175 more days...

What post could be more appropriate for Nana's birthday?  (HBD Nana!)

Among the largest gaming areas at sea, Voyager’s casino are slots, roulette, dice, blackjack and poker, plus frequent bingo and trivia games.

Gaming Machines - 325 total
Table and Poker Games - 17 total
American Roulette, 3 tables
Blackjack, 9 tables
Caribbean Stud Poker, 4 tables
Craps, 1 table


 

Karen sent the following picture for inclusion in the blog.  I guess we think alike! 

NEWS FLASH: As a result, we now have a new feature on the Blog: "Wednesdays with Karen".  Karen will be posting her own material every Wednesday here on the blog. Her first entry will be "171 more days..." on Decemeber 2nd.  Look forward to it! 

If you would also like to get in on the fun and host a day each week, just let me know!  (I know that Ken says he has some ideas...  Let's all cheer him on, too!)




See you on deck 13!
M&M

176 more days...

And about all of that food...  If you eat to much, not to worry.  They have you covered.

See you on deck 13!
M&M

177 more days...

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Which reminds me, the food on VOTS is reported to be exceptional! 

Even if you want nothing for dessert, it is something to be remembered.

See you on deck 13!

M&M

178 more days...

There is plenty to do on VOTS, including mini-golf!

The wager is $0.25 per hole, $1 per hole-in-one, and $5 for the game.  Who's in?

See you on deck 13!
M&M

179 more days...

Ahhh, the magic of ice skating...

The ice skating rink on Voyager of the Seas is the only ice skating rink at sea which also converts into a 900-seat arena used for rock concerts, games shows, professional ice shows, and fashion shows during the cruise.

VOTS's Godmother is Katarina Witt, world champion figure skater.  (but you already knew that...)

See you on deck 13!

M&M

180 more days...

It's finally starting to sink in...

I believe that most of us had the same feeling when our Cruisemaster and Cruisemistress, Ken and Cindy, announced this grand idea... 

"Wow!  Is this for real?  It sounds great!!!  But at the same time, its not really sinking in yet..."

Well, for me, it is finally sinking in.  It really hit me a couple of days ago when I saw some of the room pictures, and the incredible views from the balconies.   Originally I had thought, "Ah, who cares about the room.  We won't be doing much but changing and sleeping there."  And while that is still true to some degree, I am pretty excited about the room now, including the balcony.

Also setting in is the length of this adventure.  While I have taken a week off from work for vacation in the past, it was usually broken up into a series of small adventures.  A day trip here, a few days there.  But this is different.  Again, once in a lifetime.

Yep, its really sinking in.  And much like how Mom and Dad got to enjoy the anticipation of OPERATION: Goldfish for some time, we are all getting to enjoy the anticipation of OPERATION: Poisson Rouge.  That's what this blog is really all about for me.  An excuse to immerse myself in the thought of this adventure as it unfolds.  Getting to enjoy it many times over before even pulling out of the driveway for the first leg of the trip. 

180 more days.  I can hardly wait.

Now, more than ever, looking forward to seeing all of you on deck 13!
M&M

181 more days...

182 more days...

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear VOTS...
Happy birthday to you!

VOTS is 10 years old today!

SHIP FACTS:

Maiden Voyage: November 21, 1999

Passenger Capacity: 3,114

Godmother: Katarina Witt

Gross Tonnage: 138,000

Length: 1020'

Max Beam: 156'

Draft: 29'

Cruising Speed: 23.7 knots

Cruisemaster: Kenneth Lang
Cruisemistress: Cynthia Beck

183 more days...

Rock climbing anyone?

The fun's never done on VOTS!  Why not try your hands (and feet) at the rock climbing wall!  Located outdoors on Deck 14, it challenges passengers of all ages and skill levels.

See you on deck 13!

M&M

184 more days...

A slight change in the blog-plans for today....  Due to circumstances beyond my control (the Cruisemaster objected to the picture used in the previous posting and suggested that I might get left in NJ if I was not careful, and I don't even live in NJ...), so I have decide to re-post the internet information.

Internet anyone?

You can access the Internet 24 hour a day via VOTS's two-story Library / Internet Cafe. Internet connecton charges are 50 cents per minute.

Or, if you plan to use more than 3 -hours of online time, you may want to consider in-cabin Internet access for the low-low price of $100 per cruise.

See you on deck 13!
M&M

185 more days...

Internet anyone?

You can access the Internet 24 hour a day via VOTS's  two-story Library / Internet Cafe.  Internet connecton charges are 50 cents per minute.

Or, if you plan to use more than 3 -hours of online time, you may want to consider in-cabin Internet access for the low-low price of $100 per cruise.

See you on deck 13!

M&M

186 more days...

187 more days...

