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