StLouisCruisers

Jake is in a good location for us because we know where the bridge is. I just saw some people right there on 7.

Hope you all have a great cruise (or B2B2B!) 🚢🎉

Good morning friends! Feels like December here with a temp of 33, but we will enjoy sunshine again today with a high of around 58. Thanks Rich @richwmn for the Fleet Report and Daily for December 15! Interesting days of celebration. I have the feeling cat herders day refers to keeping everything together during this busy time of the year. Everybody has their opinion about re-gifting but if you do that try to gift the item to someone other than the original giver! Tea is a popular beverage but during these cold days hot tea is the way to go. Nice quote. I will pass on the grilled snapper, cocktail and the wine. The day in history items are certainly at opposite ends of the spectrum. Thanks again to Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for the food and beverage reports! Prayers for all on our Care list, and special prayers for Vanessa @JazzyV who has experienced such horrific pain lately. Hoping the neurosurgeon can do something for you. Prayers also for my DB and friends, the people of Israel and Ukraine, our US military in harm's way, and for the return of the hostages. 🙏 Prayers for those hostages recently found dead and their grieving families. 🙏 Happy Anniversary to Dave and Cat @Ichiban Nekko. May all our cruisers departing soon have a wonderful cruise. 🚢 Hurray to all on the Celebration list no matter what your celebration.🥂 Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for your list keeping. ❤️ The port this morning is Fuerto Amador, Panama. We saw this port here on Sept. 12, 2021 and March 22, 2022. I don't believe I've been there before so no photos again today. Here are the links for you to retrieve your photos and post them here for us to review. Thank you in advance! I'm off to my hair appointment this morning and a little grocery shopping. Hoping everyone enjoys their Friday! Stay well, stay safe!

That's amazing! Congrats on your good fortune.

Kathy, my condolences on the loss of Ray's DF. At least it was a peaceful passing. I hope the memories console you both as well as the rest of your family. Carolyn, thank you very much for your kind thoughts. Your cruise is going to be awesome! Bruno, thanks for dropping in to let us know how things have been going. Glad to hear about the move, but so sorry to hear about your stroke and Dad's problems. I hope things remain going well with his at home care, and you can get back on a BHB next year. Happy holidays to you and David! Hi Denise, good to hear from you again. Happy birthday wishes to your DD! Hope you enjoy the Grands' Christmas program this evening. Sorry to hear your FIL has to go to assisted living and his memory issues lately. I remember going through that with DD DMIL and it was not easy. Hope you enjoy the time spent with family this Christmas and New Year's!

I can sympathize about your post office troubles. I handed my Christmas cards to my mail carrier instead of dropping them off at the post office. Some haven't received their card and I'm wondering what they do with all this lost mail. Last night on the news they said Georgia lawmakers have sent letters to the Postmaster General asking about poor service and lost and stolen mail, etc. Customers want better service! And just a small correction, it's my twin sister with the health insurance problems. She's had MRI's cancelled last second because the insurance company didn't get the paperwork on time.🤷‍♀️

Terri @Cruzin Terri, Debbie @dfish, Gerry @ger_77 and Debbie @tupper10 thank you for the condolences on cousin's passing. My twin tells me he had ALS for quite some time so I wonder if he was in a trial and the drugs helped extend his life. He was 88 years old! Terri @Cruzin Terri I'm so glad you pushed for the biopsy of those spots. Good luck with a resolution on that problem. Take care! Annie @marshhawk I got an email from Kroger about their Kroger brand spiral sliced brown sugar half hams. They're on sale for $1.99 per pound, limit one. Sounds like a better deal than the expensive brand! Sounds delicious by the way. Jake @Crazy For Cats safe travels today and have a great cruise! Paul @kochleffel thank you for the photos of Visby. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time there if it doesn't rain us out like Terri's day did her. Jacqui @kazu thank you for the interesting history lesson on Mary, Queen of Scots. Pennie @Nickelpenny good luck with your back issues, insurance problems, shots and PT. My twin is having problems with both shoulders and her insurance won't let her have the procedures she needs done until she does PT. They balked at her MRI too.

Happy Anniversary Sharon and Craig!!

