THE OTHER SIDE



I just have to get over this hump!



Just thought I'd throw my two cents in on proper prior planning.

Preparation is more mental than physical.  Oh, you can bring six dress shirts, 12 ties and one pair of underwear but that's the easy part.  Its convincing yourself that you've made the right decision.  I mean, who in their right mind would want to spend 4 months in a 187 sq. ft. cell with ONE bathroom??  I am concerned, even after 45 years of marriage, that we will see 46.

We will just have to get over the initial hump of private space.  At home we pretty much have our own space and a fairly set schedule.  I am frequently away, either driving vehicles back and forth to Florida or the more than occasional Vegas jaunt.  This gives Gina proverbial peace and quiet which I am sure she relishes.  Ain't gonna happen on this trip.

Maybe I can convince her to shower at the health club.

On a more serious note, I have set a goal for myself on this trip.  A modest goal, but a goal nonetheless.  I will visit the health club every Monday for the express purpose of getting on the scale.  My goal is to lose 10 pounds in 110 days.  Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?  I will post my weight once a week and comment.  And therein lies my most serious concern for this trip.  We all know the food is good on cruises but, and this is how I know I can lose 10 pounds, you really get tired of eating.  The food varies and is of quality but you just get so you don't even want to look at anything to eat.  I pretty much stopped eating at day 21 of a 35 day cruise with the same experience on a later 33 day cruise.

Two weeks from today we commence.

Joe Wagg



Just about 2 weeks to embarkation

Hi everyone,
   As many of you know, Joe and I are going on a World Cruise that leaves Jan. 5, 2011. I thought you might like to know how this all came about this fall and also how do you pack and prepare for being away from home for 4 months.

When we were at our consortium conference in Orlando this past July, we noticed that the Vacation Vignette 2011 World Cruise had not been assigned a host. I immediately thought what an opportunity this would be for us, however when Joe asked he was told a host had been assigned but "was on the fence about doing it". In the meantime, we signed up for a 60 day back to back cruise from San Diego.

A Vacation Vignette is an added value for clients who book through a Vacation.Com affiliated agency. Included in the cruise fare are additional amenities that are not available to other passengers i.e.,a cocktail party, a shore excursion, and the services of a concierge host. We have been hosts on three prior cruises and enjoy doing it. I never thought I would have a job on a cruise ship. It can be a lot of work, especially if you have a large group.

We got word that the World Cruise was open in early fall, and changed our Vignette assignment. It was very exciting until I actually thought about what this would entail. I was up at night thinking about how do we file our taxes, what about our mail, what do I bring, can I stand being away from home so long, it went on and on for a few days.

Now that we are just two weeks away, the anxiety has left and it is exciting. I am ready to leave. We decided to drive to Fort Lauderdale in a rental because of all the stuff we will need and fly back.  The clothes packing just takes a little time to match outfits for days at sea, on shore, and for the evening. We have 18 Formal nights, can you imagine? We have  status on this line and get free laundry.  It is all the other articles that take up room, such as toiletries for 4 months, travel books, medications for Joe, paperwork for our guests and electronics. Our Ipad and Kindle will be well used.

We will try to post at least once a week. Joe does a better job than me.
Gina Wagg