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.

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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."

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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