Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stever · June 2016

My "counter-cyclic" stock got a buy-out offer so we dumped half for a 10%+ overnight gain. Wouldn't have noticed the news for hours but I happened to be logged into my bank and one minute I had the expected amount, and right before it automatically logged me out ~5 minutes later, the news hit.

Nice being in cash in case we want to buy a car and avoid payments. But it'd be more entertaining (and about the same risk of depreciation) just buying car stocks.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2016

oldfarmer50 said:
Just watching something on self-driving cars. Evidently people (I'm guessing young people) can't wait for them to become available. Me, I want nothing to do with them.

To me the whole purpose of a car is for the driving experience. The sense of control and the challenge of skillfully getting to your destination. I'd rather take a cab or bus than pay money for a vehicle that took that away from me.

The only reason I'd want a self-driver would be if I were drunk or senile. Are people nowadays so involved in their mobile devices that they no longer enjoy driving?

I feel old.

It's not going to happen, and when it does, those young people won't be young anymore...I mean, FULLY self-driving cars. Aside from being unable to cope with a highly complex 3-D environment that is most certainly NOT a "closed system", they aren't even close to being able to read a red light yet.

"The self-driving car is in our future, and it's going to stay in our future".

PF_Flyer · June 2016

oldfarmer50 said:
Just watching something on self-driving cars. Evidently people (I'm guessing young people) can't wait for them to become available. Me, I want nothing to do with them.

To me the whole purpose of a car is for the driving experience. The sense of control and the challenge of skillfully getting to your destination. I'd rather take a cab or bus than pay money for a vehicle that took that away from me.

The only reason I'd want a self-driver would be if I were drunk or senile. Are people nowadays so involved in their mobile devices that they no longer enjoy driving?

I feel old.

I heard a self-driving car proponent on the radio the other day talking about how wonderful it would be if you could put the kids in the car to be dropped off at school and you'd get a receipt that the car got there, then the car could drive itself back home so Mom could use it to go shopping. Uh huh. Perhaps Mom could combine trips, drop the kids off at school, KNOW that they got there safely, then go out to shop.

You don't feel old. You feel like you woke up in the parallel universe where Spock has a beard and is mean

bwia · June 2016

PF_Flyer said:

oldfarmer50 said:
Just watching something on self-driving cars. Evidently people (I'm guessing young people) can't wait for them to become available. Me, I want nothing to do with them.

To me the whole purpose of a car is for the driving experience. The sense of control and the challenge of skillfully getting to your destination. I'd rather take a cab or bus than pay money for a vehicle that took that away from me.

The only reason I'd want a self-driver would be if I were drunk or senile. Are people nowadays so involved in their mobile devices that they no longer enjoy driving?

I feel old.

I heard a self-driving car proponent on the radio the other day talking about how wonderful it would be if you could put the kids in the car to be dropped off at school and you'd get a receipt that the car got there, then the car could drive itself back home so Mom could use it to go shopping. Uh huh. Perhaps Mom could combine trips, drop the kids off at school, KNOW that they got there safely, then go out to shop.

You don't feel old. You feel like you woke up in the parallel universe where Spock has a beard and is mean

One of the biggest challenges is the programing of ethics into theses self-driving cars. For example, in an emergency avoidance maneuver--should the vehicle save the driver or hit the pedestrian/s? Until we come to terms with which life is most valued autonomous driving vehicles will be relegated to private roads.

Any ethicists willing to chime in?

bwia · June 2016

graphicguy said:
So, because this has been probably the most......let me see...what's a good description.....interesting?.....trying?..... mind numbing?.....years of my life, I decided to take a break.

On a whim, booked a last minutre cruise out of Miami, visiting Belize, Costa Maya, and somewhere else I can't recall, leaving this Sunday.

They throw in a lot of alleged "freebies" on these cruises...like free alcohol, and free internet.

Perhaps I'll take the ole laptop with me and post occassionally from the high seas, while sipping on umbrella drinks.

GG, as they would say in the Caribbean, you certainly need a little free-up. If you go onshore, be careful of the Zika mosquito.

stickguy · June 2016

ethics are an interesting question. I was also thinking about breaking the law (as in speed limits, maybe stop signs when others aren't).

all goes back to liability. Today, manufacturers can point at the driver if they do something stupid with the car. That won't work in the future, if the driver is just along for the ride!

