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Intersection of Life and Faith

Filling in the Picture of a ''Jesus Mean & Wild''

  • Paul Coughlin
  • 2006 15 Aug
Filling in the Picture of a ''Jesus Mean & Wild''

A growing cluster of malcontents are confronting the popular caricature of Jesus as the sweetest guy to skip across ancient soil and are, as author Mark Galli claims, “filling in the picture.” Galli, managing editor of Christianity Today, is among the best authors who are emancipating Jesus from well-meaning  yet hazardous sermons, books, and songs that portray him as history’s all-time Nicest Guy.

Submerge yourself in this genre of contra-writing that challenges soppy Christianity (you can save yourself some money and just read the Gospels), and listen to some of America’s most popular preachers and ask yourself, Whose Jesus are they talking about? Their promise-fulfillment Jesus, eager to meet my every want,  is more like a cosmic bellhop than the creator of the Universe. He’s so approachable that he appears co-dependent. He’s so much my buddy, so me-centered, that it makes me feel that the only person I can really turn to when my chips are down is a composite of my own wants and desires. When I’m lost and I’m told about a tender-only Jesus, I’m not convinced that I’ll ever be found, let alone rescued. My faith falters. Their Jesus is too much like me, but with a killer smile and silkier hair.

Galli’s new book, Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God (Baker Books), a work of firm persuasion, reminds me why we should thank God that Jesus is not our best friend. You don’t pray to your best friend. You don’t offer him your tithe. Loaning him money is dicey enough. You may admire him, but I hope you don’t worship him. Chances are your best friend is as lost as you — especially when it comes to inevitable grief and suffering. He may pick you up when your car breaks down, which is a blessing, but how well can he counsel and console you when your mom dies? Your child?

A dessert-portioned Jesus is who Jennifer got when her son died a few days before his sixth birthday. “People told me that ‘Jesus loved your son so much that He couldn’t wait to bring him home’ and to ‘Consider it all joy.’ Stuff like that.” She told me that she sank into a gray lagoon of depression where she felt like no one nowhere.  Her platitude Jesus couldn’t reach her there.

She hated this sentimental savior but then found her faith awakened when she witnessed the real and tough Jesus who went through emotional turmoil like her, and who expressed desperate emotions like her, and who didn’t pretend that He had to put a smiley face on life all the time and who, contrary to her spiritual training, described life’s darkness with unflinching detail. She, like Him, could really "feel life," and in doing so could see life more clearly. She was better able to throw off the shackles of confusion that always gouge our minds when we can’t get to the truth. Jesus’ toughness helped her combat falsehood, a requirement for repentance. She spoke as if she were born again, again.

Though many don’t want Galli’s “mean and wild” Jesus, we need Him for long-haul faith and for abundant living. I had the underreported and sometimes maligned Jennifers of the world in mind when I asked Galli the following questions; people whose faith took a Scud-missile hit when Kleenex Christianity, weak and boring, buckled under the weight of their grief and sorrow.

Paul Couglin: What do you want the readers to know about you, especially in relation to your book?

Mark Galli: That I am not writing from a position of strength. My family and friends tell me that I do indeed live out Jesus’ “mean and wild” love — courage, boldness, righteous anger, etc. — more than many people. But I still feel that I am addicted to niceness, and that there are many instances when my courage to act in love fails me. So I’m looking to Jesus to help me grow in this area.

PC: What was your motive for writing this book?

MG: I wanted to address a subculture in many churches that emphasizes the gentler and more feminine virtues, which are great, but sometimes don’t address the tougher virtues like courage and boldness. This subculture puts out sermons where we hear how Jesus never got angry, never lost His cool, never said a mean thing and was always patient. This isn’t what you find in the Gospels. I personally was stunned by His boldness and anger found in the Gospels, especially the Gospel of Mark.

PC: Jesus is God’s expression of love. What misconceptions stop us from seeing this love?

MG: We live in a therapeutic society, which puts a huge emphasis on empathy and self-esteem in order to feel good about oneself. This, nearly exclusively, has come to be associated with love.

Also, a lot of people have abuse in their background. So there’s a lack of understanding about how sometimes the tough and painful path in life can actually be the good path to take.

Love takes a variety of forms, which you learn quickly as a parent. A good parent is tender and tough, depending on what his child needs. We have a hard time translating this truth into our adult lives when we relate to God.  Sometimes God is stiff and tough with us because He loves us. He’s not being abusive. Athletes tend to understand this concept better than the rest of the population.

Then there are social forces that stop us from expressing tougher acts of love. No one likes to be around others who make them uncomfortable. Tougher love requires courage, which we don’t talk much about today. We would rather behave nicely so others will treat us nicely. It keeps our relationships well-greased, but not always truthful.

PC: Why do we ignore the tougher portions of Scripture?

MG: I just led a class that addressed this topic. There was a discernable discomfort when I talked about the tougher scriptures. A lot of this discomfort revolved around the misconceptions by some Christians that anger and conflict are always wrong and that Jesus is always nice. We need to topple this false idol of Jesus that we’ve made.

One reason why we think that all conflict is wrong is because of how some people handle conflict. They yell the truth about a situation when often a bold calmness while proclaiming the truth gets the job done better.

PC: When people hear about a tough Jesus, their mind sometimes goes toward the preaching of hellfire and brimstone. But this isn't what you mean. What part of Jesus are you talking about?

MG: I’m mostly referring to Jesus’ courage, boldness, speaking the truth, confronting evil.  But part of speaking the truth is to remind people — when the occasion is appropriate — that there are real and lasting consequences for ignoring Jesus, one of which is eternal separation from God.

PC: You write that those who are accustomed to “Jesus meek and mild” will be frightened at first by Jesus Mean and Wild. Why?

MG: Well, they won’t recognize Him at first. He’ll seem like somebody they don’t know, and they won’t know whether to trust Him.  But if they hang in there, they will soon recognize that the tougher Jesus is the same Jesus who invites those who are weary and heavy-laden to come to Him for rest. What we all have to learn is that Jesus’ love comes to us in a variety of ways; sometimes it feels good; sometimes it doesn’t. But if we give it time, we’ll see that many of the things that didn’t feel good were really means of God shaping us, preparing us, disciplining us, loving us.

PC: When you think of Christians who exemplify Christ’s tougher-yet-virtuous side, who comes to mind and why?

MG: I tend to think of two universally recognized “saints” of our era. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his courage to stand up for African-American civil rights. Mother Teresa, and her daily and hourly tenacity to comfort the dying. I think of the many people who have been fighting against abortion. I think of those who put on uniforms to defend their country against vicious enemies or to defend their communities against crime and violence. I think of the alcoholic mother who has vowed to give up drinking, and the busy father who has decided to give up a promotion to be a stronger influence in his family.  I think of both large and small acts of courage and truth-telling.

PC: I have written about how following a Sweet Savior hurt my life. What’s your personal experience with following a sweet Jesus?

MG: The main problem with only a Sweet Savior is that He is finally incapable of helping us in life’s most difficult moments. I need a Savior who empathizes with my pain, but I also need a Savior who is strong to save — who has the power to defeat satanic influences in my life, who will overcome evil in the world one day. In the end, the Sweet Savior merely feels bad for me but is helpless in the face of evil.

PC: What happens when children of Christians are shown only a gentle Jesus meek and mild? Does this prepare them well for the real world?

MG: Ditto above. In addition, we need to show children, especially boys, the complete picture of Jesus. If we show only His compassion, they may be tempted to think of Jesus as a wimp — certainly not someone worth giving their lives to. And if we show only the “mean and wild” side, they may become merely arrogant and abusive.

PC: What happens to someone’s faith and life when they follow the Nice Nazerene?

MG: I think they become sentimental instead of compassionate. They give evil a pass instead of confronting it boldly. They become nice instead of loving.

PC: Is indoctrinating people into believing in a "gentle Jesus meek and mild" a form of spiritual abuse? Why or why not?

MG: Maybe not “abuse,” but perhaps “spiritual neglect.” To leave this dimension out is to misrepresent Jesus, and that can only create crippled disciples.

PC: Being nice makes us turn a blind eye to evil, among other problems. Do you think such behavior makes us accomplices to evil? Why or why not?

MG: That depends on how conscious one is of one’s behavior. There are lots of evils going on in the world that I could be doing something about. A lot of them I’m just not aware of on a day-to-day basis. But there are a few that really bother me, that God has “laid on my heart,” as they say. If they continue to bother me, and I refuse to do anything about them, then I’m an accomplice to that evil.

PC: You write, “The person who is always nice, always decorous, always even-keeled is likely a person who ultimately does not care about what God cares about" (page 69). Mark, you just described what I’ve been told is the spiritual giant in most churches, the Ideal Christian Man. Something doesn’t add up. What is it?

MG: Many Christians are confused about the Ideal Christian Man because they take their cues from the culture, and not primarily from Scripture. Thus, some think the Ideal Christian Man is a conservative ethical businessman who climbs the corporate ladder and takes care of his family financially and who goes to his kids' soccer games. For others, he is a male version of a nurturing mother. And on it goes. The Ideal Christian Man, however, should increasingly look like Jesus, and as I outline in my book, Jesus is much more dynamic that our cultural stereotypes allow men to be.

PC: Do some people believe in the Gospel of Nice in order to hide from the real nature of God?

