Wedding Rings » Diamond Wedding Ring

Clothes shopping for DH (dining)…is this OK?

admin — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

> Enjoy your cruise, Monica. Feel free to ignore the snobs in this group.

Why is it that anyone on this newsgroup who experesses enjoyment of formal nights and encourages new cruisers (and veterans) to comply with the suggested dress described, well in advance, by the cruiselines, gets classified as a snob? What’s that all about? Just as some folks pick a cruise for a more casual atmosphere, others might specifically pick a cruise for its formality – not because they’re snobs but because they enjoy dressing up, dining elegantly, and spending time in an atmosphere of elegance shared by their fellow revelers. For me, I have so little opportunity to dress and dine formally at home that dressing up on cruises is something I really, really enjoy. I’m a jeans and t-shirts kind of gal every day, but I’m really looking forward to my HAL cruise in March when I can dress up a few nights and get caught up in the elegance of the evening I’ll share with 2000 other people. I’ve also taken a Windjammer cruise where if you showed up for dinner in anything other than a bathing suit or shorts and a tee you were overdressed – loved that too. Formal nights on cruises are a highlight for me and I’m sure for many others – it’s too bad that folks who choose not to dress up might consider us snobs for enjoying the spirit of the evening. Really, cruise ships are pretty lenient compared to some fancier restaurants I’ve been to where gentlemen absolutely will not be seated without a jacket and tie. The meals are worth the effort of dressing up at these restaurants, and I’ve found that formal night meals on cruises are where you’ll find the fancier/better offerings. It may just be worth your while to make the extra effort to dress appropriately for the dining room so you can enjoy, quite possibly, the best food of the week. Do what you want – it’s your cruise. But, you’re not alone on the ship. Lee

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->This was an extreme example of how you can take anything you’re >comfortable in and turn it into formal wear. The key was the total >leather ensemble, of leather jacket (shawl collar resembling a 1920s tux >jacket), formal tux shirt, leather bow tie and gold watch with diamond >accents. When you create an elegant picture out of Rock ‘n Roll and >Biker clothes the single elements become transformed by the whole. >You wouldn’t happen to have a photo of this, would you? I’d love to >see it, although your description made for a great image in my head. >Karen, has always liked the tailored formal style of the ’50s Doris >Day in her Rock Hudson movies. >http://www.cupcaked.com/reviews/pic.html

Sorry, Karen, as an artist I take photographs. I rarely am in them. I did do some self portraits back in South Carolina when I was working on my Masters. But none of the images include me dressed that way. Hey Rene Z brought that whole Doris Day look back in "Down With Love". Go for it girl. — To email me, Edit "xt" 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

Response:

> Think of it as a way you both can play dress-up and re-invent yourself > for the cruise. I’m an artist and while in the ’60s I did the whole > long hair, ripped denim thing. I rather enjoy putting together a look > for myself for formal night out of odds and ends I have in my closet. I > once did a black leather tux out of black Levis 501s,

I can’t imagine a normal definition of formal attire that would include 501’s.

Response:

Hi Brian. Well, I did read the first link during my research. Read it again just now to see where I missed the info on dressing formal during the formal evening even if you do not attend formal dining on those nights. Guess I missed it again as I still don’t see it Our TA didn’t mention the dress code in question. Maybe she thought she might lose a booking? I don’t know. She has mentioned, when I inquire about proper attire, that this ship is leaving from Texas with lots of Texas cowboys…there will be lots of men in western wear (including boots) in the dining rooms. Also, I have been on the second website you’ve linked to. Logged in with my booking number and browsed the pages. Again, I don’t see that it’s requested we dress in formal wear even if we don’t do formal dining nights. I guess we need to stop wasting bandwidth with this topic I simply wanted to know if what we chose for DH would be appropriate for dining in all other areas except the formal dining rooms on formal night. He’s not going to don a suite and tie and we won’t stay locked up in our cabin on formal nights. Thanks for all the feedback. I’ll be sure and report back at the end of Jan (provided we haven’t been tossed overboard for looking like heathens ) Monica ps…black 501’s for formal? hummmm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I hear you Monica, but I find it a little hard to believe that your TA > didn’t tell you about Princess Lines culture. (The kinds of pax and what > people wear and when.) Likewise, I am surprised that in reading general > information at Princess Website you missed > http://www.princess.com/onboard/answer/bring.html. Also, as soon as you > got your booking number, you could have logged in at: > https://book.princess.com/cruisepersonalizer/login.page and got more > details about your itinerary, excursions (with the option to book > online) and information about Formal and Casual nights.

Response:

>> Think of it as a way you both can play dress-up and re-invent > yourself for the cruise. I’m an artist and while in the ’60s I did > the whole long hair, ripped denim thing. I rather enjoy putting > together a look for myself for formal night out of odds and ends I > have in my closet. I once did a black leather tux out of black Levis > 501s, > I can’t imagine a normal definition of formal attire that would > include 501’s.

By themselves black Levis button fly jeans are indeed the very opposite of formal. When worn underneath leather chaps, us Artist types can really push the envelope and be seen for the formal image we want to project. This was an extreme example of how you can take anything you’re comfortable in and turn it into formal wear. The key was the total leather ensemble, of leather jacket (shawl collar resembling a 1920s tux jacket), formal tux shirt, leather bow tie and gold watch with diamond accents. When you create an elegant picture out of Rock ‘n Roll and Biker clothes the single elements become transformed by the whole. Take the classic tux with tails. How does a gentleman define an image that doesn’t confuse him with his butler or a waiter in a gourmet upscale eatery? Accessories, a great cut and a refined feeling about himself, an attitude. These things present the image. It’s not about the tails, it’s about the total look. That’s the fun part about a vacation, cruise, gallery opening, or opening night at the opera. You get to play dress-up. Don’t just rent a tux or buy couture that somebody else told you is dress-up. Create your own image, let the mirror be your guide. Transformation is kinda like picking a persona for a game. It’s grown-up play time with clothes. — To email me, Edit "xt" 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

Response:

Thank you Becca! We leave out of Galveston on Jan 22…provided we can GET there Farmer’s Almanac has a treacherous weather in the forecast for North East Texas that week. Here’s hoping Farmer’s is WRONG The further south we travel it won’t be an issue, but it certainly can be here at home. We intend to dress tastefully wherever we go…do so the rest of our lives. Can’t imagine not doing it on a cruise ship. Thanks for the kind words Monica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> inquire about proper attire, that this ship is leaving from Texas > with lots of Texas cowboys…there will be lots of men in western > wear (including boots) in the dining rooms.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Over the years, I have noticed a change in the way people dress after >dinner. People change into more casual clothes. They go to the showroom >lounge, the casino and to the bars. Is it right or wrong? I can not >I’ve also noticed that there is a huge range of dining times on >Princess — you can easily eat your evening meal anytime >between 5:00pm and 10:00pm. >I’ve noticed that prior to 8:00pm, lots of people are still casual, >as they’re not yet ready for dinner, and after 8:00pm lots of people >are again casual, as they’ve already dined. >I own a tux and a dinner jacket, and I rarely bother hauling them >on cruises any more. …maybe for New Year’s eve. >Just throw on a sports coat, if needed. >Which, of course, brings me to the real point of my post >– for what sport are sports coats intended?

Originally, Fox Hunt. They’ve been modified over the ages. — To email me, Edit "xt" 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

Response:

> inquire about proper attire, that this ship is leaving from Texas > with lots of Texas cowboys…there will be lots of men in western > wear (including boots) in the dining rooms.

Monica, I hope you enjoy the Grand Princess as much as I did. When is your cruise? I have cruised out of Texas a few times. You will see plenty of people in jeans and western wear on this ship. They will also be some of the nicest people you will ever cruise with. Over the years, I have noticed a change in the way people dress after dinner. People change into more casual clothes. They go to the showroom lounge, the casino and to the bars. Is it right or wrong? I can not say, I will just say I have noticed it, and it is happening more often. You described what you will be wearing and it sounds fine to me. If you feel uncomfortable, then you can wear something else in the future. BTW, the swimming pools and hot tubs on Princess will be open, I can not imagine people going swimming in formal wear, can you? Enjoy your cruise, Monica. Feel free to ignore the snobs in this group. Most of the people you meet on cruises are actually nice people. Becca <—–enjoy your first cruise… MOAGC http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com/ Miracle in May http://www.cruisemaster.com/miracle.htm Canada – New England http://www.cruisemaster.com/carnivalFall.htm Caribbean Princess http://www.cruisemaster.com/caribprin.htm

Response:

Grand Princess, sailing out of Galveston to Western Caribbean in Jan. We won’t be doing the two formal nights. This is what we bought for DH for the various dining rooms. Docker type pants in two shades of khaki and one pair of black and one navy. Eight shirts, all collared…4 solid color polos, one pull over (collared) print and 3 long sleeve button down the front. One pair brown "semi dress" dress shoes. Still need to find a black pair. At this point we haven’t bought ties or a jacket. He’s not a tie person but I’ll make him wear one if he needs to. Will he be breaking any rules (implied or otherwise) if he didn’t wear a jacket? Thanks, Monica

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Grand Princess, sailing out of Galveston to Western Caribbean in Jan. We > won’t be doing the two formal nights. This is what we bought for DH for the > various dining rooms. Docker type pants in two shades of khaki and one pair > of black and one navy. Eight shirts, all collared…4 solid color polos, > one pull over (collared) print and 3 long sleeve button down the front. One > pair brown "semi dress" dress shoes. Still need to find a black pair. At > this point we haven’t bought ties or a jacket. He’s not a tie person but > I’ll make him wear one if he needs to. Will he be breaking any rules > (implied or otherwise) if he didn’t wear a jacket? > Thanks, > Monica

If you’re not going to the dining room on formal nights, then no, you’re not breaking any "rules".

Response:

>If you’re not going to the dining room on formal nights, then no, you’re not >breaking any "rules".

Hi Norm, Princess requests that you stick with the dress of the evening in all public areas. Granted, they do not enforce this. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

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Is this suggesting that on formal nights, even if you don’t attend the formal dinners, they want you to dress in formal attire if you’re in any of the public areas (iow, anyplace outside your room)?

> Actually, several of the cruise lines print something like "please be > respectful by remaining formally dressed in the ship’s other public > rooms all evening" in their version of the ship’s daily news. It’s

and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)

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>Is this suggesting that on formal nights, even if you don’t attend the >formal dinners, they want you to dress in formal attire if you’re in any of >the public areas (iow, anyplace outside your room)?

Hi Monica, Correct, Princess as well as some other cruise lines, ask that you stay dressed as requested in the public areas. The cruise lines believe that this adds to the ambience onboard the ship. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

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That’s just ridiculous This will be my first cruise but I’m willing to bet this is not reinforced or even expected to be. We’re totally willing to respect the formal night wear in the dining room and since we choose not to dress for this occasion, we would dine elsewhere. Not a problem. But, to expect everyone on the ship that chooses not to dress for formal dining night to stay in their rooms for the rest of the evening is ridiculous! Monica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Exactly. >Is this suggesting that on formal nights, even if you don’t attend the >formal dinners, they want you to dress in formal attire if you’re in any of >the public areas (iow, anyplace outside your room)?

Response:

Monica, If you don’t like the culture of a given cruise line, don’t book the cruise line. Book one of those informal cruises where folks can show up to dinner in sweats and swim wear. I’m not totally into the formal night thing. But, if everybody at: the theater, casino, piano bar, disco, etc is dressed in formal wear and you turn – up in spandex shorts and a halter top and hubby is wearing cut-offs, sandals and an "I’m with stupid" t-shirt just think how out of place you’d look. Think how out of place you’d feel. On most ships you don’t have to break the bank for formal wear. Women don’t have to go out and buy floor length couture, a simple cocktail dress will do. Men can rent a tux, or wear a dark business suit, shirt and tie. There’s more flexibility for individual expression then you may realize. I’ve seen African-American men and woman wearing really smashing flowing caftan robes. I’ve seen Indian and some other women look absolutely knock-out in a Sari. I’ve worn a Black Suede Jacket paired with very dark charcoal pants set off with a Red Silk Shirt and Black Silk Tie with open weave black leather slip-ons for footwear. Rather than viewing the suggestion as something being imposed upon you, look at it as a chance to play dress-up. Have fun with it! — To email me, Edit "xt" 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 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->That’s just ridiculous This will be my first cruise but I’m willing to >bet this is not reinforced or even expected to be. We’re totally willing to >respect the formal night wear in the dining room and since we choose not to >dress for this occasion, we would dine elsewhere. Not a problem. But, to >expect everyone on the ship that chooses not to dress for formal dining >night to stay in their rooms for the rest of the evening is ridiculous! >Monica >Exactly. >>Is this suggesting that on formal nights, even if you don’t attend the >>formal dinners, they want you to dress in formal attire if you’re in any >of >>the public areas (iow, anyplace outside your room)?

