What (or where) is your fave way to vacation?

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

My fave vacation memories are the visual memories I have (and go back to) of each place in my mind: Amsterdam (LOVE!), Copenhagen, Madrid, Napa Valley, Colorado, San Fran, NYC, Seattle, New Orleans, San Diego, Charleston, Boston, Wash DC, Chicago, Sedona, Portland, Montana, Idaho, The Badlands, Hawaii, Mexico....and more I'm forgetting...all of these places have these little placeholders in my mind that are unique and special.

As far as my dream trip -- our own plane so we can bring our 3 yorkies, and we'd travel all over Europe, Scandinavia, plus Morocco, Egypt, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bali, Bora Bora, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Nepal...and anywhere else our hearts desired. Our dream trip would include, of course, hotels that welcomed our 3 dogs and had sound proof walls for them .

Yes and yes!! That would be a dream come true.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I feel as though I've never been on a real vacation, so I have nothing to add ther. I've taken trips, most of which sucked. None ever included warm weather and turquoise waters. Maybe some day soon I'll actually get to do something like that.

I just wanted to say, Uni and Toto are always welcomed to stay with Kaji and me if MIL is ever too busy to watch them! We finally have the room and space to return the favor.

Most of my travel was with dad on business trips. That might be why I love cities. Our last trip before he retired was to Nashville and Memphis. Finally got to see Elvis' Graceland.

Other than going back and forth to Chicago, I have not vacationed or taken a trip in 13 years.

[DvlshAngel985]

Most of my "vacations" have been trips back to the motherland. my parents go to visit family, go to weddings and baptisms. For the last 3 trips that I can remember, my parents have been promising to actually take me somewhere other than the small pueblo where they have grown up. Like Manzanillo, a beach city that I have grown up hearing about my entire life. My parents shared so many stories about this amazing place they use to visit that I have yet to see. Without fail, I always end up sitting in my grandmother's kitchen, sick with bronchitis.

I have had wonderful weekend getaways. Big Bear, Del Mar, Grand Canyon, San Francisco those places were all amazing!! And best of all Kaji friendly. My brothers and I took a weeklong trip to Autin last year. It was fun nerding out, bar hoping, and tasting local foods. I can't wait to go back and get some more of Amy's ice cream. Super yum!!!!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Most of my "vacations" have been trips back to the motherland. my parents go to visit family, go to weddings and baptisms. For the last 3 trips that I can remember, my parents have been promising to actually take me somewhere other than the small pueblo where they have grown up. Like Manzanillo, a beach city that I have grown up hearing about my entire life. My parents shared so many stories about this amazing place they use to visit that I have yet to see. Without fail, I always end up sitting in my grandmother's kitchen, sick with bronchitis.

I have had wonderful weekend getaways. Big Bear, Del Mar, Grand Canyon, San Francisco those places were all amazing!! And best of all Kaji friendly. My brothers and I took a weeklong trip to Autin last year. It was fun nerding out, bar hoping, and tasting local foods. I can't wait to go back and get some more of Amy's ice cream. Super yum!!!!

Aha! Now the truth comes out -- you have done lots of traveling.

My SIL's family lives in a rural, landlocked area of Mexico. She wanted me to go with my nephews when they spent a month there, but it sounded boring. I would want to see something, not just sit on the ranch.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I have seen that picture before. Classic!

Probably ankle deep for me, lol!

I'm confused, I thought stingrays were deadly. Or was Steve Irwin's death a fluke because it got him in the heart?

I'm envious of you and your dad.

My dad spent 3 months in a business exchange thing where he got to travel to Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. He was a maniac like you and has pictures of himself in a rocking boat, everyone is puking over the sides, but he is throwing oysters and beer down his throat. He weighed 130 pounds when he left, and came back weighing 155 pounds.

The long plane rides would do me in, especially if the plane was packed.

I'm pretty sure the one that got Steve Irwin was not as docile as the ones at Stingray City. They are used to being near humans everyday and get fed. However, the guides do tell you to shuffle your feet instead of walking like how you would normally walk underwater. If they are stepped on, their instincts will take over. But yea Steve getting stabbed in the heart probably had more to do with him dying.

