StLouisCruisers

Good morning friends! It’s 70 degrees right now and will only go up to 91 and mostly sunny today. A pretty nice day. Thanks to Rich @richwmn for preparing the Daily and Fleet Report info for us. The days of recognition are all important. I’m not much of a beach person but I know of some who are. I totally agree with the quote by Jeff Rich. The salad sounds unique. I would pass on the drink and wine of the day. Both days in history were momentous. Thanks Eva @superoma, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for your F&B Dept. reports today. Prayers for our Daily Care group including Tana and Terry, Chuck and Annie, Joy’s DS Bonnie, Nancy’s DB, Ann and Pat, Melisa and her DH, Jacqui, Elizabeth, Roy, Terri and Jim. Praying for better days ahead. Also praying for DB, the Israelis and Ukrainians, the remaining hostages, and our very important men and women of our military in the region. 🙏 Cheers to everyone celebrating special occasions, cruising and preparing to cruise! 🚢🥂 Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the list-keeping work once again. The destination today is a new one – Almeria, Spain! I haven’t been there but would love to. I hope someone here will have photos to share. Of course there will be no links today. Our only plan today is to visit Kroger for some groceries. Other than that I need to spend as much time as possible working on the Christmas stocking. I don’t think there’s a chance I’ll finish it in 13 more days. Back stitching everything can be very slow. Two weeks from today we drive to Ohio in preparation for DGD Ashley’s wedding and I wanted to take the finished stocking to her new hubby. All that travel this year has kept me from working on it as much as I needed to. Anyway, hopefully everyone has a good start to their Labor Day weekend. Stay safe and keep well.

Today is International Day of The Victims of Enforced Disappearances, International Whale Shark Day, and National Beach Day Life is a work in progress. - Jeff Rich Meal Suggestion for today - Grilled Corn and Peach Cobb Salad Drink of the Day - Cognac Old Fashioned Wine of the Day - Cayuse 2020 En Cerise Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR)) Destination of the Day - Almeria, Spain Today in History: 1682 William Penn leaves England to sail to the New World 1967 First African-American justice is Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court Ship Locations Eurodam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Explorer Victoria, BC, Canada 2000-2359 Koningsdam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC, Canada eta 8/31 Nieuw Amsterdam --- 7 days, one-way from Vancouver to Whittier Glacier Bay, Alaska 0700-1600 Nieuw Statendam --- 14 days, round-trip North Cape The Midnight Sun Tromso, Norway 0800-1600 Noordam --- 7 days, one-way from Whittier to Vancouver Ketchikan, Alaska 1100-1900 Oosterdam --- 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Civitavecchia-Rome At Sea Destination Naples, Italy eta 8/31 Rotterdam --- 7 days, round-trip Viking Sagas At Sea Destination Rotterdam (Amsterdam), Holland eta 8/31 Volendam --- 11 days, one-way from Boston to Montreal Quebec City, Quebec 0700-2000 Westerdam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Explorer Ketchikan, Alaska 0700-1300 Zaandam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm 1000-1030 Juneau, Alaska 1330-2200 Zuiderdam --- 7 days, one-way from Boston to Quebec City Quebec City, Quebec 1100-overnight

This afternoon we called Flight Ease to see if they can tell us when we will see a refund of our airfare from our cancelled flight in Boston last month. Oddly enough, the same young man named Mike answered our call, the same person who I talked to on July 25th.. Do they only have one representative answering the phone? We explained we had taken his advice from my last call to him and emailed Guest Relations asking for our refund. I did that the same day and received an auto-generated email with a case #. On Aug. 4th Delta informed us they had refunded funds to what appears to be Flight Ease. So I waited 11 days with no reply from Guest Relations and emailed them again. Got another case # emailed back to me. Absolutely no word from them in the past 5 weeks. So Mike put us on hold (checking back frequently) and after about 45 minutes he got a hold of Robert from Guest Relations, who then spoke to us, and said he would send the info on to what sounded like Air and Sea. Said we would probably hear from them in several weeks' time. So we are still waiting. This feels so much like 2020 and the long wait for cancelled cruise refunds! We looked up the Terms and Conditions on the HAL website and see this fine print. Quote taken from Flight Ease Terms and Conditions: Liability and Relation with Airlines - “If, due to any cause beyond our control, we are unable to arrange for air travel or the air travel we arrange is unavailable or otherwise fails to materialize, to the extent permitted by applicable law, our sole liability will be limited to refunding the air price paid to us.” I hope that means they will refund the full amount we paid to them.

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser DS just texted me it's raining at their place in Frisco. He said quote "unusual".

I know this has been very hard on you. I just hope things look brighter as time goes on and things begin to settle down after your move. Wish some of us could help you. I have tons of experience moving and packing.

