I have seen Mama Mia twice.  It is not an Oscar caliber movie, just extremely fun and entertaining.  The only down side is Pierce Brosnan's singing--or rather, lack of it.  Surely, they could have found a middle aged male actor who could sing better.  Barring that, they should have lipped sinc'ed him.  That aside, it is very fun and campy.  I highly recommend it.

We are chomping at the bit to get on the cruise.  We always have a good time.  While we are disappointed at the confusion about entertainment, we know we will have a great time regardless of who the headliners are.  What is this stuff about a place in Arizona? Is this a live-in community or a vacation time share type of place?

I heard yesterday that you could not book a room for the host hotel, The  Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel, but I just did as of July 29th.  So wanted to clear that up but I would suggest you get a room asap.

 Sportsbabe  aka Barbara

Knock, knock, anyone out there?  What are you gals up too?  Ok, just checking in.

Has anyone gone to see, Mama Mia and/or Dark Knight?  Both are excellent.

Later,

Inde

Chanda, theme nites have not yet been determined, but usually there is a white party, it is very casual, anything goes. 

 Formal nite, that usually happens at the dinner times and the ship photographer will take a picture of you with the Captain of the ship and pictures of you and your partner,  your friends, whomever you want in the photo with neat backgrounds.  So many will wear a nice pant suit, or a skirt, dress, adn some just a nice shirt and dress pants, really up to what you feel comfy in, and some choose not to dress up at all. 

The taking of pictures is a big money maker for the ship photographer, and one does not have to buy them, but they will be displayed up at the photo shop, don't worry there will be plenty of photo opps., and they are not cheap, but they are of good quality.  Note, if you do not get a photographers release, noone will let you copy them, you would have to copy them at home, scan and print.  Not sure if they will give you a release, but I can check on this and get back to ya.   

Then there is usually a cruise theme, like pirate nite, or wild hat nite, or wild pant or short nite.  Olivia will let us know probably a month b/4 we go, which is about the same time that Olivia opens up the excursion list of what will be offered thru the cruise line/Olivia. 

As to what to bring, usually you will be in your swim suit, shorts, tank tops/t-shirts, sunglasses and a sun bonnet, lol, a hat.  Bring your flip flops, one good walking/activity pair of shoes, a dress pair.  A few casual/dressy shirts and a pair of dressy/casual slacks/pants.  If you really want to dress up for formal nite, then a dress and or suit.  Really that is all one needs, but of course most of us overpack, I know I do, lol.  this time I hope to keep it simple and lite.  Did I really say that?  Plus remember, that when most of us travel, we buy stuff to bring back, so either leave some space for that kind of stuff, or you will have another bag going back with you, now that sounds familiar. 

Gald you are finding the tip page helpful, and are posting here on the main page, this is where the info will be on things going on and any travel tips, will post on that topic page.  If others have suggestions or insights, please post, the more the better.

Ok, have a great weekend!

Inde

I ve been going though the list of thing to pack for the trip, buying a new outfit each month and came to the some kind of cruise theme attire night. what do you wear for this? I hate to shop but needed new clothes for the trip.  Wish some of my gay guy freinds lived in texas so they could help.  Cant wait for Nov but still have a lot to do to get ready. 

 

chanda

 

 

 Welcome aboard!  I wrote this on another topic page to help catch some of you up on the haps!

 

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...

Another fun thing is to create t-shirts to wear on board, a bunch of us did that on the Hawaii and Mexico trips, it was a blast!!  Check out vistaprint to make your own shirts!

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!

 

Hi everyone!

 

We are first time cruisers and are really looking forward to relaxing, meeting friends and just being unavailable for the week to our employers.  It would be wonderful for us to meet others for drinks/dinners and encourage anyone who just wants to hang out to ping.  We are easy conversationalists, lots of travel experience, happy and open to meeting friends who are seeking same.  We currently reside in MI but relocate often for work and are California-based.  Not shy, but unclear as to who to reach out to, open ourselves up to people who want to socialize.  For the L Word minded, we are closer to Bette & Alice (sans cheating & child) as an example, financially stable with professional backgrounds.  But life is a sandbox and we have a cool yellow dumpster and my girl has bubble gum...what do you have?