Response:

Yes, it’s all part of the "cruise experience"! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Is this suggesting that on formal nights, even if you don’t attend the > formal dinners, they want you to dress in formal attire if you’re in any of > the public areas (iow, anyplace outside your room)? > Actually, several of the cruise lines print something like "please be > respectful by remaining formally dressed in the ship’s other public > rooms all evening" in their version of the ship’s daily news. It’s > and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)

Response:

During my extensive research for a cruise line (the various cruise line sites, the many cruise forums and this newsgroup) and during my appt with the travel agent, never did I read or was I told that Princess requests that everyone adhere to the formal wear evenings whether or not you dine in the formal dining rooms during formal night or not. I am indeed attempting to follow the dress code. That’s why I’ve asked several questions (here, on line and to my TA) about dressing properly for the various dining rooms. We will not be dressing in shorts, spandex, halter tops and torn t-shirts We will be dressed respectfully anywhere we go..on or off the ship. We aren’t party animals, don’t like loud and crazy and prefer nicer surroundings. There won’t be children with us. These are the reasons I chose Princess. Today is the FIRST time I’m reading that the cruise line would like us to dress in formal wear (on formal night) to eat in the Horizon court Monica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Monica, > If you don’t like the culture of a given cruise line, don’t book the > cruise line. Book one of those informal cruises where folks can show up > to dinner in sweats and swim wear. > I’m not totally into the formal night thing. But, if everybody at: the > theater, casino, piano bar, disco, etc is dressed in formal wear and > you turn – up in spandex shorts and a halter top and hubby is wearing

Response:

> During my extensive research for a cruise line (the various cruise line > sites, the many cruise forums and this newsgroup) and during my appt with > the travel agent, never did I read or was I told that Princess requests that > everyone adhere to the formal wear evenings whether or not you dine in the > formal dining rooms during formal night or not.

It is pretty common knowledge so your research was not extensive enough. The reality though is that some people do change out of formal clothes after dinner. Before and during dinner most people are in formal wear, but as the evening goes on after dinner you would find a growing number of people who have changed. Not a majority but a signifigant minority. > chose Princess. Today is the FIRST time I’m reading that the cruise line > would like us to dress in formal wear (on formal night) to eat in the > Horizon court

I call this a request with a wink. If you are not wearing formal wear, if you wear country club casual in the Horizon Court on the formal nights you would probably fit in well. — Charles

Response:

He won’t need a jacket if you’re not going to formal night. If you’d like to have a good meal, he can wear a dark jacket with white shirt, tie & dockers on formal night. there will be others dressed the same. Don’t worry – just enjoy your cruise! ) — Bushwhacker Bushwhacker’s Profile: 442 View this thread: 165556

Response:

>>Monica, >If you don’t like the culture of a given cruise line, don’t book the >cruise line. Book one of those informal cruises where folks can show up >to dinner in sweats and swim wear.

Would you agree, that there is more to a cruise line than the type of dress? For instance, cruises without such formal night "formalities" might have some other things that the poster would not like, like youths running amok.

Response:

I hear you Monica, but I find it a little hard to believe that your TA didn’t tell you about Princess Lines culture. (The kinds of pax and what people wear and when.) Likewise, I am surprised that in reading general information at Princess Website you missed http://www.princess.com/onboard/answer/bring.html. Also, as soon as you got your booking number, you could have logged in at: https://book.princess.com/cruisepersonalizer/login.page and got more details about your itinerary, excursions (with the option to book online) and information about Formal and Casual nights. I am sure that if you wear a nice dress casual dress and you husband wears a dress casual sport jacket, shirt, and tie with slacks you won’t be turned – away from the shows, casino or other public areas. The Suggestion to be dressed in formal wear in public areas as the ones I’ve mentioned, is a suggestion. The cruise line is saying, ‘mostly everybody is making an effort to dress-up, it would be nice if you did too.’ They are just trying to discourage folks from being waay too relaxed on formal nights. They don’t want you to feel out of place. If your husband absolutely loaths wearing a tie on vacation, one of those formal looking shirts with studs to close the collar. (Very popular in L. A.) can do the trick with a dark sport coat and dark slacks. You don’t have to run out and buy a brand new dress. Unless you are traveling with friends, no one will know if you recycle that little black dress you wore to a wedding or similar function. Think of it as a way you both can play dress-up and re-invent yourself for the cruise. I’m an artist and while in the ’60s I did the whole long hair, ripped denim thing. I rather enjoy putting together a look for myself for formal night out of odds and ends I have in my closet. I once did a black leather tux out of black Levis 501s, black leather chaps, a leather jacket with a shawl collar, a formal tux shirt and a black leather bow tie. Separately they didn’t look formal at all. But when I put them together and added a gold watch with diamond accents I was cutting edge formal. Plus since it was a northern cruise, I could walk the promenade deck after dinner well protected from the elements. Too extreme for you? That’s cool. Find your own way into enjoying formal night. But, enjoy it. Brian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->During my extensive research for a cruise line (the various cruise line >sites, the many cruise forums and this newsgroup) and during my appt with >the travel agent, never did I read or was I told that Princess requests that >everyone adhere to the formal wear evenings whether or not you dine in the >formal dining rooms during formal night or not. I am indeed attempting to >follow the dress code. That’s why I’ve asked several questions (here, on >line and to my TA) about dressing properly for the various dining rooms. We >will not be dressing in shorts, spandex, halter tops and torn t-shirts >We will be dressed respectfully anywhere we go..on or off the ship. We >aren’t party animals, don’t like loud and crazy and prefer nicer >surroundings. There won’t be children with us. These are the reasons I >chose Princess. Today is the FIRST time I’m reading that the cruise line >would like us to dress in formal wear (on formal night) to eat in the >Horizon court >Monica >Monica, >If you don’t like the culture of a given cruise line, don’t book the >cruise line. Book one of those informal cruises where folks can show up >to dinner in sweats and swim wear. >I’m not totally into the formal night thing. But, if everybody at: the >theater, casino, piano bar, disco, etc is dressed in formal wear and >you turn – up in spandex shorts and a halter top and hubby is wearing

Response:

If you’re not going to the dining room on formal nights, then no, you’re not breaking any "rules".

Response:

>If you’re not going to the dining room on formal nights, then no, you’re not >breaking any "rules".

Response:

and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)

Response:

I call this a request with a wink. If you are not wearing formal wear, if you wear country club casual in the Horizon Court on the formal nights you would probably fit in well. — Charles

Response:

>>Monica, >If you don’t like the culture of a given cruise line, don’t book the >cruise line. Book one of those informal cruises where folks can show up >to dinner in sweats and swim wear.

Response:

I can’t imagine a normal definition of formal attire that would include 501’s.

Response:

> inquire about proper attire, that this ship is leaving from Texas > with lots of Texas cowboys…there will be lots of men in western > wear (including boots) in the dining rooms.

Response:

> Enjoy your cruise, Monica. Feel free to ignore the snobs in this group.

Response:

Princess' 2005 Inside Passage!

admin — Wed, 26 May 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Hi Everyone, I received this press release from Princess and thought it would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news’ postings, they are available on my web site. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com 5/24/2004 PRINCESS’ 2005 INSIDE PASSAGE PROGRAM FEATURES MORE SAILINGS ON WEST COAST’S LARGEST AND MOST AMENITY-FILLED VESSELS Convenient Roundtrip Voyages Offered from Seattle and San Francisco Princess will offer additional Alaska Inside Passage cruising in 2005, with more sailings on its convenient roundtrip itinerary from Seattle on the new Sapphire Princess and sister ship Diamond Princess — the largest and most amenity-filled vessels to sail on the West Coast. They are joined once again by Regal Princess’ popular sailings from San Francisco. In total the line will offer 53 departures on three itineraries, all featuring the convenience of easily accessible home ports. These roundtrip cruises complement Princess’ other 2005 Alaska option, the "Voyage of the Glaciers" Gulf of Alaska itinerary, available on four ships. With the Inside Passage program, passengers enjoy an easily accessible U.S.-based discovery adventure that also offers the opportunity to add a land tour to the Canadian Rockies or take advantage of the many attractions in the ships’ home ports with pre- or post-cruise stays in Seattle or San Francisco. "The debut of Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess last year really made our Inside Passage cruises a phenomenal addition to our Alaska program," said Alan Buckelew, president of Princess Cruises. "This year we’ve added even more sailings to make these cruises available for additional passengers who want an easy and carefree way to enjoy the best of the Inside Passage." Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess Sail From Seattle Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess return to Seattle to offer a seven-day roundtrip voyages calling at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria, plus cruise through the dramatic glaciers, rock walls and waterfalls of Tracy Arm and the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Diamond Princess will offer 20 voyages on this itinerary departing on Saturdays between May 7 and September 17, 2005, while Sapphire Princess will offer 19 voyages departing on Sundays, beginning May 15 and continuing through September 18. Regal Princess from San Francisco Regal Princess will offer 14 departures between May 8 and September 15 on a 10-day Inside Passage itinerary roundtrip from "The City by the Bay," San Francisco. Passengers have a choice of itineraries that feature calls at Victoria, Juneau and two other scenic Alaska ports that rotate between Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway or Haines. All voyages also offer premiere glacier viewing in Tracy Arm. Canadian Rockies Cruisetours Passengers who would like to add to their vacation have three Canadian Rockies tour options designed to coordinate with Inside Passage cruises from Seattle. Princess’ escorted itineraries take guests to the heart of these spectacular mountains with visits to Banff, Jasper, Calgary and Kamloops, along with other local highlights. The 12- and 13-night packages feature stays at the area’s premiere Fairmont resort properties such as the Chateau Lake Louise, Banff Springs Hotel and Jasper Park Lodge. The Seattle-based Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess offer Inside Passage passengers the opportunity to enjoy the Alaskan scenery from the comfort of the West Coast’s largest and most amenity-filled vessels. These "gems" of the Princess fleet feature such innovations at themed main dining rooms — Italian, Asian, Southwestern and steakhouse. Other popular features include the largest Internet Caf

Our January Cruising Experience – Very Long Post

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

>Sunny is the most fascinating person >on the newsgroup. I always read her comments. Ermalee is a very close >second as my favorite. How fortunate you are to include both of them >in your very interesting report.

And they are both more than deserving of the honor. I have met and spent time with both of these delightful women, and can’t wait for my next chance to meet up with them again!

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> Welcome home, guys. Sure enjoyed hearing all about your trip full of friends, > food and fun. Howie, I’m thrilled you did the zip line adventure in the canopies > of Costa Rica. We did it in Puerto Vallarta and felt the same rush; I can’t > wait ’til we can do it in CR where it all began. Eileen, take care of those > new sparklers, you lucky girl, you! > Diana

Hey Artemis, Thanks. How neat that you, Craig, and the kids (I assume) zip lined in Puerto Vallarta. And yes, if y’awl go to Costa Rica, it is a must do. Actually, given your adventurous spirits, the four of you might be interested in staying at the jungle resort, Almonds and Corals Lodge, where I had my adventure. I got to speak with the owners, who are delightful folks. The price of a stay, including daily breakfasts and dinners, is only $60 per person/night in high season, and probably even cheaper for the kids. The ambiance of the place is incredible and the beach is awesome. In addition to zip lining, there are numerous other activities available. Website: www.almondsandcorals.com Howie

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> Welcome back to reality. Great review Howard!!.

Present reality sucks, with 5 inches of snow on the ground and temps hovering at 16 degrees. > We enjoyed meeting Eileen and yourself and hope one day we will cruise > together > Cant promise, though, staying up till the a.m.

