Mareblu

21 hours ago, onlyslightlymad said:

Not always true, I'm afraid.  I had a melanoma removed in it's very early stages (0.4mm).  Five years later, Stage 4, was given three weeks to live.  Plainly I made it (very long story).  I know a lot more about melanoma now than I ever thought I would need to know.    Melanoma can occur anywhere in the body where there are skin cells, inside and out.  Hopefully, it will appear on the outside of the skin and be detected.  If it is removed in the early stages, there is a good chance (about 95%) that it won't have spread but there is a reason that the symbol for melanoma is a dandelion.  Those pesky weeds have a habit of seeding everywhere.

That must have been a terrible time for you.  I should have been more specific about my experience:  I was extremely fortunate that there was no depth to measure.  When I said "they always go deeper and wider and longer", I was referring to the doctor removing the initial melanoma for immediate pathology testing, and not, in my case, the melanoma itself.  Both my GP and Specialist Surgeon said another couple of months would have resulted in a totally different scenario.  I'm so grateful I was spared further worry.  This has been my experience:  when the results are available, and if they are hopefully  "in situ" (no depth only sitting on the top dermal layer), patients wait two weeks for the initial wound to settle, and then you are given a choice (at least at my local family practice) to choose your same GP, or a Plastic Surgeon,  to perform the necessary and precautionary incision, which is more enlarged in depth, width, and length than the first.  It certainly doesn't mean other melanomas won't appear anywhere on the body, and in my case, a second one was detected during a scheduled skin check.  It was equally, thankfully, treated similarly and with the same result.   It is absolutely vital to schedule regular and frequent skin checks.     I'm surmising you were involoved in the relatively recent immunotherapy procedures, some of which have produced amazing results.  I'm so very glad your treatment resulted in obvious success.  

On 3/24/2022 at 11:36 AM, PurpleHays said:

I am currently finishing Voyager. I'm rereading so that I con hopefully be far enough along to bring the newest and maybe the one before it. All of them are ridiculously long.📗

On 3/24/2022 at 11:58 AM, PurpleHays said:

I have a mild hearing loss--I'd rather read than listen. It's easier. However, I get it for a long commute. Mine is only 20 minutes and not long enough IMO.

Outlander series is well researched (at least as far as I know the Scottish adventures, because my ancestral home of genetic memory is the Scottish Highlands) and simply captivating.  Not being completely educated in American literature apart from some publications I studied at university, I can't vouch for her accurate depictions of historic America.  Clever use of the time tool, and the mystique of, "well, could it be so?".  I have read each and every book in the series.  Also, of course, anything at all by Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve.   They tackle the edgy topics (particularly Picoult)  and are born storytellers.   I have a degree in professional writing, and I truly believe they are the modern-day classic writers of yesteryear. 

On 4/17/2022 at 8:48 AM, Aus Traveller said:

Cairns isn't part of an Indigenous community. There is an Aboriginal community at Mossman Gorge around 70km north.

Quite correct.  My brother and his family have lived in Cairns for decades.  Cairns is a large, spread-out city, and there certainly are indigenous people among its citizens, but I wouldn't describe it as an indigenous community.  

7 hours ago, RD64 said:

Mareblu - should you ever want to discuss anything Friuli related, feel free to email olegnad4961@gmail.com.

Grazie, RD64.  Will contact you through this week.

Mandi,

Linda

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

@Mareblu Thanks for the weather report. It is lovely here. I haven't been to Butchart Gardens in several years. Right now the Tulips are up everywhere and are quite spectacular. The Magnolias are stunning and the Dogwood trees (Our provincial flower) are starting to show their spectacular displays. We are on the second group of ornamental flowering trees now. There are pink pompoms all over the place, when they start to drop it will look like a pink snowstorm. The Rhododendrons are starting to bloom and soon they will be putting on quite a show. We were going to try doing some photography at Government house today but there was something going on and the parking lot was full.

Sounds like God's back yard🥰  I simply adore dogwoods, and hated having to leave some when we moved to our present home several years ago.  We have many magnolias, which are beautiful when they bloom (through two seasons, actually).  Rhododendrons put on such a wonderful show.  Some of the glens in the Scottish Highlands are lined with them, and the steep sides they line look like vertical carpets.  Sadly, they're considered a noxious weed there, and they have intense eradication programmes in place.  Enjoy your beautiful springtime.