I pretty much think that the full autonomous car will have limited uses (like a fully automatic monorail vs. a commuter train). They are more the breeding ground for technology that can filter down to the semi-auto world (assists that still require a driver in place).

graphicguy · June 2016

Thanks, all! The plan is to have some fun in the sun. Weird being out of the country for July 4th, something I don't think I've ever done. I'm sure I'll celebrate in my own way.

bwia...'ya know, hadn't thought about the virus. I'm not the type who is always washing with disinfectant, nor overly cautious about taking much in the way of precautions. Maybe I should be more careful. But, if something's going to infect me, I believe it will be in a way I can't prevent anyway.

Hell, I ate dirt as a kid, rubbed dirt into cuts to keep them from bleeding. I'm still hear to tell the tale.

stever · June 2016

Dirt is good for you - that'll help protect you from the Norwalk virus on the boat too.

Shoot, I even "inoculate" my cars with dirt every day and leave that "preventative medicine" on for weeks and months at a time.

driver100 · June 2016

graphicguy said:
Thanks, all! The plan is to have some fun in the sun. Weird being out of the country for July 4th, something I don't think I've ever done. I'm sure I'll celebrate in my own way.

Hell, I ate dirt as a kid, rubbed dirt into cuts to keep them from bleeding. I'm still hear to tell the tale.

GG, a can of Bug Off wouldn't hurt....may even lead to a good opening line. Oh, forgot your Bug Off, well just let me help you out by applying a little of this...........

Have a great time, you earned it.

oldfarmer50 · June 2016

"Farmer, from first glance, I thought that was a corvette."

I think you could buy 25 Corvettes for the price of that. Personally I'd rather have the Corvette and bank the rest.

Couple of questions for the experts:

First, anybody hear the latest DOT warning to owners of 01-03 Accords and Acuras to park them until they get the Takada airbags replaced because of the imminent explosion danger? Pretty strong words. Are they serious?

Second, what's your opinion of the 90s-2000s era Ford 3.0L Vulcan V6? Ford made a ton of them for a lot of years but all I hear are negatives. I know that it was not as sophisticated as the 3.0L Duratech V6 of the same era but is it a bad motor from a reliability standpoint? I've heard that they are prone to popping head gaskets if overheated even a little bit.

oldfarmer50 · June 2016

graphicguy said:
Thanks, all! The plan is to have some fun in the sun. Weird being out of the country for July 4th, something I don't think I've ever done. I'm sure I'll celebrate in my own way.

bwia...'ya know, hadn't thought about the virus. I'm not the type who is always washing with disinfectant, nor overly cautious about taking much in the way of precautions. Maybe I should be more careful. But, if something's going to infect me, I believe it will be in a way I can't prevent anyway.

Hell, I ate dirt as a kid, rubbed dirt into cuts to keep them from bleeding. I'm still hear to tell the tale.

From what I hear Zika is no big deal for a healthy male or non pregnant female. Enjoy yourself. Don't let these nervous Nellys spoil your fun.

stever · June 2016

First I've heard of it.

“With as high as a 50 percent chance of a dangerous air bag inflator rupture in a crash, these vehicles are unsafe and need to be repaired immediately,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Folks should not drive these vehicles unless they are going straight to a dealer to have them repaired immediately, free of charge.”

NHTSA: New test data on particular subset of Takata air bag inflators shows substantially higher risk (NHTSA)

stickguy · June 2016

Well. Glad I ditched my 2000 Acura a couple years ago!

stever · June 2016

What's left unsaid is how long will it take to get an airbag for your old car and is the dealer going to give you a loaner to drive until it's fixed? Unlikely.

sda · June 2016

oldfarmer50 said:

"Farmer, from first glance, I thought that was a corvette."

I think you could buy 25 Corvettes for the price of that. Personally I'd rather have the Corvette and bank the rest.

Couple of questions for the experts:

First, anybody hear the latest DOT warning to owners of 01-03 Accords and Acuras to park them until they get the Takada airbags replaced because of the imminent explosion danger? Pretty strong words. Are they serious?