No problem, Sunny. I’ll simply begin my evening earlier than normal. Don’t care much for those post dinner shows anyway. Howie

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>Actually, given your adventurous spirits, the four of you might be >interested in staying at the jungle resort, Almonds and Corals Lodge, >where I had my adventure. I got to speak with the owners, who are >delightful folks. The price of a stay, including daily breakfasts and >dinners, is only $60 per person/night in high season, and probably even >cheaper for the kids. The ambiance of the place is incredible and the >beach is awesome. In addition to zip lining, there are numerous other >activities available. Website: www.almondsandcorals.com

As always, the good doctor knows just what to prescribe. That place looks awesome!! It is exactly the kind of trip we can easily fit into a short school break w/ the air time so short. Thanks a million. If you ever do the Mex Riv, you will remember to go check out my PV report & get the scoop on their (two) canopy adventures: http://www.dianaball.net/puerto_vallarata.htm It doesn’t sound like either outfit in PV built as extensive a course as what you experienced in Costa Rica. I definitely look forward to doing it again under less stressful circumstances–Maddie’s situation caused him to suffer great fear for much of the course, so I had to rise to that challenge. (OTOH, dealing w/ him was possibly the best thing that could have happened. I confess, the tiny margin on standing room on the platforms spooked me!) Diana

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > > In what way did you find the pax unsophisticated and boring? > There are some HAL repeaters on the group that want to know. > Ben S. > Unsophisticated is walking around a ship all evening or, for some, all > week with one or more, heavy, cheap Mariner Society medallions hanging > around your neck. There are numerous other examples; but this will do. > Boring, like cheesy, is strictly in the eye of the beholder.

Underwhelming response. Ben S.

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> Underwhelming response.

Thank you, Ben. Underwhelming was my aim.

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LOL, you conveyed it very well Howard! I wish I could say I met all sorts of interesting old salts on our one HAL cruise….but frankly, I think I had more exotic travels under my belt than 99% of the pax on board. No doubt about it, HAL is a bit on the "quiet" side, which has its place, even for me. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thank you, Ben. Underwhelming was my aim.

Response:

I am sure that he did, Charles, but I don’t read everything that is posted. — DG in Cherry Hill, NJ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Danni and I kinda wondered where you and Eileen had gone but Danni suggested > that you were away and, as always, she was right. > Next time you go please notify me so I won’t worry about you guys. > Howard posted quite a few times to r.t.c. about the three successive > cruises he and Eileen were going on right up to their departure. > — > Charles

Response:

>> Welcome back to reality. Great review Howard!!. > Present reality sucks, with 5 inches of snow on the ground and temps > hovering at 16 degrees.

Howie, Present reality might suck for you, but it is even worse for those of us who have been here all the time you were gone(VBG). This is not a good week to come back from cruising. Welcome back and say hi to Eileen for me!! sue

Response:

> SUNSET at the beach was very, very nice…

She wanted FREE booze, that’s why. The Not So Fine Art Of Google – Go To Top Of Thread http://makeashorterlink.com/?E29A321E6

Response:

>Sunny SUNSET is a highly intelligent and warm human being, who has led a truly >fascinating life. She is VERY articulate..

LOL Two words. Web TV > and I was transfixed with her >stories of living in England during WWII and emigrating to the US as a >young woman. Bernie is a great guy, in fantastic physical shape.

He must carry her cadre of binoculars. The Not So Fine Art Of Google – Go To Top Of Thread http://makeashorterlink.com/?E29A321E6

Response:

>I’m mostly a lurker – but I think Sunny is the most fascinating person >on the newsgroup.

LOL LOL LOL Into the Dumbfile you go. The Not So Fine Art Of Google – Go To Top Of Thread http://makeashorterlink.com/?E29A321E6

Response:

>With all due respect, I like HAL and do not appreciate being labeled as >unsophisticated and boring, Awesome Dickead Howie. This kind of generality is unbecoming. The >comment (as well as much of the tone of the review) is supercilious and > condescending. My comments are, of course, those of a boor…a boring >boor!

He writes as he is. The Not So Fine Art Of Google – Go To Top Of Thread http://makeashorterlink.com/?E29A321E6

Response:

> Danni and I kinda wondered where you and Eileen had gone but Danni suggested > that you were away and, as always, she was right. > Next time you go please notify me so I won’t worry about you guys.

Howard posted quite a few times to r.t.c. about the three successive cruises he and Eileen were going on right up to their departure. — Charles

Response:

Welcome home, guys. Sure enjoyed hearing all about your trip full of friends, food and fun. Howie, I’m thrilled you did the zip line adventure in the canopies of Costa Rica. We did it in Puerto Vallarta and felt the same rush; I can’t wait ’til we can do it in CR where it all began. Eileen, take care of those new sparklers, you lucky girl, you! Diana

Response:

Welcome back to reality. Great review Howard!!. We enjoyed meeting Eileen and yourself and hope one day we will cruise together Cant promise, though, staying up till the a.m. S’nd I.

Response:

> In what way did you find the pax unsophisticated and boring? > There are some HAL repeaters on the group that want to know. > Ben S.

Unsophisticated is walking around a ship all evening or, for some, all week with one or more, heavy, cheap Mariner Society medallions hanging around your neck. There are numerous other examples; but this will do. Boring, like cheesy, is strictly in the eye of the beholder.

Response:

Thank you for a wonderful review, Howard. Danni and I kinda wondered where you and Eileen had gone but Danni suggested that you were away and, as always, she was right. Next time you go please notify me so I won’t worry about you guys. Being where you were was better than where we were for several reasons. First. your butt didn’t freeze every time you walked out the door, and second, you didn’t have to deal with what was being written by some of this newsgroup’s favorite flamers. — DG in Cherry Hill, NJ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sadly enough, our winter vacation came to an end yesterday, as we > returned to the icy mid-atlantic state of Delaware. Before settling > down to prepare my syllabi for the Spring semester, which begins for me > on February 10, I would like to relate the highlights of our 25 day > vacation. > We left Delaware on December 30, more than ready for this trip to the > tropics, and excited about seeing many old and new friends whom we knew > would be joining us at various stages of the trip. Our flight to > Lauderdale was smooth and uneventful and by 1 PM we were comfortably > settled in our accommodations at Embassy Suites. > Went to the pool to soak up some rays on this perfect 75 degree, sunny > day, before meeting our traveling companions for happy hour at 5:30. We > would be joined on the Carnival Legend New Years Cruise (our 42nd cruise > but the first over New Years) by four very dear friends. One of these > friends was our best friend, Linda, whom Eileen and I have known since > our first year in College (roughly 40 years). Linda was traveling with > her boyfriend Howie S. The other couple who would be joining us were > Jane (a former colleague from U. of Texas, now at U. Mass Amherst) and > her husband Dan (a former graduate student of mine at UT). We have > cruised many times with Linda, and Jane and Dan joined us on our Mercury > cruise last March. > Two other very old friends would be meeting us for Happy Hour. Ken (a > colleague from my very first post Ph.D. university appointment in > Psychology at Upsala College) and his wife Adine (one of the most > talented artists and coolest people that I have ever met). It had been > a very long time since we had seen Ken and Adine, and the plan was to go > to their place in Hollywood for dinner, when happy hour ended. > It was a perfect evening and a perfect beginning to our long vacation. > Legend New Years Cruise Dec 31 – Jan 8 > We and our friends arrived at the ship about 11:30 AM. Prior to our > trip, Eileen and I had agreed to be witnesses at the wedding of a young > couple we had met on Cruise Critic, who were to be married right after > boarding at 1:30 PM. We left our friends and caught up with this > couple, as well as a group of 15 other mostly very young people that we > had met on Cruise Critic, who were also planning to attend the wedding. > After a rather long security delay, we were the first to board the ship > at 1:00 PM. We went to our midship cat 8G room (this was our third > cruise on the Legend so I will not review the layout of the ship) and > quickly changed in order to get to the Chapel by 1:30. The wedding was > beautiful and it was great to finally meet everyone in this very cool > group of kids that we had been communicating with. > New Years Eve on the Carnival Legend was quite an experience. We dined > (late seating) with our friends. Our waiter and assistant waiter > provided superb and friendly service throughout the cruise. Dinner was > awesome (more on this later). After dinner, we headed for the open lido > deck, which was already packed with people. In fact, in all of my 41 > former cruises, I have never encountered so many people on the open > decks at the same time. The Caribbean band was playing (more on this > later), the champagne was flowing in unlimited quantity, and an enormous > screen high above the deck displayed a live video feed from Times Square > in NYC. The weather was PERFECT (and remained so for the next 24 days > of our vacation). Folks were partying with wild (but courteous) > abandon, and the excitement in the air was magical. Midnight was glorious. > At 1:00 AM, we headed for the disco. Those of you who know me, also > know that I have been to hundreds of dance clubs, at sea and on land. > Never have I seen a club so packed. Got to bed about 3:30 AM. > Our New Years Cruise on the Legend was close to perfect for me. > Food > The cuisine, which had been superb on my back to back cruises in 2002, > could only be described as "EXQUISITE" by cruise ship standards. None of > the other major cruise lines (and I have been on them all numerous > times) even comes close to providing a comparable dining experience. > Scrumptious chocolate truffles, souffl

Mexican Rivera Question

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Wear it, if that’s what you normally do. And please refrain from the all to common practice on ships of wearing all your jewelry all the time. Any of you ever noticed that some gals are apparently afraid to leave anything worth more than $20 in their stateroom safe? They come to the pool looking like an overdecorated Christmas tree, with rings on every finger, and dozens of chains wrapped around each wrist and their neck. Howard – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a large diamond wedding ring and I was wondering if it was "safe" to > wear in port or should I leave it on the ship? Maybe I am just being > paranoid but I keep hearing stories of vendors and who knows who else > basically hording you when you get off the ship… Any info would be > appreciated.

Response:

Or, wear it, but turn it around so diamond is inside your hand. I’ve never worried too much in ports, but some are safer than others. I’ve always felt fairly safe on Mexican Riviera…have done that one 8 or 9 times. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Wear it, if that’s what you normally do. And please refrain from the > all to common practice on ships of wearing all your jewelry all the time. > Any of you ever noticed that some gals are apparently afraid to leave > anything worth more than $20 in their stateroom safe? They come to the > pool looking like an overdecorated Christmas tree, with rings on every > finger, and dozens of chains wrapped around each wrist and their neck. > Howard > I have a large diamond wedding ring and I was wondering if it was "safe" to > wear in port or should I leave it on the ship? Maybe I am just being > paranoid but I keep hearing stories of vendors and who knows who else > basically hording you when you get off the ship… Any info would be > appreciated.

Response:

I do not have a lot of expensive rings, etc, but I would leave them at home, and wear the 5 and dime stuff, ON ANY TRIP

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a large diamond wedding ring and I was wondering if it was "safe" to > wear in port or should I leave it on the ship? Maybe I am just being > paranoid but I keep hearing stories of vendors and who knows who else > basically hording you when you get off the ship… Any info would be > appreciated.

Response:

MY wife NEVER brings an of her good jewelry on a trip. She has a vast assortment of junk jewelry she’s bought just for cruising purposes. Why temp someone especially when there’s no reason to.

Response:

AJ – To be on the safe side, I’d leave the ring in your safe on the ship. It’s not a good idea to flash something like that around. I NEVER wear my good jewelry when I go on a shore tour. I wear my late dad’s wedding ring on my right hand and even that gets put in the safe when we go ashore. I’m not taking any chances! Another good idea – don’t wear any gold necklaces on shore. They can be snatched off in a second. Better safe than sorry! Gayle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a large diamond wedding ring and I was wondering if it was "safe" to > wear in port or should I leave it on the ship? Maybe I am just being > paranoid but I keep hearing stories of vendors and who knows who else > basically hording you when you get off the ship… Any info would be > appreciated.

Response:

> People will horde you , but they will not be cutting off your finger to get > the ring (assuming you are in populated areas, not yelling "Stay away from > my very expensive ring" or anything else like that). If you are worried > about it though, I would leave it in the safe. Better that then ruin your > trip. > I have a large diamond wedding ring and I was wondering if it was "safe" > to > wear in port or should I leave it on the ship? Maybe I am just being > paranoid but I keep hearing stories of vendors and who knows who else > basically hording you when you get off the ship… Any info would be > appreciated.

