There is much loose talk about "internet friends" and the generally shallow aspects thereof.

But the sentiments expressed by my fellow passengers here, by people I have never met, by people whom my wife had never met, but who share a common interest (may I say even love?) are most heartwarming.

I am deeply grateful, to all.

And who knows, I might meet some of you sometime!

Cruisetalk was my first internet forum back in 2000.
Then it was exotic to participate in a cyberspace discussion or chat, where today it is mainstream.

I have met 9 cruisetalkers in person over 6 cities, 2 continents, and 3 countries. Some more than once, others very soon as geography permits.

cast in order of appearance:

*BigUfan
*Dmitry
*Britanis
*SobeTim
*Darrell
*FrankXPrudent
*Cunardcoll
*Onno
*SSLewis

Some whom I have not met have been 'penpals' for a while, and when geography permits.

I met BigUFan first in Philly; right next to the SSUnitedStates 9 months into cruisetalk and felt exotic to put a live person to a discussion group.

I know ErnieRoller and Malcolm met on the QE2.

My recent QE2 voyage stunned me by being recognized by 3 people as Desirod.

Most fascinating is that I found that people have different internet/penpal personalities, telephone personalities, and face to face personalities. If I were a social scientist?

But, for reasons expressed here, my future cruise plans are truncated at this point.

C'est sera sera and all that. I might be on a vessel of more stature than the Henlopen-Cape May Ferry sometine. Or one of you may be taking a skipjack cruise on the Chesapeake.

I'll be the old geezer with a bandage on his hand from trying to open oysters. My late wife, however, was a whiz at it.

We have figured out that we have sailed on the same ships together several times - as far back as 1984 and as recent as 2002.

quote:

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Originally posted by desirod7:
I had the pleasure of meeting Ernie Roller this week in Atlantic City. I introduced him to 2 of my friends and he 2 of his.

We had a great time together and much cruise and ship conversation.

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I enjoyed myself as well. Wonderful to meet you and the dinner was excellent! If anyone happens to be in Summer's Point, NJ on the Jersey shore, I highly recommend the Sail restaurant.

It's owned by a gay couple and they have done an amazing job.

I met with Cunardcoll aka Jochen for a 2nd time in Belgium who joined us and took me and Johan off-roading in the Belgian countryside. We traded QE2 stories.

In 2006 Sea Trade we should have a cruisetalk get together in South Beach.

I now have met 16 cruisetalkers from 5 states, 2 coasts, 5 countries, 2 continents, and 2 cruises aged 17 to senior citizen.

[ 03-18-2005: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

We discussed this point and it's true: every Cruise Talker has an "on-line" personality in their posts, but in person that individual may come across as completely different.

Since we all share some common interests, just by being members of this board, I encourage everyone to try and meet each other if the opportunity arises.

If anyone else is going to be in any of those places - let me know. Hopefully I shall have some free time...we shall see

Am sailing on River Empress on a 4 night Industry Cruise.

Cheers!

[ 03-18-2005: Message edited by: Jekyll ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jekyll:
I am hoping to have the chance to meet Johan while in Antwerp on April 06, will then in be in Heusden on April 07/08 and Amsterdam on April 08 and 09.

[ 03-18-2005: Message edited by: Jekyll ]

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I am quite looking forward to it !!

quote:

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Originally posted by Onno:
Indeed it is interesting to know the persons behind the postings. I have met or spoken on the phone with a couple of Cruise Talkers and it does make the forum more lifelike and interesting. Sometimes you almost forget you are interacting with a person that is in a completely different part of the world living in another time zone all together.

Onno

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quote:

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Originally posted by Onno:
Indeed it is interesting to know the persons behind the postings. I have met or spoken on the phone with a couple of Cruise Talkers and it does make the forum more lifelike and interesting. Sometimes you almost forget you are interacting with a person that is in a completely different part of the world living in another time zone all together.

Onno

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David and Linerrich, I hope you found the discussion about the difference between computer/reallife personalities not too disturbing !!

quote:

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Originally posted by Jekyll:
hi Seas - what an unusal comment to make...am sure your physical appearance is irrelevant to that particular conversation.

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I think Jekyll was joking!

However, appearances are very important in the maritime world: See Here

[ 10-22-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Any girl out there interested in a 22 year old good looking single guy ??