126 more days...

...in case you were wondering.

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.

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

132 more days...

Join me on Sundays....

CLICK HERE for lesson 2

Stay tuned next week for Lesson 3

Cruise along and enjoy...^_~

Karen

133 more days...

...in case you were wondering.

134 more days...

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









Wowsers Provence

We will be arriving in Provence (Toulon), France on Friday May 28, 2010 the last of five ports of call. Breaking News! The itinerary has been changed ~ no stop at Marseilles but rather Toulon.

Fun Facts

• Toulon is the city with the most sunshine annually in France; an average of 2,899 hours per year
• 1820: The statue Venus de Milo is discovered at Milo and seen by a French naval officer, Emile Voutier, who admires it, persuades the French Ambassador to Turkey to buy it, and brings it Toulon on his ship, the Estafette. It is then taken to the Louvre.
• Toulon figures prominently in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. It is the location of the infamous prison, the bagne of Toulon, in which the protagonist Jean Valjean spends nineteen years in hard labour. Toulon is also the birthplace of the novel's antagonist, Javert.
• Marseille is also well known in France for its hip hop music. Bands like IAM originated from Marseille and initiated the rap music phenomena in France. Other known groups include Fonky Family, 3ème Oeil, and Psy4 de la rime. [cb says Apparently no hip hop music for us.]

Web Bites

• When it comes to public transportation, Toulon is a traveler's dream come true! Toulon is a major transportation center of the region and offers the best in getting tourists from place to place.
• Place Puget lies in the heart of Toulon's vieille ville. Victor Hugo lived at #5 while he researched Les Miserables.
• Marseille has been designated as European Capital of Culture in 2013. The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development. [cb says I know this is not a port but thought it was too interesting to pass up.]

In the News

Sorry but it was a slow week in news...Eurostar nearly back to normal following severe disruption

Just * The * Facts

Elevation: 89 feet Latitude: 43 06N Longitude: 005 56E
Avg Temp: 63
Avg High: 69
Avg Low: 56
Avg Precipitation: 1.6
Many people live here

See you next week on Deck 14 where the cool kids hang and periodically visit Deck 13.

135 more days...

Happy Birthday

Cruisemaster Ken!

Euro is the official currency of Spain, Italy, and France.

There are 7 euro notes. In different colours and sizes, they are denominated in 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euros. There are 8 euro coins denominated in 2 and 1 euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Two weeks ahead of our flight out, contact your credit card company (and ATM / bank) to notify them that you will using your cards in Europe so they don’t put your card on hold.

Whenever you exchange money, you may be asked to show your passport.

Currency Exchange:


DO's:
Get cash through ATM machines, sometimes referred to as a "cash machine" or a "cashpoint." (ATMs in Italy are called Bancomats.) You will get the most generous exchange rate. Do, however, check with your bank first to know what the fees are for foreign withdrawals. (Our bank charges $5). Also check to find out what your daily ATM withdrawal limit is before going.

The Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787; www.mastercard.com) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587; www.visa.com) networks span the globe; look at the back of your bank card to see which network you're on, then call or check online for ATM locations at your destination.

It is best to carry a small amount of local currency when in foreign ports for tais and for purchases at small shops and street vendors. However, keep in mind that major credit cards are accepted in numerous places worldwide. The Barcelona airport has ATM's.

Use an ATM or debit card for what local currency you need and put major expenses on a credit card.


Pay with credit cards. This is another area in which exchange rates are much more favorable. Again, check with your bank about their policies. Many Visa card and MasterCard holders pay a 3% currency-conversion commission on their charges made abroad. A 3% currency-conversion commission is often competitive with an ATM's fees and better than the commission charged for traveler's checks or to exchange money at a bank or other facility. If an ATM is not convenient, foreign banks are often the next best choice for obtaining local currency.

Most credit card companies charge an exchange fee for foreign purchases, some quite high--check before you leave. Italians don't really like credit cards, and although most hotels, car rental offices, larger restaurants, city shops, and gas stations accept them, smaller establishments and places off the beaten track often don't. Always check the little stickers in the window.

DON'Ts:
Go to your bank and exchange all your money before your European trip. You will probably pay a higher rate than necessary, and you don't want to be running around with all that cash in your wallet. (Our bank charges $15 to exchange currency.)


Exchange money at the bureau de change or such at the airport or in tourist areas. They usually charge an exhorbitant fee.

Go over there with an ATM PIN of more than four digits or it might not work. Also, be sure you have the PIN memorized as a number even if you usually remember it as a word. Most ATM machines do NOT have letters corresponding to the numbers on the keypad.


