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Rulocal
Rulocal

Rulocal

A really nice guy who is working relentlessly for world peace (when sober) Read more🇬🇧Ashton-in-Makerfield
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  • Rulocal2015 Splendour Venice to DubaiRulocal

    The Splendour is splendid

    December 1, 2015 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C

    This is day three or four, I'm not quite sure.
    But one thing I do know is that this is a great ship.
    She is a bit tired, after all she's twenty years old and being sold off to Thomsons next April.
    But she's still a beautiful ship, with very tasteful and classy decor.
    All the staff seem happy (which is quite unusual) and therefore very friendly and helpful.
    Another plus point on this cruise is as well as our usual travelling companions, Maz and Sue, we know about twelve or fifteen others in the concierge lounge, so every evening we have a great big group all sitting together.
    Apparently the Americans have nicknamed us the British wagon train circle, because that's how we end up as friends of friends join the company.
    I'm not sure if this is a nice or nasty nickname?
    But hey how, we're doing no harm to anyone and we're all enjoying ourselves.
    Besides anyone is more than welcome to join us, in fact the more the merrier.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    Goodbye Vegas, it's been emotional

    November 11, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Well this is our third time in Vegas, and definitely the last.
    The first time we didn't like it, so we came a second time to make sure we didn't, and this third time confirmed it.
    Las Vegas is what it is, it does what it does, and very well I might add.
    But it's not for me, it's just too in your face.
    It's a place where you've got to come at least once in your life, there's just no where else like it.
    But as the title says been there done that even got the T-shirt.
    So thank you Las Vegas it's been a blast, but it's a good night and a good bye from me.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    Final night in Vegas

    November 10, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    We decided to go for a pizza last night, so we all wandered down to New York New York and had a look around in there.
    We found a great pizza place, just like in the Big Apple itself, well almost.
    It cost $27 for a pizza approximately the size of the Colosseum in Rome.
    Which easily fed all four of us, with enough left for breakfast, if we'd wanted.
    The 4 drinks I got from the Irish bar across the road were almost twice the price, but hey this is Vegas.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    Ride the Duce

    November 8, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    By far the best way to get around Las Vegas, and especially the Strip, is to ride the local bus service called the Duce.
    It runs up and down the strip every 15 minutes with bus stops every quarter mile.
    There is also a strip and downtown express service, the SDX, which runs a slightly different route. There are also cross routes for different parts of Vegas.
    The cost of this brilliant bus service is only $6 for a two hour unlimited ride ticket, $8 for a 24 hour unlimited ride ticket, or $20 for a 3 day unlimited ride ticket.
    To me that represents great value, as walking around Vegas can be very tiring, especially for an old fart like moi.
    There is also the overhead monorail train which is good but a little bit more expensive than the Duce and not near as much fun.
    Oh I forgot to mention the free monorail between the Monte Carlo hotel and the Bellagio hotel.
    Which as I said is free, but the distance you have to walk through the Bellagio when you arrive, to the strip is probably the same as the distance between the two hotels, because don't forget these hotels in Vegas are huge.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    Las Vegas NV. Divas

    November 7, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We all planned to do a show whilst we were in Las Vegas and wanted to see Diana Ross, but the only tickets we could get were sitting right at the back of the theatre, and were about $180 each.
    So we decided to try out the Frank Marino, Divas Show at the Linq; it's a tribute show to all the showbiz divas.
    So instead of just Diana, we got Whitney, Liza, Celine, Dolly, Cher and Shania, to name but a few.
    The show was hosted by Frank Marino, as the hilarious, Joan Rivers, whose costume changes where many and amazing.
    Some of the tributes were send ups such as the brilliant Single Ladies sketch with Beyonce.
    Others where proper tributes, such as Cher and Shania, who looked so good you had to do a double take.
    Then we had Britney, Reba, Madonna, Liza and Diana the list is endless.
    We had front row seats and an amazingly entertaining night.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    Las Vegas NV. Bagged a suite woo hoo!

