WatchHill

Finding a quiet area to relax on ships that overwhelm passengers with glitz and constant thumping music in excess of 100 dbls is an increasing challenge. Ships libraries have disappeared and replaced with high energy, revenue generating venues. We love the solitude of the Solarium and keeping it as an adult venue. Darcy

You have to crunch the numbers to decided cost v convenience. What about a hotel close to a Logan express location? Logan express parking is $7 per day. Pre purchase logan coach tickets for $18 round trip. Or Uber to the port. Crazy idea, yes. But those park n fly packages do build in parking with the daily rate and often only do it for 7 days Check out the Marriott in Westwood on university dr. It’s adjacent to the Amtrak and commuter rail line and ends at south station which is an easy transfer to the port.

As I was heading up to Oceanview Cafe this morning I spotted ethereal creatures floating on wires across the atrium. Left over from cirque du soleil? Darcy

Glad you were able to get an appointment and proper treatment. Before taking any unique or herbal based OTC it may be wise to discuss with your primary. I’ve notice that in recent years I’m am always asked by my primary medical if I take any herbals or other non rx medications or supplements. There are some that can alter lab results or interact with medications. Prior to any surgical procedures I’ve been told NO herbals for at least a week to 10 days. Darcy

Just stopped by guest relations and our room number was added to their list. They agree it should be on the app to facilitate the debarkation process. We’ll chill out in elite area and then head to sushi on 5 at our designated time.

It’s all about the high level of antioxidants in particular fruits. Blueberries tomatoes etc. More unexpected things things happen to us as we age and got to be prepared as best we can. The ship’s medical center has been very good even when I hit the emergency button on the phone at 2:30 am. A wheel chair was at our cabin door before I slipped into my top siders. Later that day guest relations called to be sure DH was doing well. the keflex which is a broad spectrum antibiotic seems to be working. No martini flights! just attempted to complete the debarkation info on the app. It’s more about purchasing THEIR transfer or Shorex than requesting wheel chair assist. I’ll stop by guest relations to request WC assist off the ship and then we’ll taxi to the Hyatt. Friday back to Boston. as far as cost goes - your well being is primary. Each visit was in the $600 range. Of note we are on Medicare which doesn’t cover but my gap plan is the optimal plan from the commonwealth of MA and well worth it. I carry a letter with me that indicates they cover all out of country medical. I pay first and they reimburse. Also have travel insurance just in case. As I said to DH. The cost of medical is on my jet blue card. More FF miles! Got to keep a bit of humor in this unfortunate medical even Darcy

This was something we discussed along with leaving the cruise in Bermuda. With our close contact with DHs medical team the ship’s doctor felt the best option was to be treated on the ship and stay on until we reach FL. Just as well we didn’t try for the only jet blue flight out of Bermuda today. Our ship was diverted last night when there was a life raft spotted so we will be late into Bermuda. Ravages of being a senior male crept up too quickly for DH so a cath alleviated the intense pain. Third one the doctor did on this cruise! thanks for the caring words. I’m going to suggest a new topic outside of Effy sales and Botox - health care at sea. Darcy

According to DHs urologist at MGH Brigham, cranberry may be preventative (more so for women) but not curative though liquids help process out the bacteria while on meds. I keep telling DH that my preference for cosmos keep me healthy. And avoid caffeine while of keflex.

You cannot just go to medical. You are required to call through guest relations who will transfer the call to medical and they will give you an appointment.

We’re on the Sillouette and my husband experienced similar pain. Never had a UTI but recent medical procedure required a cath. We called guest relations who transferred me to medical center. DH was seen within an hour. They can only do a dip stick, not a bacterial specific test but did draw blood for base line CBC and Chen panel. He’s on keflex for the week. Be sure you get a fully itemized bill as that’s what you’ll need to submit to your personal insurance first and then to the cruise travel insurance.

Head to the Oceanview Cafe for lunch, afternoon snack/tea time and dinner and remember pasta bar and pizza is served there from noon until 1:am. they are putting out assorted topping pizzas as fast as passengers can grab a slice or two. we’re on the ship as I type and as a very fussy pizza lover I don’t have any problem with the pizza. Loved one served yesterday topped with cherry tomato slices and fresh basil greens and lightly touched with a balsamic. Always plain cheese and pepperoni then a specialty or two or assorted veggie variety Darcy

We've stayed at both in Dania. Lots of better restaurants in the immediate area.