We NEVER take expensive jewelry on vacation! Find a nice-looking (but expendable) set of rings that can act as standins for your "real" stuff.

Response:

I have a large diamond wedding ring and I was wondering if it was "safe" to wear in port or should I leave it on the ship? Maybe I am just being paranoid but I keep hearing stories of vendors and who knows who else basically hording you when you get off the ship… Any info would be appreciated.

Response:

> I have a large diamond wedding ring and I was wondering if it was "safe" to > wear in port or should I leave it on the ship? Maybe I am just being > paranoid but I keep hearing stories of vendors and who knows who else > basically hording you when you get off the ship… Any info would be > appreciated.

If you are going to worry about it, leave it in the safe in your cabin. sue

Response:

People will horde you , but they will not be cutting off your finger to get the ring (assuming you are in populated areas, not yelling "Stay away from my very expensive ring" or anything else like that). If you are worried about it though, I would leave it in the safe. Better that then ruin your trip.

Response:

If you are going to worry about it, leave it in the safe in your cabin. sue

Response:

We NEVER take expensive jewelry on vacation! Find a nice-looking (but expendable) set of rings that can act as standins for your "real" stuff.

Response:

I do not have a lot of expensive rings, etc, but I would leave them at home, and wear the 5 and dime stuff, ON ANY TRIP

Response:

MY wife NEVER brings an of her good jewelry on a trip. She has a vast assortment of junk jewelry she’s bought just for cruising purposes. Why temp someone especially when there’s no reason to.

Response:

Engagement Ring Insurance

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I recently purchased an engagement ring for my long time girlfriend. The ring was appraised at $10,000. My friends have been telling me horror stories about losing or breaking jewelry and having jewelry stolen. This has prompted me to look for insurance for the ring. I have no clue about insurance. I don’t own a house and am just looking into renter’s insurance. I have car insurance through my parents, but I don’t think auto insurance is what I’m looking for. Can somebody recommend what type of insurance I should be getting that would cover loss, damage, theft. THANKS! Jim

Response:

> I recently purchased an engagement ring for my long time girlfriend. > The ring was appraised at $10,000. My friends have been telling me > horror stories about losing or breaking jewelry and having jewelry > stolen. This has prompted me to look for insurance for the ring. I > have no clue about insurance. I don’t own a house and am just looking > into renter’s insurance. I have car insurance through my parents, but > I don’t think auto insurance is what I’m looking for. Can somebody > recommend what type of insurance I should be getting that would cover > loss, damage, theft. THANKS! > Jim

When we got engaged, it was a simple matter to add a rider to cover the e-ring on my renter’s policy. It’s a good thing to have. If you own a home, have a rider to cover the expensive bits (including, for example, computer equipment) from your homeowner’s insurance. You’re right, auto insurance is not what you’re looking for. I don’t know how insurance works in countries other than the US, but it’s relatively simple to be covered against disasters. — aMAZon zeszutko at nycap.rr.com "It’s never too late to have a happy childhood."

Response:

A rider on the renter’s or homeowner’s insurance would be appropriate. You didn’t mention if you live with your fiancee or not, but it should be on the policy for the place that she resides.

Response:

Most Renter’s Insurance place have riders you can get for specific jewelry items that are really expensive. I use American Family and had one for a couple pieces that are over $1000. Most General policies specifically state there is a max on jewelry it’s good for unless you get the rider. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I recently purchased an engagement ring for my long time girlfriend. >The ring was appraised at $10,000. My friends have been telling me >horror stories about losing or breaking jewelry and having jewelry >stolen. This has prompted me to look for insurance for the ring. I >have no clue about insurance. I don’t own a house and am just looking >into renter’s insurance. I have car insurance through my parents, but >I don’t think auto insurance is what I’m looking for. Can somebody >recommend what type of insurance I should be getting that would cover >loss, damage, theft. THANKS! >Jim

Response:

Hi Jim, Yes, a policy is definitely a good thing to have. You will need to have a copy of a good appraisal… one based on fair market value by a certified appraiser, not just the store’s "appraisal" or receipt. For a ring that price, the stone itself should have come with some type of certification beyond just the store’s own — for example, a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) cert, complete with a map of the diamond. (I’m assuming it’s a diamond…. if another stone, then the same applies.) If the stone did NOT come with a cert, you may want to consider submitting it to GIA for independent cert. This would not only reassure you that the stone’s value is indeed as represented by the store, but would also provide the basis for the appraisal you’ll need for insurance purposes. Many of the larger diamonds today also have laser inscribed serial number info on their girdle. That would be important to note for the insurer, as well. The appraisal and any pertinent info about the ring, as well as a very good quality set of photographs of the ring should be kept in a firesafe place separate from the place where the ring usually is. In other words, if you live in your parents’ house and you’re keeping the ring there too, the appraisal should be in a fire safe in your fiance’s parents’ house, or in a safety deposit box at the bank. This is extra "insurance" that the critical information you need in order to prove your ownership of the ring and its value would not be destroyed in the same incident that destroyed the ring. You’re looking for "Personal Property Insurance." Whether you rent or own or live with your parents will determine the nature of the policy, but you should definitely be looking for a REPLACEMENT VALUE policy, if it is at all within your budget. Depreciated value policies may save you some premium $ up front, but when something happens and you have to replace your perfectly good 5-year-old TV under the policy, you’ll find out that you get $50 for it. With a replacement-value policy, you’ll get enough to purchase a new TV comparable to the one you lost. Pretty much any insurance company has personal property insurance. Price them and ask about the ride you’ll need to cover the ring. Be sure to ask about exclusions and any "buy outs" for them (in some cases, you can buy out an exclusion for a certain type of circumstance through a slightly higher premium). Hope all this helps! Karen Goeller kgoeller at nolimitations dot com www.nolimitations.com Handcrafted and Unique Artisan Jewelry and Fine Wedding Bands

Response:

Experience with bluenile.com

admin — Sun, 27 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Bluenile has a good reputation. A couple of years ago I bought some loose diamonds from them and they met my expectations in terms of product quality and service. Alternatives: www.tradeshop.com www.mondera.com Victor — (Please Note: My email address has changed; see headers).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > first: I

Princess Details Dramatic Caribbean Growth!

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Hi, Although Princess is usually my first choice for cruising anywhere. The fact that they are offering so much in the Caribbean will probably force RCL and NCL to lower prices even more. That will be a boon for the cruise industry as a whole since it will enable more folks to afford a cruse. Doris<…..Grand Princess 9/14/03 Horizon 12/8/03 ASIA ON A 4 MASTED SCHOONER OURJOURNEYTO/a> TAHITI

Response:

>Although Princess is usually my first choice for cruising anywhere. The >fact that they are offering so much in the Caribbean will probably force >RCL and NCL to lower prices even more.

Hi Doris, I really don’t think prices will go any lower. Princess does not want to drive pricing down. This would not be in any cruise line’s best interest. Industry surveys have shown pricing firming and edging up. Demand has really picked up in the last month. Many are reporting "wave period" volumes. I have not seen this kind of booking activity in at least 3 years. If this booking pattern continues I believe you will see even more price increases than we have seen in the last few weeks. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

Response:

> I really don’t think prices will go any lower. Princess does not want > to drive pricing down. This would not be in any cruise line’s best > interest.

Best interest and what actually happens are two different things, as we have seen in recent times. If they are adding ships to go after Royal Caribbean there could very well be a price war. — Charles

Response:

Hi Ray, My experience this year has been that prices HAVE gone down lately. I have 2 cruises booked at the lowest rates I have ever paid. I think the war plus he largr number of ships that have come on the market contribute to this. I must also say that a little of the service HAS deteriorated. Doris just 1 woman’s opinion. ASIA ON A 4 MASTED SCHOONER OURJOURNEYTO/a> TAHITI

Response:

> My experience this year has been that prices HAVE gone down lately. I >have 2 cruises booked at the lowest rates I have ever paid. I think the >war plus he largr number of ships that have come on the market >contribute to this. I must also say that a little of the service HAS >deteriorated.

Hi Doris, Your anecdotal experience is accurate of the industry as a whole. Over the last month, the pricing has been edging up and the booking trend seems to be moving out. IOW, folks are paying somewhat more and are booking further in advance. This is not to say that pricing and booking trends are back to normal. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

Response:

>Sounds like they’re going to be primary focused in the Caribbean, like >Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

Hi Tom, They have been saying over and over to the industry that they are going after Royal Caribbean and expand their Caribbean presence. This is their not so subtle shift. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

Response:

What’s left for us West coasters?? Oh, I know…..the Diamond Princess. Gee, thanks. Lindsay

Princess Details Dramatic Caribbean Growth in 2004-05 Line’s Caribbean Capacity Jumps 75 Percent with Six-Ship Fleet Sixteen Different Itineraries Offered SANTA CLARITA, CA July 22, 2003 Backing up its commitment to become a major cruise operator in the Caribbean, Princess will launch its most extensive season there ever in fall 2004, with six of its largest and newest vessels sailing throughout the region. The new 2004-05 schedule represents a dramatic 75 percent increase in Caribbean capacity from the season before, and features the youngest fleet sailing in the region. Featuring 152 departures on 16 unique itineraries with 26 different ports of call, Princess will offer four seven-day and two 10-day ships sailing the Caribbean between October 2, 2004 and April 24, 2005. Highlights of the season include the new Caribbean Princess, a host of new itineraries, a new port of call in Belize, and a new home port of Galveston. "This is an unprecedented expansion in the Caribbean for us," said Dean Brown, Princess’ executive vice president of customer service and sales. "We will offer a unique Caribbean experience, with our emphasis on ‘big ship choice with small ship feel,’ the highest percentage of balcony staterooms and the youngest fleet in the destination. We like to call it the only truly royal experience in the Caribbean." Four ships — Caribbean Princess, Grand Princess, Golden Princess and Star Princess — will offer seven-day itineraries, including two different routes in each of the Caribbean’s main regions — Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Plus, the popularity of Princess’ 10-day itineraries has prompted the company to nearly double the number of departures on these extended vacations, and offer two new itineraries. Both Dawn Princess and Sun Princess will sail on alternating 10-day cruises. Princess’ 2004-05 Caribbean season includes: Caribbean Princess — This new 3,100-passenger ship, built specifically for the Caribbean trade, continues its 2004 inaugural season with Princess’ Classic Eastern Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. The line’s largest vessel at 116,000 tons will offer Saturday departures on an itinerary that travels to St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Princess Cays. In addition, the ship will offer a special eight-day holiday sailing on December 18, 2004. Grand Princess — Sailing on a new seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary from Princess’ new Galveston homeport, the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess departs on Saturdays for a new stop in Belize, plus Costa Maya, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The ship’s schedule also includes a special nine-day holiday cruise on December 24, which includes celebrations for both Christmas and New Year’s, as well as two six-day pre- and post-holiday sailings, and two repositioning cruises between Galveston and San Juan. The ship also offers two sailings between New York and San Juan. Star Princess — Star Princess begins its first season in the Caribbean with alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, departing from Ft. Lauderdale on Sundays. The brand-new Eastern Caribbean itinerary features calls at San Juan, St. Thomas, Tortola and Princess Cays. The Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops at Princess Cays, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Cozumel. Golden Princess — Based in San Juan, Golden Princess offers alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean itineraries, departing on Sundays. The Classic Southern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Antigua. The alternate Southern Caribbean Explorer itinerary features the ports of St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Caracas and Aruba. Dawn Princess — Dawn Princess will offer alternating 10-day cruises from Ft. Lauderdale, featuring a new Western Adventurer route with stops at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary includes calls at Curacao, Isla Margarita, Barbados, Dominica, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. In addition, the ship will offer a special seven-day Western Caribbean sailing for the holidays on December 23. Sun Princess — Sun Princess also joins the 10-day line-up with alternating Eastern Caribbean sailings. The new Eastern Caribbean Voyager itinerary offers calls at St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. The Eastern Caribbean Islander route features stops at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Barbados and Antigua. Sun Princess will celebrate the holidays with a seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing on December 22. Regardless of which itinerary passengers choose, they will enjoy some of the most amenity-filled vessels in the Princess fleet, with such distinctive features as the line’s signature Personal Choice Dining(SM). Only Princess offers passengers the opportunity to choose either the traditional, same time/same table option; or Anytime Dining, which gives passengers the flexibility to choose when, where and with whom they dine throughout the cruise. Other amenities include the Lotus Spa, extensive children and teen centers, wedding chapels, internet centers, and an extensive array of entertainment options and venues. The newest vessel in the fleet, Caribbean Princess, sports such features as a poolside movie screen, a new Caribbean-themed alternative restaurant, and nearly 900 cabins with balconies — more than on any other cruise ship sailing year-round in the Caribbean. Early booking fares for Princess’ 2004-05 Caribbean season begin at $549 for seven-day sailings and $899 for 10-day cruises. One of the best-known names in North American cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company. Part of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:CCL) and (NYSE:CUK), its current fleet of 11 ships sail on approximately 150 different itineraries around the globe, calling at more than 260 ports on all seven continents. By 2006 a further four ships will be introduced. Additional information is available through a professional travel agent. Princess Cruises is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.

