threeedogmedia

Western Washington was not spared by Ma Nature yesterday. Was horrible here- I read at one point at least 500,000 without power. Many in our area may not get power for a week.

 

Some areas near the ocean saw winds over 100 MPH. I think our biggest was about 65 MPH. Was a wild ride. Because of the drought the trees have dry roots and are still in full leaf. This brought down a lot of trees- National Park Service had to close down all of Olympic National Park.

 

I felt for those that arrived on Westerdam yesterday and were sailing out in the afternoon. I'm guessing that when they got into the Pacific it was a wild ride. Not sure if they have the ability to stay in the inside due to Seymour Narrows tides.

Hi guys, Brinnon got hit pretty bad yesterday too. Trees all over, power lines on our road and I was stuck in that horrible traffic returning from Seattle. In Poulsbo, the troopers wouldn't let any of the waiting cars/trucks bring out their chain saws and get the trees off the road. We waited 1.5 hours in traffic to just go from Poulsbo to the bridge. Then it looked like a war zone all the way home. We're so fortunate that we have Mason County PUD because we were up and running with power around 7:30pm. I can't imagine being out on a cruise ship in this weather. With 65 mile winds on the canal, it looked like the middle of the ocean in a hurricane. My heart goes out to those who were on a ship with weather like this. I would have to take a sleeping pill and just crash because I would be so scared I would have a heart attack!

Guess we all have to start taking pictures of our luggage.

We always take a picture and print off what each suitcase looks like with its unique luggage strap. That way, if it gets lost, there is something to go on.... we also take a picture with our cell phone so we have one available in digital form as well.

Good luck.

Karen

Well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me y'all. But I may not be the smartest turnip off the truck but I thought I asked a simple questions which I have no clue the answer.

 

Why are CC people so infatuate with the topic of formal wear and what people wear on the boat, more so than the boat activities, ports, wildlife, food, entertainment, etc ?

I think it all comes down to people needing something to gripe about. Either they think so highly of themselves that they are better than the rest of us or more likely, they think that dressing up gives them an appearance of class and an added festivity. Frankly, I could care less. Let them do what they want. We will do the same. The ports are what I want to see and a cruise is the easiest way to do that and cover as much territory as possible in a short amount of time. OH, and don't bring up smoking as that one will get your head cut off sooner than you can blink. There are rabid topics out there that people are passionate about. Dress Code, Smoking, Wine or Beverage Cards and of course Politics and Religion. If we stay away from those, we might just be able to go on our cruise without a problem.

You aren't the only one that pays more attention to the itinerary than some others. Having never cruised on HAL before, I can't provide you with an opinion of the food or entertainment but in most cases, you'll always find something you can eat. I'm usually too tired after touring all day to bother with the entertainment (:-). I wish you a wonderful cruise and I have to tell you I find your posts refreshing!

Karen

To those of you who are upset about the recent postings about the dress code modifications, and a few other postings of late, how about we tone down the snarky comments aimed at people expressing an alternate point of view?!? We each are entitled to our own point of view and each of us can express it here. Opinions are like arm-pits - everyone has a couple so how about acting your age and add a contribution to the thread without the need to attack even the spelling and grammar of the words used to make their point. Geez, come on, do we have to be subjected to this crud when there are far more important things we can all agree on? So for those of you that feel so inclined to pick apart this post, fine, if it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling to trash someone, by all means do so but for the rest of the members of this board, how about toning it down a bit huh? We're here to learn - not participate with the bullies out there.

Grayjay, I asked about the refrigerator question for our stateroom. Although there is one available on the ship for our category, they can't guarantee the constant temperature some medications require so HAL has said that we can store that medication in the medical facility at no charge and pick up his weekly dosage syringe as we need it. I hope this helps. I was afraid it would cost us an arm and leg to use the medical facility but as it turns out, they are quite used to many of us who require regular shots.

Karen

Our e-docs for our September 2015 cruise say:

 

Again, I see no (reasonable) room for interpretation: jackets and ties are appropriate but not required while collared shirt and slacks are.

 

While the change has been reflected in the e-docs for a number of weeks, and some of us have flagged this change for a while, HAL employees are only now starting to confirm the inevitable result: no formal dress requirement. Of course, as my chat posted earlier in this thread shows, apparently not everyone in HAL knows yet, even their front-line staff.

Fouremco, the disagreement over the subject on this thread is exactly why I called HAL today. Their reservations staff works on Saturday and until she did some research in an email she hadn't fully read, she wasn't sure if this was true or not. After reading the document, she validated what the original poster stated that a collar shirt and slacks is fine for the men - so is a jacket and tie. She said the document was recent and that this was an official document from HAL. So, the official change announcement may not have been read by all of the staff yet. She was kind enough to put me on hold to inquire about my question to some other agents. She had no idea when this might officially be put on their web site. Your statement above seems to agree with all of this information. So for those people that are calling another department on Monday, you may need to keep asking......