MG: Probably. Whenever we find ourselves saying, “A loving God wouldn’t do X,” or “God would never disapprove of Y,” we may want to think a little harder. Such statements often reveal more about what we wish was true — because if it were, it would make our life that much easier.  Meeting the real God is more dangerous and exhilarating than we’ve been led to believe. But meeting the real God means letting go of the old one; it means you are no longer in charge of your faith. It’s scary to get to know this God. But it’s also life’s greatest adventure.

PC: Why is it that love is capable of making enemies, which is the name of one of your chapters? What does this tell us about the true nature of love?

MG: One thing love must do is speak the truth. And many people “can’t handle the truth,” as a famous movie line puts it. The truth makes them examine some behavior in their life, or some belief they might have to abandon. They know if they admit this truth, they’ll have to change. And most of us don’t like change. I know I don’t.

Paul Coughlin is a former newspaper editor and author of No More Christian Nice Guy and its companion study guide. He speaks internationally about the Christian Nice Guy problem and also provides individual instruction on how to overcome it. He and his wife Sandy wrote Married But Not Engaged, which helps wives of passive and checked out husbands better understand them and how best to create a better marriage.


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Navigator of the Seas Cruise Review by melbloch: navigator of the seas, back to back, 12-26 May 2013

Navigator of the Seas 0
Member Since 2009
609 Posts

Member Rating

Cabin 4.0
Dining Not Rated
Embarkation 5.0
Enrichment Activities Not Rated
Entertainment 4.0
Family & Children Not Rated
Fitness & Recreation Not Rated
Public Rooms 5.0
Rates 5.0
Service 5.0
Shore Excursions Not Rated
Value for Money 5.0

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navigator of the seas, back to back, 12-26 May 2013

Sail Date: May 2013
Destination: Europe - Eastern Mediterranean
Embarkation: Other

Boarding went quickly and smoothly, much more so than last September when we did the same cruise. First week had cabin 3528, second week moved over to 3552. These were the quietest and most stable cabins we have ever had - no noise from the theater or disco, no passing traffic and no balcony doors slamming. With the high winds almost every day, we were far better off than the people in the cabins on the upper decks.

Having done the same cruise on the Navigator last year, same ports, we only got off in the ports to wander around for an hour or two - pleasure to be on board with everyone on shore, a real holiday.

Only complaint - I would like to see a separate section for vegetarians (the layout of the buffet in the Windjammer with its islands is ideally set up for this) - every day I saw passengers using the same tongs for the salads and the meat or fish which is placed alongside. Also, alongside the plain salad you find a pasta and tuna, coleslaw and shrimp, corn and More meat salad - again, I saw people cross contaminating the salads with the meat/fish.

One day a dish was labeled vegetarian stir fried noodles - on asking I was told no meat only shrimps in the noodles - totally unacceptable. Food and beverage manager told me they have staff checking that each bowl has its own tongs and they are on duty to make sure no one uses the same tongs for different dishes, but even the cheese is placed alongside the cold meat and people were using the same utensils for both. Less

Published 06/03/13

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Cabin review: G3258

Cabins 3258 first week and 3552 second week - exceptionally quiet, no noise leaking through from theater, disco or deck above. No passing traffic. Very stable and with the high winds most of the time, was a plus. Plenty of closet space, bathroom big enough. As usual, bath towels small so used pool towels for the shower. Button to turn off announcements major plus so not disturbed when resting. Curtains not sufficiently thick to black out light early in the morning.

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Age: 58

Number of Cruises: 15

Cruise Line: Celebrity

Ship: Constellation

Sailing Date: December 4th, 2004

Itinerary: Southern Caribbean / Cirque du Soleil premier

This review is the first of two parts of the CIRQUE DU SOLEIL inaugural cruise on Celebrity CONSTELLATION, out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, December 4, 2004.

This reviewer is a semi-retired frequent traveler, not in the travel industry, 58 years old, and has cruised 15 times over the last few years (7 of those on Celebrity).
This itinerary was the traditional seven night Southern Caribbean, and it will change a bit in 2005 (more about that later). This was also a Captain’s Club reunion cruise and included the presence of the top executives of Celebrity and their parent (Royal Caribbean) corporation for the Cirque du Soleil (CdS) launch. (The Celebrity execs are an innovative and good-humored bunch, but more about that later too). The CdS corporation was also heavily represented, since this represented a major investment by both Celebrity and CdS.

In addition to details about this particular cruise, in the second part of my review (which will follow) I shall also provide a good deal of information about cruising in general, some recent changes in the Constellation and Celebrity, and extensive activity and port information for the value-conscious (read budget) cruiser (it is possible to enjoy each island thoroughly for only a few dollars). Because this is a lengthy review, I will HIGHLIGHT a topic for each section so that the reader can scroll to areas of personal interest and skip those areas of less interest.

The BOTTOM LINE is that this is a wonderful cruise on a great ship which offers premium everything (food, service, entertainment, public areas, etc.) at an incredibly reasonable price. I will give more details about pricing and how best to obtain good values when cruising in the second part of this review. We paid about $560 US per person for two, including port charges and taxes for an outside stateroom. Considering the quality of the cruise, I doubt there is a better value in the entire cruise industry at the moment.

Of the three Caribbean cruise ITINERARIES (Eastern, Western, and Southern), my wife and I prefer the Southern because the islands are smaller and more congenial, and the shore-side experience seems more authentically “Caribbean”. There now seems to be so much off-shore banking and other dealings by financial bigwigs (read hedge funds and tax avoiders) and real estate developers on the Eastern and Western Caribbean islands that sometimes the heart and soul of those islands is hidden behind the international shops, the condos, and the casinos.

Our itinerary changed a bit between the time we reserved and sailed, due to storm damage on some of the islands. No problem -- all of the islands here are enjoyable and each seems to have its own special flavor. The one drawback to a Southern itinerary is the cost of AIR FARE to San Juan, PR, which is the departure port. For those of us in the midwestern and western US, week-end airfare to SJU is easily $600 US and up, which is more than some outside and inside cabins cost for the entire cruise (including port charges).

For the budget traveler, I suggest enrolling in an air fare search engine such as Travelocity (there are several other good ones, but I like Travelocity’s option of e-mail notification when fares decrease). One can buy air tickets at the best current price when booking the cruise, and then contact the airline for an AIR FARE REBATE (usually in the form of an MCO or credit coupon) when the air fare drops by $50 US or more. Some airlines charge $25 for this credit service, some don’t, but in each case you will have to ask for it, it is not automatic. Our air fare started at $630, we bought at $550, and got a rebate at $460.
One can book air tickets through cruise lines, but in general their prices are not competitive with internet air fares. The advantage to booking air tickets through the cruise line is that if there is a flight deviation or missed connection, the cruise line will usually get you to the ship one way or another (which is why the first port of call on most itineraries is often the most convenient and the least interesting).

This SHIP LEAVES San Juan at 2300, so that even late-arriving passengers should be able to reach the ship in time. If one prefers, one can always go a day early and spend a night in San Juan. Hotel prices there are a bit high, but the old town provides an enjoyable day of pre-cruise sightseeing.

Also, Celebrity is reportedly very generous to those passengers with EARLY MORNING RETURN FLIGHTS (the ship docks at 0700 and our return flight departs at 0955). If you show your early morning return air tickets to the guest relations desk, they are supposed to give you priority in disembarking (we shall see, I am writing this portion of my review onboard the ship).

Deciding WHAT TO PACK seems to be a problem for most cruisers (quite a few of our new friends on board this cruise reported paying the stiff overweight baggage fees airlines now charge). My wife and I travel with only one carry-on (regulation airline size of 21x13x8 inches) each and we have a great time whether we are spending a few weeks on land or on sea. The secret is that your fellow cruisers are so interested in what they look like, they pay little attention to what you look like.

MICROFIBER suits and sports clothes now provide as much style and convenience as any cruiser could want. My wife and I each pack two outfits in addition to the one we wear on our flights. I have a black suit, a sport jacket with dress slacks, a polo shirt and a dress shirt, a pair of nylon pants for adventuring ashore, plus three sets of underwear, a Gore-tex type rain jacket (rarely needed), a swimsuit or two, one pair of black shoes and one pair of Teva type sandals, a sun hat, and a hanging wash kit (the hanging style is great for small cruise ship bathrooms).

My wife carries parallel items. For evening wear she may take a long black dress, but more often takes tuxedo style cocktail slacks with a silk or sequined jacket, a designer jacket for informal wear, and a black sweater and silk type blouse for casual wear. For shore adventures she takes a pair of nylon pants, a pair of shorts, and a bathing suit. She takes one pair of black heels, one pair of joggers, and one pair of Teva type sandals.

We both carry our own snorkels and masks, lycra bodysuits (for sun protection while snorkeling and swimming) and a day pack to hold all of our beach and pool items. I carry my money and documents in a fanny pack (and a money belt for shore excursions) and she uses a small leather shoulder bag which doubles as a purse while onboard.

Mirabile dictu, we do just fine and sometimes even find we have not worn all of the clothes we brought along. The secret is to do a bit of LAUNDRY every day or two. Celebrity is one of those cruise lines which do not have self-service laundry rooms on its ships. We simply hand wash items in our cabin sink, wring and rap them in those great fluffy cruise towels, and hang them to dry overnight on plastic hangers which we use in packing anyway. The clean microfiber or nylon or poly/cotton blend clothes we pack are always ready to wear the next morning, if needed.

