I love to cruise...can't understand people who think I am really "brave" to go!!  I will be aboard on the 21st of November and looking forward to it!!  Can't wait!!  I wanted to go with my husband, but he felt he was "too old" so I am going with my neighbor lady and she is 5 years older than my husband!  Can't think of a better way to vacation.  Hope to see you all there.

Oh yeah! Brave to cruise! My dad about flipped when he watched some special about shark attacks and one couple on there had been on a cruise and stayed over at the last stop and then he got half his leg torn off by a shark. Dad didn't want me swimming with the Dolphins or feeding the Sting Rays...."Those animals are dangerous!" Good grief...if only he knew how dangerous some people in bars or casinos or just out walkin about on the street are!!!! I feel safer on a cruise than I do in Vegas. (No offense to any one!) And tell your hubby "you're only as old as you act!" He'll wish he had gone with you! Robyn

We will be on the Freedom for the 11/21 sailing with my parents, brothers, our wives and children, 14 of us total. We will have 2-15yr old girls, a 14yr old girl, 2-13 yr old boys and an 11yr old boy.  Our kids love cruising and are looking forward to November.

Wow! That's quite a crew you've got there! We are excited to hear about the 11 year old boy; our 11 year old son has been hoping to meet someone his age since the Carnival kids' program seems to have a gap in the 11 year olds' programs. Would you be willing to meet up on ship and introduce the boys? Maybe you could tell us a little more about him? (And, do your kids enjoy the kids' programs put on by Carnival?) We also have a 15 year old daughter! Robyn

 hello again fellow cruisers,  40 days and counting..... it seems so close now, but yet so far away LOL.  I know when the papers come in the mail with luggage tags, thats when I will start gettting really excited.  I'm so ready to go now....but it will be here and over that quick.  everyone book there excursions?  We only booked in Cozumel, the rest we are just chilling on the ship....taking in the sun and Drink of the day LOL

 

talk to you all soon 

Lori And Steve

 

 

Glad to see you Lori & Steve! I was worried that everyone was bored with this blog.... We can hardly wait for the cruise. My plan not to count down the days is paying off. Every so often when the kids or hubby report "Only 40 days to go" I am so surprised at how quickly the time is flying! To them, they look at the count down every day and there's just no excitement there, rather "ho-hum" really. The only excursion we've booked is to go to the Panama Canal. (Can't remember the name of that tour, but it's the 8+ hour excursion in the locks.) We've been to Cozumel before....in fact the only thing I plan to do there is go to the little jewelry store right at the pier. I bought a tanzanite bracelet there and the gentleman assured me that the bracelet was "14 karat gold....yes ma'am!". I am 100% sure that gold doesn't fade over time to silver, so I'm going to march right back in there and drive another hard bargain with him. (Now, mind you I worked in a jewelry store in my youth, and I knew to look for the 14k stamp......I looked but couldn't find it....but I was so taken by the beauty of the piece that I forgot my own rule "no 14k stamp, no purchase." ) And aside from that mistake of my own stupidity, one of the stones has fallen out. I kinda feel ripped off. So I'm going to get off the boat in Cozumel just to go to that store with my bracelet and see what kind of amends they might make. I know. Taking my chances. (But even if I strike out, I'll be ok- I still LOVE that bracelet!) But I'll bet you they never ever counted on a "dissatisfied customer" coming back in person. Hah. You just watch me. I'm not sure what else we might do. I think the kids will want to get off the boat at each stop, so we'll just see what we can do, close to the port, on our own. Any one have suggestions on that, especially for Puerto Rico? Robyn

 hello Robyn,  I check the post everday (how sad is that lol).  I don't blame you for going back, I would love to see their faces when you went in.  I would think that they would hook you up with a new braclet or make it right at least.  I love tanzanite, I have bought a few pieces on the ship..... when I didn't lose all my spending money in the casino playing 3 card poker hehehe.  We have been to all of these ports before, in costa rica we did an excursion with a train.  (my husband loves trains of all kinds)  it was cool,  but very long on a train, a bus and such.... if i remember it was 5 or 6 hours   long day.  Cozumel is one of my fav ports..... we are doing the catameran (i cant spell)  just enjoying the beach.  They stop to snorkel, but I just will watch from the boat LOL. Well I chatted enough for now.  Talk to you soon 

Lori

Sorry so slow get back to you.  I kind of stumbled on to the cruise talk and don't check the post too frequently.  Sure we, we would love to introduce your kids to our crew.  Drop me an email at gtkrause@yahoo.com and I can give you some more information.

Well now were almost at 30 days and I cannot wait. But they do not mail the papers and luggage tags to you anymore you print them all on the computer. Saving postage and paper you know. I have never been to the Panama canal I can't wait. I did not know we had an excursion where we could actually go thru the canal. We are going white water rafting in Costa rica in cozumel we are just going to visit Jimmy Buffet for the day been there lots of times. Can't wait to see everyone there. Thanks Bonnie

Hey Bonnie! It's so cool....I can hardly wait. I am so glad you made this post; I had no idea (!!!) that Carnival didn't mail the documents anymore. Bummer. That kind of takes some of the excitement away. I did manage to get everything printed...but there's still more fun in ripping open the package from the mail box than there is in watching them print on my ancient, but still working, printer. There is an excursion to the Canal, it's an all day event, and from the looks of things, I think there are still some available. My husband has been itchy to do the Panama Canal cruise, but I thought it would be better to do a cruise that stops at Panama, than to spend 2 weeks down there, only to discover on day 2 that he doesn't like it down there! Can't wait to be on board! Robyn

 well it's getting closer...... I've started to put things in my suitcase. Making a list of what i need and what I DONT.... I always over pack.   talk to everyone soon

Lori and steve

 

 3 more weeks.....not that I really need to tell anyone.  I'm sure your all counting LOL

 

Lori

We check in regularly to see what our countdown clock says!  We did book excursions for the All About Port Limon excursion in Costa Rica, and  the Panama City excursion in Panama.  For Cozumel, which we have been to before, we are just going to rent a taxi and stop at our favorite places! 

 

I'M READY TO GO NOW!!!!!

 

I am so ready I am trying on clothes tonight we are in North Carolina the weather is crazy so I haven't even put away summer clothes yet. I have been checking out some of the tours that they are talking about on cruise critic some are very interesting. I cannot get this clock ticker off of here wrong thing totaly. See ya soon. From Bonnie and the whole gang 

Well we changed our mind about Cozumel, we booked for a beach day with Nachi-Cocum!  I hope it's as fabulous as all the reviews say it is!  T-minus 14 days and counting!!!!