154 more days...

The Saturday Finance Report

This is good news for us, since we did not invest any money into euros as of yet.  And as the $US continues to strengthen will be able to buy even more euros per $US. 

This graph shows you the strength of the US$ as a function of time. We want to see this line continue to climb.  Current forecasts are quite varied regarding expected performance in 2010.


 
How many euros would it take to get you up on deck 13?
Mike

155 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Whoa Rome

We will be arriving in Rome Baby Rome on Wednesday May 26, 2010 the second of five ports of call. Rome Baby Rome!

Fun Facts

According to legend the brothers Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome) were raised by a she-wolf in a cave on Palatine Hill.

Rome's emblem is the she-wolf suckling the two brothers Romulus and Remus.

A park in Rome is named the "Park of the Monsters." Not because it is a haunted place [cb says Sorry Mike -- it's not r-e-a-l-l-y haunted.]
but because it is full of grotesque figures like a crude Hercules slaying an Amazon and an ogre's face with a mouth so big that people can even walk through it!

Rome has a museum which is entirely dedicated to pasta. The Pasta Museum is a one of its kind around the world and showcases different pasta-making machines, as well as paintings related to pasta by contemporary artist

The Baths of Caracalla although in a bad state now, were once in their prime days spread across 27 acres and could handle 1,600 bathers at any given time. Built in the 3rd century, they are the largest survivors of Rome's imperial era.

Web Bites

Rome is widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful ancient cities.

It is at its most comfortable from April through June, and from mid-September to October; in particular.

First known picture of a fork comes from Rome. [cb says Wow, now that is good to know.]

Every morning I get up and eagealy await the latest edition of the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge blog. Whether it is Karen's Travel Tips, Mo's wonderful art work or Ken's Saturday Financial Report I love having my morning coffee with you. Another enjoyable experience is reading local newspapers from Europe. Last week I brought attention to how Italy has some of the most expensive condoms - this weeks article is about how police found art work by Van Gogh, Monet, Kandinsky and others - read about it below.
POLICE UNCOVER MORE ART HIDDEN BY EX-PARMALAT CHIEF

Just * The * Facts

Elevation: 10 feet Latitude: 41 48N Longitude: 012 14E
Avg Temp: 63
Avg High: 71
Avg Low: 54
Avg Precipitation: 2
Rome is the capital of Italy, with a population of over 3.5 million.

See you next week on Deck 14 where the cool kids hang.

156 more days...

Mo's Travel Tips

Packing Tips:

TSA regulations state that liquid/gel/cream/paste/aerosol toiletries in carry-on bags must be in containers of 3 ounces or less to get through security checkpoints. And all of those containers must fit comfortably in a one quart size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type). Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account. You can also store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen.

Keep any medication and important papers in your carry-on bag. packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea as bags tend to get delayed or lost on long haul, multiple stop flights. You don't want to end up stuck without medication, clothes or your important papers even if it is just for a few days.

As an extra precaution, be sure to include identification inside each piece of luggage in case the external tag is lost during your travels. If you know where you will be staying during a longer trip, add your cruise ship information to your identification tags. This will allow the airlines to contact you there if your luggage is lost, rather than trying to contact you back at your home address.

When you are flying somewhere, divide the clothes between different suitcases/backpacks/bags etc. If one persons luggage doesn't arrive at the destination, they'll still have clean clothes available. Airlines generally don't compensate lost luggage for the first 24-48 hours.

It is always handy to have a few plastic bags around certain items, especially toiletries. Remember not to pack bottles of shampoo or other liquids that are completely full. Leave some air space in the bottle. Changes in air pressure/altitude can sometimes cause the contents to leak. Ziplock or other airtight plastic bags are the best.

Pack your undergarments (and anything else that you do not want handled) in plastic bags. If your checked bag is hand searched, inspectors can usually "crush and feel" the bag for security purposes without having to actually handle all of its contents. Pack any shoes/footwear last so that they will be on top of other items. This will make it easier for security screeners if the bag is hand searched.

Don't over-pack your bags. This will prevent the bag's contents from spilling out if they are opened for hand searching. It will also make it easier for security screeners to properly re-close your bag.

Do not lock your checked bags. If a checked bag must be hand searched and it is locked, it may be forcibly opened and the bag or lock could be damaged. TSA-approved locks (that can be unlocked by TSA agents) are available for locking up your luggage.

If you are packing several books inside a single bag, spread them around inside the bag. Stacked books are very dense and will probably cause the bomb-detection machines to flag the bag for hand-searching. (It is best to distribute your books among all your checked and carry-on bags.)

And my personal favorite packing tip:
Do not pack any food or beverages in checked luggage. Food items such as cheese, fruitcake and chocolate are dense enough that they can sometimes be mistaken for explosives by bomb-detection machines and set off an alarm.

