I was trying for a number of years to find the "right" vacation. I'd usually end up coming home more stressed out than when I left - mostly due to my inability to plan a good vacation. I once slept in a "pill box" in Tokyo...

A colleague of mine suggested that I take a Celebrity cruise (Caribbean itinerary on the Millenium). My only previous experience cruising was on the QE2 (this is a really long story that involves a singing & dancing skeleton in my closet), and I was somewhat skeptical that I'd like Celebrity. Overall, it was a nice experience, but I still felt "stressed" when I came back. Oh and my feet really hurt from standing in line so much.

The next few experiences were like Goldilocks trying to find that bowl of porridge and bed that were "just right." So I tried Royal Caribbean - too big. Then Crystal a few times - too stiff. [I also first started to notice the nickel-and-diming on Crystal.]

I was ready to give up on cruising but noticed that what I thought was an obscure cruise line called "Radisson Seven Seas Cruises" was the #1 cruiseline in Amex Platinum's readers' poll. Huh? I asked around and no one had ever heard of RSSC. Not even my TA (at the time). So I did some research and booked the July 2003 Mariner sailing in Alaska. Well, I finally found the cruiseline that fit "just right." For the first time, I felt like I went on a vacation that managed to soothe my soul. Each successive sailing on RSSC has just gotten better and better.

And of course I've met many of you on board (and on the boards) because of RSSC - this is the best part! Also met Ngaire who's the world's greatest travel consultant. Wow! I can actually say that "in public" now! :eek:

When not cruising, I live in central NJ (where it's currently colder than in Antarctica) am managing partner of a management consultancy that I co-founded this past June. More importantly, I'm trying to raise 2 cats (Emily & Charlotte) all by myself and avoiding the potholes on Route 1 whenever possible. I have a number of bad habits, such as drinking too much scotch and smoking too many cigars. I won't mention my age, but you can find a clue in my alias "lchoi98."