Hmm-would have to be a Virgin Pina Colada-then I'm off to a meeting with Bill W. There was a time when Johnny Walker was the all-occasion libation.

 

Tanning-John-I am SOOO sorry you got fried. I know what it's like and I hate it. Especially when the 18 year old at the salon desk is telling you the beds aren't that strong. I started last week with 5 minutes and I'm going for 8 minutes tomorrow. It's enough. I'm a white skinned English boy like the rest of you.

 

Christopher-I hope you have safe travels-your day is going to be starting very soon as a I write this, I hope you have no problems. I'm out of Baltimore at 3:30pm Saturday. Staying with friends and we'll see you on the ship.

 

Tom-Thanks for the nametags-will look for your cabin when I board. You look for the guy with the chocolate kisses.

[2cruisinchiks]

Virgin Pina Coladas for us too! Cab is picking us up at 5:45 this morning and off we go.

 

Looking forward to meeting all of you.

 

We didn't tan at all, so we are probably in big trouble.

[cjswitzerland]

Just sent may last class of students out the door. Now I am blaring the Love Boat Theme on the stereo. (one can hope, right?)

 

Hurrah. Now to finish the packing.

 

See you all soon.

 

Christopher

[thulewx]

Well, today's my REpacking day. I always pack 3-4 days out then, 1 day out, repack, removing about 50% since I habitually overpack (will I REALLY wear that over-the-shoulder number? And those sequined pumps?) I did decide to change my jammies out - I had the one-piece thing with the rear flap but it's polartec fleece and realized I'd fry in it no matter how much ventilation it has, so am going with the bugs bunny nightshirt instead.

John - sound like a good idea about shraing rides from the Sheraton - will try to give you a shout - I arrive Sat. afternoon - driving from Georgia (about 7 hours I think).

Also debating the laptop. I use it for dvds and photoshop work since

WiFi is sketchy and expensive.

Oh, well - back to the bags...

[NYCBri]

OK. I fly out tomorrow at 1:30 and at this point I would rather sit in the airport for 24 hours rather than go to work... Oy Vey.... I really should be packing rather than posting... I'll have to save that for when I get out of work.

 

I guess it's silly to hope to watch 'Lost' on the ship, huh? I'll just let the TiVo take care of that... at least we'll get to watch the Oscars.

[Ftlwill]

Looks like it is time to get things packed up ! I know I'll be taking too much, Your re-packing sounds like a good idea Phil, I'll try it out...... See you soon ! Bill

[Boytjie]

It's cold again in New York and we are expecting snow flurries later. More reason to look forward to flying to Ft. Lauderdale tonight.

 

So a few more hours at work while worrying if I packed everything I need and haven't overpacked. Last night after we packed our bags I realized we had 5 to check - oops. A quick consolidation and we were down to 4.

 

Not too long ago it was still weeks away but now it's THE weekend, Yeah!

[Hogthrob]

Hey guys, I just have to get through 1 last day of work here in the frozen tundra and then this flight and cruise are just 2 sleeps away. "Excitement" does not even beging to describe!

 

I was wondering if anyone knew if Princess has shuttle buses at the FLL airport for people arriving Sunday mid-morning like us. I guess I could call Princess or RSVP but you guys are more fun.

 

almost there!!!

[Hobie]

As with most of us, last day at work for me too! I haven't had a vacation since last February so looking forward to this one.

 

See you guys on Sunday!

 

Safe travels.

 

Hobie

[monumax]

I was wondering if anyone knew if Princess has shuttle buses at the FLL airport for people arriving Sunday mid-morning like us. I guess I could call Princess or RSVP but you guys are more fun.

 

 

Hogthrob:

We called Princess and arranged for shuttle from airport to pier and then back to airport after the cruise. It was $20 per person, and someone will meet us at the baggage area. We are supposed to get in from DC around 10 a.m. on Sunday, but now we are getting concerned about an icy & wintry mix that hopefully won't delay our flight.

 

One more day of non-productive work to get through. Our 4 bags are already packed, so we are ready to go! Can't wait!