StLouisCruisers

What an awful accident to happen. That is the second death from falling on stairs I've heard of in the last 2 months. My sympathy to the friend who has lost not only her young adult daughter but her parents all in one year, and to the entire family. I'm sure Pauline is feeling the loss considerably too. I'm so sorry!🙏

Terry, best news all day! Thanks for letting us know. Hope you are home soon.

Have a wonderful time!🚢

Sorry but that would be Carolyn @Cruising-along's DS whose neighbor had the stroke. I was simply replying to her. No matter who the poor person was who had a stroke and didn't get proper care, it is a very sad story. Prayers for that neighbor.🙏

That's very sad news about your son's neighbor having a stroke and being told he was fine to fly home. I hope it hasn't affected his recovery too badly. It's nice the neighbor doesn't have to worry about his dogs after your son's generous offer to help. All admirable choices. This is your lucky day! Our 2017 visit was just like yours. The first time (2013) was foggy and rainy. A beautiful place to visit.

Yes there was Covid onboard. We first noticed our next door neighbor being visited by medical for testing, then a CC friend's husband tested positive, and another couple we met had one of their waiters test positive. We wore our masks as much as possible but most people didn't take the Captain's pleas to heart when he mentioned cases going up.

I love your note from the Laundry team! We didn't get those on the Volendam and I was waiting to see one so was a little disappointed. The word joyful brings back a laugh we had in the Lido on Volendam one day at lunch. The busiest section of the Lido was the ice cream area. Every day there was a young lady named Harvelle serving there who had a loud voice greeting all her customers. There was a long line at most times. She was so happy and smiling while working her hardest scooping out ice cream. One of the Lido workers clearing dishes noticed us chatting about Harvelle and he said "it's her first contract...she's still joyful!). We about died laughing. 😂

I moved some photos around this morning and uploaded to Shutterfly which works perfectly here at home (unlike on the ship!). So I found the photos we took on November 28 in Santarem Brazil. Since we had no intention of heading out into the wilderness we stayed in town. The population of this city was over 300,000! We got on a Volendam tender to go to shore. But there were large local boats taking on passengers from a large barge they tied up to a different tender platform. The boats were tall and must have been difficult for people to board without the barge. I assumed these boats were there for shore excursion people. We would see how this would cause problems later disembarking the people at the pier. The bus driver waiting for us once on shore. No AC by the way. Typical view from bus on the way to the Fishermen's Square drop off point. As Dixie showed you, this was where everyone was dropped off and picked up again. We walked across the street where there was supposedly a tourist information center, but it really was a shopping spot, and a place where locals hawked their tour/taxi service. On that side of the street was a wide, sunny (HOT) esplanade along the water. We took that route and saw lots of boats pulled up to shore. A street scene across the street from the esplanade. And the "ugly wiring" look. Our target was the pretty turquoise cathedral we had spotted on the way downtown. Across from the church was a place where vendors set up tents. These soccer jerseys were probably big sellers. From there we walked back to Fishermen's Square using this pedestrian shopping street. Once at the Square we took the very warm bus back to the pier. We waited in a few square feet of shade for the tender, but first one of those large boats arrived with Volendam passengers onboard. However they couldn't figure out how to get them off due to height differences in the pier and boat decks. They lowered this "gangway" from the bow but I wasn't sure how this would work with some of the unsteady walkers on the boat. I never did find out how it was done because our ship's tender arrived to ferry us back. That was our day in Santarem. Just another view from the Amazon

The black marks are to show where the "butts" go if they are packing a lot of people into the tender during an emergency. You would be sitting up there on that ledge. I think DD's foot is doing okay but we'll know more tomorrow after the surgeon visit. Looks like a great time on your cruise. The lobster looks good! And for Graham @grapau27good to hear the stitches are out and it's looking like a great healing so far.