8 minutes ago, valantine80 said:

Maybe I over think things but the problem as I see it is if you get secondary spread and you never know if that may happen. Also some companies want to know everything and also anytime you may have been hospitalised even for day surgery which one of mine involved because of the need for skin graft. Am thinking will just ignore that in future.

Once an "in situ" (top dermal layer only) melanoma is excised, it's gone.  They always go deeper and wider and longer.  The first one at base of my neck near shoulder was subsequently redone by a whizz of a Plastic Surgeon.  Impossible to see the line.  The second, on my back, my GP did, and it's quite neat apparently.  I can't see it so it doesn't bother me.  However, melanoma patients always need to be on the lookout for any further little friends appearing, so regular skin checks are essential.  I actually rang our travel insurance office, and they advised that it was unnecessary to list any such skin cancers that were totally removed.  Hope that helps.

4 hours ago, SJD117 said:

For an Aussie, isn't the presence or absence of Vegemite the true test of a dining experience?  😂  And isn't Vegemite very high in sodium?  🤪🤪🤪

I meant to add that Lyle is correct.  I'm not an avid Vegemite muncher.  Maybe once a year if I need a quick breakfast toast, but smeared extremely lightly😉

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Most people I chat with from Oz including @Mareblu rarely use Vegemite but know how to use it. They all talk about what a joy it is to watch bold Americans who slather it on their toast while on a cruise and gag from the experience.

I see Mareblu already replied while I was writing this.

Cheers Mareblu, how's the weather down under?

Getting cooler, Lyle.  We're mid-autumn ("fall") so the colours are beautiful, but coming towards the end of their show.  Canberra is a cool-climate city, but I love the cold;  I don't do summer heat very well.  Miss our skiing years, we hardly missed a weekend while our kids were growing up. Knee replacements (one for each of us) have forbidden any more skiing.  I just love the mountains, and I loved being in Vancouver and seeing the ski runs looming above the harbour.  How's your weather?  Butchart Gardens must be stunning right now, ablaze with spring blossoms.

2 hours ago, SJD117 said:

For an Aussie, isn't the presence or absence of Vegemite the true test of a dining experience?  😂  And isn't Vegemite very high in sodium?  🤪🤪🤪

Without seeming unpatriotic (and so close to Anzac Day), Vegemite at dinner would be revolting🤢  Yes, it is high in sodium, but believe it or not, some of The Restaurant's dishes were higher I think.

6 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

Good morning from Viking Orion,  The witness is ready to take the stand.

 

Yes, I wrote all those comments and I stand by them.  The ship is beautiful…..think I mentioned that here.  The specialty restaurants and the service there has been good.  Not so in the Restaurant and I have completed mid cruise comments and have been in contact with the restaurant manager.  As I said, I wanted so much to like it.  
 

I agree the singers are very good…..have enjoyed some of their shows.  The guitarist is great, as is the classical duo and the pianist.  Have enjoyed them very much.  
 

Our PV is very nice.  Love the bathroom.  Some of you may remember I was concerned after reading some comments about the firmness of the mattress.  When we boarded, we asked our cabin attendant for a topper and we have slept very well.  I wanted to come back and report that.

 

We all have different likes and dislikes with cruises.  For us, we will not return.  Love the ship for its beauty and decor, but otherwise, it is not a good fit for us.  Now….back to enjoying our last day or so.

Hello Witness 😉 

Your comments echo our 2019 Orion experience concisely.  The elegant, simple ambience, and the comfort of public spaces are sublime.  We loved the lectures we chose to attend, made some lovely friends we're still in touch with, and for us, the entertainment was just right.  Loved spending an hour or two, also, in the Explorers Lounge later in the evening.

We certainly didn't notice any excessive "rocking and rolling", even though our suite was at the front of the ship.  One of the reasons I've reluctantly held back any criticism is because we were so grateful to be fortunately upgraded to an Explorers Suite.  Without our knowledge, our amazing TA contacted Viking to let them know we would be celebrating a special date during the cruise.

The suite was beyond comfortable.  It's spaciousness and elegance echoed those features of the wider areas of Orion.