    November 5, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Well to be honest it's all down to Maz.
    He's been saying all week that the Royal Crown and Anchor society have a deal with MGM for diamond and above members, for complimentary room upgrades.
    So when we got to the hotel, I thought no more about it and just booked in for our standard room on the 21st floor.
    We had to wait for Maz and Sue for about 10 mins, while they appeared to be chatting with the guy booking them in.
    So when they finally came over to us, I said was there a problem with their check in?
    No says Maz with a big grin on his face, I've just got a free upgrade to a suite on the 4th floor.
    So naturally I went back to check in to try my luck, and to cut a long story very short, bingo! We upgraded to a suite on the 4th floor too, all compliments of good old Royal Caribbean!
    As I said, Maz had been banging on about this all week, but none of us really took him on, I thought, yeah, it says that in the leaflet, but try asking for it and it will be a waste of time, the hotel will just make excuses, and say there are no upgrades available. Well how wrong I was, well done Maz, you're a star.
    On this trip up to now, we've had a free meal in the most expensive restaurant on the ship, finally won a progressive quiz, and got a free upgrade to a suite in the hotel.
    Might be time for a little dabble in the casino.
    I'll let you know, lol.
    By the way the hotel is the Monte Carlo, right on the strip, couldn't be better.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    Finally!!!

    November 4, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Well we finally won a progressive quiz.
    We've won music and general knowledge quizzes before, but never a progressive quiz.
    Or as a friend of mine Lynn calls it the progressive aggressive quiz. Although this one wasn't that aggressive it was quite friendly, and definitely good fun.
    If any of you have done Joffs progressive quiz on the Independence of the seas, this one on here run by the cruise director Luke Aerosmith, (What a cool name) is on the same lines.
    Some of the questions are very off the wall and you have to listen carefully and think very laterally.
    Anyway here is a pic of the fantastic first prize for over 4 hours of quizzing, we got one each! Obviously all expense spared, lol. If you would like to come and see it, email me and I'll book you an appointment, but be quick as I think I'll get booked up really quickly.
    Ps, the first 500 applicants will be allowed to touch it!
    And maybe even the keyring too.     Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    More cuts

    November 4, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    We four booked Devinly Decadence for our evening meal.
    Although the food was good, they've down graded the menu.
    Last time we were on board Anthem the surf and turf on the menu have lobster tails, which they have taken off and replaced with king prawns.
    Now don't get me wrong, king prawns are nice, but they are a bit of a come down from lobster tails.
    End of moan lol    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    Lights out!!

    November 2, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    At breakfast yesterday the full rear end of the ship, Ok the aft section to give it it's correct name, was plunged in to darkness as all the electrics failed.
    Well to be honest it wasn't darkness, as it was about 8.30am but the ship did loose all electric power in the aft section.
    There must have been quite a few people scared and panicking at being in a very rough Atlantic and the ship losing power, as the Captain made a number of announcements telling people not to worry and that everything was under control.
    It only took about 15 minutes to sort out, but it was probably not the best kind of excitement to experience in a rough north Atlantic.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    North Atlantic Ocean, We will rock you!

    October 31, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    We all went to see the musical We Will Rock You yesterday and what a great show it was it starred Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts from Coronation St) as pop the old hippy.
    It's basically the story of the fight between good and evil.
    With the evil being electronic, manufactured pop music, not played on instruments but manufactured in the studio, has no soul, and rules the planet, a bit like today I suppose.
    And then you have the good, which is of course rock music, which has gone underground, and is waiting for its messiah, who turns out to be a kid called Gallelo Figuero, who along with his girl Scaramouche aided by Pop and his band of bohemians search for and find the last musical instrument on the planet and bring back rock and roll then all live happily ever after.
    A very obvious and old story line, but a great musical, packed full of fun, laughter, great singing and dancing and best of all chock full of the music of Queen.
    Not for one second was I bored watching this show, a definite 10 / 10.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    North Atlantic Ocean

    October 30, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Last night in the diamond lounge Gary Thomas, the executive chef stopped for a chat, he's a nice guy from Liverpool. We've met him before on other ships.
    He was telling us that he was one of four chefs that developed the very unusual menu in Wonderland
    He explained how they prepared a couple of the dishes, one thing he explained was how they made the pebbles in the soil and pebbles dish. It appears that the baby boiled potatoes are covered in a pottery clay mixture and then baked in a cool oven which was interesting.
    Also in our company last night was Karl Lornie from Beatles Celebration and he always has a story or two.
    Overall it was a very pleasant evening.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem TA & Las VegasRulocal