Good morning friends! Trying to get back on schedule here and got up to do the treadmill work. Also trying to walk up and down our staircase 20 times a day to compensate for the steps I was taking on the ship. Then I tried to start my laptop but it wasn't having it! We finally got it to open and it immediately went into updating mode. Just trying to get there took 1 hour so I am late today. Thanks for today's Daily Rich @richwmn. I remember the hard candy some of you are talking about. It was called ribbon candy - at least the kind my parents liked. Hurray for the heroes and heroines all over the world. Looking for an evergreen is what we did this morning when we looked out our window and noticed the next door neighbor replaced a shrub next to the driveway with a new pencil evergreen . I wonder what else is new around here? I liked the menu suggestion so thanks Debbie @dfishfor the recipes. I hope the weather isn't too terrible later this week. We are driving to Ohio Saturday, and DS is driving from Ann Arbor to Cincinnati on Christmas Day so praying the roads will be clear for us all. Santarem Brazil is a recent addition to DH and my ports of call, having just been there Nov. 28. I don't even know if I have the photos ready to go through but will see later. I have a lot of extras to do today, like get groceries and cut DH's hair. It's a mess having not been cut since before our cruise. Thanks Roy @rafinmdfor the Care and Celebration lists. Prayers for all on the Care list, and the poor people of Ukraine. Also praying for safe travels for all this holiday season. Cheers to the celebrants! Here is a link to Rich's post on Santarem, Brazil in Aug. 22, 2021 to help in retrieving your photos as needed. Have a wonderful day everyone.

Good luck with the stitch removal. DD gets her foot looked at Tuesday which is one week since surgery. She says the toes look bruised now. She'll get her first look at the surgery when the doctor unwraps it. She's been careful not to put any weight at all on it. Sorry about the bad memories of this date 3 years ago, but I think you are probably healthier than then, and have certainly enjoyed your life these past 3 years. Ann, I waved at your exit yesterday when we passed it. Hope you noticed! lol Anyway there was a ton of traffic on 95 near the speedway yesterday. But since it was daytime it couldn't have been the lights. Any idea what it was? I'm pretty clueless on Nascar events. Thanks for the Twin Day wishes. She had no idea about it either. Looks like you two are having a wonderful cruise. Just continue doing that! Love the spaghetti and meatball recipes! Thanks Debbie! I hope the weather isn't as bad as predicted. We have to drive to Cincinnati this coming weekend and have to get "over the mountains and through the woods" so please no slippery conditions! Thanks for the Twin Day wishes. Nice to hear Steve is doing so well since he's been home. Sorry to hear the sad news of the family member nearing the end. Unfortunately it seems like these things happen in multiples, making it even more difficult. What a cute photo! Great to hear from you. I hope you're having a very nice, relaxing time so far. It looks like a very special birthday dinner. Hope it was a nice day in all ways.

Good afternoon friends! What a busy day! Yesterday we took a taxi to the rental car center near the cruiseport and were there when they opened the doors at 8 am. Fifteen minutes later we were on our way north in a Prius, a much different type of car than we usually get. I'm not sure I would rate a Prius a midsize car but we managed to fit the luggage in it if you include the large one in the back seat. 😁 At least it got great mileage! It appeared we got around 59 mpg, but it sure had some weird gadgets on it. It took until 7 pm to arrive home due to stopping about 4 times. Still, during the ride my right leg began hurting. Even compression sock didn't stop that, so I have to find time to run up and down our staircase 20 times a day and see if that helps. It seemed to on the ship. Anyway the Prius had to go back to the Atlanta airport before 8 am this morning so we were out of bed before 6 to get there early. We stopped at the Kroger for a few breakfast things and once breakfast was over, all the work began. Unpacking (stuff is everywhere), laundry loads, mail sorting, list making for grocery tomorrow which includes all the stuff we need to prepare Christmas dinner at DD's house. That's the gathering spot and since she is still off her feet we will do the cooking again this year. She worries about her house getting cleaned and how Sadie will behave with a houseful of new PEOPLE to play with. But Christmas is a time to be with family and we will make it all work. Anyway it's good to be home for the week. Sorry to hear about Dixie and George's car battery problem. I told her I think I may have jinxed her since I asked if they ever had battery problems leaving a car unused for a month. Very sorry! Thanks for the twin day mentions. I need to find a minute to let my twin know it's our day! I need to also go back and read all of today's posts. Terry @smitty34877good wishes for you tomorrow! Hopeful that pain is gone for good! Love, love the photo of Miss Camilla. What a grown up girl! Also happy birthday Nancy @ottahand7. Nice to hear the meds were approved for Sharon @Sharon in AZ and I really hope the relief comes soon. Since Rich's post from Oct. 21, 2021 has been posted already all that's left to do is post my photos from Adelaide, Australia. We visited Adelaide, South Australia on the Sun Princess Circumnavigation cruise of Oct. 2017, five years ago. Fond memories of that cruise. On October 14, 2017 we took a CC roll call tour of wine country from Adelaide. We got on our van and headed out of town, stopping once when the driver noticed a chubby koala in a tree. First stop was Mount Lofty for a good overview of Adelaide. Our next stop was a lovely German influenced town of Hahndorf where we were allowed time to explore and get a bite to eat before we headed out to the wineries. The Hahndorf Academy building from 1857. Next we stopped at a bird sanctuary which I will skip photos of so that we can get to the wineries. First one was the Grant Burge winery which was lovely. The view from the tasting room. Next was the Chateau Dorrien winery which was more rustic instead of the sophistication of Grant Burge. Everybody was getting chatty by now! Heading back to the ship. Rows of palm trees While checking Rich's post from Oct. 21, 2021 I saw photos posted from @rafinmd, @tjcox9, and @GeorgeCharlie. We had a great time there and it's well worth a stop on any Australian cruise. Time to get back to work. I promise to finish reading today's Daily before the end of the day. Maybe during happy hour. Sure am missing our bar crew, Khristle, Jeremiah (Bullfrog), and Angelina from Ocean Bar on Volendam. DH will have to do instead!🥂