Over five weeks, we only had a couple of memorable service mishaps, but the glaring one, which I have reported in another thread, was the evening of our fiftieth wedding anniversary when our reserved window table (twice confirmed) was given to other passengers.  We were told to move to the back of the line, and if another window table became available, they would try to keep it for us.  We politely stated that we would simply move aside, without being a hindrance, but still within eyesight of the desk.  They soon found a window table.  The other (silly, I suppose, to mention) incident that evening was when the waiter sidled up to us as soon as we were seated and announced we shouldn't order dessert, because our family and TA had arranged cake and champagne as a surprise.  Well, it was still a surprise for us, but a little training in "moments" may have gone a long way.

Reading all the above, cruisers may wonder why on earth we wouldn't choose Viking again.  In a nutshell, it's the food.  With the exception of Manfredi's and The Chef's Table, which are both really good (Manfredi's exceptional), the cuisine is barely above terrible.  The offerings in The Restaurant are not only sloppily presented, they are way oversalted, and often tasteless.  We ordered breakfast in only twice, the second time to confirm that it's something not to do.  The breakfast arrived cold, with eggs so undercooked the white was sill clear and running all over the plates.  I've also mentioned in another thread that when completing the post-cruise comments sheet, I implored Viking's decisioin-makers to investigate Oceania's cuisine.  I wrote that even halfway to that amazing benchmark would be acceptable.  Seabourne and Silversea also serve wonderful cuisine.  As Viking's prices are on par with all three of these lines, we expected so much more than they provided.

Apologies for the length of this post;  I've been torn between gratitude for the unexpected and generous upgrade which should demand loyalty, and honesty.  My conscience has won out.  

I testify for you, Witness 🙂

Back on topic...we just do an online electronic transfer to our TA;  usually this is for the balance of a cruise, or airfares, etc.  We usually go to see her in person for the initial cruise deposit, because we sit down and nut out all the various flight possibilities, etc.  I do all our overseas and airport hotel reservations through (usually) booking.com.  Your husband just needs to realise how much easier it is.  If it's security he's worried about, I think we all had those initial reservations years ago.  Now though, I shudder when I recall how I would telephone the wages break-up (for our business) every week to our Bank, then drive over and collect that large sum in all its denominations.  Same time, same day, every week.  Now that was not secure.  Our son now runs the business (3rd generation) and simply presses a button once a week.  Same action for the group certificates at the end of the financial year.  I used to spend hours, sometimes days, trying to balance exactly so I could write out the certificates😬  Things have definitely changed for the better.  Tell your husband it's a bit like washboards by the river and washing machines in the laundry.

On 4/22/2022 at 8:11 AM, NSWP said:

Best he learns re banking then. My wife died almost two years ago and was an ex Commonwealth Bank Officer, so naturally she did most of the banking. But I quickly learnt to do it on my own, chucked the credit card, don't need the Qantas FF points any more and the 'free credit card travel insurance insurance was no longer available to me, as refused cover.   I just go with the ANZ Visa Debit.   

 

If you don't mind me saying, you never know what is around the corner. Likewise cooking, I have always cooked dinner when not at work, I like cooking, so that was not a problem.  I know of some blokes my age who's wife/partner passed away and they are struggling to to cook a piece of toast.

Sincere sympathy, Les.  I wasn't aware of your situation.  I really admire your positive attitude and the way you've adapted.  We'll all have to have that coffee one day....or a bite at the new "Donegans" (forget the new name).  We like Raymonds too.

Linda

5 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

But will the give me a doctorate in cruising?

5 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

But will the give me a doctorate in cruising?

Definitely.  conferred by Poseidon, assisted by King Neptune

48 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Sure would, plus they don't  have anything I want to study.

Cruises can be a university of life experience:  the travel, the history, the languages, the onboard lectures (if the topic interests you).  The added advantage:  it's amazing what you learn over a few drinks at the bar with fellow cruisers😆

1 hour ago, MicCanberra said:

I thought about going to Uni now that I am retired, but that didn't  last long.

The uni thought or retirement?🙃

53 minutes ago, Docker123 said:

You may never be too old to learn.

 

But I can assure you, after decades of experience, you can be too old to teach.

Docker, if you are a skilled teacher, as I suspect you are, your knowledge will be constantly imparted, in subtle and varied ways.  Don't underestimate yourself 👨‍🎓

25 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Congratulations. Even though this was probably a few years ago, congratulations are still due.🙂

How did you guess?😂

3 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

Well done to your daughter, and no nEver too old to learn, before my health really went downhill I was contemplating adding a higher degree  just to fight monotony. Mrs G left school at 15 went to Uni at 33 got he4 PhD at 41

My story is almost identical...had to leave school at 15 due to family circumstances, then began my degree in my forties.  My children were at the same university (much to their horror, I suspect😉).I was, and still am, astonished to be awarded the uni's major award on graduation.  The kids said they thought I could only cook.  Never undestimate the power and allure of the urge to learn, at any age.  I must add that having a wonderfully supportive husband, and setting the dinner table in the morning, all helped.

