How to Choose the Cabin on Cruise Ship

Choosing the Right Cabin on a Cruise Ship

You could end up paying a lot for a view of the lifeboats

Nothing can ruin the perfect cruise like lousy quarters. A berth next to the engines, underneath the jogging track, or within earshot of the disco, for instance, can ruin your night if you're a light sleeper. On the other hand, you need not reserve the most deluxe state-room to rest in comfort. Indeed, cruise brochures can sometimes be misleading. The description of one ship's most expensive cabin promises “three picture windows”, but neglects to point out the nearly half of the view is blocked – or that passengers walking by can stare inside. To avoid similar disasters, consider the following when selecting a cabin:

Size: Cabins costing the same can differ in size, particularly on older ships. Cabins mid-ship on older vessels are usually the largest, but ask your travel agent to supply you with the dimensions of several cabins within the class you want. Don't be fooled by the magnified photos  in brochures; compare them with the deck plans to get an idea of the actual size.

Location: On same of the largest ships, the cabins can be quite a distance from the nearest elevator. Also, party animals may want to be close to the disco, but party poopers will want to avoid it and other clearly noisy night spots. Study the deck plan carefully before choosing.

Price: Booking far in advance also puts you in line for an upgrade if an unsold higher-priced cabin becomes available at the price you paid. (Make sure your travel agent has you on the upgrade list.) Don't count on last-minute bargains – there are fewer of them than there used to be.

Bargain cabin: Outside cabins with views that are blocked by lifeboats or other obstructions often are discounted. Cabins that accommodate four people are, of course, cheaper per person than the standard room. Also, if you don't intend to spend much time in your cabin, consider one with no view at all.

Choosing the right room and cabin is very important. Photograph by Elena.

Deck by Deck

Your cabin's location can have a profound effect on your enjoyment of a cruise. The higher you go, for example, the more likely you are to suffer the ill effect of the ship's pitching and rolling. On the other hand, if you are too close to the night life, you might not get much sleep. No two ships are alike, but here is what you generally can expect on various decks:

Bridge: Expensive, spacious luxury cabins and penthouse suites. At this height, though, there can be more pitch and roll, particularly in the bow and stern. Cabins often have large outside windows, verandas, or balconies.

Aft: The aft end heavies less than the bow, but engine noise can be a problem.

Upper promenade: More expensive than lower decks, but the view is sometimes partly blocked by lifeboats.

Promenade: The entertainment deck, near bars and restaurants: It can be noisy. Some cabins even look out on a public deck.

Lower: Cabins are cheaper, but they can be affected by noise, especially in the middle, close to engine, and near the stern.

Main: Can be noisy, especially beneath the entertainment areas on the promenade above, but it usually has the most horizontal stability. Try to pick a cabin that doesn't connect internally with another.

St. Joseph Oratory

St. Joseph Oratory

Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal (Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal) is Canada's largest church, a Roman Catholic basilica located on Westmount Summit in Montreal, Quebec. The basilica is dedicated to Saint Joseph. A reliquary in the church museum contains Brother André's heart, which he requested as a protection for the basilica. Millions of visitors and pilgrims visit the Oratory every year.

On 2 April 2004 Canada Post issued Saint Joseph's Oratory, Quebec in the 2004 Tourist Attractions series. The stamp was designed by Catharine Bradbury & William Stewart based on a photograph by Bernard Brault. The 49¢ stamps are perforated kiss cut and were printed by Lowe-Martin Company Inc.

Joseph, Hope of the Sick: Benevolent Joseph, the Son of God placed his life in your hands. With Mary, you cared for Him who is the force of life. May your compassion enfold our fragility, bringing us the comfort of the divine presence. We join you in prayer, saying "Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, say a word for our healing!" Make us sensitive to the illnesses of those close to us. Support our efforts and gran us courage in the fight against all evil. Help us to find meaning in God's great project for humanity beyond the sicknesses and sufferings that blind our sight. The love of God be with us, as our hope lies with Him! Amen.

All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

Place for reflections.

