Percy

Yes, we have a lot of very excellent courses.

A lot of Americans come to play at Banff and Jasper and the Kananaska Country just outside of Calgary.

The Skins game were held here more than once.

These course are too tough for me now, Father Times favours no one and I cannot drive the long distances I once used to.

A 460 yard par 4 was once ( in the early 1900's ) a drive and a nine iron....now it is a drive and a 3 wood !!

I used to play 90 games a year ...now I average 14-15 (last year I played 12 games because I went to Europe twice ).

Will be seeing the Plastic Surgeon in about 2 weeks for and evaluation.....boy what a slooooooow process this is.

Good Night
Always enjoy hearing from you and reading your other posts.!

jacketwatch

Thanks Percy. Hey, I can't even hit a 3 wood, at least of the fairway. I do recall seeing some really nice courses in Banff. Best of luck with that hand amigo. As for father time thats what I mean about losing that single digit index this yr. . we'll see. Later sir. Larry

rolo

We are going on this cruise for our 10th anniversary in September. San Fransico to Fort Laudidale. The only two things that concerns us are the fixed daily tip charge. Reviews on U Tube etc show all people on board near or passed retirement ago. Are there other people on board close to our age group 36 - 43....

jacketwatch

The fixed tip comes to $10.00 per person per day. On our ship most folks were retirement age or beyond.

Eschew

Great Pics Larry, I don't remember seeing it at all. I don't even know how I have missed it. We'll be on the Island Princess in November. We have an upgrade to mini suite and I am thinking of giving it up before final payment this Thursday. The price has dropped so much from when we booked originally that if I pay the new price without the upgarde, I save $675. They won't lower the price for me as the suite price is still way higher than what we had been quoted for originally. In a way, we are still getting a deal but I am not sure how much time we will be spending in the cabin, Besides,if DW get used to all that spce and expectthe same for all future scruises, I'll be in trouble.

Anything you would like to suggest? Places to go and places to avoid? Special port tips? Must see? Don't miss? Best place to view the corssing? Any info is apprecaited!

jacketwatch

I agree having a mini-suite is really nice. We had one on the AOS last yr. and were a bit disappointed we could not get one this time. What are you port stops BTW? As for the crossing most say and I agree that its best to view it from different places on the ship. I would suggest being at the bow at least once to see the locks open and close. If you are on the balcony there will be Princess employees on shore at one point, (they will tell you when) talking your pics. Some folks made large posters or signs and were photographed with them. We viewed the canal from the bow, stern and from our balcony. However do get the view from the bow as the locks open or close. Thats pretty neat. You also want to check out the "mules" which are like small locomotives on rails that are used to guide the ship thru the canal. They ensure the ship does not scrape the walls. Let me know the port stops please. we did the west to east transit from ACA to FLL. Larry

nanael

I just booked a trip on the Island Princess for Dec and was very glas to see your pics.
Am interested in your "hiring drivers?' Is that your thing or an offered off-shore option through cruise line?
Thanks.

jacketwatch

Hiring a driver is my thing. You can't really hire a private driver thru the cruise line except in St. Petes in Russia. I know that thru Princess you can get a private car there but the cost is quite high. "Winging it" isn't for everyone but we are fine with it. I do my research B4 going to check out what is of interest to us so I'm prepared. It depends on what you are comfortable doing I think. In Nicaragua we found a really great private tour guide. However in Antigua we took the ships transport into town as it was about half the cost of a taxi at the dock.

bipolarone

Hello. My name is Amy. New to the site and stopped by to look at your photos. First cruise was in 2010 through Panama Canal and back. We loved it and I agree views from all over the ship are best. I learned so much fascinating information about the canal. Thank you for sharing.

jacketwatch

Thank you!

pumpkin

Jacketwatch, if you are still around...we are going on a full transit from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity in about 3 weeks. We are interested in "what to do" when we arrive at Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. Did you go to Antigua,and if so, how safe is it to hire a taxi and what is there to see/do there. I am open to all suggestions.
Thanks,
Jean

jacketwatch

Well when we went it was actually cheaper by half to use the Princess shuttle R/T to Antigua. I can't figure that out but that's the way it was. As far as I could tell the taxis were safe. You will be surprised by the nice restaurants there and if you like a local brew try theirs, Gallo.

As I recall there was a center in town run by an American gal displaying locally mined gem stones which was interesting. Beyond that we strolled the town and just relaxed.

Cheer, Larry

jacketwatch

One more thing I would say is skip the local cheeses. They get funny in the tummy.