Unlurking and 1st cruise

"peaches" wrote in message
...

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!


Lucky you, Peaches... Have a wonderful cruise!
Post a review when you return, please!

--Jean~~took the Elation through the Panama Canal in March/April, 1998

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


Hi Skip,
I sense we may be doing this more than once! I think we can muster up some
clothes to wear for dinner. It will be a new experience for my son and a
visit to the past for me. All will be interesting for us both no matter
what!
I am planning on taking in as much as I can on board which includes the
shows. I like any quality production and my son is into comedians. I don't
know the show schedule yet. The cruise is a bit off in the future yet.
Garyz

On 05/02/2005 3:17 PM Gary Z wrote:

Snorkeling and Ruins ... You can do those relaxed ... and he can do it
more active .. go on son ... climb to the top ... I'll stand here and
take your picture ...



Get dressed up ... rent a tux and look spiffy for the night ... It
won't hurt that much ...



Are you suggesting a tux can be rented on board? Or are you suggesting
renting from a formal shop for a week? The latter I think might be an
expensive proposition. I will look into some options for dressing up though
as others have suggested. Thanks for your suggestions. I have planned on
snorkeling. Son says he doesn't like it much as his snorkle always gets
water in it! lol We might try for scuba license over the summer. I had the
opportunity to do scuba 10 yrs back in the Caymans. Had all but my final
dive done at the time.
GaryZ




Tuxes can be rented on board on some ships. Unless 15 year old boys
have changed, I don't think he'll enjoy going from no suit to tux. Plan
a few days before and go shopping for dark suits. (navy will do). Outlet
stores in your area are best. I got a great 3 season Tommy Hilfigger at
a nearby Marshalls. I got a black suede sports jacket and shark skin
slacks at Filene's Basement. I got a pair of Italian dress loafers at
Marty's. My total expense was a little over $160.00 this stuff is mine
to keep and wear on other occasions.

I usually sail on Holland America. I imagine on your ship fountain/soda
cards are available too. For a fee the bearer of the card is entitled
to unlimited soda wherever it's served. You'll find that this is a great
saving if your son is a big soda drinker. With all the great food on
board most people take their meals on board. But, I urge you to be
adventurous. Part of seeing other countries is tasting local dishes. So
if it's lunch time don't go back to the ship. Most places in Cancun are
perfectly safe to try local dishes. I find that if there is a surcharge
on the ship for lobster, I usually pass on the ship. You get Gulf
Lobster but more for your money in most Mexican ports. One of the ways
Mexicans prepare it is to flame cook it with three different types of
Mexican cheeses. It tastes like a smoky lobster neuberg.

If you opt to see Tulum, there's a lovely little beach at the base of
the cliffs. There's a path to the south with a gentle descent. So wear
your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel from the ship. There
are no lockers or showers at Tulum. You can change out of your wet suits
in the rest room.

--
________
To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951

On 05/02/2005 3:17 PM Gary Z wrote:

Snorkeling and Ruins ... You can do those relaxed ... and he can do it
more active .. go on son ... climb to the top ... I'll stand here and
take your picture ...



Get dressed up ... rent a tux and look spiffy for the night ... It
won't hurt that much ...



Are you suggesting a tux can be rented on board? Or are you suggesting
renting from a formal shop for a week? The latter I think might be an
expensive proposition. I will look into some options for dressing up though
as others have suggested. Thanks for your suggestions. I have planned on
snorkeling. Son says he doesn't like it much as his snorkle always gets
water in it! lol We might try for scuba license over the summer. I had the
opportunity to do scuba 10 yrs back in the Caymans. Had all but my final
dive done at the time.
GaryZ




Tuxes can be rented on board on some ships. Unless 15 year old boys
have changed, I don't think he'll enjoy going from no suit to tux. Plan
a few days before and go shopping for dark suits. (navy will do). Outlet
stores in your area are best. I got a great 3 season Tommy Hilfigger at
a nearby Marshalls. I got a black suede sports jacket and shark skin
slacks at Filene's Basement. I got a pair of Italian dress loafers at
Marty's. My total expense was a little over $160.00 this stuff is mine
to keep and wear on other occasions.

I usually sail on Holland America. I imagine on your ship fountain/soda
cards are available too. For a fee the bearer of the card is entitled
to unlimited soda wherever it's served. You'll find that this is a great
saving if your son is a big soda drinker. With all the great food on
board most people take their meals on board. But, I urge you to be
adventurous. Part of seeing other countries is tasting local dishes. So
if it's lunch time don't go back to the ship. Most places in Cancun are
perfectly safe to try local dishes. I find that if there is a surcharge
on the ship for lobster, I usually pass on the ship. You get Gulf
Lobster but more for your money in most Mexican ports. One of the ways
Mexicans prepare it is to flame cook it with three different types of
Mexican cheeses. It tastes like a smoky lobster neuberg.

If you opt to see Tulum, there's a lovely little beach at the base of
the cliffs. There's a path to the south with a gentle descent. So wear
your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel from the ship. There
are no lockers or showers at Tulum. You can change out of your wet suits
in the rest room.

--
________
To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951

Thus spake Sue and Kevin Mullen :



wrote:
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.


Look for formal wear on Ebay.

Or rent tuxes from the cruise line.

sue

What's so attractive about renting is that it's one less thing to
pack. And a good tux will unwrinkle fairly easily, but a cheap one
won't. But they'll still have wrinkles.

It's bad enough that my wife has to pack a dress for formal night. At
least one of our suitcases has a hanging bag that will handle a dress.

--
dillon

Women should be obscene and not absurd.

Thus spake "number6" :


Juliana L Holm wrote:
number6 wrote:

The cruiseline rents tuxes on board ... I recall like $50 ...
expensive
yeah ... like a shore excursion ... You don't need a tux ... but
that
one night rental is still more cheaper than buying a dark suit ...
Someone suggested buying a cheap used one ... that works too as
much as
you'll use it ...

You remember real cheap. $100 is about the minimum.


I just checked Carnival ... my next cruise ... and it's $75 ... We were
either equally off ... or it was 50% more than my remembrance but only
25 % less than yours ... making you closer ...

Statistician, I see. :-)

I think I've seen $85 on RCCL. They use the same outfit as Disney and
a few other lines.

--
dillon

Women should be obscene and not absurd.

Thus spake "Jean O'Boyle" :


"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.

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!


I think the 5 nighters have one formal night. I'll check with RCCL in
the morning.

--Jean


--
dillon

Women should be obscene and not absurd.

Thus spake "peaches" :


"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!


Slow poke :-)

We usually spend the night at my in-laws on the east side of town,
then take the Beltway down to 45. Now that they aren't our
dogsitters, we may opt for the same day drive from Austin. Yeah, it's
a bit of a slog, but, as you say, I can crash as soon as I'm on board.

--
dillon

Women should be obscene and not absurd.

Thus spake " BruceB" :

major snippage


Diamond Princess has 'WAY fewer tuxes, but it did have some. Maybe 10% of
the men. Most of the guys that had them on looked pretty comfortable in
them. I was particularly impressed with one Marine and one soldier who had
dress uniforms on.

Military mess dress is some of the most spectacular formal wear.

--
dillon

Women should be obscene and not absurd.