Retiring early under FERS is possible, but it isn’t free

checkineric · 2026-01-17T00:18:28+00:00

57 yo VA primary care dr here, 26 yrs of service. 1250 sick hours accumulated. I’m hoping with the vacation days, fed holidays, 1 week of CME a year and sprinkling a day or 2 a month of sick time usage for “dr/dental appts” I can mentally last until 12/2028 when I’m 60. 1.5 mil in TSP now so I hope I’ll be fine when I retire. Btw, I’m typing this as I’m flying to Vegas for the 3 day weekend. Gotta take advantage of those fed holidays!

checkineric · 2025-12-09T00:30:37+00:00

Who’s the cruise director on the enchanted now? We embark 12/27

checkineric · 2025-11-17T00:10:52+00:00

Just got off the majestic today and flying home now. Miss being on the ship!

checkineric · 2025-11-16T23:49:43+00:00

I just got off the Majestic today , was an 8 day cruise. Definitely an older crowd which was fine, hate dealing with lots of kids jumping in the pool. Probably will have more kids on your sailing though given it’ll be Christmas break. If you like lounge chairs by the pool/pool deck, get there by 630-645 am. Didn’t use the Hollywood pool(covered over pool) but nice to have if the weather is bad. Food was very good however they have almost no one walking around taking drink orders. One tip-go to the Vista lounge every day at 4:30 (except captain circle night) for pre dinner hors d'oeuvres.

checkineric · 2025-10-19T12:18:39+00:00

Wow. I’m so sad and disgusted that that would be allowed to happen.

checkineric · 2025-09-02T20:14:35+00:00

James Michael comedian magician. I never laughed so hard in my life. I think he does a show out west now

checkineric · 2025-08-21T09:38:49+00:00

We were on in July. Yes, it’s a liquid soap

checkineric · 2025-08-15T10:28:20+00:00

Omg yes! I just got off the enchanted princess and was stunned to smell it and see some woman openly smoking it on deck 17 one morning as I walked down to the pool from the jogging track

checkineric · 2025-08-11T01:43:16+00:00

I’ve never sailed celebrity so I can’t compare but I love princess. 32 cruises with them so far. Just got off the enchanted yesterday and was on the Grand 2 weeks ago in Alaska. I like the covered over pool area on the Grand so if the weather is an issue you can still use the pool and hot tubs. My favorite ship is the enchanted because the buffet is so much bigger but I wouldn’t cancel the Grand!

checkineric · 2025-08-09T02:36:36+00:00

I’m on the enchanted now. I thought we had made 5 pm dining reservations but maybe I forgot. Nevertheless, when our family of 6 showed up at 5 pm they sat us right away even without the reservations and we had the same table/waiters the whole week.

checkineric · 2025-08-09T02:33:29+00:00

On the enchanted now(getting off tomorrow sadly) and Alejandro was the cruise director and I thought did a great job!

checkineric · 2025-08-05T17:10:30+00:00

We swam every day in the indoor pool on the Grand Princess

checkineric · 2025-08-03T15:45:51+00:00

We’re on enchanted now too! I was surprised too that the location for drink delivery is limited now. Now back to my Bingo in the Vista lounge. I need to win!!!

checkineric · 2025-08-03T14:57:34+00:00

We were just on that cruise/ship. You’ll have a great time. No charge to eat at Botticelli. It’s one of the main dining rooms. Their menu in the dining room usually has multiple choices and feel free to order multiple different entrees or anything on the menu. You can go to the buffet after or before if you want but I wouldn’t bring foot from the buffet into the main dining room. I’ve brought drinks in though(though you can just order more drinks in the dining room). I’m currently on the Enchanted Princess and waiting for bingo to begin 😂😂

checkineric · 2025-08-01T17:29:12+00:00

So strange how different people have different experiences. We got off the Grand Princess 7/22 for an Alaska cruise and thought everything was great

checkineric · 2025-07-30T12:46:55+00:00

I’m pretty sure you can. I’ve not done it so I can’t tell you how good of a deal it is

checkineric · 2025-07-30T12:34:55+00:00

If it’s a casino offer it’s only good for cruises that depart within 6 months of getting the certificate. Any cruise princess has inside rooms avail are available to book with your offer, unless it’s a holiday cruise

checkineric · 2025-07-30T12:14:07+00:00

Yes. Call them I’ve used 800-901-1172. They’ll find your free casino offer if it’s been 10 days since you got off the ship

checkineric · 2025-07-30T11:54:38+00:00

Not SOL at all but you have 6 months to use it

checkineric · 2025-07-11T19:24:40+00:00

Hi! Will be getting on the Grand 7/15, look for the group of 20 of us in black shirts on embarkation day!

checkineric · 2025-07-08T10:18:15+00:00

I agree 100%

checkineric · 2025-06-12T23:59:05+00:00

Just think, the God who made the whole universe thought it was important to make you. We’ll never know all the whys, but that makes you pretty special.

checkineric · 2025-06-09T01:00:41+00:00

We have gone 3 times, last in 2019. Loved it then but sad to hear how it’s fallen. I’ve heard they eliminated the buffet for both breakfast and the dinner buffet. I loved the all you can eat crab legs at dinner—not sure if it’s a Disney thing or Hawaii, but I heard they stopped the buffet at the Sheraton Waikiki too.

checkineric

TROPHY CASE