Queen Elizabeth, WWII Troop Carrier

I couldn't help feeling quite a few twinges as I listed for sale a piece of ocean liner memorabilia that is alot more than just a cruise memory. It's an old post card picturing the venerable r.m.s. Queen Elizabeth on war service.

Cunard White Star Post Card - Superliner Queen Elizabeth on war service

I had actually purchased this card for my personal collection. But, as I thought about it, I realized that it's too special for me to keep. Born the year after the Queen completed her war service, I have no personal connection with her greatness or that of the men she carried. But, others DO. I hope one of them will find it among the Cunard Mementos on my site... Maybe it will end up as a small Christmas or Hannukah gift to someone who rode aboard her - or was close to someone who did.

I wonder what it must have been like for the brave souls who sailed off during the early 1940's aboard the famous ship repainted in battleship gray. And, though I don't even know their names, I'm indebted to them.

Thank you to Debi at The Selling Loungs

A big THANK YOU to Debi, who last night featured Cruise Ready Store's Tips for New Cruisers in the TSL Blog.

If you sell on the internet, you'll find sellers helping sellers at the Selling Lounge, where there is a great deal of information on a wide range of ecommerce related topics - and lots of peer support, too!

Emerald Princess: St Maartin

Today, the ship is scheduled to dock in St Maartin. Although some people love it, this is not one of my all time favorite ports, so I'll probably stay on the ship, treating this as a bonus Sea Day, hanging by the aft pool, and spending some quality time with my good friends Sue and Dickie.

Last year, on the Crown Princess, I stayed on the ship during our stop in Jamaica, which I really do like, but just felt like staying aboard. I wore my All Ashore T shirt from Cruise Ready Store, and got quite a few smiles and a couple of comments. It's a nice conversation starter. The bartender got quite a kick out of this shirt last year ... I think I'll try for an encore.

This entry brought to you by

Cruise Shirts at Cruise Ready Store

Emerald Princess at Sea

Today is the first of our two scheduled Sea Days, and I plan to spend the entire day relaxing by the aft pool, sipping cold Diet Coke - and maybe an occassional foo foo drink, and doing a lot of visiting and laughing with my dear cruising friends from Cape Coral.



I just LOVE Sea Days, which inspired me to design this little magnet. It reads "May all your days at sea begin and end just perfectly."

Since there probably won't be anything of note to relate, I'll take this opportunity to remind my readers of some of the products at Cruise Ready Store that will once again be available for sale once the cruise comes to an end.

One of my best sellers lately has been sarong style swim suit coverups. SEE THEM HERE

And, with Christmas coming, it would be a nice time to surprise the gentleman cruiser in your life with a nautical tie clip or cuff links. I have several styles for you to choose from, including this anchor tie clip, which also has matching cuff links. While any of these men's formal accessories are great for cruise formal night, they would also make a nice addition to your guy's suit or tux for any gala evening during the holidays.

For the ladies, there is a selection of evening bags in various colors, styles and prices. Any of our evening bags will make a nice, useful addition to your lady's accessory wardrobe. You'll find them in the evening acessories department.

Cruise Ready Store is presently open for browsing only. The store's purchasing functions will be re-enabled when I return on Sunday evening.

Sailaway Today

Sailaway day has finally arrived, and I'll be boarding the beautiful Emerald Princess in just a matter of hours. Once again, I am really looking forward to a week of care-free days in the beautiful Caribbean.

And today, once again, I'll have the opportunity to legitimately wear one of the special Cruise Ready Store products: the Bon Voyage to Me T shirt. I love wearing this shirt - not only because it means I'll once again be revelling in the smell of the sea air and the feel of the warm Caribbean waters, but also because it's kind of neat to wear my own design and to see the smiles on the faces of those who notice it.

Once the cruise is over (sigh) and I am back to work, with Cruise Ready Store open for business again, you, too, can have a Bon Voyage to Me T shirt to wear on YOUR next boarding day.

Until then, I'll be posting about the ports we'll be visiting. Tomorrow: Princess Cays.

Bill Joins Ana in the Tropical Atlantic.

As of the 5:00pm advisory, we now have TWo active named storms in the Atlantic: Ana and Bill. tropical Storm watches have been issued for the northernmost Lesser Antillies, and we are keeping a wary eye on both storms for a possible turn towards the US after a few days.


Meanwhile, the cruise lines will need to alter itineraries to avoid the storms. I'll post any itinerary changes that are made public, but those cruising during the next two weeks should 1) check with their travel agent of cruise line;and 2) plan to arrive at their port of embarkation well
in advance of the scheuled sailing time.


I'll monitor websites, and pass on any news I find of itinerary changes.

Time to Start Watching the tropics

Half of July is behind us, and the EPAC is on the FOURTH named storm ... with two (Carlos and Dolores) churning in that basin as of last night! Luckily, it appears that neither will affect land. However, in the Atlantic, we haven't seen Ana yet. But, it's approaching the time when weather exiting off the west coast of Africa wants to try to get its act together and make the trek across the ocean, sometimes ending up in our neck of the woods.

Yes, it's nearly 'Cape Verde Season,' so ... eyes east!

Reminder to residents of hurricane country: Things may be quiet now, but that can change quickly, so please make it a point to check your level of emergency preparation.

And, for my cruising friends . . . Cruise Ready Store now has Anti-Nausea Bands, sometimes referred to as motion sickness bands. Here's a picture and link:

Anti-Nausea Bands from Cruise Ready Store:

Thank you, Selling Lounge!

Many thanks to Bays, at The Selling Lounge, who posted this yesterday on the TSL Blog:

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Have you cruised to Barbados? (Or been there)

Did you forget to pick up your souvenir T shirt?

Well, never fear - it's Cruise Ready Store to the rescue! We have a very limited supply of just what you need! Nice, red tshirts - souvenir of Barbados, from Princess Cruises.



Princess Cruises RED BARBADOS Cruise T Shirt Available sizes: Small. Medium. Large. eXtraLarge . . . and there's only ONE left in each size! Great cruise wear for your next cruise . . . to let your shipmates know you've "been there, done that."




If you just can't wait for your next cruise... or smile wistfully at memories of happy times spent onboard your favorite cruise ship, then you just might like Cruise Ready Store , a store especiallly for folks who love to cruise!

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By the way - if you're an internet retailer, and don't know about The Selling Lounge, do yourself a favor and check it out! You'll find lots of helpful information that is well organized!

THANK YOU, Selling Lounge, from CruiseReadyStore!