Here are a few things to consider if you want to be a flight attendant:

* You may be away 4-10 days at a time.

* Starting salaries are quite low, but increase handsomely with seniority.

* Attendants may be scheduled for up to 16 hours at a time on some long haul flights. (My sister says she doesn't sit down for whole trip on a 10 hour trans-Atlantic flight.)

* Depending on whether you work for a small or large airline, you could be a crew of 1 or 18, who serve up to 400 passengers.

* Some flight attendants see nothing but same two cities day in and day out as they fly back and forth between them, while others enjoy layovers in worlds most exotic locations. Shop around before you commit to an airline.

* Carriers look for candidates with good communication skills, adaptability, and who work well without supervision.

* For international flights, bi-lingual and tri-lingual applicants are preferred.

* Attendants should have a minimum of a high school education or GED, and most have at least some college.

* Flight attendants receive 4 - 6 weeks arduous training from airline that hires them, whether or not they have had any previous experience or training.

* Regarding lay offs in currently troubled airline industry, here are some quotes I gleaned from a flight attendants online forum at www.flightattendants.org (If you really want to hear what FA's are saying, go read these discussions, they are very enlightening):

Here's pro: "The airline industry is in trouble but it isn't going to hell just yet. I've been working as a FA for about 3 years and believe that my job is secure. I do work for a regional but haven't seen a lot of people come from other airlines to us because of layoffs. We suspended hiring in September until beginning of new year and plan to start again in spring. In fall there is usually less flying overall than in other months so it made sense to stop hiring. The first year money is really funny and that's when a lot of people leave. At (blanked by Kim) we start at $16.69 an hour with an 80 hour guarantee (Monthly), there is no max but it would be hard (if not impossible) to fly more than 100 hours in best and busiest of months. Right now most people are getting pretty close to 85 hours. Per diem is $1.40 an hour from check in to 15 minutes after block in. There is no talk of layoff or company trying to ask for concessions." - skywaiter

And here's con: "The airline industry, especially charter industry, is very much a seasonal operation. Though airlines fly year round there are more flights in winter and summer than in spring and fall. So for first few years of employment with a charter carrier it is common to be laid off during slower seasons. (This from a Canadian FA, with more dramatic seasonal traffic fluctuations than in States.) Newer crew members go through layoffs, being on and off of reserve. Eventually, though, if you stick it out you get enough seniority to fly year round. Not everyone can wait around and suffer ups and downs of industry, which helps others hold their jobs year round. You won't always be at bottom of list and it only gets better." - FlyLucky (Moderator)

If this sounds like a job you want to pursue, follow a few of these links for more information:

www.flightattendantcareerguide.com www.aepsairfairs.com - Aviation Employee Placement Service Job Fairs www.aeps.com - Aviation Employee Placement Service www.flightattendants.org www.wiai.org - Women in Aviation International www.nbaa.org - National Business Aviation Association, Inc. www.afanet.org - The Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO www.aviationcareer.net - AviationCareer.net

Send kids to Club Ocean with what Royal Caribbean calls world's largest youth facility afloat. There is Navigator Dunes, a nine-hole miniature golf course, roller blade course, Jogging track, full-size basketball court, golf simulator and towering 200 feet above sea a rock climbing wall designed to challenge experts and beginners alike. ( Too scary for us- no guts, no glory )

In Viking Crown Lounge, we found Cosmopolitan Jazz Club, a great cosy lounge for drinks and good vibes. There is also a Card Room, 19th Hole Golf Bar and Navigator has a Wedding Chapel that can accommodate 60 guests.

We had a balcony stateroom with twin beds that can be converted to queen size bed, private bathroom, phone, closed-circuit television, mini bar and a hair dryer. No complaints here. The cabin was a good size, though not huge and balcony really added to spacious feeling. Nothing beats a view of sea and stars at 1:00AM. Very romantic.

There are 1,500+ staterooms of which over 900 are ocean view and of those, 0ver 700 have a balcony/verandah. There are also interior cabins, with over a hundred of those with a window that overlooks Promenade. The cabins have twin beds that can be converted to queen-size. If you bring your own laptop you can hook-up right in your cabin to internet access at an extra charge. If you are looking to go over top, check out Royal Suite: a separate bedroom with king-size bed, private balcony with a hot tub, whirlpool bath, living room, wet bar, dining area, tv/dvd entertainment system and a baby grand piano.

Broadway style show productions at held at Metropolis. In "Now & Forever", cast performs music and dance from such shows as Dreamgirls, The Producers, and Mamma Mia. An ice extravaganza in Studio B on Deck 3,"Ice Dancin'," features an international cast including Russian, Canadian and American skaters. Great show. You will need a ticket to see show as space is limited. At other times, there is open skating for guests. There is singing and dancing in The Ixtapa Lounge, and a variety of musical choices at venues throughout ship ranging from classical, rock, country western, and jazz.

A really fun to watch experience is Mardi-Gras Parade where -- jugglers, comics, costumed characters and other performers parade through Royal Promenade and perform for you.

Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean's youth program is a great expereince for your kids. There is a 22,000 sq.ft.area that includes computer stations with activities divided into age groups:(1)three to five year olds,(2)six to eight year olds,(3)nine to eleven year olds, and(4)teens; twelve to fourteeen and fifteen and seventeen. You will find an art studio, large play area, themed events, and science programs. Adventure Art by Crayola projects...and a lot more activites, too numerious to mention here.

Navigator has an outdoor area for teen parties with music and food service. Fuel is teen disco, complete with dance floor and Internet Café. Teens also can hang out at The Living Room....or play games in video arcade.

Baby-sitting is available.

Overall, we give Navigator of Seas an 8 ( out of a possible perfect 10 ). We think Navigator is a great for honeymooners, couples and families and especially for groups. There's plenty of room and lots to do for everyone.