* The era of FORMAL NIGHTS is fading rapidly... - 13 messages. 7 authors * GREAT BINGO OFFERS:£ 5,00 free no deposit required + 100/200% bonus on 1st deposit - 1 messages. 1 author * OT Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings - 2 messages. 2 authors * Insurance - 1 messages. 1 author * Cunard Orders New Queen Elizabeth! - 1 messages. 1 author * Cunard Commodore Honored! - 1 messages. 1 author * Cruise West Alaska 2008 question - 1 messages. 1 author * Windjammer - 2 messages. 2 authors * Suggestions for hotels and land transfers for Miami in December - 1 messages. 1 author * Why do we like Rock & Republic Jeans? - 1 messages. 1 author * Carnival Special 8-Day Cruise! - 1 messages. 1 author
==============================================================================TOPIC: The era of FORMAL NIGHTS is fading rapidly...==============================================================================
On Oct 9. 8:05 am. Lee <n...@2 spam> wrote:> On Mon. 08 Oct 2007 21:46:40 -0700 ricke...@webtv net wrote:> >maker for the Photos they sell. The photographers like the gift shop> >folks are not employees of the cruise line but a vendor. The only> >revenue the cruise lines see is their rental space lease price. So>> Total crap.>> --> - Lee
On Oct 9. 10:01 am. Ray Goldenberg <r...@lighthousetravel com> wrote:> On Mon. 08 Oct 2007 21:46:40 -0700 ricke...@webtv net wrote:> > Somebody posted earlier that Formal Night was a good revenue> >maker for the Photos they sell. The photographers like the gift shop> >folks are not employees of the cruise line but a vendor. The only> >revenue the cruise lines see is their rental space lease price. So> >there goes that idea.>> Hi Everyone,>> The above is not how the business works. The cruise lines do not> receive just a "rental space lease price". It is definitely in the> cruise lines best interest for the photography to sell lots of photos.>> Best regards,> Ray> LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL> 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905> --
Ike wrote:> There was a time when virtually 100% of the men attending a profesional > baseball game wore a suit and a hat. "Sport shirts" were for sports and > "tennis shoes" were for tennis.> > And in those years when the grand liners of history served only the > affluent. EVERY night was formal night. "Dressing for dinner" was > mandatory in the prime of the Queen and on the superb Cunard ships and > men who never asked the cost of anything would arrive with luggage that > included several tuxedos or dinner jackets plus a box of their favorite > cigars as their wives brought an array of splendid gowns. They often > traveled with their servants...> > Today the vast majority of people who go cruising don't own formal > wear. Many don't even have suits and if they did retain something from > their business history it probably no longer fits. And some of today's > cruisers ARE servants - on vacation...> > I think the days of "formal nights" are numbered and the dress code > will be ignored more and more frequently. Eventually most lines will go > the way of Oceania which gives up nothing in food service and > ambience and diners are welcome in khakis and a golf shirt. That > environment is certainly pleasant just less pretentious.> > Of course there are some who truly enjoy "dressing for dinner" and for > them there will be ships - or perhaps specific cruises - that promote > formal dining and the supposed elegance that goes with it.> > As for my wife and me we're about to spend almost two weeks on an > Oceania cruise with a few days ashore at each end. We'll each use ONE > small rolling bag - that will handle my dress khakis and her sequin'd > jeans suit.> > Ike> .. tuxless - it'll never fit again!
To revisit the original post. My wife and I have cruised for many years (and multiple times a year). Many people enjoy formal night and I for one do not mind them. IF (and a significant 'IF') formal dress is not required. And it is already moving that way. On our first cruise almost every one dressed formally. On our most recent cruise less than a third. Let the pictures continue. Let the tux and formal gowns continue. But not as required to sit for dinner. Current restrictions (slacks for men no hats no sandals etc) are good enough. Another change I have noticed. Far more people are eating in the buffet line in the evening and not in the formal dining room. I have recently been seated at a table for 8 and on occasion my wife and I have been the only two at the table. And my pet peeve strange foods on the evening menu. I know it is for variety foreign guests and snob appeal and this might explain some of the formal dinner defections.
> Another change I have noticed. Far more people are eating in the buffet > line in the evening and not in the formal dining room. I have recently > been seated at a table for 8 and on occasion my wife and I have been the > only two at the table.
Actually this works well with group cruises. Most of the time we try to get all of the group seated in the same area. On nights when some people are in the buffet and others in the "added-cost" specialty restaurants we mix and combine tables. That gives group members a chance to dine with different members of the group.
LeeNY wrote:> On Oct 10. 9:08 am jay lunis <jay lu...@gmail com> wrote:> >> And my pet peeve strange foods on the evening menu.> > Like what for instance?> > > > Well. I can't remember exact dishes but one I do remember is Broiled Goat. I asked our server how many people order Broiled Goat and was told something close to 'Don't know. I have been here 4 months and no one at my tables has ordered it.' The supervisor over the waiters (I forget his title) said it war 'infrequent' to see Broiled Goat ordered.
