Input Please On My Final Three Selections....

On Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:19:15 -0700 (PDT), Bo1953 wrote:

On Jul 22, 9:14*pm, "Ari Silverstein, C.T.A."
wrote:
On Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:58:08 -0700 (PDT), Bo1953 wrote:
On Jul 22, 5:40*pm, "Ari Silverstein, C.T.A."
wrote:
On Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:25:25 -0700 (PDT), Bo1953 wrote:
*Bo1953 wrote:

Btw, Sam, did you know that Sandy Springs incorporated? Right after we
left Alpha/Roswell.
--
Ari Silverstein, C.T.A; C.T.A.S, FREE Cruise Travel Advisory Services *
Sign up for special email deals @www.CruiseQuick.com-Sells more
cruises than 99% of the agencies in America. (not affiliated)

Ari,

Yes, they were approved just before I moved. I hope they are able to
keep it going and etc.. I Am not sure I knew you when I lived
there...

You didn't but I cut my teeth in the printing biz owning a Mr. Speedy
back in the early 70's. Later owned one in 'Fretta and on Roswell Road
just up the street from ASP.

I still have carbon ink under my fingernails and was a top notch A/M
and Dick 360/380 offset pressman as a teen!

I lived in Roswell also for many years.

No ****! I can't tell you how many games I coached and umpired at the
'Rec, RHS, MHS and around. Grew my family up there too. Lived next to
Dale Murphy before he pulled out for Philly.

Thanks for the info and will have a few more questions shortly.

Hey, us Georgians have to stick together!
--
Ari Silverstein, C.T.A; C.T.A.S, FREE Cruise Travel Advisory Services *
Sign up for special email deals @www.CruiseQuick.com- Sells more
cruises than 99% of the agencies in America. (not affiliated)

Ari,

You were Mr. Speedy?!?! I was ASP... I know exactly who you are, you
were most familiar with other family members as opposed to me. I
arrived a year or so after the business opened..

SS

Yessir, opened one in Birmingham after 'Nam, then on to Roswell, then
sold Mr. Speedy to my cousin and her boyfriend but kept an office
there until, oh, mid 90s or so. Right across the 'Hootchee up the
street and past The Mill.

They were the guts of the companies, did all the work, I was off doing
work for Uncle Sam through the mid 80's. All glory goes to cuz and
hers.

As you know, the print biz took a mighty change. ASP was a class act
though, I remember that.
--
Ari Silverstein, C.T.A; C.T.A.S, FREE Cruise Travel Advisory Services
Sign up for special email deals @ www.CruiseQuick.com - Sells more
cruises than 99% of the agencies in America. (not affiliated)

On 7/22/10 9:12 PM, Bo1953 wrote:
On Jul 22, 7:25 am, Tom wrote:
On 7/21/10 10:51 PM, Bo1953 wrote:



Hello all, I have finally whittled down to three (3) cruises and all
input is welcome as to which line and/or itinerary. I have cruised
before, my partner has not and is welcoming the opportunity. I tend to
enjoy formal, he does not but will. Looking for constructive input
based on recent experiences first hand or through friends you know who
have sailed on the following:

1) Regent SS Mariner 4 Jan 11 Western Caribbean, Deluxe Suite $3,399

2) Seabourne Legend 28 Jan 11 Bal Suite B2 $3,199

3) SeaDream SeaDream II 7 Jan 11 Club Deck 3 $3,399

Seadream I can opt for the minimum class. I understand for #'s 2& 3 I
need to add air, port charges and taxes.

Any other suggestions or recommendations are welcomed too.

TIA for your input...

Bo1953

I had a friend at work who sailed Regent (Paul Gauguin, etc.) a number
of times and raved about it. But she's the only one I know who did any
of the three. And only Regent.

All are really high end... I guess I'd opt for the largest ship out of
the three (all are small), to potentially have more things to do on board.

Out of the three, I don't think you can go wrong. But they are rather
expensive for most people.