When ARRIVING AT SJU, or any cruise port, we generally take a taxi to the cruise ship. The cruise lines all have representatives greeting incoming passengers, and we always confirm with them which pier the ship is at so that we can tell our driver. That is the advantage of traveling light – we do not even have to wait for baggage claim. If you prefer, you can book transfers from the cruise line.

On this cruise, the ship was docked at the PAN AMERICAN PIER, which is located about half way between the SJU airport and the old town. SJU airport taxis are rate-controlled by a dispatcher. Make certain you visit the dispatcher’s curbside booth before getting into any taxi. The dispatcher will give you a multi-copy voucher listing the destination and the price of cab fare, which you then pay the driver on arrival (plus tip of course). In this case the pier was about $17 fare and $3 tip for the two of us and our two bags. You keep a copy of the voucher, which lists the cab’s license number in case there are any problems or you forget something in the cab.

AT THE PIER, a pleasant surprise is the discount LIQUOR STORE which you can visit after checking in but before boarding. They offered wine at two bottles for $8 US (we got one delicious Chilean Chardonnay and one awful French Sauvignon blanc – it is caveat emptor so choose what you know, if possible). We also got Freixenet brut at $6 US per bottle. The wine can be drunk in your cabin or (for a corkage fee of about $15 US) in the ship’s restaurants. Hard liquor is also available pier-side, but this is more difficult to carry on board unless one has only a very small quantity and is very discreet. Soft drinks are also available at the store, but the cruise line has an unlimited soft drink option for about $5 US per day, which is great for kids or anyone who drinks more than 4 sodas per day. I give kudos to Celebrity and RCCL for providing this great pre-boarding service. I suggest you not abuse it, or it may disappear.

Once on board, my wife and I have FAVORITE LOCATIONS AND DINING VENUES, and I will explore these with you in the second part of this review. Instead, I will close this part of my review with information about Celebrity’s well-advertised new entertainment product.

For those who know the Constellation, the big news on this cruise was that Celebrity launched its new association with the Canadian-based CIRQUE DU SOLEIL entertainment group, well-known to Americans for its thrilling combination of acrobatics and new-age artistry seen in traveling venues across the US and in a permanent home in Las Vegas.

For several years, cruise lines have branded their cuisine with the names of famous chefs (Michel Roux, Jacques Pepin, et al.). Celebrity is the first, to my knowledge, to brand part of its onboard activities with a famous entertainment group. The idea is brilliant, but the execution is still in flux (more about that shortly).

After great expense and much effort, the 11-deck forward lounge on the Constellation has been converted to the “BAR AT THE END OF THE EARTH”. Rather than presenting its usual acrobatic acts, Cirque du Soleil (CdS) emphasizes that this is an “experience” rather than a “performance”, and they add that it is an experience in evolution. We attended three times (well, two and a quarter to be honest) while on the cruise, and noticed it was smoother and more refined each time, but still seemed a bit cerebral, lacking a story line or anything one could really relate to or empathize with.

THE LOUNGE has been draped in white muslin and theatrical scrims so that laser light shows can be reflected off of almost all surfaces. The bar has been retained, but now has something of an “arctic white” appearance. The perimeter seating has been replaced by curtained platforms with cushions (which may be a problem in Alaska or Norway, where these seats are prime nature-viewing locations). The remaining seating has been draped with white linen covers. The stage and dance area have also been curtained with moveable scrims that show projected images relating to the “characters” which appear and disappear over the course of an evening. We were told by another passenger that the investment in décor alone was more than $1 million US.

The lounge features several imaginary (symbolic?) CHARACTERS, each with an elaborate and ingeniously lit costume (one looks like a sea anemone, one a mushroom, one an intestinal parasite, one…. well, you get the picture). Each appears from behind the scrim, dancing and relating to the images on the scrim and the synchronous new-age music. The characters are not recognizable (to me at least) as anything from literature, history, or even the natural world. There is no real narrative associated with any of the characters – again, this is an “atmosphere” or “happening” and not a story or performance in the usual sense. The effect is something like a friendly space bar in the early the Star Wars movies.

This still is a bar, and drinks are served by an agile and (of course) gracious Celebrity staff dressed in Ewok-style hooded brown costumes. As usual, smoking is allowed on the port side (including the bar area), so you may wish to choose your seating accordingly. The music is very loud (as on all cruise ship venues, not just Celebrity’s, but more about dealing with that later).

The first night of the cruise, the BAR AT THE EDGE OF THE EARTH was open only to the cruise line representatives for the launch. The second night there was a free preview for Captains Club cruisers, and the following nights there were “masquerade parties” at which those purchasing tickets ($30 per person, mask included, bookable in advance by your travel agent) were requested to wear white and were provided with masks (left in your stateroom or selected at the new CdS shop onboard). Most cruisers were elegantly clad in white, bit one iconoclastic cruiser wore his bathrobe – the essence of “thinking outside the box” when good manners generally preclude wearing one’s bathrobe outside the stateroom.

I believe that in the future the CdS lounge experience will be free. Each visit we made was essentially the same format, so attending a masked (ticketed) showing is not necessary.

What was the RECEPTION OF THE WHOLE CdS VENTURE by the cruisers? Well, there was surprisingly little discussion of it (no buzz) by our fellow cruisers after the event (except for one elite-category Captain’s Club lady who wanted her money back because she bought a ticket and was also given a masquerade ticket free). At the end of the cruise, all masquerade tickets were refunded.

MY IMPRESSION is that CdS is best known and loved for its acrobatics, and its “atmospherics” when viewed alone are too artsy-fartsy for most Americans, many of whom unfortunately have been “Disneyfied” into homogeneity.

I think Celebrity was a generous host and investor in the project, which is brilliant in concept, but I think that CdS fell short in the product it has provided so far. I say “so far” because I think that the product can be rescued by doing some re-programming. I think most audiences want something they can relate to – preferably a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. In this case, real inspiration might be found in the delightful and awe-inspiring lectures of the ship’s oceanographic lecturer who demonstrated that nothing exceeds the beauty and ingenuity of the natural world. Why not base the CdS experience on creatures of the sea? It does not have to be dumbed down to a Little Mermaid or Sponge Bob Squarepants, but should have something an audience can relate too.

Perhaps it did not help that the CdS “family” on board this cruise was quite large, and although friendly, they seemed to be a bit self-indulgent both on and off stage. Ironically, the one awesome CdS experience was provided by their sole female gymnast/acrobat/adagio dancer who gave a short performance with recognizable CdS style a few times during the cruise.

We shall see what the future brings to the Celebrity/Cirque du Soleil marriage. In the meantime, see it and judge for yourself.

(Part two, including cruise and shore details, follows)

This review is the second installment of two about the Celebrity CONSTELLATION, Southern Caribbean itinerary, Dec. 4-11, 2004. The first part covered pre-cruise planning, embarkation, and the premier showing of Celebrity’s new Cirque du Soleil experience. This part covers the ship itself, onboard activities and entertainment, Celebrity’s Captain’s Club, a BUDGET GUIDE TO SHORE EXCURSIONS, and disembarkation in San Juan. As before, major topics are HIGHLIGHTED to assist in topic searches.

The Constellation is at the large end of the medium-sized cruise ship spectrum at 90,000 tons. This size is the largest we care for, since the mega-ships (100,000 tons and up) have a reputation for diminishing returns in their quality of dining, service, and efficiency. Celebrity is in the planning stages for new ships, and hopefully they will add smaller rather than larger ships to their fleet. Smaller cruise ships allow greater flexibility in itineraries and port access without sacrificing comfort or onboard activities.

The exterior colors of the Constellation have been changed, making the Celebrity fleet more uniform in exterior appearance. The previous blue hull and gold swath of Millennium class ships, which I liked, is now a white hull with a wide blue swath like the previous Century class ships. If you fly into San Juan on the day of departure, you may see the ship docked at the Pan American pier (near the Isla Grande private airport) from the left side airplane windows just before landing at the main SJU airport.

Much has already been written about the Constellation’s cabins and public areas, so I will keep further descriptions to a minimum.

In general, the PUBLIC AREAS are stylish in an elegant, post-modernist sort of way. I think they are among the handsomest in the cruise industry. There is very little of the Las Vegas style over-the-top glitz here (with the exception of the casino, of course). Think international boutique hotel atmosphere instead. Some carpeting and décor have been updated since the ship was built four years ago, so it still looks new and is very well maintained.

The ship’s own ART COLLECTION is interesting and even edgy, far better than the art being sold in its onboard art auctions (which appeal to shoppers who prefer decorative art). It is worth some free time while onboard just to explore the collection throughout the ship – they have major works by Botero and Chihuly to name just two pleasant surprises.

As I extensively described in the first part of this review, the Reflections lounge on 11 deck forward has been redecorated as the Cirque du Soleil “Bar at the Edge of the Earth” experience. The 10 deck forward GYM equipment seems new, or at least in better shape than I recall it from previous cruises. We have never used the SPA services, which are reported to be good but which we find very expensive (it is easy to spend a few hundred dollars US in a day there). The MUSIC LISTENING ROOM “Notes” has been replaced by an ACUPUNCTURE venue. The THEATER is unchanged, with great sightlines but over-amplified sound as usual (more about dealing with the ship-wide entertainment decibel problem later). The dining areas, grand foyer, shops, photo gallery, library, and alternate dining (Oceans Restaurant) also seem unchanged. There is still NO SELF-SERVICE LAUNDERETTE on Celebrity ships, so bring microfiber or other easy care clothing. The photographers are polite and very capable. Our shipmates seemed to be happy with the formal portraits taken, in spite of the high prices typical of most cruise line photographers. The INTERNET venue has speedy links but relatively high prices (75 US cents per minute for internet use, but one can write WORD documents off-line, then copy and paste them into your e-mail messages while logged on the net -- the excellent internet staff will show you how, or you can send and receive simple e-mails at a fixed rate). There are also good WORKSHOPS on internet use and digital photography skills, some free and others for a fee.