Second, what's your opinion of the 90s-2000s era Ford 3.0L Vulcan V6? Ford made a ton of them for a lot of years but all I hear are negatives. I know that it was not as sophisticated as the 3.0L Duratech V6 of the same era but is it a bad motor from a reliability standpoint? I've heard that they are prone to popping head gaskets if overheated even a little bit.

From a friend who has worked on many cars he says the Vulcan is a good engine that will go the distance. It just isn't particularly powerful and groans when worked. It is the 3.8 that you need to avoid unless it has had the head gaskets replaced, and even then not so sure. The Duratech is in the middle of the two for durability.

houdini1 · June 2016

oldfarmer50 said:
Just watching something on self-driving cars. Evidently people (I'm guessing young people) can't wait for them to become available. Me, I want nothing to do with them.

To me the whole purpose of a car is for the driving experience. The sense of control and the challenge of skillfully getting to your destination. I'd rather take a cab or bus than pay money for a vehicle that took that away from me.

The only reason I'd want a self-driver would be if I were drunk or senile. Are people nowadays so involved in their mobile devices that they no longer enjoy driving?

I feel old.

When guys like us were 16, all we had for diversion was cars and girls...and you had to have a car to get the girls. Kids now a days have just about everything they could want right at home. They don't want or need a car. A guy about our age was wondering what people did for fun back before the internet and other things. His buddy said, gee, I don't know, let me ask one of my 26 brothers and sisters.

oldfarmer50 · June 2016

houdini1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:
Just watching something on self-driving cars. Evidently people (I'm guessing young people) can't wait for them to become available. Me, I want nothing to do with them.

To me the whole purpose of a car is for the driving experience. The sense of control and the challenge of skillfully getting to your destination. I'd rather take a cab or bus than pay money for a vehicle that took that away from me.

The only reason I'd want a self-driver would be if I were drunk or senile. Are people nowadays so involved in their mobile devices that they no longer enjoy driving?

I feel old.

When guys like us were 16, all we had for diversion was cars and girls...and you had to have a car to get the girls. Kids now a days have just about everything they could want right at home. They don't want or need a car. A guy about our age was wondering what people did for fun back before the internet and other things. His buddy said, gee, I don't know, let me ask one of my 26 brothers and sisters.

Ha ha that's funny but true. I know it's a myth but it's said there is always a spike in births 9 months after a black out.

driver100 · June 2016

stever said:
Dirt is good for you - that'll help protect you from the Norwalk virus on the boat too.

Shoot, I even "inoculate" my cars with dirt every day and leave that "preventative medicine" on for weeks and months at a time.

I think you are right stever, some dirt is probably good for us.

Those people that wash their hands all day from one of those little bottles are more susceptible to germs if they miss a spot and come into contact with (oh the horror of it) a germ.

Meanwhile we are building up our resistance!

snakeweasel · June 2016

graphicguy said:

On a whim, booked a last minutre cruise out of Miami, visiting Belize, Costa Maya, and somewhere else I can't recall, leaving this Sunday.

We were in Costa Maya and Belize a few years ago, you'll love it.

snakeweasel · June 2016

bwia said:

PF_Flyer said:

oldfarmer50 said:
Just watching something on self-driving cars. Evidently people (I'm guessing young people) can't wait for them to become available. Me, I want nothing to do with them.

To me the whole purpose of a car is for the driving experience. The sense of control and the challenge of skillfully getting to your destination. I'd rather take a cab or bus than pay money for a vehicle that took that away from me.

The only reason I'd want a self-driver would be if I were drunk or senile. Are people nowadays so involved in their mobile devices that they no longer enjoy driving?

I feel old.

I heard a self-driving car proponent on the radio the other day talking about how wonderful it would be if you could put the kids in the car to be dropped off at school and you'd get a receipt that the car got there, then the car could drive itself back home so Mom could use it to go shopping. Uh huh. Perhaps Mom could combine trips, drop the kids off at school, KNOW that they got there safely, then go out to shop.

You don't feel old. You feel like you woke up in the parallel universe where Spock has a beard and is mean

One of the biggest challenges is the programing of ethics into theses self-driving cars. For example, in an emergency avoidance maneuver--should the vehicle save the driver or hit the pedestrian/s? Until we come to terms with which life is most valued autonomous driving vehicles will be relegated to private roads.

Any ethicists willing to chime in?