--Tom

Tom,

Yes it is a little more than most published rack rates. Yet, my
thoughts were focused on my perceived value for each dollar spent and
port visited.

The trade offs, in my mind, are not worrying about tipping, having one
sitting for dining (especially for dinner), cocktails cost, and having
to study the check at the end of the cruise and trying to remember
each time I showed my card or key and did I really drink that much???
Or the service was horrendous, so I will challenge the gratuities... I
Am not that type. Pay it up-front, if service is not up to standard
the Concierge will take care of it and right away, so I think.

Just as long as there are a few interesting people to talk with
around, a port call every day or so... I have plenty of reading and
writing I can do (and drinking of course! ;-))

Thank you for your input and ideas. I do appreciate them. What are
your thoughts on the above?? What types of activities should I crave
while sailing that these lines will not offer?

Thanks again,

Bo1953

With putting two kids through college... I've never been lucky enough to
try any of the lines you're looking at... but I'm just thinking things
like casino... larger ships will have more tables, a craps table with
people playing, etc.

Though Charle's point about better potential ports with a smaller ship
is an attraction as well.

One of the best things about choices... if you pick one this time... you
can pick the other one next time.

Also... something else you might want to look at in the future... the
Queen Mary 2. Especially for something like a Transatlantic Crossing.
A ship like that is exactly the opposite of the ships you're looking at,
she's gigantic. But she also offers Grill Class which gives you the
high end food and service on the luxury ships. Yet for a crossing, she
is large enough to keep you occupied for the week with things like a
HUGE library that includes a book store, you can attend theater lessons,
do something like Rosetta Stone CD's to learn a language in the computer
room, there's a British Pub for lunch, a Todd English specialty
restaurant, bars everywhere. Single malt tastings. Guest lecturers.
Scones with whipped cream and strawberries in the afternoon. She's a
very special ship. Even though she's gigantic.

--Tom

On Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:11:13 -0400, Tom K wrote:

On 7/22/10 9:12 PM, Bo1953 wrote:
On Jul 22, 7:25 am, Tom wrote:
On 7/21/10 10:51 PM, Bo1953 wrote:



Hello all, I have finally whittled down to three (3) cruises and all
input is welcome as to which line and/or itinerary. I have cruised
before, my partner has not and is welcoming the opportunity. I tend to
enjoy formal, he does not but will. Looking for constructive input
based on recent experiences first hand or through friends you know who
have sailed on the following:

1) Regent SS Mariner 4 Jan 11 Western Caribbean, Deluxe Suite $3,399

2) Seabourne Legend 28 Jan 11 Bal Suite B2 $3,199

3) SeaDream SeaDream II 7 Jan 11 Club Deck 3 $3,399

Seadream I can opt for the minimum class. I understand for #'s 2& 3 I
need to add air, port charges and taxes.

Any other suggestions or recommendations are welcomed too.

TIA for your input...

Bo1953

I had a friend at work who sailed Regent (Paul Gauguin, etc.) a number
of times and raved about it. But she's the only one I know who did any
of the three. And only Regent.

All are really high end... I guess I'd opt for the largest ship out of
the three (all are small), to potentially have more things to do on board.

Out of the three, I don't think you can go wrong. But they are rather
expensive for most people.

--Tom

Tom,

Yes it is a little more than most published rack rates. Yet, my
thoughts were focused on my perceived value for each dollar spent and
port visited.

The trade offs, in my mind, are not worrying about tipping, having one
sitting for dining (especially for dinner), cocktails cost, and having
to study the check at the end of the cruise and trying to remember
each time I showed my card or key and did I really drink that much???
Or the service was horrendous, so I will challenge the gratuities... I
Am not that type. Pay it up-front, if service is not up to standard
the Concierge will take care of it and right away, so I think.

Just as long as there are a few interesting people to talk with
around, a port call every day or so... I have plenty of reading and
writing I can do (and drinking of course! ;-))

Thank you for your input and ideas. I do appreciate them. What are
your thoughts on the above?? What types of activities should I crave
while sailing that these lines will not offer?