As on all Millennium class ships, the CABINS are efficient in size, with extensive mirrors adding to a sense of spaciousness. Balconies are available with a large percentage of the cabins. Closets and storage space are more than adequate (remember there is a good amount of room under the bed for suitcases and miscellany). The bathrooms are small, and the regular showers are especially narrow (my shoulders touch the wall and the curtain when showering, but upper grade cabins have tubs and wider showers). Whether one wants an inside, outside, balcony, or suite is a matter of taste and budget. In general, prices are so reasonable on this itinerary (especially in the pre-Christmas low season) that this is one cruise where one can usually afford a better cabin category, if that is important to you. Port and starboard cabin locations are immaterial on this itinerary since sights and docking vary from port to port. Be aware that the new room safes re-program with each closure. At each closure, one enters ones personal 4 digit code followed by the # key. If you slip and enter a “wrong” number without watching the screen, you might not be able to open the safe again without help. The room mini-bar is convenient, but watch those prices.

The CRUISERS on this itinerary were mostly late middle-aged, with only a few younger families with children since school was still in session. We met more Latin and African Americans and more Europeans on this cruise than we had on any previous Caribbean cruise, which suggests that Celebrity is wisely broadening its market appeal.

The SHIP’S STAFF tends to be East European in the dining and bar areas, and Asian in the cabin areas. All speak English and all are extremely well trained – they certainly treated us “famously”, as the advertising promises. It is ironic that each staff member we spoke with was as interesting as any of the cruisers we met. The staff members were working rather than vacationing on board largely by the circumstance of being born in a developing part of the world -- if born in America, they would probably be professionals in a variety of fields.

SECURITY onboard has improved in subtle ways. You might not notice it, but there is a guard watching the pool area from the deck above during much of the day. A few ports actually did verify our photo id at the pier (we carry a Xerox of the photo page of our passports – we never take our passports ashore). I hope in addition that there are security cameras in the public areas. My wife was robbed while alone on deck during a previous cruise, and the newly upgraded security is more than welcome.

The CUISINE on Celebrity’s ships, in addition to the service, is what has made their reputation and set them a notch ahead of the competition. Dinner in the main dining room is wonderful entertainment in itself. The choices for each course are inspired, and the preparation and presentation provide the highlight of each cruise day. To be honest, the main buffet line is standard for the industry, but the specialty buffets at each meal can be delightful – custom omelets and Belgian waffles; specialty salads; good carvery meats including the honey-baked ham; glorious breads and rolls including sticky buns, panettone, light-as-air-bagels (an oxymoron but true); homemade ice cream; Aqua Spa lean cuisine; sushi; orgasmically wonderful patisserie desserts; etc., etc.

To AVOID GAINING WEIGHT, we usually have a light buffet breakfast (usually fruit and an egg-alternative omelet), a sweet roll and ship’s tap water while adventuring on shore, a late Aqua Spa lunch, a pre-dinner snack (a slice of pizza or sushi), and a full late dinner in the main dining room. The latter is healthful because portions are controlled and one can have something at each course without feeling full. We have never tried the surcharged ($30 US) alternative restaurant, since the main dining room has been so enjoyable on all of our cruises.

Everyone has FAVORITE VENUES AND ACTIVITIES onboard, and on the Constellation my wife and I particularly enjoy:

---The AQUA SPA HEALTHFUL BUFFET, which is hidden behind the sculpture in the spa pool (remember, the best lean cuisine is behind the fat lady) and is open throughout most of the day. This is a great alternative to the bulk food sometimes found in shipboard buffets. It is also the place where you can find papaya and lime wedges for breakfast (which is my favorite part of any tropical vacation -- I live on papaya in Tahiti).

---The LIBRARY is small but has an enjoyable collection for those who just want to relax with a book. It has a few books in several languages (Spanish, German, French) Celebrity deserves credit adding the services of a very pleasant librarian (Patrick) rather than a rotating (uninformed) library staff.

---MICHAELS CLUB looks like a gentlemen’s smoking club, but fortunately the main part of it is smoke-free and features Perry, a very talented vocalist with an excellent voice, perfect pitch, a knowledge of almost every lyric and melody ever written, a campy delivery, and a wicked sense of humor. We are not drinkers, but we spent part of every evening here.

---AFTERNOON SNACKS IN THE 10-DECK BUFFET AREA to cover the gap between lunch and late-seating (8:30pm) dinner, from exquisite pastries or homemade ice creams at tea time, to pizza or sushi a little later.

---ENRICHMENT LECTURES by educators/naturalists in the ship’s cinema/lecture area. We enjoyed the oceanographer’s several lectures about sea-life and life at sea. Most cruise lines underestimate their cruisers’ intelligence (or maybe not) by providing more lectures about shopping than anything reasonably enriching. I give credit to Celebrity for exceeding our expectations once again.

---WATCHING CRUISERS POSE FOR THEIR PHOTO PORTRAITS on formal nights is one of our favorite pre-dinner activities. Simply take a seat near one of the photo shoots and watch your fellow cruisers look their best. Then return to the photo gallery the next day and view the results.

---CAPTAINS CLUB AMENITIES were exceptional on this cruise, perhaps because it was a club reunion cruise or because it was the Cirque de Soleil launch with all the VIPs from the cruise line’s headquarters in attendance. In addition to the usual chocolate on the pillow, as “SELECT LEVEL” club members (five to nine previous Celebrity cruises), we received a complimentary bottle of private label wine in an elegant travel carrier, CdS T-shirts and masks, a travel document organizer, a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries and marzipan roses at one bedtime, an internet fee credit, and invitations to complementary wine tastings, behind the scenes tours, several complementary cocktail parties, a complementary champagne breakfast buffet, etc., etc.

It certainly is worth joining Celebrity’s CAPTAIN’S CLUB, since every repeat cruiser/club member will get some extra treats. Membership is free, I believe, (there was a small fee years ago when we joined) and one gets credit for each cruise, regardless of cruise length or cabin category.

ENTERTAINMENT onboard this cruise was the best we have experienced. They really assembled the A-team, including a vocalist from London’s West End, an illusionist, an impressionist/comedian/singer, a comedian, a dance/acrobatic duo, and excellent musicians in the ship’s orchestra and lounges, including a string quartet, a guitarist, a harpist, and a pianist/singer. The cruise director, Eric Bohus, did a fine job in organizing all the entertainment, and we were delighted that he scheduled some of the performers before dinner for second seating guests. My only complaint was that virtually every venue (from pool to lounges to theater to gym) was over-amplified to the point of auditory pain. As a result, I carry EARPLUGS everywhere while on board, and find that using them brings it all down to a reasonable mezzo forte (and they are great on buses and planes, to eliminate travel fatigue).

Before I outline our favorite inexpensive shore activities, I will give just a little information about DISEMBARKATION. This is very well organized, with none of the overhead paging and uncertainty that were prevalent in years past. One is given the usual color-coded luggage tags, leaves suitcases in the hall the last night of the cruise, and is told a time and a location to assemble in the morning with your disembarkation group. Those with early return flights (up to 10am that morning) can show the guest relations desk the tickets, and they will give you “group 1” priority disembarkation tags for luggage and carry-ons. This group assembles at 0715 and disembarks at 0730, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Since we had no luggage other than our airline carry-ons (one each), and since we CHECKED-IN for our flight the day before over the internet (if you do not know how, learn this before you travel next time -- it allows you to go directly to security screening at the airport if you have no bags to check), we were off the ship at 0730, through pier-side customs at 0735, at the airport via taxi by 0755, and through security and at the gate at 0805. Granted, our travel style is not for everyone, but we like the flexibility and speed of traveling light – the airport was quiet that early, before the masses of cruisers had arrived. For others, I would say that a 1000 flight is reasonable, but much earlier than that may be risky.

Now for the whole reason to cruise the Caribbean – the PORTS OF CALL:

We have found that our enjoyment of each island bears no relation to how much we spend on our activities ashore. In fact, LOW-COST INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES ASHORE are often the most enjoyable. What follows are our favorites for the various islands on this itinerary. By the time you cruise, the itinerary will have changed (see the internet or your travel agent for the latest updates, I believe Granada will return to the itinerary in 2005 and St. Kitts in 2006), but the principles we use will still be applicable.

Our first recommendation is to buy or borrow a good TRAVEL GUIDE, such as the Lonely Planet series, covering the islands you will visit. Xerox the relevant pages and especially the MAPS, so that you can take them ashore in sections – leave the book at home. Also, ask the concierge for recommendations if you are uncertain – some cruise lines have no clue about public transport, ferry schedules, or secluded beaches, but Kevin on our cruise was well informed.

