What DOES everybody do for work?  It is said that lesbians are some of the kindest, most caring, and nurturing people on the earth (which I happen to be partial to that saying)  And I am curious to know how that saying pans out on this trip.  I know we happen to be a more creative, emotional bunch... but what else?  (Me and my girlfriend are both ER nurses, to start the ball rolling)  And Alana, what do you need distraction from?  (oh... and btw... LOVE Texas, and would love to be amongst the "visitors" you guys get!!)

awww, you are too sweet.

Hopefully, reading it to her wasn't too difficult. Can you tell I type fast and don't proof?

I'll try to work on that for ya'll!

I'm totally up for meeting you both (and everyone else) for cocktails...

you name the time and place, and Alex and I are THERE!

What a fun group we have aboard...

My new cruise emails and forums are a good work distraction. I need distractions to keep me creative.

Thanks sweet ladies!

Why do I get the feeling we are going to have great new friends and visitors to Austin after March?

thanks Fancy!

I just love to assist...that trait carries over to cruise forums too I guess! I'll continue to keep my thinking cap on. :-)

yes, that was who i was thinking about re: Tiffany.  I guess she still hasn't learned HER OWN lesson on catchin more flies with honey and being kind to others, eh? Dang, you always hope those reality shows would wind up being an epiphone (sp?) for those who see themselves being snobby on it. Especially when you lose because of it!

I love reality shows because it is such a study in human psyche...and i did study that for several years. I can't say why it fascinates me but it's like really "deep" people watching, isn't it?

Well, we'll keep our fingers crossed that they'll surprise us with Cat and maybe the powers that be on Olivia will "make it happen"

However, I think we'll eat really well with our without her, no?

Cant wait to see you all!! We are so anxious for March fun!!!

and if anyone ever needs to borrow any of these items you know I'm packing (other than my dyed eyelashes) we'll either be in 4011 or 4012 it looks like  (we dont have our exact room yet since the free ones are decided later) but I'll mark our door...just holla. I share. and I always overrpack so whatever you may lose or forget to bring, it will no doubt be in my bag.

disclaimer: except money

Artistalana-

I presume to speak for many when I say that you have earned your free trip!

XXX fancyxanthe (but I draw the line at dyeing my eyelashes)

Cat Cora is gay?!  I had no idea...but that's awesome, SHE'S awesome!  We'd LOVE to see her on this cruise!

I assume when you're talking about Giatta, you're actually talking about Giada DeLaurentiis...she is SMOKIN'!  Not sure that she'd make it on our cruise though...she's married (to a man, *sigh*) and has a new-ish baby I think.

Cat was all booked to headline the cruise but had to cancel due to her partner's pregnancy.  There were a lot of people bummed out about it of course!  There were a bunch of threads going about it on the old Forum site, however, I can't seem to find them (supposedly they were all migrated to this site).  It was the typical entertainment thing with people cancelling, new announcements, and then last minute changes right up to the week of the trip.  I was the mot disappointed about the wine guru cancelling since the trip was originally billed as a wine and food adventure (but we all know how the cruise 'themes' change with Olivia).

Tiffani was the curly red head on the first season of Top Chef who cut right to the chase on the show.  Funny you should ask if she was hte one that wasn't so nice on the show.  It was pretty apparent to many people on the cruise that she came across as a snob and pretty much stuck with the other foodies on the trip.  The only time she came across as friendly was during her cooking demonstrations.  She can definitely cook though, and her cooking demonstrations were always packed!

Erica

oh, I totally understand, I'm not expecting the same activities at all...I think that may have been misunderstood. I wasn't listing activities we'd have on this cruise. They haven't announced them yet.

we've had lots of friends on the Olivia cruises which is why we are so excited to be aboard! I would never venture to say I can answer questions about our trip in particular, just cruising' in general fo' sure!

Just like any cruise, Olivia shakes up the activities with every cruise...none of us know what we'll be getting just yet..and that's part of the excitement! No bubble bursted here...as I said, I just was listing examples, not actual concrete activities that Oliva has planned for this particular trip; rather, activities I know are done, have heard they've done in the past,  and as examples only simply to illustrate the lack of boredom we should all expect for those who are concerned... No worries.

ooooo Cat Cora was to be aboard an Olivia cruise?! I will have to say we would love that...I aint gon' lie!  Hopefully she will have the guilt from backing out of that cruise to want to hop aboard this one.  Not that I'm saying we will have ANY chef, mind you, let me clarify..I still claim to have no, I repeat no, insider information regarding our particular trip activities...

...but a girl can dream...

Tiffani from Top Chef was on that ship??? As I recall, she is the one that lost partially because she took credit for a dessert the judges loved that her teammate invented on the finale and they all dissed her? Am I remembering the right person? She wasn't so nice, huh? Hopefully, she was nicer in person! But she could cook...I'll give her that.