Here we are waiting for tender call.

Whoops! Well we’re heading over soon and packing after lunch. May not see you today. We’re not really beach people but want to walk around a bit over there. Good luck with your tendering!!

Good morning friends! We slept in slightly later this morning which is a good thing. My sleep pattern is terrible anymore. I sleep for a few hours, then wake up and toss and turn until nearly time to wake up. The reason seems to be my lower back pain because I can't find a position that doesn't hurt it. I really should have some scans done to determine what to do about it. On another health issue, since I've been walking up stairs on this ship for the last 4 weeks (no elevator at all), my knee pain and pressure problems are nearly gone. We have one flight of stairs at home and I hate to think I'll need to walk up and down them at least 18 times in one day to remain knee pain free but if I have to I will. At breakfast I watched the Nieuw Statendam slide into place near the Volendam here at Half Moon Cay. A while ago an announcement was made that they were going to reposition our ship due to currents, then resume tendering to the island. We will go over for a walk a little later, but may start some of our packing beforehand. Gotta give @RedneckBob time to arrive at his cabana! haha Thanks to Rich @richwmnfor our Daily and bon voyage to him, Jacqui @kazu, Linda @lindalerand everyone else heading to their embarkation day. Thanks also to Roy @rafinmdfor our Care and Celebration lists. Prayers for all in need and cheers to the rest of you. Funchal is a beautiful port to visit and we had it here on March 11, 2021 so here is Rich's post from that date. Thanks in advance for all the photos coming! The port of Funchal is one we have visited a few times. Anyone who has done a transatlantic has probably stopped there or in the Azores. Our first visit on Emerald Princess was in 2008. It was our first transatlantic so we were excited to see this new and fascinating place. We got on a bus and first did some touring of the cliff, Cabo Girao. I loved the purple blooming trees all over the place. This is a photo of some taken from the top of our double decker bus. The view from an overlook. And the view from the cliff, straight down. That's a little unsettling, isn't it? Back in town we headed to the market. I think I remember these tiles on a wall there. Presentation is just as important as the quality of the fruits and veggies. I would buy from this vendor, wouldn't you? In 2013 on the Royal Princess maiden transatlantic we enjoyed exploring more of the downtown area by walking, no tour. A city park where vendors had set up shop. I bought a handmade necklace from one. lovely fountain in a roundabout Remember these days?

Bon Voyage!!

