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Tiggerbabe
1st-February-2006, 08:25 AM
Well, I've almost recovered :wink: so, if you want to know what I thought of it all - read on............

Firstly 06.45 on a Friday is just stupid o'clock to be checking in at Heathrow but it didn't manage to dampen my excitement too much, and it did mean that I had time for a second breakfast :eek:

Miami and Mangos - brilliant fun! Mangos is a Salsa-type bar with many scantily clad, gorgeous girls shaking their booty in a manner that defies description (female forumites were doing our best throughout the cruise, and despite the lack of the "drawstring and extremely low cut" trousers - we might just almost have perfected it, I swear it's a momentum thing :rofl: )
it's a fun place to be and we all managed to dance quite a lot despite not having (m)any of our favourite tracks. It was hot though :devil:

The boat was huge - as in HUGE! Shopping arcades, an ice-rink, theatre, endless watering holes including the champagne bar (that's the one with the mirrored ceiling :wink: ), clubs, restaurants, the casino, the incredible dining rooms, crazy golf, climbing wall, swimming pools and jaccuzzi (always emptied of jive'n'cruisers by at least 7am). Apart from the odd movement it really didn't feel like we were on the seas at all - very smooth driving from el capitain :clap:
I loved it, the staff were all extremely helpful and treated us all like we were royalty.

The sheer scale of the operation is quite mind boggling when you consider how many people are on board, but they have everything well sorted out and it runs very smoothly indeed.

We danced all over the ship - quite possibly in many places where we were not supposed to, but the dancers became extremely popular with the rest of the passengers very quickly :D

Favourite dance of the whole cruise was to "Spanish Eyes" played by an incredible trio - one violin, on acoustic guitar and a bass guitar - in the middle of the shopping mall.

Favourite destination was Ocho Rios, Jamaica - definitely have to go back. Ended up tubing down the White River, with Gordon, Sally and Franck. Sooooo relaxing whilst being a total hoot at the same time, and wet, very wet!
This was also where I heard "The Big Bamboo" song and managed to purchase same from the local DJ - it soon became the "cruise" song :D
Some amazing food to be had here too!

Grand Cayman was amazing too, lots of totally fabulous fish to be admired whilst snorkelling (the bucket of Piña Colada from Señor Frog went down a treat too :eek: thankfully it stayed down as well :whistle: )

Unfortunately only one day to visit Cozumel, Mexico meant having to chose only one of the two desired excursions but it also gave me the chance to get some shopping done :drool:
It was quite humbling to witness the devastation caused here by the recent hurricane :(

Labadee, our first port of call, was probably my least favourite as it's basically a beach, end of! It is still a beautiful place though, and it was lovely to wander along the sand listening to the local bands playing (yes , of ccourse we danced on the beach :D )
I did manage to fall off the jet-ski, which was fun :eek: climbing back on wasn't so amusing, and my muscles were aching for the next couple of days, having been hanging on for grim death over the extremely choppy water. Next time I'm jet-skiing someplace calm.

The days we were at sea we had workshops both in the morning and the afternoon, which were a lot of fun. Franck taught fingertip leading and connection with your partner in the morning. Gordon and Sally taught double trouble in the afternoon. The second set of workshops were style and footwork tips, including those wonderful ochos, and then, in the afternoon, Gordon and Sally taught the Madison - which everyone performed later on at night.

Favourite dancing events had to be the two deck parties we had. Despite the deck not always being the easiest of surfaces to dance on, there's something so beautiful about dancing in the open air in the middle of an ocean. Often other passengers would join in too :) and there were always people watching and smiling.
We had some fab times in the Cosmopolitan Lounge, dancing to the music provided by a Jazz group from Poland, the Dungeon provided more up to date music and the Ixtapa Lounge had Rockaroke (?) and our cds in the intervals, when we weren't providing all of the music ourselves.

The Formal evenings when everyone dresses for dinner are just amazing, Franck managed to cause quite a stir in his Easy Access Pants :rofl: (commonly called his kilt).