3 hours ago, Kate-AHF said:

 

I'm not that worried that they will substantially change the itin again.  Sirena is already doing Norway in the previous cruise, and though they could, in theory, change to a France + itin, she is basically doing that on the subsequent sailing.  And the ship has to be "somewhere" in that time period between Norway and France.  Guess we will just have the ship to ourselves. 😉 

Perfect scenario, Kate 🥰

2 hours ago, NSWP said:

Thanks Neil...hey, you will be envious , going to Raymonds 🍷🍜this evening with daughter and family to celebrate her getting her Masters degree yesterday in Canberra...Master of Social Work.

 

I will have a steamed dim sum for you guys, lol.

Wonderful achievement.  Congratulations to your daughter.  UC?  

10 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

No photos I'm afraid. Manfredi's was excellent, we are so happy Tanya in customer service got us in, we thought we were going to miss out on that. It was a long dinner but service was excellent, we never felt abandoned. I even asked for a specific port to finish and our wine steward went out of his way to get it (he brought over a brand new bottle). Nectar of the gods.

Chef's Table was also very good it was the Asian menu. We even had the boat show as the pilot boat came alongside to pick up the pilot. Funny thing I asked for the same port we had the night before in Manfredi's and was told it was only available by the bottle. I thought that was strange. Suffice to say that just made the previous wine steward all the more impressive. 

I'm so relieved and happy for you that your last two dinners were so enjoyable.  We agree that Manfredi's was the top spot;  we didn't have one complaint over many dinners.  Chef's Table was also really good, except for the French nights...we found those offerings rather heavy on the digestion compared to the other theme nights.  Your post reminded me that themes (about five I think) are rotated there.  If all the Orion's cuisine was Manfredi's, we'd be happy to sail with Viking again.  Sadly, it isn't.  Hope you're settled after the heaving seas, and looking forward to your East Coast experience.

On 4/19/2022 at 5:39 AM, Blackduck59 said:

Okay here is a short after action report for our recent Pacific Coastal Viking Voyage.

First the ship is beautiful, immaculately maintained. The design elements are simple and functional, there was comfortable seating everywhere (even for a portly gentleman like myself).

Our cabin was comfortable, although the entry hall was quite narrow. We enjoyed the heated floors and no fog mirror in the bathroom. As for the bathroom it was nice but not better than the bathroom we had on Celebrity Eclipse. The "Deluxe Veranda" cabin itself and the veranda were both smaller than our Deluxe Veranda on Eclipse. 

The buffet was nice enough, I was able to assemble a "B 52" Breakfast from the selections available. After the second dinner fiasco in the "Restaurant" (more on that later) we decided to eat our meals in the "World Cafe" (the Buffet) There were king crab legs on the buffet every night, and a selection of sushi. The buffet was not the same on port and starboard so those not in the know would miss the sushi or crab legs if they didn't go up both sides of the ship. In comparison the Viking buffet is half the size of Celebrity with a much smaller selection.

As for "The Restaurant" it is a beautiful space with large clear view windows running floor to ceiling on both sides. The seats are comfortable and the tables are set with nice flatware and white linen and table coverings and napkins. All the ingredients are there for a fabulous dining experience. What went wrong you ask? Well it's all about service and situational awareness. When we arrived the first night we were seated promptly at a lovely table for two, a basket of bread placed on the table and wine was poured, then the wheels fell off. They seated a table of 6 next to us with one of that party wearing heavy perfume. That of course sent Lynn into an asthmatic reaction, we were quickly re-seated to the other side of the ship. Here is where "situational awareness" comes in, no sooner had we been re-seated than they seated another woman with perfume on close by. It wasn't as bad as the first time so we just stayed put. The next night we went back and made it clear about Lynn's problem with perfume. We were seated in the extreme back corner of the restaurant. It felt like the naughty seats, but the view was good. Dinner service was painfully slow and after a little over an hour we were waiting for dessert. I guess they have short memories at the reception desk because they seated not one but 2 perfumed ladies next to us. That was the end of dining in "The Restaurant".