Hurray!!!☺️

Good morning friends! Heading towards Half Moon Cay this morning but have to remember tomorrow is the dreaded packing day. So happy to hear Jacqui @kazuis in San Diego, hopefully catching up on some well deserved sleep right now. Thanks Rich @richwmnfor posting the Daily this morning. Interesting days to celebrate. The rigatoni might be nice. Also thank you to Roy @rafinmdfor our Care and Celebration lists. Prayers for the many listed. DD is doing well and even crawled upstairs to her own bed last night. As an infant she crawled (and teethed and did everything) EARLY! So no problem crawling up the stairs. Cheers to the folks with celebrations and cruises. The port of Saint John was listed Nov. 19, 2021 and below is the link to that date. We may have had that port on one of our cruises but were unable to get there due to weather. Some day it may happen! Have a wonderful day everyone! And Annie @marshhawksnow on Christmas is fine if you're going nowhere but everyone else has to drive through it to get to Grandma's house, or wherever, so we don't want S N O W!! Maybe it could just snow on your house! LOL!

👋 here’s a wave back! You know originally Volendam was supposed to be in Falmouth today but they changed our port before sailing date. Not sure what the reason was. Usually they give the “operational reasons” excuse. Enjoy your day there!

No problem Linda. Hoping and praying for a wonderful, stress free journey for you! You deserve it! Also, forgot to say to Sharon and Craig, happy anniversary @Sharon in AZ!!!

Good morning friends! It's a very nice morning here in Ocho Rios, at least from the upper deck railing of the Volendam it is. A little later we will walk over to shore and see if there's anything to look at. I'm sorry to hear @summer slopeDixie's DH is positive again today. Big surprise after the negative test he took the other day. Major bummer! Yesterday we, and the front desk, came up with a scenario where I was on the internet on my phone and DH and many others couldn't get on at all. He signs out of the Navigator app on his laptop each day and the log in feature would not work yesterday. Since I just leave my Iphone signed into Navigator app I was still signed into the internet and it worked all day and evening. I know I should log out but I always forget to. Later in the day the TV went out for about 15 minutes, then it came back on again. This morning when we turned on the TV, it asked which language we wanted to use, then went right into the safety drill you must watch on embarkation day! So we had to run through that before we could watch anything else. In addition yesterday in the late afternoon we started hearing an odd noise every ten seconds sort of like a "bloop" noise. After 10 minutes we notified Joanna (again! what a day she had!) and they sent our room steward but he didn't know what to do, so finally Joanna came down and listened. She said they were trying to figure it out but didn't know what it was. After several hours of this we left for dinner (and Ocean Bar beforehand). When we returned the noise had stopped for the night. Thank goodness! Hopefully it doesn't start up again anytime soon. DD is doing fine after her foot surgery. At least she was last night. She had it elevated, iced and was taking pain meds as scheduled. Thank you everyone who wished her well as I'm sure she would appreciate knowing you cared. Hoping to hear Jacqui made it out of town and is on her way to her next cruise from San Diego. We are cheering you on!! Terry @smitty34877good luck with the hip replacement on the 19th. That is really fast scheduling! The port of Aomori, Japan was shown here last on April 9, 2021 and here is a link to that date to retrieve any photos. I have not been there yet. Have a nice day everyone!

Prayers for my DD today as she is undergoing surgery on her foot. Hoping she heals quickly!🙏🏻 Today we’re going to lunch with another couple we met in the ship. Unfortunately the MDR has the same menu every day with perhaps one item added for variety. 🙄 Also this evening is the Orange party in Ocean Bar at 9 pm. We’ll be headed there after dinner to watch the antics and listen to the band. I have my orange ready to go🤗

Debbie, Schnucks is a grocery chain in St. Louis. They and their rival Dierbergs have excellent culinary departments that provide recipes and cooking classes for groups.

I’m on the internet on my phone but DH couldn’t get his tiny laptop to connect. He called the front desk and they said the internet is down because they are working on the server. Some parts came in yesterday Joanna said. Imagine her surprise when he said my wife is on CruiseCritic right now on her phone! So just want to let you all know I delivered the message to Joanna that my friends here on CruiseCritic want the internet up and running on the upcoming cruises. 😂 I haven’t been to Manila before. It was port of the day on June 16, 2021 but with the laptop down I can’t post a link. I’ll check in later as I can with uncertain internet.

Sorry to hear you ended up with Covid thanks to your Maui travels. Rest is essential so someone else will have to do the holiday prep. Take care of yourself! It's nice to hear you two were able to get out for the concert even with all the work getting there. I do hope your DH can come home before Christmas!