 

E&T

 

 

 

 

Oh my, oh my, please read the posts on the entertainment topics pages.  Judy has responded to several issues there, and I hope this helps one and all.

Just to let you know, I do not work for Olivia, I am just an enlightened traveler that has been able to meet wonderful womyn on these trips, all made possible by Olivia.  Oliva has given us a place to be ourselves, I am thankful for all they do.   The right headliner will show, I know, and we have other entertainers that are headliners in their own right.  Karen Williams, Vicky Shaw, Michele Balen, Suede, and Zoe Lewis, all great entertainers.   Plus there is so much to do, one nevers get bored.  It will all fall into place.  If you would like to get a response from Judy, she has an email listed on one of the entertainer topics.  She is a good hearted person and will not let us down.  Have faith.  Jeri Umble is another contact person who will go the extra mile for you too.  Good luck.

Now, lets get to the thick of it!  We will all be on a trip of a lifetime in no time!  four more months and we will be basking in the sun headed into a lovely paradise, the Caribbean!  So how is the shopping going?  Do you have your meet and greet gifts?  Ok, I know some of you do, thanks for getting back to me!

Gotta run, see ya soon!

 

Inde

Does anyone know what is going on with the entertainment for the 35th BB Cruise?  Looks like all promised extra celebs have been pulled.  What is going on at Olivia?  I feel like they are being dishonest with us--promising a big celebration and then pulling any name entertainers off after they have advertised them.  Not fair.  Seems like false advertising to me.  We are very upset at this point.

Whew, disappear for a bit and the site goes wild, finally!!!  Glad to be reading some great post, keep it up!

Ok, about the gift exchange, I have always done it the day of sailing.  I am planning on meeting up on the Lido Deck, at the Lido Bar and Pool.  Once we settle in, LOL, like, throw your carry on bags down in the room and run back up to the Lido deck with your group gifts.  There we start to settle in and put the gifts on a table, have a drink, gather in a circle, chat and then folks can pick a gift off the table.  So be sure to carry your gifts onto the ship, for checked bags do not arrive to your room till later.  

Now, for those of us that will be attending the pre-party at the Host hotel, I will see you there!  Would love to get a group gathered there also, maybe we can try to get a few tables together.  If I can get a count on who will be there, I will try to set something up b/4 hand with Olivia!  If anything else, just look for a bunch of balloons at one of the tables, that is where I will be.  It will be great to meet up at the pre-party and then the next day on the ship on the Lido deck.

So happy to read that all of you gals are shoppers!!  Good to read that gifts are gathering in closets, suitcases, bags and such!!  I can hardly wait to see what you gals have come up with for the group gifts!!!  Oh, we are going to have so much fun!!

Keep on checking into the main topic page, that is this one, to stay informed.  For other hints read my travel tips page.

See ya soon!

Inde

Thanks for the help brendini, and everyone else. i think i got something i can deal with. money has been tight lately with crappy hours. but buying a new outfit helps lol. haha, i don't even know if olivia has a white party but i have an outfit just in case. i think i have to many gay guy friends. they say i look cute in something i buy it. i better have money left for excursions. i'm so excited for a chance to get out of here. A chance to really connect with people who actually understand me for me. you probably can't miss me on the boat, i'll be the one with the camera attached to her face. oh and i can't wait to see who the headliner is. my presents  are packed in the closet waiting for november.

   Hi Folks, unless I missed it, did we decide on what, where, when we will be swapping gifts/items/surprises?  If so, please advise...if not, can we revisit this idea?   It's getting close and we are getting excited. 

Any folks from the CT/NY area joining the cruise?  We have access to a house in Florida but wanted to make sure we do not miss the pre-party.  How can we get information on where and time?  Is there a dress code for the party or any parties aboard the ship?  Should I at least bring a costume should there be a need for a costume party?  If so, what is the theme.  Never had the pleasure of being aboard an Olivia event before so I want to be prepared...or should I just "wing it" and see what happens?

Comments, suggestions welcome!!!!  See ya soon!

We arre staying at the sleep inn in Dania FL. Its about $100 and has airport and port shuttles.

Check in usually starts around noon I think. We dropped off our luggage in these big bins outside the port  and stood in line. This was in San Diego. I don't know it Fl is different.