We did have a great person named Tanya in customer service who managed to get us the "Guaranteed" Specialty dining experiences included in our fare. Those were our last 2 dinners on the cruise.

To sum up, Viking Orion is a lovely ship and the crew works very hard. Unfortunately the execution is lacking and compared to our experience on Celebrity Eclipse the premium price is NOT justified.

Lyle, how were your meals in Manfredi's and The Chef's Table?  Any photos of those presentations?

1 hour ago, NSWP said:

Just a big Melanoma on chest, thanks.  Many cafes and restaurants down here have shut down because of staff shortages, isolation, covid etc. They open for a few days then close again.  Yes a large retiree population, vunerable. As you would know it was very busy down this way the past week which adds to the risk of catching lurgy. Population of 18,000 triples or quadruples in holidays, I often think I am in the ACT when more than half the cars driving around here have ACT plates. lol.

 

As for the BB hospital, no ventilators for covid patients, nearest ones at Bega Regional Hospital or Nowra, couple of hours away.  A new regional hospital is to be built at Moruya but that is 5 to 10 years away I reckon. So if a cruise ship stops at Eden and drops off a load of sick people, there will be dramas.

Melanomas are not our friends.  Hope yours was in situ, as my two were.  They look so innocent, but that's how they work, of course.  Years of sunbaking (no sunscreen in those childhood days) did me no favours.  It's great to see how the kids of today are so aware (most of them, anyway).  Christmas, Australia Day weekend and Easter are manic times for the coast.  Our kids go down then, but we wait till school hols are over.  Catalina and the other beautiful coast courses are a lot friendlier out of holiday times, too.  Yes, a shipload of any virus at Eden would be beyond difficult.  Take care.

Grazie, RD64.  We thoroughly enjoyed your uncle's interview, and it's sad to know he passed, but his wonderful legacy will continue to enrich our world.  We have shared with very appreciative Friulano friends.   Heartwarming to listen to his story in his fluent Furlan.  We have cousins in Codroipo.  Keen golfers, as we are, they are members and play at Lignano.  We have played there and at Fagagna.  Just before I return to this thread's topic (so we won't be closed down by our sensible moderator), I defy anyone with linguistic insight to claim Otto's expressive words could be understood by Italians generally.

The only sensible suggestion, IMHO, for those wishing to really enjoy the wondrous atmosphere and unique taste of Venice, is to stay a few days there prior or after the cruise, providing Trieste is the port for embarkation/disembarkation.  I'm so grateful we had the magical experience of sailing out of Venice, in its ethereal silver twilight, on a cruise several years ago.  I can well understand, though, why it is necessary to sadly deny that experience to fellow cruisers.  

Do you always cruise with Oceania, RD64, and if so, which cruises have you done?  We are very much looking forward to our Sirena Baltic experience in September, if it still sails those waters.  We won't mind if it is relocated, as it's the cruise that's our destination for this year, after so long stranded ashore.  Since Oceania quite rightly cancelled the St. Petersburg overnight stay, all the stateroom categories which were previously showing "wait list" are now listed as available, so we're really not sure if there are sufficient passengers still sailing to make it viable.  We just would like to know as early as possible, so that we can make other arrangements if Sirena departs from a port other than Portsmouth as planned.  Happy sailing to all.....  

Linda

15 hours ago, NSWP said:

I have just come back from Batemans Bay Medical Centre to have some stitches out. The nurse told me the Batemans Bay Hospital which is a 30 bed hospital is in lockdown due to many covid patients admitted in the last couple of days and occupying most of the beds. No accident and emergency admissions either, being directed to Moruya half hour south.  The lurgy is out out of control down here.

Sorry to hear you had sutures, for whatever reason.  Never comfortable.  We are all expecting COVID to become endemic rather than pandemic, and so spread through the community.  What concerns me is so many needing hospital admission at The Bay.  I wouldn't expect that with the high vaccination rate we enjoy in Australia now (here in the ACT it's close to 100% of eligible people), but then again there are many retirees and older people on the coast, enjoying that beautiful part of the world, so I suppose with the compromising health issues that come with ageing, perhaps it should be expected.  The other issue, and maybe the most significant, is the massive influx of tourists and visiting families now that restrictions have been eased.  It will be telling to see how admissions are in a few days, after the Easter long weekend just gone.  Be cautious and stay well, Les.