Jade 13, you are in fact correct!!! Yippee! I called HAL to ask the question just to confirm your findings. The agent said that although some men/women will use the Gala nights to dress up = which is perfectly fine - the minimum requirement for men is a collard shirt and slacks. No jacket or tie is required. Her comment is that it appears that the Gala nights are starting to resemble the smart casual nights. Will my husband bring a jacket - sure. Sometimes the dining room is cold and none of us needs to get sick but it will be his choice to wear it or not.

We're all adults and as such - after spending the amount of money we've all spent, we'll look nice but we now have the option to dress nicely but not formal. Some will be upset but remember, you can dress exactly the way you wish on the Gala nights. If you want to go formal, by all means do so.

Now, please don't shoot the messenger here. When in doubt, please contact your agent or HAL to confirm what I was just told.

Karen

I know you were asking about Trac phones but we just got a text from AT&T announcing that they are not charging anything for international texts in the future with our share plan. That will save me quite a bit of money on our next cruise. I do however plan to check at a phone store in Sydney before our cruise as to the prices of a phone in Australia that allows cheap international phone calls.

Karen

Not sure if you drink NA beer or wine but I did check and they have both onboard. The NA wine is Sutter Fre' and it is by far the better of the brands available out there. I think there might be only a couple brands of NA beer. Oh, they also have Sutter Fre' Brut Champagne too. I think HAL does a great job providing options for all of us.

Have a wonderful trip!

I'm getting it too.. Last night of Cruise Critic got a womans voice telling me to call this number immediately as they have detected a virus or malware.. Also had three pop ups on my P.C. showing malware..I did a virus scan & nothing came up...It happened again just now, this time when I was on the tipping guide which Cruise Critic has on their web site & went back to the Main HAL board.. I had to do a CTRL/AlterNet delete to get out of that notice & then shut down my PC....

 

Yes I'm using IE but don't know how to get chrome.. I'm not very good on computers so, guess I should call my computer tech & ask him to look over my computer if I can't get out of IE..

 

Can someone guide me on how to get out of Internet Explorer.. :eek:

 

I'm signing off for about a half hour now to do another virus scan..

If I were you, I would use Safari before I would touch Chrome. It caused nothing but problems for my computer and once you have Chrome, it takes a ton of time to get rid of it. I use Safari on all of my i devices but ie on my Dell. Even though I get these messages on occasion, I just cntrl/alt/delete and close that window down. Firefox is also a good alternative if you're still on the lookout for an option out of ie. Others may have different opinions but this has been my experience and I've been programming for years and teaching computing for a few more......

Me too.....received a Microsoft spoof email saying Windows Network Defender needed attention.....all xxx-xxx-xxx for a live technician. Sure I will......when hell freezes over. Do not respond to this email - PLEASE. You'll only get ripped off and your data may in fact be hacked. Just as a precaution, I'm running my malware software and an extra computer virus scan before I do anything more than click send on this note.

Chengkp75, I hope one day to have you on one of our cruises. You have so much information about the workings of the ship systems and I guess I find this kind of stuff interesting.....not to mention that it stops misinformation in its tracks.

Thank you.

The ole "Cabin Cough" which we have experienced on too many cruises. DW has a real problem getting rid of "Cabin Cough" and has had to go to our physician (after returning home) who sometimes must use steroids to knock out the inflammation. On one occasion (Veendam) her cough was so bad that she finally went to the ship's doctor. He charged her $105, told her she "was not sick enough" and gave her some over-the-counter cough medicine. That was the time when she was not "sick enough" for nearly 2 months until steroids finally did the trick.

 

 

Hank

Hank, since I sort of pack a pharmacy when we travel, can you tell me what steroid they finally put her on to get rid of the cough? I like to be prepared for anything and I may already have it packed but would like to include it after discussing this with our doctor.

Karen

I remember Mr. Floatie!

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Thank you for the afternoon laugh of the day! I had never seen these videos before but to think that a candidate would ignore the real issue of putting in a treatment plant is just crazy.

That "crap" comes across the Straits of Juan De Fuca right on to the coast of Washington and to say that we aren't pleased is an understatement. What civilized country dumps their waste directly into the ocean without first being in a full treatment facility? I may love much about Canada and have many relatives there but Victoria is the exception. Until they clean up their sewer mess, I won't spend a dime there.

Where is the public outcry about this situation?

Karen

NW Gardener - I totally agree with your comments on the sewage issue in Victoria. When we go boating in the San Juan Islands or Gulf Islands in Canada, we wouldn't even dream of crabbing or trying to dig clams!

Boy, must be a slow news day in Alaska, as this has been allowed for years.

 

Why anyone would think that the state of Alaska would do anything to endanger their waters is beyond me. Cruise ships probably have one of the smallest footprints in the Alaskan environment of any industry there.

Thank you for adding a post with facts and data rather than someone trying to stir the pot with negative reactive information.

