Simulationcraft

Thanks, Protonk, for the lead to Simulationcraft. I have browsed it briefly and bookmarked it so that I can peruse it very thoroughly.

My Palladin hit lvl 85 last night, so I am officially in the endgame. I have been dinking with my action bars to put more of my spells and abilities in easily available slots. That, in itself, takes a bit of strategizing. I can see how these would change depending on what you are about to take on.

My baby priestess has made it out of the sheltered area of Shadowglen and is heading into the real world.

My warlock is resting at the moment.

I am headed out on a plane tomorrow for Ft. Lauderdale and then a 10-day cruise! So none of my guys will be active until after Dec 12. I might use that time to read up on endgame strategies and other such educational topics.

Y'all have fun while I am gone!!

And off we go ...

Yes! We did get the upgrade. I leave early Thurs AM and we board Friday noon. We're staying overnight in Ft. Lauderdale. I almost always plan an overnight stay prior to embarkation. I have had enough late and cancelled flights that I won't risk getting to the port just in time to watch the ship sail away. You know, they don't wait for stragglers!!

As promised, here's the first of 12 cruising tips from Budget Travel Magazine:

1.  Choosing a cabin is all about location, location, location. Check the ship's layout before booking and opt for a room with a passenger cabin both above and below you. You don't want to sleep right under the casino, disco, or the running track.

I second this wholeheartedly! I would add, try for something at least a couple of doors away from an elevator, because that can be heard in your cabin. Also, if you are booking a sailing on a ship you've sailed on or someone you know (like your friendly, neighborhood Cruise Planner ... Moi!) can give you some insight, try to stay away from the access doors to the staff areas. Carts and things are always being brought in and out.

Even if I haven't sailed on a ship before, I try to find out as much as possible from message boards like Cruise Critic and, of course, the cruise line's web site with deck plans. What are your tips for cabin choice??

Tip #2 tomorrow.

Oh Happy Day!

This is me ... doing the happy dance!!

Why? Because Holland America offered us an upgrade (for a fee, but worth it). We will get a deluxe suite -- Cat SA, SB, or SC. With that comes not only more room, but access to the suites-only Neptune lounge, where there are worktables, snacks out all day, WiFi (again a small fee), and places to relax. Also, we get free laundry, a cocktail party with the officers, priority boarding for tenders, priority reservations for the Pinnacle Grill and a whole host of other amenities.

I will find out tomorrow if we got our name in the hat soon enough for the upgrade, although I'm pretty sure we are OK. Then I'll keep you posted.

I feel like the little kid in the Disney commercial ... "I'm too excited to sleep!"

I had intended to post today the start of a list of cruise tips I found in Budget Travel magazine (http://www.budgettravel.com/magazine/) but my excitement took over instead.

Watch tomorrow for what Budget Travel Magazine calls "A Shipload of Tips".

Why do we cruise?

There are probably as many different reasons that folks take cruises as there are folks ... but, for the most part, it breaks down into two main sides ... those who cruise for the ports and those who cruise for the ship.

Scotty and I are of the second persuasion. We cruise to be on the water and be pampered on the ship. We do get off at ports, but aren't really big on shore excursions unless they really strike our fancy. I will make sure I get into the water, especially when we stop at Half Moon Cay, but Scotty isn't even tempted by that.

We both love sleeping in late, having coffee delivered to our room and reading on the balcony. Did I mention we always get a balcony cabin? If you love the experience of being on the water and on the ship, you must get a balcony cabin. Scotty has even slept out there once or twice (shhh ... don't tell the cruise line).

I love not having to plan or cook meals and not being responsible for anything but myself and what I want to do next! Not that life at home is so burdensome ... quite the opposite ... but there's the feeling on the ship of being pampered that is really quite addicting.

So we cruise for the ship experience ... why do you cruise??

Headed for the Southern Caribbean

Scotty and I are headed out again on a cruise. It seems like it's been SUCH a long time, although I did just take a short one last August. See prior posts. But it has been a while since two of us have gone together and we are both really, really ready!

We are headed for the Southern Caribbean (details here) on Holland America's Noordam. It's the first time on this ship for both of us, but we have sailed two of her sister ships, the Oosterdam, and the Westerdam.

I will have Internet access of course ... can't live without that. So I will try to post daily to let you travel along with me virtually.

We leave on Thursday, spend the night in Ft. Lauderdale, and embark on Friday. OH BOY!!!