CASA DE CAMPO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC —- this port was problematic in that the ship leaves San Juan late Saturday night (for late-arriving passengers), so one has only an afternoon ashore here. The cruise line provides a free shuttle (about 30 minutes each way) from the dock to Altos de Chavon (a Disney-esque artists colony on a scenic hill above the river) and the Marina (where the few very rich locals keep their yachts and vacation homes). These destinations provide pleasant walks but not much excitement. Ironically, there is no good beach at this port (although we had a brief but pleasant swim at the nearby Militas beach hotel complex). The best local beach is at nearby Catalina Island, which some cruise lines use as their port of call but Celebrity uses as a separate shore excursion. The Dominicans have made every effort to welcome cruisers, and the efficient new dock and shuttle service are impressive.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – the ship docks at the port about a mile west of town. There is a free shuttle through the port area to the terminal building, and a share taxi from there into the town center costs $1 US. Instead, we recommend walking straight ahead from the terminal for 15 minutes (about half-way into town) to the Cheapside bus terminal, where you will find cheap local buses that run along the coast. Look for the dozen or so 20 passenger yellow buses in an area across from the fish market. The east coast (Atlantic) beaches are very rough and the west coast (Caribbean) beaches are recommended. Our idea of a perfect beach is a wide strip of white sand with good shade, few people, and no wave-runners. For $1 per person, we took the Speightstown bus up the west coast and got off at Mullins beach, which is a little less than an hour’s ride (ask the conductor to show you the stop and the beach access). This is a strip of clean sand with very few people, good swimming, and a restaurant and chair rental nearby for those who need it. It is quite secure, and you can leave your beach bag with anyone (or the chair rental lady) if you want to beach walk or swim for any length of time. Unfortunately in Barbados the landowners are allowed to encroach too close to the surf line. One can walk for miles north or south, but one has to use occasional high tide walkways around some intrusive walled properties. Snorkeling is not very good at this sandy beach, but if you are there around noon, you are in for a treat. About 15 minutes walk north you may see a collection of excursion boats about 500 feet offshore. They are feeding giant sea turtles for the delight of their passengers. If you are a strong swimmer (and preferably have a PFD), you can swim out (straight off the concrete pier beach area) and join them. I was there just as the boats left. The turtles swam back and forth within touching range – their carapaces were easily 5 hand spans long (almost four feet). It was dream-like, the same feeling I had when swimming with dolphins, whales, and manatees – truly a privilege of a nature. For weaker swimmers, one can hire a small boat from shore (for about $20 I believe – some people offered that alternative as I walked to the pier). The bus back to the boat is convenient since bus stops are well marked and near the beaches.

ROSEAU, DOMINICA – This was a substitution for the advertised Grenada, which the ship bypassed because of recent storm damage. Dominica is an eco-island (with no great beaches) known for its forests, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Unfortunately, public transport into the hills is not readily available when a ship is in port. The usual shared minivans turn into taxis and the rates climb to 10 times the usual fare (still reasonable for most cruisers). Instead, we walk about two blocks inland from the dock and catch a minivan south along the coast for 30 minutes ($1 US each way) to Scotts Head, a fishing village with a spit of land and a mini Rock of Gibraltar offshore (which you see as you approach the island from the south). The beach at the base of the rock is narrow and cobbled, but offers very pleasant swimming and excellent snorkeling. Simply snorkel northwards along the shoreline below the rock and you will find a fine coral-festooned wall that descends about 200 feet into the blue depths. The fish here are small – even though it is a protected area, the fishing village is too close to allow fish to grow large. This is an unsecured beach, and you would do well to leave your beach bag with someone (if you can find anyone else there). My wife takes a swim and brief snorkel, and then relaxes on shore with our gear as I snorkel for an hour or two longer. After snorkeling, it is an easy walk up a jeep trail then a well-worn path to the top of the rock, where you will have beautiful views of the village and shoreline all the way back to the ship. Minivans leave the village reasonably often and the return to the ship is no problem.

ST. JOHNS, ANTIGUA – There are two bus stations here within easy walking distance of the dock, which is downtown (there also is a secondary dock a bit farther out). Ask in town for directions to the bus terminal you want. Eastside buses go across the island to historic Nelsons Dockyard, which we did not visit this time, but which has a nice secluded beach within easy walking distance (I think the name is Pigeon Point, but ask at Nelsons for the nearest beach). We arrived on a local holiday when eastside buses were infrequent, so we took a westside bus for 20 minutes ($1 US) south to Jolly beach, which is a broad travel-poster-beautiful beach lined by attractive low-rise hotels, restaurants, and dive shops. The bus drops one just outside the resorts (this is the transport for the resort workers) and one simply has to ask directions for the public beach access. One walks through several checkpoints, the beach is so secure. There were a few wave-runners, but very few people and the water is that wonderful Caribbean blue over the white sand bottom. Snorkeling is not good at the beach, but the nearby dive shops offer snorkel tours in the early afternoon for about $10-20 US depending on how much of their equipment you need. (I did not take a boat snorkel and cannot specifically recommend it). Again, return minivans to the ship are frequent.

ST. THOMAS, USVI – This is heaven for shoppers and tourist-junk-hell for almost everyone else, although there are some nice secure beaches like Magens Bay for about $8 US taxi fare and about $3 US entry fee. If you dock in the Crown Point yacht basin instead of the usual Havensight area, consider taking a water taxi from nearby Tickles restaurant (walking distance from the ship) to Water Island. This is a local hideaway with a very quiet beach just over the island crest. The ship’s concierge can give the ferry schedule. It is the antithesis of the rest of St. Thomas and is kept a quiet secret by the locals. On this cruise we took a taxi ($8 US per person tip included) and then the ferry ($3 US) from Red Hook (alternately $7 US from downtown Charlotte) to neighboring Cruz Bay, St. Johns (again, the ship’s concierge can give you the ferry schedules). We have been to St. Thomas and/or St. John’s almost a dozen times, and the less-developed St. Johns is infinitely more pleasant in our opinion. I think that future cruise itineraries may even spend a day at each island. In any case, watch the ferry schedule closely since you need to allow time to return to the ship. The north shore beaches on St. Johns (Hawksbill, Trunk, Cinnamon) are run by the US National Park Service and are world famous. Open air taxis will take you from the Cruz Bay ferry dock to any of these for about $4 US, or you can hike from the park headquarters building to Honeymoon beach – the rangers can give you maps and specifics. Each north shore beach has good snorkeling around the peninsulas which separate them, and some have their own snorkel trails with underwater signage (but more people). The fish are protected here and are larger and more colorful than on some other islands – with luck you might even see a Hawksbill turtle or spotted moray, both of which I saw this time.

Finally, a word about CRUISE FARES – rumor has it that RCCL/Celebrity will institute a uniform pricing policy which disallows the rebates which some cruise agents offer their clients. I do not know how this will play out, but I hope it does not backfire -- other fine cruise lines like Holland offer a very competitive product and will increase market share if their prices are much lower than Celebrity’s. In any case, I recommend surfing the internet to find the itinerary, ship, and price you want. Websites like www.cruise.com or www.icruise.com are good places to start. The former seems to cover a wider array of cruise lines and the latter seems to have more detailed (by cabin category) pricing information. After you know what the price should be (and, again, the pre-Christmas season is a great time for bargains), check with your personal agent since the agencies sometimes purchase blocks of cabins to be sold by a certain date at even lower rates. Some of these agencies (and unaffiliated groups like www.cruisemates.com) have e-mail newsletters to alert you to cruise bargains. On this cruise I used Pavlus Travel’s website/cruise link and booked the cruise directly on the net, down to the cabin choice) at an even further discount. You can give your credit card number over the phone if you like. Later, when we received a promotional coupon through Celebrity’s Captain’s Club, I simply called Pavlus and they added that credit to our final bill, which was about $560 US per person for a category 7 outside cabin (no balcony but a large window), including port charges and taxes.

What other vacation could give you so much at such a reasonable cost! But do not forget to budget for tips of about $10-15 US per passenger per day for the wonderful staff. Celebrity now offers a fixed tipping option by which one simply puts the tips on one’s shipboard account. I prefer to tip personally, since I tend to be more generous than the usual guidelines (which are left in your cabin with the envelopes for tips). After all, the great staff is what makes the cruise so enjoyable. I am always angered when cruisers spend money on all sorts of tourist junk and expensive shore excursions only to short-change the people who really matter. Instead, please put your discretionary spending in the hands of those who deserve it, and don’t just give them an envelope with money, write each a personal note about what you specifically enjoyed about their service. If they had been born in America, they might have been your own kids.

Last but not least, have a wonderful cruise!

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Old 02-21-2008, 07:45 AM
Sandy Sandy is offline
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Maryland
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Unfortunately, it has been shown that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are NOT effective against noro virus! The one real defense against it is hand washing.

The hand sanitizers are still a good idea and should be used frequently, as they are effective against other types of illnesses. But they are not effective against many viruses, including noro.

See this fact sheet about noro, published by the Michigan Dept of Community Health. Take note especially of the last paragraph on page 2. Many other documents are available, if you research it on the internet.


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Old 07-07-2010, 08:40 AM
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,886
Carnival has had to reschedule the Carnival Pride's drydock refurbishment. This has made it necessary to CANCEL the Pride's November 7 and November 14, 2010 cruises from Baltimore,

Anyone who is scheduled to sail the Pride either Nov. 7 or 14 should get in touch with their travel agent immediately. If you booked through Carnival, call Carnival.
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Old 07-07-2010, 09:36 AM
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: The New Forest, United Kingdom
Posts: 34
Hi Sandy,

What a nightmare, especially if someone is away and can't be reached.

