I've loved all of your cruise stories and the land vacation surprise for your wife too. Thank you.

Just read your book "What Time Is the Midnight Buffet? and so enjoyed it. We just returned from our 5th cruise (all on Princess) and am ready to go again. Your book will help keep the memories alive to our next cruise (feb, 2009)

I too watched the Angelina Lauro burn from my porch above Charlotte Amalie... we may have been neighbors! I enjoyed seeing the pictures and reading your description of the days surrounding the event.It was all I remembered it to be.

I just wanted to say- I have not laughed so hard reading a story on the internet as I did with reading yours. I just finished your entries on Cruising with Teenagers and it was brilliant!

You have a lovely family. I shall keep you all in my prayers. Happy Cruising!

callistre

Thanks for sharing your story on the demise of the Angelina Lauro. I have two remarks: She did indeed capsize on her way to a Far East scrapyard, but it was not sudden. She stayed afloat for 3 days before she sank. The tug that towed her definitely did not go down with her. Secondly, the Achille Lauro (ex- Willem Ruys) belonged to another Dutch company but was not a sistership. She was similar in many respects, about the same size, Angelina (Oranje)had three engines driving triple screws, Achille had 8 engines driving twin screws, Oranje had one funnel, Achille had two funnels, Oranje was built 1938 in Amsterdam, W Ruys 1947 in Flushing. The two companies that owned them merged and became Nedlloyd, thus the ships eventually were in the same fleet, and then sold together to Lauro.

Hi and thanks for your very informative and sad story on the Angelina Lauro. My family and I sailed on her in 1966 to Australia. I still remember the entertainment decks, swimming pool, restaurants and theatre as we sailed for 6 weeks. I was 5 years old at the time. Thanks again.

Your book was so enjoyable, I have read it at least 5 times! I am an experienced cruiser (#6 upcoming!!), and I still love you book--it brings back memories for me of my first cruises. Excellent job!

My wife and I just finished reading your book together. We would take turns reading a chapter to each other before bed each night. It was almost like being on a cruise. We met three years ago as table mates on the Celebrity Infinity, took our honeymoon on the Island Princess,and we are about to go on the Infinity again for a Panama cruise, my 25th cruise.
Thanks for the fun book and happy sailings, Larry

Hi Chester,
Thanks for the story on the Angelina Lauro - I remember her and the Achille Lauro in Sydney Harbour as migrant ships - must have been back in the 60's. Enjoyed the Kilimanjaro photos, sadly less snow than when I was there with my wife in January 1991. Lions in the trees - Lake Manyara? All great photos.
Regards, Les.

Love to cruise, and have always had positive experiences such as you describe in your "Midnight Buffet" book although I have not cruised that particular cruiseline. Princess and Royal Caribbean are good as well. Now I have to try Celebrity lines, thanks to you. By the way: $64 for your book in paperback??!! Wow...you're doing well. Good for you...and more power to you! Glad I bought my copy earlier!! Happy sailing..we're going to try the Hawaiian Islands cruise next.

What an enjoyable hour or so I spent reading your story on here. Thank you. I laughed, I cried. With so many family issues, this reading was as much a disappearing from reality as a cruise is!

Theresa (and Dave too when he reads your chapters)
Lawrenceville, NJ

Howdy Chestah!
Just read the "great dude ranch deception." An excellent tale, you're an awesome dad & husband! Also listened to the 5/3/07 radio interview (good to hear your voice). Hope all else is well. I haven't introduced myself to Uncle Carden yet, but think I saw him today. Would like to see more "Joe" videos on your site. Take care, hope to see you soon.
Kim

Enjoying all your chapters. Helps to pass the time till we cruise again.

