Well, I think it's official. Talked with Ngaire this morning and we're booking on the Navigator - 26 days LA - Papeete - La, with some great islands in between...then off for one night in LA and reboarding in the morning for Canal cruise to Fort Lauderdale and home! Anyone else doing either cruise? Hope so, we'd love to see LCT Friends!

Margo, really?? George and I are booked on the LA to Papeete leg. But instead of returning to LA we'll overnight in Tahiti and board the PG the next morning for the Marquesas cruise.

Clyde and Jean will also be onboard from LA to Papeete but I am not sure if they'll return with you or do something else.

We look forward to meeting you! This is shaping up to be yet another LCT party.

MarnaLou:

What great news! Now we can start thinking of names instead of WAA. Your cruise combination sounds wonderful - many beautiful islands.

Can't wait to meet you, George, Jean and Clyde!!!!!

Margo, hmmm. A name for this cruise. I'm not the most creative person out there so we might have to put our heads together and come up with separate names for all the various legs we'll be on.

Turns out that my Aunt Ruth has a friend who will probably be on at least the LA to Papeete cruise as well.

I'll work on it this weekend.

Margo you are going to adore both Marsha and George and Jean and Clyde. What a lovely group to sail with.

Jean emailed me from the Mariner and she met my other "Mother". I have adopted two, Jean and a lovely lady called Sassy Sally. She lives up to her name. A girl cant have enough lovely Mothers. She said she was having a good time but they hit some rough seas.

Hi--my name is Liz---I'm new to the RSSC boards...and I'm going on the Nov. 8th cruise to Tahiti and back!! I've been hoping to find others who are going, too, as I'll be traveling alone. I was on one other cruise in my life (over 20 years ago), so this is like being a first-timer. After doing tons of research, I just knew that Radisson was going to be the best for me....I'm not a "mega-ship" kind of person. I've always wanted to see Tahiti, and since I don't fly, this cruise seemed perfect, especially since I live in SoCal. The itinerary sounds wonderful. I look forward to getting to know those of you who are going on this trip better...Liz

SPIN
South Pacific In November
Navigator 11/08/05 LAX TO LAX.
Tea set winner - ChatKat

This is the name for your cruise. You have wonderful company in the members that have booked this trip. In fact I wish I was along on this one my "Mom" Jean is going how could she go without her daughter (not really but I have adopted her).

You will have a wonderful time and welcome to LCT.

Hi Liz,

Welcome to LCT. The Navigator is a wonderful ship and close to home is always good. You will love RSSC!

We have a bunch of Californians here. Actually in off topic (way down) we have a thread about a Welcome Home Marcie and Tom Party. We used it as an excuse to meet one another. On May 1st at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Please join us.

Welcome, Liz! So good to have another SoCal member on LCT!

Hope you are able to join us for the brunch down in LB in May.

Welcome Liz to LCT!

Masaki

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I will most definitely plan on the May event....keep me posted on the details. I've already started poring over guide books etc. about French Polynesia...I like really learning a lot about a place before I go there.

Although my cruise experience is limited, I did extensive research prior to booking this trip. I really like the atmosphere that RSSC has...intimate and elegant, yet also relaxed and down-to-earth. The mass market lines really don't appeal to me, and I found a lot of negative comments about Crystal. RSSC, on the other hand, seemed to draw rave reviews and comments from nearly everyone.

I like the concept of an adopted mom....I could ALWAYS use one of those, LOL. Actually, at my church (Episcopal) I have quite a few, LOL.

Where in SoCal does everyone else live? I live in a beautiful section of Corona, nestled right up in the Santa Ana mountain foothills. We actually have coyotes and the occasional mountain lion wandering around in this small townhome complex....

I look forward to getting to know you all and thanks again for the warm welcome to LCT. It'll be nice to know people who will be on the SPIN trip..... Liz. My e-mail address is Denimnpearlsgrl@AOL.com

Hi Liz,

It would be super if you are able to join us in May at the Queen Mary.