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Old 07-07-2010, 09:40 AM
Dave's Avatar
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alabama
Posts: 17,879
I'll probably regret bringing it up, but is Carnival offering any compensation?
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Old 07-07-2010, 01:26 PM
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,033
The good news is final payment wasn't due yet. The bad news is if they already got their own air.
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Old 07-07-2010, 01:48 PM
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,886
It will be interesting, too, to see how they fill the ship during the two weeks they THOUGHT the Pride would be in drydock...

I'm sure there will be compensation of sorts. I don't know yet what that is.

Not only may air have been purchased, but vacation time reserved for the last year, perhaps kids' school complications, not to mention some Thanksgiving issues!

Could be a nightmare, indeed.
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Old 07-07-2010, 02:06 PM
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,033
It was scheduled for drydock Feb 6 - 20, 2011. Feb 6 is Superbowl Sunday. If they put some attractive pricing out there, it shouldn't be too hard to sell with seven months left.
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Old 07-08-2010, 03:09 AM
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Posts: 11,612
This has actually happened a few times before. I don't think they will have any problem filling the ship. If there is one thing Carnival knows how to do it's fill ships.
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Old 07-08-2010, 04:31 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 528
Thats a bad deal if you have already bought airfare.. On our cruise I bought the airfare way back in Febuary for a cruise in nov,It was a deal then.. I remember when Katrina hit 4 weeks before our cruise on the holiday and they canceled the cruise.. sad thing is that carnival NEVER called us,nor did they offer a deal to get us on another cruise,, Sometimes they are bad about costumer care!

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Old 07-08-2010, 06:41 AM
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,033
Yes, Everyone knows that unscheduled dry docks happen, and have happened with all cruise lines. When this happens, cruise lines normally will reimburse the exchange fee for those already holding airline tickets that they bought on their own. They really aren't obligated to do even that, since they offer their own air program. Also, this is another reason everyone should take out insurance. Sandy's original post was to help those who may not have heard the news, since we all know cruise lines don't always get the message out to everyone affected.
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Old 10-01-2007, 12:31 PM
Junior Member
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I am full of questions, I know. Since this is my first time cruising, I am wondering what I might expect as far as the roughness of the seas. I want to be sure to offset any motion sickness that may come my way. What is the best medicine? Patch? Drammamine? Ginger tablets? Any answers will be appreciated! P.S. I am trying to start a ticker and am anxious to see if it will work. LOL

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Old 10-01-2007, 12:53 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Alabama
Posts: 10,601
CAD1223, you'll probably not even notice the motion of the ship, unless there's a storm they can't get around. Ginger is a natural remedy that sailors used before there were patches, and dramamine or bonine. If you want to take some with you, health food stores carry ginger. Wal-Mart or K-Mart carry bonine. Not to worry though, they have stuff on board the ship if you don't have anything and are feeling the effects.
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Old 10-02-2007, 04:33 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 437
hi there,

It all depends on the size of ship you are on, Im just back from Voyager of the Seas and only on one night did I notice a rocking motion on the ship! Its wasnt that bad, nothing that would make you ill just rocking a little, the smaller the ship the more likely you will get motion sickness I believe,

Obvioulsy the weather has a lot to do with things also, Be aware when you leave the ship adn are walking down the street you may feel you are still on it with your 'sea legs' going a bit wobbly!!! Enjoy it and dont worry you will have a ball!
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Old 10-02-2007, 05:13 AM
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: RI
Posts: 40
hi, i am also going on my 1st cruise on the 15th, i have been asking some people what to epect on the cruises, my hair stylist told me when he went he had used the patch and drammamine and they helped him alot. ... hope i helped

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Old 10-02-2007, 02:04 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 19
Thank you for all the advice. I did pick up some dramamine and I am going to the health store for ginger. My hubby has gotten a prescription for a patch and we should be like a walking pharmacy by the time we leave! I am starting to get excited and the apprehension is quelling a little!
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Old 10-02-2007, 02:26 PM
corkgirl's Avatar
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 437
dont worry at all I cant see it being a problem for you! enjoy it!!
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Old 10-02-2007, 02:31 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 475
I often get motion sick, so I always get a prescription for the Transderm patch. Works like a charm!

Booked on NCL Breakaway, Feb. 2014
Carnival Conquest, Feb. 2012
NCL Gem, Sept. 2011
NCL Jewel, Feb. 2011
NCL Dawn, Sept. 2010
NCL Spirit, Feb. 2010
NCL Gem, March 2009
RCCL Explorer of the Seas, Feb. 2008
Carnival Miracle, May 2007
Carnival Conquest, April 2006
Caribbean Princess, Feb. 2005
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Old 10-02-2007, 03:08 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 17

Just remember this. If you decided to avail yourself of the benefits of the transderm prescription patch, it is best to appy the patch before you actually board (if I'm not mistaken, such as the night before or the morning of). Reportedly, the patch, while excellent when properly used, may have little little effect if you wait until the onset of symptoms to utilize it. I can't speak from firsthand experience because I've yet to suffer from this common malady, however my wife who does suffer from motion sickness, has used the patch (placing it behind her ear the morning of our cruise prior to boarding)and reports not being the least bit queasy. If you have any further questions, either your physician who prescribed it or your pharmacist would be the best folks to ask.

Hope this info helps.

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Old 10-02-2007, 06:31 PM
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Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 5,572
I find that apples work well for me in combating seasickness. They're in plentiful supply on the ship, act quickly, and have no side effects. As with other "treatments," everyone's results may be different. I've also tried ginger, and that worked, too.

CAD1223, chances are you won't need anything, but you're wise to be prepared.
Happy cruising!
  #10 (permalink)
Old 10-02-2007, 06:57 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 337
I wonder what it is about apples that makes it work, that is interesting. I have used the patch before and I didn't put it on until I started feeling a bit queasy. I think the carpet with all the diamond patterns overloaded my brain as I was fine until going down to get dressed for supper. The ships are so stable that this is only a minor problem. Some folks think they are going to rock like the old deep sea fishing boats, they don't!!! I am prone to get motion sickness on any kind of rides that go round and round, so I think that is what makes me a little more sensitive. You are going to do fine. Good luck and have a great trip.

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Retrosound Chevrolet Faceplate and Knob Kit

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This kit lets you finish off your Retrosound radio with the faceplate and knobs that match the original trim of your classic car. Please call an Advisor at 1-888-955-6000 to find out if this kit is compatible with your vehicle. Warranty: 1 year.

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Written By Tony, Colleyville, TX on Tuesday, March 24, 2015

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Could use an extra trim piece for edge, But looks pretty good.

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  • 2 Chrome plastic face-plates
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  • 2 Chrome metal dials

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An XpressKit interfaces with vehicles using an "immobilizer" key system, allowing you to remote start a car without disrupting factory-installed anti-theft features. It routes commands through your vehicle data system, so it's more secure. You have fewer wires to connect and, best of all, your extra key stays with you, not in your car.

Use the PLJX to remote start your 1993-up GM-built vehicle equipped with VATS or Passlock I or II anti-theft systems. This self-learning module programs in one step, automatically adjusting to the the resistor code value of your vehicle.

Important: If you know how to use a multimeter and have experience working with your vehicle's electrical system, you should be able to install this car security equipment. If you're unfamiliar with installing car security equipment, please speak to an Advisor before attempting this installation. Note: Before purchasing, please call us at 1-888-955-6000 to confirm that this product works with your vehicle.

Product Highlights:

  • self-learning remote start data interface for Python alarm systems
  • compatible with any 1993-up GM vehicle equipped with VATS or Passlock I or II anti-theft systems
  • temporarily overrides the factory immobilizer through your vehicle databus
  • requires splicing into vehicle's factory wiring
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XpressKit PLJX

Written By AUTOTECH, MIAMI on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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  • GM Self Learning (All Types) passlock Override module
  • 10-Pin harness
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Overview: The PLJX is a "Self-Learning" unit designed to bypass all GM vehicles equipped with Passlock I, Passlock II, VATS, and the new style Passlock immobilizer found in the Saturn ION and GM Colorado, Canyon, Cobalt and Pursuit. The PLJX automatically learns the resistor code value of any GM and generates the value on demand when remote starting so there is no measuring and matching of resistance values.

Compatibility: The PLJX is compatible with select GM vehicles and any type of remote car starter. The PLJX will maintain the integrity of your manufacture's anti-theft immobilizer system, security components, and convenience functions. Currently the PLJX supports the following GM vehicles.