Unfortunately the week on board passed all too soon :tears: we got a few hours to spend (literally) in Miami before we had to be at the airport, although I would have loved another couple of days :wink:
American Airlines managed to totally excel themselves on the way back with the grumpiest crew I've ever encountered. I did seriously consider getting some of our guys and gals to swap places with them at one point to see if we could make the journey a little more enjoyable for everyone.

It's been an incredible experience, I've made so many new friends (|hopefully they're gonna join the forum now too) lovely people from down South and the Scottish crowd were just brilliant :hug:

Gordon and Sally were a great help, having done it all before :wink: and we all had such fun! It was fab working with them and hopefully we've managed to persuade them to come up for the BFG or sooner!

Memorable moments - splitting my trousers in the style workshop, Gordon's ceiling photography, the cool guy walking straight into the statue while smiling at Claire S, leaving my new rasta tigger in a shop in Jamaica :tears: the "setting sail" party on the top deck...............there are so many others but :innocent:
Memorable songs - has to be the Big Bamboo, although Spanish Eyes will never be the same again.

The lovey bit - a huge thankyou to ALL of the people there, who honestly made my holiday, it was fantastic! I WURV YOU :hug:

doc martin
1st-February-2006, 10:00 AM
...shaking their booty in a manner that defies description (female forumites were doing our best throughout the cruise, and despite the lack of the "drawstring and extremely low cut" trousers - we might just almost have perfected it, I swear it's a momentum thing )
I look forward to seeing a demonstration on Sunday 4169

stewart38
1st-February-2006, 10:36 AM
Glad you had a great time. unfortunately my American company doesnt give me enough holidays so I couldnt go :mad:

Little Monkey
1st-February-2006, 11:55 AM
Right. That's it. Little Monkey is saving up money for a dance cruise. Alternatively robbing a bank.....:devil:

That just sounded amazing!

Maybe if I lie down on the ground and kick my feet and scream until I'm blue in the face, someone will pay me to shut up? And if I do it enough times, I'll get enough money for a cruise? Or maybe it'll just be enough for a cruise on the Tay.....:sad: Or people might possibly drown me instead, to shut me up.:tears:

Lynn
1st-February-2006, 12:40 PM
Thanks for reporting back Tiggerbabe. It sounds like it was really fabulous! Dancing on the deck sounds :drool: I must add 'Jive cruise' to my list of dream holidays... I think its time I found a better paid job!:(

Piglet
1st-February-2006, 01:45 PM
Thanks for reporting back Tiggerbabe. It sounds like it was really fabulous!
:yeah:
And I'm ever so pleased with the hand leading of one young man that's returned to Aberdeen. WOW! What hands! They are a dream! Made my night last night for sure - couldn't get enough.

TheTramp
1st-February-2006, 01:50 PM
:yeah:
And I'm ever so pleased with the hand leading of one young man that's returned to Aberdeen. WOW! What hands! They are a dream! Made my night last night for sure - couldn't get enough.


Please. No one take this out of context!!! :rolleyes:

Gadget
1st-February-2006, 01:51 PM
...the cool guy walking straight into the statue while smiling at Claire S,
:rofl: :D She does have that effect :flower::worthy:

Sounds like it passed too quickly. Glad to hear it was such a sucess for all :D

drathzel
1st-February-2006, 02:06 PM
Please. No one take this out of context!!! :rolleyes:

too late, already have!:rofl:

Minnie M
1st-February-2006, 03:03 PM
Wow and Wow again, sounds fantastic - only one thing to say ..........

piccies please:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

Tiggerbabe
1st-February-2006, 04:21 PM
piccies please:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
I'm on it, Minnie, watch this space :D

senorita
1st-February-2006, 04:44 PM
WOW!! sounds fantastic. Think I might do the next one :nice:

senorita
1st-February-2006, 04:45 PM
Please. No one take this out of context!!! :rolleyes:

we already have...hmmm .....dont worry will respect you in the morning :D :na: :wink:

TheTramp
1st-February-2006, 04:47 PM
WOW!! sounds fantastic. Think I might do the next one :nice:

:yeah:

Is there a student discount?? :rolleyes:

senorita
1st-February-2006, 04:48 PM
:yeah:

Is there a student discount?? :rolleyes:

I'll need an OAP discount!!...
no student discounts I dont think....but you need to check with the boss.....anyway your loaded :D

Lory
1st-February-2006, 04:51 PM
Oh WOW!.........