Jack @Heartgrove good luck to your DSIL when she is released and begins her PT. Also nice to hear no surgery and only PT for Terri @Cruzin Terri. My twin says she begins PT Sept. 9 after having her shoulder replacement surgery on Aug. 16. She is doing well she says. Wishing for a good appetite today for Tana. Terry @smitty34877 I too can't believe how big and grown up Miss Camilla is. That is a darling uniform they have for her Portuguese pre school.🥰

Have a great time Rich!

Today the port is Tauranga (Rotorua), New Zealand. It's a lovely port of call and I'm sure many of us have enjoyed it there. I've been there twice already and loved it. On Dec. 22, 2013 we stopped in Tauranga on the Diamond Princess. The following day we would disembark in Auckland, spend the night at the Hilton located on the pier next door and fly home on Christmas Eve. The longest day of my life! We started the morning about 5 am getting to the Auckland airport and ended up at home in Georgia about 10 pm the same day! Needless to say we slept in on Christmas Day, and drove north to visit family a few days later. On that 2013 stop DH and I merely walked around the town enjoying the warmth of the people and the climate. On Dec. 4, 2017 we returned to Tauranga on the Sun Princess, again our final port before Auckland and returning home to the U.S. This time we decided to hike around the base of Mount Maunganui, the extinct volcano at the end of the peninsula in town. A view of it from the ship. Here is the visitor information center right by the ship and Mount M. in the distance. Good information in case of an emergency evacuation due to tsunami. You start on this leisurely walk along the shore. No hurrying here! The beginning of the hike. Here it was a paved pathway. An interesting statue just off shore. As you went along this circular path around the mountain the path became rougher and you had to watch your step carefully. The scenery was beautiful, though. As we came around the mountain we got to see the beach everyone was enjoying. Here is one of my favorite photos. A rock formation that looked like a kiwi bird to me. It even had what looked like a beak on it made with some type of vine or branch. At the end of the hike we walked past a campground at the base of the mountain. Looks like a nice spot to enjoy the water and the mountain. Some hikers walked up to the top but we weren't equipped for that. On into the town. And from 2013 a few more photos of the town itself. A nice park. Everybody needs a bench now and then. A Wi-Fi hotspot for tourists and crew members, perhaps even locals too. I'm ready to go back

Good morning friends! Yesterday was quite warm and muggy. Today will be the same with a high of 93 and sunshine. The current temperature is 71. Thanks to Rich @richwmn for providing the content for today’s Fleet Report and Daily, and to Eva @superoma, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for the great food and beverage reporting. Today’s days of recognition are about individual rights, anti-nuclear testing, and using more herbs and less salt in our cooking. I really agree with the Mark Twain quote! I think I'll pass on the meal and drink but would love to try the Sauvignon Blanc. It was an excellent day for Brazil in 1825 but a sad one for Beatles fans in 1966. My twin and I were just talking about seeing the Beatles on Aug. 21, 1966 in St. Louis in our outdoor stadium, in the rain! We had a better outcome when we saw the Dave Clark Five indoors and right up front. She was the Dave Clark Five fan but it was very enjoyable for me too. I probably couldn't hear anything for days! Prayers again today for my DB, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held, and our military in that dangerous region. Many prayers for our Care list individuals including Joy’s DS Bonnie, Tana and Terry, Chuck and Annie, Ann and Pat, Melisa and her DH, Nancy’s DB, Jacqui, Elizabeth, Roy, Jane’s DS, Vanessa, Terri and Jim. My apologies if I’ve forgotten or missed someone. Praying for improvement for you all! Congrats to all our cruisers, those preparing to cruise, and everyone celebrating a special occasion in their lives. Thank you so much Vanessa @JazzyV for your work in keeping the lists updated! The port today is Tauranga, Rotorua, New Zealand which is quite a lovely place to visit. In fact, I’m booked in 2026 to see that special spot again. The previous times we’ve featured Tauranga were Dec. 31, 2021 and Nov. 22, 2023. I will post the links for your convenience and then post my photos from my previous cruises. I am headed out to my hairdresser this morning. I hope everyone here has a good day and that you stay safe and keep well!