My worry is that some day these cars will become self aware and decide we're the enemy.

snakeweasel · June 2016

oldfarmer50 said:

First, anybody hear the latest DOT warning to owners of 01-03 Accords and Acuras to park them until they get the Takada airbags replaced because of the imminent explosion danger? Pretty strong words. Are they serious?

Funny thing is I just saw a news segment on that not more than ten minutes ago. They seemed pretty serious, but then again making it seem very serious makes better news and it could have been very hyped up.

snakeweasel · June 2016

houdini1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:
Just watching something on self-driving cars. Evidently people (I'm guessing young people) can't wait for them to become available. Me, I want nothing to do with them.

To me the whole purpose of a car is for the driving experience. The sense of control and the challenge of skillfully getting to your destination. I'd rather take a cab or bus than pay money for a vehicle that took that away from me.

The only reason I'd want a self-driver would be if I were drunk or senile. Are people nowadays so involved in their mobile devices that they no longer enjoy driving?

I feel old.

When guys like us were 16, all we had for diversion was cars and girls...and you had to have a car to get the girls. Kids now a days have just about everything they could want right at home. They don't want or need a car. A guy about our age was wondering what people did for fun back before the internet and other things. His buddy said, gee, I don't know, let me ask one of my 26 brothers and sisters.

A couple of weeks ago we were having a family get together and my niece mentioned how her kids interact with their friends via electronic devices and social media. Very little face to face time.

My response was that as a kid if we wanted to interact with our friends we had to go outside and find the house with the bikes piled up in the front yard, that was the sign that all your friends were there.

henryn · June 2016

snakeweasel said:

bwia said:

PF_Flyer said:

oldfarmer50 said:
Just watching something on self-driving cars. Evidently people (I'm guessing young people) can't wait for them to become available. Me, I want nothing to do with them.

To me the whole purpose of a car is for the driving experience. The sense of control and the challenge of skillfully getting to your destination. I'd rather take a cab or bus than pay money for a vehicle that took that away from me.

The only reason I'd want a self-driver would be if I were drunk or senile. Are people nowadays so involved in their mobile devices that they no longer enjoy driving?

I feel old.

I heard a self-driving car proponent on the radio the other day talking about how wonderful it would be if you could put the kids in the car to be dropped off at school and you'd get a receipt that the car got there, then the car could drive itself back home so Mom could use it to go shopping. Uh huh. Perhaps Mom could combine trips, drop the kids off at school, KNOW that they got there safely, then go out to shop.

You don't feel old. You feel like you woke up in the parallel universe where Spock has a beard and is mean

One of the biggest challenges is the programing of ethics into theses self-driving cars. For example, in an emergency avoidance maneuver--should the vehicle save the driver or hit the pedestrian/s? Until we come to terms with which life is most valued autonomous driving vehicles will be relegated to private roads.

Any ethicists willing to chime in?
My worry is that some day these cars will become self aware and decide we're the enemy.

SkyNet ???

stickguy · June 2016

HAL

imidazol97 · June 2016

Tesla Autopilot fail.
Car goes under semitrailer. Fatal, of course.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/30/us-regulators-investigating-tesla-over-use-of-automated-system-linked-to-fatal-crash.html

oldfarmer50 · June 2016

Did someone here recently comment on a dealer TV ad which said they would take even your mother-in-law as a trade? Seem to remember that.

I just saw my local Ford dealer run the same ad and I was thinking these dealers must hire the same agencies who sell them a prepackaged campaign.

bwia · June 2016

And that's where the ethics of autonomous vehicles come into play. In this case only one life was lost butin other cases it could be several. In short, self driving vehicles is a dumb idea.

berri · June 2016

Sounded like the truck also left turned in front of the Tesla, so there are really two aspects to the accident I think.

oldfarmer50 · June 2016

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

First, anybody hear the latest DOT warning to owners of 01-03 Accords and Acuras to park them until they get the Takada airbags replaced because of the imminent explosion danger? Pretty strong words. Are they serious?
Funny thing is I just saw a news segment on that not more than ten minutes ago. They seemed pretty serious, but then again making it seem very serious makes better news and it could have been very hyped up.