We live in Orange County - in Tustin, bordering on Irvine.

Looking forward to meeting you, too.

Liz,

I just spent some time in your neighborhood - my friends live in Reche Canyon just outside Moreno Valley. It's pretty remote next to Westlake Village/Thousand Oaks!

Our gathering will be at 11 am on May 1st at the Queen Mary - we will be having Brunch. I will be taking roll call about March 15th since I need to make a reservation. You will definitely have a really good time!

Welcome Liz.. Lots of So. Cal folks here..

Hi, everyone. Definitely count me in for the May brunch--how fun to be able to meet everyone!! The part of Corona I live in is west Corona--high above the 91 freeway, up in the Santa Ana/Anaheim hills foothills/Cleveland Nat'l forest. It's not as remote as the part of Corona you visited, but b/c of the proximity of the Cleveland Forest, we have the wildlife. A short 1 block hike from my house takes you into untouched foothills. I like the fact that no construction/development will spoil the view of the hills from my house!!!

Do any of you believe the weather we're having???? I feel like I went to sleep and woke up living in Seattle, LOL. I'd like to be going on a cruise NOW to a really sunny, warm place...that USED to be here!!! Liz

Hi Liz! I'll be one of your shipmates this November. While it seems like that's a century away, in only 257 days we'll be boarding and meeting each other (but who's counting???)

If you have questions, maybe I can help. We sailed on the Navigator last fall and we cruised to Tahiti on RSSC (Mariner on that occasion) in 2003. The itinerary is almost identical but we loved it so much, we decided to do it again.

Actually, if you have any questions, there is bound to be a wealth of information on LCT. There are many friendly and helpful people here.

While we won't be in California for the Tom & Marcie party, I look forward to meeting you in November.

Hi, Margo--

I'm SO happy to be able to know someone before I board!!!! I will have lots of questions, especially when it comes to wardrobe planning/packing. (I'm one of those goofy women who packs up her entire closet...which is rather substantial, LOL...)...For some reason, I've wound up with almost as many shoes as Imelda Marcos, and I'll probably bring them all, LOL...

I just love LCT--I've already met so many people with whom I have so much in common. What a warm, friendly and interesting place LCT is!

I am so excited about this trip. Since you've done this before, I'll most definitely want your opinion about excursions, sights, etc. I've bought some guide books and am starting to learn about the history, culture, etc. I had sort of wanted to see the Gauguin museum outside of Papeete but I hear it's disappointing. It sounds like there are some wonderful sights to see on Nuku Hiva.

For me, reading and learning is part of the excitement of the trip--it kind of extends the excitment of the trip by all these months of waiting....

I'm sorry you won't be able to make the May QM brunch. I'm really eager to meet everyone from LCT, after so many wonderful posts exchanged, expecially Denise and Ray.

If you want to know a bit more about me, you can look in the Intro section--I also did a lot of posts in the L.A. Rain section (Off Topic)...

I'm just glad I'll know someone on the cruise. It's a bit daunting to go on such a long trip alone (although it's possible that my on and off boyfriend will go with me--I mentioned him in the Intro, too).

Well, I'll be eager and happy to receive any advice you have about the trip--both solicited and unsolicited. And I'll look forward to spending time on board getting to know you in person. Warmly, Liz

Hi Liz:

I've been slow to come back to check this thread...I lost all of my data on my computer about two week ago so I've been busy getting things going again.

I think I posted some 'seamail' from this itinerary in 2003 but it may not be here, I also think I had some notes about shore excursion etc. but the may be gone with all of my other data. I'll look to see if I can find them.

I'm really looking forward to November and our cruise - it will be great!

Hi, Margo---I haven't been back to this thread in a while, either....there are so many to explore. Lately, I've been visiting a thread about what to pack on a long trip--it's got lots of useful advice. I'm so glad that you and Jean will both be on the SPIN cruise in Nov...