Keith

Thanks for your cruise epic! My daughter and I are 42 days away from our first cruise, and I'm reading everything i can. Most tomes have been whining gripes about molehills turned into mountains of problems. Your story has made me even more anxious for my cruise. I can't wait to see what our wonderful little stories turn out to be! Our prayers for your fathers, and best wishes on your Prairie Home Companion cruise. Wow, a cruise with Garrison Keillor - I can picture an evening sunset with his voice leading the group in singing favorite songs. Thanks again,
Bob Laubach
Manassas, VA

We took 2 cruises this year and have now completed 10. I could not put your book down until I completed it. I was reliving our cruises through you. Great job. And the pictures and video are a great addition via the web. Thanks.

I don't usually babble on like this to complete strangers, but I can't resist!!
Your book was sent to me by a friend who leaves on her first cruise, with her husband on April 11th. (Celebrity/10 days/Western Caribbean) My husband and I leave on our first cruise on June 16th. (Holland America/7 days/Canada & New England) They laughed so hard they didn't want us to miss the fun! Got the book on Thursday. Read it through Friday and Saturday evenings. I laughed so hard, my husband who was reading a serious biography across the room looked at me oddly several times!
I am so glad I read the book before the first cruise. I can't wait to go! Your tips are fabulous! I'm already addicted and I haven't even left shore yet! I hope you write another book!!

Just finished reading "What Time is the Midnight Buffet" and am handing it off to my wife. We're taking our first cruise next month, Carnival Glory, for our 25th Anniversary. Chesterh, Thanks for a great story, nicely written, and informative for a first time cruiser.

I was a crew member on the Sun Princess in Charlotte Amalia the day the Angelina Lauro burned to the water line.

I have some additional photographs if you would like me to see them.

"I don't think I can provide computer technical support to anyone else. I'm fully booked as it is. Kris, my mother, my sons, neighbors, friends and 300 needy people at work keep me busy enough."

You've got to admit I've at least got Mom and Ryan beat

Chesterh, I am really enjoying reading about your travel experiences! Thank you so much for sharing them in such a delightful-to-read manner. Along with many others, I am prompted to ask - when is your next book coming out?

Hi Kris & Chester, I bought the book and then enjoyed reading on into the next father/son cruise here at your website. Chester you tell a great story, I was there with you all the way. DH and I have cruised many times and are very addicted. Both our daughters are also. We love Celebrity, the people who work there are what make the cruise. We are trying RCCL for the first time on Voyager, this January on a family reunion cruise. Great way to get my siblings together, we are spread far and wide across the USA. I also use cruise critic for my info and now will add your site. Thanks for sharing. Diane

Loved your posting on cruise critic.com so much that I bought your 1st book. Also booked our next cruise on the Mercury for next March to Mex.
Now, when does the next book come out???

Really enjoyed the book! We will be boarding the Galaxy on August 14th to tour Greece and Turkey. It will be interesting to see how our experience compares to yours. Does Raj still work on the Galaxy?

We have been on 35 cruises and really enjoyed "What Time is the Midnight Buffet?" We are avid cruisecritic.com users. Never been on Celebrity, however it sounds similiar to Princess (which we have been on 29 times). So many things in the book sounded just like expereinces my husband & I have shared (except winning in the casino!).

Just got back from Western Caribbean cruise on RCCL Explorer and your book was like reliving our cruise. We need to hear more from you.

Padre, do you have anything new coming soon? Hope all is well back home.

Thank you so much for "What Time is the Midnight Buffet". I bought it for the title and description. I, too, am a cruise lover and loved every one of your pages. We have been to all the ports in the book except Coco Cay (Key) so it was really nice to reminisce.

Chester, Kris and family,
I was sorry to learn of the passing of Kris' father, Dave. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Joanne

Chester are you okay. Read your tales of the Maasdam. Then it just stopped. Been worried about your medical condition. Really enjoyed reading; but hope you are okay and maybe just really busy.

Chesterh, I just started reading
"What time is the midnight buffet" and I love it. I am not much of a reader, usually I just skim books for some simple information at the bookstore, but after the first couple of pages, I just had to buy it! That is saying a lot coming from a person who only reads if she has to. Keep up the good work and I am excited to read more stories on this website!

Chester......been checking constantly for the next update and feeling concerned about the nature of those nasty headaches. Hope the reason for no new chapters is due to a very busy life and not illness. Just viewed the pictures of your garden and amazed at what you have created....your talents are many.