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1993-2005 Century 1991-1993 Allante 1998-2006 Astro 1996-1998 Achieva
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1995-1998 Skylark 1991-1994, 1996 Seville 2004-2007 Colorado 1995-1999 Eighty-Eight
Hummer GMC 1991-2000, 208 Corvette 1998-2002 Intrigue
2003-2007 Hummer 2004-2007 Canyon 2005-2006 Equinox 1996-1999 LSS
Isuzu 2004-2007 Envoy 1998-2007 Express Van 1995-1996 Ninety-Eight
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1998-1998 Hombre 1998-2005 Safari 1995-1999 Lumina Pontiac
2005-2006 i280 1998-2007 Savana 1996-2005 Malibu/Malibu Classic 1992-1999 Bonneville
2005-2006 i350 1998-2007 Sierra/Sierra Classic 1995-2005 Mote Carlo 1993-2002 Firebird
Saturn 1998-2005 Sonoma 1998-2005 S10 Pickup 1996-2005 Grand Am
2003-2007 ION 1998-2006 Yukon 1997-2007 Silverado/Silverado Classic 1994-1996 Grand Prix
2000-2004 ----- 2003-2006 SSR 2005 Pursuit
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text: 15-859(B) Machine Learning Theory 02/06/06 * Recap * Kalai-Vempala algorithm ========================================================================= Recap from last time ==================== "Combining expert advice": Have n prediction rules and want to perform nearly as well as best of them. Or, in game-theoretic setting, have n strategies and want to do nearly as well of best of them in repeated play. Randomized weighted majority algorithm: - Give each a weight (starting at 1). - Choose rule at random with probability proportional to its weight. - When you are told the correct label, penalize rules that made a mistake by multiplying weight by 1-epsilon. (If costs in [0,1] then multiply by (1-epsilon)^cost). Get: E[Alg cost] <= (1+epsilon)*OPT + (1/epsilon)*log(n). "Sleeping experts"/"specialists": at each time step, only some rules fire. Goal: for all i, E[cost_i(Alg)] <= (1+epsilon)*cost(i) + (1/epsilon)*log(n). where cost_i(Alg) = cost of algorithm in the times when rule i fires. - Generalized version of randomized WM. - Initialize all rules to have weight 1. - At each time step, of the rules i that fire, select one with probability p_i proportional to w_i To update weights: - If didn't fire, leave weight alone. - If did fire, raise or lower depending on performance compared to weighted average: * R_i = [sum_j p_j cost(j)]/(1+epsilon) - cost(i) * w_i <- w_i(1+epsilon)^{R_i} So, if rule i does exactly as well as weighted average, its weight drops a little. Weight increases if does better than weighted average by more than a (1+epsilon) factor. Can then prove that total sum of weights never goes up. Now notice that one way to look at weights is: * w_i = (1+epsilon)^{E[cost_i(alg)]/(1+epsilon) - cost_i(i)} I.e., we are explicitly giving large weights to rules for which we have large regret. Since sum of weights <= n, exponent must be at most log_{1+epsilon}(n ) ========================================================================== Today: Notice that RWM bounds are good even if "n" is exponential in the natual parameters of the problem. But the running time in that case is bad because we have to explicitly maintain a probability distribution over experts. Are there interesting settings where we can get these kinds of bounds *efficiently*? Today we will discuss an algorithm that can do this in many such cases. Kalai-Vempala Algorithm ======================== The Kalai-Vempala algorithm applies to the following setting. - We have a set S of feasible points in R^n. Each time step t, we (probabilistically) pick x_t in S. We are then given a cost vector c_t and we pay the dot-product c_t . x_t. - The set S may have exponentially-many points, so we don't have time even to list its elements. However, we have a magic offline algorithm M that, given any cost vector c, finds the x in S that minimizes c.x. Want to use to produce an *online* algorithm so that our overall expected cost is not too much worse than for best x in S in hindsight. Specifically, we want for any sequence c_1,...,c_T to get: E[Alg's cost] <= min_{x in S} (c_1 + ... + c_T).x + [regret term] - To have any hope, we will need to assume that S is bounded and so are the cost vectors c_t. What are some things we can model this way? =========================================== - Consider the following adaptive route-choosing problem. Imagine each day you have to drive between two points s and t. You have a map (a graph G) but you don't know what traffic will be like (what the cost of each edge will be that day). Say the costs are only revealed to you after you get to t (on the evening news). We can model this by having one dimension per edge, and each path is represented by the indicator vector listing the edges in the path. Then the cost vector c is just the vector with the costs of each edge that day. Notice that you *could* represent this as an experts problem also, with one expert per path, but the number of s-t paths can easily be exponential in the number of edges in the graph (e.g., think of the case of a grid). However, given any set of edge lengths, we can efficiently compute the best path for that cost vector, since that is just a shortest-path problem. You don't have to explicitly list all possible paths. - We can also model the standard experts problem this way by having each expert be its own coordinate, and c_t is the vector of costs at time t. (But bounds as a fn of n might be worse). - More generally, this is like online linear programming. - Can also model the problem of performing search-tree lookups in a way that is competitive with the best binary search tree in hindsight. For this problem, there is a cost of "movement" too (choosing x_{t+1} that is different from x_t), but that can be handled by running the algorithm at a very slow learning rate. For this problem, we have one dimension per element, and a given search tree is represented as the vector of depths of its elements. Requests are indicator vectors. Even though there are exponentially-many search trees on n elements, if we are given a vector c (which can be viewed as listing how many times each element is requested), we can compute the optimal tree for c using dynamic programming. So, we can plug into this framework. The KV Algorithm ================ One natural thing to try is just run M to pick the best x in hindsight, argmin_{x in S} (c_1 + ... + c_{t-1}).x, and use that on day t. But this doesn't work. E.g., imagine there are two routes to work, one fast and one slow, but they alternate which is fast and which is slow from day to day. This procedure will always choose the wrong one. Instead, we will "hallucinate" a day 0 in which we have random costs, from an appropriate distribution. Then we will run M to pick the x that minimizes (c_0 + c_1 + ... + c_{t-1}).x. To analyze this, we will argue in stages. Step 1: First, we will show that picking argmin_{x in S} (c_1 + ... + c_t).x *does* work. I.e., if you find the best in hindsight tomorrow and use that today. This is maybe not surprising but also not obvious. Note this is *not* the same as the x that minimizes c_t . x, which obviously would be super-optimal. Now, let algorithm A be the one that minimizes (c_1 + ... + c_{t-1}).x. Let B be the one that minimizes (c_1 + ... + c_t).x. They both go to the bar and start drinking. As they drink, their objective functions get fuzzier and fuzzier. We end up getting: - A' that minimizes (c_0A + c_1 + ... + c_{t-1}).x. - B' that minimizes (c_0B + c_1 + ... + c_t).x. where c_0A, c_0B are picked at random in [-1/epsilon,1/epsilon]^n. (Could use a ball instead of a cube and get somewhat different bounds. Cube is simpler anyway). As epsilon gets smaller, A and B start behaving more and more alike. Step 2 is to show that for an appropriate value of epsilon, B' is not too much worse than B, and A' is close to B'. This then shows that A' is a good algorithm. Preliminaries ============= - When we analyzed the experts algorithm, we got bounds like: E[Alg's cost] < OPT(1+epsilon) + (1/epsilon)*(log n). If you then set epsilon = sqrt(log(n)/T), where T is the number of time steps you plan to run the algorithm, you get: E[Alg's cost] < OPT + OPT*sqrt(log(n)/T) + sqrt(T*log(n)). If you then use the fact that OPT <= T, you get: E[Alg's cost] < OPT + 2*sqrt(T log n). (This is the way a game-theory person would usually phrase it: in terms of additive regret.) - In our case, we will assume that the maximum L_1 length (sum of absolute values) of any cost vector is 1. If D is the L_1 diameter of S, the bound we will show is: E[Alg's cost] < OPT + D(epsilon*T/2 + 1/epsilon) So, setting epsilon = sqrt(2/T), we get: E[Alg's cost] < OPT + D*sqrt(2T) If you convert to the experts setting, where c \in [0,1]^n, the result you will get is an "n" inside the square root. This is not as good as the standard experts bounds. They give a different distribution for hallucinating c_0 that fixes that problem. Step 1 ====== Define x_t = argmin_{x in S} (c_1 + ... + c_t) . x. We need to show that: c_1 . x_1 + ... + c_T . x_T <= (c_1 + ... + c_T) . x_T In other words, we do at least as well using algorithm B as the optimal fixed x in hindsight does. We can do this by induction: - By induction, we can assume: c_1.x_1 + ... + c_{T-1}.x_{T-1} <= (c_1+...+c_{T-1}).x_{T-1}. And we know, by definition of x_{T-1}, that: (c_1 + ... + c_{T-1}) . x_{T-1} <= (c_1 + ... + c_{T-1}) . x_T So, putting these together, and adding c_T . x_T to both sides, we get what we want. Step 2: ======= Let's start with the easier part, showing that A' and B' are close. - A' is picking a random objective function from a box of side-length 2/epsilon centered at c_1 + ... + c_{t-1}. B' is picking a random objective function from a box of side-length 2/epsilon centered at c_1 + ... c_t. Let's call the boxes box(A) and box(B). - These boxes each have volume V = (2/epsilon)^n. Since their centers differ by a vector of L_1 length at most 1, the intersection I of the boxes has volume at least (2/epsilon)^n - (2/epsilon)^{n-1} = V(1 - epsilon/2). - This means that A' can't be much worse than B'. In particular, say alpha is your expected loss if you were to pick x by feeding to M a random point c in I. We can view B' as with probability 1-epsilon/2 doing exactly this and getting expected loss alpha, and with probability epsilon/2 choosing a random c in box(B) - I, and at best getting a loss of 0. We can view A' as with probability 1-epsilon/2 getting an expected loss of alpha, and with probability epsilon/2 getting at worst a loss of D. [Actually, we never said the losses had to be non-negative. The point is that the diameter of S is at most D, so the biggest possible gap between the losses of 2 points in S on any given c is D. Actually, for this part of the argument, we only need L_infty diameter <= D and not L_1 diameter.] The difference between the two is D*epsilon/2. This happens for T time steps, so that counts for the DT*epsilon/2 part. Now, to finish, we need to argue about B versus B'. This will give us the D/epsilon part. This turns out to be pretty easy: - View the random offset as an initial day 0. By the argument from Step 1, we know that: c_0 . x_0 + ... + c_T . x_T <= (c_0 + ... + c_T) . x_T. where we define x_t as argmin[x . (c_0 + ... + c_T)] - But the left-hand-side = cost(B') + c_0 . x_0 (B' didn't actually have to pay for day 0). The RHS is at most OPT + c_0 . x_opt (where x_opt is what opt picks if you don't count the fake day 0). Putting this together, we get: cost(B') <= OPT + c_0(x_opt - x_0). Now, since each entry in c_0 has magnitude at most 1/epsilon, the RHS is at most OPT + D/epsilon. Done! Extensions ========== - Can also get multiplicative bounds if you assume costs are non-negative and use a different distribution. - If you make L_2 assumptions on c,D, then it's more natural to pick random vector from ball instead of cube. It all depends on the application. - If you have movement costs (like in BST example) you can implement in a lazy way, and only run M every once in a while.