I recall a wine specialty shop near an Enterprise and Alamo car rental location and close to a few hotels. majestic wines had an excellent selection and very informative staff. It was within walking distance of city terminal

7 days Amsterdam to Boston. Fog rolled in as we sailed by the Isle of Wight and didn’t lift until we could see lights on Cape Cod.

https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=beer_and_wine&find_loc=Seaport+Boulevard%2C+Boston%2C+MA The airport sells duty free for departure flights, not arrivals. Spirits on D street seems to be the best option. However, if you are in Boston a day prior, lots of boutique markets sell wines. Darcy

DH showed me a spec sheet on the Meridian. 3 station radio in cabins, some had tv's, too! I seem to remember the room keys were metal, more like skeleton keys. And the marble bath rooms. Food was amazing, lots of table-side prep of elegant desserts. Darcy

Car drop off at FLL is quite easy and well placed signs as you approach the airport car return location - toward the left side of the elevated ramp. Watch for you specific rental company as you enter the facility garage. After drop off, you will see signs for taxi and ground transportation. Use the elevators and at ground level there will be lots of cabs, and someone in charge of identifying the size you may need and facilitating getting you and your family on your way to PE. Last fall it cost us about $20. cab fare after we dropped our car at FLL. Post cruise, again, cab to FLL with family and luggage, reverse of what you have already done. Then set the sat nav to what ever hotel you select. We like the 17th street area, and Hyatt Place, though they do charge for car parking overnight. Last trip to FL, we opted for Hyatt [both House and Place] in Dania, a tad south of the airport, and very easy access to RT 95 North, no charge for parking. Love Guildhall Tavern in Poole. We're heading to the UK in a few weeks, one night in London, then meeting friend from Southbourne at Hampton Court and spending a few nights with them before we do a transatlantic. Darcy

I picked up a package of Motion Sickness pills at CVS yesterday. Meclizine Hydrochloride, less drowsy formula. Since we're doing a transatlantic and heading through the Gulf of Biscay, I thought I would be prepared. Darcy

When we were in Barcelona with Azamara, we did an evening event to a winery/vineyard at Sant Sadurni d'Anoia. It is one of the oldest Cava in Spain and had some every nice wines. Also killed a few bottles in Malaga. Visit any wine/cheese shop and sample a few varieties.

Jet Blue has a non stop FLL to BOS at 11: am. The 10:10 appears to connect through JFK - done that before.....never again!

Security for the Alhambra is very tight thus the passport info is requested. When we booked a trip to the site we provided the passport information

Years ago, maybe the 80's, Cunard [?} sailed from FL with a terminal stop in Barbados. About 25 % of the passengers left the ship and went to a designated resort, owned by the cruise line, for a week and later back onto the ship for a return cruise to FL. My rusty brain seems to think it was either the Sagafjord or the Vistafjord. Darcy

I recall when the old QE sailed from Commonwealth pier on a regular transatlantic run. I also remember when it ran aground off Cuttyhunk. We sailed our boat out of Buzzards Bay to wave at passengers on the QE who waited until someone was able to check the ship's hull before it was taken back to Boston and placed in drydock. Massport needs to get their marketing people to initiate contact with major and 'hidden gem" cruise lines to make Boston a premier cruise port. Darcy

We've stayed at both in Dania. Hyatt Place is akin to the Hyatt at 17th. At times the Dania location has been less $$, so we book there. Last fall we opted for Hyatt House as we were traveling with my sister who wanted her own room. Since we were staying 3 nights pre-cruise, I opted for House and got a two bedroom, two full bath, [3 tv's] suite for less than two individual rooms. Our suite had a fully equipped kitchen with small dining table, and traditional Hyatt living room with L-style sofa. The hotel never charged us to park the car, had a nice buffet breakfast, small "snack/notions store" adjacent to the check in desk, full bar and ample seating. Only draw-back according to DH, he had to go across the street for his favorite warm chocolate chip cookie to Hyatt Place. I thought the elevators were slow. Darcy

I would like to see a few repositioning cruises origiinate/terminate in Boston instead of NY or NJ. Second wish is for a 10+ day west coastal cruise, maybe San Diego to Vancouver or the reverse, with focus on wine country. And third, a British Isles intense [14 night] with a few overnight experiences in Dublin/Belfast/South Queensferry. Darcy