dtel's wild ride at Margaritaville, Grand Cayman

[skonopa]

So...do you have anything else you want to share with us....that was a rather short review you gave!

There is really not much to say - the ship did pretty much go out and back. There was alot of onboard activities, some of which I'd love to have done but not enough time to do them in. Yeah, having an actual destination would have added much to the trip (I was looking through some of the various shore excursions they had available, some of which would've been awesome that I'd love to have tried, such as that jeep tour I saw for Cozumel).

It was kinda weird, as I am sitting on the deck by the pool just taking it all in. There was a part of me thinking that I ought to be doing something, but then again, here I am stuck on board this d@mn boat in the middle of the sea, so what more can I do, besides hang out by the pool or go down to the casino and play a couple rounds of video poker, or what have ya.

Also, it did seem like somethimes I was getting nickled-n-dimed every where I go. True, a cruise is pretty all inclusive, but boy, they sure push those drinks on you, plus there is always this "for an additional fee you could do this or that or what have you", but than again, I've experienced the same thing on the ski trips as well. Same thing with the picture taking. Just realized that I never did get around to checking out any pictures that they have taken of me. May have indeed been some good ones that I may have been willing to pay for. Never did get around to doing any shopping either, but than again, I never was one much into shopping. Admittedly, getting a new set of Nike golf clubs, especially at the prices they were offering (plus free fitting as well!), was tempting, but I've already had just recently gotten a new set of clubs, so I really did not need any more.

However, I was getting very pissed at the blackjack table in the casino! I've never had such a streak of bad luck at that game before (and I usually pretty good at winning money). For example, being delt a 19 on one hand and a 20 on the next hand, only to have the dealer pull up a 21! Happened on at least three hands in a row, only to be followed by being delt a 14 with a 9 showing for the house. Of course, I have to try to hit - BUST! Next hand - samething and BUST! I finally said to hell with it and went to play video poker, only to find that somebody left a $1 worth of credits on one of the 25-cent machines. I figured "finder's keeper's", so I went and played it. This time, my luck turned around big time - pulled up 2 full houses, 3 flushes, a straight and a four-of-kind! Pretty much won the money back that I threw away at the blackjack table! That is one of the other things going against me, I never was much of a gambler either. I do like to play the games, but not at say $5 a hand on the blackjack table, for example. Slots are just boring to me, but at least the video poker is kinda fun, plus at only 25 cents a hand, it was more my speed. I am just not one of those types can go throw around $100 chips like they are pennies. even if I did have the money like that to throw around.

I guess I really need to go on a cruise that actually goes somewhere, as like I said before, I never was much into the whole bar/club scene, don't care much for shopping, not much into the whole gambling scene (for example, spent a week in Vegas on business and did not even get to do any gambling at all! How many people can say that? Go to Vegas for a week and not even gamble!). I was enjoying myself just hanging out at the pool and meeting people as well as going to the shows on board, or watching movies on that big "Seaside Theater" screen. Did take a golf clinic, though, which was cool. Of course, it was friggan hot as hell! It was something like 102 degrees here in Fredericksburg!

When the ship came back in port, it was like 7 in the morning. I actually stayed in bed right until the moment when the made me get off, and then having to drive the 2 1/2 hours back to Fredericksburg, and then back to work (did not make it in until like 12:30).

I guess I do need more adventure in my trips, thus the ski trips. But still would love to go on a Caribbean cruise.

Yeah, I bet it is not easy to plan for a cruise, especially if you don't know if people will even commit. Big part for me is simply timing, especially as I very much still plan on going somewhere this winter to go skiing again.

[dtel's wife]

So...do you have anything else you want to share with us....that was a rather short review you gave!

There is really not much to say - the ship did pretty much go out and back. There was alot of onboard activities, some of which I'd love to have done but not enough time to do them in. Yeah, having an actual destination would have added much to the trip (I was looking through some of the various shore excursions they had available, some of which would've been awesome that I'd love to have tried, such as that jeep tour I saw for Cozumel).

We never considered doing anything in Cozumel, except snorkeling. The snorkeling/scuba in Cozumel is wonderful. I can honestly say I didn't think I would enjoy snorkeling, but once I got the hang of it.....well let's just say....it's an awakening to a another world.

We wanted to go to West Cemetary Beach in Grand Cayman, but the taxi driver desposited us across the street from the Marriot Hotel instead. So, we can't really vouch for the snorkeling in Grand Cayman.

The Jeep excursion does sound like fun....but Chakkanaub is so beautiful and relaxing.

It was kinda weird, as I am sitting on the deck by the pool just taking it all in. There was a part of me thinking that I ought to be doing something, but then again, here I am stuck on board this d@mn boat in the middle of the sea, so what more can I do, besides hang out by the pool or go down to the casino and play a couple rounds of video poker, or what have ya.

I know what you mean, it's difficult getting used to the idea of "relaxing". There is usually a band playing on deck during the day...well, at least on the Carribean Cruises. Not sure if you like Reggae music.....that's usually what's played during the day. A couple of nights there is a band that plays "mixed....rock and roll"....no heavy metal though.

Also, it did seem like somethimes I was getting nickled-n-dimed every where I go. True, a cruise is pretty all inclusive, but boy, they sure push those drinks on you, plus there is always this "for an additional fee you could do this or that or what have you", but than again, I've experienced the same thing on the ski trips as well. Same thing with the picture taking. Just realized that I never did get around to checking out any pictures that they have taken of me. May have indeed been some good ones that I may have been willing to pay for. Never did get around to doing any shopping either, but than again, I never was one much into shopping. Admittedly, getting a new set of Nike golf clubs, especially at the prices they were offering (plus free fitting as well!), was tempting, but I've already had just recently gotten a new set of clubs, so I really did not need any more.

That seems strange. The only extras we incurred were of course, cocktails, gambling and pictures....all of which are optional. Some of the photographers on the boats are real good and some aren't....it's definitely worth looking at the pictures. I generally don't like pics of myself. On the first cruise we were fortunate to get some excellent professional photographs, the last cruise.....we didn't purchase a single picture. The "waiters/waitresses" are there to serve you...it seems as though they are pushing the drinks....but that is actually part of the service on a cruise. I know what you mean, I am not much of shopper and neither is dtel...although we did bring home a considerable amount of liquor...more reasonable onboard than in port....and we live in a "dry" county. The "gold by the inch" sale is a really good buy. I bought 21" gold rope chains for each of our daughters for less than $100.00 each.

Now they did have "Bingo", etc. that was like $5 a card, but we passed in favor of the Lido Deck and music.

However, I was getting very pissed at the blackjack table in the casino! I've never had such a streak of bad luck at that game before (and I usually pretty good at winning money). For example, being delt a 19 on one hand and a 20 on the next hand, only to have the dealer pull up a 21! Happened on at least three hands in a row, only to be followed by being delt a 14 with a 9 showing for the house. Of course, I have to try to hit - BUST! Next hand - samething and BUST! I finally said to hell with it and went to play video poker, only to find that somebody left a $1 worth of credits on one of the 25-cent machines. I figured "finder's keeper's", so I went and played it. This time, my luck turned around big time - pulled up 2 full houses, 3 flushes, a straight and a four-of-kind! Pretty much won the money back that I threw away at the blackjack table! That is one of the other things going against me, I never was much of a gambler either. I do like to play the games, but not at say $5 a hand on the blackjack table, for example. Slots are just boring to me, but at least the video poker is kinda fun, plus at only 25 cents a hand, it was more my speed. I am just not one of those types can go throw around $100 chips like they are pennies. even if I did have the money like that to throw around.

Dtel, nor I either one are gamblers. As a matter of fact, we spent the night at the Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, MS this past weekend and I spent a total of $5.00 bucks on the nickel slots...that was enough for me. On the other hand, our oldest daughter played penny slots in the casino on the boat until I thought she would go blind. Just not my cup of tea.

I guess I really need to go on a cruise that actually goes somewhere, as like I said before, I never was much into the whole bar/club scene, don't care much for shopping, not much into the whole gambling scene (for example, spent a week in Vegas on business and did not even get to do any gambling at all! How many people can say that? Go to Vegas for a week and not even gamble!). I was enjoying myself just hanging out at the pool and meeting people as well as going to the shows on board, or watching movies on that big "Seaside Theater" screen. Did take a golf clinic, though, which was cool. Of course, it was friggan hot as hell! It was something like 102 degrees here in Fredericksburg!

A cruise that actually has a destination is a lot different from what you have described. We aren't really into the bar/club scene either, but there was always some live music on the boat until about 2:00 a.m. in the morning. I am one of those people that could go to Vegas and not gamble. dtel and I spent a lot of time by the pool when we were "at sea", but like I said there was usually something happening on the Lido Deck. We were hoping for a "Seaside Theater" onboard the Conquest, but nothing of the sort. I heard the golf clinics were pretty good onboard.

When the ship came back in port, it was like 7 in the morning. I actually stayed in bed right until the moment when the made me get off, and then having to drive the 2 1/2 hours back to Fredericksburg, and then back to work (did not make it in until like 12:30).

I guess I do need more adventure in my trips, thus the ski trips. But still would love to go on a Caribbean cruise.

I think a Caribbean cruise with a few people you know would measure up to the ski trips....and we do like snow skiing also! Dtel likes it more than I do.....guess I am kind of a "scaredy cat".

Yeah, I bet it is not easy to plan for a cruise, especially if you don't know if people will even commit. Big part for me is simply timing, especially as I very much still plan on going somewhere this winter to go skiing again.

Well....we probably need to get some input from others before we make any final plans. There's this ski resort near Ghendt, West Virginia called "Winterplace". Have you ever been there? We also went to Canaan Valley, which is absolutely beautiful...we didn't ski at Canaan Valley...but Winterplace was pretty cool.

[skonopa]

I know what you mean, it's difficult getting used to the idea of "relaxing". There is usually a band playing on deck during the day...well, at least on the Carribean Cruises. Not sure if you like Reggae music.....that's usually what's played during the day. A couple of nights there is a band that plays "mixed....rock and roll"....no heavy metal though.

There was a calypso/raggae band that was playing at pool side Sunday afternoon. I'll admit that Reggae is not my first choice in music, but this band was quite good and fun to listen to, plus the whole calypso/reggae thing just "fit" the environment at the moment. Yeah, I don't expect to hear the type of metal that I typically listen to in something a bit more mainstream such as on board a Carnival Cruise. However, it was pretty cool (and kinda funny) hearing Quiet Riot "Come on Feel the Noise" in the elevator as I was going back to my cabin before dinner! Just not something I really expected to hear in that environment! Also funny that I was hanging out in the "piano bar" after dinner Saturday evening and got the guy to play AC/DC "Highway to Hell" for me.

That seems strange. The only extras we incurred were of course, cocktails, gambling and pictures....all of which are optional. Some of the photographers on the boats are real good and some aren't....it's definitely worth looking at the pictures. I generally don't like pics of myself. On the first cruise we were fortunate to get some excellent professional photographs, the last cruise.....we didn't purchase a single picture. The "waiters/waitresses" are there to serve you...it seems as though they are pushing the drinks....but that is actually part of the service on a cruise. I know what you mean, I am not much of shopper and neither is dtel...although we did bring home a considerable amount of liquor...more reasonable onboard than in port....and we live in a "dry" county. The "gold by the inch" sale is a really good buy. I bought 21" gold rope chains for each of our daughters for less than $100.00 each.

Now they did have "Bingo", etc. that was like $5 a card, but we passed in favor of the Lido Deck and music.

Now looking back it it, that was pretty much it. I think the only thing I really incurred was the cocktails, which I'll admit, I was enjoying a few. The only other thing that I put on was the $25 I transfered to play in the casino. Overall, I only incurred about $100 in extra expenses during the entire thing.

A cruise that actually has a destination is a lot different from what you have described. We aren't really into the bar/club scene either, but there was always some live music on the boat until about 2:00 a.m. in the morning. I am one of those people that could go to Vegas and not gamble. dtel and I spent a lot of time by the pool when we were "at sea", but like I said there was usually something happening on the Lido Deck. We were hoping for a "Seaside Theater" onboard the Conquest, but nothing of the sort. I heard the golf clinics were pretty good onboard.

They showed "Bourne Ultimatum" on the "Seaside Theater" Sunday night, which was really cool. It was actually kinda reminensice of going to the old drive-in theaters of days gone by. If they can do this onboard a cruise ship, make you wonder if we may see a "renassaince" of drive-in/outdoor theaters, especially in this day of modern large LED displays that can show full high-def resolution with very good picture quailty and modern high quality sound systems. Even the local public pool sometimes does a "movie night", where they setup a screen poolside and show movies.

When the ship came back in port, it was like 7 in the morning. I actually stayed in bed right until the moment when the made me get off, and then having to drive the 2 1/2 hours back to Fredericksburg, and then back to work (did not make it in until like 12:30).

I think a Caribbean cruise with a few people you know would measure up to the ski trips....and we do like snow skiing also! Dtel likes it more than I do.....guess I am kind of a "scaredy cat".

That is why that is still something that I'd really like to experience, especially with a group. If this "Klipch Kruise" does not pan out, I may check out the local travel clubs, such as this ski club that I am part of, and see if any of them are doing cruises. I know some of the area ski clubs do sometimes go on cruises and the like during the "off-season". For example, one of the ski clubs was planning on a Scandinavian cruise, but it was two weeks and over $4,000! Hey, wait - that gives me an idea - what is to say that I cannot try to arrange something like that for the ski club here. I'll have to float (no pun intended) this idea at the next ski club meeting.

Well....we probably need to get some input from others before we make any final plans. There's this ski resort near Ghendt, West Virginia called "Winterplace". Have you ever been there? We also went to Canaan Valley, which is absolutely beautiful...we didn't ski at Canaan Valley...but Winterplace was pretty cool.

Oh yeah, I've been to Canaan Valley myself. I do know of Winterplace, but I've never skiied there. It is a bit of a hike for me, and if I am going to go that far, I'd rather go to Snowshoe, Seven Springs (up in PA), or any of the ones up in the Poconos, such as Blue Mountain, which has nearly as many trails, but nearly twice the vertical. I've heard that Winterplace does offer some nice skiing, but is a bit small at only a little over 600 feet of vertical (complared to the 1100 feet at Massanutten, where I patrol at, for example). There are something like 29 ski areas within about 1/2 day of driving from here.

What kind of input are you looking for? Ideas on destinations and times? Ideas as to what types of things to do? I would have to do some research on my own. For example, I know Carnival will help arrange special occasions/events, for example, so it may be neat to setup some type of group party or gathering specific to the "Klipsch Kruise" attendees. I don't know how much extra something like that would cost, though. As for ideas of actual destination and when, I'll have to look myself to see what is available. I would be up just for doing the Cozumel, Grand Cayman, etc cruise. At the very least, once settled on a specific cruise and time, we should get Amy or somebody to "sticky" up the announcement.

[dtel's wife]

Steve,

Did you get to see any real clear water?

I really would like to get the "Klipsch Kruise" together, I think it would be great fun. Maybe we can let everyone get past the Pilgrimage.

29 ski areas within a days drive!!! Wow, that sounds like fun. Yes, Winterplace is a little small compared to where you ski.

I think we need input on what time of year would be best for most folks. I know we can't accomodate everyone's schedule, but if we could accomodate the majority of those interested that would help. It really doesn't matter what time of year we go, other than hurricane season. We should rule the hurricane season out automatically. The water is always warm enough for swimming/snorkeling/scuba etc.

We also need to chose an embarkation port....Mobile, New Orleans, Galveston, Jacksonville...those would be the easiest for the southern contingent. All of those ports mentioned offer five day cruises, which I would recommend for the "lst Annual Klipsch Kruise". Cruises can be arranged from $299.00 to $459.00 from those ports.

The travel agent suggested we eliminate Mobile, as the only ship out of Mobile is the Holiday, which is great for an inexpensive get a way, but maybe not the best for first time cruisers. I am kind of leaning towards Jacksonville. We have sailed from New Orleans onboard the Fantasy which is a nice, but older ship. The Conquest and Ecstasy sail out of Galveston, but our debarkation experience in Galveston almost ruined the whole trip.

I am going to take a look at Jacksonville again. The boat out of Jacksonville sails to the Bahamas which I think would be cool, too!