I am so excited about this trip. I've longed, for so many years to visit FP, but since I don't fly, haven't had a way to do it. I heard about the Navigator round trip from a friend at work (who had sailed on the PG) and was overjoyed. I'm glad it's RSSC that does this trip--I would not have enjoyed a long voyage like this on a mega ship or mass marked type of ambience.

I've already been reading lots of guide books...part of the fun of passing the pre-cruise months is learning about where I'll be going. However, I have a feeling that the best "guide" information will come from other LCT cruisers!! I feel so utterly fortunate to have found this board. Liz

Liz:

I also love to research our destinations. Longitude Books is a great site for find books about almost any travel itinerary. I used it the last time we were traveling to Tahiti.

You might enjoy checking it out. Just type in any location and they'll give you a list of recommended reading. Source for Travel Books

I've often purchased their maps too. I post them in the cabin and mark our course - if the captain gets lost I can help navigate! LOL.

LOL, that's funny Margo. I'll be MUCH reassured knowing you're there, LOL, in case we get lost... Thanks for the link, I'll use it. I really like researching places I see---both before, during and after a trip.... there is so much history and culture to FP...it's totally NOT just another beautiful beach!!! Well, once again, I will feel so much SAFER with you aboard, LOL.... :banana:

Thought I'd bump this thread up incase there are other cruisers that have booked the Naivagtor this November. Sill more than 200 days away! Boy could I use a cruise soon. :(

Hi Margo;

My husband Volker, our son Christoph and I will be on the Los Angeles to Ft.Lauderdale segment via the Panama Canal with you. We were supposed to be boarding the navigator the 27th of this month but were unable to so, we've confirmed our cruise for Dec. 5th. Actually we were thinking about the LA to LA segment too but our son couldn't be gone that long due to classes. We look forward to seeing you and your husband again. We had so much fun at the LCT luncheon that you organized last July! Barbara

Barbara....hurrah!

It will be great to see you, Volker and Christoph on the Navigator. We'll have to plan cocktails and dinner again!

Margo--How is your mother? And how are you doing? I'm getting so excited about this cruise. Do you think the ship will be full? Everytime there's a review of the Navigator, I relish every word. I just can't wait. Wish more LCT-ers were going. Oh, BTW, Masaki says that he will be offended if you, Jean and I don't contact him when we get to Hololulu..... I continue to send good throughts about you and your mother. Keep us posted.

And I mean it! :cool:

Masaki

It'll be the first thing I do!! Do you live, actually, in Honolulu or in another part of Hawaii. It would be so fun to see you guys...and the BABY ! When the time gets closer, I'm definitely going to ask you for recommendations about what's best to see and do!

We actually live west of Honolulu in Ewa Beach. It's about a 30-45 minute drive for us to get to the port area ... not bad. And we're full of recommendations - just let us know!

Masaki

Oh, awesome!! It'll be fun to meet you guys. I've never been to Hawaii, so I'm thrilled that the trip to Tahiti actually includes Hawaii. Little did I know when I booked the cruise that I'd wind up knowing friends in Hawaii.....how wonderful. I'll bring you guys an In and Out Double Double, LOL..............

Liz - YES!!! :D

Masaki

Well, what good would I be if I couldn't help expose the baby to important artifacts of California culture such as the Double Double....you don't want to raise a culturally deprived child!! :D

Or the "real deal" a Double- double animal style...

Claudia - even better! :) The grilled onions really add something, I have to admit.

Masaki

Oh, you CAN'T have a double double without the grilled onions. We got into trouble on the weight loss support thread torturing ourselves with memories of animal style double doubles..... :ohmy:

Liz....I just got a chance to check this thread. Thanks for asking about my mom. She left the hospital yesterday, moving to the Medical Center at the retirement village where she lives. She seemed so excited to be moving back closer to "home". We hope it will help motivate her to eat and get moving again. Each day is still up and down, but at least she's out of the hospital!

Like you, I'm excited about meeting Amanda, Masaki and Baby Takai when we are in Honolulu.

Warning...we'll be there Friday, Nov. 25th. I think that's the day after Thanksgiving.

