TLCOhio

Cruise stocks are mixed this morning. Royal Caribbean down a little, the other two up somewhat. Many questions as to where the economy is headed for the second half of 2023. Uncertainties? Few clear forward answers!! From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “Markets Ignore the Looming Debt Peril" with this sub-headline: "With rates still rising, the economy will be held back by the need to shore up highly indebted companies.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “This was supposed to be the year that higher interest rates started to bite, taking down dodgy borrowers who had loaded up on too much debt. Some are now in trouble. But investors don’t expect problems to spread far. Even as distressed companies start to hit the headlines, notably a major water utility in Britain, the riskiest part of the bond market has performed the best. The CCC-rated borrowers closest to default have returned 10% this year. The worst performing are safe investment-grade borrowers, with AA-rated corporate bonds returning 2.7%. The big macroeconomic surprise of this year: The U.S. economy has been strong even as inflation has moderated. The weakest borrowers benefited because the most widely forecast recession in history simply refused to arrive.” Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/markets-ignore-the-looming-debt-peril-aac19b32?mod=hp_lead_pos1 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 54,940 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

Appreciate the great visuals, details and follow-ups from J.P. Especially love it that this train has an open observation car. That really makes it nice to see and experience more. Keep it coming. Looks like great fun. Understand why you are "exhausted"!!! THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

YES!! More great travel adventures from J.P. and Chris. Looking interesting and exciting in Peru. As I warned (or threatened) early, we were attending this morning an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet. Below are some visual highlights. Yes, it was great weather and a fun time. Lots of "American Traditions", etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 247,814 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ A small sample of parade fun today, including creative flags, big bikes, live music, etc.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) High School class reunion members riding on their float thirty years after graduation.: From the Bexley High School Class of 1973, 50 years back, this guy was carrying their yearbook with the innovative and unique name (for that period) of FACEBOOK!! Who stole that idea?:

As I warned (or threatened) early, we were attending this morning an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet. Below are some visual highlights. Yes, it was great weather and a fun time. Lots of "American Traditions", etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 247,814 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ A small sample of parade fun today, including creative flags, big bikes, live music, etc.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) High School class reunion members riding on their float thirty years after graduation.: From the Bexley High School Class of 1973, 50 years back, this guy was carrying their yearbook with the innovative and unique name (for that period) of FACEBOOK!! Who stole that idea?:

Last night, we kicked off our local celebrations with what is called: "Red, White & Boom!". Excellent fireworks show rated as the biggest in the Midwest. Perfect weather last night after we had to deal with much rain earlier in the day. Below are a few of my visuals as proof that a "Good Time Was Had by All". Now off to an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour. Visual Summary: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums From Central Ohio's "Red, White & Boom!", below are a few of visual samples for the exciting celebration for our nation's birthday.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

Yes, sadly, we must have lots and lots and lots of proctologists around in our Central Ohio areas based on their driving practices on our roads. Great funny! Sorry Misty will be MIA for a few days. Great reporting and we are enjoying the fun visuals from J.P. and Chris in Peru. Looking forward to many more. Appreciate the kind Fourth of July greetings from our good neighbor to the North from Canada. Last night, we kicked off our local celebrations with what is called: "Red, White & Boom!". Excellent fireworks show rated as the biggest in the Midwest. Perfect weather last night after we had to deal with much rain earlier in the day. Below are a few of my visuals as proof that a "Good Time Was Had by All". Now off to an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour. Visual Summary: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums From Central Ohio's "Red, White & Boom!", below are a few of visual samples for the exciting celebration for our nation's birthday.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

From the Associated Press/AP this morning, they had this headline: “The wait for US passports is creating travel purgatory and snarling summer plans” with these highlights: “Seeking a valid U.S. passport for that 2023 trip? Buckle up, wishful traveler, for a very different journey before you step anywhere near an airport. A much-feared backup of U.S passport applications has smashed into a wall of government bureaucracy as worldwide travel rebounds toward record pre-pandemic levels — with too few humans to handle the load. The result, say aspiring travelers in the U.S. and around the world, is a maddening pre-travel purgatory defined, at best, by costly uncertainty. Passport seekers describe a slow-motion agony of waiting, worrying, holding the line, refreshing the screen, complaining to Congress, paying extra fees and following incorrect directions. Some applicants are buying additional plane tickets to snag in-process passports where they sit — in other cities — in time to make the flights they booked in the first place.” Many, varied details as to the history and growth in demand for overseas passports. Part of it is connected with an increased desire for "I want to visit the rest of the world." Full story at: https://apnews.com/article/us-passports-summer-backlog-wait-pandemic-84b7cd369a96d591319f2d04558e7840 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 21,918 views. Connect at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

