...in case you were wondering.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
127 more days...
Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.
This next 6 week installment of Cruising with Cyn, we will be exploring local cuisine from the regions we will be visiting. Ken and I will be preparing a traditional meal from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon. We will be posting the receipe and our review.
I suggest we all try get in the spirit of this installment one way or another (feel free to make suggestions). Here are some ideas you may want to try:
- Cook along with Ken and I; after all if we can do it anyone can.
- Buy a prepared meal that looks like something you would get in Europe (good, bad or daring). We go to a grocery store called Kings and they always have something very Italian or very French they are offering.
- Go to a French or Itailan restaraunt. Mom, I don't think The Olive Garden qualifies though.
- Have a drink (recommended wine suggestions will be included) and get in the spirit of things.
Next week we'll be exploring the Wonderful World of Tapas, which are quite popular in Spain. All cooking to occur on deck 13 and and enjoyed on deck 14.
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.
This next 6 week installment of Cruising with Cyn, we will be exploring local cuisine from the regions we will be visiting. Ken and I will be preparing a traditional meal from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon. We will be posting the receipe and our review.I suggest we all try get in the spirit of this installment one way or another (feel free to make suggestions). Here are some ideas you may want to try:
- Cook along with Ken and I; after all if we can do it anyone can.
- Buy a prepared meal that looks like something you would get in Europe (good, bad or daring). We go to a grocery store called Kings and they always have something very Italian or very French they are offering.
- Go to a French or Itailan restaraunt. Mom, I don't think The Olive Garden qualifies though.
- Have a drink (recommended wine suggestions will be included) and get in the spirit of things.
Next week we'll be exploring the Wonderful World of Tapas, which are quite popular in Spain. All cooking to occur on deck 13 and and enjoyed on deck 14.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
128 more days....
Passport, Credit Card,
and ATM Card Safety
Before you leave home, make two copies of your passport identification page. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives and carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport. It's also a good idea to bring along two or three passport photos; these should be identical 2" x 2" photographs taken within the last six months, featuring a front view of your face on a white background. ID such as a birth certificate (showing citizenship), and driver license (proving ID). If your passport is lost or stolen, having these will speed up the replacement process.
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Record your credit card and ATM card numbers. Also record the contact numbers located on the back of each card.
Although you may not realize it, a U.S. passport is a hot commodity. To avoid being a target of crime, don't be too conspicuous with it. Not only do you risk having the passport stolen, but your other identification, credit cards and money as well. Take it out only when you need to provide it to officials. At all other times keep it on your person.
Do not leave your passport in checked luggage (but do leave a photocopy of it in your luggage), a handbag or an exposed pocket. One person should never carry all the passports for an entire group. Never lend your passport to anyone, use it as collateral or ask someone to hold it for you.
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Once on board the ship, store passports and vital information in the safe in your cabin. Carry a color copy of your passport while on shore excursions.
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Write down the name and phone number of the "ship's agent" for the port (which will be printed in each port day's onboard newsletter), and carry it with you. Putting it in your cell phone or other electronic device is a good backup, but put it on a piece of paper, too. You'll need to contact the ship's agent if something bad happens while you're onshore (i.e., you get sick/robbed/miss the ship's departure, etc.)
How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport
As soon as you realize your passport is missing, contact the nearest police authorities, U.S. embassy or consulate. You will be asked to fill out a DS-11 form, which is the standard passport application form. You are not required to know the passport number or issuance date to apply for a new passport.If the passport is still valid, you must also complete the DS-64 form to report the lost or stolen passport. You be asked to report how, where and when you lost your current passport, what you did to recover it, and what the end result was. This form must be submitted with the DS-11 application. Both of these forms can be downloaded and printed from the State Department Web site. In emergencies, you may contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) for support. Call (877) 487-2778 to reach an operator Monday through Friday from 8 a.m until 10 p.m. ET; an automated system is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact the US Department of State by clicking on the following link: http://travel.state.gov/passport/lost/lost_849.html. If you want to find out the status of an application, you can now check online
As soon as you realize your passport is missing, contact the nearest police authorities, U.S. embassy or consulate. You will be asked to fill out a DS-11 form, which is the standard passport application form. You are not required to know the passport number or issuance date to apply for a new passport.If the passport is still valid, you must also complete the DS-64 form to report the lost or stolen passport. You be asked to report how, where and when you lost your current passport, what you did to recover it, and what the end result was. This form must be submitted with the DS-11 application. Both of these forms can be downloaded and printed from the State Department Web site. In emergencies, you may contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) for support. Call (877) 487-2778 to reach an operator Monday through Friday from 8 a.m until 10 p.m. ET; an automated system is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact the US Department of State by clicking on the following link: http://travel.state.gov/passport/lost/lost_849.html. If you want to find out the status of an application, you can now check online
Lost or Stolen Credit Cards and ATM Cards
For lost or stolen credit cards. report the loss or theft of your credit cards and your ATM or debit cards to the individual card issuers as quickly as possible. Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. It's a good idea to follow up your phone calls with a letter. Include your account number, when you noticed your card was missing, and the date you first reported the loss.
Here are some telephone numbers:
Visa
Global Customer Assistance Center toll-free (800) 847-2911.
