Mike
Saturday, December 12, 2009
161 more days...
Mike
Friday, December 11, 2009
162 more days ...
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

O Sole Mio! Naples
We will be arriving in Naples, Capri ITALY! on Tuesday May 25, 2010 the first of five ports of call.
Fun Facts
Web Bites
Just * The * Facts
Elevation: 289 feetLatitude: 40 53N Longitude: 014 18E
Avg Temp: 64
Avg High: 72
Avg Low: 55
Avg Precipitation: 2
Naples is the third largest city in Italy, with a population of over 1.5 million.
See you next week on Deck 13 when we travel to the highly anticipated capital of Italy - Rome Baby Rome!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
163 more days...
Checked Baggage:
Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches in exchange for the applicable service fees set forth below. Outside dimension of a bag is equal to the width + height + depth of the bag added together. The fees are discounted for bags that are checked and pre-paid at continental.com. You may continue to check your bags at the airport or curbside for a higher fee.
Baggage Fees:
Travel from US to Europe
1st bag $0 Online or Airport
2nd bag $45/$50 Online/airport
(Looks like one checked bag and one carry-on for me -- Ooh! That's 90lbs of stuff!)
Tips for checking Your Baggage in for a Flight
Continental recommends that you carry valuable items such as electronic equipment, cameras, film, cash, jewelry, medication, prescriptions and keys with you on board the aircraft.
Place your name and address on the outside of your baggage. Nametags are available at all airport baggage check-in locations. We also recommend that you place your name and address on the inside of the bag.
For domestic and international flights (excluding certain flights departing for Guam), baggage will not be accepted for check-in more than 4 hours prior to scheduled flight departure. (Darn! I wanted to pretend to be Tom Hanks for a few hours.)
Allow enough time for your checked baggage to be accepted. International Flights to and from the U.S., customers must complete baggage check-in at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
Claim your baggage immediately upon arrival at your destination. (I think the airport should know about that one.)
Be aware of what items are restricted to be in checked baggage. If you are not sure, review the list of items permitted and prohibited shown on the Transportation Security Administration Web site.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
Which item will you miss bringing?
Tah!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
164 more days...
The dining room on Voyager of the Seas will amaze you when you walk in at dinner. It's three levels, all centered around the grand staircase and brilliant chandelier. All staff are quite friendly, you can't walk by someone that doesn't greet you. Every night there is a different menu to choose from...unique salads, entrees, desserts, anything you can imagine. And if you're thinking of a stiff, formal dining room every night of the cruise, well, you're wrong.....
On the two formal nights, the Captain dines in the dining room at a table of special guests. Men can choose from tuxedos or suits and ties, while woman usually wear cocktail dresses. A dark suit is just as appropriate.
Cruise along and enjoy~
Karen
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
165 more days...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
167 more days...
Saturday, December 5, 2009
168 more days...
Friday, December 4, 2009
169 more days...
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.
Ah BarcelonaWhile not officially our first port, we will be able to proudly claim that WE have been to Barcelona Spain as it will serve as our arrival and departure point. We will be arriving in Barcelona on Sunday May 23, 2010. [cb says Wow 2010!]
Fun Facts
Web Bites
Just * The * Facts
Elevation: 20 feetLatitude: 41 17N Longitude: 002 04E
Avg Temp: 61
Avg High: 68
Avg Low: 53
Avg Precipitation: 1.3
Population ~ 3 million Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and largest on the Mediterranean coast.
See you next week on Deck 13 when we travel to Naples and have pizza?!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
170 more days...
Personal items
In addition to the one carry-on item, you may bring free-of-charge the below items:
one small personal article such as a briefcase, purse, day planner, small laptop computer, camera case, compact disk player or similar sized personal entertainment item
Effective Aug. 16, 2008, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow passengers to leave their laptop computers in bags that meet new “checkpoint friendly” standards. For a bag to be considered checkpoint friendly, it should meet the following standards:
-A designated laptop-only section
-The laptop-only section completely unfolds to lay flat on the X-ray belt
-No metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section
-No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
-Nothing packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.
CPAP breathing machines (must be removed from carrying case and submitted separately for x-ray screening)
Small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.
Note: Most knives are not allowed past the security checkpoint (including, but not limited to, pocket knives, folding or retractable blades regardless of blade length or composition, box cutters, X-Acto knives, scissors with a pointed tip, straight razors, Leatherman or Swiss Army Knives). Plastic and round-bladed butter knives are permitted in carry-on baggage. (Oh good, toast for everyone!!)
Wow! This is fun to do. Now I know why Mike has enjoyed making this blog. See you all next week!
Tah!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
171 more days...

While you can no longer go inside the bridge, you can go up to the "Peek-a-Boo Bridge" on Deck 11 and look down on this massive ship's version of a cockpit-at once bigger in space you would imagine, and smaller, more compact than you would expect, considering the 142,000 tons under the helm, and its size, 1,021 feet (imagine the Empire State Building floating on the ocean, that is how big Voyager is), and 15 decks.

I will now be contributing to the blog every Wednesday. (...how did that happen?)
Looking forward to injecting some humor and facts leading up to the VOTS vacation extraordinaire at the end of May 2010...
Cruise along and enjoy!
Karen
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
172 more days...
While problems at sea are a rarity, please keep your wits about you onboard VOTS.
However, if something does go wrong, remember your safety training, and stay calm knowing that there are plenty of capable lifeboats and willing passengers available to help out out in times of trouble. (Funny how it always comes back to Nana, eh?)
DON'T FORGET! Tomorrow starts, "Wednesdays with Karen" on the O:PR Blog. Who knows what she has in store for us! Then Mo's Travel Tips, and Cruisin with Cyn!
See you on deck 13!
M&M
Monday, November 30, 2009
173 more days...
Here are some common phrases translated into French that you may find useful during your trip.
ENG: Where is the bathroom?
FR: Oui, oui?
ENG: Howwwwlllllll
FR: Ow-oooooooollllll!
ENG: I would like some breakfast.
FR: deux bacon, s'il vous plait (accompanied by a guesture with three fingers)
See you on deck 13!
M&M
Reminder: "Wednesdays with Karen" , "Crusing with Cindy", and "Mo's Travel Tips" all begin this week!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
174 more days...
Saturday, November 28, 2009
175 more days...
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
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
Friday, November 27, 2009
176 more days...
See you on deck 13!
M&M
Thursday, November 26, 2009
177 more days...
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.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
178 more days...
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
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
179 more days...
Monday, November 23, 2009
180 more days...
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
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
182 more days...
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear VOTS...
Happy birthday to you!
VOTS is 10 years old today!
Cruisemaster: Kenneth Lang
Cruisemistress: Cynthia Beck
Friday, November 20, 2009
183 more days...
M&M
Thursday, November 19, 2009
184 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
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
185 more days...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
187 more days...
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
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
189 more days...
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
Friday, November 13, 2009
190 more days...
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
Thursday, November 12, 2009
191 more days...
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
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
192 more days...
You can click on the photos to enlarge them.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
194 more days...
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.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
OPERATION: Poisson Rouge
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




