Thanks again,

Bo1953

With putting two kids through college... I've never been lucky enough to
try any of the lines you're looking at... but I'm just thinking things
like casino... larger ships will have more tables, a craps table with
people playing, etc.

Though Charle's point about better potential ports with a smaller ship
is an attraction as well.

Thanks, Tommie. smooch
--
Charles - "I am not a homo, Ok I am"

On Jul 22, 11:11*pm, Tom K wrote:
On 7/22/10 9:12 PM, Bo1953 wrote:



On Jul 22, 7:25 am, Tom *wrote:
On 7/21/10 10:51 PM, Bo1953 wrote:

Hello all, I have finally whittled down to three (3) cruises and all
input is welcome as to which line and/or itinerary. I have cruised
before, my partner has not and is welcoming the opportunity. I tend to
enjoy formal, he does not but will. Looking for constructive input
based on recent experiences first hand or through friends you know who
have sailed on the following:

1) Regent SS Mariner 4 Jan 11 Western Caribbean, Deluxe Suite $3,399

2) Seabourne Legend 28 Jan 11 Bal Suite B2 $3,199

3) SeaDream SeaDream II 7 Jan 11 Club Deck 3 $3,399

Seadream I can opt for the minimum class. I understand for #'s 2& * *3 I
need to add air, port charges and taxes.

Any other suggestions or recommendations are welcomed too.

TIA for your input...

Bo1953

I had a friend at work who sailed Regent (Paul Gauguin, etc.) a number
of times and raved about it. *But she's the only one I know who did any
of the three. *And only Regent.

All are really high end... I guess I'd opt for the largest ship out of
the three (all are small), to potentially have more things to do on board.

Out of the three, I don't think you can go wrong. *But they are rather
expensive for most people.

--Tom

Tom,

Yes it is a little more than most published rack rates. Yet, my
thoughts were focused on my perceived value for each dollar spent and
port visited.

The trade offs, in my mind, are not worrying about tipping, having one
sitting for dining (especially for dinner), cocktails cost, and having
to study the check at the end of the cruise and trying to remember
each time I showed my card or key and did I really drink that much???
Or the service was horrendous, so I will challenge the gratuities... I
Am not that type. Pay it up-front, if service is not up to standard
the Concierge will take care of it and right away, so I think.

Just as long as there are a few interesting people to talk with
around, a port call every day or so... I have plenty of reading and
writing I can do (and drinking of course! ;-))

Thank you for your input and ideas. I do appreciate them. What are
your thoughts on the above?? What types of activities should I crave
while sailing that these lines will not offer?

Thanks again,

Bo1953

With putting two kids through college... I've never been lucky enough to
try any of the lines you're looking at... but I'm just thinking things
like casino... larger ships will have more tables, a craps table with
people playing, etc.

Though Charle's point about better potential ports with a smaller ship
is an attraction as well.

One of the best things about choices... if you pick one this time... you
can pick the other one next time.

Also... something else you might want to look at in the future... the
Queen Mary 2. *Especially for something like a Transatlantic Crossing.
A ship like that is exactly the opposite of the ships you're looking at,
she's gigantic. *But she also offers Grill Class which gives you the
high end food and service on the luxury ships. *Yet for a crossing, she
is large enough to keep you occupied for the week with things like a
HUGE library that includes a book store, you can attend theater lessons,
do something like Rosetta Stone CD's to learn a language in the computer
room, there's a British Pub for lunch, a Todd English specialty
restaurant, bars everywhere. *Single malt tastings. *Guest lecturers.
Scones with whipped cream and strawberries in the afternoon. *She's a
very special ship. *Even though she's gigantic.

--Tom

Tom,

Great idea. Did not think of it in those terms. I will keep that in
mind for sure...

bo1953

On Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:19:41 +0200, peter wrote:

Will you do the things Tom suggests? Read books from "the
huge library", learn a language from a Rosetta Stone CD, go to a "British
pub"? Sjeesh.