Depend on traveler's checks. I know they make some people feel warm and fuzzy, but many shops will not (and are not obligated to accept them). In addition, you are at the mercy of the shop owner to give you a good exchange rate if the traveler's checks are in your home currency. Ouch! If you are worried about losing money, take out enough for a day's spending each day.

136 more days...

An Affair to Remember...

The excitement is building as we tick off the days to the
grand Mediterranean cruise on Voyager of the Seas...




CLICK HERE to see a teaser and tell me
if you don't get goose-bumps!!!

(I know I did!)

*Note: New Sister Ship "Oasis of the Seas" is currently the largest cruise ship in the world.

Cruise along and enjoy!...^_~

Karen

137 more days...

The eye in the sky sees all

The men in the cabin keep a watchful eye over everyone, even those on deck 13.

Looking out for you on Deck 13!

Mike

138 more days...

The Monday Finance Report

The dollar held steady this week, meaning that early investment in Euros would still have be a losing proposition.

However, because the dollar has strengthened since we began tracking it, that still means more buying power for us!  (FREE ADVICE:  If your old mother tries to pay off her gambling debts to you in euros, hold off...  The dollar is strengthening.  Demand greenbacks!)

We are global!

I recently began taking statistics on the visitors to the O:PR blog.  This week we went global!  We have now have had visitors from Viersen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, and from Laprairie, Quebec, Canada.  These may make good vacation spots for 2011.

There are no excursion fees on deck 13.
Mike

139 more days...

Join me on Sundays for basic lessons on

Learning to Speak Italiano!


Click on the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-tumpVPhRQ

...stay tuned for Lesson 2 next Sunday

Cruise along and enjoy....^_~

Karen

140 more days...

141 more days...

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



Wowee Nice France
We will be arriving in Villefranche (Nice), France on Friday May 28, 2010 the forth of five ports of call.

Fun Facts

• The Food Dish Known as Ratatouille Originated in Nice, France.
• Postcards of Nice’s mostly show deserted beaches because skies are always cloudy in the warm summer months. In Nice, blue skies mostly occur during winter times.
• The sun shines more than 300 days a year [cb says Kenneth maybe we move here?!]
• While searching for fun facts for Nice (you didn't think these all came from the dark recesses of my brain did you?) google returned L’Oreal Cosmetics Fun Facts (can't make this stuff up).

Web Bites

• May is one of the most popular month to visit France, and for good reason. The weather is warm, but still mild and comfortable. [cb says I don't make up - apparently we are going at a great time of year!]
• Sometimes it's difficult to get a good skyline view of a city from the ground. Not so in Nice. The absolute best place to take that perfect photograph is from the top of Mount Boron.






• ... most people go to Nice for the weather. It is the French Riviera, after all. The climate is mild, the beaches are plentiful (and free), and the sun shines more than 300 days a year. This makes it an incredibly popular destination, and the city hums with activity virtually all day and night, year round. So, yes, pack your bikini, but don't forget to throw in your dancing shoes and shopping bags.
• Nice was a very pretty city, and I don't think that I'll ever forget the view of Nice overlooking the Mediterranean. Nice to me was one of the most beautiful cities that we visited. Unfortunately, we only stayed one day there, but it was still absolutely gorgeous.  [says recent visitor to Nice]

In the News

Gotta love a city that imposes a curfew on children. Nice introduces curfew for teens

Just * The * Facts

Elevation: 33 feet Latitude: 43 39N Longitude: 007 12E
Avg Temp: 62
Avg High: 67
Avg Low: 56
Avg Precipitation: 2.6
With a population of 347,060 Nice is a city in southern France located on the Mediterranean coast, between Marseille, France, and Genoa, Italy.

See you next week on Deck 14 where the cool kids are still hanging.

142 more days...

What to Wear on Your Cruise

The Code: Our cruise on Royal Caribbean will have 2 formal, 1 smart casual, and 4 casual nights.

Formal attire includes suits and ties or tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses for women.

Smart Casual attire includes jackets and ties for men and dresses or pantsuits for women.

Casual attire includes sport shirts and slacks for men and sundresses or pantsuits for women.

Nightly Casual Option: The Windjammer cafe is the laid-back evening choice -- though it still has some restrictions: No bare feet are allowed. Tank tops and caps are not allowed during dinner. (There goes my funny hat night idea.)

