Tonopah

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On Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas I had a “Sparkling Rosemary Lemonade” served in a martini-type glass. It was not only the best drink I’ve had on a ship. It might be the best drink I’ve EVER had. It was just perfect.

Thank you. I finally tested negative yesterday. I have a bad lingering cough. Doc says it could remain for weeks. As for test and smell, a few scents and flavors are coming through. Very light but it gives me hope.

I’m glad you are better, though. The doctor explained that the virus attaches itself to the sensory cells in your nose and there can be various levels of damage. I am really worried I still won’t be able to smell or taste in November. My niece’s senses returned after almost a year. Sadly, her sense of taste changed so much that she no longer likes wine. She shared an article with me Will getting flicked on the back of your head help regain sense of smell and taste after Covid If you don’t want to read the article, basically it says to put a finger on your forehead while someone flicks you on the back of your head. Magically, your senses return! For the sake of science I tried it and then drank a bourbon ginger. I had to repeat the test twice to verify I still couldn’t smell or taste. But I FELT pretty good. I may have to retest the theory tomorrow with a G&T just in case.

We love Cunard for the atmosphere, the dancing (hoping it isn’t going away/diminished on the Queen Anne), the food, the dancing, PROPER G&T’s, the dancing, the lectures, the dancing, the atmosphere, Homer Simpson, the dancing… We are complete t-shirt-and-shorts people but it is so nice to dress up and be with others who also dress up, even for just a few days.

At last testing I am still Covid positive (and Mister negative grrrr). My senses of taste and smell are both extremely compromised. Today was the first day in over a week that I could actually function almost at my regular pace. I baked two loaves of bread, made seafood chowder (Mister had to be the designated taster) and processed a zillion veggies for borscht. But now I am beat and plan to crawl into bed early with a book I’ve read a few times before. Familiarity makes it easier to follow along with my brain fog. My taste buds better be back to normal before we embark on the QM2 in November! Stamps foot, pouts.

I am so excited for you. Thanks for letting me “tag along”.

Choose January.That way, while you are on the ship you can book a May trip, as well!

Bon Voyage!

All the talk about battlefields being just fields. But we saw some WW1 battlefields and yes, they were fields, but they were so very heartbreaking. We saw the trenches at Vimy. They were maybe 40 feet apart. There are shell holes everywhere. Maybe because they are only 100 years old instead of 8 or 9, but those fields, man. I cried.

I, too, had zero formal clothes before our crossing. I took various black bottoms - palazzo pants and long skirts. Then mix and match fancy tops in various colors. I also had one cocktail dress and various silky pashmina wraps. Not a lot of clothes but lots of “outfits”.

Take as much wine as you want. I agree with arriving a bit later for afternoon tea. We were never turned away. I used to make clotted cream (would it be called “Florida Clotted Cream”?) but now I can’t find anything other than ultra-pasteurized cream these days. *sigh*

Started feeling like I had a cold last night. After we got home from our cruise this morning I crawled into bed, completely miserable. Home tested and yes, I have the Dread Disease. Mister is testing now, just in case. Well, at least it held off until we were finished with our party weekend. There was zero masking or social distancing on the ship so it’s not a surprise. I hope I was just the recipient and didn’t share with anyone. ETA: Mister’s test is negative…for now.

Sunrise 6:30 AM Freedom of the Seas with Nassau, Bahamas in sight to the west.

8:05 PM 17 June 2022 (just now) 3 hours east of Miami.

We were finally able to complete check-in just now.

Not just you. We can’t finish checking in for our embarkation tomorrow.

MisterTonopah and I have tested negative for the Dread Disease. We’re now at the airport headed to Miami for our niece’s twice-postponed wedding and subsequent 3=day cruise. It will be our first time on a ship in 4 years and our first time on a party cruise. 💃🏻🕺🍷🍹✈️🛳

I’m 60 and I want to play this game. Probably don’t know the same songs they do, though.

I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes! The sound! Just so perfect. I showed MisterTonopah and he laughed, too! Thank you so much! 😂💃🏻🕺🤣

We fortunately booked our voyage(s) and paid for it over a year ago. We will not be able to afford another cruise/crossing at all after that, not just due to fuel surcharges or increased cruise prices, but also due to the breathtaking rise in the cost of living.

I’m so sad about the changes to ballroom dancing in the Queen’s Room. Sadly, our voyage in November will probably be our last due to these changes.