> Well. I can't remember exact dishes but one I do remember is Broiled > Goat. I asked our server how many people order Broiled Goat and was told > something close to 'Don't know. I have been here 4 months and no one > at my tables has ordered it.' The supervisor over the waiters (I forget > his title) said it war 'infrequent' to see Broiled Goat ordered.
I look at this totally differently. On the rare occasion that I see something on the menu that is different or I have never had... I usually order it. If I don't like it. I can send it back and get something else. If I do like it... I am happy I tried something new.
On Oct 10. 9:34 am. "George Leppla" <geo...@cruisemaster com> wrote:> "jay lunis" <jay lu...@gmail com> wrote>> > Well. I can't remember exact dishes but one I do remember is Broiled> > Goat. I asked our server how many people order Broiled Goat and was told> > something close to 'Don't know. I have been here 4 months and no one> > at my tables has ordered it.' The supervisor over the waiters (I forget> > his title) said it war 'infrequent' to see Broiled Goat ordered.>> I look at this totally differently. On the rare occasion that I see> something on the menu that is different or I have never had... I usually> order it. If I don't like it. I can send it back and get something else.> If I do like it... I am happy I tried something new.
George - that's exactly the attitude I take as well. I think a cruisemenu offers a great opportunity to experiment with foods that may beunfamiliar. It's absolutely no-risk! As you said if it turns out youdon't like what you try you can just order something else.
I think cruise ship menus tend to sound a lot more exotic than theyreally are. For the most part the menus are designed to please thetypical chain-restaurant American palate. If they got too exotic,there would be a lot of unhappy passengers.
George Leppla wrote:> "jay lunis" <jay lunis@gmail com> wrote> >> Well. I can't remember exact dishes but one I do remember is Broiled >> Goat. I asked our server how many people order Broiled Goat and was told >> something close to 'Don't know. I have been here 4 months and no one >> at my tables has ordered it.' The supervisor over the waiters (I forget >> his title) said it war 'infrequent' to see Broiled Goat ordered.> > > I look at this totally differently. On the rare occasion that I see > something on the menu that is different or I have never had... I usually > order it. If I don't like it. I can send it back and get something else. > If I do like it... I am happy I tried something new.> > I also tend to try to order things that I normally don't cook at home if > available.> > BTW - I have eaten goat.. in Jamaica years ago. It was pretty good.> > First let me define 'strange.' It will mean exactly what I want it to mean. I do NOT mean 'strange' as something no one would want or it is startling to think someone would eat it. 'Strange,' in this context means 'why would a resturant provide a food it knows is ordered not at all or infrequently' when a different food get more takers. My few guesses. part of the snob appealsome obsession chefs have with variety over customer demanda sense that baked chicken spaghetti meat loaf etc are too pedestrian for the cruise menu. (maybe the same as 'snob appeal.')Yes. I have also eaten some of these strange foods.
>> >Ladies do you remember those constrictive girdles that went from thigh >to bra? Well that's what a tux feels like for some men hot and >restrictive. They don't call 'em monkey suits because they are the nth >degree of comfort.
That's a real problem. I suggest that when you put on such attire that you godirectly from your stateroom down to the air conditioned dining room andnot do any heavy manual labor. It would be best to put off that engineroom pump rebuild you were planing on accomplishing until after dinner.
In article <13gnfgjnu0qm38f@corp supernews com> brianBLOG1951@earthlink net says...>>>On 10/9/2007 10:00 AM rnhgpjq1 consulted a Magic 8 Ball and declared:>> The rings of recent times have been set with diamonds but cubic>> zirconia settings have become more and more popular. The beauty of the>> stone rivals the beauty of a diamond but the cost is about 75% less>> than the cost of a diamond.>>>> >>>> >Perish the thought! A Zircon for an engagement ring! How cheap can you >get. Women know the difference. Any man who gives his lady a Zircon for >an engagement ring shouldn't be surprised if he gets his walking papers >shortly thereafter.>
I would not give a woman a zirconia ring and tell her it's realor even tell her. "This is the type of ring I am giving you." Imight say. "You can either have a diamond ring or you canhave a zirconia and we will use the money saved towarda nicer home. The choice is entirely up to you."
I've found that the best deals can be found on Property Room (auction website) I bought both of my black diamond rings there and the most expensive of the 2 was a steal at just $15 USD! I had them both appraised when I received them. I was happy with the rings so I didn't care if they turned out to be fake. But they appraised at over $800 EACH! The auction listed a suggested retail value at about $800 each so I was very pleased with the rings.
I recommend checking with TravelGuard at. I personally suggest that just about everyone has some type of trip insurance. Of course the length of your trip and destination(s) will have a bearing on your final decision. However opting for no insurance at all is certainly gambling with the odds and situation. I don't think most logical thinking people would feel the same way about their car insurance.
VALENCIA. Calif.. Oct. 10 Cunard Line announces that it has ordered a new 92,000-ton liner tobe named "Queen Elizabeth," scheduled to enter service in the autumnof 2010. Cunard a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK) signed an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantierifor the construction of the new 2092-passenger ocean liner which willbe built at Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard at an all-in cost ofapproximately $700 million. The vessel will be the second largestCunarder the company has ever built.
"Cunard already owns and operates the two most famous ocean liners inthe world. Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 and a third -- QueenVictoria -- is due to be named by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall in thepresence of HRH The Prince of Wales in December of this year," saidCarol Marlow president of Cunard Line. "The decision to order anothership for Cunard Line has been taken as a result of the strong bookingresponse to the new Queen Victoria and we are extremely pleased thatCunard will once again become a three-ship fleet so soon after thedeparture of the much-celebrated Queen Elizabeth 2 in November nextyear. Furthermore we are delighted that Her Majesty The Queen hasgiven her blessing to our calling this new Cunarder 'Queen Elizabeth',after our first vessel of that name."
"It is a particularly special moment for Fincantieri to have secured asecond order from Cunard at a time when we are nearing the completionof Queen Victoria," said Mr. Giuseppe Bono. Fincantieri's ChiefExecutive Officer. "Cunard is the most famous name in passengershipping and we are honoured to have been chosen to build QueenElizabeth and to continue the tradition and heritage of that greatcompany."
Queen Elizabeth will offer the very best of Cunard's values andtraditions blended with every conceivable modern luxury that today'sdiscerning travellers expect. Through her opulent public rooms andimpeccable service the new ship will reflect the grandeur which hasbeen associated with Cunard ships since the introduction of theMauretania in 1907; and from the outside her black hull gleamingwhite superstructure and distinctive red funnel will echo the classiccharacteristics of the company's distinctive liner heritage.
Cunard Line operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and QE2,has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and theepitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeledsteamer. Britannia crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bringtogether like-minded travelers who relish the Cunard hallmarks ofimpeccable White Star Service(SM) fine dining sophisticatedadventure the legacy of historic voyages and transatlantic travel. Queen Victoria joins the fleet in December 2007.
Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Theexclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines. HollandAmerica Line. Princess Cruises. Costa Cruises and The Yachts ofSeabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment toquality and value member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestylesand budgets. Together they offer exciting and enriching cruisevacations to the world's most desirable destinations.
Valencia. CA - October 9. 2007 - Commodore Bernard Warner (center),Master of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 was recently honored aboard theline's flagship in Newport. Rhode Island by members of The BlockIsland Maritime Institute. The New York Yacht Club the Seamen'sChurch Institute (SCI) the Storm Trysail Club. International YachtRestoration School. Museum of Yachting in Newport and American YachtClub. Event Honorary Chairman Senator John McCain was unable to attendbut his letter congratulating Commodore Warner was read by US NavalAcademy Officer (retired). Mike Ballard during the event'sfestivities. McCain is also a retired naval officer who comes from afamily of naval admirals.
Conceived by Block Island Maritime Institute's primary fundraiser andPresident of the Seamen's Church Institute Dave Aldrich the eventcelebrated Warner's recent appointment to Commodore of the Cunardfleet and his lifelong achievements at sea. Warner began his careeraboard cargo ships and steadily climbed the ranks to be involved asCaptain in the construction of several new cruise ships and finally tohelm the command of Cunard's flagship. Queen Mary 2.
"The event was a collaboration of like-minded individuals andorganizations to recognize the importance of the hard work anddedication of Commodore Warner and the need to highlight maritimehistory. His appointment as Commodore of the Cunard fleet exemplifieshis lifelong affinity to the sea," said Aldrich.
"I am honored to have been recognized by the members of theseprestigious maritime organizations," said Warner. "At the beginning ofmy career at sea. I hoped to one day become a Cunard Captain and to beserving as Commodore is beyond what I had imagined. I am proud to be apart of Cunard's rich heritage and legacy and I am also very gratefulto all of those who attended this meaningful event in support ofmaritime heritage and traditions," Warner added.
Everything's always a trade-off. If you go earlier then there willbe fewer Whales but if you're "early enough" (figure 15-20 June) youmight be able to beat the first couple of hatchings of mosquitos foryour Denali portion of your trip.
The boat it looks like you're going to be on the (New) Spirit ofGlacier Bay operated this season as the Spirit of Nantucket and Iunderstand is undergoing a refit this off-season in preparation fortaking up the Alaska itinerary. I was on the Nantucket earlier thissummer and found the crew quite pleasant amazingly skilled fordocking and the accomodations were quite acceptable. We found ourcabin to be a lot roomier than on the Original Spirit of Glacier Bay,but considering that at 207ft OAL its also 80ft longer than theOriginal SGB that's hardly surprsing :-)
>Anonymouse <nob...@anywhere net> wrote:>>>> I am planning my first cruise and was SERIOUSLY>> considering a Windjammer type cruise.>>>> any ocean going sailing ships left?>>Blackbeards is still running although they're more of a scuba>liveaboard:>>>>There's also some other sail-powered scuba liveaboards around the>world -- IIRC the Lammer Law in the Galapagos the Naiia (sic) in>PNG? etc.>I've seen sail powered dive boats in the Bahamas.
>Of course if you have deep pockets and want to go purist go to:>>>>.. and look into chartering the Shenandoah. She's a 108' square>topsail schooner with no auxiliary power (yes no engine no>electricity) which makes her absolutely unique in the American>schooner fleet.>>Here she is at anchor earlier this summer. You can't see it in this>smaller photo but there's an anchor light hung up forward and it is>literally kerosene lantern:>>) jpg>Some people on sailboats DO use a kerosene lantern as an anchor light.
There's lots easier and cheaper ways to cruise on a sailboat otherthan chartering the Shenandoah. There are a number of sailboats thatcan be chartered with a captain and crew for a week or so - rangingfrom just the captain and one couple on a smaller monohull to fourcouples each with their own cabin on a catamaran.
J <dna0...@yahoo com> wrote:>> Thanks for the replies...>> I did find the Red Roof Inn does provide complimentary shuttles from> the airport to the hotel then to the port from the hotel all> included.
FWIW. I've stayed a couple of times out at the "Blue Lagoon" HamptonInn which is out at the Airport as it has a complimetary shuttles to/from the airport. It was a nice place and being a Hampton it hascomplimentary breakfast and free WiFi.
MIAMI (October 10. 2007) - Carnival Cruise Lines' new113,300-ton Carnival Splendor - the largest "Fun Ship" everconstructed -- will operate a special one-time eight-day Europeancruise in July 2008.
The eight-day voyage which departs Genoa July 2 and arrivesin London (Dover) July 10. 2008 will visit four magnificent ports inthree countries: Cannes. France; Barcelona. Spain; Lisbon. Portugal;and Le Havre (Paris). France.
"Carnival Splendor's special eight-day voyage is just thelatest addition to a highly diverse European inaugural season," saidVicki Freed. Carnival's senior vice president of sales and guestservices. "It's the best way to see the great cities of Europe at agreat value."
Following this voyage the 3,006-passenger SuperLiner willlaunch Carnival's first-ever 12-day northern Europe cruise schedulefrom London July 13 - the first of five voyages in the program whichcontinues through Aug. 30. 2008. Ports include Copenhagen; Warnemunde(Berlin); Helsinki; St. Petersburg; Tallin. Estonia; and Amsterdam.
Carnival Splendor will also sail a special 12-dayMediterranean cruise from London to Rome (Civitavecchia) Sept. 11,2008 then operate the line's popular Grand Mediterranean andMediterranean and Greek Isles cruises Sept. 23 and Oct. 5 and Oct.17. 2008.
Upon completion of its European season. Carnival Splendor willsail a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to Fort Lauderdale,Fla. where it will sail a series of seven-day Caribbean voyages fromPort Everglades. Following Carnival's first program of South Americancruises January to March 2009. Carnival Splendor will launchyear-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach. Calif.,March 29. 2009 continuing the line's West Coast expansion.
Representing a new class of "Fun Ship," Carnival Splendor willfeature a host of innovations highlighted by a two-deck-high "Cloud 9Spa" featuring a Thalassotherapy Pool and an elaborate Thermal Suitewith four rooms set at different temperatures. Adjacent to thefacility will be 68 exclusive spa staterooms and suites - anotherfirst for the line - with private access to the facility specialamenities and priority spa reservations.
The vessel's family-friendly amenities include a5,500-square-foot children's play area - the largest in the "Fun Ship"fleet and part of the top-rated "Camp Carnival" program -- along with awater spray park and an expansive "Club O2" teen center with a DJ,dance floor and high-tech sound and lighting system.
Also featured will be four swimming pools - one covered by aretractable Sky Dome that will house the popular "Carnival SeasideTheatre," an oversized screen displaying movies concerts and otherprogramming.
Carnival Cruise Lines a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE: CUK) is a proud member of the exclusive World's LeadingCruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland AmericaLine. Princess Cruises. Cunard Line. Costa Cruises and The Yachts ofSeabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment toquality and value our member lines appeal to a wide range oflifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enrichingcruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.
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