I was just thinking how is that going to effect private sellers and mom & pop dealers. How do you counter someone offering half price because your car might blow up on them. Would a dealer even be able to sell without the recall repair being done?

snakeweasel · June 2016

stickguy said:
HAL

Have you ever notice that each letter in HAL is one off from IBM?

snakeweasel · June 2016

oldfarmer50 said:
Did someone here recently comment on a dealer TV ad which said they would take even your mother-in-law as a trade? Seem to remember that.

I just saw my local Ford dealer run the same ad and I was thinking these dealers must hire the same agencies who sell them a prepackaged campaign.

I don't know about that but I love the Subway commercial with the two car salesmen.

snakeweasel · June 2016

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

First, anybody hear the latest DOT warning to owners of 01-03 Accords and Acuras to park them until they get the Takada airbags replaced because of the imminent explosion danger? Pretty strong words. Are they serious?
Funny thing is I just saw a news segment on that not more than ten minutes ago. They seemed pretty serious, but then again making it seem very serious makes better news and it could have been very hyped up.

I was just thinking how is that going to effect private sellers and mom & pop dealers. How do you counter someone offering half price because your car might blow up on them. Would a dealer even be able to sell without the recall repair being done?

I was thinking of this just a while ago, these cars are upwards to 15 years old or more with upwards of 200K miles with no exploding steering wheel. The owners are likely thinking that if it hasn't already happened the odds are low of it happening anytime soon.

stickguy · June 2016

well, doesn't the bag have to get set off? or are they saying these are just letting go?

I never liked the idea of airbags anyway. Would be happy to just take it out until new ones were available, and trust my seatbelts. and, plan of not hitting anyone.

Michaell · June 2016

snakeweasel said:

stickguy said:
HAL
Have you ever notice that each letter in HAL is one off from IBM?

I looked into that; as a 15 year veteran of IBM, I was curious to know the history behind the naming convention in the movie. Turns out it was just a coincidence. HAL stands for heuristic algorithmic language or something like that.

oldfarmer50 · June 2016

stickguy said:
well, doesn't the bag have to get set off? or are they saying these are just letting go?

I never liked the idea of airbags anyway. Would be happy to just take it out until new ones were available, and trust my seatbelts. and, plan of not hitting anyone.

As I understand it the propellant chemistry changes sometime under high humidity resulting in an explosion too strong for the mounting brackets and they shrapnel into your face. Not a pleasant prospect.

I see a lot of Honda and Acuras on CL of that vintage. I was wondering if it's even legal to sell them without fixing them. I know that if I was shopping for one I would deduct $800-1000 for each bag that wasn't documented fixed.

I can't imagine anyone having an easy time selling them with the government screaming not to drive them.

stickguy · June 2016

but they aren't just blowing. still need an accident to set them off in the first place.

and yes, I believe it is legal to sell a car with an outstanding recall. actually see that on carfax sometimes. Even a dealer can do it.

graphicguy · July 2016

Stever...OF...Driver....Got it.

Need to pack.....

-Bug off
-Virus off
-economy size disinfectant
-Dirt.....plenty of dirt

Called the cruise company yesterday to quizz about needing a passport (nor required given it's a closed loop cruise....originating in the U.S. and returning to the U.S.). The nice representative didn't have an answer for me about what happens when I disembark in a foreign country. Better to be safe....take the passport. While talking to her, she said they had two suites left on the ship. And, for a little more money (well....a few hundred dollars is a "little more money" to her), I could upgrade.

What the hell....sure...it's only money. So, now I'm in a suite with butler service.

Had my first glitch with the CTS. Apparently, the Apple Car Play (which I dearly love using) stopped working. Apple says it's a Cadillac problem. Cadillad says it's an Apple problem. This kind of stuff frustrates the hell out of me.

Called CAdillac customer service. They had me un-pair and re-pair my iPhone. No luck. Bluetooth still works, though. Customer service said to take it to the dealer. They do the same thing....un-pair/re-pair...no luck. Apple Carplay still won't work.

Dealer looked up known issues. Sure enough, Cadillac is aware of the Apple Carplay issue and is working on a fix. Aside from that little glitch....this is how a lux brand is supposed to be. I don't mind a hiccup hear and there. And, if you tell me you're working on the problem, I'm a patient person. Just don't tell me there is no problem, when it's clear there is.