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Four stroke LPG autos only | Centre for Science and Environment

Four stroke LPG autos only

Will Kolkata succeed in phasing out two-stroke autos by July end?

Two-stroke and non-lpg (liquefied petroleum gas) four-stroke autorickshaw will not be allowed to ply in Kolkata from August 1, the Calcutta High Court has ordered. The city has around 38,000 registered two-stroke autorickshaws running on petrol; 30,000 of them are illegal. With six weeks left for the deadline, 20,000 applications were in for replacing two-stroke engines with lpg four-stroke, and 1,600 were replaced, said Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, leader of the Auto Bachao Committee in Kolkata.

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We're Sorry Toronto, Doc Just Looks Better in Red

We're Sorry Toronto, Doc Just Looks Better in Red
June 25, 2010, 1:13 pm
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Okay, so we're not really sorry, but we are thankful and a tad bit understanding of the pain that comes along with losing a stud pitcher (Miss you, Cliff!).

The Phillies will kick off their strange "away" series this evening with the Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. It will be Doc Halladay's first regular season start against his former club that he spent all of those years with up in Canada. Roy, of course, is downplaying the fact that it is his former team in the other clubhouse, but clearly a few extra emotions will be felt on the mound in South Philly tonight.

We're keeping it brief here this evening. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 tonight with the USMNT set for a huge game tomorrow followed by the Union's first ever game at PPL Park on Sunday. And the Saturday and Sunday Phils-Blue Jays games, of course. Enjoy your weekend, Philly sports fans. There's a new Villain in town.

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Web Developer - .NET, C#, HTML, CSS, Javascript

Attention! This job posting is 7 days old and might be already filled.
Company Name Kforce Technology
Location CA
Date Posted September 4, 2013
Category Default
Job Type Contractor

Responsibilities: Our client is seeking a Web Developer in Oakland, California (CA). The Developer will be the programmer for the development of an interactive web site.

  • Dynamic web development using .NET, C# HTML, CSS, JavaScript, third party APIs and MS SQL Server 2008, on a windows server

  • Develop configure, debug, secure, and deploy high performance web transaction applications

  • Code, test, debug, implement, document, and develop programs

  • Develop code to enable communication with networks, applications and databases

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Gay rights

Mayor Harold Washington meets those attending a gay rights rally in Lincoln Park. Washington promised to sign an ordinance prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals if it is approved by the Chicago City Council. He said the fight for gay rights is part of the larger struggle for civil rights. Ernie Cox Jr., Chicago Tribune


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Marty Feldman

Southern California Close-Ups: Going Hollywood

Southern California Close-Ups: Going Hollywood

Pity the rubes. Those wayward tourists who dawdle in their cars and tour buses along Beachwood Drive, enraging the locals as they haltingly seek that perfect Hollywood sign photo op — they know not what they do. Maybe you're not from this neighborhood either, but you have savvier Hollywood plans. They involve horse trails, hidden hotels, a magic castle, a monastery — and that's just a start. To close out our yearlong series of Southern California Close-Ups, here is a set of 10 Hollywood micro-itineraries, suitable for visitors from across town or across the planet. To see the previous 11 installments in our multimedia tour of Los Angeles and Orange counties, go to...


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LOS ANGELES -- The Civil War saga "Lincoln," the musical "Les Miserables" and the Osama bin Laden thriller "Zero Dark Thirty" are among the nominees announced Wednesday for the top honour from the Producers Guild of America.

Other best-picture contenders are the Iran hostage-crisis thriller "Argo"; the low-budget critical favourite "Beasts of the Southern Wild"; the slave-turned-bounty-hunter saga "Django Unchained"; the shipwreck story "Life of Pi"; the first-love tale "Moonrise Kingdom"; the lost-souls romance "Silver Linings Playbook"; and the James Bond adventure "Skyfall."

Walt Disney dominated the guild's animation category with three of the five nominees: "Brave," "Frankenweenie" and "Wreck-It Ralph." The other nominees are Focus Features' "ParaNorman" and Paramount's "Rise of the Guardians."

Along with honours from other Hollywood professional groups such as actors, directors and writers guilds, the producer prizes help sort out contenders for the Academy Awards. Those nominations come out Jan. 10.

The guild, an association of Hollywood producers, hands out its 24th annual prizes Jan. 26. The big winner often goes on to claim the best-picture honour at the Oscars, which follow on Feb. 24.

Previously announced nominees by the Producers Guild for best documentary are "A People Uncounted," "The Gatekeepers," "The Island President," "The Other Dream Team" and "Searching for Sugar Man."

Other nominees:

  • TV drama series: "Breaking Bad," "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones," "Homeland," "Mad Men."
  • TV comedy series: "30 Rock," "The Big Bang Theory," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Louie," "Modern Family."
  • Long-form television: "American Horror Story," "The Dust Bowl," "Game Change," "Hatfields & McCoys," "Sherlock."
  • Non-fiction television: "American Masters," "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations," "Deadliest Catch," "Inside the Actors Studio," "Shark Tank."
  • Live entertainment and talk television: "The Colbert Report," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "Real Time with Bill Maher," "Saturday Night Live."
  • Competition television: "The Amazing Race," "Dancing with the Stars," "Project Runway," "Top Chef," "The Voice."
  • Sports program: "24/7," "Catching Hell," "The Fight with Jim Lampley," "On Freddie Roach," "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."
  • Children's program: "Good Luck Charlie," "iCarly," "Phineas and Ferb," "Sesame Street," "The Weight of the Nation for Kids: The Great Cafeteria Takeover."


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The citrus is used for its juice or its zest, or as a garnish. It can be macerated and added to liquor or made into a preserve. The acid from lemon juice is also used to tenderize meats in marinades, and the rind can also be pickled for a savory delicacy.

In Season

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Recipes with Lemons

Lemon Oatmeal and Walnut Crisps

Jen Musty, Batter Bakery

Very Tangy Lemon Bars

Alice Medrich, author of Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-In-your Mouth Cookies (Artisan, 2010)

Winter Slaw

Recipe from Sarah Henkin, CUESA’s Market Chef

Spring Salad

Sarah Henkin, CUESA’s Market Chef

Articles about Lemons

February 15, 2013

Guide to Citrus Fruits

Can you tell a Kishu from a Clementine? Check out our guide to citrus fruits you’ll find at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) is dedicated to cultivating a sustainable food system through the operation of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and its educational programs. Learn More »


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Pumpkin Biscuits

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tbsp. packed light brown sugar

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and sliced thin

1 15 oz. can unsweetened solid-packed pumpkin

Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Butter one large cookie sheet. Stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the pumpkin and mix to form a soft dough. On a lightly floured surface, pat the dough out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut out biscuits with a round 2-inch cutter. Place biscuits on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake the biscuits for 15 to 20 minutes (because they're already brown, you may need to break one open to see if they're done). Serve hot or at room temperature.

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8 servings

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Per Serving

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Take Flight With The Return Of The Micro Drone [Deals]

CoM - Drone

It’s ba-ack!

Today’s Cult of Mac Deals offer is going to give you a chance once again to get your hands on the Micro Drone – and it won’t cost you a whole lot, either. This deal is just $49!

The Micro Drone is the next generation must-have remote-controlled toy. It combines the latest microchip technology with what was once a specialist hobby product to create a truly amazing product appealable to kids and adults. It can be flown indoors and outside and doesn’t suffer stability issues regardless of wind.

Here are some of the Micro Drone’s great features:

  • USB rechargeable battery
  • Ranges up to 400 feet (2.4GHZ Transmitter)
  • Weighs just over an ounce
  • Pre-programmed algorithm to perform 360 degree flips
  • Includes necessary tools & spare parts

This Cult of Mac Deals offer doesn’t include shipping, and is only available in select countries. Head over to the Deals page to get more information.

Quad-rotor helicopters have long been considered a luxury toy due to their pricey nature. Now that it’s back you can grab one for 54% off the regular price. So go and get it – today – before this offer flies away once again!

  • Josh Pedicone

    Don’t buy! Doesn’t work and they won’t refund your money! Happened to me!

  • Mark Pelletier

    Bought one of these last time around. Was defective.

    Company was 100% non responsive. Too bad, had some potential.

    Save your money, spend it somewhere else.