I have to agree with this. Truth is that even though this sounds
plausible, passengers rarely can or will want to spend their time
doing these kinds of things. A trip to the library to look around,
sure, or to read. Learning a language? Hardly.

I keep ten or fifteen books that I read through and when I cruise,
select one and start-finish it. Have gotten through the Vidal series
of historicals, Robert Pirsig's novels, a couple of others.

Nothing more peaceful than a challenging author, a shady chair and a
day at sea.

You shouldn't take Tom seriously. The day his mother
died a few months ago he posted over 70 pathetic messages. He's a nutcase.

Let's say Tom is, er, conflicted.

guffaw
--
Ari Silverstein, C.T.A; C.T.A.S, FREE Cruise Travel Advisory Services
Sign up for special email deals @ www.CruiseQuick.com - Sells more
cruises than 99% of the agencies in America. (not affiliated)

On Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:40:03 -0400, Tom K wrote:

George...

....ran away from RTC when the money ran out.

What a guy and a hero of yours?
--
Ari Silverstein, C.T.A; C.T.A.S, FREE Cruise Travel Advisory Services
Sign up for special email deals @ www.CruiseQuick.com - Sells more
cruises than 99% of the agencies in America. (not affiliated)

On Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:45:56 -0700 (PDT), Bo1953 wrote:

Tom suggested this as a "future" cruise and not replacing the one
scheduled for January. As a future cruise this might work.

The QM2 is not my cup of tea, Sam. It might be yours but I don't go
for the British separation of classes on the ship, the overall British
theme, etc. Personal tastes, each to his own.

Now if I take another transoceanic cruise to England, it would most
probably be on the QM2, she is by far the most sea worthy liner and
was designed to be just that. Look at her compared to the modern
cruise ship which is much more like a hotel on a hull.

http://www.pappito.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/qm2-front.jpg

or

http://moourl.com/IsTomANutcase

Now take a look at the Oasis Of The Seas

http://westorlandonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Oasis-of-the-seas_240609.jpg

or

http://moourl.com/OKTomIsANutcase

The QM2 was designed for the harsh seas and weather typical of
transatlantic crossings. For instance Carnival/Cunard's decision to
not add any balconies to the forward area of the ship. She carries her
lifeboats well above the standard minimums of SOLAS.

Her hull is longer, thinner, deeper and hydrodynamically smoother
combining speed (30+ knots) and incredible strength.

Her stern is a hybrid, square-shape stern for those rough sea days
(winter in the Atlantic).

But for the Silverstein's, a flight to Barcelona, three days there,
and a repositioning of the RCCL Brilliance to Miami is still much more
our idea of fun.
--
Ari Silverstein, C.T.A; C.T.A.S, FREE Cruise Travel Advisory Services
Sign up for special email deals @ www.CruiseQuick.com - Sells more
cruises than 99% of the agencies in America. (not affiliated)

On Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:09:03 -0400, "Ari Silverstein, C.T.A."
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:19:41 +0200, peter wrote:

Will you do the things Tom suggests? Read books from "the
huge library", learn a language from a Rosetta Stone CD, go to a "British
pub"? Sjeesh.

I have to agree with this. Truth is that even though this sounds
plausible, passengers rarely can or will want to spend their time
doing these kinds of things. A trip to the library to look around,
sure, or to read. Learning a language? Hardly.

I think they had Rosetta Stone on Celebrity Mercury - at least I know
I've seen it recently. It seemed popular. We had two sea days at the
beginning and two at the end.

I keep ten or fifteen books that I read through and when I cruise,
select one and start-finish it. Have gotten through the Vidal series
of historicals, Robert Pirsig's novels, a couple of others.

Nothing more peaceful than a challenging author, a shady chair and a
day at sea.

I've stopped taking books with me. Bob sometimes gets one from the
library on board, but I just never get to it. I don't read fiction
anymore anyway. I don't watch movies except under duress (sometimes
my granddaughters insist that I will like a movie and sometimes I do,
but it wouldn't be my choice), and don't watch fictional TV either.