Written Restrictions and Jeans: No bare feet, caps, tank tops or bathing suits are permitted in the dining room. Shorts are not allowed during dinner. Royal Caribbean : "As long as jeans are tasteful with no blemishing, tears or mis-sizing, the guest will more than likely make it through the doors. In this day and age of fashion, there are designer jeans that are very expensive. As a contemporary cruise line, we will not limit our guests on their choice to put their best 'fashion foot' forward as long as it meets our basic standards. The maitre d', however, does reserve the right to request that an inappropriately dressed guest change their attire before being seated." (I smell a dollar bet on who can get tossed out of the dining room!).

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What to Wear While in Port:

Dress to Impress: Style and fashion are important in Spain, Italy, and France. White sneakers, baseball caps, fanny packs, and jean shorts will shout out "I'm a tourist!!". To blend in, keep to neutrals -- scarves and inexpensive jewelry can add a splash of color. While low heels and dressy sandals are stylish, they aren't practical for trekking around. European style trekking shoes are comfortable and still stylish. Check out Ecco, Mephisto, or Dansko for style ideas. (Leave the flip flops for the pool or beach.) Skirts and dresses are more the norm by locals, but a nice pair of capris will work nicely. Shorts are becoming more popular in Europe, so a nice pair of stylish shorts can also work. (Just not too short.) The more conservative, the better. Visits to churches, especially in Rome, require modest attire. No bare shoulders or knees. Paper clothing -- no, I am not joking -- is sold outside St. Peter's if you find yourself in the wrong attire. Women: carry a scarf to cover your shoulders and pack a light skirt to change into if you are wearing shorts. Men: wear a shirt with short sleeves (t-shirts are acceptable) and convertible cargo pants (the kind that the lower pant leg zips on/off) are a nice option for men.

Weather

Just like here in the States, Spring weather can vary greatly. Plan your wardrobe accordingly. Averages are in the low 70's, but highs and lows vary anywhere from 60 to 80. Versatility is key. Pack for both extremes and you'll be ready for whatever the day may bring.

143 more days...

SAFETY FIRST!

Safety is the most important part of any fun voyage. If the trip isn't safe, it will not be fun. You need to be aware that there are thousands of people from all walks of life, that may be on your cruise. With the growing popularity of cruises, you will find ship mates now reflect every cross section of society. You can count on coming into contact with levels of society, you have never even seen, much less dined with. Common sense is key when considering the following:

• Never wander around the ship alone. Stay with someone from your party at ALL times.
  

• Never go ashore alone. Stay with somebody from your party.
  

• When traveling ashore, do so in congested, well lit tourist areas.
  

• Never walk on the beach late at night.
  

• Never socialize with the locals or go anywhere with them for any reason.
  

• Never flash money, open a handbag or wallet, when others can see the contents.
  

• Never wear expensive jewelry. Keep it back at home, in a safety deposit box, or other safe.
  

• Never socialize with the hired help. Do not share personal information with them.
  

• Never go anywhere with the hired help, onboard, or on shore, for any reason, alone.
  

• Never use the public restrooms. Use the restroom in your cabin. This is for health reasons as well as personal security reasons. It is easier to catch the Norovirus there.
  

• Never drink to excess in public areas of the ship. Limit drinks in the lounges and casino to 2 or 3.
  

• Never accept a drink from people you do not know.
  

• When you can, get your drink directly from the bartender.
  

• Watch your drinks carefully. Do not leave it unattended, or for others to watch.
  

• If you get up to dance, do so with an empty drink, and when you come back get a fresh drink.
  

• Never play high stakes games in the casino. Big winners are targets. Big losers get depressed.
  
  
• Be careful on decks when underway, especially the higher decks. Wind gusts can reach hurricane force and blow you off deck, even holding onto somebody else.


• Only wear shoes with adequate tread when on deck. Slick bottom dress shoes are for inside.

• Mind your own business. Don't be a busy body. You don't want to know some things about some people. What you know can kill you.


• Never make eye contact with the locals when you are ashore.


• Never carry a handbag ashore. If you have to, don't use one with a shoulder strap, hold it in your hand. Place money and credit cards in your front pant pockets, or within the inside pocket of a jacket. Keep this in mind when choosing the voyage ensembles.


• In rough seas, stay off deck at all times, stay away from windows, and large movable objects.


• During an emergency, never rush to your muster station alone. Wait for your party. Go together.
  


• When speaking with others in your cabin, remember the persons in the cabins on either side of your cabin can hear you, as can people walking by outside your cabin, or on nearby balconies. It is only private, when spoken softly, with all doors closed, and music or a television softly playing.

And Most Important.....

The following link briefly explains safety basics, but first, a brief commercial...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6icfibgvng



I'm sure you can all come up with additional safety tips to keep this cruise a safe and enjoyable one...please feel free to share your ideas and comments!