Today is Individual Rights Day, International Day Against Nuclear Tests, and More Herbs, Less Salt Day Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. - Mark Twain Meal Suggestion for today - Grilled Eggplant & Summer Squash Salad Drink of the Day - Applepuckertini Wine of the Day - Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc Destination of the Day - Tauranga (Rotorua), New Zealand Today in History: 1825 Portugal recognizes the Independence of Brazil 1966 Beatles Last Commercial Performance Ship Locations Eurodam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Explorer Ketchikan, Alaska 0630-1300 Koningsdam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage Ketchikan, Alaska 1100-1900 Nieuw Amsterdam --- 7 days, one-way from Vancouver to Whittier Skagway, Alaska 0530-2100 Nieuw Statendam --- 14 days, round-trip North Cape The Midnight Sun Honningsvag, Norway 1100-1800 Noordam --- 7 days, one-way from Whittier to Vancouver Juneau, Alaska 0800-1700 Oosterdam --- 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Civitavecchia-Rome Corfu, Greece 0800-1700 Rotterdam --- 7 days, round-trip Viking Sagas Mandal (Kristiansand), Norway 0800-1700 Volendam --- 11 days, one-way from Boston to Montreal Saguenay, Quebec 0800-1800 Westerdam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Explorer Sitka, Alaska 0800-1600 Zaandam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage At Sea destination Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm-Juneau, AK eta 8/30 Zuiderdam --- 7 days, one-way from Boston to Quebec City At Sea destination Quebec City, Quebec eta 8/30

Thank you Graham! Bruno, please pop in anytime! I'm glad you are getting back to reading (including the Daily). Sorry it takes so long to get through probate though. Just keep talking to the cat! I bet you wouldn't be the only one who does that here.

Vanessa @JazzyV I think it's a sprained toe. Pretty bruised up today. I had to slow way down on the treadmill. I'm just thankful it isn't broken. I have some pretty designer shoes to wear to the wedding on Sept. 14 and if it was broken that wouldn't happen. Lol!

Take care of yourself Elizabeth! I hope you're doing okay today.

Castries, Saint Lucia Here is what I posted on Oct. 3, 2021. On that date @Cruise Suzy had posted they had been there the same day we were there on Rotterdam. @Cruise SuzyI see you included the Rotterdam on your Feb. 17, 2019 visit to Castries. We were actually there on the Rotterdam that day and remember the Koningsdam left port just ahead of us and we followed the K. to see Soufriere Bay and the Pitons. Here you are turning around to leave. We hadn't taken a tour that day, just walked about town. But on my first visit to Castries on the Ruby Princess in 2015 I took a tour of Marigot Bay. Feb. 4, 2015 Later I posted this: Checking out a few pics from our 2015 Ruby Princess and 2019 Rotterdam cruises which stopped in Castries. In 2015 the Ruby was docked on the good side of the harbor, in 2019 and 2022 Rotterdam and Volendam were on the opposite side. When you step off the ship on the wrong side of the harbor the environment isn't the best. Here is a photo of the Koningsdam on the best side, where you see the triangle shaped building along the shore. When you walk to downtown from that side it isn't too bad. There is Koningsdam, photo taken from Rotterdam. See the pyramid? From 2015, a sailboat from Stockholm as seen in Marigot Bay. Far from home, and a recent port of the day here. a nice resort at Marigot Bay, named Capella. I just read they've done some renovations recently, but it's still there. Want to get to that little beach across from the marina? Here's how.

Good morning friends! The weather this morning is a temp of 68F and clear. High today will be 94 and sunny. Last night we were privileged to watch 5 deer including a fawn outside our back windows munching on the vegetation on the slope behind us. I missed them while we were out of town. Yesterday afternoon I bumped my little toe on an ottoman leg and gosh darn it hurts like heck. I forgot to wrap myself up in bubble wrap! First I want to thank Rich @richwmn for preparing the Daily and Fleet Report for me while he is absent. I’m sorry the maps don’t have the ship’s names on them but I still don’t have that skill. Today we recognize power rangers, being thoughtful and weeding out hate. I have no feelings towards power rangers but do like thoughtfulness and ridding the world of hate. I think the quote is questionable. If you like crab rolls, today's your day! I'll pass on the drink and wine. Two great days in history especially the I Have a Dream speech. Thank you Eva @superoma, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for your great food and beverage reports. Prayers for my DB, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held, and our men and women in uniform in that dangerous region. Many prayers for our Care list individuals including Joy’s DS Bonnie, Tana and Terry, Chuck and Annie, Ann and Pat, Melisa and her DH, Nancy’s DB, Jacqui, Elizabeth, Roy, Jane’s DS, Vanessa, Terri and Jim. My apologies if I’ve forgotten or missed someone. Praying for improvement for you all! Congrats to all our cruisers, those preparing to cruise, and everyone celebrating a special occasion in their lives. Thank you so much Vanessa @JazzyV for your work in keeping the lists updated! Today’s port is Castries, Saint Lucia. This was the port of the day before on Oct. 3, 2021 and Oct. 25, 2023. I’ll post the links for everyone to help retrieve your prior photos. I have some to share from our visits there too. Have an excellent day, and try to stay safe and keep well. Safe travels to all!