Appreciate your kind wishes for rain, but we have been getting almost too much rain in the past day or so. Might threaten our big "Red, White and Boom" fireworks tonight in Columbus that are the biggest in the Midwest. Look forward to hearing more from J.P. on Peru, etc. From MSN News and a financial news website this morning, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Lines Is Up 133% This Year. Just How High Can It Go?” with these highlights: “Carnival Cruise Lines has had quite a momentous week. After releasing its second-quarter earnings last Monday, the stock initially plunged -- only to rebound even stronger and finish the week more than 19% higher. Year to date, the beleaguered cruise line stock is up a staggering 133%. Carnival stock still remains 75% below its 2018 all-time highs, and there isn't much chance of getting all the way back there anytime soon. They had to take on tens of billions in debt and sell stock at depressed prices to raise cash. With a higher share count and triple the debt load, there isn't much chance to regain highs anytime soon. Yet even after this year's more than doubling, there's still room for the stock to run higher -- but how much is feasible?” Great background and questions!! How much higher is possible? Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/other/carnival-cruise-lines-is-up-133-this-year-just-how-high-can-it-go/ar-AA1dmwan THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 71,988 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

Great suggestion to check the fine print of your travel insurance. I would be surprised if most policies extend that widely, but it raises a good point to check for that option, if and if. Sorry to hear of these challenges for Shawski. Too bad in missing the wonderful Norway fjords on this nice Silversea ship. Hopefully you can get there in the future. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 247,814 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

YES, super cute and creative about that "FLAN" railway being "pie in the sky". The real Flam rail adventure is fun and exciting. Need proof and evidence?? Below are a few of my visuals to prove it great drama and excitement. Hopefully, QueSeraSera has great weather and a wonderful sailing. Look forward to seeing reports and any pictures. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Just a couple of samples for the dramatic views experienced when doing the Flam rail adventure.: Stopping at one of the massive waterfalls along the track side to see its power "up close and personal".:

To celebrate my wife's birthday last night, we were in Barcelona. Sorry, not in Spain, but at a restaurant named Barcelona on their amazing patio on a perfect weather night. At this highly-rated dining star they always deliver top quality service, an excellent outdoor setting and super dining delights. It's in a charming, historic part of Columbus called "German Village". Below are some visual “evidence” that Penny had a super nice birthday (and to celebrate Canada Day, too) yesterday. Need proof? See the visuals. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,662 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ First were drinks, including red Sangria for me and “Big Girl” drinks for the ladies!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) My wife Penny is showing off in Barcelona's great outdoor patio setting a colorful, patriotic quilt-style pillow from wonderful and skilled long-time friend, Janet. Does its design fit for the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration?: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!) Here was my Paella Barcelona with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels, piquillo peppers, peas, sofrito and calasparra rice. Super great and totally tasty!! Dessert? Barra de Frutas or raspberry lemon bar: Swiss meringue buttercream, blueberry bourbon compote, candied lemon chip.:

To celebrate my wife's birthday last night, we were in Barcelona. Sorry, not in Spain, but at a restaurant named Barcelona on their amazing patio on a perfect weather night. At this highly-rated dining star they always deliver top quality service, an excellent outdoor setting and super dining delights. It's in a charming, historic part of Columbus called "German Village". Below are some visual “evidence” that Penny had a super nice birthday (and to celebrate Canada Day, too) yesterday. Need proof? See the visuals. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,662 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ First were drinks, including red Sangria for me and “Big Girl” drinks for the ladies!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) My wife Penny is showing off in Barcelona's great outdoor patio setting a colorful, patriotic quilt-style pillow from wonderful and skilled long-time friend, Janet. Does its design fit for the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration?: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!) Here was my Paella Barcelona with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels, piquillo peppers, peas, sofrito and calasparra rice. Super great and totally tasty!! Dessert? Barra de Frutas or raspberry lemon bar: Swiss meringue buttercream, blueberry bourbon compote, candied lemon chip.:

