I am taking teenagers on a cruise for spring break (Celebrity-Mercury) and was wondering if there is a charge for room service meals. Also is there some sort of soft drink card we can buy for the week...I just want to be prepared. Also, do we need to bring beach towels for them for the pool?

We were on the Mercury on February 27th, and had a wonderful cruise. No additional charge for room service (unless you order alchol or soft drinks). I did tip the person bringing room service, but my friends said they didn't think you had to. I don't know about the soda card (we did get one on Carnival for our kids). No need for beach towels. They have adequate towels on deck and you will check out towels when disembarking for shore excursions.

In answer to your questions, no, there is no charge for room service meals. I cannot imagine many teenagers who will want to sit in their room on a trip like this and eat. You'll understand more when you get on the ship. <BR>Anything you eat on the ship is included in your booking with the possible exception of food items bought in the on board shops. <BR>Many ships offer drink cards for minors but the only way to know is to check with the cruise line. Carnival, for example sells them when you check in. Some lines also offer minors free soft drinks in the dining room with their meals, but again, you must check with the line. <BR>Finally, forget the towels, you will have all you need provided for you and most cruise lines even provide you with towels to take with you to the beach(s). Towels for the pool are alway provided in large number at the pool itself. <BR>When you get your tickets, the cruise line should provide you with a booklet or brochure that explains all of this and more. <BR>Have fun!

Thanks for all your information! We are all lookig forward to a wonderful time.

Just dreaming a lunch hour away here so thought I would askBR><BR>If money and time were no object what woud your dream Africa trip be?<BR><BR>What countries? When in the year? How long a trip? Which accommodation? Who would you go with? What would your main focus be? <BR><BR>I am currently planning our 2004 trip back to Namibia and Botswana, and that's going to be excellent - but even that isn't my lottery win dream trip!<BR><BR>On that trip we're spending 3 nights in Linyanti area, 9 nights in the Delta area, 4 nights in the Magkadigkadi Plains before 1 night in Windhoek and 3 in Wolwedans. If all goes to plan we'll be renewing our wedding vows in Wolwedans and exchanging new wedding bands (one lost other too small). But we haven't time or money to include the 2 or 3 other camps in Delta that I am tempted by, a fly in safari to Skeleton Coast, a visit to the Himba people and a return to Damaraland.<BR><BR>If I were really going for it I would think long and hard about a really long trip including a lot of time in South Africa, returns to Botswana and Namibia, time in Zambia and Milawi, and also East Africa too. In an ideal world I could split these into 4 or 5 trips but do them only a couple months apart - time enough to come home, see family and friends, do the London thing (I am a Londoner born and bred) and prepare for the next one.<BR><BR>Of course if I really did have unlimited money I'd also fit in trips to all sorts of other destinations around the world - back to South and North America, Russia and parts of Europe and first time trips to other parts of Europe, and most of the Far East, and maybe even a couple stops in the Caribbean.<BR><BR>But mainly I am interested in your Africa dreams...<BR><BR>Kavey

In this dream world of money and time being no object - I would just pack a bag and move to somewhere in southern Africa. Then would take trips to all of the places you mentioned! <BR>I can't wait to go back and know that the two weeks that I can take off from work will only allow me to see a small portion of what I want to see.<BR>As far as timing - we went in August and the weather/lack of bugs was nice. Cold in mornings (frost two mornings) but warm during daytime. I'm not sure what it's like in their summer.<BR>You've already seen alot of Africa - what was your favorite spot?<BR>

I am sorry to hear about your brother. We recently had similarly bad news about the health of someone very important to us and you're quite right about living the dreams now as much as possible. We still save for the future but we do live in the now.<BR>Kavey

Kavey - I neglected to say that my brother just celebrated his 5th year cancer free but he did have 2 brain surgeries to remove all the tumor and the &quot;survival rate&quot; on the first was 60/40. He has made a full recovery and although he has some short term memory loss, his doctor doesn't want him to scuba dive, and his hair hasn't grown back, just the threat of his death was enough to change how I looked at things. I'm sorry to hear about your friend and hopeful that God sends another miracle like He did with my brother.

Kavey:<BR>My wife and I haven't been to too many places, so my dreaming is based largely on second hand knowledge.<BR>We would like to go to China, Japan, Australia, and travel throughout Europe.<BR>Concerning Africa, we went to Zimbabwe last month, and despite the troubles there, we really enjoyed it. In fact, I was watching a TV program last night, and they were on location in Zimbabwe. They mentioned that once you've been to the continent, it lives in your soul, and you can't wait to get back. That is the case with us.<BR>In early May, we are going to Botswana on safari. I must admit that your posts have influenced this decision to a degree. I am so excited!!! I think if money and time were no object, I would like to spend more time at our camps, include a few more, and then go to Namibia, and Cape Town.<BR>Joey