Unlurking and 1st cruise

I think it will be. I'm sure there'll be folks along soon to point
out where the best reviews of the ship you're booked on are located.
My favorite web site happens to be Linda Coffman's at
http://cruisediva.com/ There are other favorites.

We will have to upgrade our wardrobe some if we
want to participate in semi/formal dining. Suits have been out of our
lifestyle for some time now. Or I suppose we can skip the formal
altogether
and eat elsewhere. That would mean skipping a steak and a lobster dinner.

Nah, don't do that. I happen to think getting dressed up for dinner
is a lot of fun and also infectious, in a good way, of course. If you
two are used to Orlando, this will give you both a new "grown up" way
of looking at one another. If you find that you don't care for formal
nights, you can always pick a cruise for next time that has more
alternative dining, lidos, buffets or one of the types of free-form
dining in the evenings.

Good luck and welcome :-)

Karen



Thanks Karen,
GaryZ

wrote in message
nk.net...
A review of the ship:
http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/....cfm?ShipID=81

Some "movies" of the ship [uses "popups:"]:
http://bmurphy.cruiseone.com/travel/...ours.jsp?pg=0:


Great links. Thanks for your time and effort.
GaryZ

"Kesia Micheletti" wrote in message
oups.com...
Gary Z informed us:
"We will have to upgrade our wardrobe some if we
want to participate in semi/formal dining. Suits have been out of our
lifestyle for some time now. Or I suppose we can skip the formal
altogether
and eat elsewhere. That would mean skipping a steak and a lobster
dinner."



Upgrade your wardrobe. Maybe it'll help you score some women. It
sounds like that's what both of you need.

Your friend,
Kesia

Thanks "my friend", I think... :-)
GaryZ

RE the formal night they are pretty pointless but a lot of fun....for
about 1/4 the cost of a rental you can get a used tux, shirt, and
jewelry at a resale shop...I got mine at Goodwill (all wool, oscar de
la renta $20, getting cleaning was optional as it came complete with
drycleaner tags.) found 2 shirts my size $5 each, studs from ebay 2
sets $12 and my wife got a cumberbund suspender tie combo at an outlet
store for $20 could get used for less but a present is a present...
Bottom line: I have the tux and take it on all my cruising holidays.

PS get one for your son too. and don't get frustrated if you don't
find it the first time you go shopping keep looking.

You don't NEED a tux. A suit or just a nice jacket and tie may be just as
good.

You can rent from the cruise company for typically around $100 for a basic
outfit.

You can buy used sometimes as listed below.

But it can be fun to play the formal game.

Julie

metanoia wrote:
RE the formal night they are pretty pointless but a lot of fun....for
about 1/4 the cost of a rental you can get a used tux, shirt, and
jewelry at a resale shop...I got mine at Goodwill (all wool, oscar de
la renta $20, getting cleaning was optional as it came complete with
drycleaner tags.) found 2 shirts my size $5 each, studs from ebay 2
sets $12 and my wife got a cumberbund suspender tie combo at an outlet
store for $20 could get used for less but a present is a present...
Bottom line: I have the tux and take it on all my cruising holidays.

PS get one for your son too. and don't get frustrated if you don't
find it the first time you go shopping keep looking.


--
Julie
**********
I could be wrong. My experience is limited to my experience.

Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at
http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm

"Gary Z" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
Have been reading here for a couple of weeks and you have been infectious
and caused me to book my first cruise. My son (15) and I will be traveling
Royal Caribbean Splendour out of Galveston for a 5 night just before
Christmas. Going to Cozumel and Costa Maya. Any info would be much
appreciated. Have a rear balcony on the rear of the ship on deck 7. Lucked
into it I'm told as they are very desirable and go quickly.
A bit about us. I am 55 male and single parent of soon to be 15 yr old
son. We have done most of our traveling to Orlando the past few years, but
that was getting old. I think a cruise sounds like a great alternative. I
have a bad back and am looking forward to milder activity. My son, of
course, is a teenager and is considerably more active. I'm hoping a cruise
will be just the ticket for both of us. We will have to upgrade our
wardrobe some if we want to participate in semi/formal dining. Suits have
been out of our lifestyle for some time now. Or I suppose we can skip the
formal altogether and eat elsewhere. That would mean skipping a steak and
a lobster dinner. Fortunately, I have much time to think about this. :-)
I have been doing some research on the ports we are headed towards. There
is much to learn.
GaryZ

Welcome aboard, Gary!

Formal night? If you aren't comfortable getting dressed up, you won't have
to get dressed up. And if my memory serves me correctly, anything that's on
the dining room menu may be ordered from room service so you can take your
dinner in your cabin if you choose. That said, I did like the suggestions
for dressing up for those one or two formal nights. It's your call, my
friend.