I'm not sure how full the ship is, but we've been waitlisted for a Navigator Suite since we booked months ago. The last time we did this trip on the Mariner I think we had an almost full ship.

Oh and Liz, you'd better bring a double double for me too, I've never even heard of one! LOL!

Well, we have just over 200 days until we board, we should be able to plan something exciting.

Margo - I'm probably going to request the day after Thanksgiving off so I can make it a 4 day weekend ... I deserve it! :) We'll be there with bells on.

Masaki

Hi Margo,
Glad you're Mom is out of the hospital.

This cruise is full. I know because Alan and I tried to book it last week. Ngaire said it wouldn't do us any good to waitlist either. That's what we get for waiting to the last minute (and changing our minds about the cruise we had booked). What a shame. I would have enjoyed meeting you and Liz and taking a peak at "Little Fish" (Amanda and Masaki too!).

Margo--- I'm SO glad your mother is out of the hospital. I truly think that people do so much better in a "home" environment. Even though she's still in a medical setting, it is much closer to home, smaller and full of familiar people. She'll be much more comfortable. Please do keep us posted.

And, Margo, yes, of COURSE I will bring a double double for you, too. Actually, I have a better plan. I think one day for lunch we should ask the dining/galley staff to MAKE us one....challenge them to imitate it (bet they can't, LOL). A double double is a California institution from a chain called In and Out. It's just something indescribable. If you go to the weight loss support group and scroll back to about 2 weeks or so ago, you'll see a virtual double double. When you see that, you'll see what the fuss is about!!!!!!

Masaki--how fun it will be to see you guys!!!! I'm glad you've set aside that day. I'll probably take more pix of the baby than of Honolulu, to send back to the LCT gang. Since I've never been to Hawaii, I'm really happy I'm finally going to get there!!

My boyfriend may join me on the cruise. Even though it's booked up, since I'm in at the single supplement rate, he can book into my cabin (and I'll get a refund, LOL). Anyway, he suggested that we obtain some In and Out wrappers and fries boxes to bring along....... Of course, such artifacts will be particularly important for baby Takai, as it MUST be part of his cultural education to see and understand the great cultural impact the Double Double had on the state of California. He can impress all of his friends in school, when he gets to that age, with his cultural knowledge. I hope you and Amanda are as grateful as you should be that I care so deeply about the education of Takai in these important elements!!!! :D

Liz....I was so intrigued about the Double-Double that I did a google search and found this Top Secret Recipes version of

In-N-Out® Double-Double®*

by Todd Wilbur



This is a recipe for making what I believe is the best hamburger in the world. The secret to duplicating this and other fast-food burgers is getting the beef patties real thin...about 1/4 inch-thick. If you like, you can press the beef thin onto wax paper and freeze the patties ahead of time. This makes them easier to work with on the hot pan.

1 plain hamburger bun
1/3 pound ground beef
Dash salt
1 tablespoon Kraft Thousand Island dressing
1 large tomato slice (or 2 small slices)
1 large lettuce leaf
4 slices American cheese (Singles)
-or- 2 slices real American cheese
1 whole onion slice (sliced thin)

1. Preheat a frying pan over medium heat.
2. Lightly toast the both halves of the hamburger bun, face down in the pan. Set aside.
3. Separate the beef into two even portions, and form each half into a thin patty slightly larger than the bun.
4. Lightly salt each patty and cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side.
5. Flip the patties over and immediately place two slices of cheese on each one. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Assemble the burger in the following stacking order from the bottom up:
bottom bun
dressing
tomato
lettuce
beef patty with cheese
onion slice
beef patty with cheese
top bun.

(http://www.topsecretrecipes.com) Makes one hamburger.

We'll need to take a copy with us so we can challenge the chef!

PS: I'm posting this here instead of Weight-Loss thread - we don't need any more temptation over there!

Gee, I ventured out of the Weight loss thread, and look what I found. Darn, I leave for PIP in 4 weeks, so, this is definitely not on the plan now.