I want to go on one!!!!:devil:

It sounds like a holiday of a lifetime. Can't wait to see the piccy's! :cheers:

drathzel
1st-February-2006, 05:33 PM
Oh WOW!.........


I want to go on one!!!!:devil:

It sounds like a holiday of a lifetime. Can't wait to see the piccy's! :cheers:

Me too.

Is there a Franchise Owner Discount?:innocent:

stewart38
1st-February-2006, 05:45 PM
Oh WOW!.........


I want to go on one!!!!:devil:

It sounds like a holiday of a lifetime. Can't wait to see the piccy's! :cheers:


It was raining all the time with sleet ???

Post the pics after ive been on summer holiday please :flower:


Its cold its dark its london :sad:

Tiggerbabe
1st-February-2006, 06:18 PM
Seriously, I'd advise you all to book for the next one - we'd have an absolute blast!
I'd never been on a cruise before and I can now totally understand why people only do cruises.
Oh and the lifts are just surreal - deck 5 anyone?

If you're looking for a really relaxing holiday, this is not the one :wink: it's tiring and you feel as if there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything you want to. Plus you have to spend an hour or so chilling at the pizza bar before heading to bed at silly o'clock - and then you've to get up early as your excursion leaves at 8am.

I also meant to mention Alan and Carol, who celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on board - they were two of the nicest people you could hope to meet. :hug: One couple got engaged and there were also a couple of birthdays too - more excuses for celebrating :clap:

Forgot the speedboats on Grand Cayman too, which was just brilliant fun! The guides on all of these tours are total entertainers - not to mention being absolute hunks :wink:

And for anyone who thinks cruises are for old people - think again - the ship was packed with people of all ages, and lots of them were in their early/mid 20s.

Sorry Stewart, but the weather was fabulous :D
Must admit, since I came back I've been absolutely bloomin' freezing - and it didn't help that I blew the main light fuse last night which also knocked out my central heating - :eek: *brrrrr*

Icey
1st-February-2006, 06:28 PM
Right. That's it. Little Monkey is saving up money for a dance cruise. Alternatively robbing a bank.....:devil:

Me too! But having seen the prices I might be booking for the Jive & Cruise XXI :(


Is there a student discount??

:yeah:

cerocmetro
2nd-February-2006, 06:49 AM
Glad everyone had a great time, it is an amazing trip.:wink:

OK here's a bit of breaking news just for you guys first. We are considering doing another cruise later this year probably sept/oct in the med. Cheaper obviously and on a smaller ship. I will probably be going on it as host and teacher etc.:whistle:

Who'se up for it, i have NO other details yet.:grin:

Adam

drathzel
2nd-February-2006, 12:04 PM
Glad everyone had a great time, it is an amazing trip.:wink:

OK here's a bit of breaking news just for you guys first. We are considering doing another cruise later this year probably sept/oct in the med. Cheaper obviously and on a smaller ship. I will probably be going on it as host and teacher etc.:whistle:

Who'se up for it, i have NO other details yet.:grin:

Adam

when you have details, we could be interested..... do you need a teacher:D

azande
2nd-February-2006, 02:14 PM
when you have details, we could be interested..... do you need a teacher:D
Do you need a demo? :whistle:

drathzel
2nd-February-2006, 02:28 PM
Do you need a demo? :whistle:

YES!!!!!!!! You can demo for me anytime :drool:

Hevmac
2nd-February-2006, 08:39 PM
sigh!.....it sounds fantastic sheena!! thanks for telling us all about it.
now HOW am i gonna persuade the husband to let me go??:what: could wait for the next 'big' birthday but mmmm...?
so glad you had a great time though. look forward to seeing you soon. monday?
hevXx

Minnie M
3rd-February-2006, 01:34 AM
..... do you need a teacher


Do you need a demo? :whistle:

do you need a PR person :flower: :blush:

Icey
3rd-February-2006, 05:45 PM
do you need a teacher?

do you need a dmeo?

do you need a PR person :flower: :blush:

How about an accountant? Do you need one of those? :flower:

LMC
3rd-February-2006, 05:47 PM
And a PA/office manager to organise and run round after them all :D

EDIT: I also taxi :innocent:

stewart38
3rd-February-2006, 06:09 PM
No post by Claire S

Did she make it back or is she swimming back :sad:

Or did she stay with the waiter

ducasi
3rd-February-2006, 06:50 PM
No post by Claire S She's alive and back in civilisation – unless it was her evil twin I was dancing with the other night. :eek:

I think she's still jet-lagged and catching up with things though.