Today is National Power Rangers Day, National Thoughtful Day, and National Weed Out Hate Day Only an artist can interpret the meaning of life. - Novalis Meal Suggestion for today - Crab Roll Drink of the Day - Sazerac Wine of the Day - Trapiche 2020 Iscay Malbec-Cabernet Franc (Mendoza) Destination of the Day - Castries, Saint Lucia Today in History: 1609 English explorer Henry Hudson, discovers and explores Delaware Bay 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I have a dream" speech addressing the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom civil rights march at Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. Ship Locations Eurodam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Explorer Sitka, Alaska 0800-1600 Koningsdam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage Glacier Bay, Alaska 0700-1600 Nieuw Amsterdam --- 7 days, one-way from Vancouver to Whittier Juneau, Alaska 1000-2130 Nieuw Statendam --- 14 days, round-trip North Cape The Midnight Sun At Sea Destination Honningsvag, Norway eta 08-29 Noordam --- 7 days, one-way from Whittier to Vancouver Skagway, Alaska 0700-2100 Oosterdam --- 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Civitavecchia-Rome Kotor, Montenegro 0800-1600 Rotterdam --- 7 days, round-trip Viking Sagas Goteborg, Sweden 0800-1700 Volendam --- 11 days, one-way from Boston to Montreal At Sea Destination Saguenay, Quebec eta 08-29 Westerdam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Explorer Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm, Alaska Juneau, Alaska 0800-0830 1230-2130 Zaandam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage Vancouver, Canada 0700-1600 Zuiderdam --- 7 days, one-way from Boston to Quebec City Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 0900-1800

Good luck to you Elizabeth. This can't be fun! Will be thinking of you and praying for relief from that nasty kidney stone.🙏

Gerry @ger_77 thanks for your kind remarks about the twins and big sis. Not a bad idea at all with the individual duvets. No more complaints about hogging the blankets! LOL! I wonder if the Ephesus Library still has a librarian on duty??

Sounds like you made some wise choices as souvenirs from Ephesus. I'm glad you still use them and appreciate them. Thank you Melanie. Thanks Elizabeth. Those boys look pretty identical don't they? I liked the terrace houses too. We put up with the other stops and the rug place actually fed us a meal, everyone whether you bought a rug or not. Thanks Terry. I will see Grandma Lisa at my granddaughter's wedding and at the hotel we're all staying at in a few weeks. I'll probably see every photo ever taken of those little ones. DD told me she's planning on advising Lisa that those kids not being given a phone to keep them entertained like so many these days. Instead, read to them daily. She's seeing the results at her school of students who can't read in 4th grade.

Can't blame you for the rant. It isn't easy doing all this work, as Jacqui @kazu recently mentioned. Anybody have any ideas for meal suggestions? I know at my house we fix our favorite recipes over and over, and I think that's how most of us do it. Thanks to Rich and all those who work hard to keep us all entertained and informed here on the Daily!

Thank you Graham! My pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed the Ephesus photos Nancy. Hope you see a nice cool down this week. So happy you enjoyed them. They bring a smile to my face every time. Thank you so much Ann for your sweet comments on the 3 babies. Great job choosing the wine today!

My dear niece Lisa sent me some new photos of her darling grandkids to brighten my day yesterday. The twins are just over a month old now. Clement, Declan and Mom And big sister Ellie Rays of sunshine!

Dixie @summer slope hoping for a quick and easy recovery from your second cataract surgery today. Good luck today Terri @Cruzin Terri at your appointments at Mayo. For Katherine @Lady Hudson and Bill, and Gerry @ger_77 and Maurice, my condolences on your losses of dear friends.

On our tour, and most tours there, you will stop at leather outlets and Turkish rug factories where they will try to sell you their products. A few people did buy a rug but not many.

I loved our visit to Ephesus in Kusadasi, Turkey in November 2012 on Crown Princess. We had a Cruise Critic roll call tour with a few of our fellow passengers. But first our tour stopped at the final resting place of the Virgin Mary, located in the Solmissus Mountains. "Pilgrims" leave their prayers on the wall outside her reconstructed home. I think he's got it covered here - draw closer to God, be a CEO of a company, marry a fair maiden and good health for his family. On to Ephesus. Our guide Filiz Capraz Bits and pieces of stone found at the site Very cool Each column was different Wow! The Celsus Library We went in to view the Terrace Houses which are covered to preserve them. The Great Theater In 2014, we visited Kusadasi twice on the Prinsendam. Here is what we did on one of those visits. We walked up the big hill to the statue at the top. That was unique. the statue on top of the hill nice view!