St-Joseph Crypte.

The statue of Carrara marble behind the main altar is the work of the Italian artist Giacomini and was erected in 1917. 

The eight stained glass windows by the Montréal firm of Perdrieau and O'Shea were installed in 1919. They represent various episodes in the life of Saint Joseph.

Memorare to Saint Joseph: Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never has it been known that anyone who asked for your help and sought your intercession was left unaided. Full of confidence in your power, I turn to you and beg your protection. O foester-father of the Redeemer, listen to my humble prayer, and in your goodness hear and answer me. Amen 

St-Joseph central nef.

Crypt Church: As Brother Andre's chapel was becoming too small, a Crypt Church was built between 1915 et 1917 according to plans drawn up by architects Dalbé Viau and Alphonse Venne.

In 2004, the Oratory was designated a National Historic Site of Canada on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. 

Tomb of Brother André: Brother André died on January 6, 1937 at the age of 91. 

This tomb was first placed in the Crypt Church, then moved temporarily in 1944 and finally transferred to this alcove in 1949. The black granite vault was donated by the Honorable Maurice Duplessis, Premier of the Province of Québec from 1936 to 1939 and from 1944 to 1959. 

The artist Henri Charlier created the fresco above the tomb in 1937. It represents the Instruments of Passion, a central devotion of Brother André's faith, and pays tribute to the Oratory's founder with the three latin words: Pauper, Servus et Humilis (poor and humbe servant).

O Mary, my gentle mother and mother of my gentle Saviour, look upon me kindly and come to my aid. Joseph.

The orgue.

The temple as seen from Westmount.,

Central hall.

Passage on the first floor.

Walls behind the temple.

Painting on the wall.

St Joseph's Oratory is located at 3800, chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, Quebec, area code H3V 1H6.

Dog as a Movie Star

When the Movie Star Is a Dog

One of Hollywood's top canine trainers reveals his secrets

Do you have trouble getting your dog to perform even the most simple tricks? Does your pet have moxie that you don't know how to unleash? Consult trainers of some of Hollywood's biggest canine stars, who have many years' experience training leading dogs for movies. They learn the craft from their colleagues who trained the animal stars of many classic movies.

Is it better to have a professional train your pet or to do it yourself?

It doesn't help to send pets off somewhere unless you are part of the training. Dogs that are sent away come back and fall into the same old habits and routines again. It's best to do it yourself.

How would you start teaching obedience to a dog?

By doing leash work. You begin to control a dog naturally that way. Then you have to establish motiviation by rewarding you dog with a pat on the head, playtime with a ball, or a treat. You have to be fair and consistent, just as you are with a child.

What is the best way to develop a bond with your pet?

The most important thing is to spend quality time – time during the day or at night, taking a walk or playing with a ball. It's important to establish communication with your animal. Five to ten minutes a day is okey, but spend more if you can.

A Canadian actor Donald Sutherland is a proud owner of a very nice dog. Photo by Elena.

Is any special training required when there's a child in the house?

If you have a child in the house, you might want to approach a professional. If you have an aggressive dog, there are times when you might need to be careful around children. A lot oe people want Labradors because they think the kids can jump up and down on the dog and it wan't care. And of course there are times when kids will pull an ear. But it's very important for parents to teach their children to respect animals, too. Instaed of getting someone hurt, it's always better to consult someone.

How have you been able to successfully break animals of their bad habits?

Sometimes it takes a long time. I am working with a Great Dane right now that I got from the pound. He was a bad growler and he pushed people around doing so. I had to break him of that habit because it is not good to ajve a growling dog on a movie set. I showed him a lot of love and did not meet his aggression with more aggression. Now he is totally normal. So punishment is not always the answer.

How can y9u get a dog to perform a stunt?

You have to break down the task. Every dog learns in different ways and at different speeds. But you have to continue to move the dog along. For example, in the jail scene from the movie The Mask, when the dog snatches the keys away from a sleeping guard and gives them to Jim Carrey, that routine was made up of 8 or 10 different moves. The dog had to walk over, stop, look around, jump up, and so on. You usually end up having the dog perform the whole thing from the beginning. But sometimes you have two trainers talking the dog through the routine. The key is the treat, the reward. That becomes the motivation for performing the routine.