Or maybe she's still trying to work her shiny new computer... :wink:

Tiggerbabe
7th-February-2006, 11:43 PM
A few photos (to hopefully get some of the others to post theirs) :D

Tiggerbabe
8th-February-2006, 12:10 AM
A few more to be going on with :D

Minnie M
8th-February-2006, 12:18 AM
Great photos :clap: more want more :flower:

Tiggerbabe
8th-February-2006, 01:31 AM
more want more :flower:
ok then :whistle:

Gadget
8th-February-2006, 02:06 AM
You needed a car to get from one end of the ship to the other? :what:

Icey
8th-February-2006, 02:07 PM
:drool: :drool: Want to go, want to go :tears: :tears: :tears:

Tiggerbabe
8th-February-2006, 06:14 PM
A few more pics - will try to scan the "official" photos so you can see how posh we all looked on the formal nights. The towel rabbit was one of many animals made by the lovely attendants who sorted out our rooms - it was great fun every night to see exactly what they'd come up with :D

Tiggerbabe
8th-February-2006, 06:22 PM
What's the name of the bar behind you Sassy? :whistle:

Tiggerbabe
21st-February-2006, 11:40 PM
I've just downloaded these 2 pics from my old phone - a very small Pina Collada that Sally and I were sharing *hic*

Tiggerbabe
22nd-February-2006, 08:31 AM
The posh ones :D (These have been scanned so apologies for the quality)

Minnie M
22nd-February-2006, 09:06 AM
The posh ones :D (These have been scanned so apologies for the quality)
wow !!! just love these ones :flower: :drool: :yeah: :hug: :kiss:

Gordon J Pownall
23rd-February-2006, 01:26 AM
I'll get some uploaded as well....!

Gordon and Sal..xxx

Tiggerbabe
23rd-February-2006, 01:52 AM
I'll get some uploaded as well....!

Yikes! I was hoping you'd lost your camera :eek:

Gordon J Pownall
23rd-February-2006, 02:40 PM
Here we go...!!!

Some photos on Sal's website :-

http://www.freewebs.com/djbunnie/index.htm


Nice pics of Franck and Sheena - I was behind the camera (mostly)...

There are more, including an interesting use of mirrors - Claire S :awe: can tell you more about that...

G....:cheers:

Claire S
15th-March-2006, 10:14 PM
I've FINALLY managed to get my shiny new PowerBook hooked up to wireless cable broadband (thank you Ducasi!) so I can post some photos too now!! :devil:

What a great holiday!
Loads of fun, laughter, dancing, fabulous food (I still haven't lost the weight I put on while we were away! :rolleyes: ) & friends... old & new.

Highlights: dancing with Sheena in Mangoes, jet-skiing (I LOVED it!!!), everyone dressing up for the formal nights , dancing on deck, coffee & pizza (yes really) at silly o'clock, watching people leave the Dungeon at 4am (& the statue guy :rofl: :rofl: ), the American girls & their shoes :drool: , those sexy dances (thank you MR :wink: ), watching one of the girls collect phone numbers from 1/2 the men on the ship (go girl!), Nigel the waiter coping with Franck & Gordon, boat trip with the girls in Mexico, the big bamboo :wink:, buying shiny new Mac :D & meeting some lovely dancers from all over the country.

I'd definitely do it again!!

Claire S
15th-March-2006, 10:34 PM
And some more...

Claire S
16th-March-2006, 12:06 AM
Some of Sassy1's photos....

Claire S
16th-March-2006, 12:08 AM
And the last ones for now...