40 Days and Counting

It turns out that the Explorer of the Seas had to return to NJ two days early because so many passengers became sick...700+. I don't know if the bikers lost a ride because of it but  I know that I wouldn't be happy if it happened to me.
We're still making preparations for the trip. I brought the suitcases down from the attic, ordered packing cubes, found the travel iron and even purchased a case to hold all of my cables and tech odds and ends. Things are moving forward.

44 Days and Counting - blahhhhhhhh

There was an article this morning on CNN about the ship we'll be taking in March. Apparently there was an outbreak of what officials think was novoviruses on the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas. They're cleaning the ship with disinfectants but this ain't good. It's the second Royal Caribbean ship with this problem in the last month or so. It would really suck getting sick after paying all of that money, especially for the motorcycle cruise.

On a lighter note...the packing cubes I ordered for Barbara arrived yesterday and I ordered the storage case for our 'Radio Shack' items today.

48 Days and Counting - January 22nd, 2014

Day -48

There's almost a foot of snow outside and the temps are down in the single digits. It's hard to think about a Caribbean cruise vacation right now but maybe this is just the right time.

The new battery for the bike is indoors and I just put it on the Battery Tender to keep the charge topped up before I install it in the bike.
Once done, I'll keep the charger on it.

50 Days and Counting - January 20th, 2014

Day -50 Monday January 20^th, 2014

We’re 50 days out from the cruise and preparations are taking place. I’ve pretty much completed my packing list and Barbara has informed me that she has already collected most of the clothes she’s taking. I’m thinking that I might take the two main suitcases down from the attic so that we can start putting stuff in them as we gather it up. I’ve also ordered a set of packing cubes to keep things neat. It may seem a little premature but the 50 days is going to pass quickly.

So far the trip is paid for (on a credit card), the soda package is paid for and by the end of the week the $325 bike fee will be put away. There are still plenty of other expenses associated with this trip. There’s parking at the cruise terminal, the tip for cruise personnel, casino, shopping, internet, our share of the wine package, shore excursions and lunches.

The bike is in the ‘deep freeze’, sitting in the trailer, waiting for 12-16” of snow expected Tuesday night. There’s a handful of things to do there. I have to install the new battery and attach the battery tender. I have new iridium spark plugs and wires to install. I need to install the Dragon Wing vents and saddle heat shields. It has to be at least 50 degrees to install the heat shields. Lastly I need to do a complete, deep cleaning. 

Day 10 - Saturday April 21st, 2012

Day 10 – 04/21/12

Back to Land

We woke up to a heavy fog. I woke at 03:00; I couldn’t sleep. We had pretty much packed everything the night before and put our luggage in the hall by 23:30. We had to be down at the bikes by 07:15 so we met for breakfast at 06:15. After breakfast we met at the usual spot outside of the movie theatre on Deck 2 forward. This time everyone had all of their carry-on luggage. We were going to be waiting for a while so most people found a seat in the theatre.

We were called to move the bikes at around 08:00. They had to be moved off of the boat to a place where customs could run the dogs by them. We walked back to the boat to wait with everyone else. While we were waiting bunches of other passengers kept wandering through our group looking for a way out.

They finally called for us to leave the boat and board a bus to take us to the terminal where the luggage was. It was a very short ride. Our luggage was easy to spot. We shared a porter with Dave and Annette and were at the customs desk in minutes. There we were passed through without delay and were free to go; no hassle at all.

We went and got the car, loaded it up and then went back for the bikes. With everything loaded we headed out through the streets of Bayonne to the turnpike and the rough ride home. 

Day 9 - Friday April 20th, 2012

Day 9– 04/20/12

Sea Day – Barbara’s Birthday

 Today was another late wake-up, no more rides. Sea Days are lazy days. There really wasn’t much to do. We bummed around the ship most of the day or packed.

At 10:15 we met on Deck 2 forward to reposition the bikes. The room where we normally store them was needed for luggage so we moved them back into the hallways. We finished the job in 17 minutes; super crew of guys. Next we met at 11:25 to have a group picture taken with all of the ETA crowd and the senior officers of the ship. We didn’t buy one of these since we won’t see these people again. We did buy a few photos of us.

Dinner was really nice. Everyone bought a bottle of champagne and shared. Walt and Bonnie weren’t there. It was Barbara’s birthday so they put a candle on a little piece of cake and sang happy birthday for her. It was fun.  

Day 8 - Thursday April 19th, 2012

Day 8– 04/19/12

Sea Day

 Today was a late wake-up, no more rides. Sea Days are lazy days. We went to breakfast in the grand dining room instead of the Windjammer, for a change. We weren’t impressed. We then went down to the photo studio to check out the photos we had taken the evening before. They turned out pretty good. The biker garb with the white background made a nice contrast. Next we made our way down to the main showroom for a session of ‘Ask the Captain’. It was a session of Q&A with the ship’s captain and his main officers. It was quite informative. This ship uses one gallon of fuel for every 46 feet it moves.

After the talk we went back to the photo studio to check out the pictures some more. We’re probably going to buy some so we want to be sure. They aren’t cheap. Most are $20. We finished at the photo studio and headed up to the Windjammer for a little lunch. We were all still pretty full from last night’s dinner so lunch was light. The need for a nap hit me like a truck so after lunch I hit the bed while Barb went up to the hot tubs in the Solarium. After I woke up I joined her in the Solarium. It felt great to just lie in the sun with nothing to do. The sun was slowing shifting away and it was cooling a bit so we returned to our room to get ready for the show. It was formal night so we had to dress accordingly.

The show wasn’t bad. It was an almost winner of America’s Got Talent. He sang with two backup singers. His Motown was the best. Next was dinner. Tonight was lobster…how grand. Most everyone was dressed up for the final formal dinner. Annette took pictures of everyone at the table.

We left dinner any went to Studio B for something called the Quest. This was a blast. They divide the crown into teams, 11 in all. Then they pick four captains for each team. The idea is the MC asks for something and each team has to produce it for points. A great example was to show a tattoo on a woman in a provocative place. Funny stuff. When that was over we went to the Chamber for another silent dance party. This time I got the headphones and was dancing in my seat to some awful music. Fun times.