Chester - have been reading your stories since you posted the first one on the Celebrity board on CC. Just started the third one now - hoping that you'll have time to start working on it again (I'm assuming that real life has interrupted the flow of stories). As always, love your writing and can't wait for further installments!

Masaki (Spleen)

I love to cruise, I have done so on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Nothing beats Royal Caribbean's size. I am very excited about our cruise next year on Freedom of the Seas. Anyway, I loved your book, could not put it down. Sorry about your little accident with the door, but I have a story similar to that. Anyway, do you plan on writing another, I felt like I was right with you every step of the way.

Good Luck on your next cruise, and hope you write about it.

Lady D

Hey Chesterh, just checking in! I love the "What time..." wear you are now selling. Shouldn't I get royalties?
:-P However, "what time is the midnight buffet?" written on a woman's thong is just, well, awesome.

I have enjoyed all the installments of all your stories from the very first one. Do keep on writing, but don't let it consume your life. Obviously you are a multi-talented man. The railroad layout is amazing, especially with the woods as a background.

I'm pleased to have been a guest on your website.

I was so excited to see "Doogie Houser" for a couple of hours; then, frustrated when it connected me to the last chapter instead. Now it's gone again. I am choosing to believe that you are working your magic, and we will soon have another installment to read.

I only recently found these wonderful stories, and I'm thoroughly hooked. Have spent the past week reading, watching videos, listening to the audios, and telling people about them until the wee hours of the morning. I even pulled muscles in my back from my peculiar position to see the computer screen!

We have done some recent cruising and have been to many of the places you describe. It's like being there all over again! I really feel as if I know you, Kris, and the boys, and I'm getting really worried about you. Could you just drop a line to tell us that you are OK?

Chester...I hope the headaches are subsiding. I miss your installments. It is alaways a pleasure to find a new one. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that the frequency and the duration of them diminish.

God Bless,

Nancy

chesterh, chesterh, chesterh, where are you????? Are you okay, or did that darn eye/sinus/blinding pain like your ear is caught in a car door got you down? We're worried about you!

Chester:
We miss the story of the Moms cruise can you please finish it there is so much more to see and learn about Canada. I love your writing, please keep it up.
Francine

Really enjoyed your book. Have been on 8 cruises (none on Celebrity) and after reading your book I am ready to go on another. Bon Voyage

I got addicted to your writting on cruise critic, I am checking constantly for your next installments. I have bought several copies of your book and given them to friends who also enjoy cruising. I have re read the book several times and enjoy it more each time. Hope all is well, and hope to read another installment soon!

chester, waiting for the next installment of your MOM cruise!
I enjoy your webpage!

Just finished reading your book. Loved it. I haven't cruised with Celebrity yet, but am seriously considering it.

Thank you for the enjoyable read. It will now circulate amongst my family and friends.

Nancy

I heard of your book from a CruiseCritic what are you reading thread. Ordered it up from Amazon read it and came to your site for pictures & new adventures.

Great stuff!

Tracey

Wow-really feel like I got to experience being in the water with the rays! Loved the shorts with the boys dressed to the nines for dinner and my 9 yo liked the skateboarding clip. Thank you for sharing!

I first saw your stories on CC when we were planning our 1st cruise on the Galaxy. So glad I found you've written another one. It's such great reading. thanks.

Thank you for having an Internet Asset thats not in the I I A.


Keep up the great and wonderful things your doing.
(\/)

Thanks Chester for the great read. Makes me wish I didn't live so far away from some great cruising destinations. I did Alaska in 2003 on Celebrity and can't wait to get back on one of those big ships. Your tales help me to do this vicariously. Cheers!

Awesome stories and videos. Had an excellent time reading and watching them. Keep up the great work!

I hate being hooked on anything, but I confess I can't wait for each new installment.

We got off the Maasdam the day you boarded - we wished we could've stowed aboard.

Living vicariously isn't ideal, but better than nothing!