I wonder if they serve ham & cheese on rye at the muster station....hmmm

Cruise along and enjoy...^_~

Karen

144 more days...

When in Rome...

The talk of excercise, spas, travel tips, and the local marvels of Rome has got me hungry.  And as they say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" (*), which led me to to think , "Would Nana do it as the Romans do, for a buck?"



Song Birds as an Appetizer ~

Yes, it's true.  Roasted and eaten whole, this is a delicacy in Rome. Delicious and nutritious!  (Just don't tell Pat!)  Unfortunately, hunters have nearly eliminated many of the migratory species.  So, would Nana do it for a buck?


Wash it down with Cynar!

Cynar is bitter liqueur made from artichokes.  I am told that the taste is much as if you left artichokes steaming so long that the water all boiled off and the artichokes burned to the pan, then you soaked it overnight in tepid tap water to clean it, creating a vile-smelling brown liquid.  Tastes, smells, and looks just like that, and clears your head right out!  Beautiful!  Nana...  A buck?

But the best has to be...
Cockscomb~

Yep...  This is the comb of an adult cock or hen. Cockscombs have long been used as decoration in cooking because of their unique  texture and shape.

Preparation: Pierce the cockscombs in several places with a needle.  Steep them in cold water, squeeze the cockscombs to remove any blood that's still left. Put the cockscombs in a pan with fresh cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for one minute. Drain them, then rub the combs one by one with salt. Rinse with cold water. Now any hairs that were left have to be removed.  Steep the cockscombs once more until they are white. Then boil them for thirty minutes with salt, drain again. Now you can use them for garnish, or whatever. (I think that I would opt for "whatever".)

Say "ahhhhhhh"

In the mean time, I'll be doing what the Romans do on deck 13!

Mike



 (*) "WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO."
            Who Said It: St. Ambrose, 387 A.D.

The Story behind It: When St. Augustine arrived in Milan, he observed that the Church did not fast on Saturday as did the Church at Rome. He consulted St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, who replied: "When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the Church where you are." The comment was changed to "When they are at Rome, they do there as they see done" by Robert Burton in his Anatomy of Melancholy. Eventually it became "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

145 more days...

The Monday Finance Report

The dollar held steady this week, meaning that early investment in Euros would still have be a losing proposition.

However, the dollar has strengthened since we began tracking it, resulting in more buying power for us!

Happy 50th Post to Us!

We are a quarter of the way there!

Thanks to the help of Karen, Mo, and Cindy,

the rest of the way should continue to be a lot of fun!

Save your money for sun tan lotion.  You'll need it on deck 13!
Mike

146 more days...

146 more days...

Random doodles related to the posts of the previous week...


Michael Langelo - The Fisherman...

Some of you may not know that Nana's middle name is Florence.  She was named after Florence Nightengale, (and not very long after, I might add...)!

It looks like The Fisherman is ready for deck 13!

Mike

147 more days....

148 more days...

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



Happy Holidays All!

Momma mia Florence
We will be arriving in Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy on Thursday May 27, 2010 the third of five ports of call.

Fun Facts

• In 1339 Florence became the first city in Europe with paved streets.
• Florence Nightingale, famous for revolutionizing the field of nursing, was named for the city of her birth.
• The identity of the architect of the legendary Tower (Leaning Tower of Pisa) is still unknown. [cb says I just read an interesting article on the web about the Leaning Tower of Pisa but for the life of me I can't remember where or else I'd pass the link on.]

Web Bites

• Florence is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and its artistic, historic and cultural heritage and impact in the world remains vast up to this day.
• The best time to visit Florence is in May, early June, late September and October.
• Proclaimed as the "art capital of Italy"...
• Michelangelo's David, one of the most frequently reproduced statues in the world, is located in Florence

In the News

The Green Initiative is important to the poeple of Florence. Read all about it...I'm dreaming of a green Christmas

Just * The * Facts

Elevation: 3 feet Latitude: 43 41N Longitude: 010 23E
Avg Temp: 61
Avg High: 71
Avg Low: 52
Avg Precipitation: 2.4
With a population of 367,569 Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany.

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

149 more days...

Mo's Travel Tips

Shopping:
Duty-free Shopping. You are allowed a personal exemption of $800 worth of duty-free purchases intended for your personal or household use. This means you won't pay a tax - or duty - on these items when you return to the US.

Value-Added Tax (VAT). 20% in Italy and France!! (4% & 10% on basic products) 16% in Spain. On select itineraries we are required by the local law to collect value added tax (VAT) on select onboard purchases. The tax will be added at the time of purchase onboard. The VAT requirement is applicable to itineraries that sail only to European Union* ports of call. (Spain, Italy, and France are part of the European Union.)