You think I'm a maniac. My dad had done a bunch of crazy things since he's retired. He's now 70 yrs old and still travels at least 2x per year on a major trip. The two craziest things he told me about (wonder what he hasn't told me) was he hang glided off a cliff in Ireland, and he did this hiking trail in China:

The World's Most Dangerous Hiking Trail - Huashan...

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I feel as though I've never been on a real vacation, so I have nothing to add ther. I've taken trips, most of which sucked. None ever included warm weather and turquoise waters. Maybe some day soon I'll actually get to do something like that.

I just wanted to say, Uni and Toto are always welcomed to stay with Kaji and me if MIL is ever too busy to watch them! We finally have the room and space to return the favor.

Your brother would let you???

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by chachi

I love going on vacation any where. One of my new fav places to go is San Francisco went there last year and had a blast. I think our big trip this year is going to be a combination Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas trip i have never been to either place

We did a road trip up PCH to San Fran last year for bf's bday. We stopped one night in Monterrey and did the aquarium then went into the city. We totally ate our way around the city. It was so much fun!

I have not been to Tahoe in many years, since back when my sis lived in Reno. If you wants tips on Vegas just let me know. I am there all the time, and actually moving there in a few months. Just PM me.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by MarkFromSea

My dream vacation would include fishing for marlin out of Australia.

We've taken cruises out of Florida, California and Washington. All of them were enjoyable and very affordable at about $100 a day per person. If you've never tried a cruise, I highly recommend at least one....

Generally most of my vacations are right here in state and include fishing.

I agree! Plan it right and you could even get a cruise for much less than $100/day! And if you live close to a port, bonus points! We unfortunately have to fly, bc no one wants the cruises out of CA. Princess was even doing a promotion to fill the cabins on short getaway cruises out of LA. You get 100% of the cruise fare back to put towards a future cruise! Too bad we were not able to take that opportunity though.

[MarkFromSea]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I agree! Plan it right and you could even get a cruise for much less than $100/day! And if you live close to a port, bonus points! We unfortunately have to fly, bc no one wants the cruises out of CA. Princess was even doing a promotion to fill the cabins on short getaway cruises out of LA. You get 100% of the cruise fare back to put towards a future cruise! Too bad we were not able to take that opportunity though.

LOL Carnival has been giving them away... $449 for the week advertised very recently... meaning, you can find it cheaper if you search. Robyn's got them dialed in, think it was check them and flights out on Tuesdays or something. LOL

I usually calculate my daily rate by deducting departure and return day since those are traveling vs vacation days... although you do get fed those half days. We like the shows they put on. It's always a nice variety. The Alaska trips have the best food! That Mexican Coast, west, had the lousiest. But still enjoyable. Iguana on my shoulders pictures are floating around somewhere. Bahamas/Caribbean was nice but not as much interesting stuff to do on the shore excursions. Maybe we didn't research enough or spend the bigger bucks. I'd do the Alaska one again just for the food... in another couple years.

I didn't know that about the Princess/LA cruises!!!!!!!!! That's a real bonus... the food and entertainment alone is so worth that....!!!!! JUMP on it! I'll tell Robyn to check into that.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

You think I'm a maniac. My dad had done a bunch of crazy things since he's retired. He's now 70 yrs old and still travels at least 2x per year on a major trip. The two craziest things he told me about (wonder what he hasn't told me) was he hang glided off a cliff in Ireland, and he did this hiking trail in China:
The World's Most Dangerous Hiking Trail - Huashan Trail in China - YouTube

My palms were sweating just watching that video! Gorgeous views, but I could never do it.

Your dad wins the maniac award!

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by MarkFromSea

LOL Carnival has been giving them away... $449 for the week advertised very recently... meaning, you can find it cheaper if you search. Robyn's got them dialed in, think it was check them and flights out on Tuesdays or something. LOL

I usually calculate my daily rate by deducting departure and return day since those are traveling vs vacation days... although you do get fed those half days. We like the shows they put on. It's always a nice variety. The Alaska trips have the best food! That Mexican Coast, west, had the lousiest. But still enjoyable. Iguana on my shoulders pictures are floating around somewhere. Bahamas/Caribbean was nice but not as much interesting stuff to do on the shore excursions. Maybe we didn't research enough or spend the bigger bucks. I'd do the Alaska one again just for the food... in another couple years.

