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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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  • RulocalOriana TA & Back 2013Rulocal

    First night on board

    February 16, 2013 in England ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    With it being the first night Sheila and I went to the restaurant for dinner, instead of the buffet which we normally use, mainly so we could see our other friends who are on this trip.
    We had a lovely meal and a good catch up.
    Pauline passed Jennifer and John and Sheila and I a card each which it turned out was from Hazel and "posh" Peter two other friends who were booked on this cruise but due to illness, couldn't make it.
    The card was apologising for not being here and wishing us all bon voyage and hoping we all had a great cruise.
    It was a really nice thing for them to have done.
    So if you happen to read this blog guys, thank you both very much and we wish you were here.
    Oh btw "Posh" Peter get well soon mate x
    I've been looking at some of the other passengers on board and I don't think the ships disco will be very busy on this trip.
    I'd say our company is among the youngest, and we're in our 50s and 60s lol.
    I passed Anderson's bar last night and I'm even more certain that you have to be certified dead to be allowed in there, I've never seen a more miserable place.
    It's now 6am and the weather isn't to bad, it's cold and the ship is rolling a bit, but no strong wind, rain or snow.
    That's all for now I'm going for another coffee.....
    Btw, Sheila had her picture taken with a famous film star (see pic)    Read more

  • RulocalOriana TA & Back 2013Rulocal

    Beautiful downtown Eastleigh

    February 15, 2013 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Spent yesterday afternoon in a working man's club in Eastleigh with Sheila, Jennifer and John, watching the match, (we won't talk about the game if you don't mind) suffice to say it wasn't the result I wanted.
    The place was nice and the members made us feel very welcome and the beer was a reasonable price.....
    We had originally gone to a local pub where I was told they had the football on sky.
    This turned out to be wrong, we were given directions to the club by one of the locals, who even phoned the club for us to make sure we could get in.
    He was a star, and as I've said the club was good and we had a bit of banter with the locals, who at one time after united had scored and I wasn't happy all started doing impressions of Harry Enfields curly haired Scousers and all saying " calm down, calm down" in the worst Liverpool accents I've ever heard.
    But out was great fun and it's definitely a place I'd visit again.
    Except for the result of the match it was a great start to the holiday.    Read more

  • RulocalOriana TA & Back 2013Rulocal

    One more sleep

    February 9, 2013 in England ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    Jennifer has just texted me saying 2 more sleeps before we go.
    But I told her it's only one as I count the Sunday as the start of the holiday, because we're spending the night before the cruise in the hotel in Eastleigh.
    Not looking forward to the drive down there though as it's forecast heavy snow :-(    Read more

  • RulocalOriana TA & Back 2013Rulocal

    Well done John

    January 25, 2013 in England ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C

    John has done a brilliant job sorting out some excursions for our cruise, much cheaper than the ship's tours, and no doubt much better.
    We've got in Charleston, a carriage ride for an hour around the city and then a 90 min harbor cruise all four $36 each, which is brilliant.
    In Cape Kennedy we've got return transport and entrance to the space museum for $75 each another brill price.
    Can't wait......    Read more

  • RulocalOriana TA & Back 2013Rulocal

    Voodoo Chile

    January 17, 2013 in England ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C

    I have been in email contact with the New Orleans voodoo museum, and have arranged for Sheila to have a psychic reading with a voodoo priest called Dr John.
    She likes that kind of stuff, so out should be quite interesting.Read more

  • RulocalOriana TA & Back 2013Rulocal

    And so things progress

    January 9, 2013 in England ⋅ 🌫 3 °C

    Well the E-Tickets are printed off, car park sorted, hotel sorted and estas printed that's everything methinks.
    On with the planning of the trip now.
    This is mainly going to be the US stops as we've done most of the others before.
    New Orleans is going to be a day of sightseeing and an evening of celebrating Jennifer's birthday, when we will all partake in a bit of NOLA southern hospitality...hic!
    John is sorting the Port Canaveral stop where he is arranging a visit to the Kennedy Space Center.
    I've been before, about ten or twelve years ago and it's well worth a visit.
    I'm sorting Charleston, where I've planned a short walking tour taking in some of the main sights.
    Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale and Key West have yet to be arranged.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Labadee

    December 15, 2012 in Haiti ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    What a change to a place!
    I wasn't going to bother to get off the ship today but I'm glad I did.
    The last time we were in Labadee was about ten years ago, the difference is amazing.
    From a bit of a run down island, with a bit of a shack and a few benches.
    RCI have transformed it into a beautiful resort, with a number of wonderful beaches and relaxing woodland walks.
    Add that to water sports and zip wires, there is something for everyone.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Dramatic rescue at sea

    December 14, 2012, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    The title is not a joke.
    About an hour and a half out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, we came across three blokes in an upturned boat.
    The ship had to come to a stop and send a rescue boat out to take them on board.
    It turned out that they'd been there for six hours.
    They were taken to the medical centre and checked out and thankfully they were all ok.
    About an hour later they were transferred to a coast guard vessel and taken back to Puerto Rico.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    St Maarten

    December 13, 2012 in Sint Maarten ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Well we got off in St Maarten as planned, but we didn't find the perfume that Sheila was after.
    I got my self a Caribbean shirt for $10, and it was Sheila who bargained the woman down from $15.
    We bought a few other things, then walked down the beach front and had a beer.
    The cafe had free wifi, so we phoned Nic & Neeta on tango, that's an app similar to Apples face time.
    The temperature was in the high 80s, but we're made of stern stuff, so we had a leisurely stroll back to the ship.
    I know, I know, it's a hard life, but we managed.
    In the diamond lounge last night it was the usual debauched mix of booze and chat.
    San Juan on Puerto Rico today.
    I'll keep you informed.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    St Kitts maybe next time

    December 12, 2012 in Saint Kitts and Nevis ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    We didn't get off in St Kitts after all.
    Sheila wasn't feeling to well, so I decided to stay on board with her and sun bathe.
    We're back here in February so we'll have a look around then.
    Today we're in Phillipsburg St Maarten.
    We'll definitely be getting off today as Sheila wants perfume for a couple of people back home.
    Last night was an uneventful night in the diamond lounge.
    Except for the four people who dress up every night.
    They were in 60/70s style last night. Not they're best costumes yet, but still great fun.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Fort Lauderdale turn around

    December 9, 2012 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Sheila, a lady we've met called Holly and I decided to get off in Ft Lauderdale and have a stroll.
    We were the only people walking out of the port, everyone else was taking a cab or minibus.
    We got some surprised looks, it seems that walking in south Florida is not the usual mode of transport.
    Anyway we took a 40 minute stroll to a local shopping centre, did some shopping, had a coffee in Starbucks, then joined in with the local tradition and got a cab back to the ship.
    Seriously, there must have been 3000 people queuing to check in.
    We had our in transit passes so we should have been allowed straight in at the front of the queue as we had no need to check in.
    But the security guards kept insisting we had to join the line at the back.
    If we had we'd have been waiting hours to get back on board, seems like they had no idea what in transit, or a back to back cruiser was.
    As luck would have it the head of the ships security was coming out of the terminal, he solved our problem and walked us right through..problem solved..... Phew!
    If nothing else this has been an eventful cruise....lol    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Moan, Moan, Moan

    December 7, 2012 on the Bahamas ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Seems like all I'm doing at the moment is moaning, but not only have the beer prices on board come down by almost $2 a bottle but also the duty free cigarettes are $20 a carton cheaper and perfume $25 per bottle cheaper.
    RCCL may argue that taxes are different in the US but for 10 days of the crossing we were in international waters, so the European taxes won't count.
    Personally, I feel that us brits or should I say Europeans, are being ripped off.
    And that's before I mention the cruise prices the Americans pay, which we have no access to..... Phew! End of moan....lol
    Other than that we're having a good cruise :-P    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Pandemonium

    December 7, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Wow! Last night in the diamond lounge was manic.
    The lounge was used for everyone from diamond upwards, because the pyramid lounge where the diamond members normally go was being used by travel agents selling cruises, so in true Royal Caribbean tradition they crammed everyone in one lounge.
    You'd think that some of the passengers had never seen free drinks before, it was a real bun fight.
    We were ok though as the waiters knew us from the crossing and kept us supplied with our drinks.
    On the up side it will only be for the three night cruise, then we should be back to normal, fingers crossed.
    Today we're at Coco Cay in the Bahamas, it's beach party day so I think we'll be staying on board and enjoy the empty ship and the sunshine.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Cruise number 2: 3 day Bahamas

    December 5, 2012 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    The change over for the consecutive cruisers was better than the last time we did it three years ago.
    Only an hour and a half to get back on the ship, as against 5 hours last time.
    Maybe next time they'll have it down to the promised 20/30 minutes.
    Another thing, the beer prices have come down by almost $2 a pint, from the prices we were paying when sailing around Europe.
    Just another way Royal Caribbean rip off the brits and Europeans.
    Not only do the Americans pay less for their cruises but they get charged less for their booze.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Disappointing Chops grill

    December 4, 2012 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Quite simply the meal in chops grill last night was spoilt by the very slow service.
    The meal it's self was nice except for the of the soups being cold, but two hours for the first two courses I think was to long.
    The problem lay in the kitchen not with the waiting on staff.
    On a plus point the company was good and we'll miss them these next eleven days.
    Anyway it's Nassau today, I think we're getting off, I'll keep you informed.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    The X Factor final