Try to make as many of the main theater shows as you can. The comedians can
be quite funny, and the other shows are a lot of fun. One of the shows is a
talent show; you and/or your son can participate if you want. It's not
really a contest, so there are no winners and losers.

You two are going to have the time of your lives! Especially your
son--you'll have to drag him kicking and screaming off the ship at the end
of your cruise--that's the normal teen reaction

"Gary Z" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
Have been reading here for a couple of weeks and you have been infectious
and caused me to book my first cruise. My son (15) and I will be traveling
Royal Caribbean Splendour out of Galveston for a 5 night just before
Christmas. Going to Cozumel and Costa Maya. Any info would be much
appreciated. Have a rear balcony on the rear of the ship on deck 7. Lucked
into it I'm told as they are very desirable and go quickly.
A bit about us. I am 55 male and single parent of soon to be 15 yr old
son. We have done most of our traveling to Orlando the past few years, but
that was getting old. I think a cruise sounds like a great alternative. I
have a bad back and am looking forward to milder activity. My son, of
course, is a teenager and is considerably more active. I'm hoping a cruise
will be just the ticket for both of us. We will have to upgrade our
wardrobe some if we want to participate in semi/formal dining. Suits have
been out of our lifestyle for some time now. Or I suppose we can skip the
formal altogether and eat elsewhere. That would mean skipping a steak and
a lobster dinner. Fortunately, I have much time to think about this. :-)
I have been doing some research on the ports we are headed towards. There
is much to learn.
GaryZ

Welcome aboard, Gary!

Formal night? If you aren't comfortable getting dressed up, you won't have
to get dressed up. And if my memory serves me correctly, anything that's on
the dining room menu may be ordered from room service so you can take your
dinner in your cabin if you choose. That said, I did like the suggestions
for dressing up for those one or two formal nights. It's your call, my
friend.

Try to make as many of the main theater shows as you can. The comedians can
be quite funny, and the other shows are a lot of fun. One of the shows is a
talent show; you and/or your son can participate if you want. It's not
really a contest, so there are no winners and losers.

You two are going to have the time of your lives! Especially your
son--you'll have to drag him kicking and screaming off the ship at the end
of your cruise--that's the normal teen reaction

Welcome to RTC,glad to have you aboard,once you cruise you will find you
can become addicted,know you both will enjoy your cruise,we also like to
just relax,and rest on a cruise,but there are great things for a
teenager to do.Your first is always the best,we are planning our 38th.
But much older than you,(77) but feel a lot less. You can tour around
places,and go for the more physical ones,or the laid back one's. Just
go and enjoy. surfer
e2468

GARY:
Husband invested in a tux 15 years ago,paid $75.00 for it from a place
that sold rented formal wear,and he is still using it,a good
investment,although a lot of men do not wear a tux now,just a dark
suit,but we like the dressing up,makes some nice memories,would be nice
for your son to remember.
surfer e2468

"Gary Z" wrote in message
...


Hi Gary!
I take it that you are living in Texas, as you mention traveling to
Orlando and are considering a cruise from Galveston...Or are you just in
a nearby state?

We have taken the Royal Caribbean Rhapsody out of Galveston and driven
there since we live in Texas..I think it is great that you and your teen
aged son are taking a cruise! There is a teen's program on the Splendour
for ages 15-17 and your son might want to check into it..also the rock
climbing wall, miniature golf and Johnny Rockets Restaurant would
probably appeal to him along with the pool activities!

As for the formal nights, 3-4 night cruises have one formal night, so I
suspect that 5 nighters will have 2.. Since you mention that you would
need to upgrade your wardrobe, may I suggest a simple black or navy suit
that can be used for any wedding, special occasion or funeral? I know
that some have bought a black or navy jacket that could be used as a
sports jacket and added slacks of the same color...making it either a
suit or jacket worn with slacks of a different color as a sports outfit.
It makes stretching your dollar and wardrobe much easier....Add a tie and
voila... you are ready for formal night! It would give you a chance to
experience formal night and who knows, you may enjoy this cruise so much
that you will want to take more without having to buy a tux first to find
out! May of us became addicted after our first cruise!
Welcome to rtc and the world of cruising!

--Jean

Hi Jean,
I live about 70 miles west of Chicago. Will look into your suggestions for
a dressier appearance. Thanks.
GaryZ


Oh, I do envy you Gary! You and your son are going to have a great time and
oh the memories you are creating. Bring your suit or sport jacket or rent a
tux on board the ship and get gussied up and enjoy every minute, as I know
you guys will!!
By the way, I used to live in the Aurora area. Are you close?

Peaches in TX (the one who is driving to Galveston on Sun. for a cheapie
Elation 7 day trip) What's not to like? 41/2 hours I'm on a ship, and can
relax all week!