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!).

.

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

153 more days...

Photo-taking for Tourists - 101

One of the things that I enjoy to do when I go out, be it a day trip, a visit with family and friends, or a major vacation such as O:PR, is take and share pictures.  Lots of them...  My personal photo album contains just under 40,000 images at this time.

The pictures that I most enjoy are the unique ones.  People letting loose, strange scenes, or something seen from a different perspective.  What photo opportunity fits this bill better than...  (wait for it)


The Leaning Tower of Pisa

First, a little background on the subject:

Original architect:  Unknown (do you blame him?)
Location:                Pisa, Italy
Building Type:       Church complex

The Tower of Pisa was a work of art, performed in three stages over a period of about 177 years.

• Construction of the first floor of the white marble campanile began on August 9, 1173.
• The tower began to sink after construction had progressed to the third floor in 1178. This was due to a mere three-meter foundation, set in weak, unstable subsoil, a design that was flawed from the beginning. Construction was subsequently halted for almost a century.
• In 1272, construction resumed under Giovanni di Simone, architect of the Camposanto. In an effort to compensate for the tilt, the engineers built upper floors with one side taller than the other. This made the tower begin to lean in the other direction. Because of this, the tower is actually curved. Construction was halted again in 1284.
• The seventh floor was completed in 1319, and the bell-chamber was finally added in 1372.  There are seven bells, one for each note of the musical major scale. The largest one was installed in 1655.

That is all well and good, however, the real reason that the tower of Pisa leans can be traced back to Andre' Jandini who is reported to have told the original architect...

"You might have to tilt it." *

TOMORROW'S INSTALLMENT:
Photo Taking at Pisa - What not to do

I wonder if I will have to tilt it to get onto deck 13!
Mike


(*) - Ahhh, the footnotes.  If you ever are asked to carry something with Andy Lang, he will invariably want to discuss the fact that "we are probably going to have to tilt it" before any actual work begins.  You can tell him that at this point in your life (46 for me) that you are aware of that fact.  You can explain that you are sure that "the need to tilt it" was sure to become apparent before the object being carried would come crashing into any doorways, but that will not keep him from explaining, "I'm telling you, we might have to tilt it!"

He also likes to read the directions to things...  Out loud...  Loudly...  With EMPH-asis, AND WITH subtle inflections...  But he's a good guy, so we let him slide.

154 more days...

The Saturday Finance Report

This is good news for us, since we did not invest any money into euros as of yet.  And as the $US continues to strengthen will be able to buy even more euros per $US. 

This graph shows you the strength of the US$ as a function of time. We want to see this line continue to climb.  Current forecasts are quite varied regarding expected performance in 2010.


 
How many euros would it take to get you up on deck 13?
Mike

155 more days...

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

Whoa Rome

We will be arriving in Rome Baby Rome on Wednesday May 26, 2010 the second of five ports of call. Rome Baby Rome!

Fun Facts

According to legend the brothers Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome) were raised by a she-wolf in a cave on Palatine Hill.

Rome's emblem is the she-wolf suckling the two brothers Romulus and Remus.

A park in Rome is named the "Park of the Monsters." Not because it is a haunted place [cb says Sorry Mike -- it's not r-e-a-l-l-y haunted.]
but because it is full of grotesque figures like a crude Hercules slaying an Amazon and an ogre's face with a mouth so big that people can even walk through it!

Rome has a museum which is entirely dedicated to pasta. The Pasta Museum is a one of its kind around the world and showcases different pasta-making machines, as well as paintings related to pasta by contemporary artist

The Baths of Caracalla although in a bad state now, were once in their prime days spread across 27 acres and could handle 1,600 bathers at any given time. Built in the 3rd century, they are the largest survivors of Rome's imperial era.

Web Bites

Rome is widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful ancient cities.

It is at its most comfortable from April through June, and from mid-September to October; in particular.

First known picture of a fork comes from Rome. [cb says Wow, now that is good to know.]

Every morning I get up and eagealy await the latest edition of the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge blog. Whether it is Karen's Travel Tips, Mo's wonderful art work or Ken's Saturday Financial Report I love having my morning coffee with you. Another enjoyable experience is reading local newspapers from Europe. Last week I brought attention to how Italy has some of the most expensive condoms - this weeks article is about how police found art work by Van Gogh, Monet, Kandinsky and others - read about it below.
POLICE UNCOVER MORE ART HIDDEN BY EX-PARMALAT CHIEF

Just * The * Facts

Elevation: 10 feet Latitude: 41 48N Longitude: 012 14E
Avg Temp: 63
Avg High: 71
Avg Low: 54
Avg Precipitation: 2
Rome is the capital of Italy, with a population of over 3.5 million.

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

156 more days...

Mo's Travel Tips

Packing Tips:

TSA regulations state that liquid/gel/cream/paste/aerosol toiletries in carry-on bags must be in containers of 3 ounces or less to get through security checkpoints. And all of those containers must fit comfortably in a one quart size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type). Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account. You can also store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen.

Keep any medication and important papers in your carry-on bag. packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea as bags tend to get delayed or lost on long haul, multiple stop flights. You don't want to end up stuck without medication, clothes or your important papers even if it is just for a few days.

As an extra precaution, be sure to include identification inside each piece of luggage in case the external tag is lost during your travels. If you know where you will be staying during a longer trip, add your cruise ship information to your identification tags. This will allow the airlines to contact you there if your luggage is lost, rather than trying to contact you back at your home address.