Response:

Sounds like they’re going to be primary focused in the Caribbean, like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. –Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > What’s left for us West coasters?? Oh, I know…..the Diamond Princess. Gee, > thanks. > Lindsay > Princess Details Dramatic Caribbean Growth in 2004-05 > Line’s Caribbean Capacity Jumps 75 Percent with Six-Ship Fleet > Sixteen Different Itineraries Offered > SANTA CLARITA, CA July 22, 2003 > Backing up its commitment to become a major cruise operator in the > Caribbean, Princess will launch its most extensive season there ever > in fall 2004, with six of its largest and newest vessels sailing > throughout the region. The new 2004-05 schedule represents a dramatic > 75 percent increase in Caribbean capacity from the season before, and > features the youngest fleet sailing in the region. > Featuring 152 departures on 16 unique itineraries with 26 different > ports of call, Princess will offer four seven-day and two 10-day ships > sailing the Caribbean between October 2, 2004 and April 24, 2005. > Highlights of the season include the new Caribbean Princess, a host of > new itineraries, a new port of call in Belize, and a new home port of > Galveston. > "This is an unprecedented expansion in the Caribbean for us," said > Dean Brown, Princess’ executive vice president of customer service and > sales. "We will offer a unique Caribbean experience, with our emphasis > on ‘big ship choice with small ship feel,’ the highest percentage of > balcony staterooms and the youngest fleet in the destination. We like > to call it the only truly royal experience in the Caribbean." > Four ships — Caribbean Princess, Grand Princess, Golden Princess and > Star Princess — will offer seven-day itineraries, including two > different routes in each of the Caribbean’s main regions — Western, > Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Plus, the popularity of Princess’ > 10-day itineraries has prompted the company to nearly double the > number of departures on these extended vacations, and offer two new > itineraries. Both Dawn Princess and Sun Princess will sail on > alternating 10-day cruises. > Princess’ 2004-05 Caribbean season includes: > Caribbean Princess — This new 3,100-passenger ship, built > specifically for the Caribbean trade, continues its 2004 inaugural > season with Princess’ Classic Eastern Caribbean itinerary roundtrip > from Ft. Lauderdale. The line’s largest vessel at 116,000 tons will > offer Saturday departures on an itinerary that travels to St. Thomas, > St. Maarten and Princess Cays. In addition, the ship will offer a > special eight-day holiday sailing on December 18, 2004. > Grand Princess — Sailing on a new seven-day Western Caribbean > itinerary from Princess’ new Galveston homeport, the 2,600-passenger > Grand Princess departs on Saturdays for a new stop in Belize, plus > Costa Maya, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The ship’s schedule also > includes a special nine-day holiday cruise on December 24, which > includes celebrations for both Christmas and New Year’s, as well as > two six-day pre- and post-holiday sailings, and two repositioning > cruises between Galveston and San Juan. The ship also offers two > sailings between New York and San Juan. > Star Princess — Star Princess begins its first season in the > Caribbean with alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean > itineraries, departing from Ft. Lauderdale on Sundays. The brand-new > Eastern Caribbean itinerary features calls at San Juan, St. Thomas, > Tortola and Princess Cays. The Western Caribbean itinerary includes > stops at Princess Cays, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Cozumel. > Golden Princess — Based in San Juan, Golden Princess offers > alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean itineraries, departing on > Sundays. The Classic Southern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at > Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Antigua. The > alternate Southern Caribbean Explorer itinerary features the ports of > St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Caracas and Aruba. > Dawn Princess — Dawn Princess will offer alternating 10-day cruises > from Ft. Lauderdale, featuring a new Western Adventurer route with > stops at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Ocho Rios, Grand > Cayman and Cozumel. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary includes > calls at Curacao, Isla Margarita, Barbados, Dominica, St. Thomas and > Princess Cays. In addition, the ship will offer a special seven-day > Western Caribbean sailing for the holidays on December 23. > Sun Princess — Sun Princess also joins the 10-day line-up with > alternating Eastern Caribbean sailings. The new Eastern Caribbean > Voyager itinerary offers calls at St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, > Martinique, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. The Eastern Caribbean > Islander route features stops at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. > Maarten, St. Kitts, Barbados and Antigua. Sun Princess will celebrate > the holidays with a seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing on December > 22. > Regardless of which itinerary passengers choose, they will enjoy some > of the most amenity-filled vessels in the Princess fleet, with such > distinctive features as the line’s signature Personal Choice > Dining(SM). Only Princess offers passengers the opportunity to choose > either the traditional, same time/same table option; or Anytime > Dining, which gives passengers the flexibility to choose when, where > and with whom they dine throughout the cruise. Other amenities include > the Lotus Spa, extensive children and teen centers, wedding chapels, > internet centers, and an extensive array of entertainment options and > venues. > The newest vessel in the fleet, Caribbean Princess, sports such > features as a poolside movie screen, a new Caribbean-themed > alternative restaurant, and nearly 900 cabins with balconies — more > than on any other cruise ship sailing year-round in the Caribbean. > Early booking fares for Princess’ 2004-05 Caribbean season begin at > $549 for seven-day sailings and $899 for 10-day cruises. > One of the best-known names in North American cruising, Princess > Cruises is a global cruise and tour company. Part of Carnival > Corporation and plc (NYSE:CCL) and (NYSE:CUK), its current fleet of 11 > ships sail on approximately 150 different itineraries around the > globe, calling at more than 260 ports on all seven continents. By 2006 > a further four ships will be introduced. Additional information is > available through a professional travel agent. > Princess Cruises is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. > Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland > America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts > of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment > to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of > lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching > cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.

Response:

SLEAZE ALERT Edgar/Ray altered this Press Release You can go to Ray’s Spamhouse Travel website, sift through all his cruise advertisements, and search for the altered Press Release or the unaltered release can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/hu3i Why can’t he just publish the truth? If you use a Travel Agent, try to pick an honest one. Sincerely The Sleaze Police

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone, > I received this press release from and thought it would be of > interest. Princess has recently told travel agents around the US they > are going to take over the Caribbean from Royal Caribbean and here is > their plan. If you have missed any of my news’ postings, they are > available on my web site. > Best regards, > Ray > LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL > 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 > http://www.lighthousetravel.com > Princess Details Dramatic Caribbean Growth in 2004-05 > Line’s Caribbean Capacity Jumps 75 Percent with Six-Ship Fleet > Sixteen Different Itineraries Offered > SANTA CLARITA, CA July 22, 2003 > Backing up its commitment to become a major cruise operator in the > Caribbean, Princess will launch its most extensive season there ever > in fall 2004, with six of its largest and newest vessels sailing > throughout the region. The new 2004-05 schedule represents a dramatic > 75 percent increase in Caribbean capacity from the season before, and > features the youngest fleet sailing in the region. > Featuring 152 departures on 16 unique itineraries with 26 different > ports of call, Princess will offer four seven-day and two 10-day ships > sailing the Caribbean between October 2, 2004 and April 24, 2005. > Highlights of the season include the new Caribbean Princess, a host of > new itineraries, a new port of call in Belize, and a new home port of > Galveston. > "This is an unprecedented expansion in the Caribbean for us," said > Dean Brown, Princess’ executive vice president of customer service and > sales. "We will offer a unique Caribbean experience, with our emphasis > on ‘big ship choice with small ship feel,’ the highest percentage of > balcony staterooms and the youngest fleet in the destination. We like > to call it the only truly royal experience in the Caribbean." > Four ships — Caribbean Princess, Grand Princess, Golden Princess and > Star Princess — will offer seven-day itineraries, including two > different routes in each of the Caribbean’s main regions — Western, > Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Plus, the popularity of Princess’ > 10-day itineraries has prompted the company to nearly double the > number of departures on these extended vacations, and offer two new > itineraries. Both Dawn Princess and Sun Princess will sail on > alternating 10-day cruises. > Princess’ 2004-05 Caribbean season includes: > Caribbean Princess — This new 3,100-passenger ship, built > specifically for the Caribbean trade, continues its 2004 inaugural > season with Princess’ Classic Eastern Caribbean itinerary roundtrip > from Ft. Lauderdale. The line’s largest vessel at 116,000 tons will > offer Saturday departures on an itinerary that travels to St. Thomas, > St. Maarten and Princess Cays. In addition, the ship will offer a > special eight-day holiday sailing on December 18, 2004. > Grand Princess — Sailing on a new seven-day Western Caribbean > itinerary from Princess’ new Galveston homeport, the 2,600-passenger > Grand Princess departs on Saturdays for a new stop in Belize, plus > Costa Maya, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The ship’s schedule also > includes a special nine-day holiday cruise on December 24, which > includes celebrations for both Christmas and New Year’s, as well as > two six-day pre- and post-holiday sailings, and two repositioning > cruises between Galveston and San Juan. The ship also offers two > sailings between New York and San Juan. > Star Princess — Star Princess begins its first season in the > Caribbean with alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean > itineraries, departing from Ft. Lauderdale on Sundays. The brand-new > Eastern Caribbean itinerary features calls at San Juan, St. Thomas, > Tortola and Princess Cays. The Western Caribbean itinerary includes > stops at Princess Cays, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Cozumel. > Golden Princess — Based in San Juan, Golden Princess offers > alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean itineraries, departing on > Sundays. The Classic Southern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at > Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Antigua. The > alternate Southern Caribbean Explorer itinerary features the ports of > St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Caracas and Aruba. > Dawn Princess — Dawn Princess will offer alternating 10-day cruises > from Ft. Lauderdale, featuring a new Western Adventurer route with > stops at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Ocho Rios, Grand > Cayman and Cozumel. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary includes > calls at Curacao, Isla Margarita, Barbados, Dominica, St. Thomas and > Princess Cays. In addition, the ship will offer a special seven-day > Western Caribbean sailing for the holidays on December 23. > Sun Princess — Sun Princess also joins the 10-day line-up with > alternating Eastern Caribbean sailings. The new Eastern Caribbean > Voyager itinerary offers calls at St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, > Martinique, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. The Eastern Caribbean > Islander route features stops at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. > Maarten, St. Kitts, Barbados and Antigua. Sun Princess will celebrate > the holidays with a seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing on December > 22. > Regardless of which itinerary passengers choose, they will enjoy some > of the most amenity-filled vessels in the Princess fleet, with such > distinctive features as the line’s signature Personal Choice > Dining(SM). Only Princess offers passengers the opportunity to choose > either the traditional, same time/same table option; or Anytime > Dining, which gives passengers the flexibility to choose when, where > and with whom they dine throughout the cruise. Other amenities include > the Lotus Spa, extensive children and teen centers, wedding chapels, > internet centers, and an extensive array of entertainment options and > venues. > The newest vessel in the fleet, Caribbean Princess, sports such > features as a poolside movie screen, a new Caribbean-themed > alternative restaurant, and nearly 900 cabins with balconies — more > than on any other cruise ship sailing year-round in the Caribbean. > Early booking fares for Princess’ 2004-05 Caribbean season begin at > $549 for seven-day sailings and $899 for 10-day cruises. > One of the best-known names in North American cruising, Princess > Cruises is a global cruise and tour company. Part of Carnival > Corporation and plc (NYSE:CCL) and (NYSE:CUK), its current fleet of 11 > ships sail on approximately 150 different itineraries around the > globe, calling at more than 260 ports on all seven continents. By 2006 > a further four ships will be introduced. Additional information is > available through a professional travel agent. > Princess Cruises is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. > Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland > America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts > of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment > to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of > lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching > cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.

