Hello, My name is Gary.. I am a Cruiseoholic. I tried to be good but I just can not help it. I stopped by our TA today to see about booking a HAL cruise to Alaska. I booked the Spirit to Mexico again (Oct 18, 2009). We are still going on a HAL cruise to Alaska in 2009, but now our fall 2009 is booked. Is there no cure?
Hi Gary. The fact that you have admitted your cruise addiction is a milestone. The best part of this addiction is that there is no recovery, nor a finite number of steps to complete.
You're among friends. We're all struggling, although not very hard, with the same addiction. We have our own 12-step program, but it's the 12 steps you take to get up the gangway when returning to the ship from port. We have counselors. Travel counselors, but they're counselors all the same. They won't let us get into trouble by booking the wrong ship.
It's good to be among friends. You'll always have a place here with us, your own kind.
Gary, I feel your pain. I want to recover but fear I will never be able to. I need to hit the lottery to over come my addiction. Once I have hit, I can book as many cruises as I want to work through my problems.
We are all here for you! I'm glad you've kept your "Spirit"
Well it been almost 20 hours since I booked. My wife and I were talking last night. She is not looking forward to Christmas this year. Our youngest is on the East coast, with the Grandkids. Our oldest will be here a day, but then will be visiting the new in-laws. Our Middle son is also only going to be here a day. The only solution to this is to book a cruise for the Holidays. So this afternoon it is back to the TA.....Will this never end I hope not. I really blame the whole thing on Carnival!!! If their Military rates weren't so good, we would not go so often. Thanks for the support Carnival!!!!
We're doing Christmas and New Year's on the Royal. Unfortunately, no discount. I'm so glad you've solved your wife's blues, and what a fantastic way to solve them!
Nothing can replace the kids/grandkids.. but this comes close. Thanks and enjoy your cruise. I have not looked up the information yet but am Hoping the Splendor will be here by then.
I sure can empathize with you. I "lurked" on this board before our first cruise in 2005 and couldn't imagine all the enthusiasm the regular contributors had for crusing. Well, I've now had my 3rd cruise this past March and the only way to handle it ending was to book another one for next year. I, too am hooked. I don't think I want to "recover" but it sure is nice to see others in the same "boat". Judy
so I guess this is a "Friends of Gary" meeting now, isn't it.
Perhaps we should call it "FOG".
Well That might fit, I have been told that it seems like I am walking around in the fog at times. It does get foggy here in the Central Valley where I grew up. Moved to the hills, now I have my head above the fog.
I've been in a fog since I retired. Little things take on great importance. For instance, today I spent several hours evaluating the best packaging to use to send one of my watches back to the vendor for warranty service.
I think I now know why retired men mumble a lot and wear odd clothing.
Oddly enough, after all of my years of cruising, I have only recently googled "friends of Bill W." and "friends of Dorothy". I always thought they were some private bridge club and quilt knitters society.
Posts: 1281 | Location: birmingham, al | Registered: April 30, 2007
Well we are doing it again. Today or tomorrow we are booking another cruise. 15day Hawaii with HAL. That is 3 cruises ( total of 30 days) booked in less than 14 days. Our TA loves us.
We still have not booked our Alaskan Cruise for summer of 2009.
My wife and I were talking last night. She is not looking forward to Christmas this year. Our youngest is on the East coast, with the Grandkids. Our oldest will be here a day, but then will be visiting the new in-laws. Our Middle son is also only going to be here a day. 
I hope not. 