157 more days...

Work up a sweat in the state-of-the-art

ShipShape Fitness Center

If you are concerned about those extra pounds you may put on while indulging in the endless array of cruise cuisine, head to the ShipShape Fitness center. There you will find the the best equipment, saunas and whirlpools, and all the latest classes, like yoga and pilates. Voyager has everything the most sophisticated fitness clubs have - weight machines, treadmills, stair-steppers, spinning bikes - plus an amazing view!

Or maybe...

Treat your mind and your body at the incredible ShipShape Day Spa and salon, offering a variety of massage, skin, and beauty treatments. Whether you are interested in a simple manicure or pedicure, a stimulating yoga class, or an ultra-relaxing full body aroma therapy stone massage, this is one experience you will not soon forget! The ShipShape Day Spa offers an array of cultural therapies designed to entice even the most unlikely of customers. An experienced team of professionals will treat you like you have never been treated before, leaving you refreshed and feeling like an entirely new person in no time at all!

Royal Caribbean's ShipShape Day Spa features only the most luxurious products exclusively from Elemis, La Therapie, Ionithermie, and Steiner Hair Care and Cosmetics.

All spa services on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are available by appointment only and can only be made once your board for your cruise. Check prices as these can add up quickly...

The whirlpool is enticingly appealing...you just might find me there...after all, you never know who you might meet...

Cruise along and enjoy...^_~

Karen

158 more days...

The mini-series continues:
"Would Nana do it, for a buck?"

What else is there to bet on?

Well, there are the obvious choices...  Deck 13 (although I think that we'd use the honor system on that one).  We've already seen the rock wall, and spoke of miniature golf (both of these will make for some great bets.  I can't wait!). 

Hmmmmm...

There are numerous local "delicacies" in Italy, France, and Spain that will make for good memories, but that has evolved into it's own mini-series, as we shall see in a couple of weeks...  So what's left?

Here is where I turn it over to you.  What suggestions do you have for "Would Nana do it for a buck?"  Or, better yet, pick your victim, or the whole group!  What kind of things would you like this crazy family do to  pursue even more lasting memoies in the mediterranean? 

To start us off, how about Ken and Cindy touring France wearing berets!  I'd pay a buck to each to see that!

As Toot would say,
"Ow-wwwwwwwwwwwwwwlllllll!"



Taking a break from 13.
Mike

NEXT WEEK: The do's and don'ts of taking those classic tourist photos!

159 more days...

The mini-series continues:
"Would Nana do it, for a buck?"

STAGE PERFORMANCES:

Apparently, there will be several opportunities for Nana to make money on this one.  From the Royal Carribean website "Take Center Stage Yourself":


Karaoke: Step into the spotlight and sing your favorite songs. It's a chance for our most gifted guest singers to battle it out for the title of Karaoke Superstar!

Boogie Bodies: Sing along or lip sync to pop hits with friends and family while your heads are superimposed onto animated bodies. It's fun to participate in and even more fun to watch. You'll even get a DVD of the experience to take home with you! Check it out at http://www.boogie-bodies.com/.

Gotta Dance: Wow your cruise mates with your new moves learned in this Hip Hop dance adventure. Like the award-winning documentary that inspired it, Gotta Dance incorporates unforgettable choreography - in an easy-to-follow format open to all ages, languages and skill levels. Exclusive to Royal Caribbean International.

So here's the bet: If Nana performs on stage (invited or otherwise), or actively gains the attention of and performs for a group of 10 or more people aboard the ship, I will give her a buck.  Others are welcome to sweeten the pot.  The dear old woman and I will sort out the "fine print" of what consistutes a performance when presented with the opportunity.  Heck, that's half of the fun!

I wonder if I left my sunglasses on deck 13.
Mike

160 more days...

A few posts back (183 more days...) we saw Nana enjoying the rock climbing wall on VOTS.  Nana commented, "At least I can still climb the rock wall.  I'll never be old....."

While I might challenge Nana on both of those claims, it got me thinking.  What fun things might we get the old woman to do, especially if we tempted her with a buck (*).

And so, we begin the mini-series, "Would Nana do it, for a buck?"

WATER SPORTS:

So here's the bet:  If Nana performs any of the following water sports during Operation: Poisson Rouge, I will give her a buck.  Others are welcome to sweeten the pot.

o Water Skiing

o Banana Boating

o Parasailing

o Jet Skiing

Looking forward to enjoying the view from deck 13!
Mike

(*) It has come to my attention that those not in the inner circle may not appreciate some of the more subtle points of this blog, such as howling, deux bacon, and in this case the power of a single dollar.  My dear old mother and I love to bet against each other whenever we can.  It is not so much about the money, as it is about TAKING the money.  That much said, you might be surprsised what you can get that old woman to do, for a buck.  Try it sometime...  It's a lot of fun.