Dismomx5

My sisters have both received free cruises. It started with their first cruise last year to Alaska when DH and I were left behind in Vancouver because one of us tested positive for COVID. They messaged me-thought it was a scam-and I told them to jump on it. They are doing the New England/Canada in the summer. (DH and I are joining, but we are paying 🤑). They (now 1 star) have both received many emails for more free cruises. Meanwhile, we are ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and have never received anything. 🙃

That's the way we do it, as well. Because the medication is always with us, and we are always in an AC room, terminal, car, I never worry about it. Hubby just finished off the 'extra' pen that we took on our Panama cruise in April.

Well that isn't right. VOLENDAM or Zaandam would be my choice. I've just priced out the 56 day for next year (from Vancouver) and I can say that my pocketbook wouldn't be happy either. sigh. I think I'll stick with the Koningsdam, which I love. This cruise will be my third cruise on her (whether 2024 or 2025).

In a perfect world, Koningsdam would be my choice, too. But real life always gets in the way. 🙂

Cantaré is still on the ships (i think the poster above just couldn't remember their name). We were fortunate enough to see them on the Panama Cruise repositioning cruise on the Volendam. They did three different shows and a meet and greet talk. Loved their personalities! They talked about the hiring, practice, and contract processes. We also had the classical duet who performed most days a few sets in the Explorations Lounge. The performances were attended well, for the most part. One in particular was a very full house. I am so sad to hear that they have been replaced by jazz. Not my cup of tea, to be sure.

I've cancelled (and rebooked) specialty dining many times online. You just go to your account, your cruise and then your itinerary.

Thank you so much @POA1. This will be very useful, and I can discard all those pesky individual downloads on my computer!

Same here. I've always booked in Canadian, and often get the group rates through my TA.

And that is where I am for my next cruise. I have OBC to more than cover that, and with HIA, I shouldn't have too much else to spend money on. 😄

We had an 11:00 domestic flight 10 days ago. I changed it to a later flight because I didn't want to end my cruise by being stressed. When the transfer bus stopped in the parking lot to wait, I said to DH, "I'm so glad that I changed the flight because I would have been beside myself" [at that point]. Once inside YVR, everything went quickly and smoothly....and we had time for some eating, because, you know....we hadn't eaten enough the 3 weeks prior. 🤣

Canada is metric, but you will sometimes see both near the border. I know that my can of cider is 355 mL which translates to 12 oz, apparently.

On a recent experience on "another" cruiseline - we were "any time" dining. On the second night, the maitre D asked if we had a preference for seating - did we want the same servers ..etc? Being our usual attempt to be as easy as possible we said - "not really - we're OK - anywhere is fine with us". She then said "well - you were with "John" last night - would you like to be seating in his area again?" We said yes, and were then seated with the same servers every night thereafter (different tables) in a similar manner. I had no idea cruises track who served us and not sure HAL does. All this to say...maybe it is something that could be suggested to HAL. Not sure logisticaly if that would be easier or harder for them overall (harder to arrange seating but easier for servers to serve folks they know a bit) You can ask the hostess to seat you with a server that you've had and enjoyed. We did that last year on the Rotterdam. One server just seemed to 'get' us, and so we sat in their section all the time.

Excellent! We'll get ours done for that date when we get home from this cruise!

It was a lovely to meet up with people you “know” but don’t. We even added an interested bystander for a bit. 😁

Thanks for the good wishes! We arrived in FLL about 45 minutes later than scheduled, and that was due to the plane being late to Toronto. Bags arrived, cabbed to the hotel, and just about ready to muster up some energy to go out and get something to eat. After little sleep last night, I’m hoping for it to be better tonight. I booked a shuttle to port tomorrow, and am ready for this ship to sail! Prayers for those who need them, and blessings to all!

Ann, you could say that you are having one for your fellow Canadian.... 😉

Is that an almond "butterfly" cookie at the top. When I was on the Koningsdam, I'd go down to the Dutch Café every day to get one, er two. But when we were on the Rotterdam (October and January) I never saw them.

Happy Monday! We're having a beautiful, sunny day today. I will have to miss it since I haven't started packing for the cruise on Saturday. Thanks @Sharon in AZ and @JazzyV for adding me to the list for that cruise. We are on until Vancouver (May 6). I'm looking forward to meeting the Dailyites on the cruise! I am looking forward to a quiet day today after having the whole gang here, Friday, some on Saturday, and the whole gang+ on Sunday. We got smart on Friday night, and moved the electric jeep downstairs. After several hours of that motor whining.....I was ready to toss it outside. We compromised. Of course with it being downstairs, none of the kids played on it. rofl Sending prayers to those who need them, and blessings to all. Stay well!

I love the soups!

Thanks, Ann for the reviews and pictures! My condolences to the family who lost a loved one. So sad to have that happen on a cruise.

Condolences on the loss of your grandfather. You have some leads on this thread. Hopefully, someone will be able to assist you.

Thanks again to everyone. Welcome to @sunviking90. I'm envious of your weather, although southwestern Ontario promises to be a somewhat sunny day with a high of 8ºC. I'm not necessarily a food on a stick person-I hate getting my teeth on the stick. I had a thought about the quote, but lost it. And, today's Hello Fresh meal is cottage pie. I do think I have some stuffed pasta shells in the freezer, so maybe I should switch the plan? We've not been to the port of the day, but we are booked for next winter, so fingers crossed that we'll be able to add that to our list of ports. Prayers for all those dealing with problems that seem overwhelming both health, money and even the little things that add up and throw us for a loop. Special prayers for those dealing with the latest mass shooting and the aftermath of mother nature's fury. Blessings to all. May your day be filled with joy and sunshine, and may you spread that to all those around you.

That was fortuitous in booking an extra two days. I thought of that in January (we drove from Ontario to FLL) that in the winter, two days is best. But who'd have thought that March is still heavy winter weather? Smooth transfers today.

Please add me to the Volendam - 15-Apr-23 - 21 day Panama Canal cruise. Thanks, Jacqui

Good afternoon! Thanks to those who keep the Daily up and running every day. We haven't been to Quebec City, but we will be there in late summer this year. I'm looking forward to seeing that part of our great country. We looked after the 4 and 1 year olds while their parents were in Hawaii two weeks ago, and it was regularly....(yawn) time for bed at an early time-you know like the proverbial "HAL rolls up the rugs by 9" Last week, we had to say goodbye to our Berner grandpuppy. I'm so grateful for the time we had the week before. After last week' s resting, we are preparing for our next cruise in two weeks. Haircuts today and picked up the documents. I need to figure out how much money I need to get from the bank, and pack the suitcases. I am ready for SPRING! Prayers for those that need them, and blessings to all.