Good morning friends! Another cold 38F morning, but will see sunshine and a high of 59! Sounds good! Thank you Rich @richwmn for the Fleet Report and Daily. More Good Today day is a good one to encourage kindness and generosity. Everyone should try to conserve energy when possible. I've never had a roast chestnut but today is the day to try it I suppose. Love the nice quote by Einstein. I'm sure the beef cabbage barley soup is good for me but doesn't sound like one I'd have as a first choice. Love the name of the cocktail today! I'll pass on the cabernet sauvignon. For the days in history segment, it would be difficult to imagine a 6 day old baby being named Queen of a country but I guess stranger things have happened. Hurray for Roald Amundsen's expedition being the first to reach the South Pole! Thank you Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for your great reports each day, and the time it takes to do the research on them. Prayers for all our CC Daily members in need of them. Thankful for the good reports but sorry to hear sad news for others including our end of life friends and family and recent losses Prayers also for the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages being held, as well as US troops in harms way in the region. Special prayers for DB and friends, plus my cousin's widow Connie. May he RIP. A big cheer for those celebrating happy events in their lives, good doctor reports, and especially the cruisers. Bon Voyage to all preparing to leave for their cruise. I know you will all have a super time! Thanks Vanessa @JazzyV for taking care of the lists each day. Praying for you for a solution to your pain and that sleep comes soon. The port this morning is Visby, Gotland Island, Sweden which you see more and more lately. This is a brand new port for the Daily. I am scheduled to visit that port on June 3, 2024 so would love to see some photos and discussion of it. No links of course. Thanks in advance for any input you have. Have a great day everyone. Today is supposed to be Free Shipping Day so if you do some online shopping I hope you find free shipping. Stay safe and well!

Aloha and Bon Voyage!

Thank you Brenda. I'm so sorry to hear your friend Lynda's DH Bill is nearing the end. Prayers for them both.

It's not a problem Jacqui. Everyone has that happen to them, and I knew what you meant. I appreciate your sympathy.

Thank you Nancy @ottahand7. I'm happy to hear John's shingles have passed but sorry he seems to have caught something else. It seems it never ends sometimes.

Oh Graham, I bet you say that to everybody! Just kidding! I hope you and Pauline have a nice day together. She's off work Wednesdays, right? Have fun! Go for it Denise if that is what you want to do! Life is short and you don't want any regrets at the end. Good luck!

Jacqui @kazu I'm sorry to hear about your DBIL's Mother's health crisis. I'll gladly add my prayer she makes it through this without surgical intervention.🙏 So nice of you to contribute to the disabled young man's apartment set up! Hoping your downed tree doesn't do any more damage before the tree guy gets to it. 🤞Thanks for the lovely flower photos today. My twin told me last night one of our cousins whom I rarely saw (especially since we lived out of state for most of our marriage) passed away yesterday of ALS. There will be a memorial service in the new year. He donated his body to a local research university for ALS studies. Yesterday was Grinch Day at DD's school and the teachers dressed in costume. She sent me a photo of herself all decked out as Cindy Lou Who including the elaborate wig associated with that character. Hilarious! She lost her voice so was whispering to her students they must be exceptionally good and quiet all day. Wonder how that worked out for her??

Happy 7th CC anniversary Graham! That's a lot of posts in 7 years so you must like people a lot to want to engage that much here. I am so glad you did engage here on the Daily because it wouldn't be the same without you! 🤗 Katherine, I hope your family members at college are feeling safe where they are and experience no problems there. I agree this is a very crazy world! My DGS in college is coming home tomorrow for the holidays, too. I believe he has a little over 3 weeks off for break. Great news about your DH Bill's good doctor appointment and bloodwork results! We love good news like that! Let's hope it's a trend.🙂

The third morning we were back on the bus, first on the "red" route and then connecting to the "green" route. Highlights of this route were the Burj Al Arab hotel, the white sandy beach, and Atlantis the Palm resort. Burj Al Arab hotel The Atlantis Palm resort Dropped back at the Dubai Mall, we again went to lunch there because of the huge variety of restaurants to choose from. This machine at the Mall would locate any store or restaurant in the Mall for you. Very handy because this place was BIG. Back on the bus, then dropped off at the nearest stop by our hotel so we could pick up our bags and take a taxi to the airport. Time for our journey to end. It was a fun time in Dubai.

The following morning we took a taxi to our hotel Hyatt Place Dubai/Al Rigga and settled into our spacious room. Then we headed out into the heat of Dubai to walk to the nearest Big Bus sightseeing bus stop. Walking through a pedestrian walkway over a busy street. We walked to the Deira City Centre to catch the next bus. We bought two day passes because there's so much to see. First up was Wafi, a connecting station, then the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, tallest building in the world. This is Wafi, a complex which includes a mall, hotel, restaurants, residences, and a nightclub. The "city" is styled after Ancient Egypt. Below are a waterfall fountain and the Aquarium at the Dubai Mall, largest mall in the world by total area. We went in the mall and located a place for lunch. Then we checked out the Aquarium. The immense Aquarium has windows into the mall to draw you in! These divers were cleaning the Aquarium while we were there. My granddaughter is a Dive Master and would love a chance to dive here but I always worry about SHARKS! Here is a fountain with "diving statues" which is very interesting to see in person. From near the mall, the Burj Khalifa behind DH. We got back on the bus and finished out the "red" route. DH and I got the front seat of the top deck of the double decker bus. Lucky us! We viewed all the downtown high rises and had a front row seat for the traffic of Dubai. A closer look at the Burj Khalifa. A view of a building called "The Frame" under construction. During our route back we passed the Dubai Museum, then saw the Emerald Princess at the waterfront getting ready to sail for India. We also passed the Old Souk, the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk. Oh my! Still one more day left of bus riding. Coming up.