Giatta...we vote Giatta, if there is a vote...if there is a chef. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!! yummy (oh, stop, that was for the FOOD we were talking about. heh heh heh)

Hell, you put me on a ship with NO activites I'm happy. They are just the icing on the cake. I could be flat on a chair with a cocktail or even icewater the whole cruise and, I kid you not, I'd be smiling. Well, I'd be hungry I guess, but I'd be smiling still.

Alana (who will be joining you in ANY activites, cooking or no) 

What about Cat Cora?  Hasn't she worked with Olivia before?  It would be amazing to learn some cooking tricks from an Iron Chef!

Pat

Sorry to burst your bubble Alana but the "Queen's Lounge/Culinary Arts Center" on the Westerdam is really just a lounge.  The kitchen equipment they show on the Holland America website is not a permanent fixture.  I think they actually used that space on our last cruise as a movie theater and as an intimate show lounge.  I would imagine that on Holland America's mainstream cruises, they actually do offer cooking demonstrations in that space.  They didn't have that on our last cruise but maybe if we're lucky, they'll have it on this one.  It would be great if Olivia could get a celebrity chef (lesbian, of course) to join us for the week.

I know you've been on a lot of cruises but if it's your first Olivia cruise, don't expect the same activities you've experienced on mainstream cruises.  Olivia cruises are definitely unique and you're in for quite a treat!  I've been on 2 cruises in my life; one was a Carnival cruise (mainstream) and the other was our first Olivia cruise last April.  They absolutely do NOT compare!  Yes, the mainstream cruises are less expensive and they have fun activities too, but once you've traveled with Olivia, you'll never want to go on a mainstream cruise again!  At least that was our experience.  It's like lesbian crack...SO addictive!

We're all going to have an absolute blast...can't believe it's just over 10 weeks away!!!!

I tend to think they may, indeed, have something culinary arts related in spite of it being chartered by Olivia (which I'm glad it is; I'd give up the "usual" activities for an Olivia ship)...those courses are  done by the chefs and they have a room strictly for this already built on the ship if you look at the pictures. It's on every Holland America ship. It's set up just like something on the Food Network where chefs show you various techniques and bring up people to help do it.

The chefs are already aboard as is the room built specifically for it...I would hope they wouldn't just close up the room...I know they did the culinary arts classes on a ship our friends went on that was chartered by Olivia but that doesn't mean, necessarily, like you say that it will be on this one. It's always a surprise. And I kinda like that.

I might should clarify--I wasn't trying to say all the classes I listed would be on this cruise. Even on mainstream cruises they change them up all the time...but they are examples of things you can expect.  Kind of an overview of things they've done or are typically done aboard. Which is only to say, you will NEVER be bored! Olivia ensures it...as does every cruise. It's just part of the joy of cruising!

but, hopefully those who hope the Westerdam utilizes the culinary arts room will get their wish. It is mentioned on Olivia marketing....so I would like to think they won't leave it unused.

Alex has food lines  and we are foodies so I do hope they will utilize their ammenities too. We'd greatly enjoy that! It's part of who we are... We have the Food Network on constantly...it would be nice to have a taste (pun intended) of that aboard the cruise. hmmm, maybe chef Alex will just take over the room and we'll make sure we have a chef's course!! Not so much fun for us, mind you, but hell, at least the room would get used!

Either way, we are so excited to be hoppin aboard & know we'll be vastly entertained!

AND we can't wait to meet all our new friends.

Oh... my sweetie.  (she just LOVES opening presents time!!)

It is a great time had by ALL, for those of you who are questioning all of this.  Like Jackie said... no "regular cruise activities", really.  Well... except that the cabin stewards, wait staff, and ship operators are all Holland America people.  But otherwise, it is staffed by the Olivia staff.  (the cruise directors, announcers, entertainers and comedians... and even the "behind the scenes" people.)  What was amazing to me is that they all work so great together.   (the first Olivia cruise I took... the Head dude even said to all of us as he was greeting us on the sail away party night... I am from the Isle of Lesbos... in Greece... and we were all cheering so loud after that.)  The staff fell in love with all of us by the end of the week... in fact there were some tears shed because we all became like family

The activities are all planned out by the Olivia staff.  And it is so beautifully done.  You are constantly doing something!  We have a great friend that was in the finalist for the  OLIVIA IDOL... idol.... idol... idol (sorry, inside joke)  and that was so great to watch all week.  And my sweetie and I were in the Newlywed game  (thanks Vickie for making us feel so silly... and making me blush.)  So anyone can get involved in the on board activities.  There is also dance lessons... bingo... group meetings... solos activities... pool games (so much fun)... tons of music (by amazing lesbians!!)  The greatest comedy shows ever (because it's all about US), parties of all sorts (themed most of the time)  And so forth.  Never a dull moment.

Dont worry about claustrophobia.  I am the worlds worst for that fear.  And we got the cheapest room last time (and this time) so we could spend more money on stuff.  It was plenty spacious for us.  (mostly because we didnt spend much time in there)  And you will not have one spare moment to be "bored"  on the "At Sea"  days... trust me.  (in fact, my head spins trying to get everything crammed in before days end)

Oh well...  that's my two cents worth.  Hope it helps too.