Notes to self...  Sharing space with your sister will be just like old times when we all lived together under one roof.  Good times... Good times...  But, to ensure that things go smoothly, be sure to remind Karen that...

1) A tie on the door means that the big people are "talking".  She shouldn't disturb them when they are talking.  Just come back in an hour, or so. 

2) The CPAP machine is not a toy...  No Darth Vader impressions please.

3) Mike doesn't say much in the morning.  It does not mean that he is sad, mad, angry, nor in a mood.  In fact, if he is quiet, it means that things are good, and he is happy.  The only known way to change this is to repeatedly ask him, "What's YOUR problem?"  Let him enjoy the voices in his head.  He's making friends.

4) Don't forget the tie rule.  Go have a smoke.

See you on deck 13!
M&M

188 more days...

189 more days...

Mo found this online. 

The urinals (please don't stop reading...  this is true...) on Voyager of the Seas are world class, and famous in their own right.  This actual urinal is a granite structure with plants sitting atop it. It is a motion activated "waterfall" urinal! Upon entering the restroom, guys approach the ceiling to floor window before which stands a granite wall. Immediately upon sensing their movement, water begins flowing over the wall, transforming it into a plant framed waterfall.

Where else is it possible for a guy to "attend to business" while looking out at the sea 11 stories below all the while moving along at 22 knots? This is the most talked about restroom at sea!

See you on deck 13!
M&M

190 more days...

What to pack? What to pack? (continued)

The 10 things that the kids would be taking on this trip, if they were going:


   Kev                           Andy                   Sam
1 Good amount of $      Camera               Clothing
2 Clothes for x days      Cell Phone           Sunglasses
3 Credit Card                Laptop                Suntan Lotion
4 Sun Tan Lotion           Laptop charger    Towels
5 Laptop                       Money                Camera / charger
6 Emrgncy Cellphone     Luggage              Toothbrush / Paste
7 Life Ring                    Phone charger     Shower supplies
8 Translation book        Camera charger   Extra shoes
9 Siteseeing book          iPod                    Backpacks
10 Shampoo, soap        iPod Charger       Money/Wallet

Andy's list follows mine; Sam's list follows Mo's.  Kev's list is in some ways better than any of our lists.

See you on deck 13!
M&M

191 more days...

What to pack? What to pack?

The Langs played a little game today.  List the first 10 things that come to your mind that you want to take on this trip (or would be taking on this trip, kids...).  No cheating, no peeking.  1, 2, 3...  Go!

    Mike                    Mo
1  Mo                       Mike
2  Tickets                 Good walking shoes
3  Wallet                   Notes
4  Clothing                Camera
5  Camera                2 special dresses
6  iPod                     Suntan lotion
7  Laptop                 Bathing suit
8  Sneakers              New cover-up (this is a hint)
9  Index Cards         Make-up (maybe this should be higher...)
10 Pocket Knife       Headband

For me, it's what I take almost everywhere.  I'll just have to remember to stow the knife during the flights, but that's really not a big deal. 

Tomorrow, we will post the kids lists.

See you on deck 13!
M&M

192 more days...

This is the certificate that Ken and Cindy gave to me for the cruise.  Believe it or not, this was all created using Microsoft PAINT, which is comparable to creating the Mona Lisa with a box of Crayola 64 crayons.

(Notice my reference to things French? Nice, eh?)

PLEASE, do not make copies, as this would immediately void the offer, which would really stink for me...
You can click on the photos to enlarge them.

193 more days...

 Meet the masterminds behind this adventure,
Ken and Cindy.

194 more days...

The shock has still not worn off. I mean, think about it...

o We are going to Europe.

o We are going to Europe on a 7-day cruise.

o We are going to Europe on a 7-day, once-in-a-lifetime cruise along with my mom and dad, Ken and Cindy, and Karen.

o Ken and Cindy are footing the lion's share of the bill.

Mo and I had plans to go to Europe for Mo's 40th, but the economy, 9/11, and other distractions caused us to put those plans off indefinitely. Caused us? Became excuses? Was it ever really feasible? Who knows... The fact is, we didn't do it.

But who can pass up this opportunity? To do something this momentous with your family, as adults. Wow. Thanks again Ken and Cindy. This is big.

OPERATION: Poisson Rouge

The 50th Wedding Anniversary of Janet and Andy Lang played itself out like a Hollywood blockbuster movie.

50 years in the making, 'OPERATION: Goldfish' had suspense, drama, comedy, an incredible cast, and a sizable production budget.

To make things even better, before the day had ended, Ken and Cindy laid the groundwork for the sequel; 'Operation: Poisson Rouge'.

We hope that you will follow along as the events unfold.

The countdown to May 23, 2010 now begins: 195 more days