My Shutterfly photo book of our Ancient Lands/Suez Canal cruise in the fall of 2016 on Emerald Princess has quite a few pages devoted to Dubai. We had an overnight there on the ship before we disembarked, then spent a third day there sightseeing because our flight home wasn't until nighttime. This day was very smoggy looking. Thank goodness the remaining days were sunny with blue skies. On the first day we packed for disembarkation which was the next day, then looked around the fantastic terminal building where there was lots of shopping. Then we prepared for our evening Dhow dinner cruise with our CC roll call group. One of the largest, fanciest cruise terminal buildings I've ever seen. And the shopping Arriving at the Dhow (traditional wooden vessel) for our dinner cruise. The glittering lights of Dubai being seated for dinner Before dinner we were entertained by a whirling Tonoura dancer We were able to step outside to watch our passage along the Dubai Canal, and see all the lights and sights. Day 2 in Dubai coming up next.

Good morning friends! Typical winter-like weather with a temp of 30F. Today will be a mix of sun and clouds and a high of 58. Thanks Rich @richwmn for the Fleet Report and Daily. Today cocoa, violins and Saint Lucia get their day. Sounds good. I like the quote but would probably skip the falafel, key lime sparkler and the chardonnay. I've rarely tasted a chardonnay I like. Francis Drake and Abel Tasman were far from home back in the day, and good news about the Hague being established on this date 103 years ago. Thanks Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for the F&B reports today! Prayers for our Care list people, Israelis and Ukrainians and all held as hostages, and my DB and friends in need of them. Hoping every day for better news for all, and less pain! 🙏 May all our cruisers 🚢 and Celebration list friends have a great day 🥂 and enjoy those happy events. 🎉🎂 Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for keeping the lists updated and I hope you get a full night's sleep and lessening pain each day going forward. ❤️ Port today is Dubai, United Arab Emirates which is a very interesting city to explore. We had Dubai as our destination once before on May 10, 2022. We've stopped there for a few days in 2016 so will post the photos soon. Here's the link to the last time for you. Hope you all have a great day and stay safe and healthy.

Have a great cruise!

Enjoy your cruise!

Very nice Gingerbread Village display photos! We had a nice one on Volendam Dec. 2022 but no moveable parts like yours did. Sorry about the canceled cruise but these things happen. Good luck finding a substitute. Now these look more like my speed! If I was really lucky they'd look this good. Thanks to Tony @sailingdutchy and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for your photos today. I especially enjoyed all the mosaic pics.

Good morning friends! A frosty 28F this A.M. with sunshine and a high of 55 later today. 🌞 Thanks go to Rich @richwmn for the Fleet Report and Daily for Tuesday 12/12. It's beginning to look more like Christmas with the gingerbread decorating, poinsettias and even the ambrosia. I approve of all of them. Well, well. Another meaning of life quote! Butternut squash curry with chickpeas?? Are you kidding me? I avoid all three so no thank you. 😝 I'll also pass on the Red Zone and whatever type of wine that is. If I don't know what it is I don't drink it. Hurray for another good first in communications, Mr. Marconi. Thank you Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for the food and beverage reports, and for putting up with my comments on them! LOL! Prayers said today for all our Daily friends in need of them, those at war and held hostage, and my own family and friends who could use a lift. 🙏 Cheers to all who are happily celebrating an event or cruising and that is quite of few of us!🎉🎂 Thanks Vanessa @JazzyV for the list work and I pray for some news soon that will help with your leg pain and sleep deprivation. 🙏 Today's port is Ravenna, Italy and I'm pretty sure we haven't been there before. The previous dates for that port were July 12, 2021 and March 12, 2022. I searched and searched for July 12, 2021 and nearly gave up but located it in September 2021 due to a very late comment by someone on some topic in the Daily. I present to you the links to Ravenna's previous appearances: In sports news I regret to inform you Notre Dame lost to Clemson last night in the finals for the College Cup, 2 to 1. However after their great season they should be proud to be #2, and have nothing to be sorry about. Great job Fighting Irish!⚽ Hoping everyone has a successful day no matter what they have ahead of them. Stay well, and be safe!

We need a Love It button in addition to Like, Thanks and as mentioned before a Wow button. Thank you for your kind remarks. I think you belong here!