Travelers from countries outside of the European Union are eligible for a VAT refund on select purchases they make within the European Union. Such travelers will be eligible for VAT refunds on qualifying purchases made onboard or shoreside through Global Refund, the world's largest VAT refunding company. VAT refunds are available whether you shop in shoreside luxury-brand stores, high-end street stores, department stores, souvenir shops, or the shops onboard our ships. Keep in mind that not all stores show the Tax Free Shopping sign, so remember to ask for your Global Refund check when shopping. Once the check is stamped, your refund can be obtained in a number of ways: cash at the airport or in some cases, close to the cruise terminal; direct crediting of your credit card; or a bank check sent to your home address. For some countries, you can even receive a cash refund when you get back to your home country. Check onboard for more detail about the VAT and VAT refund process or go to http://www.globalrefund.com/

When you arrive at the airport you must present your tax refund cheques at customs BEFORE you check your bags in. Immigration won’t let you go back to the place to claim your VAT refund once your passport has been stamped that you are departing the country. Customs may request to check the items before they stamp your cheques. Once your cheques have been stamped by customs you can cash your cheques at any Bureau de Change in your chosen currency. (Hint, the claim area at the airport is a little window located to the left of the baggage claim carousel in the international terminal).

150 more days...

Five Months to the Day...

Five months, to the day, we will be in Barcelona, Spain!!!...still hard to believe! My passport is on the way, and I am beginning the "list process" of planning what to bring and wear on the anticipated cruise. I'm glad I have a late January birthday - cruise wear will be on my list...hint-hint..... (Ken & Cindy are, of course exempt.)

This week has been a hectic one with Christmas preparations and working full time. The loss of a weekend shopping day due to the biggest ever snow storm in December put me behind on checking off everyone on my list, but I'm working on it and hope to be done by Christmas Eve morning...*yikes!*


...so much to do, so little time....and so I leave you with this until next week...





Cruise along and enjoy....^_~

Karen

151 more days...

Photo-taking for Tourists - 101 concluded
The Leaning Tower of Pisa - Solutions

So what does work? 
A closely cropped picure helps.  Plus placing the hand on the "face" of the building instead of trying to line up with the edge makes for a nice effect.

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/windancer/?xjMsgID=68269

The best one that I have see is this one.  It's different!  It's original!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1fdXpZ/www.hongkiat.com/blog/100-funny-photos-taken-at-unusual-angle-humor/

And what are my plans?  Expect something like this:

...and that's a wrap on Photo Taking for Tourists 101
And the blogs, they are a changing...
The quality of the blog has come a long way in the 45 posts that got us here. Originally I just saw this as a outlet to post a few one liners, have fun with some quick Photoshop creations, and countdown the days until the big event. But now that there is real content coming in from Karen, Mo, and Cindy, it has become much more that just a few of my own disjointed thoughts.

With that I have decided to change to a 5-day format. The Finance report will move to Mondays, my main post will be on Tuesdays, Karen on Wednesday, Mo on Thursday, and Cindy on Friday. My posts will return to the more frivolous one liners and pictures that I originally envisioned.  I'll leave the heavy-lifting to the ladies, who are doing a smashing job.

Time to get back up to deck 13 to see what's shakin'!
Mike

152 more days...

Photo-taking for Tourists - 101 cont'd
The Leaning Tower of Pisa - What not to do


While we like to figure out most of our shots on our own, one cannot help but to be influneced by the work of people around us.  Some of it is quite good, and inventive.  And some, not so much...

In fact, the web is filled with examples of Pisa shots gone wrong.  Here are a few examples to learn from.

1) Realize, that you are not alone...  Any shot that you take of the leaning tower is bound to be filled with many others doing the same thing.

http://dailyfailblog.com/2009/11/21/originality-fail/

2) Unless of course, you opt to take your picture from one of the less dramatic points of view.  Then again, you get what you pay for...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/94971185@N00/3829933647

Now, this isn't too bad.  I like that it is unique!  But something just isn't right...

http://jeannemadsen.blogspot.com/2008/06/pisa.html

For more Pisa Photo Fails, go to:
http://cabinet-of-wonders.blogspot.com/2008/06/art-of-gesture-in-tourist-italy.html

TOMORROW'S INSTALLMENT:
The Leaning Tower of Pisa - Solutions: We will look at some of the better Pisa shots out there and come up with a few ideas of our own.


Not quite ready to go back to deck 13 yet...
Mike