    Southampton

    October 29, 2015 in England ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    We arrived in Southampton, and I dropped the girls off at the port with the luggage, while Maz and I took the hire car back.
    When we got back it turned out that Sue and Sheila had been talking to one of the ships officers, Jennifer the guest services manager, she wasn't very nice the last time we'd seen her.
    Anyway it being Sues birthday was mentioned and that we where going to the Wonderland Restaurant that night to celebrate.
    The officer says she could book that for us now over the phone to save us messing around on board doing it where there possibly be queues etc.
    After she'd finished on the phone, she tells the girls that it was all sorted and that it was on her.
    I'm guessing that the last time we'd spoken to her she was time of the month or she was just having a bad day.
    Either way we all had a wonderful meal in Wonderland.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    P.S.

    September 28, 2015 in England ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Just a quick update, Nic Aimee and I did the I-Fly sky diving this afternoon and all I can say is it's amazing.
    First you get an instructional safety video then you get fully equipped with full suit, goggles, earplugs and helmet.
    The actual time in the fly tube is only one minute, but what an amazing experience it is. Definitely going to do it again when we're back on the Anthem next month.
    Sorry there are no photos but Sheila couldn’t get up by the fly tube with Joe in the pram.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    Conclusions

    September 27, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 8 °C

    Another great cruise, even Nic and I didn't argue much lol.
    Aimee was a star and even completed 14 A3 sheets of home work that she in her wisdom had requested from school.
    Aimee and I went on the bumper cars, bumper cars at sea! Only on RCL. Nic, Aims and I are doing the I-Fly today so I'll let you know about that later.
    On this trip we've used the diamond lounge instead of the concierge lounge as the concierge wouldn't let the kids in for the evening drinks, even though he has the authority to. And kids are not out of place in the concierge lounge as suite guests are allowed to bring their kids in.
    Anyway Andrew the diamond concierge let us in and looked after us very well.
    The ship itself is just the same as Quantum, but the atmosphere doesn't seem quite as relaxed. Also virtually nobody wore any formal dress any evening just the odd few, and quite a lot of people were in shorts and T shirts all evening.
    Personally I put this down to sailing from the UK.
    I probably sound a bit snobbish, but I don't think it's to much to ask to slip a shirt and a pair of slacks on of an evening. If you want to bum around in shorts and T shirts all the time, I believe Benidorm is nice.
    That said we've once again met some lovely people Mick and Sharon who did the progressive quiz with us. Also Ian and Janet along with Bob and Doreen who are Janets parents, we spent most evenings in the diamond lounge with them.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    Babe Magnet

    September 25, 2015 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    I have been getting a lot of young women stopping me and chatting, and for a while I was thinking I was some sort of a babe magnet.
    Then it struck me, it wasn't me they wanted to talk to, it was the cute bundle of joy that I was holding. Little Joe is a real babe Magnet. Seriously though the amount of people that stop and speak to him is amazing.
    I was in the Windjammer with him the other day and my food went cold and uneaten because of the number of staff that stopped to coo at him and ask me all about him.
    Another time Nic and Aimee got on a shuttle bus and sat near the front, and every passenger stopped to talk to him, causing a queue.
    Also everyone says how much he looks like me, so there's the answer to why he's a babe magnet, he takes after his Granddad.... LMAO 😘    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    Wonderland

    September 25, 2015 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Last night we did the wonderland restaurant as our Nic really wanted to try it.
    Well as you may know, I'm not really one for paying extra for the so called speciality restaurants, because the food and service is normally no better than you get in the complimentary restaurants.
    But in the case of wonderland, I will have to make a big exception.
    The whole experience is amazing, from the blank menu you receive at the start to the sweet delights at the end.
    The service is great, but the food is definitely the star of the show.
    I won't tell you what we got as it would spoil the surprise if you go yourself, and the surprise is a big part of it.
    Suffice to say, that the food is brilliant and presented in a very different and imaginative way.
    As far as ordering goes, the waiter will ask you if you have any allergies etc, and if you have a preference for meat or seafood or a mixture for the main course, after that you sit back and see what comes.
    As far as the $49 per person charge goes, this is still a bit steep, but if you can get a 33% off deal which they do offer at times or even a 2 for 1, which diamond and above get, it's well worth a visit.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    Pool day.