Rambling....thought it would be a light day at work. Found out I've got a pretty big presentation to give when I get back. So, it'll be a day of research and power point creation. Pack tonight while sipping some Woodford Reserve over ice, early flight tomorrow (7:00 a.m.).

stickguy · July 2016

does the 3GT even offer carplay? Seems like the Germans, as usual, tend to be late to the party with that kind of stuff.

I would love that on my next car, if I go new. Hopefully by 2018 MY, it will be much more common.

snakeweasel · July 2016

graphicguy said:
Stever...OF...Driver....Got it.

Need to pack.....

-Bug off
-Virus off
-economy size disinfectant
-Dirt.....plenty of dirt

Called the cruise company yesterday to quizz about needing a passport (nor required given it's a closed loop cruise....originating in the U.S. and returning to the U.S.). The nice representative didn't have an answer for me about what happens when I disembark in a foreign country. Better to be safe....take the passport. While talking to her, she said they had two suites left on the ship. And, for a little more money (well....a few hundred dollars is a "little more money" to her), I could upgrade.

Take your passport, you would need it in case (god forbid) something goes wrong and you would need to fly home. When you disembark in a foreign country in the Caribbean you just walk off the ship, getting back on is totally different, you just walk ON the ship. The entire ship and it's passenger list gets cleared by that countries customs when it docks. You are pretty much pre-cleared prior to the cruise.

On tip about eating, there are places all over the ship to eat (enjoy) but try to have at least your dinners as often as possible at your assigned table in your main dinning room. That's where the high quality gourmet meals are served. If you see something on the menu that you don't know what it is or you have never had it get it. If you like it great you have a good new experience, if you don't like it send it back and get something else, they won't have an issue with it.

Enjoy the cruise, send us pictures.

graphicguy · July 2016

stickguy said:
does the 3GT even offer carplay? Seems like the Germans, as usual, tend to be late to the party with that kind of stuff.

I would love that on my next car, if I go new. Hopefully by 2018 MY, it will be much more common.

Stick...I didn't even check to see if the 3er has Car Play. Between that and Andriod, it's going to be hard for manufacturers to sell their own NAV systems. Car Play's voice recognition, text function, email function, radio apps, NAV accuracy, etc, is so far superior to any media/NAV system in any car I've ever owned, I can't imagine manufacturers' trying to reinvent the wheel.

graphicguy · July 2016

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:
Stever...OF...Driver....Got it.

Need to pack.....

-Bug off
-Virus off
-economy size disinfectant
-Dirt.....plenty of dirt

Called the cruise company yesterday to quizz about needing a passport (nor required given it's a closed loop cruise....originating in the U.S. and returning to the U.S.). The nice representative didn't have an answer for me about what happens when I disembark in a foreign country. Better to be safe....take the passport. While talking to her, she said they had two suites left on the ship. And, for a little more money (well....a few hundred dollars is a "little more money" to her), I could upgrade.
Take your passport, you would need it in case (god forbid) something goes wrong and you would need to fly home. When you disembark in a foreign country in the Caribbean you just walk off the ship, getting back on is totally different, you just walk ON the ship. The entire ship and it's passenger list gets cleared by that countries customs when it docks. You are pretty much pre-cleared prior to the cruise.

On tip about eating, there are places all over the ship to eat (enjoy) but try to have at least your dinners as often as possible at your assigned table in your main dinning room. That's where the high quality gourmet meals are served. If you see something on the menu that you don't know what it is or you have never had it get it. If you like it great you have a good new experience, if you don't like it send it back and get something else, they won't have an issue with it.

Enjoy the cruise, send us pictures.

Thanks, Snake. Good advice!

sda · July 2016

graphicguy said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:
Stever...OF...Driver....Got it.

Need to pack.....

-Bug off
-Virus off
-economy size disinfectant
-Dirt.....plenty of dirt

Called the cruise company yesterday to quizz about needing a passport (nor required given it's a closed loop cruise....originating in the U.S. and returning to the U.S.). The nice representative didn't have an answer for me about what happens when I disembark in a foreign country. Better to be safe....take the passport. While talking to her, she said they had two suites left on the ship. And, for a little more money (well....a few hundred dollars is a "little more money" to her), I could upgrade.
Take your passport, you would need it in case (god forbid) something goes wrong and you would need to fly home. When you disembark in a foreign country in the Caribbean you just walk off the ship, getting back on is totally different, you just walk ON the ship. The entire ship and it's passenger list gets cleared by that countries customs when it docks. You are pretty much pre-cleared prior to the cruise.