For international numbers go to Visa Global Assistance:
Spain: 900-99-1124 Italy: 800-819-014 France: 0800-90-1179
If you experience difficulties using any of the toll-free numbers, call direct 1-410-581-9994.
MasterCard
Global Service:
For an emergency within the United States call 1-800-MasterCard (1-800-627-8372).
Spain: 900-97-1231 Italy: 800-870-866 France: 0-800-90-1387
Outside the United States call the following telephone number collect to the United States in the event of an emergency 1-636-722-7111. For additional international locations go to Master Card Global http://www.mastercard.com/cgi-bin/emergserv.cgi
Discover Card
1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683)
Outside U.S.: 1-801-902-3100
American Express Card
In the U.S. call 1-800-528-4800.
For Travelers Cheques call Customer Service at 1-888-412-6945.
If you are traveling outside of the United States, please call Customer Service collect at 1-801-945-9450.
SPAIN +34 902375637 ITALY +39 0672282 FRANCE +33 147777000
Diners Club
Club Assistance® (Emergencies and Travel Planning):
Within the United States: 1 800 DINERS.911 (1 800 346.3779)
Outside the United States: 702 869.4927 (collect)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
129 more days...
Where, Oh where, is Voyager of the Seas Now?
Can you find where Voyager of the Seas is currently cruising?
Click HERE to see a map of current locations of cruise ships around the world.
Can you find VOTS on the map?
(Here's a hint from Waldo...click ON the map to zoom in closer)
...first one to leave the correct answer in the comments section below of the position AND two other cruise ships that are closest to Voyager of the Seas on Wednesday night, when I log in, WINS one U.S. dollar from ME!*
*Void where prohibited. Author of this blog entry is the sole judge and can not be challenged. Contest will not be audited and all decisions are final. If winner can not be contacted, runner up will be awarded the one U.S. dollar prize and assume all responsibilities as the winner. V.O.T.S. actual location must be posted on the above link and not "in port" or "not reporting" to be eligible. In the event that V.O.T.S. is "in port" and/or "not reporting" at the time of this blog posting contest, judging will be postponed until next recorded coordinates of V.O.T.S. when the contest judge (me) checks actual location. Rules subject to change at the discretion of the Wednesday blogger judge.
Cruise along and enjoy!....^_~
Karen
Can you find where Voyager of the Seas is currently cruising?
Click HERE to see a map of current locations of cruise ships around the world.
Can you find VOTS on the map?
(Here's a hint from Waldo...click ON the map to zoom in closer)
Ok, since I can't top Mike's awesome Gilligan video from yesterday...(way to go Bro!)...I'll throw in a BUCK to the first one to find V.O.T.S. on the map!...here's how it works...
...first one to leave the correct answer in the comments section below of the position AND two other cruise ships that are closest to Voyager of the Seas on Wednesday night, when I log in, WINS one U.S. dollar from ME!*
Oh, this should be good!
*Void where prohibited. Author of this blog entry is the sole judge and can not be challenged. Contest will not be audited and all decisions are final. If winner can not be contacted, runner up will be awarded the one U.S. dollar prize and assume all responsibilities as the winner. V.O.T.S. actual location must be posted on the above link and not "in port" or "not reporting" to be eligible. In the event that V.O.T.S. is "in port" and/or "not reporting" at the time of this blog posting contest, judging will be postponed until next recorded coordinates of V.O.T.S. when the contest judge (me) checks actual location. Rules subject to change at the discretion of the Wednesday blogger judge.
Cruise along and enjoy!....^_~
Karen
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
130 more days...
Earlier in the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Blog (168 more days... ), we saw a glimpse of Cruisemaster Ken and Cruisemistress Cindy in an elegant movie setting. Ahhh, the romantic scenery, the regal feel of it all...
Okay, well that might work on formal night, but something tells me that the following video is a bit more represenative of what this clan will be experiencing. Enjoy!
Low Resolution Video: CLICK HERE
High Resolution Video: CLICK HERE
If YouTube blocks the audio, you can download the video here:
Download the video (8 MB)
Trying to decide if I'd love to or hate to see "Maryann" on deck 13...
Mike
Monday, January 11, 2010
131 more days...
The Monday Finance Report
The dollar gained a bit this week, meaning that an early investment in euros would still have be a losing proposition, and getting worse. Luckily for us, we did not invest early (unless, of course, you count the euro's that the old woman passed off to me to cover her gambling losses... Bummer..)
What's more, since the dollar is at its strongest point since we began tracking it, our buying power continues to increase. Yee-haw!
THE WEB REPORT:
Hello Peru - We love you!
This week a visitor from Puru visited our blog. Welcome aboard, Puru! They seemed interested, because they stayed for over 17 minutes. This gave me an idea...
To anyone in the world who wants to receive a FREE postcard from the cast of Operation: Poisson Rouge during our European adventure, please click on the 'contact me' button below, and make your request. The first 5 requests will be filled, free of charge!
(Offer void to family, friends, and friends of family and friends...)
Looking forward to making new friends on deck 13!
Mike
Sunday, January 10, 2010
132 more days...
Join me on Sundays....
Stay tuned next week for Lesson 3
Cruise along and enjoy...^_~
Karen
Karen
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