I lived in Alaska for 8 years and found the regulations to be the very best for the environment - contrary to what you hear on the news today...... A few years ago, one news station even went so far as to Photoshop a picture of the pipeline with trash and junk all around it. It hit the fan when a resident identified the location and supplied another picture of what it really looked like (not a speck of trash to be found).

We know her well. We're also great friends with the manager of the Quilcene Community Center. George was part of the Bluebills Boeing Volunteer group that did the remodel and I was the one that did the landscape design/implementation way back when. Then that wonderful designer did the work across the street at the Habitat building and Wow, it sure was impressive. Mine was much more rustic to fit the new design of the center and all of the materials were donated by us and our friends so considering it didn't cost the community anything, I think we did ok. We have so many friends in your town. Sometime when you're planning on eating at the Geoduck, let us know via a post and we'll try and meet up with you. I always love meeting new people and talking about cruising is one of my favorite things. The new restaurant and bar at Pleasant Harbor Marina Resort is pretty nice too. Anyway, would love to meet you two.

Karen

I'm guessing that another "Explore 4" type promo is coming. Our cabin for September jumped $600 in the last week.

Frank and Loren - I just about choked when I saw you were from Quilcene. We're in Brinnon and my husband was just "elected" as honorary Mayor again this year.

Who knows, we maybe have been seated near you at the Timberhouse !!

Karen

My suggestion would be to take a taxi, shuttle or limo. Public transportation with all of your luggage is going to be a pain in the rear. We used to use the Shuttle Express when we lived in Seattle to go to the airport and I know that they pick up passengers and deliver them to a specified location..... They are reasonably priced and will help you with your luggage. (Now you may be one of those people that can go on a cruise without a big suitcase and only a roll-aboard but I am not one of those people......) Good luck and have a wonderful cruise.

Karen

I think there are many who avoid announcing that their homes are uninhabited during the time of the cruise. Especially if someone has unusual names, using the internet, anyone can easily find an address ... an address that's more than likely an empty house which might be open to thievery.

 

As an example - we own a condo where the renters in the condo next door were having loud, verbally violent fights during which it sounded like they were demolishing the interior walls. Our tenants were becoming very upset and understandably nervous.

I knew the name of the owners ... and within 10 minutes, thanks to Google, I had their address and phone number to be able to advise them of the problems. Google even threw up a map showing me exactly where their home was in New Jersey.

 

I worry that often on Roll Calls people give out a lot of personal information assuming that everybody reading it is honest and going on their same cruise.

 

I don't think I'm paranoid ... just careful :)

summersigh - I too am a bit paranoid about posting any vacation information on social media. One time (one of the few we didn't have a house sitter) one our relatives said to "have a great trip and see you on x when you get home". We were leaving the next day so I posted a public note that told her we had a Marine on leave staying at the house and our two (BIG) dogs would be with him. He was going to be there every day since he loved the county and our home." At least I felt a little better about leaving our house. From then on, we've just had a house-sitter and things have been great. Living in the country has its problems when someone could spend hours breaking in and nobody would ever see them. I rest much easier when I know that I'm not such a target. I never have understood anyone that posts their trip logs on social media..... don't they know not everyone is honest?

Geez lambcom, I would have found our conversations pretty interesting and educational. Too bad others aren't as easy to get along with...... Their loss not yours! Would be happy to dine with you any time.

Karen

We live outside the Seattle area and exclusively use "Driver for Hire". It's a 24 hour service. Phone 206.493.9603. Web: http://www.driverforhier.biz. We have never been disappointed with the quality of service. They are always on time too! They have vehicles of different sizes to accommodate a group with all of their cruising luggage too.

Karen

A U.S. Coast Guard med-evac would cost you nothing, zero, zilch, nada. Your tax dollars at work!

HamOp, that darn bug you have as your avatar gets me every time. I find myself reaching for the screen to squash some bug then pull back yet again when I realize it's you......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Despegue View Post

But still there are some that do not believe in Global Warming...

 

 

Climate change/shift yes, global warming no.

 

Exactly, no such thing as Global warming , what a misleading couple of words, things have been changing for many many thousands of years

Thank you! You've hit the nail on the head in a nice short sentence without all the hype from the darn media. Well said.

Karen

Most of our cruising has been on Oceania in a Penthouse. First, no formal nights on Oceania- ever! Excellent food when you want it and where. There are no assigned dining seats. Port intensive cruises, butler in Penthouse and above..... I used to think the tours were expensive but seem to be about the same or cheaper on Oceania. Free airfare included in cruise price. All non-alcoholic beverages are free - including virgin fancy beverages and bottled water. No added fee to dine in the specialty restaurants and even though they have a suggested amount of alternative dining experiences, we've never had a problem going to the restaurant and seeing if there was a table to share available. I could go on but I think many will tell you we've only just booked our first HAL cruise so this is rather one sided. I will pretty much have a great time no matter what line we're cruising with because any day on a ship beats a day at home doing the normal chores..... Good luck on your choice. both sound great. Oh, the penthouse is bigger than the veranda staterooms. You can certainly pass each other at the foot of the bed with room to spare.

Karen