What is the most difficult thing you have trained an animal to do?

I used to work on a movie called The Truth about Cats and Dogs, in which I have to teach a dog to roller-skate. That has been very challenging.

Booking Passage on a Cruise Ship

Booking Passage Made Easy

Who to talk to and what to say for big savings in fares

Booking passage on a cruise ship can sometimes be so confusing that if you didn't need a vacation when you started, you will definitely need one by the time you set sail. Some cruise lines don't even book directly, and those that do often neglect to point out ways you can save. Where is a cruiser to turn?

A travel agent can do the job – and can book flights, cars and hotels as well – but members of the National Association of Cruise Agents or agents affiliated with Cruise Lines International Association have even greater expertise about ships, and often offer discounts that regular travel agents can't.

Some alternatives without the bells and whistles offer even better deals. Cruise discounters aren't the type to sit down with you and help you plan your cruise, but they do offer a wide variety of discounts on a limited number of ships. They are best for repeat cruise customers who know what they want.

Then there are cruise clubs, which are limited to dues-paying members and specialize in large, last-minute discounts. Dues usually range from $100 to $200 annually. Before you join, though, make sure the club really offers the discounts it claims.

Book your place on a cruise ship. Photograph by Elena.

No matter who you use to book your cruise, you will be able to get a better deal if you come across as a seasonal sailor who knows the ropes. Here are eight strategies to consider:

Book early: You get a bargain rate – sometimes as much as 50 percent off – and you are first in line to be upgraded to a better cabin.

Book off-season: You can get as much as half off if you sail when the crowds don't. Cruises from September until December 14 offer bargain prices as do those sailing during the first three weeks in January. Some deals are available in mid-season from April until July.

Join a past passenger club: If you've cruised on the same line before, you could be in line for cruise discounts, free shore expeditions, cabin upgrades, at dinner at the captain's table. Even if your cruise line doesn't have a past passenger club, make sure you inform them you've sailed before. You may get special treatment.

Sail standby: If you sail standby, a category A cabin on American Hawaii Cruises is yours for almost half off the brochure price, and they will guarantee your reservation 21 days before departure. Saver programs offer discounts about a month before sailing if space is still available.

Look at travel magazines; They carry ads for cruise discounters in the back. Cruise magazine is available everywhere.

Look for senior citizen discounts: The older set often qualify for discounts, especially off-season. For more information call the American Association for Retired People Travel Service.

Book as a group: Most ships offer discounts to groups of 10 to 15. And they sometimes throw in a free cabin for the group leader.

Book at the last minute: If you can't book early, your best bet for getting a bargain is booking late. Choices may be limited, but check with cruise discounters.

Know your agent: If you're interested in a particular cruise line, call it and ask for the names of agencies in your area. Agencies that fill ships often get price breaks. East Coast agencies may have better rates on Caribbean cruises, West Coast agencies on Alaska and Pacific cruises.

Biggest Ships on the Sea

The Biggest Ships on the Sea

It doesn't matter where you go when you take your resort with you

Every year the newest, biggest cruise ships are launched – 10 or more city blocs long and dozens of stories high. They have everything you would find at a good Club Med: many spas, high tech fitness centers, swimming pools, many dining areas, teen, disco, rep centers. With these amenities, who cares about the destination?

Apparently, nobody. Most of the mega-ships spend their time island-hopping instead of doing something useful like crossing the Atlantic or discovering new continents. But this hasn't prevented the biggest growth in the cruise business since the golden age of ocean liners more than 70 years ago. Now, as baby boomers retire and seek out new ways to build their leisure time, more than 20 million passengers annually are projected. And the cruise industry is scrambling to build them accommodations. Every year the biggest ships are joined by their sister-ships, and new companies also are getting into the fray with their own cruise lines and thousands-passenger vessels. All told, at least 30 ships are scheduled to be launched every year, and 5 or 7 of them will take their place among the world's largest. The boom adds more than 50,000 passenger berths, 5% gain over current capacity.

