I'll be gone for a while (and a few tidbits from my travels)....

[Dave M]

I'm headed out of the U.S. on Tuesday for most of the next seven weeks. I'll be on cruise ships much of the time. I'll be doing that quite a bit this year - my first full year of retirement.

The downside for me is that I'll not be able to check in here on this, my favorite forum very often. When I do, my stays will often be short - because of unreliable (and expensive) Internet connections on most cruise ships. And because I intend to enjoy my trips to the fullest!

So, when and if someone posts a question on this Marriott forum addressed to me, I trust that someone will respond for me.

 

[wegottago]

Have a great time Dave and thanks for all that you do for TUG.

 

[aka Julie]

Bon voyage, Dave. Hope you have a fantastic time. We enjoyed meeting you, albeit briefly on our recent visit to HHI.

 

[DaveNV]

Wow. Sooo JEALOUS!

Have a fantastic time, Dave. TUG will be fine till you get back.

Dave

 

[Latravel]

Please have an enjoyable and relaxing trip. We'll miss you!

 

[LAX Mom]

Wishing you a great vacation!

 

[Fern Modena]

Enjoy!

Fern

 

[CMF]

Have a great trip Mr. Dave!

Charles

 

[jancurious]

Dave,
You will really be missed but we all wish you a fabulous time.....and hope that Marriott doesn't institute their new internal trading system while you are gone!

Jan

 

[lovearuba]

Be Safe

Just be careful as you travel and enjoy your time.

 

[Stefa]

Have a wonderful time, Dave. Try to forget about TUG for awhile. We'll miss you, but we'll be fine.

 

[pcgirl54]

Dave have a wonderful trip. I know you'll post about your adventures when you come back. Great way to ring in 2009!

 

[FlyerBobcat]

Bon Voyage

Dave,
Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing time.... TUG will miss your quite impressive knowledge of so many topics.

 

[m61376]

Have a fabulous vacation!

We'll all expect to be enlightened by your cruising expertise when you return

 

[cindi]

Did anyone notice he is leaving during tax season?

Have a wonderful time Dave. You will be missed.

 

[riverdees05]

Have a Great Trip, Dave!

 

[Cathyb]

Gosh, I'm not sure we can last that long without you DaveM. YOu have been my earth angel on so many topics! You do realize with 7 weeks on a ship you will be rocking and rolling for another two weeks upon your return Take the well deserved trip and take in that truly interesting culture on the places you are going!

 

[BocaBum99]

have a great trip, Dave. Just don't eat too much at the midnight buffet. Otherwise, we may need to change your screen name to Big DaveM.

 

[pwrshift]

Have a great trip(s) Dave. Forget the stock market and enjoy the world. Care to share where your adventures are going to be? Anything on Marriott Rewards? All the best.

Brian

 

[Kay H]

Dave,
Have a WONDERFUL vacation. Yes, I am jealous!

 

[potchak]

Wishing you the best while on vacation! I am one of the jealous ones! But don't worry, when I win the powerball jackpot I will join you in retirement!

 

[gores95]

Have a fantastic time! You have been extremely helpful to me in the past couple of years and instrumental in helping us purchase our first (Marriott) timeshare. The board will not be the same with you MIA for a few weeks!

We'll keep the light on for ya!!!

 

[thinze3]

... Anything on Marriott Rewards? All the best.

Brian

You think? Probably all on Marriott rewards.

While Dave is gone, don't anybody answer a question with a definate statement. Make sure you add "probably" or "most likely" to your answers, as Dave will not be around to double check and correct them if need be.

Have fun Dave!

 

[Swice]

You can't do this to us...

You've got to tell us which cruise line and if you used Marriott points!!

Which places are you going to visit? Make us jealous. :whoopie:

Have a fun and safe trip.

 

[Dave M]

Thanks for all of the good wishes!

Yes, I will have a lot of Marriott Rewards stays this year. I just checked and I have 15 separate Reward reservations in Sydney, Houston, Gatlinburg, Charleston, Boston (twice), San Francisco, Washington (DC), Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, St. Petersburg (FL), Atlanta, Seattle and San Diego. I have about six more to add once I confirm dates.

I'll be on three cruise ships for two weeks each over the next three months - Holland America's Volendam (Australia and New Zealand, NCL's Jade (Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Rome, etc.) and Princess' Grand (Caribbean). Later this year, I have a two week Holland America cruise to Scandinavia and St. Petersburg (Russia), a three week cruise on Holland America's Westerdam from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale and a one week Royal Caribbean cruise in the Caribbean. None of it on Marriott points.

That doesn't count my Marriott timeshare stays and some other miscellaneous trips.

Can you tell I have been planning my first year of retirement for a long, long time?