Rags1

Wow. I just caught up and I’m tired just reading your schedule! I’m so happy your family is making such wonderful memories! Your girls are blessed to have parents who make such special family times. And you and hubby are blessed to have teens still happy to hang with mom and dad! What an amazing experience for all of you. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels.

It’s actually just the 7 nighter. Daughter is turning 25 and has always wanted to see Paris. We’ll fly into Paris for a couple of days before the cruise and then take the train to South Hampton. I made that decision when I found out seeing Paris from the “Paris” port stop involved a six hour round trip bus ride! It’s a big step for us as we have not yet left the restaurant with others since we opened. Today marks my 190th consecutive day of opening and closing so I’m ready for a break. After thinking about it I booked a quick 3 night Navigator next Friday to test out the “Restaurant will be fine” theory! I also agree with you on the cost of flights. When I was on the phone with Delta and heard the price I felt the need to make clear I wasn’t wanting to charter the plane but just needed 3 seats$$$$

Happy to hear that your father is better and cruising! And your daughter is just stunning! I’m always amazed when you get such great pricing by booking so far in advance. I have difficulty planning for Friday! We did just book a somewhat short notice trip out of South Hampton on Anthem to Spain and France. Will be first time to Europe for the wife and daughter. And it was cheaper than sailing from Florida. im looking forward to following along again as your family makes such precious memories!

We are! Taking our daughter to Paris for her 25th. First time on Anthem

Thanks for such an entertaining and funny blog! Just read the entire thing this morning and loved it!

That’s like an open book quiz!.

This just makes my day! I’m so happy that you’re finally achieving that goal! Although I’d love to be doing it this week, I at least have “family” to follow! I’m sure it will be all you’ve dreamed of and more. I’m so genuinely thrilled for you and your hubby and kids! May the loft retractable television Gods smile on you and it works as designed . And I believe that if before day 5 you can select the correct button to open/close one of the 6 draperies downstairs on the first try you win a bottle of wine! But seriously it’s the loft shower. There’s nothing else like it. You’ll see. And now I’m off to my 86th day in a row to open and close our restaurant. But I know this week I’ll be spending more time in the walk-in refrigerator catching up on this trip! Have the most awesome time my friend! I’m so happy!

Thanks @WAAAYTOOO! I posted a restaurant update to my October blog. Thanks so much for asking

I commented on @Lovetocruise2002 current blog last night and @WAAAYTOOO inquired about our newly opened restaurant. We opened, after 21 exhausting months of dealing with various government agencies, on December 13! We are receiving overwhelming support from our community. If I do say so myself, our casual little eatery is turning out some amazing food! Our website is still under construction. We do have an IG account but I’ll have to ask my daughter what it is. You can follow our journey on FB, Just A Small Town Grill, Morongo Valley, CA.

Checked the blogs tonight for the first time in quite awhile and here you are! Sending good thoughts and prayers to your dad and your entire family. I’m so happy you made it! I’m looking forward to keeping up in the next few days. We opened the restaurant on December 13th and haven’t had time to go to the bathroom, let alone read my favorite blog site! Enjoy every minute my friend!

Enjoying following along! Have a wonderful cruise!

So nothing to do with sailing on a ship. But someone who loves cruising is happy to announce that we received approval today to open the restaurant!

Happy cruise day! Can’t wait for more!

This!

Agree. My first honeymoon cruise on the Mayflower was very memorable! I agree. But now at 72, and after 14 months of physically doing the work to remodel the restaurant, I’m feeling a tad beat up and old

We all submitted the end of cruise survey and commended many crew members. I just felt compelled to single out these two.

Thank you so much!

I had high hopes to close this out with a ton of witty comments and food pictures. But I’m home. I have a restaurant I need to open and it’s consuming my days right now. So I will leave it here for now. I may pop on later if I find some free time. I will definitely add a final comment when the nurse’s Just A Small Town Grill opens its doors. Thank you to all who have followed our journey! The cruises just keep getting better for us. We are very blessed to sail in that amazing suite. We have met people who have become family to us and we’re thankful for that. We survived massive hangovers from a long night of Quest, MO5AIC, tequila and a guy named Jay. Each of us in the family made great memories we will treasure for many years. The ships, the entertainment, the ports, the food all are important. But for me it’s the people. We had servers, our loft attendants, bartenders, cleaners and entertainers that we interacted with many times a day. They made each hour of our vacation special. And whether it was a hug, a high five, a joke, a filet from chops, a Starbucks drink or two dozen cartons of milk we tried to brighten just a minute of their day. As I get older a couple of things happen. I have to pee more frequently during the night and I treasure special moments with others. This cruise was full of special moments. I’ve attached an email I sent to the Hotel Director and forwarded to Miami. I’ve also included responses to that email. I’ve been assured by Jay and Lusi that it matters when we take time to let management know of great service. My last Star Class tip: If you sail with Jay as your Genie just do this: the very first moment you meet him, grab him in a bear hug, kiss him on the cheek and just tell him you adore him. Just get it out of the way - it’s inevitable!

It’s official. We need to cruise together!. You are brightening my days now! Not only am I going through cruise withdrawals but it’s nonstop meetings with vendors and new employees as we plan to open the restaurant. No matter how trying my day I know I can come home to your blog! Keep it coming my friend!

You blew everyone else out of the water with your first post! Actually laughing out loud. This will make my cruise withdrawals a bit easier! Can’t wait for more

I’m loving this!!

Received word today that an email I sent to the Hotel Director resulted in both Lusi and Jay being recognized for exceptional service. Haven’t found out yet what exactly that means for Jay but evidently Lusi received a copy of my email with hand written comments from the boss, extra time off and dinner in the specialty restaurant of her choice! That makes me happy! More tomorrow. Sorry for the delay!

@SweetPea, Bombing? I need more about that story! I learned my lesson early in my career. One of the first protective details I worked was a formal dinner at a Washington, D.C. hotel. All of us on the team wore a small identification pin on our lapel. While securing a large ballroom I noticed an attractive female, dressed in a beautiful evening gown, hanging out where guests shouldn’t have been. I casually walked up to her and politely informed her that she needed to leave the area. I don’t remember her exact words because it’s been about 50 years ago but it was something like “Had you looked looked a little higher on my dress, instead of at my breasts, you would have seen the same pin you’re wearing. Move along Junior.” A humbling experience to say the least. Life lesson learned that night.

I’m still planning to wrap this up but it didn’t happen today! We spent the day at the restaurant planning the how and when to open. But I promise I’ll do it soon because I really do have more to say

Allan is great! He doesn’t miss a thing!