And the ships aren't just bigger, they're better, too. They answer complaints about cramped the old-style mega-ships with larger cabins and fewer passengers, as old ships were larger carried fewer passengers. Food and service may vary, but most of the new crop are equipped with state-of-the-art technology like environmentally friendly waste systems and big brother video surveillance systems to keep an eye on the kids. Entertainment includes Broadway musicals, dancing, lectures – sometimes even art exhibits by first-rate (an often unaffordable) artists like David Hockney or Robert Motherwell.

More affordable are fares on the older ships, which remain steady and also include return air fare. The new ships are big in every way, commanding prices of 20 to 30 % above average.

Cruises vary from singles or young, or also middle-age couples, families, old couples. On board, high-tech innovations include a computerized virtual reality golf center, but even basic facilities are impressive. Excellent children's facilities, exciting nightlife. The most classier mega-ships have glitzy décor, gourmet meals.

A cruise to the Southern Caribbeans. Photograph by Elena.

Montreal as Seen by Elena

Montreal as Seen by Elena

Here you can see a few pictures of Montreal taken by Elena. You can also go ahead and look for other photos of the city taken by Elena, but you can simply enjoy these ones:

Montreal Archives.

Ancient Train Station Viger.

Montreal's Atrium.

Old Customs building in Old Montreal.

View of Old Montreal.

A backyard in Old Montreal.

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal's Downtown.

Molson and St.Lawrence River.

Ville Mont-Royal.

Montreal's General Hospital, the first hospital ever opened in the city.

Place du Marché de Montréal.

Saint-Joseph Cathedral.

McGill street in Old Montreal.

Quartier chinois (Chinatown).

Rue Saint-Denis.

Dogs with an Attitude

 Dogs with an Attitude You'll Dig

A dog's breed is no guarantee that it will not according to the veterinarian's handbook. Every dog has its own personality. But some breeds are better suited to being jostled by children than others, while the circumstances of other pet lovers may require quite different choices. Here, veterinarians suggest which dogs make good pets for children, owners with active lifestyles, and people who are older and looking for easy pet companionship. These suggestions are based on books about pet care:

Dogs for Children

Golden retriever: Easy-going, active, and alert, golden retrievers have the best temperaments. They love to interact with kids and to play ball, which provides a young child a playmate. It also gives a child a sense of controlling a situation – when the child throws the ball, the dog brings it back. The adult female weighs 50 to 60 pounds, and the adult male 70 to 90 pounds. They need to be groomed and fed, and that teaches kids about being responsible. The golden retriever is the seventh most popular breed of the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Labrador retriever: Black, yellow and chocolate Labs are generally known for being even-tempered and friendly. They are always ready to play, and kids can just lie on them. Adult dogs weigh 60 to 70 pounds. They need grooming, so they also teach kids to be responsible.

Avoid the Chesapeake Bay retriever, which has a curlier coat. It isn't good with kids because it can be a little nasty and unpredictable and will bite more readily than the others. Labrador retrievers are the fifth most popular AKC breed.

Dogs make wonderful companions, but they don't come free, as these cost estimates from the Humane Society of the United States indicate high sums. But anyway, you can choose cats. Cats are great and Push is the greatest cat of all. Photo by Elena.

Collie: These are sweet dogs. They're gentle and predictable and won't bite around your kids. They're easy to train and really want to please. Adult collies weigh about 50 pounds and their long hair requires grooming. The rough-coated collie, which is what Lassie is, is the 9th most popular AKC breed. The smooth-coated collie is the 13th most popular AKC breed.

Standard poodle: A gentle dog that is very intelligent. A standard poodle will let a kid lie on it. You need to groom them, but a fancy hair cut is not necessary. Poodles, including miniature and standard, are the most popular breed in the United States. Because they are so popular, prospective owners have to watch out for puppy-mil degradation. Before choosing one, make sure the dog is well-bred. The larger they are, the less active they are and the more exercise they need. Adult standard poodles weigh 50 to 55 pounds.