As we prepare for our first visit to India and doing the Feb. 2024 Mumbai to Singapore sailing, I have been researching much on India's long, unique, involved history, plus the many aspects of their amazing culture and interesting traditions. From the BBC in the past week, they had this headline: “Theyyam: The Indian trance where men become gods” with this sub-headline: "Predating Hinduisim, theyyam is an ancient and mysterious folk ritual, and one of South India's most mesmerising experiences." Here are some of the reporting highlights by Tim Bird: “With nearly 1.5 billion people and 330 million Hindu deities, India has no shortage of religious festivals and performances. Yet one of the most ancient and mesmerising is theyyam, which takes place in the southern state of Kerala and parts of neighbouring Karnataka. Meaning 'God' or the "'ncarnation of God', theyyam is an ancient folk ritual combining theatre, mime and worship that predates Hinduism but incorporates Hindu mythology. Despite the fact that theyyam harks back to an animistic, pre-Hindu time, a fundamental element of Hinduism underlines the performance: the caste system. ” Here was one of the pictures by the author to illustrate this art form from India: Full story at: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230628-theyyam-the-indian-trance-where-men-become-gods THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 71,988 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

As people get back to cruising again, Europe is a big destination this summer. But, what about for France right now? Things getting challenged there? From the New York Times this morning, they had this headline: “Traveling to France? What You Need to Know About the Protests" with this sub-headline: "Unrest has spread across France in response to the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old in a Paris suburb.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Violent protests have spread across France over the past week since the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old in a Paris suburb. More than 800 people were arrested on Thursday night after protesters caused widespread destruction in dozens of cities, setting cars and buildings on fire, looting stores and clashing with the riot police. On Friday, many roads in the Paris region and other major cities like Marseille were cordoned off, and public transport routes were disrupted as more than 40,000 police officers were deployed across the country to bring the protests under control.” Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/travel/travel-france-unrest.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal. Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 32,113 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

Great visuals and wonderful details for your exciting adventure. Appreciate you taking us along. Just able to catch up today. Sleep in and enjoy that needed sea-day. Keep up the great sharing. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Agree with AusMum and ArtofZen. Correct summary about: "see as much as possible while I'm there." We can sleep more later!! THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate this great follow-up from jollyjones. I learned something new. My guess is that most, like me, thought that just squirting that "stuff" on your hands was enough and did the trick. Cruise ships and others need to spread the word to get folks "re-educated"!! From the Miami Herald this morning, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Line Making Another Major Menu Change” with these highlights: “Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have recently made major changes to their main dining room (MDR) menus but the two cruise lines took very different approaches. Royal Caribbean, which has rolled out its changes fleetwide, slimmed down its menu getting rid of its 'Classics' choices which were a selection of appetizers and main courses available every night. Carnival Cruise Line has only reached the testing phase of its new menu. It has also slimmed down, but not eliminated, its selection of items that are available every day. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and every other major cruise line have to balance serving thousands of people at each meal with the dietary wants and needs of those customers. Some passengers have food allergies, while others follow special diets for health or personal choice-related reasons. That leaves every cruise line open to criticism about the choices it offers for any specific diet.” Not sure if for the future that Silversea will cut out its "Classics" choices and/or make other changes to their menus. Clearly for cost reasons and/or to make it easier to staff the kitchens, the cruise lines might consider changes. But, hopefully, Silversea is careful as to what they do. Or, not. Full story at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article276927538.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit. Now at 33,551 views. Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

YES!, Happy Canada Day. Remember this July 1 date very, very well as it is also my wife's birthday. On that date back a number of years ago, we were crossing from Glacier National Park on the way to Waterton Lakes National Park for staying at the super scenic Prince of Wales Hotel. We got a Canada pin from the bordering crossing officials that day. Cute! How can we now forget July 1 and its importance?? Also, last summer when we toured the Canada Maritimes for the first time, we learned about the details for how the "Canadian Confederation" came together and happened in that region. Fun, great history. Congratulations to Canada. Our big, BIG day, July 4th, is coming up on Tuesday. More fun in the USA. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour. Visual Summary: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