    December 3, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Last nights act on the theatre was an X factor finalist from 2008, by the name of Austin Drage.
    We went to see him with Freda & Nigel, without any great expectations and we were very surprised with how good he was.
    He had a great voice and did a good variation of songs.
    I probably shouldn't have been to surprised as I always say if the X factor finalists have anything about them, they can make themselves a good career.
    Off to Chops Grill tonight for a bit of a farewell meal with Mo & Joyce and Freda & Nigel as they're all getting off in Ft Lauderdale.
    We've had a great crossing with them and we'll miss them all.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Never judge a book by it's cover

    December 1, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Following on from the post title, Albert one of my wacko friends has a fantastic talent in cross stitch.
    He showed Sheila and I a cross stitch work he's done, it's of a photo of two friends of his and it's brilliant.
    Wish I had some sort of a talent like that.
    Changing the subject, this has been another good cruise for company, not only have we had a great time every evening with Joyce & Mo and Freda & Nigel.
    But lots of others in the diamond lounge such as Tom, Albert, George, James, Tana and Jerry to name but a few.
    Problem is getting out of the diamond lounge it's like a magnet lol.
    That's about it for now...    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Joffs progressive quiz

    November 29, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Anyone who's been on the Independence of the seas, will know about the cruise director Joffs progressive quiz and anyone who knows me will know I've been trying to win it for years.
    Well this trip is no different to all the others, the quiz is as good and as funny as ever and our team is doing as bad as ever, lol.
    But it's great fun and it's something I would recommend doing on any Independence it's cruise.
    Joff makes it so funny that even of you're doing bad in it, it's still worth doing for the laugh.
    End of RCCL advertisement....lol    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Diamond lounge evening drinks

    November 27, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    The evening drinks event in the diamond lounge is it's usual mix of fun loving wackos and the snobbish misery arses, who don't appear to want to enjoy themselves.
    Luckily us wackos out number them.
    Sheila and I went to see the show with Freda and Nigel last night, it was a trio of young girls from Yorkshire, the name of who evades me at the moment.
    They did an acoustic session on guitars and violin, with some brilliant vocals.
    All in all last night was another great night.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Birthday surprise

    November 26, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    When we got back to the room last night there was a lovely surprise.
    The cabin girl had decorated our beds with flowers and things and a little note wishing me a happy birthday, she was actually a day late, but the thought was lovely.Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Back at sea

    November 25, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Well we're on our way to the Azores and up to now the weather is quite calm, so fingers crossed for the rest of the crossing.
    We've still got the virus restrictions on in the windjammer though, hopefully they will relax them soon, well just have to wait and see.
    Oh yes one other complaint, some of the waiters in the diamond lounge of an evening are not very good one of them tried to make us finish our drinks before he would bring us another one.... So no tip for him then lol.
    The company each night has been brilliant, which is half the battle for me on a cruise.
    It's been a good mix of friends both old and new.
    Today is the second day of Joff's progressive quiz which is the usual laugh, I've been trying to win the thing for years without much success..maybe this time you never know lol.
    That's about it for now, unless something exciting happens today    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Noro Virus

    November 24, 2012 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    I forgot to mention that they had the Norovirus onboard ship on the last cruise, and they've still got the restrictions on in the windjammer.
    The staff are serving you the food instead of the usual self service, it's a pain but I suppose it's necessary.
    Also the food doesn't seem to be up to the usual standard.
    Anyway we are just pulling into Lisbon and the weather has calmed right down, but it's to dark at the moment to tell if it's going to be a nice day.
    At least we'll be able to go outside and get some fresh air, which we haven't been able to for the last two or three days.
    Moan over speak later lol.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    Bad weather

    November 24, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    What a night, the ship has been up and down all night.
    But still not as bad as a couple of years ago on the Oriana, when we had 9 days of bad weather crossing the Atlantic.
    Anyway back to yesterday evening, we had another good laugh, I met some mad lady who thinks I look like Elton John!!! Is that a good thing or a bad thing? You tell me LOL.
    I normally get Heston the chef (can't spell his name) or Harry Hill!!! So I suppose it's a step up lol.
    We went to the show in the theatre later to see the East Coast Boys, who are a Frankie Valli tribute band.
    They were excellent and I'd recommend seeing them.    Read more

  • RulocalIndependence TA November 2012Rulocal

    A big gang

    November 23, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Had a brilliant night last night, not only were Tom & Albert and Nigel & Freda on board, but also Maurice & Joyce, who we met about four years ago on the Jewel of the seas.
    Then low and behold, up turns Norman & Marie who we met this year on the Independence, also about 10 other faces I knew.
    As I said in an earlier post, it's a small (cruise) world.
    Anyway six of us took advantage of the 2 for 1 offer in Chops Grill, we had a ball in fact one table commented on how much were enjoying ourselves (I think they were being nice and not complaining) LOL
    Btw Ken, Denise, John & Drena, such a shame you guys couldn't make it you'd have loved it.
    Anyway it's 6.49 and I'm just going to get my 2nd coffee of the day...speak later.    Read more

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