On tip about eating, there are places all over the ship to eat (enjoy) but try to have at least your dinners as often as possible at your assigned table in your main dinning room. That's where the high quality gourmet meals are served. If you see something on the menu that you don't know what it is or you have never had it get it. If you like it great you have a good new experience, if you don't like it send it back and get something else, they won't have an issue with it.

Enjoy the cruise, send us pictures.
Thanks, Snake. Good advice!

Bon Voyage!

stever · July 2016

Canadian bacon was the answer to one of the clues in this morning's crossword. Must be ~~Dominion~~ Canada Day. If anyone is going to drive up to Nunavut to celebrate, can I hitch a ride?

ab348 · July 2016

Thanks for the lead-in, Stever -- Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians on here! I'm wearing red today...

imidazol97 · July 2016

ab348 said:
Thanks for the lead-in, Stever -- Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians on here! I'm wearing red today...

Happy Canada Day.

jmonroe · July 2016

stever said:
Canadian bacon was the answer to one of the clues in this morning's crossword. Must be ~~Dominion~~ Canada Day. If anyone is going to drive up to Nunavut to celebrate, can I hitch a ride?

That's a long ride man.

Have one or both of our Canadian poster buddies send air fare. They can at least do that for you. If not, show them where the dues increase rates are displayed for non-cooperative members.

Happy Canada Day to our Canadian poster buddies. But tell me, why are you guys always line jumpers? The real party ain't til next Tuesday.

jmonroe

28firefighter · July 2016

On the food on Cruise ships...

I took a cruise to the Caribbean last year with my wife, sister-in-law and her boyfriend. We had our own table in the dining room, and myself and my SIL's boyfriend ordered at least 3 appetizers and two entrees each night. They did not even flinch. We were not being wasteful either - what tended to happen was we would wake up and have breakfast and then fall asleep on the deck and miss lunch. Or we'd be off doing excursions and just come back famished.

On Lobster night when we wanted to order a bunch of the Lobster entrees, our waiter finally goes "do you actually want the vegetables, or should I just bring you a plate of Lobster tails?" You can guess our response.

Probably my favorite way to take a relaxing vacation.

snakeweasel · July 2016

graphicguy said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:
Stever...OF...Driver....Got it.

Need to pack.....

-Bug off
-Virus off
-economy size disinfectant
-Dirt.....plenty of dirt

Called the cruise company yesterday to quizz about needing a passport (nor required given it's a closed loop cruise....originating in the U.S. and returning to the U.S.). The nice representative didn't have an answer for me about what happens when I disembark in a foreign country. Better to be safe....take the passport. While talking to her, she said they had two suites left on the ship. And, for a little more money (well....a few hundred dollars is a "little more money" to her), I could upgrade.
Take your passport, you would need it in case (god forbid) something goes wrong and you would need to fly home. When you disembark in a foreign country in the Caribbean you just walk off the ship, getting back on is totally different, you just walk ON the ship. The entire ship and it's passenger list gets cleared by that countries customs when it docks. You are pretty much pre-cleared prior to the cruise.

On tip about eating, there are places all over the ship to eat (enjoy) but try to have at least your dinners as often as possible at your assigned table in your main dinning room. That's where the high quality gourmet meals are served. If you see something on the menu that you don't know what it is or you have never had it get it. If you like it great you have a good new experience, if you don't like it send it back and get something else, they won't have an issue with it.

Enjoy the cruise, send us pictures.
Thanks, Snake. Good advice!

On thing, you said you were going to Belize, because of the coral reef the cruise ships cannot get into the port so you have to take a launch to get into Belize City.

stever · July 2016

jmonroe said:

stever said:
Canadian bacon was the answer to one of the clues in this morning's crossword. Must be ~~Dominion~~ Canada Day. If anyone is going to drive up to Nunavut to celebrate, can I hitch a ride?
That's a long ride man.

jmonroe

Especially since there's no road going there (unless you can find an ice road for me). That's the only province/territory I haven't been to, but dang, the airfare is nuts if you fly.

houdini1 · July 2016

Happy Canadian Day to youse guys !!

Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy