Welcome home Tom K !!!
KPJEG
will need the rest for your up coming Viking cruise LOl !!!
Ken G...........>
Heather
>Welcome home Tom hope you had a great cruise and got the rest you needed .
>You
>will need the rest for your up coming Viking cruise LOl !!!
Not sure who Tom K is, but welcome home, Tom. In case I miss you before you go,
have fun on the VC.
-Heather
Remove CanOspam to email
http://members.aol.com/nookeybear/index1.htm
Tom & Linda
I only got the rest I needed mentally... I'm physically TIRED. I need a
vacation to recover. But that's how cruises are.
Had a great time. Constellation looked in great shape. While up in Canada,
she had a health inspection and scored a 100, according to the Captain. She
goes in dry-dock in 2 weeks. She'll be the only Millie class ship to have
managed around the Azipod Problems - apparently Captain Ioannis has come up
with some operational guidelines that seem to prevent the problems from
surfacing, and he's compiled a booklet - which they've given to all the
other captains who man ships with Alston Azipods, including the QM2. Seems
the cause of all the problems are simple "O-Rings". We've heard that
before - with the Space Shuttle.
LOVED Quebec. REALLY loved Quebec. Visited the falls and the cathedral
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, and just walked around town. Took pics of the ship
at sunset (all lit up) from up on the hill by the Hotel Château-Frontenac -
gotta work on an oil painting of that.
Saguenay River Fjord was also great. Lots of white beluga whales. Hundreds
of them. Ship played the Ave Maria when we passed the statue - very nice
(I'll explain later).
Saguenay and Quebec were, by far, the highlights of the cruise.
In Halifax we went to Peggy's Cove, saw the Titanic Cemetery, and the
Alexander Keith Brewery but I was most touched by the memorial to Swiss Air
Flight 111 near Peggy's Cove. It went down about 8 miles off Peggy's Cove.
They knew they had problems, and were trying to get to Halifax airport. Our
taxi driver said they even dumped their fuel hoping to reach the airport -
which of course they didn't. Candles, teddy bears, family letters, just
like we still see at Liberty State Park overlooking Ground Zero in the NYC
area. Very touching. There are 2 pieces of stone, and in one they carved
111. Very moving. Needed a tissue on the way out... and it wasn't because
of allergies. Still get misty eyed thinking about it while typing.
Didn't care for Sydney, NS, but didn't go up to the Cabot Trail (should
have).
In Newport I took a harbor tour and went to the lighthouse on Rose Island.
We missed out on Bar Harbor. Apparently we got "bumped" by the QM2.
Had dinner at the Captain's Table. And a tour of the bridge during a day at
sea.
Saw very little fall foliage. The trees haven't turned yet, even up there.
Maybe the rainy spring caused the trees to be too healthy this year, or
something like that, but the trees just aren't turning yet.
Spent most of the sea days in a reclining chair in the AquaSpa. Had my mega
copy of Lord of the Rings (all in one book) for reading.
Docked around 7:00 am in NYC, about a half hour after the QM2 docked. Also
in port with us in NYC was the Europa.
Got off the ship by 10:00. Home by 10:45. Went to work this afternoon.
Totally different experience going north into the cold, vs. south into the
warmth of the Caribbean or Bermuda.
Ship spotting was rather good. Saw one of the Seaborn ships (Pride?), the
Regal Princess, Deutchland, Rotterdam (I think) in a quick sail-by, and as I
said, the Europa and QM2.
More later.
--Tom
"KPJEG" <kp...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20041011092833...@mb-m13.aol.com...
Chrissy Cruiser
> While up in Canada,
> she had a health inspection and scored a 100, according to the Captain.
They never lie. Did you ask him about the 4 new "M" ships coming online?
Jean O'Boyle
"Tom & Linda" <tkan...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:u_Ead.6357$tn5.3...@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
> I only got the rest I needed mentally... I'm physically TIRED. I need a
> vacation to recover. But that's how cruises are.
Glad that you're back safe and sound, Tom!
> Had a great time. Constellation looked in great shape.
How did I know that you would say that?? ;-) Seriously I'm glad you enjoyed
yourself and will be looking forward to more of your adventures..
Rest up! I was surprised that you showed up at work so soon.
--Jean
Tom & Linda
"Jean O'Boyle" <j.ob...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:bwGad.4085$Al3...@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
>
> "Tom & Linda" <tkan...@optonline.net> wrote in message
> news:u_Ead.6357$tn5.3...@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
>
> > I only got the rest I needed mentally... I'm physically TIRED. I need a
> > vacation to recover. But that's how cruises are.
>
> Glad that you're back safe and sound, Tom!
>
> > Had a great time. Constellation looked in great shape.
>
> How did I know that you would say that?? ;-)
What I found interesting was that they even asked about your perception of
the condition and cleanliness of halways and landings on the questionaire.
The one place that needs work is a few places is the jogging track up on
deck 11. The jogging track is a different colored material (red) than the
adjacent decking, and there's one area on starboard side (about 15 feet)
where the stone surface seems to have worn away prematurely in footprint
size spots.
Overall the carpeting looks great, but it's also the color (deep purple)
with a type of pattern (starburst) where dirt simply won't show that easily.
She's only 2 years old and simply doesn't show a lot of abuse.
But if you really want to look closely... there were things like... oh, on
deck 11, the starboard side "down button" for the elevator didn't work.
Minor things like that.
One thing that I'll throw out is that I was somewhat disappointed in the
specialty restaurant. It's the first time I've gone. Through no fault of
their own, I think we had the best regular dining room waiter on all our 32
cruises on this sailing. And as attentive as the staff in Ocean Liners
was... they weren't really any better than out own waiter.
Plus, I'd have to say that our dining room food was the second best on all
our cruises, second only to our pre-RCI ownership Century sailing back in
the mid 90's. The fish, steaks and lamb were so good, at they simply
rivaled the Steak Diane served in Ocean Liners - to the point where Ocean
Liners wasn't a special treat.
PS... Now they have a special section for danish and croissants (where the
ice cream is later in the day), and they have 2 trays loaded with chocolate
croissants. Now you can't miss them.
--Tom
Jean O'Boyle
> What I found interesting was that they even asked about your perception of
> questionaire.
They should ask that on all comment cards.
> Overall the carpeting looks great, but it's also the color (deep purple)
> with a type of pattern (starburst) where dirt simply won't show that
> easily.
Being that purple is one of my favorite colors, I would have liked that.
> One thing that I'll throw out is that I was somewhat disappointed in the
> specialty restaurant. It's the first time I've gone. Through no fault of
> their own, I think we had the best regular dining room waiter on all our
> 32
> cruises on this sailing. And as attentive as the staff in Ocean Liners
> was... they weren't really any better than out own waiter.
I know you probably have read where I posted that I don't like the idea of
specialty restaurants and will not go to them. I would rather pay a little
more and have good quality food and service all over the ship..I think the
only time that I'd be driven to patronize them was if the dining room food
was intolerable...Then it would be the last cruise on THAT ship!
> PS... Now they have a special section for danish and croissants (where the
> ice cream is later in the day), and they have 2 trays loaded with
> chocolate
> croissants. Now you can't miss them.
Somehow I knew that you'd find the chocolate croissants! I especially like
the Hal ships for that..they have real ice cream of exotic flavors all the
time that the buffet is open and a big platter of home made cookies next to
it!
--Jean
Tom & Linda
"D Ball" <di...@removespamball.net> wrote in message
news:2t10nnF...@uni-berlin.de...
> It sounds like you enjoyed had a near perfect cruise experience this time
> around, Tom. Good to hear. You deserved it. It is wonderful to read how
> Connie has her act together in every way. There must be a super HD in
charge
> to complement the captain's innovative lead on the operational side. How'd
> you wrangle that invite, anyway?! I loved hearing about the ports, too.
> Don't forget, you left us dangling on the Ave Maria....
Seems way back when...
A French Canadian trapper, or something like that, was crossing the frozen
Saguenay River on foot one winter a few hundred years ago or so, and the ice
crumbled around him leaving him on an iceberg. He did a lot of praying, and
vowed that if he'd be saved (so he could raise his 8 young children - talk
about needing to pray...), he'd some day erect a statue of the Virgin Mary
at the site (a huge cliff). Somehow he floated to shore. Miraculously. He
was so poor that the idea kind of never went anywhere. Though he never
forgot.
But many years later, another miraculous event also happened to someone
else - AT the EXACT same place, and the 2 got to talking about their
miracles and both decided to try to do the statue.
So they had a 21 ft. statue of the Virgin Mary built out of wood - since
that's all either could afford. They cut it into 3 pieces to take it to the
cliff by boat. Good thing it was wood. The boat capsized and had the
statue been made of anything else but wood... it would have sank. But it
was wood - which floated - and they saved it.
But it was still to heavy in 3 pieces to get it up the cliff. So they cut
it into 14 pieces and carried it up the cliff.
They got her assembled, and eventually coated her in lead to protect the
wood. She's actually a very nice statue clad in white and blue. Very
stiking up on the cliff. It's at Trinity Point, adjacent to Eternity Bay.
Gorgeous location.
So now, every time a ship goes past the statue, they play the Ave Maria.
So... while we're there, Captain Ioannis takes Connie way further into
Eternity Bay than anyone else dares to go - with the control he has because
of her azipods - he decides to show off a little. So we do a 180 in the bay
with the nature guy in a small rubber boat watching us. As we exit and go
past the statue, the Deutchland comes by and enters the bay. We start
playing the song, but when Deutchland comes out of the bay, Captain Ioannis
does a 180, backing us up right against the statue, keeping the Deutchland
from getting up as close as we were. [Big brother showing off. We probably
had Deutchland by about 60,000 tons or so.]
So Deutchland starts playing here song off in the distance, while we start
up ours again - UP close and personal. Ioannis claimed there were some
people up by the statue taking pictures of the ship so he wanted to give
them a good shot.
At that point, after the songs are over, Deutchland sailed further up the
river, while we sailed back the way we came.
A little rivalry between Captains. Or maybe between the Greeks and Germans.
But the song seemed to work. Going up the river in the morning it was all
foggy and we saw no whales. Once we got to Trinity Point, the sun came out
and we saw hundreds of whales on the way back to the St. Lawrence. It was a
highlight of the cruise.
--Tom
> Diana Ball
> near Houston, TX
>
>
Sue and Kevin Mullen
Tom & Linda wrote:
> PS... Now they have a special section for danish and croissants (where the
> ice cream is later in the day), and they have 2 trays loaded with chocolate
> croissants. Now you can't miss them.
That is a very nice addition and I could eat chocolate croissants all
day long. Kevin and I are thinking of booking our next cruise on
Celebrity, if time and itins work out.
Welcome back!!
sue
Heather
Benjamin Smith
> "Tom & Linda" <tkan...@optonline.net> wrote in message
> news:_NGad.168$HX6.3...@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
>
>
>
>>Overall the carpeting looks great, but it's also the color (deep purple)
>>with a type of pattern (starburst) where dirt simply won't show that
>>easily.
>
>
> Being that purple is one of my favorite colors, I would have liked that.
>
I believe it is in on some landings and corridors. But it is purple on
some floors and orange on others. The orange certainly would show dirt,
but didn't when we cruise on Connie. It was extremely clean. Often, on
Celebrity, you'll find a sawdust like cleaner on the carpeted surfaces.
I've seen it on on the three Celebrity cruises I've been on.
Ben S.
Benjamin Smith
> "Jean O'Boyle" <j.ob...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:bwGad.4085$Al3...@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
>
>>"Tom & Linda" <tkan...@optonline.net> wrote in message
>>news:u_Ead.6357$tn5.3...@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
>>
>>
>>>I only got the rest I needed mentally... I'm physically TIRED. I need a
>>>vacation to recover. But that's how cruises are.
>>
>>Glad that you're back safe and sound, Tom!
>>
>>
>>>Had a great time. Constellation looked in great shape.
>>
>>How did I know that you would say that?? ;-)
>
>
> What I found interesting was that they even asked about your perception of
> the condition and cleanliness of halways and landings on the questionaire.
>
> The one place that needs work is a few places is the jogging track up on
> deck 11. The jogging track is a different colored material (red) than the
> adjacent decking, and there's one area on starboard side (about 15 feet)
> where the stone surface seems to have worn away prematurely in footprint
> size spots.
>
Normal wear, no big deal, saw the same things on Explorer after a year.
> Overall the carpeting looks great, but it's also the color (deep purple)
> with a type of pattern (starburst) where dirt simply won't show that easily.
>
> She's only 2 years old and simply doesn't show a lot of abuse.
>
> But if you really want to look closely... there were things like... oh, on
> deck 11, the starboard side "down button" for the elevator didn't work.
> Minor things like that.
>
Yep, minor.
> One thing that I'll throw out is that I was somewhat disappointed in the
> specialty restaurant. It's the first time I've gone. Through no fault of
> their own, I think we had the best regular dining room waiter on all our 32
> cruises on this sailing. And as attentive as the staff in Ocean Liners
> was... they weren't really any better than out own waiter.
>
But the service style is different. It's synchronized, it's a more
intimate area, the dining china/flatware/stemware/wine holders are all
bumped up a notch or two, the overall dining ambiance is what should
distinguish Ocean Liners. This is a total 180 from what we received on
the Connie in the DR. Did you see our waitor from that cruise?
Hopefully, he's being retrained somewhere or not a part of the wait
staff anymore.
> Plus, I'd have to say that our dining room food was the second best on all
> our cruises, second only to our pre-RCI ownership Century sailing back in
> the mid 90's. The fish, steaks and lamb were so good, at they simply
> rivaled the Steak Diane served in Ocean Liners - to the point where Ocean
> Liners wasn't a special treat.
>
Again, a 180 from our cruise, and a good 180. Where did you sit in the
dining room? Also, can you find out who the head chef is, this may make
a huge difference. I think it is good that the dining room food rivaled
the Ocean Liners. That way, you dont' have to go to Ocean Liners to get
excellent food, you go there for a more personalized venue and
experience. What I don't like about Celebrity's specialty restaurants is
that they are now $30, that's $10 higher than HAL's.
Did you see Granville? Did you sit at the Captain's table? If you did
anything like what we had at the table? :) Did you go to the piano bar
and if you did how was the setup? Did you go to the Cirque de Soleil bar
at the top of the world in Connie's observation lounge or has that not
been implemented yet? Were they any announcements? Any bumpy seas (that
route can get rough)?
I must say, Tom, I'm not excited about any new Celebrity ships,
especially larger ones. It is just not exciting to get more newer ships
especially those that are bigger, somebody needs to go in another
direction and smaller. Another series of reality shows, IMO. More SUVs.
And why does Celebrity need to expand past 9 ships? Century to Bermuda
sounds good, though it is big for Bermuda.
I think Millennium ships look better with blue hulls, the blue stripe
doesn't work on them.
What do you think of QM2? Impressive from without or ackward?
Welcome back, glad to hear of the improved dining food on Connie.
Ben S.
>
> --Tom
>
>
Tom & Linda
"Benjamin Smith" <be...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:SnPad.982$NX5...@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
> > One thing that I'll throw out is that I was somewhat disappointed in the
> > specialty restaurant. It's the first time I've gone. Through no fault
of
> > their own, I think we had the best regular dining room waiter on all our
32
> > cruises on this sailing. And as attentive as the staff in Ocean Liners
> > was... they weren't really any better than out own waiter.
> >
>
> But the service style is different. It's synchronized, it's a more
> intimate area, the dining china/flatware/stemware/wine holders are all
> bumped up a notch or two, the overall dining ambiance is what should
> distinguish Ocean Liners. This is a total 180 from what we received on
> the Connie in the DR. Did you see our waitor from that cruise?
> Hopefully, he's being retrained somewhere or not a part of the wait
> staff anymore.
To be honest, I wouldn't remember our waiter from last time.
We sat in the upper deck, starboard side, against the back window,
overlooking the Captain's table.
> Did you see Granville?
He retired in April.
> Did you sit at the Captain's table?
Yes.
> If you did
> anything like what we had at the table? :)
Yes, for one of the earlier dinners during the week, but no, not at our
occasion. We sat with a husband and wife, who's daughter is marrying Rick
Sasso's son. as well as some other couples. The Captain was into politics
this time... about democracy, Iraq, etc.
> Did you go to the piano bar
> and if you did how was the setup?
No.
> Did you go to the Cirque de Soleil bar
> at the top of the world in Connie's observation lounge or has that not
> been implemented yet?
Ioannis was meeting with them in NYC after our cruise. It's not going to be
set up until San Juan. She goes into dry-dock after the present sailing.
> Were they any announcements?
Yes, by the captain at noon each day on location, water depth, etc. And the
CD got in a few comments about bingo, etc. right after. But that was it.
> Any bumpy seas (that
> route can get rough)?
Roughest day was the last night south of Long Island. Going up was almost
smooth as glass. No waves, light just rolling seas. Coming back was a bit
rougher. But only the last night was truly rough.
>
> I must say, Tom, I'm not excited about any new Celebrity ships,
Ioannis is... got his eye on one I think.
> especially larger ones. It is just not exciting to get more newer ships
> especially those that are bigger, somebody needs to go in another
> direction and smaller. Another series of reality shows, IMO. More SUVs.
> And why does Celebrity need to expand past 9 ships? Century to Bermuda
> sounds good, though it is big for Bermuda.
>
> I think Millennium ships look better with blue hulls, the blue stripe
> doesn't work on them.
Seems that everyone else does too... and they're listening.
> What do you think of QM2? Impressive from without or ackward?
Size is impressive. She's HUGE even next to us, and Connie is a BIG ship.
Ackward with the front superstructure. Something just doesn't work there.
The prow looks great, however where the bridge is located... she's just
doesn't look right. Just not aesthetic looking like her older sister - QE2.
And the funnel is too short - because the upper deck was forced to be too
high. So to clear bridges, the funnel is too short and fat. The aft looks
good. And I like the way that they shaped the places that jut out in the
front and back. That looks very good - distinctive on a ship. I just don't
like the area where the bridge is.
> Welcome back, glad to hear of the improved dining food on Connie.
>
--Tom
RTCReferee
Welcome back, Tom.
I'm very much looking forward to "the rest of the story."
Tom & Linda
> >> at the top of the world in Connie's observation lounge or has that not
> >> been implemented yet?
>
> >Ioannis was meeting with them in NYC after our cruise. It's not going to
> >be
> >set up until San Juan. She goes into dry-dock after the present sailing.
>
> the area on the running deck showed some wear...Were you given a reason
for
> the drydocking? Where does she go to have it done?
I think it's a scheduled maintenance dry-docking. Azipods, etc. I don't
think this is one of those RCI type "replace all the carpets" kind of
dry-docking. They may be checking out the GE Gas Turbine engines (which are
basically Boeing 767 jet engines IIRC). Etc.
Norfolk VA I believe.
>
> Ben asked:
> >> What do you think of QM2? Impressive from without or ackward?
>
> > Size is impressive. She's HUGE even next to us, and Connie is a BIG
ship.
> > Ackward with the front superstructure. Something just doesn't work
there.
> > The prow looks great, however where the bridge is located... she's just
> > doesn't look right. Just not aesthetic looking like her older sister -
> > QE2.
>
> I think you hit it right on the head, Tom..
Ackward was actually Ben's word. But it fits.
> Ackward is the word..like one
> huge windbreaker.. Top heavy...From the side she is beautiful, but no
> picture showing the front of her has impressed me.
They've used different color blue/black paint on the side of the hull, and
now it looks blotchy with different color paint in different areas. It's
very noticeable when you dock next to her.
> >And the funnel is too short - because the upper deck was forced to be
too
> > high. So to clear bridges, the funnel is too short and fat. The aft
> > looks
> > good. And I like the way that they shaped the places that jut out in
the
> > front and back. That looks very good - distinctive on a ship. I just
> > don't
> > like the area where the bridge is.
>
> --Jean
>
>
Heather
>They may be checking out the GE Gas Turbine engines (which are
>basically Boeing 767 jet engines
I caught wind of a new splash that will use pumps instead of wheels (not many
know about this yet)....they will be using RR instead of GE since the drives
are KaMeWa. Tis a shame since those big GE's are such a fine whine.
D Ball
for sharing them!
"Tom & Linda" <tkan...@optonline.net> wrote:
>
> Seems way back when...
Chrissy Cruiser
> they will be using RR instead of GE since the drives
> are KaMeWa. Tis a shame since those big GE's are such a fine whine.
You ought to hear them when they talk about tipping on HAL.
Linsifer
OWN dog. Our small one is a "Mama's girl". Well, I can see the writing on the
wall. Whose going to be with this dog most of the day training her? Who will
probably feed and clean up after her? I think I see another mama's girl in the
making. :)
Lindsay
Karen wrote:
>I know just what you mean ;-) I'm always sayin' to Hans "She NEVER
>does that when she's with ME."
I had written:
>...but I knew all the pets were in good hands back at home with
>>"Daddy". Actually, only in MY hands are they at their best.:)
Tom & Linda
>
> LOL, Tom! That must have been quite a duel to see! Glad that Diana
reminded
> you to explain the Ave Maria.. Amusing rivalry! Did you mention anything
> about it to Capt. Ioannis?.
Of course.... and he had a Grin from Ear to Ear.
> Wonder if it is something he always does when
> there! Interesting that both ships pay tribute to the Virgin Mary by
playing
> the Ave Maria, too.
It's a "good luck" custom for ALL ships to do so.
--Tom
>
> --Jean
>
>
>
Linsifer
remember being ready to come home after 7-8 days! <grin>
Lindsay
Tom wrote:
>Good to be back home. It was my first 10 night sailing... and I was ready
>to come home to the family (and Penny) after about 7-8 days.
>
>--Tom
Jeff Coudriet
Jeff
Karen Segboer wrote:
>
> Hans and I have a little framed photo of Sophie that we bring along
> with us on cruises. We put it on our nightstand. I got the idea from
> a friend who brings along photos of her cats.
>
> Karen