Wow.... Indie you are just a wealth of information, you go girl... and thank you.... Now that vacation is getting closer I have been checking out the site a bit more... love the meet and greet thing, that's fabulous.... This "headliner" voting thing, was this in the past or is this something current??.... I guess I should check the site a bit more before asking that question, it may be right on the front page in front of my face....... 

The entertainment has always been top notch on my past Olivia trips, don't fret people, yes, I was disappointed to see that my girl Suzanne was no longer going but I'll be damned if I'm gonna cancel a vacation because of that....  I'm going on Vacation, and I plan on yet again having the time of my life where I can be me thx to Oliva.... and karen williams cracks me up.. she is a funny one.....

 Let the countdown begin....

and Brenda you really are gonna love it.... best way to travel... don't be nervous...

Hi Girls,

  We voted for Melissa but Ellen would be great!  My partner has been on a cruise but I haven't had the pleasure.  I'm looking forward to it but really don't know what to expect so I'm a little nervous.  I can't wait to see everyone on the Lido deck!  And Inde, thanks for the heads up on the gifts!

Brenda

Ok, good thing we still have some time, and so glad you gals will be in on this, you two look like so much fun!!!  Ok, I have posted several ideas in the Meet and Greet /Q and A topic , but just for you gals, here we go. 

1. Do not have to wrap gifts.

2. Make sure you carry them onto the ship, or else they will be under the ship.

3. We meet the day of sailing on the ship on the LIDO deck.  So after you go to your room, come on up to the Lido deck for the meet and greet.  We will be by the pool and the bar.

4.  Always good to dress for the day/night  in case your luggage is late in coming to your room.  Thus, put swim suit on under those festive clothes for the day.

5.  Gift ideas, nothing expensive, just fun stuff that people can use,  wear or have fun with,   ie., beach balls, bandannas, travel mugs, sticky notes, glow in the dark necklaces, playing cards, keychains, (maybe from the State that you are from, or a fun logo), small travel games -like soduko, backgammon, tic-tac-toe;  decorations for ones door on the ship, white boards, squirt guns, pins ( funny sayings on them or from your State), pens, fake tattos, baseball caps, visors, sunglasses, Mardi Gras beads, rainbow beads, glow rings or maybe even something that you make at home and bring with,  the sky is not the limit,  and so the list goes on and on.

6.  Would be great if each person could bring at least 4 of something, or more if you would like.  I think we will have a big showing, yippee!

7.  Be prepared to have a great time and meet many wonderful womyn. 

I hope these ideas help you out!!!  See ya soon! 

Another tip is to get travel business cards to trade with the new friends that you will meet at the party and while on the ship, check out www.vistaprint.com  for some ideas and great prices.  Good to list your name, your email and a phone number, then on the blank back you can write a personal note, like your room number, or your home address if you like, or...

Oh, are you gals, or anyone else out there, planning on going to the pre-party at the HOST hotel the nite b/4?  If so I will see you there!! 

Inde, spicing things up!

Ok, gals, Judy responded in one of the topics about some issues. 

No headliner as of yet, but Olivia has always come thru, so do not panic.  Talent will be there, like Karen Williams, Vicky Shaw, Michele Balen, Suede, and Zoe Lewis.  These womyn are headliners in their own right.  Plus there is so much to do on these trips, one never gets bored.  All will work out, I hope you do not cancel, just being on one of these trips is an event of a lifetime, your own headliner kind of trip.  Plus we would miss you!!!

Judy stated that they are redoing the website, not sure what they are doing, but let us hope it is always for the better.   Billing statements, from Olivia, has gone away for those of you that have auto deduct from your credit cards, your credit card sends you a statement.

So as Judy stated, if you have questions, you can email her personally.  If you call you can leave your call back number, I have always gotten a call back that day, if not within the hour or so of my call.  And also, Jeri Umble is another contact person that will go the extra mile to answer your questions,

I wish you all the best, and know that the right headliner will show up.

I do not work for Olivia, I am just an enlightened traveler, traveling with a great bunch of womyn, made possible by Olivia.

See you on the ship at the meet and greet on the LIDO deck!  Do you have your gifts?

If I can assist anyone, I would be happy to do so, just ask.

Inde

It look like someone is redoing the web site for Olivia. They have put all the inside cabins on one line, before each deck or letter was on seperate lines so perhaps more spaces are filled them we believe. Before the restructuring lots said wait list only.

Things are in the wrong spots also and a couple excapes disappeared but they are still advertizing them in little blurbs on the page. like the danube in the right hand corner. I guess it is a wait and see what happens. Maybe someone should call or write Olivia and report on their responce.

It's not always Olivia who cancels - sometimes it's the entertainers themselves or other reasons beyond Olivia's control.  Suzanne has cancelled on Olivia before as she has this time. We wish she was on this cruise too - as she is the best.  But we will enjoy all that comes anyway.  I used to be VERY critical of Olivia until I sat back and watched how hard they truly try to make sure you're taking care of!  Can't travel any other way!!!