When you are flying somewhere, divide the clothes between different suitcases/backpacks/bags etc. If one persons luggage doesn't arrive at the destination, they'll still have clean clothes available. Airlines generally don't compensate lost luggage for the first 24-48 hours.

It is always handy to have a few plastic bags around certain items, especially toiletries. Remember not to pack bottles of shampoo or other liquids that are completely full. Leave some air space in the bottle. Changes in air pressure/altitude can sometimes cause the contents to leak. Ziplock or other airtight plastic bags are the best.

Pack your undergarments (and anything else that you do not want handled) in plastic bags. If your checked bag is hand searched, inspectors can usually "crush and feel" the bag for security purposes without having to actually handle all of its contents. Pack any shoes/footwear last so that they will be on top of other items. This will make it easier for security screeners if the bag is hand searched.

Don't over-pack your bags. This will prevent the bag's contents from spilling out if they are opened for hand searching. It will also make it easier for security screeners to properly re-close your bag.

Do not lock your checked bags. If a checked bag must be hand searched and it is locked, it may be forcibly opened and the bag or lock could be damaged. TSA-approved locks (that can be unlocked by TSA agents) are available for locking up your luggage.

If you are packing several books inside a single bag, spread them around inside the bag. Stacked books are very dense and will probably cause the bomb-detection machines to flag the bag for hand-searching. (It is best to distribute your books among all your checked and carry-on bags.)

And my personal favorite packing tip:
Do not pack any food or beverages in checked luggage. Food items such as cheese, fruitcake and chocolate are dense enough that they can sometimes be mistaken for explosives by bomb-detection machines and set off an alarm.

157 more days...

Work up a sweat in the state-of-the-art

ShipShape Fitness Center

If you are concerned about those extra pounds you may put on while indulging in the endless array of cruise cuisine, head to the ShipShape Fitness center. There you will find the the best equipment, saunas and whirlpools, and all the latest classes, like yoga and pilates. Voyager has everything the most sophisticated fitness clubs have - weight machines, treadmills, stair-steppers, spinning bikes - plus an amazing view!

Or maybe...

Treat your mind and your body at the incredible ShipShape Day Spa and salon, offering a variety of massage, skin, and beauty treatments. Whether you are interested in a simple manicure or pedicure, a stimulating yoga class, or an ultra-relaxing full body aroma therapy stone massage, this is one experience you will not soon forget! The ShipShape Day Spa offers an array of cultural therapies designed to entice even the most unlikely of customers. An experienced team of professionals will treat you like you have never been treated before, leaving you refreshed and feeling like an entirely new person in no time at all!

Royal Caribbean's ShipShape Day Spa features only the most luxurious products exclusively from Elemis, La Therapie, Ionithermie, and Steiner Hair Care and Cosmetics.

All spa services on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are available by appointment only and can only be made once your board for your cruise. Check prices as these can add up quickly...

The whirlpool is enticingly appealing...you just might find me there...after all, you never know who you might meet...

Cruise along and enjoy...^_~

Karen

158 more days...

The mini-series continues:
"Would Nana do it, for a buck?"

What else is there to bet on?

Well, there are the obvious choices...  Deck 13 (although I think that we'd use the honor system on that one).  We've already seen the rock wall, and spoke of miniature golf (both of these will make for some great bets.  I can't wait!). 

Hmmmmm...

There are numerous local "delicacies" in Italy, France, and Spain that will make for good memories, but that has evolved into it's own mini-series, as we shall see in a couple of weeks...  So what's left?

Here is where I turn it over to you.  What suggestions do you have for "Would Nana do it for a buck?"  Or, better yet, pick your victim, or the whole group!  What kind of things would you like this crazy family do to  pursue even more lasting memoies in the mediterranean? 

To start us off, how about Ken and Cindy touring France wearing berets!  I'd pay a buck to each to see that!

As Toot would say,
"Ow-wwwwwwwwwwwwwwlllllll!"



Taking a break from 13.
Mike

NEXT WEEK: The do's and don'ts of taking those classic tourist photos!

159 more days...

The mini-series continues:
"Would Nana do it, for a buck?"

STAGE PERFORMANCES:

Apparently, there will be several opportunities for Nana to make money on this one.  From the Royal Carribean website "Take Center Stage Yourself":


Karaoke: Step into the spotlight and sing your favorite songs. It's a chance for our most gifted guest singers to battle it out for the title of Karaoke Superstar!

Boogie Bodies: Sing along or lip sync to pop hits with friends and family while your heads are superimposed onto animated bodies. It's fun to participate in and even more fun to watch. You'll even get a DVD of the experience to take home with you! Check it out at http://www.boogie-bodies.com/.

Gotta Dance: Wow your cruise mates with your new moves learned in this Hip Hop dance adventure. Like the award-winning documentary that inspired it, Gotta Dance incorporates unforgettable choreography - in an easy-to-follow format open to all ages, languages and skill levels. Exclusive to Royal Caribbean International.

So here's the bet: If Nana performs on stage (invited or otherwise), or actively gains the attention of and performs for a group of 10 or more people aboard the ship, I will give her a buck.  Others are welcome to sweeten the pot.  The dear old woman and I will sort out the "fine print" of what consistutes a performance when presented with the opportunity.  Heck, that's half of the fun!

I wonder if I left my sunglasses on deck 13.
Mike