    September 23, 2015 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Spent most of the day by the kids pool and the weather was brilliant, so the girls got the time in the sun that they wanted.
    Took little Joe into the baby pool, it only has about 1 inch of water, so he was fine when he flipped over on to his belly. That was until he decided to try and eat the brightly coloured pool floor. He ended up with a mouthful of water which he didn't like at all, lol.
    Nic and Aimee spent some time in the big pool, Sheila lay in the sun, and I read my book in the shade, so a good day was had by all.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    Lanzarote, Canary Islands

    September 22, 2015 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Today was Lanzarote, we docked about 12.30am and it was a Sunday, so everything was shut.
    But in true Royal Caribbean style they charged $9 per person for a shuttle bus to town, knowing that there was nothing open.
    Sheila and I stayed on the ship, while Nic and Aimee decided to go into town as they'd never been to Lanzarote before and as luck would have it, they found a Mackie Dees open, so at least got some wifi.
    Tomorrow is Tenerife and we've all decided to stay on board the ship and have some pool time, which Aimee in particular is looking forward to, water baby that she is.
    Her tan as usual is brilliant btw, first day of sunshine and she's as brown as anything, even with full factor suncream on, lucky bugger.
    Oh I nearly forgot, Nic and Aimee did the North Star and loved it!
    Which in the Aimsters case was a surprise, as on the cable car ride yesterday she had her eyes closed and was praying almost the whole way up and down.
    Anyway she got some great shots of the ship while on the North Star.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    Funchal, Madiera

    September 21, 2015 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    We all went for a stroll in to the town and decided to take the cable car up to the village of Monte, it's a great ride, if a little bit scary towards the top when the wind got up and shook the gondola a bit.
    Our Aimee hated every minute of the ride and had her eyes covered most of the time.
    At the top we went to see the toboggans as they start their slide down to the town.
    Our Nic was gobsmacked that they had no brakes or steering.
    If you've never seen them just imagine a wooden bread tray with a seat on it.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    What's that smell??

    September 20, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Yuck! It's cigarette smoke.
    Just for future reference, Anthem ots, starboard side balcony cabins from about number 670 to 690, are directly above the smoking area on deck 5, and the stink is awful.
    We are in 680 btw.
    Anyway I spoke to Andrew the diamond concierge, and he got his boss to come and see me.
    He said he would try to move us, and if not he would arrange some sort of compensation as we could not use our balcony.
    So I'll probably get a future cruise discount voucher in the mail. Lol    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    Robbie Williams best mate

    September 19, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Last nights act was Johnathan Wilkes, his main claim to fame is that his best mate is Robbie Williams.
    He's not a bad singer in his own right, not as good as Robbie though.
    But for the second time this cruise I stayed up and watched the full show.
    Don't know if the staying up thing will last for the rest of the trip though.
    Anyway today is a sea day and the weather is a bit overcast, so no sun bathing for the girls.
    We are expecting it to get better the closer we get to the Canaries.    Read more

  • Rulocal2015 Anthem CanariesRulocal

    Flippin heck I stayed up!

    September 17, 2015, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    After a nice night in the diamond lounge, the girls decided to go and see the show.
    I said that I would finish my drink and take Joe back to the cabin. But after they'd gone I decided to go and have a look at the show myself. Having Joe in the pram, I would stand at the back and if I didn't like it, I could leave without disturbing anyone.
    Anyway it turned out that the act was a guy I'd seen before. He is a violinist called Gary Lovini, he once won "Britainsgottalentintheirxfactoreyes" or something similar about 20 years ago. Long before Simon Cowell had been heard of.
    He is a very talented violinist, and proves the point that if you have got real talent you can make a good living in showbiz.
    The 45 minute spot flew by, as he played something for literally everyone.
    He's one of those acts where people look at the theatre listing for the evening show and see "violinist" and think, I'll not bother as I don't fancy sitting through an hour of violin music, then spend all the next day regretting not going, as everyone who did tells them how good he was. So folks remember the name Gary Lovini, he's well worth a watch.    Read more

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