I didn't know that about the Princess/LA cruises!!!!!!!!! That's a real bonus... the food and entertainment alone is so worth that....!!!!! JUMP on it! I'll tell Robyn to check into that.

Well unfortunately the CA Princess promotion is over. But I hear they have that promotion every once in a while. Currently Celebrity is having their 123Go promo, or as some on my cruise forum like to call 123Drunk bc you get choice of 3 freebies. 1 being beverage package inclu alcohol, 2 prepaid gratuities, or 3 on board credit. We chose #1.

I would not sail Carnival again. The itinerary is most important to me, and they don't seem to sail to very interesting destinations. Just the average Caribbean ports I agree not much to do beside bum it on the beach. But last time we thoroughly enjoyed Roatan and Belize. There are too many things to do in Belize. Last time we snorkeled off of a tiny island called Goff's Caye. The coral formations were gigantic! Water crystal clear. This time we will go to the Lamanai ruins. It's a very tiring all day trip but should be fun! But I agree, I don't care for Bahamas. Not much to see or do, and water is not very warm in the winter.

One day we will do Alaska... after we've done everything else. LOL I dunno about that one.
I think next one we will do Southern Carib. I want to go to Dominica in particular.

Originally Posted by Maximo

My palms were sweating just watching that video! Gorgeous views, but I could never do it.

Your dad wins the maniac award!

Could you imagine if my dad and your dad went on an adventure vacay together?!

[MarkFromSea]

Spent a week on Caye Caulker(sp) 20 years ago, followed it up with a week trekking to Tekal(sp) with the Mayan ruins, howler monkeys, flocks of parrots and tucans.... Great trip back then! Scuba, snorkel, sailed, canoed, spent time with Catholics on a Mission... We might have visited Geoffs Caye.

Checked with Robyn, she was unaware of the occasional LA promos. At least a year or so out for us, she'll look into it. Neither of us drink so maybe the credit option for an excursion.

The excursions on the AK cruise are phenomenal if you enjoy geographic features. Glaciers, bears, Skagway-take the train excursion if any interest in Chilcoot Pass of gold rush fame but if you don't like rocks, you may be bored with Skagway. LOL

Princess, Holland America and Royal Caribbean have carried us... no Carnival so far.... younger crowd doesn't entice us.

Work has brought me to Panama, Dominican Republic and Puerto Ricco, even though it was work, I enjoyed them as much as you can while working. The canal region wasn't as lush foliage as I thought it would be.. but it's history intrigues me.

[capt_noonie]

Well the LA promos are with Princess. The 123Drunk err I mean 123Go promo is Celebrity. Princess does offer 50% back towards future cruise much more often, and with more sailings than the 100% back. The promos with Princess right now aren't that great. Right now they have a 3 For Free promo which is free credit towards excursion, free bottle of wine, and free portrait. Big whoop I say.

For the Celebrity promo, you have until Feb 28 to book. You can book out as far as 2015 I believe, lots and lots of sailings for this promo. If you don't drink, then choose the OBC. You can get up to $300 depending on category. Or if it's a long sailing, or in a suite, it's better to take the prepaid gratuities.

As for AK, I would like to climb up the side of a glacier. That sounds fun, but sailing around the glaciers, I dunno. I once had a convo with another woman, about my age, mid 30s, she went to AK and was surprised a lot of the excursions were very strenuous and not for old people, which is the majority of who cruise to AK. and I LOVE rocks. Bf not so much. LOL

I was even considering HAL bc I heard the ships are mostly teak and brass, which happen to be two of my favorite materials. But everyone warns the avg age of the cruiser is in their 70s. I even thought RCI had too many young people. I liked Princess, mostly 40-60s. I haven't been on X since I was 21 so I can't comment until this Nov. They say Carnival ships have lots of neon a la Vegas style. LOL I've heard the term gaudy used more than once.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Your brother would let you???

They both like Uni!! They think she's so cool and way better trained than Kaji.

[capt_noonie]

But what about Toto??? Get ready to sing the Pi$$ on you song times two!