Response:

Hi Everyone, I received this press release from and thought it would be of interest. Princess has recently told travel agents around the US they are going to take over the Caribbean from Royal Caribbean and here is their plan. If you have missed any of my news’ postings, they are available on my web site. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com Princess Details Dramatic Caribbean Growth in 2004-05 Line’s Caribbean Capacity Jumps 75 Percent with Six-Ship Fleet Sixteen Different Itineraries Offered SANTA CLARITA, CA July 22, 2003 Backing up its commitment to become a major cruise operator in the Caribbean, Princess will launch its most extensive season there ever in fall 2004, with six of its largest and newest vessels sailing throughout the region. The new 2004-05 schedule represents a dramatic 75 percent increase in Caribbean capacity from the season before, and features the youngest fleet sailing in the region. Featuring 152 departures on 16 unique itineraries with 26 different ports of call, Princess will offer four seven-day and two 10-day ships sailing the Caribbean between October 2, 2004 and April 24, 2005. Highlights of the season include the new Caribbean Princess, a host of new itineraries, a new port of call in Belize, and a new home port of Galveston. "This is an unprecedented expansion in the Caribbean for us," said Dean Brown, Princess’ executive vice president of customer service and sales. "We will offer a unique Caribbean experience, with our emphasis on ‘big ship choice with small ship feel,’ the highest percentage of balcony staterooms and the youngest fleet in the destination. We like to call it the only truly royal experience in the Caribbean." Four ships — Caribbean Princess, Grand Princess, Golden Princess and Star Princess — will offer seven-day itineraries, including two different routes in each of the Caribbean’s main regions — Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Plus, the popularity of Princess’ 10-day itineraries has prompted the company to nearly double the number of departures on these extended vacations, and offer two new itineraries. Both Dawn Princess and Sun Princess will sail on alternating 10-day cruises. Princess’ 2004-05 Caribbean season includes: Caribbean Princess — This new 3,100-passenger ship, built specifically for the Caribbean trade, continues its 2004 inaugural season with Princess’ Classic Eastern Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. The line’s largest vessel at 116,000 tons will offer Saturday departures on an itinerary that travels to St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Princess Cays. In addition, the ship will offer a special eight-day holiday sailing on December 18, 2004. Grand Princess — Sailing on a new seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary from Princess’ new Galveston homeport, the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess departs on Saturdays for a new stop in Belize, plus Costa Maya, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The ship’s schedule also includes a special nine-day holiday cruise on December 24, which includes celebrations for both Christmas and New Year’s, as well as two six-day pre- and post-holiday sailings, and two repositioning cruises between Galveston and San Juan. The ship also offers two sailings between New York and San Juan. Star Princess — Star Princess begins its first season in the Caribbean with alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, departing from Ft. Lauderdale on Sundays. The brand-new Eastern Caribbean itinerary features calls at San Juan, St. Thomas, Tortola and Princess Cays. The Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops at Princess Cays, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Cozumel. Golden Princess — Based in San Juan, Golden Princess offers alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean itineraries, departing on Sundays. The Classic Southern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Antigua. The alternate Southern Caribbean Explorer itinerary features the ports of St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Caracas and Aruba. Dawn Princess — Dawn Princess will offer alternating 10-day cruises from Ft. Lauderdale, featuring a new Western Adventurer route with stops at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary includes calls at Curacao, Isla Margarita, Barbados, Dominica, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. In addition, the ship will offer a special seven-day Western Caribbean sailing for the holidays on December 23. Sun Princess — Sun Princess also joins the 10-day line-up with alternating Eastern Caribbean sailings. The new Eastern Caribbean Voyager itinerary offers calls at St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. The Eastern Caribbean Islander route features stops at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Barbados and Antigua. Sun Princess will celebrate the holidays with a seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing on December 22. Regardless of which itinerary passengers choose, they will enjoy some of the most amenity-filled vessels in the Princess fleet, with such distinctive features as the line’s signature Personal Choice Dining(SM). Only Princess offers passengers the opportunity to choose either the traditional, same time/same table option; or Anytime Dining, which gives passengers the flexibility to choose when, where and with whom they dine throughout the cruise. Other amenities include the Lotus Spa, extensive children and teen centers, wedding chapels, internet centers, and an extensive array of entertainment options and venues. The newest vessel in the fleet, Caribbean Princess, sports such features as a poolside movie screen, a new Caribbean-themed alternative restaurant, and nearly 900 cabins with balconies — more than on any other cruise ship sailing year-round in the Caribbean. Early booking fares for Princess’ 2004-05 Caribbean season begin at $549 for seven-day sailings and $899 for 10-day cruises. One of the best-known names in North American cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company. Part of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:CCL) and (NYSE:CUK), its current fleet of 11 ships sail on approximately 150 different itineraries around the globe, calling at more than 260 ports on all seven continents. By 2006 a further four ships will be introduced. Additional information is available through a professional travel agent. Princess Cruises is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.

Response:

What’s left for us West coasters?? Oh, I know…..the Diamond Princess. Gee, thanks. Lindsay

Response:

>Sounds like they’re going to be primary focused in the Caribbean, like >Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

Response:

>Although Princess is usually my first choice for cruising anywhere. The >fact that they are offering so much in the Caribbean will probably force >RCL and NCL to lower prices even more.

Response:

> I really don’t think prices will go any lower. Princess does not want > to drive pricing down. This would not be in any cruise line’s best > interest.

Response:

Help: What should I do withr my wedding ring?

admin — Wed, 14 May 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Since our ten year anniversary is coming soon, I would like to have a pair well matched rings for both of us. My question is what should I do with my wedding ring if I get the new ring? ( is this a silly question?) Thanks! Min

Response:

> Since our ten year anniversary is coming soon, I would like to have a pair > well matched rings for both of us. My question is what should I do with my > wedding ring if I get the new ring? ( is this a silly question?)

Whatever you like. When my mother got a different ring, she gave me her wedding ring and sized it down to use as a pinky ring and gave her engagement ring to my sister (after resetting it with my sister’s birthstone–the original diamond went into my mother’s new ring). Best wishes, Ericka

Response:

I know a lady that made hers into a pendant for a necklace … wedder band stayed the same, and the engagement ring was straightened, and laid across the diameter of the wedder (just the part with the stone)… looks beautiful and she is quite proud of it. Regards and Best Wishes, Laney

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Since our ten year anniversary is coming soon, I would like to have a pair > well matched rings for both of us. My question is what should I do with my > wedding ring if I get the new ring? ( is this a silly question?) > Thanks! > Min

Response:

Your honest opinion on engagement ring.

admin — Mon, 12 May 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Jen: > I absolutely agree that 2 carat is not only > impractical – it looks like its not a real diamond.

Stan: > I agree. My wife is petitie, and a 2 carat > solitare would look obscene on her hand.

Despite my earlier posting, I feel a need to drop another $0.02 at this point. Respectfully, I disagree that diamonds at 2+ carats look fake. Perhaps to *your* eye, but certainly not to the educated eye. And one of the biggest clues as to whether or not a large diamond is real is going to be the economic position of the wearer. Which is simply a fancy way of saying: buy within your means. And while there are women who are too small to wear a two carat ring, they’re really few and far between; it will depend on the setting. I could easily wear 2+ carat stones — and do, not infrequently, albeit not diamonds (thus admitting *my* economic position ). And, of course, there are less expensive, but still thoroughly beautiful options besides diamonds. One of the most beautiful engagements rings I’ve ever seen was a 3-ish carat sapphire surrounded by diamond baguettes (pity … I still can’t figure out why the guy offering it to me was asking me to marry him, since we were *only* friends; spoiled a perfectly good friendship). -j

Response:

I would go to a smaller, Non Chain, Non Mall store. You usually find that it costs more there but you get such incredibly good service that it’s unbelievable. I think I paid around $4000 or so for my wife’s engagement ring. Probably could have gotten it cheaper but I had it custom made from a design that I had tweaked a bit. We are on a firt name basis with the people that work there, it’s a family run store, it’s just incredible. They take such good care of us that we refer all our friends there. Anyone in the Milwaukee, WI area, definitely check them out. http://www.lylehusardesigns.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello, >I am T.C. ,living in Toronto. I would like honest opinion from you >guys . I am shopping around for an engagement ring. >I found that a few bigger jewelry stores(Birk’s, People’s ) charge >over CDN $ 10,000 for 1 carat diamond ring (good cut, VS1 , colour G) >and then a relatively smaller jewelry stores charge only around $7000 >for the same quality. I want to be careful but i can’t tell whether >the diamond is fake or not. I mean they can present me the GIA >certificate or whatever, but you know, how would i know the cert truly >matches with the diamond that i purchase ? >My another concern is that, i have worked for at least a few years and >i am an intermediate web developer. I can’t afford to buy anything >like 2 carat ring. For such a big event for my gf & myself, do you >think it’s kinda embarrassing to not able to buy something bigger than >1 carat ring ?

Response:

MY GOD!!! What is the world coming to??!? I totally agree with your views Amber… a wedding is meant to be ‘the union of souls’ if you want to go so far… it’s not ‘give me a big fat ring to make me happy’!!! I would be happy being with my guy for all of eternity, and not getting one more material gift… EVER! It’s not what the relationship is about! Some women really need to grow lives.. and brains!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My Boss got his live-in girl friend a ring for Valentines Day…It has a 4 > carat diamond in it. A few days later we were talking and he told me that the > stone was bad. Not to the naked eye. But his words were" it’s not a perfect > stone but she wanted a big one and that was the best I could do." He sounded > kind of sad about it. Everyone at works knows that she threw a fit at > Christmas when he didn’t give it to her then, pouting and threatening to move > out. There was a huge fight at the house and he told everyone about it. Somehow > the 4-carat thing on her finger looks like she got it out of a Cracker Jacks > box. It’s too big. It looks fake. > Don’t get her more of a ring then you can afford and she can wear. Not all > women can pull off a 2 or more carat ring. If she balks at a small stone you > might want to re-think your engagement. > Does anyone else remember the guy here who got his girlfriend a very expensive > ring but the stone was not up to her standards? He took the ring back called > off the engagement and sold the ring on E-bay. > Amber ( Who got a very inexpensive ring but loves it and wouldn’t change it > for the world.) > …

Response:

> Don’t listen to the suckers who tell you to buy a perfect ring. > Buy MOISSANITE – No one will know the difference. > If you insist on buying a diamond, there’s only one "C" that matters, > and that’s carats. The other ones just boost the price, and women > don’t care about the three "C"’s that make the ring clear and sparkly. > They just want it to be BIG.

Nonsese. My ring is a nice size, but people routinely take it as being at least 1/4 carat bigger than it is, because its cut and color are so very good. Some people might want even a pebble, so long as it’s "big enough", but others know quality and would take that any day. — aMAZon zeszutko at nycap.rr.com "It’s never too late to have a happy childhood."

Response:

It sounds like if you were going to buy a sports car, you would also recommend getting the one with the loudest engine, because that’s what people care about… how big it sounds, not how it handles, accelerates, brakes, or how smooth the ride is. Am I right, Baseball? In fact, why waste all that money on a sports car when you can just take the muffler off your 76 AMC Pacer and nobody "will know the difference". Yes? Such silliness. —- Jeff Zawrotny http://www.forevermomentsphotography.com/

Response:

Don’t listen to the suckers who tell you to buy a perfect ring. Buy MOISSANITE – No one will know the difference. If you insist on buying a diamond, there’s only one "C" that matters, and that’s carats. The other ones just boost the price, and women don’t care about the three "C"’s that make the ring clear and sparkly. They just want it to be BIG.

Response:

> I absolutely agree that 2 carat is not only impractical – it looks > like its not a real diamond.

I agree. My wife is petitie, and a 2 carat solitare would look obscene on her hand. She did get a 1.11 carat, VS1, H color princess cut diamond. The final setting, engagement and wedding bands, is 2.09 TCW. I ordered the engagement rgin from Mondara (yes, I bought a diamond ring over the internet). We had a custom made wedding band made to fit the engagement ring. The apprasial is a little less than twice what we paid. BEFORE you buy, you really should educate yourself about the 5 C’s of diamonds (yes there are 5 C’s): carats, color, clarity, cut, and cost. > Incidently, if you want to > buy a ring that you can call an investment,

An investment is something that you buy now, in order to sell later for a profit. of all the things an engagement ring can be, and investment is not one of them – at least not a financial investment. I could not belive how much I spent on a shiny rock! But, even though I felt like it was an ENORMOUS sum of money at the time, after paying for the wedding, buying a house, and the furnishing the house – the ring is a drop in the bucket. I think the engagement ring is mearly a symbol of a man who is ready to surrender his entire "toy" budget to the marriage fund… ;) –Stan Graves http://www.SoundInMotionDJ.com

Response:

> My another concern is that, i have worked for at least a few years and > i am an intermediate web developer. I can’t afford to buy anything > like 2 carat ring. For such a big event for my gf & myself, do you > think it’s kinda embarrassing to not able to buy something bigger than > 1 carat ring ?

Embarrassing? Nah. You don’t *need* a ring to show you’re engaged. Granted, some societies may see the ring as a symbol that you’re "promised" to someone or "taken". However, it isn’t a necessary thing. And even if you do go with a ring, a diamond ring is a traditional symbol. However, you don’t even have to go with diamond for the engagement ring. I’ve met many ladies out there who have antique rings and heirlooms as symbols of engagement. One of the jewelers I talked with proposed to his wife with a concert piano! Picture that on her finger! Keep in mind that there is no rule that says you have to stick with traditions.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My another concern is that, i have worked for at least a few years and >i am an intermediate web developer. I can’t afford to buy anything >like 2 carat ring. For such a big event for my gf & myself, do you >think it’s kinda embarrassing to not able to buy something bigger than >1 carat ring ? > Embarrassing? Nah. > You don’t *need* a ring to show you’re engaged. Granted, some societies may > see the ring as a symbol that you’re "promised" to someone or "taken". > However, it isn’t a necessary thing. > And even if you do go with a ring, a diamond ring is a traditional symbol. > However, you don’t even have to go with diamond for the engagement ring. > I’ve met many ladies out there who have antique rings and heirlooms as > symbols of engagement. One of the jewelers I talked with proposed to his > wife with a concert piano! Picture that on her finger!

Drool! Knowing what the prices of good concert grands might be…! I wanted to offer my fiance a piano, but couldn’t afford one as a wedding gift. He got a briefcase instead. > Keep in mind that there is no rule that says you have to stick with > traditions.

I’ve heard of some guys’ engagement present being a house. Now *that’s* practical. — aMAZon zeszutko at nycap.rr.com "It’s never too late to have a happy childhood."

Response:

The size of the engagement ring doesn’t matter at all. My fiancee gave me a quarter carat diamond and I love it. The fact that you want to spend the rest of your life with this woman is what is important…not the size of the rock. If she is shallow and gives you a hard time about the diamond, maybe she isn’t worth marrying inthe first place.

Response:

> The size of the engagement ring doesn’t matter at all.

I’m going to be nitpicky here: the size of the _stone_ in the ring doesn’t matter at all. The ring should fit the finger it’s intended to be worn on. If it’s too small, it can’t be worn, and if it’s too big, the wearer runs the risk of losing it entirely. > My fiancee gave > me a quarter carat diamond and I love it. The fact that you want to > spend the rest of your life with this woman is what is important…not > the size of the rock. If she is shallow and gives you a hard time about > the diamond, maybe she isn’t worth marrying inthe first place.

Perhaps 5 years or so ago, there was a poster who told of her delight with her engagement ring, which was an heirloom from the groom’s side. Her family told her, "He’s a cheapskate if he doesn’t buy you a big rock." IIRC, she, sensibly, said that was nonsense. It’s the strength of the relationship, and the commitment of the people involved to make it work, that’s important. D’you think that, if the size of the diamond guaranteed the success of the marriage, that Liz Taylor might have done better? — aMAZon zeszutko at nycap.rr.com "It’s never too late to have a happy childhood."

Response:

Just want to add another voice to the "anything more than one carat is probably way too much" chorus. And 1 carat can be too big for some women’s fingers. You don’t want her looking like Zsa Zsa Gabor (or Henry VIII) kassa

Response:

My Boss got his live-in girl friend a ring for Valentines Day…It has a 4 carat diamond in it. A few days later we were talking and he told me that the stone was bad. Not to the naked eye. But his words were" it’s not a perfect stone but she wanted a big one and that was the best I could do." He sounded kind of sad about it. Everyone at works knows that she threw a fit at Christmas when he didn’t give it to her then, pouting and threatening to move out. There was a huge fight at the house and he told everyone about it. Somehow the 4-carat thing on her finger looks like she got it out of a Cracker Jacks box. It’s too big. It looks fake. Don’t get her more of a ring then you can afford and she can wear. Not all women can pull off a 2 or more carat ring. If she balks at a small stone you might want to re-think your engagement. Does anyone else remember the guy here who got his girlfriend a very expensive ring but the stone was not up to her standards? He took the ring back called off the engagement and sold the ring on E-bay. Amber ( Who got a very inexpensive ring but loves it and wouldn’t change it for the world.) …

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> I can’t afford to buy anything >like 2 carat ring. For such a big event for my gf & myself, do you >think it’s kinda embarrassing to not able to buy something bigger than >1 carat ring ?

I can’t really help with your other questions, except to say that I buy very little at chain stores, and for jewelry I definitely prefer to patronize local businesses and artisans. But as to the last: Good lord, boy! A 1 carat diamond is ENORMOUS. I can’t even imagine wearing a 2 carat one. I suggest you start looking at smaller stones. You will find that a .8 or .9 carat stone is significantly less expensive than a 1 carat even though it appears to be basically the same size. (Mine’s a .6 and I love it. It’s large enough to look luxurious but not so large I’m afraid to wear it.) Also, go for higher quality over larger size. A smaller stone with better clarity and color will sparkle much "larger" than a stone that’s just big. You might also consider alternatives like adding side stones to give a smaller center diamond more impact. I know several women who have a small diamond flanked by smaller sapphires, often in ususual and/or custom-designed settings, and they’re beautiful rings. Of course, unless you’re absolutely certain you can choose something your intended will love and that she would want you to surprise her, it is probably better to choose a nice center stone, have it set in a simple temporary ring, and present her with the option to return to the jeweler with you to choose her own design. If you really want to splurge on this big event for your and your girlfriend, spend a few thousand less on the ring and a few thousand more on your wedding celebration, your honeymoon or your first home. If she’s Ms. Right, that’s what she’d want. Holly

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I absolutely agree that 2 carat is not only impractical – it looks like its not a real diamond. True there are good copies out there from moisonite (spelling?) which you really can’t tell with a naked eye, but no jeweler is going to sell you a fake diamond under the pretense that its real because the second you buy it, you get it insured (please do this, for your girlfriend’s sake!) and to get insurance, most companies require an appraisal of the ring. So no worries there. Smaller jewelers do not have to spend the money on advertising and big fancy showrooms so they can afford to have lower prices, plus their rings aren’t "cookie cutter" usually. I think around a 1/2 carat ring is perfectly acceptable and any larger is simply what you are willing to invest. Incidently, if you want to buy a ring that you can call an investment, buy a canadian diamond because they are going to gain significantly in value over the next 20 years or so and their quality is virtually unsurpassed!

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Good god. If I had been given a 2 carat rock, I’d have worried about getting it snagged on things constantly. The main stone in my setting is about 2/3 of a carat, and old European cut, not brilliant cut, and it’s still a hell of a rock, made more so by the antique setting. For me, what makes it special is that it was my husband’s grandmother’s ring. And that being diamond and platinum, it goes very well with my wedding band, which was MY grandmother’s wedding band. And because it was a family rock, no one had to spend a godzillion dollars on it, either. Something smaller and stunningly beautiful is, IMO, better than something huge and gaudy and impractical. But what does your girlfriend want? What does she like? What is her style? If she’s into size for size’s sake, then what you’ll want to get her will be different from what you’d get her if she really likes things that don’t stick up and catch on things. In my case, knowing how stunning my old-world ring is, it makes me wonder at all the "perfect stone" hype. These are not "perfect stones"… but a craftsman sculpted a filigree setting that sets these stones off beautifully. I have never seen a ring I liked better. Not in any magazine, anywhere. And my ring values at a mere $4500 US per appraisal, which is still far more than I ever would have asked him to spend had we not gotten the ring through his mother. Jenrose

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > I am T.C. ,living in Toronto. I would like honest opinion from you > guys . I am shopping around for an engagement ring. > I found that a few bigger jewelry stores(Birk’s, People’s ) charge > over CDN $ 10,000 for 1 carat diamond ring (good cut, VS1 , colour G) > and then a relatively smaller jewelry stores charge only around $7000 > for the same quality. I want to be careful but i can’t tell whether > the diamond is fake or not. I mean they can present me the GIA > certificate or whatever, but you know, how would i know the cert truly > matches with the diamond that i purchase ? > My another concern is that, i have worked for at least a few years and > i am an intermediate web developer. I can’t afford to buy anything > like 2 carat ring. For such a big event for my gf & myself, do you > think it’s kinda embarrassing to not able to buy something bigger than > 1 carat ring ?

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I think it’s embarrassing and pretentious to walk around with a ring bigger than you are wealthy enough to afford. When someone with a modest income does this I often wonder at their priorities and good sense. I also wonder how long the marriage will last when it’s based on "show". gloria p

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> I found that a few bigger jewelry stores(Birk’s, People’s) > charge over CDN $ 10,000 for 1 carat diamond ring > (good cut, VS1 , colour G) and then a relatively smaller > jewelry stores charge only around $7000 for the same > quality. I want to be careful but i can’t tell whether the > diamond is fake or not. I mean they can present me the > GIA certificate or whatever, but you know, how would > i know the cert truly matches with the diamond that i purchase?

Smaller jewelers are going to have more flexibility in what sort of deal they can get for you because they don’t have the over head. They’re also more likely to be knowledgeable than some of the drones employed at large, chain shops, not to mention that small jewelers will *want* to educate you: they want you to feel well-serviced, well-taken-care-of and become a repeat customer. Ask around — have women in your office, men who’ve recently been married? Friends of the family? Ask them where they shop for jewelry. And not to sound mercenary, if you have well-to-do family or close friends of the family, as them — regular customers to small shops often get discounts. > My another concern is that, i have worked for at least > a few years and i am an intermediate web developer. > I can’t afford to buy anything like 2 carat ring. For such > a big event for my gf & myself, do you think it’s kinda > embarrassing to not able to buy something bigger than > 1 carat ring ?

Okay, first thing’s first: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY ANY RING, MUCH LESS A 2 CARAT DIAMOND, FOR AN ENGAGEMENT. Second thing: IF YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS ONLY GOING TO MARRY YOU FOR THE SIZE OF THE ROCK YOU’RE GOING TO BUY *DUMP*HER*IMMEDIATELY*. You’ve managed to hit upon one of my biggest peeves: women who bully their men into surrendering their wallets and common sense when it comes to jewelry, all to satisfy some weird fetish for having the biggest rock to show off in the office. She’s marrying *you*, not the ring. And you certainly don’t have to prove anything to anyone with the type of jewelry you decide on. As an aside, these sorts of money prioritizing questions are going to come up during marriage: jewelry/vacation/whatever nonessential desirable thing versus downpayment for house/condo/flat. It’s good to start talking about those things *now* — many marriages are made unhappy by such disagreements and differences in style. Good luck to you. -j

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Hello, I am T.C. ,living in Toronto. I would like honest opinion from you guys . I am shopping around for an engagement ring. I found that a few bigger jewelry stores(Birk’s, People’s ) charge over CDN $ 10,000 for 1 carat diamond ring (good cut, VS1 , colour G) and then a relatively smaller jewelry stores charge only around $7000 for the same quality. I want to be careful but i can’t tell whether the diamond is fake or not. I mean they can present me the GIA certificate or whatever, but you know, how would i know the cert truly matches with the diamond that i purchase ? My another concern is that, i have worked for at least a few years and i am an intermediate web developer. I can’t afford to buy anything like 2 carat ring. For such a big event for my gf & myself, do you think it’s kinda embarrassing to not able to buy something bigger than 1 carat ring ?

Response:

Yep, this still sucks – ReIntro

admin — Wed, 29 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

That’s how I look at it Sheena. If the thought or urge for a cig crosses my mind – I just say to myself that I don’t want it. No way – no how!! And this is different for me too – hoping it’s a change that will make this quit last! You are doing good! God Bless! JoAnne Six days, 1 hour, 50 minutes and 57 seconds. 139 cigarettes not smoked, saving $22.36. Life saved: 11 hours, 35 minutes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before. > /spills guts > You know, I never felt like the last one ever quite "took." I was > miserable for most of the time. I’ve adjusted my thinking a bit and > hopefully this will be the one. My plan is to not obsess over every > little thing, not to look at other smokers as those who GET to smoke. I > can smoke if I want to – they are readily available to me. I’ve decided > that for now I don’t want to. It’s not that I can’t or shouldn’t, I > don’t want to. It’s difficult to explain how this is different, but it > is. I think for me, obsessing over the quit every minute of the day is > destructive. Quitting is not the only thing I am doing in my life. I > feel like I made it harder than it had to be. > I finally made an appointment with a real, live psychiatrist. I will be > 14 days into the quit, so he should get a good look at the crazy me. %-) > I feel like I need someone to take a good look at my pain meds and my > history, a fresh set of eyes. I don’t hold out much hope for any big > change. In the past, all that has helped is time. Meds don’t do much, > neither does talking or writing or reading or doing little workbook > assignments. Time. I’ve got plenty of it. This doc first obtained a law > degree and then went for his MD. Most of his patients are of the > geriatric persuasion, but my GP recommended him highly. We shall see. > I’m already planning to spend the saved money. I’m getting a new wedding > band and engagement ring. Since losing weight, the old ones don’t fit. > The diamond in my solitaire is cracked – the result of slamming my hand > against the night stand at just the right angle. > Soooo… I’m back on the 21mg patch, using the inhaler. I’ve got gum and > lozenges to use when I get bored with the other methods. See, I > replenished my stock even when I was smoking because I knew I’d be back > to the quit. The vivid dreams with the patches have returned…I’m > even revisiting stories from dreams with the last quit. It’s like my > very own soap opera. > /mops up guts > What’s going on today? > -Hubbs is still smoking and talking about cutting his long hair. > -The Jack Dempsey in the tank on my desk died yesterday. > -The cory catfish are laying eggs every 8-10 days – 4th batch now. > -My LTD has been approved for another 12 months. > -Still ruling out MS > That’s about it except for writing about why I quit quitting. I’ve > thought about it and decided that there isn’t a good reason. I could > list excuses, but they aren’t worth a plug nickel. Looking back, I can > see that I was waiting for an excuse and jumped on one. > Moving the light switch, > Sheena

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Sheena — All the best to you. The secret is — don’t ever quit quitting. You can do this. Hang in there, Coleen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before. >/spills guts >You know, I never felt like the last one ever quite "took." I was >miserable for most of the time. I’ve adjusted my thinking a bit and >hopefully this will be the one. My plan is to not obsess over every >little thing, not to look at other smokers as those who GET to smoke. I >can smoke if I want to – they are readily available to me. I’ve decided >that for now I don’t want to. It’s not that I can’t or shouldn’t, I >don’t want to. It’s difficult to explain how this is different, but it >is. I think for me, obsessing over the quit every minute of the day is >destructive. Quitting is not the only thing I am doing in my life. I >feel like I made it harder than it had to be. >I finally made an appointment with a real, live psychiatrist. I will be >14 days into the quit, so he should get a good look at the crazy me. %-) >I feel like I need someone to take a good look at my pain meds and my >history, a fresh set of eyes. I don’t hold out much hope for any big >change. In the past, all that has helped is time. Meds don’t do much, >neither does talking or writing or reading or doing little workbook >assignments. Time. I’ve got plenty of it. This doc first obtained a law >degree and then went for his MD. Most of his patients are of the >geriatric persuasion, but my GP recommended him highly. We shall see. >I’m already planning to spend the saved money. I’m getting a new wedding >band and engagement ring. Since losing weight, the old ones don’t fit. >The diamond in my solitaire is cracked – the result of slamming my hand >against the night stand at just the right angle. >Soooo… I’m back on the 21mg patch, using the inhaler. I’ve got gum and >lozenges to use when I get bored with the other methods. See, I >replenished my stock even when I was smoking because I knew I’d be back >to the quit. The vivid dreams with the patches have returned…I’m >even revisiting stories from dreams with the last quit. It’s like my >very own soap opera. >/mops up guts >What’s going on today? >-Hubbs is still smoking and talking about cutting his long hair. >-The Jack Dempsey in the tank on my desk died yesterday. >-The cory catfish are laying eggs every 8-10 days – 4th batch now. >-My LTD has been approved for another 12 months. >-Still ruling out MS >That’s about it except for writing about why I quit quitting. I’ve >thought about it and decided that there isn’t a good reason. I could >list excuses, but they aren’t worth a plug nickel. Looking back, I can >see that I was waiting for an excuse and jumped on one. >Moving the light switch, >Sheena

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Yep, you’re right. No matter where you are at, it sucks. Hopefully not for ever though! And Fat Ass is still here to give you grief about your Thunder Thighs ! Paula

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>Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before.

Welcome back…. All your friends are still here so use us! Jack Dempseys can be a bit ungrateful sometimes Steveb

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> My plan is to not obsess over every little thing, not >to look at other

smokers as those who GET to >smoke. I can smoke if I want to – they are readily >available to me. NOW this is what I want to hear!!! To me, the key to quitting is to *stop* acting like a victim of this habit. Smoking is a choice. You can do it or You won’t do it. Ranting about quitting is fine — just as long as it doesn’t harm your quit. Sometimes it is a good thing to just let your mind wander elsewhere and forgettaboutit. Early in my quit, I avoided talking about quitting smoking while in chat. Talking about quitting used to be a huge trigger for me. What does MikeM call it? Diversion Therapy? Do what works best for you Sheena Good to see you posting again, Joy

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> Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before.

Yeah, but having you around again doesn’t Good to see you back to quitting! — mc I haven’t lost my mind, It is backed up on disk somewhere. QOF

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Excellent post! And congrats on your decision, Sheena. The "not wanting" thing is KEY! This quit will stick, Good luck, DG

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Sheena, you are a winner! I know it, because I’ve been seeing you in your struggles. Most of us have been there. Welcome back, we need you! With hope and heart, Kathleen "Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear." — Dave Barry : Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before. : : /spills guts : You know, I never felt like the last one ever quite "took." I was : miserable for most of the time. I’ve adjusted my thinking a bit and : hopefully this will be the one. My plan is to not obsess over every : little thing, not to look at other smokers as those who GET to smoke. I : can smoke if I want to – they are readily available to me. I’ve decided : that for now I don’t want to. It’s not that I can’t or shouldn’t, I : don’t want to. It’s difficult to explain how this is different, but it : is. I think for me, obsessing over the quit every minute of the day is : destructive. Quitting is not the only thing I am doing in my life. I : feel like I made it harder than it had to be. : : I finally made an appointment with a real, live psychiatrist. I will be : 14 days into the quit, so he should get a good look at the crazy me. %-) : I feel like I need someone to take a good look at my pain meds and my : history, a fresh set of eyes. I don’t hold out much hope for any big : change. In the past, all that has helped is time. Meds don’t do much, : neither does talking or writing or reading or doing little workbook : assignments. Time. I’ve got plenty of it. This doc first obtained a law : degree and then went for his MD. Most of his patients are of the : geriatric persuasion, but my GP recommended him highly. We shall see. : : I’m already planning to spend the saved money. I’m getting a new wedding : band and engagement ring. Since losing weight, the old ones don’t fit. : The diamond in my solitaire is cracked – the result of slamming my hand : against the night stand at just the right angle. : : Soooo… I’m back on the 21mg patch, using the inhaler. I’ve got gum and : lozenges to use when I get bored with the other methods. See, I : replenished my stock even when I was smoking because I knew I’d be back : to the quit. The vivid dreams with the patches have returned…I’m : even revisiting stories from dreams with the last quit. It’s like my : very own soap opera. : /mops up guts : : What’s going on today? : -Hubbs is still smoking and talking about cutting his long hair. : -The Jack Dempsey in the tank on my desk died yesterday. : -The cory catfish are laying eggs every 8-10 days – 4th batch now. : -My LTD has been approved for another 12 months. : -Still ruling out MS : : That’s about it except for writing about why I quit quitting. I’ve : thought about it and decided that there isn’t a good reason. I could : list excuses, but they aren’t worth a plug nickel. Looking back, I can : see that I was waiting for an excuse and jumped on one. : : Moving the light switch, : Sheena

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> Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before. > /spills guts > You know, I never felt like the last one ever quite "took." I was > miserable for most of the time. I’ve adjusted my thinking a bit and > hopefully this will be the one. My plan is to not obsess over every > little thing, not to look at other smokers as those who GET to smoke. I > can smoke if I want to – they are readily available to me. I’ve decided > that for now I don’t want to. It’s not that I can’t or shouldn’t, I > don’t want to.

Yup. This is what worked for me, too. Good to see you back and posting. hugs, elle

Response:

Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before. /spills guts You know, I never felt like the last one ever quite "took." I was miserable for most of the time. I’ve adjusted my thinking a bit and hopefully this will be the one. My plan is to not obsess over every little thing, not to look at other smokers as those who GET to smoke. I can smoke if I want to – they are readily available to me. I’ve decided that for now I don’t want to. It’s not that I can’t or shouldn’t, I don’t want to. It’s difficult to explain how this is different, but it is. I think for me, obsessing over the quit every minute of the day is destructive. Quitting is not the only thing I am doing in my life. I feel like I made it harder than it had to be. I finally made an appointment with a real, live psychiatrist. I will be 14 days into the quit, so he should get a good look at the crazy me. %-) I feel like I need someone to take a good look at my pain meds and my history, a fresh set of eyes. I don’t hold out much hope for any big change. In the past, all that has helped is time. Meds don’t do much, neither does talking or writing or reading or doing little workbook assignments. Time. I’ve got plenty of it. This doc first obtained a law degree and then went for his MD. Most of his patients are of the geriatric persuasion, but my GP recommended him highly. We shall see. I’m already planning to spend the saved money. I’m getting a new wedding band and engagement ring. Since losing weight, the old ones don’t fit. The diamond in my solitaire is cracked – the result of slamming my hand against the night stand at just the right angle. Soooo… I’m back on the 21mg patch, using the inhaler. I’ve got gum and lozenges to use when I get bored with the other methods. See, I replenished my stock even when I was smoking because I knew I’d be back to the quit. The vivid dreams with the patches have returned…I’m even revisiting stories from dreams with the last quit. It’s like my very own soap opera. /mops up guts What’s going on today? -Hubbs is still smoking and talking about cutting his long hair. -The Jack Dempsey in the tank on my desk died yesterday. -The cory catfish are laying eggs every 8-10 days – 4th batch now. -My LTD has been approved for another 12 months. -Still ruling out MS That’s about it except for writing about why I quit quitting. I’ve thought about it and decided that there isn’t a good reason. I could list excuses, but they aren’t worth a plug nickel. Looking back, I can see that I was waiting for an excuse and jumped on one. Moving the light switch, Sheena

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Excellent post! And congrats on your decision, Sheena. The "not wanting" thing is KEY! This quit will stick, Good luck, DG

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>Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before.

Welcome back…. All your friends are still here so use us! Jack Dempseys can be a bit ungrateful sometimes Steveb

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> My plan is to not obsess over every little thing, not >to look at other

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> Quitting this time arounds sucks just as much as it did before.

Yeah, but having you around again doesn’t Good to see you back to quitting! — mc I haven’t lost my mind, It is backed up on disk somewhere. QOF

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Yup. This is what worked for me, too. Good to see you back and posting. hugs, elle

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Yep, you’re right. No matter where you are at, it sucks. Hopefully not for ever though! And Fat Ass is still here to give you grief about your Thunder Thighs ! Paula