Appreciate these great comments and follow-ups from R&T, highplanesdrifters and JP. Yes, it's Friday!! Thank God. Need a break. Trying to get over another round of that pesky smoke and haze from Canada, plus the summer heat. Next Tuesday is our Celebration Day as the Fourth of July. Yea for USA!! From the Wall Street Journal late this afternoon, below are the weekly charts for the three major cruise lines. A very good week with record highs for the past twelve month period. Royal Caribbean has tripled during the past 11 1/2 months. Pretty good? Will RCL go higher or has it peaked for the post-Covid recovery period? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 104,414 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226 From the Wall Street Journal, below are their charts for the three major cruise lines during the most recent five trading days. Nice improvements?: For the past twelve months, here is how the Royal Caribbean chart has move, up, UP and UP!!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “Travel Stocks Charge Higher Ahead of Peak Season" with this sub-headline: "Yet companies have focused on paying down debt instead of returning cash to shareholders.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “The U.S. travel industry has recovered from the impact of Covid-19. Its stock-price recovery is still a work in progress. Americans are once again boarding flights in numbers similar to prepandemic levels. About 2.3 million passengers, on average, have passed through U.S. airports each day this year, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration. That is on par with the daily average in 2019. Demand for domestic leisure travel soared after the worst of the pandemic as flexible work schedules became more common. Meanwhile, business travel and international demand have been slower to recover, said Michael Bellisario, senior hotels analyst at Baird.” This background was also cited: "Investors pay attention to travel trends because they provide insight into the willingness of both consumers and businesses to spend. Despite fears of a recession, which hit travel stocks last year, unemployment remains low and consumers are still spending on discretionary categories." Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/travel-stocks-charge-higher-ahead-of-peak-season-a5ddc2b0 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 244,107 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

Need more as to the "Why?" for the cruise stocks rising so fast? From the Wall Street Journal's sister publication of Barron's this afternoon, they had this headline: “Cruise Stocks Ride a Wave Up” with these highlights: “Cruise stocks were surging Wednesday, with Carnival the leading gainer in the S&P 500. Carnival was soaring 9.5% to $17.41, and was on pace for its highest close since May 2022, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Royal Caribbean Group was climbing 3.2% to $104.69, and was on pace for its highest close since February 2020. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings was jumping 8.1% to $21.28, and was on pace for its highest close since April 2022. Citi analyst James Hardiman increased his price target on Carnival to $20 from $18 on Wednesday and maintained his Buy rating on the stock. 'We believe that cruise industry is seeing continued positive momentum that started with the final elimination of COVID restrictions last fall and continued throughout Wave Season, with no real signs of abating,' Hardiman wrote in a research note.” Here is the chart used to illustrate this article from Barron's: Reactions? Insights? Future predictions? Full story at: https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-062823/card/cruise-stocks-ride-a-wave-up-FHHiYxrnEbkDxroc9EcW THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 247,607 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

As of near 11 am today, all three cruise stocks, including Royal Caribbean, are continuing to rise up, UP, significantly. Amazing trend. Major high's for the most recent 12-month and three-year periods. Still not sure totally as to why and how. Your theories, speculation and smart guesses? More later. See below from the Wall Street Journal, their three-year chart for Royal Caribbean. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,629 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/

Great that you are young and full of energy!! Yes, we have done, at times, both morning and afternoon excursions. If the tours are good and of interest, it can work well. But, if booking with Silversea, they will only do one "free" or included excursion per day. The second one with SS will be at extra charge. Research and plan accordingly. Choose wisely! Silversea is generally good in detailing the amount of bus travel involved, how much intensity with walking, steps, etc. Much also depends on your personal interests and travel style. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 247,607 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Great tip and suggestion. I like Pepsi products better, especially in the am for my Diet Mountain Dew. It's the "Nectar of the Gods", IMO. For our upcoming, Feb. 2024 Silver Moon Mumbai to Singapore sailing, I will reach out to Special Services. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Agree with the smart comments and wise follow-up about how that image of 5,000 passengers does frighten many folks. It is puzzling, but understandable, as to the "educational" effort needed to help many capable people "get it" as to the advantages with cruises, especially if the itineraries are interesting and involving. Excellent points by jollyjones on "How quickly is the importance of hand washing forgotten. Hand washing isn’t infallible but it is your best defense against norovirus. Alcohol based sanitisers don’t kill it." Tell me more about why those sanitizers, etc., do not kill the norovirus. I thought that alcohol-based products were good and effective. Love to learn more about just hand-washing versus the sanitizers. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 54,286 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337