Dogs for the Active Person

Greyhound: They are a little aloof, but also very gentle. Most are adopted from the race-track. Greyhounds have a regal personality and don't slobber with affection like a retriever. They are also very athletic, so they're good for active people. Adult greyhounds weigh 70 to 80 pounds. High-strung and easily upset by sudden movements at times, greyhounds are one of the most popular AKC breed.

Boxer: Animated, with outgoing personalities, boxers respond readily to playfulness. They also are one of the most popular AKC breed. Prospective owners looking for a dignified dog, however, should be wary of the boxer: They tend to drool and snore.

Terrier: Terriers start out their morning as if they had eight cups of coffee, so they are good for an active person. We'd recommend the bull terrier, which was bred for pit fighting. They are always ready to frolic and so need firm training, but they are also known for their sweet personalities. The adult bull terrier weighs in at about 50 pounds. It is one of the most popular AKC breds.

English Cocker Spaniel:These are sweet dogs and they haven't been inbred. They're playful and alert at all times and great for children and active people. The English cocker spaniel is a medium-size dog with long hair. An adult usually weighs 23 to 25 pounds, 3 to 11 pounds more that its cousin, the American cocker spaniel. The English cocker is on of the most popular AKC breed.

Dogs for Older People

Chihuahua: If they are from a good breeder, they will have a good personality. Chihuahua have short hair, so they don't need a lot of grooming and so are a good choice for an older person living alone. The Chihuahua is the smallest of all the breeds. The barkless variety was once used by the Aztecs as a sacrificial animal to eradicate the sins of the dead. Chihuahuas can be yappy and clannish at times. An adult Chihuahua weighs about 3 pounds and is also one of the most popular AKC breed.

Miniature Poodle: These poodles are intelligent. And they're good for older people because they're small and don't shed a lot. They love attention. Again, the poodle is the most popular AKC breed, so owners have to make sure the dog is not inbreed. All poodles are considered fast learners compared with other breeds, but generally the smaller they are the faster they learn. The adult miniature poodle weighs in at about 15 pounds.

Toy poodle: These are good dogs for older people. Toy poodles love to be cuddled and are intelligent. They do have to be groomed, but they don't shed, so there's not much hair to clean up. The adult toy poodle weighs less than 10 pounds. It is the brightest of all the toys and will demand its owner's continuous attention. Because of the toy poodle's popularity, inbreeding can be a problem,

Yorkshire terrier: These dogs are small, easy to care for, and can be picked up. They weigh about 7 pounds and are about 7 inches tall, with long silky hair that drapes like a sheet over the body. Their coats require grooming, however, which may not be good for an elderly person who doesn't have the energy, or who has arthritis. The Yorkshire terrier is also one of the most popular ARC breed.

Halloween - Part III

Halloween - Part III

Today's Halloween customs are thought to have been influenced by folk customs and beliefs from the Celtic-speaking countries, some of which are believed to have pagan roots.

 Jack Santino, a folklorist, writes that "there was throughout Ireland an uneasy truce existing between customs and beliefs associated with Christianity and those associated with religions that were Irish before Christianity arrived".

Historian Nicholas Rogers, exploring the origins of Halloween, notes that while "some folklorists have detected its origins in the Roman feast of Pomona, the goddess of fruits and seeds, or in the festival of the dead called Parentalia, it is more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which comes from the Old Irish for "summer's end". 

All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

A big Halloween house.

A pink house, color of blood!

A dog or a cat?

A Haloween lamp.

A terrifying tenant.

Spider net.

30 Biscarth Road.

Roxborough street

Glen Road.

Biscarth Road

Scholfield avenue

Glen Road on Halloween.

A cozy yard on Halloween eve.

A witch.

A tiny Rosedale Dragon.

A skull.

Stepping forward.

A monstruous cat.

See you at the next Halloween! Be afraid!!!